Method for operating automatic coffee machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating an automatic coffee machine (1) for cooking coffee beverages, in which the degree of grinding of coffee beans can be automatically set. In the method according to the invention, the desired coffee beverage is first selected by the user, and then the device (5) determines the degree of grinding associated with the selected coffee beverage and conveys it to the grinder (4), which then grinds the coffee beans with the conveyed degree of grinding. Therefore, the comfort level of the user can be obviously increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating an automatic coffee machine for preparing coffee beverages. The invention also relates to an automatic coffee machine having a device for carrying out such a method and a corresponding computer program product. Background Art

[0002] EP 2279683 A1 discloses a method for the user-controlled production of, in particular, liquid foods, wherein a taste-, olfactory- and / or tactile-perceptible enjoyable substance is extracted from a preparatory product by an automatic device and converted into a food product. The extraction of the enjoyable 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 carried out by a user-controlled electronic conversion circuit, which controls the technical parameters during the production starting from the values ​​of the human-perceptible properties selected by the user and based on the previously acquired perceptual characteristics of the preparatory product. This should make it possible to set the desired taste, smell or desired properties of the food product more accurately.

[0003] WO 2022 / 003743 A1 discloses an automatic coffee machine for brewing coffee beverages by pouring coffee powder, the automatic coffee machine having a control and testing device which is configured such that it adapts at least one operating parameter of the pre-pouring step and selects the operating parameter 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 an automatic coffee machine, different grinding settings can be used in a known manner for different coffee beverages. Beverages with a small volume, such as espresso, can be brewed with a finer powder, that is, a finer grinding distribution, because the contact time between brewing water and coffee powder is shorter in this case, in order to release the desired components from the coffee powder. Larger or larger coffee beverages with a larger volume, such as cream coffee, are usually brewed with a coarser coffee powder, that is, with a coarser grinding distribution, because otherwise, due to an excessively long contact time between brewing water and coffee powder, undesirable bitter substances that negatively affect the taste may be released.

[0005] In order to set the grinding degree, some automatic coffee machines have corresponding devices by means of which the grinding degree can be set manually by the user. However, if the user lacks the detailed knowledge required in this regard, such devices for setting the grinding degree of the coffee powder are of no use to the user or may even lead to the selection of the wrong grinding degree for the respective desired coffee beverage, for example a coarse grinding degree setting for espresso. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the problem of specifying a method by means of which the comfort of coffee brewing can be significantly increased, especially even for users who have no or only little knowledge of coffee brewing.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] The general idea on which the invention is based is to automatically select the grinding degree of coffee powder to make a coffee beverage, and thus users with no or only little knowledge of coffee can also easily achieve the preparation of a delicious coffee beverage. In the method according to the invention for operating an automatic coffee machine, the desired coffee beverage is selected by the user when the grinding degree is automatically set, and then the device determines the grinding degree associated with the selected coffee beverage and transmits it to the grinder, which then grinds the coffee with the transmitted grinding degree, that is to say with a predetermined fineness. For example, the method according to the invention can be provided to the user with the help of a so-called aroma enhancement function, which, when operated by the user, autonomously selects the grinding degree according to the method according to the invention and is therefore optimally adapted to the desired coffee beverage. Not only can an extremely comfortable operation of the automatic coffee machine be achieved, but also a better coffee taste and therefore also a higher user satisfaction can be achieved. It is particularly advantageous here that even users without detailed knowledge of coffee can obtain the best grinding degree for the desired coffee beverage. It goes without saying that an automatic coffee machine that carries out the method according to the invention can only optionally provide an aroma enhancement function, so that as an additional or alternative, the degree of grinding can also be manually set by the user, so that in particular skilled users with at least a little barista knowledge can personalize the preparation of their coffee beverage.

[0009] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, the device derives the grinding degree associated with the selected coffee beverage from a stored characteristic diagram. In such a characteristic diagram, for example, a specific grinding degree can be assigned to each coffee beverage that can be prepared by an automatic coffee machine, such as espresso or cream coffee, so that by selecting the desired coffee beverage and activating the method according to the invention, the respectively desired coffee beverage can be produced with the grinding degree that is optimal for this coffee beverage. It goes without saying that further parameters for the respectively desired coffee beverage, such as, for example, the amount of coffee, the amount of water, the brewing duration, etc., can also be stored in the characteristic diagram. The grinding degree associated with the respective selected coffee beverage can be determined here, for example, by a corresponding analysis and stored in the characteristic diagram.

[0010] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, the device determines the degree of grinding associated with the selected coffee beverage as a function of the amount of beverage to be dispensed. This is done against the background that, for example, for large-volume coffee beverages, such as, for example, coffee crème, in which an excessively long contact time between brewing water and ground coffee powder occurs, a coarser degree of grinding is selected in order to avoid undesired release of bitter substances from the ground coffee powder. For small-volume coffee beverages, such as, for example, espresso, the degree of grinding can be set correspondingly finer, that is, the coffee powder is correspondingly ground more finely, because the contact time between brewing water and coffee powder is short here and therefore the surface of the ground coffee powder should be as large as possible, so that the espresso can absorb as much aroma as possible.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the device determines the degree of grinding associated with the selected coffee beverage as a function of the brewing temperature associated with the selected coffee beverage. It is known that espresso generally requires a brewing temperature between 92° C. and 96° C., while other types of coffee beverages, such as, for example, cream coffee, require lower brewing temperatures. If the brewing water is very hot, the coffee obtained therefrom generally tastes bitter, since many bitter substances are released from the ground coffee due to the higher brewing temperature. In the case of a brewing temperature that is too low, the resulting coffee beverage is slightly sour or diluted, since in this case not enough aromatic substances are released from the ground coffee powder, but rather acidic substances are released, which are first extracted from the ground coffee powder during the extraction process. It goes without saying that the brewing temperature is also generally related to the selected coffee beverage or the respectively assigned beverage quantity.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the device determines the grinding degree associated with the selected coffee beverage as a function of the brewing duration associated with the selected coffee beverage. Here again, it is also true that a coarser grinding degree is required for a long brewing duration, since otherwise too many bitter substances would be released from the ground coffee powder and would give the coffee beverage a bitter taste. If, on the other hand, the brewing duration is significantly shorter, such as in the case of espresso, a finer grinding degree and thus a higher grinding fineness of the coffee powder to be ground is selected by the method according to the invention in order to provide the brewing water with a sufficiently large surface for releasing the aromatic substances required for an optimal coffee taste.

[0013] Advantageously, the device determines the grinding degree associated with the selected coffee beverage as a function of the amount of powder associated with the selected coffee beverage. Since cream coffee is usually prepared with a larger amount of powder than espresso, the grinding degree can also be set as a function of the amount of powder. Specifically, this means that a higher grinding fineness is selected in the case of a smaller amount of powder than in the case of a larger amount of powder.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the device determines the grinding degree of the coffee powder associated with the selected coffee beverage as a function of a brewing interval associated with the selected coffee beverage. Such a brewing interval takes place between a pre-brewing phase and a main brewing phase, wherein such a brewing interval means a prolonged contact time of the brewing water in contact with the ground coffee powder. The brewing interval can in turn depend on the respectively desired coffee beverage.

[0015] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the degree of grinding, in particular fine, medium or coarse, is manually set by the user in the comfort mode. If the user then activates the aroma enhancement function, the device increases the degree of grinding, for example for all coffee beverages containing espresso, compared to the manually set degree of grinding. The user can thus be given the option of setting the degree of grinding himself in the comfort mode and having this supported by the aroma enhancement function.

[0016] The invention is also based on the general idea of ​​providing an automatic coffee machine for preparing coffee drinks, which has an input device, a grinder and a device, which is designed to carry out the method according to the previous solution. With the help of such an automatic coffee machine, users who are not trained themselves can relatively easily prepare a variety of delicious coffee drinks, such as espresso or cream coffee, because the optimal grinding degree associated with the corresponding coffee drink is automatically preset by operating the device or the aroma enhancement function. As an additional solution or alternative, it is also possible in such an automatic coffee machine according to the invention to select the grinding degree, such as fine grinding, medium grinding or coarse grinding, by means of a corresponding input device, such as a display, in particular if the corresponding user is familiar with the preparation of coffee drinks and thus has a certain knowledge of coffee. With the automatic coffee machine according to the invention, all users, regardless of whether they have special knowledge of coffee, can therefore prepare coffee drinks with the best taste.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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 individually without departing from the scope of the present invention. The components mentioned above and those yet to be mentioned below of a superordinate unit, such as, for example, an independently represented device, apparatus or arrangement, can form independent components or assemblies of the unit or as an integral region or section of the unit, even if this is shown differently in the figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description.

[0020] The only Figure 1 An automatic coffee machine according to the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] according to Figure 1 The automatic coffee machine 1 according to the invention has an input device 2, via which a user can select a personalized coffee beverage. The coffee beverage is then prepared in the automatic coffee machine 1 and dispensed via a beverage outlet 3. A grinder 4 and a device 5 are also arranged in the automatic coffee machine 1, by means of which the degree of grinding of the grinder 4 can be set.

[0022] The automatic coffee machine 1 according to the invention is designed to carry out the method according to the invention, in which the degree of grinding of the coffee beans can be set automatically. In the method according to the invention, the user first selects the desired coffee beverage, for example, espresso or coffee crème, via the input device 2. For this purpose, for example, different keypads 6 can be provided on the input device 2, wherein the input device 2 can generally be designed as a touch screen. As an alternative, of course, buttons are also conceivable.

[0023] If the user has selected the desired coffee beverage via one of the key fields 6, the user can further decide whether he or she wants to select the grinding degree himself or herself by means of the comfort key 7 or to leave the setting of the grinding degree to the device 5 via the aroma enhancement key 8. If the user presses the aroma enhancement key 8 after selecting the desired coffee beverage via the corresponding key field 6, the grinding degree is automatically set by means of the device 5 depending on the selected coffee beverage.

[0024] The selection of the aroma enhancement function can also be generally available in the setting menu for all beverages. It is feasible here that the function can only be activated for concentrated coffee beverages and / or for larger coffee beverages.

[0025] Here, too, the user can first set the degree of grinding himself, in particular fine, medium or coarse, by pressing the comfort button 7. If the user then presses the aroma enhancement button 8, the device 5 can increase the degree of grinding, for example for all coffee beverages containing espresso, compared to the manually set degree of grinding. This can assist the user.

[0026] This offers the great advantage that even users without detailed knowledge of coffee can be provided with an optimal taste of the desired coffee beverage, since the grinding fineness, that is to say the degree of grinding, of the coffee for producing the desired coffee beverage is automatically effected by the aroma enhancement button 8. In this way, a grinding degree that is too fine, for example in the case of cream coffee, or a grinding degree that is too coarse, for example in the case of espresso, can be reliably avoided, in particular.

[0027] The device 5 can thereby derive the degree of grinding associated with the selected coffee beverage from a stored characteristic diagram, wherein it is also conceivable, in addition or as an alternative, for the device 5 to determine the degree of grinding associated with the selected coffee beverage as a function of the amount of beverage to be dispensed. If, for example, the amount of beverage to be dispensed is less than 100 ml, the device 5 assumes that this is, for example, espresso, in which case the degree of grinding must be set significantly finer than in the case of a larger volume of coffee beverage, such as, for example, coffee crème.

[0028] Further additionally or alternatively, the device 5 can also determine the grind size associated with the selected coffee beverage based on a brewing temperature associated with the selected coffee beverage, since such brewing temperature is usually also dependent on the selected coffee beverage.

[0029] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the device 5 is capable of determining the grinding degree associated with the selected coffee beverage as a function of the brewing interval, brewing duration and / or the amount of powder associated with the selected coffee beverage. These parameters also determine the taste of the coffee beverage to be produced, since, for example, espresso has a significantly shorter brewing duration than cream coffee and therefore requires an increased grinding degree in order to provide the larger surface required for the short brewing duration, so that a sufficient number of aromatic substances are released from the coffee and thus a tasty coffee beverage can be produced.

[0030] Alternatively, in the automatic coffee machine 1 according to the invention it is of course also possible for the respective user to simply set the degree of grinding himself by pressing the comfort button 7, so that the automatic coffee machine 1 according to the invention offers a clear increase in comfort for all users, i.e. not only those users with little or even no knowledge of coffee, but also those users with knowledge of coffee.

[0031] However, users with little or no knowledge of coffee can benefit in particular from the method according to the invention, since they can achieve an optimum degree of grinding for the respectively desired coffee beverage by means of the aroma enhancement button 8 according to the invention.

[0032] Reference numerals:

[0033] 1 Automatic coffee machine

[0034] 2 Input Devices

[0035] 3 Beverage outlet

[0036] 4. Grinder

[0037] 5. Installation

[0038] 6 keypads

[0039] 7 Comfort Buttons

[0040] 8 aroma enhancement buttons.

Claims

1. A method for operating an automatic coffee machine (1) for preparing coffee beverages, in which the degree of grinding of the coffee beans can be automatically set, wherein: When the grinding degree is automatically set, the user selects the desired coffee beverage, after which the device (5) determines the grinding degree associated with the selected coffee beverage and transmits it to the grinder (4), which then grinds the coffee beans with the transmitted grinding degree.

2. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The device (5) determines the degree of grinding associated with the selected coffee beverage from a stored characteristic map.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The device (5) determines the degree of grinding associated with the selected coffee beverage as a function of the amount of beverage to be dispensed.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that The device (5) determines the grinding degree associated with the selected coffee beverage based on the brewing temperature associated with the selected coffee beverage.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The device (5) determines the grinding degree associated with the selected coffee beverage based on the brewing duration associated with the selected coffee beverage.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that - the device (5) determines the grinding degree associated with the selected coffee beverage based on the amount of powder associated with the selected coffee beverage, and / or - the device (5) determines the grinding degree associated with the selected coffee beverage according to the brewing interval associated with the selected coffee beverage.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that - manually setting the grinding degree in comfort mode, The device (5) refines the grind size for all coffee beverages containing espresso compared to the manually set grind size when the aroma enhancement function is activated.

8. An automatic coffee machine (1) for preparing coffee beverages, comprising an inlet device (2), a beverage outlet (3), a grinder (4) and a device (5) which is designed to carry out the method according to any of the preceding claims.

9. The automatic coffee machine according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The input device (2) has a comfort button (7) and an aroma enhancement button (8), wherein the degree of grinding can be manually set via the comfort button (7) and the aroma enhancement button (8) can activate the method according to any of the preceding claims and / or increase the degree of grinding for all coffee beverages containing espresso compared to the manually set degree of grinding.

10. The automatic coffee machine according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The input device (2) is designed as a touch screen with a keypad (6) for selecting a coffee beverage, and / or The input device (2) is designed as a touch screen having a comfort key (7) and a fragrance enhancement key (8).

11. Computer program product comprising commands causing an automatic coffee machine (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 10 to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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