Beverage capsule system with repeated codes

Abstract

A system comprising a container for containing a precursor material, and a machine for preparing a beverage and / or food or a precursor of a beverage and / or food from the precursor material, wherein the container has a code arrangement comprising a plurality of code repetitions, each code encoding a binary sequence for at least partially encoding preparation information, and the machine comprises a code reading system for reading the code repetitions, a processing unit for processing the precursor material in the container, and an electrical circuit for controlling the processing unit based on the preparation information, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to implement a code decoder to read the code repetitions, obtain a binary sequence for each code, determine the number of bit errors associated with the binary sequence, and determine a recipe based on the binary sequence and the number of bit errors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrically operated beverage or food preparation system in which a beverage or food is prepared from pre-portioned capsules comprising a code encoding preparation information.

Background Art

[0002] A system for preparing a beverage comprises a beverage preparation machine and a capsule. The capsule contains a single-serving beverage precursor material, such as ground coffee or tea. The beverage preparation machine is typically configured to perform a beverage preparation process on the capsule by exposing the precursor material to pressurized and heated water. By treating the capsule in this way, the precursor material is at least partially extracted from the capsule as a beverage.

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

[0004] Various codes have been developed, one example of which is provided in European Patent Publication No. 2594171(A1), which features a code positioned on the periphery of the flange of a capsule. The drawback of such codes is that the code requires a precise position on the capsule so that the code can be read when the capsule is rotated relative to a code reader. Further exemplary codes are provided in International Publication No. 2017 / 144575(A1), the drawback being that, in order to determine the orientation of the code, the code requires a specific reference unit positioned at the center and / or outer edge of a circular coding line, and the reference line used to determine the orientation of the code is defined using the center point of the reference unit. A further drawback is that reading errors can occur when reading these codes.

[0005] Therefore, despite the efforts already made in developing the system, further improvements are desired. [Overview of the project]

[0006] This disclosure provides a system comprising a container for containing a precursor material and a machine for preparing a beverage and / or food or a precursor of a beverage and / or food from the precursor material.

[0007] In the embodiment, the container includes a code arrangement comprising a plurality of code repetitions. In the embodiment, each code (e.g., each code repetition) encodes a binary sequence for at least partially encoding preparation information. In the embodiment, the machine comprises a code reading system for reading the code repetitions (e.g., by acquiring a digital image and / or reading along the code to provide a signal), a processing unit for processing the precursor material of the container, and an electrical circuit for controlling the processing unit based on the preparation information.

[0008] In the embodiment, an electrical circuit (e.g., an electrical circuit of a machine or electrical circuits distributed within a system) is configured to read a code repeat, obtain a binary sequence for each code repeat (e.g., by decoding the presence or absence of a unit at a discrete location), determine the number of bit errors associated with the binary sequence (e.g., by a code decoder), and determine a recipe based on the binary sequence and / or the number of bit errors.

[0009] By implementing an electrical circuit (e.g., one or more processors and / or electrical circuits of a machine, such as a computer program executed by an ASIC) to determine the recipe associated with its binary sequence and the number of errors associated with the recipe determination (e.g., the binary sequence requires 0 to 3 error corrections to correlate with the recipe), imperfect code readings, which frequently occur in beverage machines and can be caused by container damage or dispensing conditions, can be corrected to a degree that the correct recipe can be identified. The corrected number of errors is used to determine the level of accuracy in the recipe determination, for example, no errors may represent a high level of confidence, while three errors may represent a lower level of confidence.

[0010] As used herein, the term “multiple code repetitions” may refer to two or more codes that are exactly the same and can be placed independently of each other, such as geometrically distinct codes.

[0011] As used herein, the term "binary sequence" may refer to a sequence of bits that can be directly encoded by a code.

[0012] As used herein, the term “based on preparation information” may mean controlling a processing unit using preparation information in any way, such as as a control parameter or used to calculate a control parameter.

[0013] As used herein, the term “code decoder” may refer to an algorithm configured to process a code for, for example, decoding and / or error correction. This may include, for example, a linear error-correcting code decoder such as a Golay decoder.

[0014] As used herein, the term “bit error” may refer to a numerical error in a single bit.

[0015] As used herein, the term “based on binary sequences and / or bit error counts” may refer to the binary sequences used to “look up” the recipe.

[0016] As used herein, the term "recipe" may refer to a set of parameters used to control a processing unit.

[0017] In embodiments, the electrical circuit is implemented as one or more processors configured to perform disclosed steps performed by a code reading system (e.g., including determining the validity conditions) and / or steps performed by a processing unit to process the precursor material of the container. The processors may execute program code stored in electronic memory and / or execute programmable logic, such as a logic array, gate array, structured array, etc.

[0018] As used herein, the term “encode at least partially” can refer to prepared information on a code that directly encodes the value of a parameter, for example, whose value is any numerical quantity between a maximum and a minimum value, and / or can refer to prepared information on a code that encodes one or more parameters via identifiers associated with those parameters, which are looked up in the machine’s electronic memory to derive their values.

[0019] In the embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to run a code decoder to determine an invalid binary sequence (e.g., an invalid code reading result in a single iteration) if the binary sequence is not associated with a recipe. Default conditions, such as a default recipe, may be enforced by returning a no valid / invalid recipe indicator if the binary sequence (including uncorrected or corrected binary sequences) could not be mapped to a recipe.

[0020] In one embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to determine a plurality of recipes associated with a binary sequence, each having an associated number of bit errors. By returning two or more recipes (e.g., one or more for each code iteration) each having an associated number of bit errors, the most appropriate recipe can be selected, for example, based on the recipe with the lowest number of bit errors. In another embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to determine a recipe from the plurality of recipes, based on the number of bit errors associated with the plurality of recipes, for example, to be used when controlling a processing unit.

[0021] In the embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to determine a recipe (for example, to be used when controlling a processing unit) from a plurality of recipes based on the number of occurrences of a particular recipe in those plurality of recipes. By selecting the recipe to be used by the processing unit based on the number of occurrences of the recipe in each code, it is possible to select, for example, the most frequently occurring recipe (or the combination with the fewest errors), and thus accurately determine the recipe.

[0022] In this embodiment, one or more code repetitions are placed on the coding line. By arranging the code repetitions to repeat continuously along the code line, the binary sequence can be read at any position on the code line.

[0023] In the embodiment, there are multiple encoding lines that extend longitudinally. Having multiple encoding lines that extend longitudinally allows for multiple codes that do not interfere with each other. In the embodiment, each encoding line is parallel to each other and offset laterally by a predetermined amount from each other. In the embodiment, code repetitions on adjacent encoding lines are offset longitudinally from each other. Such an arrangement can be more reliable because laterally extended damaged portions do not render all codes unreadable. In the embodiment, the longitudinal offset is a predetermined amount, or the electrical circuit is configured to determine the longitudinal offset. A predetermined offset can simplify the search for the same binary sequence in adjacent codes, while a variable offset can remove restrictions on code placement.

[0024] In the embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to determine the direction of code repetition based on the coding line. Examples include summing tones across the coding line or using other image processing techniques.

[0025] In the embodiment, the container includes a code that encodes a binary sequence for at least partially encoding preparation information. In the embodiment, the machine includes a code reading system for reading the code, a processing unit for processing the precursor material in the container, and an electrical circuit for controlling the processing unit based on the preparation information.

[0026] In the embodiment, an electrical circuit (e.g., an electrical circuit of a machine or electrical circuits distributed within a system) is configured to read a code, obtain a binary sequence, run an error-correcting code decoder having an error-correcting function for the binary sequence to correct single-bit errors in the sequence, and identify a recipe associated with that binary sequence (e.g., a corrected binary sequence).

[0027] Execute a code decoder to correct single-bit errors (e.g., by comparing the redundancy of a code including parity bits and / or other code repetitions or a library of acceptable binary sequences), thereby repairing reading errors in a binary sequence, and thereby making the binary sequence available for reading a recipe, e.g., capable of matching an identifier of the recipe.

[0028] As used herein, the term "single-bit error" may refer to a numerical error in a bit, e.g., an incorrect binary value in a sequence.

[0029] In an embodiment, an electrical circuit is configured to decode a binary sequence in a first forward order and a second reverse order (e.g., using an error correction function and / or to determine whether it is associated with a recipe) using an error correction code decoder to account for an unknown rotational position of the code.

[0030] By reversing the order in which the code is processed, it is possible to compensate for whether the code is at 0 degrees or 180 degrees, and thus the container need not be read in a particular direction within the machine.

[0031] In an embodiment, the error correction code decoder is configured to correct bit errors by redundancy. In an embodiment, the redundancy includes one or more of redundant bits in the code, other repetitions of the code, and a plurality of stored binary sequences (e.g., binary sequences each associated with a recipe, including via a recipe identifier).

[0032] In this embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to correct a predetermined number of bit errors (e.g., up to 3) using an error-correcting code decoder. If the number of bit errors exceeds the predetermined number, the code / binary sequence is determined to be incorrect and the recipe is not identified. By correcting only a predetermined number of bit errors, it is possible to prevent erroneous binary sequences from being used to read recipes.

[0033] In the embodiment, one or more codes are located on an encoding line. In the embodiment, there are multiple encoding lines extending longitudinally. In the embodiment, each encoding line is parallel to the others and offset laterally by a predetermined amount from each other. In the embodiment, codes on adjacent encoding lines are offset longitudinally from each other. In the embodiment, the offset is a predetermined amount, or an electrical circuit is configured to determine the longitudinal offset. In the embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to determine the orientation of the codes based on the encoding line.

[0034] In the embodiment, the container includes a code for at least partially encoding preparation information, and the machine comprises a code reading system for reading the code, a processing unit for processing the precursor material in the container, and an electrical circuit for controlling the processing unit based on the preparation information.

[0035] In the embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to read a code to obtain the code reading result (for example, as a digital image and / or signal), to determine the characteristics of neighboring non-coded portions near the code portion of the code reading result, and to correct the relevant characteristics of the code portion based on the determined characteristics of the non-coded portions in order to account for variations in characteristics in the neighboring non-coded portions.

[0036] By correcting the characteristics (e.g., optical properties of the digital image or signal intensity) of the code reading portion (called the code portion) that is close to the neighboring non-code portion (e.g., directly bordering or otherwise close enough to ensure representative correction) with the characteristics of the neighboring non-code portion (e.g., the same characteristics as determined), a more representative code reading result can be ensured, taking into account local variations in characteristics (which may be called baselines) that extend across both portions.

[0037] As used herein, the term “neighboring non-coded portion” may refer to a portion whose longitudinal position along the code is the same as (or similar to) a code portion. The lateral dimension of a neighboring non-coded portion may be smaller than the width of the code, for example, less than 0.5 times the width of the code, less than 2 times the width of the code, or less than 4 times the width of the code. A non-coded portion may not contain any units or objects that form a code, and such objects may include other objects that may be interpreted as part of the code, such as advertising or manufacturing-related objects.

[0038] As used herein, the term “coded portion” may refer to any location / region of a code reading whose longitudinal position along the code is the same as (including similar to) a neighboring non-coded portion.

[0039] As used herein, the term “characteristic” may refer to one or more of the following properties: characteristics of a digital image, e.g., intensity, color, amount of specular / diffuse reflection; characteristics of a signal, e.g., intensity / amplitude.

[0040] In the embodiment, the code is positioned on an encoded line, reading the code includes reading along the encoded line to obtain the code reading result, determining the characteristics of a neighboring uncoded portion includes reading along an adjacent uncoded line (e.g., directly without a gap or with a small gap) to obtain the reading result of the uncoded line, and correcting the relevant characteristics of the coded portion includes correcting the code reading result based on the reading of the adjacent uncoded line.

[0041] By reading along the lines, a signal for code reading can be generated, and this signal can be successively corrected, for example, by the signals of the uncoded lines in multiple code portions. In this way, the code reading signal can be corrected with respect to a baseline value.

[0042] In this embodiment, reading along an adjacent uncoded line includes reading along an adjacent first uncoded line and a second uncoded line with the coded line interposed between them. An improved correction can be achieved by reading the uncoded lines on both sides of the coded line and correcting using both, for example, their average.

[0043] In this embodiment, the non-coded lines do not contain any objects that form a code (e.g., units or coded lines, or other objects having the same (including similar) configuration as the unit / coded line, such as advertisements). In such a configuration, coded lines can be clearly distinguished from non-coded lines.

[0044] In this embodiment, reading along an encoded line and reading along an adjacent unencoded line includes generating an encoded line signal and an unencoded line signal, where the encoded line signal is compensated by the unencoded line signal. Having two signals allows the encoded line signal to be conveniently adapted to account for baseline variations, for example, by subtracting the encoded line signal from the unencoded line signal.

[0045] In this embodiment, the encoded line signals and / or unencoded line signals are filtered and / or smoothed, including before correction. Processing the signals in this way can remove non-typical noise and improve accuracy.

[0046] In the embodiment, the code is formed from discrete locations where units for encoding binary information are either absent or present, and where units are absent, it has the same configuration as the neighboring non-coded portion. In such a configuration, correction may be effective.

[0047] In the embodiment, the characteristics to be determined and corrected are based on the intensity of the code reading result (for example, the amplitude of the signal, which can be achieved from a grayscale image of the code using a scale representing the degree of specular and diffuse reflection).

[0048] In the embodiment, there are multiple coding lines extending longitudinally, each coding line being correct based on the adjacent non-coding line. In the embodiment, each coding line is parallel to the others and offset laterally by a predetermined amount from each other. In the embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to determine the orientation of the code based on the coding lines.

[0049] In the embodiment, the container includes a machine-readable code that stores preparation information. In the embodiment, the container contains a precursor material.

[0050] In the embodiment, the code extends along an encoding line and comprises a series of discrete locations that include or do not include units for encoding the preparation information at least partially.

[0051] In the embodiment, the machine includes a code reading system that acquires a digital image of a code (including coding lines) and fits a color model to the digital image; a processing unit for processing the precursor material of a container; and an electrical circuit that controls the processing unit based on the code and preparation information read from the code reading system.

[0052] In the embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to sum the values ​​of a color model along the coding line, which includes the code units and coding lines, determine the orientation of the code based on the sum, and read the discrete positions of the code in the image based on the determined orientation.

[0053] By implementing an electrical circuit to determine the position of the coded lines (e.g., the angle / rotation direction of the coded lines in the digital image) by summing the values ​​(e.g., numerical values) of the color model that constitutes the digital image along the lines and for the units that form the code, the coded lines can be precisely located using the sum compared to parallel uncoded lines that may have different sums.

[0054] Since the units of the code (when they exist at a discrete location) are located on the coding line, these units also contribute to the sum of values ​​and, therefore, to the determination of the code's orientation. Thus, the code has higher efficiency than separate units that only relate to location. If a unit does not exist at a discrete location, the coding line intersects that discrete location, and therefore, the coding line in the absence of a unit also contributes to the sum of values ​​and, consequently, to the determination of the code's orientation.

[0055] Compared to the arrangement of prior art, including that disclosed in International Publication No. 2017 / 144575(A1), the code of the embodiment may be more convenient because only the values ​​of the color model need to be compared with the sum and condition, whereas the cited prior art requires locating the individual units that form the reference portion of the code, finding the center point of the unit, and fitting a virtual reference line thereto.

[0056] In this embodiment, discrete locations encode the prepared information using Goley coding. With such coding, Goley coding does not require a locator or reference portion as a reserved sequence of bits to identify where the repetition of the code containing the data portion begins and ends, so to read the code, the electrical circuit may only need the orientation of the coded line.

[0057] As used herein, the terms “Goley” or “Goley coding” may refer to a type of binary code having a linear arrangement and potentially involving error correction. Goley coding may encode a specified number of unique values. Goley coding may not include locators or reference parts that position the data portion; rather, the unique values ​​may be arranged as repetitions. An electrical circuit may determine the arrangement information based on a key-value database paradigm, for example, as a stored relationship in electrical memory, and the unique values ​​are used as keys to look up the arrangement information.

[0058] As used herein, the terms “color model” or “color system” may refer to a mathematical model that describes a method by which colors (including shades of gray and tone with wavelengths in the infrared and ultraviolet regions) can be represented as values. These values ​​may be numerical. Examples of color models include grayscale; the RGB color model, the RYG color model, the CMY color model; and other models that have values ​​assigned to tones with wavelengths in the infrared and / or ultraviolet regions. A set of values ​​may be referred to as a color space or space.

[0059] As used herein, the term “based on sums” may refer to the calculation of the orientation of a code and / or coding line, which may include, for example, the step of summing values ​​by numerical addition. For example, it may include the step of determining whether the sum or a value derived from a sum (e.g., mean or variance or other similar quantity) satisfies one or more of the following conditions: it is above a threshold, it is the highest in the dataset, or it is the lowest in the dataset.

[0060] As used herein, the term “along the coding line” with respect to the values ​​of the color model may refer to the coding line, or to an area of ​​a line section containing the coding line that is decomposed into regions extending longitudinally along the coding line, including all of the line (e.g., from the start to the end of the coding line in the image) or a substantial portion, e.g., at least 80% or 90%. The regions may have the summed values ​​of the color model.

[0061] As used herein, the term “based on the determined position” may mean that the code is read using the calculated position of the reference line.

[0062] As used herein, the term “digital image” may refer to a digital representation of a real image (e.g., a code placed on a container). A digital image may consist of pixels, each having a finite size, a position specified as a coordinate (e.g., the center point of the pixel), a value of a color model, and an intensity of any choice. A digital image may be of fixed type, vector type, or raster type.

[0063] In the embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to assign values ​​of a color model to regions, one region comprising individual pixels of a digital image, or a group of multiple pixels within the digital image. A region may have coordinates assigned thereto to specify its spatial location. Computational efficiency can be improved by implementing regions comprising groups of pixels (e.g., by downscaling). Alternatively, the size of the pixels may be provided at a desired resolution.

[0064] In the embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to sum the values ​​of a color model for line sections, each having a lateral dimension of one or more regions and a longitudinal dimension of one or more regions corresponding to the longitudinal length of the coding area in which the code is placed. By arranging the line sections to extend across the entire longitudinal dimension of the coding area, the coding area can be decomposed into multiple laterally adjacent line sections, each line section having a sum value which is the sum of the values ​​of the region comprising the line section. In this way, the digital image can conveniently be idealized by an array of sum values ​​for each line section.

[0065] As used herein, the term “encoded area” may refer to an area of ​​a digital image containing a code. For example, a code (including repetitions of a code) may be located on an encoded area comprising a circular region of the circular closing member of a Nespresso® Classic capsule. This circular region may exclude the outer edge portion to which the closing member is connected to the flange portion.

[0066] In this embodiment, the lateral dimension of the coding line is smaller than the lateral dimension of the line section. By positioning the lateral dimension of the coding line to be smaller than the lateral dimension of the line section (for example, when the coding line is aligned along the longitudinal direction of the line section), the coding line can be contained within the line section in such a way that it can substantially affect the values ​​of the region, and therefore affect the sum of those values. In one example, the lateral dimension of the coding line is less than 20% or less than 10% of the lateral dimension of the line section.

[0067] In this embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to determine the sum for each of a plurality of line sections that are adjacent to each other in the lateral direction. By performing the sum calculated for adjacent line sections, the entire digital image or encoded area can be processed and idealized by an array of sums for each line section.

[0068] In this embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to determine the sum of the encoded lines when they are arranged at multiple different angles with respect to a reference axis, and to determine the alignment direction in which the encoded lines are aligned with the reference axis based on the sum.

[0069] The sum (for example, for a line section) may be conveniently determined by rotating the digital image until a state based on the sum of values ​​is identified, by implementing an electrical circuit to determine the sum with the digital image positioned at several different angles (for example, by incrementing the angle of the digital image relative to the longitudinal direction of the line section by 3° or 5° over a range including 0° to 180°), in which case the encoded lines are identified as being aligned (including substantially aligned) longitudinally (aligned to the line section).

[0070] In the embodiment, the orientation of the code is determined based on the variance of the sum of values. By implementing the electrical circuit to determine the orientation of the coding lines of the code based on the variance of the sum of values ​​(for example, for a line section), the code and coding lines can be conveniently distinguished from other uncoding lines in the digital image (e.g., line sections without codes or coding lines).

[0071] For example, if the coded lines are aligned longitudinally, when the codes and coded lines are within a line section, this substantially affects the total, and therefore the total can be identified from the total of parallel line sections containing non-coded lines. In this way, the variance of the total is large, which can be used to differentiate codes and coded lines that are not aligned longitudinally.

[0072] As used herein, the term "based on variance" may mean that variance is directly implemented, or that a value related to variance, such as the standard deviation, is implemented.

[0073] In the embodiment, the lateral dimension of the coding line is selected to be less than 20% or less than 10% of the lateral dimension of the code unit. By implementing the coding line relatively thinly compared to the code unit, the presence of a coding line passing through a discrete location may not be interpreted as the presence of a unit during the process of reading the discrete location, but the presence of the coding line ensures optimal effect on the value when summing the values. Alternatively, the coding line may be formed through a discrete location if there is no unit.

[0074] In this embodiment, the code is arranged using adjacent uncoded lines parallel to the coded lines, such that the sum of the corresponding values ​​of the color model along the coded lines in a first value range and the sum of the values ​​of the color model in a second value range.

[0075] By implementing the system such that the sum of values ​​for line sections with coded lines falls within a first range, and the sum of values ​​for parallel line sections without coded lines falls within a second distinct range, coded lines and uncoded lines can be conveniently differentiated.

[0076] This can be achieved by preventing substantial printing or formation that generates values ​​equivalent to the codes and coding lines in line sections that do not have coding lines. For example, the delivery of advertisements or other information in coding areas can be controlled to ensure that the codes can be differentiated.

[0077] In the embodiment, the code and coding lines are arranged to be either diffusely reflective or specularly reflective, and the periphery is formed as the other of diffuse or specular reflectivity. As used herein, the term “periphery” may refer to non-coding lines, including areas that do not have coding lines and code units, and may include areas of discrete locations of code that do not have units.

[0078] In the embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to identify diffuse reflective regions and specular reflective regions as color values. For example, diffuse reflective regions may be assigned low values ​​using a grayscale color model, and specular reflective regions may be assigned high values ​​using a grayscale color model. Such an arrangement may be advantageous because the visibility of the code may be less clear compared to forming the code and coding lines by color printing.

[0079] In the embodiment, the code is arranged on the outer surface of the container. The outer surface on which the code is arranged is formed with a first color range (for example, presenting a surface having the first color range).

[0080] In the embodiment, the code extends across the outer surface along a linear coding line and comprises a series of discrete locations which may or may not include units for at least partially coding the preparation information, the units and coding line being formed in a second color range.

[0081] In the embodiment, the sum of the tones along a linear coding line can be identified by comparison with adjacent parallel linear uncoding lines (or any other lines) extending across the outer surface. In the embodiment, the machine includes a code reading system for reading the code on the container, a processing unit for processing the precursor material of the container, and an electrical circuit for controlling the processing unit based on the code and preparation information read from the code reading system, wherein the code reading system is configured to determine the location of the code from the image on the outer surface based on the sum of the tones.

[0082] By implementing codes on coded lines that belong to a specific color range compared to other parts of the outer image (e.g., uncoded lines), the location of the codes can be conveniently determined based on the sum of the color tones, for example, with low processing overhead and / or high precision.

[0083] As used herein, the term “external surface” can refer to any surface of a container on which an image can be presented for reading by a code reading system, and may include the external surface of a closure member, a storage section, or a flange connecting a closure member and a storage section. Examples of suitable closure members and materials can be derived from the teachings disclosed herein, as well as from the examples relating to containers and / or closure members. Details of suitable structures and / or operations are disclosed, for example, in European Patent No. 2569230.

[0084] As used herein, the term “first color range” may refer to a specific range of tones, for example, that range may include relatively dark colors, such as black, dark blue, dark green, and dark purple; or relatively light colors, such as white, light red, and yellow. The range may also be defined by a grayscale (either in the actual shades of gray, or in the colors of that range converted to grayscale), for example, in the case of an 8-bit or 16-bit grayscale, the first 0 to 100 bits may include the first color range (i.e., black to dark gray). Similarly, bit color including 8 bits or 16 bits may be implemented.

[0085] The term "second color range" is defined in relation to the first color range, but is separate from it. For example, if the first color range includes relatively dark colors, the second color range includes relatively light colors; if the first color range includes bits 150-255 (white to light gray in 8-bit grayscale), the second color range includes bits 0-100 (black to dark gray).

[0086] As used herein, the term “discrete location” may refer to a discrete location that can typically be equipped with a unit as a means of encoding information as bits, or a reserved, distinct location within a sequence of discrete locations that cannot be equipped with a unit.

[0087] As used herein, the term “sum of tones along a linear coding line” may refer to a coding line (or a representative segment encapsulating a coding line) that is analyzed as a series of elements, where, for example, pixels or combinations of pixels define elements, and a representative value for the tone of each element is determined. The representative value may be the sum of the values ​​for each tone, or it may be the mean, i.e., the sum of the values ​​for each tone divided by the number of elements sampled. In the example where a coding line is formed in a second color range having an 8-bit grayscale in the range of bits 0 to 100, each element is assigned a value between 0 and 100, which is summed across all elements and optionally divided by the number of elements.

[0088] As used herein, the term “non-coded line” may refer to any line that does not have a code or unit that forms a code, and which may extend parallel to a code. A non-coded line is typically one or more lines that are directly adjacent to a code.

[0089] As used herein, the term "identifiable by comparison with adjacent parallel linear uncoded lines" may mean that the aforementioned sum is substantially different with respect to the coded lines when compared with the uncoded lines, for example, in the 8-bit grayscale example, there may be a difference of at least 50. The sum may also be identifiable in the same manner from any other parallel lines in the image, e.g., uncoded or otherwise.

[0090] As used herein, the term “determining the location of a code from an image” may refer to identifying the position or angular relationship of the coding line in which the code is placed, relative to the image of the code being processed.

[0091] In this embodiment, the first color range includes one of the relatively lighter colors, and the second color range includes the other of either the relatively lighter or relatively darker colors. By implementing these ranges, the portion that forms the code can be conveniently identified from the region that does not form the code.

[0092] In the embodiment, the determined position includes determining the rotation direction of the code by the angle that the coding line makes with respect to a reference axis associated with the image. For example, the image of the code may be assigned any two-dimensional axis, and it can be determined that the coding line is at a specific angle with respect to the X axis.

[0093] In the embodiment, the code reading system is configured to increment the rotation of the image over a predetermined range and select a rotation from that range, and the coded lines are aligned with a reference axis to update the rotation orientation of the image. For example, the reference X-axis may remain in a fixed position, and the outer image may be gradually rotated in increments of 2° to 5° around the center until it is determined that the coded lines are sufficiently aligned with the X-axis.

[0094] In this embodiment, the code is read in the first direction along the coding line in that rotational orientation, and if an error is determined, the code is read in the opposite second direction along the coding line. In such an arrangement, the directional code can conveniently be read in the correct direction.

[0095] In the embodiment, lines along an encoded line include a larger dispersion of a first and second color range than lines along the adjacent unencoded line, due to the presence or absence of units of code, and the code reading system is configured to determine the location of the code from the image by identifying the encoded line based on the encoded line formed by the greater dispersion. For example, an area comprising an encoded line and an unencoded line can be idealized as a segment (extended in thickness from the encoded line to include the width of the code units). The segment can be decomposed into elements. In the 8-bit grayscale example, for a segment, the dispersion in the tonal values ​​of the elements is determined. Lines with a higher dispersion identify the encoded line because the encoded line includes a considerable amount of units of code comprising the second color range, or because it has no units comprising the first color range (in some examples, an unencoded line may only comprise the first color range).

[0096] As used herein, the term "based on variance" may refer to a numerical quantity that is either variance or related to variance, including its standard deviation.

[0097] In the embodiment, the position of the code determined by the dispersion includes a lateral offset from the reference axis.

[0098] In the embodiment, the lateral thickness of the coding line is selected to be relatively narrow compared to the units of the code (e.g., less than 20% or less than 10%). In the embodiment, the code reading system is configured to determine the dispersion of the coding line at a lower resolution than when determining the color tone. By determining the dispersion in a low-resolution mode selected so that relatively thin coding lines do not affect the dispersion determination, the presence of coding lines may not interfere with the high dispersion of the code determined for locating the code.

[0099] In the embodiment, the code is arranged as a repeating unit that repeats itself along the coding line. For example, the coding line may contain 2 to 4 repetitions of the code, any of which can be read to extract the preparation information. Such an arrangement can be more reliable because the repetitions can be checked against each other, or if one repetition is damaged, another can be used.

[0100] In this embodiment, there are multiple coding lines, each offset from the others and parallel to one another. By implementing multiple coding lines, if one coding line is damaged, another coding line can be used.

[0101] In the embodiment, the determined location includes locating the coding line having the longest length based on the distribution. Since the longest coding line contains the largest number of code repetitions, locating the longest coding line can achieve the greatest opportunity to successfully read the code.

[0102] In the embodiment, discrete positions are arranged so that they are directly adjacent to each other. In the embodiment, the end regions of units that are not adjacent to another unit are curved. It has been found that curving the outer regions of units provides a more aesthetically pleasing object that does not look like code.

[0103] In the embodiment, the container comprises a storage section and a closing member, the closing member having an outer surface with a code and coding lines. The container may have a rotationally symmetric axis extending through the center of the closing member. In the embodiment, the coding lines extend between the edges of the closing member so as to divide the closing member in two, and the image is of the entire closing member. The acquired image of the closing member may be circular, and the closing member may be circular.

[0104] In this embodiment, the non-coded lines (which may be directly adjacent to the coded lines or located away from them) comprise only the first color range. In such an arrangement, the coded lines can be conveniently differentiated from the non-coded lines.

[0105] In the embodiment, a non-coded line (which may be directly adjacent to a coded line or located away from a coded line) comprises a first color range and a portion of a second color range which may be formed by one or more objects unrelated to the code. However, the proportion of the second color range may be selected to be less specific (e.g., with respect to variance or tonal summation) than provided by the code and / or coded line. In such an arrangement, the coded line may be conveniently differentiated from the non-coded line during processing, and the non-coded line may comprise other objects, including logos; trademarks; text; one or more of the following or other effects: information about a container for the user, e.g., an image that can provide a coffee blend; an aesthetically pleasing exterior than having only the code on it; and alternative objects that prevent the user from being aware of the code.

[0106] In this embodiment, the code reading system is configured to read the code based on the determined position and to decode the read code using an algorithm, such as the Goley algorithm.

[0107] This disclosure provides a machine for preparing beverages and / or food or precursors of beverages and / or food from a container comprising precursor material and code, the machine including features of a system from any of the embodiments described above or other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0108] In one embodiment, the processing unit includes a container processing unit and a fluid processing system, and the electrical circuit is configured to control the container processing unit and the fluid processing system based on preparation information read from a code. In another embodiment, the processing unit is configured as a bulk material processing unit, and the electrical circuit is configured to control the bulk material processing unit to process bulk precursor material dispensed from or placed inside a container based on preparation information read from a code.

[0109] This disclosure provides a container for housing precursor materials for use by a machine for preparing beverages or food or precursors of beverages or food. This machine may relate to any of the aforementioned embodiments or other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0110] In the embodiment, the container includes a machine-readable code that stores preparation information for processing the precursor material. The code may have any features of the embodiments described above or of other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0111] In the embodiment, the code extends along an encoding line and comprises a series of discrete locations that include or do not include units for encoding the preparation information at least partially.

[0112] In the embodiment, the sum of the values ​​of the color model fitted to the digital image of the code along the coded line can be identified by comparing it with adjacent parallel uncoded lines in order to determine the orientation of the code based on the sum.

[0113] In the embodiment, the container includes an outer surface having a machine-readable code having any features of the embodiments described above or of other embodiments disclosed herein. The code stores preparation information for use by a preparation process performed by the machine, which is controlled based on the preparation information to prepare a beverage and / or food or a precursor of a beverage and / or food.

[0114] This disclosure provides a substrate for use in a machine for preparing beverages and / or food or precursors of beverages and / or food, for attachment to a container for containing precursor material, the substrate including an outer surface having a machine-readable code having any feature of the above-described embodiment or any other embodiment disclosed herein.

[0115] As used herein, the term “substrate” may refer to any suitable carrier for a cord that can be used to connect the cord to a container, examples of which include stickers, cardboard members for receiving adhesive strips; closure members; and other suitable arrangements.

[0116] This disclosure provides the use of a container of any of the aforementioned embodiments or other embodiments disclosed herein for a machine / system of any of the aforementioned embodiments or other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0117] This disclosure provides a method for reading / determining preparation information for processing a precursor material. The preparation information can be at least partially encoded by a code, including by code repetition, on a container containing the precursor material. This method may be carried out to read a code in any of the aforementioned embodiments or in another embodiment disclosed herein. This method may be carried out by a machine for preparing beverages and / or food or precursors of beverages and / or food. This method may be carried out by a processor, for example, its electrical circuitry, including implementation as a machine-executable step.

[0118] In embodiments, the method includes reading a code repeat (e.g., using a code reading system) / obtaining the reading of a code repeat, each of which encodes a binary sequence (e.g., as information obtained by a processor), determining the number of bit errors associated with the binary sequence, and determining a recipe based on the binary sequence and the number of bit errors.

[0119] In embodiments, the method includes reading a code repetition (e.g., using a code reading system) / obtaining a reading of the code encoding a binary sequence (e.g., as information obtained by a processor), correcting a single bit error in the sequence, and identifying a recipe associated with the binary sequence.

[0120] In embodiments, this method includes obtaining a code read (e.g., as information acquired by a processor), reading the code (e.g., using a code reading system) / obtaining the code read result, determining the characteristics of neighboring non-code portions near the code portion of the code read result, and correcting the relevant characteristics of the code portion based on the determined characteristics of the non-code portions to account for variations in characteristics in neighboring non-code portions.

[0121] In embodiments, the method includes fitting a color model to a digital image of a code; summing the values ​​of the color model along the coding lines, including the units and coding lines of the code; determining the orientation of the code based on the sum; and reading discrete locations of the code that have units for at least partially encoding preparation information, or discrete locations of the code that do not, based on the determined orientation of the code in the image.

[0122] This disclosure provides a method for reading a code on the outer surface of a capsule, the method comprising generating an image of the outer surface of the capsule containing the code, and reading the code.

[0123] In one embodiment, this method includes obtaining the sum of tones for lines (e.g., segments) extending across an image, and locating a code based on the sum of tones.

[0124] In embodiments, this method includes obtaining the variance (including values ​​related to the variance) of a first color range and a second color range for a line (e.g., a segment) extending across an image, and locating a code based on the variance of the color tones.

[0125] This method may be carried out as part of a method for preparing a beverage or food or a precursor of a beverage or food, wherein a processing unit is controlled based on preparation information to perform a preparation process on a precursor material.

[0126] This disclosure provides an electrical circuit for carrying out the methods of the embodiments described above or other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0127] This disclosure provides a computer-readable medium containing program code that may be executable on one or more processors of a machine in order to carry out the methods of the embodiments described above or other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0128] The above summary is provided for the purpose of summarizing several embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of the aspects of the subject matter described herein. Therefore, the above features are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the above and / or prior embodiments may be combined in any preferred combination to provide further embodiments. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the embodiments for carrying out the invention below, the brief description of the drawings, and the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0129] Aspects, features, and advantages of the embodiments of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which the same number indicates the same element. [Figure 1] This is a block system diagram showing one embodiment of a system for preparing beverages or food products or precursors of beverages or food products. [Figure 2] This is a block system diagram showing one embodiment of the machine in the system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of the fluid control system of the machine. [Figure 4A] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of the container processing system of the machine. [Figure 4B] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of the container processing system of the machine. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of the machine shown in Figure 2, which is equipped with a bulk material processing unit. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the control electrical circuit of the machine. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the system container in Figure 1. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the system container in Figure 1. [Figure 9] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of the preparation process performed by the system shown. [Figure 10] This figure shows an image of the closing member of the container shown in Figure 7, which includes an outer surface, a code, and an encoding line. [Figure 11] This figure shows a close-up of a portion of the image in Figure 10, which includes the code. [Figure 12] This figure shows close-ups of parts of the images in Figures 10 and 11, which include the code. [Figure 13] This figure shows the upper and lower images of Figure 10 at two different rotation positions. [Figure 14] This contour map shows the average color tone for segments related to the rotational position of an image versus segments related to the horizontal position. [Figure 15] This graph shows the standard deviation of the horizontal position segments for the image below Figure 13. [Figure 16] This flowchart shows one embodiment of the process for locating and reading the code in Figure 10, as performed by the system in Figure 1. [Figure 17]This flowchart shows one embodiment of the process for locating and reading the code in Figure 10, as performed by the system in Figure 1. [Figure 18] This flowchart shows one embodiment of the process for determining a recipe from the code in Figure 10, as performed by the system in Figure 1. [Figure 19] This flowchart shows one embodiment of the process for determining a recipe from the code in Figure 10, as performed by the system in Figure 1. [Figure 20] This flowchart shows one embodiment of the process for reading the code in Figure 10, as performed by the system in Figure 1. [Figure 21] Figure 20 shows an image of the code during the reading process. [Figure 22] Figure 20 is a graphical representation of the code signals acquired during the reading process. [Figure 23] Figure 20 is a graphical representation of the code signals acquired during the reading process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0130] Before describing some embodiments of the system, it should be understood that the system is not limited to the configuration or method step details described below. Those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure will see that other embodiments of the system are possible and that it can be implemented or performed in a variety of ways.

[0131] This disclosure may be better understood in consideration of the following explanation.

[0132] As used herein, the term “machine” may refer to an electrically operated device capable of preparing beverages and / or food from a precursor material, or preparing a precursor material from a pre-precursor material that can subsequently be prepared into beverages and / or food. The machine may carry out such preparation by one or more of the following processes: dilution, heating, cooling, mixing, frothing, dissolving, immersion, soaking, extraction, adjustment, decoction, grinding, and other similar processes. The machine may be sized for use on a countertop; for example, this preparation machine may have a length, width, and height of less than 70 cm. As used herein, the term “prepare” with respect to beverages and / or food may refer to the preparation of at least a portion of a beverage and / or food (for example, a 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).

[0133] As used herein, the term “container” may refer to any configuration for containing a precursor material in pre-portioned amounts, for example, one serving. A container may have a maximum capacity such that it can contain only one serving of the precursor material. A container may be single-use and may undergo physical modification after the preparation process, such modification may include one or more of the following: perforation for supplying fluid to the precursor material, perforation for supplying beverage / food from the container, or opening by the user for extracting the precursor material. A container may be configured to work with a container processing unit of a machine and may include, for example, flanges for alignment and for passing the container through or placing it on the unit. A container may include a burst section configured to burst and dispense beverage / food when subjected to a certain pressure. A container may have a membrane for closing the container. A container may have a variety of shapes, including one or more of the following: frustoconical, cylindrical, disc, hemisphere, packet, or other similar shapes. A container may be made from a variety of materials, such as metal, plastic, or a combination thereof. The materials may be selected to be food-safe and able to withstand the pressure and / or temperature of the preparation process. The container may be defined as a capsule, which may have an internal volume of 20–100 mL. The capsules include coffee capsules, e.g., Nespresso® capsules (including Classic, Professional, Vertuo, Dolce Gusto, or other capsules). The container may be defined as a container, which may have an internal volume of 150–350 mL. The container is typically for the end user to consume from, and includes a pot for consumption via an utensil 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.

[0134] As used herein, the terms “external device,” “external electronic device,” or “peripheral device” may include electronic components located outside the machine, such as electronic components located in the same location as the machine or electronic components located away from the machine that communicate with the machine via a computer network. External devices may have communication interfaces for communicating with the machine and / or server systems. External devices may include devices such as smartphones, PDAs, video game controllers, tablets, laptops, or other similar devices.

[0135] As used herein, the term “server system” may refer to an electronic component outside of a machine, for example, an electronic component located remotely from the machine and communicating with the machine via a computer network. A server system may include communication interfaces for communicating with the machine and / or external devices. A server system may include a network-based computer (e.g., a remote server), a cloud-based computer, or any other server system.

[0136] As used herein, the terms “system” or “beverage or food preparation system” may refer to a combination of two or more of the following: beverage or food preparation machines, containers, server systems, and peripheral devices.

[0137] As used herein, the term “beverage” may refer to any substance that can be processed into a drinkable substance that may be chilled or heated. A beverage may be one or more of a solid, liquid, gel, or paste. A beverage may include one or a combination of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, milk, juice, vitamin compositions, herbal teas / decoctions, brewed / flavored water, and other substances. As used herein, the term “food” may refer to any substance that can be processed into an edible nutriment that may be chilled or heated. A food may be one or more of a solid, liquid, gel, or paste. A food may include yogurt, mousse, parfait, soup, ice cream, sherbet, custard, smoothie, and other substances. There is some overlap between the definitions of beverage and food; for example, a beverage may also be food, and therefore a machine said to prepare beverages or food does not exclude the preparation of both.

[0138] 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. Precursor materials may include one or more of the following: 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 for forming herbal tea / infusion, flavorings, and other similar materials. Examples of food-forming precursor materials include dried vegetables or stocks as anhydrous soup powder, 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 subsequently be processed into a beverage and / or food. In one example, a pre-precursor material includes coffee beans that can be ground and / or heated (e.g., roasted) to become a precursor material.

[0139] As used herein, the term “fluid” may include one or more of water, milk, and others (with respect to the fluid supplied by the fluid conditioning system). As used herein, the term “conditioning” with respect to a fluid may also mean altering its physical properties and may include one or more of the following: heating or cooling, stirring (including frothing by whipping to introduce foam and mixing to introduce turbulence), portioning into single-serving amounts suitable for use in single-serving containers, for example pressurizing to brewing pressure, carbonation, filtration / purification, and other conditioning processes.

[0140] As used herein, the term “processing unit” may refer to an arrangement capable of processing a precursor material into a beverage or food. It may also refer to an arrangement capable of processing a pre-precursor material into a precursor material. A processing unit may have any preferred configuration, including a container processing unit or a bulk material processing unit.

[0141] As used herein, the term “container processing unit” may refer to an arrangement capable of processing a container from a precursor material to produce an associated beverage or food. A container processing unit may be configured to process the precursor material by one or more of the following processes: dilution, heating, cooling, mixing, foaming, dissolution, immersion, soaking, extraction, adjustment, pressurization, decoction, and other processing steps. Thus, a container processing unit may implement various units depending on the processing steps, which may include an extraction unit (which may perform pressurization and / or heat, e.g., heating or cooling, or an extraction process), a mixing unit (which mixes the beverage or food in the container for consumption by the end user), a distribution and dissolution unit (which extracts a portion of the precursor material from storage, processes it by dissolution, and distributes it into the container), and other similar units.

[0142] As used herein, the term “bulk material processing unit” may refer to an arrangement capable of processing bulk material of a pre-precursor material into a precursor material. A bulk material processing unit may be configured to process the pre-precursor material by one or more of the following processes: heating, cooling, grinding, mixing, immersion, conditioning, and other processing steps. The bulk material may be supplied to the bulk material processing unit in a container, from which it is extracted and processed.

[0143] As used herein, the term “preparation process” may refer to a process for preparing a beverage or food from a precursor material, or a process for preparing a pre-precursor material from a precursor material. A preparation process may refer to a process performed by an electrical circuit to control a container processing unit to process the precursor or pre-precursor material.

[0144] As used herein, the terms “electrical circuit,” “circuit,” or “controlling electrical circuit” may refer to one or more hardware and / or software components, examples of which may include one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or other programmable logic, electronic / electrical components (which may include combinations of transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc.), one or more processors (e.g., the circuit structure of a processor), non-temporary memory (e.g., implemented by one or more memory devices) capable of storing one or more software or firmware programs, combinational logic circuits, and the interconnections described above. The electrical circuit may be located entirely within a machine, or distributed among one or more of the machines, external devices, and server systems.

[0145] As used herein, the terms “processor” or “processing resource” may refer to one or more units for processing, examples of which include ASICs, microcontrollers, FPGAs, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), state machines, or other suitable components. A processor may be configured to execute computer programs, for example, in the form of machine-readable instructions that can be stored in non-temporary memory and / or programmable logic. A processor may have various configurations corresponding to the configurations described for circuits, for example, being implemented in a machine or distributed as part of a system. As used herein, any machine-executable instruction or computer-readable medium may be configured to cause a machine or system, for example, as disclosed herein, to execute a disclosed method, and thus may be used synonymously or interchangeably with the term “method.”

[0146] As used herein, the terms “computer-readable medium” or “data storage” may include any medium capable of storing computer programs and may take the form of one or more of any conventional non-temporary memory, such as random-access memory (RAM), CDs, hard drives, solid-state drives, memory cards, or DVDs. The memory may have various configurations corresponding to the configurations described for the circuits.

[0147] As used herein, the terms “communication resource” or “communication interface” may refer to hardware and / or firmware for electronic information transmission. A communication resource / interface may consist of wired communication ("wired communication resource / interface") or wireless communication ("wireless communication resource / interface"). Wireless communication resources include hardware that transmits and receives signals wirelessly and may include, for example, the 802.11 standard described by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and various Bluetooth® protocol implementations sold by the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group in Kirkland, Washington. Wired communication resources may 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.

[0148] As used herein, the terms “network” or “computer network” may refer to a system for the electronic transmission of information between multiple devices. A network may include, for example, one or more networks of any kind, including public land mobile networks (PLMNs), telephone networks (e.g., public switched telephone networks (PSTNs) and / or wireless networks), local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) networks, private networks, the Internet, and intranets.

[0149] As used herein, the term “code” may refer to a storage medium that encodes preparation information. The code may be an optically readable code, such as a barcode. The code may be formed of multiple units, which may also be referred to as elements or markers.

[0150] As used herein, the term “preparation information” may refer to information related to the preparation process. This information may vary depending on the implementation of the processing unit. Parameters that may be associated with a container processing unit equipped with a fluid processing system may include fluid pressure, fluid temperature, mass flow rate / volume flow rate, fluid volume, fluid filtration / purification, and the carbonation parameter of the fluid. Parameters that may be associated with a container processing unit equipped with a bulk material processing unit may include one or more grinding parameters, including strength, and heating temperature. More general parameters may include one or more of the following: geometric parameters of the container, such as shape or volume; type of precursor; stage identifiers when the preparation process is divided into a series of stages, where each stage includes one or more of the aforementioned parameters; duration, including stage duration (e.g., duration for applying the stage parameters or generally any of the aforementioned parameters); container identifiers that may be used to monitor container consumption for the purpose of container reordering or looking up information from a server system; expiration date; and recipe identifiers that may be used to look up recipes stored in the machine's memory for use with the container.

[0151] [System Overview] Referring to Figure 1, System 2 comprises a machine 4, a container 6, a server system 8, and peripheral devices 10. The server system 8 communicates with machine 4 via a computer network 12. The peripheral devices 10 communicate with machine 4 via the computer network 12.

[0152] In modified embodiments not shown, peripheral devices and / or server systems are omitted.

[0153] Although the computer network 12 is shown as the same between the machine 4, the server system 8, and the peripheral devices 10, other configurations are possible, including different computer networks for communication between each device, i.e., the server system communicating with the machine not directly but via the peripheral devices. In a particular example, the peripheral devices communicate with the machine via a wireless interface, for example using the Bluetooth® protocol, and the server system communicates with the machine via a wireless interface, such as the IEEE 802.11 standard, and also via the internet.

[0154] [Machine] Referring to Figure 2, machine 4 comprises a processing unit 14 for processing precursor material, an electrical circuit 16, and a code reading system 18.

[0155] The electrical circuit 16 controls the code reading system 18 to read a code (not shown in Figure 2) from the container 6 and determine preparation information from it. The electrical circuit 16 uses the preparation information to control the processing unit 14 to execute the preparation process, in which the precursor material is processed into a beverage or food or a precursor of a beverage or food.

[0156] [First example of a processing unit] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, in the first example of the processing unit 14, the unit comprises a container processing unit 20 and a fluid adjustment system 22.

[0157] The container processing unit 20 is configured to process the container 6 and extract a beverage or food from the precursor material (not shown) inside. The fluid adjustment system 22 adjusts the fluid supplied to the container processing unit 20. The electrical circuit 16 uses the preparation information read from the container 6 to control the container processing unit 20 and the fluid adjustment system 22 to execute the preparation process.

[0158] [Fluid regulation system] Referring to Figure 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 conditioning processes. The pump 26 moves the fluid from the reservoir 24, through the heat exchanger 26, to the outlet 30 (connected to the container processing unit 20). The pump 26 can be implemented as any suitable device for driving the fluid, and any suitable device may include a reciprocating pump, a rotary pump, and other preferred configurations. The heat exchanger 28 is implemented to heat the fluid and may include an in-line thermoblock heater, a heating element for directly heating the fluid in the reservoir, and other preferred configurations.

[0159] In modified embodiments not shown, the pump is omitted, and for example, the fluid is supplied to the container processing unit by gravity or pressurized by a water supply drawn from a main pipe; the reservoir is omitted, and for example, water is supplied by a water supply drawn from a main pipe; the heat exchanger is configured to cool the fluid and may include, for example, a refrigerated cycle heat pump; the heat exchanger is omitted, and for example, a water supply drawn from a main pipe supplies water at a desired temperature; and the fluid conditioning system includes a filtration / purification system, for example, a UV light system whose degree of application to the fluid is controllable, and a carbonation system that controls the degree to which the fluid is carbonated.

[0160] [Container Processing Unit] The container processing unit 20 can be implemented in various configurations, as shown in the following Examples 1 to 6.

[0161] Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, a first example of the container processing unit 20 is for processing a container configured as a capsule 6 (a preferred example of a capsule is shown in Figure 7 and will be described later) for preparing a beverage. The container processing unit 20 is configured as an extraction unit 32 for extracting the beverage from the capsule 6. The extraction unit 32 includes a capsule holder 34 and a closing member 36. The extraction unit 32 is movable to a capsule receiving position (Figure 4A) in which the capsule holder 34 and closing member 36 are positioned to receive the capsule 6. The extraction unit 32 is movable to a capsule extraction position (Figure 4B) in which the capsule holder 34 and closing member 36 form a seal around the capsule 6 and the beverage can be extracted from the capsule 6. The extraction unit 32 may be actuator-driven or may be manually moved between these positions.

[0162] The outlet 30 of the fluid adjustment system 22 is typically positioned as an injection head 38 for injecting the adjusted fluid into the capsule 6 at the capsule extraction position under high pressure. The beverage outlet 40 is configured to capture the extracted beverage and transport it from the extraction unit 32.

[0163] The extraction unit 32 is configured to prepare a beverage by applying a pressurized (e.g., 10-20 bar) and heated (e.g., 50-98°C) fluid to a precursor material inside the capsule 6. The pressure is increased over a predetermined amount of time until it exceeds the pressure of the rupture section, which is a closing member of the capsule 6, thereby causing the rupture of the member and distributing the beverage to the beverage outlet 40.

[0164] In modified embodiments not shown, the injection head and beverage outlet are shown as being located on the holding portion and capsule closing member, respectively, but the injection head and beverage outlet may be located on the capsule closing member and storage portion, or both may be located on the same portion. Furthermore, the extraction unit may include both portions arranged as capsule holding portions for capsules that are symmetrical with respect to the flange, for example, Nespresso® Professional capsules.

[0165] Examples of suitable extraction units are provided in European Patent Publication No. 1472156(A1) and European Patent Publication No. 1784344(A1), which provide hydraulically sealed extraction units.

[0166] A second example of a container processing unit (not shown) provides an extraction unit similar to that of the first example, but the extraction unit operates by centrifugal force at a lower pressure. A preferred example of a capsule is the Nespresso® Vertuo capsule. A preferred extraction system is disclosed in European Patent Application Publication No. 2594171(A1).

[0167] In a third example (not shown), the capsule processing unit operates by dissolving a beverage precursor selected to dissolve under high pressure and high temperature fluid. This arrangement is similar to the extraction unit in the first and second examples, but the lower pressure eliminates the need for a sealed extraction unit. In particular, the fluid can be injected into the capsule lid, and the rupture point is located at the base of the capsule's housing. An example of a suitable capsule is the Nespresso® Dolce Gusto capsule. Examples of suitable extraction units are disclosed in European Patent Application Publication No. 1472156(A1) and European Patent Application Publication No. 1784344(A1).

[0168] In a fourth example (not shown) in which the container is configured as a packet, the container processing unit receives the packet and implements an extraction unit at its inlet that is operable to inject fluid from a fluid conditioning system. The injected fluid mixes with the precursor material in the packet to prepare at least partially the beverage, and the prepared beverage exits through the packet's outlet. An example of such an arrangement is provided in International Publication No. 2014125123(A1).

[0169] In a fifth example (not shown), the container processing unit is configured as a mixing unit for preparing a beverage or food precursor to be stored in a container, which is a container from which an end user will consume. The mixing unit comprises a stirrer (e.g., a planetary mixer, a helical mixer, and a vertical cutting mixer) for mixing the beverage or food precursor in the container, and a heat exchanger for heating / cooling the beverage or food precursor in the container. A fluid supply system may also supply fluid to the container. An example of such a configuration is provided in International Publication No. 2014067987(A1).

[0170] In a sixth example (not shown), the container processing unit is configured as a dispensing and dissolving unit. The dispensing and dissolving unit is configured to extract a single serving of beverage or food precursor from the machine's storage section (which may include any multiple subdivided containers, including packets or boxes). The dispensing and dissolving unit is configured to mix the extracted single serving with a prepared fluid from a fluid preparation system and dispense the beverage or food into containers. An example of such an configuration is provided in European Patent Application Publication No. 14167344(A).

[0171] [Second example of a processing unit] Referring to Figure 5, in the second example of the processing unit 14, the unit includes a bulk material processing unit 42.

[0172] The bulk material processing unit 42 is configured to receive bulk pre-precursor material from a container 6 (a preferred example is provided in Figure 8, as described later) and process the pre-precursor material to produce a precursor material. The electrical circuit 16 controls the bulk material processing unit 42 to perform the preparation process using preparation information read from the container 6.

[0173] The user manually resends container 6 to the code reading system 18 of machine 4 for reading the code (as described later). The user then opens container 6 and distributes the pre-precursor material (not shown) placed inside the container into the bulk material processing unit 42. The bulk material processing unit 42 processes the bulk pre-precursor material into the precursor material.

[0174] In a particular example, the pre-precursor material is coffee beans, and the bulk material processing unit 42 is configured to roast and / or grind the coffee beans in order to provide the precursor material.

[0175] In modified embodiments not shown, the bulk material processing unit may alternatively include a dispensing system for opening capsules for subsequent processing and dispensing pre-precursors from capsules (for example, including a cutting tool for cutting open containers and an extractor for extracting pre-precursor material, e.g., a shovel); the pre-precursor material may be processed in a container and then dispensed from the container according to the above examples, or provided to the user in a container.

[0176] [Code reading system] Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, the code reading system 18 is configured to read the code 44 located on the closing member of the container 6. The code reading system 18 is integrated with the extraction unit 32 of the first example of the container processing unit 20. The code 44 is read when the extraction unit 32 is in the capsule extraction position (as shown in Figure 4B).

[0177] The code reading system 18 includes an image acquisition unit 46 that captures a digital image of the code 44. Examples of preferred image acquisition units 46 include the Sonix SN9S102, Snap Sensor S2 imaging device, oversampling binary image sensor, and other similar systems.

[0178] The electrical circuit 18 includes an image processing circuit (not shown) for identifying codes in the digital image and extracting adjustment information. An example of an image processing circuit is a Texas Instruments TMS320C5517 processor that runs a code processing program.

[0179] In a modified embodiment not shown, the code reading system is separate from the container processing unit and is located within a channel into which a user places a container and which is transported to the container processing unit, and the code reading system is configured to read codes on containers positioned to receive beverages from the beverage outlet of a dispensing and dissolving unit. In a further modified embodiment not shown, the code reading system is implemented alternatively, for example, located on a machine to read codes on containers manually presented by a user to an image acquisition device. In a further modified embodiment not shown, the code reading system is configured to read codes on different locations on the container, for example, on the flange or the storage area.

[0180] [Control Electrical Circuits] Referring to Figure 6, the electrical circuit 16 is implemented as a control electrical circuit 48 for controlling the processing unit 14 to perform the preparation process. In the embodiment of Figure 6, for illustrative purposes, a processing unit 14 comprising a container processing unit 20 and a fluid supply unit 22 is shown as a first example.

[0181] The electrical circuits 16 and 48 at least partially implement (for example, in combination with hardware) an input unit 50 for receiving input from a user that determines that machine 4 will perform a preparation process, a processor 52 for receiving input from input unit 46 and providing a control output to processing unit 14, and a feedback system 54 for providing feedback from processing unit 54 that can be used to control the preparation process during the preparation process.

[0182] The input unit 50 is implemented as a user interface and may include one or more of the following: buttons such as joystick buttons or push buttons, a joystick, LEDs, a graphic LCD or character LCD, a graphical screen with touch-sensitive buttons and / or screen edge buttons, other similar devices, and sensors for determining whether a container has been supplied to the machine by the user.

[0183] The feedback system 54 can perform one or more of the following, or other, feedback control-based operations: A flow sensor for determining the flow rate / volume of fluid to the outlet 30 (shown in Figure 3) of the fluid supply system 22, which can be used to measure the precise amount of fluid into the container 6 and thereby adjust the power to the pump 26, A temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the fluid supplied to the outlet 30 of the fluid supply unit 22, which can be used to ensure that the temperature of the fluid supplied to the container 6 is accurate and thereby to regulate the power supplied to the heat exchanger 28. A level sensor for determining whether the fluid level in reservoir 24 is sufficient for the preparation process, and One or more position sensors or one or more operations based on other feedback control can be implemented to determine the position of the extraction unit 32 (for example, the capsule extraction position or the capsule receiving position).

[0184] It will be understood that the electrical circuits 16 and 48 are well adapted to other examples of the following processing units 14: for example, a second example of a container processing system in which the feedback system may be used to control the rotational speed of the capsule; and a bulk material processing unit in which the feedback system may be used to carry out control of the grinding speed and / or heating temperature.

[0185] [container] Referring to Figure 7, the first example of a container 6 for use with the first example of the processing unit 14 includes a container 6 configured as a capsule. The capsule includes a closing member 56, a storage section 58, and a flange section 60.

[0186] The storage section 58 includes a cavity for storing a precursor material (not shown). A closure member 56 closes the storage section 58 and comprises a flexible membrane. A flange section 60 is located at the junction of the storage section 58 and the closure member 56 and includes overlapping portions that are fixed to each other to hermetically seal the precursor material. The capsule 6 has a diameter of 2 to 5 cm and an axial length of 2 to 4 cm. Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, the storage section 58 is perforated by an injection head 38 to supply a conditioned fluid into the capsule.

[0187] The capsule 6 has a rotationally symmetric axis 57 that extends through the center 59 of the closing member 56 (although not shown in the side view of Figure 7, the capsule 6 has a circular cross-section when viewed in the plane of the closing member 56).

[0188] Details of the structure, manufacture, and / or (beverage) extraction of the container and / or closure member are disclosed, for example, in European Patent Nos. 2155021, 2316310, 2152608, 2378932, 2470053, 2509473, 2667757, and 2528485.

[0189] Referring to Figure 8, a second example of a container 6 for use in a second example of a processing unit 14 comprises a container 6 configured as a packet and including a sheet material 62 joined at a peripheral seam 64 that defines an internal volume for storing precursor material (not shown); and an opening 66 that the user opens to distribute the precursor material into a bulk material processing unit 42.

[0190] [Code Placement] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the code 44 is positioned on the outer surface of the container 6 at any preferred location so that it can be read by the code reading system 18. In the first example shown in Figure 7, the code 44 is positioned on the closing portion 56. In modified embodiments not shown, the code can be positioned on the flange portion 60 (including both sides) and on the housing portion 58. In the second example shown in Figure 8, the code 44 is positioned at various locations on the sheet material 62, including distal to the seam 64.

[0191] Although the code is described as being located on the outer surface of the container, it should be understood that this definition requires the code to be readable from the outside, for example, there may be a protective lacquer or other at least partially transparent surface placed over the code.

[0192] [Preparation Process] Referring to Figure 9, the execution of the process for preparing beverages / foods from precursor materials is shown.

[0193] Block 70: The user supplies container 6 to machine 4.

[0194] Block 72: The electrical circuit 16 (e.g., its input unit 50) receives a user instruction to prepare a beverage / food from a precursor, and the electrical circuit 16 (e.g., processor 52) starts the process.

[0195] Block 74: The electrical circuit 16 controls the processing unit 14 to process the container (for example, in the first 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 (Figure 4B)).

[0196] Block 76: The electrical circuit 16 controls the code reading system 18 to read the code 44 on the container 6 and provide a digital image of the code.

[0197] Block 78: The code processing circuit of electrical circuit 16 processes the digital image and extracts adjustment information.

[0198] Block 80: The electrical circuit 16 executes the 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 adjustment system 22 to supply the fluid to the container processing unit 20 at the temperature, pressure, and duration specified in the preparation information.

[0199] Next, the electrical circuit 16 controls the container processing unit 20 to move from the capsule extraction position through the capsule discharge position, discharge the container 6, and return to the capsule receiving position.

[0200] In modified embodiments not shown, the blocks described above can be executed in a different order, for example, block 72 before block 70, or block 76 before block 74; some blocks can be omitted, for example, if the machine stores a magazine of capsules, block 70 can be omitted, and alternatively, in blocks 70-76, the user presents the code of the container to the code reading system, and after the code is read, the container is opened and the pre-precursor material is distributed to the processing unit.

[0201] Blocks 76 and 78 may be referred to as the code reading and processing process. Block 80 may be referred to as the preparation process. The electrical circuit 16 includes instructions for the preparation process (or a set of preparation processes), for example, as program code. In one embodiment, the processor 52 executes instructions stored in memory (not shown).

[0202] As part of the preparation process, the electrical circuit 16 can use the machine's communication interface (not shown) to obtain additional preparation information from the server system 8 and / or peripheral devices 10 via the computer network 12.

[0203] [External appearance and code description] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, the entire outward-facing surface of the closing member 56 comprises an outer surface 70 including a code 72 and coding lines 74 extending through the code 72.

[0204] The image on the outer surface 70 is circular. In modified embodiments not shown, other shapes, including squares, may be processed.

[0205] [Exterior and Features] The outer surface 70 is formed with a first color range, which in this example comprises relatively light colors in an 8-bit grayscale color system, for example, decimal numbers 200 to 255. Other items formed on the outer surface 70 are formed with a second color range, which in this example comprises relatively dark colors in an 8-bit grayscale color system, for example, decimal numbers 0 to 50.

[0206] In modified embodiments not shown, other color systems may be implemented, including 1-bit monochrome; 8-bit color; 16-bit grayscale; and 16-bit color.

[0207] The outer surface 70 has non-coded lines 76, 78, 80, and 82 formed thereon, and the non-coded lines can be defined as arbitrary lines extending across the outer surface 70 that are parallel to the coded lines 74 and the code 72 but do not intersect with either of them.

[0208] Uncoded line 76 extends directly adjacent to code 72. Uncoded line 78 extends distal to code 72. Both uncoded lines 76 and 78 together constitute the first color range.

[0209] Non-coded line 80 extends distally to code 72 and includes an intersection portion of object 84, in particular having a trademark / logo 86. Non-coded line 82 extends distally to code 72 and includes an intersection portion of object 84, in particular having a trademark / logo 86 and text 88 that provide information about the type of beverage produced by the precursor material in container 6. Object 84 is composed of a second color range. Thus, both non-coded lines 80 and 82 are composed of components of the first and second color ranges. The form and composition of object 84 are selected such that non-coded lines 76, 78, 80, and 82 have components of the second color range that are identifiablely smaller than those of the coded line 74, for example, being less than 20% or 50%.

[0210] In modified embodiments not shown, other objects, including those with different orientations, may be formed on the outer surface.

[0211] Although not explicitly shown, it will be understood that the corresponding uncoded lines can be drawn on all portions of the outer surface 70 that do not have coded lines 74 and codes 72. Furthermore, it will be understood that the uncoded lines are not physically formed on the outer surface 70, but are merely considered idealized virtual lines of the outer surface 70 when the image is processed, as will be described later. The thickness of the uncoded lines 76-82 can be assumed to be the thickness of coded line 74, as they are decomposed into a series of adjacent lines as will be described later when the image of the outer surface 70 is processed (or their thickness can be increased during the dispersion processing as will be described later).

[0212] [Code and coding lines] Referring to Figures 10 to 12, the code 72 extends across the outer surface 70 along a linear coding line 74 that extends longitudinally 100. As is best seen in Figure 12, the code 72 includes a series of discrete locations 90 that may or may not contain a unit 92. The unit 92 and the coding line 74 are formed in a second color range. The unit 92 encodes bits as 0 or 1 based on the presence or absence of a bit at a given discrete location 90. The discrete locations 90 are spaced apart along the coding line 74 at predetermined intervals, i.e., pitches, and in this example, are directly adjacent to one another so that they can be predicted, located, and read.

[0213] Referring to Figure 10, the code 72 is arranged as a repeating unit 94 that sequentially repeats itself in the same order along the coding line 74. For example, the coding line 74 may contain one to three or other number of repetitions of the code, and any of these can be read to extract the preparation information.

[0214] In this example, the repeating unit 94 comprises 23 discrete positions 90, and therefore the code 72 is 23 bits long. The 23-bit message can at least partially encode preparation information and be used as a key associated with a particular set of parameters that define a recipe using a key-value database paradigm, which is a relationship stored in the electronic memory of the electrical circuit 16. Alternatively, the value encoded by one or more bits may be directly associated with the parameter values, for example, bits 0-7 encode one of 256 magnitudes of water temperature, which is interpreted based on a relationship stored in the electronic memory of the electrical circuit 16 and converted to temperature.

[0215] In variant embodiments not shown, the code is repeated only once, and the code may also include any number of discrete locations, such as 16 or 32 locations. The code may be composed of multiple different units, and therefore the absence of one unit at a discrete location may be specified not by the absence of a unit, but by the presence of another unit.

[0216] As best illustrated in Figure 10, there are multiple coding lines 74 (four coding lines are shown) that are parallel to each other and offset laterally 102 from each other by the same repetitions 94 on the code 72. Therefore, any repetition from any coding line 74 can be read to extract the preparation information. In particular, the repetitions 94 on adjacent coding lines 72 are offset longitudinally by half the code length so that if an area of ​​the outer surface 70 is damaged, the likelihood of undamaged code repetitions 94 being present is increased.

[0217] In modified embodiments not shown, only a single coding line may exist, and the repetitions may have other longitudinal offsets including a quarter of the code length, or they may not have any longitudinal offsets.

[0218] Referring to Figure 12, for a unit 92 of code 72 that is not adjacent to another unit 92, the outer end region 96 is formed with a curved end profile that tapers symmetrically, with the lateral thickness narrowing towards the tip as the longitudinal range increases around the coding line 74. For a unit 92 of code 72 that is adjacent to another unit 92 on either side, so that the end region does not extend outward, the shape is square.

[0219] As used herein, the term “shape” with respect to a unit may mean the exact shape or an approximation of the actual shape, which may result from variations in printing or other manufacturing precision.

[0220] In modified embodiments not shown, the unit includes one or a combination of the following shapes: triangles, polygons, particularly quadrilaterals such as squares or parallelograms; and other suitable shapes.

[0221] In the embodiment, the lateral thickness 102 of the coding line 74 is selected to be relatively narrow (e.g., less than 20% or less than 10%) compared to the thickness of the unit 92 of the code 72, and may be, for example, 0.2 mm, 0.24 to 0.16 mm, or 0.18 mm ± 20, 30, or 40%. The unit length may be 1.1 mm or 0.89 ± 20, 30, or 40%.

[0222] Unit 92 typically has a unit length of 1.1 mm or 0.89 mm. As used herein, the term “unit length” with respect to unit 92 may refer to a preferably defined distance of unit 92, for example, the diameter in a circular shape; the side length in a square; the distance between opposite or adjacent vertices in a polygon; or the hypotenuse in a triangle. Units 92 may be arranged with an accuracy of about 0.05 mm. Since the units are directly adjacent to each other, they have a unit length with a certain pitch.

[0223] Unit 92 and coding line 74 are formed, for example, by printing using an ink printer. As an example of printing, the ink may be conventional printer ink, and the substrate may be polyethylene terephthalate (PET); lacquer-coated aluminum (as seen in Nespresso Classic capsules); or other suitable substrate.

[0224] In modified embodiments not shown, the units are alternatively formed by means including embossing, engraving, or other suitable means, and the units are alternatively dimensioned, for example, having a unit length of 0.5 to 2 mm.

[0225] In certain modified embodiments, the units and coding lines are formed to be either diffusely reflective or specularly reflective (for example, by etching or engraving, or by diffuse reflective coating or other coating on a specular reflector such as aluminum), and the non-coding lines (or areas without units of codes or coding lines) are formed to be the other of diffuse or specular. In digital images, such an arrangement may be advantageous because specular reflection may appear as a first value range of the color model, e.g., lighter tones, and diffuse reflection may appear as a second value range of the color model, e.g., darker tones. That is, the intensity of the reflection can determine the values ​​of the color model. However, the visibility of the codes may be less clear compared to forming the value range by printing.

[0226] [Total sum of colors] If the outer surface 70 is divided into regions called pixels due to the physical formation of the coded line 74 (as shown by the grid in Figure 11, the coded line 74 is about the thickness of two pixels); and a grayscale tone is assigned to each pixel (as previously mentioned); it will be understood that the sum of the decimal numbers associated with the tone of the pixel along the length and width of the coded line 74 can be identified by comparing it to adjacent parallel linear uncoded lines 76, 78, 80, 82 (or any other lines) extending across the outer surface 70 as shown in Figure 10. This is because these uncoded lines lack a portion of the color of the second color range, or have a reduced portion of the color.

[0227] A two-pixel-thick region extending between the outer edges and encapsulating the coding line in this example is called a "section" or "line section." Pixels forming a segment are called "elements" or "regions."

[0228] In particular, in coded line 74, the decimal numbers are all from the second color range (rather than including all or part of the first color range as in the uncoded line), so the sum of the decimal numbers divided by the number of pixels is much lower than in the case of the uncoded line. This quantity is called the "average segment tone" or "average tone," where in this example, the elements are pixels and the average corresponds to the number of elements in the segment. Thus, a segment can have a single value for the average segment tone.

[0229] In modified embodiments not shown, elements or regions other than a single pixel may be considered. For example, a single color (i.e., a value) may be assigned to an element comprising a group of 4, 6, or 9 pixels arranged in a square or rectangle, the element having the same total width as the width of the coding line 74.

[0230] Referring to Figure 13 (image above), in embodiments where the orientation of code 72 is initially unknown (indicated by dashed local coordinate lines compared to solid global coordinate lines), the image of the outer surface 70 is divided into segments 98 that extend longitudinally and have a width of 2 pixels (as previously mentioned). Although only a single segment 98 is shown, segments extend across the entire lateral width of the image. In Figure 13 (image above), each segment 98 has a calculated average segment color tone.

[0231] Next, the image is rotated 3° around the axis of symmetry 59 (see Figure 7, which is at the center of the circular image), and the process is repeated for each segment 98 with the calculated average segment color tone. The process is then repeated until the image is rotated 180°.

[0232] In modified embodiments not shown, the image is rotated by other amounts, including 2° or 4°.

[0233] Figure 14 shows a two-dimensional contour plot of the average segment tone for segment rotation angle versus lateral position. The rotation angle in Figure 13 (top image) corresponds to column 104 in Figure 14. The rotation angle in Figure 13 (bottom image), where the coded line 74 is aligned longitudinally 100, corresponds to column 106 in Figure 14. Note that for column 106, there is a series of localized low regions 108 of the average segment tone. This characteristic allows for the identification of the desired orientation of the code 72.

[0234] In modified embodiments not shown, the orientation of the code can be determined, for example, by positioning the code so that it extends along a direction specified by an asymmetrical structural criterion formed on the capsule.

[0235] [Determination of variance] As shown in Figure 13 (image below), when the code 72 is oriented to align along the longitudinal direction 100, a preferred coding line 74 for processing is selected by determining the variance (or standard deviation) of the element's tone for each segment 98 (in this case, instead of the average segment tone).

[0236] Referring to Figure 15, the lateral position of segment 98 versus the standard deviation of segment 98 is shown. Several optional processing of the raw deviation data is used, which may include baseline removal and top-hat transformation. Since there are four coded lines 74 in Figure 13, the deviation has four peaks 110. This is because it includes variances in the first and second color ranges that are larger than those in segments containing any of the uncoded lines 76-82, due to the presence or absence of units 92 of code 72 at discrete positions 90 on the segment containing coded lines 74. In particular, the uncoded lines 76 and 78 immediately adjacent to coded line 74 have relatively low variances because they do not contain any objects 84, thereby enabling enhanced localization of the high variance points caused by the coded line 74 next to them.

[0237] The highest peak, 110, corresponds to the longest coded line, 74, which is subsequently selected for processing because, due to its length, it is most likely to contain one or more complete repetitions of code 72.

[0238] Since coding line 74 is a solid line, if it were read directly, the variance would be extremely small, and therefore the segment thickness used to determine the variance would be large in the lateral direction to correspond to unit 92 of code 72. Coding line 74 is selected to be relatively thin compared to the lateral thickness of the code units, and therefore does not interfere with the variance. Thus, in practice, the average color tone is sampled at a high resolution, and the variance is sampled at a relatively low resolution.

[0239] To ensure that Code 72 maintains a high degree of variance, restrictions on coding patterns can be implemented, requiring that a code must not be absent or present in more than a predetermined number of consecutive units, e.g., three, four, or five.

[0240] In modified embodiments not shown, the above-described variance (or deviation) is also used to determine the correct rotation of the code, for example, the correct rotation is determined for the rotation position where the highest peak is generated by the segment variance. In such embodiments, the coding line may be omitted.

[0241] [Reading and decrypting the code] Once the orientation and position of the coded line 74 to be read are determined, the units 92 at the discrete positions 90 are read.

[0242] In the first example (not shown), the code includes a start sequence of a predetermined reserved sequence of 0s and 1s. When reading the code, the code processing program searches for this reserved sequence for absent and present units. The data sequence is located at a known position relative to the start sequence (for example, stored in the memory of the electrical circuit 16), and for example, the data sequence may be the preceding 8 bits. Thus, after determining the position of the start sequence, the data sequence can then be read to extract data from the code.

[0243] In a second example (not shown), the code repeat 94 has a known length, for example, 23 bits, and units along the coding line are read, and the repeating unit 94 is identified based on the numerical repeat having the known length. The code processing program implements a Goley decoding decoder to extract data from the code.

[0244] When an error occurs that prevents data extraction, for example, in the first example, the starting sequence cannot be located, or in the second example, if the Gorey decoder returns 4 to 7 bit errors, the code can then be read in reverse, for example, in Figure 13 (image below), the image is rotated 180° and the discrete position 90 is read again.

[0245] When a data integrity error occurs, i.e., in the first example, a parity bit in the data sequence indicates an error, or in the second example, the Gorey decoder returns 0 to 3 bit errors, the data can then be corrected, for example, based on matching to an approximate known data sequence stored in memory.

[0246] The type of error described above can also be resolved by selecting different code repeats from the same coding line 74 or different coding lines 74. Furthermore, repeats from two different coding lines can be stitched together based on repeats of known length.

[0247] [How to process code images] Referring to Figure 16, the method for processing the image of code 72 includes the following steps (which can be considered an extension of block 78 in Figure 9):

[0248] Block 120: Converts the image of the outer surface 70 to a specified color system (for example, in this embodiment, this was 8-bit grayscale).

[0249] Block 122: Referring to Figures 13 and 14, for each incremental rotation, the average segment color tone is obtained for the segment extending 100 in the longitudinal direction.

[0250] Block 124: Based on the highest proportion of the second color range, the angle of the encoded line 74 is determined from the average segment tone, and the local axis of the encoded line 74 is realigned to correspond to the global longitudinal direction 102, as shown in Figure 13 (image below).

[0251] Block 126: Identify the encoded lines 74 to be processed based on the distribution of the segments.

[0252] Block 128: Read the code repetition from the line in question.

[0253] Block 130: If an error is detected, read the code in another direction and / or correct the error in the code if a correctable error is detected. If the error cannot be corrected, a default set of preparation information may be used in the preparation process.

[0254] Block 132: Using the rules stored in the memory of the electrical circuit 16, the data encoded by the code is converted into parameter values ​​for the preparation information.

[0255] Although the code is shown herein as being positioned on the container, it will be understood that the code may be integrally formed on the container or formed on a separate substrate (not shown) that can be attached to the container.

[0256] [Example 1 of processing method] Referring to Figure 17, a first example of a method for processing a digital image of a code to extract the preparation information encoded by the code is described. The method of the first example may implement any of the features of the aforementioned embodiments, which are not described redundantly for the sake of brevity, including the associated described variant forms.

[0257] In block 200, the code reading system 18 acquires a digital image of code 72, to which a color model is applied. In this example, the color model is a grayscale color model.

[0258] In block 202, the electrical circuit 16 sums the values ​​of the color model along the coding lines, including the coding units and coding lines.

[0259] In block 204, the electrical circuit 16 determines the orientation of the code 44 based on the sum.

[0260] In block 206, the electrical circuit 16 reads discrete positions 90 to determine whether unit 92 is present or not, based on the determined orientation of code 72 in the image.

[0261] Considering block 200, the values ​​of the grayscale color model are fitted to regions containing a single pixel.

[0262] In modified embodiments not shown, the regions are downscaled to have groups of pixels, for example, 2x2 pixels per region; different color models may be implemented.

[0263] Referring to Figure 10, an exemplary digital image comprises an encoding area 140 on which a code 72 and encoding lines 74 are located. Since the code 72 is located on a circular closure member 56, the digital image comprises a closure member 56 having a flange rim that defines the circular encoding area 140. As previously mentioned, there are multiple encoding lines 74, each having its end at an intersection with the edge of the encoding area 140. Each encoding line may comprise two or more repetitions of the code 72. Due to the circular nature of the encoding area, the encoding lines 72 have varying lengths.

[0264] In modified embodiments not shown, there may be only a single coding line, each of the one or more coding lines may have only a single repetition on the code, the coding area may have other shapes, such as squares or triangles, the coding lines may all have the same length, for example, in the case of a square coding area, the coding lines may have other shapes, such as circles or squares.

[0265] In block 204, referring to the image above in Figure 13, the digital image is decomposed into virtual line sections 98 having a length 100 in the longitudinal direction and a width 102 in the transverse direction. Each line section 98 has a width comprising several regions (e.g., 2 to 6) and a length corresponding to the length of the coding area 140. Although only a single line section 98 is shown, it will be understood that adjacent parallel line sections are implemented transversely 102 to decompose the entire coding area 140. The values ​​of the color system for the regions of each line section 98 are summed to provide an array of sums, with one sum for each line section 98.

[0266] The sum can be averaged by dividing the sum by the number of regions. This averaging can provide a convenient means of handling line sections with different lengths (or widths). Alternatively, line sections may be selected to be the same size, thus eliminating the need for averaging. Both implementations will be understood to be based on the sum of values.

[0267] The angle of the digital image is rotated around a central axis (e.g., axis 59 shown in Figure 7, located at the center of the circular coding area). Rotation increments of 3° or 5° are applied a total of 60 or 36 times, respectively, until the digital image is rotated 180°. For each rotation position, an array of sums is calculated. A two-dimensional plot of sums versus rotation positions is shown in Figure 14 for illustrative purposes. The plot shown in Figure 14 can be obtained using various filtering / processing techniques, including, for example, a Radon transform with a high-pass filter.

[0268] Referring to Figure 14, for the set of array values ​​shown by column 106, the code 72 and coding line 74 are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction 100, as shown in the lower image of Figure 13. For column 106, it can be seen that the sum varies between low values ​​(shown by dark areas) and high values ​​(shown by bright areas).

[0269] The low value is provided by a line section 98 that includes the encoding line 74 and the code 72. This is due to the influence of the code units and the encoding line on the total value. The high value is provided by a line section 98 that does not include the encoding line 74 and the code 72, that is, the non-encoding lines 76, 78, 80, 82 as described above. Therefore, when the code 72 and the encoding line 74 are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction 100, the code is arranged using the sum of the values of the color model along the encoding line within the first value range and the adjacent non-encoding line parallel to the encoding line that includes the sum of the values of the color model within the second value range.

[0270] Therefore, the standard deviation or variance of the total value of the array associated with the column 106 has the highest deviation value. In this way, based on the said total value of the values, the orientation of the code 72 is determined.

[0271] In a modified embodiment not shown, there may be a single encoding line having one or more repetitions of the code. In such an example, a single line section may be implemented to capture the encoding line extending through the center of rotation. For example, the line section may be configured to extend through the center of the digital image. The state where the encoding lines are aligned in the longitudinal direction can be determined by the rotation position having the lowest (or the highest depending on how the color model is implemented) total value.

[0272] In a modified embodiment not shown, for the line section of the same size as described above, the state where the encoding lines are aligned in the longitudinal direction can be determined by the total value of the line section at the rotation position where it intersects the threshold value, and thus the calculation of the standard deviation becomes unnecessary.

[0273] In block 126, if the orientation of code 72 and encoding line 74 is known, discrete positions 90 along the encoding line 74 can be read as described above. Any one of the encoding lines may be selected to read the code, which can be identified in the lateral position by dispersion. The code 72 is encoded by Reed-Solomon encoding, and thus the entire encoding line can be read from start to end.

[0274] In a variant embodiment, other encoding, for example, a code with a reserved sequence of bits encoded by the presence or absence of units at discrete positions, is implemented to function as a locator / reference part identified to locate the data part; the encoding line may be omitted, and the orientation of the code may be determined by the influence of the units of the code on the value as described using the above method, or the orientation may be determined by the reference part as disclosed in International Publication No. WO 2017 / 144575 (A1).

[0275] [Second example of the processing method] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 18, a second example of a method for processing a digital image of a code to extract preparation information encoded by the code will be described. The method of the second example may implement any of the features of the above-described embodiments (for example, the first example in which the orientation of the code is determined), including the related described variant forms, which are not described repeatedly for the sake of brevity.

[0276] In the second example, as shown in FIG. 10, the container 6 includes a code arrangement including a repetition 96 of a plurality of codes 72, and each code 72 encodes a binary sequence for at least partially encoding the preparation information.

[0277] The electric circuit 16, as shown in FIG. 18, can be configured to perform the following process for each readable code repetition.

[0278] In block 300, the electrical circuit 16 reads the code repetition 96 and obtains a binary sequence for each code 72.

[0279] In block 302, the electrical circuit 16 executes a code decoder to determine the number of bit errors associated with the binary sequence.

[0280] In block 304, the electrical circuit 16 determines the recipe based on the binary sequence and the identified number of bit errors.

[0281] More specifically, in block 300, reading the code may include the first example process of directing the code to a known location. This may then include, for example, reading the discrete location 90 to determine whether or not a unit 92 exists at that discrete location, or other preferred implementations.

[0282] More specifically, in block 302, the code decoder in the first example is implemented as a Goley decoder, which is a linear error correction algorithm. The Goley decoder may be configured to correct a 3-bit error using 12 bits of data as a binary sequence of 24-bit words. Thus, the binary sequence referred to herein may be a complete sequence (e.g., 24 bits) or a part thereof (e.g., 12 bits).

[0283] In modified embodiments, other error correction algorithms, including algorithms for Hamming code, Reed-Solomon code, and others, can be implemented in other examples. Furthermore, the number of errors that do not require correction can be identified. Error correction is typically performed, for example, by redundancy within the code repeat itself and / or from other repeats, for example, by cross-checking or comparison with a known acceptable binary sequence.

[0284] More specifically, in block 304, recipes are looked up via a database that implements a key-value paradigm, in which, for example, a specific binary sequence as a key is associated with a specific identifier of a recipe. Thus, the binary sequence is corrected and matched with one of the key-value binary sequences. The number of corrected bit errors is stored as a numerical value associated with the corrected binary sequence / identified recipe.

[0285] Referring to Figure 19, block 304 may include the following steps:

[0286] In block 306, it is determined whether the corrected binary sequence is associated with a recipe. If no valid recipe is associated with the corrected binary sequence, block 308 can be executed, for which an error message may be returned to the user interface 50 and / or a default recipe may be executed.

[0287] In block 310, if it is determined that the corrected binary sequence is associated with a recipe, the recipe's specific information and the number of errors associated with the corrected binary sequence can be stored in the database.

[0288] Specifically, blocks 300-308 can be executed to populate a database containing the number of occurrences of the recipe along with the number of errors corrected for each code iteration.

[0289] In block 312, both of these quantities can be used to determine the recipe to be used by the processing unit. For example, the score can be determined by multiplying the number of occurrences of a recipe by the total number of errors, and the recipe with the highest score is selected. Other calculation methods may also be employed.

[0290] In variant embodiments not shown, the recipe may be determined in an alternative manner. For example, the number of occurrences of a recipe that does not have an error count may be used. This method can also be performed for a single code iteration, in which case the binary sequence has error correction and the associated recipe is executed in block 310. Furthermore, for each binary sequence, two or more recipes may be returned, each having its own error count, which may be used in combination with other recipes to determine which recipe is used by the processing unit.

[0291] Since the coded line 72 may contain two or more repetitions 96 of the code 72, one or more recipes and their respective error counts may be extracted from the coded line 47 and processed as described above.

[0292] In the second example, the electrical circuit 16 can be configured to decode each binary sequence in both the first forward order and the second reverse order using an error-correcting code decoder to account for an unknown rotation position of the code. For example, when reading code repeat 96, if the code is rotated 180°, even if it is read correctly, an associated recipe may not be found for that binary sequence. Instead, when rotated, the process in block 304 can be performed correctly. Therefore, if the decision in block 306 is negative, the code can then be read in reverse.

[0293] The code is illustrated in Figure 10, but this method may also be implemented using other codes that encode binary sequences, such as barcodes. Therefore, it should be understood that obtaining a digital image of the code is not essential for code reading.

[0294] [Third example of processing method] Referring to FIG. 20, a third example of a method for processing a digital image of code 72 to extract encoded preparation information by code will be described. The method of the third example may be implemented using any of the features of the foregoing embodiments that are not redundantly described for the sake of brevity, including the described associated variations (e.g., the third example may be implemented after the first example where the orientation of the code is determined and before the second example where the code is read and the recipe is determined).

[0295] In the third example, as shown in FIG. 10, container 6 includes a code arrangement including a repetition 96 of a plurality of codes 72, and each code 72 is disposed on an encoding line 74. Non-encoding lines 76, 78, 80, 82 are arranged adjacent to encoding line 74.

[0296] As shown in FIG. 20, electrical circuit 16 can be configured to perform the following process for each of the encoding lines 74.

[0297] In block 400, read code 72 to obtain a code reading result.

[0298] In block 402, determine the characteristics of the neighboring non-code portion near the code portion of the code reading result.

[0299] In block 404, correct the relevant characteristics of the code portion based on the determined characteristics of the non-code portion to account for variations in the characteristics in the non-code portion.

[0300] More specifically, in block 400, to read code 72, the digital image of FIG. 10 is read by reading along encoding line 74, and in block 402, to determine the characteristics of the neighboring non-code portion, the digital image of FIG. 10 is read by reading along non-encoding line 76.

[0301] Referring to Figure 21, the reading is along line section 406 with the width of code 72. This can be achieved by downsampling the digital image, if necessary. The width of line section 408 of the unencoded line 76 is approximately half the width of line section 406. These line sections are directly adjacent to each other. In modified embodiments, other line section widths can be implemented, including line widths of a single pixel or multiple pixels with averaging, and the line sections may have gaps between them so that they are close but not directly adjacent.

[0302] Referring to Figure 22, the reading generates encoded line signals 410 and unencoded line signals 412, which are characterized as signal amplitude (e.g., intensity) with respect to distance along the code reading. The amplitude is related to the degree of grayscale, which in exemplary code implementations is represented as the bright tones of specular reflection (e.g., the absence of unit 92 at a discrete position 90) and the dark tones of diffuse reflection (e.g., the presence of unit 92 at a discrete position 90).

[0303] Because the encoded line 74 is near the unencoded line 76, the variation in the unencoded line signal 412 represents the baseline variation in intensity for an equivalent longitudinal position on the encoded line signal 410. However, since the unencoded line 76 does not have unit 92, the difference between these two lines represents the encoded line signal 410 with the baseline variation compensated.

[0304] The encoded line signal 410, compensated by subtracting the unencoded line signal 412 and to which some filtering / smoothing has been applied, is shown in relation to the corrected encoded line signal 414. This filtering / smoothing may be applied to either or both of the signals before or after the subtraction. The peaks of the corrected encoded line signal 414 can be used to indicate the presence of unit 72, the absence of a peak for unit 92, and the absence of a peak. Thus, the corrected encoded line signal 414 may be processed to extract a binary sequence for each repetition 96 of code 72.

[0305] In a modified version of the above method, as shown in Figure 21, the encoded line signal is compensated by the average of two unencoded line signals obtained by reading the unencoded lines (not shown) on either side of the encoded line 74. Such a modified version can improve accuracy because the average may be less susceptible to local fluctuations in the intensity of one side of the encoded line 74.

[0306] In light of the processing techniques described above, it will be understood that the method for processing code 72 is particularly suitable for uncoded lines 76 that are adjacent to coded line 74 and do not contain any objects (e.g., unit 92 or coded line 74 or other objects such as advertisements).

[0307] It will be understood that this method can be extended to all coding lines 74 present on container 6.

[0308] In the third variant, the signal may have a representation other than intensity, such as a representation based on the other compositions of the code units as described above, and in certain variants, the code may be magnetically readable, and therefore the signal may be the intensity of the magnetic field, in which case it will be understood that a digital image is not required.

[0309] In a variation of the third example, instead of acquiring a signal, the code can be processed by the characteristics of the neighboring non-coded portion near the code portion of the code reading result; for example, discrete points along the code may be sampled in this manner.

[0310] It will be understood that any of the disclosed methods (or corresponding devices, programs, data carriers, etc.) may be executed by either a host or a client, depending on the particular implementation (i.e., the disclosed methods / devices are forms of communication and therefore can be executed from either “perspective,” i.e., corresponding to each other). Furthermore, it will be understood that the terms “receiving” and “transmitting” encompass “inputting” and “outputting” and are not limited to the RF context of transmitting and receiving radio waves. Thus, for example, a chip, other device, or component for implementing an embodiment may generate output data to another chip, device, or component, or may have input data from another chip, device, or component, and such output or input may be referred to as “transmitting” and “receiving,” including the gerunds “transmitting” and “receiving,” and “transmitting” and “receiving” within the RF context.

[0311] As used herein, any expression used in the style “at least one of A, B, or C,” and the expression “at least one of A, B, and C,” use disjunctively “or” and disjunctively “and,” and as a result these expressions include any or all combinations of A, B, and C and some substitutions, namely A only, B only, C only, A and B in any order, A and C in any order, B and C in any order, and A, B, and C in any order. There may be more or fewer than three features used in such expressions.

[0312] In the claims, any reference numerals placed between parentheses should not be construed as limiting the claims. The word “comprising” does not exclude the existence of elements or processes other than those enumerated in the claims. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “a” or “an” are defined as one or more. Also, the use of introductory phrases such as “at least one” and “one or more” in a claim should not be construed as meaning 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 applies to the use of definite articles. Unless otherwise stated, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between 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 treatments are enumerated in different claims does not indicate that combinations of these treatments cannot be used advantageously.

[0313] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, or unless the physical properties or otherwise of the embodiments, examples, or claims prevent such combination, the features of the aforementioned embodiments, examples, and appended claims can be combined in any preferred arrangement, particularly in any arrangement that is beneficial in doing so. This is not limited to any particular benefit, but may instead arise from “subsequent” benefits. This means that combinations of features are not limited by the described form, in particular by the form of dependency of the embodiments, examples, or claims (e.g., numbering). Furthermore, this also applies to phrases such as “in one embodiment” or “by one embodiment,” which are merely stylistic choices and should not be interpreted as limiting the features below to separate embodiments of the same or similar wording to all other examples. This means that a reference to “an,” “one,” or “several” embodiments (singular or plural) may refer to one or more, and / or all, of the disclosed embodiments, or any combination thereof (singular or plural). Similarly, a reference to “the” embodiment may not be limited to the immediately preceding embodiment.

[0314] As used herein, any machine-executable instruction or computer-readable medium can perform the disclosed method and can therefore be used synonymously with or interchangeably with the term "method."

[0315] The above descriptions of one or more implementations are illustrative and descriptive, but are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the exact forms disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be derived from experience with the various implementations of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0316] 2 Systems 4 Machines 14 Processing Units 20 Container Processing Unit (First Example) 32 extraction units 34 Capsule holding section 36 Closing member 38 injection heads 40 Beverage outlet 22 Fluid regulation system 24 Reservoir 26 pumps 28 Heat exchanger 30 exit 42. Bulk material processing unit (second example) 16 Electrical Circuits 48 Control Electrical Circuits 50 Input Units 52 processors 54 Feedback System 18 Code Reading System 46 Image acquisition unit 6 containers Capsule - Example 1 56 Closed part 44, 72 Code 70 Exterior 90 Discrete positions 92 units 96 End area 94 Repeat 74 coded lines 76, 78, 80, 82 uncoded lines 84 objects 86 Trademarks / Logos 88 Text 58 Storage Unit 60 Flange section Packet - Example 2 62 Sheet materials 64 seams 68 Opening 8 Server System 10 Peripheral Devices 12 Computer Networks 100 Longitudinal direction 102 Horizontal

Claims

1. A system comprising a container for containing a precursor material, and a machine for preparing a beverage and / or food or a precursor of the beverage and / or food from the precursor material, The aforementioned container A code arrangement comprising multiple code repetitions, wherein each code repetition encodes a binary sequence for at least partially encoding preparation information, The aforementioned machine, A code reading system that reads the aforementioned code repetitions, A processing unit for processing the precursor material in the container, The system includes an electrical circuit that controls the processing unit based on the preparation information, The aforementioned electrical circuit Read the aforementioned code repetitions and obtain the binary sequence for each code repetition, A code decoder is implemented to determine the number of bit errors associated with the aforementioned binary sequence. The system is configured to determine a recipe based on the binary sequence and the number of bit errors. system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to implement the code decoder to determine that the binary sequence is an invalid binary sequence if it is not associated with a recipe.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to determine a plurality of recipes associated with the binary sequence, each having an associated number of bit errors.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to determine a recipe from the plurality of recipes based on the number of bit errors associated with the plurality of recipes.

5. The system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to determine a recipe from the plurality of recipes based on the number of occurrences of a particular recipe in the plurality of recipes.

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one or more code repetitions are arranged on the encoding line.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein there are multiple coding lines extending in the longitudinal direction.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein each of the coding lines is offset laterally from one another by a predetermined amount and is parallel to one another.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the code repetitions on adjacent coding lines are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the offset is a predetermined amount, or the electrical circuit is configured to determine the longitudinal offset.

11. The system according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the electrical circuit is configured to determine the direction of the code repetition based on the coding line.

12. A machine for preparing a beverage and / or food or a precursor of said beverage and / or food from a container containing a precursor material, The aforementioned container A code arrangement comprising multiple code repetitions, wherein each code encodes a binary sequence for at least partially encoding preparation information, The aforementioned machine, A code reading system that reads the aforementioned code repetitions, A processing unit for processing the precursor material in the container, The system includes an electrical circuit that controls the processing unit based on the preparation information, The aforementioned electrical circuit Read the aforementioned code repetition and obtain the binary sequence for each code, A code decoder is implemented to determine the number of bit errors associated with the aforementioned binary sequence. The system is configured to determine a recipe based on the binary sequence and the number of bit errors. Machine.

13. Use of a container for a system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the container includes a code repetition that at least partially encodes preparation information for processing the precursor material of the container.

14. A method for determining preparation information for processing a precursor material, which is at least partially encoded by code repetition, Each of the code repetitions encoding a binary sequence is obtained, Determining the number of bit errors associated with the aforementioned binary sequence, Determining a recipe based on the binary sequence and the number of bit errors, Methods that include...

15. An electrical circuit configured to carry out the method described in claim 14.

Images