Beverage or food preparation system

Abstract

The present invention provides a container for containing a precursor material for use with a machine for preparing a beverage and / or food product or a precursor thereof, the container comprising a machine-readable code storing preparation information for use with a preparation process performed by the machine, the code comprising: a reference portion (R) to locate the code; a data portion (D) to store the preparation information, where the data portion comprises a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position partially overlapping, the partially overlapping first predetermined position and second predetermined position encoding three conditions as: no data unit is present at both positions; there is a data unit at the first position and there is no data unit at the second position; and there is a data unit at the second location and there is no data unit at the first location.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to an electrically operated beverage or food preparation system for preparing a beverage or food from a pre-portioned capsule. Background Art

[0002] A system for preparing a beverage includes a beverage preparation machine and a capsule. The capsule includes a single-serve beverage of a precursor material, such as ground coffee or tea. The beverage preparation machine is arranged to perform a beverage preparation process on the capsule, typically by exposing pressurized, heated water to the precursor material. Treating the capsule in this way causes at least partial extraction of the precursor material from the capsule as a beverage.

[0003] This configuration of beverage preparation machines has become increasingly popular due to: 1) enhanced user convenience compared to conventional beverage preparation machines (e.g., compared to a manually operated stovetop espresso machine), and 2) enhanced beverage preparation processes, where: preparation information encoded by a code on the capsule is read by the machine to define a recipe; and the recipe is used by the machine to optimize the preparation process in a capsule-specific manner. Specifically, the encoded preparation information may include operating parameters selected during the beverage preparation process, including: fluid temperature; fluid pressure; preparation duration; and fluid volume.

[0004] EP 2594171 A1 discloses a machine for reading a code from the underside of a flange of a capsule. The disadvantages of such a code are its limited coding density, i.e., the limited amount of preparation information it can encode. Another disadvantage is that the code is highly visible and may therefore be considered aesthetically unsatisfactory. Yet another disadvantage is that the code may not be suitable when the machine is developed to provide an enhanced user experience.

[0005] Therefore, despite efforts to develop the systems described, further improvements are needed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure provides a container for holding a precursor material for use with a machine for preparing a beverage or food or a precursor thereof, the container including a machine-readable code storing preparation information for use with a preparation process performed by the machine, wherein the machine is controlled based on the preparation information to prepare the beverage and / or food or a precursor thereof. As used herein, reference to "code" may include one or more repetitions of the code.

[0007] In an embodiment, the container includes a body portion having a storage portion for containing the precursor material and a closure member for closing the storage portion. In an embodiment, the code is disposed on the closure member. In an embodiment, the storage portion includes a cavity extending in a depth direction from the closure member. The container may have a maximum depth less than its diameter, which may be measured at the opening of the storage portion. In an embodiment, the body portion includes a flange portion connecting the storage portion and the closure member. In an embodiment, the cavity of the storage portion extends in a depth direction from the flange portion. The flange portion may present a generally planar peripheral edge for receiving the closure member. In an embodiment, the flange portion is planar. As used herein, the term "planar" with respect to the flange portion may mean that the flange portion is arranged to extend entirely in the transverse and longitudinal directions, or substantially in said directions (e.g., having a major component in these directions opposite to the depth direction). In an alternative embodiment, the container is implemented as a pouch.

[0008] In an embodiment, the code includes: a reference portion (R) for positioning the code; a data portion (D) for storing preparation information, wherein the data portion includes a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position that partially overlap, and the partially overlapping first and second predetermined positions encode three conditions (e.g., one of the conditions) as: the absence of data units at both positions; the presence of a data unit at the first position and the absence of a data unit at the second position; and the presence of a data unit at the second position and the absence of a data unit at the first position, such that the encoded condition is compactly positioned.

[0009] By implementing the predetermined positions to overlap with each other, compared to an alternative with two separate predetermined positions, the three encoded conditions are compactly positioned (which would, for example, require sufficient separation to distinguish one position from the other and also to sufficiently separate the data units such that their centers can be identified as separate coordinates).

[0010] In an embodiment, the data units are arranged to be positioned by their centers such that instances of both the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position including partially overlapping data units are prevented from encoding a fourth condition, e.g., because the center of an object including two overlapping data units among the overlapping data units is not at the center of one of the predetermined positions. Since the data units are positioned by their centers, the center position of an object including two partially overlapping units will have a position that is not assigned to the center of either of the predetermined positions and thus cannot encode a subsequent condition where both data units are present.

[0011] The absence or presence of a data unit at a predetermined position may encode a logic 0 or 1, respectively (and vice versa), for example, as binary information of the preparation information. Thus, the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position may encode two bits of length 1, 0 or 0, 1 or 0, 0, but may not encode 1, 1. These three conditions may each be assigned to different characteristics of the preparation process (for example, they may be considered as preparation information).

[0012] In an embodiment, the data unit and the predetermined position are of equal size (for example, such that the unit completely fills / extends up to the boundary of the predetermined position). By implementing the units to be of the same size, their presence (or absence) can be conveniently determined by the same decoding algorithm.

[0013] In an embodiment, the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position that partially overlap overlap by less than half of the area of the data unit of the predetermined position (for example, less than half of the area of the first predetermined position is shared with the area of the second predetermined position). Such a limitation may enable the data units at the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position to be conveniently identified (for example, by their centers being located at the centers of the first predetermined position or the second predetermined position).

[0014] In an embodiment, the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position that partially overlap overlap by more than 5% or 10% or 20% of the area of the predetermined position. Such a minimum overlap may ensure a compact arrangement of the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position.

[0015] In an embodiment, the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position that partially overlap are arranged on the encoding line E, for example, such that the encoding line extends through their centers. Such an arrangement may allow for the convenient positioning of the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position, so that it can be determined whether there are data units in them. For example, since the encoding line E is in a known position relative to the reference portion R, and specifically, the centers of the overlapping first position and second position are at a known angular distance (or other distance) relative to the reference line r defined by the reference portion.

[0016] In an embodiment, the data portion includes at least one data unit, and the at least one data unit is arranged at an encoding distance d from the starting position along the virtual encoding line E as a variable that at least partially encodes the value of a parameter of the preparation information. In an embodiment, the encoding line is circular, and the distance d is an angular distance. In an embodiment, there are multiple encoding lines. In an embodiment, at least one data unit is arranged along the virtual encoding line E at any consecutive encoding distance d from the starting position.

[0017] In an embodiment, the condition encoded by the overlapping predetermined positions is a condition associated with the parameter encoded by the encoded distance. For example: if the parameter encoded by the encoded distance is the operating time of a heat exchanger, the condition may be one of three temperatures, or; if the parameter encoded by the encoded distance is the operating time of a pump, the condition may be one of three conditions regarding whether the pumped fluid bypasses or passes through the container.

[0018] The present disclosure provides a substrate for attachment to a container for containing a precursor material, the container for use with a machine for preparing beverages and / or food or precursors thereof, or; for attachment to a machine for preparing beverages and / or food. The substrate includes a code, the code including any features of the code of the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0019] As used herein, the term "substrate" may refer to any suitable carrier of a code that can be used to attach the code to a container or directly to a machine, examples of such suitable carriers including: stickers; cardboard members for receiving an adhesive tape; and other suitable arrangements.

[0020] The present disclosure provides a code for: a container for containing a precursor material, the container for use with a machine for preparing beverages and / or food or precursors thereof, the container including a machine-readable code. The code may include any features of the code of the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein. The code may be arranged on a substrate for attachment to: a container as defined herein, or; a machine as defined herein, or; or other components, such as a handheld component including a code reader arranged for a user to present to the machine. The code may be formed on a closure member of the container.

[0021] The present disclosure provides a machine for preparing beverages and / or food or precursors thereof from a container of any of the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0022] In an embodiment, the machine includes: a code reading system for reading the code of the container; a processing unit for processing the precursor material of the container; and an electrical circuit for controlling the processing unit based on the preparation information read from the code.

[0023] As used herein, the term "based on" with respect to preparation information may refer to a direct relationship (e.g., the values ​​of the parameters of the recipe are encoded directly on the code) or to a relationship stored using rules to look up one or more of the values ​​using the preparation information as an identifier. A code reader may include an image capture unit (e.g., a camera), a lens, and an outermost aperture (e.g., a reading window). The outermost portion of a code reader may be referred to as a read head.

[0024] In an embodiment, the processing unit comprises a container processing unit and a fluid processing system, and the electrical circuit is arranged to control the container processing unit and the fluid processing system based on the preparation information read from the code.

[0025] In an embodiment, the processing unit is arranged as a bulk material processing unit and the electrical circuit is arranged to control the bulk material processing unit to process bulk precursor material dispensed from or arranged in the container based on the preparation information read from the code.

[0026] In an embodiment, the electrical circuit is implemented as one or more processors configured to implement the disclosed steps (e.g., including determining the validity condition) performed by the code reading system and / or the steps performed by the processing unit for processing the precursor material of the container. The processor can execute program code stored on electronic memory and / or can execute programmable logic, such as a logic array, gate array, structured array, etc.

[0027] In an embodiment, the electrical circuitry of the machine implements the method of reading preparation information from a code as disclosed herein.

[0028] In an embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to convert the encoding distance (d) to the value of the parameter using a rule stored on an electronic memory of the electrical circuit.

[0029] The present disclosure provides a system comprising a container according to any preceding embodiment or another embodiment disclosed herein and a machine for preparing a beverage and / or a food product or a precursor thereof according to any preceding embodiment or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0030] The present disclosure provides use of a container of any preceding embodiment or another embodiment disclosed herein for a machine for preparing a beverage and / or a food product or a precursor thereof according to any preceding embodiment or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0031] The present disclosure provides a method for encoding preparation information using a code, which can be arranged on a container. The method can implement the features of any of the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0032] In an embodiment, the method includes: arranging a data portion of the code relative to a reference portion of the code; and arranging first and second predetermined positions that are partially overlapping for the data portion to encode three conditions (e.g., one of the conditions) as: no data unit exists at both positions; a data unit exists at the first position and no data unit exists at the second position; and a data unit exists at the second position and no data unit exists at the first position, such that the encoded condition is positioned compactly.

[0033] The present disclosure provides a method of reading preparation information for use in a preparation process from a code, wherein a machine is controlled based on the preparation information to prepare a beverage and / or food or a precursor thereof. The method can implement the features of any of the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0034] In an embodiment, the method includes: locating a reference portion (R) of the code; reading a data portion (D) of the code, the data portion being arranged relative to the located reference portion; reading first and second predetermined positions that are partially overlapping for the data portion (e.g., to determine one of three conditions), the partially overlapping first and second predetermined positions encoding three conditions as: no data unit exists at both positions; a data unit exists at the first position and no data unit exists at the second position; and a data unit exists at the second position and no data unit exists at the first position.

[0035] The method may include: determining whether a unit is based on a predetermined position by determining whether the center of the unit is located (including in close proximity) at the center of the predetermined position.

[0036] The method may determine that for two data units at both the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position, no data unit is located at the predetermined position because the center of the object formed by the two data units is not located at the center of the predetermined position.

[0037] The method may be implemented as part of a method of preparing a beverage or food or a precursor of a beverage and / or food, wherein a processing unit is controlled based on the preparation information to perform a preparation process on the precursor material.

[0038] The present disclosure provides an electrical circuit to implement the method of any of the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0039] The present disclosure provides a computer-readable medium including program code that can be executed on one or more processors to implement the method of any of the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0040] To provide a basic understanding of various aspects of the subject matter described herein, the Summary of the Invention is provided above to summarize some embodiments. Accordingly, the above features are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope or essence of the subject matter described herein in any way. In addition, the above and / or foregoing embodiments may be combined in any suitable combination to provide additional embodiments. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, Drawings, and Claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Various aspects, features, and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements.

[0042] Figure 1 is a system block diagram showing an embodiment system for preparing a beverage or food.

[0043] Figure 2 is showing Figure 1 a system block diagram of an embodiment machine of the system.

[0044] Figure 3 is showing Figure 2 a schematic diagram of an embodiment fluid conditioning system of the machine.

[0045] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is showing Figure 2 a schematic diagram of an embodiment container handling system of the machine in an open position and a closed position.

[0046] Figure 6 is showing Figure 2 a schematic diagram of an embodiment machine including a loose material handling unit.

[0047] Figure 7 is showing Figure 2 a block diagram of an embodiment control electrical circuit of the machine.

[0048] Figure 8 and Figure 9 is showing Figure 1 a schematic diagram of an embodiment container of the system.

[0049] Figure 10 is showing Figure 1 a flowchart of an embodiment preparation process performed by the system.

[0050] Figure 11 is showing Figure 1 a plan view of an embodiment code of a container of the system.

[0051] Figure 12 and Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the implementation process for extracting preparation information from the Figure 11 code.

[0052] Figure 14 is a plan view showing the implementation of the Figure 11 code. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0053] Before describing several embodiments of the system, it should be understood that the system is not limited to the details of the construction or process steps mentioned in the following detailed description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure that the system can adopt other embodiments and can be practiced or implemented in various ways.

[0054] The present disclosure can be better understood in view of the following explanations:

[0055] As used herein, the term "machine" can refer to an electrically operated device that can: prepare a beverage and / or food from a precursor material, or; can prepare a precursor material from a pre-precursor material, which can then be prepared into a beverage and / or food. The machine can achieve the preparation through one or more of the following processes: dilution; heating; cooling; mixing; whipping; dissolving; soaking; impregnating; extracting; conditioning; brewing; grinding; and other similar processes. The machine can be sized for use on a workbench, for example, the length, width, and height of the machine can be less than 70 cm. As used herein, the term "preparation" for a beverage and / or food can refer to preparing at least a part of the beverage and / or food (for example, the beverage is completely prepared by the machine, or partially prepared, and the end user can manually add additional fluids, including milk and / or water, to the beverage before consumption).

[0056] As used herein, the term "container" can refer to any configuration that holds precursor materials (e.g., as a single, pre-portioned amount). The container can have a maximum capacity such that the container can only hold a single portion of precursor material. The container can be single-use, e.g., the container is physically altered after a preparation process that can include one or more of the following: perforating to supply fluid to the precursor material; perforating to supply a beverage / food from the container; being opened by a user to extract the precursor material. The container can be configured to operate with a container handling unit of a machine, e.g., the container can include flanges for aligning and guiding the container through the unit or disposed on the unit. The container can include a rupture portion that is arranged to rupture when subjected to a specific pressure to deliver a beverage / food. The container can have a membrane for closing the container. The container can have various forms, including one or more of the following: frustoconical; cylindrical; disc-shaped; hemispherical; pouch; other similar forms. The container can be formed from various materials (such as metal or plastic or paper or combinations thereof). The material can be selected such that the material is one or more of the following: food-safe; the material can withstand the pressure and / or temperature of the preparation process; and the material is biodegradable. The container can be defined as a capsule, where the capsule can have an internal volume of 20 ml to 100 ml. The capsule includes coffee capsules, e.g., or capsules (including Classic, Professional, Vertuo, Dolce Gusto, or other capsules). The container can be defined as a receptacle, where the receptacle can have an internal volume of 150 ml to 350 ml. The receptacle is typically for end-user consumption therefrom and includes a pot for consumption via an implement including a spoon and a cup for drinking therefrom. The container can be defined as a pouch, where the pouch is formed from a flexible material (including plastic or foil). The pouch can have an internal volume of 150 ml to 350 ml or 200 ml to 300 ml or 50 ml to 150 ml.

[0057] As used herein, the term "external device" or "external electronic device" or "peripheral device" can include electronic components external to a machine, e.g., those located in the same location as the machine or those remote from the machine that communicate with the machine via a computer network). The external device can include a communication interface for communicating with the machine and / or a server system. The external device can include devices that include: a smart phone; a PDA; a video game controller; a tablet computer; a laptop computer; or other similar devices.

[0058] As used herein, the term "server system" may refer to electronic components external to a machine, such as those located remotely from the machine, which communicate with the machine via a computer network. The server system may include a communication interface for communicating with the machine and / or external devices. The server system may include: a network-based computer (e.g., a remote server); a cloud-based computer; any other server system.

[0059] As used herein, the term "system" or "beverage or food preparation system" may refer to a combination of two or more of the following: a beverage or food preparation machine; a container; a server system; and a peripheral device.

[0060] As used herein, the term "beverage" may refer to any substance that can be processed into a substance suitable for drinking, which may be ice or hot. The beverage may be one or more of the following: a solid (e.g., a solid suspended in a liquid); a liquid; a gel; a paste. The beverage may include one or a combination of the following: tea; coffee; hot chocolate; milk; liqueur; a vitamin composition; herbal tea / infusion; infused / flavored water; and other substances. As used herein, the term "food" may refer to any substance that can be processed into a nutrient for eating, which may be ice or hot. The food may be one or more of the following: a solid; a liquid; a gel; a paste. The food may include: yogurt; mousse; tart; soup; ice cream; sorbet; custard; smoothie; other substances. It should be understood that there is an overlap between the definitions of beverage and food, e.g., a beverage may also be a food, and thus a machine for preparing a beverage or food does not exclude the preparation of both.

[0061] As used herein, the term "precursor material" may refer to any material that can be processed to form part or all of a beverage or food. The precursor material may be one or more of the following: a powder; a crystal; a liquid; a gel; a solid; and others. Examples of precursor materials for forming a beverage include: ground coffee; milk powder; tea leaves; cocoa powder; a vitamin composition; herbs, e.g., for forming herbal / infused tea; flavorings; and other similar materials. Examples of precursor materials for forming a food include: dried vegetables or stock, as anhydrous soup powder; powdered milk; flour-based powders, including custard; powdered yogurt or ice cream; and other similar materials. The precursor material may also refer to any pre-precursor material that can be processed into a precursor material as defined above, i.e., any precursor material that can subsequently be processed into a beverage and / or food. In an example, the pre-precursor material includes coffee beans that can be ground and / or heated (e.g., roasted) into a precursor material.

[0062] The precursor material may also refer to any pre-precursor material that can be processed into a precursor material as defined above, i.e., any precursor material that can subsequently be processed into a beverage and / or food. In an example, the pre-precursor material includes coffee beans that can be ground and / or heated (e.g., roasted) into a precursor material.

[0063] As used herein, the term "fluid" (for fluids supplied by a fluid conditioning system) may include one or more of the following: water; milk; others. As used herein, the term "conditioning" for a fluid may mean changing the physical properties of the fluid and may include one or more of the following: heating or cooling; agitation (including foaming by whisking to introduce air bubbles and mixing to introduce turbulence); portioning into single servings suitable for use with a single-serving container; pressurizing to, for example, brewing pressure; carbonating; skimming / purifying; and other conditioning processes.

[0064] As used herein, the term "processing unit" may refer to an arrangement that can process a precursor material into a beverage or food. The term "processing unit" may refer to an arrangement that can process a pre-precursor material into a precursor material.

[0065] As used herein, the term "container processing unit" may refer to an arrangement that can process a container to obtain an associated beverage or food from a precursor material. The container processing unit may be arranged to process the precursor material by one or more of the following: dilution; heating; cooling; mixing; whisking; dissolving; steeping; impregnating; extracting; conditioning; pressurizing; brewing; and other processing steps. Thus, the container processing unit may implement a series of units according to the processing steps, and the series of units may include: an extraction unit (which may implement pressurization and / or heat, e.g., heating or cooling, a brewing process); a mixing unit (which mixes the beverage or food in a receptacle that is thus used for end-user consumption); a dispensing and dissolving unit (which extracts a portion of the precursor material from a reservoir, processes it by dissolving and dispenses the portion into the receptacle), and other similar units.

[0066] As used herein, the term "loose material processing unit" may refer to an arrangement that can process the loose material of a pre-precursor material into a precursor material. The loose material processing unit may be arranged to process the pre-precursor material by one or more of the following: heating; cooling; grinding; mixing; steeping; conditioning; other processing steps. The loose material processing unit may supply the loose material into a container and extract and process the loose material from the container.

[0067] As used herein, the term "preparation process" may refer to preparing a beverage or food from a precursor material or preparing a pre-precursor material from a precursor material. The preparation process may refer to a process executed by an electrical circuit to control the container processing unit to process the precursor or pre-precursor material.

[0068] As used herein, the terms "electrical circuit" or "circuit" or "control electrical circuit" can refer to one or more hardware and / or software components, examples of which can include one or more of the following: application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or other programmable logic; electronic / electrical components (which can include combinations of transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc.); one or more processors (e.g., the circuitry of a processor); non-transitory memory (e.g., implemented by one or more memory devices) that can store one or more software or firmware programs; combinational logic circuitry; the interconnections of the foregoing. The electrical circuit can be entirely located at the machine or distributed among one or more of the following: the machine; an external device; a server system.

[0069] As used herein, the terms "processor" or "processing resource" can refer to one or more units for processing, examples of which include ASICs, microcontrollers, FPGAs, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), state machines, or other suitable components. The processor can be configured to execute a computer program, e.g., the computer program can be in the form of machine-readable instructions that can be stored on non-transitory memory and / or programmable logic. The processor can have various arrangements corresponding to those discussed for the circuitry (e.g., on-board the machine) or distributed as part of a system. As used herein, any machine-executable instructions or computer-readable medium can be configured to cause the disclosed methods to be performed, e.g., by the machines or systems disclosed herein, and can thus be used synonymously with the term method or with each other.

[0070] As used herein, the terms "computer-readable medium / media" or "data storage device" can include any medium capable of storing a computer program and can be in any conventional non-transitory memory form, such as one or more of the following: random access memory (RAM); CD; hard disk drive; solid state drive; memory card; DVD. The memory can have various arrangements corresponding to those discussed for the circuitry.

[0071] As used herein, the terms "communication resource" or "communication interface" can refer to the hardware and / or firmware for the transfer of electronic information. The communication resource / interface can be configured for wired communication ("wired communication resource / interface") or wireless communication ("wireless communication resource / interface"). The wireless communication resource can include the hardware for transmitting and receiving signals via radio and can include various protocol implementations, e.g., the 802.11 standards described in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Bluetooth from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group in Kirkland Wash. TM; Universal Serial Bus (USB); High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) or other protocol implementations. The machine may include communication resources for wired or wireless communication with external devices and / or server systems.

[0072] As used herein, the term "network" or "computer network" may refer to a system for transferring electronic information between multiple devices / apparatuses. The network may include, for example, any type of one or more networks, which may include: Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN); telephone network (e.g., Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and / or wireless network); Local Area Network (LAN); Metropolitan Area Network (MAN); Wide Area Network (WAN); Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network; private network; Internet; intranet.

[0073] As used herein, the term "code" may refer to a storage medium encoding preparation information. The code may be an optically readable code, such as a barcode. The code may be arranged as a bit code (e.g., a binary sequence of 0s and 1s encoded by the presence or absence of elements). The code may be formed by a plurality of units, which may be referred to as elements or markers. These elements may implement a finder part and a data part, where the finder part encodes a predefined reserved bit string that is identifiable when processing the code from the data part, so as to enable the location of the data part encoding the preparation information. The code may be arranged as a one-dimensional code, which is read by the relative movement between the code and the code reader. The code reader may provide a bit stream signal or high and low signals for processing through preparation information extraction. The code may be arranged as a two-dimensional code, which is processed via a digital image obtained from the camera of the code reader. It should be understood that the code may thus exclude the mere surface finish or trademark on the container, which is not configured for information storage in any way.

[0074] As used herein, the term "preparation information" may refer to one or more of the parameters as defined herein; the recipe as defined herein; identifiers; and other information related to the operation of the machine.

[0075] As used herein, the term "parameter" may refer to a variable that is used as an input to control (e.g., RPM) and / or a characteristic of a beverage / food or its precursor (e.g., fluid target temperature or volume) that is controlled by a processing unit during a preparation process. Depending on the specific implementation of the processing unit, the parameters may vary. Examples include: the volume of a specific component of a beverage and / or food; fluid temperature; fluid flow rate; operating parameters of the processing unit, e.g., the RPM of an extraction unit based on centrifugation or the closing force for a hydraulic brewing unit; the dispensing order of the ingredients of a beverage and / or food; agitation (e.g., degree of foaming); any of the foregoing defined for one or more stages, where the preparation process consists of a series of consecutive, discrete stages. Parameters that may be associated with a container processing unit that includes a loose material handling unit may include one or more of the following: grinding parameters, including intensity; heating temperature. The parameter may have a value that may be numerical and may vary in predetermined increments between predetermined limits, e.g., the water temperature may vary in 5-degree increments between 60 degrees and 90 degrees.

[0076] As used herein, the term "formula" or "control data set" may refer to a combination of the parameters used by a processing unit to prepare a specific beverage and / or food, e.g., the complete set or a partial set of inputs.

[0077] As used herein, the term "preparation process" may refer to preparing a beverage or food from precursor materials or preparing pre-precursor materials from precursor materials. The preparation process may refer to a process that an electrical circuit executes to control a processing unit to process the precursor or pre-precursor materials.

[0078] As used herein, the term "code reading process" may refer to a process of reading a code to extract preparation information (which may include identifiers and / or parameters). The process may include one or more of the following steps: obtaining a digital image or a code signal of the code; extracting a bit sequence from the code; identifying a finder part of the code in the sequence; using the finder part to locate a data part; and extracting the preparation information from the data part.

[0079] [General System Description]

[0080] Reference Figure 1 , system 2 includes machine 4, container 6, server system 8, and peripheral device 10. Server system 8 communicates with machine 4 via computer network 12. Peripheral device 10 communicates with machine 4 via computer network 12.

[0081] In an unillustrated variant embodiment: the peripheral device and / or the server system are omitted.

[0082] Although computer network 12 is illustrated as being the same between machine 4, server system 8, and peripheral device 10, other configurations are possible, including: different computer networks for intercommunication between each device; server system communicating with machine via peripheral device (rather than directly). In a specific example: peripheral device communicates via a wireless interface (e.g., using Bluetooth TM protocol) to communicate with the machine; and the server system communicates with the machine via a wireless interface (e.g., using the IEE 802.11 standard) and also via the Internet.

[0083] [Machine]

[0084] refer to Figure 2 , the machine 4 comprises: a processing unit 14 for processing the precursor material; an electrical circuit 16; and a code reading system 18.

[0085] The electrical circuit 16 controls the code reading system 18 to read the code from the container 6 (at Figure 2 The electrical circuit 16 uses the preparation information to control the processing unit 14 to perform a preparation process in which the precursor material is processed into a beverage or food or a precursor thereof.

[0086] [First Embodiment of Processing Unit]

[0087] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In a first embodiment of the processing unit 14 , the unit comprises a container processing unit 20 and a fluid conditioning system 22 .

[0088] The container processing unit 20 is arranged to process the container 6 to obtain a beverage or food from a precursor material (not illustrated) therein. The fluid conditioning system 22 conditions the fluid supplied to the container processing unit 20. The electrical circuit 16 uses the preparation information read from the container 6 to control the container processing unit 20 and the fluid conditioning system 22 to perform the preparation process.

[0089] [Fluid Conditioning System]

[0090] refer to Figure 3, the fluid conditioning system 22 includes a reservoir 24; a pump 26; a heat exchanger 28; and an outlet 30 for conditioning the fluid. The reservoir 24 holds fluid generally sufficient for multiple preparation processes. The pump 26 moves the fluid from the reservoir 24, through the heat exchanger 26 and to the outlet 30 (which is connected to the container handling unit 20). The pump 26 can be implemented as any suitable device for driving the fluid, and any suitable device includes: a reciprocating engine; a rotary pump; other suitable arrangements. The heat exchanger 28 is implemented to heat the fluid and can include: an in-line hot block type heater; a heating element for directly heating the fluid in the reservoir; other suitable arrangements.

[0091] In unillustrated variant embodiments: the pump is omitted, for example, the fluid is fed to the container handling unit by gravity or pressurized by a main line water supply; the reservoir is omitted, for example, water is supplied by a main line water supply; the heat exchanger is arranged to cool the fluid, for example, the heat exchanger can include a refrigeration type cycle heat pump; the heat exchanger is omitted, for example, the main line water supply supplies water at a desired temperature; the fluid conditioning system includes a filtration / purification system, such as a UV light system, and the degree to which the filtration / purification system is applied to the fluid is controllable; a carbonation system that controls the degree of fluid carbonation.

[0092] [Container Processing Unit]

[0093] The container handling unit 20 can be implemented using a series of configurations, as illustrated in Examples 1 to 6 below. Generally, in an example where the machine 2 includes a guiding portion, the container is inserted into the guiding portion and guided to the container handling unit 20 by gravity (e.g., under its own weight), and the container handling unit 20 is arranged together with a container holding portion and a closing portion that are movable in the depth direction between a container receiving position and a container processing position, and the depth direction is perpendicular to (including substantially perpendicular to) the conveying direction of the guiding portion.

[0094] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 , a first embodiment of the container handling unit 20 is for processing a container arranged as a capsule 6 (suitable examples of capsules are provided in Figure 7 and will be discussed) to prepare a beverage. The container handling unit 20 is configured as an extraction unit 32 to extract the beverage from the capsule 6. The extraction unit 32 includes a capsule holding portion 34 and a closing portion 36. The extraction unit 32 is movable to a capsule receiving position ( Figure 4 ), at which the capsule holding portion 34 and the closing portion 36 are arranged to receive the capsule 6 therebetween. The extraction unit 32 is movable to a capsule extraction position ( Figure 5) At this capsule extraction position, the capsule holding part 34 and the closing part 36 form a seal around the capsule 6, and the beverage can be extracted from the capsule 6. The extraction unit 32 can be actuator-driven or manually movable between the said positions.

[0095] The outlet 30 of the fluid conditioning system 22 is arranged as an injection head 38 on the capsule holding part 34 to inject the conditioned fluid into the capsule 6 (usually under high pressure) at the capsule extraction position. The beverage outlet 40 on the closing part 36 is arranged to capture the extracted beverage and convey the extracted beverage from the extraction unit 32.

[0096] The extraction unit 32 is arranged to prepare the beverage by applying a pressurized (e.g., 10 bar to 20 bar), heated (e.g., 50 degrees Celsius to 98 degrees Celsius) fluid to the precursor material inside the capsule 6. The pressure increases over a predetermined amount of time until it exceeds the pressure of the ruptured part of the capsule 6 (not illustrated in Figure 4 and Figure 5 ), which causes the said part to rupture and dispense the beverage to the beverage outlet 40.

[0097] In a variant embodiment (not illustrated), although the injection head and the beverage outlet are illustrated as being arranged on the capsule holding part and the closing part respectively, they can alternatively be arranged, including: the injection head and the beverage outlet are arranged on the closing part and the capsule holding part respectively and; or both on the same part. In addition, the extraction unit can include two parts arranged as the capsule holding part, for example, for a capsule symmetric about a flange, including Professional capsules. Examples of suitable extraction units are provided in EP 1472156 A1 and EP 1784344 A1, and an extraction unit providing a hydraulic seal is provided.

[0098] In a (not illustrated) second embodiment of the container handling unit, an extraction unit similar to the first embodiment is provided. However, the extraction unit operates at a lower pressure and by centrifugal operation. Examples of suitable capsules are Vertuo capsules. Suitable examples are provided in EP 2594171 A1. In such examples (or indeed other examples), the guiding part can be omitted and the container can be manually loaded into the extraction unit.

[0099] In a (not illustrated) third embodiment, the capsule handling unit operates by dissolving the beverage precursor, which is selected to dissolve under high-pressure and temperature fluid. The extraction unit is arranged similar to the first and second embodiments. However, the pressure is lower and thus a sealed extraction unit is not required. Specifically, the fluid can be injected into the cap of the capsule, and the ruptured part is located at the base of the storage part of the capsule. Examples of suitable capsules are or DolceGusto capsules. Examples of suitable extraction units are disclosed in EP 1472156 A1 and EP 1784344 A1.

[0100] In a (not illustrated) fourth embodiment in which the container is arranged as a sachet, the container handling unit implements an extraction unit operable to receive the sachet and inject fluid from the fluid conditioning system at the inlet of the sachet. The injected fluid is mixed with the precursor material within the sachet to at least partially prepare a beverage, which exits the sachet via the outlet of the sachet. Examples of such arrangements are provided in WO2014125123A1 or WO2022023578A1.

[0101] In a (not illustrated) fifth embodiment, the container handling unit is arranged as a mixing unit to prepare a beverage or food precursor stored in a container, which is a receptacle for the end user to consume from. The mixing unit includes a stirrer (e.g., planetary mixer; helical mixer; vertical cutting mixer) to mix the beverage or food precursor in the receptacle; and a heat exchanger to heat / cool the beverage or food precursor. The fluid supply system may also supply fluid to the receptacle. Examples of such arrangements are provided in WO2014067987A1.

[0102] In a (not illustrated) sixth embodiment, the container handling unit is arranged as a dispensing and dissolving unit. The dispensing and dissolving unit is arranged to extract a single-serving portion of a beverage or food precursor from a storage part of the machine, which may include any multi-serving container, any multi-serving container including a sachet or a cartridge. The dispensing and dissolving unit is arranged to mix the extracted single-serving portion with conditioned fluid from the fluid conditioning system and dispense the beverage or food into a receptacle. Examples of such arrangements are provided in EP14167344A.

[0103] [Second Embodiment of Processing Unit]

[0104] Reference Figure 6 , in a second embodiment of the processing unit 14, the unit includes a loose material handling unit 42.

[0105] The loose material handling unit 42 is arranged to receive loose pre-precursor material from the container 6 (suitable examples are provided in as will be discussed Figure 8 and process the pre-precursor material to obtain precursor material. The electrical circuit 16 uses the preparation information read from the container 6 to control the loose material handling unit 42 to perform the preparation process.

[0106] The user manually returns the container 6 to the code reading system 18 of the machine 4 to read the code (as will be discussed). The user then opens the container 6 and dispenses the pre-precursor material (not illustrated) disposed therein into the loose material handling unit 42. The loose material handling unit 42 processes the loose pre-precursor material into a precursor material.

[0107] In a specific example, the pre-precursor material is coffee beans, and the loose material handling unit 42 is arranged to roast and / or grind the coffee beans to provide the precursor material.

[0108] In an unillustrated variant embodiment, the loose material handling unit is alternatively configured to include: using a dispensing system to open and dispense the pre-precursor from the capsule for subsequent processing (e.g., it may include a cutting tool to cut open the container and an extractor (such as a scoop) to extract the pre-precursor material); the pre-precursor material can be processed in the container and is dispensed from the container or provided to the user in the container by the foregoing example.

[0109] [Code Reading System]

[0110] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the code reading system 18 is arranged to read the code 44 disposed on the lid of the container 6. The code reading system 18 is integrated with the extraction unit 32 of the first embodiment of the container handling unit 20. The code 44 is read at the capsule extraction position by the extraction unit 32 (as Figure 4 shown).

[0111] The code reading system 18 includes a code reader 46 having an image capture unit and a reading head that houses the image capture unit for capturing a digital image of the code 44. Examples of suitable image capture units include Sonix SN9S102; Snap Sensor S2 imager; oversampled binary image sensor; other similar systems.

[0112] The electrical circuit 18 includes an image processing circuit (not illustrated) to identify the code in the digital image and extract the preparation information. An example of the image processing circuit is a Texas Instruments TMS320C5517 processor running a code processing program.

[0113] In a non-illustrated variant embodiment, the code reading system is separate from the container handling unit and includes: the code reading system is arranged in a passage where a user places a container and conveys the container to the container handling unit; the code reading system is arranged to read a code on a receptacle that is positioned to receive a beverage from a beverage outlet of the dispensing and dissolving unit. In a further non-illustrated variant embodiment, the code reading system is arranged to read a code at different positions on the container (e.g., on a flange of a restraint portion). In a further non-illustrated variant embodiment, the code is a one-dimensional code and is read by relative movement between the code reader and the code to generate a code signal.

[0114] [Control Electrical Circuit]

[0115] Reference Figure 7 , the electrical circuit 16 is implemented to control the electrical circuit 48 to control the processing unit 14 to perform a preparation process. In Figure 7 the embodiment of, for illustrative purposes, the processing unit 14 is illustrated as a first embodiment, which includes a container handling unit 20 and a fluid supply unit 22.

[0116] The electrical circuits 16, 48 are at least partially implemented (e.g., in combination with hardware) as: an input unit 50 for receiving an input from a user to confirm that the machine 4 will perform a preparation process; a processor 52 for receiving an input from the input unit 50 and providing a control output to the processing unit 14; and a feedback system 54 for providing feedback from the processing unit 54 during the preparation process, which feedback can be used to control the preparation process.

[0117] The input unit 50 is implemented as a user interface, which may include one or more of the following: buttons, such as joystick buttons or push buttons; a joystick; an LED; a graphical or character LDC; a graphical screen with touch sensing and / or screen edge buttons; other similar devices; sensors for determining whether a container has been supplied to the machine by the user.

[0118] The feedback system 54 may implement one or more of the following or other feedback control-based operations:

[0119] A flow sensor for determining the flow rate / volume of fluid to an outlet 30 of the fluid supply system 22 (shown in Figure 3 ), which flow rate / volume can be used to meter the correct amount of fluid to the container 6 and thus adjust the power to the pump 26;

[0120] A temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the fluid at the outlet 30 of the fluid supply unit 22, which can be used to ensure that the temperature of the fluid reaching the container 6 is correct and thus regulate the power to the heat exchanger 28);

[0121] A level sensor for determining that the level of the fluid in the reservoir 24 is sufficient for the preparation process;

[0122] A position sensor for determining the position of the extraction unit 32 (e.g., the capsule extraction position or the capsule receiving position).

[0123] It should be understood that the electrical circuits 16, 44 are suitably adapted for other examples of the processing unit 14, such as: for a second example of a container handling system, a feedback system can be used to control the rotational speed of the capsule.

[0124] [Container]

[0125] Reference Figure 8 , a first embodiment of the container 6 for use with the first embodiment of the processing unit 14 includes a container 6 arranged as a capsule 6. The capsule 6 includes a closure member 56 and a body portion 62, and the body portion includes a storage portion 58 and a flange portion 60.

[0126] The storage portion 58 includes a cavity (not illustrated) for storing the precursor material. The cavity of the storage portion extends from the flange portion 60 in the depth direction 106. Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the storage portion 56 is perforated by the injection head 38 to supply the conditioned fluid into the capsule.

[0127] The storage portion 58 is formed of a paper material. The storage portion 58 has a thickness of 0.2 mm. The closure member 56 is formed of a paper material. The closure member 58 has a thickness of 0.15 mm.

[0128] As used herein, "paper" may refer to being at least partially formed of a sheet material produced by the following steps: mechanically or chemically treating cellulose fibers derived from one or more of the following in water: wood; rags; grass; or other plant sources; draining the water through a fine mesh, leaving the fibers evenly distributed on the surface; and then pressing and drying.

[0129] The closure member 56 closes and can hermetically seal the storage portion 58 and includes a flexible membrane. Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the closure member 56 is perforated to eject the beverage / food.

[0130] The flange portion 60 is integrally formed with the storage portion. The flange portion 60 is disposed at the joint of the storage portion 58 and the closing member 56, and includes a planar extension portion of the storage portion 58 that overlaps a part of the closing member fixed thereto to hermetically seal the precursor material. The flange portion 60 extends in a plane defined by the lateral direction 102 and the longitudinal direction 100. Accordingly, the closing member is planar in the said plane.

[0131] The capsule 6 has a circular cross-section such that it is rotationally symmetric about the axis 108. In this way, the user can present the capsule to the machine 2 in any orientation about the axis 108. The capsule 6 has a diameter of 53 mm, which is measured across the outer or inner perimeter of the flange portion 60 in the plane of the flange portion 60. The capsule 6 can be configured to have different sizes, which are characterized by different depths, such as: 7 mm; 12 mm; 15 mm; 18 mm; and 21 mm. Each size of the capsule 6 is compatible with the first and second embodiments of the code reading system 18, as will be discussed.

[0132] In a variant embodiment not illustrated, the closing member may be arranged to be convex or concave relative to the storage portion. For example, for a convex arrangement, the center of the closing member may extend into the storage portion in the depth direction by up to 1 mm ± 10% or 20%. The minimum depression may be 0.2 mm. For example, for a concave arrangement, the center of the closing member may extend away from the storage portion in the reverse depth direction by up to 4 mm ± 10% or 20%. The minimum depression may be 0.5 mm.

[0133] In a variant embodiment not illustrated: the body portion includes a flange portion formed non-integrally with and connected to the storage portion; the body portion includes an omitted flange portion, for example, the closing member wraps around the storage portion; the container may be a non-rotationally symmetric shape, such as a square cross-section or other shape; the capsule is alternatively sized, including 40 mm to 70 mm or 53 mm ± 10% or 20% across the outer or inner perimeter of the flange portion, and the depth is any one of the described depths ± 10% or 20%; the thickness of the storage portion may have a thickness of 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm or 0.2 ± 20% or 30%; the thickness of the closing member may have a thickness of 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm or 0.15 ± 20% or 30%; and the storage portion and / or the closing member may be made of or include different materials, such as including plastic or aluminum-based materials.

[0134] Reference Figure 9, A second embodiment of the container 6 for use with a second embodiment of the processing unit 14 includes a container 6 arranged as a sachet and includes: an arrangement of sheet material 62 joined at a peripheral seam 64 and defining an internal volume for storing a precursor material (not illustrated), and an opening 66 that a user opens to dispense the precursor material into the loose material processing unit 42.

[0135] [Arrangement of Code]

[0136] Reference Figure 8 , The code 44 can be arranged at any suitable location on the outer surface of the container 6 such that the code can be read by the code reading system 18.

[0137] In the first embodiment, the code 44 is arranged at the central region of the closing member 56. Thus, the code can be read by any code reader aligned with the center of the container. In the second embodiment, the code is replicated over the entire closing member such that it can be read from any external location on the closing member 56. With such an arrangement, the closing member does not need to be aligned with the storage portion in any particular way, which simplifies the cutting and assembly process of the container 6.

[0138] In a variant embodiment (not illustrated), the code can be arranged on the flange portion 60 (including on either side) and on the storage portion 58. The code can also be arranged on the closing member, but not on the intermediate region.

[0139] In Figure 9 the second embodiment shown, the code 44 is arranged at various positions on the sheet material 62, including distally of the seam 64.

[0140] [Preparation Process]

[0141] Reference Figure 10 , Illustrating the process for preparing a beverage / food from a precursor material:

[0142] Block 70: The user supplies the container 6 to the machine 4.

[0143] Block 72: The electrical circuit 16 (e.g., its input unit 50) receives a user instruction to prepare a beverage / food from the precursor, and the electrical circuit 16 (e.g., the processor 52) initiates the process.

[0144] Block 74: The electrical circuit 16 controls the processing unit 14 to process the container (e.g., in the first example of the container processing unit 20, the extraction unit 32 moves from the capsule receiving position ( Figure 4 )) to the capsule extraction position ( Figure 5 ).

[0145] Box 76: The electrical circuit 16 controls the code reading system 18 to provide a digital image of the code 6 of the container.

[0146] Box 78: The code processing circuit of the electrical circuit 16 processes the digital image to extract the preparation information.

[0147] Box 80: The electrical circuit 16 executes the preparation process based on the preparation information by controlling the processing unit 14. In a first embodiment of the processing unit, this includes: controlling the fluid conditioning system 22 to supply the fluid to the container processing unit 20 at the temperature, pressure, and duration specified in the preparation information.

[0148] The electrical circuit 16 then controls the container processing unit 20 to move the container 6 from the capsule extraction section through the capsule discharge position to discharge the container 6 and return to the capsule receiving position.

[0149] In a variant embodiment not illustrated: The above boxes may be executed in a different order, for example, box 72 may be executed before box 70 or box 76 may be executed before box 74; a certain box may be omitted, for example, in the case of a machine storing a capsule cartridge, box 70 may be omitted.

[0150] Box 76 and box 78 may refer to the code reading and processing process. Box 80 may be referred to as the preparation process. The electrical circuit 16 includes instructions for this preparation process (or multiple preparation processes), for example, as program code. In an embodiment, the processor 52 implements the instructions stored in a memory (not illustrated).

[0151] As part of the preparation process, the electrical circuit 16 may obtain additional preparation information from the server system 8 and / or the peripheral device 10 via the computer network 12 using the communication interface (not illustrated) of the machine.

[0152] [General Description of Code]

[0153] Reference Figure 11 , the code 44 is formed by a plurality of circular units 80 arranged on the surround 82. The units 80 are dark (e.g., including one of the following colors: black, dark blue, purple, dark green), and the surround 82 is a relatively light color (e.g., including one of the following colors: white, light blue, yellow, light green), such that the contrast is sufficient for the image capture unit 46 to distinguish them. The units 80 of the code may be configured to be read in the infrared and / or visible bands.

[0154] The shape of the unit 80 is circular. As used herein, the term "shape" for a unit may refer to the exact shape or an approximation of the actual shape, which may occur in terms of printing or other manufacturing precision variations.

[0155] In unillustrated variant embodiments: the cells are light-colored while the wrappings are dark-colored; the cells have different shapes, including one or a combination of the following shapes: triangular, polygonal, particularly quadrilateral such as square or parallelogram; other suitable shapes.

[0156] The cell 80 generally has a cell length of 50 μm to 200 μm. As used herein, the term "cell length" for the cell 80 may refer to a suitably defined distance of the cell 80, for example: for a circular shape, the diameter; for a square, the side length; for a polygon, the distance between opposite or adjacent vertices; for a triangle, the hypotenuse. The cell 80 is formed with an accuracy of approximately 1 μm.

[0157] The cell 80 is formed by printing (e.g., by means of an inkjet printer). As an example of printing, the ink may be a conventional printing press ink, and the substrate may be: polyethylene terephthalate (PET); aluminum or other suitable substrates coated with lacquer (such as present on Nespresso Classic capsules).

[0158] In unillustrated variant embodiments: alternatively, the cells are formed, including by embossing, engraving or other suitable means, and the cells are alternatively sized, for example, with a cell length of 80 μm to 120 μm.

[0159] Further reference Figure 11 , the cells 80 are organized into: a reference portion R, which is used to locate and determine the orientation of the code 44; and a data portion D, which is used to store preparation information.

[0160] The cells 80 of the code 44 arranged as the reference portion R include three reference cells 84. The reference cells 84 have a unique spatial arrangement in the code 44 to allow the reference portion R to be recognized by the electrical circuit 16 in a digital image (e.g., having a relationship stored in its memory). The unique spatial arrangement includes the reference cells 84, which are arranged at three of the vertices of a virtual rectangle around the origin O at the center of the rectangle, with a specific distance between the reference cells 84.

[0161] In unillustrated variant embodiments, alternatively, the reference portion is implemented, including: as a different arrangement of reference cells, for example including a rectangle as a circle or other shape; having a different number of reference cells, for example including 4 or 5; and the reference cells may have a unique shape that can be recognized from the shapes of other cells forming the code.

[0162] The arrangement of the reference unit 84 enables a single reference line r to be defined at a specific vector relative to the unit 84. The reference line r is virtual and is determined by the electrical circuit 16 (e.g., having a relationship stored in its memory).

[0163] In this particular example, the reference unit 84 defines a first virtual line (not shown) and a second virtual line (not shown) using the right - hand rule, where: the thumb represents the first virtual line intersecting the centers of two reference units in the reference unit; the index finger represents the second virtual line intersecting the centers of two reference units in the reference unit, where one reference unit is common with the first virtual line; the second finger enters the plane of the page of the code 44. The reference line r extends from the origin O and is parallel to the first virtual line and orthogonal to the second virtual line.

[0164] In an unillustrated variant implementation, the reference line can alternatively be defined: it can include an actual line drawn on the code; the reference line can have an alternative geometric arrangement relative to the reference unit.

[0165] The unit 80 of the code 44 arranged as the data part D includes the data unit 86. The data unit 86 is arranged on the coding line E that intersects the reference line r. The coding line E is virtual and is determined by the electrical circuit 16 (e.g., the coding line has a predetermined radius stored in its memory). The center of the circle of the coding line E is arranged at the origin O of the reference part R. Thus, the reference line r intersects the coding line E, and the tangent of this coding line is orthogonal to the reference line r. There are two coding lines E1, E2, and each of these two coding lines has a data unit 86.

[0166] In an unillustrated variant implementation: other numbers of coding lines are implemented, including 3, 4, or 5; the coding line can have a non - circular shape, including a rectangle or a triangle; the coding line includes an actual line drawn on the code.

[0167] The coding line E includes one or more individual data parts, and each of the one or more individual data parts includes a starting position 88 and a data unit 86, and the data unit is arranged along the coding line E at a distance d from the starting position 88 as a variable encoding a parameter of the preparation information. The starting position 88 is virtually defined and can be determined by the electrical circuit 16 (e.g., the starting position can be stored in its memory). The individual data part can also include an end position (not shown), which defines the maximum allowable distance d of the data unit 80 along the coding line E from the starting position 88. Both the starting position and the end position are virtually formed.

[0168] For the first coding line E1, the data portion includes two separate data portions: For the first separate data portion, the distance d can be any continuous distance from the starting position 88 at the reference line r to the first data unit 86 clockwise from the reference line r; for the second separate data portion, the distance d can be any continuous distance from the starting position 88 at the data unit 86 of the first separate data portion (thus, the starting position is variable) to the midpoint m between the subsequent two data units 86 in the clockwise direction.

[0169] For the second coding line E2, the data portion includes a single separate data portion, for which the distance d can be any one of a plurality of discrete distances, which are exemplified as discrete positions 90 from the starting position 88 at the reference line r, each position being associated with a value of a parameter. In the example, there are 10 discrete positions 90.

[0170] The incremental distance can be defined as the distance between the starting position 88 and the ending position divided by the total number of positions in the data portion D that the data unit 86 can occupy (which is 10 for E2).

[0171] In an unillustrated variant embodiment: The starting position can be arranged at any position on the coding line, including being spaced apart from the reference line; there can be multiple starting positions on the coding line, each starting position having an associated data unit; the starting position can be formed as a unit as part of the code rather than being defined virtually; the coding line can include a combination of parameters encoded by continuous distances and discrete positions; more than one or two data units on the coding line can define a parameter, which can be determined as the average of the positions; and the data portion can include any appropriate number of separate data portions.

[0172] The code 44 includes an outer perimeter 92, within which the units 80 are arranged. The outer perimeter 92 is rectangular in shape and has dimensions of 600 μm to 1600 μm, or approximately 1100 μm. The code 44 can be repeated such that multiple repetitions of the code 44 are arranged within a single digital image, such that one or several optimally captured repetitions of the code can be selected for processing.

[0173] In an unillustrated variant embodiment: The outer perimeter can alternatively be shaped, including circular; the outer perimeter can have alternative dimensions, including greater than or less than the exemplary range. In an unillustrated variant embodiment, the data portion alternatively encodes the value of the parameter, including as alphanumeric symbols or other arrangements.

[0174] Reference Figure 12 , relative to Figure 11 the code, the code processing procedure for extracting preparation information performed by the electrical circuit 16 (or its code processing circuit) includes:

[0175] Step 1 - Identify the Location of Code Units

[0176] Frame 100: Obtain a digital image of code 44 via code reading system 118.

[0177] Frame 102: Assign pixels to the dark areas in the digital image that can represent unit 80.

[0178] Frame 104: Determine the presence of unit 80 if several pixels are grouped close to each other.

[0179] Frame 106: For each determined unit, determine the center of the pixel grouping, e.g., by rules such as feature extraction, to determine the coordinates of the center of the unit.

[0180] In an unillustrated and unvaried embodiment, alternative processing techniques for determining the unit and coordinates can be implemented, including other techniques for locating the center of the unit or identifying the unit as present. For example, a magnification level can be implemented such that a single pixel is determined as a unit, and the center of the unit can be determined as the center of the pixel.

[0181] Step 2 - Locate the Reference Portion and Reading Angle of the Code

[0182] Reference Figure 13 , relative to Figure 11 of the code, the processing of code 44 includes:

[0183] Frame 108: Locate reference portion R by searching for the unique separation and geometric arrangement of reference unit 84 based on the coordinates of unit 80 of code 44. This can be achieved by geometric rules including Pythagoras and trigonometry or other suitable rules. The separation and geometric arrangement can be stored on electrical circuit 16 and accessed during the search.

[0184] Frame 110: For the located reference portion R, use the stored relationships to define the position of origin O and reference line r. The arrangement of the origin and reference line can be stored on electrical circuit 16 and mapped to the coordinates of the located reference portion.

[0185] Frame 112: For each unit (except those of the reference portion), determine which coding line E the unit belongs to based on the distance from origin O. Electrical circuit 16 can store the radius range for each coding line E and use geometric rules to determine the distance of each unit from origin O and which radius range it falls into.

[0186] Frame 114: For each cell (except those in the reference section), determine the angles α1, α2 relative to the reference line r. It should be noted that this angle represents the circumferential distance and can be used interchangeably. This angle can be calculated via the known geometric relationship between the coordinates of the reference line r and the virtual line extending from the origin O and passing through the associated cell.

[0187] Step 3 - Determine the Values of Parameters for Preparation Information 。

[0188] Reference Figure 13 ,relative to Figure 11 of the code, the processing of code 44 includes:

[0189] Frame 116: Determine the coding distance d for each individual data portion. This is achieved by a set of rules stored in the electrical circuit 16 for determining the coding distance d. This can include one or more of the following: the number of individual data portions on each coding line; the starting position 88 of each data portion; whether a single cell or multiple cells represent the data cell 86; and other suitable relationships.

[0190] For example, referring to Figure 9 ,the rules for determining the coding distance d of the coding line E1 include: two individual data portions; the starting position 88 of the first individual data portion is at the intersection of the reference line r and the coding line E1; the starting position 88 of the second individual data portion is at the data cell 86 of the first individual data portion; the data cell 86 of the first individual data portion is represented by a single cell of code 44; the data cell 86 of the second individual data portion is represented by two cells of code 44.

[0191] For example, referring to Figure 11 ,the rules for determining the coding distance d of the coding line E2 include: a single individual data portion; the starting position 88 is at the intersection of the reference line r and the coding line E2; the data cell 86 of the first individual data portion is represented by a single cell of code 44.

[0192] Frame 118: Convert the coding distance d for each data portion into a value of a parameter. This is achieved by implementing a set of rules for converting the distance values stored in the electrical circuit 16.

[0193] For example, for the coding line E1: The first individual data portion can encode the water volume of the brewing process, where the distance d is any continuous value linearly related to the water volume; and the second individual data portion can encode the time of the brewing process, where the coding distance d is any continuous value exponentially related to the time.

[0194] For example, for the encoding line E2: A single individual data portion can encode the water temperature of the brewing process, where the encoding distance d is a discrete value that changes incrementally by 5 degrees Celsius for each discrete position 90, and the rule specifies which 5-degree increment is closest to the determined encoding distance d.

[0195] In unillustrated variant embodiments, other rules can be implemented, including: other mathematical functions that relate the encoding distance to a parameter value; and whether the encoding distance is an average of the distances of several individual data portions, and other suitable relationships.

[0196] [Overlapping Predetermined Positions]

[0197] Reference Figure 14 , the code 44 includes the features (and associated variants) discussed in the embodiment in conjunction with Figures 11 to 13 .

[0198] The data portion D includes a first predetermined position 94 and a second predetermined position 96. The first predetermined position 94 and the second predetermined position 96 partially but not completely overlap each other. Specifically, they are both arranged on the encoding line E2, where the encoding line E2 passes through their centers, but are offset from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0199] The first predetermined position 94 and the second predetermined position 96 encode three conditions as:

[0200] 1) There are no data units at both positions 94, 96;

[0201] 2) There is a data unit 86 at the first position 94 and no data unit at the second position 96; and

[0202] 3) There is a data unit 86 at the second position 96 and no data unit at the first position 94.

[0203] In the illustrated example, only condition 1) is shown.

[0204] The predetermined positions 94, 96 are located at a known angular distance from the reference line r. As discussed for the previous embodiment, the encoding line E2 is arranged at a known radius from the origin O as defined by the reference portion R. Thus, the predetermined positions 94, 96 can be read by positioning their centers relative to the reference line r and the origin O, and it can be determined whether they include a data unit 86 or there is no data unit according to one of the above conditions 1) to 3).

[0205] In the example, the positions of the cells 86 can be determined by their centers (as discussed above), and if the centers of the cells match (including being in close proximity to) the centers of the predetermined positions 94, 96, then it is determined that the data cells are located at the relevant predetermined positions 94, 96.

[0206] Using such a reading pattern, it should be understood that if both the first predetermined position 94 and the second predetermined position 96 include partially overlapping data cells, then an object formed by the two partially overlapping cells will have a position that is not assigned to either of the predetermined positions 94, 96. Instead, the center of the object will be between the two predetermined positions 94, 96, and thus this will be equivalent to condition 1). Alternatively, the algorithm for locating the centers of the data cells can be configured to return an error for such regularly shaped objects and condition 1) can be determined. In a case where only three conditions need to be encoded, not encoding the fourth condition is not a problem.

[0207] In an alternative embodiment: Another condition can be determined by an alternative algorithm that is capable of, for example, identifying the presence of the two cells as a fourth condition by finding the two centers of the two data cells from the previously described object. Using such an example, the overlapping predetermined positions still offer the advantage of more compact encoding.

[0208] The data cells 86 at the predetermined positions 94, 96 and the predetermined positions 94, 96 themselves are of equal size (e.g., such that the cells completely fill / extend up to the boundaries of the predetermined positions).

[0209] In an alternative embodiment: The data cells and the predetermined positions can be of different sizes, e.g., the data cells are smaller than the predetermined positions; they can have a shape different from a circle, e.g., a square.

[0210] The first predetermined position 94 and the second predetermined position 96 overlap with each other by less than half of the area of the data cell 86 (or the predetermined positions, since they are of the same size). The offset between the centers of the predetermined positions is less than the diameter of the predetermined position but greater than the radius of the predetermined position. Such limitations can enable convenient identification of the data cells at the first predetermined position or the second predetermined position. The first predetermined position 94 and the second predetermined position 96 have a minimum overlap greater than 5% or 10% or 20% of the area of the predetermined position.

[0211] In an alternative embodiment, other degrees of overlap will be achieved.

[0212] As Figure 14 shown, the same encoding line E2 or different encoding lines E1 can encode other parameters of the preparation information, examples of which were previously discussed in connection with Figure 11 the embodiments.

[0213] In an embodiment, the conditions encoded by the overlapping predetermined positions 94, 96 are conditions associated with a parameter encoded by an encoding distance d of a separate data unit. For example, these conditions are one of three operating quantities, including the temperature of a heat exchanger or the flow rate of a pump, and the data encoded by the encoding distance d can be the operating time of the component. These conditions can also be one of three flow rate settings that define the degree of flow (from a fluid conditioning system) through or around a container, and the data encoded by the encoding distance d can be the time to operate the flow rate setting. The degree of flow can be controlled using an electric valve arranged to change the flow path through or around the container processing unit to an outlet.

[0214] Although the predetermined positions 94, 96 are illustrated on the second encoding line E2, it should be understood that they can be arranged on any encoding line and any number of encoding lines can be present, such as 2, 3, or 4, etc.

[0215] Although the code is illustrated herein as being arranged on a container, it should be understood that the code can be integrally formed on the container or formed on a separate substrate (not illustrated) attachable to the container. The substrate can alternatively be arranged as: a bracket or clip for attaching to a machine such that it is located between the code reader and the container and reads the code thereon rather than the code on the container, or; other components, such as a handheld component including a code reader arranged for a user to present to the machine, which can be suitably arranged for manual code reading.

[0216] It should be understood that any disclosed method (or corresponding device, program, data carrier, etc.) can be executed by a host or a client, depending on the specific implementation (i.e., the disclosed method / device is a form of one or more communications and can thus be executed from any "point of view" (i.e., in a manner corresponding to each other)). Additionally, it should be understood that the terms "receive" and "transmit" encompass "input" and "output" and are not limited to an RF environment of transmitting and receiving radio waves. Thus, for example, a chip or other device or component for implementing an embodiment can generate data for output to another chip, device, or component or have input data from another chip, device, or component, and such output or input can be referred to as "transmit" and "receive", including gerund forms, i.e., "transmitting" and "receiving" and such "transmitting" and "receiving" in an RF environment.

[0217] As used in this specification, any statement for "at least one of A, B, or C" and the statement "at least one of A, B, and C" use the separate "or" and the separate "and", such that these statements include any and all combinations and several permutations of A, B, C, namely A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B in any order, A and C in any order, B and C in any order, and A, B, C in any order. In such statements, there may be more or fewer than three features.

[0218] In a claim, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed in a claim. Further, as used herein, the term "a" or "an" is defined as one or more than one. Additionally, when introductory phrases such as "at least one" and "one or more" are used in a claim, it should not be understood that any other claim element introduced by the indefinite article "a" or "an" will limit such introduced claim element to including only one such element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrase "one or more" or "at least one" and the indefinite article such as "a" or "an". The same applies to the use of the definite article. Unless otherwise specified, terms such as "first" and "second" are used for any distinction of elements so described. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to denote a temporal or other precedence of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are stated in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously.

[0219] Unless otherwise expressly specified as incompatible, or the physics or other aspects of the embodiment, example, or claim prevent such combination, the features of the foregoing embodiments and examples and the following claims may be combined in any suitable permutation, especially where doing so has a beneficial effect. This is not limited to any particular beneficial effect, but may result from a "post hoc" beneficial effect. That is, the combination of features is not limited by the form described, especially not by the form (e.g., numbering) of one or more examples, one or more embodiments, or one or more dependent claims. Further, this also applies to phrases such as "in one embodiment", "according to one embodiment", etc., which are merely matters of style of wording and should not be understood as limiting the following features to a single embodiment, but apply to all other cases with the same or similar wording. That is, a reference to "one", "an", or "some" embodiments may be a reference to any one or more and / or all of the disclosed embodiments or combinations thereof. Similarly, a reference to "the" embodiment may not be limited to the previous embodiment.

[0220] As used herein, any machine-executable instructions or computer-readable media can execute the methods disclosed herein and can thus be used synonymously with the term method or with each other.

[0221] The foregoing description of one or more specific embodiments provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the exact forms disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings, or may be acquired from practice of the various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0222] List of Marks

[0223] 2 System

[0224] 4 Machine

[0225] 14 Processing Unit

[0226] 20 Container Processing Unit (First Embodiment)

[0227] 32 Extraction Unit

[0228] 34 Capsule Holding Portion

[0229] 36 Closing Portion

[0230] 38 Injection Head

[0231] 40 Beverage Outlet

[0232] 22 Fluid Conditioning System

[0233] 24 Reservoir

[0234] 26 Pump

[0235] 28 Heat Exchanger

[0236] 30 Outlet

[0237] 42 Loose Material Processing Unit (Second Embodiment)

[0238] 16 Electrical Circuit

[0239] 48 Control Electrical Circuit

[0240] 50 Input Unit

[0241] 52 Processor

[0242] 54 Feedback System

[0243] 18 Code Reading System

[0244] 46 Image Capture Unit

[0245] 6 Container

[0246] Capsule - Embodiment 1

[0247] 56 Cover part

[0248] 44 Code

[0249] 80 Unit

[0250] R Reference part

[0251] 84 Reference unit

[0252] r Reference line

[0253] O Origin

[0254] D Data part

[0255] 86 Data unit

[0256] E Encoding line

[0257] d Distance

[0258] 88 Starting position

[0259] 90 Discrete position

[0260] 94 First predetermined position

[0261] 96 Second predetermined position

[0262] 82 Enclosure

[0263] 92 Outer perimeter

[0264] 58 Restraint part

[0265] 60 Flange part

[0266] Pouch - Example 2

[0267] 62 Sheet material

[0268] 64 Seam

[0269] 68 Opening

[0270] 8 Server system

[0271] 10 Peripheral device

[0272] 12 Computer network

Claims

1. A container for containing a precursor material, the container being for use with a machine for preparing a beverage and / or food or a precursor thereof, the container comprising a machine-readable code storing preparation information for use with a preparation process performed by the machine, the code comprising: A reference part (R) for locating the code; A data part (D) for storing the preparation information, wherein the data part includes a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position that partially overlap, and the partially overlapping first and second predetermined positions encode one of three conditions as: No data unit exists at both positions; A data unit exists at the first position and no data unit exists at the second position; And A data unit exists at the second position and no data unit exists at the first position, such that the encoded condition is compactly located.

2. The container according to claim 2, wherein the data unit and the predetermined position are of equal size.

3. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position that partially overlap overlap by an area less than half of the area of the predetermined position.

4. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position that partially overlap overlap by an area greater than 5% or 10% of the area of the predetermined position.

5. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position that partially overlap are arranged on.

6. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data portion comprises at least one data unit, the at least one data unit being arranged along a virtual (E) at a coded distance (d) from a starting position as a variable that at least partially encodes a value of a parameter of the preparation information, wherein the coding line is circular and the distance (d) is an angular distance, wherein the condition encoded by the overlapping predetermined positions is a condition associated with the parameter encoded by the coded distance.

7. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data units are arranged to be centered by their centers such that instances of both the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position including overlapping data units are prevented from encoding a fourth condition because the centers of objects including two overlapping data units among the overlapping data units are not at the center of one of the predetermined positions.

8. A substrate for attachment to: a container for containing a precursor material, the container being for use with a machine for preparing a beverage and / or food or a precursor thereof; or for attachment to the machine, the substrate comprising a code, the code comprising: A reference part (R) for locating the code; a data part (D) for storing the preparation information, wherein the data part includes a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position that partially overlap, and the partially overlapping first and second predetermined positions encode one of three conditions as: No data unit exists at both positions; A data unit exists at the first position and no data unit exists at the second position; And A data unit exists at the second position and no data unit exists at the first position, such that the encoded condition is compactly located.

9. A machine for preparing beverages and / or foods or precursors thereof, the machine comprising: A code reading system for reading the code of a container; A processing unit for processing the precursor material of the container; And An electrical circuit for controlling the processing unit based on the preparation information read from the code, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to perform the following steps: Locate the reference part (R) of the code; Read the data part (D) of the code, the data part being arranged relative to the located reference part; Read the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position that partially overlap in the data part, the partially overlapping first and second predetermined positions encoding one of three conditions as: no data unit exists at both positions; a data unit exists at the first position and no data unit exists at the second position; And a data unit exists at the second position and no data unit exists at the first position.

10. A system, the system comprising a container according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a machine according to claim 9.

11. Use of a container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the use being for a machine for preparing beverages and / or foods or precursors thereof according to claim 9.

12. A method of encoding preparation information using a code, the method comprising: Arrange the data part of the code relative to the reference part of the code; And Arrange the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position that partially overlap in the data part for encoding one of three conditions as: no data unit exists at both positions; a data unit exists at the first position and no data unit exists at the second position; And a data unit exists at the second position and no data unit exists at the first position such that the encoded condition is compactly located.

13. A method of reading preparation information for use in a preparation process from a code, wherein a machine is controlled based on the preparation information to prepare beverages and / or foods or precursors thereof, the method comprising: Locate the reference part (R) of the code; Read the data part (D) of the code, the data part being arranged relative to the located reference part; Read the partially overlapping first predetermined position and second predetermined position of the data portion, and the partially overlapping first predetermined position and second predetermined position encode three conditions as: no data unit exists at both positions; a data unit exists at the first position and no data unit exists at the second position; and a data unit exists at the second position and no data unit exists at the first position.

14. An electrical circuit for implementing the method according to claim 13.

15. A computer-readable medium comprising program code for implementing the method according to claim 13.

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