Beverage Maker And Method For Operating A Beverage Maker

Abstract

A beverage maker which comprises a graphic user interface, a control unit and a data memory is presented. The control unit is configured to use a selection of at least one element in respectively at least two groups of elements for a decision as to which drink is dispensed by the beverage maker and is configured, on the basis of a selection of at least one element in the first group by a user and on the basis of a matrix stored in the data memory, to determine whether the display of one or more element(s) of a second group of elements on the graphic user interface is changed. Correspondingly, a method for operating a beverage maker is presented. The beverage maker and the method for operating a beverage maker allow a user of the beverage maker a more effortless, more error-free and faster selection and dispensing of a drink desired by him.

Claims

1. Beverage maker, comprising a) a graphic user interface which is configured to display a first group of elements relating to a first parameter of a drink and to allow a user to select therefrom; and at least one second group of elements relating to at least one second parameter of a drink and to allow a user to select therefrom; the at least one second parameter being different from the first parameter; b) a control unit which is configured to use a selection of at least one element in the first group and a selection of at least one element in the at least one second group for a decision as to which drink is dispensed by the beverage maker; and c) a data memory in which a matrix is stored, which matrix comprises information about whether an element of the first group has a connection to an element of the at least one second group; wherein the control unit is configured, on the basis of a selection of at least one element in the first group and on the basis of the matrix stored in the data memory, to determine whether the display of at least one element of the at least one second group on the graphic user interface is changed.

2. Beverage maker according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or second parameter of the drink is selected from the group consisting of i) drink type; ii) drink size; iii) drink preparation type; iv) user type; v) user preferences; vi) ingredient; vii) drink price; viii) country selection; and ix) menu language.

3. Beverage maker according to claim 1, wherein the graphic user interface is configured to display the elements of the first group of elements and/or the elements of the at least one second group of elements via selection fields, preferably via selection fields which display the elements i) in at least one specific form, preferably a form selected from the group consisting of word(s), number(s), symbol(s) and combinations hereof, particularly preferably in a pictogram; and/or ii) in at least one specific arrangement, preferably an arrangement selected from the group consisting of slide bar, scroll wheel, individual keys, lists and combinations hereof.

4. Beverage maker according to claim 1, wherein the graphic user interface is configured to display a trigger field for preparing a drink and to allow a user to select it, preferably a trigger field which comprises at least i) a word; and/or ii) a button symbol, preferably a start button symbol; and/or iii) a symbol of a drink selected by the user; or consists thereof, the trigger field being preferably configured, after activation by a user, to change its content and/or to send a signal.

5. Beverage maker according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to store a selection of at least one element in the first group in the data memory such that the selection is preselected after switching off and switching on of the beverage maker, and the display of at least one element of the at least one second group on the graphic user interface is determined, the first parameter being selected preferably for this purpose from the group consisting of country selection, menu language and combinations hereof.

6. Beverage maker according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to use a selection of at least one element in the first group and a selection of at least one element in the at least one second group for the purpose of storing a favourites matrix in the data memory, which matrix comprises information about whether an element of the first group has a connection preferred by a user to an element of the at least one second group and, preferably, the control unit is configured, on the basis of a selection of at least one element in the first group and in addition on the basis of the favourites matrix stored in the data memory, to determine whether the display of at least one element of the at least one second group on the graphic user interface is highlighted or is moved into the background.

7. Beverage maker according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to move into the background and/or to highlight the display of at least one element of the at least one second group on the graphic user interface via a change selected from the group consisting of i) inverse display, greying out, fading out, reducing in size and combinations hereof; and/or ii) underlined display, colouring, enlarging and combinations hereof.

8. Method for operating a beverage maker, comprising the steps of a) display on a graphic user interface of a beverage maker and possibility for selection therefrom by a user: a first group of elements relating to a first parameter of a drink; and at least one second group of elements relating to at least one second parameter of a drink; the at least one second parameter being different from the first parameter; b) use, by a control unit of the beverage maker, of a selection of at least one element in the first group and of a selection of at least one element in the at least one second group for a decision as to which drink is dispensed by the beverage maker, and c) determination, by the control unit of the beverage maker, on the basis of a selection of at least one element in the first group and on the basis of a matrix stored in the data memory of the beverage maker, of whether the display of at least one element of the at least one second group on the graphic user interface is changed, the matrix comprising information about whether an element of the first group has a connection to an element of the at least one second group.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the first and/or second parameter of the drink is selected from the group consisting of i) drink type; ii) drink size; iii) drink preparation type; iv) user type; v) user preferences; vi) ingredient; vii) drink price; viii) country selection; and ix) menu language.

10. Method according to claim 8, wherein the elements of the first group of elements and/or the elements of the at least one second group of elements are displayed on the graphic user interface via selection fields, preferably via selection fields which display the elements i) in at least one specific form, preferably a form selected from the group consisting of word(s), number(s), symbol(s) and combinations hereof, particularly preferably in a pictogram; and/or ii) in at least one specific arrangement, preferably an arrangement selected from the group consisting of slide bar, scroll wheel, individual keys, lists and combinations hereof.

11. Method according to claim 8, wherein a trigger field for preparing a drink is displayed on the graphic user interface and allows a user to select it, preferably a trigger field which comprises at least i) a word; and/or ii) a button symbol, preferably a start button symbol; and/or iii) a symbol of a drink selected by the user; or consists thereof, the trigger field being preferably configured, after activation by a user, to change its content and/or to send a signal.

12. Method according to claim 8, wherein, via the control unit of the beverage maker, a selection of at least one element in the first group is stored in the data memory such that the selection is preselected after switching off and switching on of the beverage maker, and the display of at least one element of the at least one second group on the graphic user interface is determined, the first parameter being selected preferably for this purpose from the group consisting of country selection, menu language and combinations hereof.

13. Method according to claim 8, wherein, via the control unit of the beverage maker, a selection of at least one element in the first group and a selection of at least one element in the at least one second group is used for the purpose of storing a favourites matrix in the data memory, which matrix comprises information about whether an element of the first group has a connection preferred by a user to an element of the at least one second group and, preferably, via the control unit of the beverage maker, on the basis of a selection of at least one element in the first group and in addition on the basis of the favourites matrix stored in the data memory, it is determined whether the display of at least one element of the at least one second group on the graphic user interface is highlighted or is moved into the background.

14. Method according to claim 8, wherein, via the control unit of the beverage maker, the display of at least one element of the at least one second group on the graphic user interface is moved into the background and/or is highlighted via a change selected from the group consisting of i) inverse display, greying out, fading out, reducing in size and combinations hereof; and/or ii) underlined display, colouring, enlarging and combinations hereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0087] FIG. 1 shows a view on a graphic user interface 1 of a beverage maker according to the invention. The first group 2 of elements 2′ relating to the parameter “country selection” is displayed in the selection field 8 at the upper edge of the graphic user interface 1. A second group 3 of elements 3′ relating to the parameter “type” (=drink type) is displayed in the selection field 8.sup.I which is situated on the left on the graphic user interface 1. A third group 4 of elements 4′ relating to the parameter “size” (=drink size) is displayed in a further selection field 8.sup.II on the graphic user interface 1. In the centre of the graphic user interface 1, a fourth group 5 of elements 5′ relating to the parameter “milk” is displayed in a further selection field 8.sup.III. From the centre of the graphic user interface 1 to the right-hand edge of the graphic user interface 1 there is situated a further selection field 8.sup.IV in which a fifth group 6 of elements 6′ relating to the parameter “sugar” is displayed and a further selection field 8.sup.V in which a sixth group 7 of elements 7′ relating to the parameter “price” is displayed. At the outermost right-hand edge of the graphic user interface 1, a trigger field 9 in the form of a trigger button is displayed.

[0088] FIG. 2 shows an illustration of a first group 2 of elements 2′ relating to a first parameter of a drink, the group 2 concerning regions/countries of the earth and the elements 2′ of the group displaying the individual regions or countries of the earth (here: South America).

[0089] FIG. 3 shows a matrix as can be stored in a data memory of a beverage maker according to the invention. The matrix comprises information about whether the elements of the various groups have respectively a connection to each other.

EXAMPLE 1

Selection of an Espresso Via the Beverage Maker

[0090] In the selection of an espresso in the first group “drink type” on the graphic user interface of the beverage maker, all the selection possibilities for various milk sorts in the second group “ingredient” are placed in the background as a consequence hereof since an espresso is not prepared with milk. This information is encoded in the matrix in the data memory of the beverage maker since, in this matrix, no connection exists between an “espresso” (=element of the group “drink type”) and the different possible milk types (=elements of the group “ingredient”).

EXAMPLE 2

Selection of the Ingredient “Low-Fat Milk” Via the Beverage Maker

[0091] In the selection of the ingredient “low-fat milk” on the graphic user interface of the beverage maker, the selection of the drink type “espresso” is placed in the background as a consequence hereof since an espresso is not prepared with milk. This information is encoded in the matrix in the data memory of the beverage maker since, in this matrix, no connection exists between “low-fat milk” (=element of the group “ingredient”) and an espresso (=element of the group “drink type”).

EXAMPLE 3

Selective Display for Specific User Groups

[0092] In order for example to achieve a selective display for specific user groups, the graphic user interface can be configured to display a map (=first group of elements) in order to enable a rapid change in language selection or in the regionally preferred drinks. After activating the country selection, the display of the elements of the further groups is adapted correspondingly on the user interface. A multistep selection process is also possible. For example after selecting South America on the world map, a zoom to the continent is thereby displayed, with which the further selection of the target country (e.g. Brazil) is possible. Hence, the screen contents (in particular texts and/or regional or country-specific symbols) of the selection are adapted according to this choice.

REFERENCE NUMBER LIST

[0093] 1: graphic user interface (e.g. touch screen);

[0094] 2: 1.sup.st group of elements (e.g. regions/countries of the earth);

[0095] 2′: element of the 1st group (e.g. Scandinavia or South America);

[0096] 3: 2.sup.nd group of elements (e.g. drink type);

[0097] 3′: element of the 2.sup.nd group (e.g. coffee);

[0098] 4: 3.sup.rd group of elements (e.g. size);

[0099] 4′: element of the 3.sup.rd group (e.g. small);

[0100] 5: 4.sup.th group of elements (e.g. milk);

[0101] 5′: element of the 4.sup.th group (e.g. low-fat milk);

[0102] 6: 5.sup.th group of elements (e.g. sugar);

[0103] 6′: element of the 5.sup.th group (e.g. 1 portion of sugar);

[0104] 7: 6.sup.th group of elements (e.g. price);

[0105] 7′: element of the 6.sup.th group (e.g. 2.30€);

[0106] 8, 8.sup.I, 8.sup.II,

[0107] 8.sup.III, 8.sup.IV, 8.sup.V: selection field for elements of the respective groups;

[0108] 9: trigger field for preparing a drink.