Method for monitoring the function of a heating device in a cup platform

Abstract

Method for monitoring the function of a heating device (3) in a cup stand (2) for heating a beverage container (4) placed thereon, wherein - a detection device (5) detects the placement of a beverage container (4) on the cup platform (2) and transmits this information to an evaluation / control device (6), - the evaluation / control unit (6) informs a user via a communication module (7) that despite the active heating unit (3) no beverage container (4) is placed on the cup platform (2) and alternatively also deactivates the heating unit (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the function of a heating device in a cup stand for heating a beverage container placed thereon. The invention also relates to a computer program and a coffee machine.

[0002] To provide maximum user comfort, a coffee machine dispenses the desired coffee beverage from a cup platform on which a beverage container can be placed. To ensure that the requested and dispensed coffee remains warm even after a brief absence, the cup platform can be heated.

[0003] Such coffee machines are known, for example, from DE 10 2019 216 308 A1, DE 20 2004 007 986 U1 and US 2006 / 0 096 973 A1.

[0004] Typically, the heating element of such a cup platform is activated when the coffee machine is switched on and then runs continuously. This results in high energy consumption, which is not sustainable.

[0005] The present invention therefore deals with the problem of providing a method for monitoring a function of a heating device in a cup pedestal, which in particular overcomes the disadvantages known from the prior art.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] The present invention is based on the general concept of providing an intelligent method that detects whether a beverage container is placed on the cup platform of a coffee machine and activates a heating device, arranged in the cup platform and designed to heat the beverage container placed thereon, only when a beverage container is present, and deactivates it when no beverage container is present. In the inventive method for monitoring the function of a heating device in a cup platform for heating a beverage container placed thereon, a detection device first registers the placement of a beverage container on the cup platform and transmits this information to an evaluation / control unit. The detection device thus determines whether a beverage container is placed on the cup platform or not.The detection device can also detect an empty cup tray. In one embodiment, the evaluation / control unit can then deactivate the heating element if no beverage container is placed on the cup tray, i.e., if it receives notification from the detection device that no beverage container is placed on the cup tray, or if it does not receive notification from the detection device that such a beverage container is placed on the cup tray. According to the invention, the evaluation / control unit informs a user via a communication module that, despite the heating element being active, no beverage container is placed on the cup tray. A corresponding notification regarding the still-activated heating element is transmitted to the user.A communication module used for this purpose could be, for example, a display or a Wi-Fi module, so that the user receives a corresponding notification on their mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet. It is also conceivable that the user could then remotely switch off the heating device via appropriate software (app). Regardless of the chosen embodiment of the method according to the invention, energy consumption can be significantly reduced compared to a continuously activated heating device, since the heating device can be automatically deactivated when it is not needed, i.e., when there is no beverage container on the cup platform, and at least one user is informed about the unnecessarily activated heating device when the cup platform is empty, so that they can decide whether to continue activating or deactivating the heating device.The method according to the invention thus contributes to significantly increasing the sustainability of using such a coffee machine.

[0008] In an advantageous further development of the method according to the invention, the detection device records the ambient temperature and transmits it to the evaluation / control unit, which then controls and / or regulates the heating device depending on the transmitted ambient temperature. Even with such an embodiment of the method according to the invention, a significant step towards greater sustainability can be taken, since, for example, at high ambient temperatures, additional excessive heating of the heating device or of the beverage container can be avoided. At comparatively cool ambient temperatures, however, more intensive heating of the beverage container may be desirable or even necessary. All in all, this can significantly reduce the energy consumption of the heating device in the vast majority of cases.

[0009] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the detection device records the weight of the beverage container placed on the cup platform and transmits this information to the evaluation / control unit, which then controls and / or regulates the heating unit depending on the transmitted weight. Naturally, the detection device records not only the empty weight of the beverage container but also the weight of the beverage dispensed from it, so that if a larger weight is detected and transmitted to the evaluation / control unit, the heating power of the heating unit can be increased, thereby reliably heating or keeping warm even a larger quantity of coffee.For example, if only an espresso is dispensed from the coffee machine, the weight of the beverage container placed on the cup platform, including the espresso inside, as recorded by the detection device, is significantly lower compared to a cappuccino. This allows the heating device to operate at a much lower power, which in turn helps to reduce energy consumption and increase sustainability.

[0010] In theory, it is also conceivable that the detection device determines or records the weight of the beverage container placed on the cup platform before and after the beverage is dispensed and transmits this information to the evaluation / control unit, from which the latter can deduce both the empty weight of the beverage container and the quantity of beverage dispensed, and accordingly control and / or regulate the heating device or the power of the heating device depending on the weight of the empty beverage container and / or depending on the weight of the dispensed coffee beverage.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the communication module is designed as a display, a WLAN module, or a radio module. A WLAN module offers a cost-effective alternative and relatively simple integration into a WLAN network, enabling data exchange and thus the easy transmission of information to a user about an activated heating element even if the cup tray is empty. Using a radio module, on the other hand, such a coffee machine is able to inform a user about an activated heating element even without a WLAN network, and, for example, to ask the user whether the heating element should be deactivated remotely.

[0012] The present invention is further based on the general concept of providing a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer system, cause the system to perform the method described in the preceding paragraphs. The method is thus executed by means of a suitably designed computer program product, which receives instructions readable by a computer system. The computer system can be at least partially part of the evaluation / control unit and may include memory on which the computer program product is stored. Generally, the computer program product can be executed within the coffee machine itself, although it is also conceivable that the computer program product is executed at least partially outside the coffee machine, particularly in a cloud. In this case, the coffee machine is connected to the internet.

[0013] The present invention is further based on the general concept of providing a coffee machine, in particular a fully automatic coffee machine, with a heating device arranged in a cup platform for heating a beverage container placed on the cup platform or a beverage contained therein. The coffee machine also has a detection device for detecting whether a beverage container has been placed on the cup platform. This detection device is capable of recognizing whether a beverage container is placed on the cup platform or not.The coffee machine also has an evaluation / control unit and a communication module connected to the detection device. The evaluation / control unit is designed to deactivate the heating element if no beverage container is placed on the cup platform. According to the invention, the communication module informs the user that no beverage container is placed on the cup platform despite the heating element being active. The coffee machine is thus able to carry out the inventive method described in the preceding paragraphs and thereby contribute to a significant reduction in energy consumption and an increase in sustainability.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the coffee machine according to the invention, the detection device is designed to detect the ambient temperature and transmit the detected ambient temperature to the evaluation / control unit, wherein the evaluation / control unit is designed such that it controls and / or regulates the heating device depending on the transmitted ambient temperature. With such a coffee machine, it is possible to significantly improve sustainability, since, for example, at high ambient temperatures, additional excessive heating of the heating device or additional excessive heating of the beverage container can be avoided.

[0015] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0016] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The components of a higher-level unit, such as a device, apparatus, or arrangement, mentioned above and those to be mentioned below, which are designated separately, can form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is depicted differently in the drawings.

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description.

[0018] The only Fig. Figure 1 shows a coffee machine according to the invention.

[0019] According to the Fig.Figure 1 of the coffee machine 1 according to the invention has a cup platform 2 in which a heating device 3 is arranged for heating a beverage container 4 placed on the cup platform 2. A detection device 5 is also provided, which detects the placement of a beverage container 4 on the cup platform 2. Naturally, the detection device 5 is also capable of detecting that no beverage container 4 is placed on the cup platform 2. The coffee machine 1 according to the invention also has an evaluation / control unit 6, which is communicatively connected to the detection device 5.The evaluation / control unit 6 is designed in such a way that it deactivates the heating unit 3 if no beverage container 4 is placed on the cup platform 2, and / or informs a user, for example via a mobile phone 8, a tablet or a display, via a communication module 7 that despite the active heating unit 3 no beverage container 4 is placed on the cup platform 2.

[0020] With the coffee machine 1 according to the invention, it is therefore possible to switch off a heating device 3 which has previously been operated continuously, for example, at least when it is not needed, since no beverage container 4 is placed on the cup platform 2.

[0021] The coffee machine 1 can furthermore include a computer system 9 which executes a method according to the invention for monitoring a function of the heating device 3 in the cup platform 2 for heating a beverage container 4 placed thereon. In the method according to the invention, the detection device 5 first detects the placement of a beverage container 4 on the cup platform 2 and transmits this information to the evaluation / control unit 6. Subsequently, the evaluation / control unit 6 automatically deactivates the heating device 3 if no beverage container 4 is placed on the cup platform 2. Additionally or alternatively, it is also conceivable that the evaluation / control unit 6 informs a user via the communication module 7, for example via their mobile phone 8 or a display, that no beverage container 4 is placed on the cup platform 2 despite the heating device 3 being activated.In this case, heating device 3 is not automatically deactivated, but this decision is left to the user, who can deactivate heating device 3, for example, via an app stored on his mobile phone 8.

[0022] Furthermore, the sensing device 5 can be configured to detect ambient temperature and transmit this temperature to the evaluation / control unit 6, because the evaluation / control unit 6 is further configured to control and / or regulate the heating device 3 depending on the transmitted ambient temperature. At high ambient temperatures, it is therefore conceivable that the evaluation / control unit 6 reduces the power output of the heating device 3, thereby lowering its energy consumption and increasing its sustainability.

[0023] The detection device 5 can also be configured to detect the weight of the beverage container 4 placed on the cup platform 2 and to transmit this detected weight to the evaluation / control unit 6, which in turn is configured to control and / or regulate the heating device 3 depending on the transmitted weight. It is of course conceivable that the detection device 5 only detects the total weight and transmits it to the evaluation / control unit 6, or first detects the empty weight of the beverage container 4 before the actual beverage is dispensed and then the total weight of the beverage container 4 with the beverage inside after the beverage has been dispensed, from which the evaluation / control unit 6 determines the weight of the beverage by a simple difference calculation. The output of the heating device 3 can then be adjusted to the quantity of beverage dispensed.to be adapted to these, or alternatively to the total weight, since, for example, a comparatively heavy beverage container 4 requires a higher heating output to prevent the dispensed beverage from cooling down too quickly.

[0024] The communication module 7 can be configured as a display, a WLAN module, or a radio module. In the latter case, this allows for comparatively simple operation and, in particular, integration into a home network. When the communication module 7 is configured as a radio module, the coffee machine 1 according to the invention can be operated almost independently of location, and the method according to the invention can be carried out. When configured as a display, direct communication with the user is possible.

[0025] A memory 10 may also be provided, on which, for example, a computer program product is stored, comprising instructions that, when executed by the computer system 9, cause it to execute the method according to the invention. The computer system 9 may be at least partially part of the evaluation / control unit 6 and may include the memory 10 on which the computer program product is stored. Generally, the computer program product can be executed in the coffee machine 1 itself, although it is also conceivable that the computer program product is executed at least partially outside the coffee machine, particularly in a cloud.

[0026] All in all, the computer program product, the method and the coffee machine 1 according to the invention enable a particularly energy-saving and therefore sustainable operation of such a coffee machine 1. Reference sign 1 coffee machine 2 cup pedestal 3 Heating system 4 beverage containers 5. Data collection device 6 Evaluation / control unit 7 Communication module 8 Mobile phone 9 Computer system 10 storage

Claims

[1] Method for monitoring the function of a heating device (3) in a cup stand (2) for heating a beverage container (4) placed thereon, wherein - a detection device (5) detects the placement of a beverage container (4) on the cup platform (2) and transmits this information to an evaluation / control device (6), - the evaluation / control unit (6) informs a user via a communication module (7) that despite the active heating unit (3) no beverage container (4) is placed on the cup platform (2) and alternatively also deactivates the heating unit (3). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the detection device (5) detects an ambient temperature and transmits it to the evaluation / control device (6), which then controls and / or regulates the heating device (3) depending on the transmitted ambient temperature. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the detection device (5) detects the weight of the beverage container (4) placed on the cup platform (2) and transmits it to the evaluation / control device (6), which then controls and / or regulates the heating device (3) depending on the transmitted weight. [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the communication module (7) informs the user as a display, as a WLAN module or as a radio module. [5] Computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer system (9), cause the computer system to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. [6] Coffee machine (1) - with a cup stand (2) with a heating device (3) for heating a beverage container (4) placed on the cup stand (2), - with a detection device (5) for detecting the placement of a beverage container (4) on the cup platform (2), - with an evaluation / control unit (6) connected to the recording device (5) in a communicative manner, - with a communication module (7), - wherein the evaluation / control unit (6) is designed in such a way that it informs a user via the communication module (7) that despite the active heating unit (3) no beverage container (4) is placed on the cup platform (2) and alternatively also deactivates the heating unit (3). [7] Coffee machine according to claim 6, characterized by , that the detection device (5) is designed to detect an ambient temperature and to transmit the detected ambient temperature to the evaluation / control device (6), wherein the evaluation / control device (6) is designed in such a way that it controls and / or regulates the heating device (3) depending on the transmitted ambient temperature. [8] Coffee machine according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by, that the detection device (5) is designed to detect the weight of the beverage container (4) placed on the cup platform (2) and to transmit the detected weight to the evaluation / control device (6), wherein the evaluation / control device (6) is designed in such a way that it controls and / or regulates the heating device (3) depending on the transmitted weight. [9] Coffee machine according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by , that the communication module (7) is designed as a display, as a WLAN module or as a radio module. [10] Coffee machine according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized by that the coffee machine (1) has a computer system (9) with a memory (10).

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