Method for user-controlled determination of degree of roasting of coffee beans for cooking coffee beverage by means of automatic coffee machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for user-controlled operation of an automatic coffee machine (1) for cooking a coffee beverage from coffee beans. According to the method, a degree of baking (RG) is selected from at least two predetermined reference degrees of baking (R1-R5) by answering a plurality of questions (F1-F4) relating to the coffee beans to be used by means of user interaction and is transmitted to the automatic coffee machine, the coffee beans with the selected degree of baking (RG) are then used by the automatic coffee machine (1) during the cooking of the coffee beverage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for user-controlled acquisition of the roasting degree of coffee beans for brewing a coffee beverage by means of an automatic coffee machine. The invention also relates to an automatic coffee machine system configured / programmed to carry out the method and a corresponding computer program product. Background Art

[0002] A method for the user-controlled production of, in particular, liquid foods is known from EP 2279683 A1, wherein a edible substance perceptible to the sense of taste, smell and / or touch is extracted from a preliminary product by an automatic device and converted into a food product. The extraction of the edible substance is influenced by the user-controlled setting of at least two technical parameters of the automatic device in order to be able to produce the desired quality of the food product. The setting of the technical parameters required for this is achieved by a user-controlled electronic conversion circuit, which, during the production, starts from the values ​​of human-perceptible properties selected by the user and controls the technical parameters based on the previously acquired perceptual characteristics of the preliminary product. This should make it possible to set the desired taste, smell or desired properties of the food product more accurately.

[0003] WO 622 / 003743 A1 discloses an automatic coffee machine for preparing coffee beverages by pouring coffee powder, which has a control and testing device which is configured in such a way that it adapts at least one operating parameter of the pre-pouring step and selects it from the following parameters: the flow rate of the pre-pouring water, the amount of the pre-pouring water and the duration of the pause at the end of the pre-pouring step and this is dependent on a particle determination of the coffee powder.

[0004] In conventional automatic coffee machines, the user can usually select between different degrees of roasting of the coffee beans for brewing a coffee product.

[0005] However, there is a lack of association between the selectable roasting degrees and other cooking parameters familiar to the user, such as preferred bean variety, desired coffee type, and desired bean taste, so that the user cannot or finds it difficult to estimate what roasting degree is required in order to obtain a coffee product with the characteristics desired by the user. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for user-controlled detection of the roasting degree of coffee beans in which this disadvantage is eliminated.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] The basic idea is therefore to determine the optimal roasting degree for preparing a coffee product by an automatic coffee machine with the help of a question catalog, which includes questions about the desired coffee product, in particular about different properties of the coffee beans to be roasted. At least two alternative answers are determined for each question, from which the user can select in order to answer the corresponding question. Depending on the answer selected by the user, a specific roasting degree can therefore be selected from predefined reference roasting degrees, wherein each alternative answer is associated with at least one of the predefined reference roasting degrees. Based on this association, such a reference roasting degree as the optimal roasting degree and therefore to be selected for coffee preparation can be a reference roasting degree among the predefined reference roasting degrees, which is assigned a selective answer that is usually selected by the user when answering the question catalog.

[0009] The method according to the invention serves to determine the degree of roasting of coffee beans in a user-controlled manner for cooking a coffee beverage by means of an automatic coffee machine. In detail, according to the method, a degree of roasting is selected from at least two predefined reference degrees of roasting by means of user interaction to answer a plurality of questions about the coffee beans to be used and is transmitted to the automatic coffee machine. The coffee beans with the selected degree of roasting are then used by the automatic coffee machine during the cooking of the coffee beverage. In particular, it is thereby possible to take into account one of a plurality of different cooking parameter groups during the cooking of the coffee beverage, which cooking parameter group is particularly optimally adapted for cooking a coffee beverage with the selected and transmitted degree of roasting or is at least better adapted than the other cooking parameter groups. In particular, each of the cooking parameter groups can include a specific degree of grind setting of a grinder, which can preferably be adjusted automatically.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least two different reference roasting degrees are predefined. In addition, at least two questions are predefined. At least two alternative answers are predefined for each predefined question, wherein each alternative answer is assigned at least one of the predefined reference roasting degrees. In this way, the individual questions and the predefined alternative answers assigned to these questions are linked to specific reference roasting degrees, so that the alternative answer selected by the user allows for the selection of the correct reference roasting degree as the roasting degree for coffee cooking.

[0011] According to an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, the method comprises two measures a) and b). In measure a), predetermined questions are displayed to the user in a display unit. According to measure b), one of at least two different reference roasting degrees is selected as the roasting degree to be transmitted to the automatic coffee machine, more precisely depending on the selection answers selected by the user with the aid of the input unit in relation to the individual questions displayed successively in measure a).

[0012] Particularly expediently, when answering at least one question, preferably when answering all questions, the user can select two or more of the predefined alternative answers. This allows the question catalog with questions to be answered to be designed flexibly.

[0013] According to a further advantageous development of the method according to the invention, during measure b), in a first submeasure b1), for each reference degree of roasting, a corresponding number of selection responses selected in total by the user and assigned to the corresponding reference degree of roasting is acquired. In a second submeasure b2) of measure b), following the first submeasure b1), the reference degree of roasting is selected as the degree of roasting for which the maximum number of selection responses assigned to it was acquired in submeasure b1).

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment, at least one of the predefined questions relates to the type of coffee to be produced with the aid of the coffee beans. Alternatively or additionally, in this embodiment, at least one of the predefined questions relates to the desired brightness of the coffee beans. Alternatively or additionally, in this embodiment, at least one of the predefined questions relates to the type of beans to be used. Alternatively or additionally, in this embodiment, at least one of the predefined questions relates to the taste of the coffee beans to be used.

[0015] Particularly preferably, at least five reference roasting degrees can be predefined, preferably at least the following five reference roasting degrees: very light roast; light roast; medium roast, ie balanced; dark roast, ie strong / full-flavored; very dark roast, ie pronounced / full-bodied / strong.

[0016] The method can preferably be carried out in a mobile phone, wherein particularly preferably the display device and the input unit can be formed by a touch-sensitive display of the mobile phone.

[0017] According to a further advantageous development, the degree of roasting determined in step b) is preferably stored in a mobile phone before it is transmitted to the automatic coffee machine, in particular when a name is assigned.

[0018] The invention also relates to an automatic coffee machine system having an automatic coffee machine for brewing a coffee product from coffee beans, wherein the automatic coffee machine is configured to produce a coffee product from coffee beans having at least two different degrees of roasting. The system according to the invention also comprises a device which is set / programmed to carry out the method according to the invention described above and which is or can be connected to the automatic coffee machine for data transmission in order to transmit the acquired degree of roasting to the automatic coffee machine. The advantages of the method according to the invention explained above are thus transferred to the system according to the invention.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, the device is or comprises a mobile phone.

[0020] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0021] It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description.

[0023] Schematically respectively:

[0024] Figure 1 The system according to the invention is shown by way of example,

[0025] Figure 2 A table is shown which illustrates the method according to the invention and from which a link between different optional answers predefined for the respective questions of the question list and possible reference roasting degrees is derived,

[0026] Figure 3 A flow chart of the method according to the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Figure 1 An example of an automatic coffee machine system 6 according to the invention is illustrated in a roughly schematically simplified diagram. The system 6 comprises an automatic coffee machine 1, which is shown greatly simplified, for brewing coffee products from coffee beans. The automatic coffee machine 1 is designed to produce coffee products from coffee beans with at least two different roasting degrees RG. In addition, the system according to the invention comprises a device 7, which is set up and programmed to carry out the method according to the invention. In the example, the device 7 is a mobile phone 4.

[0028] The mobile phone 4 is connected to the automatic coffee machine 1 for data transmission, preferably by means of a wireless data connection, such as “Bluetooth”, for example, in order to transmit the roasting degree RG determined by means of the method according to the invention to the automatic coffee machine.

[0029] According to the following Figure 2 and Figure 3 To explain the method according to the invention by way of example.

[0030] The method according to the invention is used for user-controlled acquisition of the roasting degree of coffee beans for brewing a coffee beverage by means of an automatic coffee machine. According to the method, a specific roasting degree RG is acquired from five predefined reference roasting degrees R1-R5 by answering four questions F1-F4 about the coffee beans to be used by means of user interaction and transmitted to the automatic coffee machine 1. The automatic coffee machine 1 then uses the coffee beans with the selected roasting degree RG in the process of brewing the coffee beverage.

[0031] In the example, at least the following five reference roasting degrees R1 to R5 are predetermined: very light roasting R1; light roasting R2; medium roasting R3; dark roasting R4; very dark roasting R5.

[0032] Furthermore, in the example, four questions F1 to F4 are predefined regarding the coffee beans to be used. Two alternative answers A1.1, A1.2, A2.1, A2.2, A2.3, A2.4, A3.1, A3.2, A3.3, A4.1, A4.2 are predefined for each predefined question, wherein at least one of the predefined reference roasting degrees R1-R5 is assigned to the alternative answers.

[0033] The first question F1 can, for example, relate to what type of beverage should be produced. The first choice answer A1.1 can then, for example, be "espresso", the second choice answer A1.2 is "creamy coffee". Similarly, the second question F2 can relate to what brightness the coffee beans to be used should have. The first choice answer A2.1 can, for example, be "bright", the second choice answer A2.2 is "medium", the third choice answer A2.3 is "dark", and the fourth choice answer A2.4 is "very dark". In addition, the third question F3 can relate to what type of coffee beans should be used. The first choice answer A3.1 can then, for example, be "40% Arabica", the second choice answer A3.2 is "Arabica, Robusta blend", and the third choice answer A3.3 can be "not specified". In addition, the fourth question F4 can relate to what type of coffee beans should be used. The following seven options can be imagined to answer A4.1-A4.7: A4.1: Fruity; A4.2: Chocolate; A4.3: Nutty; A4.4: Caramel; A4.5: Original; A4.6: Mild; A4.7: Strong.

[0034] according to Figure 2 According to the table shown in , each of the selection answers A1.1, A1.2, A2.1-A2.4, A3.1-A3.3, A4.1-A4.7 is assigned at least one reference roasting degree of the reference roasting degrees R1 to R5.

[0035] According to the flow chart, the method according to the invention comprises three measures a) and b) in the example. In measure a), four predefined questions F1-F4 are displayed to the user in the display unit 2. According to measure b), one of five different reference roasting degrees R1-R5 is selected as the roasting degree RG to be transmitted to the automatic coffee machine 1, more precisely depending on the selection answers A1.1, A1.2, A2.1-A2.4, A3.1-A3.3, A4.1-A4.7 selected by the user in response to the individual questions displayed one after another in measure a). The selection of the individual selection answers A1.1, A1.2, A2.1-A2.4, A3.1-A3.3, A4.1-A4.7 is performed by the user with the aid of the input unit 3. As in the above example or by the user according to the method described above, the method according to the invention is performed. Figure 2 As is apparent from the table of FIG. 1 , multiple responses can optionally also be provided when answering individual or all of the questions F1 - F4 .

[0036] During measure b), in a first partial measure b1), for each reference roasting degree R1-R5, a corresponding number n1-n5 of total selected by the user and assigned to the corresponding reference roasting degree R1-R5 is acquired (see Figure 2In the second submeasure b2) of measure b) after the first submeasure b1), the following reference roasting degree among the five reference roasting degrees R1-R5 is selected as the roasting degree RG, for which the maximum number n1-n5 of selection answers A1.1, A1.2, A2.1-A2.4, A3.1-A3.3, A4.1-A4.7 assigned to the corresponding reference roasting degree R1-R5 is obtained in submeasure b1.

[0037] From following Figure 2 In the example of the table of , n1 = 5, n2 = 7, n3 = 11, n4 = 10, n5 = 6 are obtained. Since the value of n3 is greater than the values ​​of n1, n2, n4 and n5, the reference roasting degree R3 is selected as the roasting degree RG to be transmitted to the automatic coffee machine 1 in the example.

[0038] The roasting degree RG determined in step b) can be stored in the mobile phone 4 or at another location before being transmitted to the automatic coffee machine 1 with the assignment of a name.

[0039] The display device 2 and the input unit 3 can be formed by a touch-sensitive display 5 of a mobile telephone 4 .

[0040] Reference numerals:

[0041] 1 Automatic coffee machine

[0042] 2Display device

[0043] 3 Input Units

[0044] 4. Mobile Phone

[0045] 5. Display

[0046] 6 Automatic coffee machine system

[0047] 7 Devices

[0048] F1-F4 Problem

[0049] A1.1, A1.2, A2.1-A2.4 Select your answer

[0050] A3.1-A3.3、A4.1-A4.7Select your answer

[0051] R1-R5 reference baking degree

[0052] RG roasting degree.

Claims

1. A method for user-controlled acquisition of the degree of roasting of coffee beans for preparing a coffee beverage by means of an automatic coffee machine (1), - According to the method, a roasting degree (RG) is selected from at least two predetermined reference roasting degrees (R1-R5) by answering a plurality of questions (F1-F4) about the coffee beans to be used by means of user interaction and transmitted to the automatic coffee machine, whereupon the automatic coffee machine (1) uses or / and cooks the coffee beans having the selected roasting degree (RG) in the process of preparing the coffee beverage.

2. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that - predetermining at least two different reference roasting degrees (R1-R5), - at least two questions (F1-F4) preferably relating to the coffee beans are predefined, wherein at least two predefined alternative answers (A1.1, A1.2, A2.1-A2.4, A3.1-A3.3, A4.1-A4.7) are predefined for each predefined question, and wherein at least one of the predefined reference roasting degrees (R1-R5) is assigned to each alternative answer (A1.1, A1.2, A2.1-A2.4, A3.1-A3.3, A4.1-A4.7).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The method comprises the following measures: a) displaying the predetermined questions one after the other in a display unit (2), b) selecting one of at least two different reference roasting degrees (R1-R5) as the roasting degree (RG) to be transmitted to the automatic coffee machine (1) in dependence on the selection answers (A1.1, A1.2, A2.1-A2.4, A3.1-A3.3, A4.1-A4.7) selected by the user with the aid of the input unit (3) in relation to the respective questions (F1-F4).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that When answering at least one question (F1-F4), preferably when answering all questions (F1-F4), the user can select two or more of the predefined alternative answers (A1.1, A1.2, A2.1-A2.4, A3.1-A3.3, A4.1-A4.7).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that - during measure b), in submeasure b1), for each reference degree of roasting (R1-R5), a corresponding number (n1-n5) of selection responses (A1.1, A1.2, A2.1-A2.4, A3.1-A3.3, A4.1-A4.7) selected in total by the user and assigned to the corresponding reference degree of roasting (R1-R5) is acquired, - In submeasure b2) of measure b), the reference roasting degree (R1-R5) for which a maximum number (n1-n3) of selection responses (A1.1, A1.2, A2.1-A2.4, A3.1-A3.3, A4.1-A4.7) assigned to the reference roasting degree (R1-R5) is selected as the roasting degree (RG).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that - at least one of the predetermined questions (F1-F4) relates to the type of coffee to be produced with the aid of the coffee beans, and / or - at least one of the predetermined questions (F1-F4) relates to the desired brightness of the coffee beans, and / or - at least one of the predetermined questions (F1-F4) relates to the type of beans to be used, and / or At least one of the predetermined questions (F1-F4) relates to the taste of the coffee beans to be used.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that At least the following five reference roasting degrees (R1-R3) are predefined: - Very bright bake (R1); - Bright roast (R2); - medium roast, i.e. balanced (R3); - dark roast, i.e. strong / full flavour (R4); - Very dark roast, ie pronounced / full-bodied / strong (R5).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The method is implemented in a mobile phone (4), wherein the display device (2) and the input unit (3) are preferably formed by a touch-sensitive display (5) of the mobile phone (4).

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The roast degree (RG) determined in step b) is preferably stored in the mobile phone (4) before the roast degree is transmitted to the automatic coffee machine (1), in particular when a name is assigned.

10. Automatic coffee machine system (10), - an automatic coffee machine (1) for brewing a coffee product from coffee beans, wherein: The automatic coffee machine is designed to produce a coffee product from coffee beans having at least two different roasting degrees (RG), - having a device (7) which is set / programmed for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and is connected or connectable to the automatic coffee machine (1) for data transmission in order to transmit the detected roasting degree to the automatic coffee machine.

11. The system according to claim 10, It is characterized in that The device (7) is or comprises a mobile phone (4).

12. Computer program product comprising commands causing the automatic coffee machine system (10) according to any one of claims 10 or 11 to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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