System comprising a beverage preparation device and an electronic device, as well as methods for operating such a system

Abstract

System comprising a beverage preparation device (02), in particular a fully automatic coffee machine, for the production and dispensing of different beverages and an electronic device (03), preferably a mobile phone and / or a household appliance, wherein the beverage preparation device (02) and the electronic device (03) each have a wireless near-field communication interface (04) with a range (05) of less than 30 cm, such that data, in particular control data of the beverage preparation device (02), can be exchanged via a wireless communication link (06) between the near-field communication interfaces (04) of the beverage preparation device (02) and the electronic device (03) when the electronic device (03) is arranged within the range 05 of the communication interface of the beverage preparation device (02).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system comprising a beverage preparation device, in particular a fully automatic coffee machine, and an electronic device, in particular a mobile phone and / or household appliance, according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating such a system according to the preamble of claim 9.

[0002] Various beverage preparation devices, especially fully automatic coffee machines, are known from the prior art.

[0003] In these processes, a beverage is regularly produced and dispensed from a beverage substrate, for example, coffee bean flour, using a brewing or leaching fluid, preferably water, either by leaching the beverage substrate or by brewing it. Various levels of integration or automation are known.

[0004] For example, an integrated grinder can produce the beverage base from a precursor, such as coffee beans. Alternatively, a grinder or grinding unit can also be implemented externally. Furthermore, variations exist that incorporate a so-called milk module. This milk module typically serves to extract milk or a comparable protein-containing substance or liquid from an integrated or external milk reservoir, heat it, and / or froth it. The processed milk can then be dispensed either on its own as a beverage or in combination with other products from the beverage preparation system as a mixed drink or as part of a mixed drink.

[0005] The extraction or brewing of the beverage substrate, especially the ground coffee beans, can take place, for example, in a fully automated brewing unit that automatically handles the processing and handling from the intake of the beverage substrate from a grinder or grinding unit to the ejection of the extracted beverage substrate, especially coffee grounds. However, a manual or semi-automatic brewing unit can also be implemented, for example, in conjunction with an external grinder or grinding unit, where a user manually operates a beverage substrate carrier, such as a portafilter, and in particular fills and removes the beverage substrate.

[0006] Beverage preparation devices of this type, especially those with a high degree of functional integration and a correspondingly wide range of beverages that can be produced and dispensed, regularly feature powerful input and output units, for example in the form of screens, touch displays, buttons, rotary controls and the like, which make it possible to control the beverage preparation device and to set and, if necessary, save settings of the beverage preparation device, both with regard to general operation, such as standby times, and with regard to actual beverage production, such as brewing profiles, fluid quantities, beverage substrate quantities and the like, both once / individually and / or permanently / generally.

[0007] A disadvantage of such complex input and / or output units is that they regularly entail considerable effort in the manufacturing and production of the beverage preparation device and require relatively complex and therefore expensive and sensitive components or hardware. A further disadvantage of known input and / or output units of the beverage preparation device is that, while the end customer or end user can regularly make the settings and parameterizations already described and discussed above, the functionality of the beverage preparation device cannot be fundamentally changed subsequently without further consideration.While it is generally possible for users to specify and set personalized or individualized drinks or drink recipes, this is usually only possible within the framework of predefined parameters and their respective limits.

[0008] Based on this prior art, the object of the present invention is to propose a system comprising a beverage preparation device and an electronic device which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular enables efficient and cost-effective production of the beverage preparation device and, furthermore, enables variable, in particular subsequently expandable and / or adaptable control of the beverage preparation device.

[0009] This problem is solved with regard to the system with the features of claim 1. With regard to the method for operating a system comprising a beverage preparation device and an electronic device, the problem is solved with the features of claim 9.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the following description, the description of the figures, the figures and the dependent claims.

[0011] To avoid unnecessary repetition, features described and claimed in the device below shall be deemed to be disclosed and claimable in the same way, and vice versa.

[0012] With regard to the beverage preparation device, the aforementioned problem is solved by a system comprising a beverage preparation device, in particular a fully automatic coffee machine, for the production and dispensing of different beverages and an electronic device, preferably a mobile phone and / or household appliance, wherein, according to the invention, the beverage preparation device and the electronic device each have a wireless near-field communication interface with a range of less than 30 cm, so that data, in particular control data of the beverage preparation device, can be exchanged via a wireless communication link between the near-field communication interfaces of the beverage preparation device and the electronic device when the electronic device is arranged within the range of the communication interface of the beverage preparation device.

[0013] In the beverage preparation devices described above, which require or can be supplemented by peripheral equipment, a household appliance, preferably an external grinding unit, can be used as the electronic device. This can then optionally be supplemented by an additional mobile electronic device. It is particularly advantageous to detect whether a household appliance, a mobile electronic device, both, or even more electronic devices are located within the range of the beverage preparation device's near-field communication interface. Depending on the presence of one or more electronic devices, the control options, especially the generation of control data and / or the scope of control, can then be modified or influenced. This allows the system to be optimally adapted to the existing and / or deployed system components.

[0014] Near-field communication (NFC) components or hardware, as well as associated software, can preferably be used as near-field communication interfaces. It is particularly advantageous that such hardware and software are largely integrated as standard features in current electronic devices, especially mobile phones and / or smartphones. Therefore, with appropriate hardware and software integration into the beverage preparation device, the system of the present invention can be used with the majority of current mobile electronic devices. Many other electronic devices, such as so-called "smart home electronics," also regularly possess the necessary software and hardware infrastructure.

[0015] On the beverage preparation device side, a microcontroller, an NFC chip, an antenna and software required to operate the aforementioned components will regularly be necessary.

[0016] The use of an existing and established standard for near-field communication interfaces and the associated wireless communication links has the advantage that procedures for establishing the connection, setting up the connection and data transmission are largely standardized and therefore reliable and stable.

[0017] The system according to the invention makes it possible to handle at least part of the control of the beverage preparation device via the electronic device. This achieves or makes possible various advantages, some of which will be explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments and dependent claims. In general, however, it is achieved that quite complex, variable operating units of the electronic devices, for example in the form of a combined input and / or output interface in the form of a touch-sensitive display, can be integrated into the control of the beverage preparation device, regardless of how complex or simple the device-side design for operator input and output is.Another fundamental advantage is that a large proportion of operators of beverage preparation equipment are extremely familiar with the operation of corresponding electronic devices, so a high level of acceptance can be assumed for controlling or additionally controlling the beverage preparation equipment via the electronic device.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the system, the beverage preparation device may include a device control unit, in particular a device-side input and / or output interface, with which the beverage preparation device can be operated with a first set of functions, especially with a first set of beverage recipes. The set of functions is particularly preferably adapted to the device control unit. In other words, this means that, for example, with a very simple or minimalist device control unit, only a small or minimal set of functions of the beverage preparation device can be operated or controlled via it. The first set of functions is particularly preferably designed at least such that the beverage preparation device can be initiated or controlled to prepare and dispense at least one beverage.This means that, advantageously, at least one beverage can be ordered and / or prepared via the device's control unit.

[0019] Conversely, in the case of a device control unit that, for example, has a more complex and / or variable device control unit, it may also be provided within the scope of the present invention that the first range of functions is larger and that various beverages can already be called up and produced, that these beverages may already be parameterizable or individualizable and / or that further beverage-independent settings or control properties and settings of the beverage preparation device that only indirectly affect the beverage production can be set.

[0020] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the beverage control unit may be provided with activatable and deactivatable, and otherwise unchangeable, especially non-programmable, input and output means. Such unchangeable, especially non-programmable, input and output means are understood here to be, for example, buttons, pushbuttons, indicator lights, and the like, which essentially each, considered individually, only allow a binary state with regard to input or output. Using such input and output means of the beverage control unit, a first, preferably small or minimal, range of functions can be implemented particularly easily and with particularly inexpensive and easy-to-process device components. For example, one of several beverage recipes can be called up and / or executed via an individual pushbutton or button.Furthermore, very simple buttons and associated display devices, such as lights or LEDs, allow for the making of absolutely basic settings or parameterizations of the beverage recipes, such as setting the amount of beverage substrate, setting the amount of fluid or fluid volume and / or setting the beverage temperature.

[0021] Such a minimalist and advantageous device control unit requires only a minimum of device components and manufacturing effort. At the same time, the beverage preparation device can be easily operated via this unit in its basic functions or within the scope of the first set of functions, even if the potential or actual functionality of the beverage preparation device is significantly different, especially considerably larger, and is only available when a wireless communication connection to an electronic device is established or created via the near-field communication interfaces.

[0022] In a further, particularly desirable embodiment of the system, the electronic device may include a computing unit connected to the near-field communication interface and a variable control unit, in particular an input and / or output interface. This computing unit is configured to generate control signals for the beverage preparation device based on inputs from the electronic device's control unit and to transmit these signals via the near-field communication interface. As already indicated above, the control unit of known electronic devices, such as mobile phones and / or smartphones, is nowadays regularly implemented as a complex and powerful combined input and output interface, particularly in the form of touch-sensitive displays.Other stationary electronic devices, such as household appliances, can also have such control units, particularly input and output interfaces. These control units can often be operated via finger and / or hand gestures, preferably even contactlessly, thus enabling equally intuitive operation, which in turn can be used to keep more complex inputs and operating processes simple and intuitive nonetheless.

[0023] Particularly preferred in this context is a variable control unit which, on the electronic device side, comprises at least a two-dimensional, programmable output unit, in particular a display. The programmable output unit can especially preferably be implemented as a combined input and output interface. A particular advantage of a programmable output unit is that it can be adapted very flexibly and individually to the respective setting to be made or the control signal to be generated, without requiring a corresponding device component or any modifications. For example, for each adjustable setting of the beverage preparation device for which the electronic device provides for the generation and transmission of control signals, a specific, customized output can be implemented on the programmable output unit.This allows, for example, the operator to significantly simplify the control and operation of the beverage preparation device through equally complex and intuitive graphical user interfaces. A particular advantage arises if the programmable output unit has a sufficiently large screen diagonal, for example, at least six inches, preferably at least eight inches. This allows for the use of more complex graphical user interfaces. In particular, it is neither necessary nor intended that the corresponding user interfaces be rendered or displayed by the device itself. This means that no corresponding output unit needs to be provided on the beverage preparation device.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the beverage preparation device can be operated with a second set of functions, particularly with a second set of beverage recipes, via the electronic device, especially via control signals, when a wireless communication connection exists. Advantageously, the second set of functions can be larger than the first. It is particularly preferred that the second set of beverage recipes is larger than the first.This means that, particularly advantageously, basic functions and one or more, optionally slightly adjustable, beverage recipes can be set, retrieved and / or executed, regardless of the existence of a wireless communication link between the beverage preparation device and the electronic device, and that, in addition, if a corresponding wireless communication link exists or is available via the associated near-field communication interfaces, a greater range of settings - beverage-dependent and beverage-independent - and / or a larger number of beverage recipes, preferably with a greater possibility for parameterization and / or individualization, can be set, retrieved and / or executed.

[0025] This allows, in a particularly advantageous way, that every user of the beverage preparation device can operate the first range of functions and use the beverage preparation device to this extent, and that, in addition, operators with an electronic device that is within the range of the near-field communication interface of the beverage preparation device can operate the beverage preparation device in the second range of functions, which is preferably the full or complete range of functions of the beverage preparation device.

[0026] In a further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the system, it can be provided that the electronic device includes a further communication interface, in particular a network communication interface, with which a connection to a data network can be established, wherein in particular the second scope of functions depends on data that is exchanged with the data network via the further communication interface.

[0027] As an additional communication interface, communication interfaces for a wireless network connection, in particular a wireless internet connection, can be used. Various existing WLAN standards can be utilized for this purpose. It can be particularly advantageous to define the second set of functions via the exchange of data between the data network, preferably the internet, and the electronic device. This offers several advantages. Firstly, it allows the range of functions to be dynamically modified, and in particular expanded, even after the beverage preparation device has been manufactured and placed on the market. Secondly, it allows the second set of functions to be temporarily modified.For example, the system can be designed so that the second range of functions is defined or activated via so-called in-app purchases, and the beverage preparation device can then take place according to the activated second range of functions when the wireless communication connection exists.

[0028] In a further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the system, the beverage preparation device may include a support surface for placing the electronic device on top of and / or on top of it. This support surface is designed and arranged such that the near-field communication interfaces of the electronic device and the beverage preparation device are within mutual range. This has the advantage that the operator can reliably, or at least with a very high probability, ensure that the wireless communication connection is established or can be set up. At the same time, this has the advantage that the electronic device and its control unit are perceived, at least temporarily, as an additional or extended control unit when placed on or on the support surface.This facilitates both the acceptance of control via an electronic device and leads to a familiar situation in which, in the operator's perception, the setting and control of the beverage preparation device is carried out on the device itself, even if, in fact, the control is carried out via the electronic device placed or positioned on the surface.

[0029] The above-mentioned problem is also achieved by a method for operating a system comprising a beverage preparation device and an electronic device, preferably according to one of the embodiments described above, comprising the method steps: checking the existence of a wireless communication connection via near-field communication interfaces of the beverage preparation device and the electronic device and operating the beverage preparation device depending on the existence of the wireless communication connection.

[0030] Regarding the beneficial effects and details, reference is made to the system described above to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0031] In a first advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the beverage preparation device is operated without a wireless communication connection or without the existence of a wireless communication connection, exclusively via a device control unit, in particular a device-side input and / or output interface, with which the beverage preparation device is operated with a first set of functions, in particular with a first set of beverage recipes. This advantageously allows the basic operation of the beverage preparation device and, in particular, the production and dispensing of beverages, especially within the scope of a first set of functions, preferably within the scope of a first set of recipes, to be achieved and enabled even independently of the existence of a wireless communication connection.

[0032] The initial functionality, particularly the initial set of beverage recipes, may be minimal or limited in scope or number of beverage recipes.

[0033] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the beverage preparation device, when the wireless communication connection via the electronic device is established, is operated in a second functional mode, in particular with a second set of beverage recipes. The second functional mode, and especially the second set of beverage recipes, is advantageously larger than the first functional mode and larger than the first set of beverage recipes.

[0034] In this embodiment of the method, it is particularly advantageous that the control signals for controlling the beverage preparation device are transmitted or transmitted at least once from the electronic device to the beverage preparation device when the wireless communication connection is established.

[0035] The present invention will also be described below with reference to figures that are merely schematic and show exemplary embodiments.

[0036] It shows: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a system according to the invention in a first embodiment; Fig. 2: a schematic representation of a process flow of a process according to the invention.

[0037] Fig. Figure 1 shows a system 01 comprising a beverage preparation device 02 and an electronic device 03. The electronic device can advantageously be designed as a mobile electronic device, for example, a smartphone. Such an embodiment is sketched below. Alternatively, the electronic device can also be designed as a stationary device, such as a household appliance. Particularly preferably, peripheral devices of the beverage preparation device 02, such as an external grinding unit, can be used. However, for example, a refrigerator, an oven, an electric stove, or the like can also be used as the electronic device, as long as the necessary spatial proximity exists or can be established, either temporarily or permanently.

[0038] The electronic device 03 and the beverage preparation device 02 each comprise a near-field wireless communication interface 04. The near-field wireless communication interface 04 can, for example, be designed and functional according to the NFC standard. If the electronic device 03 is positioned within the range 05 of the near-field wireless communication interface 04 of the beverage preparation device 02, and vice versa, a wireless communication link 06 can be established and maintained, enabling the transmission or exchange of data, in particular control data of the beverage preparation device 02. This data, especially control data, can be advantageously used to control and / or operate the beverage preparation device 02.

[0039] The beverage preparation device 02 may be provided with a device control unit 07. The device control unit 07 may advantageously have only activatable and deactivatable, and otherwise unchangeable, in particular non-programmable, input means 08 and output means 09. The input means 08 may, for example, be designed as a simple push button or touch-sensitive activation elements. The output means 09 may advantageously be designed as activatable and deactivatable light sources, for example LEDs, which, for example, illuminate a partially transparent contour.

[0040] The beverage preparation device 02 can be advantageously operated via the device control unit 07 in a first functional scope, in particular with a first set of beverage recipes. For example, pre-programmed beverage recipes that cannot be changed or can only be changed minimally can be initiated, and subsequently the corresponding beverages can be produced and dispensed by the beverage preparation device 02.

[0041] If the wireless communication link 06 between the electronic device 03 and the beverage preparation device 02 does not exist, the operation of the beverage preparation device may be limited to operation via the device control unit 07.

[0042] Provided that the wireless communication link 06 exists, it can also be provided that control signals are generated and transmitted to the beverage preparation device 02 via a variable control unit 10 of the electronic device 03, which is connected to the near-field wireless communication interface 04 of the electronic device 03 via a computing unit 11, wherein these signals are generated or set via an input and / or output on the variable control unit 10. The variable control unit 10 can preferably be designed as an at least two-dimensional, programmable output unit, in particular a display, and more preferably as an at least two-dimensional, programmable, combined input and output unit, for example as a touch-sensitive display or multi-touch display.

[0043] It may be advantageously provided that, when a wireless communication link exists between beverage preparation device 02 and electronic device 03, in particular via control signals, the beverage preparation device 02 can be operated in a second functional scope, in particular with a second set of beverage recipes.

[0044] Advantageously, the electronic device 03 can have a further communication interface 12, for example a WLAN module, with which the electronic device can establish a connection 13 to a data network 14, wherein the second set of functions is advantageously dependent on data that is exchanged with the data network 14 via the further communication interface 13. This makes it possible to dynamically, subsequently, temporarily and / or periodically modify, adapt, expand and / or limit the second set of functions, which is available when the wireless communication connection 6 exists.

[0045] In an embodiment not shown, the beverage preparation device 2 may include a support surface for placing and / or storing the electronic mobile device 03, wherein the support surface is designed and arranged such that the near-field communication interfaces 04 are arranged within the range 05 of each other.

[0046] Fig.Figure 2 shows an exemplary sequence of a method according to the invention. In a first method step S1, for example, the beverage preparation device 02 can be switched on. In a second method step S2, for example, the operation of the beverage preparation device 02 can take place in a first functional scope via a device control unit. In a subsequent method step S3, for example, the near-field communication interface of the beverage preparation device 02 can receive a signal or a request from a corresponding near-field communication interface of an electronic device 03, which is located within its range 05.

[0047] Subsequently, in a subsequent process step S4, the wireless communication connection 06 can be established between the near-field communication interfaces 04 using generally known and, if necessary, standardized routines and procedures for establishing a wireless communication connection 06. In a subsequent process step S5, the beverage preparation device 02 can then advantageously be operated in a second functional capacity, wherein the control signals that influence or define the second functional capacity are provided by the near-field communication interface 04 of the electronic device 03.If, in a subsequent process step S6, the wireless communication link 06 between beverage preparation device 02 and electronic device 03 is interrupted, the beverage preparation device 02 can return to process step S2, in which operation within the scope of the first function can then take place again via the device control unit. Reference symbol list 01 System 02 Beverage preparation device 03 electronic device 04 Near-field wireless communication interface 05 Range 06 Wireless communication connection 07 Device control unit 08 Input devices 09 Expenditure funds 10 Control unit 11 Calculation unit 12 Additional communication interfaces 13 connection 14 Data network S1 - S6 Process step

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