Method and device for monitoring a milk container and beverage vending machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring a milk container (150) for a beverage vending machine (100), the method comprising a step of detecting the presence of the milk container (150), wherein milk is still present in the milk container (150), a step of detecting the presence or absence of a user, a step of starting a timer if the presence of the milk container (150) is detected in the detecting step and the absence of the user is detected in the detecting step, and a step of outputting a signal that signals to the user that the milk container (150) is still detected when the timer has expired and the presence of the milk container (150) is detected in a repeated detecting step.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring a milk container and a beverage vending machine.

[0002] A fully automatic coffee machine is known to have a milk container attached to it in order to prepare drinks such as a cappuccino.

[0003] The approach presented here aims to create an improved method and an improved device for monitoring a milk container and an improved beverage vending machine.

[0004] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method and a device for monitoring a milk container and a beverage vending machine having the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are set forth in the following subclaims.

[0005] The advantages achievable with the invention consist of ensuring that milk in a milk container does not become too warm and thus difficult or impossible to froth.

[0006] A method for monitoring a milk container for a beverage vending machine comprises the following steps: Detecting the presence of the milk container, with milk still present in the milk container; Recording a user’s presence or absence; Starting a timer when the presence of the milk container is detected in the detection step and the absence of the user is detected in the detection step; and Emitting a signal to the user that the milk container is still detected when the timer has expired and detecting the presence of the milk container in a repeated detection step.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the drinks vending machine can be designed as a fully automatic coffee machine. The milk container can be filled with milk and removably attached to the fully automatic coffee machine. When the milk is no longer needed, it is advantageous to remove the milk container and place it, for example, in a refrigerator. This can prevent the milk from heating up excessively. According to one embodiment, the milk container can be made of glass. According to an alternative embodiment, the milk container can also be made of a largely transparent material, for example plastic. This makes it easy to see whether there is still milk in the milk container. According to one embodiment, the timer can cover a period within which the milk container should be removed when not in use to prevent the milk from heating up excessively.According to one embodiment, the signal can be a control signal or a service signal. For example, the signal can be suitable for visually or acoustically informing the user that it is advisable to remove the milk container. By detecting the presence or absence of the user, the signal can be output as appropriate to the situation. In a detection step, the method can detect the presence of the milk container using a camera. According to one embodiment, the camera can be used to record the milk container from a bird's eye view or from the side. If the milk container is made of glass, the camera can capture the milk in the milk container. A corresponding camera is often already installed, for example to control a beverage dispensing system.Advantageously, the presence of both the milk container and the milk contained therein can therefore be detected without the need for additional sensors.

[0008] In the detection step, the fill level of the milk container can be determined. In the setting step, the length of the timer can be set depending on the fill level. This allows for the fact that a smaller amount of milk heats up faster than a larger amount to be taken into account. By selecting the appropriate timer length, you can ensure that the milk doesn't overheat and potentially even tip over.

[0009] During the setting step, a minimum time period can be determined using the fill level within which the milk reaches a critical temperature, and the length of the timer is set based on the minimum time period. According to one embodiment, the length of the timer can be the minimum time period. The critical temperature can be 7° Celsius, for example, because at higher temperatures, milk can sour significantly more quickly or become difficult to froth.

[0010] In a detection step, the presence or absence of the user within an area in front of the drinks machine can be detected using a sensor system. The area can comprise a section in front of the drinks machine in which the user typically stands when operating the drinks machine. According to one embodiment, the area in front of the drinks machine can comprise a maximum radius of one meter. According to an alternative embodiment, the area in front of the drinks machine can also comprise 2 meters. According to one embodiment, the sensor system for detecting the user can comprise a motion sensor. If such sensor technology is already used in the drinks machine, this represents a cost-effective implementation of a helpful additional customer benefit. If the user is no longer within the area, they no longer operate the drinks machine and may have forgotten the milk container.

[0011] The method may include a step of resetting the timer if the user's presence is detected in a repeated detection step. This can prevent the user from being prompted to remove the milk container when they may be in the process of preparing a latte.

[0012] In the output step, the signal can be output visually or acoustically if the user's presence is detected in a repeated detection step. According to one embodiment, the signal can be output visually via a light or acoustically via a loudspeaker. Thus, the user's attention is only captured when they are nearby and can actively act.

[0013] In the outputting step, the signal can be output to an interface to a portable device if the user's absence is detected in a repeated detecting step. According to one embodiment, the interface can be a communication interface for wireless data transmission or an app running on the portable device. According to one embodiment, the portable device can be a mobile terminal. According to one embodiment, the user only receives an app message if they have not approached the device. This avoids unnecessary, annoying messages being sent to the customer.

[0014] A device can be configured to execute and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the preceding claims in corresponding units. The approach presented here further provides a device configured to execute, control, or implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding devices. This embodiment of the invention in the form of a device also allows the problem underlying the invention to be solved quickly and efficiently.

[0015] The device can be designed to read in input signals and to determine and provide output signals using the input signals. An input signal can, for example, represent a sensor signal that can be read in via an input interface of the device. An output signal can represent a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the device. The device can be designed to determine the output signals using a processing rule implemented in hardware or software. For example, the device can comprise a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or a software module and can, for example, be implemented as a discrete component or be comprised of a discrete component.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a beverage vending machine may comprise the device.

[0017] A computer program product may embody program code for performing the method when the computer program product is executed on a device.

[0018] Also advantageous is a computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory, or an optical memory. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or device, the program product or program can be used to carry out, implement, and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described here.

[0019] Although the approach described is based on a household appliance, the approach described here can be used accordingly in the context of a commercial or professional appliance.

[0020] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a drinks vending machine; Fig. 2 shows a further schematic representation of an embodiment of a drinks vending machine; Fig. 3 a diagram showing the duration of the timer in relation to the filling level of the milk container; and Fig. 4 a flowchart of a method for monitoring a milk container.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a beverage vending machine 100. The beverage vending machine 100, in particular a fully automatic coffee machine, is designed, for example, to prepare coffee. For this purpose, water is fed from a water tank 105 by a pump 110 into a heating block 115 and heated. The heated water is then fed to a brewing unit 120, where the water is brewed with ground coffee beans to make coffee. Finally, the finished beverage is dispensed into a container 130 via an outlet 125. A camera 135 is arranged at the outlet 125. The beverage vending machine 100 also comprises a bean container 140 and a milk container 150, wherein the milk container 150 is removable. To enable operation by a user, an operating and display surface 155 is provided. A device 160 is used to control functions of the beverage vending machine 100. For example, the device 160 comprises a microcontroller.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the milk container 150 is a glass container that does not protect the milk temperature. This means that the milk becomes warmer the longer it remains in the milk container 150 in the beverage dispenser 100, hereinafter also referred to as the device. However, especially when multiple people use the beverage dispenser 100, the milk container 150 is often forgotten in the beverage dispenser 100 and remains in the beverage dispenser 100 for several hours.

[0023] When milk gets warm, this has two consequences: The milk has a significantly shorter shelf life and becomes sour. Sour milk can no longer be frothed and, of course, loses its taste. And the heating block 115, also known as the thermoblock, is always heated to the same temperature for hot milk or milk foam. The milk temperature is assumed to be between 2 and 7°C. It is important that the milk does not get hotter than 65 - 70°C, because otherwise the proteins denature and the milk can no longer be frothed properly. If the milk is significantly warmer, the same heating energy will heat the milk to 80°C. The milk just squirts out of the outlet 125, called the spout here, and can no longer be frothed.

[0024] Advantageously, the presence of the milk container 150 can be detected, for example, using the camera 135, which can also be arranged at a different position. This information can be used to alert a user after a certain period of time that the milk container 150 should be removed to avoid excessive heating of the milk.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a further schematic representation of an embodiment of a beverage vending machine 100. For example, the beverage vending machine 100 may be the one shown in Fig. 1. The milk container 150 and the container 130 are detected using a suitable image capture device, here the camera 135. In response to the detection of the milk container 150, the camera 135 sends a detection signal 200 to the device 160, which sets a timer. The prerequisite for this is that there is still milk in the milk container 150 that could become too warm. According to one embodiment, this is also detected using the camera 135. After the timer has expired, a sensor 205 detects whether the user is nearby. If the user is nearby, the device 160 sends an output signal 210 to an output device 215, which signals the user to remove the milk container 150. If the user is not nearby, the device 160 instead sends a notification signal 220 to a portable device 225 of the user.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the camera 135 has a wide viewing angle. Due to the wide viewing angle of the camera 135, which according to one embodiment is up to 170°, the camera 135 detects the milk container 150. According to one embodiment, the milk container 150 is made of glass. In an opaque milk container 150, for example an insulated jug that could keep the milk cold enough for up to 13 hours, the milk cannot be detected by the camera 135. The fill level cannot be detected in opaque jugs. In this case, only expensive fill level sensors can help, which can be avoided by the approach described here due to the use of the at least partially transparent milk container 150. A further advantage of glass is that biofilm can be easily removed. Furthermore, the approach described here eliminates the need for a separate sensor that detects the milk temperature.Since such an extra sensor for the milk temperature is not required, it is also a relatively cost-effective solution.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the sensor system 205 that detects the user is a motion sensor or proximity sensor. The sensor system 205 can detect whether the user is present in front of the beverage vending machine 100. This does not necessarily mean that the user is operating or will operate the device, but it can be assumed that they are. Using existing or known sensors in the beverage vending machine 100 for this purpose represents a cost-effective implementation of a helpful customer benefit and prevents complaints about poor milk foam and blockages, or a lack of hygiene in the device that can arise from spilled milk.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the sensor system 205 is configured to send a detection signal 230 to the device 160 upon detection of the user. The device 160 is optionally configured to set or start a timer using the detection signal 200 and the detection signal 230. In this case, the device 160 knows that a filled milk container 150 is in the beverage vending machine 100. According to one embodiment, the device 160 estimates from the average fill level of the milk container 150 a minimum time after which the temperature of the milk exceeds the critical temperature of, for example, 7°. This serves to ensure that the milk does not become too warm and possibly even tip over, and this depends on the fill level.

[0029] As soon as the device 160 detects via the sensor system 205 that no user is present in front of the device, a timeout, in this case a timer, is started. The timer is optionally also based on the milk fill level determined by the device 160. The less milk in the milk container 150, the shorter the timeout period.

[0030] If the user is detected again by sensor 205 before the timer expires, the timer is stopped. If the user's presence is detected within the timer's runtime, the timer is reset.

[0031] When the timer has expired or when the timer expires, a check is made to determine whether the user is present. For example, the sensor system 205 sends the detection signal 230 again to the device 160 to indicate a detected presence or absence of the user. In order to prompt the user to remove the milk container 150 in response to the timer expiring, the device 160 is designed to emit a suitable signal or to control the emission of a corresponding signal. Depending on whether the presence or absence of the user was detected when the timer expired, the device 160 sends either an output signal 210 to an output device 215 of the household appliance 100 or a notification signal 220 to the portable device 225. According to one embodiment, the output device 215 can comprise a loudspeaker and a light.The output signal 210 is suitable, for example, for activating the output device 215 or controlling it in such a way that the user is signaled a request to remove the milk container 150. For example, the portable device 225 can be a mobile phone. For example, the notification signal 220 can be suitable for displaying a message concerning the milk container 150 on a display of the portable device 125. The output signal 210 and the notification signal 220 thus serve as an indication message when the milk container in the device is full.

[0032] If the presence of the user in front of the device, here the drinks machine 100, is detected after a minimum time or after a dead time has elapsed, and this involves a renewed detection of presence by the sensor system 205, the user is actively alerted, for example by a short signal tone or by a lamp lighting up, that the milk container 150 is still in the device and should be put into the refrigerator.

[0033] If no user is detected after the timer has expired or after the minimum time has elapsed, the user is alerted, for example, by a short signal tone and a message via the app that the milk container 150 is still in the device and should be refrigerated. According to one embodiment, the user receives a targeted warning message (text on the device, on the mobile phone or a warning tone) when it is clear that they have forgotten the milk container 150 in the device or have left it in the device for too long. This is intended to avoid unnecessary and superfluous messages, so that a real and helpful customer benefit is provided. This is intended to prevent a reminder on the display to remove the milk container, also called milk container 150, after each milk dispensing. Since constant messages on the display are more annoying than helpful for the user, they are quickly ignored.Furthermore, the notifications make no sense if the user still intends to order more milk drinks. Therefore, no unnecessary, annoying notifications, such as a continuous beep or messages sent to the smartphone, are sent to the user. Furthermore, the user's attention is only captured when they are nearby and can actively take action. Ultimately, the user only receives an app notification, for example, if they haven't approached the device—in this case, vending machine 100.

[0034] Fig. 3 shows a diagram 300, which represents the duration of the timer 305, also called a timeout, in relation to the milk filling level 310, also called the filling level, of the milk container. The diagram 300 shows a relationship between the milk filling level 310 in milliliters and a duration of the timer 305 in hours. This means how long a quantity of milk needs to reach the critical temperature of, for example, 7° Celsius. According to one embodiment, the milk filling level 310 is three hundred milliliters. The camera records this and sends the information to the device. The device determines from this that the milk needs two hours to reach the critical temperature. For example, the Fig. 3 shown relationship is stored in the device in the form of an assignment table,

[0035] Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a method 400 for monitoring a milk container. The method 400 can be used, for example, in connection with the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown beverage vending machines.

[0036] The method 400 includes a step 401 of detecting the presence of the milk container in which milk is still present. In detection step 401, for example, a fill level of the milk container is determined.

[0037] The method 400 includes a step 403 of detecting the presence or absence of a user. For example, in step 403 of detecting, the presence or absence of the user within an area in front of the vending machine can be detected using a suitable sensor system.

[0038] A timer-starting step 405 is executed if the presence of the milk container is detected in detection step 401 and the user's absence is detected in detection step 403. The user's absence indicates that the user forgot to remove the milk container when leaving the vending machine.

[0039] Once the fill level has been determined in step 401, the fill level can be used to set a timer length based on the fill level in step 407. This can be done, for example, before or after the timer starts.

[0040] Optionally, a timer resetting step 409 is executed if the user's presence is detected in a repeated detection step 411.

[0041] The method 400 comprises a step 413 of outputting a signal that signals to the user that the milk container is still detected when the timer has expired, and in a repeated detection step 401, the presence of the milk container is detected. In the output step 413, the signal is output, for example, visually or acoustically if the presence of the user is detected in a repeated detection step 403. According to one embodiment, in the output step 413, the signal is output to an interface to a portable device if the absence of the user is detected in a repeated detection step.

[0042] According to one embodiment, step 401 for detecting the milk container and, additionally or alternatively, steps 403, 411 for detecting the user are performed only in response to certain events for which corresponding information about the milk container or the user is required, or are performed continuously and repeatedly.

Claims

[1] Method (400) for monitoring a milk container (150) for a beverage vending machine (100), the method (400) comprising the following steps: Detecting (401) a presence of the milk container (150), wherein milk is still present in the milk container (150); Detecting (403) a user’s presence or absence; Starting (405) a timer if the presence of the milk container (150) is detected in the detection step (401) and the absence of the user is detected in the detection step (403); and Outputting (413) a signal that signals to the user that the milk container (150) is still detected when the timer has expired and the presence of the milk container (150) is detected in a repeated detection step (401). [2] The method (400) of claim 1, wherein in the step (401) of detecting, the presence is detected using a camera (135). [3] Method (400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step (401) of detection a filling level of the milk container (150) is determined, and in a step (407) of setting a length of the timer is set depending on the filling level. [4] Method (400) according to claim 3, wherein in the setting step (407) a minimum time period is determined using the fill level within which the milk reaches a critical temperature, and the length of the timer is set depending on the minimum time period. [5] Method (400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step (403) of detecting, the presence or absence of the user within an area in front of the beverage machine (100) is detected using a sensor system (205). [6] Method (400) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a step (409) of resetting the timer if the presence of the user is detected in a repeated step (403) of detecting. [7] Method (400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step (413) of outputting the signal is output visually or acoustically if the presence of the user is detected in a repeated step (403) of detecting. [8] Method (400) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step (413) of outputting the signal is output to an interface to a portable device if the absence of the user is detected in a repeated step (403) of detecting. [9] Device (160) which is designed to carry out and / or control the steps of the method (400) according to one of the preceding claims in corresponding units. [10] Vending machine (100) with device (160) according to claim 9.

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