Beverage or food preparation systems

Abstract

The system comprises: a container for containing a precursor material, the container including a machine-readable code; a machine for preparing a beverage or food product by processing the precursor material, the machine including a code reading system for reading the code; a processing unit for processing the precursor material in the container into a beverage or food product; an electronic memory storing a plurality of predefined recipes for controlling the processing unit; a user interface; and an electrical circuit configured to control the processing unit to process the container based on the recipe stored in association with information encoded by the code, the electrical circuit configured to select one of the recipes from the plurality of recipes based on both the information encoded by the code and input from the user interface.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to an electrically operated beverage or food preparation system in which beverages or foods are prepared from preportioned capsules. [Background technology]

[0002] A system for preparing a beverage comprises a beverage preparation machine and a capsule. The capsule contains a portion of beverage-forming precursor material, such as ground coffee or tea. The beverage preparation machine is configured to perform a beverage preparation process on the capsule, typically by exposing the precursor material to pressurized and heated water. Treating the capsule in this manner causes the precursor material to be at least partially extracted from the capsule as a beverage.

[0003] This configuration of beverage preparation machine has become popular due to 1) improved user convenience compared to conventional beverage preparation machines (e.g., compared to manually operated stovetop espresso makers), and 2) improved beverage preparation process, in which preparation information encoded by a code on the capsule is read by the machine to define a recipe, which is used by the machine to optimize the preparation process in a capsule-specific manner. In particular, the encoded preparation information may include selected operating parameters in the beverage preparation process, including: fluid temperature; fluid pressure; duration of preparation; and fluid volume.

[0004] Various codes have been developed, and EP 2 594 171 A1 gives an example where a code is placed on the underside of the flange of the capsule. A drawback of such codes is that their coding density is limited, i.e. the amount of formulation information they can code is limited.

[0005] Such drawbacks become more and more significant as recipes become more and more complex, particularly as recipes may be implemented to derive multi-component beverages, the manufacture of which requires the control of separate processing systems for the coffee and milk components, for example.

[0006] Thus, despite the efforts already expended in developing such systems, further improvements are desirable. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure provides a system comprising: a container for containing a precursor material, the container including a machine-readable code; a machine for preparing a beverage or food product by processing the precursor material, the machine including a code reading system for reading the code; a processing unit for processing the precursor material of the container into a beverage or food product; an electronic memory storing a plurality of predefined (e.g., different) recipes for controlling the processing unit (e.g., the processing unit is controlled to perform a preparation process in which the container is processed); a user interface; and an electric circuit configured to control the processing unit (e.g., perform a preparation process) to process the container based on the recipe (e.g., only one of the plurality of recipes) stored in association with the information encoded by the code, the electric circuit configured to select one of the recipes based on both the information encoded by the code and an input from the user interface. In an embodiment, each recipe includes a set of fixed-value parameters required as input by the processing unit for the preparation process (e.g., a complete set such that no further parameters are required, or a partial set). In an embodiment, each of the recipes is stored in association with information encoded by a code (eg, such that a different code is linked to each recipe).

[0008] By implementing multiple recipes on the machine's database and having a shortlist of these multiple recipes defined by the code (e.g., the shortlist may include recipes for different types of beverages that the container is suitable for preparing, e.g., one recipe for latte, one recipe for espresso, one recipe for cappuccino, etc.), the code can be read to define the shortlist, and then a specific recipe from the shortlist can be selected by a user via user interface input (e.g., by selection of a type of beverage rather than individual parameters of the recipe). In such an implementation, the range of possible recipes linked to a code may be extended beyond a single recipe associated with the code.

[0009] In an embodiment, for each recipe, the parameters of the recipe are stored in electronic memory as a set of fixed values. The fixed values ​​may be pre-installed in the electronic memory and / or may be adjustable only via software updates. In an embodiment, the set of parameters of the recipe are not individually accessible / adjustable by input from a user interface (which may be an input to select the recipe). Rather, only the recipe may be selectable. In an embodiment, the recipe is represented on the user interface for selection as an indicia representative of the recipe, such as an icon indicating the beverage type associated with the recipe.

[0010] In an embodiment, the information encoded by the code for selecting one of the recipes is configured as a recipe identifier associated with one or more (but not all) of a plurality of recipes stored in electronic memory (e.g., in a first operational mode of the system). By implementing the machine to operate in the first mode using the recipe identifier on the code, the recipe may be conveniently retrieved from a repository of recipes on the machine's database.

[0011] In an embodiment, the electronic memory is configured to store recipes for a plurality of different beverage or food types, each type including one or more of the recipes for preparing that type, a recipe identifier is associated with a single recipe from each type, and input from the user interface includes a selection of a type.

[0012] As used herein, the term "type" with respect to a beverage or food product may refer to a particular subset within a beverage or food product category. For example, a category may be coffee and types may include types of coffee, such as cappuccino; latte; flat white; latte macchiato; espresso; and other similar types. For example, a category may be tea and types may include types of tea, such as chai; latte; black tea; and other similar types.

[0013] By implementing the code such that it is associated with a single recipe for each type, containers may be processed according to recipes specifically adapted for a range of types, thus enhancing operability, i.e., when operating in a first mode, the code includes recipe identifiers that are associated with multiple recipes for different types of beverages or food products, and a recipe is selected from the multiple recipes based on input from the user interface.

[0014] In an embodiment, the electrical circuitry is configured to store the input from the user interface of the type selection (e.g., in an electronic memory) before determining the recipe identifier from the code (e.g., before the code is read and / or processed to extract the identifier), and to perform the selection of a single recipe based on the recipe identifier and the stored type after obtaining the recipe identifier. By storing the type selection made by the user until a single recipe of each type can be determined by the recipe identifier, the user can make a type selection at any time before reading the code. Thereby, the system can be more convenient for the user to operate.

[0015] In an embodiment, the electrical circuitry is configured to determine the identifier, prompt the user via the user interface to input a type selection following the determination of the identifier (e.g., and a single recipe of each type from the identifier), and perform a selection of the single recipe based on the recipe identifier and the input type received from the user interface. Such a configuration may conveniently guide a user through the process by which a beverage is prepared.

[0016] As used herein, the term "prompt" may refer to any notification (e.g., audible or visible) to a user via a user interface to indicate that an input is required. A prompt may include a user interface highlighting element (e.g., a button or part of a display) that indicates which of multiple types of beverages are available. In an embodiment, not all types are available with every code, for example, from the following types: cappuccino; latte; flat white; latte macchiato; espresso, and espresso may not be available for a particular code.

[0017] In an embodiment, the recipe identifier is used to directly code the value of at least one parameter of the recipe (e.g., the volume of an ingredient of the beverage) onto the container (i.e., its code) in a second operating mode of the system. By implementing the identifier to be used to look up the recipe in the first mode as well as directly coding the parameter in the second mode, the code may have a high information density / storage efficiency. Furthermore, the first mode may be used for containers suitable for implementing enhanced features, and the second mode may be used in a conventional or legacy mode for other containers without breaking the code by incorporating the first mode.

[0018] In an embodiment, the beverage or food product prepared by the processing unit of the machine in the second mode includes only the first ingredient. By implementing the second mode as a relatively simple mode (e.g. a first ingredient that is only a coffee base, no additional milk ingredient), the machine may be used in a conventional or legacy mode for a particular container.

[0019] As used herein, the term "ingredient" with respect to a beverage or food product may refer to the output from a single processing unit. Thus, in the case of a system including a first ingredient processing unit and a second ingredient processing unit, the beverage or food product may include the first ingredient and the second ingredient. Also, in the case of a system including only the first ingredient processing unit, the beverage or food product may include only the first ingredient.

[0020] In an embodiment, the beverage or food prepared by the machine comprises a first component and a second component, and the recipe is for controlling the processing unit to prepare at least the first component. By implementing the recipe to prepare at least the first component, the first mode may precisely control the individual components of the beverage with greater functionality than the second mode.

[0021] In an embodiment, the recipe is configured to include providing instructions to a user interface of the system for preparing the second ingredient (e.g., recipe selection triggers an electrical circuit to send the instructions). By providing instructions (e.g., an audible or textual or other notification) on a user interface (e.g., the user interface may be of the machine or of a peripheral device or other electronic device of the system) for a machine that does not include a second ingredient processing unit (or that has a second ingredient processing unit but does not integrate such a unit into the machine's control system), a user may be instructed how to manually integrate such a second ingredient processing unit with the preparation process.

[0022] In an embodiment, the processing unit is a first ingredient processing unit for processing a first ingredient of the beverage or food, the system comprises at least one second ingredient processing unit for processing a second ingredient of the beverage or food, the electrical circuit is configured to control the one or more second ingredient processing units to prepare the second ingredient, and the recipe or (in the case of manual control) instructions are for controlling the second ingredient processing unit to prepare the second ingredient.

[0023] By implementing a recipe to control both the first and second ingredient processing units, both the first and second ingredients of the beverage can be precisely controlled to provide a composite beverage having multiple different ingredients that can be provided by different processes. For example, in an embodiment, the first ingredient processing unit is configured to process a precursor material of the container and the second ingredient processing unit is configured to condition a fluid component (e.g., milk) of the beverage or food product.

[0024] In an embodiment, a first ingredient processing unit is configured to process precursor material of the container and a second ingredient processing unit is configured to condition a fluid ingredient of a beverage or food product.

[0025] In an embodiment, a recipe for controlling a first component processing unit to prepare at least a first component includes one or more of: volume of the first component; fluid temperature; fluid flow rate; processing unit operating parameters (e.g., rpm for a centrifugal extraction unit); order of distribution (e.g., before or after a second component); any of the foregoing defined for one or more stages.

[0026] In an embodiment, a recipe for controlling a second component processing unit to prepare a second component includes one or more of: volume of the second component; fluid temperature; fluid flow rate; processing unit operating parameters; order of dispensing (e.g., before or after the first component); agitation; any of the foregoing defined for one or more stages.

[0027] In an embodiment, the code includes a mode identifier, and the electrical circuitry is configured to select one of the following modes of operation based on a stored relationship between the identifier and the mode (e.g., the identifier is a key and is associated with one of the following mode selections in a key-value database storage paradigm): a first mode, wherein the electrical circuitry is configured to select one of the recipes based on both the information encoded by the code and an input from a user interface; a second mode in which at least a part of the recipe is directly encoded on the code and the processing unit is controlled based on at least a part of the recipe directly encoded on the code; Optionally, a third mode, in which a default recipe stored in the electronic memory is used or the preparation process is interrupted and an error message can be provided to the user via the user interface.

[0028] By having a mode identifier stored with the code, the mode identifier can be used to determine the operating mode of the machine before any of the more complex processing steps associated with one of the modes are performed.

[0029] In an embodiment, the mode identifier is used to directly encode a value of at least one parameter of the recipe onto the code in a second operating mode of the system. By implementing the mode identifier to be used to look up the operating mode as well as directly encoding the parameters in the second mode, the code may have high information density / storage efficiency without breaking the code when used in the second mode.

[0030] The present disclosure relates to a system comprising: a container for containing a precursor material, the container including a machine readable code; a machine for preparing a beverage or food product by processing the precursor material, the machine comprising a code reading system for reading the code; a processing unit for processing the materials in the container into a beverage or food product; an electronic memory storing a plurality of recipes; and an electrical circuit for controlling the processing unit to process the container (e.g., perform a preparation process in which the container is treated), the electrical circuit being configured to operate in a first mode (a first type of preparation process is performed) in which a recipe identifier in the code is associated with a recipe (e.g., a recipe) of the plurality of recipes and the processing unit is controlled based on the recipe, and in a second mode (an alternative second type of preparation process is performed) in which a value of at least one parameter of the recipe (i.e. an alternative recipe that may be fully or partially encoded by the code) is directly encoded on the code and the processing unit is controlled based on the value (an alternative second type of preparation process is performed).

[0031] By implementing the machine to operate in a first mode using a recipe identifier on the code, a recipe can be retrieved from a repository of recipes on the machine's database, and the functionality of the code can be extended by implementing the machine to operate in a second mode in which the parameters of the recipe (or all parameters) are fully or partially directly encoded in the code. For example, enhanced functionality provided by additional recipes may be provided to machines additionally operable in the first mode, while machines operable only in the second mode may implement a single custom recipe encoded on the code. In particular, recipes in the first mode may be updated, for example, via a communication interface of the machine.

[0032] In an embodiment, in the second mode, the recipe identifier is not used to search for a recipe used in the first type of preparation process. In an embodiment, in the first mode, at least one parameter directly encoded in the code (used in the second mode) is not used to control the processing unit.

[0033] In an embodiment, the electrical circuitry is configured to operate in a first mode or a second mode based on a mode identifier (e.g., the mode identifier is separate from the recipe identifier) ​​and a stored relationship between the mode identifier and the operating mode.

[0034] To determine whether the machine can operate in the first mode (and / or the second mode) with a particular capsule, the machine may conveniently identify the operational mode of the container by implementing a mode identifier encoded in a code recognizable by the machine.

[0035] Reading the code of the container may be initiated by a command from a user interface (e.g., by pressing a start button). If the machine is only capable of operating in one of the modes with the container (e.g., the second mode), that mode may be executed automatically after the code has been read.

[0036] If the machine is capable of operating in both modes with the container, the mode may be selected by command from the user interface (e.g., by pressing the start button once or twice to distinguish between the two modes). A type selection (as described below) may also specify the selection of the first mode.

[0037] In an embodiment, the recipe identifier and / or mode identifier are used to directly encode the value of at least one parameter of the recipe on the vessel that is used to control the processing unit in the second operating mode of the system.

[0038] By implementing the identifier such that it is also configured to encode the value of a parameter of the recipe on the container, the code may have a high information density since no separate parameter is required for direct encoding.

[0039] The present disclosure provides a machine for preparing a beverage or food product by processing said precursor material in a container, comprising a code reading system for reading a code on the container, a processing unit for processing the precursor material in the container into a beverage or food product, an electronic memory for storing a plurality of recipes, a user interface, and an electrical circuit configured to control the processing unit to process the container based on the stored recipes in association with information encoded by the code, the electrical circuit configured to select the recipe based on both the information encoded by the code and input from the user interface.

[0040] The present disclosure provides a machine for preparing a beverage or food product by processing said precursor material in a container, comprising a code reading system for reading a code on the container, a processing unit for processing the material in the container into a beverage or food product, an electronic memory for storing a plurality of recipes, and an electronic circuit for controlling the processing unit to process the container, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to operate in a first mode in which a recipe identifier in the code is associated with a recipe (e.g., one recipe) of the plurality of recipes and the processing unit is controlled based on said recipe, and wherein the electrical circuit is configured to operate in a second mode in which a value of at least one parameter of the recipe (i.e., alternative recipes which may be fully or partially encoded by the code) is encoded directly on the container and the processing unit is controlled based on said value.

[0041] The present disclosure provides for the use of a container comprising a machine readable code for the system of any of the preceding or alternative embodiments disclosed herein.

[0042] The present disclosure provides a method for preparing a beverage or food product.

[0043] In an embodiment, the method includes selecting a recipe from an electronic memory based on information encoded by a code on the container and input from a user interface, and preparing the beverage or food product based on the recipe. The method may implement features of any previously described embodiment or another embodiment disclosed herein. The recipe may consist of a set of fixed-value parameters required as input by a processing unit for the preparation process. The recipe may consist of a set of fixed-value parameters required as input by a processing unit for the preparation process.

[0044] In an embodiment, the method includes reading a code on the container and selectively operating in a first mode and / or a second mode, where the first mode includes reading a recipe identifier from the code and controlling a machine to prepare the beverage or food product based on a recipe associated with the identifier, and the second mode (performed instead of the first mode) includes controlling a machine to prepare the beverage or food product based on at least one parameter of a recipe encoded directly on the container. The method may implement features of any previously described embodiment, or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0045] The present disclosure provides an electrical circuit for implementing the method of the preceding embodiment or another embodiment disclosed herein (e.g., by controlling a machine for preparing a beverage or food product, which may be any of the preceding embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein).

[0046] The present disclosure provides a computer readable medium comprising program code (which may include instructions for controlling a machine for preparing a beverage or food product, which may be any of the aforementioned embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein) for performing a method of the aforementioned embodiment or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0047] The foregoing summary is provided for the purpose of summarizing some embodiments to provide a basic understanding of aspects of the subject matter described herein. As such, the above features are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Moreover, the above and / or preceding embodiments may be combined in any suitable combination to provide further embodiments. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments, brief description of the drawings, and claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0048] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Aspects, features, and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements and in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system for the preparation of beverages or foods or precursors thereof. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block system diagram illustrating an embodiment of a machine of the system of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of a fluid regulation system for the machine of FIG. 2. [Figure 4A] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of a vessel processing system of the machine of FIG. 2. [Figure 4B] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of a vessel processing system of the machine of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of a vessel processing system of the machine of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of the machine and beverage of the system of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the control circuitry of the machine of FIG. 2; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of a container of the system of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a preparation process performed by the system of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the cord of the container of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process for determining a recipe used in the preparation process of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] Before describing several embodiments of the system, it should be understood that the system is not limited to the details of construction or method steps set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0050] The present disclosure may be better understood in light of the following description.

[0051] As used herein, the term "machine" may refer to an electrically operated device capable of preparing beverages and / or foods from precursor materials; or from pre-precursor materials, precursor materials that can be subsequently prepared into beverages and / or foods. The machine may perform the preparation by one or more of the following processes: dilution; heating; cooling; mixing; whipping; dissolving; immersion; steeping; extraction; conditioning; infusion; grinding; and other similar processes. The machine may be dimensioned for use on a countertop, for example, the preparation machine has a length, width, and height of less than 70 cm. As used herein, the term "preparation" with respect to beverages and / or foods may refer to at least a partial preparation of the beverage and / or food (e.g., the beverage may be prepared in whole or in part by the machine, and the end user may manually add additional fluids, including milk and / or water, before consumption).

[0052] As used herein, the term "container" may refer to any configuration for containing precursor material, e.g., as a pre-portioned amount of a single serving. The container may have a maximum capacity such that it can contain only a single serving of precursor material. The container may be single-use and may be physically altered, e.g., after the preparation process, to include one or more of the following: perforation to provide fluid to the precursor material; perforation to provide beverage / food from the container; opening by a user to extract the precursor material. The container may be configured to operate with a container processing unit of the machine, e.g., may include a flange for placement through or on the unit to align and orient the container. The container may include a rupture portion configured to rupture and deliver the beverage / food when subjected to a certain pressure. The container may have a closure member, e.g., a membrane, for closing the container. The container may have a variety of forms, including one or more of the following: cone; cylinder; disk; hemisphere; packet; other similar forms. The container may be formed from a variety of materials, such as metal, plastic, or combinations thereof. The materials may be selected to be food safe; and to be able to withstand the pressures and / or temperatures of the preparation process. The container may be defined as a capsule, which may have an internal volume of 20-100 mL. The capsule includes coffee capsules, such as Nespresso® capsules (including Classic, Professional, Vertuo, Dolce Gusto, or other capsules). The container may be defined as a receptacle, which may have an internal volume of 150-350 mL. The receptacle is typically for consumption from an end user and includes a pot for consumption via utensils including a spoon, and a cup for drinking from it. The container may be defined as a packet, which is formed from a flexible material including plastic or foil. The packet may have an internal volume of 150-350 mL, or 200-300 mL, or 50-150 mL, depending on the application.

[0053] As used herein, the terms "external device" or "external electronic device" or "peripheral device" may include electronic components external to the machine, such as those co-located with the machine or remote from the machine, that communicate with the machine over a computer network. External devices may include communications interfaces for communicating with the machine and / or a server system. External devices may include devices including smartphones; PDAs; video game controllers; tablets; laptops; or other similar devices.

[0054] As used herein, the term "server system" may refer to electronic components external to a machine, e.g., electronic components located remotely from the machine and communicating with the machine via a computer network. The server system may include a communication interface for communicating with the machine and / or external devices. The server system may include a network-based computer (e.g., a remote server); a cloud-based computer; or any other server system.

[0055] As used herein, the terms "system" or "beverage or food preparation system" may refer to a combination of any two or more of a beverage or food preparation machine; a container; a server system; and peripheral devices.

[0056] As used herein, the term "beverage" may refer to any substance that can be processed into a drinkable substance, which may be refrigerated or hot. A beverage may be one or more of: a solid; a liquid; a gel; a paste. A beverage may include one or a combination of: tea; coffee; hot chocolate; milk; juice; vitamin composition; herbal tea / infusion; infused / flavored water; and other substances. As used herein, the term "food" may refer to any substance that can be processed into nutrients for eating, which may be refrigerated or hot and may be drinkable. A food may be one or more of: a solid; a liquid; a gel; a paste. A food may include: yogurt; mousse; parfait; soup; ice cream; sorbet; custard; smoothie; other substances. It will be understood that there is some overlap between the definitions of beverages and foods, e.g., a beverage may also be a food, and thus a machine that is said to prepare a beverage or a food does not exclude the preparation of both.

[0057] As used herein, the term "precursor material" may refer to any material that can be processed to form part or all of a beverage or food product. The precursor material may be one or more of: powder; crystal; liquid; gel; solid; and others. Examples of beverage-forming precursor materials include ground coffee; milk powder; tea leaves; cocoa powder; vitamin compositions; herbs, e.g., for forming herbal teas / infusions; flavorings; and other similar materials. Examples of food-forming precursor materials include dried vegetables or stocks, such as anhydrous soup powders; powdered milk; flour-based powders, including custard; powdered yogurt or ice cream; and other similar materials. Precursor material may also refer to any pre-precursor material that can be processed into a precursor material as defined above, i.e., any precursor material that can be subsequently processed into a beverage and / or food product. In one example, the pre-precursor material includes coffee beans, which can be ground and / or heated (e.g., roasted) into a precursor material.

[0058] As used herein, the term "fluid" (with respect to a fluid provided by a fluid conditioning system) may include one or more of: water; milk; etc. As used herein, the term "conditioning" with respect to a fluid may refer to changing its physical properties and may include one or more of heating or cooling; agitating (including frothing by whipping to introduce foam and mixing to introduce turbulence); dispensing into serving amounts suitable for use with a single-serving container; pressurizing, e.g., to brewing pressure; carbonation; filtration / purification; other conditioning processes.

[0059] As used herein, the term "processing unit" may refer to an arrangement capable of processing a precursor material into a beverage or food product. It may refer to an arrangement capable of processing a pre-precursor material into a precursor material. The processing unit may have any suitable implementation, including a container processing unit or a bulk material processing unit.

[0060] As used herein, the term "container processing unit" may refer to a configuration capable of processing a container to derive an associated beverage or food product from a precursor material. The container processing unit may be configured to process the precursor material by one or more of the following processing steps: dilution; heating; cooling; mixing; whipping; dissolving; immersion; steeping; extraction; conditioning; pressurization; infusion; and other processing steps. Thus, depending on the processing step, the container processing unit may implement various units, including an extraction unit (which may perform pressurization and / or heat, e.g., heating or cooling, brewing process); a mixing unit (which mixes the beverage or food product in the container for consumption by the end user); a distribution and dissolution unit (which extracts a portion of the precursor material from a reservoir, processes it by dissolving, and distributes it to the container), and other similar units.

[0061] As used herein, the terms "electrical circuitry" or "circuitry" or "control circuitry" may refer to one or more hardware and / or software components, examples of which may include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs); electronic / electrical components (which may include combinations of transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc.); one or more processors; non-transitory memory (e.g., implemented by one or more memory devices) that may store one or more software or firmware programs; combinatorial logic circuitry; and interconnections of the above. The electrical circuitry may be located entirely on the machine or distributed among one or more of the machine; an external device; and a server system.

[0062] As used herein, the term "processor" or "processing resource" may refer to one or more units for processing, examples of which include an ASIC, a microcontroller, an FPGA, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a state machine, or other suitable components. A processor may be configured to execute a computer program, which may take the form of machine-readable instructions, which may be stored, for example, in a non-transitory memory and / or programmable logic. A processor may have various configurations corresponding to those described for circuits, for example, implemented in a machine or distributed as part of a system. As used herein, any machine-executable instructions or computer-readable medium may be configured to cause, for example, a machine or a system as disclosed herein to perform the disclosed methods, and thus may be used synonymously or interchangeably with the term method.

[0063] As used herein, the term "computer-readable medium(s)" or "data storage" may include any medium capable of storing a computer program and may take the form of one or more of any conventional non-transitory memory, such as random access memory (RAM); CDs; hard drives; solid-state drives; memory cards; and DVDs. The memory may have a variety of configurations that correspond to the configurations described for the circuits.

[0064] As used herein, the term "communication resource" or "communication interface" may refer to hardware and / or firmware for electronic information transfer. A communication resource / interface may be configured for wired communication ("wired communication resource / interface") or wireless communication ("wireless communication resource / interface"). Wireless communication resources include hardware that transmits and receives signals by air, and may include, for example, various protocol implementations of the 802.11 standard described by the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) and Bluetooth™ sold by Bluetooth Special Interest Group, Kirkland, Washington. Wired communication resources include Universal Serial Bus (USB); High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), or other protocol implementations. A machine may include communication resources for wired or wireless communication with external devices and / or server systems.

[0065] As used herein, the term "network" or "computer network" may refer to a system for electronic information transfer between multiple apparatus / devices. A network may include, for example, one or more networks of any type, which may include: a public land mobile network (PLMN); a telephone network (e.g., a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and / or a wireless network); a local area network (LAN); a metropolitan area network (MAN); a wide area network (WAN); an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network; a private network; the Internet; an intranet.

[0066] As used herein, the term "code" may refer to a storage medium that encodes preparation information. The code may be an optically readable code, for example a barcode. The code may be configured as a bit code (e.g., a binary sequence of 0s and 1s encoded by the presence or absence of an element). The code may be formed from a number of units, which may be referred to as elements or markers. The element may implement a finder portion and a data portion, the finder portion encoding a predefined reserved string of bits that are identifiable when processing the code from the data portion to enable location of the data portion that encodes the preparation information. The code may be configured as a one-dimensional code that is read by relative movement between the code and a code reader. The code reader may provide a bit stream signal or high and low signals for processing by preparation information extraction. It will thus be understood that the code may exclude a mere surface finish or branding on a container that is not configured in any way for information storage.

[0067] As used herein, the term "preparation information" may refer to one or more of: parameters defined herein; recipes defined herein; identifiers; and other information related to the operation of the machine.

[0068] As used herein, the term "parameter" may refer to a variable used as an input for the control (e.g., RPM) and / or properties (e.g., fluid target temperature or volume) of the beverage / food or its precursors controlled by the processing unit during the preparation process. Depending on the implementation of the processing unit, the parameters in question may vary. Examples include the volume of a particular component of the beverage and / or food (e.g., controlled by a pump of the fluid regulation system); the fluid temperature (e.g., controlled by a heat exchanger of the fluid regulation system); the flow rate of a fluid (e.g., controlled by a pump of the fluid regulation system); the operating parameters of the processing unit, e.g., the RPM of a centrifuge-based brewing unit, the closing force of a hydraulic extraction unit; the order of dispensing of the components of the beverage and / or food; the agitation (e.g., foaminess); any one or more of the above defined for one or more stages, where the preparation process consists of a series of consecutive, distinct stages; the duration of application of any one or more of the above parameters, including the time of the stage. The parameters may be numerical and may have values ​​that can be varied in predetermined increments between predetermined limits, e.g., the temperature of water may vary between 60 and 90°C in 5°C increments.

[0069] As used herein, the term "recipe" or "control data set" may refer to a combination of parameters, e.g., as a complete or partial set of inputs, used by a processing unit to prepare a particular beverage and / or food product.

[0070] As used herein, the term "identifier" may refer to a unique sequence of bits that form a key in a key-value database paradigm. In particular, a single identifier may be associated with one or a predetermined number of recipes stored in the electrical circuitry of the system. Because the identifier does not encode a single parameter, but is instead linked by the key-value database paradigm to the entire set of parts that are recipes, the identifier may be considered different from a parameter that is encoded directly on the container.

[0071] As used herein, the term "directly" or "direct" with respect to the value of a parameter encoded by a code may refer to a parameter having several possible values ​​that encode the magnitude of the associated parameter, one of which is extractable directly from the code, rather than extractable with a set of other parameters via an identifier and a lookup table. In other words, it may refer to the encoding of a value that can vary independently of other parameters of the recipe in the code. For example, 4 bits may encode a magnitude of 1 to 16 for water temperature, with 1 being the lowest and 16 being the highest, and these magnitudes may be scaled by rules on the machine to provide the actual temperature used in the preparation process.

[0072] As used herein, the term "preparation process" may refer to a process for preparing a beverage or food product from a precursor material, or a process for preparing a pre-precursor material from a precursor material. The preparation process may refer to a process carried out by a processing circuitry to control a processing unit to process said precursor or pre-precursor material.

[0073] As used herein, the term "code reading process" may refer to a process of reading a code and extracting conditioning information (which may include identifiers and / or parameters). The process may include one or more of the following steps: obtaining a digital image of the code or code signal; extracting a sequence of bits from the code; identifying a finder portion of the code in the sequence; locating a data portion using the finder portion; and extracting the conditioning information from the data portion. [System Overview]

[0074] 1, system 2 includes a machine 4, a container 6, a server system 8, and a peripheral device 10. Server system 8 communicates with machine 4 via a computer network 12. Peripheral device 10 communicates with machine 4 via computer network 12.

[0075] In alternative embodiments not shown, the peripheral devices and / or server system are omitted.

[0076] Although the computer network 12 is shown as being the same between the machine 4, the server system 8, and the peripheral device 10, other configurations are possible, including different computer networks for intercommunication between each device, i.e., the server system communicating with the machine through the peripheral device rather than directly. In a particular example, the peripheral device communicates with the machine through a wireless interface, e.g., using the Bluetooth™ protocol; the server system communicates with the machine through a wireless interface, e.g., the IEE 802.11 standard, and via the Internet. [Machine]

[0077] With reference to FIG. 2, the machine 4 comprises a processing unit 14 for processing the precursor material; an electrical circuit 16; and a code reading system 18.

[0078] The electrical circuitry 16 controls the code reading system 18 to read a code (not shown in Figure 2) from the container 6 and determine therefrom the brewing information. The electrical circuitry 16 uses the brewing information to control the processing unit 14 to carry out a brewing process in which precursor materials are processed into a beverage or food product or precursors thereof. [First example of a processing unit]

[0079] 2 and 3, in a first example of a processing unit 14 , the unit comprises a vessel processing unit 20 and a fluid regulation system 22 .

[0080] The container processing unit 20 is configured to process the container 6 to derive a beverage or food product from precursor materials (not shown) therein. A fluid regulation system 22 regulates the fluids supplied to the container processing unit 20. The electrical circuitry 16 uses preparation information read from the container 6 to control the container processing unit 20 and the fluid regulation system 22 to carry out the preparation process. [Fluid Regulation System]

[0081] 3, the fluid conditioning system 22 includes a reservoir 24; a pump 26; a heat exchanger 28; and an outlet 30 for the conditioned fluid. The reservoir 24 typically contains enough fluid for multiple preparation processes. The pump 26 moves the fluid from the reservoir 24, through the heat exchanger 26, and to the outlet 30 (connected to the vessel processing unit 20). The pump 26 can be implemented as any suitable device for driving the fluid, including a reciprocating pump; a rotary pump; and other suitable configurations. The heat exchanger 28 is implemented to heat the fluid and can include an in-line thermoblock type heater; a heating element for directly heating the fluid in the reservoir; and other suitable configurations.

[0082] In alternative embodiments not shown, the pump is omitted, e.g., the fluid is supplied to the container processing unit by gravity or pressurized by a main water supply; the reservoir is omitted, e.g., the water is supplied by the main water supply; the heat exchanger is configured to cool the fluid and may include, e.g., a refrigeration-type cycle heat pump; the heat exchanger is omitted, e.g., the main water supply provides water at the desired temperature; the fluid conditioning system includes a filtration / purification system, e.g., a UV light system whose degree of application to the fluid can be controlled; and a carbonation system that controls the degree to which the fluid is carbonated. [Container processing unit]

[0083] The container processing unit 20 can be implemented in various configurations, as shown in the following Examples 1 to 6.

[0084] With reference to Figures 4A and 4B, a first example of a container processing unit 20 is for processing containers configured as capsules 6 (a suitable example of a capsule is shown in Figure 8, which will be described later) for preparing a beverage. The container processing unit 20 is configured as a brewing unit 32 for extracting a beverage from the capsule 6. The brewing unit 32 comprises a capsule holder 34 and a closure part 36. The brewing unit 32 is movable to a capsule receiving position (Figure 4A) in which the capsule holder 34 and the closure part 36 are arranged to receive the capsule 6. The brewing unit 32 is movable to a capsule extracting position (Figure 4B) in which the capsule holder 34 and the closure part 36 form a seal around the capsule 6 and the beverage can be extracted from the capsule 6. The brewing unit 32 may be actuator driven or may be manually movable between said positions.

[0085] An outlet 30 of the fluid conditioning system 22 is arranged as an injection head 38 for injecting the conditioned fluid, typically under high pressure, into the capsule 6 at the capsule extraction location. A beverage outlet 40 is configured to capture the extracted beverage and transport it from the brewing unit 32.

[0086] The brewing unit 32 is configured to prepare a beverage by applying a pressurized (e.g. at 10-20 bar) and heated (e.g. at 50-98°C) fluid to precursor material in the capsule 6. The pressure is increased for a predetermined amount of time until it exceeds the pressure of a rupture portion of the capsule 6 (not shown in Figures 4A, 4B), thereby causing said portion to rupture and dispensing the beverage to the beverage outlet 40.

[0087] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the injection head and the beverage outlet are shown as being arranged on the closure and capsule holder respectively, but may alternatively be arranged, including the injection head and the beverage outlet being arranged on the capsule holder and the closure respectively, or both being on the same part. Furthermore, the brewing unit may include both parts arranged as capsule holders for capsules that are symmetrical with respect to the flange, including, for example, Nespresso® Professional capsules.

[0088] Examples of suitable brewing units are provided in EP 1 472 156 A1 and EP 1 784 344 A1, which are incorporated herein by reference, and provide hydraulically sealed brewing units.

[0089] 5, in a second example of a container processing unit 20, the brewing unit 32 is as described for the first example, but it operates by centrifugation at a lower fluid pressure. In particular, the brewing unit 32 comprises a rotation mechanism 33 including a capsule holder 34 for holding a capsule 6 and a drive system 37 for rotating said capsule holder 35.

[0090] An outlet 30 of the fluid conditioning system 22 is arranged on the closure 36 as an injection head 38 for injecting the conditioned fluid into the centre of the capsule 6 through the closure member of the capsule 6, as described below. A rotation mechanism 33 rotates the capsule to effect the delivery of the conditioned fluid radially outwards through the precursor material in the capsule 6 and out through puncture points (not shown) arranged around the periphery in the closure member. An example of a suitable capsule is the Nespresso® Vertuo capsule. A suitable example is given in EP 2594171 (A1), which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0091] In a third example (not shown), the capsule processing unit operates by dissolving the beverage precursor selected to dissolve under high pressure and high temperature fluid. This configuration is similar to the brewing units of the first and second examples, but due to the lower pressure, a sealed brewing unit is not required. In particular, the fluid can be injected into the lid of the capsule, the rupture being located at the base of the capsule's housing. An example of a suitable capsule is the Nespresso® Dolce Gusto capsule. Examples of suitable brewing units are disclosed in EP 1 472 156 (A1) and EP 1 784 344 (A1), which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0092] In a fifth example (not shown), the container processing unit is arranged as a mixing unit for preparing beverages or food precursors stored in containers, which are receptacles for consumption by end users therefrom. The mixing unit comprises an agitator (e.g., planetary mixer; helical mixer; and vertical cut mixer) for mixing the beverage or food precursor in the receptacle, and a heat exchanger for heating / cooling the beverage or food precursor in the receptacle. The fluid supply system may also supply fluid to the receptacle. An example of such a configuration is provided in WO2014067987A1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0093] In a sixth example (not shown), the container processing unit is arranged as a dispensing and dissolving unit arranged to extract a serving of beverage or food precursor from a reservoir of the machine (which may include any multi-portioned container including a packet or box). The dispensing and dissolving unit is configured to mix the extracted serving with conditioned fluid from the fluid conditioning system and dispense the beverage or food into a receptacle. [Code reading system]

[0094] 4A and 4B, the code reading system 18 is arranged to read a code 44 arranged on a closure of the container 6. The code reading system 18 is integrated with the brewing unit 32 of a first example of a container processing unit 20. The code 44 is read with the brewing unit 32 in the capsule extraction position (as shown in FIG. 4B).

[0095] The code reading system 18 includes an image capture unit 46 that captures a digital image of the code 44. Examples of suitable image capture units 46 include the Sonix SN9S102, the Snap Sensor S2 imager, oversampled binary image sensors, and other similar systems.

[0096] The electronic circuitry 16 includes image processing circuitry (not shown) for identifying codes in the digital image and extracting formulation information. An example of an image processing circuit is a Texas Instruments TMS320C5517 processor running a code processing program.

[0097] 5, the code reading system 18 is alternatively configured to read the code 44 from the underside of the flange of the container 6. The code 44 is read based on a rotation of the code 44 relative to a code reader 46 of the code reading system 18. The code 44 is read with the brewing unit 32 in the capsule extraction position (as shown in FIG. 5) and the rotation mechanism 33 rotating the container 6.

[0098] The code reading system 18 includes a code reader 46 that captures the code signal of the code 44. An example of a suitable image code reader 46 is a photodiode or other electrical component that can distinguish between dark and light elements of the code. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the code reader can be implemented as an image capture unit, as described above, or with another suitable reading system.

[0099] In a variant embodiment not shown, the code reading system is separate from the container processing unit and is arranged in a channel in which the user places the container and transports the container to the container processing unit; configured to read a code on a receptacle arranged to receive a beverage from the beverage outlet of the dispensing and dissolving unit. In a further variant embodiment not shown, the code reading system is alternatively implemented, for example the code reading system is arranged on the machine to read the code of a container that the user manually presents to the image capture device. In a further variant embodiment not shown, the code reading system is configured to read a code on a different position of the container, for example on a reservoir. [Machine configuration of ingredient processing unit]

[0100] 6, the machine 4 is in a first example configured to have a first ingredient processing unit 70 incorporating a processing unit 14 as described in the previous example. The first ingredient processing unit 70 is configured to prepare a first ingredient 72 of the beverage and / or food product 42 as part of the preparation process.

[0101] In a first example, the machine 4 is further configured with a second ingredient processing unit 74 for processing a second ingredient 76 of the beverage or food product 42. The first ingredient processing unit 70 is configured to process the precursor material of the container 6. The second ingredient processing unit 74 is configured to condition a fluid ingredient of the beverage or food product separated from the container.

[0102] The first ingredient processing unit 70 and the second ingredient processing unit 74 may discharge the associated first ingredient 72 and second ingredient 76 of the beverage and / or food product into the container 62 for consumption through the same outlet (not shown) or via dedicated separate outlets (not shown).

[0103] In a particular embodiment of the first example of the machine 4, the first ingredient processing unit 70 comprises a processing unit 14 configured as an extraction unit 32, for example as a second example of an extraction unit 32 as shown in Fig. 5 operating on the basis of centrifugation. The extraction unit 32 is particularly configured to provide a first ingredient that is a coffee base.

[0104] The second component processing unit 74 comprises a processing unit 78 that provides a second component 76 of the beverage 42, which is milk-based. In a first example, the second component processing unit 74 implements a fluid conditioning system as described with respect to the processing unit 14, which is operable to provide a conditioned (e.g., heated) fluid as the second component 76. In a second example, the second component processing unit 74 implements a fluid conditioning system (not shown) that is operable to provide a conditioned (e.g., heated and / or stirred, aerated / froth) fluid as the second component 76. Examples of suitable fluid conditioning systems include the De'Longhi™ milk system as implemented on Nespresso™ machines, including the Lattissima™, or the milk system as implemented on the Nespresso™ Aeroccino™. In an alternative embodiment, the second component processing unit 74 is alternatively implemented including a dissolving unit as described above.

[0105] Both the first ingredient processing unit 70 and the second ingredient processing unit 74 of the machine 4 are controlled by a common electrical circuit 16 as part of the preparation process, as described below. The first ingredient processing unit 70 and the second ingredient processing unit 74 are implemented on a common body. In an alternative embodiment not shown, they are implemented as separate units communicatively coupled by a communication interface.

[0106] In a second example, not shown, of machine 4, the configuration is as described for the first example, but the second ingredient processing unit 74 is independently controlled, e.g., controlled by a separate electrical circuit that is not in communication with electrical circuit 16. In this example, second ingredient processing unit 74 may be a stand-alone machine or may be integrated with machine 4. Furthermore, second ingredient processing unit 74 may be manually operated (e.g., a user manually sets one or more of the following: degree of agitation; temperature; volume; other qualities) or may be fully automated (e.g., a user provides instructions to prepare a particular second ingredient, which are adjusted). [Control circuit]

[0107] 7, the electrical circuit 16 is implemented as a control electrical circuit 48 that controls the processing unit 14 (and optionally the processing unit of the second component processing system, if present) to carry out the preparation process. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, for illustrative purposes, a processing unit 14 comprising a vessel processing unit 20 and a fluid supply unit 22 is shown as a first example.

[0108] The electrical circuitry 16, 48 at least partially implements (e.g., in combination with hardware) an input unit 50 for receiving input from a user that determines whether the machine 4 is to perform a preparation process, a processor 52 for receiving input from the input unit 46 and providing a control output to the processing unit 14; and a feedback system 54 for providing feedback from the processing unit 54 during the preparation process that can be used to control the preparation process.

[0109] The input unit 50 is implemented as a user interface and may include one or more of: buttons such as joystick buttons or push buttons; a joystick; LEDs; a graphic or character LDC; a graphical screen with touch-sensitive buttons and / or screen edge buttons; other similar devices; and a sensor for determining whether a container has been fed into the machine by a user.

[0110] The feedback system 54 includes: · a flow sensor for determining the flow rate / volume of fluid to the outlet 30 (shown in FIG. 3 ) of the fluid supply system 22, which may be used to meter a precise amount of fluid to the container 6 and thereby regulate the power to the pump 26; a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the fluid to the outlet 30 of the fluid supply unit 22, which can be used to ensure that the temperature of the fluid to the vessel 6 is correct and thereby to adjust the power to the heat exchanger 28; a level sensor for determining that the level of fluid in the reservoir 24 is sufficient for the preparation process; and One or more position sensors for determining the position of the brewing unit 32 (e.g. capsule extraction position or capsule receiving position) or one or more other motion-based feedback controls may be implemented.

[0111] It will be appreciated that the electrical circuits 16, 44 may be suitably adapted to other examples of the processing unit 14, for example a second example of a container processing system in which a feedback system may be used to control the rotational speed of the capsule. [container]

[0112] 8, an example of a container 6 for use with the first or second example of the processing unit 14 includes a container 6 configured as a capsule. The capsule includes a closure member 56; a reservoir portion 58; and a flange portion 60.

[0113] The reservoir 58 includes a cavity for storing the precursor material (not shown). The closure member 56 closes the reservoir 58 and comprises a flexible membrane. The flange portion 60 is integrally disposed with the reservoir 58 and presents a flat surface for connecting the closure member 56 to the reservoir 58 to hermetically seal the precursor material. The capsule 6 has a diameter of 2-5 cm and an axial length of 2-4 cm.

[0114] In alternative embodiments not shown, the container can have a variety of shapes, including hemispherical; curved; rectangular cross-section; frusto-conical; and other similar shapes. The closure member can be configured as a rigid member rather than a membrane. The container can be formed from two similar or identical reservoirs connected with a flange, thus eliminating the closure member. The closure member can be connected to the reservoir, thus eliminating the flange.

[0115] Suitable examples of containers and / or closures in terms of shape, size and / or material are known from any of the cartridges, capsules and pods for portioned flavoring ingredients used by Nespresso™ (Original Line, Professional Line, Vertuo Line) and Nestle Dolce Gusto™ and Nestle Special-T™. Thus, the material may comprise metal, such as aluminum, plastic and / or paper. The material is preferably biodegradable and / or recyclable. Suitable uses, e.g. extraction, methods and systems, are also known from Nespresso™, Nestle Dolce Gusto™ or Nestle Special-T™.

[0116] Details of the construction, manufacture and / or (beverage) extraction of the container and / or closure are disclosed, for example, in EP 2 155 021, EP 2 316 310, EP 2 152 608, EP 2 378 932, EP 2 470 053, EP 2 509 473, EP 2 667 757 and EP 2 528 485. [Code placement]

[0117] With reference to Figure 5, the code 44 is located on the exterior surface of the container 6 at any suitable location such that it can be read by the code reading system 18. With reference to Figure 8, the code 44 (not shown in Figure 8) may be located at one or more of the following locations: the closure member 56; the underside of the flange portion 60 facing away from the closure member 56; and the reservoir 58. [Process for preparing beverages]

[0118] Referring to FIG. 9, a process run for preparing beverages / food products from precursor materials is shown. Block 70: A user provides a container 6 to the machine 4. Block 72: The electrical circuitry 16 (eg its input unit 50) receives a user instruction for preparing a beverage / food from precursors and the electrical circuitry 16 (eg processor 52) starts the process. Block 74: The electrical circuit 16 controls the processing unit 14 to process the container (e.g., in the first or second example of the container processing unit 20, the extraction unit 32 is moved from the capsule receiving position (Figure 4A) to the capsule extraction position (Figures 4B, 5)). Block 76: The electronic circuitry 16 controls the code reading system 18 to read the code 44 on the container 6 and provide a digital image of the code or a code signal associated with the code. · Block 78: The code processing circuit of the electronic circuit 16 processes the digital image or code signal to extract preparation information and determine the recipe parameters. Block 80: The electrical circuitry 16 performs a preparation process by controlling the processing unit 14 based on the preparation information. In the first example of the processing unit, this preparation process includes controlling the fluid conditioning system 22 to supply fluid to the vessel processing unit 20 at a temperature, pressure, and duration specified in the preparation information.

[0119] The electrical circuitry 16 then controls the container processing unit 20 to move from the capsule extraction position through the capsule ejection position to eject the container 6 and back to the capsule receiving position.

[0120] In variant embodiments not shown, the above blocks can be executed in a different order, for example block 72 before block 70, or block 76 before block 74, or block 76 before block 72 (for example, the container can be detected as present by a code reading system or a dedicated sensor and automatically read without user input, followed by a user input to confirm the execution of the preparation process). Some blocks can be omitted, for example block 70 can be omitted if the machine stores a magazine of capsules; alternatively, in blocks 70-76, the user presents the code of the container to the code reading system, which, after the code is read, opens said container and dispenses the pre-precursor material to the processing unit. Furthermore, the container processing unit can be moved manually between the extraction position and the capsule receiving position.

[0121] Blocks 76 and 78 may be referred to as a code reading process. Block 80 may be referred to as a preparation process. The electrical circuitry 16 includes instructions, for example as program code, for the preparation process (or preparation processes). In one embodiment, the processor 52 executes instructions stored in a memory (not shown).

[0122] As part of the preparation process, the electronic circuitry 16 may obtain additional preparation information from the server system 8 and / or the peripheral device 10 via the computer network 12 using the machine's communications interface (not shown).

[0123] In the case of a machine implementing a second ingredient processing system 74, the system can be controlled to prepare a second ingredient 76 of the beverage and / or food in parallel with, or before or after, the first ingredient 72 prepared by the processing unit 14 of the first ingredient processing system 70. [Code Summary]

[0124] 10, the code 44 is comprised of a number of elements 80. The elements 80 are disposed on a border 82. The elements 80 are dark in color (e.g., comprising one of black, dark blue, purple, and dark green) and the border 82 is relatively light in color (e.g., comprising one of white, light blue, yellow, and light green) so that there is sufficient contrast for the image capture unit 46 or code reader 46 to distinguish between them. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the elements are light in color and the border is dark in color.

[0125] The element 80 is formed, for example, by printing with an ink printer. As an example of printing, the ink may be a conventional printer ink and the substrate may be the exterior surface of the container including one of the closure, flange, or reservoir, or a separate substrate connected to the container. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the element is alternatively formed, including by embossing, engraving, or other suitable means.

[0126] The elements 80 are arranged to be read sequentially as the container is rotated about the axis of rotation 100 (also shown in FIG. 5). The elements 80 of the code 44 are arranged on an imaginary line L extending circumferentially and spaced radially in the radial direction R from the axis of rotation 100. [General encoding of the code]

[0127] Element 80 encodes a data portion for storing preparation information and encodes a finder sequence for locating the data portion. Element 80 is encoded as a bit code, with the presence or absence of the element encoding a logical 1 or 0.

[0128] The finder sequence (not shown) comprises a predefined reserved sequence of logical 1's and / or 0's that are identifiable when processing the code. The data sequence is placed in a known position relative to the finder sequence, for example placed immediately after the finder sequence or interspersed within the finder sequence. Thus, with the finder sequence in place, the data sequence can be located, read and decoded. The data sequence can be decoded based on rules stored on the electrical circuitry 16 of the machine 2 (for example via an electronic memory). A specific example of such a code is provided in EP 2594171 A1. [First and second operating modes based on the code]

[0129] 11, the electrical circuitry 16 of the system 2 performs the following sub-processes, which may be implemented as part of blocks 78 and 80 of the process previously described in connection with FIG. Block 100: Obtain a mode identifier from the code and determine an operating mode based on the identifier (e.g., the electronic memory of the electrical circuitry 16 stores a list of known mode identifiers and for each mode identifier there is an assigned operating mode; this database can be configured as a key-value data storage paradigm). Block 102: If the mode identifier is assigned to the first mode, the machine 4 operates in the first mode and a distinct recipe identifier is read from the code. A recipe is selected from a number of recipes stored in an electronic memory based on the recipe identifier (e.g., the electronic memory of the electrical circuitry 16 stores a list of known recipe identifiers and for each recipe identifier there is an assigned recipe, this database can be configured as a key-value data storage paradigm). Block 104: If the mode identifier is assigned to a second mode, the machine 4 operates in a second mode, in which the value of at least one parameter of the recipe is directly encoded on the code 44 and this value is read directly from the code 44. Thus, a recipe in the second mode differs from a recipe in the first mode because some or all parameters in the data set containing the recipe are directly encoded by the code 44. Block 106: If the mode identifier is assigned to a third mode, the machine 4 operates in the third mode. The third mode includes a state in which the container associated with the code is not suitable for use in the first or second modes. It may include providing an error message to the user via the user interface of the input unit 50. · Block 108: The processing unit 14 is controlled using the recipe determined by the first or second mode.

[0130] In variant embodiments not shown, block 106 may be omitted. In a first mode, the mode identifier may be used to determine the recipe instead of a dedicated recipe identifier, for example the mode identifier may refer to the same item, or the mode identifier may be used in combination with the recipe identifier to determine the recipe. In a second mode, all parameters (e.g. the entire recipe) used as input for the processing unit may be directly encoded by the code, or some, e.g. at least one parameter, may be directly encoded by the code with other parameters determined by an identifier (e.g. the mode identifier or the dedicated identifier), which is used to retrieve the remaining parameters from the electronic memory of the electric circuit, as a key-value data storage paradigm. Instead of implementing a mode identifier, the user may manually switch between the modes, for example via a user interface of the input unit 50. A third mode may be implemented for situations where the code 44 could not be read, and the third mode may include or use a default recipe for preparing the beverage / food.

[0131] The recipe identifier from the first mode is also used in the second mode to directly encode the value of one or more parameters.

[0132] In a first example, when operating in the second mode, the encoded parameter is the temperature of a first ingredient of a beverage or food. The temperature is encoded as a number of magnitudes from 1 to N, where N can be any suitable value depending on the number of temperature settings required. In an example where N=4, the encoding is via 2 bits in the data portion of the code. In an example where N=16, the encoding is via 4 bits in the data portion of the code.

[0133] When operating in a first mode, the electronic memory containing a plurality of recipes, each associated with a recipe identifier, is configured such that the temperature magnitude is also used as the recipe identifier.

[0134] In other examples, other parameters are also encoded, including the volume or flow rate of the first component; and operational parameters of the processing unit, for example the RPM of a centrifugal operating extraction unit in a second example of a vessel processing unit.

[0135] In this way, parts of the code used in the second mode are reused in the first mode. The code therefore has a high information density. Furthermore, for machines that only operate in the first mode (e.g., legacy mode), the code is unchanged, but for machines that can additionally operate in the first mode, additional functionality is provided.

[0136] Similarly, the mode identifier may be used in a second mode to directly encode the values ​​of one or more parameters.

[0137] In an alternative embodiment not shown, a dedicated portion of the code can be used for the mode identifier and / or recipe identifier, separate from that used for direct encoding of the second mode.

[0138] Referring again to FIG. 11, in block 102 for the first mode, the electronic memory containing a plurality of recipes, each associated with a recipe identifier, is configured such that in addition to the recipe identifier being used to select a recipe from the plurality of recipes, user input from a user interface of the input unit 50 is also used to select the recipe.

[0139] This is accomplished by implementing a recipe identifier that is associated with two or more recipes from a plurality of recipes in electronic memory, in which the recipe identifier is used to define a shortlist of recipes from the plurality of recipes (the shortlist including fewer recipes than the plurality of recipes in electronic memory), and user input is used to select a single recipe from the shortlist.

[0140] Referring to Table 1 below, as one example of this implementation, the electronic memory is configured to store a number of recipes categorized into a number of different beverage or food types, which are exemplified as espresso; cappuccino; and latte macchiato.

[0141] The electronic memory stores between 100 and 108 recipes, representing a plurality of recipes. There are three recipes per type, i.e. the type espresso has recipes 100, 101 and 102. There are three different recipe identifiers, one unique identifier per type, i.e. recipe identifier 100 is used for one espresso recipe 100, one cappuccino recipe 103 and one latte macchiato recipe 106. Thus, for a recipe identifier determined in code 44 as 100, a short list of recipes includes recipes 100, 103 and 106. User input from the user interface selects a type from this short list, so that if, for example, cappuccino is selected, recipe 103 is selected and used in the preparation process. [Table 1]

[0142] In an embodiment, if the user inputs a type on the user interface of the input unit 50 before the code reading system 18 reads the code 44 (and obtains the short list), the electrical circuitry 16 of the system 2 is configured to store the type selection on an electronic memory (not shown). Once the code 44 is read (and the short list of recipes for each type is determined), the stored type is used to select a single recipe from the short list. Such a sequence of operations can occur when the machine is powered on and the user inputs a type selection on the user interface before providing the container 6 to the machine 4, or when the type selection is input during the code reading process.

[0143] In an embodiment, the electrical circuitry 16 is configured to read the code 44, extract the identifier, and determine a short list of recipes for each type, and if a type selection has not been entered, the electrical circuitry 16 sends a prompt to the user interface of the input unit 50 to request a type selection. The prompt may include, for example, highlighting an element of the user interface (e.g., a button on the display or a key for the user to press) for a type available for the particular container (in such an example, not all types are available depending on the code associated with the container). Once a type selection is made, a single recipe is selected from the short list.

[0144] In an embodiment, the type section is populated before the shortlist is determined, and following determination of the shortlist, if it is determined that the selected type is not available for the container, the user may be prompted to select a type as described above.

[0145] In alternative embodiments not shown, there is no user input such that a single recipe identifier is associated with a single recipe; there are other numbers of varieties, e.g., two, four, or more; there are other numbers of recipe identifiers per variety, e.g., two, four, or more.

[0146] Referring again to FIG. 6, a first example of the machine 4 includes a first ingredient processing unit 70 incorporating the processing unit 14 for processing a first ingredient 72 of the beverage or food 42, and a second ingredient processing unit 74 for processing a second ingredient 76 of the beverage or food 42.

[0147] Using the machine 4 in a first mode, in one example, a recipe controls both the first ingredient processing unit 70 and the second ingredient processing unit 74 to provide a first ingredient 72 and a second ingredient 76, respectively, of the beverage 42. In such an example, the recipe encodes parameters for both the first ingredient processing unit and the second ingredient processing unit.

[0148] Where the first component processing unit 70 is an extraction unit for providing a coffee-based first component 72, the parameters are one or more of: first component volume; fluid temperature; fluid flow rate; processing unit operating parameters (e.g. rpm for a centrifugal extraction unit); order of dispensing (e.g. before or after the second component); any of the above defined for one or more stages; and other parameters.

[0149] Where the second component processing unit 74 is a milk processing unit providing a milk-based second component 76, the parameters are one or more of: volume of the second component; fluid temperature; fluid flow rate; processing unit operating parameters; order of dispensing (e.g. before or after the first component); agitation; any of the above defined for one or more stages; and other parameters.

[0150] In such a machine 4 operating in the first mode, a recipe containing only coffee may be executed, for example for providing an optimized espresso, such a recipe containing parameters for controlling only the first ingredient processing unit 70.

[0151] In a second example of a machine 4 that includes an independently controlled second ingredient processing unit 74, for example, controlled by a separate electrical circuit that is not in communication with the electrical circuit 16. With such machine 4, in a first mode, in one example, a recipe controls the first ingredient processing unit 70 but not the second ingredient processing unit 74.

[0152] Alternatively, if the selected recipe requires operation of the second ingredient processing unit 74, the selection triggers the provision of instructions to the user interface of the input unit 50 (or other user interface of the system 2) to instruct the user on how to manually control the second ingredient processing unit 74 to prepare the second ingredient 76 in accordance with the recipe.

[0153] For example, the instructions may include manual setting or adjustment of one or more of: volume of second component; fluid temperature; flow rate of fluid; operating parameters of processing unit; order of dispensing (e.g., before or after first component); agitation; any of the above defined for one or more stages; and other parameters. The instructions may be stored in electronic memory in association with the recipe. In other embodiments, no instructions are provided.

[0154] In the above example of machine 4, when operating in the second mode only the first ingredient processing unit 70 is controlled. Thus, the recipe, which is at least partially encoded by code 44, does not require encoding of parameters for the second ingredient processing unit 74 either. Thus, the second mode may be considered a more simplified mode of operation having fewer capabilities than the first mode, and may be implemented on a machine having only the first ingredient processing unit 70.

[0155] It will be appreciated that a machine 4 that implements only the second mode of operation may execute block 104 directly, and thus execute the second mode without determining a mode identifier, thus obviating the need for blocks 100 and 102. Also, since the mode identifier and / or recipe identifier as used in the first mode may be integrated into the data portion of the code used to encode the parameter(s) of the recipe for the second mode, implementation of the first mode on a suitable machine does not interfere with operation of the second mode on such machine.

[0156] It will be understood that any of the disclosed methods (or corresponding devices, programs, data carriers, etc.) may be performed by either a host or a client, depending on the particular implementation (i.e., the disclosed methods / devices are a form of communication(s) and therefore may be performed from either "perspective", i.e., corresponding to each other). Furthermore, it will be understood that the terms "receiving" and "transmitting" encompass "input" and "output" and are not limited to an RF context of transmitting and receiving radio waves. Thus, for example, a chip, other device, or component for implementing an embodiment may generate data for output to another chip, device, or component, or may have as input data from another chip, device, or component, and such output or input may be referred to as a gerund, i.e., "transmitting" and "receiving", including "transmitting" and "receiving", as well as "transmitting" and "receiving" in an RF context.

[0157] As used herein, any expression used in the style "at least one of A, B, or C," as well as the expression "at least one of A, B, and C," uses the disjunctive "or" and the disjunctive "and," so that these expressions include any or all combinations of A, B, C and several permutations, i.e., A only, B only, C only, A and B in any order, A and C in any order, B and C in any order, A, B, C in any order. There may be more or less than three features used in such expressions.

[0158] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those recited in the claim. Moreover, as used herein, the terms "a" or "an" are defined as one or more than one. Also, the use of introductory phrases such as "at least one" and "one or more" in a claim shall not be construed as implying that the introduction of another claim element by the indefinite article "a" or "an" limits a particular claim containing such introduced claim element to an invention containing only one such element, even if the same claim contains the introductory phrase "one or more" or "at least one" and an indefinite article such as "a" or "an". The same is true for the use of definite articles. Unless otherwise stated, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements that such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate a temporal or other priority of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0159] Unless expressly stated as incompatible or unless the physical or other properties of the embodiments, examples, or claims prevent such combination, the features of the above-mentioned embodiments, examples, and the appended claims may be combined together in any suitable configuration, particularly those that have beneficial effects in doing so. This is not limited to any particular benefit only, which may instead result from an "after the fact" benefit. This means that the combination of features is not limited by the dependency of the described form, particularly the form of the example(s), the embodiment(s), or the claim(s). Moreover, this also applies to phrases such as "in one embodiment," "according to one embodiment," etc., which are merely a manner of language and should not be construed as limiting the following features to a separate embodiment to all other instances of the same or similar language. This means that a reference to "an," "one," or "some" embodiment(s) may be a reference to one or more and / or all of the disclosed embodiments, or a combination(s) thereof. Likewise, references to "the" embodiment may not be limited to the immediately preceding embodiment.

[0160] As used herein, any machine-executable instructions or computer readable medium are capable of performing the disclosed methods and thus may be used synonymously or interchangeably with the term method.

[0161] The foregoing description of one or more implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from experience with various implementations of the disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0162] 2. System 4 Machines 14 Processing Unit 20 Container processing unit (first / second example) 32 Extraction Unit 34 Capsule holder 36 Closing part 38 Injection Head 40 Beverage outlet 33 Rotation mechanism 37 Drive System 22 Fluid Regulation System 24 Reservoir 26 Pump 28 Heat exchanger 30 exit 16 Electrical Circuits 48 Control Electric Circuit 50 Input Units 52 processors 54 Feedback System 18 Code Reading System 46 Image Acquisition Unit 6 Containers (capsules) 56 Closure member 58 Storage 60 Flange 44 Code 80 elements 82 Primary Elements 84 Secondary Elements L Virtual Line 82 Border 100 axis R Radial direction 8 Server Systems 10 Peripheral Devices 12 Computer Networks

Claims

1. 1. A system comprising: a container for containing a precursor material, the container including a machine readable code; 1. A machine for preparing a beverage or drinkable food product by processing said precursor material, comprising: a code reading system for reading the code; a processing unit for processing the precursor material of said container into a beverage or food product; an electronic memory storing a plurality of predefined recipes for controlling the processing unit to perform a preparation process in which the containers are to be treated, each recipe including a set of fixed-value parameters required as input by the processing unit for the preparation process; A user interface; an electrical circuit configured to control the processing unit to perform a preparation process based on one of the recipes selected from the plurality of recipes; a machine comprising: Equipped with the recipe is stored in association with information encoded by the code; The system, wherein the electrical circuitry is configured to select one of the recipes from the plurality of recipes based on both information encoded by the code and input from the user interface.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the parameters of the recipe are not individually adjustable by user input.

3. the information encoded by the code selecting one of the recipes is configured as a recipe identifier; the electronic memory is configured to store recipes for a plurality of different beverage or food types, each type including one or more of the recipes for preparing said type; the recipe identifier is associated with a single recipe from each type; The system of claim 1 , wherein the input from the user interface includes a selection of a type.

4. The electrical circuit comprises: storing the input from the user interface of the type selection if received prior to determining the recipe identifier from the code, and after obtaining the recipe identifier, performing the selection of the single recipe based on the recipe identifier and the stored type; and / or 4. The system of claim 3, further configured to determine the identifier, prompt the user via the user interface to input the type selection following the identifier determination, and perform the selection of the single recipe based on the recipe identifier and the type.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the recipe identifier is used to directly encode values ​​of recipe parameters onto the code in a second mode of operation of the system.

6. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the beverage or food prepared by the processing unit of the machine in the second mode includes only a first ingredient.

7. the beverage or food prepared by the machine comprises a first component and a second component; The system of claim 1 , wherein the recipe is for controlling the processing unit to prepare the first ingredient.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the recipe is configured to include providing instructions to a user interface of the system for preparing the second ingredient.

9. the processing unit is a first ingredient processing unit for processing the first ingredient of the beverage or food; the system comprising a second ingredient processing unit for processing the second ingredient of the beverage or food; the electrical circuit is configured to control the second component processing unit to prepare the second component; The system of claim 7 , wherein the recipe or instructions are for controlling the second ingredient processing unit to prepare the second ingredient.

10. the recipe for controlling the first component processing unit to prepare at least the first component includes one or more of the following: volume of the first component, fluid temperature, fluid flow rate, operating parameters of the processing unit, order of dispensing, any of the foregoing defined for one or more stages; and / or 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the recipe for controlling the second ingredient processing unit to prepare the second ingredient includes one or more of the following: volume of the second ingredient, fluid temperature, fluid flow rate, operating parameters of the processing unit, order of dispensing, agitation, any of the foregoing defined for one or more stages.

11. The code includes a mode identifier, and the electrical circuitry selects one of the following modes of operation based on a stored relationship between the identifier and the mode: a first mode, wherein the electrical circuitry is configured to select one of the recipes based on both information encoded by the code and input from the user interface; a second mode in which at least a portion of the recipe is directly encoded on the code and the processing unit is controlled based on at least a portion of the recipe directly encoded on the code; a third mode in which a default recipe stored in the electronic memory is used or an error message is provided to the user interface; The system of claim 1 , configured to select one of:

12. 1. A machine for preparing beverages or food by processing precursor materials in containers, comprising: a code reading system for reading the code on the container; a processing unit for processing the precursor material of said container into a beverage or food product; an electronic memory storing a plurality of predefined recipes for controlling the processing unit to perform a preparation process in which the containers are to be treated, each recipe including a set of fixed-value parameters required as input by the processing unit for the preparation process; A user interface; an electrical circuit configured to control the processing unit to perform a preparation process based on one of the recipes selected from the plurality of recipes; Equipped with the recipe is stored in association with information encoded by the code; The machine, wherein the electrical circuitry is configured to select one of the recipes from the plurality of recipes based on both information encoded by the code and input from the user interface.

13. Use of a container containing said machine readable code for a system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. 1. A method for preparing a beverage or food product, comprising: selecting from an electronic memory a recipe consisting of a set of fixed value parameters required as input by the processing unit for the preparation process based on information encoded by a code on the container containing the precursor material and input from a user interface; preparing the beverage or food product based on the recipe; A method comprising:

15. 15. An electrical circuit or computer readable medium containing instructions for controlling a machine for preparing beverages or food to carry out the method of claim 14.

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