A beverage appliance and method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a method of controlling abeverage appliance to prepare a beverage. The method includes receiving a flow sensor signal indicative of an estimate of a flow rate delivered by a hydraulic system (160) of the beverage appliance (10), determining a power indicator indicative of power being consumed by a heater (170) during at least a portion of a preparation process, determining a volumetric indicator indicative of an estimate of volume of fluid delivered by the hydraulic system during the preparation based on the estimate of the flow rate and the power indicator, and controlling the hydraulic system according to the volumetric indicator. The beverage appliance includes a controller (100) with memory (120) and a processor (110) configured to perform the method.

Description

A BEVERAGE APPLIANCE AND METHODRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The current application claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2024902387, filed 31 July 2024, the contents of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a beverage appliance and method of operating the same.BACKGROUND

[0003] Flow sensors are used in beverage appliances, such as coffee beverage appliances. A common flow sensor used by beverage appliances is a paddle wheel flow sensor. A paddle wheel flow sensor includes a wheel having paddles that is located in a flow stream of a hydraulic system of the beverage appliance which is free to rotate when flow is present. The faster the flow, the faster the paddle wheel spins. The speed of rotation can be detected through different means which generates a flow rate signal. The flow rate signal can be provided as feedback to a controller of the beverage appliance which then controls the preparation of a beverage accordingly.

[0004] The accuracy of a flow sensor used in beverage appliances can be impacted by various factors. These various factors can include, for example, the use of a vibratory pump, the use of an over-pressure valve, and electronic noise. The inaccuracy of the flow sensor in the beverage appliance can lead to oversupply and / or undersupply of the volume of liquid (e.g., water) during various stages of the preparation process, thereby impacting the quality of the final beverage.SUMMARY

[0005] The present invention seeks to substantially ameliorate one or more of the above- mentioned disadvantages or provide a useful alternative.

[0006] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description.

[0007] In a first aspect, there is provided a method of controlling a beverage appliance to prepare a beverage is provided. The method includes: receiving, from a flow sensor of the beverage appliance, a flow sensor signal indicative of an estimate of a flow rate delivered by a hydraulic system of the beverage appliance; determining a power indicator indicative of power being consumed by a heater of the beverage appliance during at least a portion of a preparation process for preparing the beverage; determining a volumetric indicator indicative of an estimate of volume of fluid delivered by the hydraulic system during the preparation of the beverage, wherein the volumetric indicator is determined based on the estimate of the flow rate and the power indicator; and controlling the hydraulic system according to the volumetric indicator.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the power indicator is an average power consumed by the heater after a pre-infusion stage of the preparation process.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the hydraulic system includes at least one of a pump and one or more valves, wherein controlling the hydraulic system includes controlling at least one of the pump and at least some of the one or more valves.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, determining the volumetric indicator based on the estimate of the flow rate and the power indicator includes: determining a power derived estimate of the flow rate based on a predefined proportion of the power indicator; determining a difference in flow rate between the estimate of the flow rate and the power derived estimate of the flow rate; and determining the volumetric indicator based on a most recently determined volumetric indicator for the beverage, the difference in the flow rate, a time frame since the most recently determined volumetric indicator was determined, and a volumetric pulse parameter of the flow sensor signal.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, determining the power indicator is based on one or more measurements of voltage applied and current drawn by the heater during at least a portion of the preparation process.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, determining the power indicator is based on a temperature difference between a first temperature of the liquid prior to being heated by the heater and a second temperature of the liquid delivered by the hydraulic system after being heated by the heater.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the hydraulic system includes a group head of the beverage appliance, wherein the volumetric indicator is an estimate of the volume of liquid flowing through the group head.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the volumetric indicator is a volumetric counter, wherein each increment of the volumetric counter represents a predefined volume of liquid delivered by the hydraulic system to the group head.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes iteratively performing steps (a) to (d) until the preparation of the beverage has been completed.

[0016] In a second aspect, there is provided a beverage appliance having a controller is provided. The controller includes: memory storing executable instructions; and a processor coupled with the memory, wherein execution of the executable instructions by the processor configure the processor to perform a method according to the first aspect.

[0017] In a third aspect, there is provided a method of controlling a beverage appliance is provided. The method includes: receiving, from a flow sensor of the beverage appliance, a flow sensor signal indicative of an estimate of a flow rate delivered by a hydraulic system of the beverage appliance; determining, a maximum flow rate during a brewing stage of preparing the beverage; determining a volumetric indicator indicative of the volume of liquid delivered by the hydraulic system during preparation of the beverage based on the estimate of the flow rate and the maximum flow rate; and control the hydraulic system according to the volumetric indicator.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, determining the volumetric indicator based on the estimate of the flow rate and the maximum flow rate includes: determining a reference flow rate based on the maximum flow rate; determining a difference in flow rate between theestimate of the flow rate and the reference flow rate; and determining the volumetric indicator based on a most recently determined volumetric indicator for the beverage, the difference in the flow rate, a time frame since the most recently determined volumetric indicator was determined, and a volumetric pulse parameter of the flow sensor signal.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the beverage is a cold brew indicated by a received command, wherein the reference flow rate is a first predefined proportion of the maximum flow rate.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes: determining if the flow rate is less than the reference flow rate; and in response to a positive determination, determining the volumetric indicator further based on a cold brew correction factor.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the beverage is a cold espresso indicated by a received command, wherein the reference flow rate is set according to the maximum flow rate and a reference flow rate correction factor.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes: determining if the flow rate is less than the reference flow rate; and in response to a positive determination, determining the volumetric indicator further based on a first cold brew correction factor; and in response to a negative determination, determining the volumetric indicator further based on a second cold brew correction factor.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the hydraulic system includes a group head of the beverage appliance, wherein the volumetric indicator is indicative of a volume of liquid delivered by the hydraulic system to the group head.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes iteratively performing steps (a) to (d) until the preparation of the beverage has been completed.

[0025] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a beverage appliance having a controller is provided. The controller includes: memory storing executable instructions; and a processor coupled with the memory, wherein execution of the executable instructions by the processor configure the processor to perform a method according to the third aspect.

[0026] In a fifth aspect, there is provided a method of controlling a beverage appliance is provided. The method includes: receiving a command to prepare a beverage; in response to the command being indicative of preparing a first type of beverage using liquid heated by a heater, performing a method according to the first aspect; and in response to the command being indicative of preparing a second type of beverage using liquid not heated by the heater, performing a method according to the third aspect.

[0027] In a sixth aspect, a beverage appliance having a controller is provided. The controller includes: memory storing executable instructions; and a processor coupled with the memory, wherein execution of the executable instructions by the processor configure the processor to perform a method according to the fifth aspect.

[0028] Other aspects and embodiments will be appreciated throughout the detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0029] Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0030] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures.

[0031] Figure 1 is a functional block diagram of an example of a beverage appliance.

[0032] Figure 2 is a flowchart representing an example method performed by the beverage appliance of Figure 1.

[0033] Figures 3A and 3B are a flowchart representing a further example method performed by the beverage appliance of Figure 1.

[0034] Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of a further example of a beverage appliance.

[0035] Figure 5 is a flowchart representing an example method performed by the beverage appliance of Figure 4.

[0036] Figures 6A, 6B and 6C are a flowchart representing a further example method performed by the beverage appliance of Figure 4.

[0037] Figure 7 is a flowchart representing a further example of a method performed by the beverage appliance of Figure 1.

[0038] Figure 8 is a flowchart representing a further example of a method performed by the beverage appliance of Figure 1.

[0039] Figure 9 is a schematic of a beverage appliance provided in the form of a coffee beverage appliannce.

[0040] Common reference numerals are used throughout the figures to indicate similar features.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following description, given by way of example only, is included to provide a more precise understanding of the subject matter.

[0042] Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a functional block diagram of an example of a beverage appliance 10.

[0043] The beverage appliance 10 includes a hydraulic system 160, a heater 170, and a flow sensor 150. The hydraulic system 160 includes a tank (not shown) containing the heater 170 which heats liquid therein and communicates the heated liquid, for example water, to contact beverage related material (e.g., ground coffee beans) under various conditions during operation of the beverage appliance 10. The hydraulic system 160 further includes one or more fluid flow devices. For example, the one or more fluid flow devices include a pump 162 and or one or more controllable valves 164. The beverage appliance 10 further includes a temperature sensor 190 to sense the temperature of the liquid in the tank.

[0044] The beverage appliance 10 further includes a controller 100 including memory 120 storing executable instructions and a processor 110. Execution of the executable instructions by the processor 110 configure the processor 110 to perform a method 200 depicted by Figure2 or method 300 depicted by Figures 3A and 3B. The controller 100 is electrically coupled, via an input / output interface 130 to the flow sensor 150, the one or more fluid flow devices, the heater 170 and the temperature sensor 190. The processor 110, the memory 120, and the input / output interface 130 are coupled together via a bus 140. The processor 110 can be configured to perform temperature control with respect to heating the liquid by the heater 170 based on feedback received from the temperature sensor 190. In one form, the processor 110 is configured to apply PID control (i.e. software implementation) to control the operation of the heater 170. Whilst the processor 110 can perform the temperature control process, it will be appreciated that a dedicated PID controller could alternatively be used to perform this process.

[0045] Referring to Figure 2 there is shown a flowchart representing an example method 200 performed by the beverage appliance 10 of Figure 1.

[0046] At step 210, the method 200 includes receiving, from the flow sensor 150 of the beverage appliance 10, a flow sensor signal indicative of an estimate of a flow rate delivered by a hydraulic system 160 of the beverage appliance 10.

[0047] At step 220, the method 200 includes determining a power indicator indicative of power being consumed by the heater 170 of the beverage appliance 10 during at least a portion of a preparation process for preparing the beverage.

[0048] At step 230, the method 200 includes determining a volumetric indicator indicative of an estimate of volume of fluid delivered by the hydraulic system 160 during the preparation of the beverage, wherein the volumetric indicator is determined based on the estimate of the flow rate and the power indicator.

[0049] At step 240, the method 200 includes controlling the hydraulic system 160 according to the volumetric indicator.

[0050] This method 200 provides improved accuracy in volumetric flow measurement by combining flow sensor data with power consumption data from the heater, thereby compensating for inaccuracies in the flow sensor that can be caused by factors such as vibratorypumps, over-pressure valves, and / or electronic noise, leading to more consistent beverage preparation quality.

[0051] Referring to Figures 3A and 3B there is shown a flowchart representing a further example method 300 performed by the beverage appliance 10 of Figure 1.

[0052] At step 302, the method 300 includes the processor 110 determining the time since the last update of a volumetric indicator. As will be discussed herein, the method 300 can be performed iteratively, thus temporal data indicative of the time which the volumetric indicator can be stored in memory 120 and used to determine the elapsed time between updates. Iterative performance of the method ensures continuous monitoring and correction of flow measurements throughout the entire beverage preparation process, thereby maintaining accuracy.

[0053] In one form, the volumetric indicator is a volumetric counter. In this arrangement, each increment of the volumetric counter represents a predefined volume of liquid delivered by the hydraulic system 160. Using a volumetric counter provides a discrete and elegant processed measurement system that can be readily integrated into digital control systems for precise beverage preparation control. However, it will be appreciated that it is possible that the volumetric indicator can be the volume rather than a value directly related to the volume such as a counter.

[0054] At step 304, the method 300 includes the processor 110 determining a flow sensor flow rate based on a flow sensor signal received from the flow sensor 150. In particular, the processor 110 uses data stored in memory 120, including volumetric pulse parameter and temporal pulse data indicative of the time when pulses of the flow sensor signal are received, to determine the flow sensor flow rate. It will be appreciated that the flow sensor flow rate is an estimate of the flow rate.

[0055] At step 306, the method 300 includes the processor 110 applying a filter to combine one or more measurements to account for jitter and other sources of noise, the responsivenessof the system, and the length of time between updates of the volumetric indicator compared with the period between one or more pulses for the expected flow rate(s).

[0056] At step 307, the method 300 includes the processor 110 updating the volumetric indicator for the beverage based on the received flow sensor flow rate. In particular, the volumetric indicator is an in-progress volumetric measurement which is updated periodically. As explained herein, the method 300 can be iteratively performed. Therefore, during each iteration, the current value of the volumetric indicator can be increased according to the sensed flow rate indicated by the flow sensor. As will be explained herein, the volumetric indicator can then be adjusted, either by increasing or decreasing the amount thereof, based on additional data to correct the accuracy of the volumetric indicator.

[0057] At step 308, the method 300 includes the processor 110 determining a power indicator. In one form, the power indicator is an average power consumed by the heater 170 after a pre-infusion stage of the preparation process. Using the average power after the preinfusion stage provides a more stable and representative measurement of the heater's power consumption during the main brewing phase, improving the accuracy of the flow rate estimation. The pre-infusion stage of the brewing process can be defined by a distinct ramping of the pressure applied to the brewing material and can be defined in a brewing program stored in memory of the appliance. In one form, the processor 110 determines the average power based on the control process performed by the processor 110. In one form, the processor 110 can determine electrical measurements such as the voltage applied and / or the current drawn by the heater 170 during a portion of the preparation process. Measurement of electrical parameters provides accurate power consumption data, enabling precise calculation of the energy being delivered to heat the liquid and thereby improving the accuracy of the flow rate estimation. In an alternate form, determining the power indicator is based on a temperature difference between a first temperature of the liquid prior to being heated by the heater 170 and a second temperature of the liquid delivered by the hydraulic system 160 after being heated by the heater 170. Using temperature differential measurements provides an alternative methodfor determining power consumption that accounts for the actual thermal energy transferred to the liquid.

[0058] At step 310, the method 300 includes the processor 110 calculating a power derived flow rate. In one form, the processor 110 calculates the power derived flow rate based on the power indicator determined in step 308. In one example, the power derived flow rate is a predefined proportion of the power indicator. In one form, the processor 110 selects an appropriate proportion from a plurality of proportions stored in memory 120 to apply to the power indicator to determine the power derived flow rate. In one form, the selection of the appropriate proportion is based on a user selection of the size or type of beverage which is indicative of whether a single or double basket is being used and also potentially whether there has been a temperature overshoot during the preparation process. For example, if a user indicates that a ristretto coffee beverage is to be prepared, a proportion of 0.16 is selected by the processor 110 in the event that there has been no temperature overshoot. If a temperature overshoot is detected by the processor 110 based on received feedback from the temperature sensor 190 compared to acceptable temperature data stored in memory 120, the processor 110 selects a higher proportion, namely 0.2. For other types of coffee beverages such as a double coffee beverage, the higher proportion of 0.2 is selected by the processor 110. An indication of the type / level / size of the coffee beverage selected by the user can be received via a user interface of the beverage appliance 10 which is in communication with the input / output interface 130 of the controller 100.

[0059] At step 312, the method 300 includes the processor 110 determining if the power derived flow rate is less than the flow sensor flow rate and that the power indicator is less than the maximum power consumed by the heater 170. In response to a positive determination, the method 300 proceeds to step 314. Otherwise, the method 300 proceeds to step 320.

[0060] At steps 314 and 322 of method 300 to be described herein, these steps include determining the volumetric indicator. In particular, this process initially includes determining a difference in flow rate between the estimate of the flow rate and the power derived estimate of the flow rate, and then determining the volumetric indicator based on a most recentlydetermined volumetric indicator for the beverage, the difference in the flow rate, a time frame since the most recently determined volumetric indicator was determined, and a volumetric pulse parameter of the flow sensor signal. Depending upon whether the difference in flow rate is positive or negative, the volumetric indicator is increased or decreased relative to the volume calculated based only on the flow sensor flow rate.

[0061] At step 314, the method 300 includes updating the volumetric indicator based on a positive difference between power derived flow rate and the flow sensor flow rate, the time elapsed from the last update of the volumetric parameter, and a volumetric pulse parameter of flow sensor signal. For example, the volumetric parameter can be updated according to Equation 1 below:VI + = VPP x (FSFR - PDFR) x TOU Equation 1 where:VI is the volumetric indicator;VPP is the volumetric pulse parameter;PDFR is the power derived flow rate;FSFR is the flow sensor flow rate; andTOU is the elapsed time from last update of the volumetric parameter.

[0062] It will be appreciated that the symbol "+ =" means to add the right side of Equation 1 to the previous stored value of VI to determine the updated value of VI. It will also be appreciated that FSFR - PDFR is a negative difference in flow rates. Equation 1 effectively decreases the in-progress volumetric parameter to correct for inaccuracies in the flow sensor of the beverage appliance.

[0063] After the completion of step 314, the method proceeds to step 316.

[0064] At step 316, the method 300 includes controlling the hydraulic system 160 based on the volumetric indicator. In one form, the processor 110 can control one or more of the flowdevices such as the pump 162 and / or the one or more valves 164 based on the volumetric indicator.

[0065] This configuration allows for precise control over fluid delivery by adjusting multiple components of the hydraulic system based on the corrected volumetric measurements.

[0066] In one form, the controller 100 may have stored in memory 120 volumetric data indicative of the volume of fluid that is to be delivered by the hydraulic system 160 at a particular point in time of the preparation process. The volumetric indicator and the current point in time of the preparation process can then be used in a comparison with the volumetric data to determine whether the volume of liquid needs to be increased or decreased accordingly. If the current volume of water that has been delivered is under the goal volume at the current point in time based on the volumetric data, the processor 110 can extend the timeframe which liquid is delivered by the hydraulic system 160 to the group head of the beverage appliance 10 to correct the preparation process. On the other hand, if the current volume of water that has been delivered is over the goal volume at the current point in time based on the volumetric data, the processor 110 can shorten the timeframe which the hydraulic system 160 delivers fluid to the group head of the beverage appliance 10 to correct the preparation process.

[0067] At step 318, the method 300 includes the processor 110 determining whether the preparation process has been completed. In response to a positive determination, the method 300 ends. In response to a negative determination, the method 300 proceeds back to step 302 to perform the method 300 in an iterative manner to continue updating the volumetric indicator. In one example, the memory 120 can have a total desired volume stored therein, wherein the processor 110 is configured to perform a comparison between the volumetric indicator and the total desired volume to determine if the preparation process has been completed. If the preparation process has been completed, then the method ends such that the hydraulic system 160 stops delivering liquid to the group head.

[0068] As discussed at step 312, in response to a negative determination at step 312, the method 300 proceeds to step 320. At step 320, the method includes the processor 110 determining if the power derived flow rate is greater than or equal to the flow sensor flow rate.In response to a positive determination, the method 300 proceeds to step 322. In response to a negative determination, the method 300 proceeds to step 324.

[0069] At step 322 (i.e. the flow sensor flow rate is less than the power derived flow rate), the method 300 includes the processor 110 updating the volumetric indicator based on a negative difference between power derived flow rate and the flow sensor flow rate estimate, time of last update and volumetric pulse parameter of flow sensor signal. For example, the volumetric indicator can be calculated by the processor 110 using Equation 1 discussed above. It will be appreciated that (FSFR - PDFR) will be negative, thereby applying a decreasing correction to the volumetric indicator.

[0070] The method 300 then proceeds to step 316 as previously described.

[0071] As discussed above, in response to a negative determination at step 320, the method proceeds to step 324. At step 324, the method includes the processor 110 determining a maximum flow rate during the brewing stage of the preparation process.

[0072] At step 326, the method 300 includes calculating a reference flow rate based on a minimum flow rate at the start of the brew stage and the maximum flow rate of the brew stage. In one form, the reference flow rate is the average of the maximum flow rate and the minimum flow rate. In one form, the maximum flow rate is determined after a predefined time period has elapsed after the beginning of the preparation process. In one example, the predefined time period can be 6 seconds.

[0073] At step 328, the method 300 includes the processor 110 determining if the flow sensor flow rate is greater than the reference flow rate. In response to a positive determination, the method 300 proceeds to step 330. In response to a negative determination, the method 300 proceeds to step 332.

[0074] In response to a positive determination to step 328, the method 300 proceeds to step 330. At step 330, the method 300 includes updating the volumetric indicator for time period based on time of last update, reference flow rate, the flow sensor flow rate and thevolumetric pulse parameter. For example, the volumetric indicator can be calculated according to Equation 2 below:VI + = VPP x (FSFR - RFR) x TO U Equation 2 where:VI is the volumetric indicator;VPP is the volumetric pulse parameter;RFR is the reference flow rate;FSFR is the flow sensor flow rate; andTOU is the elapsed time from last update of the volumetric parameter.

[0075] After the completion of step 330, the method 300 then proceeds to step 316 as previously described.

[0076] In response to a negative determination to step 328, the method 300 proceeds to step 316.

[0077] This approach of method 300 enables real-time correction of flow measurements by comparing mechanical flow sensor readings with thermodynamically-derived flow estimates, providing continuous adjustment of the volumetric indicator throughout the brewing process.

[0078] Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a functional block diagram of a further example of a beverage appliance 10.

[0079] The beverage appliance 10 includes a hydraulic system 160 and a flow sensor 150.The hydraulic system 160 includes a tank (not shown) and communicates the liquid, for example water, to contact beverage related material (e.g., ground coffee beans) under various conditions during operation of the beverage appliance 10. The hydraulic system 160 further includes one or more fluid flow devices. For example, the one or more fluid flow devices include a pump 162 and or one or more controllable valves 164.

[0080] The beverage appliance 10 further includes a controller 100 including memory 120 storing executable instructions and a processor 110. Execution of the executable instructions by the processor 110 configure the processor 110 to perform a method 500 depicted by Figure 5 or method 600 depicted by Figures 6A, 6B, and 6C. The controller 100 is electrically coupled, via an input / output interface 130 to the flow sensor 150 and the one or more fluid flow devices. The processor 110, the memory 120, and the input / output interface 130 are coupled together via a bus 140.

[0081] Referring to Figure 5 there is shown a flowchart representing an example method 500 performed by the beverage appliance 10 of Figure 4.

[0082] At step 510, the method 500 includes receiving, from a flow sensor 150 of the beverage appliance 10, a flow sensor signal indicative of an estimate of a flow rate delivered by a hydraulic system 160 of the beverage appliance 10.

[0083] At step 520, the method 500 includes determining, a maximum flow rate during a brewing stage of preparing the beverage.

[0084] At step 530, the method 500 includes determining a volumetric indicator indicative of the volume of liquid delivered by the hydraulic system 160 during preparation of the beverage based on the estimate of the flow rate and the maximum flow rate.

[0085] At step 540, the method 500 includes controlling the hydraulic system 160 according to the volumetric indicator.

[0086] Referring to Figures 6A, 6B, and 6C there is shown a flowchart representing a further example method 600 performed by the beverage appliance 10 of Figure 4.

[0087] At step 602, the method 600 includes the processor 110 determining the time since the last update of a volumetric indicator. As will be discussed herein, the method 600 can be performed iteratively, thus temporal data indicative of the time which the volumetric indicator can be stored in memory 120 and used to determine the elapsed time between updates.

[0088] At step 604, the method 600 includes the processor 110 determining a flow sensor flow rate based on a flow sensor signal received from the flow sensor 150. In particular, theprocessor 110 uses data stored in memory 120, including volumetric pulse parameter and temporal pulse data indicative of the time when pulses of the flow sensor signal are received, to determine the flow sensor flow rate. It will be appreciated that the flow sensor flow rate is an estimate of the flow rate.

[0089] At step 606, the method 600 includes the processor 110 applying a fdter to combine one or more measurements to account for jitter and other sources of noise, the responsiveness of the system, and the length of time between updates of the volumetric indicator compared with the period between one or more pulses for the expected flow rate(s).

[0090] At step 607, the method 600 includes the processor 110 updating the volumetric indicator for the beverage based on the received flow sensor flow rate. In particular, the volumetric indicator is an in-progress volumetric measurement which is updated periodically. As explained herein, the method 600 can be iteratively performed. Therefore, during each iteration, the current value of the volumetric indicator can be increased according to the sensed flow rate indicated by the flow sensor. As will be explained herein, the volumetric indicator can then be adjusted, either by increasing or decreasing the amount thereof, based on additional data to correct the accuracy of the volumetric indicator.

[0091] At step 608, the method 600 includes the processor 110 determining a maximum flow rate during the brewing stage of the preparation process.

[0092] At step 610, the method 600 includes determining if a command provided by the user was to prepare a cold brew or a cold espresso. In response to the command being indicative of the preparation of a cold brew coffee beverage, the method proceeds to step 612. In response to the command being indicative of the preparation of a cold espresso coffee beverage, the method proceeds to step 628. The command can be received via a user interface of the beverage appliance 10 in communication with the input / output interface 130 of the controller 100.

[0093] At step 612, the method 600 includes the processor 110 calculating the reference flow rate as a first predefined proportion of the maximum flow rate.

[0094] At step 614, the method 600 includes the processor 110 determining if the flow sensor flow rate is less than a flow rate threshold. In one example, the flow rate threshold may be 1.7 millilitres per second. In response to a positive determination, the method 600 proceeds to step 616. In response to a negative determination, the method 600 proceeds to step 618.

[0095] At step 616, the method 600 includes setting in memory 120 the flow sensor flow rate to a predefined flow rate. In one example, the flow sensor flow rate can be set to 1.7 millilitres per second. The method then proceeds to step 617.

[0096] At step 617, the method includes the processor 110 updating the volumetric indicator based on time of last update, the reference flow rate and the flow sensor flow rate, as adjusted in step 616, and volumetric pulse parameter of flow sensor signal. This is calculated using Equation 3 as discussed below. The method then proceeds to step 617a.

[0097] At step 617a, the method 600 includes the processor 110 determining if the preparation process is complete. This is performed in the same manner as step 318 discussed earlier. In response to a positive determination, the method ends. In response to a negative determination, the method proceeds back to step 602 to perform another iteration of the method 600.

[0098] At step 618, the method 600 includes determining if the flow sensor flow rate is less than the reference flow rate. In response to a positive determination, the method 600 proceeds to step 620. In response to a negative determination, the method 600 proceeds to step 622.

[0099] At step 620, the method 600 includes the processor 110 updating in memory 120 the volumetric indicator based on time of last update, reference flow rate and the flow sensor flow rate and volumetric pulse parameter of flow sensor signal. For example, the volumetric parameter can be updated according to Equation 3 below:VI + = VPP x (FSFR - RFR) x TO U Equation 3 where:VI is the volumetric indicator;VPP is the volumetric pulse parameter;RPR is the reference flow rate;FSFR is the flow sensor flow rate; andTOU is the elapsed time from last update of the volumetric parameter.

[0100] It will be appreciated that the volumetric indicator is being corrected in a decreasing manner as a negative difference of flow rates is used.

[0101] In response to the negative determination at step 618, the method 600 proceeds to step 622. At step 622, the method 600 includes updating the volumetric indicator based on time of last update, reference flow rate, the flow sensor flow rate, volumetric pulse parameter of flow sensor signal, and cold brew correction factor. The cold brew correction factor can be stored in the memory 120. For example, the volumetric parameter can be updated according to Equation 4 below:VI + = VPP x (FSFR-RFR) x TOU x CBCF Equation 4 where:VI is the volumetric indicator;VPP is the volumetric pulse parameter;RFR is the reference flow rate;FSFR is the flow sensor flow rate;TOU is the elapsed time from last update of the volumetric parameter; andCBCF is the cold brew correction factor.

[0102] In one form, the cold brew correction factor equals 2. It will be appreciated that the volumetric indicator is being corrected in an increasing manner as a positive difference of flow rates is defined.

[0103] After steps 620 or 622 are performed, the method 600 proceeds to step 624.

[0104] At step 624, the method 600 includes controlling the hydraulic system 160 based on the volumetric indicator. In one form, the processor 110 can control one or more of the flow devices such as the pump 162 and / or the one or more valves 164 based on the volumetric indicator. In one form, the controller 100 may have stored in memory 120 volumetric data indicative of the volume of fluid that is to be delivered by the hydraulic system 160 at a particular point in time of the preparation process. The volumetric indicator and the current point in time of the preparation process can then be used in a comparison with the volumetric data to determine whether the volume of liquid needs to be increased or decreased accordingly. If the current volume of water that has been delivered is under the goal volume at the current point in time based on the volumetric data, the processor 110 can extend the timeframe which liquid is delivered by the hydraulic system 160 to the group head of the beverage appliance 10 to correct the preparation process. On the other hand, if the current volume of water that has been delivered is over the goal volume at the current point in time based on the volumetric data, the processor 110 can shorten the timeframe which the hydraulic system 160 delivers fluid to the group head of the beverage appliance 10 to correct the preparation process.

[0105] At step 626, the method 600 includes the processor 110 determining if the preparation process for the beverage is complete. In response to a positive determination, the method 600 ends. In response to a negative determination, the method 600 proceeds back to step 602 to iteratively perform method 600 for the next update of the volumetric indicator. In one example, the memory 120 can have a total desired volume stored therein. The processor 110 is configured to perform a comparison based on the volumetric indicator and the total desired volume to determine if the preparation process has been completed. If the preparation process has been completed then the method ends such that the hydraulic system 160 stops delivering liquid to the group head.

[0106] As previously described, at step 610, in response to the command provided by the user to prepare the coffee beverage, the method 600 proceeds to step 628. At step 628, the method 600 includes the processor 110 setting the reference flow rate according to themaximum flow rate and a reference flow rate correction factor. In one form, the reference flow rate correction factor is set to 32 and is stored in the memory 120.

[0107] At step 630, the method 600 includes the processor 110 determining if flow sensor flow rate is less than the reference flow rate . In response to a positive determination, the method 600 proceeds to step 632. In response to a negative determination, the method 600 proceeds to step 634.

[0108] At step 632, the method 600 includes the processor 110 updating the volumetric indicator based on time of last update, the reference flow rate, the flow sensor flow rate, the volumetric pulse parameter of flow sensor signal, and a first cold espresso correction factor. In one example, the volumetric indicator can be updated according to Equation 5 below:VI + = VPP x (FSFR-RFR) x TOU / CECF Equation 5 where:VI is the volumetric indicator;VPP is the volumetric pulse parameter;RFR is the reference flow rate;FSFR is the flow sensor flow rate;TOU is the elapsed time from last update of the volumetric parameter; andCECF is the first cold espresso correction factor.

[0109] In one form, the first cold espresso correction factor is set to 2. This can be determined based on empirical data.

[0110] Once step 632 has been performed, the method 600 then proceeds to step 636.

[0111] At step 634, the method 600 includes the processor 110 updating the volumetric indicator based on time of last update, reference flow rate, the flow sensor flow rate, volumetric pulse parameter of flow sensor signal, and a second cold espresso correction factor. In one example, the volumetric indicator can be updated according to Equation 6 below:VI + = VPP x (FSFR-RFR) x TOUx CECF Equation 6 where:VI is the volumetric indicator;VPP is the volumetric pulse parameter;RFR is the reference flow rate;FSFR is the flow sensor flow rate;TOU is the elapsed time from last update of the volumetric parameter; andCECF is the second cold espresso correction factor.

[0112] In one form, the second cold espresso correction factor is set to 2. This can be determined based on empirical data.

[0113] Once step 634 has been performed, the method 600 then proceeds to step 636.

[0114] At step 636, the method 600 includes the controller 100 controlling the hydraulic system 160 based on the volumetric indicator. In one form, the processor 110 can control one or more of the flow devices such as the pump 162 and / or the one or more valves 164 based on the volumetric indicator. In one form, the controller 100 may have stored in memory 120 volumetric data indicative of the volume of fluid that is to be delivered by the hydraulic system 160 at a particular point in time of the preparation process. The volumetric indicator and the current point in time of the preparation process can then be used in a comparison with the volumetric data to determine whether the volume of liquid needs to be increased or decreased accordingly. If the current volume of water that has been delivered is under the goal volume at the current point in time based on the volumetric data, the processor 110 can extend the timeframe which liquid is delivered by the hydraulic system 160 to the group head of the beverage appliance 10 to correct the preparation process. On the other hand, if the current volume of water that has been delivered is over the goal volume at the current point in time based on the volumetric data, the processor 110 can shorten the timeframe which the hydraulicsystem 160 delivers fluid to the group head of the beverage appliance 10 to correct the preparation process.

[0115] At step 638, the method 600 includes the processor 110 determining if the preparation process for the beverage is complete. In response to a positive determination, the method 600 ends. In response to a negative determination, the method proceeds back to step 602 to iteratively perform method 600 for the next update of the volumetric indicator. In one example, the memory 120 can have a total desired volume stored therein. The processor 110 is configured to perform a comparison based on the volumetric indicator and the total desired volume to determine if the preparation process has been completed. If the preparation process has been completed then the method ends such that the hydraulic system 160 stops delivering liquid to the group head.

[0116] Method 600 provides tailored reference flow rate parameters specifically calibrated for cold brew beverages, effectively compensating for their unique flow characteristics and significantly enhancing measurement accuracy. The implementation of beverage-specific correction factors across various flow conditions ensures accurate volumetric measurements throughout the entire cold brew preparation cycle. For cold espresso beverages, the method employs a specialized correction approach that addresses the distinct hydraulic behavior of espresso extraction at reduced temperatures, maintaining consistent volume control. The dynamic application of differential correction factors based on real-time flow rate conditions enables volumetric regulation by accommodating the varying flow dynamics that occur during different phases of the brewing process.

[0117] Referring to Figure 7 there is shown a flowchart representing an example method 700 performed by the beverage appliance 10 of Figure 1. As will be appreciated, the method 700 enables a hot or cold beverage to be prepared by a singleappliance which utilises the volumetric flow correction discussed above. This unified control method advantageously enables a single beverage appliance to accurately prepare both hot and cold beverages by automatically selecting the appropriate flow measurement correction technique based on the beverage type, maximizing versatility while maintaining accuracy.

[0118] At step 710, the method 700 includes receiving a command to prepare a type of beverage.

[0119] At step 720, the method 700 determines if the type of beverage indicated by the command is a first type of beverage or a second type of beverage.

[0120] In response to the command being indicative of the first type of beverage, the method 700 includes performing the method 200 at step 730.

[0121] In response to the command being indicative of the second type of beverage, the method 700 includes performing the method 500 at step 740.

[0122] Referring to Figure 8 there is shown a flowchart representing an example method 800 performed by the beverage appliance 10 of Figure 1. As will be appreciated, the method 800 enables a hot or cold beverage to be prepared by a single appliance which utilises the volumetric flow correction discussed above. This beverage appliance advantageously provides accurate preparation of both hot and cold beverages through intelligent selection of flow measurement correction methods, ensuring consistent quality across beverage types.

[0123] At step 810, the method 800 includes receiving a command to prepare a type of beverage.

[0124] At step 820, the method 800 determines if the type of beverage indicated by the command is a first type of beverage or a second type of beverage.

[0125] In response to determining the command is indicative of preparing the first type of beverage, the method 800 includes performing method 300 at step 830.

[0126] In response to determining the command is indicative of preparing the second type of beverage, the method 800 includes performing method 600 at step 840.

[0127] Figure 9 illustrates the physical configuration and structural arrangement of a beverage appliance provided in the form of a coffee beverage appliance 10. The coffee beverage appliance 10 includes a appliance housing 905 that provides the primary structural framework and enclosure for the internal components of the system. The appliance housing905 forms the exterior shell of the coffee beverage appliance 10 and houses the various operational components within a unified structure.

[0128] A grinder 980 is integrated within the appliance housing 905, providing an internal grinding capability for the coffee beverage appliance 10. A hopper 930 is positioned on the upper portion of the appliance housing 905 and is configured to hold coffee beans for processing by the grinder 980. The appliance housing 905 includes a collar 940 which receives the base portion of the hopper 930, which facilitates the connection between the hopper 930 and the grinder 980.

[0129] A steam wand dial 950 is located on the exterior surface of the appliance housing 905, providing user access for actuating steam. The steam wand dial 950 enables manual control of steam produced by a steam wand 955 for frothing substances such as milk or the like.

[0130] The coffee beverage appliance 10 includes a group head 920 that is mounted on the front portion of the machine housing 905. The group head 920 serves as the brewing interface where water is dispensed during the brewing process. A portafilter 910 is configured to releasably engage with the group head 920 during brewing operations. The portafilter 910 includes a portafilter handle 912 that extends from the main body of the portafilter 910, enabling user manipulation and positioning of the portafilter 910 relative to the group head 920.

[0131] The portafilter 910 contains a basket within the interior of the portafilter 910. The basket 914 is configured to hold ground coffee beans during the brewing process and allows hot water to pass through the ground coffee for extraction. The basket receives the coffee from an outlet 914 of the integrated grinder 980 which the portafilter 910 mechanically couples thereto during the grinding process. The basket forms the brewing chamber where the coffee extraction occurs when the portafilter 910 is engaged with the group head 920.

[0132] One or more input devices 990 are integrated into the front panel of the appliance housing 905, providing user interface controls for operating the coffee machine 10. The input device(s) 990 enable users to select brewing parameters and initiate brewing cycles. An output device 995, such as an electronic display, is positioned on the front panel of the machine housing 905 adjacent to the input device(s) 990. The output device 995 providevisual feedback and information display capabilities for communicating operational status and brewing parameters to users. In one form, the input and output device 990, 995 can be provided in an integrated form, such as a touch screen display.

[0133] The methods and systems described above can be adapted for multiple types of heaters. For example, the method and system can be used for flow-through heaters, thermal block heaters and boilers. The method and system described has been found to be particularly useful in relation to beverage appliances with flow-through heaters. In particular, flow-through heaters have a relatively higher signal-to-noise ratio compared to other heaters because the thermal response is more directly related to the water flow, making the power consumption an appropriate indicator for volume estimation purposes. Beverage appliances with a flow- through heater provide appropriate sensitivity to changes in water mass flow, they offer an appropriate signal-to-noise ratio for the thermal measurements, and the power consumption correlates with the water flow rate through the heater.

[0134] The flow-through heater for the beverage appliance 10 comprises a compact, on-demand water heating assembly configured to heat water as it passes through a thermally conductive body. The heating assembly includes a metal block, preferably formed from aluminum, stainless steel, or a similar material with high thermal conductivity, and incorporates one or more internal channels or coils through which water is directed. The block is in thermal communication with one or more electrically powered heating elements that elevate the temperature of the metal body to a predetermined setpoint. When water is introduced into the channel, it absorbs thermal energy from the heated block during transit, resulting in heated water exiting the assembly at a temperature suitable for espresso extraction. The flow-through heater is adapted to deliver rapid thermal response, enabling the system to reach operational temperatures within approximately 30 to 60 seconds from activation. In preferred embodiments, the heater is controlled by a temperature regulation system, such as via proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, to maintain thermal stability during successive extraction cycles. This configuration allows for efficient, space-savingintegration into beverage appliances without reliance on bulk water storage or pre-heated boilers, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducingwaittimes forthe end user. The system is further capable of providing consistent water temperatures conducive to optimal extraction.

[0135] In alternate embodiments, the beverage appliance 10 may include additional sensors to enhance the accuracy of the volumetric indicator determination. For example, a pressure sensor may be positioned within the hydraulic system 160 to monitorfluid pressure duringthe preparation process. The pressure measurements can be used in conjunction with the flow sensor signal and power indicator to provide further refinement of the volumetric calculations. In some cases, pressure variations may indicate changes in flow characteristics that can be compensated forthrough additional correction factors stored in memory 120.

[0136] The flow sensor 150 may be implemented using various sensing technologies beyond paddle wheel sensors. In some aspects, the flow sensor 150 may comprise a turbine flow sensor, an ultrasonic flow sensor, or a magnetic flow sensor. Each type of flow sensor may have different volumetric pulse parameters and response characteristics that can be accommodated by storing appropriate calibration data in memory 120. The processor 110 may be configured to automatically detect the type of flow sensor connected to the system and select corresponding processing algorithms accordingly.

[0137] In some embodiments, the beverage appliance 10 may include multiple flow sensors positioned at different locations within the hydraulic system 160. For instance, a first flow sensor may be positioned upstream of the heater 170 and a second flow sensor may be positioned downstream of the heater 170. The processor 110 may be configured to compare readings from multiple flow sensors to detect potential blockages, leaks, or other hydraulic system anomalies that could affect volumetric accuracy.

[0138] The power indicator determination may be enhanced through additional measurement techniques. In some cases, the processor 110 may monitor the duty cycle of the heater 170 when operating under pulse-width modulation control. The duty cycle information can provide an alternative or supplementary power indicator that may be less susceptible to electrical noise compared to direct voltage and current measurements.

[0139] The correction factors used in the various equations may be dynamically adjusted based on operating conditions. For example, the cold brew correction factor or cold espresso correction factors may be modified based on ambient temperature measurements, water temperature measurements, or historical performance data stored in memory 120. The processor 110 may implement machine learning algorithms to optimize these correction factors over time based on user feedback or beverage quality metrics.

[0140] In some variations, the beverage appliance 10 may include a user interface thatallows manualadjustment of volumetric parameters. Users may be able to fine-tune the volumetric delivery for specific types or personal preferences. These user adjustments can be stored as user profiles in memory 120 and automatically applied when the corresponding beverage type is selected.

[0141] The hydraulic system 160 may include additional controllable components such as flow restrictors, bypass valves, or variable speed pumps. The processor 110 may control these additional components based on the volumetric indicator to provide more precise flow control during different phases of the preparation process.

[0142] Alternative embodiments may implement the volumetric correction methods using distributed processing architectures. For instance, some calculations may be performed by dedicated microcontrollers associated with individual components such as the flow sensor 150 or heater 170, with results communicated to the main processor 110 via communication interfaces.

[0143] The methods described may be adapted for preparing beverages such as coffee / espresso. The same volumetric correction principles may be applied to other types of beverages such as tea, hot chocolate, where the beverage appliance utilises liquid delivery through hydraulic systems.

[0144] The beverage appliance described herein offers several significant advantages over conventional systems. By utilizing both flow sensor data and power consumption information to determine a more accurate volumetric indicator, the appliance achieves superior precision in liquid delivery compared to systems relying solely on flow sensors. This dual -input approach effectively compensates for flow sensor inaccuracies that commonly occur due to vibratory pumps, over-pressure valves, and electronic noise. The adaptive correction methods implemented in the system enable real-time adjustments during the brewing process, resulting in more consistent extraction and improved beverage quality. Additionally, the system's ability to handle both hot and cold beverage preparation with appropriate correction factors provides versatility without compromising accuracy. The iterative nature of the volumetric indicator calculation allows for continuous refinement throughout the preparation process, ensuring that the final beverage volume closely matches the desired volume. Furthermore, the implementation requires minimal additional hardware, as it leverages existing components (flow sensor and heater) while adding sophisticated software algorithms, making it a cost- effective solution for improving beverage quality in commercial and consumer appliances.

[0145] In this specification, the terms 'comprises', 'comprising', 'includes', 'including', or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely but may well include other elements not listed.

[0146] It should be appreciated that the term connected, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limited to direct connections only. The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A connected to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of deviceA is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Connected" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other, unless otherwise specified.

[0147] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

[0148] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

[0149] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

[0150] Features of any of the examples or embodiments outlined above may be combined to create additional examples or embodiments without losing the intended effect. It should be understood that the description of an embodiment or example provided above is by way of example only, and various modifications could be made by one skilled in the art. Furthermore, one skilled in the art will recognise that numerous further modifications and combinations of various aspects are possible. Accordingly, the described aspects are intended to encompass all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of controlling a beverage appliance to prepare a beverage, including:(a) receiving, from a flow sensor of the beverage appliance, a flow sensor signal indicative of an estimate of a flow rate delivered by a hydraulic system of the beverage appliance;(b) determining a power indicator indicative of power being consumed by a heater of the beverage appliance during at least a portion of a preparation process for preparing the beverage;(c) determining a volumetric indicator indicative of an estimate of volume of fluid delivered by the hydraulic system during the preparation of the beverage, wherein the volumetric indicator is determined based on the estimate of the flow rate and the power indicator; and(d) controlling the hydraulic system according to the volumetric indicator.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the power indicator is an average power consumed by the heater after a pre-infusion stage of the preparation process.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hydraulic system includes at least one of a pump and one or more valves, wherein controlling the hydraulic system includes controlling at least one of the pump and at least some of the one or more valves.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein determining the volumetric indicator based on the estimate of the flow rate and the power indicator includes: determining a power derived estimate of the flow rate based on a predefined proportion of the power indicator;determining a difference in flow rate between the estimate of the flow rate and the power derived estimate of the flow rate; and determining the volumetric indicator based on a most recently determined volumetric indicator for the beverage, the difference in the flow rate, a time frame since the most recently determined volumetric indicator was determined, and a volumetric pulse parameter of the flow sensor signal.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein determining the power indicator is based on one or more measurements of voltage applied and current drawn by the heater during at least a portion of the preparation process.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein determining the power indicator is based on a temperature difference between a first temperature of the liquid prior to being heated by the heater and a second temperature of the liquid delivered by the hydraulic system after being heated by the heater.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the hydraulic system includes a group head of the beverage appliance, wherein the volumetric indicator is an estimate of the volume of liquid flowing through the group head.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the volumetric indicator is a volumetric counter, wherein each increment of the volumetric counter represents a predefined volume of liquid delivered by the hydraulic system to the group head.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the method further includes iteratively performing steps (a) to (d) until the preparation of the beverage has been completed.

10. A beverage appliance having a controller including: memory storing executable instructions; and a processor coupled with the memory, wherein execution of the executable instructions by the processor configure the processor to perform a method according to any one of claims I to 9.

11. A method of controlling a beverage appliance, including:(a) receiving, from a flow sensor of the beverage appliance, a flow sensor signal indicative of an estimate of a flow rate delivered by a hydraulic system of the beverage appliance;(b) determining, a maximum flow rate during a brewing stage of preparing the beverage;(c) determining a volumetric indicator indicative of the volume of liquid delivered by the hydraulic system during preparation of the beverage based on the estimate of the flow rate and the maximum flow rate; and(d) control the hydraulic system according to the volumetric indicator.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein determining the volumetric indicator based on the estimate of the flow rate and the maximum flow rate includes: determining a reference flow rate based on the maximum flow rate; determining a difference in flow rate between the estimate of the flow rate and the reference flow rate; and determining the volumetric indicator based on a most recently determined volumetric indicator for the beverage, the difference in the flow rate, a time frame since the most recentlydetermined volumetric indicator was determined, and a volumetric pulse parameter of the flow sensor signal.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the beverage is a cold brew indicated by a received command, wherein the reference flow rate is a first predefined proportion of the maximum flow rate.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further includes: determining if the flow rate is less than the reference flow rate; and in response to a positive determination, determining the volumetric indicator further based on a cold brew correction factor.

15. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the beverage is a cold espresso indicated by a received command, wherein the reference flow rate is set according to the maximum flow rate and a reference flow rate correction factor.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the method further includes: determining if the flow rate is less than the reference flow rate; and in response to a positive determination, determining the volumetric indicator further based on a first cold brew correction factor; and in response to a negative determination, determining the volumetric indicator further based on a second cold brew correction factor.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the hydraulic system includes a group head of the beverage appliance, wherein the volumetric indicator is indicative of a volume of liquid delivered by the hydraulic system to the group head.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the method further includes iteratively performing steps (a) to (d) until the preparation of the beverage has been completed.

19. A beverage appliance having a controller including: memory storing executable instructions; and a processor coupled with the memory, wherein execution of the executable instructions by the processor configure the processor to perform a method according to any one of claims 11 to 18.

20. A method of controlling a beverage appliance, including: receiving a command to prepare a beverage; in response to the command being indicative of preparing a first type of beverage using liquid heated by a heater, performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and in response to the command being indicative of preparing a second type of beverage using liquid not heated by the heater, performing a method according to any one of claims 11 to 18.

21. A beverage appliance having a controller including: memory storing executable instructions; anda processor coupled with the memory, wherein execution of the executable instructions by the processor configure the processor to perform a method according to claim 20.

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