Method and assembly for determining the number of capsules used in a capsule-based single-serve coffee brewing machine

Abstract

A method for determining the number of capsules (4) used in a capsule- based single-serve coffee brewing machine (2) having a brewing chamber (8). The method comprises producing flow meter signal data on the basis of flow meter signal values generated by a flow meter (15) after receipt of the activation signal. Flow meter signal data is processed to establish whether the brewing chamber contains a new capsule or, alternatively, does not contain a new capsule, i.e. one of a used capsule and no capsule.

Description

[0001] Title: Method and assembly for determining the number of capsules used in a capsule-based single-serve coffee brewing machine

[0002] FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a method and an assembly for determining the number of capsules used in a capsule-based single-serve coffee brewing machine.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] US 2021 / 0378438 Al discloses a drinks preparation machine, comprising a brewing module for forming a brewing chamber which is designed for receiving a portion package with a drinks substance, a pump for delivering a preparation fluid through a fluid conduit into the brewing chamber, a flow-meter which is arranged on the fluid conduit, as well as machine electronics for controlling the pump and for acquiring measurement data of the flow meter. The machine electronics are configured to evaluate the measurement data of the flow-meter and from this evaluation to make a differentiation between a first state which corresponds to a state with a portion package inserted into the brewing chamber, and a second state which corresponds to a state without a portion package inserted into the brewing chamber. The machine electronics comprise a counter of drinks preparations, which after the activation of a drinks preparation process is increased by a value only if the first state has been determined. As disclosed in US 2021 / 0378438 Al, the counting of drinks preparations can be used in order to constantly update the inventory and for example when required, to initiate measures such as the automatic re-delivery of portion packages or information to the user that the supply is running out. SUMMARY

[0006] In US 2021 / 0378438 Al, a differentiation is made between a first state which corresponds to a state with a portion package inserted into the brewing chamber, and a second state which corresponds to a state without a portion package inserted into the brewing chamber.

[0007] This causes the problem that the counter of drinks preparations is increased when a used capsule is present in the brewing machine. A non- negligible percentage of the activations of the machine for starting a brewing cycle is performed when a used capsule is in the machine. In the known machine, this results in an increase of the counter, even though no new capsule has been used. Thus, in practice the replenishment of new capsules by the supplier will take place too soon.

[0008] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a method and an assembly for more exactly determining the number of capsules used in a capsule-based single-serve coffee brewing machine than the method disclosed in US2021378438 Al while maintaining the advantages thereof.

[0009] To that end, the present disclosure provides a method for determining the number of capsules used in a capsule-based single-serve coffee brewing machine, wherein the capsule based single-serve coffee brewing machine comprises a brewing chamber having an open condition in which a capsule is placeable in the brewing chamber and having a closed position, wherein the brewing chamber has a brewing chamber inlet and at least one brewing chamber outlet, wherein the brewing chamber inlet is connected by piping to a water source, wherein a water pump, a heater, and a flow meter are connected to the piping, wherein the brewing machine comprises a machine controller which is configured to, in use, upon receipt of an activation signal start a brewing cycle by activating the pump and optionally the heater for preparing an amount of coffee brew and to shut down the pump when it has been established by the machine controller from a flow meter signal generated by the flow meter that after activation of the pump a volume of water has passed the flow meter which is equal to a desired predetermined volume of water necessary for finalizing the brew cycle. In accordance with the present disclosure the method comprises:

[0010] - producing flow meter signal data on the basis of flow meter signal values generated by the flow meter after receipt of the activation signal;

[0011] - processing the flow meter signal data to establish:

[0012] (i) the brewing chamber contains a new capsule; or

[0013] (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule, i.e. one of a used capsule and no capsule.

[0014] Due to the fact that a differentiation is made between (i) whether the brewing chamber contains a new capsule and, alternatively, (ii) whether the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule, i.e. one of a used capsule and no capsule, the accuracy of the counting of the number of new capsules that have been used is improved relative to the known method and device. As a consequence, the replenishment of the capsules by a supplier may be more accurate than in the known method and device.

[0015] In a first embodiment, the method may comprise:

[0016] - changing capsule stock data related to an owner / user of the brewing machine when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (i) the brewing chamber contains a new capsule; and

[0017] - not changing the capsule stock data when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule, i.e. one of a used capsule and no capsule.

[0018] In a second embodiment, the method may comprise:

[0019] - changing a capsule counter when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (i) the brewing chamber contains a new capsule; and - not changing a capsule counter when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule, i.e. one of a used capsule and no capsule.

[0020] The changing may, e.g. involve subtracting 1 from the capsule counter, wherein the capsule counter may represent the number of capsules in the stock of the owner / user of the brewing machine. The changing may also involve the adding of 1 to a capsule counter which capsule counter then may represent the number of capsules which has to be supplied to the owner / user of the brewing machine to supplement his / her stock of capsule to the desired value.

[0021] In a third embodiment, the processing of the flow meter signal data may include monitoring the flow rate after receipt of the activation signal and observe at least one largest drop in the flow rate in at least one specific volume dosing interval and determine for each of the at least one largest drop a dosed-volume-to-drop-value which is indicative of a volume which has been dosed until the respective largest drop in the flow rate occurs, subsequently calculate a compounded-dosed-volume-to-drop-value based on the at least one dosed-volume-to-drop-value which has been determined, and determine whether:

[0022] (I) compounded-dosed-volume-to-drop-value > a dosed-volume-to- drop -threshold.

[0023] In a further elaboration of this embodiment, the processing comprises that: when it is determined that the outcome of equation (I) is true that (i) the brewing chamber contains a new capsule; and when it is determined that the outcome of equation (I) is false that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule.

[0024] When a new capsule is in the brewing chamber, the drop in flow rate occurs after a larger volume of water has been dosed than when a used capsule is in the brewing chamber. This phenomenon is used in this embodiment to differentiate between on the one hand a new capsule and on the other hand a used capsule or no capsule in the brewing chamber.

[0025] In a further elaboration of the first embodiment, the dosed-volume- to-drop -threshold may be in the range of 7-9 ml, preferably 8 ml. This has proven to be a good range to discriminate between on the one hand a new capsule and on the other hand a used or no capsule in the brewing chamber.

[0026] In a fourth embodiment, the processing of the flow meter signal data may include monitoring the flow rate after receipt of the activation signal and observe at least one largest drop in the flow rate in a specific dosing interval and determine for each of the at least one largest drop a size-of-drop-value which is indicative of the size of the respective largest drop in the flow rate, subsequently calculate a compounded-size-of-drop- value based on the at least one size-of-drop-value; and subsequently determine whether:

[0027] (II) compounded-size-of-drop-value > a size-of-drop -threshold.

[0028] In a further elaboration of the fourth embodiment, the processing comprises that: when it is determined that the outcome of equation (II) is false, the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule.

[0029] In yet another further elaboration of the fourth embodiment, the size-of-drop-threshold may be in the range of 1.2- 1.4 ml / s, preferably 1.3 ml / s. Again, this has proven to be a good range to discriminate between on the one hand a capsule in the brewing chamber and no capsule in the brewing chamber.

[0030] The third and the fourth embodiment may be used in combination. In a further elaboration of that combination embodiment, the processing may comprises that: when it is determined that the outcome of equation (I) is true and the outcome of equation (II) is true that (i) the brewing chamber contains a new capsule; and that when it is determined that the outcome of at least one of equation (I) and equation (II) is false that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule.

[0031] In a fifth embodiment, a plurality of flow rate values are determined at a plurality of points during the brew after the activation signal has been received, wherein the processing comprises that: when it is established that for each flow rate value of the plurality of flow rate values the flow rate value > flow rate threshold than it is concluded that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule and the capsule counter value is not increased.

[0032] When the flow rate is consistently above the flow rate threshold, it will, in accordance with this fifth embodiment, be concluded that there is no new capsule in the brewing chamber.

[0033] In a further elaboration of this second embodiment, the flow rate threshold may be in the range of 5 - 10 ml / s, preferably 6 ml / s.

[0034] In a sixth embodiment, the processing of the flow meter signal data comprises: determining a first average flow rate during a start period of a relevant analysis period of the brewing process; determining a second average flow rate during an end period of the relevant analysis period; subtracting the second average flow rate from the first average flow rate to determine a start / end-flow-rate-drop -value, and establishing that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule if start / end-flow-rate-drop-value is smaller than a start / end-flow- rate-drop -threshold.

[0035] When the drop in average flow rate of the end period relative to the start period is smaller than the start / end-flow-rate-drop -threshold this is indicative of the fact that the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule. In an further elaboration of this sixth embodiment, the start / end- flow-rate-drop-threshold may be in the range of 1.0 to 3.0 ml / s, more preferably 1.2 ml / s.

[0036] In an seventh embodiment, the processing of the flow meter signal data comprises:

[0037] - determining an average flow rate value during an analysis period;

[0038] - establishing that (i) the brewing chamber contains a new capsule if the average flow rate is larger than an average flow rate threshold;

[0039] - establishing that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule if the average flow rate is smaller than the average flow rate threshold.

[0040] In a further elaboration of the seventh embodiment, the analysis period starts after 4-8 ml has been dosed and ends after 13-17 ml has been dosed, preferably starts after 6 ml has been dosed and ends after 16 ml has been dosed.

[0041] Of course, the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and / or seventh embodiments and the further elaborations thereof may be executed simultaneously to conclude that a new capsule is in the brewing chamber or conversely, that no new capsule in the in brewing chamber, i.e. a used capsule or no capsule.

[0042] In an embodiment, the processing the flow meter signal data after receipt of the activation signal is based of flow meter signal values which are obtained as long as a volume of water which has been pumped during a relevant analysis period is smaller than an analysis-volume-threshold.

[0043] In a further elaboration of this embodiment, the analysis-volume- threshold may be in the range of 15-30 ml, preferably 30 ml.

[0044] When the brewing cycle includes a blooming phase, then, according to another embodiment, the processing of the flow meter signal data after receipt of the activation signal may be based on flow meter signal values which are either: (a) determined after receipt of the activation signal until a start of the blooming phase as well as flow meter signal values determined directly after an end of the blooming phase; or

[0045] (b) determined after receipt of the activation signal until a start of the blooming phase as well as flow meter signal values determined after a volume of water has been supplied after the end of the blooming phase, wherein preferably said volume of water is in the range of 5-15 ml, more preferably 10 ml.

[0046] Accordingly, the flow meter signal values generated during the blooming phase and optionally generated during the volume of water which is directly supplied after the blooming phase are excluded for producing the flow meter signal data. This may improve the quality of the flow meter signal data and makes the flow meter signal data more suitable for distinguishing between on the one hand a new capsule and on the other hand not a new capsule, i.e. a used capsule or no capsule in the brewing chamber.

[0047] In a further elaboration the third embodiment combined with a brewing cycle including a blooming phase, the compounded-dosed-volume- to-drop-value is determined in the relevant analysis period based on flow meter signal values (b) determined after receipt of the activation signal until a start of a blooming phase as well as flow rate values determined after a volume of water has been supplied after the end of the blooming phase, wherein preferably said volume of water is in the range of 5-15 ml, more preferably 10 ml.

[0048] In a further elaboration of the fourth embodiment combined with a brewing cycle including a blooming phase, the compounded-size-of-drop- value is determined in the relevant analysis period based on flow meter signal values (b) determined after receipt of the activation signal until a start of a blooming phase as well as flow rate values determined after a volume of water has been supplied after the end of the blooming phase, wherein preferably said volume of water is in the range of 5-15 ml, more preferably 10 ml.

[0049] It has been established that the quality of the determined compounded-dosed-volume-to-drop-value and compounded size-of-drop value is better when, in case that a blooming phase is part of the brewing process, the calculations thereof are based on flow meter signal values that are determined after receipt of the activation signal until a start of a blooming phase as well as flow rate values determined after a volume of water has been supplied after the end of the blooming phase, wherein preferably said volume of water is in the range of 5-15 ml, more preferably 10 ml.

[0050] In a further elaboration, said plurality of flow rate values as determined in accordance with the fifth embodiment are based on flow meter signal values (a) determined after receipt of the activation signal until a start of a blooming phase as well as flow meter signal values determined directly after an end of the blooming phase. Again, it has been established that the flow meter signal values determined after receipt of the activation signal until a start of a blooming phase as well as flow meter signal values determined directly after an end of the blooming phase provide the desired values to make the evaluation to establish whether for each flow rate value of the plurality of flow rate values meets the equation flow rate value > flow rate threshold so as to be able to conclude in the affirmative that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule and that the capsule counter value must not be increased.

[0051] In an embodiment, during the blooming phase the supply of water may be stopped or substantially reduced during a blooming phase time period, wherein preferably the blooming phase time period is in the range of 3 to 35 s, more preferably 10 s. Thus a good prewetting of the ground coffee in the capsule is effected and the quality of the coffee brew may be better than with no blooming phase or a shorter blooming phase. In an embodiment, at least part of the processing of the flow meter signal data is performed on a server assembly which is connected to the machine controller, more preferably a remote server assembly which is connected to the machine controller via the internet. The connection may be a wired or a wireless connection or a combination thereof.

[0052] Thus, the processing capacity of the machine controller may be relatively small and the heavy computer processing may be done on the server assembly. The server assembly may comprise a single server but may also comprise a plurality of servers which may even be at different locations and be connected to each other over the internet.

[0053] In an embodiment, the capsule counter value may be stored in a memory of a server assembly which is connected to the machine controller, more preferably a remote server assembly which is connected to the machine controller via the internet, wherein the increasing of the capsule counter is performed in said server assembly. The server assembly for storing the capsule counter value may be the same server assembly in which the processing of the flow meter signal data is performed. However, it may as well be another server.

[0054] The disclosure also provides an assembly comprising a capsulebased single-serve coffee brewing machine, the capsule based single-serve coffee brewing machine comprising a brewing chamber having an open condition in which a capsule is placeable in the brewing chamber and having a closed position. The brewing chamber has a brewing chamber inlet and at least one brewing chamber outlet. The brewing chamber inlet is connected by piping to a water source. A water pump, a heater, and a flow meter are connected to the piping. The brewing machine comprises a machine controller which is configured to, in use, upon receipt of an activation signal start a brewing cycle by activating the pump and optionally the heater for preparing an amount of coffee brew and to shut down the pump when it has been established by the machine controller from a flow meter signal generated by the flow meter that after activation of the pump a volume of water has passed the flow meter which is equal to a desired predetermined volume of water necessary for finalizing the brew cycle. The assembly is configured to:

[0055] - to produce flow meter signal data on the basis of the flow meter signal values generated by the flow meter after receipt of the activation signal;

[0056] - to process the flow meter signal data after receipt of the activation signal to establish:

[0057] (i) the brewing chamber contains a new capsule; or

[0058] (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule, that is one of a used capsule and no capsule.

[0059] The assembly has the same advantages as described with reference to the method according to this disclosure.

[0060] In an embodiment, the assembly is configured:

[0061] - to change capsule stock data related to an owner / user of the brewing machine when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (i) the brewing chamber contains a new capsule; and

[0062] - to not change the capsule stock data when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule, i.e. one of a used capsule and no capsule.

[0063] In yet another embodiment, the assembly is configured:

[0064] - to store a capsule counter value in a capsule counter memory;

[0065] - to change the capsule counter when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (i) the brewing chamber contains a new capsule; and

[0066] - to not change a capsule counter when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule, i.e. one of a used capsule and no capsule. In an embodiment of the assembly, the machine controller is configured to execute at least a part of the step of producing flow meter signal data, wherein the part of the flow meter signal data which is generated by the machine controller has a reduced data size relative to a data size of the plurality of flow meter signal values on the basis of which said part of the flow meter signal data is generated.

[0067] This may be beneficial when it is desired to limit the amount of data which has to be transferred to another processor, e.g. a server assembly.

[0068] In an embodiment, the assembly may comprise a server which is connected to the machine controller, more preferably a remote server assembly which is connected to the machine controller via the internet. This may have the advantage that the computing power of the machine controller may be relatively small because the more complicated processing of data can at least partly be performed in the server assembly. Again, the connection may be a wired or a wireless connection or a combination thereof.

[0069] In a further elaboration of the embodiment with the server assembly, at least part of the flow meter signal values may be transmitted from the machine controller to the server assembly, wherein the server assembly is configured to execute at least a part of the step of producing flow meter signal data from the transmitted flow meter signal values. This may be beneficial because the computing power of the machine controller may be kept relatively small because the major part of the computing may be done in the server assembly. Thus, the price of the brewing machine may be kept relatively low.

[0070] A similar advantage may be obtained by another embodiment, in which the server assembly is configured to execute the steps of:

[0071] - processing the flow meter signal data to establish:

[0072] (i) the brewing chamber contains a new capsule; or (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule, that is one of a used capsule and no capsule.

[0073] In a first further elaboration of this embodiment with the server assembly, the changing of the capsule stock data related to an owner / user of the brewing machine is executed in the server assembly.

[0074] In a second further elaboration of this embodiment with the server assembly and the capsule counter memory for storing a capsule counter value, the server assembly comprises the capsule counter memory and the changing of the capsule counter is executed in the server assembly.

[0075] Further embodiments of the assembly are provided wherein the server is configured to execute the method according to any one of embodiments of the method disclosed herein.

[0076] The invention will now be discussed further with reference to the attached non limiting drawings wherein:

[0077] Fig. 1 shows schematic an embodiment of a system according to the invention comprising an embodiment of a beverage brewing machine according to the invention loaded with a capsule to carry out a method according to the invention;

[0078] Fig. 2 shows schematic a flow-rate / dosed-volume diagram during use of the beverage brewing machine of Fig. 1 with a new capsule in its brewing chamber;

[0079] Fig. 3 shows a flow-rate / dosed-volume diagram during use of the beverage brewing machine of Fig. 1 with a used capsule in its brewing chamber;

[0080] Fig. 4 shows flow-rate / dosed-volume diagram during use of the beverage brewing machine of Fig. 1 with no capsule in its brewing chamber;

[0081] Fig. 5 shows schematic a flow-rate / dosed-volume diagram during use of the beverage brewing machine of Fig. 1 in which a blooming phase is included with a new capsule in its brewing chamber; Fig. 6 shows a flow-rate / dosed-volume diagram during use of the beverage brewing machine of Fig. 1 in which a blooming phase is included with a used capsule in its brewing chamber; and

[0082] Fig. 7 shows flow-rate / dosed-volume diagram during use of the beverage brewing machine of Fig. 1 in which a blooming phase is included with no capsule in its brewing chamber.

[0083] In figure 1 a system according to the invention is provided with reference number 1. The system is provided with a beverage preparation machine 2 for preparing a beverage from a capsule 4 filled with an ingredient such as ground coffee 6. The machine 2 comprises a brewing chamber 8 having an inlet 10 and an outlet 12. Furthermore a spout 13 is provided for collecting a beverage flowing through the outlet 12. The machine further comprises a fluid connection 16 extending between water source 18, e.g. a water reservoir, and the brewing chamber inlet 10. A water pump 14, a heater 17, and a flow meter 15 are connected to the piping 16. The machine is further provided with a machine controller 21 for controlling the pump 14. Also the machine 2 comprises in this example a control-panel 22 for providing instructions to the machine controller 21 by a user. Instead of, or in addition to the control panel 22 being comprised by the machine 2, the control panel 22 may also be provided on a separate device, e.g. a smart phone which is in wireless communication with the machine controller 21, e.g. via Bluetooth.

[0084] In this example the brewing chamber 8 comprises an enclosing member 23 for being loaded with the capsule 4 and a plate 24 for closing the enclosing member 23, the plate being provided with relief elements 26 for opening the capsule on its outlet side under the influence of fluid pressure in the capsule. In this example the outlet 12 is formed by a plurality of openings in the plate. The enclosing member 23 is provided with cutting means 30 for opening the capsule at its inlet side 32. The inlet side and the outlet side of the capsule are defined to be on the outside of the capsule.

[0085] In this example the capsule 4 comprises a capsule body 34 sealed with a lid 36 of the capsule. The capsule body 34 comprises in this example a base 38, a sidewall 40 and a flange 42. The lid 36 is sealed to the flange 42 wherein the base 38 forms the inlet side 32 of the capsule and the lid 36 forms the outlet side 28 of the capsule. The capsule body may be made from a metal such as aluminium, an aluminium alloy, tin, stainless steel etc. The body may also be made from a biodegradable material or a plastic. Laminates comprising combinations of at least two of a metal layer, biodegradable layer and a plastic layer are also not ruled out. The lid may also be made from the same selection of materials as discussed for the capsule body. In this example the capsule body is made from aluminium, optionally provided with a lacquer layer. The lid is made from aluminium. Optionally the lid is provided with a lacquer layer. The lid is sealed to the capsule body to provide an hermetically sealed capsule.

[0086] In this example the enclosing member 23 and the plate 24 can be moved away from each other for positioning the capsule 4 in the enclosing member 23. Subsequently the enclosing member and the plate can be moved towards each other. As a result the cutting means will cut open the base 38 of the capsule. The enclosing member will provide a fluid sealing contact with the flange of the capsule in a known manner. The plate including its relief elements may contact the lid of the capsule (prior to brewing or during brewing) if the plate and the enclosing member have been moved towards each other to form a closed brewing chamber 8 comprising the capsule 4. The opening and closing of the brewing chamber may be performed manually in a known manner, for example by means of moving a pivotable lever which is mechanically connected to a mechanical closing mechanism. Alternatively opening and closing of the brewing chamber may be carried out by means of an electromotor actuated by the machine controller 21 if for example a button of the control panel 22 is operated. The enclosing member may be provided with well-known hydraulic closing means for (further) closing the brewing chamber by (further) moving a free edge of the enclosing member (the edge of the enclosing member which faces the plate) and the plate towards each other. Such a hydraulic closing means is known from EP 2068684 Al and incorporated by reference in this application.

[0087] The working of the machine for preparing a beverage is as follows.

[0088] In use, in a step (a) the capsule is placed into the brewing chamber such that the capsule is positioned in a fluid path extending in the brewing chamber from the inlet to the outlet. Subsequently in a step (b) at least one opening is provided in the capsule on an inlet side of the capsule. In this example the opening is made by the cutting means 30 in the form of knives as discussed above. Step (a) and (b) have already been discussed above in more detail.

[0089] The user activates the machine by activating a predetermined button of the control panel 22. In response, the machine controller 21 controls pump 14 via the control line 21a by means of the AC voltage as follows:

[0090] In a step (c) by means of the pump 14 water under pressure is fed from the reservoir 18 via the piping 16 and the inlet 10 towards and into the capsule 4. Also in response to the activation by the user the machine controller controls the heater 17 via control line 21b so that the water flowing through the fluid connection 20 may be heated to for example 90 degrees Celsius. Other values are also possible.

[0091] As explained in the summary section, the flow meter 15 generates flow meter values which are supplied to the machine controller 21 via line 21c. The machine controller 21 and / or a server assembly 50, which may be a remote server assembly 50, produce flow meter signal data on the basis of the flow meter signal values generated by the flow meter 15. The flow meter signal data is processed to establish:

[0092] (i) the brewing chamber 8 contains a new capsule 4; or

[0093] (ii) the brewing chamber 8 does not contain a new capsule, i.e. one of a used capsule and no capsule.

[0094] Based thereon, capsule stock data related to an owner / user of the brewing machine may be changed when the processing of the flow meter signal led to the finding that (i) the brewing chamber 8 contains a new capsule 4.

[0095] Various possible embodiments are described in the summary section.

[0096] Fig. 2 shows schematic a flow-rate / dosed-volume diagram during use of the beverage brewing machine of Fig. 1 with a new capsule in its brewing chamber. The line shows a sudden increase in flow-rate after activation of the pump 14. After a certain volume has passed through the flow-meter, the flow rate drops. The certain volume is referenced to as dosed-volume-to-drop-value 60. After that volume, the flow rate decreases with a certain value, this certain value is referenced to as size-of-drop-value 62.

[0097] Fig. 3 shows a flow-rate / dosed-volume diagram during use of the beverage brewing machine of Fig. 1 with a used capsule in its brewing chamber. Herein, the dosed-volume-to-drop-value 60 and size-of-drop-value 62 are indicated as well.

[0098] Fig. 4 shows flow-rate / dosed-volume diagram during use of the beverage brewing machine of Fig. 1 with no capsule in its brewing chamber. Herein, the dosed-volume-to-drop-value 60 and size-of-drop-value 62 are indicated as well.

[0099] Fig. 5 shows schematic a flow-rate / dosed-volume diagram during use of the beverage brewing machine of Fig. 1 in which a blooming phase 64 is included with a new capsule 4 in its brewing chamber 8. The flow-rate signal includes a start period 66, a blooming phase 64, a value measuring waiting phase 68, and an end period 70.

[0100] When a blooming phase 64 is part of the brewing cycle, the flowmeter signal values may be determined during the start period 66, during the end period 70 and optionally also during the value measuring waiting phase 68, dependent on the type of processing of flow meter signal data.

[0101] Fig. 6 shows a flow-rate / dosed-volume diagram during use of the beverage brewing machine of Fig. 1 in which a blooming phase 64 is included with a used capsule in its brewing chamber; and

[0102] Fig. 7 shows flow-rate / dosed-volume diagram during use of the beverage brewing machine of Fig. 1 in which a blooming phase 64 is included with no capsule in its brewing chamber.

[0103] The summary of this application describes the various types of processing that may be performed in order to establish whether a new capsule 4 or, alternatively a used capsule or no capsule is present in the brewing chamber 8. In this disclosure reference is made to dosed volume many times, e.g. in the diagrams in the figures. When the pump is a reciprocating pump, the number of pulses for controlling the pump is indicative of the dosed volume. When the pulse frequency is constant, which is common practice, then time and dosed volume are directly and linearly related. Thus, when reference is made to dosed volume, this could also be understood as time. The figures 2-7 could thus as well be flow-rate / time diagrams. The present invention also encompasses a method and a assembly in which capsules of different types may be processed, e.g. small capsules and large capsules. The present invention also encompasses a method and an assembly in which for a first type of the different types of capsules the flow meter values are used to establish whether a new first type capsule is in the brewing chamber or alternatively no new first type capsule is in the brewing chamber, i.e. a used first type capsule or no capsule as extensive explained above. Of course, it is also possible to use for a second type of capsules of the different types of capsules also a recognition system based on flow meter values. However, the present invention also covers variants in which for the second type of capsules the counting of the number of new capsules is done by means of another method. For example, for the second type capsules the counting could be effected by means of sensor which recognizes the presence of the second type capsule in the brewing chamber and, optionally, the subsequent opening of the brewing chamber, or alternatively the receipt of an activation signal. When the sensor senses that a second type capsule is inserted in the system, then capsule stock data related to that second type capsule may be changed. Optionally, the changing of the capsule stock data may be effected only after (i) the sensor has sensed the presence of a second type capsule and (ii) the opening of the brewing chamber. In an embodiment, the first type capsule may be a relatively small capsule for preparing a single ristretto, a single espresso, or a single lungo and the second type capsule may be a relatively large capsule for preparing a double espresso, a double lungo, or an American coffee. Of course, the invention is not limited to using only one type capsule or a first type and a second type capsule. The use of more than two types of different capsules is also covered by the present invention as long as at least for one type of the types of the capsules the flow meter values are used to establish whether a new capsule or no new capsule is present in the brewing chamber.

Claims

Claims1. A method for determining the number of capsules (4) used in a capsule-based single-serve coffee brewing machine (2), the capsule based single-serve coffee brewing machine (2) comprising a brewing chamber (8) having an open condition in which a capsule (4) is placeable in the brewing chamber (8) and having a closed position, wherein the brewing chamber (8) has a brewing chamber inlet (10) and at least one brewing chamber outlet (12), wherein the brewing chamber inlet (10) is connected by piping (16) to a water source (18), wherein a water pump (14), a heater (17), and a flow meter (15) are connected to the piping (16), wherein the brewing machine (2) comprises a machine controller (21) which is configured to, in use, upon receipt of an activation signal start a brewing cycle by activating the pump (14) and optionally the heater (17) for preparing an amount of coffee brew and to shut down the pump (14) when it has been established by the machine controller (21) from a flow meter signal generated by the flow meter (15) that after activation of the pump (14) a volume of water has passed the flow meter (15) which is equal to a desired predetermined volume of water necessary for finalizing the brew cycle; wherein the method comprises:- producing flow meter signal data on the basis of flow meter signal values generated by the flow meter (15) after receipt of the activation signal;- processing the flow meter signal data to establish:(i) the brewing chamber contains a new capsule; or(ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule, i.e. one of a used capsule and no capsule.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising:- changing capsule stock data related to an owner / user of the brewing machine when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (i) the brewing chamber (8) contains a new capsule (4); and- not changing the capsule stock data when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule, i.e. one of a used capsule and no capsule.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:- changing a capsule counter when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (i) the brewing chamber (8) contains a new capsule (4); and- not changing a capsule counter when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule, i.e. one of a used capsule and no capsule.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the processing of the flow meter signal data includes monitoring the flow rate after receipt of the activation signal and observe at least one largest drop in the flow rate in at least one specific volume dosing interval and determine for each of the at least one largest drop a dosed-volume-to-drop-value which is indicative of a volume which has been dosed until the respective largest drop in the flow rate occurs, subsequently calculate a compounded-dosed- volume-to-drop-value based on the at least one dosed-volume-to-drop-value which has been determined, and determine whether:(I) compounded-dosed-volume-to-drop-value > a dosed-volume-to- drop -threshold.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the processing comprises that:when it is determined that the outcome of equation (I) is true that (i) the brewing chamber contains a new capsule; and when it is determined that the outcome of equation (I) is false that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the processing of the flow meter signal data includes monitoring the flow rate after receipt of the activation signal and observe at least one largest drop in the flow rate in a specific dosing interval and determine for each of the at least one largest drop a size-of-drop-value which is indicative of the size of the respective largest drop in the flow rate, subsequently calculate a compounded-size-of-drop-value based on the at least one size-of-drop-value; and subsequently determine whether:(II) compounded-size-of-drop-value > a size-of-drop -threshold.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the processing comprises that: when it is determined that the outcome of equation (II) is false, the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule.

8. The method according to the combination of claims 4 and 6, wherein the processing comprises that: when it is determined that the outcome of equation (I) is true and the outcome of equation (II) is true that (i) the brewing chamber contains a new capsule; and that when it is determined that the outcome of at least one of equation (I) and equation (II) is false that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule.

9. The method according to any one of claim 4, 5 and 8, wherein the dosed-volume-to-drop-threshold is in the range of 7-9 ml, preferably 8 ml.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein the size- of- drop -threshold is in the range of 1.2-1.4 ml / s, preferably 1.3 ml / s.

11. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein a plurality of flow rate values are determined at a plurality of points during the brew after the activation signal has been received, wherein the processing comprises that: when it is established that for each flow rate value of the plurality of flow rate values the flow rate value > flow rate threshold than it is concluded that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the flow rate threshold is in the range of 5-10 ml / s, preferably 6 ml / s.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the processing of the flow meter signal data comprises: determining a first average flow rate during a start period of a relevant analysis period of the brewing process; determining a second average flow rate during an end period of the relevant analysis period; subtracting the second average flow rate from the first average flow rate to determine a start / end-flow-rate-drop -value, and establishing that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule if start / end-flow-rate-drop-value is smaller than a start / end-flow- rate-drop -threshold.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the start / end-flow- rate-drop -threshold is in the range of 1.0 to 3.0 ml / s, more preferably 1.2 ml / s.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein the processing of the flow meter signal data comprises:- determining an average flow rate value during an analysis period;- establishing that (i) the brewing chamber contains a new capsule if the average flow rate is larger than an average flow rate threshold;- establishing that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule if the average flow rate is smaller than the average flow rate threshold.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the analysis period starts after 4-8 ml has been dosed and ends after 13-17 ml has been dosed, preferably starts after 6 ml has been dosed and ends after 16 ml has been dosed.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1-16, wherein the processing the flow meter signal data after receipt of the activation signal is based of flow meter signal values which are obtained as long as a volume of water which has been pumped during a relevant analysis period is smaller than an analysis-volume-threshold.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the analysis-volume- threshold is in the range of 15-30 ml, preferably 30 ml.

19. The method according to any one of claims 1-18, wherein, when the brewing cycle includes a blooming phase, the processing of the flow meter signal data after receipt of the activation signal is based on flow meter signal values which are either:(a) determined after receipt of the activation signal until a start of the blooming phase as well as flow meter signal values determined directly after an end of the blooming phase; or(b) determined after receipt of the activation signal until a start of the blooming phase as well as flow meter signal values determined after a volume of water has been supplied after the end of the blooming phase, wherein preferably said volume of water is in the range of 5-15 ml, more preferably 10 ml.

20. The method according to any one of claims 4, 5, 8 and 9 in combination with claim 19, wherein the compounded-dosed-volume-to-drop- value is determined in the relevant analysis period based on flow meter signal values (b) determined after receipt of the activation signal until a start of a blooming phase as well as flow rate values determined after a volume of water has been supplied after the end of the blooming phase, wherein preferably said volume of water is in the range of 5-15 ml, more preferably 10 ml.

21. The method according to any one of claims 6, 7 and 10 in combination with claim 19, wherein the compounded-size-of-drop-value is determined in the relevant analysis period based on flow meter signal values (b) determined after receipt of the activation signal until a start of a blooming phase as well as flow rate values determined after a volume of water has been supplied after the end of the blooming phase, wherein preferably said volume of water is in the range of 5-15 ml, more preferably 10 ml.

22. The method according to any one of claims 11 and 12 in combination with clam 19, wherein said plurality of flow rate values are based on flow meter signal values (a) determined after receipt of the activation signal until a start of a blooming phase as well as flow meter signal values determined directly after an end of the blooming phase.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19-22, wherein during the blooming phase the supply of water is stopped or substantially reduced during a blooming phase time period, wherein preferably the blooming phase time period is in the range of 3 to 35 s, more preferably 10 s.

24. The method of any one of claims 1-23, wherein at least part of the processing of the flow meter signal data is performed on a server assembly (50) which is connected to the machine controller (21), more preferably a remote server assembly (50) which is connected to the machine controller (21) via the internet.

25. The method according to claim 3, wherein the capsule counter value is stored in a memory of a server assembly (50) which is connected to the machine controller (21), more preferably a remote server assembly (50) which is connected to the machine controller (21) via the internet, wherein the increasing of the capsule counter is performed in said server assembly (50).

26. An assembly comprising a capsule-based single-serve coffee brewing machine (2), the capsule based single-serve coffee brewing machine (2) comprising a brewing chamber (8) having an open condition in which a capsule (4) is placeable in the brewing chamber (8) and having a closed position, wherein the brewing chamber (8) has a brewing chamber inlet (10) and at least one brewing chamber outlet (12), wherein the brewing chamber inlet (10) is connected by piping (16) to a water source (18), wherein a water pump (14), a heater (17), and a flow meter (15) are connected to the piping (16), wherein the brewing machine (2) comprises a machine controller (21) which is configured to, in use, upon receipt of an activation signal start a brewing cycle by activating the pump (14) and optionally the heater (17) for preparing an amount of coffee brew and to shut down the pump (14) when it has been established by the machine controller (21) from a flow meter signalgenerated by the flow meter (15) that after activation of the pump (14) a volume of water has passed the flow meter (15) which is equal to a desired predetermined volume of water necessary for finalizing the brew cycle; wherein the assembly is configured to:- to produce flow meter signal data on the basis of the flow meter signal values generated by the flow meter after receipt of the activation signal;- to process the flow meter signal data after receipt of the activation signal to establish:(i) the brewing chamber (8) contains a new capsule (4); or(ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule (4), that is one of a used capsule and no capsule.

27. The assembly according to claim 26, wherein the assembly is configured:- to change capsule stock data related to an owner / user of the brewing machine when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (i) the brewing chamber (8) contains a new capsule (4); and- to not change the capsule stock data when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule, i.e. one of a used capsule and no capsule.

28. The assembly according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the assembly is configured:- to store a capsule counter value in a capsule counter memory;- to change the capsule counter when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (i) the brewing chamber (8) contains a new capsule (4); andto not change a capsule counter when the processing of the flow meter signal data led to the finding that (ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule, i.e. one of a used capsule and no capsule.

29. The assembly according to any one of claims 26-28, wherein the machine controller (21) is configured to execute at least a part of the step of producing flow meter signal data, wherein the part of the flow meter signal data which is generated by the machine controller (21) has a reduced data size relative to a data size of the plurality of flow meter signal values on the basis of which said part of the flow meter signal data is generated.

30. The assembly according to any one of claims 26-29, wherein the assembly (1) comprises a server assembly (50) which is connected to the machine controller (21), more preferably a remote server assembly (50) which is connected to the machine controller (21) via the internet.

31. The assembly of claim 30, wherein at least part of the flow meter signal values are transmitted from the machine controller (21) to the server assembly (50), wherein the server assembly (50) is configured to execute at least a part of the step of producing flow meter signal data from the transmitted flow meter signal values.

32. The assembly of claim 30 or 31, wherein the server assembly (50) is configured to execute the steps of:- processing the flow meter signal data to establish:(i) the brewing chamber contains a new capsule (4); or(ii) the brewing chamber does not contain a new capsule (4), that is one of a used capsule and no capsule.

33. The assembly according to claim 32 when dependent on claim 27, wherein changing of the capsule stock data related to an owner / user of the brewing machine is executed in the server assembly (50).

34. The assembly according to claim 30 when dependent on claim 28, wherein the server assembly (50) comprises the capsule counter memory, wherein the changing of the capsule counter is executed in the server assembly (50).

35. The assembly according to any one of claims 26-34, wherein the server assembly (50) is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 4-25.

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