Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing tamping feedback

Abstract

Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for providing tamping feedback. A method generally includes obtaining information from at least one of one or more controllers or one or more sensors of the blending system; determining the information satisfies one or more thresholds; based on the information satisfying the one or more thresholds, generating tamping feedback as output for display; and displaying the tamping feedback.

Description

SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR PROVIDING TAMPING FEEDBACKCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present Application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 616,034, filed December 29, 2023, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to blending systems and, more particularly, to blending systems using a tamper.BACKGROUND

[0003] Blending systems (also commonly referred to as “blender systems,” “blenders,” “mixers,” and / or “food processors”) are used to blend and process item(s), such as foodstuff(s) to create, for example, shakes, smoothies, soups, purees, and / or dips, to name a few. Conventional blending systems generally include a base with a motor, and a blending container with an operable blade assembly disposed therein. A user inserts item(s) within the blending container to be mixed by the rotation of the blade assembly. The user positions the blending container on the base and controls operation of the motor within the base to rotate the blade assembly within the blending container to mix the item(s) included therein.

[0004] In normal operation, the item(s) may be circulated down to and past the blades of the blending system for processing / blending, and as long as the circulation pattern is consistent and uniform, efficient pulverization and mixing may take place. However, particularly when mixing thicker, more viscous, and / or heavier item(s) (e.g., ingredient foodstuffs), a channel of air may be formed extending from above the blades to the top of the blending system, similar to a whirlpool effect. As the channel of air is drawn to the blades, an air pocket may be formed over the blades, thereby prohibiting the item(s) being processed from contacting the blades (e.g., causing the item(s) to bridge). As such, the blending system may experience cavitation of item(s) outside the blade assembly thereby preventing adequate pulverization and mixing of the item(s).

[0005] In such cases, a blender tamper may be used to push the item(s) down to the blades. A blender tamper (simply referred to herein as a “tamper”) refers to an instrument used for pushing and / or stirring. Specifically, a tamper may be designed to help a blender more effectively process item(s) by (1) pushing item(s) stuck at the top and / or sides of the blender towards the blendingsystem’s blades (e.g., towards a “blend zone’”) to initiate contact between the item(s) and the blades and / or (2) stir item(s) within the blending container for better consistency. Tampers may be especially useful when blending thick mixtures like slushies, ice cream, and / or frozen fruits.

[0006] A tamper may be operated by a user and / or a component external to the blending system. However, in some cases, the user and / or the external component may not recognize that tamping action is needed to efficiently process item(s) added to a blending container.SUMMARY

[0007] The following presents a summary of this disclosure to provide a basic understanding of some aspects. This summary is intended to neither identify key or critical elements nor define any limitations of embodiments or claims. This summary may provide a simplified overview of some aspects that may be described in greater detail in other portions of this disclosure. Furthermore, any of the described aspects may be isolated or combined with other described aspects without limitation to the same effect as if they had been described separately and in every possible combination explicitly.

[0008] In one aspect, a method of providing tamping feedback for a blending system includes obtaining information from at least one of one or more controllers or one or more sensors of the blending system, determining the information satisfies one or more thresholds, based on the information satisfying the one or more thresholds, generating tamping feedback as output for display; and displaying the tamping feedback.

[0009] In another aspect, a blending processing system includes: a memory including computer-executable instructions; and a processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending processing system to: obtain information from at least one of one or more controllers or one or more sensors; determine the information satisfies one or more thresholds; based on the information satisfying the one or more thresholds, generate tamping feedback as output for display; and display the tamping feedback.

[0010] In another aspect, a blending system includes: a blender base including a housing; a blending container operatively attached to the blender base and including a blade assembly; a motor disposed within the housing of the blender base, wherein the motor is configured to operatively drive the blade assembly of the blending container; at least one of one or more controllers or one or more sensors configured to collect information about a blending process of the blending system; a display device; and a processing system including a memory including computer-executable instructions; and a processor configured to execute the computer-executableinstructions and cause the blending system to: obtain the information from at least the one of one or more controllers or the one or more sensors; determine the information satisfies one or more thresholds; based on the information satisfying the one or more thresholds, generate tamping feedback as output for display; and display, via the display device, the tamping feedback.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings illustrate various systems, apparatuses, devices and methods, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an illustrative aspect of a blender system in accordance with various disclosed aspects herein;

[0013] FIG. 2 is an exemplary blending system in accordance with various disclosed aspects herein;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary tamper in accordance with various disclosed aspects herein; and

[0015] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an aspect of an illustrative method associated with a blending system in accordance with various disclosed aspects herein.

[0016] The present disclosure may be embodied in several forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The scope of the present disclosure is defined in the appended claims, rather than in the specific description preceding them. All aspects that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Reference will now be made to illustrative aspects, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other aspects may be utilized, and structural and functional changes may be made. In addition, features of the various aspects may be combined or altered. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated aspects. In this disclosure, numerous specific details provide a thorough understanding of the subject disclosure. It should be understood that aspects of this disclosure may be practiced with other aspect not necessarily including all aspects described herein, etc.

[0018] As used herein, the words “example” and “exemplary” mean an instance, or illustration. The words “example” or “exemplary” do not indicate a key or preferred aspect. Theword “or” is intended to be inclusive rather an exclusive, unless context suggests otherwise. As an example, the phrase “A employs B or C,” includes any inclusive permutation (e.g., A employs B; A employs C; or A employs both B and C). As another matter, the articles “a” and “an” are generally intended to mean “one or more” unless context suggests otherwise.

[0019] In addition, the terms “user,” “customer,” “consumer,” and the like are employed interchangeably throughout the subject specification, unless context suggests otherwise or warrants a particular distinction among the terms. It is noted that such terms may refer to human entities or automated components supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacity to make inference). Still further, “user,” “customer,” “consumer,” may include a commercial establishment(s), such as a restaurant, restaurant chain, commercial kitchen, grocery store, convenience store, ice-cream shop, smoothie restaurant, or the like.

[0020] “Logic” refers to any information and / or data that may be applied to direct the operation of a processor. Logic may be formed from instruction signals stored in a memory (e.g., a non-transitory memory). Software is one example of logic. In another aspect, logic may include hardware, alone or in combination with software. For instance, logic may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, such as hardware circuits including logical gates (e.g., AND, OR, exclusive-OR (XOR), negated AND (NAND), not or (NOR), and other logical operations). Furthermore, logic may be programmed and / or include aspects of various devices and may not be limited to a single device.

[0021] It is noted that the various aspects described herein may include other components and / or functionality. It is further noted that while various aspects refer to a blending system, various other systems may be utilized in view of aspects described herein. For example, certain aspects may be utilized in food processor systems, mixing systems, hand-held blending systems, various other food preparation systems, and the like. As such, references to a blending system, and the like, are understood to include food processor systems and other mixing systems.

[0022] Such systems generally include a blender base that may include a motor, a controller, a display, one or more memories (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable memory(ies)), and one or more processors. Further, such systems may include a blending container and a blade assembly. The blade assembly, the blending container, and the blender base may removably or irremovably attach to one another. The blending container may be powered in any appropriate manner. Foodstuff or other items may be added to the blender container. Furthermore, while blending of “ingredients,” “contents” or “foodstuffs” is described by various embodiments, it is noted thatnon-foodstuff may be mixed or blended, such as paints, epoxies, construction material (e.g., mortar, cement, etc.), and the like. Further, the blending systems may include any household blender and / or any type of commercial blending system, including those with covers that may encapsulate or partially encapsulate the blender. Further, commercial blending systems may include an overall blending system, such as a modular blending system that may include the blender along with other components, such as a cleaner, a foodstuff storage device (e.g., including a refrigerator), an ice maker and / or dispenser, a foodstuff dispenser (e.g., a liquid or powder flavoring dispenser) or any other combination of such.

[0023] As used herein, the phrases “blending process,” “blending operation,” “blending program,” and the like are used interchangeably unless context suggests otherwise or warrants a particular distinction among such terms. A blending process may include a series or sequence of blender settings and operations to be carried out by the blending device. In an aspect, a blending process may include at least one motor speed and at least one time interval for the given motor speed. For example, a blending process may include a series of blender motor speeds to operate the blender blade at the given speed, a series of time intervals corresponding to the given motor speeds, and other blender parameters and timing settings. The blending process may further include a ramp-up speed that defines the amount of time the motor takes to reach its predetermined motor speed. The blending process may be stored on a memory and recalled by or communicated to the blending device (e.g., in response to receiving a user input or the like).

[0024] In addition, blending of item(s), such as foodstuff(s) and / or ingredient(s), may result in a blended product. Such blended products may include drinks, frozen drinks, smoothies, shakes, soups, purees, sorbets, butter (e.g., nut butter), dips, or the likes. It is noted that various other blended products may result from blending ingredients. Accordingly, terms such as “blended product” or “drink” may be used interchangeably unless context suggests otherwise or warrants a particular distinction among such terms. Further, such terms are not intended to limit possible blended products and should be viewed as examples of possible blended products.

[0025] Described herein are systems and methods for providing tamping feedback to prompt an external tamping action. More particularly, systems and methods described herein are directed to a blending system configured to (1) determine when an external tamping action is helpful (and in some cases, necessary) to improve a blending process of the blending system and (2) provide tamping feedback to a user and / or an external component to prompt such tamping, as needed. Tamping feedback, such as prompting an external tamping action, may be continuously (orperiodically) provided to a user and / or the external component until tamping is determined to no longer be helpful (or necessary). Such tamping feedback may be provided via a graphical or other visual display on a user interface of the blending system or other wired / wireless device (e.g., a phone) connected to the blending system.

[0026] The disclosed systems and methods for providing tamping feedback may use an algorithm to determine when external tamping action may be helpful. For example, the algorithm may be used to trigger tamping feedback based on information detected by one or more sensors and / or provided as output by one or more controllers of the blending system.

[0027] As an illustrative example, a user may operate a blending system to blend foodstuffs. During a blending process to blend the foodstuffs, one or more sensors may detect information about the blending system and / or one or more controllers may provide information about the blending system as output. The blending system may analyze this information to determine whether tamping is needed, or would be helpful, to improve the blending process of the blending system. If the blending system determines that an external tamping action would be useful, the blending system may generate tamping feedback and display this tamping feedback for a user or an external component. Displaying the tamping feedback may be used to prompt the user or the external component to operate a tamper. The tamper may be used to (1) push the foodstuffs towards the blending system’s blades (e.g., towards a “blend zone”) to initiate contact between the foodstuffs and the blades and / or (2) stir the foodstuffs for more efficient and / or consistent blending.

[0028] In certain aspects, the information detected by the one or more sensors and / or provided as output by the controlled s) may include information about a power of a motor configured to operate the blade assembly of the blending system. For example, the algorithm may be designed to determine that an external tamping action may be helpful when the power for the motor is determined to be lower than a threshold power, and vice versa. Further, the algorithm may be designed to determine that an external tamping action may be helpful when a decrease in power for the motor is greater than a threshold change in power, and vice versa. For example, at a first time, tl = 0 seconds, a motor may be operating at a power of 750 watts, and at a second time, t2 = 3 seconds, the motor may be operating at a power of 300 watts. In certain aspects, the decreasein the power of the motor 450 watts over 3 seconds (e.g.,=150 wats / second) maybe greater than a power decrease threshold of 20 watts / second. Thus, in this example, the algorithm may determine that an external tamping action may be desired.

[0029] In certain aspects, the information detected by the one or more sensors and / or provided as controller(s) output may include information about a fire angle of a phase angle control circuit used to control a speed of the blending system’s motor (e.g., an alternating current (AC) motor). A phase angle control circuit, such as a triode for alternating circuit (triac) fire angle control circuit, is a type of electronic circuit used to control the power delivered to a load by adjusting the fire angle of a triac. A triac is a three-terminal semiconductor device, commonly used in AC applications, which may act as a switch and may control AC power in both directions of a sinusoidal waveform. A fire angle of the phase angle control circuit may indicate whether item(s) is / are in contact with the blade assembly for blending, given the fire angle increases as more item(s) is / are applied to the blades (e.g., until a maximum fire angle is achieved). Thus, in certain aspects, the algorithm may be designed to determine that an external tamping action would be helpful (or may be necessary) when the fire angle is low (e.g., such as less than a threshold fire angle) or not near the maximum fire angle, and vice versa.

[0030] In certain aspects, the information detected by the one or more sensors and / or provided as controlled s) output may include information about a current draw of the motor (e.g., the amount of electrical current the motor draws from the power source when it is operating), a load of the motor (e.g., the amount of work the motor is currently needing to perform), a present speed of the motor, and / or a programmed speed of the motor. The algorithm may use this information (in addition, or alternative, to the motor power and / or fire angle, described above) to determine whether an external tamping action is necessary (or would be helpful to improve blending by the blending system). For example, in certain aspects, the algorithm may compare a current draw of the motor to a current draw threshold to determine whether an external tamping action is needed. In certain aspects, the algorithm may compare a load on the motor to a motor load threshold to determine whether an external tamping action is needed. In certain aspects, the algorithm may compare a present speed of the motor to a motor speed threshold to determine whether an external tamping action is needed. In certain aspects, the programmed speed of the motor may be compared to the motor speed threshold. If the programmed speed of the motor is less than the motor speed threshold, then the algorithm may determine that an external tamping action, and thus displaying tamping feedback, may not be needed.

[0031] In certain aspects, the threshold(s) used by the algorithm to determine whether an external tamping action is necessary may be different for (1) different motors used in the blending system, (2) different recipes for which the blending system is performing a blending process,and / or (3) different set points / pre-programmed settings (e.g., blend speed, length of blend, etc.) for blending (e.g., such as a pre-programmed setting for making a particular type of Frappuccino). As an illustrative example, blended products created by the blending system may include shakes (e.g., a blend of ice cream, milk, etc.) and smoothies (e.g., a blend of ice, frozen yogurt, sorbet, fruits, vegetables, etc.). Due to the heavier ingredient foodstuffs in smoothies, more power may be required to blend foodstuffs for smoothies than milkshakes. Thus, a power threshold, used by the blending system when determining whether tamping feedback is needed, may be higher for smoothies than milkshakes.

[0032] In certain aspects, the threshold(s) used by the algorithm to determine whether an external tamping action may be helpful and / or needed for improved blending may change during the total length of blending time. For example, a pre-programmed setting for creating a particular blended product may require a total time for blending equal to three minutes. For the first minute, the pre-programmed setting may use a low motor speed, such as to allow the blades of the blender to “grab” the foodstuffs needing to be blended together. For the second minute, the preprogrammed setting may use a medium motor speed, and then for the third (e.g., last) minute, the pre-programmed setting may use a high motor speed. As the motor speed changes, the threshold(s) used by the algorithm may change as well. For example, a threshold motor speed used during the first minute for determining whether an external tamping action may be helpful and / or needed may be less than a respective threshold motor speed used during the second and third minutes. Further, a threshold motor speed used during the second minute for determining whether an external tamping action may be helpful and / or needed may be less than the threshold motor speed used during the third minute. A motor speed determined to be greater than the threshold motor speed associated with the first minute, the second minute, or the third minute may be an indication that tamping may be helpful and / or need to improve the blending.

[0033] In certain aspects, weights may be applied to the information detected by the one or more sensors and / or provided as controller(s) output to create weighted information used for determining whether tamping is needed to improve a blending process of the blending system. In certain aspects, the weights applied to the information detected by the one or more sensors and / or provided as controller(s) output may be configurable (e.g., by a user). In certain aspects, the weights applied to the information detected by the one or more sensors and / or provided as controlled s) output may be static and / or dynamic. In certain aspects, the weights applied to the information detected by the one or more sensors and / or provided as controller(s) output may bebased on historical data associated with the blending system (e.g., historical data indicating the state of the blending system when tamping was historically used). As an illustrative example, a 60% weight may be applied to information about a change in the power of a motor and a 40% weight may be applied to information about a load of the motor. If the change in the power of the motor satisfies a change in power threshold (e.g., thereby triggering the display of tamping feedback), but the load of the motor does not satisfy a motor load threshold (e.g., not triggering any display of tamping feedback), then tamping feedback may be displayed given the weighted percentage (e.g., 60%) allocated to the information about the change in the power of the motor is greater than the weighted percentage (e.g., 40%) allocated to the information about the load on the motor.

[0034] In certain aspects, alternative to, or in addition to providing tamping feedback to a user or an external component, the blending system may include an automatic tamping mechanism (e.g., built into the blending system) for automatically performing tamping based on determining that tamping may be helpful (or is necessary), for example, to improve a blending operation of the blending system. The automatic tamping mechanism may be communicatively coupled to the blending system to receive tamping feedback and actuate to tamp item(s) within a blending container of the blending system. The automatic tamping mechanism may perform tamping for a configured amount of time, until additional feedback is received from the blending system to stop tamping, and / or based on other termination criteria.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 1, depicted is a block diagram of an illustrative blender processing system (referred to herein as “processing system 100”). Generally, the processing system 100 depicted in FIG. 1 is positioned within a blending system, such as the blending system described herein within respect to FIG. 2. The processing system 100 provides particular use in blending and processing item(s), such as foodstuff(s), as well as providing tamping feedback when an external tamping action is determined to be helpful or, in some cases, necessary to improve the blending and processing being performed by the blending system. However, it should be appreciated that processing system 100 is not limited to such uses and may be used for other purposes without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0036] Processing system 100 may include processing device 102, input / output (I / O) device(s) 104, display device(s) 106, controlled s) 108, sensor(s) 110, data storage device 112, and memory 114. A local interface 150, such as a bus or the like, may interconnect the various components of processing system 100.

[0037] Processing device 102, such as a computer processing unit (CPU), may be the central processing unit of processing system 100, performing calculations and / or logic operations to execute a program. Processing device 102, alone or in conjunction with the other components, comprises one or more processing devices, one or more computing devices, and / or one or more processors. Processing device 102 may include any processing component configured to receive and execute instructions (e.g., computer-executable instructions) (such as from data storage device 112 and / or memory 114).

[0038] Input / output device(s) 104 may include any device, mechanism, system, interactive display, and / or various other hardware and / or software components for communicating information between processing system 100 and a user of processing system 100 (e.g., a user interacting with the blending system) or another processing system communicatively coupled to processing system 100. For example, input / output device(s) 104 may include input hardware, such as a touch screen, button, microphone, speaker, and / or other device for receiving inputs from a user of the blending system and sending outputs to the user.

[0039] Display device(s) 106 may generally include any sort of device configured to display information such as data, instructions, graphics, user interface elements, and the like to a user or an external component. In particular, display device(s) 106 may include internal and external displays such as an internal display of the blending system or an external display for a projector. For example, display device(s) 106 may include a projection device that projects information onto a blending container of the blender system or other surface, such as a wall, cabinet, counter, etc. In certain aspects, the information displayed via display device(s) 106 includes recipes, time associated with a blending process, display options (e.g., configurable options, such as custom images and / or messages), user-defined information (e.g., programmed names for various recipes, etc.), warnings, errors, date / time information, greetings, logos, advertisements, videos, use history information, and / or the like.

[0040] Further, in certain aspects, the information displayed via display device(s) 106 includes tamping feedback for the blending system. Tamping feedback may include information about a current blending process and / or include instructions to begin tamping. For example, the displayed information may include messages such as “Tamping is needed,” “Warning: Item(s) are not touching the blades,” “Please operate tamper to push the item(s) towards the blades,” “External tamping action required,” etc. and / or images, short clips, and / orvideos illustrating the operation of a tamper. As described in detail herein, processing system 100 may determine to displaytamping feedback via display device(s) 106 based on information from sensor(s) 110 and / or controlled s) 108 (e.g., and further based on one or more thresholds).

[0041] Data storage device 112, which may generally be a storage medium, may contain one or more data repositories for storing data that is received and / or generated by processing system 100. For example, data storage device 112 may store user data, user preferences, information about one or more recipes, configured thresholds for proving tamping feedback, and / or the like. Data storage device 112 may be any physical storage medium, including, but not limited to, a hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state memory, removable storage, and / or the like.

[0042] Controller(s) 108 may include one or more hardware components for controlling an actuation, functionality, setting, and / or operation of various controllable devices of the blending system. For example, controlled s) 108 may control an operation of a motor in the blending system used to operate the blade assembly, a speed of the motor, a power and / or current delivered to the motor, a fire angle for the motor, and / or the like. Controlled s) 108 may also control the display of information by display device(s) 106. Further, controlled s) 108 may control sensor(s) 110 and / or other devices commonly included in the blending system, such as one or more fans (e.g., used to reduce over-heating of the blending system, or more specifically, the motor), one or more lights, etc. In certain aspects, controlled s) 108 are configured to generate, output, and communicate information via local interface 150. The information generated by controller(s) 108 may include information about a current draw, a power, a load, a present speed, and / or a programmed speed of the motor (e.g., configured to operate the blades of the blender). In certain aspects, this information is used to determine whether tamping feedback should be generated and provided to a user and / or an external component to prompt an external tamping action.

[0043] Sensor( s) 110 may include various sensors used to collect information about a current draw, a power, a load, a present speed, and / or a programmed speed of the motor, a fire angle, a load on the blade assembly, and / or the like. For example, sensor(s) 110 may include a tachometer used to collect data indicating motor revolutions per minute (RPM), motor current draw, and / or a motor speed programmed for the motor. As another example, sensor(s) 110 may include a pressure sensor used to determine a load on the blade assembly of the blending system (e.g., indicating an amount of item(s) in contact with the blade assembly). Other sensors(s) 110 included in processing system 100 may include flow sensors (e.g., configured to measure the flow rate within the blundering container during processing), temperature sensors, image sensors (e.g., cameras),optical sensors, orientation sensors (e.g., accelerometer, etc.), rotary sensors, and / or any other suitable sensor.

[0044] Memory 114 may be configured as a volatile and / or a non-volatile computer-readable medium and, as such, may include one or more programming instructions therein that, when executed by processing device 102, cause processing device 102 to complete various processes, such as the processes described herein with respect to FIG. 4. The programming instructions stored in memory 114 may be embodied as a plurality of software logic modules, where each logic module provides programming instructions for completing one or more tasks.

[0045] For example, FIG. 1 schematically depicts memory 114 containing illustrative logic components according to one or more aspects shown and described herein. Memory 114 may be configured to store various processing logic, such as, for example, operating logic 120, obtaining logic 122, analyzing logic 124, feedback generating logic 126, and display updating logic 12 (each of which may be embodied as a computer program or firmware, or hardware, as an example).

[0046] Operating logic 120 may include an operating system (OS) and / or other software for managing components of processing system 100.

[0047] Obtaining logic 122 may include one or more programming instructions for obtaining information (e.g., output) from sensor(s) 110 and / or controller(s) 108. As described herein, this information may include information about a power of the motor configured to operate the blade assembly of the blending system, a fire angle of a phase angle control circuit used to control a speed of the blending system’s motor, a current draw of the motor, a load of the motor, a present speed of the motor, a programmed speed of the motor, and / or a load on the blade assembly.

[0048] Analyzing logic 124 may include one or more programming instructions for analyzing the information obtained from sensor(s) 110 and / or controller(s) 108 to determine whether tamping is needed to improve a blending process of the blending system. For example, tamping may be needed when item(s) is / are not in contact with the blade assembly and / or is / are stuck to the walls of the blending container, item(s) is / are being inconsistently mixed, etc. In certain aspects, analyzing logic 124 analyzes the information obtained from sensor(s) 110 and / or controlled s) 108 by comparing the information to one or more thresholds. In certain aspects, the one or more thresholds may be pre-configured thresholds used to help determine when tamping feedback is to be generated and displayed. In certain aspects, the one or more thresholds may be determined based on one or more factors, such as motor type, a recipe for which the blending system is performing a blending process, a pre-programmed setting (e.g., one or more set points),etc. In certain aspects, analyzing logic 124 continuously or periodically analyzes the information to determine whether tamping feedback is necessary. In certain aspects, analyzing logic 124 analyzes the information to determine whether tamping feedback is necessary such as it receives the information from sensor(s) 110 and / or controlled s) 108.

[0049] Feedback generating logic 126 may include one or more programming instructions for generating information that is to be displayed to a user or an external component to the blending system. For example, feedback generating logic 126 may include one or more programming instructions for generating tamping feedback that may be used to prompt an external tamping action by the user or the external component. In certain aspects, feedback generating logic 126 generates the tamping feedback only when it is determined that tamping may be helpful, or necessary, to improve a blending process of the blending system (e.g., determined by analyzing logic 124).

[0050] Display updating logic 128 may include one or more programming instructions for displaying information on one or more display devices 106. In certain aspects, display updating logic 128 may include one or more programming instructions for continuously updating information, e.g., tamping feedback, displayed to a user or external component as new information is obtained from sensor(s) 110 and / or controller(s) 108 and analyzed. Continuously updating the information displayed may help to (1) prompt the user or the external component to continue tamping and / or (2) inform the user or the external component about when tamping is no longer needed.

[0051] Turning now to FIG. 2 with reference to FIG. 1, depicted is an exemplary blending system 200 in accordance with various disclosed embodiments. As shown, blending system 200 includes a blender base 202 (comprising a housing), a blending container 204 operatively attachable to the blender base 202, a blade assembly 206 (e.g., including one or more blades), and a lid 208 that may be operatively attached to the blending container 204. Blending container 204 may include walls 210 and, optionally, a handle 212. The blender base 202 may include a motor (not shown in FIG. 2). The motor may selectively and operatively drive the blade assembly 206. The blade assembly 206 may agitate, impart heat, and / or otherwise interact with contents within the blending container 204.

[0052] For example, a user may place item(s) (e.g., foodstuff(s)) within a cavity of the blending container 204 (e.g., encompassed by walls 210 and lid 208), and a motor of the blending system 200 (not shown in FIG. 2), may drive the blade assembly 206 to mix, chop, or otherwiseblend the item(s). It is noted that the blending system 200 may detect whether the blending container 204, lid 208, and / or the blender base 202 are appropriately connected and may prevent or allow operation of the motor based on the connectivity.

[0053] In at least one aspect, blending system 200 may identify or detect when an external tamping action is needed. For example, blending system 200 may include one or more sensors (e.g., such as sensor(s) 110 in FIG. 1) and / controllers (e.g., such as controller(s) 108 in FIG. 1) (not shown in FIG. 2) used to collect information about a blending process of blending system 200, and analyze this information to determine when external intervention is needed to tamp the item(s) included in the blending container 204 during the blending process. In certain aspects, blending system 200 may display tamping feedback to prompt an external tamping action by a user or a component external to blending system 200 when blending system 200 determines that such tamping would be helpful, or is necessary. Blending system 200 may display tamping feedback on a display device of blending system 200 and / or project the tamping feedback on a surface of blending system 200 (e.g., on a surface of blending container 204), on a counter where blending system 200 is situated, etc. Displaying the tamping feedback may prompt the user or the external component to perform a tamping action using a tamper. In certain aspects, blending system 200 may prompt an automatic tamping mechanism to automatically perform tamping, such as for a configured amount of time, until additional feedback is received, etc.

[0054] FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary tamper 300 in accordance with various disclosed aspects herein. Tamper 300 may be a device or instrument external to blending system 200. However, tamper 300 may be used to manipulate item(s) within the blending container 204 of blending system 200.

[0055] The tamper 300 may include a handle 302, a stopping portion 304, and a tamping portion 306 (also referred to herein as a “mixing portion 306”) having a terminal end 308 and a proximal end 310. It is noted that the tamper 300 may comprise other or different shapes than the shape of tamper 300 shown in FIG. 3, and may be of an appropriate size for a given container (e.g., such as blending container 204 in FIG. 2). Moreover, the tamper 300 may comprise one or more materials such as food grade plastic, metal, wood, and / or other suitable materials.

[0056] The handle 302 may be generally ergonomically shaped to allow a user (or an external component) to grasp the handle 302 (e.g., with the user's hand(s)). The stopping portion 304 may include two or more stop features, such as a vertical and / or angled first and second stops, and may be disposed between the handle 302 and the tamping portion 306.

[0057] The tamping portion 306 may comprise various shapes. For example, in certain aspects, the tamping portion 306 may include a first portion 312 that tapers out from the proximal end 310 near the stopping portion 304, such that an the outer perimeter of the tamping portion 306 is generally increasing towards the terminal end 308. The tamping portion 306 may also comprise a second portion 314 disposed between the first portion 312 and the terminal end 308. The outer perimeter of the second portion 314 may decrease from proximal the first portion 312 towards the terminal end 308. The terminal end 308 may comprise a generally flat or planar surface, a curved surface, or the like. In certain embodiments, the terminal end 308 may comprise a blade-like surface (e.g., a scraping blade), a spoon, and / or the like.

[0058] In certain aspects, a user or an external component operates tamper 300 by (1) removing the lid 208 of blending system 200, (2) inserting the tamper 300 within blending container 204, and (3) using tamper 300 to scrape item(s) included in an internal face of walls 210 and / or mix item(s) included within blending container 204.

[0059] In certain other aspects, the user or the external component operates the tamper 300 by operatively inserting the tamper 300 into blending container 204 through an aperture of lid 208 (not shown in FIG. 2) attached to blending container 204. Tamper 300 may be inserted in a vertical position through the aperture into blending container 204 such that tamper 300 is generally perpendicular to a bottom surface of blending container 204. The stopping portion 304 of tamper 300 may prevent the tamping portion 306 from being inserted into the blending container 204 to a depth where tamper 300 comes in contact with the blade assembly 206. For example, the tamper 300 may be stopped in the vertical orientation, when inserted into the blending container 204, such that it is distance away from blade assembly 206. The user or the external component may use tamper 300 to move item(s) within the blending container 204 towards the blade assembly 206 and / or mix the item(s) for more consistent blending by blending system 200.

[0060] It is noted that tamper 300 is only one example tamper that may be used when blending system 200 provides tamping feedback prompting an external tamping action. Other tampers may comprise various other shapes, such as cylindrical, generally square, rectangular, elliptical, elliptical, or irregular in shape, and / or may have varying dimensions compared to those illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0061] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a non-limiting method 400 related to the blending systems described herein. More specifically, FIG. 4 relates to a method 400 of providing tamping feedback for a blending system, such as blending system 200 described with respect to FIG. 2.

[0062] Method 400 begins, at block 402, with obtaining information from at least one of one or more controllers or one or more sensors of the blending system (e.g., such as sensor(s) 110 and / or controller(s) 108 in FIG. 1). For example, the blending system may include sensor(s) used to collect information about component(s) or a blending process of the blending system. Further, the blending system may include control ler(s) used to output information about component(s) or a blending process of the blending system. For example, information obtained from the sensor(s) and / or controller(s) may include about current draw, a power, a load, a present speed, and / or a programmed speed of the motor, a fire angle, a load on the blade assembly, and / or the like (e.g., during a blending process).

[0063] Method 400 proceeds, at block 404, with determining that the information satisfies one or more thresholds. More specifically, the information may be compared against one or more thresholds used to determine whether tamping feedback needs to be display to prompt an external tamping action by a user or an external component.

[0064] As an illustrative example, in certain aspects, the information obtained at block 402 includes information about a current draw for a motor of the blending system. The current draw information may be compared against one or more thresholds. For example, if the current draw for the motor is less than a threshold current draw, then the current draw satisfies the threshold and the blending system may determine that an external tamping action may be helpful and / or is necessary (and vice versa). Further, if a decrease in current draw for the motor, over a period of time (e.g., change in current draw over the period of time), is greater than a threshold change in current draw, then the current draw satisfies the threshold and the blending system may determine that an external tamping action is necessary (and vice versa).

[0065] As another illustrative example, in certain aspects, the information obtained at block 402 includes information about a power for a motor of the blending system. The power information may be compared against one or more thresholds. For example, if the power for the motor is less than a threshold power, then the power satisfies the threshold and the blending system may determine that an external tamping action may be helpful and / or is necessary (and vice versa). Further, if a decrease in power for the motor, over a period of time (e.g., change in power over the period of time), is greater than a threshold change in power, then the power satisfies the threshold and the blending system may determine that an external tamping action is necessary (and vice versa).

[0066] As another illustrative example, in certain aspects, the information obtained at block 402 includes information about a load on a motor of the blending system and / or on a blade assembly of the blending system. The load information may be compared against one or more thresholds. For example, if the load is less than a threshold load, then the load satisfies the threshold and the blending system may determine that an external tamping action may be helpful and / or is necessary (and vice versa). Further, if a decrease in load, over a period of time (e.g., change in load over the period of time), is greater than a threshold change in load, then the load satisfies the threshold and the blending system may determine that an external tamping action is necessary (and vice versa).

[0067] As another illustrative example, in certain aspects, the information obtained at block 402 includes information about a speed of a motor of the blending system. The speed information may be compared against one or more thresholds. For example, if the speed is greater than a threshold speed, a speed programmed for the motor, and / or a speed associated with a recipe, then the speed satisfies the threshold and the blending system may determine that an external tamping action may be helpful and / or is necessary (and vice versa). For example, a high-speed motor may indicate that there is no load (e.g., item(s)) in contact with the blade assembly during a blending process. Further, if an increase in speed, over a period of time (e.g., change in speed over the period of time), is greater than a threshold change in speed, then the speed satisfies the threshold and the blending system may determine that an external tamping action is necessary (and vice versa).

[0068] As another illustrative example, in certain aspects, the information obtained at block 402 includes information about fire angle of a of a phase angle control circuit used to control a speed of the blending system’s motor. The fire angle may be compared against one or more thresholds. For example, if the fire angle is less than a threshold fire angle, then the fire angle satisfies the threshold and the blending system may determine that an external tamping action may be helpful and / or is necessary (and vice versa). For example, a fire angle of the phase angle control circuit may indicate whether item(s) is in contact with the blade assembly for blending. The fire angle may increase as more item(s) is / are applied to the blade assembly. Thus, a low fire angle (e.g., less than the threshold fire angle) may indicate that an external tamping action is necessary to move the item(s) towards the blade assembly for better blending and / or mixing by the blending system.

[0069] Method 400 proceeds, at block 406, with generating tamping feedback as output for display based on the information satisfying the one or more thresholds. Method 400 then proceeds, at block 408, with displaying the tamping feedback. As described herein, displaying the tamping feedback may be used to prompt a user or an external component to perform a tamping action (e.g., using the tamper 300 described with respect to FIG. 3). Performing a tamping action may help to push item(s) included in a blending container of the blending system towards the blending system’s blades to initiate contact between the item(s) and the blades and / or stir the item(s), among other actions, for more efficient and / or consistent blending.

[0070] In certain aspects, operations at block 406 in method 400 may be omitted where the blending system includes an automatic tamping mechanism. In particular, a signal may be sent to the automatic tamping mechanism (e.g., to begin tamping) instead of displaying feedback to the user or the external component. In certain aspects, operations at block 406 in method 400 may be performed in addition to sending a signal to an automatic tamping mechanism to begin tamping (e.g., both a user may be prompted and the automatic tamping mechanism may be triggered).

[0071] It is noted that the various aspects described herein may include other components and / or functionality. It is further noted that while described aspects refer to a blender or a blender system, various other systems may be utilized in view of the described embodiments. For example, certain aspects may be utilized in food processor systems, mixing systems, hand-held blender systems, various other food preparation systems, and the like. As such, references to a blender, blender system, and the like, are understood to include food processor systems, and other mixing systems. Such systems may generally include a blender base that may include a motor, a blade assembly, and a control system. Further, such systems may include a container, a display, a memory or a processor.

[0072] As used herein, the phrases “blending process,” “blending program,” and the like are used interchangeably unless context suggest otherwise or warrants a particular distinction among such terms. A blending process may include a series or sequence of blender settings and operations to be carried out by the blending system 200. In an aspect, a blending process may include at least one motor speed and at least one time interval for the given motor speed. For example, a blending process may include a series of blender motor speeds to operate the blender blade at the given speed, a series of time intervals corresponding to the given motor speeds, and other blender parameters and timing settings. The blending process may further include a ramp up speed thatdefines the amount of time the motor takes to reach its predetermined motor speed. The blending process may be stored on a memory and recalled by or communicated to the blending device.

[0073] The terms “component,” “module,” “system,” “interface,” “platform,” “service,” “framework,” “connector,” “control system,” “controller,” or the like are generally intended to refer to a computer-related entity. Such terms may refer to at least one of hardware, software, or software in execution. For example, a component may include a computer-process running on a processor, a processor, a device, a process, a computer thread, or the likes. In another aspect, such terms may include both an application running on a processor and a processor. In addition, such terms may be localized to one computer and / or may be distributed across multiple computers.

[0074] What has been described above includes examples of the present specification. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the present specification, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present specification are possible. Each of the components described above may be combined or added together in any permutation to define the devices, systems, and methods described herein. Accordingly, the present specification is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.Example Clauses

[0075] Further aspects are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses:

[0076] Clause 1 : A method of providing tamping feedback for a blending system, the method comprising: obtaining information from at least one of one or more controllers or one or more sensors of the blending system; determining the information satisfies one or more thresholds; based on the information satisfying the one or more thresholds, generating tamping feedback as output for display; and displaying the tamping feedback.

[0077] Clause 2: The method according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein: the information comprises a power value or a change in the power value of a motor configured to operate a blade assembly of the blending system, and determining the information satisfies the one or more thresholds comprises determining that at least one of: the power value of the motoris lower than a power threshold; or the change in the power value of the motor is greater than a threshold change in power.

[0078] Clause 3: The method according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein: the information comprises a fire angle value of a phase angle control circuit used to control a speed of a motor of the blending system, and determining the information satisfies the one or more thresholds comprises determining that the fire angle value is lower than a fire angle threshold.

[0079] Clause 4: The method according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein: the information comprises a current draw or a change in the current draw of a motor configured to operate a blade assembly of the blending system, and determining the information satisfies the one or more thresholds comprises determining that at least one of: the current draw of the motor is lower than a current draw threshold; or the change in the current draw of the motor is greater than a threshold change in current draw.

[0080] Clause 5: The method according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein: the information comprises a load or a change in the load on a motor configured to operate a blade assembly of the blending system, and determining the information satisfies the one or more thresholds comprises determining that at least one of: the load on the motor is lower than a motor load threshold; or the change in the load on the motor is greater than a threshold change in motor load.

[0081] Clause 6: The method according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein: the information comprises a motor speed or a change in the motor speed of a motor configured to operate a blade assembly of the blending system, and determining the information satisfies the one or more thresholds comprises determining that at least one of: the motor speed of the motor is greater than a motor speed threshold; or the change in the motor speed of the motor is greater than a threshold change in motor speed.

[0082] Clause 7: The method according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein: the information comprises at least first information and second information; the method further comprises: applying a respective weight to each of the first information and the second information; and generating the tamping feedback as the output for the display is further based on the respective weight applied to each of the first information and the second information.

[0083] Clause 8: The method according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein the one or more thresholds are based on at least one of: a type of a motor included in the blending system,the motor being configured to selectively drive a blade assembly of the blending system; a recipe for which the blending system is performing a blending operation; or one or more set points.

[0084] Clause 9: The method according to any one of the previous clauses, further comprising: based on the information satisfying the one or more thresholds, sending a signal to an automatic tamping mechanism indicating to begin tamping.

[0085] Clause 10: The method according to any one of the previous clauses, further comprising: displaying at least one of one or more images or one or more videos illustrating an operation of a tamper configured for performing tamping for the blending system.

[0086] Clause 11 : The method according to any one of the previous clauses, wherein: obtaining the information comprises obtaining the information from the one or more sensors of the blending system; and the one or more sensors comprise at least one of: a tachometer; a pressure sensor; a flow sensor; a temperature sensor; an image sensor; an optical sensor; an orientation sensor; or a rotary sensor.

[0087] Clause 12: A blending processing system comprising: a memory comprising computerexecutable instructions; and a processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending processing system to perform a method in accordance with any one of Clauses 1-11.

[0088] Clause 13: A blending system comprising: a blender base comprising a housing; a blending container operatively attached to the blender base and comprising a blade assembly; a motor disposed within the housing of the blender base, wherein the motor is configured to operatively drive the blade assembly of the blending container; at least one of one or more controllers or one or more sensors configured to collect information about a blending process of the blending system; a display device; and a processing system comprising a memory comprising computer-executable instructions; and a processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending system to perform a method in accordance with any one of Clauses 1-11.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of providing tamping feedback for a blending system, the method comprising: obtaining information from at least one of one or more controllers or one or more sensors of the blending system; determining the information satisfies one or more thresholds; based on the information satisfying the one or more thresholds, generating tamping feedback as output for display; and displaying the tamping feedback.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the information comprises a power value or a change in the power value of a motor configured to operate a blade assembly of the blending system, and determining the information satisfies the one or more thresholds comprises determining that at least one of: the power value of the motor is lower than a power threshold; or the change in the power value of the motor is greater than a threshold change in power.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein: the information comprises a fire angle value of a phase angle control circuit used to control a speed of a motor of the blending system, and determining the information satisfies the one or more thresholds comprises determining that the fire angle value is lower than a fire angle threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein: the information comprises a current draw or a change in the current draw of a motor configured to operate a blade assembly of the blending system, and determining the information satisfies the one or more thresholds comprises determining that at least one of: the current draw of the motor is lower than a current draw threshold; or the change in the current draw of the motor is greater than a threshold change in current draw.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein: the information comprises a load or a change in the load on a motor configured to operate a blade assembly of the blending system, and determining the information satisfies the one or more thresholds comprises determining that at least one of: the load on the motor is lower than a motor load threshold; or the change in the load on the motor is greater than a threshold change in motor load.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein: the information comprises a motor speed or a change in the motor speed of a motor configured to operate a blade assembly of the blending system, and determining the information satisfies the one or more thresholds comprises determining that at least one of: the motor speed of the motor is greater than a motor speed threshold; or the change in the motor speed of the motor is greater than a threshold change in motor speed.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein: the information comprises at least first information and second information; the method further comprises: applying a respective weight to each of the first information and the second information; and generating the tamping feedback as the output for the display is further based on the respective weight applied to each of the first information and the second information.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more thresholds are based on at least one of: a type of a motor included in the blending system, the motor being configured to selectively drive a blade assembly of the blending system; a recipe for which the blending system is performing a blending operation; or one or more set points.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: based on the information satisfying the one or more thresholds, sending a signal to an automatic tamping mechanism indicating to begin tamping.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying at least one of one or more images or one or more videos illustrating an operation of a tamper configured for performing tamping for the blending system.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein: obtaining the information comprises obtaining the information from the one or more sensors of the blending system; and the one or more sensors comprise at least one of: a tachometer; a pressure sensor; a flow sensor; a temperature sensor; an image sensor; an optical sensor; an orientation sensor; or a rotary sensor.

12. A blending processing system comprising: a memory comprising computer-executable instructions; and a processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending processing system to: obtain information from at least one of one or more controllers or one or more sensors; determine the information satisfies one or more thresholds; based on the information satisfying the one or more thresholds, generate tamping feedback as output for display; and display the tamping feedback.

13. The blending processing system of claim 12, wherein: the information comprises a power value or a change in the power value of a motor configured to operate a blade assembly, and to determine the information satisfies the one or more thresholds, the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending processing system to determine that at least one of: the power value of the motor is lower than a power threshold; or the change in the power value of the motor is greater than a threshold change in power.

14. The blending processing system of claim 12, wherein: the information comprises a fire angle value of a phase angle control circuit used to control a speed of a motor, and wherein to determine the information satisfies the one or more thresholds, the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending processing system to determine that the fire angle value is lower than a fire angle threshold.

15. The blending processing system of claim 12, wherein: the information comprises a current draw or a change in the current draw of a motor configured to operate a blade assembly, and to determine the information satisfies the one or more thresholds, the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending processing system to determine that at least one of: the current draw of the motor is lower than a current draw threshold; or the change in the current draw of the motor is greater than a threshold change in current draw.

16. The blending processing system of claim 12, wherein: the information comprises a load or a change in the load on a motor configured to operate a blade assembly, and to determine the information satisfies the one or more thresholds, the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending processing system to determine that at least one of:the load on the motor is lower than a motor load threshold; or the change in the load on the motor is greater than a threshold change in motor load.

17. The blending processing system of claim 12, wherein: the information comprises a motor speed or a change in the motor speed of a motor configured to operate a blade assembly, and to determine the information satisfies the one or more thresholds, the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending processing system to determine that at least one of: the motor speed of the motor is greater than a motor speed threshold; or the change in the motor speed of the motor is greater than a threshold change in motor speed.

18. The blending processing system of claim 12, wherein: the information comprises at least first information and second information; the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending processing system to: apply a respective weight to each of the first information and the second information; and to generate the tamping feedback, the processor is configured to execute the computerexecutable instructions and cause the blending processing system to generate the tamping feedback as the output for the display further based on the respective weight applied to each of the first information and the second information.

19. The blending processing system of claim 12, wherein the one or more thresholds are based on at least one of: a type of a motor configured to selectively drive a blade assembly; a recipe for a blending operation; or one or more set points.

20. The blending processing system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending processing system to:based on the information satisfying the one or more thresholds, send a signal to an automatic tamping mechanism indicating to begin tamping.

21. The blending processing system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending processing system to: display at least one of one or more images or one or more videos illustrating an operation of a tamper configured for performing tamping.

22. The blending processing system of claim 12, wherein: to obtain the information, the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending processing system to obtain the information from the one or more sensors; and the one or more sensors comprise at least one of: a tachometer; a pressure sensor; a flow sensor; a temperature sensor; an image sensor; an optical sensor; an orientation sensor; or a rotary sensor.

23. A blending system comprising: a blender base comprising a housing; a blending container operatively attached to the blender base and comprising a blade assembly; a motor disposed within the housing of the blender base, wherein the motor is configured to operatively drive the blade assembly of the blending container; at least one of one or more controllers or one or more sensors configured to collect information about a blending process of the blending system; a display device; anda processing system comprising a memory comprising computer-executable instructions; and a processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending system to: obtain the information from at least the one of one or more controllers or the one or more sensors; determine the information satisfies one or more thresholds; based on the information satisfying the one or more thresholds, generate tamping feedback as output for display; and display, via the display device, the tamping feedback.

24. The blending system of claim 23, wherein: the information comprises a power value or a change in the power value of the motor, and to determine the information satisfies the one or more thresholds, the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending system to determine that at least one of: the power value of the motor is lower than a power threshold; or the change in the power value of the motor is greater than a threshold change in power.

25. The blending system of claim 23, wherein: the information comprises a fire angle value of a phase angle control circuit used to control a speed of the motor, and wherein to determine the information satisfies the one or more thresholds, the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending system to determine that the fire angle value is lower than a fire angle threshold.

26. The blending system of claim 23, wherein: the information comprises a current draw or a change in the current draw of the motor, and to determine the information satisfies the one or more thresholds, the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending system to determine that at least one of: the current draw of the motor is lower than a current draw threshold; orthe change in the current draw of the motor is greater than a threshold change in current draw.

27. The blending system of claim 23, wherein: the information comprises a load or a change in the load on the motor, and to determine the information satisfies the one or more thresholds, the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending system to determine that at least one of: the load on the motor is lower than a motor load threshold; or the change in the load on the motor is greater than a threshold change in motor load.

28. The blending system of claim 23, wherein: the information comprises a motor speed or a change in the motor speed of the motor, and to determine the information satisfies the one or more thresholds, the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending system to determine that at least one of: the motor speed of the motor is greater than a motor speed threshold; or the change in the motor speed of the motor is greater than a threshold change in motor speed.

29. The blending system of claim 23, wherein: the information comprises at least first information and second information; the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending system to: apply a respective weight to each of the first information and the second information; and to generate the tamping feedback, the processor is configured to execute the computerexecutable instructions and cause the blending system to generate the tamping feedback as the output for the display further based on the respective weight applied to each of the first information and the second information.

30. The blending system of claim 23, wherein the one or more thresholds are based on at least one of: a type of a motor included in the blending system, the motor being configured to selectively drive a blade assembly of the blending system; a recipe for which the blending system is performing the blending process; or one or more set points.

31. The blending system of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending system to: based on the information satisfying the one or more thresholds, send a signal to an automatic tamping mechanism indicating to begin tamping.

32. The blending system of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending system to: display, via the display device, at least one of one or more images or one or more videos illustrating an operation of a tamper configured for performing tamping for the blending system.

33. The blending system of claim 23, wherein: to obtain the information, the processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions and cause the blending system to obtain the information from the one or more sensors of the blending system; and the one or more sensors comprise at least one of: a tachometer; a pressure sensor; a flow sensor; a temperature sensor; an image sensor; an optical sensor; an orientation sensor; or a rotary sensor.

Images