A METHOD FOR OPERATING A DRINKS PREPARATION MACHINE, DRINKS PREPARATION MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN OPERATING APPLIANCE

Abstract

A method for operation of a drinks preparation machine, for producing a total product amid the use of a portion package, includes the following steps, which are carried out by the drinks preparation machine: a receiving step for receiving, by way of the communication unit, an activation command; an examination step for examining whether the drinks preparation machine is ready for producing the total product; and, if the drinks preparation machine is ready for producing the total product; a confirmation step for sending, by way of the communication unit, a confirmation that the activation command has been received and the drinks preparation machine is ready for producing the total product; a production step for producing the total product.

Claims

1. A method for operation of a drinks preparation machine, for producing a total product amid the use of a portion package, wherein the drinks preparation machine comprises a communication unit, which is designed for wireless communication, wherein the method comprises the following steps which are carried out by the drinks preparation machine: a receiving step for receiving, by way of the communication unit, an activation command; an examination step for examining whether the drinks preparation machine is ready for producing the total product; and, if the drinks preparation machine is ready for producing the total product: a confirmation step for sending, by way of the communication unit, a confirmation that the activation command has been received and the drinks preparation machine is ready for producing the total product; a production step for producing the total product.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the examination step comprises one or more of the following sub-examination-steps for examining the presence of components of the total product: examining whether a portion package for the production of the total product is present; examining whether a minimum quantity of water is present.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the examination step comprises one or more of the following sub-examination-steps: examining whether a supplementary unit for feeding a part-product to the total product, is connected to the drinks preparation machine and is operationally ready; examining whether a sufficient quantity of the part-product is present.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the examination step comprises one or more of the following sub-examination-steps for examining an operating state of the drinks preparation machine: examining whether the drinks preparation machine is ready for producing the total product; examining whether no error messages of the drinks preparation machine are present.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the examination step comprises the following sub-examination-step for examining an operating state of the drinks preparation machine: examining whether a receptacle for receiving the total product is present.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the examination step comprises one or more of the following sub-examination-steps in accordance with a preparation prescript, to which the activation command relates: examining whether an identity or a category of a portion package, said portion package being ready in the drinks preparation machine for producing the total product, is consistent with the preparation prescript; examining, for at least one component of the total product, whether a sufficient quantity of this component is present for the production of the total product in accordance with the preparation prescript.

7. The method according to claim 1, which comprises the following steps which are carried out by the drinks preparation machine, should the drinks preparation machine not be ready for producing the total product: an error information step for sending, by way of the communication unit, error information that the activation command has been received and the drinks preparation machine is not ready for producing the total product.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the production step is carried out with a specifiable temporal delay after the receiving step or after the confirmation step, in particular with a temporal delay which is specified by a message which is received via the communication unit.

9. The method according to claim 1, comprising, as a further step, a completion confirmation step for sending, by way of the communication unit, a completion confirmation that the production of the total product is completed.

10. The method according to claim 1, comprising, as a further step, a production error message step for sending, by way of the communication unit, a production error message that an error has occurred on producing the total product.

11. The method according to claim 1, which comprises the following steps which are carried out by the drinks preparation machine: storing a preparation prescript, to which the activation command relates, in the drinks preparation machine; producing the total product according to said stored preparation prescript at a later point in time, in particular after receiving an error remedying message in the drinks preparation machine.

12. The method according to claim 1, which comprises the following steps which are carried out by the drinks preparation machine: storing a preparation prescript, to which the activation command relates, in the drinks preparation machine; receiving a modified preparation prescript, or receiving data describing changes of the stored preparation prescript and herewith defining a modified preparation prescript; a renewed implementation of the receiving step and examination step whilst taking into account the modified preparation prescript; and if the drinks preparation machine is ready for producing the total product: of the confirmation step and of the production step.

13. The method according to claim 1, comprising the steps which are carried out before the receiving step: inputting an activation decision by a user; displaying a cancellation option on the operating appliance; if a cancellation decision is inputted by the user, terminating the method; or if no cancellation decision is inputted by the user, continuation of the method.

14. A drinks preparation machine, designed to carry out the method according to claim 1.

15. A method for operation of an operating appliance for interaction with a user and for wireless communication with a drinks preparation machine, wherein the method comprises the following steps which are carried out by the operating appliance: sending an activation command in the case that a user carries out an input of an activation decision at the operating appliance; receiving a confirmation that the activation command has been received, with information as to whether the drinks preparation machine is ready for producing a total product; displaying a confirmation indication on the operating appliance, in accordance with the received confirmation.

16. The method according to claim 15, comprising the following steps which are carried out by the operating appliance: receiving error information; displaying an error indication on the operating appliance in accordance with the received error information.

17. The method according to claim 15, comprising the following step which is carried out by the operating appliance: sending a message which specifies a temporal delay for carrying out a production step.

18. The method according to claim 15, comprising the following step which is carried out by the operating appliance: sending a modified preparation prescript, or sending data describing changes of a preparation prescript and herewith defining a modified preparation prescript.

19. The method according to claim 15, comprising the following steps which are carried out by the operating appliance: inputting an activation decision by a user; displaying a cancellation option on the operating appliance; if a cancellation decision is inputted by the user, terminating the method; or, if no cancellation decision is inputted by the user, continuation of the method.

20. A computer program for the operation of an operating appliance for the interaction with a user and for wireless communication with a drinks preparation machine, wherein the computer program carries out, on execution on the operating appliance, the method according to claim 14.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0117] The subject-matter of the invention is hereinafter explained in more detail by way of preferred embodiment examples, which are represented in the attached drawings. In each case in a schematic manner are shown in:

[0118] FIG. 1 a system for drinks preparation;

[0119] FIGS. 2-3 flow diagrams of methods for the operation of the drinks preparation machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0120] Basically, in the figures the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0121] FIG. 1 shows a system for drinks preparation with a drinks preparation machine 1 for filling a receptacle 2 with at least one extraction material from a portion package 3. The drinks preparation machine 1 can be connected to a communication network 5 such as an intranet or the internet via a first communication connection 51. An operating appliance 4a, 4b, 4c, which can be mobile and portable, for example a mobile telephone or smartphone, or a dedicated device that is only provided for operation of the drinks preparation machine 1, can communicate with the drinks preparation machine 1 in an indirect manner via a second communication connection 52, 52 and the communication network 5 or directly via a third communication connection 53, 53. Two operating appliances 4a, 4b can communicate with one another via a fourth communication connection 54, either bidirectionally or at least unidirectionally, for example from a first operating appliance 4a to a second operating appliance 4b.

[0122] The drinks preparation machine 1 includes a base unit 10 for extracting an extraction product by way of an extraction fluid. The drinks preparation machine 1 is, for example, a portion capsule coffee machine of the type known per se, wherein the base unit 10 is a brewing module and the extraction fluid is hot water which is under pressure. The extraction product is fed to the receptacle 2

[0123] The portion package 3 includes a portion packaging (for example capsule) and an extraction material (for example, coffee) that is contained in the portion packaging.

[0124] The drinks preparation machine 1 includes a supplementary unit 11 that can deliver or produce at least one further product or part-product, for example milk and/or milk froth, which are likewise fed to the receptacle 2. The supplementary unit 11 can include heating elements and/or cooling elements for heating or cooling at least one further product.

[0125] The extraction product and the at least one part-product are fed to the receptacle 2 in a simultaneous or sequential manner and together form a total product in the receptacle 2, for example a caffe macchiato consisting of coffee, cold or warm milk, and cold or warm milk froth. A total product is represented schematically as consisting of a first share 21, a second share 22 and a third share 23. The shares in the receptacle 2 can be layered above one another or mixed, depending on the preparation prescript. A share is to be understood as a volume share or quantity share.

[0126] For the control of the base unit 10 and the supplementary unit 11, for the operation by the user and for the optional communication with other devices, the drinks preparation machine 1 includes a control unit 2, a superordinate control unit 13, an operating unit 14 and a communication unit 15.

[0127] The control unit 12 is configured for the activation of the base unit 10 and the supplementary unit 11, for example by way of it activating pumps, valves, heating elements, etc. of these units and detecting (acquiring) measured values of temperatures, pressures, flow, etc., and processing these. The function of the control unit 12 can be realised by a single physical electronic unit, for example a microcontroller, or by several physical units or microcontrollers which are each assigned to the base unit 10 and the supplementary unit 11 and communicate with one another via a communication bus or transfer individual analog or binary signals via signal leads.

[0128] The superordinate control unit 13 is configured for activating the operating unit 14 and the communication unit 15. The superordinate control unit 13 can be realised in a manner in which it is separated from the control unit physically and/or with regard to program technology, or however together with the control unit 12 can form a single unit. In this context, according to embodiments, the control unit 12 and the superordinate control unit 13 can be identical.

[0129] The operating unit 14 includes an input unit 141, for example with switches, buttons and/or a jog dial or adjusting wheel and/or a touch-sensitive surface, as well as an output unit 142 with optical display means such as lights or a screen etc. and/or acoustic display means such as a loudspeaker, summer, etc. In embodiments, the operating unit 14 includes no screen. Information concerning the programming of the drinks preparation machine 1 can then be displayed on the screen of the operating appliance 4.

[0130] The communication unit 15 is configured for communication via the first communication connection 51 which can be wireless (for example by way of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) or wire-connected (for example, by way of Ethernet, USB), in particular for communication with the communication network 5. Furthermore, the communication unit 15 can communicate with the operating unit 4 in a wireless manner (for example by way of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, etc.) or in a wire-connected manner (for example by way of USB). The communication unit 15 can also be configured for reading out and writing a removable portable data carrier, for example via a USB interface or SD-card interface.

[0131] One or more operating appliances 4a, 4b, 4c can be present. Such an operating appliance 4, typically a mobile telephone or smartphone includes a user interface 44, for example a touch-sensitive screen or touchscreen, which functions as an input and output unit. Additionally or alternatively, buttons (keys) of the operating appliance 4 can also serve as input units. A speech input can be realised additionally or alternatively to this.

[0132] Where not otherwise mentioned, information can be outputted to the user and inputs of the user can be inputted, via the operating unit 14 and/or the operating appliance 4. In the present description, whenever therefore interactions with the user are described, it is to be understood that this is herewith also to mean outputs or inputs by way of the operating unit 14 and/or by way of the operating appliance 4. Generalised, these can therefore be termed as an interface unit.

[0133] The superordinate control unit 13 includes a memory 131, in which amongst other things preparation prescripts or recipes are stored. A preparation prescript includes at least control information which can be converted into commands for the control of the base unit 10 and of the supplementary unit 11. Such control information on the one hand includes sequence information which specifies a sequence of steps which are to be carried out by the base unit 10 and/or supplementary unit 11 for producing a total product. On the other hand, the control information includes, for example, temperatures, volume details, time details, etc.hereinafter generally also called preparation parameterswhich parameterise a sequence.

[0134] Sequence information represents, for example, switch on the water heating means of the supplementary unit 11; switch on the pump of the brewing module for fifteen seconds; wait for at least five seconds after switching off the pump until the heating means is at the desired temperature; switch on the milk pump for twelve seconds. The times and temperatures that are mentioned in this example can be specified by preparation parameters and/or be determined by the control in accordance with other preparation parameters and measured values of sensors.

[0135] A preparation prescript can also include user instructions. These instructions are part of the preparation of the total product and must be carried out by a user. For this, the user instructions can be displayed by way of the output unit 142 or the user interface 44 of the operating appliance 4. For example, such user instructions are now add ice cubes or please measure 20 ml of caramel syrup or now add the prepared caramel syrup or please stir or please examine whether the inserted capsule and selected recipe match etc. A user instruction can be accompanied by a visual representation, for example of the total product to be created, of a selected or actually inserted capsule etc.

[0136] For preparing a product, control information or corresponding commands are implemented by the base unit 10 and the supplementary unit 11 in accordance with the preparation prescript and a preparation sequence is realised by this. If the preparation prescript includes user instructions, then these are displayed to the user at corresponding locations of the sequence. The subsequent control information of the preparation sequence is implemented after an acknowledgement by the user by way of the input unit 141 or the user interface 44, the acknowledgement confirming the implementation of the user instruction to the system.

[0137] A preparation prescript can include preparation parameters that are permitted to be adapted by the user, as well as preparation parameters that cannot be adapted by the user. Adaptable preparation parameters, for example, are (volume) shares of part-products in the total product, a total quantity or the temperature of a part-product. For adaptable preparation parameters, the preparation prescript can include a standard value or default value that is used if the user does not adapt the parameter.

[0138] For adapting adaptable preparation parameters, a selection of one or more such preparation parameters is displayed to the user on the operating unit 14 of the drinks preparation machine 1 or the user interface 44 of the operating appliance 4 and an input of the user for adapting the preparation parameter is detected. The input can be effected by way of actuating real buttons and/or virtual buttons such as keys or buttons in particular arrow keys and/or displaceable markings or sliders on a touchscreen of the operating unit 14 or of the operating appliance 4.

[0139] The operating unit 4 transfers information that represents the detected user inputs such as quantity shares, selection of the receptacle or total quantity, temperature selection etc., to the drinks preparation machine 1 in a direct manner via the third communication connection 53 or indirectly via the second communication connection 52 and the first communication connection 51.

[0140] The portion package 3 is provided with a machine-readable portion code 33. This can be realised by information carriers that are readable for example in an optical, mechanical or wireless manner via radio, or by a combination of two or more such information carriers. The portion code 33 represents a portion category 31 that specifies a category, to which the portion package 3 is assigned. Such categories can be different categories of drinks or products, such as Espresso, normal coffee, filter coffee, tea and also special capsule. The portion code 33 moreover represents a portion identity 32, to which the portion package 3 is assigned. Such identities can represent certain individual products or varieties, such as Arabica No. 42 or Colombia special. Portion packages 3 with the same portion category 31 can have different portion identities 32. Portion packages 3 or corresponding products of a different identity can therefore be grouped into categories by way of the portion category 31.

[0141] An assignment of the portion code 33 or of portion categories 31 and/or portion identities 32, in each case to recommended or allowable ranges for preparation parameters can be stored in the drinks preparation machine 1. With this, after inserting a portion package 3 and on the basis of the portion code 33, one can automatically examine whether the portion package 3 is compatible with the quantity shares that are set by the user and/or whether the portion package 3 is consistent with a preparation prescript that is selected by the user, thus that this is suitable for the preparation prescript. If this is not the case, then a warning can be displayed and/or the further processing of the portion package 3 can be stopped. Alternatively, a positive message can also be generated if the selected capsule is particularly well suited for the selected quantity shares. For example, an espresso capsule is not optimally suited should a coffee quantity that is envisaged for a normal coffee be selected by the user. Also a cleaning capsule or a tea capsule is basically not suitable if the preparation of a drink with milk has been selected.

[0142] FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of a sequence of a method for operating the drinks preparation machine 1. This method ensures the ability of a production process to be carried out. Where not stated otherwise, the steps are carried out by the drinks preparation machine itself. The steps are the following: [0143] Receiving step 61: a wireless communication unit 15 of the drinks preparation machine 1 receives an activation command. [0144] Examination step 62: it is examined whether the drinks preparation machine 1 is ready for producing a total product. [0145] Branching 63, depending on whether the drinks preparation machine 1 is ready or not. [0146] If the drinks preparation machine 1 is ready: [0147] Confirmation step 64 for sending, by way of the communication unit 15, a confirmation that the activation command was received and the drinks preparation machine 1 is ready for producing a total product: [0148] Production step 65, in which the production of the total product by the drinks preparation machine 1 takes place; [0149] Second branching 66, depending on whether the production has taken its course in an error-free manner. [0150] If the production has taken its course in an error-free manner, [0151] Completion confirmation step 67, in which a completion confirmation that the production of the total product is completed is sent by way of a commutation unit 15. The operating appliance 4 shows a corresponding display for the user. The implementation of the completion confirmation step 67 can be effected in various manners, for example by way of a push method, in which the drinks preparation machine 1 actively sends a message to the operating appliance 4, or by way of a polling method, in which the operating unit 4 repeatedly enquires the status of the drinks preparation machine 1 [0152] If the production has not taken its course in an error-free manner, [0153] Production error message step 68, in which a production error message that an error has occurred on production of the total product is sent by way of the communication unit 15. The production error message can include information on the type of error and/or its remedying or refer to such information, which for example is stored and displayed in the operating appliance 4. [0154] Production error remedying step 69, in which a remedying of the error can be carried out by the user on the basis of the production error message. [0155] Continuation of the method with the receiving step, after the user has sent an activation command afresh by way of the operating appliance 4. [0156] If the drinks preparation machine 1 is not ready: [0157] Error information step 70, in which error information is sent by the communication unit 15, with a confirmation that the activation command has been received but the drinks preparation machine 1 is not ready for producing the total product. The error information depends on the type of the examination step that has determined this. It can relate to the absence of components and/or of a supplementary unit, or to an operating state of the drinks preparation machine or to inconsistencies between the preparation prescript and the current state of the drinks preparation machine. [0158] Error remedying step 71, in which a remedying of the error and/or an adaptation of the preparation prescript can be carried out by the user on the basis of the error information. [0159] Continuation of the method with the receiving step, after the user has sent an activation command afresh by way of the operating unit 4.

[0160] FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a sequence of a method for operation of the drinks preparation machine 1. This method ensures the authorisation for carrying out a production process. Where not stated otherwise, the steps are carried out by the drinks preparation machine itself. The steps are the following: [0161] Receiving step 81: a wireless communication unit 15 of the drinks preparation machine 1 receives an activation command and assigned authentication information. The authentication information can then be transferred as a key. Alternatively, the authentication information can be determined by a multi-step method amid the exchange of information between the drinks preparation machine 1 and an operating appliance 4. [0162] Examination step 82: it is examined on the basis of the authentication information whether the activation command originates from an operating appliance 4a, 4b, 4c that is authorised for activating this certain action in the drinks preparation machine 1, in particular for the remote activation of a production. This is effected, for example, by way of determining, on the basis of the authentication information, an authorisation that is stored in the drinks preparation machine 1 and specifies whether a certain action, in particular the activation of a manufacturing step, is permitted to be activated. [0163] Branching 83, depending on whether the operating appliance 4a, 4b, 4c is authorised or not [0164] If the operating appliance 4a, 4b, 4c is authorised: [0165] Confirmation step 64 (optional), manufacturing step 65, and subsequent steps as already described with regard to FIG. 2. [0166] If the operating appliance 4a, 4b, 4c is not authorised: [0167] Authorisation error step 90, in which error information that the activation command was received but the operating unit 4a, 4b, 4c is not ready for activating this certain action, in particular the remote activating of the production, is sent by the communication unit 15. This error information can be displayed at the operating appliance 4.

[0168] The method according to the FIGS. 2 and 3 can be combined with one another. For example, from FIG. 2 [0169] the examining step 62 as to whether the drinks preparation machine 1 is ready for producing the total product and [0170] the subsequent branching 63,
is added in FIG. 3 between [0171] the branching 83 and [0172] the confirmation step 64 (optional) or the production step 65.

[0173] Different stages or authorisations can be present. For example, an upper authorisation (or administrator authorisation) that permits a production procedure to be activated in the drinks preparation machine 1 is assigned to the first operating appliance 4a in the configuration of FIG. 1. The third operating appliance 4c does not have this authorisation, but only a lower authorisation or user authorisation. With these, preparation prescripts (recipes) can be adapted and transferred to the drinks preparation machine 1, but the activation of the production must take place at the drinks preparation machine 1 itself, i.e., by way of actuating an operating element on the operating unit 14 of the drinks preparation machine 1. With this, one can ensure that an arbitrary user cannot activate a production process in an uncontrolled manner.

[0174] A middle authorisation (or sub-administrator) can be assigned to the second operating appliance 4b. This middle authorisation permits the activation of the production of a product by this second operating appliance 4b.

[0175] The assignment of a middle authorisation to an operating appliance 4 can only be effected by way of an operating appliance 4, to which an upper authorisation is assigned. The first operating appliance 4a with the upper authorisation can thus assign a middle authorisation to another, for example the second operating appliance 4b. This can be realised by way of the first operating appliance 4a assigning a key or generally authentication information to the second operating appliance 4b, wherein a middle authorisation is assigned to this authentication information in the drinks preparation machine 1. This authentication information is transferred to the second operating appliance 4b from the first operating appliance 4a. For the purpose of interception protection, this is preferably effected via the fourth communication connection 54, which is a channel other than the channel, via which the operating appliances 4 communicate with the drinks preparation machine 1. This other channel is preferably only designed for transfer in the near-range, for example according to an NFC standard or Bluetooth standard, in contrast to a Wi-Fi standard for communication with the drinks preparation machine 1. The other channel can also be unidirectional, for example by way of an optical signal such as a barcode or Morse code that is outputted from the first operating appliance 4 and is received or scanned by the second operating appliance 4b. An acoustic signal can also be used as a unidirectional signal. The information, which is transferred (transmitted) by the signal, can be modulated for example onto a carrier signal, in particular by way of modulation in the frequency range and/or modulation in the time range. Amongst these are multi-frequency code methods. The acoustic signal can be produced via a loudspeaker or vibration element. A vibration element or a vibration alarm can be a motor with a rotating mass with an imbalance.

[0176] The authentication information, which is assigned to the second operating appliance 4b, can be unambiguous for each of the operating appliances 4: [0177] either as a combination of a common administration key with an individual identification key which each only identifies the operating appliance 4 but does not correspond to an authorisation. One can then examine whether the administration key is valid for the drinks preparing machine 1, for determining the authorisation for activating a production process in the drinks preparation machine 1. The identification key is then used for determining whether an operating appliance 4a has an upper authorisation. On configuring the drinks preparation machine 1, one can specify that it is exclusively the first operating appliance 4a which has this upper authorisation which is used for configuring. Then, for issuing a middle authorisation, only the administrator key can be transferred to the second operation device 4b. Since the second operating unit 4b has a different identification key than the first, consequently it can have no upper authorisation and cannot modify any authorisations. [0178] Or a combined key, which codes the identity as well as the authorisation of an operating appliance 4, can be present. An authorisation, which specifies the authorisation for activating a production process and also that for issuing (middle) authorisations to other operating appliances 4, is then assigned to each combined key in the drinks preparation machine 1. The combined key is then transferred to the second operating appliance 4b on issuing a middle authorisation, and the assignment of the combined key with a middle authorisation is stored in the drinks preparation machine 1.

[0179] Generally, it is the case that the different keys or authentication information is not sent from the first operating appliance 4a and must be produced in this. What is relevant is the fact that the authentication information is shared. Herein, the generation of a key pair of a private and public key is also indicated sharing the authentication information.

[0180] The transfer of authentication information can also be effected via a public communication network 5 amid the use of suitable cryptographic methods.