Beverage maker

Abstract

A beverage maker is provided. The beverage maker includes a mixing container configured to receive a beverage product. The beverage product is mixed within the mixing container. The beverage maker also includes a cooling circuit configured to cool the beverage product within the mixing container. The beverage maker also includes a temperature sensor configured to periodically detect a temperature associated with the beverage product and output a periodic temperature signal indicative of the periodically detected temperature. The beverage maker also includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether a phase change of the beverage product has occurred based on the periodic temperature signal. The controller is further configured to control the cooling circuit based on determining whether the phase change has occurred.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to beverage making machines and, in non-limiting embodiments or aspects, to beverage making machines including automatic controls based on sensed conditions during beverage product processing, including temperature and motor conditions. Background Art

[0002] Frozen beverage making machine (also can be referred to as semi-frozen beverage making machine or crushed ice beverage making machine) can comprise the tank or mixing container that receives and processes beverage product, and this processing comprises cooling beverage product, usually beverage product is transformed into frozen or semi-frozen product (such as, for example granita, slushy drink, smoothie (smoothie), ice cream or other frozen or semi-frozen product etc.) from pure liquid (or the mixture of liquid and ice part), and is then distributed.The cooled product can be distributed by valve, faucet or dispenser.Thus, as used herein, term " frozen beverage making machine " is not limited to the device that only makes beverage or frozen beverage, but comprises the device that is used to cool the beverage product received to produce any form of cooling output in various cooling, freezing and semi-frozen forms.Beverage product can be made up of the liquid mixture that comprises water, juice or milk, and can comprise the additive (such as sugar, liquor, syrup or seasoning powder etc.) that is used to give beverage product desired taste and / or color.Frozen beverage making machine can comprise the mixing system in mixing container, and can also comprise refrigeration system to cool beverage product in mixing container. Utility Model Content

[0003] Thus, there is provided an improved beverage making machine configured with automatic control based on sensed conditions during beverage product processing.

[0004] According to a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, a beverage making machine is provided. The beverage making machine includes a mixing container configured to receive a beverage product, wherein the beverage product is mixed within the mixing container. The beverage making machine also includes a cooling circuit configured to cool the beverage product within the mixing container. The beverage making machine also includes a temperature sensor configured to periodically detect a temperature associated with the beverage product and output a periodic temperature signal indicating the periodically detected temperature. The beverage making machine also includes a controller configured to determine whether a phase change of the beverage product has occurred based on the periodic temperature signal, and to control the cooling circuit based on determining whether the phase change has occurred.

[0005] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to receive periodic temperature signals during mixing of the beverage product. The controller may be further configured to determine, for each periodic temperature signal, a rate of change of temperature over a time period based on the received periodic temperature signal. The controller may be further configured to determine, for each determined rate of change, whether the determined rate of change is less than or equal to a threshold rate of change. The controller may be further configured to determine that a phase change of the beverage product has occurred based on determining that, for a first periodic temperature signal in the periodic temperature signals, the rate of change determined for a first corresponding time period corresponding to the first periodic temperature signal is less than or equal to the threshold rate of change.

[0006] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the threshold rate of change can be in the range of approximately 0.08 degrees Celsius per 30 seconds to 0.18 degrees Celsius per 30 seconds.

[0007] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the temperature sensor can be configured to periodically detect the temperature at intervals in a range of about 0.1 seconds to about 5 seconds.

[0008] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each respective time period can have a duration in the range of approximately 5 seconds to 60 seconds.

[0009] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the temperature sensor may be configured to periodically detect temperature at a plurality of intervals, each periodic temperature signal corresponding to a respective interval of the plurality of intervals and associated with the temperature detected at the respective interval. The first corresponding time period may include one or more intervals of the plurality of intervals that occur before the interval corresponding to the first periodic temperature signal.

[0010] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to determine a phase change temperature value corresponding to the phase change, and control the cooling circuit based on the phase change temperature value.

[0011] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may also be configured to receive a periodic temperature signal during the mixing of the beverage product. The controller may further be configured to determine, for each periodic temperature signal, a rate of change of temperature over a certain time period based on the received periodic temperature signal. The controller may further be configured to determine, for each determined rate of change, whether the determined rate of change is less than or equal to a threshold rate of change. The controller may further be configured to determine that a phase change of the beverage product has occurred based on determining that, for a first periodic temperature signal in the periodic temperature signals, the rate of change for a first corresponding time period corresponding to the first periodic temperature signal is less than or equal to a threshold rate of change. The temperature sensor may be configured to periodically detect the temperature at a plurality of intervals, each periodic temperature signal being associated with a temperature detected at a corresponding interval in these intervals. The phase change temperature value may be determined based on one or more of the temperature values ​​detected at one or more intervals within the first corresponding time period determined to have undergone a phase change.

[0012] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the phase change temperature value may be set to a temperature value detected for at least one of the one or more intervals within the first corresponding time period.

[0013] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to calculate a target temperature value based on the determined phase change temperature value.The controller may be further configured to control the cooling circuit to achieve the target temperature value of the beverage product in the mixing container.

[0014] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to compare the phase transition temperature value to a threshold temperature value. The controller may be further configured to, in response to the phase transition temperature value being greater than the threshold temperature value, control at least one of the following: alerting a user of the beverage maker about an associated condition, taking corrective action to address the associated condition, and any combination thereof.

[0015] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the associated condition may include the beverage product being unable to be properly slushed by the beverage maker due to insufficient amounts of one or more ingredients.

[0016] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the one or more raw materials may include at least one of the following: sugar, alcohol, and any combination thereof.

[0017] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to determine when a target temperature value for the beverage product in the mixing container has been reached. The controller may be further configured to determine whether a phase change of the beverage product has occurred before the target temperature value is reached. The controller may be further configured to, in response to determining that a phase change of the beverage product has not occurred before the target temperature is reached, keep the compressor of the cooling circuit on until a phase change of the beverage product is determined.

[0018] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to cycle the cooling circuit on and off to maintain the temperature at approximately the target temperature value in response to determining a phase change of the beverage product.

[0019] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the beverage maker may further include an agitator driven by a drive motor, the agitator configured to mix the beverage product in the mixing container. The controller may further be configured to, in response to determining that a phase change of the beverage product has not occurred before the target temperature is reached, pulse the drive motor of the agitator to trigger nucleation of the beverage product.

[0020] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to cycle the cooling circuit on and off to maintain the temperature at approximately the target temperature value in response to determining that a phase change of the beverage product has occurred before the target temperature is reached.

[0021] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the beverage making machine may further include a memory configured to store a beverage data object representing a beverage type corresponding to the beverage product, the beverage data object specifying a predefined temperature value for the beverage product. The beverage making machine may further include a user interface. The controller may further be configured to determine the target temperature value based on at least one of the following: a predefined temperature value, a temperature adjustment value caused by user input from the user interface, and any combination thereof.

[0022] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to determine whether the temperature of the beverage product has dropped below a low temperature threshold. The controller may be further configured to, in response to determining that the temperature of the beverage product has dropped below the low temperature threshold, perform at least one of the following: alerting a user of the beverage maker, disconnecting a cooling circuit and a drive motor of the beverage maker, cycling the cooling circuit on and off to prevent the temperature of the beverage product from further decreasing, and any combination thereof.

[0023] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to determine whether the determined phase transition temperature value is below a low temperature threshold value defined for the phase transition temperature value. The controller may be further configured to, in response to determining that the temperature of the beverage product has dropped below the low temperature threshold value, perform at least one of the following: alerting a user of the beverage maker, shutting down a cooling circuit and a drive motor of the beverage maker, cycling the cooling circuit on and off to prevent the temperature of the beverage product from further decreasing, and any combination thereof.

[0024] According to a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, a method for processing a beverage product in a beverage making machine is provided. The method includes mixing a beverage product within a mixing container of the beverage making machine. The method also includes cooling the beverage product within the mixing container. The method also includes periodically detecting a temperature associated with the beverage product. The method also includes outputting a periodic temperature signal indicative of the periodically detected temperature. The method also includes determining whether a phase change of the beverage product has occurred based on the periodic temperature signal. The method also includes controlling a cooling circuit of the beverage making machine based on the determination of whether a phase change has occurred.

[0025] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include receiving, using a controller of the beverage maker, a periodic temperature signal during mixing of the beverage product. The method may also include determining, using the controller and for each periodic temperature signal, a rate of change of temperature over a time period based on the received periodic temperature signal. The method may also include determining, using the controller and for each determined rate of change, whether the determined rate of change is less than or equal to a threshold rate of change. The method may also include determining, using the controller, that a phase change of the beverage product has occurred based on determining that, for a first periodic temperature signal in the periodic temperature signals, the rate of change determined for a first corresponding time period corresponding to the first periodic temperature signal is less than or equal to a threshold rate of change.

[0026] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the threshold rate of change can be in the range of approximately 0.08 degrees Celsius per 30 seconds to 0.18 degrees Celsius per 30 seconds.

[0027] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the temperature sensor can be configured to periodically detect the temperature at intervals in a range of about 0.1 seconds to about 5 seconds.

[0028] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each respective time period can have a duration in the range of approximately 5 seconds to 60 seconds.

[0029] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, periodically detecting a temperature associated with the beverage product may include periodically detecting the temperature at a plurality of intervals, each periodic temperature signal corresponding to a respective interval of the plurality of intervals and associated with the temperature detected at the respective interval. The first corresponding time period may include one or more intervals of the plurality of intervals that occur before the interval corresponding to the first periodic temperature signal.

[0030] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include determining, using a controller of the beverage maker, a phase change temperature value corresponding to the phase change. The method may also include controlling, using the controller, a cooling circuit based on the phase change temperature value.

[0031] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include receiving, by a controller, a periodic temperature signal during mixing of the beverage product. The method may further include determining, by the controller, a rate of change of temperature over a time period for each of the periodic temperature signals based on the received periodic temperature signals. The method may further include determining, by the controller, for each of the determined rates of change, whether the determined rate of change is less than or equal to a threshold rate of change. The method may further include determining, by the controller, that a phase change of the beverage product has occurred based on determining that, for a first periodic temperature signal in the periodic temperature signals, a rate of change determined for a first corresponding time period corresponding to the first periodic temperature signal is less than or equal to the threshold rate of change. The method may further include periodically detecting temperature at a plurality of intervals using a temperature sensor, each periodic temperature signal being associated with a temperature detected at a corresponding interval of the intervals. The method may further include determining, by the controller, a phase change temperature value based on one or more temperature values ​​detected at one or more intervals within the first corresponding time period in which the phase change is determined to have occurred.

[0032] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include setting, with the controller, the phase change temperature value to a temperature value detected for at least one of the one or more intervals within the first corresponding time period.

[0033] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include calculating, using a controller, a target temperature value based on the determined phase transition temperature value. The method may also include controlling, using the controller, a cooling circuit to achieve the target temperature value of the beverage product in the mixing container.

[0034] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include comparing, by a controller, the phase transition temperature value to a threshold temperature value. The method may also include, in response to the phase transition temperature value being greater than the threshold temperature value, controlling, by the controller, at least one of: alerting a user of the beverage maker about the associated condition, taking corrective action to address the associated condition, and any combination thereof.

[0035] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the associated condition may include the beverage product being unable to be properly smoothened by the beverage maker due to insufficient amounts of one or more ingredients.

[0036] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the one or more raw materials may include at least one of the following: sugar, alcohol, and any combination thereof.

[0037] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include determining, by a controller, when a target temperature value for the beverage product in the mixing container has been reached. The method may also include determining, by the controller, whether a phase change of the beverage product has occurred before the target temperature value has been reached. The method may also include, in response to determining that a phase change of the beverage product has not occurred before the target temperature value has been reached, maintaining, by the controller, a compressor of the cooling circuit on until a phase change of the beverage product is determined.

[0038] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include, in response to determining a phase change of the beverage product, cycling a cooling circuit on and off with a controller to maintain the temperature at approximately a target temperature value.

[0039] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include, in response to determining that a phase change of the beverage product has not occurred before reaching the target temperature, pulsing, with a controller, a drive motor of an agitator of the beverage maker to trigger nucleation of the beverage product.

[0040] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include, in response to determining that a phase change of the beverage product has occurred before reaching the target temperature, cycling the cooling circuit on and off with the controller to maintain the temperature at about the target temperature value.

[0041] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include storing, using a memory of the beverage maker, a beverage data object representing a beverage type corresponding to the beverage product, the beverage data object specifying a predefined temperature value for the beverage product. The method may also include determining, using a controller, a target temperature value based on at least one of the following: a predefined temperature value, a temperature adjustment value caused by user input from a user interface of the beverage maker, and any combination thereof.

[0042] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include determining, using a controller, whether the temperature of the beverage product has dropped below a low temperature threshold. The method may also include, in response to determining that the temperature of the beverage product has dropped below the low temperature threshold, performing, using the controller, at least one of the following: alerting a user of the beverage maker, disconnecting a cooling circuit and a drive motor of the beverage maker, cycling the cooling circuit on and off to prevent the temperature of the beverage product from further decreasing, and any combination thereof.

[0043] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include determining, using a controller, whether the determined phase transition temperature value is below a low temperature threshold value defined for the phase transition temperature value. The method may also include, in response to determining that the temperature of the beverage product has dropped below the low temperature threshold value, performing, using the controller, at least one of the following: alerting a user of the beverage maker, shutting down a cooling circuit and a drive motor of the beverage maker, cycling the cooling circuit on and off to prevent the temperature of the beverage product from further decreasing, and any combination thereof.

[0044] According to a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, a beverage making machine is provided. The beverage making machine includes a mixing container configured to receive a beverage product, wherein the beverage product is mixed within the mixing container. The beverage making machine also includes a blender driven by a drive motor and configured to mix the beverage product within the mixing container. The beverage making machine also includes a cooling circuit configured to cool the beverage product within the mixing container. The cooling circuit includes a compressor. The beverage making machine also includes a motor condition sensor configured to periodically detect a motor condition associated with the drive motor and output a periodic motor condition signal indicating the periodically detected motor condition. The beverage making machine also includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether the value of the motor condition meets a first motor condition threshold based on one or more first motor condition signals in the periodic motor condition signals. The controller is further configured to disconnect the compressor for a first time period in response to determining that the value of the motor condition meets the first motor condition threshold.

[0045] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to determine, based on one or more second periodic motor condition signals among the periodic motor condition signals, whether the value of the motor condition satisfies a second motor condition threshold greater than the first motor condition threshold. The controller may be further configured to disconnect the drive motor in response to determining that the value of the motor condition satisfies the second motor condition threshold.

[0046] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to turn on the drive motor after a certain period of time after the drive motor is turned off.

[0047] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to repeatedly determine whether the value of the motor condition satisfies the second motor condition threshold. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to, in response to determining that the value of the motor condition satisfies the second motor condition threshold, cycle the drive motor on and off until the controller determines that the value of the motor condition does not satisfy the second motor condition threshold.

[0048] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to alert a user of the beverage maker in response to determining that the value of the motor condition satisfies the second motor condition threshold.

[0049] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a value of the motor condition satisfying the second motor condition threshold may indicate an impending stall of the drive motor.

[0050] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the cooling circuit may further include an evaporator contained within a drum, an outer surface of the drum being within the mixing container. A value of the motor condition satisfying the first motor condition threshold may indicate ice accumulation on the outer surface of the drum.

[0051] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to periodically repeat determining whether the value of the motor condition satisfies a first motor condition threshold.

[0052] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the motor condition may include at least one of motor current, motor power, motor torque, and any combination thereof.

[0053] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the motor condition may include a motor current of the drive motor, and the first motor condition threshold may be associated with a predefined motor current value.

[0054] According to a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, a method for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker is provided. The method includes mixing the beverage product in a mixing container. The method also includes cooling the beverage product in the mixing container. The method also includes periodically detecting a motor condition associated with a drive motor of the beverage maker. The method also includes outputting a periodic motor condition signal indicating the periodically detected motor condition. The method also includes determining whether the value of the motor condition meets a first motor condition threshold based on one or more first motor condition signals in the periodic motor condition signal. The method also includes disconnecting a compressor of a cooling circuit of the beverage maker for a first time period in response to determining that the value of the motor condition meets the first motor condition threshold.

[0055] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include determining, using a controller of the beverage maker and based on one or more second periodic motor condition signals in the periodic motor condition signals, whether the value of the motor condition satisfies a second motor condition threshold that is greater than the first motor condition threshold. The method may also include disconnecting, using the controller, the drive motor in response to determining that the value of the motor condition satisfies the second motor condition threshold.

[0056] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include, by the controller, turning on the drive motor after a certain period of time after the drive motor is turned off.

[0057] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include repeatedly determining, with the controller, whether the value of the motor condition satisfies a second motor condition threshold. The method may also include, with the controller, cycling the drive motor on and off in response to determining that the value of the motor condition satisfies the second motor condition threshold, until the controller determines that the value of the motor condition does not satisfy the second motor condition threshold.

[0058] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include, with the controller, alerting a user of the beverage maker in response to determining that the value of the motor condition satisfies the second motor condition threshold.

[0059] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a value of the motor condition satisfying the second motor condition threshold may indicate an impending stall of the drive motor.

[0060] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the cooling circuit may further include an evaporator within a drum, an outer surface of the drum within the mixing container. A value of the motor condition satisfying the first motor condition threshold may indicate ice accumulation on the outer surface of the drum.

[0061] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method may include periodically repeating, with a controller of the beverage maker, determining whether the value of the motor condition satisfies a first motor condition threshold.

[0062] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the motor condition may include at least one of motor current, motor power, motor torque, and any combination thereof.

[0063] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the motor condition may include a motor current of the drive motor, and wherein the first motor condition threshold is associated with a predefined motor current value.

[0064] According to a non-limiting embodiment or aspect, a beverage making machine is provided. The beverage making machine includes a mixing container arranged to receive a beverage product, wherein the beverage product is mixed within the mixing container. The beverage making machine also includes a cooling circuit configured to cool the beverage product within the mixing container. The beverage making machine also includes a temperature sensor configured to repeatedly detect a temperature associated with the beverage product and output a temperature signal indicating the detected temperature. The beverage making machine also includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine, based on the temperature signal, that a condition associated with a phase change of the beverage product has been met. The controller is further configured to, in response to determining the condition, alert a user of the beverage making machine.

[0065] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the condition associated with the phase change of the beverage product may include a threshold temperature value associated with the phase change of the beverage product.

[0066] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the threshold temperature value may include a minimum threshold temperature value.The controller may be configured to, when determining that the condition has been met, determine that the temperature value at which the beverage product undergoes a phase change is less than or equal to the minimum threshold temperature value.

[0067] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the threshold temperature value may include a maximum threshold temperature value.The controller may be configured to, when determining that the condition has been met, determine that the temperature value for phase change of the beverage product is greater than or equal to the maximum threshold temperature value.

[0068] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the temperature sensor can be configured to repeatedly detect the temperature associated with the beverage product at periodic intervals in a range of about 0.1 seconds to about 5 seconds when repeatedly detecting the temperature associated with the beverage product, wherein the temperature signal output from the temperature sensor indicates the temperature detected at the corresponding periodic intervals.

[0069] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the beverage maker may further include at least one output device. The at least one output device may include at least one of a display, a speaker, and a light indicator. The controller may be configured to cause the at least one output device to alert the user of the beverage maker when an alert is required.

[0070] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one output device may include at least one speaker and at least one light indicator. The controller may be configured to cause the at least one speaker to produce an audible alarm and the at least one light indicator to produce a visual alarm when alerting a user of the beverage maker.

[0071] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one output device may include at least one speaker.The at least one output device may be configured to emit a series of sounds from the at least one speaker when caused by the controller to alert a user of the beverage maker.

[0072] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a series of sounds may include a plurality of sounds having at least one of descending pitch and descending volume when produced in succession.

[0073] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a series of sounds may include a plurality of sounds having at least one of ascending pitch and ascending volume when produced in succession.

[0074] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one output device may include a plurality of light indicators.The at least one output device may be configured to sequentially illuminate the plurality of light indicators when caused by the controller to alert a user of the beverage maker.

[0075] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the condition associated with the phase change of the beverage product may include a threshold rate of change.The controller may be further configured to determine the rate of temperature change based on the temperature signal.

[0076] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the threshold rate of change can have a value within a range of approximately 0.002 degrees Celsius / second to approximately 0.006 degrees Celsius / second.

[0077] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be configured to, when determining that the condition has been met, determine that the temperature change rate is less than or equal to a threshold change rate.

[0078] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be configured to determine that a phase change has occurred in response to determining that a rate of change of temperature is less than or equal to a threshold rate of change.

[0079] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the beverage maker may further include at least one output device. The at least one output device may include at least one of a display, a speaker, and a light indicator. The controller may be configured to, when alerting a user of the beverage maker, cause the at least one output device to alert the user of the beverage maker that a phase change has occurred.

[0080] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be configured to, when determining that the condition has been met, determine that the temperature change rate is greater than or equal to a threshold change rate.

[0081] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller may be further configured to determine an elapsed time for mixing of the beverage product. The condition associated with the phase change of the beverage product may further include a threshold duration. The controller may be further configured to, when determining that the threshold condition has been met, determine that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the threshold duration.

[0082] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller can be configured to determine an elapsed time for mixing of the beverage product. The condition associated with the phase change of the beverage product can include a threshold duration. The controller can be configured to determine that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the threshold duration when determining that the threshold condition has been met.

[0083] According to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a method for processing a beverage product in a beverage making machine is provided. The method includes mixing a beverage product within a mixing container of the beverage making machine. The method also includes cooling the beverage product within the mixing container. The method also includes repeatedly detecting a temperature associated with the beverage product. The method also includes outputting a temperature signal indicative of the detected temperature. The method also includes determining, based on the repeatedly detected temperature, that a condition associated with a phase change of the beverage product has been satisfied. The method also includes alerting a user of the beverage making machine in response to determining the condition.

[0084] According to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a beverage maker is provided. The beverage maker includes a mixing container configured to receive a beverage product. The beverage product is mixed within the mixing container. The beverage maker also includes a cooling circuit configured to cool the beverage product within the mixing container. The beverage maker also includes a housing comprising at least one ventilation panel. The at least one ventilation panel includes at least one hole array configured to permit airflow to ventilate the housing. The at least one ventilation panel also includes at least one baffling proximate an inner surface of the at least one ventilation panel. The at least one baffling is configured to at least partially block a group of holes in the at least one hole array.

[0085] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one array of holes may include a two-dimensional array of holes across a surface of the at least one ventilation panel.

[0086] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, holes positioned on the perimeter of the two-dimensional hole array can be configured with a smaller diameter than holes positioned inside the perimeter of the two-dimensional hole array.

[0087] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the set of holes at least partially blocked by the at least one baffle can be selected from holes positioned inside a perimeter of the two-dimensional array of holes.

[0088] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the maximum diameter of each hole in at least one array of holes can be less than or equal to 0.25 inches.

[0089] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each of the at least one baffle may include a plurality of blocking portions and a plurality of connecting portions, each of the plurality of blocking portions being connected to at least one other blocking portion via at least one connecting portion of the plurality of connecting portions.

[0090] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the plurality of blocking portions and the plurality of connecting portions of each of the at least one baffle may be configured as linear strips.

[0091] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each of the at least one baffle can be positioned in a vertical orientation on an inner surface of the at least one ventilation panel. Each of the plurality of obstructions of each of the at least one baffle can correspond in position to a hole in the at least one hole array.

[0092] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each obstruction of the plurality of obstructions of each of the at least one baffle can have a diameter that is smaller than a positionally corresponding aperture in the at least one array of apertures.

[0093] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the diameter of each obstruction in the plurality of obstructions of each of the at least one baffle can be at least 50% of the diameter of a positionally corresponding aperture in the at least one array of apertures.

[0094] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each hole in at least one hole array can have a substantially circular cross-section.

[0095] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least 50% of the holes in at least one array of holes can be at least partially blocked by at least one baffle.

[0096] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least 75% of the holes in at least one array of holes can be at least partially blocked by at least one baffle.

[0097] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one ventilation panel may include a first ventilation panel and a second ventilation panel. The first ventilation panel may include a first hole array of the at least one hole array and be positioned on a first side of the housing. The second ventilation panel may include a second hole array of the at least one hole array and be positioned on a second side of the housing opposite the first side.

[0098] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one baffle may include a first baffle strip set and a second baffle strip set. The first baffle strip set may be proximate to an inner surface of the first ventilation panel and may be configured to at least partially block a first set of holes in the first array of holes. The second baffle strip set may be proximate to an inner surface of the second ventilation panel and may be configured to at least partially block a second set of holes in the second array of holes.

[0099] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the compressor may be configured to pump the refrigerant through the cooling circuit.The compressor may be positioned at least partially in the housing between the first ventilation panel and the second ventilation panel.

[0100] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least one baffle may be formed of at least one of a plastic material and an elastomeric material configured to at least one of reflect and absorb acoustic energy from within the housing.

[0101] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least one baffle may be formed of a water-resistant material configured to reduce liquid penetration through the at least one ventilation panel.

[0102] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the total cross-sectional area of ​​the at least one array of holes may be at least 20% of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the at least one ventilation panel.

[0103] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the beverage maker may further include a cooling fan positioned in the housing. The cooling fan may be configured to draw airflow through the rear panel of the housing and push it out of the housing through at least one array of holes in the at least one ventilation panel.

[0104] Further non-limiting embodiments or aspects are set forth in the following numbered clauses:

[0105] Item 1: A beverage maker comprising: a mixing container configured to receive a beverage product, wherein the beverage product is mixed within the mixing container; a cooling circuit configured to cool the beverage product within the mixing container; a temperature sensor configured to periodically detect a temperature associated with the beverage product and output a periodic temperature signal indicative of the periodically detected temperature; and a controller configured to determine whether a phase change of the beverage product has occurred based on the periodic temperature signal, and to control the cooling circuit based on determining whether the phase change has occurred.

[0106] Clause 2: A beverage maker according to clause 1, wherein the controller is further configured to: receive periodic temperature signals during mixing of the beverage product; for each periodic temperature signal, determine the rate of change of temperature over a certain time period based on the received periodic temperature signal; for each determined rate of change, determine whether the determined rate of change is less than or equal to a threshold rate of change; and determine that a phase change of the beverage product has occurred based on determining that for a first periodic temperature signal in the periodic temperature signal, the rate of change for a first corresponding time period corresponding to the first periodic temperature signal is less than or equal to the threshold rate of change.

[0107] Clause 3: A beverage maker according to clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the threshold rate of change is in the range of approximately 0.08 degrees Celsius per 30 seconds to 0.18 degrees Celsius per 30 seconds.

[0108] Clause 4: The beverage maker of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to periodically detect the temperature at intervals in the range of about 0.1 seconds to about 5 seconds.

[0109] Clause 5: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein each respective time period has a duration in the range of approximately 5 seconds to 60 seconds.

[0110] Clause 6: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to periodically detect the temperature at a plurality of intervals, each periodic temperature signal corresponds to a respective interval of the plurality of intervals and is associated with the temperature detected at the respective interval, and wherein the first respective time period includes one or more intervals of the plurality of intervals that occur before the interval corresponding to the first periodic temperature signal.

[0111] Clause 7: The beverage maker of any of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the controller is further configured to determine a phase change temperature value corresponding to the phase change, and to control the cooling circuit based on the phase change temperature value.

[0112] Clause 8: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the controller is further configured to receive a periodic temperature signal during mixing of the beverage product; for each periodic temperature signal, determine the rate of change of temperature over a certain time period based on the received periodic temperature signal; for each determined rate of change, determine whether the determined rate of change is less than or equal to a threshold rate of change; and determine that a phase change of the beverage product has occurred based on determining that the rate of change for a first corresponding time period corresponding to the first periodic temperature signal in the periodic temperature signal is less than or equal to the threshold rate of change, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to periodically detect the temperature at multiple intervals, each periodic temperature signal being associated with the temperature detected at corresponding intervals among these intervals, and wherein the phase change temperature value is determined based on one or more of the temperature values ​​detected at one or more intervals within the first corresponding time period in which the phase change is determined to have occurred.

[0113] Clause 9: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the phase change temperature value is set to a temperature value detected for at least one of the one or more intervals within the first corresponding time period.

[0114] Clause 10: The beverage maker of any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the controller is further configured to calculate a target temperature value based on the determined phase change temperature value; and control the cooling circuit to achieve the target temperature value of the beverage product in the mixing container.

[0115] Clause 11: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the controller is further configured to compare the phase change temperature value with a threshold temperature value; and in response to the phase change temperature value being greater than the threshold temperature value, control the performance of at least one of the following: an alert to a user of the beverage maker about an associated condition, corrective action to resolve the associated condition, and any combination thereof.

[0116] Clause 12: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the associated condition comprises the beverage product being unable to be properly smoothened by the beverage maker due to insufficient amounts of one or more ingredients.

[0117] Clause 13: The beverage maker of any one of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the one or more ingredients comprise at least one of: sugar, alcohol, and any combination thereof.

[0118] Clause 14: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the controller is further configured to determine when a target temperature value for the beverage product in the mixing container has been reached; determine whether a phase change of the beverage product has occurred before the target temperature value is reached; and in response to determining that a phase change of the beverage product has not occurred before the target temperature is reached, keep the compressor of the cooling circuit on until a phase change of the beverage product is determined.

[0119] Clause 15: The beverage maker of any of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the controller is further configured to cycle the cooling circuit on and off to maintain the temperature at about the target temperature value in response to determining a phase change in the beverage product.

[0120] Clause 16: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the beverage maker further comprises an agitator driven by a drive motor, the agitator being configured to mix the beverage product within the mixing container, wherein the controller is further configured to pulse the drive motor of the agitator to trigger nucleation of the beverage product in response to determining that a phase change of the beverage product has not occurred before the target temperature is reached.

[0121] Clause 17: The beverage maker of any of clauses 1 to 16, wherein the controller is further configured to cycle the cooling circuit on and off to maintain the temperature at about the target temperature value in response to determining that a phase change of the beverage product has occurred before the target temperature is reached.

[0122] Clause 18: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 1 to 17, wherein the beverage maker further comprises a memory configured to store a beverage data object representing a beverage type corresponding to a beverage product, the beverage data object specifying a predefined temperature value for the beverage product; and a user interface, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the target temperature value based on at least one of: a predefined temperature value, a temperature adjustment value caused by user input from the user interface, and any combination thereof.

[0123] Clause 19: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 1 to 18, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether the temperature of the beverage product has dropped below a low temperature threshold; and in response to determining that the temperature of the beverage product has dropped below the low temperature threshold, perform at least one of the following: alerting a user of the beverage maker, disconnecting the cooling circuit and drive motor of the beverage maker, cycling the cooling circuit on and off to prevent the temperature of the beverage product from further decreasing, and any combination thereof.

[0124] Clause 20: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 1 to 19, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether the determined phase change temperature value is lower than a low temperature threshold value defined for the phase change temperature value; and in response to determining that the temperature of the beverage product has dropped below the low temperature threshold value, perform at least one of the following items: alerting a user of the beverage maker, shutting down the cooling circuit and drive motor of the beverage maker, cycling the cooling circuit on and off to prevent the temperature of the beverage product from further decreasing, and any combination thereof.

[0125] Item 21: A method of processing a beverage product in a beverage maker, comprising: mixing the beverage product in a mixing container of the beverage maker; cooling the beverage product in the mixing container; periodically detecting a temperature associated with the beverage product; outputting a periodic temperature signal indicative of the periodically detected temperature; determining whether a phase change of the beverage product has occurred based on the periodic temperature signal; and controlling a cooling circuit of the beverage maker based on determining whether a phase change has occurred.

[0126] Clause 22: The method according to Clause 21 further includes: using a controller of a beverage making machine to receive a periodic temperature signal during the mixing of a beverage product; using the controller and for each periodic temperature signal, determining the rate of change of temperature over a certain time period based on the received periodic temperature signal; using the controller and for each determined rate of change, determining whether the determined rate of change is less than or equal to a threshold rate of change; and using the controller, determining that a phase change of the beverage product has occurred based on determining that for a first periodic temperature signal in the periodic temperature signal, the rate of change for a first corresponding time period corresponding to the first periodic temperature signal is less than or equal to the threshold rate of change.

[0127] Clause 23: The method of clause 21 or clause 22, wherein the threshold rate of change is in the range of approximately 0.08 degrees Celsius per 30 seconds to 0.18 degrees Celsius per 30 seconds.

[0128] Clause 24: The method of any one of clauses 21 to 23, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to periodically detect the temperature at intervals in a range of about 0.1 seconds to about 5 seconds.

[0129] Clause 25: The method of any one of clauses 21 to 24, wherein each respective time period has a duration in the range of approximately 5 seconds to 60 seconds.

[0130] Clause 26: A method according to any one of clauses 21 to 25, wherein periodically detecting the temperature associated with the beverage product includes periodically detecting the temperature at multiple intervals, each periodic temperature signal corresponds to a corresponding interval in the multiple intervals and is associated with the temperature detected at the corresponding interval, and wherein the first corresponding time period includes one or more intervals in the multiple intervals that occur before the interval corresponding to the first periodic temperature signal.

[0131] Clause 27: The method of any of clauses 21 to 26, further comprising: determining, with a controller of the beverage maker, a phase change temperature value corresponding to the phase change; and controlling, with the controller, the cooling circuit based on the phase change temperature value.

[0132] Clause 28: The method according to any one of clauses 21 to 27 further includes: using a controller to receive a periodic temperature signal during mixing of the beverage product; using the controller and for each periodic temperature signal in the periodic temperature signal, determining the rate of change of temperature over a certain time period based on the received periodic temperature signal; using the controller and for each determined rate of change, determining whether the determined rate of change is less than or equal to a threshold rate of change; using the controller, determining that a phase change of the beverage product has occurred based on determining that the rate of change for a first corresponding time period corresponding to the first periodic temperature signal in the periodic temperature signal is less than or equal to the threshold rate of change; using a temperature sensor to periodically detect the temperature at multiple intervals, each periodic temperature signal being associated with the temperature detected at corresponding intervals in these intervals; and using the controller to determine a phase change temperature value based on one or more temperature values ​​detected at one or more intervals within the first corresponding time period for which a phase change is determined to have occurred.

[0133] Clause 29: The method of any one of clauses 21 to 28, further comprising: setting, with the controller, the phase change temperature value to a temperature value detected for at least one of the one or more intervals within the first corresponding time period.

[0134] Clause 30: The method of any one of clauses 21 to 29, further comprising: calculating, with a controller, a target temperature value based on the determined phase change temperature value; and controlling, with the controller, the cooling circuit to achieve the target temperature value of the beverage product in the mixing container.

[0135] Clause 31: The method according to any one of clauses 21 to 30 further includes: using a controller to compare the phase change temperature value with a threshold temperature value; and in response to the phase change temperature value being greater than the threshold temperature value, using the controller to control the performance of at least one of the following items: an alert to a user of the beverage maker about the associated condition, corrective action to resolve the associated condition, and any combination thereof.

[0136] Clause 32: The method of any one of clauses 21 to 31, wherein the associated condition comprises the beverage product being unable to be properly smoothened by the beverage making machine due to insufficient amounts of one or more ingredients.

[0137] Clause 33: The method of any one of clauses 21 to 32, wherein the one or more raw materials comprise at least one of the following: sugar, alcohol, and any combination thereof.

[0138] Clause 34: The method according to any one of clauses 21 to 33 further includes: using a controller to determine when a target temperature value of the beverage product in the mixing container has been reached; using the controller to determine whether a phase change of the beverage product has occurred before the target temperature value is reached; and in response to determining that a phase change of the beverage product has not occurred before the target temperature is reached, using the controller to keep the compressor of the cooling circuit on until a phase change of the beverage product is determined.

[0139] Clause 35: The method of any of clauses 21 to 34, further comprising: in response to determining a phase change of the beverage product, cycling the cooling circuit on and off with the controller to maintain the temperature at about the target temperature value.

[0140] Clause 36: The method of any one of clauses 21 to 35, further comprising: in response to determining that a phase change of the beverage product has not occurred before the target temperature is reached, pulsing a drive motor of an agitator of the beverage maker using a controller to trigger nucleation of the beverage product.

[0141] Clause 37: The method of any of clauses 21 to 36, further comprising: in response to determining that a phase change of the beverage product has occurred before reaching the target temperature, cycling the cooling circuit on and off with the controller to maintain the temperature at about the target temperature value.

[0142] Clause 38: The method according to any one of clauses 21 to 37 further includes: utilizing a memory of the beverage maker to store a beverage data object representing a beverage type corresponding to a beverage product, the beverage data object specifying a predefined temperature value for the beverage product; and utilizing a controller to determine a target temperature value based on at least one of: a predefined temperature value, a temperature adjustment value caused by user input from a user interface of the beverage maker, and any combination thereof.

[0143] Clause 39: The method according to any one of clauses 21 to 38 further includes: determining, using a controller, whether the temperature of the beverage product has dropped below a low temperature threshold; and in response to determining that the temperature of the beverage product has dropped below the low temperature threshold, performing, using the controller, at least one of: alerting a user of the beverage maker, disconnecting the cooling circuit and drive motor of the beverage maker, cycling the cooling circuit on and off to prevent the temperature of the beverage product from further decreasing, and any combination thereof.

[0144] Clause 40: The method according to any one of clauses 21 to 39 further includes: determining, using a controller, whether the determined phase change temperature value is lower than a low temperature threshold value defined for the phase change temperature value; and in response to determining that the temperature of the beverage product has dropped below the low temperature threshold value, using the controller to perform at least one of the following: alerting a user of the beverage maker, shutting down the cooling circuit and drive motor of the beverage maker, cycling the cooling circuit on and off to prevent the temperature of the beverage product from further decreasing, and any combination thereof.

[0145] Item 41: A beverage making machine, comprising: a mixing container configured to receive a beverage product, wherein the beverage product is mixed within the mixing container; a blender driven by a drive motor and configured to mix the beverage product within the mixing container; a cooling circuit configured to cool the beverage product within the mixing container, the cooling circuit comprising a compressor; a motor condition sensor configured to periodically detect a motor condition associated with the drive motor and output a periodic motor condition signal indicating the periodically detected motor condition; a controller configured to: determine whether the value of the motor condition satisfies a first motor condition threshold based on one or more first motor condition signals in the periodic motor condition signals; and disconnect the compressor for a first time period in response to determining that the value of the motor condition satisfies the first motor condition threshold.

[0146] Item 42: A beverage maker according to Item 41, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether the value of the motor condition satisfies a second motor condition threshold that is greater than the first motor condition threshold based on one or more second periodic motor condition signals in the periodic motor condition signals; and disconnect the drive motor in response to determining that the value of the motor condition satisfies the second motor condition threshold.

[0147] Clause 43: The beverage maker of clause 41 or clause 42, wherein the controller is further configured to switch the drive motor on after a certain period of time after the drive motor has been switched off.

[0148] Clause 44: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 41 to 43, wherein the controller is further configured to repeatedly determine whether the value of the motor condition satisfies the second motor condition threshold; and in response to determining that the value of the motor condition satisfies the second motor condition threshold, cycle the drive motor on and off until the controller determines that the value of the motor condition does not satisfy the second motor condition threshold.

[0149] Clause 45: The beverage maker of any of clauses 41 to 44, wherein the controller is further configured to alert a user of the beverage maker in response to the value determined to be the motor condition satisfying the second motor condition threshold.

[0150] Clause 46: A beverage maker according to any of clauses 41 to 45, wherein a value of the motor condition satisfying the second motor condition threshold value indicates an imminent stalling of the drive motor.

[0151] Clause 47: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 41 to 46, wherein the cooling circuit further comprises an evaporator, the evaporator being contained within a drum, the outer surface of which is within the mixing container, and wherein the value of the motor condition satisfying the first motor condition threshold indicates ice accumulation on the outer surface of the drum.

[0152] Clause 48: The beverage maker of any of clauses 41 to 47, wherein the controller is further configured to periodically repeat the determination of whether the value of the motor condition satisfies a first motor condition threshold.

[0153] Clause 49: The beverage maker of any of clauses 41 to 48, wherein the motor condition comprises at least one of motor current, motor power, motor torque, and any combination thereof.

[0154] Clause 50: A beverage maker according to any of clauses 41 to 49, wherein the motor condition comprises a motor current of the drive motor, and wherein the first motor condition threshold is associated with a predefined motor current value.

[0155] Item 51: A method for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker, comprising: mixing the beverage product in a mixing container; cooling the beverage product in the mixing container; periodically detecting a motor condition associated with a drive motor of the beverage maker; outputting a periodic motor condition signal indicative of the periodically detected motor condition; determining whether the value of the motor condition satisfies a first motor condition threshold based on one or more first motor condition signals in the periodic motor condition signal; and in response to determining that the value of the motor condition satisfies the first motor condition threshold, disconnecting the compressor of the cooling circuit of the beverage maker for a first time period.

[0156] Item 52: The method according to Item 51 further includes: using the controller of the beverage maker and based on one or more second periodic motor condition signals in the periodic motor condition signal, determining whether the value of the motor condition satisfies a second motor condition threshold that is greater than the first motor condition threshold; and in response to determining that the value of the motor condition satisfies the second motor condition threshold, using the controller to disconnect the drive motor.

[0157] Clause 53: The method according to Clause 51 or Clause 52, further comprising: using the controller to turn on the drive motor after a certain period of time after the drive motor is turned off.

[0158] Clause 54: The method according to any one of clauses 51 to 53 further includes: utilizing the controller to repeatedly determine whether the value of the motor condition satisfies the second motor condition threshold; and in response to determining that the value of the motor condition satisfies the second motor condition threshold, cycling the drive motor on and off until the controller determines that the value of the motor condition does not satisfy the second motor condition threshold.

[0159] Clause 55: The method of any of clauses 51 to 54, further comprising, with the controller, alerting a user of the beverage maker in response to the value determined to be the motor condition satisfying the second motor condition threshold.

[0160] Clause 56: The method of any one of clauses 51 to 55, wherein a value of the motor condition satisfying the second motor condition threshold indicates an imminent stall of the drive motor.

[0161] Clause 57: The method of any one of clauses 51 to 56, wherein the cooling circuit further comprises an evaporator, the evaporator being within a drum, the outer surface of the drum being within the mixing container, and wherein the value of the motor condition satisfying the first motor condition threshold indicates ice accumulation on the outer surface of the drum.

[0162] Clause 58: The method of any one of clauses 51 to 57, further comprising: periodically repeating, with a controller of the beverage maker, determining whether the value of the motor condition satisfies a first motor condition threshold.

[0163] Clause 59: The method of any one of clauses 51 to 58, wherein the motor condition comprises at least one of motor current, motor power, motor torque, and any combination thereof.

[0164] Clause 60: The method of any one of clauses 51 to 59, wherein the motor condition comprises a motor current of the drive motor, and wherein the first motor condition threshold is associated with a predefined motor current value.

[0165] Item 61: A beverage maker, comprising: a mixing container arranged to receive a beverage product, wherein the beverage product is mixed within the mixing container; a cooling circuit configured to cool the beverage product within the mixing container; a temperature sensor configured to repeatedly detect a temperature associated with the beverage product and output a temperature signal indicative of the detected temperature; and a controller configured to determine, based on the temperature signal, that a condition associated with a phase change of the beverage product has been met; and in response to determining the condition, alerting a user of the beverage maker.

[0166] Clause 62: The beverage maker of clause 61, wherein the condition associated with the phase change of the beverage product comprises a threshold temperature value associated with the phase change of the beverage product.

[0167] Clause 63: A beverage maker according to clause 61 or clause 62, wherein the threshold temperature value comprises a minimum threshold temperature value, and wherein the controller is configured to determine that the temperature value for phase change of the beverage product is less than or equal to the minimum threshold temperature value when the condition is determined to have been met.

[0168] Clause 64: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 61 to 63, wherein the threshold temperature value comprises a maximum threshold temperature value, and wherein the controller is configured to determine, when the condition is determined to have been met, that the temperature value for phase change of the beverage product is greater than or equal to the maximum threshold temperature value.

[0169] Clause 65: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 61 to 64, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to repeatedly detect the temperature associated with the beverage product at periodic intervals in the range of about 0.1 seconds to about 5 seconds when repeatedly detecting the temperature associated with the beverage product, wherein the temperature signal output from the temperature sensor indicates the temperature detected at the corresponding periodic intervals.

[0170] Clause 66: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 61 to 65, further comprising at least one output device, the at least one output device comprising at least one of a display, a speaker and a light indicator, wherein the controller is configured to cause the at least one output device to alert a user of the beverage maker when an alert is given to the user of the beverage maker.

[0171] Clause 67: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 61 to 66, wherein the at least one output device comprises at least one speaker and at least one light indicator, and wherein the controller is configured to cause the at least one speaker to produce an audible alarm and the at least one light indicator to produce a visual alarm when alerting a user of the beverage maker.

[0172] Clause 68: A beverage maker according to any of clauses 61 to 67, wherein the at least one output device comprises at least one speaker, and wherein the at least one output device is configured to emit a series of sounds from the at least one speaker when caused by the controller to alert a user of the beverage maker.

[0173] Clause 69: A beverage maker as claimed in any one of clauses 61 to 68, wherein the series of sounds comprises a plurality of sounds having at least one of descending pitch and descending volume when produced in succession.

[0174] Clause 70: The beverage maker of any of clauses 61 to 69, wherein the series of sounds comprises a plurality of sounds having at least one of ascending pitch and ascending volume when produced in succession.

[0175] Clause 71: A beverage maker according to any of clauses 61 to 70, wherein the at least one output device comprises a plurality of light indicators, and wherein the at least one output device is configured to illuminate the plurality of light indicators in sequence when caused by the controller to alert a user of the beverage maker.

[0176] Clause 72: The beverage maker of any of clauses 61 to 71, wherein the condition associated with the phase change of the beverage product comprises a threshold rate of change, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine the rate of temperature change based on the temperature signal.

[0177] Clause 73: The beverage maker of any of clauses 61 to 72, wherein the threshold rate of change has a value in the range of about 0.002 degrees Celsius per second to about 0.006 degrees Celsius per second.

[0178] Clause 74: The beverage maker of any of clauses 61 to 73, wherein the controller is configured to, when determining that the condition has been met, determine that the rate of change of temperature is less than or equal to a threshold rate of change.

[0179] Clause 75: The beverage maker of any of clauses 61 to 74, wherein the controller is configured to determine that a phase change has occurred in response to determining that the rate of change of temperature is less than or equal to a threshold rate of change.

[0180] Clause 76: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 61 to 75, further comprising at least one output device, the at least one output device comprising at least one of a display, a speaker and a light indicator, wherein the controller is configured to cause the at least one output device to alert a user of the beverage maker that a phase change has occurred when alerting a user of the beverage maker.

[0181] Clause 77: The beverage maker of any of clauses 61 to 76, wherein the controller is configured to, when determining that the condition has been met, determine that the rate of change of temperature is greater than or equal to a threshold rate of change.

[0182] Clause 78: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 61 to 77, wherein the controller is further configured to determine an elapsed time for mixing of the beverage product, wherein the condition associated with the phase change of the beverage product further includes a threshold duration, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the threshold duration when it is determined that the threshold condition has been met.

[0183] Clause 79: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 61 to 78, wherein the controller is configured to determine an elapsed time for mixing of the beverage product, wherein the condition associated with the phase change of the beverage product includes a threshold duration, and wherein the controller is configured to determine that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the threshold duration when it is determined that the threshold condition has been met.

[0184] Item 80: A method of processing a beverage product in a beverage maker, the method comprising: mixing the beverage product in a mixing container of the beverage maker; cooling the beverage product in the mixing container; repeatedly detecting a temperature associated with the beverage product; outputting a temperature signal indicative of the detected temperature; determining that a condition associated with a phase change of the beverage product has been met based on the repeatedly detected temperature; and alerting a user of the beverage maker in response to determining the condition.

[0185] Item 81: A beverage maker, comprising: a mixing container configured to receive a beverage product, wherein the beverage product is mixed within the mixing container; a cooling circuit configured to cool the beverage product within the mixing container; and a housing comprising at least one ventilation panel, the at least one ventilation panel comprising: at least one hole array, the at least one hole array configured to permit airflow to ventilate the housing; and at least one baffle proximate an inner surface of the at least one ventilation panel, the at least one baffle configured to at least partially block a group of holes in the at least one hole array.

[0186] Clause 82: The beverage maker of clause 81, wherein the at least one array of holes comprises a two-dimensional array of holes across a surface of the at least one ventilation panel.

[0187] Clause 83: A beverage maker according to clause 81 or clause 82, wherein holes located on the periphery of the two-dimensional array of holes are configured with a smaller diameter than holes located inboard of the periphery of the two-dimensional array of holes.

[0188] Clause 84: The beverage maker of any of clauses 81 to 83, wherein the set of apertures at least partially blocked by the at least one baffle is selected from apertures positioned inside a perimeter of the two-dimensional array of apertures.

[0189] Clause 85: The beverage maker of any of clauses 81 to 84, wherein the maximum diameter of each hole in the at least one array of holes is less than or equal to 0.25 inches.

[0190] Clause 86: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 81 to 85, wherein each of the at least one baffle comprises a plurality of obstructions and a plurality of connections, each of the plurality of obstructions being connected to at least one other obstruction by at least one of the plurality of connections.

[0191] Clause 87: The beverage maker of any of clauses 81 to 86, wherein the plurality of obstructions and the plurality of connecting portions of each of the at least one baffle are configured as linear strips.

[0192] Clause 88: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 81 to 87, wherein each of the at least one baffle is positioned in a vertical orientation on the inner surface of at least one ventilation panel, and wherein each of the plurality of obstructions of each of the at least one baffle is positioned to correspond to a hole in at least one hole array.

[0193] Clause 89: The beverage maker of any of clauses 81 to 88, wherein each of the plurality of obstructions of each of the at least one baffle has a diameter that is smaller than a positionally corresponding aperture in the at least one array of apertures.

[0194] Clause 90: The beverage maker of any of clauses 81 to 89, wherein the diameter of each of the plurality of obstructions of each of the at least one baffle is at least 50% of the diameter of a positionally corresponding aperture in the at least one array of apertures.

[0195] Clause 91: The beverage maker of any of clauses 81 to 90, wherein each aperture in at least one array of apertures has a substantially circular cross-section.

[0196] Clause 92: The beverage maker of any of clauses 81 to 91, wherein at least 50% of the apertures in at least one array of apertures are at least partially blocked by at least one baffle.

[0197] Clause 93: The beverage maker of any of clauses 81 to 92, wherein at least 75% of the apertures in at least one array of apertures are at least partially blocked by at least one baffle.

[0198] Clause 94: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 81 to 93, wherein at least one ventilation panel includes a first ventilation panel and a second ventilation panel, wherein the first ventilation panel includes a first hole array in at least one hole array and is positioned on a first side of the shell, and the second ventilation panel includes a second hole array in at least one hole array and is positioned on a second side of the shell opposite to the first side.

[0199] Clause 95: A beverage maker according to any one of clauses 81 to 94, wherein at least one baffle includes a first baffle strip group and a second baffle strip group, wherein the first baffle strip group is adjacent to the inner surface of the first ventilation panel and is configured to at least partially block the first hole group in the first hole array, and the second baffle strip group is adjacent to the inner surface of the second ventilation panel and is configured to at least partially block the second hole group in the second hole array.

[0200] Clause 96: The beverage maker of any of clauses 81 to 95, further comprising a compressor configured to pump refrigerant through the cooling circuit, wherein the compressor is positioned at least partially in the housing between the first ventilation panel and the second ventilation panel.

[0201] Clause 97: The beverage maker of any of clauses 81 to 96, wherein at least one baffle is formed from at least one of a plastic material and an elastomeric material configured to at least one of reflect and absorb acoustic energy from within the housing.

[0202] Clause 98: The beverage maker of any of clauses 81 to 97, wherein the at least one baffle is formed from a water-resistant material configured to reduce penetration of liquid through the at least one ventilation panel.

[0203] Clause 99: The beverage maker of any of clauses 81 to 98, wherein the total cross-sectional area of ​​the at least one array of holes is at least 20% of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the at least one ventilation panel.

[0204] Clause 100: The beverage maker of any of clauses 81 to 99, further comprising a cooling fan positioned in the housing, the cooling fan configured to draw airflow through a rear panel of the housing and push it out of the housing through at least one array of apertures in at least one vent panel.

[0205] These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, together with the methods of operation and function of the combination of related elements and components of the structure and the economic significance of manufacturing will become more apparent from the following description and appended claims, which are considered with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification and in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limitations of the disclosed subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0206] Additional advantages and details are explained in more detail below with reference to non-limiting exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic drawings, in which:

[0207] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frozen beverage making machine according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0208] Figure 2 According to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of various internal components within the housing and mixing container of a beverage making machine;

[0209] Figure 3 According to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects Figure 1 A front view of a beverage making machine;

[0210] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a control system for a beverage making machine according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0211] Figure 5 is a close-up view of a user interface of a beverage making machine according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0212] Figure 6 is a graph of coarse and fine temperature settings for a control of a beverage maker according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0213] Figure 7 is a close-up view of a user interface of a beverage making machine according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0214] Figure 8 is a graph of temperature values ​​associated with automatic program temperature target temperatures and manual temperature adjustments according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0215] Figure 9 is a graph of drive motor current and temperature over time while a beverage product is being processed by a beverage making machine according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0216] Figure 10 is a flow chart of a method for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0217] Figure 11 is a flow chart of a method for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0218] Figure 12A is a flow chart of a method for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0219] Figure 12B is a flow chart of a method for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0220] Figure 13 is a graph of beverage product temperature over time according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, illustrating how a controller may determine a phase change in the beverage product when the rate of change of temperature decreases from a first rate of change to a second rate of change;

[0221] Figure 14 is a graph showing a linear relationship between the temperature at which a phase transition occurs and the temperature of a beverage type according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0222] Figure 15 is a flow chart of a method for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0223] Figure 16is a flow chart of a method for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0224] Figure 17 is a flow chart of a method for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0225] Figure 18 is a flow chart of a method for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0226] Figure 19 is a flow chart of a method for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0227] Figure 20 is a flow chart of a method for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0228] Figure 21 According to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects Figure 1 a schematic diagram of example components of one or more devices;

[0229] Figure 22 is an exterior side view of a ventilation panel of a beverage maker according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0230] Figure 23 is an exterior close-up side view of a ventilation panel of a beverage maker according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects;

[0231] Figure 24 is an interior side view of a ventilation panel of a beverage maker according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects; and

[0232] Figure 25 is a close-up side view of the interior of a ventilation panel of a beverage maker, according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0233] For the purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms "end," "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "lateral," "longitudinal," and their derivatives shall refer to the embodiments as they are oriented in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, unless expressly indicated to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary and non-limiting embodiments or aspects of the disclosed subject matter. Accordingly, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments or aspects disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0234] Some non-limiting embodiments or aspects are described herein in conjunction with threshold values. As used herein, "meeting a threshold value" may refer to a value being greater than a threshold value, more than a threshold value, higher than a threshold value, greater than or equal to a threshold value, less than a threshold value, less than a threshold value, lower than a threshold value, less than or equal to a threshold value, equal to a threshold value, etc.

[0235] As used herein, aspect, assembly, element, structure, action, step, function and / or instruction etc. should not be interpreted as key or necessary, unless clearly described as such. In addition, as used herein, article " a " and " an " are intended to include one or more than one item, and can be used interchangeably with " one or more than one " and " at least one ". In addition, as used herein, term " group " is intended to include one or more than one item (for example, related item, irrelevant item and / or the combination of related item and irrelevant item etc.), and can be used interchangeably with " one or more than one " or " at least one ". In the case of only intending an item, term " one " or similar language is used. In addition, as used herein, term " has (has) ", " have (have) " or " have (having) " etc. are intended to be open terms. In addition, unless otherwise clearly stated, phrase " based on " is intended to mean " based at least in part ". In addition, described certain action " based on " condition can refer to that this action " is in response to " this condition. For example, in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the phrases "based on" and "responsive to" may refer to conditions for automatically triggering an action (e.g., a specific operation of an electronic device such as a computing device, processor, and / or controller).

[0236] To clearly and concisely illustrate implementations, the drawings may not necessarily reflect proper scale and may have certain structures shown in somewhat schematic form. The present invention may describe and / or illustrate structures in one implementation and describe and / or illustrate structures in the same manner or in a similar manner in one or more other implementations, and / or describe and / or illustrate structures in combination with or in place of structures from other implementations.

[0237] In the specification and claims, for the purposes of describing and defining the present invention, the terms "about" and "substantially" represent the inherent degree of uncertainty attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. Furthermore, the terms "about" and "substantially" represent the degree to which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without causing a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. Open-ended terms such as "include," "comprising," and / or their respective plural forms include the listed parts and may include additional parts that are not listed, while terms such as "and / or" include one or more than one of the listed parts and combinations of the listed parts.

[0238] In various implementations, the present invention addresses deficiencies associated with automatically controlling beverage product processing by sensing conditions such as temperature and / or motor conditions (e.g., current, power, etc.) and more efficiently controlling the operation of one or more components of the beverage maker in response to such sensed conditions. The present invention describes a plurality of systems, methods, and apparatus that enable a beverage maker to automatically control the temperature of a beverage product based on a target temperature value, while also enabling the beverage maker to automatically detect conditions of the beverage product and / or the beverage maker (e.g., a blender drive motor) to mitigate possible adverse conditions (e.g., excessive ice accumulation on the blender) that may cause damage to the blender, the blender drive motor, or other components of the beverage maker, wherein the target temperature value may be predetermined (e.g., stored in a memory on the beverage maker) or determined during processing of the beverage product. The present invention includes systems, methods, and apparatus that address the need for more adaptive and user-specific processing of beverage products to ensure user-expected and more satisfactory product results (e.g., desired user-specific texture and temperature of the beverage product being processed, etc.).

[0239] It should be understood that the various non-limiting embodiments and aspects described herein are not limited to making frozen or semi-frozen beverages, but can be applied to producing a cold beverage product that is cooler than the received beverage product but not frozen or semi-frozen. For example, in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the same or similar mechanisms and / or technologies described herein can be used as part of a cold beverage machine to produce, maintain, and dispense cold beverages.

[0240] Now refer to Figure 1, shows a perspective view of a beverage making machine 100 (e.g., a frozen beverage making machine) according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. The beverage making machine 100 may include a housing 102 (e.g., a main body of the beverage making machine 100 that encloses at least some of the components of the beverage making machine 100) and a mixing container 104 (e.g., an at least partially enclosed volume for processing a beverage product). The housing 102 may include a user interface 112 for receiving user input to control the beverage making machine 100 (e.g., via one or more input devices) and / or for outputting information (e.g., via one or more output devices). The user interface 112 may include one or more buttons, dials, switches, a touch screen, indicators, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and the like. The user interface 112 may display status information, such as the temperature of the beverage product within the mixing container 104, the type of beverage (e.g., a recipe), and / or an indicator of the currently executing program, and / or a timer associated with the progress of the currently executing program. The user interface 112 may provide indicators and / or warnings to the user, for example, regarding when a program is complete and / or when the user is expected to perform an action associated with processing a beverage product. The user interface 112 may include a selectable menu of beverage types (e.g., recipes) and / or programs for different types of beverage products, such as, but not limited to, granita, milkshake, frappé, frozen latte, frappé, smoothie, margarita, daiquiri, pina colada, and / or a combination thereof. colada), slushie, cool drink, semi-frozen drink, frozen drink, alcoholic beverage and non-alcoholic beverage, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0241] The housing 102 may include at least one ventilation panel 114 (e.g., an at least partially air-permeable wall) along one side of the housing 102. The ventilation panel 114 may be removable from the housing 102. The ventilation panel 114 may include a plurality of openings (e.g., holes) that facilitate air flow to help cool components within the housing 102. For example, a cooling fan (e.g., Figure 2 The condenser fan 218 shown can draw cooler air into the housing 102 through the rear of the beverage maker 100 (e.g., a rear panel having an exhaust port) and exhaust warmer air from the housing 102 through at least one ventilation panel 114. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the ventilation panels 114 can be disposed on respective opposing sides of the housing 102. For example, Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , a first ventilation panel 114 is shown on a first side of the beverage maker 100 and is Figure 2, a second ventilation panel 114 is shown on the opposite side of the beverage maker 100 (visible through the exposed interior). Figures 22 to 25 The configuration of the ventilation panel 114 is further described.

[0242] The housing 102 can include an upper housing portion 122 configured to couple with a rear end of the mixing container 104 when the mixing container 104 is attached to the housing 102. The mixing container 104 can include a wall or a portion of a wall that is transparent to enable an observer to see the beverage product within the mixing container 104 during processing. The mixing container 104 can include a pour-in opening 106 through which the mixing container 104 can receive a beverage product for processing within the mixing container 104. Figure 1 The pour opening 106 is shown in a closed configuration, with a hinged cover covering the pour opening 106. The cover can be detachably removable and / or movable to open or close the pour opening 106. The pour opening 106 can be sized (e.g., configured to have a narrow gap toward the interior chamber of the mixing container 104) and / or the pour opening 106 can include a grate (e.g., an intermittent blocking element disposed over the gap toward the interior chamber of the mixing container 104) to prevent a user from inserting a finger into the mixing container 104 when the pour opening 106 is open (e.g., when the cover is not installed). The mixing container 104 can include a dispenser assembly 108 having a user handle 120 (e.g., for operating the dispenser assembly 108), a spout (not shown), and a spout guard 116 (e.g., a cover at least partially surrounding the spout). The dispenser assembly 108 enables a user to dispense a processed (e.g., cooled) beverage product from the mixing container 104 by pulling downward and / or outward on the handle 120 to open a spout connected to the wall of the mixing container 104. The user can also dispense the processed (e.g., cooled) beverage product from the mixing container 104 by pushing and / or releasing the handle 120 back into an upright position (e.g., Figure 1 ) to close the spout, thereby stopping the dispensing of the processed beverage product.

[0243] The beverage maker 100 may include a lever 110 that enables locking coupling of the mixing container 104 to the housing 102 (eg, to the upper housing portion 122). Figure 112. As shown, the lever 110 is in a locked and / or closed position, whereby the mixing container 104 is engaged and / or coupled to the housing 102 (e.g., the upper housing portion 122). In the closed and / or locked position, the lever 110 can (e.g., along with other components and features) help ensure a water-tight seal exists between the mixing container 104 and the housing 102 to prevent leakage of the beverage product from the mixing container 104. The lever 110 can be placed in the closed, coupled and / or engaged position by sliding the mixing container 104 upward and against the upper housing portion 122, and then rotating the lever 110 in a clockwise (e.g., rearward) direction until its handle rests on or near the top surface of the upper housing portion 122. The mixing container 104 can be disengaged and / or separated from the housing 102 (e.g., the upper housing portion 122) by pulling the lever 110 toward the front of the mixing container 104 and / or rotating the lever 110 in a counterclockwise (e.g., forward) direction (which can release the mixing container 104 from the housing 102). Once released, the mixing container 104 can be slid in a forward direction (e.g., away from the upper housing portion 122) to be completely disassembled and / or removed from the housing 102. The beverage making machine 100 can also include a drip tray 118 positioned below the dispenser assembly 108 and configured to collect any processed beverage product that is not properly dispensed from the mixing container 104 into a receiving container (e.g., a drinking cup). The drip tray 118 can be removably attached to the base of the housing 102.

[0244] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when the lever 110 moves relative to the upper housing portion 122, the lever 110 can activate the cam 113, which can engage a mating feature on the mixing container 104 to couple or uncouple the mixing container 104 relative to the upper housing portion 122. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when the lever 110 moves between the coupled position and the uncoupled position, the lever 110 can move less than 90° relative to the upper housing portion 122. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the lever 110 can include two cams 113 positioned on opposite sides of the upper housing portion 122. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the lever 110 can include one, two, three, four, or more than four cams 113. As the lever 110 moves, the cam 113 can rotate relative to the upper housing portion 122 (e.g., as shown, when the lever 110 is positioned on the right side of the beverage maker 100, it rotates counterclockwise as the lever 110 is raised).

[0245] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the mixing container 104 can include protrusions on opposite outer sides near the rear bottom of the mixing container 104. The protrusions can be shaped and positioned to engage with the cam 113 on the lever 110. In particular, the cam 113 can have a channel and / or cam path through which the protrusions slide. When the cam 113 is rotated toward the back of the housing 102, the protrusions can slide along the channel and / or cam path and can be pulled toward the upper housing portion 122 and the rear of the housing 102, thereby pressing the mixing container 104 against the upper housing portion 122 and forming a watertight seal with the housing 102. When the cam 113 is rotated toward the front of the beverage maker 100, the protrusions can be pushed away from the upper housing portion 122, thereby separating the mixing container 104 from contact with the upper housing portion 122.

[0246] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, Figure 1 As shown, cam 113 can be an over-center cam, or cam 113 can have an alternative geometry. When lever 110 is in the coupled position, cam 113 can retain mixing container 104 on housing 102. Cam 113 can be at least partially positioned on the exterior of upper housing portion 122 and / or the interior of upper housing portion 122, etc. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a protrusion of mixing container 104 can contact a channel and / or cam path of cam 113 on the exterior of upper housing portion 122. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a protrusion of mixing container 104 can contact a channel and / or cam path of cam 113 on the interior of upper housing portion 122. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, cam 113 can be on the interior of upper housing portion 122, and cam 113 can be separate from lever 110 and mechanically coupled to lever 110. For example, when the rod 110 (e.g., on the outside of the upper housing portion 122) moves, the rod 110 can activate the cam 113 (e.g., on the inside of the upper housing portion 122), which can engage a mounting feature (e.g., a protrusion) on the mixing container 104 (e.g., on the inside of the upper housing portion 122) to couple the mixing container 104 to the upper housing portion 122 (or disengage such a mounting feature so that the mixing container 104 is not coupled to the upper housing portion 122).

[0247] Now refer to Figure 2 , showing according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects Figure 1Schematic diagram 200 of various internal components within the housing 102 and mixing container 104 of the beverage making machine 100. The beverage making machine 100 may include a cylindrical evaporator 202 (e.g., a heat exchanger for absorbing thermal energy from a beverage product) surrounded by an agitator 204 (e.g., an auger). The evaporator 202 may include a cylindrical drum (e.g., a smooth metal housing configured to serve as a surface for the beverage product to contact and exchange thermal energy with the evaporator 202) and / or be surrounded by a cylindrical drum. The agitator 204 may include one or more mixing blades and / or protrusions extending helically around the evaporator 202. The agitator 204 may be driven to rotate by a central drive shaft within the mixing container 104. The drive shaft may be surrounded by the evaporator 202, and the evaporator 202 may be configured to be fixed in a fixed position during the rotation of the drive shaft within the evaporator 202. The drive shaft may be coupled to a drive motor 208 via a gear assembly 210. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the drive motor 208 may be an alternating current (AC) motor, although other types of motors such as, but not limited to, a direct current (DC) motor may be used. The drive motor 208 may include a motor fan 212 configured to provide air cooling to the motor 208. Figure 2 An implementation is shown in which the drive motor 208 is not coaxially aligned with the drive shaft for rotating the agitator 204, but in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the motor 208 can be coaxially aligned with the drive shaft. During processing of the beverage product, the motor 208 can be continuously operated at one or more speeds to drive continuous rotation of the agitator 204, thereby providing continuous mixing of the beverage product within the mixing container 104.

[0248] As mentioned above, the beverage maker 100 may include a removably attachable drip tray 118 that may be removed from the beverage maker 100. Figure 1 and Figure 2 For example, the drip tray 118 can be mounted and / or stored on a side panel of the housing 102 (e.g., at Figure 1 On the ventilation panel 114 shown; see also Figure 3 18 '). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the rotation of the agitator 204 can cause the spirally arranged blades to push the cooled beverage product toward the front of the mixing vessel 104. During this process, portions of the beverage product may freeze on the surface of the evaporator 202 due to being cooled by the evaporator 202. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the blades of the rotating agitator 204 can scrape the frozen portions of the beverage product from the surface of the evaporator 202 while simultaneously mixing and pushing the cooled beverage product toward the front of the mixing vessel 104.

[0249] The beverage making machine 100 may include a cooling circuit (e.g., a refrigeration system) to provide cooling of the beverage product and / or control the temperature of the beverage product within the mixing container 104. The cooling circuit may include a compressor 214, an evaporator 202, a condenser 216, a condenser fan 218, a bypass valve, and a conduit that carries a refrigerant in a closed loop between the cooling circuit components to facilitate cooling and / or temperature control of the beverage product in the mixing container 104. The operation of the cooling circuit may be controlled by a controller (e.g., see, for example, FIG. Figure 4 The beverage maker 100 may be controlled by a controller 402, further described herein, which may be located near the user interface 112, the drive motor 208, and / or elsewhere in the housing 102. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the beverage maker 100 may include a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 222 of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) within the housing 102. Figure 4 As illustrated, PCBA 222 may include a control system 400 configured to automatically control certain operations of beverage maker 100 , and control system 400 may include a controller 402 .

[0250] The beverage maker 100 may also include a condensate collection tray 220 configured to collect any liquid condensate from the evaporator 202 caused by cooling and to catch accidental spillage of beverage product caused by user error interacting with the pour opening 106 . Figure 2 The tray 220 is shown in an inserted position. The tray 220 can be inserted and removed from a slot in and / or on the housing 102. The tray 220 can be inserted to enable collection of liquid (e.g., condensate), removed for a user to empty the contents of the tray 220, and then reinserted into the slot for subsequent liquid collection. The tray 220 is configured to prevent liquid from running into, onto, or down the exterior surface of the housing 102.

[0251] Now refer to Figure 3 , showing according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects Figure 1 and Figure 2300 of a front view of the beverage maker 100. The beverage maker 100 may include a user interface 112 on a front surface of the housing 102. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the user interface 112 may be located on the side, top, or back of the housing 102. The beverage maker 100 may include a power interface (not shown) configured to receive AC power from an electrical outlet. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the beverage maker 100 may include one or more batteries housed within the housing 102 and configured to provide power to the various components of the beverage maker 100. The beverage maker 100 may include a drip tray 118 (in the case of a container) on one side of the housing 102 to which the drip tray 118 may be mounted when not in use, such as during storage and / or transportation of the beverage maker 100. Figure 3 1 and 2. The mounting member 302 is shown as a drip tray 118'.

[0252] Now refer to Figure 4 , a block diagram of an exemplary control system 400 of the beverage maker 100 according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects is shown. The control system 400 may include a microcontroller, a processor, a system on a chip (SoC), a client device and / or a physical computing device, and may include (one or more than one) hardware and / or virtual processors. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, such as Figure 4 As shown, control system 400 and its elements may each involve physical hardware, emulators, and / or virtual machines.

[0253] The control system 400 may include a user interface 412 (e.g., user interface 112) having, for example, a keyboard, a keypad, one or more buttons, a dial, a touchpad, or a sensor readout (e.g., a biometric scanner), and one or more output devices (such as a display, a speaker for audio, and / or a light indicator (e.g., an LED indicator), etc.). The control system 400 may also include one or more communication interfaces 410, such as a network communication unit that may include wired communication components and / or wireless communication components that may be communicatively coupled to the controller 402 (e.g., one or more hardware processors). The network communication unit may utilize any of a variety of proprietary or standardized network protocols (e.g., Ethernet, Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP), etc.) to enable communication between the controller 402 and other devices, networks, or systems. The network communication unit may also include a communication interface that utilizes Ethernet, power line communication (PLC), One or more transceivers for cellular and / or other communication methods. For example, the control system 400 may send one or more communications to the user's mobile device associated with a condition of the beverage maker 100, such as when a program is complete and / or a beverage product is ready to be dispensed, sending an alert to the mobile device to indicate that the mixing container is low or out of beverage product, or indicating other conditions or conditions of the beverage maker 100.

[0254] The control system 400 may include a processing element such as a controller 402 that includes one or more hardware processors, wherein each hardware processor may have a single or multiple processor cores. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller 402 may include at least one shared cache for storing data (e.g., computing instructions) utilized by one or more other components of the controller 402. For example, a shared cache may be a local cache of data stored in a memory for faster access by components that make up the processing element of the controller 402. Examples of processors may include, but are not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU) and / or a microprocessor, etc. The controller 402 may utilize a processor based on, but not limited to, 8051 architecture, 68HCX and / or 80X86 etc. The controller 402 may include but is not limited to 8-bit, 12-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit or 64-bit architectures. Figure 4 Although not shown, the processing elements constituting the controller 402 may also include one or more other types of hardware processing components, such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and / or a digital signal processor (DSP).

[0255] like Figure 4As shown, the memory 404 can be operably and communicatively connected to the controller 402. The memory 404 can be a non-transitory medium configured to store various types of data. For example, the memory 404 can include one or more storage devices 408 having non-volatile storage devices and / or volatile memory, and / or be associated with the one or more storage devices 408. Volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM) can be any suitable non-permanent storage device. The non-volatile storage device 408 can include one or more disk drives, optical drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), tape drives, flash memory, read-only memories (ROMs), and / or any other type of memory designed to maintain data for a certain duration after power loss or power outage operation. In some configurations, if the allocated RAM is not large enough to hold all working data, the non-volatile storage device 408 can be used to store overload data. The non-volatile storage device 408 can also be used to store programs, which are loaded into the RAM when such programs are selected for execution. The data storage and / or storage device 408 can be configured to store a plurality of beverage product preparation and / or processing instruction programs associated with a plurality of beverage product processing sequences. Such beverage product preparation and / or processing instruction programs can include instructions for the controller 402 to: start or stop one or more motors and / or compressors 414 (e.g., such as the drive motor 208 and / or compressor 214); start or stop the compressor 214 to regulate the temperature of the beverage product being processed in the mixing vessel 104; operate one or more motors and / or compressors 414 (e.g., the drive motor 208 and / or compressor 214) at certain times during a particular beverage product processing sequence; operate the drive motor 208 at certain speeds during certain time periods of the program; and / or issue one or more prompts to the user interface 412 (e.g., the user interface 112) that are output to the user to obtain a response, action, and / or input from the user; etc.

[0256] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, one or more beverage data objects (e.g., a grouping of structured data associated with a beverage type, which may include program instructions related to the beverage type) may be stored in memory 404 in the form of digital objects (or records) representing the type of beverage (e.g., smoothie, cocktail, frappe, juice, milkshake, etc.). Each beverage data object may define and / or reference data such as temperature values ​​and / or other setting values ​​associated with the beverage type, wherein the beverage data object may also include computational instructions and / or computer programs for defining functions, actions, and / or processing sequences to be performed on the digital object.

[0257] The software program may be developed, coded, and compiled in various computing languages ​​for various software platforms and / or operating systems, and subsequently loaded and executed by the controller 402. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the compilation process of the software program may convert program code written in a programming language into another computer language so that the program code can be executed by the controller 402. For example, the compilation process of the software program may generate an executable program that provides coded instructions (e.g., machine code instructions) for the controller 402 to implement specific, non-general, special computing functions.

[0258] After the compilation process, the coded instructions can be loaded into the controller 402 from the storage device 408, from the memory 404, and / or embedded within the controller 402 (e.g., via a cache or onboard ROM). The controller 402 can be configured to execute the stored instructions or processing steps to perform instructions or processing steps for transforming the electronic control system 400 into a non-general purpose, specialized, specially programmed machine or device. The stored data (e.g., data stored by the data storage and / or storage device 408) can be accessed by the controller 402 during the execution of the computer-executable instructions or processing steps to instruct one or more components within the control system 400 and / or other components or devices external to the control system 400. For example, beverage data objects associated with beverage types can be arranged in a lookup table and / or database within the storage device 408 and can be accessed by the controller 402 when processing a particular beverage type selected by a user via the user interface 412 (e.g., the user interface 112).

[0259] The user interface 412 (e.g., user interface 112) may include a display, a position input device (e.g., a mouse, a touchpad, or a touch screen), a keyboard, a keypad, one or more buttons, one or more dials, a microphone, a speaker, or other forms of user input and output devices. The components of the user interface 412 may be communicatively coupled to the controller 402. When the output device of the user interface 412 is a display or includes a display, the display may be implemented in various ways, including by a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, and / or a light emitting diode (LED) display such as an organic LED (OLED) display.

[0260] The sensor(s) 406 may include one or more sensors for detecting and / or monitoring conditions of the beverage product within the mixing container 104, conditions associated with components of the beverage maker 100, and / or conditions of the refrigerant or coolant within the cooling circuit. The conditions may include, but are not limited to: rotation, speed, and / or movement of a device or component (e.g., the drive motor 208, the drive shaft driven thereby, the agitator 204, etc.); the rate of such movement; the frequency of such movement; the direction of such movement; motor current; motor voltage; motor power; motor torque; temperature; pressure; the level of liquid in the mixing container 104; the position of the device or component (e.g., whether the pour opening 106 is open or closed); and / or the presence of the device or component (e.g., whether the shield 116 is installed). Examples of sensor types include electrical metering chips, Hall sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, optical sensors, current sensors, torque sensors, voltage sensors, cameras, other types of sensors, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. The beverage maker 100 can include one or more temperature sensors positioned in various locations within the mixing container 104 (e.g., such as on or near a lower front region within the mixing container 104, on or near an upper front region within the mixing container 104, on or near an upper rear region within the container 104, etc.), within one or more coils of the evaporator 202, and / or within the housing 102.

[0261] The sensor(s) 406 may also include one or more safety and / or interlock switches that are used to prevent or enable operation of certain components (e.g., the drive motor 208, the compressor 214, etc.) when certain conditions are met (e.g., when a cover or lid for the opening 106 is attached or closed, when there is a sufficient level of beverage product in the mixing container 104, when the stem 110 is moved to the coupled position, and / or when the mixing container 104 is secured to the housing 102, etc.). It should be understood that the control system 400 may include Figure 4 Other electronic components such as power supplies and / or analog-to-digital converters are not explicitly shown.

[0262] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the control system 400 and / or the controller 402 may include: an SoC having multiple hardware components including, but not limited to, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or a digital signal processor (DSP) core and / or a multi-processor SoC (MPSoC) having more than one processor core; memory blocks including a selection of read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk read-only memory (DVD-ROM), and / or flash memory; timing sources including an oscillator and a phase-locked loop; peripherals including a counter timer, a real-time timer, and a power-on reset generator; external interfaces including a universal serial bus (USB), Ethernet, Universal Synchronous / Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (USART), Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI); analog interfaces including analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and digital-to-analog converters (DACs); voltage regulators and power management circuits; or any combination thereof.

[0263] SoC can include both the above hardware and software for controlling microcontrollers, microprocessors and / or DSP cores, peripheral devices and interfaces. SoC can be developed from pre-qualified hardware blocks for hardware elements (e.g., modules or components referred to as IP cores or IP blocks) and software drivers for controlling their operation. The hardware elements listed above are not exhaustive. SoC can include a protocol stack for driving interfaces such as Universal Serial Bus (USB).

[0264] Once the overall architecture of the SoC is defined, the individual hardware elements can be described in an abstract language called register transfer level (RTL). RTL can be used to define circuit behavior. The same RTL language can be used to connect hardware elements together to create a complete SoC configuration. RTL is a design abstraction that models synchronous digital circuits in terms of the flow of digital signals (e.g., data) between hardware registers and the logical operations performed on these signals. RTL abstractions can be used in languages ​​such as It is used in hardware description languages ​​(HDLs) such as FPGA and Very High Speed ​​Integrated Circuit (VHSIC) Hardware Description Language (VHDL) to create a high-level representation of the circuit from which low-level representations and ultimately the actual wiring can be derived. Standardized as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1364, it is a hardware description language (HDL) used to model electronic systems. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, various components of control system 400 may be implemented on a PCBA, such as PCBA 222 .

[0265] Further references Figures 1 to 4 , and in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the user can fill the mixing container 104 with the raw materials associated with the beverage product via the pouring opening 106, wherein one or more raw materials can be added at a time or in a pre-mixed form. The user can select the type of beverage product to be processed via the user interface 112. For example, the user can select the beverage type of "margarita" or a more general beverage type such as "alcoholic beverage" or "cocktail". In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the user can select the beverage product type and / or program before filling the mixing container 104, and the user interface 112 can provide one or more indicators or prompts (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, etc.) for instructing the user to add the raw materials to the mixing container 104. The mixing container 104 can include one or more fill sensors for detecting when a sufficient amount or level of raw materials and / or fluid is in the mixing container 104. The one or more fill sensors can provide a signal to the controller 402 for indicating when the mixing container 104 is fully filled or not fully filled. If the fill sensor indicates that the mixing container 104 is not fully filled, the controller 402 can prevent operation of the beverage maker 100 (e.g., prevent activation of the drive motor 208 and / or other components). A lid sensor can be associated with the opening 106, whereby the lid sensor can send an open and / or close signal to the controller 402 indicating whether the opening 106 is open or closed. If the lid sensor indicates that the opening 106 is open and / or not closed, the controller 402 can prevent operation of the beverage maker 100. Depending on the sensed condition, the user interface 112 can provide an indication related to the condition (e.g., whether the container 104 is fully filled or not fully filled and / or the opening 106 is not closed, etc.) to enable the user to take appropriate action(s).

[0266] Once the mixing container 104 is filled with ingredients, the user can provide an input (e.g., a button press) to begin processing a beverage product based on the selected beverage type. Processing can include activating the drive motor 208 to drive the rotation of the agitator 204 and / or blades 206 to achieve mixing of the ingredients of the beverage product. Processing can also include activating the cooling circuit, which includes activating the compressor 214 and the condenser fan 218. The compressor 214 can promote the flow of refrigerant through one or more coils of the evaporator 202 and through the condenser 216 to provide cooling and / or temperature control of the beverage product in the mixing container 104. The controller 402 can control the operation of various components such as the drive motor 208 and the compressor 214. To adjust the temperature according to specific settings associated with the beverage type or program, the controller 402 can activate / start and / or deactivate / stop the compressor 214 to start and / or stop the flow of refrigerant through the (one or more) coils of the evaporator 202, thereby starting or stopping cooling of the beverage product in the mixing container 104.

[0267] By cooling the beverage product to a particular temperature, slushies and / or ice particles can be formed within the beverage product. The amount of particles and / or texture of the beverage product can correspond to the temperature of the beverage product. For example, as the temperature of the beverage product becomes cooler, more particles can be formed, larger particles can be formed, and the beverage product can become more slushy-like. The user interface 112 can enable the user to fine-tune and / or adjust the preset temperature associated with the beverage type so that the user can adjust the temperature and / or texture (e.g., thickness) of the beverage product to a more desired temperature and / or texture.

[0268] Controller 402 can carry out the processing of beverage product within the set time period in one or more stages, and / or can carry out the processing of beverage product until the target temperature and / or texture are determined.Controller 402 can receive one or more temperature signals from one or more temperature sensors 406 in mixing container 104 to determine the temperature of beverage product.In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, controller 402 can determine the temperature of beverage product by determining the average temperature between the temperatures detected by a plurality of temperature sensors 406.In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, controller 402 can determine the temperature of beverage product based on the temperature detected by a sensor 406 in mixing container 104 and / or based on the temperature of the refrigerant detected by refrigerant temperature sensor 406.Once controller 402 is determined to be the sequence completion of stage and / or program, controller 402 just can provide the visual and / or audio indication that program is completed and processed beverage product is ready to distribute via user interface 112. In response, the user can place a cup or other receiving container under the dispenser assembly 108 and pull the handle 120 in an outward / downward direction to open the spout located near the lower front wall of the mixing container 104, thereby dispensing the beverage product into the cup or other receiving container. Figure 2 As shown, the user can then close the spout by releasing / pushing the handle 120 back to its upright position. In implementations where the handle 120 is spring-biased to the closed position, the user can release their hold on the handle 120, allowing the spring force to move the handle 120 backward and upward away from the user to the upright and closed position.

[0269] Further references Figures 1 to 4 , the beverage maker 100 can determine when a phase change of the beverage product occurs during processing by the beverage maker 100 and take action accordingly. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a phase change temperature value indicating the point at which the phase change occurs can be determined, and a target temperature value for the beverage product to be reached and maintained during processing can be determined from the phase change temperature value. Other determinations and actions can be made based on the determination of the phase change and the phase change temperature value. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a predetermined target temperature associated with a beverage type (e.g., selected by a user or determined by processing the beverage product) can be accessed, for example, from a memory of the beverage maker and / or via a wireless interface.

[0270] As described herein, during the cooling period of a beverage product, it is expected that a phase change of the beverage product will occur before the target temperature is reached. When the controller 402 of the beverage making machine 100 determines that a target temperature associated with a beverage type (e.g., juice, cocktail, milkshake, soft drink, etc.) has been reached, the controller 402 can determine whether a phase change has been detected during processing. Additionally or alternatively, when the controller 402 determines that a phase change has occurred, the controller 402 can determine whether a target temperature associated with the beverage type has been reached during processing. In either case, if a phase change has not occurred before the predetermined target temperature is reached, this can indicate that an overcooling event has occurred or a user error has occurred. In the latter scenario, the beverage product being processed may have a phase change temperature value that is lower than the phase change temperature value associated with the beverage type selected by the user (and thus have a target temperature that is lower than the predetermined target temperature of the beverage type).

[0271] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, in response to a phase change not occurring before a predetermined target temperature is reached, the controller 402 can be configured to keep the cooling circuit on and, in some cases, pulse (e.g., periodically activate and deactivate) the drive motor 208 to trigger nucleation until a phase change is determined to have occurred. If a phase change is detected before the predetermined target temperature is reached, the cooling circuit can be cycled (e.g., turned off and on one or more times) to maintain the temperature at or near the target temperature (or at or near the adjusted target temperature if the user has specified any temperature and / or thickness adjustments).

[0272] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, if the phase change is not detected before the predetermined target temperature is reached, but instead is detected after continued cooling and / or pulsing of the drive motor 208, as described herein, the cooling circuit can be cycled in a controlled manner and the agitator 204 can be kept on until the predetermined target temperature (plus or minus any user adjustments) is reached. If overcooling is the reason why the phase change was not detected before the predetermined target temperature value was reached, the controlled pulsing of the drive motor 208 can result in the phase change being triggered and the beverage product having the expected desired thickness. However, if the phase change is not detected before the predetermined target temperature value due to user error as described above, the target temperature can be recalculated, for example, based on the determined phase change temperature value, and the cooling circuit can be continuously cycled until the recalculated target temperature is achieved.

[0273] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a minimum beverage product temperature can be predefined (e.g., a minimum temperature threshold at which the beverage maker 100 cannot produce a lower temperature or that doing so may damage the beverage maker 100). The controller 402 can be configured to detect when the temperature has reached the minimum threshold and control one or more actions to be taken. For example, the user can be alerted (e.g., visually, tactilely, and / or audibly) via one or more output devices of the beverage maker 100 (e.g., a display, a speaker, a vibration motor, a light indicator, etc.) that the beverage maker 100 cannot produce a desired smoothie for the beverage product. The controller 402 can also be configured to maintain the beverage product at the minimum temperature as a cold beverage and alert the user to this upon detecting the minimum temperature.

[0274] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a minimum phase transition temperature value can be predefined. As described herein, the target temperature value of a beverage product being chilled can be lower than the phase transition temperature value. Controller 402 can be configured to determine when the determined phase transition temperature value is lower than the minimum phase transition temperature value, such that the target temperature cannot be achieved by beverage maker 100 because such a target temperature would be lower than a minimum temperature threshold. Controller 402 can be configured to control one or more actions to be taken when it is determined that the determined phase transition temperature value is lower than the minimum phase transition temperature value. For example, controller 402 can cause one or more output devices of beverage maker 100 to visually, tactilely, and / or audibly alert the user, such as indicating that beverage maker 100 cannot produce a desired smoothie of the beverage product. Controller 402 can also be configured to maintain the beverage product at the minimum temperature as a cold drink and alert the user to this when it is determined that the determined phase transition temperature value is lower than the minimum phase transition temperature value.

[0275] For reasons described herein, if the beverage product does not have a sufficiently high concentration of certain ingredients (e.g., sugar, alcohol, etc.), it may be difficult to reliably produce a smoothie from the beverage product, or doing so may damage the beverage maker 100. A maximum phase transition temperature value threshold may be defined, and the controller 402 may be configured to determine whether the determined phase transition temperature value exceeds the maximum phase transition temperature value. If the threshold is exceeded, the controller 402 may control the performance of one or more actions (e.g., alerting the user and / or taking corrective action).

[0276] Now refer to Figure 5, showing a close-up view 500 of a user interface (e.g., user interface 112) according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. As shown in close-up view 500, user interface 112 may include a power button 502, a beverage type indicator panel 504, a manual temperature adjustment and / or temperature offset indicator 506, a manual temperature adjustment interface 508, a beverage type control dial 510, and a chill button 512. A user may use the power button 502 to turn the beverage maker 100 on or off. A user may select a beverage type by turning the dial 510 to process the type of beverage product until the selected beverage type is indicated via the panel 504. A user may select, for example, a smoothie, cocktail, frappe, juice, or dairy / milkshake beverage type. The dial 510 may also include a push button feature that enables a user to start or stop processing of a beverage type by pressing the dial 510. The manual temperature adjustment interface 508 may include a push button feature that enables a user to switch between temperature offset bands (e.g., for dairy / milkshake beverage types, such as Figure 6 602, etc.) within the temperature offset band 602. The user can select the chill button 512 to initiate a chill program, whereby the beverage maker 100 and / or the controller 402 maintain the beverage product in the mixing container 104 at a chilled temperature without forming a frozen or semi-frozen beverage product. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when the user selects the chill button 512, the same chilled temperature can be maintained for all beverage types. For example, the controller 402 can receive a signal indicating the selection of the chill button 512 and reduce the temperature to a predefined temperature (e.g., within a certain range) that should not cause any beverage type to freeze and maintain the temperature at or near the predefined temperature. In another embodiment, the controller 402 can receive a signal indicating selection of the chill button 512 and selection of a beverage type from the beverage type control dial 510 and reduce the temperature to a predefined temperature (e.g., within a range) defined for a particular beverage type (e.g., specified by a beverage data object in memory) that should not cause the beverage type to freeze and maintain the temperature at or near the predefined temperature.

[0277] Now refer to Figure 6, a graph 600 of coarse and fine temperature settings used for control of the beverage making machine 100 according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects is shown. Coarse and fine temperature settings can be associated with processing a beverage product, wherein, as described elsewhere herein, such temperature settings can be stored in memory as temperature values. For example, when a user selects a dairy and / or milkshake beverage type and uses the dial 510 to start a frozen beverage processing sequence and / or program, the controller 402 can control the processing of the dairy / milkshake program to adjust the temperature of the beverage product to a coarse temperature setting 604 at -4 degrees Celsius as shown in the graph 600. Thus, in the absence of any temperature adjustment specified by the user, the coarse temperature setting 604 can be used as a target temperature value (e.g., a temperature value that the controller 402 will attempt to reach and maintain during the processing of the beverage product). Before, during, or after reaching the coarse temperature setting 604, the user can fine-tune or adjust the coarse target temperature of the beverage type by setting a temperature offset using the manual temperature adjustment interface 508. For example, the user can push the left arrow button 507 to decrease the target temperature in increments of approximately 0.4 degrees Celsius to a new target temperature of approximately -5.2 degrees Celsius. The thickness and / or amount of the frozen beverage particles can increase as the temperature decreases. Thus, the manual temperature adjustment indicator 506 can be associated with a "Thickness" label. It should be understood that different labels such as "Temperature Offset," "Temperature Adjustment," and "Manual Adjustment" can be used.

[0278] To further illustrate, the user can push the right arrow button 509 to increase the target temperature, for example, in increments of about 0.4 degrees Celsius to a new target temperature of about -2.8 degrees Celsius. The thickness and / or amount of the frozen beverage particles can decrease as the temperature increases. The manual temperature adjustment indicator 506 may include one or more light indicators that are illuminated in a configuration corresponding to the selected temperature offset. For example, the manual temperature adjustment indicator 506 may have a central light indicator for indicating that a 0 degree Celsius offset (e.g., no offset) has been selected. The manual temperature adjustment indicator 506 may include light indicators corresponding to each offset increment selected above or below the coarse setting (e.g., a 0 degree Celsius offset point). Figure 6 Also shown are temperature offsets and / or manual adjustment bands associated with various exemplary types of beverage products (such as milkshakes, flutes, cocktails, diet and traditional beverage products, etc.). Each of the temperature bands can include a core beverage type temperature, a rough beverage type temperature, and / or a target beverage type temperature, as well as user-selectable fine adjustment offset temperatures above and below the beverage type target temperature. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the temperature offset band associated with one beverage type can be different from the temperature offset band of a different beverage type, such that the temperature offset increment is different between the different beverage types.

[0279] As described herein, in response to a temperature adjustment being specified by a user, the controller 402 can adjust the target temperature value by an offset corresponding to the specified adjustment. In such an embodiment, the coarse temperature setting can be considered a base target temperature value that, when combined with the offset value, can produce a target temperature value.

[0280] Now refer to Figure 7 , a close-up view 700 of a user interface (e.g., user interface 112) of a beverage maker 100 according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects is shown. As shown in close-up view 700, the user interface 112 can include a power button 708, a beverage type selector / indicator panel 702, a manual temperature adjustment (or offset) indicator 706, and a manual temperature adjustment dial 704. A user can use the power button 708 to turn the beverage maker 100 on or off. A user can select a beverage type by pressing a button associated with the selected beverage type (e.g., smoothie) to process the type of beverage product. Selection of a particular beverage type can be indicated by the illumination of a light indicator associated with the selected beverage type button. For example, Figure 7 The selection of a smoothie drink type is indicated by the illumination of an LED indicator next to the smoothie button. The user can select, for example, a smoothie drink, an added smoothie drink or cocktail, a frappe, a frozen juice, or a dairy / milkshake drink type. The manual temperature adjustment dial 704 can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise to set the target temperature value within a common range of target temperature values. For example, the manual temperature adjustment indicator 706 can include 10 temperature values ​​or settings corresponding to the target temperature values ​​(see, for example, Figure 8 ).

[0281] The user interface in close-up view 700 may also include a clean button 703. Controller 402 may be configured to activate rotation of agitator 204 instead of the cooling circuit in response to the user pressing clean button 703. If agitator 204 and the cooling circuit are active when clean button 703 is pressed, controller 402 may deactivate the cooling circuit and keep agitator 204 active. The user may then add water to mixing container 104 through pour opening 106, and the action of agitator 204 may stir the water and push it forward to help remove and / or dissolve ingredients from surfaces such as evaporator 202, agitator 204, and / or mixing container 104. The user may then dispense the contents of mixing container 104 and repeatedly fill and dispense with water as needed (e.g., including some form of detergent in an earlier cycle to help clean, and only including water for rinsing in a later cycle). Deactivating or keeping the cooling circuit off during cleaning may help thaw any frozen ingredients and prevent freezing of the contents during cleaning.

[0282] Now refer to Figure 8 , a graph 800 of temperature values ​​associated with automatic program target temperatures and manual temperature adjustments according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects is shown. Graph 800 shows temperature settings #1 through #10, where setting #1 corresponds to -1.3 degrees Celsius and setting #10 corresponds to -7.2 degrees Celsius. The ten temperature settings in graph 800 can be associated with the manual temperature adjustment indicator 706 (see Figure 7 ) corresponds to the ten light indicators of the beverage type selector / indicator panel 702. In operation, when a user selects a beverage type (e.g., a milkshake) by pressing a corresponding button in the beverage type selector / indicator panel 702, the adjacent indicator of the button can be illuminated. As a further example, if the automatic rough temperature value associated with the milkshake (e.g., the basic target temperature value) is approximately -4.0 degrees Celsius corresponding to setting # 7 in the graph 800, seven indicators (e.g., light bars) can be illuminated in the manual adjustment indicator 706. The light bar can periodically dim or flash until the target temperature value is reached and / or the controller 402 detects the target temperature value. When the target temperature value is reached, the user interface 112 can emit an audible sound such as a beep or a sequence of beeps. When the target temperature value is reached, the dimmed or flashing lighting can be changed to brighter and / or stable lighting. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, once the target temperature value is reached, the controller 402 may cycle the compressor 214 on and off to maintain the temperature of the beverage product within a target temperature range above and / or below the target temperature. For example, the range may be greater than or equal to approximately 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, or 1.0 degrees Celsius above and below the target temperature value. As long as the temperature remains within the target temperature range, the controller 402 may not initiate an alarm (e.g., an audible output) or a change in the status of any indicator in the indicator 706.

[0283] Further references Figure 7 and Figure 8 If the user wants to further reduce the target temperature and / or increase the target thickness of the milkshake to Figure 8 If the target temperature is set to setting #10, the user can turn the dial 704 until all 10 light indicators are illuminated. Figure 8 To set setting #3 and / or reduce the target thickness of the milkshake, the user can turn the dial 704 until the target thickness is as follows: Figure 7 The three indicator bars in the indicator 706 are shown illuminated. Figure 7 An interface is shown using a dial 704 for manually adjusting the temperature, but other types of interfaces may be used, such as, but not limited to, up / down buttons, a touch screen, and / or a slide switch.

[0284] Further references Figure 8, graph 800 also illustrates how the various increments of temperature change between each of temperature settings #1 through #10 can be non-linear to account for desirable changes in the thickness of the cooled or frozen beverage product. As the temperature decreases, a larger temperature change may be required to cause a material / proportional change in the amount of frozen beverage particles within the beverage product (e.g., a change in thickness). For example, the temperature increment 802 (between setting #4 and setting #5) is approximately 0.6 degrees Celsius, while the temperature increment 804 (between setting #8 and setting #9) in the lower temperature range is approximately 1.0 degrees Celsius. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the increments of temperature change between settings can be constant, thereby producing a linear temperature range. It should be understood that while in Figure 7 and Figure 8 A range including ten temperature settings is shown in FIG, but any number of settings and / or temperature ranges may be implemented.

[0285] Now refer to Figure 9 , illustrates a graph 900 of the current applied to the drive motor 208 and the temperature of the beverage product over time while the beverage product is being processed by the beverage making machine, according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Graph 900 illustrates changes in the current 902 applied to the drive motor 208 and the corresponding beverage product temperature 904 over time while the beverage product is being processed. Graph 900 illustrates how the current 902 applied to the drive motor 208 increases as the temperature 904 decreases, thereby causing the thickness of the beverage product to increase, which results in an increase in the resistance of the beverage product to the rotation of the agitator 204, thereby requiring an increase in motor power and / or current 902 to drive the agitator 204 against the resistance. When the current 902 (or power, torque, etc.) reaches or satisfies a threshold or motor condition limit 906 (e.g., approximately 40 watts and / or approximately 0.3 amps of current), the controller 402 can deactivate the cooling circuit (e.g., stop the flow of coolant and / or refrigerant to the evaporator 202) to enable the temperature 904 to increase and reduce the thickness of the beverage product, thereby reducing the current 902 driving the motor 208 to below the motor condition limit 906.

[0286] For example, a base target temperature value for each beverage type and a permissible offset enabled by the user interface 412 can be predefined to generate a target temperature corresponding to a motor current (or power, torque, etc.) that is safely below the motor condition limit 906. The controller 402 can automatically control the temperature of the beverage product in the mixing container 104 to reach the base target temperature setting associated with the beverage type selected by the user, which can be adjusted (e.g., fine-tuned) to a new temperature setting (e.g., target temperature value) that allows the motor current 902 to be lower than the motor condition limit 906 by an offset and / or temperature offset corresponding to the temperature adjustment selected by the user. The target temperature can be set, for example, to be 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, or 2.0 degrees Celsius (e.g., a relatively small offset) above the base target temperature. However, it is possible that the raw materials placed in the mixing container 104 may cause ice accumulation during processing to cause the beverage product to exceed the motor condition limit 906. For example, if the sugar and / or alcohol content of the beverage product is insufficient, ice may form at a higher (e.g., warmer) temperature than expected, and the blender 204 may have a harder time scraping off the surface of the evaporator 202. By deactivating the cooling circuit, if the motor condition limit 906 is exceeded, the controller 402 can prevent an overcurrent condition and possible damage to the drive motor 208, avoid a stall condition, and enable continued operation of the beverage maker 100 and blender 204. In other cases, the drive motor 208 may stall and the beverage maker 100 may become clogged, thereby preventing smoothies from being dispensed from the mixing container 104 and requiring the user to defrost and / or unclog the mixing container 104 before normal operation can be resumed. Thus, the stall prevention described herein can enable the beverage maker 100 to produce and dispense smoothies and other outputs that would otherwise be impossible if a stall condition occurred. Additionally, excessive current (or power, torque, etc.) conditions to the drive motor 208 caused by something that prevents the rotation of the agitator 204 (eg, excessive ice formation) may also be prevented.

[0287] In addition to stopping the drive motor 208, the controller 402 may also perform actions such as shutting down the compressor 214 to deactivate the cooling circuit, etc. The graph 900 also illustrates how the controller 402 may continuously and / or periodically monitor the temperature associated with the beverage product within the mixing container 104 via the temperature sensor(s) 406, enabling continuous control of components of the beverage maker 100 (such as the compressor 214 and other components), thereby enabling automatic control of the temperature of the beverage product.

[0288] Now refer to Figure 10, a flow chart illustrating a method 1000 for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker, according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Figure 10 The steps shown are for illustrative purposes only. It should be understood that in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, additional, fewer, different steps and / or different step sequences may be used. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, steps may be performed automatically in response to the execution and / or completion of previous steps. As shown, method 1000 includes the following steps: using a program for initial or rough temperature and / or texture control to produce a cooled beverage product, and then using user input to fine-tune the temperature and / or texture of the beverage product.

[0289] like Figure 10 As shown, method 1000 may include receiving a beverage product into a mixing container 104 of a beverage maker 100 at step 1002. For example, a user may pour the beverage product into a pouring opening 106 of the mixing container 104 to at least partially fill the mixing container 104 with the beverage product. When pouring is complete, the user may close the pouring opening 106.

[0290] like Figure 10 As shown, the method 1000 may include, at step 1004, mixing the beverage product within the mixing container 104 using the drive motor 208. For example, a user may interact with the user interface 112 and select a power button, a temperature setting, a beverage product type, and / or an ice button to cause the controller 402 to initiate the mixing process. The controller 402 may cause the drive motor 208 to rotate the agitator 204 within the mixing container 104 to mix the beverage product.

[0291] like Figure 10 As shown, the method 1000 may include, at step 1006, cooling the beverage product in the mixing container 104 using a cooling device (e.g., a cooling circuit). For example, the controller 402 may turn on the compressor 214, thereby circulating the refrigerant through the cooling circuit, thereby reducing the temperature in the evaporator 202. When the beverage product is mixed by the blender 204, the beverage product may come into contact with the evaporator 202 (e.g., the drum thereof), thereby cooling the beverage product.

[0292] like Figure 10 As shown, the method 1000 may include, at step 1008, detecting a temperature associated with the beverage product via the temperature sensor(s) 406 and outputting a temperature signal. For example, the temperature sensor 406 positioned in the front portion of the mixing container 104 (e.g., on the front lower end of the drum of the evaporator 202) may periodically detect a temperature associated with the mixed beverage product and may generate a temperature signal based on each of the temperatures detected.

[0293] like Figure 10 As shown, method 1000 may include, at step 1010, storing a beverage data object representing a beverage type and specifying a first temperature setting corresponding to a first target temperature in memory 404. For example, controller 402 may cause a beverage data object to be stored in memory 404 of beverage maker 100, wherein the beverage data object represents a beverage type and wherein the beverage data object specifies a first temperature setting corresponding to the first target temperature. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, step 1010 may be performed before step 1002. A user may select an operational setting for beverage maker 100 via user interface 112 associated with the beverage data object.

[0294] like Figure 10 As shown, method 1000 may include receiving a temperature signal at controller 402 at step 1012. For example, one or more of the periodic temperature signals generated by temperature sensor(s) 406 at step 1008 may be output to controller 402 and received by controller 402. Controller 402 may be configured to interpret the temperature signal as being associated with temperature, and controller 402 may further control beverage maker 100 based on the temperature signal.

[0295] like Figure 10 As shown, method 1000 may include: at step 1014, by controller 402, controlling a temperature associated with the beverage product by controlling a cooling device (e.g., a cooling circuit) based on the received temperature signal, the first temperature value, and a manual temperature adjustment. For example, controller 402 may control the on / off state of compressor 214 to control the cooling circuit. Controller 402 may control the cooling circuit based on the first temperature value associated with the stored beverage data object to achieve and maintain the temperature in the beverage product (e.g., such that the detected temperature of the beverage product drops to or near the first temperature value). If a user of beverage maker 100 inputs any manual temperature adjustment (e.g., an upward or downward increment of the temperature in user interface 112), controller 402 may use the first temperature value plus a positive offset or a negative offset corresponding to the manual temperature adjustment as the temperature target for the beverage product.

[0296] like Figure 10As shown, method 1000 may include, at step 1016, receiving user input to adjust the manual temperature adjustment. For example, controller 402 may receive one or more user inputs for manual temperature adjustments via user interface 112. Controller 402 may then modify the offset to the target temperature based on the user input. Step 1016 may be performed before, during, or after the beverage product begins mixing and / or cooling in mixing container 104.

[0297] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the user input may indicate a desired thickness corresponding to a manual temperature adjustment. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the manual adjustment may be customized for the beverage type. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the manual adjustment may be universal for all beverage types. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the manual adjustment may be more refined and / or for a smaller range specific to a beverage type (e.g., corresponding to a Figure 6 ), or may be coarser and / or for a larger range that is not specific to a beverage type (e.g., across multiple or all beverage types), thereby allowing the user more leeway in adjusting thickness and / or temperature.

[0298] Now refer to Figure 11 , a flow chart illustrating a method 1100 for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker, according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Figure 11 Shown steps are for example purposes only.Should be appreciated that in some non-limiting embodiments or aspect, additional, fewer, different steps and / or different step sequences can be used.In some non-limiting embodiments or aspect, step can be carried out automatically in response to the carrying out and / or completion of previous steps.As shown in the figure, method 1100 comprises the following steps: when (for example, because the ice on the beverage product is too thick and / or evaporator 202 surfaces forms) is too high by the electric current (for example, by the electric current of drive motor 208) of automatic detection drive motor 208, and in response, the temperature of adjustment beverage product is to reduce the electric current of drive motor 208, thereby reduces the thickness of beverage product and / or thaws ice cube.

[0299] like Figure 11 As shown, method 1100 may include receiving a beverage product into a mixing container 104 of a beverage maker 100 at step 1102. For example, a user may pour the beverage product into a pouring opening 106 of the mixing container 104 to at least partially fill the mixing container 104 with the beverage product. When pouring is complete, the user may close the pouring opening 106.

[0300] like Figure 11As shown, the method 1100 may include, at step 1104, mixing the beverage product within the mixing container 104 using the drive motor 208. For example, the user may interact with the user interface 112 and select a power button, a temperature setting, a beverage product type, and / or an ice button to cause the controller 402 to initiate the mixing process. The controller 402 may cause the drive motor 208 to rotate the agitator 204 within the mixing container 104 to mix the beverage product.

[0301] like Figure 11 As shown, the method 1100 may include, at step 1106, cooling the beverage product in the mixing container 104 using a cooling device (e.g., a cooling circuit). For example, the controller 402 may turn on the compressor 214, thereby circulating the refrigerant through the cooling circuit, thereby reducing the temperature in the evaporator 202. When the beverage product is mixed by the blender 204, the beverage product may come into contact with the evaporator 202 (e.g., the drum thereof), thereby cooling the beverage product.

[0302] like Figure 11 As shown, the method 1100 may include, at step 1108, detecting a temperature associated with the beverage product via the temperature sensor(s) 406 and outputting a temperature signal. For example, the temperature sensor 406 positioned in the front portion of the mixing container 104 (e.g., on the front lower end of the drum of the evaporator 202) may periodically detect a temperature associated with the mixed beverage product and may generate a temperature signal based on each of the detected temperatures.

[0303] like Figure 11 As shown, the method 1100 may include, at step 1110, detecting a motor condition associated with the drive motor 208 via the motor condition sensor(s) 406 and outputting a motor condition signal. For example, the motor condition sensor 406, which is configured to measure one or more motor conditions (e.g., motor current, power, torque, etc.) of the drive motor 208, may periodically detect the motor condition associated with the drive motor 208 and may generate a motor condition signal based on each detected motor condition.

[0304] like Figure 11 As shown, the method 1100 may include, at step 1112, storing a first temperature value corresponding to the first target temperature and storing a motor condition limit in the memory 404. For example, the controller 402 may store the first temperature value and the motor condition limit in the memory 404 of the beverage maker 100, wherein the first temperature value corresponds to the first target temperature, and the motor condition limit (e.g., a threshold value) corresponds to a motor condition such as, but not limited to, current, power, and / or torque.

[0305] like Figure 11 As shown, the method 1100 may include receiving a temperature signal and a motor condition signal at the controller 402 at step 1114. For example, one or more of the periodic temperature signals generated by the temperature sensor(s) 406 at step 1108 may be output to the controller 402 and received by the controller 402. In addition, one or more of the periodic motor condition signals generated by the motor condition sensor(s) 406 at step 1110 may be output to the controller 402 and received by the controller 402.

[0306] like Figure 11 As shown, method 1100 may include, at step 1116, controlling, via controller 402, a temperature associated with the beverage product by controlling a cooling device (e.g., a cooling circuit) based on the received temperature signal, the received motor condition signal, the first temperature value, and the motor condition limit. For example, controller 402 may control the on / off state of compressor 214 to control the cooling circuit. Controller 402 may control the cooling circuit based on the first temperature value to achieve and maintain a temperature in the beverage product (e.g., such that the detected temperature of the beverage product falls to or near the first temperature value). If the motor condition signal satisfies the motor condition limit (e.g., meets and / or exceeds a threshold motor condition value), controller 402 may cycle compressor 214, pulse drive motor 208, and / or shut down compressor 214 and / or drive motor 208 for a period of time. Controller 402 may return compressor 214 and / or drive motor 208 to otherwise expected operation in response to the motor condition signal no longer satisfying the motor condition limit.

[0307] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, when the motor condition signal satisfies a motor knockout threshold (e.g., motor current, power, or torque is too high and / or high enough to damage the drive motor 208, which may be caused by excessive ice accumulation within the mixing container 104), the controller 402 may stop and / or deactivate the drive motor 208 to stop the rotation of the agitator 204. Excessive ice accumulation may be caused, for example, by filling the mixing container with liquid consisting solely of water or primarily of water (e.g., without a sufficiently high percentage of other ingredients such as sugar / alcohol), thereby creating ice on the surface of the evaporator 202 that is more difficult for the agitator 204 to scrape off the surface of the evaporator 202. Shutting down the drive motor 208 may also prevent damage to the agitator 204 caused by excessive hard ice accumulation. In addition to deactivating the drive motor 208, the controller 402 may also perform other actions. In some embodiments, the controller 402 may be configured to provide a plurality of motors for use in the beverage product. In some embodiments, the controller 402 may be configured to provide a plurality of motors for use in the beverage product. In some embodiments, the controller 402 may be configured to provide a plurality of motors for use in the beverage product. In some embodiments, the controller 402 may be configured to provide a plurality of motors for use in the beverage product. In some embodiments, the controller 402 may be configured to provide a plurality of motors for use in the beverage product. In some embodiments, the controller 402 may be configured to provide a plurality of motors for use in the beverage product. In some embodiments, the controller 402 may be configured to provide a plurality of motors for use in the beverage product. In some embodiments, the controller 402 may be configured to provide a plurality of motors for use in the beverage product. In some embodiments, the controller 402 may be configured to provide a plurality of motors for use in the beverage product. In some embodiments, the controller 402 may be configured to provide a plurality of motors for use in the beverage product. In some embodiments, the controller 402 may be configured to provide a plurality of motors for use in the beverage product. In some embodiments, the controller 402 may be configured to provide a plurality of motors for use in the beverage product.

[0308] Now refer to Figure 12A , illustrating a method 1200 for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker, according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Figure 12A The steps shown are for example purposes only. It should be understood that in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, additional, fewer, different steps and / or different step sequences may be used. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, steps may be automatically performed in response to the progress and / or completion of the previous steps. As shown, method 1200 may include the following steps: in response to detecting that the drive motor current (or power, torque, etc.) exceeds a limit such as, for example, due to excessive ice accumulation on the evaporator 202, automatically controlling the beverage making machine, which may interfere with the operation of the agitator 204 and / or agitator drive motor 208 or damage the agitator 204 and / or agitator drive motor 208. This situation may occur when the beverage product has insufficient raw materials (such as low percentage (e.g., 4%-6% or about 2% or even lower) of sugar, alcohol or other contents, etc.).

[0309] like Figure 12A As shown, the method 1200 may include, at step 1202, adding ingredients for a beverage product to the mixing container 104 and starting a program or processing sequence associated with, for example, a beverage data object stored in the memory 404. For example, the program may include operating the cooling circuit and / or the compressor 214, operating the drive motor 208 to rotate the agitator 204, and monitoring the current (or power, torque, etc.) of the drive motor 208.

[0310] like Figure 12A As shown, the method 1200 may include comparing the detected motor current (or power, torque, etc.) to a limit at step 1204. For example, the controller 402 may compare and determine whether the detected current (or power, torque, etc.) is greater than or equal to a current limit (or power limit, torque limit, etc.), such as a 40 watt power limit (see, e.g., Figure 9 ), etc. If the detected current (or power, torque, etc.) is less than the limit, the method 1200 may proceed to step 1220. In step 1220, the controller 402 may cycle the cooling circuit (e.g., turning the compressor 214 off and on) at a temperature set by the program and / or beverage data object for the beverage product being processed (e.g., a predefined temperature value defined by the beverage data object).

[0311] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, for a beverage product being processed by a beverage maker, a predefined temperature value for a beverage type selected or determined for the beverage product can be predefined because the predefined temperature value is determined (e.g., calculated) and set as a target temperature value for the beverage type before the beverage maker begins processing the beverage product (e.g., before the beverage maker begins executing a program for the beverage type). For example, the beverage maker can be configured with the predefined temperature value before being sold, or the predefined temperature value can be downloaded to the beverage maker (e.g., via a wireless interface) before the beverage product is processed.

[0312] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the predefined temperature value for a beverage type can be based on a predetermined phase transition temperature value associated with the beverage type. A phase transition of the beverage product can be considered to have occurred when at least a portion of the volume of the beverage product has begun to nucleate from a liquid state to a solid state (e.g., has begun to freeze). The phase transition temperature value for the beverage product or beverage type (which may be referred to herein as the freezing point of the beverage product or beverage type, respectively) can be a temperature determined to be the temperature at which a phase transition of the beverage product or beverage type, respectively, occurs.

[0313] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, during the cooling of the beverage product by the beverage maker, at the point in time of phase transition, the beverage product may not yet be in a state that would be considered a smoothie (e.g., a particulate frozen or semi-frozen beverage such as a slurry) or at least not be in the desired smoothie state. That is, at the time of phase transition, the beverage product may be primarily a liquid with some small ice cubes dispersed therein. As the beverage product continues to cool, a larger percentage of the volume of the beverage product may nucleate (e.g., freeze), causing the amount and size of the ice cubes to increase. As the ice cubes combine into larger masses, the beverage product as a whole becomes a smoothie. Within this smoothie state, there may be a range of smoothie viscosities or thicknesses because the smoothie continues to cool, becoming smoother (e.g., thicker), until ultimately, if cooling continues unrestricted, the beverage product may become a frozen solid. The target temperature value for a beverage product or beverage type may be a temperature value determined to produce a desired, ideal, and / or average smoothie viscosity for the beverage product or beverage type, respectively. Thus, the target temperature value for a beverage product or beverage type, respectively, may be a temperature value lower than the phase transition temperature value for the beverage product or beverage type, respectively. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the target temperature value for a beverage type selected by a user may be predefined (e.g., before processing the beverage product) based on empirical data (e.g., based on experiments / testing with the user and / or based on applying a formula to a predefined phase transition temperature value for the beverage type (e.g., a temperature offset, a linear equation, or a more complex formula), etc.).

[0314] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, as described herein, a phase change temperature value and a target temperature value for a beverage product (e.g., a beverage type of the beverage product) can be predetermined before the beverage product is processed by the beverage maker, or the phase change temperature value and the target temperature value for the beverage product can be determined by the beverage maker during processing of the beverage product. The beverage maker can take action based on the predetermined and / or determined phase change temperature value and / or target temperature value during processing.

[0315] like Figure 12A As shown, method 1200 may include disconnecting the cooling circuit at step 1206. For example, if the detected current (or power, torque, etc.) is greater than or equal to a limit, controller 402 may disconnect the cooling circuit for a certain period of time (e.g., by disconnecting compressor 214). The period of time may be greater than or equal to 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, or longer than 30 seconds.

[0316] like Figure 12AAs shown, the method 1200 may include determining whether the motor current (or power, torque, etc.) is greater than or equal to a limit at step 1208. For example, after a period of time when the cooling circuit is disconnected, the controller 402 may then compare and determine whether the motor current (or power, torque, etc.) is greater than or equal to a limit (e.g., Figure 9 If the detected current (or power, torque, etc.) is less than the limit, the controller 402 may proceed to step 1218 .

[0317] like Figure 12A As shown, method 1200 may include restarting the compressor at step 1218 . For example, controller 402 may restart the cooling circuit (eg, compressor 214 ) and then proceed to step 1220 .

[0318] like Figure 12A As shown, method 1200 may include, at step 1220, cycling the compressor off and on at the target temperature value. For example, controller 402 may cycle the cooling circuit (e.g., compressor 214) at the target temperature value. An exemplary threshold or current (or power, torque, etc.) limit (e.g., 40 W) may be dynamically set based on at least two different inputs: (i) the motor free load power (e.g., set during a calibration process in production) and (ii) the input voltage due to power supply variations, which may affect the motor power.

[0319] In addition to addressing ice accumulation that may be caused by undesirable amounts (e.g., relative to the volume of the beverage product) of certain ingredients, it is also possible to implement Figure 11 and FIG. 12A to FIG. 12B Described method and technology and its variation, to solve the user error when the target temperature value of the beverage product being processed is determined.Such user error may occur when selecting a beverage type that is different from or not similar enough to the beverage product being processed, and / or may occur by selecting a temperature adjustment that produces a target temperature value that is too low for the beverage product.About beverage type selection, for example, if the user selects a beverage type with relatively high sugar or alcohol concentration, but the actual beverage product being processed has less (e.g., significantly less) sugar and / or alcohol concentration than the selected beverage type, then the predefined temperature value will be too low, making this predefined temperature value lower (e.g., much lower) than the reasonable target temperature value of the beverage product.As a result, without limitation, the beverage making machine may continue to significantly cool the beverage product beyond the reasonable target temperature, and may reach the point where the resulting smoothie is too thick so that the drive motor 208 is overworked and the agitator 204 is flameout.

[0320] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the circulation of compressor 214 (for example, disconnecting and connecting compressor 214) can avoid above-mentioned complexity problem. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, controller 402 can be configured to determine user error and take action accordingly. For example, during the processing of beverage product, after repeatedly meeting the drive motor threshold value, controller 402 can change the target temperature value to a higher value (for example, in some cases, change to the predetermined target temperature of other beverage types). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, due to the configuration of cooling circuit, the time that compressor 214 is off can be about 3 minutes. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, different off time periods can be used. For example, about 30 seconds or less can be optimal. If detected current (or power, torque etc.) remains greater than or equal to limit after this time period, controller 402 can proceed to step 1210.

[0321] like Figure 12A As shown, the method 1200 may include, at step 1210 , disconnecting the drive motor. For example, the controller 402 may disconnect the drive motor 208 of the agitator 204 . The controller 402 may then proceed to step 1212 .

[0322] like Figure 12A As shown, method 1200 may include, at step 1212, periodically pulsing the drive motor 208. For example, the controller 402 may periodically pulse the drive motor 208 of the agitator 204. Pulsing may include running the drive motor 208 for a portion of a time period. For example, during a 20-second time period, the drive motor 208 may run or pulse for 5 seconds (e.g., the drive motor 208 is on for 5 seconds and off for 15 seconds). The time period and the duration of the pulsed drive may vary. For example, the pulsed drive may first be 10 seconds out of a 30-second time period, and / or the pulsed drive may then be 8 seconds out of a 16-second time period, and so on. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the drive motor 208 of the agitator 204 may be disconnected for the same period (e.g., 3 minutes) that the compressor 214 is off. Then, both the drive motor 208 and the compressor 214 may be reconnected, which may provide fewer on and off pulsed drives / cycles.

[0323] like Figure 12AAs shown, method 1200 may include: at step 1214, determining whether the detected current (or power, torque, etc.) is greater than or equal to a limit. For example, during the pulse driving process of step 1212, controller 402 may continuously compare and determine whether the detected current (or power, torque, etc.) is greater than or equal to the limit. If the detected current (or power, torque, etc.) is greater than the limit, controller 402 may proceed to step 1212. If controller 402 detects that the current (or power, torque, etc.) is less than the limit, controller 402 may proceed to step 1216.

[0324] like Figure 12A As shown, method 1200 may include, at step 1216, continuously operating drive motor 208. For example, controller 402 may continuously start and operate drive motor 208, proceed to step 1218, and then proceed to step 1220, where compressor 214 is restarted. In step 1220, controller 402 cycles the cooling circuit (e.g., compressor 214) off and on at the target temperature. Then, according to step 1204, controller 402 may continuously monitor the current (or power, torque, etc.) of drive motor 208.

[0325] Now refer to Figure 12B , a method 1249 for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker is shown, according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Figure 12B The steps shown are for example purposes only. It should be understood that in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, additional, fewer, different steps and / or different step sequences may be used. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, steps may be performed automatically in response to the progress and / or completion of previous steps. As shown, method 1249 may include the following steps: automatically controlling the beverage making machine in response to detecting when the drive motor current (or power, torque, etc.) exceeds one or more than one limit. It should be understood that reference to motor current in the following description may also refer to motor power and / or torque, etc., and motor current is used for ease of reference.

[0326] like Figure 12B As shown, method 1249 may include initiating processing and monitoring the temperature of the beverage product and the motor current of the drive motor at step 1250. For example, controller 402 may initiate processing of the beverage product by activating drive motor 208, and controller 402 may also monitor the temperature of the beverage product and the motor current of drive motor 208.

[0327] like Figure 12BAs shown, method 1249 may include, at step 1252, comparing the motor current to a first threshold. For example, controller 402 may compare the motor current to a first threshold (e.g., a first motor current limit). If the motor current meets (e.g., is greater than or equal to) the first threshold, controller 402 may proceed to step 1260. If the motor current does not meet the first threshold, controller 402 may proceed to step 1254.

[0328] like Figure 12B As shown, method 1249 may include, at step 1254, determining whether the cooling circuit is on. For example, controller 402 may determine whether the cooling circuit (e.g., compressor 214) is on. If the cooling circuit is not on, controller 402 may proceed to step 1258. If the cooling circuit is on, controller 402 may proceed to step 1256.

[0329] like Figure 12B As shown, method 1249 may include activating the cooling circuit at step 1258. For example, controller 402 may activate the cooling circuit (eg, compressor 214).

[0330] like Figure 12B As shown, method 1249 may include waiting for a predetermined period of time at step 1256. For example, controller 402 may wait for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 25 seconds, 30 seconds, or more than 30 seconds) before returning to steps 1250 and / or 1252.

[0331] like Figure 12B As shown, method 1249 may include, at step 1260, determining whether the cooling circuit is on. For example, controller 402 may determine whether the cooling circuit (e.g., compressor 214) is on. If the cooling circuit is on, controller 402 may proceed to step 1262. If the cooling circuit is not on, controller 402 may proceed to step 1264.

[0332] like Figure 12B As shown, method 1249 may include, at step 1262 , deactivating the cooling circuit. For example, controller 402 may deactivate the cooling circuit (eg, compressor 214 ). Thereafter, controller 402 may proceed to step 1264 .

[0333] like Figure 12BAs shown, method 1249 may include, at step 1264, determining whether the motor current satisfies a second threshold. For example, controller 402 may compare the motor current to a second threshold (e.g., a second motor current limit) and determine whether the second threshold is satisfied (e.g., meets or exceeds). If the second threshold is not satisfied, controller 402 may proceed to step 1270. If the second motor threshold is satisfied, controller 402 may proceed to step 1266.

[0334] like Figure 12B As shown, method 1249 may include, at step 1266, determining whether the drive motor is on. For example, controller 402 may determine whether drive motor 208 is on. If drive motor 208 is on, controller 402 may proceed to step 1268. If drive motor 208 is not on, controller 402 may proceed to step 1269.

[0335] like Figure 12B As shown, the method 1249 may include, at step 1268 , deactivating the drive motor. For example, the controller 402 may deactivate the drive motor 208 . Thereafter, the controller 402 may proceed to step 1269 .

[0336] like Figure 12B As shown, method 1249 may include waiting for a predetermined period of time at step 1269. For example, controller 402 may wait for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 25 seconds, 30 seconds, or more than 30 seconds) before returning to step 1264.

[0337] like Figure 12B As shown, method 1249 may include, at step 1270, determining whether the drive motor is on. For example, controller 402 may determine whether drive motor 208 is on. If drive motor 208 is on, controller 402 may proceed to step 1272. If drive motor 208 is not on, controller 402 may proceed to step 1274.

[0338] like Figure 12B As shown, method 1249 may include, at step 1274 , activating the drive motor. For example, controller 402 may activate drive motor 208 . Thereafter, controller 402 may proceed to step 1272 .

[0339] like Figure 12B As shown, method 1249 may include waiting for a predetermined period of time at step 1272. For example, controller 402 may wait for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 25 seconds, 30 seconds, or more than 30 seconds) before returning to step 1252.

[0340] Now refer to Figure 13 , a graph 1300 of beverage product temperature 1310 versus time 1311 is shown, according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, illustrating how a controller (e.g., controller 402) may determine a phase change in a beverage product when the rate of temperature change decreases from a first rate of change to a second rate of change. While compressor 214 (and thus the cooling circuit) is on, the cooling circuit may continuously extract energy from the beverage product's raw materials in mixing vessel 104. When the beverage product temperature is above the phase change temperature, the thermal gradient associated with the beverage product may be steep because all of the energy removed is entirely thermal change. As the liquid of the beverage product begins to freeze, the thermal gradient becomes shallow because the phase change is an isothermal event. Therefore, even when the cooling circuit is extracting energy from the beverage product at the same rate, the thermal gradient decreases significantly. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a phase change (e.g., at point 1312) may be determined to occur when the thermal gradient transitions from steep (e.g., a higher rate of change) to shallow (a lower rate of change).

[0341] For illustration purposes, Figure 13 The temperature gradient of a cola soft drink as the beverage product is shown as the temperature decreases within the mixing container 104 of the beverage maker 100. The temperature of the beverage product initially decreases at a first temperature rate of change along a first portion 1302 of the temperature gradient, but then changes to a second temperature rate of change along a second portion 1304 of the temperature gradient. The controller 402 can determine that the point at which the temperature rate of change changes from a higher rate of change (e.g., a steeper slope) to a lower rate of change (e.g., a smaller slope) occurs is approximately the phase transition temperature value at point 1312. The determined phase transition temperature value 1306 corresponds to the temperature at the determined and / or identified freezing point. In this case, the phase transition temperature value of the cola soft drink is approximately -1.5°C, while the calculated target temperature is approximately -2.0°C.

[0342] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, another method for determining and / or calculating when a phase change has occurred is for the controller 402 to continuously monitor the temperature via a sliding window over a time period, wherein the window of the time period advances incrementally in time as each temperature signal is detected. For example, the controller 402 may receive a temperature signal indicating the temperature of the beverage product being processed every 0.5 seconds. The controller 402 may compare the first temperature signal with the last temperature signal in a time period (e.g., a 30-second period). The controller 402 may compare the temperature at time t=30.0 seconds with the temperature at time t=0.0 seconds to determine a temperature change. The controller 402 may then continuously compare the temperature at time t=0.5 seconds with the temperature at time t=30.5 seconds to determine a temperature change, and so on. The controller 402 may determine the temperature change over a time period (e.g., 30 seconds) by subtracting the first temperature detected from the last temperature detected to determine and / or calculate the rate of temperature change over the time period. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller 402 can compare the determined temperature change rate with a constant rate of change value stored in the memory corresponding to a temperature change rate associated with one or more beverage product types after a phase transition from liquid to slush. For example, certain beverage product types can have a constant temperature change rate (e.g., a temperature change rate of approximately 0.18 degrees Celsius) during a slush phase.

[0343] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller 402 may continuously and / or repeatedly determine the rate of change of the temperature of the beverage product being processed until the controller 402 determines and / or calculates a rate of change that is approximately equal to an expected or constant rate of change of temperature associated with the type of beverage product that has transitioned from a liquid phase to a smoothie phase. Once the controller 402 detects the expected rate of change of temperature, the controller 402 may determine and / or calculate when the phase change and / or transition occurred with reference to the first temperature detection increment of the time period. Figure 13 As shown, the slope and / or rate of change of the second portion 1304 of the temperature gradient can correspond to, for example, a constant rate of change of approximately 0.18 degrees Celsius associated with the beverage product type being processed. Thus, the controller 402 can determine the phase transition temperature value by determining when the phase transition temperature value at point 1312 is reached. The relationship between the expected phase transition temperature value and the target temperature value is further described below.

[0344] Now refer to Figure 14, a graph 1400 illustrating a linear relationship between phase transition temperature values ​​and target temperature values ​​according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects is shown. Setting the temperature to achieve a desired smoothie thickness for a given beverage type can be difficult. For a given smoothie thickness, different ingredients for different beverage types may require significantly different temperatures. While the impact of a slight change in temperature for a given beverage type, as low as 0.1°C or 0.2°C, may be noticeable to the user, a wide range of temperatures may be required. Consequently, it can be difficult to know where to begin and how to dial in the temperature setting for a particular beverage type. Therefore, the controller 402 can be configured to more efficiently and timely determine a target temperature that can achieve an optimal and / or desired smoothie thickness. The temperature for achieving a roughly desired smoothie thickness can be linearly correlated with the phase transition temperature value of the ingredients for the particular beverage type. By programming this correlation into a memory (e.g., memory 404), the controller 402 can automatically determine and / or calculate the target temperature based on the identified phase transition temperature value for the particular beverage type. Figure 14 The linear relationship between the phase change temperature value 1402 and the calculated target temperature or nominal smoothie thickness value 1404 is shown. Figure 14 As shown, a phase transition temperature value of -1.5°C is associated with a target temperature value of approximately -2.0°C. Graph 1400 illustrates a linear relationship between various phase transition temperature values ​​and target temperature values ​​for multiple beverage types. This linear relationship between phase transition temperature and target temperature can be similar across all ingredient types (such as, but not limited to, dairy, soda, and / or alcohol).

[0345] Now refer to Figure 15 , a flow chart illustrating a method 1500 for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker, according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Figure 15 The steps shown are for illustrative purposes only. It should be understood that in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, additional, fewer, different steps and / or different step sequences may be used. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, steps may be automatically performed in response to the execution and / or completion of previous steps. As shown, method 1500 may include the following steps: in response to detecting a condition related to the temperature of the beverage product (such as when a phase change occurs, etc.), automatically controlling the beverage making machine (e.g., beverage making machine 100).

[0346] like Figure 15As shown, method 1500 may include, at step 1502, adding ingredients for a beverage product to the mixing container 104 and starting a program, which may be based on the beverage data object stored in the memory 404. For example, the started program may include operating the cooling circuit and / or the compressor 214, operating the drive motor 208 to rotate the agitator 204, and continuously monitoring the beverage product temperature using the at least one sensor 406.

[0347] like Figure 15 As shown, method 1500 may include, at step 1504, determining whether a phase transition of the beverage product has occurred above a target temperature. For example, controller 402 may determine whether a phase transition has occurred in the beverage product at a temperature above the target temperature. If a phase transition has occurred above the target temperature, controller 402 may proceed to step 1508. If a phase transition has not occurred, controller 402 may proceed to step 1506 after a certain period of time.

[0348] For example, if the beverage product is a cola soft drink, the expected phase transition temperature value may be approximately -1.5°C, while the preset target temperature value may be approximately -2.0°C. If the cola soft drink product is diluted with additional water, resulting in a significant reduction in its sugar concentration, the actual phase transition of the cola soft drink product may occur at approximately -1.0°C, where -1.0°C is higher than the expected phase transition temperature of -1.5°C and the target temperature of -2.0°C. Water has a phase transition temperature of 0°C, so the addition of water will increase the phase transition temperature of the beverage product. As in step 1508, controller 402 can detect this premature phase transition and / or phase transition above the target temperature value and take action. Additionally or alternatively, controller 402 can perform a portion of method 1200 as shown in FIG. Controller 402 can perform method 1500 and portions of method 1200 separately, simultaneously, or in combination, depending on the circumstances. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the only action taken by the controller 402 based on the determined phase change temperature relative to the threshold and / or target temperature may be to continue processing (for example, if the detected temperature of the beverage product is within an allowable temperature range (such as between a maximum temperature limit and a minimum temperature limit associated with the beverage product in an associated beverage data object that may be stored in memory), or to output an error via the user interface 112 if it is outside the range.

[0349] like Figure 15As shown, method 1500 may include, at step 1508, alerting the user. For example, in response to the temperature being above the target temperature, controller 402 may initiate a phase transition such that an alert is output to the user (e.g., via user interface 112) indicating that an insufficient amount of sugar, alcohol, and / or other ingredients has been added to a beverage product associated with the beverage type, or that an incorrect beverage type has been selected for the ingredients of the beverage product being processed.

[0350] like Figure 15 As shown, method 1500 may include, at step 1506, determining whether a phase transition has occurred at or near the target temperature. For example, controller 402 may determine whether a phase transition has occurred at or near the target temperature. If a phase transition has occurred at or near the target temperature, controller 402 may proceed to step 1516. If a phase transition has not occurred at or near the target temperature, controller 402 may proceed to step 1510.

[0351] like Figure 15 As shown, method 1500 may include, at step 1516, cycling the compressor off and on. For example, controller 402 may cycle the cooling circuit (e.g., compressor 214) off and on to maintain the beverage product temperature at or near a target temperature. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, controller 402 may apply an offset and / or error adjustment equal to plus or minus 10% of the target temperature value when identifying and / or determining the phase transition temperature value of the beverage product.

[0352] like Figure 15 As shown, method 1500 may include, at step 1510, detecting supercooling. For example, if no phase change is identified at or near the target temperature and the beverage product temperature continues to decrease at approximately the same rate of change, the controller 402 may determine that the beverage product is in a supercooled state (e.g., the beverage product is still in its liquid phase and has not yet undergone a phase change, while the beverage product temperature is below its expected phase change temperature). Once the controller 402 determines that supercooling is occurring, the controller 402 may optionally proceed to step 1512.

[0353] like Figure 15 As shown, method 1500 may include pulsing the agitator drive motor to induce nucleation at step 1512. For example, controller 402 may pulse the drive motor 208 of agitator 204 so that when agitation is stopped, ice may more easily begin to nucleate, thereby triggering a phase change in the beverage product.

[0354] like Figure 15As shown, method 1500 may include, at step 1514, determining whether a phase transition has occurred above the shutoff temperature. For example, if the beverage product temperature continues to decrease but the controller 402 identifies a phase transition above the shutoff temperature, method 1500 may proceed to step 1516, where the controller 402 cycles the compressor 214 on and off to maintain the beverage product temperature at approximately the target temperature. If the controller 402 determines that a phase transition has not occurred above the shutoff temperature, the controller 402 may proceed to step 1518.

[0355] like Figure 15 Shown, method 1500 may include: at step 1518, cut off (shut off) compressor, cut off agitator drive motor and to user alert. For example, controller 402 can cut off compressor 214 and drive motor 208, and shut down (shut down) to user alert via user interface 112. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, maximum shut-off temperature and minimum shut-off temperature can be configured or predefined in association with the type of beverage product. Maximum shut-off temperature and minimum shut-off temperature can be stored in memory in association with beverage product of special type and / or specific beverage product. When reaching or exceeding maximum shut-off temperature threshold or minimum shut-off temperature threshold, controller 402 can cut off compressor 214 and / or drive motor 208.

[0356] Now refer to Figure 16 , a flow chart illustrating a method 1600 for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker, according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Figure 16 The steps shown are for illustrative purposes only. It should be understood that in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, additional, fewer, different steps and / or different step sequences may be used. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a step may be automatically performed in response to the execution and / or completion of a previous step. As shown, method 1600 may include the following steps: automatically controlling a beverage making machine in response to detecting a condition related to the temperature of the beverage product (such as when a phase change occurs, etc.).

[0357] like Figure 16 As shown, the method 1600 may include: at step 1602, adding ingredients to the mixing container 104, starting processing based on the programmed beverage data object, activating the compressor 214, activating the drive motor 208, and monitoring the beverage product temperature. Figure 13 As described above, the controller 402 may use a sliding window temperature monitoring technique. The controller 402 may monitor the temperature of the beverage product and continuously determine the rate of change of the temperature of the beverage product to determine whether a phase change has occurred.

[0358] like Figure 16 As shown, method 1600 may include, at step 1604, determining whether a phase change has occurred based on the rate of temperature change. For example, controller 402 may determine whether a phase change has occurred in the beverage product based on the rate of temperature change. If a phase change has occurred, controller 402 may proceed to step 1606. If a phase change has not occurred, controller 402 may proceed to step 1608.

[0359] like Figure 16 As shown, method 1600 may include continuing normal operation of the beverage maker at step 1606. For example, in response to determining that a phase change has occurred, controller 402 may determine that overcooling has not occurred and controller 402 may continue normal operation of beverage maker 100.

[0360] like Figure 16 As shown, method 1600 may include: at step 1608, determining whether the beverage product temperature is at or below the target temperature. For example, controller 402 may determine whether the beverage product temperature is at or below the target temperature. If the current beverage product temperature is not at or below the target temperature, controller 402 may proceed to step 1612. If controller 402 determines that the current beverage product temperature is at or below the target temperature, controller 402 may proceed to step 1610.

[0361] like Figure 16 As shown, method 1600 may include continuing normal operation of the beverage maker 100 at step 1612. For example, in response to determining that the beverage product temperature is not at or below the target temperature, controller 402 may determine that overcooling has not occurred, and controller 402 may continue normal operation of beverage maker 100.

[0362] like Figure 16 As shown, method 1600 may include, at step 1610, identifying overcooling and taking mitigating action. For example, controller 402 may determine that overcooling is occurring. Controller 402 may keep compressor 214 on and pulse drive motor 208 to pulse the rotation of stirrer 204, thereby promoting ice nucleation.

[0363] like Figure 16As shown, method 1600 may include, at step 1614, determining a phase transition temperature and determining whether the beverage product temperature value is greater than a low sugar threshold temperature. For example, after monitoring the beverage product temperature over a certain period of time, controller 402 may determine and / or calculate the phase transition temperature, and controller 402 may determine whether the beverage product temperature value is greater than the low sugar threshold temperature. If the beverage product temperature value is greater than the low sugar threshold temperature, controller 402 may proceed to step 1618. If the beverage product temperature is not greater than the low sugar threshold temperature, controller 402 may proceed to step 1616.

[0364] like Figure 16 As shown, method 1600 may include stopping the drive motor and compressor and generating an alarm at step 1618. For example, controller 402 may stop compressor 214 and drive motor 208 and may also issue an alarm via user interface 112 to indicate a low sugar condition and / or an error.

[0365] like Figure 16 As shown, method 1600 may include, at step 1616, determining whether the beverage product temperature value is less than a high alcohol threshold value. For example, controller 402 may compare the beverage product temperature value to a high alcohol threshold temperature and determine whether the beverage product temperature value is less than the high alcohol threshold temperature. If the beverage product temperature value is less than the high alcohol threshold temperature, controller 402 may proceed to step 1622. If the beverage product temperature value is not less than the high alcohol threshold temperature, controller 402 may proceed to step 1620.

[0366] like Figure 16 As shown, method 1600 may include continuing normal operation of the beverage maker 100 at step 1620. For example, in response to determining that the beverage product temperature is not less than the high alcohol threshold temperature, controller 402 may determine that the beverage product is being processed as expected, and controller 402 may continue normal operation of beverage maker 100.

[0367] like Figure 16 As shown, method 1600 may include, at step 1622, stopping the drive motor and the compressor and generating an alert to the user. For example, controller 402 may stop compressor 214 and drive motor 208 and may also issue an alert indicating a high alcohol condition and / or error via user interface 112. Alternatively, controller 402 may issue a high alcohol alert but keep compressor 214 and drive motor 208 running. In this case, beverage maker 100 may not provide a beverage product with a thick slush, but the beverage product will still be chilled.

[0368] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller 402 can determine the temperature for achieving an approximately desired smoothie thickness based on a correlation with the phase transition temperature values ​​of the ingredients for a particular type of beverage product. By being programmed with this correlation, the controller 402 can automatically determine the target temperature based on the calculated phase transition temperature values ​​as described above (see, e.g., Figure 14 ). In some cases, a user can configure and / or program a custom beverage product type based on custom ingredients, wherein the controller 402 can determine the phase transition temperature value of the custom beverage type, and thereby automatically determine the target temperature for the custom beverage product type to have a desired and / or typical smoothie thickness. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller 402 may have a "training mode" for new beverage types and custom beverage types without the need for a known target temperature value. In the training mode, the controller 402 can determine the phase transition temperature value and the target temperature value therefrom. The controller 402 can display settings for new beverage product types and / or custom beverage product types via the user interface 112.

[0369] Now refer to Figure 17 , a flow chart illustrating a method 1700 for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker, according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Figure 17 The steps shown are for illustrative purposes only. It should be understood that in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, additional, fewer, different steps and / or a different order of steps may be used. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a step may be automatically performed in response to the performance and / or completion of a previous step. As shown, method 1700 may include the following steps: automatically determining a phase transition temperature value of a beverage product being processed, and controlling a beverage making machine based on such determination.

[0370] like Figure 17 As shown, method 1700 may include initiating processing and monitoring of the temperature of the beverage product and the motor current (or power, torque, etc.) of the drive motor at step 1250. For example, the controller 402 may initiate processing of the beverage product by activating the drive motor 208, and the controller 402 may also monitor the temperature of the beverage product and the motor current (or power, torque, etc.) of the drive motor 208.

[0371] like Figure 17 As shown, the method 1700 may include receiving a next temperature signal at step 1704 . For example, the controller 402 may receive a next temperature signal from among the plurality of temperature signals communicated by the temperature sensor 406 .

[0372] like Figure 17As shown, method 1700 may include, at step 1706, comparing the next temperature signal to the first temperature threshold. For example, controller 402 may compare the next temperature signal received at step 1704 to the first temperature threshold (e.g., comparing their associated temperature values). If the next temperature signal is less than the first temperature threshold, controller 402 may proceed to step 1708. If the next temperature signal is not less than the first temperature threshold, controller 402 may proceed to step 1710.

[0373] like Figure 17 As shown, method 1700 may include, at step 1708, alerting a user of beverage maker 100 and / or taking other actions. For example, controller 402 may cause an alert to be generated to the user and / or take one or more remedial actions including shutting off drive motor 208 and / or shutting off compressor 214 in response to the next temperature signal being less than a first temperature threshold.

[0374] like Figure 17 As shown, method 1700 may include determining a rate of change of the next temperature signal at step 1710. For example, controller 402 may determine the rate of change of the next temperature signal by comparing the next temperature signal to the previous temperature signal and dividing by the time elapsed between the temperature signals.

[0375] like Figure 17 As shown, method 1700 may include, at step 1712, comparing the determined rate of change to a threshold rate of change. For example, controller 402 may compare the temperature rate of change determined at step 1710 to the threshold rate of change. If the determined rate of change is greater than the threshold rate of change, controller 402 may return to step 1704 and receive the next temperature signal. If the determined rate of change is not greater than the threshold rate of change, controller 402 may proceed to step 1714.

[0376] like Figure 17 As shown, method 1700 may include determining a phase transition temperature value at step 1714. For example, if the rate of change is less than a threshold rate of change, controller 402 may detect that a phase transition is occurring in the beverage product. Controller 402 may then determine the temperature of the beverage product at the time of the phase transition.

[0377] like Figure 17As shown, method 1700 may include, at step 1716, comparing the determined phase transition temperature value with a second temperature threshold. For example, controller 402 may compare the phase transition temperature value determined at step 1714 with the second temperature threshold. If the phase transition temperature value is less than the second temperature threshold, controller 402 may proceed to step 1718. If the phase transition temperature value is greater than or equal to the second temperature threshold, controller 402 may proceed to step 1720.

[0378] like Figure 17 As shown, the method 1700 may include, at step 1718, alerting a user of the beverage maker 100 and / or taking other actions. For example, the controller 402 may generate an alert to the user and / or take one or more remedial actions including shutting off the drive motor 208 and / or shutting off the compressor 214 in response to the phase change temperature value being less than the second temperature threshold.

[0379] like Figure 17 As shown, method 1700 may include determining a target temperature value based on the phase transition temperature value at step 1720. For example, controller 402 may determine the target temperature value based on the phase transition temperature value. The determined target temperature value may be close to the phase transition temperature value (e.g., offset from the phase transition temperature value by a lower temperature).

[0380] like Figure 17 As shown, method 1700 may include controlling the process based on the determined target temperature value at step 1722. For example, controller 402 may control the process of beverage maker 100 based on the target temperature value determined at step 1720. By way of further example, controller 402 may cycle compressor 214 to maintain the beverage product at or near the target temperature value.

[0381] Now refer to Figure 18 , a flow chart illustrating a method 1800 for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker, according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Figure 18 The steps shown are for illustrative purposes only. It should be understood that in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, additional, fewer, different steps and / or a different order of steps may be used. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a step may be automatically performed in response to the performance and / or completion of a previous step. As shown, method 1800 may include the steps of automatically determining when overcooling or a user error has occurred and taking appropriate action.

[0382] like Figure 18As shown, method 1800 may include initiating processing and monitoring of the temperature of the beverage product and the motor current (or power, torque, etc.) of the drive motor at step 1250. For example, the controller 402 may initiate processing of the beverage product by activating the drive motor 208, and the controller 402 may also monitor the temperature of the beverage product and the motor current (or power, torque, etc.) of the drive motor 208.

[0383] like Figure 18 As shown, the method 1800 may include receiving a next temperature signal at step 1704 . For example, the controller 402 may receive a next temperature signal from among the plurality of temperature signals communicated by the temperature sensor 406 .

[0384] like Figure 18 As shown, method 1800 may include, at step 1706, comparing the next temperature signal to the first temperature threshold. For example, controller 402 may compare the next temperature signal received at step 1704 to the first temperature threshold (e.g., comparing their associated temperature values). If the next temperature signal is less than the first temperature threshold, controller 402 may proceed to step 1708. If the next temperature signal is not less than the first temperature threshold, controller 402 may proceed to step 1710.

[0385] like Figure 18 As shown, method 1800 may include, at step 1708, alerting a user of beverage maker 100 and / or taking other actions. For example, controller 402 may generate an alert to the user and / or take one or more remedial actions including shutting off drive motor 208 and / or shutting off compressor 214 in response to the next temperature signal being less than a first temperature threshold.

[0386] like Figure 18 As shown, method 1800 may include determining a rate of change of the next temperature signal at step 1710. For example, controller 402 may determine the rate of change of the next temperature signal by comparing the next temperature signal to the previous temperature signal and dividing by the time elapsed between the temperature signals.

[0387] like Figure 18 As shown, method 1800 may include, at step 1712, comparing the determined rate of change to a threshold rate of change. For example, controller 402 may compare the temperature rate of change determined at step 1710 to the threshold rate of change. If the determined rate of change is greater than the threshold rate of change, controller 402 may proceed to step 1814. If the determined rate of change is not greater than the threshold rate of change, controller 402 may proceed to step 1812.

[0388] like Figure 18As shown, method 1800 may include, at step 1812, alerting a user of beverage maker 100 and / or taking other actions. For example, controller 402 may generate an alert to the user and / or take one or more remedial actions including shutting off drive motor 208 and / or shutting off compressor 214 in response to the next temperature signal being less than a first temperature threshold.

[0389] like Figure 18 As shown, method 1800 may include, at step 1814, determining whether a predetermined target temperature has been reached in the beverage product. For example, the controller may determine the current temperature of the beverage product based on a temperature signal received from temperature sensor 406 and compare the current temperature to the predetermined target temperature. By way of further example, if the current temperature is equal to the predetermined target temperature or is within an acceptable range relative to the predetermined target temperature, the controller 402 may determine that the predetermined target temperature has been reached. If the predetermined target temperature has been reached, the controller 402 may proceed to step 1816. If the predetermined target temperature has not yet been reached, the controller 402 may return to step 1704 and receive the next temperature signal from temperature sensor 406.

[0390] like Figure 18 As shown, method 1800 may include controlling the process based on the predetermined target temperature value at step 1816. For example, controller 402 may control the process of beverage maker 100 based on the predetermined target temperature value. By way of further example, controller 402 may cycle compressor 214 to maintain the beverage product at or near the predetermined target temperature value.

[0391] Now refer to Figure 19 , a flow chart illustrating a method 1900 for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker, according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Figure 19 The steps shown are for illustrative purposes only. It should be understood that in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, additional, fewer, different steps and / or a different order of steps may be used. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a step may be automatically performed in response to the performance and / or completion of a previous step. As shown, method 1900 may include the steps of automatically determining when a phase transition temperature value is too high and taking action accordingly.

[0392] like Figure 19 As shown, method 1900 may include initiating processing and monitoring of the temperature of the beverage product and the motor current (or power, torque, etc.) of the drive motor at step 1250. For example, the controller 402 may initiate processing of the beverage product by activating the drive motor 208, and the controller 402 may also monitor the temperature of the beverage product and the motor current (or power, torque, etc.) of the drive motor 208.

[0393] like Figure 19 As shown, the method 1900 may include receiving a next temperature signal at step 1704 . For example, the controller 402 may receive a next temperature signal from among the plurality of temperature signals communicated by the temperature sensor 406 .

[0394] like Figure 19 As shown, method 1900 may include, at step 1706, comparing the next temperature signal to the first temperature threshold. For example, controller 402 may compare the next temperature signal received at step 1704 to the first temperature threshold (e.g., comparing their associated temperature values). If the next temperature signal is less than the first temperature threshold, controller 402 may proceed to step 1708. If the next temperature signal is not less than the first temperature threshold, controller 402 may proceed to step 1710.

[0395] like Figure 19 As shown, method 1900 may include, at step 1708, alerting a user of beverage maker 100 and / or taking other actions. For example, controller 402 may generate an alert to the user and / or take one or more remedial actions including shutting off drive motor 208 and / or shutting off compressor 214 in response to the next temperature signal being less than a first temperature threshold.

[0396] like Figure 19 As shown, method 1900 may include determining a rate of change of the next temperature signal at step 1710. For example, controller 402 may determine the rate of change of the next temperature signal by comparing the next temperature signal to the previous temperature signal and dividing by the time elapsed between the temperature signals.

[0397] like Figure 19 As shown, method 1900 may include, at step 1712, comparing the determined rate of change to a threshold rate of change. For example, controller 402 may compare the temperature rate of change determined at step 1710 to the threshold rate of change. If the determined rate of change is not greater than the threshold rate of change, controller 402 may proceed to step 1812. If the determined rate of change is greater than the threshold rate of change, controller 402 may proceed to step 1714.

[0398] like Figure 19 As shown, method 1900 may include, at step 1812, alerting a user of beverage maker 100 and / or taking other actions. For example, controller 402 may generate an alert to the user and / or take one or more remedial actions including shutting off drive motor 208 and / or shutting off compressor 214 in response to the next temperature signal being less than a first temperature threshold.

[0399] like Figure 19 As shown, method 1900 may include determining a phase transition temperature value at step 1714. For example, if the rate of change is less than a threshold rate of change, controller 402 may detect that a phase transition is occurring in the beverage product. Controller 402 may then determine the temperature of the beverage product at the time of the phase transition.

[0400] like Figure 19 As shown, method 1900 may include, at step 1916, comparing the determined phase change temperature value with a second temperature threshold. For example, controller 402 may compare the phase change temperature value determined at step 1714 with the second temperature threshold. If the phase change temperature value is greater than or equal to the second temperature threshold, controller 402 may return to step 1704 and receive the next temperature signal. If the phase change temperature value is less than the second temperature threshold, controller 402 may proceed to step 1918.

[0401] like Figure 19 As shown, method 1900 may include, at step 1918, alerting a user of beverage maker 100 and / or taking other actions. For example, controller 402 may generate an alert to the user and / or take one or more remedial actions including shutting off drive motor 208 and / or shutting off compressor 214 in response to the next temperature signal being less than a first temperature threshold.

[0402] Now refer to Figure 20 , a flow chart illustrating a method 2000 for processing a beverage product in a beverage maker, according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Figure 20 The steps shown are for illustrative purposes only. It should be understood that in some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, additional, fewer, different steps and / or a different order of steps may be used. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a step may be automatically performed in response to the performance and / or completion of a previous step. Figure 20 As shown, one or more steps of method 2000 may be performed by one or more components of beverage maker 100, including control system 400 and / or controller 402. Additionally or alternatively, one or more steps of method 2000 may be performed by one or more different components of beverage maker 100 other than control system 400 and / or controller 402.

[0403] like Figure 20As shown, the method 2000 may include: mixing the beverage product in the mixing container at step 2002. For example, after the beverage product is poured into the mixing container 104 of the beverage making machine 100, the agitator 204 driven by the drive motor 208 may mix the beverage product in the mixing container 104.

[0404] like Figure 20 As shown, the method 2000 may include cooling the beverage product in the mixing container at step 2004. For example, a cooling circuit (e.g., including the compressor 214, the evaporator 202, the condenser 216, the condenser fan 218, the bypass valve, and the conduit) may cool the beverage product in the mixing container 104.

[0405] like Figure 20 As shown, the method 2000 may include repeatedly detecting a temperature associated with the beverage product at step 2006. For example, the sensor 406 (eg, controlled by the controller 402) may repeatedly detect a temperature associated with the beverage product within the mixing container 104.

[0406] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the sensor 406 can be configured to repeatedly detect the temperature associated with the beverage product at periodic intervals in the range of about 0.1 seconds to about 5 seconds when repeatedly detecting the temperature associated with the beverage product. The length of each detection interval can be the same as or different from the previous detection interval. The temperature signal output from the sensor 406 can indicate the temperature detected at the corresponding periodic interval. For example, at t = 0 seconds, the sensor 406 can detect that the temperature of the beverage product is 2.37 ° C and outputs a first temperature signal indicating 2.37 ° C to the controller 402, at t = 5 seconds, the sensor 406 can detect that the temperature of the beverage product is 2.40 ° C and outputs a second temperature signal indicating 2.40 ° C to the controller 402, and at t = 10 seconds, the sensor 406 can detect that the temperature of the beverage product is 2.43 ° C and outputs a third temperature signal indicating 2.43 ° C to the controller 402.

[0407] like Figure 20 As shown, method 2000 may include outputting a temperature signal indicating the detected temperature at step 2008. For example, sensor 406 (e.g., controlled by controller 402) may output a temperature signal indicating the detected temperature of step 2006. Controller 402 may receive the temperature signal output by sensor 406.

[0408] like Figure 20As shown, method 2000 may include determining that a threshold condition associated with a phase change of the beverage product has been met at step 2010. For example, controller 402 may determine that a threshold condition associated with a phase change of the beverage product (e.g., a transition from a liquid phase to a solid phase) has been met based on the temperature signal output in step 2008.

[0409] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the threshold condition associated with the phase change of the beverage product may include a threshold temperature value associated with the phase change of the beverage product. For example, the threshold temperature value may be in the range of about -1°C to about -9°C, and the threshold temperature value may also depend on the beverage type selected by the user in the user interface of the beverage maker 100. By further example, a beverage product with low sugar / alcohol content may have a threshold temperature value in the range of about -1°C to about -2.3°C (e.g., a threshold temperature value of -2°C). For further illustration, a beverage product with high sugar / alcohol content may have a threshold temperature value in the range of about -5.8°C to about -8.8°C (e.g., a threshold temperature value of -7°C).

[0410] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the threshold condition associated with the phase change of the beverage product may include a threshold rate of change. For example, the controller 402 may be configured to determine a temperature rate of change based on the temperature signal received from the sensor 406. By way of further example, the controller 402 may determine a first temperature at a first time step, determine a second temperature at a second time step that is a time period after the first time step, determine a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, and divide the difference by the time period.

[0411] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the threshold rate of change associated with the phase change of the beverage product can have a value in the range of about 0.002 degrees Celsius / second to about 0.006 degrees Celsius / second. The controller 402 can be configured to, when it is determined that the threshold condition has been met, determine that the temperature rate of change is less than or equal to the threshold rate of change. For example, the controller 402 can determine a value (e.g., an absolute value) of the temperature rate of change of the beverage product of 0.003 degrees Celsius / second, which value can be less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value (e.g., an absolute value) of the rate of change of 0.004 degrees Celsius / second, and based on the comparison, the controller 402 can determine that the threshold condition has been met. In response to determining that the temperature rate of change is less than or equal to the threshold rate of change, the controller 402 can determine that a phase change has occurred. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 402 can be configured to, when it is determined that the threshold condition has been met, determine that the temperature rate of change is greater than or equal to the threshold rate of change. For example, the controller 402 may determine that a value (e.g., an absolute value) of a beverage product temperature change rate of 0.010 degrees Celsius per second may be less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value (e.g., an absolute value) of a rate of change of 0.006 degrees Celsius per second, and based on this comparison, the controller 402 may determine that the threshold condition has been met. This determination may also be combined with a comparison of elapsed time, as described below.

[0412] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the controller 402 can also be configured to determine the elapsed time of the mixing of the beverage product. The threshold condition associated with the phase change of the beverage product can also include a threshold duration. The controller 402 can also be configured to, when it is determined that the threshold condition has been met, determine that the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the threshold duration. For example, the controller 402 can be determined to have passed 35 minutes of a threshold duration greater than 30 minutes, and the temperature change rate can be 0.010 degrees Celsius / second less than or equal to a predetermined threshold. Based on this comparison, the controller 402 can determine the threshold condition to be met, and can generate an alarm to the user (for example, indicating that the sugar / alcohol content of the beverage product is too high, which may result in a delayed extension of the phase change).

[0413] like Figure 20 As shown, the method 2000 may include alerting a user of the beverage maker 100 at step 2012. For example, the controller 402 may alert a user of the beverage maker 100 in response to determining that a threshold condition has been met.

[0414] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the threshold temperature value may include a minimum threshold temperature value. Determining that the threshold condition has been met (at step 2010) may include determining that the temperature value of the phase change of the beverage product is less than or equal to the minimum threshold temperature value. For example, the minimum threshold temperature value may be -9°C, and the controller 402 may determine that the temperature value of the phase change is less than (e.g., colder than) or equal to -9°C. The alarm (at step 2012) may indicate to the user that the beverage product must be modified before proper smoothie formation can occur (e.g., adding an additional liquid with a low sugar / alcohol content or no sugar / alcohol content to the mixing container 104 to reduce the total sugar / alcohol content of the beverage product).

[0415] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the threshold temperature value may include a maximum threshold temperature value. Determining that the threshold condition has been met (at step 2010) may include determining that the temperature value of the phase transition of the beverage product is greater than or equal to the maximum threshold temperature value. For example, the minimum threshold temperature value may be -1°C, and the controller 402 may determine that the temperature value of the phase transition is greater than (e.g., warmer than) or equal to -1°C. The alarm (at step 2012) may indicate to the user that the beverage product must be modified before proper smoothie formation can occur (e.g., adding additional liquid with a relatively high sugar / alcohol content to the mixing container 104 to increase the total sugar / alcohol content of the beverage product).

[0416] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the beverage maker 100 may include at least one output device, such as a display, a speaker, and / or a light indicator. The controller 402 may be configured to cause the at least one output device to alert the user of the beverage maker in step 2012. For example, the at least one output device may include one or more displays of the beverage maker 100, and the controller 402 may be configured to cause the one or more displays to generate a visual alert (e.g., an image output, a video output, and / or an illuminated icon / symbol, etc.). By way of further example, the at least one output device may include one or more speakers of the beverage maker 100, and the controller 402 may be configured to cause the one or more speakers to generate an audible alert (e.g., a beep, a series of sounds, and / or one or more audio waves, etc.). For further illustration, the at least one output device may include one or more light indicators of the beverage maker 100, and the controller 402 may be configured to cause the one or more light indicators to generate a visual alert (e.g., illuminated solidly and / or intermittently, etc.). The controller 402 may cause one or more of the at least one output device to activate to alert the user in response to determining that a phase change has occurred (such as in step 2010 ).

[0417] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one output device may include at least one speaker, and the controller 402 may be configured to cause the at least one speaker to emit a series of sounds (e.g., audible notes) when the alarm is generated. For example, the series of sounds may include a plurality of sounds having at least one of ascending pitch and ascending volume when produced in succession (e.g., a plurality of audible notes including an increase in pitch or volume, such as, but not limited to, an ascending trill, etc.). By way of another example, the series of sounds may include a plurality of sounds having at least one of descending pitch and descending volume when produced in succession (e.g., a plurality of audible notes including a decrease in pitch or volume, such as, but not limited to, a descending trill, etc.).

[0418] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, at least one output device may include a plurality of light indicators (e.g., LEDs). For example, the plurality of light indicators may be configured to illuminate sequentially when the controller 402 causes the user of the beverage maker to be alerted. By way of further example, the beverage maker 100 may include a user interface 112 having ten LEDs arranged in a row. When alerting the user, the ten LEDs may illuminate sequentially (e.g., forward, upward, downward, or backward along the row of LEDs). To further illustrate, the sequential activation of the light indicators may be paired with a plurality of sounds produced by at least one speaker (e.g., sequentially illuminating upwards paired with a series of at least partially ascending musical notes and / or sequentially illuminating downwards paired with a series of at least partially descending musical notes, etc.).

[0419] Now refer to Figure 21 , a diagram illustrating example components of an apparatus 2100 according to a non-limiting embodiment is shown. As an example, the apparatus 2100 may correspond to the control system 400 and / or the controller 402. In some non-limiting embodiments, such a system or apparatus may include at least one apparatus 2100 and / or at least one component of the apparatus 2100. The number and arrangement of the components shown are provided as examples. In some non-limiting embodiments, the apparatus 2100 may include more components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown. Additionally or alternatively, a group of components of the apparatus 2100 (e.g., one or more components of the apparatus 2100) may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another group of components of the apparatus 2100.

[0420] like Figure 21As shown, the device 2100 may include a bus 2102, a processor 2104, a memory 2106, a storage component 2108, an input component 2110, an output component 2112, and a communication interface 2114. The bus 2102 may include components for communication between components of the licensing device 2100. In some non-limiting embodiments, the processor 2104 may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. For example, the processor 2104 may include a processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), etc.), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and / or any processing component that can be programmed to perform a function (e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.). The memory 2106 may include a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and / or other types of dynamic or static storage devices (e.g., flash memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, etc.) for storing information and / or instructions for use by the processor 2104.

[0421] Continue to refer Figure 21 The storage component 2108 may store information and / or software related to the operation and use of the device 2100. For example, the storage component 2108 may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a solid-state disk, etc.) and / or other types of computer-readable media. The input component 2110 may include components for allowing the device 2100 to receive information, such as via user input (e.g., a touch screen display, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, buttons, switches, a microphone, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the input component 2110 may include a sensor for sensing information (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) component, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an actuator, etc.). The output component 2112 may include components for providing output information from the device 2100 (e.g., a display, a speaker, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), etc.). The communication interface 2114 may include components such as a transceiver (e.g., a transceiver, a separate receiver and a transmitter, etc.) for enabling the device 2100 to communicate with other devices, such as via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of a wired and wireless connection. The communication interface 2114 may allow the device 2100 to receive information from other devices and / or provide information to other devices. For example, the communication interface 2114 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, interface and / or cellular network interface, etc.

[0422] Device 2100 can perform one or more processes described herein. Device 2100 can perform these processes based on the software instructions stored by the processor 2104 executing a computer-readable medium (such as memory 2106 and / or storage component 2108, etc.). Computer-readable media may include any non-transitory memory device. The memory device includes a memory space located inside a single physical storage device or a memory space distributed across multiple physical storage devices. Software instructions can be read into memory 2106 and / or storage component 2108 from other computer-readable media or from other devices via communication interface 2114. The software instructions stored in memory 2106 and / or storage component 2108 can cause the processor 2104 to perform one or more processes described herein when executed. Additionally or alternatively, hard-wired circuitry can be used instead of software instructions or in combination with software instructions to perform one or more processes described herein. Thus, the embodiments described herein are not limited to any particular combination of hardware circuitry and software. As used herein, the term "configured to" may refer to an arrangement of software, (one or more) devices, and / or hardware to perform and / or enable one or more functions (e.g., actions, processes, and / or steps of processing, etc.). For example, "a processor configured to" may refer to a processor to execute software instructions (e.g., program code) that cause the processor to perform one or more functions.

[0423] Now refer to Figure 22 , illustrates an exterior side view of a ventilation panel 114 of a beverage maker 100 , according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Figure 22 The picture is Figure 1 The beverage making machine 100 is shown in a right side view, however, it should be understood that Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, either or both sides of the beverage maker 100 may be configured with a ventilation panel 114. The ventilation panel 114 may include an array 2202 of holes 2204, 2206 configured to permit airflow to ventilate the housing 102 of the beverage maker 100. The ventilation panel 114 may be included in and / or disposed to a side wall of the housing 102. The array 2202 of holes 2204, 2206 may be configured as a one-dimensional array (e.g., a series of holes in straight lines and / or curves) and / or a two-dimensional array (e.g., holes having symmetrical and / or asymmetrical patterns across the surface area of ​​the ventilation panel 114). The holes may include pass-throughs in the ventilation panel 114 that may permit air to flow through from one side of the ventilation panel 114 to the other. The holes may have a planar cross-section that is regularly shaped (e.g., circular, square, triangular, regular polygonal, etc.), irregularly shaped (e.g., rectangular, elliptical, irregular polygonal, etc.), or a combination thereof. The array of holes may include holes of the same or different shapes. As Figure 22 As shown, for illustrative purposes only, a two-dimensional array 2202 of circular holes 2204, 2206 is depicted. In an arrangement of a housing 102 having two ventilation panels 114, each ventilation panel 114 can have a corresponding array 2202 of holes 2204, 2206 and a corresponding set of baffles 2210. Furthermore, in an arrangement of a housing 102 having two ventilation panels 114, each panel 114 can have the same or a different pattern of holes 2204, 2206 in the array 2202, and one panel 114 can have a smaller number of holes 2204, 2206 to accommodate the placement of the mounting member 302 for holding the drip tray 118.

[0424] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the ventilation panel 114 can further include at least one baffle 2210 proximate to an inner surface of the ventilation panel 114 (e.g., positioned on the ventilation panel 114, positioned adjacent to the ventilation panel 114, or positioned within a short distance of the ventilation panel 114). In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the ventilation panel 114 can include a plurality of baffles 2210. The baffles 2210 are configured to at least partially block a group of holes in the array 2202 of holes 2204, 2206. The baffles 2210 can at least partially prevent air and / or liquid from passing through the group of holes in the array 2202 (e.g., by partially blocking and / or changing the cross-sectional area of ​​the corresponding holes). In this manner, sound waves generated within the housing 102 (e.g., by the drive motor 208, compressor 214, fan 218, etc.) can be attenuated and / or dispersed before exiting the housing 102 and reaching a user's perception, thereby reducing the overall noise level of the beverage maker 100 during operation. Furthermore, accidental liquid contact on the housing 102 (e.g., from spilled beverage product, flushing liquid, etc.) can be prevented from penetrating (or deeply penetrating) the housing 102. Figure 22 As shown, for illustrative purposes only, the apertures 2204 , 2206 in the array 2202 are at least partially blocked by a plurality of baffles 2210 .

[0425] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the array 2202 can include holes of different sizes. For example, the array 2202 can include a gradient of hole sizes across the array 2202 (e.g., holes from smaller diameter to larger diameter, from larger diameter to smaller diameter, etc.). Such a gradient effect can be achieved by positioning smaller holes 2204 (e.g., holes having a relatively smaller diameter in planar cross-section) on the perimeter of the two-dimensional array 2202 and positioning larger holes 2206 (e.g., holes having a relatively larger diameter in planar cross-section) within the perimeter of the smaller holes 2204. The gradient arrangement of the holes 2204, 2206 can provide both an improved appearance and a reduction in the total number of holes in the array 2202 that require baffles 2210. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the group of larger holes 2206 in the array 2202 can be at least partially blocked by baffles 2210, while the group of smaller holes 2204 can be free of baffles 2210. See Figure 23 A closer view of the holes 2206 of the ventilation panel 114.

[0426] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the maximum diameter of each aperture 2204, 2206 can be selected to prevent intrusion and / or penetration of objects (e.g., by a user's fingers, utensils, etc.) through the ventilation panel 114, which could injure the user and / or damage the beverage maker 100. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the maximum diameter of each aperture 2204, 2206 in the array 2202 can be less than or equal to 0.3 inches (e.g., 0.3 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.2 inches, etc.). Additionally, the smaller apertures 2204 can be configured with a maximum diameter that is 50% or less than 50% of the maximum diameter of the larger aperture 2206 (e.g., 0.15 inches, 0.125 inches, 0.1 inches, etc.). Such diameters are configured to prevent and / or reduce the incidence of adult or child users inserting fingers and / or kitchen utensils into the housing 102 and touching the moving internal components (e.g., the compressor 214) of the beverage maker 100. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the baffle 2210 can also prevent objects from intruding and / or penetrating through the ventilation panel 114 (for example, even if the object or the user's finger is smaller than the diameter of one of the holes 2204, 2206, the baffle 2210 can prevent such an object or finger from being inserted), thereby preventing injury to the user and / or damage to the beverage maker 100.

[0427] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a majority of the apertures 2204, 2206 in the array 2202 can be at least partially blocked by at least one baffle 2210. For example, at least 50% of the number of apertures 2204, 2206 in the array 2202 can be associated with and partially blocked by baffles 2210, thereby preventing air / liquid from flowing through at least an equal number of apertures 2204, 2206. By way of another example, at least 75% of the number of apertures 2204, 2206 can be associated with and partially blocked by baffles 2210, thereby preventing air / liquid from flowing through a majority of the apertures 2204, 2206. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a majority of the cross-sectional area of ​​the ventilation panel 114 can be dedicated to the apertures 2204, 2206. For example, the total cross-sectional area of ​​the array 2202 of apertures 2204, 2206 (e.g., calculated by summing the individual cross-sectional areas of the individual apertures 2204, 2206) may be at least 10% of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the ventilation panel 114, where the cross-section is taken along a surface plane of the ventilation panel 114. By further example, the total cross-sectional area of ​​the array 2202 may be at least 20% of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the ventilation panel 114. The foregoing exemplary configuration may provide enhanced airflow into and / or out of the housing 102 while preventing unintentional infiltration through the ventilation panel 114.

[0428] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the material used for the baffle 2210 can be selected to maximize the sound-absorbing and liquid-resistant effects of the baffle 2210. For example, the baffle 2210 can be formed from at least one of a plastic material (e.g., polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyethylene, etc.) and an elastomeric material (e.g., silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, EPDM rubber, and / or nitrile rubber, etc.) configured to reflect and / or absorb acoustic energy from within the housing 102. By way of further example, the baffle 2210 can be formed from a water- and / or oil-resistant material (e.g., stainless steel, polypropylene, silicone, nylon, polycarbonate, and / or polyvinyl chloride, etc.) to reduce liquid penetration through the ventilation panel 114 and prevent such liquid from becoming embedded in and / or soaked into the ventilation panel 114.

[0429] Now refer to Figure 23 , showing an exterior close-up side view of the ventilation panel 114 of the beverage making machine 100 according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Figure 23As shown, the baffle 2210 can include at least one obstruction 2212 (e.g., an element having a wider surface area than other elements of the baffle 2210, such as a small plate or face) configured to at least partially obstruct the aperture 2206. A gap 2216 between the inner edge of the aperture 2206 and the outer edge of the obstruction 2212 can permit airflow through the ventilation panel 114. Each obstruction 2212 can be connected to another obstruction 2212 to form a larger upper structure of the baffle 2210. For example, each obstruction 2212 of the baffle 2210 can be connected to another obstruction 2212 via at least one connecting portion 2214 (e.g., an element having a narrower surface area than other elements of the baffle 2210, such as an armature or strut). In this manner, multiple obstructions 2212 can be connected in a network of obstructions 2212. Groups of obstructions 2212 can be connected in series to form a strip, in parallel to form a tree and / or a net, or any combination thereof. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each baffle 2210 can be configured as a linear strip of blocking portions 2212 connected by a series of connecting portions 2214, such that multiple linear baffle 2210 strips can be used to at least partially block the two-dimensional array 2202 of holes 2204, 2206.

[0430] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the diameter (D O ) may be smaller than the diameter (D) of the corresponding (eg, at least partially aligned) hole 2206 in position. H In this manner, air may be permitted to flow around the obstructions 2212, through the gaps 2216, and through a portion of the apertures 2206, while also enabling the baffle 2210 to be positioned against the surface of the ventilation panel 114. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the diameter (D) of each obstruction 2212 may be selected to be O ) to provide a diameter (D H ) to prevent sufficient penetration. For example, the diameter D O It can be the diameter D of the corresponding hole in the at least one hole array. H By way of another example, the diameter D O It can be the diameter D of the hole 2206 corresponding in position H As shown, the corresponding pairs of holes 2206 and obstructions 2212 each have a substantially circular cross-section and are aligned at the same center point, wherein the diameter D O is the diameter D H However, it should be understood that the obstruction 2212 and the aperture 2206 can have different cross-sectional geometries, relative diameters, and center points both across configurations and within the same configuration.

[0431] Now refer to Figure 24 , illustrates an interior side view of the ventilation panel 114 of the beverage maker 100 , according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Figure 24 Describes how Figure 22 The opposite side of the ventilation panel 114 is shown. Figure 24 As shown, the ventilation panel 114 includes an array 2202 of holes 2204, 2206, a subset of which is at least partially blocked by baffles 2210. Each baffle 2210 is arranged as a linear strip mounted on the inner surface of the ventilation panel 114. The baffles 2210 can be co-molded with the ventilation panel 114, attached to the ventilation panel 114, and / or fastened to the ventilation panel 114, etc. Although the baffles 2210 are depicted as blocking each of the larger holes 2206, it should be understood that the baffles 2210 can block less than the entire group of larger holes 2206 and / or can also block the smaller holes 2204. See Figure 25 of Figure 24 A close-up view of baffle 2210 and apertures 2204, 2206 is shown.

[0432] Now refer to Figure 25 , showing a close-up side view of the interior of the ventilation panel 114 of the beverage maker 100 according to some non-limiting embodiments or aspects. Figure 25 As shown, a plurality of strips of baffles 2210 are arranged in a vertical orientation on the inner surface of the vent panel 114, which can encourage liquid to channel downward along the baffles 2210 due to gravity and liquid adhesion (e.g., in the manner of rain chains) rather than further into the housing 102. However, it should be understood that many directional arrangements are possible, including vertical orientations, horizontal orientations, diagonal orientations, or any combination thereof.

[0433] In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each of the plurality of obstructions 2212 of each baffle 2210 can correspond in position to (e.g., at least partially align with) a hole 2206 in the plurality of holes 2204, 2206 in the array 2202 of the ventilation panel 114. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each distal end of the baffle 2210 (e.g., an opposing end of the baffle 2210) can be secured (e.g., co-molded, attached, fastened, etc.) to an inner surface of the ventilation panel 114. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the plurality of connecting portions 2214 of the baffle 2210 can be secured to the inner surface of the ventilation panel. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, each connecting portion 2214 of the baffle 2210 can be secured to the inner surface of the ventilation panel. The aforementioned fixed configuration can prevent removal of the baffle 2210 and prevent vibrations in the baffle 2210 caused by physical movement and / or sound waves generated by internal components in or associated with the housing 102 (e.g., the agitator 204, the drive motor 208, the compressor 214, the fan 218, etc.).

[0434] Although the embodiments are described in detail for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that such detail is provided for that purpose only, and that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments or aspects, but on the contrary is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it should be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment or aspect can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment or aspect.

[0435] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0436] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 669,144, filed on July 9, 2024, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 423,894, filed on January 26, 2024, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 415,817, filed on January 18, 2024, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. A beverage making machine, characterized in that: include: a mixing container configured to receive a beverage product, wherein the beverage product is mixed within the mixing container; a cooling circuit configured to cool the beverage product in the mixing container; a temperature sensor configured to periodically detect a temperature associated with the beverage product and output a periodic temperature signal indicative of the periodically detected temperature; as well as A controller configured to: determining whether a phase change of the beverage product has occurred based on the periodic temperature signal; as well as The cooling circuit is controlled based on determining whether the phase change has occurred.

2. The beverage making machine according to claim 1, characterized in that The controller is further configured to: receiving a periodic temperature signal during mixing of the beverage product; For each of the periodic temperature signals, determining a rate of change of temperature over a certain time period based on the received periodic temperature signal; For each determined change rate, determining whether the determined change rate is less than or equal to a threshold change rate; as well as Based on determining that the rate of change for a first corresponding time period corresponding to a first periodic temperature signal among the periodic temperature signals is less than or equal to the threshold rate of change, it is determined that a phase change of the beverage product has occurred.

3. The beverage making machine according to claim 2, characterized in that The threshold change rate is in the range of 0.08 degrees Celsius / 30 seconds to 0.18 degrees Celsius / 30 seconds.

4. The beverage making machine according to claim 2, characterized in that The temperature sensor is configured to periodically detect the temperature at intervals within a range of 0.1 seconds to 5 seconds.

5. The beverage making machine according to claim 2, characterized in that Each respective time period has a duration in the range of 5 seconds to 60 seconds.

6. The beverage making machine according to claim 2, characterized in that The temperature sensor is configured to periodically detect the temperature at a plurality of intervals, each periodic temperature signal corresponding to a respective interval of the plurality of intervals and associated with the temperature detected at the respective interval, and The first corresponding time period includes one or more intervals among the plurality of intervals that occur before the interval corresponding to the first periodic temperature signal.

7. The beverage making machine according to claim 1, characterized in that The controller is further configured to determine a phase change temperature value corresponding to the phase change and control the cooling circuit based on the phase change temperature value.

8. The beverage making machine according to claim 7, characterized in that The controller is further configured to: receiving the periodic temperature signal during mixing of the beverage product; For each of the periodic temperature signals, determining a rate of change of temperature over a certain time period based on the received periodic temperature signal; For each determined change rate, determining whether the determined change rate is less than or equal to a threshold change rate; as well as determining that a phase change of the beverage product has occurred based on determining that, for a first periodic temperature signal among the periodic temperature signals, a rate of change determined for a first corresponding time period corresponding to the first periodic temperature signal is less than or equal to the threshold rate of change; wherein the temperature sensor is configured to periodically detect the temperature at a plurality of intervals, each periodic temperature signal being associated with a temperature detected at a corresponding one of the intervals, and The phase change temperature value is determined based on one or more temperature values ​​detected for one or more intervals within the first corresponding time period in which the phase change is determined to have occurred.

9. The beverage making machine according to claim 8, characterized in that The phase change temperature value is set to a temperature value detected for at least one of the one or more intervals within the first corresponding time period.

10. The beverage making machine according to claim 7, characterized in that The controller is further configured to: calculating a target temperature value based on the determined phase transition temperature value; and The cooling circuit is controlled to achieve the target temperature value of the beverage product in the mixing container.

11. The beverage making machine according to claim 7, characterized in that The controller is further configured to: comparing the phase transition temperature value to a threshold temperature value; and In response to the phase change temperature value being greater than the threshold temperature value, controlling performance of at least one of: an alert to a user of the beverage maker regarding an associated condition, corrective action to address the associated condition, and any combination thereof.

12. The beverage making machine according to claim 11, characterized in that The associated condition includes the beverage product being unable to be properly smoothened by the beverage maker due to insufficient amounts of one or more ingredients.

13. The beverage making machine according to claim 12, characterized in that The one or more raw materials include at least one of the following: sugar, alcohol, and any combination thereof.

14. The beverage making machine according to claim 1, wherein The controller is further configured to: determining when a target temperature value for a beverage product in the mixing container has been reached; determining whether a phase change of the beverage product has occurred before reaching the target temperature value; as well as In response to determining that a phase change of the beverage product has not occurred before the target temperature is reached, the compressor of the cooling circuit is maintained on until a phase change of the beverage product is determined.

15. The beverage making machine according to claim 14, characterized in that The controller is further configured to cycle the cooling circuit on and off to maintain the temperature at the target temperature value in response to determining a phase change of the beverage product.

16. The beverage making machine according to claim 14, wherein It also includes an agitator driven by a drive motor, and the agitator is configured to mix the beverage product in the mixing container, wherein the controller is further configured to: in response to determining that a phase change of the beverage product has not occurred before the target temperature is reached, pulse drive the drive motor of the agitator to trigger nucleation of the beverage product.

17. The beverage making machine according to claim 14, wherein: The controller is further configured to, in response to determining that a phase change of the beverage product has occurred before the target temperature is reached, cycle the cooling circuit on and off to maintain the temperature at the target temperature value.

18. The beverage making machine according to claim 14, wherein: Also includes: a memory configured to store a beverage data object representing a beverage type corresponding to the beverage product, the beverage data object being used to specify a predefined temperature value for the beverage product; as well as User interface, The controller is further configured to determine the target temperature value based on at least one of the following: the predefined temperature value, a temperature adjustment value caused by a user input from the user interface, and any combination thereof.

19. The beverage making machine according to claim 14, wherein: The controller is further configured to: determining whether the temperature of the beverage product has dropped below a low temperature threshold; and In response to determining that the temperature of the beverage product has dropped below the low temperature threshold, at least one of: alerting a user of the beverage maker, shutting down a cooling circuit and a drive motor of the beverage maker, cycling the cooling circuit on and off to prevent a further decrease in the temperature of the beverage product, and any combination thereof.

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