Beverage or foodstuff preparation system and machine,container and attachment thereof, and method of reading preparation information

Abstract

A system comprising a container for containing precursor material, the machine for preparing a beverage and / or food or a precursor thereof from the precursor material, the container comprising: a machine-readable code storing preparation information, wherein the code extends along an encoding line and includes a series of discrete positions, the discrete positions including or not including a unit to at least partially encode the preparation information; the machine comprising: a code reading system for acquiring a digital image of the code and adapting a color model to the digital image; a processing unit for processing the precursor material of the container; and an electrical circuit system for controlling the processing unit based on the preparation information read from the code and the code reading system, wherein the electrical circuit system is configured to: sum the values ​​of the color model along the encoding line, including the values ​​of the units of the code and the values ​​of the encoding line; determine an orientation of the code based on the sum; and read the discrete positions based on the determined orientation of the code in the image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an electrically operated beverage or food preparation system, wherein the beverage or food is prepared from pre-quantified capsules containing codes encoding preparation information. Prior Technology

[0002] A system for preparing beverages includes a beverage preparation machine and capsules. The capsules contain a single serving of beverage, such as ground coffee or tea, of precursor material. The beverage preparation machine is configured to perform a beverage preparation process on the capsules, typically by exposing pressurized, heated water to the precursor material. In this manner, the capsules are processed so that at least a portion of the precursor material from the capsules is extracted as a beverage.

[0003] This configuration of beverage preparation machines has become increasingly popular due to the following factors: 1) enhanced user convenience compared to conventional beverage preparation machines (e.g., compared to manually operated overhead espresso machines), and 2) enhanced beverage preparation processes, wherein: the machine reads preparation information encoded by a code on the capsule, and; this preparation information is used by the machine to optimize the preparation process in a capsule-specific manner. Specifically, the encoded preparation information may include operating parameters selected in the beverage preparation process, including: fluid temperature; fluid pressure; preparation duration; and fluid volume.

[0004] Various codes have been developed, with examples provided in EP 2594171 A1, wherein the periphery of the capsule's flange contains a code disposed thereon. A drawback of this code is that it requires precise positioning on the capsule so that it can be read as the capsule rotates relative to the code reader. A further example code is provided in WO2017144575A1, but its disadvantage is that determining the code's orientation requires it to be disposed in specific reference units at the center and / or outer periphery of a circular coding line, where the center point of these reference units defines a reference line for identifying the code's orientation.

[0005] Therefore, despite the efforts already made in the development of this system, further improvements are still desired. Summary of the Invention

[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 thereof from the precursor material. In one embodiment, the container includes a machine-readable code storing preparation information. In another embodiment, the container contains the precursor material.

[0007] In an embodiment, the code extends along an encoding line and includes a series of discrete positions, which may or may not contain a unit that at least partially encodes the preparation information.

[0008] In one embodiment, the machine includes: a code reading system for obtaining a digital image of the code (including the encoding lines) and adapting a color model to the digital image; a processing unit for processing the precursor material of the container; and an electrical circuit system for controlling the processing unit based on the preparation information read from the code and the code reading system.

[0009] In an embodiment, the electrical circuit system is configured to: sum the values ​​of the color model along the coding line, including the values ​​of the units of the code and the values ​​of the coding line; determine a certain orientation of the code based on the sum; and read the discrete positions in the image based on the determined orientation of the code.

[0010] By implementing an electrical circuit system to determine the positional configuration (e.g., the angle of the encoding line in the digital image) by summing the values ​​of the digital image with its configured color model along the encoding line and also summing the values ​​of the units forming the code (e.g., numerical values), the encoding line can be precisely positioned using this summation, compared to parallel non-encoded lines that may have different sums.

[0011] Because the code units (when present at discrete locations) are arranged on the coding lines, these units also contribute to the sum of values, thus identifying the orientation of the code. Therefore, unlike using separate units only for positioning, the code is highly efficient. At discrete locations where units are absent, the coding lines intersect with those locations, so the coding lines at the absence of units also contribute to the sum of values, thus identifying the orientation of the code.

[0012] Compared to prior art configurations, including those disclosed in WO2017144575A1, the embodiment code is more convenient because it only requires summing the values ​​of the color model and comparing them with conditions, whereas the prior art requires locating individual units of the reference portion of the code, finding the center point of those units, and fitting virtual reference lines to them.

[0013] In this embodiment, discrete locations are encoded using Golay encoding to prepare information. Using this type of encoding, the electrical circuit system only needs the orientation of the encoded lines to read the code, because Golay encoding does not require a locator or reference portion that preserves the bit sequence to identify where the repetition of the data portion of the code begins and ends.

[0014] As used herein, the term "Gray" or "Gray code" can refer to a type of binary code that can have a linear configuration and error correction. Gray code can encode a predefined number of unique values. Gray code may not include a locator or reference portion for locating data; more precisely, unique values ​​can be configured to repeat. Electrical circuit systems can determine preparation information based on a key-value database paradigm (e.g., a stored relation as electrical memory), where unique values ​​are used as keys to look up preparation information.

[0015] As used herein, the term "color model" or "color system" can refer to a mathematical model that describes how colors (including grayscale and hues with wavelengths in the infrared and ultraviolet regions) are represented as values. Values ​​can be coefficients. Examples of color models include: grayscale; RGB, RYG, CMY color models; and other models with values ​​assigned to hues with wavelengths in the infrared and / or ultraviolet regions. A set of values ​​can be called a color space or color space.

[0016] As used herein, the term "based on sum" can refer to a calculation involving the direction of codes and / or coding lines that includes the steps of summing values ​​(e.g., by numerical addition). For example, it may include determining that the sum or a value derived from the sum (e.g., the average or variation or other similar quantity) meets one or more of the following conditions: it has crossed a threshold; it is the highest value in the dataset; or it is the lowest value in the dataset.

[0017] As used herein, the term "along and encoding line" relating to color model values ​​can refer to an encoding line or a region comprising segments of the encoding line that are decomposed into areas extending along the longitudinal direction of the encoding line, including the entire line (e.g., from the beginning to the end of the encoding line in the image) or a significant portion (e.g., at least 80% or 90%). The region has the summed values ​​of the color model.

[0018] As used herein, the term "at least partially encode" may refer to preparation information on a code of the value of a parameter that directly encodes preparation information (e.g., the value may be any value between a maximum and a minimum value), and / or may refer to preparation information on a code encoded via an identifier associated with the parameter, which is looked up in the machine's electronic memory to derive the value of the parameter.

[0019] As used in this article, the term "based on the determined location" can refer to the code system being read using the calculated location of the reference line.

[0020] As used herein, the term "digital image" can refer to a digital representation of a real-life image (e.g., a code arranged on a container). A digital image can be composed of pixels, each pixel having a finite size and a position identified as a coordinate (e.g., the center point of the pixel), as well as values ​​for a color model and optional intensity. A digital image can be of fixed, vector, or raster type.

[0021] In one embodiment, the electrical circuitry is configured to assign the equivalent value of the color model to a region, wherein a region comprises: an individual pixel of the digital image, or a group of a plurality of pixels in the digital image. The region may have coordinates assigned to it to specify its spatial location. Computational efficiency can be improved by implementing regions containing groups of pixels (e.g., by scaling down). Alternatively, the pixel size can be provided at the desired resolution.

[0022] In an embodiment, the electrical circuitry is configured to sum the equivalent values ​​of the color model for a line segment, the equivalent value comprising: a lateral dimension of one or more regions, and a longitudinal dimension of one or more regions corresponding to a longitudinal length of an encoding region in which the code is disposed. By arranging line segments to extend the overall longitudinal dimension of the encoding region, the encoding region can be decomposed into several laterally adjacent line segments, each having a summed value comprising the sum of the values ​​of the regions containing the line segments. In this way, a digital image can be conveniently idealized by an array of summed values ​​of the line segments.

[0023] As used herein, the term "encoding area" refers to the area of ​​a bit image that contains codes. For example, codes (including code repetitions) may be configured on the encoding area of ​​a circular region containing the circular closure of a Nespresso® Classic capsule. This circular region excludes the outer periphery of the closure where it connects to the flange portion.

[0024] In one embodiment, the lateral dimension of the encoding line is smaller than the lateral dimension of the line segment. By configuring the lateral dimension of the encoding line (e.g., when the encoding line is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the line segment) to be smaller than the lateral dimension of the line segment, the encoding line can fit perfectly within the line segment, allowing it to substantially affect the values ​​of the region and thus the sum of those values. In one example, the lateral dimension of the encoding line is 20% or 10% smaller than the lateral dimension of the line segment.

[0025] In an embodiment, the electrical circuit system is configured to determine the sum of a plurality of adjacent line segments in the lateral direction. By performing summation on pairs of adjacent line segments, the entire digital image or encoded area can be processed and idealized by an array of summed line segments.

[0026] In an embodiment, the electrical circuit system is configured to: determine the sum using the encoding lines configured at a plurality of different angles to a reference axis, and; determine an alignment orientation of the encoding lines with respect to the reference axis based on the sum.

[0027] By implementing circuitry to determine (e.g., the sum of the line segment) using a digital image configured at multiple different angles (e.g., by incrementing the digital image in increments of 3 or 5 degrees within a range including 0 to 180 degrees), the digital image can be conveniently rotated until a condition based on the sum of values ​​is recognized, wherein the coded line is identified as aligned (including substantially aligned) with the longitudinal direction (which is aligned with the line segment in that direction).

[0028] In an embodiment, the orientation of the code is based on a variation determination of the sum of values. By implementing an electrical circuit system to determine the orientation of the code's encoding lines based on the variation of the sum of values ​​(e.g., of line segments), the code and encoding lines can be conveniently distinguished from other non-encoded lines of the digital image (e.g., line segments that do not contain codes or encoding lines).

[0029] For example, using coding lines aligned with the vertical direction, when both the code and the coding lines are within the line segments, they have a substantial effect on the sum, which can therefore be identified from the sum of parallel line segments containing non-coding lines. In this way, the variation of the sum is large and can be used to distinguish codes and coding lines that are not aligned with the vertical direction.

[0030] As used in this article, the term "based on a variance" can refer to the variance directly applied or the value related to the variance applied, such as the standard deviation.

[0031] In an embodiment, one side dimension of the encoding line is selected to be 20% or 10% smaller than one side dimension of a cell of the code. By implementing the encoding line as thinner than a cell of the code, the presence of the encoding line passing through the discrete position is not interpreted as the presence of a cell during the step of reading discrete positions, but the presence of the encoding line ensures the optimal effect in terms of values ​​when summing the equivalents. Alternatively, when a cell is not present, the encoding line cannot be formed through the discrete position.

[0032] In an embodiment, the code is configured to include: the sum of the equivalent values ​​of the color model along the coding line within a first value range, and adjacent non-coding lines parallel to the coding line, to include the sum of the values ​​of the color model within a second value range.

[0033] By implementing the sum of the values ​​of line segments containing coded lines within a first range, and implementing the sum of the values ​​of parallel line segments not containing coded lines within a second different range, coded lines and non-coded lines can be conveniently distinguished.

[0034] This can be achieved by preventing the actual printing or formation of line segments that do not contain coding lines, which would produce values ​​comparable to the values ​​of the code and coding lines. For example, the distribution of advertisements or other information within the coding area can be controlled to ensure code distinguishability.

[0035] In an embodiment, the code and coding lines are configured to be either diffusely reflective or specularly reflective, wherein a surround is formed to be either diffusely reflective or specularly reflective. As used herein, the term "surround" may refer to non-coding lines, including areas that do not contain coding lines and code units, which may include areas of discrete locations of code units that do not contain units.

[0036] In this embodiment, the electrical circuit system is configured to identify diffuse and specular reflection areas as a single hue value. For example, a grayscale color model can be used to assign low values ​​to diffuse areas and high values ​​to specular reflection areas. This configuration can be advantageous because the visibility of the code can be less noticeable compared to forming the code and coding lines by color printing.

[0037] In one embodiment, the code is disposed on an outer surface of the container. The outer surface on which the code is disposed is formed of a first color range (e.g., it presents a surface that includes the first color range).

[0038] In one embodiment, the code extends across the outer surface along a linear coding line and includes a series of discrete locations, which may or may not include a unit to at least partially encode the preparation information, the unit and the coding line being formed by a second color range.

[0039] In one embodiment, the sum of hues along the linear encoded line is identifiable by comparing it to the sum of an adjacent parallel linear non-coded line (or any other line) extending across the outer surface. In another embodiment, the machine includes: a code reading system for reading the code of the container; a processing unit for processing the precursor material of the container; and an electrical circuit system for controlling the processing unit based on the preparation information read from the code, wherein the code reading system is configured to determine a position of the code from an image of the outer surface based on the sum of hues.

[0040] By applying a code to an encoding line that is within a specific color range compared to other parts of the image on the outer surface (e.g., non-encoded lines), the position of the code can be conveniently determined based on the sum of the hue values, for example, with low processing burden and / or high accuracy.

[0041] As used herein, the term "exterior surface" can refer to any surface of the container that can display an image for reading by a code reading system, which may include the exterior surface of a closure member, a storage portion, or a flange portion connecting the closure member and the storage portion. Examples of suitable closure members and substrates can be derived from the teachings disclosed herein and examples relating to containers and / or closure members. Suitable construction and / or operational details are disclosed, for example, in EP2569230.

[0042] As used herein, the term "first color range" can refer to a specific range of hues. For example, this range could include: darker colors, including black, dark blue, dark green, and dark purple; or lighter colors, including white, light red, and yellow. A range can also be defined by grayscale (either the actual gray hue or the range converted to grayscale). For example, for an 8- or 16-bit grayscale, the first 0 to 100 bits could contain the first color range (i.e., black to dark gray). Similarly, bit-colors comprising 8 or 16 bits can be implemented.

[0043] The term "second color range" is defined similarly to the first color range, but differs from it. For example, if the first color range contains darker colors, then the second color range contains lighter colors; if the first color range contains bits 150 to 255 (that is, 8-bit grayscale white to light gray), then the second color range contains bits 0 to 100 (that is, black to dark gray).

[0044] As used in this article, the term "discrete position" can refer to a reserved and distinct position in a sequence of discrete positions, which may or may not contain elements that encode information, and is usually treated as a single bit.

[0045] As used herein, the term "summation of color tones along the linear encoding line" can refer to an encoding line (or a representative segment of an encapsulated encoding line) analyzed as a series of elements, such as a combination of pixels or defined elements, where the representative value of the color tones of each element is determined. The representative value can be the sum of the values ​​of the individual color tones, or it can be an average value, that is, the sum of the values ​​of the individual color tones divided by the number of elements sampled. In an example where the encoding line is formed by a second color range comprising 8-bit grayscale levels in the range of bits 0 to 100: values ​​from 0 to 100 are assigned to each element, the value is summed over all elements, and optionally divided by the number of elements.

[0046] As used herein, the term "non-encoding line" can refer to any line that extends parallel to a code line and does not contain code-marking lines or code-forming units. A non-encoding line is generally one or more lines directly adjacent to a code.

[0047] As used herein, the term "identifiable compared to that for an adjacent parallel linear non-encoding line" means that when compared to the summed value of a non-encoding line, as previously described, the summed value is substantially different from that of an encoding line; for example, in an 8-bit grayscale instance, there may be a difference of at least 50. The summed value can also be identified from any other parallel line in the image, such as a non-encoding line or other lines in the same manner.

[0048] As used in this article, the term "to determine a location of the code from an image" can refer to the positional or angular relationship of the coding lines on which the identification code is placed with respect to the image of the code being processed.

[0049] In one embodiment, the first color range includes one of the lighter colors, and the second color range includes either the lighter color or the darker color. By implementing these ranges, the portion forming the code can be conveniently identified from the areas that do not form the code.

[0050] In an embodiment, the determined position includes determining a rotational orientation of the code by using an angle of the encoding line relative to a reference axis associated with the image. For example, any 2D axis can be assigned to the image of the code, and the encoding line can be determined to be at a specific angle relative to the X-axis.

[0051] In one embodiment, the code reading system is configured to increment a rotation of the image within a predetermined range and select a rotation from that range, wherein the encoding line is aligned with the reference axis to update the rotational orientation of the image. For example, the reference X-axis may be held in a fixed position, and the image of the outer surface may be rotated gradually around the center in increments of 2 to 5 degrees until it is determined that the encoding line is sufficiently aligned with the X-axis.

[0052] In one embodiment, the code is read along the encoding line in a first direction using rotational orientation, and if an error is determined, the code is read along the encoding line in a second opposite direction. Using this configuration, a directional code can be conveniently read in the correct direction.

[0053] In an embodiment, due to the absence or presence of a cell of the code, a line along the coded line contains a greater variation in both the first and second color ranges than a line along the adjacent non-coded line, and the code reading system is configured to determine the location of the code from the image by identifying the coded line based on the formation of the greater variation. For example, the area containing both coded and non-coded lines can be idealized as a segment (which is thicker than the thickness of the coded line to include the cell width of the code). The segment can be decomposed into elements. In an 8-bit grayscale example, the variation in the hue values ​​of the elements in the segment is determined. Because the coded line includes a large number of cells of the code that contain the second color range or does not include cells that contain the outer surface and therefore the first color range (in some instances, the non-coded line may only contain the first color range), the line with higher variation is identified as the coded line.

[0054] As used in this article, the term "based on the variance" can refer to variance or numerical values ​​related to it, including standard deviation.

[0055] In an embodiment, the position of the mutation determination code includes a lateral offset from the reference axis.

[0056] In one embodiment, the lateral thickness of the coding line is selected to be narrower than the lateral thickness of a unit of the code (e.g., less than 20% or 10%). In another embodiment, the code reading system is configured to determine the variation in the coding line at a lower resolution than when determining the hue. By determining variation at a lower resolution mode selected so that a thinner coding line does not affect the determination of variation, the presence of the coding line may not prevent high variation in the code determined for the positioning code.

[0057] In an embodiment, the code is configured to repeat itself along the encoding line as a repeating unit. For example, the encoding line may include two to four repetitions of the code, any of which can be read to extract preparation information. This configuration can be more reliable because the repetitions can be compared and checked against each other, or if one repetition is damaged, another can be used.

[0058] In this embodiment, there are multiple parallel and offset coding lines. By implementing multiple coding lines, if one coding line is damaged, another coding line can be used.

[0059] In one embodiment, the determined location includes a coding line with the longest length based on the mutation location. By identifying the longest coding line, since the longest coding line contains the largest number of code repetitions, the greatest chance of successfully reading the code can be achieved.

[0060] In one embodiment, these discrete locations are configured to be directly adjacent to each other. In another embodiment, an end region of a unit that is not adjacent to another unit is bent. It has been found that bending the outer region of a unit provides an aesthetically more pleasing object that looks less like a code.

[0061] In one embodiment, the container includes: a storage portion; and a closure member, wherein the outer surface containing the code and the encoding line is disposed on the closure member. The container may include an axis of rotational symmetry extending through the center of the closure member. In one embodiment, the encoding line extends between the edges of the closure member to equally bisect the closure member, and the image is the entire closure member. The obtained image of the closure member may be circular, and the closure member may be circular.

[0062] In one embodiment, the non-coded line (which may be directly adjacent to the coded line or configured to be separate from it) comprises only the first color range. Using this configuration, the coded line can be easily distinguished from the non-coded line.

[0063] In an embodiment, a non-coded line (which may be directly adjacent to or configured to be separate from a coded line) comprises a portion of a first color range and 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 discernible than that provided by the code and / or coded line (e.g., in terms of variation or hue sum). Using this configuration, the coded line can be conveniently distinguished from the non-coded line during processing, and the non-coded line may contain other objects, including a logo; a trademark; text; an image, which may provide one or more of the following or other effects: providing the user with information related to the container, such as the blending of coffee; an aesthetically more appealing external surface rather than merely having a code on it; and an alternative object that prevents the user from focusing on the code.

[0064] In an embodiment, the code reading system is configured to read the code based on a determined position, and the read code is decoded using an algorithm, such as a Gray algorithm.

[0065] This disclosure provides a machine for preparing a beverage and / or food or its precursor from a container containing precursor material and a yard, the machine including the features of the system as described in any of the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0066] In one embodiment, the processing unit includes a container processing unit and a fluid processing system, and the electrical circuitry is configured to control the container processing unit and the fluid processing system based on the preparation information read from the code. In another embodiment, the processing unit is configured as a porous material processing unit, and the electrical circuitry is configured to control the porous material processing unit to process porous precursor materials applied from or disposed in the container based on the preparation information read from the code.

[0067] This disclosure provides a container for containing a precursor, the container being used with a machine for preparing a beverage or food or its precursor. The machine may be according to any of the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0068] In one embodiment, the container includes a machine-readable code storing preparation information for processing the precursor material. The code may contain any features of the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0069] In an embodiment, the code extends along an encoding line and includes a series of discrete positions, which may or may not contain a unit that at least partially encodes the preparation information.

[0070] In an embodiment, the sum of the values ​​of a color model of a digital image adapted to the code along the coded line is identifiable by comparing it with the sum of an adjacent parallel non-coded line, so as to determine a certain orientation of the code based on the sum.

[0071] In one embodiment, the container includes an outer surface containing a machine-readable code that includes any features of the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein. The code stores preparation information for use with a preparation process executed by the machine, wherein the machine is controlled based on the preparation information to prepare the beverage and / or food or its precursors.

[0072] This disclosure provides a substrate for attachment to a container containing a precursor material, the container being used with a machine for preparing a beverage and / or food or its precursor, the substrate including an outer surface containing a machine-readable code containing any features of the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0073] As used herein, the term "substrate" can refer to any suitable carrier that can be used to attach the code to the container, examples of which include: stickers; cardboard components for receiving an adhesive tape; closure components; and other suitable configurations.

[0074] This disclosure provides the use of the container for any of the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment of the machine disclosed herein.

[0075] This disclosure provides a method for reading preparation information for processing a precursor material, the preparation information being encoded by a code on a container containing the precursor material. This method can be implemented to read the code in any of the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0076] In an embodiment, the method includes: adapting a color model to a digital image of the code; summing the values ​​of the color model along a coding line, including the values ​​of the units of the code and the values ​​of the coding line; determining an orientation of the code based on the sum; and reading discrete positions of the code based on the determined orientation of the code in the image, the discrete positions containing or not containing a unit to at least partially encode the preparation information.

[0077] This disclosure provides a method for reading a code on an outer surface of a capsule, the method comprising: generating an image of the outer surface of the capsule, the image including the code; and reading the code.

[0078] In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining a sum of hues for a line (e.g., a segment) extending across the image, and locating the code based on the sum of hues.

[0079] In an embodiment, the method includes obtaining a variation (including a value for the variation) of the first color range and the second color range for a line (e.g., a segment) extending across the image, and locating the code based on the variation of the hue.

[0080] This method can be implemented as part of a method for preparing a beverage or food or its precursor, wherein a processing unit is controlled based on the preparation information to perform a preparation procedure on the precursor material.

[0081] This disclosure provides an electrical circuit system for implementing the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0082] This disclosure provides a computer-readable medium containing code for implementing methods of the foregoing embodiments or another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0083] The preceding overview is provided for the purpose of summarizing some embodiments to provide a basic understanding of the nature of the subject matter described herein. Therefore, the above features are merely examples and should not be construed in any way as limiting the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the above and / or subsequent embodiments may be combined in any suitable way to provide other embodiments. Other features, nature, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following description of implementation methods, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0084] The features, characteristics, and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar element symbols denote similar elements. [Figure 1] is a block system diagram showing an embodiment of a system used to prepare beverages or food or their precursors. [Figure 2] is a block system diagram of an embodiment of the system in Figure 1. [Figure 3] is a schematic diagram showing the fluid conditioning system of an embodiment of the machine in Figure 2. [Figure 4A] and [Figure 4B] are schematic diagrams showing an embodiment of the container processing system of the machine in Figure 2. [Figure 5] is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the machine in Figure 2 that includes a loose material processing unit. [Figure 6] is a block diagram showing the control electrical circuit system of an embodiment of the machine in Figure 2. [Figure 7] and [Figure 8] are schematic diagrams showing the container of an embodiment of the system of Figure 1. [Figure 9] is a flowchart showing the preparation process of an embodiment executed by the system of Figure 1. [Figure 10] is a view showing the closed component of the container in Figure 7, which includes an outer surface and a code and coding lines. [Figure 11] is a close-up view of the portion of the image in Figure 10 that contains the code. [Figure 12] is a close-up view of the portion of the images in Figures 10 and 11 that includes the code. [Figure 13] shows the top and bottom images of Figure 10 from two different rotational positions. [Figure 14] is a contour plot of the average tone of a segment of the image at its rotational position relative to the lateral position of the segment. [Figure 15] is a graphical representation of the lateral position of a segment of the bottom image of Figure 13 relative to the standard deviation. [Figure 16] and [Figure 17] are flowcharts showing an embodiment of the procedure for locating and reading the code of Figure 10, which is executed by the system of Figure 1. Implementation

[0085] Before describing several embodiments of the system, it should be understood that the system is not limited to the details of the construction or procedural steps set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art who will find the benefits of this disclosure that the system can be implemented or carried out in other embodiments and in various ways.

[0086] This disclosure will be better understood by reading the following explanation:

[0087] As used in this article, the term " [machine] "[(machine)]" can refer to an electrically operated machine that can prepare beverages and / or food from precursor materials, or; that can prepare precursor materials from pre-precursor materials, which can then be prepared into beverages and / or food. The machine can achieve this preparation by one or more of the following processes: dilution; heating; cooling; mixing; stirring; dissolving; soaking; macerating; extraction; conditioning; brewing; grinding; and other similar processes. The machine can be sized for use on a worktop, for example, its length, width, and height can be less than 70 cm. As used herein, the term "beverages and / or food" is used in the context of beverages and / or food. [preparation] "[(prepare)]" can refer to the preparation of at least a portion of a beverage and / or food (e.g., a beverage fully prepared by the machine, or a partially prepared beverage to which an end user can manually add additional fluids, including milk and / or water, before consumption).

[0088] As used in this article, the term " [container] "[(container)]" can refer to any configuration containing precursor material (e.g., as a single, pre-quantified portion). The container may have a maximum capacity such that it can contain only a single portion of precursor material. The container may be for single use, for example, its physical form may change after a preparation process that may include one or more of the following: perforation to supply fluid to the precursor material; perforation to supply beverage / food from the container; or user-opening to extract the precursor material. The container may be configured for operation with a container processing unit of the machine, for example, it may include flanges for aligning and guiding the container through or on the unit. The container may include a rupture portion configured to rupture upon exposure to a specific pressure to deliver beverage / food. The container may have a membrane for closing the container. The container may have various forms, including one or more of the following: truncated conical; cylindrical; disc-shaped; hemispherical; small package; other similar forms. Containers can be formed from various materials, such as metal or plastic, or combinations thereof. Materials are chosen to ensure they are: food-safe; and able to withstand the pressure and / or temperature of the preparation process. A container can be defined as a capsule, wherein the capsule may have an internal volume of 20 to 100 ml. Capsules include coffee capsules, such as Nespresso® capsules (including Classic, Professional, Vertuo, Dolce Gusto, or other capsules). A container can be defined as a serving dish, wherein the serving dish may have an internal volume of 150 to 350 ml. Serving dishes are generally intended for end-user consumption and include pots for consumption via embodiments including a spoon, and cups for drinking from. A container can be defined as a package, wherein the package is formed from a flexible material, including plastic or foil. Packages may have an internal volume of 150 to 350 ml, 200 to 300 ml, or 50 to 150 ml.

[0089] As used in this article, the term " [External Device] [(external device)]” or “ [External electronic devices] [(external electronic device)]" or " [Peripheral Devices] "[(peripheral device)]" can include electronic components external to the machine, such as those located in the same location as the machine or those located away from the machine (which communicate with the machine via a computer network). The external device may include a communication interface for communicating with the machine and / or server systems. The external device may include devices such as: smartphones; PDAs; game controllers; tablets; laptops; or other similar devices.

[0090] As used in this article, the term " [Server System] "[(server system)]" can refer to electronic components external to the machine, such as those configured at a remote location on the machine, which communicate with the machine via a computer network. A server system may include a communication interface for communicating with the machine and / or external devices. Server systems may include: networked computers (e.g., remote servers); cloud-based computers; and any other server system.

[0091] As used in this article, the term " [system] [(system)]” or “ [Beverage or food preparation system] "[(beverage or foodstuff preparation system)]" can refer to any combination of two or more of the following: beverage or food preparation machine; container; server system; and peripheral device.

[0092] As used in this article, the term " [drinks] "[(beverage)]" can refer to any substance that can be processed to a state suitable for consumption, which may be iced or hot. A beverage can be one or more of the following: solid; liquid; gel; paste. Beverages may include one or a combination of the following: tea; coffee; hot chocolate; milk; cordial; vitamin components; herbal tea / infusion; infusion / flavored water; and other substances. As used herein, the term "[(beverage)]" is used in conjunction with other substances. [food] "[(foodstuff)]" can refer to any substance that can be processed into nutrients for consumption, and it can be icy or hot. Food can be one or more of the following: solid; liquid; gel; paste. Food can include: yogurt; mousse; parfait; soup; ice cream; sorbet; custard; fruit smoothie; and other substances. It should be understood that there is some overlap between the definitions of beverage and food; for example, a beverage can also be a food, and therefore, the machine described for preparing a beverage or food does not preclude the preparation of both.

[0093] As used in this article, the term " [Precursor Materials] "[(precursor material)]" can refer to any material that can be processed to form part or all of a beverage or food. Precursor materials can be one or more of the following: powder; crystals; liquid; gel; solid; and others. Examples of beverages that form precursor materials include: ground coffee; milk powder; tea; cocoa powder; vitamin components; herbs, for example, used to form herbal / infused teas; flavorings; and other similar materials. Examples of food-forming precursor materials include: dried vegetables or broth as anhydrous soup powder; milk powder; flour-based powders, including custard; powdered yogurt or ice cream; and other similar materials. Precursor material can also refer to any pre-precursor material that can be processed into a precursor material as defined above, i.e., any precursor material that can be subsequently processed into a beverage and / or food. In one example, pre-precursor material includes coffee beans, which can be ground and / or heated (e.g., roasted) into a precursor material.

[0094] As used in this article, the term " [fluid] "[(fluid)]" (referring to fluids supplied by a fluid conditioning system) may include one or more of the following: water; milk; others. As used herein, the term "fluid" refers to... [Treatment] "[(conditioning)]" can refer to altering its physical properties and may include one or more of the following: heating or cooling; agitation (including foaming by stirring to introduce foam, and mixing to introduce agitation); portioning to single-serving quantities for use in single-serving containers; pressurization, such as to brewing pressure; carbonation; skimming / purification; and other conditioning processes.

[0095] As used in this article, the term " [Processing Unit] "[(processing unit)]" can refer to a configuration that can process precursor materials into beverages or food. It can also refer to a configuration that can process pre-precursor materials into precursor materials. The processing unit can have any suitable implementation, including a container processing unit or a loose material processing unit.

[0096] As used in this article, the term " [Container Processing Unit] "[(container processing unit)]" can refer to a configuration for processing containers to derive related beverages or foods from precursor materials. A container processing unit can be configured to process precursor materials by one or more of the following: dilution; heating; cooling; mixing; stirring; dissolving; soaking; impregnation; extraction; conditioning; pressurization; brewing; and: other processing steps. Therefore, a container processing unit can be implemented as a range of units depending on the processing steps, which may include: an extraction unit (which may implement pressurization and / or heating, e.g., heating or cooling, brewing procedures); a mixing unit (which mixes a beverage or food in a container for consumption by an end user); a dispensing and dissolving unit (which extracts portions of the precursor material from a storage tank, processes it by dissolving, and dispenses it into the container); and: other similar units.

[0097] As used in this article, the term " [Loose Material Processing Unit] "[(loose material processing unit)]" can refer to a configuration that can process loose material into precursor material. The loose material processing unit can be configured to process the precursor material by one or more of the following: heating; cooling; grinding; mixing; soaking; conditioning; other processing steps. A loose material processing unit can supply loose material to a container from which the loose material is extracted and processed.

[0098] As used in this article, the term " [Preparation Procedure] "[(preparation process)]" can refer to the preparation of beverages or food from precursor materials or the preparation of pre-precursor materials from precursor materials. The preparation process can refer to a procedure executed by an electrical circuit system to control the container processing unit to process the precursor or pre-precursor material.

[0099] As used in this article, the term " [Electrical Circuit System] [(electrical circuitry)]" or " [Circuit System] [(circuitry)]” or “ [Control electrical circuit system] "[(control electrical circuitry)]" can refer to one or more hardware and / or software components, examples of which may include: application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs); electronic / electrical components (which may include combinations of transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc.); one or more processors; non-transitory memory (e.g., implemented by one or more memory devices) that can store one or more software or firmware programs; combinational logic circuits; and the aforementioned interconnections. The electrical circuitry system may be entirely located at the machine, or distributed among one or more of the following: the machine; external devices; and server systems.

[0100] As used in this article, the term " [processor] [(processor)] or " [Processing Resources] "[(processing resource)]" can refer to one or more units used for processing, examples of which include ASICs, microprocessors, FPGAs, microfabrication devices, digital signal processors (DSPs), state machines, or other suitable components. A processor can be configured to execute computer programs; for example, it can take the form of machine-readable instructions, which can be stored in non-transitory memory and / or programmable logic. A processor can have various configurations corresponding to those discussed for the circuit system, such as built-in machines or distributed as part of the system. As used herein, any machine-executable instructions or computer-readable media can be configured to result in the disclosed methods, for example, implemented by the machines or systems disclosed herein, and therefore can be used synonymously with or in the context of terminology.

[0101] As used in this article, the term " [Computer-readable media] [ / ] [media] [(computer readable medium / media)]" or " [Data Storage] "[(data storage)]" can include any media capable of storing computer programs and can take any known form of non-transitory memory, such as one or more of the following: random access memory (RAM); CD; hard disk drive; solid-state drive; memory card; DVD. The memory can have various configurations corresponding to those discussed for the circuit system.

[0102] As used in this article, the term " [Communication Resources] [(communication resource)] or " [Communication Interface] "[communication interface]" can refer to hardware and / or firmware used for electronic information transfer. Communication resources / interfaces can be configured for wired communication ("wired communication resources / interface") or wireless communication ("wireless communication resources / interface"). Wireless communication resources can include hardware that transmits and receives signals via radio waves, and can include various protocol implementations, such as the 802.11 standard described in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Bluetooth™ from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) in Kirkland, Washington. Wired communication resources can include; Universal Serial Bus (USB); High Resolution Multimedia Interface (HDMI) or other protocol implementations. The machine can include communication resources for wired or wireless communication with external devices and / or server systems.

[0103] As used in this article, the term " [network] [(network)] or " [Computer Network] "[(computer network)]" can refer to a system used for the electronic transfer of information between a plurality of devices. A network can, for example, include one or more networks of any type, including: Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN); telephone network (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN) and / or wireless network); local area network (LAN); metropolitan area network (MAN); wide area network (WAN); Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network; private network; internet; intranet.

[0104] As used in this article, the term " [code] [(code)] can refer to the storage medium for encoding information. The code can be an optically readable code, such as a barcode. The code can be formed by multiple units, which can be called elements or tags.

[0105] As used in this article, the term " [Preparation Information] "[(preparation information)]" can refer to information related to the preparation process. This information may vary depending on the implementation of the processing unit. Parameters associated with a container processing unit containing a fluid processing system may include one or more of the following: fluid pressure; fluid temperature; mass / volume flow rate; fluid volume; filtration / purification parameters for the fluid; carbonation parameters for the fluid. Parameters associated with a container processing unit containing a porous material processing unit may include one or more of the following: grinding parameters, including strength; heating temperature. More general parameters may include one or more of the following: container geometry, such as shape or volume; type of precursor; stage identifier for determining when the preparation process is divided into a series of stages, thus each stage includes one or more of the aforementioned parameters; duration, including stage duration (e.g., the duration typically used to apply stage parameters or any of the aforementioned parameters); and container identifier, which may be used, for example, to monitor container consumption for container reordering or to retrieve information from a server system; expiry date; and recipe identifier, which may be used to locate recipes stored in the machine's memory for use with the container. [General System Description]

[0106] Referring to Figure 1, the system [2] Includes machines [4] Container [6] Server system [8] and peripheral devices 10. Server system [8] Via computer network

[12] with machines [4] Communication. Peripheral devices.

[10] via computer network

[12] with machines [4] Communications.

[0107] In variant embodiments not shown: peripheral devices and / or server systems are omitted.

[0108] Although computer network 12 is illustrated as identical between machine 4, server system 8, and peripheral device 10, other configurations are possible, including: different computer networks for communication between each device: the server system communicates with the machine via the peripheral device (rather than directly). In a particular example: the peripheral device communicates with the machine via a wireless interface (e.g., using the Bluetooth™ protocol), and; the server system communicates with the machine via a wireless interface (e.g., using the IEEE 802.11 standard) and also via the Internet. [machine]

[0109] Referring to Figure 2, the machine [4] Includes: processing unit

[14] , which is used to process the precursor material; electrical circuit system

[16] , and code reading system

[18]

[0110] Electrical circuit system

[16] Control code reading system

[18] , from the container [6] Reading code (not shown in Figure 2), and determining the preparation information from it. Electrical circuit system

[16] Use preparation information to control the processing unit

[14] , to perform a preparation process in which the precursor material is processed into a beverage or food or a precursor thereof. [First Example of a Processing Unit]

[0111] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, in the processing unit In the first example of

[14] , the unit includes a container processing unit.

[20] and fluid conditioning system [twenty two].

[0112] Container processing unit

[20] Configured as a processing container [6], to derive beverages or food from the precursor materials (not shown). Fluid conditioning system

[22] Conditioning and supplying to the container processing unit

[20] fluid. Electrical circuit system

[16] Using from container [6] Read the preparation information to control the container processing unit

[20] and fluid conditioning system

[22] , to perform the preparation procedure. [Fluid Conditioning System]

[0113] Referring to Figure 3, fluid conditioning system

[22] Including storage tanks

[24] ; pump

[26] ; heat exchanger

[28] , and; outlet for conditioning fluids.

[30] . Storage tank

[24] Contains fluid, usually sufficient for multiple preparation processes. Pump

[26] Allow the fluid to flow from the storage tank

[24] Displacement, via heat exchanger

[26] and to the export

[30] (It is connected to the container processing unit)

[20] ). Pump

[26] It can be implemented as any suitable device for driving fluids, including: reciprocating; rotary pumps; other suitable configurations. Heat exchanger

[28] The device is designed to heat the fluid and may include: a row-type or hot block type heater; a heating element that directly heats the fluid in the reservoir; or other suitable configurations.

[0114] In variant embodiments not illustrated: pumps are omitted, for example, fluid is fed to the container processing unit by gravity or pressurized by a mains water supply; storage tanks are omitted, for example, water is supplied by a mains water supply; heat exchangers are configured to cool the fluid, for example, they may include a refrigeration circulating heat pump; heat exchangers are omitted, for example, the mains water supply supplies water at the desired temperature; the fluid conditioning system includes a filtration / purification system, for example, a UV light system, the extent to which it is applied to the fluid is controllable; a carbonation system controls the degree of carbonation of the fluid. [Container Processing Unit] Container processing unit

[20] A series of configurations can be used to implement this, as illustrated in Examples 1 to 6 below:

[0115] Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, container processing unit

[20] The first example is used for processing and configuring into capsules. [6] A suitable example of a capsule is provided in Figure 7, which will be discussed therein, for the preparation of beverages. Container processing unit

[20] Configured as an extraction unit

[32] , from capsule [6] Beverage extraction. Extraction unit.

[32] Including the capsule holding portion

[34] and closing components

[36] . Extraction unit

[32] It can be moved to the capsule receiving position (Fig. 4A), wherein the capsule holding part

[34] and closing components

[36] Configured to receive capsules [6]. Extraction unit

[32] It can be moved to the capsule extraction position (Fig. 4B), wherein the capsule holding part

[34] and closing components

[36] in capsules [6] A seal is formed around it, and it can be encapsulated. [6] Beverage extraction. Extraction unit.

[32] The position may be driven by an actuator or moved manually between such positions.

[0116] Fluid conditioning system

[22] exports

[30] The capsule is configured to inject conditioning fluid into the capsule at the capsule extraction site. [6] Injection head (usually under high pressure)

[38] . Beverage exports

[40] The beverage is prepared to extract the extracted beverage and is extracted from the extraction unit.

[32] Transport.

[0117] Extraction unit 32 is configured to inject fluid into capsules by applying pressure (e.g., 10 to 20 bar) and heating (e.g., 50 to 98 degrees Celsius). [6] Beverages are prepared using precursor materials. Pressure is increased over a predetermined time until the ruptured portion (which is the capsule) is exceeded. [6] The pressure on the closed component caused the component to rupture and the beverage to be dispensed to the beverage outlet.

[40]

[0118] In variant embodiments not shown, although the injection head and beverage outlet are depicted as being respectively disposed on the holding portion and the capsule closure member, alternatively, the injection head and beverage outlet may be disposed on the capsule closure member and the storage portion, respectively; or both may be disposed on the same portion. Furthermore, the extraction unit may include two components configured as the capsule holding portion, for example, for capsules symmetrical with respect to the flange, including Nespresso® Professional capsules.

[0119] Examples of suitable extraction units are provided in EP 1472156 A1 and EP 1784344 A1, which are incorporated herein by reference, and provide hydraulically sealed extraction units.

[0120] In a second example of the container processing unit (not shown), an extraction unit similar to that of the first example is provided; however, the extraction unit operates at a lower pressure and by centrifugation. An example of a suitable capsule is the Nespresso® Vertuo capsule. A suitable example is provided in EP 2594171 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0121] In the third example (not shown), the capsule processing unit operates by dissolving a beverage precursor, selected for dissolution under high pressure and temperature fluid. This configuration is similar to the extraction units of the first and second examples; however, the pressure is lower and therefore a sealed extraction unit is not required. Specifically, fluid can be injected into the capsule cap, with the ruptured portion located at the base of the capsule's receiving portion. An example of a suitable capsule is the Nespresso® Dolce Gusto capsule. Examples of suitable extraction units are disclosed in EP 1472156 A1 and EP 1784344 A1, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0122] In a fourth example (not shown) where the container is configured as a small package, the container processing unit implements an extraction unit operable to receive the small package and inject fluid from a fluid conditioning system at its inlet. The injected fluid is mixed with precursor material within the small package to at least partially prepare a beverage, which exits the small package via its outlet. An example of this configuration is provided in WO2014125123 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0123] In the fifth example (not shown), the container processing unit is configured as a mixing unit to prepare a beverage or food precursor stored in a container intended for consumption by an end user. The mixing unit includes a stirrer (e.g., a planetary mixer; a spiral mixer; a vertical cutter mixer) to mix the beverage or food precursor in the container; and a heat exchanger to heat / cool the beverage or food precursor. A fluid supply system may also supply fluid to the container. Examples of such configurations are provided in WO 2014067987 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0124] In the 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 portion of a beverage or food precursor from a storage section of the machine (which may include any multi-part containers comprising small packages or boxes). The dispensing and dissolving unit is configured to mix the extracted single portion with a conditioning fluid from a fluid conditioning system and dispense the beverage or food into a container. An example of this configuration is provided in EP 14167344 A, which is incorporated herein by reference. [Second example of a processing unit]

[0125] Referring to Figure 5, in the processing unit In the second example of

[14] , the unit includes a loose material processing unit.

[42]

[0126] Loose material processing unit

[42] Configured to receive from containers [6] Loose pre-precursor material (suitable examples are provided in Figure 8 as will be discussed) and processed to derive precursor material. Electrical circuit system

[16] Using read-from containers [6] Preparation information to control the processing unit of porous materials.

[42] To perform the preparation procedure.

[0127] The user manually hates the container [6] To the machine [4] code reading system

[18] The user then opens the container using a read code (as will be discussed). [6] The pre-precursor material (not shown) disposed therein is then applied to the loose material processing unit.

[42] Middle. Loose material processing unit

[42] The loose pre-precursor material is processed into a precursor material.

[0128] In a specific instance, the precursor material is coffee beans, and the loose material processing unit...

[42] The coffee beans are prepared for roasting and / or grinding to provide precursor materials.

[0129] In a variant embodiment not illustrated, the loose material processing unit is alternatively configured to include: using a dispensing system to open and dispense a pre-precursor from the capsule for subsequent processing (e.g., which may include a cutting tool to cut open the container and an extractor (such as a bard) to extract the pre-precursor material); the pre-precursor material may be processed in the container and dispensed from the container or provided to the user in the container, as described in the foregoing examples. [Code Reading System]

[0130] Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, the code reading system

[18] Configured to read configuration in container [6] The code on the closed member

[44] . Code reading system

[18] with container processing unit

[20] Extraction unit of the first instance

[32] Integration. Code

[44] Using an extraction unit

[32] Read at the capsule extraction site (as shown in Figure 4B).

[0131] Code reading system

[18] Includes image capturing unit

[46] using the extraction code

[44] digital images. Suitable image capturing unit Examples of

[46] include the Sonix SN9S102; the Snap Sensor S2 imager; the oversampled binary image sensor; and other similar systems.

[0132] Electrical circuit system

[18] Includes an image processing circuitry (not shown) to identify codes in digital images and extract preparation information. An example of the image processing circuitry is a Texas Instruments TMS320C5517 processor running a code processing program.

[0133] In a variant embodiment not shown, the code reading system is separate from the container processing unit. This code reading system includes: a channel configured for placing the container therein and conveying it to the container processing unit; and a configuration to read a code on the container, which is positioned to receive beverage from the beverage outlet of the dispensing and dissolving unit. In a further variant embodiment not shown, the code reading system is alternatively implemented, for example, configured on the machine to read a code that the user of the container manually presents to an image capturing device. In a further variant embodiment not shown, the code reading system is configured to read codes at different locations on the container, for example, on the flange or storage portion. [Control electrical circuit system]

[0134] Referring to Figure 6, electrical circuit system

[16] Implemented as a control electrical circuit system

[48] ​​To control the processing unit

[14] Perform the preparation procedure. In the embodiment of FIG6, for illustrative purposes, the processing unit is shown...

[14] is illustrated as a first example, which includes a container processing unit.

[20] and fluid supply unit [twenty two].

[0135] Electrical circuit system

[16] [、]

[48] ​​At least partially implemented (e.g., in combination with hardware): Input unit

[50] , to receive confirmation from the user's machine [4] Input to the preparation procedure; processor

[52] , to receive from the input unit

[46] input, and provides control output to the processing unit.

[14] , and; feedback system

[54] , to provide from the processing unit during the preparation process.

[54] Feedback, which can be used to control the preparation process.

[0136] Input unit

[50] Implemented as a user interface, which may include one or more of the following: buttons, such as joystick buttons or push buttons; joysticks; LEDs; graphic or character LDCs; graphic screens with touch sensing and / or screen edge buttons; other similar devices; sensors to determine whether a container has been supplied to the machine by the user.

[0137] Feedback system

[54] It can achieve one or more of the following or other feedback control operations:

[0138] Flow sensor to determine fluid supply system

[22] exports

[30] (shown in Figure 3) fluid velocity / volume, which can be used to calculate to the container [6] The correct amount of fluid, and therefore adjusted to the pump.

[26] electricity;

[0139] Temperature sensor to determine fluid supply unit

[22] Export

[30] The temperature of the fluid, which can be used to ensure the temperature of the container. [6] The fluid temperature system is correct, and therefore adjusted to the heat exchanger.

[28] electricity);

[0140] Level sensor to determine the storage tank

[24] The fluid level is sufficient for the preparation process;

[0141] Position sensor to determine extraction unit

[32] Location (e.g., capsule extraction location or capsule receiving location).

[0142] You should understand the electrical circuit system.

[16]

[48] ​​Appropriately suited for processing units Other examples of

[14] include: for a second example of a container processing system, a feedback system may be used to control the rotational speed of the capsule; for a loose material processing unit, a feedback system may be used to implement control of the grinding rate and / or heating temperature. [container]

[0143] Referring to Figure 7, it is used with the processing unit.

[14] The first instance used with containers [6] The first instance contains a container configured as a capsule. [6]. The capsule includes: a closure component.

[56] ; Storage section

[58] , and; flange portion

[60]

[0144] Storage section

[58] Includes a cavity (not shown) for storing precursor material. Closure member

[56] Close the storage section

[58] , and includes a flexible membrane. Flange portion

[60] Configured in the storage section

[58] and closing components

[56] The interface and including the fixing of the parts together to airtightly seal the overlap of the precursor material. Capsule [6] It has a diameter of 2 to 5 cm and a shaft length of 2 to 4 cm. Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, the storage section...

[58] By injection head

[38] Perforation is made to supply the conditioning fluid into the capsule.

[0145] capsule [6] Includes extension through the closure member

[56] center

[59] axis of rotational symmetry

[57] (Although not shown in the side view of FIG7, when in the closed member

[56] When viewed on a flat surface, the capsule [6] It has a circular cross-section.

[0146] Construction, manufacture, and / or (beverage) extraction details of containers and / or closure components, for example, disclosed in EP 2155021, EP 2316310, EP 2152608, EP2378932, EP2470053, EP2509473, EP2667757 and EP 2528485.

[0147] Referring to Figure 8, with the processing unit

[14] The second example uses containers together The second example of [6] includes containers configured as small packages. [6], and includes: at the perimeter seams

[64] Definition of connection: sheet material used to store the internal volume of precursor material (not shown)

[62] configuration, and; opening

[66] The user opens it to apply the precursor material to the loose material processing unit.

[42] in. [Code Configuration]

[0148] Refer to Figures 7 and 8, code

[44] The code is configured in the container. [6] in any suitable location on the outer surface of the code reading system, such that it can be read by the code reading system.

[18] Read. In the first example shown in Figure 7, the code

[44] Configured in the closed portion

[56] Above. In a variant embodiment not shown, the code may be configured on the flange portion.

[60] On (including on either side) and in the receiving portion

[58] Above. In the second example shown in Figure 8, the code

[44] Configured in sheet material

[62] Various locations, including seams

[64] at the far end. [Preparation Procedure]

[0149] Referring to Figure 9, the execution of a procedure for preparing a beverage / food from precursor materials is illustrated:

[0150] [Square]

[70] : User-supplied container [6] To the machine [4]

[0151] [Square]

[72] : Electrical circuit system

[16] (For example, its input unit)

[50] ) Receives user instructions to prepare beverages / foods from precursors, and the electrical circuit system

[16] (e.g., processor)

[52] ) Start the program.

[0152] [Square]

[74] : Electrical circuit system

[16] Control processing unit

[14] To process containers (e.g., in a container processing unit) In the first example of

[20] , the extraction unit

[32] Move from the capsule receiving position (Fig. 4A) to the capsule extraction position (Fig. 4B).

[0153] [Square]

[76] Electrical circuit system

[16] Control code reading system

[18] to read the container [6] code

[44] , and provide digital images of codes.

[0154] [Square]

[78] Electrical circuit system

[16] The code processing circuit system processes the digital image to extract preparation information.

[0155] [Square]

[80] Electrical circuit system

[16] Based on the preparation information, the processing unit is controlled.

[14] Perform the preparation procedure. In a first example of the processing unit, this includes: a control fluid conditioning system.

[22] Fluid is supplied to the container processing unit at the temperature, pressure and time specified in the preparation information.

[20]

[0156] Electrical circuit system

[16] Subsequently, control the container processing unit

[20] , so that the extract portion moves through the capsule discharge location and is discharged from the container. [6] And return to the capsule receiving position.

[0157] In variant embodiments not shown: the above blocks can be executed in different orders, for example, [Square]

[72] In [Square]

[70] Previously executed or [Square]

[76] In [Square]

[74] Executed previously; a certain block can be omitted, for example, in the case of a machine storing capsule boxes, it can be omitted. [Square]

[70] ; alternatively in the square

[70] to

[76] The user presents the code of the container to the code reading system, and after the code is read, the user opens the container and applies the pre-precursor material to the processing unit.

[0158] cube

[76] and

[78] A code reading and processing program. (Square)

[80] This can be referred to as the preparation process. Electrical circuit system

[16] Includes instructions for a preparation procedure (or a plurality of preparation procedures), such as program code. In one embodiment, the processor

[52] Execute instructions stored in memory (not shown).

[0159] As part of the manufacturing process, the electrical circuit system

[16] The communication interface of the machine (not shown) can be used via a computer network.

[12] From the server system [8] and / or peripheral devices

[10] Obtain additional preparation information. [External Surface and Code Description]

[0160] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, the closing member

[56] The entire externally facing surface includes the external surface.

[70] The outer surface includes a code

[72] and extended access codes

[72] encoding lines

[74]

[0161] external surface

[70] The image system is circular. In variant embodiments not shown: other shapes, including squares, can be processed. [External Surface and Features]

[0162] external surface

[70] is formed from a first color range, which in some examples includes relatively light colors of an 8-bit grayscale color system, for example, decimal 200 to 255. Formed on the outer surface

[70] The other items are formed by a second color range, which in the example contains a darker color of an 8-bit grayscale color system, for example, decimal 0 to 50.

[0163] In variant embodiments not shown: other color systems may be implemented, including: 1-bit monochrome; 8-bit color; 16-bit grayscale; and 16-bit color.

[0164] external surface

[70] Has non-coding lines formed thereon

[76] [、]

[78] [、]

[80] [、]

[82] These non-coded lines can be defined as those spanning the outer surface.

[70] Extension and Encoding Line

[74] and code

[72] Any line parallel to but not intersecting with any of them.

[0165] Non-encoded lines

[76] Extended to direct adjoining code

[72] . Non-encoded lines

[78] Extended to code

[72] Far end. Non-encoded line

[76] and

[78] Both are entirely composed of the first color range.

[0166] Non-encoded lines

[80] Extended to code

[72] The far end, and including the object

[84] The intersecting portion, which in particular includes the trademark / logo

[86] . Non-coded lines

[82] Extended to code

[72] The far end, and including the object

[84] The intersecting portion, which in particular includes the trademark / logo

[86] and text

[88] , the text provides by means of a container [6] Information on the type of beverage produced from the precursor materials. Object

[84] is composed of the second color range. Non-coded lines.

[80] and

[82] Therefore, both are composed of components of a first color range and a second color range. Object

[84] The form and composition of the non-coded line are selected to make the non-coded line

[76]

[78]

[80]

[82] Includes code lines

[74] A composition of a second color range that is less than 20 or 50%, for example.

[0167] In variant embodiments not shown: other objects may be formed on the outer surface, including those with different orientations.

[0168] Although not explicitly shown, it should be understood that the corresponding non-coded lines can be drawn on the outer surface.

[70] The above does not include coding lines

[74] and code

[72] on all parts. Furthermore, it should be understood that the non-coded lines are not physically formed on the outer surface.

[70] More precisely, when images are processed as will be discussed, they are treated only as external surfaces.

[70] Ideal virtual line. Because when dealing with external surfaces

[70] When discussing the image, if it is decomposed into a series of adjacent lines, the non-coded lines can be...

[76] [to]

[82] The thickness is imagined as a coding line

[74] thickness (or, as will be discussed, amplified thickness when dealing with variations). [Code and Encoding Line]

[0169] Refer to Figures 10 to 12, code

[72] Along the longitudinal direction

[0100] Upward-extending linear coding lines

[74] Spanning the outer surface

[70] Extension. As can be most clearly seen in Figure 12, the code

[72] contains a series of units, including or not including.

[92] discrete position

[90] . Unit

[92] and coding lines

[74] is formed from the second color range. Unit

[92] Based on whether it does not exist or exists at discrete locations

[90] encodes the bits as 0 or 1. Discrete position

[90] is along the coding line

[74] They are arranged at predetermined intervals (i.e., pitches), and these discrete positions are directly adjacent to each other in the instance, so that they can be located and read in a predictable manner.

[0170] Refer to Figure 10, code

[72] Configured as repeating units

[94] , these repeating units are along the coding lines

[74] Repeat itself sequentially in the same order. For example, the coding line.

[74] may include 1 to 3 or other number of repetitions of the code, any of which may be read to extract preparation information.

[0171] In the example, repeating units

[94] Contains 23 discrete locations

[90] , therefore the code

[72] The message is 23 bits long. The 23-bit message at least partially encodes preparation information; for example, the message may be used as a key associated with a specific set of parameters of a recipe defined using a key-value database paradigm, which is an electrical circuit system.

[16] The stored relationship on electronic memory. Alternatively, the value encoded by one or more bits can be directly associated with the value of the parameter, for example, bits 0 to 7 encode one of the 256 quantities of water temperature, which are based on stored in the electrical circuit system.

[16] The relationship between electronic memory and temperature is interpreted and converted.

[0172] In a variant embodiment not shown: the code is repeated only once, and the code may contain any number of discrete positions, for example, 16 or 32.

[0173] As can be seen in Figure 10, there are multiple lines, each in its own lateral direction.

[0102] The coding lines are offset from each other and parallel.

[74] (showing four lines), with code

[72] identical repetition

[94] . Therefore, it is possible to obtain from any encoding line.

[74] Read any repetitions to extract preparation information. Specifically, adjacent coding lines

[72] repetition

[94] offset longitudinally by half the code length, such that if the outer surface

[70] One area is damaged, increasing the repetition of undamaged codes.

[94] The possibility of its existence.

[0174] In variant embodiments not shown: there may be only a single coding line, and; the repeat may have other longitudinal offsets, including a quarter of the code length, or there may be no longitudinal offset.

[0175] Referring to Figure 12, for the code

[72] is not adjacent to another unit

[92] unit

[92] , and the external end region

[96] The shape is defined by the curved end profile, so that it follows the coding line.

[74] The longitudinal thickness increases around the edges, while the lateral thickness narrows to a point in a symmetrical manner. For code

[72] is adjacent to other units

[92] One side of which makes the end region a non-external region unit.

[92] , The shape is square.

[0176] As used herein, the term "shape" in relation to units can refer to an exact shape or an approximation of an actual shape, which can occur in variations in precision during printing or other manufacturing processes.

[0177] In variant embodiments not shown: the units have different shapes, including one or a combination of the following shapes: triangles, polygons, specifically, quadrilaterals, such as squares or parallelograms; other suitable shapes.

[0178] In an embodiment, the encoding line

[74] Lateral direction The thickness on

[0102] is selected to be consistent with the code.

[72] Unit

[92] The thickness is relatively narrow (e.g., less than 20% or 10%), and for a unit with a length of 1.1 mm, it can be, for example, 0.2 mm.

[0179] unit

[92] Typically has a unit length of 1.1 mm. As used herein, related to the unit...

[92] The term "unit length" can refer to a unit.

[92] Appropriately defined distances, for example: for the diameter of a circular shape; for the side length of a square; for the distance between opposite or adjacent vertices of a polygon; for the hypotenuse of a triangle. Unit

[92] It may be configured with a precision of about 0.05 mm. Because the units 92 are directly adjacent, they have a pitch of 1.1 mm.

[0180] unit

[92] and coding lines

[74] It is formed, for example, by printing (e.g., by means of an inkjet printer). As an example of printing, the ink may be conventional printer ink, and the substrate may be: polyethylene terephthalate (PET); aluminum coated with quick-drying paint (as found on Nespresso Classic capsules) or other suitable substrates.

[0181] In variant embodiments not shown: the cells are alternatively formed, including by embossing, engraving, or other suitable means, and the cells are alternatively sized, for example, a cell length of 0.5 to 2 mm.

[0182] In a particular variant embodiment, cells and coding lines are formed as either diffuse or specular (e.g., by etching or engraving, or by a diffuse coating or other coating on a specular material, such as aluminum), while non-coding lines (or areas of cells or coding lines that do not contain codes) are formed by either diffuse or specular reflection. This configuration can be advantageous because in digital images, specular reflection can appear as a first range of values ​​in the color model, such as light tones, and diffuse reflection can appear as a second range of values ​​in the color model, such as dark tones. That is, the intensity of reflection can determine the value of the color model. However, the visibility of the code can be less noticeable compared to forming the value range by printing. [Total color tone]

[0183] Caused by encoding line

[74] The physical formation should be understood as follows: if the external surface

[70] Divided into regions called pixels (as indicated by the grid in Figure 11, where the coding lines

[74] Approximately two pixels thick), and; if grayscale tones (as discussed previously) are assigned to each pixel; then along the outer surface

[70] Extended length and width coding lines

[74] The sum of the decimal values ​​of the tone association of these pixels and the adjacent parallel linear non-coding lines as shown in Figure 10

[76] [、]

[78] [、]

[80] [、]

[82] (or any other line) is identifiable by comparison. This is because these non-coded lines do not contain or contain a reduced portion of the color of the second color range.

[0184] A region that extends across the edges of an outer surface and, in an instance, encapsulates a coding line and is two pixels thick, is called a "section" or "line section." The pixels that form a section are called "elements" or "regions."

[0185] Specifically, due to the encoding lines

[74] The decimal values ​​are all derived from the second color range (rather than including all or part of the first color range, such as that used for non-coded lines), and the sum of the decimal values ​​divided by the number of pixels will be much lower than the number of non-coded lines. This quantity refers to the "averaged segment color tone" or "averaged color tone," where in this example, elements are pixels and the average corresponds to the number of elements in the segment. Therefore, a segment can have a single value of average segment color tone.

[0186] In variant embodiments not shown: elements or regions other than single pixels may be considered; for example, a single hue (i.e., a value) may be assigned to elements comprising groups of 4, 6, or 9 pixels configured as squares or rectangles, such elements may include encoding lines.

[74] The total width is the same as the width of the other two.

[0187] Referring to Figure 13 (top image), in the code In the embodiment where the orientation was initially unknown (and displayed by virtual region coordinates compared to real global coordinates), the external surface was...

[70] The image is segmented into vertically extending segments with a width of two pixels (as previously discussed).

[98] . Although only a single segment is displayed.

[98] The segment extends across the entire lateral width of the image. For Figure 13 (top image), each segment is calculated.

[98] average segment hue.

[0188] Then the image is rotated three degrees around the axis of symmetry.

[59] (See Figure 7, which is at the center of the circular image) rotate and repeat each segment.

[98] The procedure for calculating the average segment tone. Then repeat the procedure until the image has been rotated 180 degrees.

[0189] In variant embodiments not shown: the image system is rotated by other amounts including 2 or 4 degrees.

[0190] Figure 14 shows a 2D contour plot of the average segment hue with respect to the lateral position of the segment based on the rotation angle. The rotation angle in Figure 13 (top image) corresponds to the row in Figure 14.

[0104] The rotation angle in Figure 13 (bottom image) corresponds to the figure.

[14] line

[0106] , including the encoding line

[74] and longitudinal direction

[0100] Alignment. Note that for rows...

[0106] There are a series of regions with localized low average segment hues.

[0108] This characteristic facilitates the coding.

[72] The desired orientation of identification.

[0191] In variant embodiments not shown: the orientation of the code may be known, for example, by placing the code to extend along a direction identified by an asymmetric structural reference formed on the capsule. [Variation Measurement]

[0192] Used in a oriented manner relative to the longitudinal direction

[0100] Alignment code

[72] , as shown in Figure 13 (bottom image), the preferred coding line

[74] Selected by way of each section

[98] Determine the variation (or standard deviation) of the element's hue (in this case, replace the average segment hue) and process it.

[0193] Refer to Figure 15 to draw the section.

[98] Lateral position of the section

[98] Standard deviation. Some optional processing of the original deviation data has been used, such as baseline removal and top-hat transformation. Because there are four coding lines in Figure 13.

[74] , There are four peaks in this deviation.

[0110] This is due to the cause of the code.

[72] unit

[92] Existence or non-existence including coding lines

[74] discrete position on the segment

[90] contains more than non-coded lines

[76] [to]

[82] Any variation in the first color range and the second color range of any segment. Specifically, due to the direct proximity of the coding line

[74] non-coding lines

[76]

[78] Contains no objects

[84] , which have relatively low variation, which contributes to the adjacent coding lines of which

[74] This leads to enhanced localization of highly variable points.

[0194] highest peak

[0110] Corresponding to the longest coding line

[74] , due to its length, because it has a code

[72] The maximum probability of one or more complete repetitions, which are then selected for processing.

[0195] It should be noted that because of the encoding lines

[74] is a solid line. If this is read directly, the variation will be extremely low. Therefore, the segment thickness is increased in the lateral thickness to correspond to the code when determining the variation.

[72] Unit

[92] thickness. Because of the coding lines.

[74] The selected unit has a thinner lateral thickness than the code unit, so it does not interfere with the variation. In fact, the average hue is therefore sampled at high resolution, and the variation is sampled at a lower resolution.

[0196] To ensure the code

[72] To maintain high variability, restrictions can be imposed on the coding pattern: the code may not be absent or may contain more than a predetermined number of consecutive units, for example, 3, 4 or 5.

[0197] In a variant embodiment not shown: the variants (or deviations) discussed above are also used to determine the correct rotation of the code, for example, determining the correct rotation for a segment deviation at the rotation position where it produces the highest peak. In this embodiment, the coding lines may be omitted. [Code reading and decoding]

[0198] Encoding lines to be read

[74] The orientation and position are now determined, and the unit at discrete position 90 is read.

[92]

[0199] In the first example (not shown), the code contains a start sequence of a predetermined reserved sequence of 0s and 1s. When the code is read, the code processing program searches for this reserved sequence in cells that are either absent or present. The data sequence is located at a known location relative to the start sequence (e.g., stored in an electrical circuit system).

[16] on memory), for example, the data sequence can be the first 8 bits. Therefore, from the position of the starting sequence, the data sequence can be read to extract data from the code.

[0200] In the second instance (not shown), the code is repeated.

[94] Having a known length, for example, 23 bits, and reading the units along the coding line, and repeatedly identifying the repeating units based on that value.

[94] The code processing program implements a Gray decoder to extract data from the code, which has a known length.

[0201] In error events that hinder data retrieval: in the first instance, for example, the start sequence cannot be located, or in the second instance, the Gray decoder returns 4 to 7 bit errors, the code can then be read in the reverse direction, for example, in Figure 13 (bottom image), the image is rotated 180 degrees and the discrete positions are read again.

[90]

[0202] In the event of a data integrity error: in a first instance, the corresponding bits in the data sequence may be displayed incorrectly; or in a second instance, the Gray decoder returns 0 to 3 bits of error, and the data can then be corrected, for example, based on a match with a known closed data sequence stored in memory.

[0203] The error types presented above can also be identified by using the same coding lines.

[74] or different coding lines

[74] This can be solved by choosing different code repetitions. In addition, repetitions from two different code lines can be stitched together based on the fact that the repetitions have a known length. [Methods for processing coded images]

[0204] Refer to Figure 16, processing code

[72] The method for obtaining the image includes the following steps (which can be considered as the square in Figure 9).

[78] extension):

[0205] [Square]

[0120] : External surface

[70] The image is converted to a specified color system (e.g., in this example, 8-bit grayscale).

[0206] [Square]

[0122] Referring to Figures 13 and 14, for the longitudinal direction

[0100] The extended segments are used to obtain the average segment hue of each incrementally rotated segment.

[0207] [Square]

[0124] The coding line is determined from the average segment hue based on the highest proportion of the second color range.

[74] angle, and realign the coding line

[74] The local axis corresponds to the global longitudinal direction.

[0102] As shown in Figure 13 (bottom image).

[0208] [Square]

[0126] [:] Segment-based variation identification of the coding line to be processed

[74]

[0209] [Square]

[0128] [:] Read the code repeatedly from this line.

[0210] [Square]

[0130] If an error is detected, the code is read in another direction, or if a correctable error is detected, the error in the code is corrected. If the error is uncorrectable, the preset settings of the preparation information can be used in the preparation process.

[0211] [Square]

[0132] [:]Use the storage in the electrical circuit system

[16] The rules on the memory will be converted into the values ​​of the parameters for preparing information by the data encoded by the code.

[0212] Although the code is described herein as being configured on the container, it should be understood that the code may be integrally formed on the container or formed on a separate substrate (not shown) that may be attached to the container. [First example of a processing method]

[0213] Referring to FIG17, a first example of a method for extracting information prepared by encoding a digital image of a processed code will be described. Any of the first example methods that can implement the features of the foregoing embodiments includes variations of the description, which are omitted for brevity.

[0214] exist [Square]

[0200] Code reading system

[18] Obtain the code having a color model applied to a digital image.

[72] digital images. In the example, the color model is a grayscale color model.

[0215] exist [Square]

[0202] Electrical circuit system

[16] Sum the values ​​of the color model along the coding lines, including the values ​​of the code units and the coding lines.

[0216] exist [Square]

[0204] Electrical circuit system

[16] Based on this sum determination code

[44] orientation.

[0217] exist [Square]

[0206] Electrical circuit system

[16] Read discrete positions

[90] Based on code

[72] The orientation determination unit in the image

[92] Existence or non-existence.

[0218] consider [Square]

[0200] The grayscale color model value is adapted to the region containing a single pixel.

[0219] In a variant embodiment not shown: the region is reduced to include groups of pixels, for example, 2 × 2 pixels per region; different color models may be implemented.

[0220] Referring to Figure 10, the example digital image contains a code.

[72] and coding lines

[74] The coding area configured therein

[0140] Because of the code

[72] Arranged in a circular closed member

[56] Above, the digital image includes a coded area with a delineated circle.

[0140] Closing member of the edge of the flange portion

[56] . As previously discussed, there are multiple coding lines.

[74] , each has in the coding area The ends of the intersection points of the edges of

[0140] . Each coding line may contain codes.

[72] More than one repetition. Due to the circular coding system, coding lines

[72] have different lengths.

[0221] In variant embodiments not shown: there is a single coding line; each of one or more coding lines contains 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, for square coding areas; the coding lines may have other shapes, such as circles or squares.

[0222] exist [Square]

[0204] Referring to Figure 13, the top image, the digital image is decomposed into virtual line segments.

[98] , in its longitudinal direction

[0100] Extending in a length and having in the lateral direction

[0102] Width. The line segment has a width comprising several regions (e.g., 2 to 6) and corresponding to the encoding area. The length of

[0140] . Although only a single line segment is shown.

[98] , it will be understood that adjacent parallel line segments are implemented in the lateral direction.

[0102] The above describes the decomposition of the entire coding region.

[0140] . To be used for line segments. The values ​​of the region

[98] are summed to provide an array of summed values, where each line segment

[98] There is a summation value.

[0223] The summed values ​​can be averaged by dividing the sum by the number of regions. Averaging in this way provides a convenient means of handling line segments with different lengths (or widths). Alternatively, the line segments can be selected to be the same size, thus eliminating the averaging. It should be understood that both implementations are based on the sum of values.

[0224] The angle of the digital image is about the central axis (e.g., the axis shown in Figure 7).

[59] The axis rotates at the center of the circular encoding area. Rotation increments of 3 or 5 degrees are applied a total of 60 or 36 times, respectively, until the digital image has been rotated 180 degrees. An array of summed values ​​is calculated for each rotation position. For illustrative purposes, a two-dimensional plot of the summed values ​​against the rotation positions is shown in Figure 14. The plot shown in Figure 14 can be obtained using various filtering / processing techniques, such as Radon transform using a high-pass filter.

[0225] Referring to Figure 14, for the line

[0106] The array value indicated, code

[72] and coding lines

[74] Configured to be parallel to the longitudinal direction

[0100] , as shown in the bottom image of Figure 13. It can be seen that for rows...

[0106] The summed value varies between low values ​​(indicated by dark areas) and high values ​​(indicated by light areas).

[0226] Low values ​​are composed of coding lines

[74] and code

[72] line segment

[98] Provided. This is due to the influence of the code units and coding lines on the sum of values. High values ​​are due to the exclusion of coding lines.

[74] and code

[72] line segment

[98] Provided, that is, as previously discussed, non-coded lines.

[76]

[78]

[80]

[82] . Therefore, it is used that is configured parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[0100] code

[72] and coding lines

[74] , the code configuration has: the sum of the values ​​of the color model along the coding line in the first value range, and the sum of the values ​​of the adjacent non-coding lines parallel to the coding line, which are included in the second value range.

[0227] Therefore, with line

[0106] The standard deviation of the summed values ​​of the associated array has the highest deviation value. In this way, the summation determination code is based on the value.

[72] orientation.

[0228] In a variant embodiment not shown: there may be one or more repeating single coded lines with codes. Using this example, a single line segment can be implemented to capture the coded line extending through the center of rotation; for example, the line segment can be configured to extend through the center of the digital image. The alignment of the coded line with the longitudinal direction can be determined by the rotational position having the lowest (or highest, depending on how the color model is implemented) summed value.

[0229] In a variant embodiment not shown, for line segments of the same size discussed earlier, the alignment of the encoding line with the longitudinal direction can be determined by the summation of the line segments at rotational positions crossing the threshold, thus eliminating the need to calculate the standard deviation.

[0230] In the square

[0126] , using known codes

[72] and coding lines

[74] Orientation, discrete position

[90] can be along the coding line in the manner previously discussed.

[74] Reading. Either of the encoding lines can be selected for the reading code, which can be identified in a lateral position by variation. Code

[72] It is encoded by Gray code, so the entire encoded line can be read from the beginning to the end.

[0231] In variant embodiments: other encodings are implemented, for example, codes having reserved bit sequences that are either absent or present at discrete locations for units that serve as locators / reference portions identified to position data portions; encoding lines 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 discussed in the foregoing method, or the orientation may be determined by the reference portion as disclosed in WO2017144575A1.

[0232] It should be understood that any of the disclosed methods (or corresponding devices, programs, data carriers, etc.) can be implemented by a host or a client, depending on the specific implementation scheme (i.e., the disclosed methods / devices are in the form of communication and therefore can be implemented from a "viewpoint," i.e., in a manner corresponding to each other). Furthermore, it should 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. Therefore, for example, a chip or other device or component used to implement an embodiment may generate data for output to another chip, device, or component, or have input data from another chip, device, or component, and such output or input may be referred to as "transmitting" and "receiving," including the gerund forms, i.e., "transmitting" and "receiving," as well as "transmitting" and "receiving" in the RF context.

[0233] As used in this specification, any recipe using the type "at least one of A, B, or C" and recipes using "at least one of A, B, and C" use the disjunctive conjunctions "or" and "and" such that these recipes contain any and all combinations and permutations of A, B, and C, that is, A alone, B alone, C alone, 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. More or fewer than three features may be used in such recipes.

[0234] In the claims, any reference numerals placed between parentheses should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps besides those listed in the claims. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "a" or "an" are defined as one or more, not one. Moreover, the use of leading phrases in the claims (such as "at least one" and "one or more") should not be construed as implying that the indefinite article "a" or "an" introduces another claim element that limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim element to an invention containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes "one or more" or "at least one" and leading phrases 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 described by such terms. Therefore, such terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other priority of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are described in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of such measures cannot be beneficial.

[0235] Unless otherwise expressly stated as incompatible, or physically or otherwise preventing such combinations of embodiments, examples, or claims, the features of the foregoing embodiments and examples, and the following claims, may be integrated in any suitable configuration, especially those that would have a beneficial effect. This is not limited to any specified benefit, and alternatively may produce benefits from retrospection. That is, the combination of features is not limited by the form described, particularly the form of dependence of examples, embodiments, or claims (e.g., numbering). Furthermore, this also applies to the terms "in one embodiment," "according to an embodiment," and the like, which are merely stylistic forms of wording and should not be construed as limiting the following features of individual embodiments to all other examples of the same or similar words. That is, the reference to "an," "one," or "some" embodiments may refer to any one or more and / or all of the disclosed embodiments, or combinations thereof. Similarly, the reference to "the" embodiment may not be limited to the preceding embodiment.

[0236] As used herein, any machine-executable instructions or computer-readable medium may perform the disclosed methods, and therefore may be used synonymously with or in the same way as the terminology.

[0237] The foregoing description provides an illustration and description of one or more implementations, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed. In view of the foregoing teachings, modifications and variations are possible and may be obtained from the practice of various implementations of this disclosure. [Component Symbol] [] 2 systems 4 machines 14 processing units

[20] Container processing unit (first example) 32 extraction units

[34] Capsule retention portion

[36] Closing member

[38] Injection head 40 Beverage Exports 22 Fluid Conditioning System 24 storage tanks 26 pumps 28 heat exchangers 30 exports

[42] Loose material processing unit (second example) 16 Electrical Circuit System 48 Control electrical circuit system 50 input units 52 processor 54 Feedback System 18-code reading system 46 image capturing units 6 containers Capsule - Example 1

[56] Closed part

[44] [、]

[72] code

[70] External surface

[90] Discrete position

[92] Unit

[96] Terminus region

[94] Repeat

[74] Encoding line

[76] [、]

[78] [、]

[80] [、]

[82] Non-coding line

[84] Object

[86] Trademarks / logos

[88] Text

[58] Accommodation section 60 flange portion Small Packaging - Example 2

[62] Sheet materials

[64] Seam

[68] Opening [8] Server system

[10] Peripheral devices

[12] Computer Networks

[0100] Longitudinal direction

[0102] Lateral direction

[0238] 2: System 4: Machine 6: Container; Capsule 8: Server System 10: Peripheral devices 12: Computer Network 14: Processing Unit 16: Electrical circuit system 18: Code Reading System 20: Container processing unit 22: Fluid conditioning system; fluid supply system; fluid supply unit 24: Storage tank 26: Pump 28: Heat exchanger 30: Exports 32: Extraction Unit 34: Capsule retention portion 36: Closed component 38: Injection Head 40: Beverage Exports 42: Loose Material Processing Unit 44: code 46: Image capturing unit; Input unit 48: Electrical circuit system 50: Input Unit 52: Processor 54: Feedback system; processing unit 56: Closed component; closed part 57: Axis of rotational symmetry 58: Storage section; containment section 59: Center; Axis of symmetry; Axis 60: Flange portion 62:Sheet materials 64: Peripheral seams; seams 66: Opening 70: Cube; outer surface 72: Square; Code 74: Square; Encoding line 76: Square; Non-coded line 78: Square; Non-coded line 80: Square; Non-coded line 82: Non-coded line 84: Object 86: Trademark / Logo 88: Text 90: Discrete position 92: Unit 94: Repeating unit; code repetition; repetition 96: External End Region 98: Vertically extended section; virtual line segment; section; line segment 100: Vertical direction 102: Lateral direction; longitudinal direction of the entire domain 104: line 106: line 108: Area 110: Peak 120: Square 122: Square 124: Square 126: Square 128: Square 130: Square 132: Square 140: Encoding Area 200: Square 202: Square 204: Square 206: Square

Claims

1. A beverage or food preparation system comprising a container and a machine, the container being used to contain a precursor material, the machine being used to prepare a beverage and / or food or a precursor thereof from the precursor material, the container comprising: A machine-readable code storing preparation information, wherein the code extends along an encoding line and includes a series of discrete locations, which may or may not include a unit to at least partially encode the preparation information, the machine comprising: a code reading system for acquiring a digital image of the code, the digital image including a color model representing the color of a region as values; a processing unit for processing the precursor material of the container; and an electrical circuit system for controlling the processing unit based on the preparation information read from the code and the code reading system, wherein the electrical circuit system is configured to: sum the values ​​of the color model for a region of a line segment including the encoding line and the units of the code; determine an orientation of the code based on the sum; and read the discrete locations based on the determined orientation of the code in the image, wherein the electrical circuit system is configured to assign the values ​​of the color model to the region, wherein a region includes: an individual pixel of the digital image, or; a group of a plurality of pixels in the digital image.

2. The beverage or food preparation system of claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit system is configured to sum the equivalent values ​​of the color model for the line segment, the equivalent values ​​comprising: a lateral dimension of one or more regions, and; a longitudinal dimension of one or more regions corresponding to a longitudinal length of a coding area comprising the code disposed therein.

3. The beverage or food preparation system of claim 2, wherein the lateral dimension of the coding line is smaller than the lateral dimension of the line segment.

4. A beverage or food preparation system as described in either claim 2 or 3, wherein the electrical circuit system is configured to: determine the sum of a plurality of adjacent line segments in the lateral direction.

5. A beverage or food preparation system as claimed in any of claims 1-3, wherein the electrical circuit system is configured to: determine the sum using the encoding lines arranged at a plurality of different angles toward a reference axis, and; determine the alignment orientation of the encoding lines with respect to the reference axis based on the sum.

6. A beverage or food preparation system as described in any of claims 1-3, wherein the orientation of the code is based on a variation determination of the sum of values.

7. A beverage or food preparation system as claimed in any of claims 1-3, wherein the code comprises one or more of the following configurations: a lateral dimension of the coding line is selected to be 20% or 10% smaller than a lateral dimension of a unit of the code; the code is configured to repeat itself along the coding line; there are multiple coding lines, each laterally offset from each other and parallel, and each containing a repetition of the code, and repetitions on adjacent coding lines are offset in the longitudinal direction; and the discrete positions encode the preparation information as a data portion using Golay encoding, without a locator or reference portion serving as a reserved bit sequence for identifying where the repetition of the code containing the data portion begins and ends.

8. A beverage or food preparation system as claimed in any of claims 1-3, wherein the code and the encoding line are configured to be either diffuse or specular, wherein a surround surrounding the encoding line and the code is formed to be either diffuse or specular, and the electrical circuit system is configured to identify the diffuse and specular areas as a value of a hue.

9. A machine for preparing a beverage and / or food or its precursor from a container containing precursor material and a machine-readable code, the machine comprising: A code reading system for acquiring a digital image of the code, the digital image including a color model representing the color of a region as values; a processing unit for processing the precursor material of the container; and an electrical circuit system for controlling the processing unit based on preparation information read from the code and the code reading system, wherein the code extends along an encoding line and includes a series of discrete positions, the discrete positions including or not including a unit to at least partially encode the preparation information, and the electrical circuit system is configured to: sum the values ​​of the color model of a region of a line segment including the encoding line and the units of the code; determine a certain orientation of the code based on the sum; and read the discrete positions based on the determined orientation of the code in the image, wherein the electrical circuit system is configured to assign the values ​​of the color model to a plurality of regions, wherein a region includes: an individual pixel of the digital image, or; a group of a plurality of pixels in the digital image.

10. A container for containing a precursor material, the container including a machine-readable code storing preparation information for processing the precursor material, wherein the code extends along the same linear coding line and includes a series of discrete positions, the discrete positions including or not including a unit to at least partially encode the preparation information, wherein the code is configured to repeat itself in the same order along the coding line by a repeating unit.

11. A container as claimed in claim 10, having a plurality of coding lines, each laterally offset from each other and parallel, each containing a repetition of the code, and the repetitions on adjacent coding lines being longitudinally offset.

12. The container of request item 10 or 11, wherein one side dimension of the coding line is selected to be 20% or 10% smaller than one side dimension of a unit of the code.

13. An attachment for a container containing a precursor material, the attachment comprising a machine-readable code storing preparation information for processing the precursor material of the container, wherein the code extends along the same linear coding line and comprises a series of discrete positions, the discrete positions comprising or not comprising a unit to at least partially encode the preparation information, wherein the code is configured to repeat itself in the same order along the coding line by a repeating unit.

14. An appendix to claim 13, having a plurality of coding lines, each offset from each other in the lateral direction and parallel to each other, each containing a repetition of the code, and the repetitions on adjacent coding lines being offset in the longitudinal direction.

15. A method for reading preparation information for processing a precursor material, the preparation information being encoded by a code on a container containing the precursor material, the method comprising: obtaining a digital image of the code, the digital image comprising a color model representing the color of a region as values; summing the values ​​of the color model for a region of a line segment comprising the units of the code and the code; determining an orientation of the code based on the sum; and; reading discrete positions of the code based on the determined orientation of the code in the image, the discrete positions comprising or not comprising a unit to at least partially encode the preparation information, wherein the method comprises assigning the values ​​of the color model to a plurality of regions, wherein a region comprises: a single pixel of the digital image, or; a group of a plurality of pixels in the digital image.

Images