METHOD AND CONTROL UNIT FOR CALCULATING THE VOLUME OF A VESSEL FOR A VESSEL AND DRINK VENDING MACHINE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a control unit for calculating the volume of a container for a beverage vending machine and to a beverage vending machine.

[0002] EP 1 647 951 A1 and EP 3 670 436 A1 both describe a beverage maker, in particular a coffee machine.

[0003] The approach presented here aims to create an improved method and an improved control unit for calculating the volume of a container for a beverage vending machine, as well as an improved beverage vending machine.

[0004] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method according to claim 1 and a control unit according to claim 10 for calculating the volume of a container for a beverage vending machine, and by a beverage vending machine with the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] The approach presented here provides a way to individually adjust the flavor intensity for each beverage container during dispensing. Advantageously, even asymmetrically shaped containers can be used for this purpose.

[0006] According to the invention, a method for calculating the volume of a container for a beverage vending machine is presented. The method comprises a step of detecting the outer height of the container via an interface to a sensor device of the beverage vending machine and a step of dispensing a specific quantity of liquid into the container via a spout of the beverage vending machine. Furthermore, the method comprises a step of determining at least one residual inner height of the container, wherein the residual inner height represents a residual distance between the liquid surface of the dispensed quantity in the container and a container edge, and a step of calculating the container volume using the determined quantity of liquid and the residual inner height.

[0007] The beverage dispenser can be implemented, for example, as a fully automatic coffee machine. The container can be, for example, a cup, a mug, or a glass. The container's external height can be defined, for example, as the distance from the base of the container to the rim. The sensor device can be located, for example, at a spout of the beverage dispenser. The liquid can be, for example, a hot beverage. Advantageously, the volume of an irregularly shaped container can also be calculated, so that both the dispensed quantity of beverage and the flavor intensity of the dispensed beverage can be adjusted to the container volume.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the method can include a step of determining the internal height of the vessel using the external height, following the step of measuring the external height, wherein the internal height represents an internal distance between the vessel bottom and the vessel rim. Advantageously, the step of determining the internal height can be performed before the step of dispensing the liquid. In this way, the thickness of the internal base can be determined and taken into account when determining the vessel volume.

[0009] Furthermore, a probability value for the container volume can be calculated during the calculation step. Advantageously, this allows a mixing ratio for, for example, a beverage to be dispensed to be estimated or determined.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a specific quantity of liquid, ranging from 4 ml to 12 ml, and in particular 8 ml, can be dispensed during the dispensing step. Advantageously, the liquid quantity can be controlled by a flow sensor in the vending machine. For example, the 8 ml liquid quantity can correspond to two pulses from the flow sensor. Such a small liquid quantity allows for the determination of the container volume in small increments.

[0011] The method can include a step of providing a setting signal to an interface of a beverage dispenser's brewing unit using the remaining distance value to set the brewing quantity for dispensing the beverage into the container. The brewing unit can advantageously include a brewing unit and, additionally or alternatively, a grinder of the beverage dispenser. Advantageously, the intensity of the dispensed beverage can be set using the setting signal.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the quantity of brewing material can be adjusted or changed during the brewing process by means of the setting signal in order to customize the taste of a beverage. Advantageously, this avoids or at least shortens the time-consuming programming of the beverage dispenser.

[0013] Furthermore, the procedure can include a step of saving the calculated vessel volume. Advantageously, this avoids the need to recalculate and determine parameters for the vessel already used. The data to be saved can advantageously be stored in a memory unit.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the method can comprise a further step of dispensing a predetermined additional quantity of liquid and a further step of determining at least one additional residual internal height, wherein the additional residual internal height represents a liquid distance value between the liquid surface and the rim of the vessel. This additional residual internal height can be smaller than the initial residual internal height. In the calculation step, the vessel volume can be calculated using the determined additional quantity of liquid and, additionally or alternatively, the additional residual internal height. Advantageously, this allows a mixing ratio or intensity of the beverage to be adjusted even for asymmetrically shaped vessels. Furthermore, a filling process can advantageously be controlled by repeatedly determining and calculating the residual internal height.

[0015] The next step of determining the remaining internal height can be carried out after a specified time period, in particular where the specified time period can be between 0.5 and 1 second. This advantageously prevents the container from overflowing.

[0016] According to the invention, a control unit is connected to and configured with a sensor device of a beverage vending machine to control or implement the steps of the method according to claim 1. This embodiment of the invention, in the form of a device, also allows the problem underlying the invention to be solved quickly and efficiently.

[0017] The control unit can be configured to read input signals and use these input signals to determine and provide output signals. An input signal can, for example, be a sensor signal readable via an input interface of the control unit. An output signal can be a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the control unit. The control unit can be configured to determine the output signals using a processing instruction implemented in hardware or software. For example, the control unit can include a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or a software module and may be implemented as a discrete component or comprised of a discrete component.

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

[0019] Furthermore, a beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage into a container is presented, wherein the beverage dispenser has a sensor device for detecting the outer height of the container, a spout for dispensing a liquid into the container and a control unit in a previously mentioned variant.

[0020] The beverage dispenser can be implemented, for example, as a fully automatic coffee machine or a hot beverage dispenser, suitable for use as a household appliance for private purposes as well as a commercial or professional appliance in the catering industry. The beverage itself could be, for example, a coffee drink. The dispenser is designed to dispense the prepared beverage into the container. Advantageously, the dispenser can be positioned in a resting position at a predetermined distance from a surface on which the container is placed.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the sensor device can be configured to detect the outer height of the container by means of a rocker switch, a light sensor, and additionally or alternatively, by means of motor current. In this context, a rocker switch can be understood, for example, as a contact sensor or touch sensor that emits a signal when it comes into mechanical contact with the outer edge of the container. Advantageously, the outer height of the container can be determined taking into account the distance to a storage surface of the beverage dispenser.

[0022] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a beverage vending machine according to an embodiment; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a beverage vending machine; Figure 3 is a schematic view of a container according to an embodiment; Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment for calculating the volume of a container for a beverage vending machine; and Figure 5 is a block diagram of a control unit for a beverage vending machine according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a beverage vending machine 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The beverage vending machine 100 is implemented, or can be implemented, as a fully automatic coffee machine. The beverage vending machine 100 is designed to dispense a beverage into a container 105. For this purpose, the beverage vending machine 100 has a spout 110 for dispensing a liquid, for example, the beverage, into the container 105. According to this exemplary embodiment, the spout 110 is arranged in a rest position 115 at a defined distance from a storage surface (not shown here). The beverage vending machine 100 also has a sensor device 120 for detecting the outer height of the container 105 and a control unit 125. The control unit 125 is designed to control and / or execute a method for calculating the volume of the container 105 for the beverage vending machine 100, as described in more detail in one of the following figures.

[0024] According to this embodiment, the sensor device 120 is designed to detect the outer height of the container by means of a rocker switch, a light sensor, and / or motor current. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the beverage dispenser 100 comprises a liquid container 130, a flow sensor 135, a pump device 140, a heating device 145, and a brewing unit 150. These components, as well as the outlet 110 of the beverage dispenser 100, are connected to one another by means of a piping system 155, which, for example, includes a plurality of lines and / or hoses. The control unit 125 is designed to control the components of the beverage dispenser 100.

[0025] The liquid container 130, also referred to as a water tank, is designed to hold a liquid such as water. The flow sensor 135 is designed to measure the quantity of liquid flowing through the piping system 155, for example, by means of pulses, each comprising 4 ml of liquid. The pump unit 140 is designed to pump the liquid through the piping system 155. The pump unit 140 pumps the liquid from the liquid container 130 towards the outlet 110. The heating unit 145 can be implemented, for example, as a flow heater. The heating unit 145 is designed to heat the liquid pumped through the piping system 155 before it reaches the brewing unit 150.According to this embodiment, the brewing material delivery unit 150 has a grinder 160 for grinding, for example, coffee beans to obtain coffee powder, and / or a brewing unit 165 which is designed to brew the coffee powder into a coffee beverage using the heated liquid.

[0026] Generally, the sensor device 120 is used, which includes, for example, at least one infrared (IR) sensor. The infrared sensor is attached, for example, to the movable spout 110. Typically, such a sensor detects the rim of the vessel 105 as well as a portion of the vessel's inner wall, allowing the internal shape of the vessel 105 to be inferred. However, this only works with rotationally symmetrical vessels 105 and opaque materials. For example, for latte macchiato, (transparent) glasses and / or asymmetrical vessels 105 are generally used, which cannot be detected by such a system. Against this background, the approach presented here enables volume detection and the adjustment of the flavor profile defined for a beverage to the size of the cup volume, so that the customer advantageously receives the desired mixing ratio for the respective beverage.

[0027] In other words, a dynamic volume detection system for glasses and asymmetrical vessels 105 is presented for use during the filling process. For this purpose, the sensor device 120, which includes, for example, at least one infrared sensor and / or one ultrasonic sensor, is arranged below the outlet 110 such that it is directed into the vessel 105, which can be configured as a cup. The internal height of the vessel can be determined, for example, by means of a rocker switch and / or a sensor designed to detect the vessel height, and by detecting the height of the vessel base.

[0028] As soon as the liquid, for example espresso, flows into the container 105, the beverage dispenser 100 calculates the container's volume based on the liquid level and the pulses emitted by the flow sensor 135. The flow sensor 135 is also known as a flowmeter. This process is optional and occurs at regular intervals. Based on this calculation and the height of the container 105, the beverage dispenser 100 calculates a probability of the container's internal volume. This calculated probability is checked, for example, every 10 pulses or every 0.5 seconds, and corrected if necessary. This comparison allows the container volume to be determined even for unusual containers 105 and / or glasses.

[0029] According to this embodiment, the beverage dispenser 100 stores the volume of the corresponding container 105. Should the customer optionally place this same container 105 under the dispenser again, the beverage dispenser 100 recognizes which container 105 it is after only a few milliliters have been dispensed and prepares the appropriate beverage with the correct flavor. This means that a comparison is made using the stored data to determine the container shape and / or calculate the corresponding container volume.

[0030] The taste, or for example the drink strength, is also adjustable. If the container 105 is used for the first time and has a special shape, the taste setting may only be adjustable to a limited extent, as it may no longer be possible to increase the amount of ground coffee. If the customer uses the container 105 again, the taste can be adjusted automatically.

[0031] Figure 2 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a beverage vending machine 100. The beverage vending machine 100 shown here corresponds to or is similar to the one in Figure 100. Figure 1The beverage vending machine 100 is described. According to this embodiment, the outlet 110 is arranged in the rest position 115, such that a rest distance 200 between the outlet 110 and the storage surface 205 of the beverage vending machine 100 is known. The sensor device 120, which optionally includes a rocker, is designed to detect the outer height 210 of the vessel. The outer height 210 corresponds to the distance between the bottom and the rim 212 of the vessel 105. The vessel 105 is optionally cuboid in shape. The sensor device 120 is further designed to, for example, emit a measuring beam 215 in the form of a light beam and, for example, to detect a distance to a surface of the vessel 105 and / or to a liquid surface by means of its reflection. According to this embodiment, the bottom thickness of the vessel 105 can thus be determined.In other words, according to this embodiment, the outer height of the vessel 210 can be determined using the resting distance 200.

[0032] Figure 3 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vessel 105 according to an exemplary embodiment. The vessel 105 shown here corresponds, for example, to the one in one of the Figures 1 or 2 The described vessel 105. According to this embodiment, the vessel 105 is cuboid in shape, i.e., it has a rectangular, in particular a square, base. According to this embodiment, the base 300 of the vessel 105, which has a base thickness 305, is also shown. Alternatively, the vessel 105 is or can be realized asymmetrically.

[0033] Figure 4Figure 400 shows a flowchart of a method according to an exemplary embodiment for calculating the volume of a container for a beverage vending machine. Method 400 can be carried out, for example, in a beverage vending machine such as those found in at least one of the Figures 1 or 2As described above, method 400 makes it possible to calculate the volume of, for example, an asymmetrical container. Method 400 comprises a detection step (405), a dispensing step (410), a determination step (415), and a calculation step (420). In detection step 405, the outer height of the container is detected via an interface to a sensor device of the beverage dispenser. In dispensing step 410, a specific quantity of liquid is dispensed into the container via a spout of the beverage dispenser. In determination step 415, at least a residual inner height of the container is determined, where the residual inner height represents the remaining distance between the liquid surface of the dispensed liquid and the edge of the container. In calculation step 420, the container volume is calculated using the determined liquid quantity and the residual inner height.

[0034] According to this embodiment, in step 410 (dispensing), the specified quantity of liquid, which ranges from 4 ml to 12 ml, is dispensed. In particular, the liquid quantity is 8 ml. For example, this quantity corresponds to two pulses measured by the flow sensor, also known as a flowmeter. Furthermore, in step 420 (calculating), a probability for the vessel volume is calculated. Step 410 (dispensing the specified quantity of liquid), step 415 (determining the remaining internal height), and / or step 420 (calculating the vessel volume) are only optionally repeated.

[0035] According to this embodiment, method 400 optionally includes a step 425 for determining the internal height of the vessel using the external height. This determination step 425 is performed after step 405, which determines the external height. In this embodiment, the internal height represents the distance between the bottom and the rim of the vessel. Method 400 also optionally includes a step 430 for providing a setting signal to an interface with a brewing unit of the beverage dispenser, using the remaining distance value determined in step 415, to set the brewing quantity for the vessel. In step 430, the brewing quantity is adjusted by the setting signal during a brewing process to customize the taste of the beverage.This means that, for example, the intensity and / or mixing ratio for a beverage is set differently for a large vessel than for an espresso cup. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, method 400 includes a step 435 for storing the calculated vessel volume. This means that the calculated value is stored, for example, in a storage unit of the beverage dispenser after step 420 of the calculation and remains available for future beverage dispensing. According to this embodiment, method 400 includes a further step 440 for dispensing a predetermined additional quantity of liquid and a further step 445 for determining at least one additional residual internal height. The additional residual internal height represents a liquid distance value between the liquid surface and the vessel rim. Furthermore, the additional residual internal height is less than the residual internal height.In step 420 of the calculation, the container volume is calculated using the determined additional liquid quantity and / or the remaining internal height. The subsequent step 445, determining the remaining internal height, is only optionally performed after a specified time interval, in particular where the specified time interval is 0.5 to 1 second.

[0036] Figure 5 Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a control unit 125 for a beverage vending machine according to an exemplary embodiment. The control unit 125 can be used in a beverage vending machine such as those found, for example, in one of the Figures 1 or 2 The control unit 125 is designed to perform or control a procedure for calculating the volume of a container for a beverage vending machine, as described, for example, in Figure 4As described above, the control unit 125, according to this embodiment, has a detection unit 500 configured to detect the outer height 505 of the container via an interface to a sensor device 120 of the beverage dispenser. Furthermore, the control unit 125 has a dispensing unit 510 configured to dispense a specific quantity of liquid into the container via a spout of the beverage dispenser. Finally, the control unit 125, according to this embodiment, has a determination unit 515 configured to determine at least a residual inner height 520 of the container, where the residual inner height 520 represents a residual distance between the liquid surface of the dispensed quantity and the edge of the container.According to this embodiment, the control unit 125 has a computing unit 525 which is configured to calculate the vessel volume 530 using the determined amount of liquid and the remaining internal height 515.

[0037] In other words, the control unit 125 is designed to calculate the vessel volume 530 from, for example, two pulses, optionally corresponding to 8 ml, and the remaining internal height 520. At regular intervals, the initial calculation is compared with a repeated calculation, and the calculated vessel volume 530 is corrected only optionally. A flavor adjustment is then made based on the calculated and / or estimated vessel volume 530.

Claims

1. Method (400) for calculating a vessel volume (530) of a vessel (105) for a beverage machine (100) with the aid of a control unit (125), wherein the method (400) comprises the following steps: - detecting (405) a vessel outer height (210) of the vessel (105) via an interface with a sensor device (120) of the beverage machine (100); - dispensing (410) a specified quantity of liquid via an outlet (110) of the beverage machine (100) into the vessel (105); - determining (415) at least one remainder internal height (520) of the vessel (105), wherein the remainder internal height (520) represents a remainder distance value between a liquid surface of the dispensed liquid quantity in the vessel (105) and a vessel rim (212); and - calculating (420) the vessel volume (530) by using the specified quantity of liquid and the remainder internal height (520).

2. Method (400) according to claim 1, comprising a step (425) of determining a vessel internal height of the vessel (105) by using the vessel external height (210) after the step (405) of detecting the vessel external height (210), wherein the vessel internal height represents an internal distance value between a vessel bottom (300) and the vessel rim (212) of the vessel (105).

3. Method (400) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, in the calculation step (420), a probability value for the vessel volume (530) is calculated.

4. Method (400) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, in the dispensing step (410), the specified quantity of liquid is dispensed, which comprises between 4 ml and 12 ml, in particular wherein the quantity of liquid comprises 8 ml.

5. Method (400) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a step (430) of providing an adjustment signal on an interface with a brewed product delivery unit (150) of the beverage machine (100) by using the remainder distance value to adjust a brewed product quantity for dispensing a beverage into the vessel (105).

6. Method (400) according to claim 5, wherein, in the provision step (430), the quantity of brewed product is adjusted or changed by the adjustment signal during a brewing process in order to adapt the flavour of a beverage.

7. Method (400) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a step (435) of storing the calculated vessel volume (530).

8. Method (400) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a further step (440) of dispensing a pre-specified further quantity of liquid, and comprising a further step (445) of determining at least one further remainder internal height, wherein the further remainder internal height represents a liquid distance value between the liquid surface and the vessel rim (212), wherein the further remainder internal height is less than the remainder internal height (520), and wherein, in the calculation step (420), the vessel volume (530) is calculated by using the specified further quantity of liquid and / or the further remainder internal height.

9. Method (400) according to claim 8, wherein the further step (445) of determining the further remainder internal height is carried out after a given time period has elapsed, in particular wherein the given time period is 0.5 to 1 second.

10. Control unit (125) which is connected to a sensor device (120) of a beverage machine (100) and configured to execute and / or control the steps (405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 425, 430, 440, 445) of the method (400) according to any of the preceding claims in corresponding units (500, 510, 515, 525).

11. Control unit (125) according to claim 10, comprising a computer program product having program code for carrying out the method (400) according to any of claims 1 to 9 when the computer program product is run on a control unit (125) according to claim 10.

12. Beverage machine (100) for dispensing a beverage into a vessel (105), wherein the beverage machine (100) has the following features: - a sensor device (120) for detecting a vessel outer height (210) of the vessel (105); - an outlet (120) for dispensing a liquid into the vessel (105); and - a control unit (125) according to claim 10 or 11.

13. Beverage machine (100) according to claim 12, wherein the sensor device (120) is configured to detect the vessel outer height (210) by means of a rocker, a light sensor, and / or by means of a motor current.