Method for providing information to a user from a capsule for the preparation of a beverage using a code

Abstract

Method for providing information to a user from a capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage producing device (20) comprising a capsule with a two-dimensional barcode (7) thereon, capturing at least one image of the barcode via a digital camera (42) and displaying decode information from said image on a display (41).

Claims

1. A method for providing information to a user from a capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage producing device, the method comprising the steps of: inserting the capsule with a two-dimensional barcode thereon in the beverage producing device, the two-dimensional barcode provided in a circular area whose center is concentric with a center of a top membrane sealed to a flange-like rim of the capsule, containing the information, having rectilinear borders and positioned substantially on a central axis of the capsule for identifying the capsule, the circular area having a radius that is 1.5 times smaller than a radius of the top membrane; capturing at least one image of the two-dimensional barcode by a first digital camera without moving the first digital camera relative to the capsule and without moving the capsule relative to the first digital camera; and displaying decoded information from the at least one image of the two-dimensional barcode on a display.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising displaying the decoded information on a second digital camera of a portable telecommunication terminal.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the display is part of the beverage producing device.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the display is part of a portable telecommunication terminal.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one operation consists in selecting data from a set of data contained in the decoded information before displaying further information.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the displayed decoded information includes product information and brewing parameters.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the displayed decoded information includes a web address.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the displayed information is an image of the decoded information.

9. The method according to claim 1, comprising displaying information that prompts the user to follow instructions relevant to the beverage preparation.

10. The method according to claim 1, comprising displaying information that prompts the user to access a website or automatically directing the user to a website.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first digital camera is part of the beverage producing device.

12. The method according to claim 2, wherein the second digital camera is part of the portable telecommunication terminal.

13. The method according to claim 2, wherein only a portion of the information is accessible on the portable telecommunication terminal.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the top membrane is bulging outward.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the radius of the circular area is at least two times smaller than the radius of the top membrane.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the inserting of the capsule comprises positioning the capsule into an insertion zone of the beverage preparation device, the method further comprises moving, by a transport member associated with the capsule holder, the capsule from the insertion zone to an identification zone of the beverage preparation device, the barcode faces the first digital camera at a predefined distance when the capsule is in the identification zone, and the capturing of the at least one image comprises stopping the moving of the capsule.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the capsule holder is driven at least linearly and the capsule holder is driven at least rotationally.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Additional characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be detailed in the description of the drawings that follows.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a side view of a capsule of the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a top view of the capsule of FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 2a shows an enlarged view of FIG. 2,

(5) FIG. 2b shows an enlarged view of FIG. 2 according to a first variant,

(6) FIG. 2c shows an enlarged view of FIG. 2 according to a second variant,

(7) FIG. 2d shows an enlarged view of FIG. 2 according to a third variant,

(8) FIG. 3 illustrates a capsule in a reading mode in the device of the invention,

(9) FIG. 4 shows the top of the capsule when read in a reading mode in the device of the invention,

(10) FIG. 5 illustrates a system of the invention when the capsule is in insertion mode in the device,

(11) FIG. 6 illustrates the system of FIG. 5 when the capsule is in a reading mode,

(12) FIG. 7 illustrates the system of FIG. 5 when the capsule is in a brewing mode,

(13) FIG. 8 illustrates a method of communication using the capsule system of the invention with a mobile telecommunication terminal,

(14) FIG. 9 illustrates the processing of the barcode on the capsule using the mobile telecommunication terminal,

(15) FIG. 10 illustrate the acquisition of information from a portable telecommunication device from an image displayed on the beverage producing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(16) The invention relates to a capsule containing beverage ingredients for the preparation of a beverage, by injection of liquid in the capsule and interaction of the liquid with these ingredients. The beverage ingredients comprise: roast and ground coffee, instant coffee, leaf tea, instant tea, cocoa, dairy or non-dairy creamer, chicories, fruit or vegetable extract, culinary extract and combinations thereof. Additives may also be added in suitable amounts such as sweeteners, flavouring agents, thickeners, edible carriers, dyes, foaming agents, stabilizers, buffers, emulsifiers, processing aids and combinations thereof. The term capsule refers in general to any single-use beverage package that can be rigid, semi-rigid, sometimes even flexible, including cartridges, pods or pads, sachets, etc., used in a beverage producing machine by injection of a liquid, usually water, under pressure and at a certain temperature (hot, cold or ambient), for interaction with ingredients contained in the package and for delivery from the package of a liquid or partially liquid product (i.e., the beverage). The interaction between the liquid and the ingredients may happen by extraction, dissolution, dilution, infusion, dispersion, mixing, emulsification and combinations thereof.

(17) The capsule 1 typically comprises a body 2 comprising at least one internal compartment for receiving the beverage ingredients. The body can be a form of revolution of central axis I, such as a substantially trunconical cup, with a larger side and a narrower side terminating by a delivery duct 3. At its larger side, the body comprises a flange-like rim 4 extending outwardly and transversally to the central axis I. The body is closed by a top membrane 5 sealed onto the flange like rim 4, thereby delimiting with the body, the internal compartment. Inside, the capsule may comprise means for opening a closing wall at the delivery duct, as described in patent EP1472156B1.

(18) Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a top view of the capsule of FIG. 1 showing the membrane 5 and its annular sealed portion 6 onto the flange-like rim. The membrane is not necessarily flat. Sometimes, a gas-tight membrane bulges slightly outwardly due to the internal pressure of gas (carbon dioxide, nitrogen, etc.). The membrane comprises a centre of axis O which represents the point of central axis I intersecting the membrane's surface.

(19) As more clearly illustrated in regard to FIG. 2a, the membrane 5 comprises a DataMatrix optical code 7 containing binary information configured to be read by a camera of a beverage producing device as will be explained. The optical code is a two-dimensional barcode having rectilinear borders 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d. As known per se, the illustrated barcode is a matrix code made of small squared cells that represents bits (0 if the cell is light and 1 if the cell is dark or vice versa). The left border 7a and bottom border 7b form an L shape which is known as the finder pattern and is used to locate and orient the code. The top border 7c and right border 7d represent the timing pattern which provides the count for the number of bits that determines the matricial size of the code. The encoding for such specific code is more specifically described in ISO standard, ISO/IEC 16022.

(20) According to the invention, the optical code 7 is inscribed in a circular area 8 (illustrated by circle in dotted lines) whose centre is concentric with the centre O of the membrane and which has a radius R is smaller, preferably at least 1.5 times, most preferably at least two times smaller than the radius R.sub.0 of the membrane. By definition, the code is inscribed in the circular area 8 when none of its angles exceeds the limits of the circular area. The radius R.sub.0 represents the radius of the whole membrane including the sealed portion 6.

(21) In the example of FIG. 2a, the code is formed of four borders 7a-7d of equal length making it a square with four angles which intersect the limits of the circular area (i.e., the circle in dotted line).

(22) In the example of FIG. 2b, the code is formed of a rectangular polygon with four angles which intersect the limit of the circular area. Thereby, the longer sides of the rectangular code intersect the limit of the circular area (i.e., the circle in dotted line).

(23) In the example of FIG. 2c, the code is formed of a squared code that is off-centred relative to centre O but still inscribed into a circular area whose centre is concentric with centre O of the membrane. In particular, a single angle of the squared code intersects the limit of the circular area (i.e., the circle in dotted line).

(24) In example of FIG. 2d, the code is formed of a rectangular code that is off-centred relative to centre O but still inscribed into a circular area whose centre is concentric with centre O of the membrane. In particular, a single angle of the rectangular code intersects the limit of the circular area (i.e., the circle in dotted line).

(25) Typically, off-centring of the code occurs because the membrane is cut and sealed at elevated cadences onto the body after receiving the code, thereby centring of the membrane cannot be guaranteed during manufacturing. Typically, off-centring of the centre of the code relative to the centre O for a maximal value of about 5 mm is possible.

(26) In all these examples, the radius R of the circular area 8 is much smaller than the radius R.sub.0 of the membrane. Hence, the circular area determines the limiting position zone for the code that needs to be respected for providing the advantages of the present invention, in particular, the reliable detection in all angular position of the capsule as will be explained later. The limits of the area 8 are only virtual (illustrated by the dotted lines) and it does not need to be apparent on the capsule. Preferably, the barcode is inscribed in a circular area 8, as previously defined, of radius R lower than 15 mm, preferably lower than 13 mm, most preferably comprised between 3 and 11 mm. In the more preferred designs, the barcode has a surface area lower than 120 mm.sup.2, most preferably comprised between 20 and 90 mm.sup.2. The lower limit is essentially guided by the constraints of the reading detection technology but also to the possible visual defects of the code during printing on or in the membrane.

(27) The invention is not necessarily limited to DataMatrix code as illustrated but is applicable with any two-dimensional barcode consisting of a matrix code comprising black and white or coloured modules arranged in a square or rectangular pattern and including any of the following code standards: DataMatrix code, Semacode, Quick Response (QR) code, Aztec code, Maxi-code or EZ-code. All of these codes use the same two dimensional principles, although using different encoding algorithms and different symbologies involving patterns of symbols such as squares, dots, circles, etc., hidden with images and combinations thereof

(28) The barcode is designed with a matricial size sufficient for storing beverage related information (i.e., product information), parameters relevant to the preparation of the beverage in the beverage producing device, update bits, error bits and optical reference bits. Preferably, the matricial size (i.e., number of row by number of column representing the number of bits) is comprised between 10 by 10 and 22 by 22, preferably 12 by 12 and 18 by 18.

(29) The barcode can be an eye-naked visible pattern inserted in layers of the membrane 4 for purpose of protection against scratching, hot liquid and the like. In particular, the membrane preferably comprises at least one inner opaque layer and at least one transparent or translucent layer wherein the code is inserted between those two layers. For example, the barcode can be printed directly onto the surface of the said inner or outer layers or it can be printed onto a label that is inserted between the two layers. Preferably, the opaque layer is made of polymer selected amongst: PP, PE, PET and combinations thereof The outer layer is preferably chosen amongst PET. For example, the membrane comprises two opaque layers of PP and PET of respectively 70 and 12 microns and one outer transparent layer of PET of about 10-20 microns.

(30) In a possible alternative, the barcode can be an invisible-to-naked-eye pattern, such as if printed with a special ink, and readable within at a specific light frequency rang such as UV. In particular, a specific invisible pattern can be used to distinguish genuine capsules from counterfeiting capsules.

(31) For product information, information relative to the name of the beverage can be stored in the code enabling identification of the capsule. The full name of beverages can be thereby made available as a binary part of the code utilizing up to 125 bits. Other product information such as the expiry date of the capsule can be stored in the code as well using other bits of the code.

(32) The beverage name such as an alphabetic or alpha-numeric sequence (espresso, lungo, cappuccino, latte macchiato, etc.) can therefore be stored in the code in a sequence of bits. The name can then be displayed on a display 12 connected or part of the device, for example, before and/or during preparation.

(33) In a possible mode, the 2-D barcode comprises an URL (Uniform Resource Locator) address enabling to connect the user via a display and communication means to a website, such as the website of the capsule's supplier. The communication means may be a mobile telecommunication device such as a mobile phone, PDA, etc., with digital camera function or it may be embedded in the beverage producing device. For this, the beverage producing device comprises a communication unit configured for accessing the website via an internet transmitter and an internet browser. Therefore, information services such as up-to-date commercial offers, advertisings or product information can be easily displayed or capsule ordering services (e.g., on a virtual store hosted on the website) can be offered to the user through the display.

(34) Concerning the device setting parameters, the 2-D barcode comprises bits for storing information such as: water temperature, e.g., hot, warm, ambient, cold temperatures, beverage volume, e.g., 25, 40, 110, 150, 250, 500 mL, etc., nature of the ingredients, e.g., roast & ground coffee, soluble ingredient, herbal tea, etc., capsule emptying operation in particular for soluble ingredient, capsule type, e.g., single, two-in-one, doppio, etc., infusing time, in particular for infusion ingredient, a serial number for each capsule referring to a data base, updating data and combinations thereof.

(35) As illustrated in FIG. 3, the beverage producing device comprises capsule identification and control means 9 whose function is to identify, set parameters of the beverage producing device and optionally provides information and added value services to the user such as oriented access to internet. These means comprises a control unit 10, such as a central controller or several controllers, a digital camera 11, optionally, a display 12 which can be linked together or be integrated in one or several units and a communication unit 19. The control unit 10 is to be regarded in a general sense as including one or several units including processors, memories, programs and algorithms, input-output interfaces capable of running the different modules and units of the identification and control means as well as the brewing system of the device such as the heater, pumps, etc. Separate control modules may be designed to isolate the communication control from the control of the brewing system. The programs and algorithms may include decoding applications for the camera.

(36) The control unit may further comprise a user interface for receiving inputs as to various choices for brewing parameters, beverages, internet communication, etc.

(37) The display may, for instance, be a LCD or plasma screen, a touch-screen, or be combined to the control unit 10 and/or communication unit 19, such as in the form of a computer, a laptop, a mobile telecommunication terminal such as a mobile phone, I-pod, PDA, etc., and other equivalent communication devices. The communication unit 19 may comprise, for example, an intranet connection, a wifi and/or Bluetooth, a telecommunication modem enabling communication with an external server and/or terminal.

(38) The camera 11 can be any input device that captures an optical image and digitalises it into an electronic image represented as binary data. The camera is designed as a digital camera typically comprising an image sensor 17 (e.g., CCD), an optical lens and aperture 14 for shaping, focusing and sharpening the image-capturing zone of the camera and a processor which may be associated to the camera 11 or be placed in the control unit. The camera may also be designed as a flutter shutter camera to be capable of taking an image of the barcode while the capsule is in movement in the device. The camera can designed as a scanner with the ability to move relative to the device when reading the barcode of the capsule. The camera can also be portable and plugged in an allocated place of the device.

(39) As illustrated in FIG. 4, the camera is arranged relative to the capsule so that the image-capturing zone of the device, illustrated by rectangular zone 15, onto the membrane of the capsule, encompasses the circular area 8 into which the barcode is inscribed, as previously defined. The image-capturing zone may be from about 10 to 300% wider than the surface area of the circular area 8 and it may be any suitable polygonal zone such as rectangular, squared or circular depending on the type of camera. Preferably, the camera is configured to provide an image-capturing zone that is wide enough to capture barcode of different positions (centred or off-centred relative to O), of different matricial sizes and also possibly different shapes (squared or rectangular). The definition of the image-capturing zone depends on different parameters such as the characteristics of the lens and aperture, the distance between the camera and the code, the CCD and shutter characteristics, etc. In a particular application, two barcodes of different size are necessary to product information for different capsules corresponding to different beverage families (e.g., espresso, lungo, cappuccino, etc.). Larger size codes may be necessary when the name of the beverage is too long or additional instructions are required for complex beverage recipes.

(40) The beverage producing system represented in FIG. 5 comprises a capsule 1, a beverage producing device 20 including the capsule identification and control means 9. In a preferred mode, the device 20 comprises capsule handling means 21 for enabling insertion of the capsule in the device and its transport to a liquid injection unit 22 of the device. For this, the capsule handling means comprise a gravity insertion means 23, such as a slider or charger 23, for guiding the capsule in the device by gravity into a capsule-holder 24. It should be noted that the gravity insertion means may receive the capsule while the capsule has its top membrane substantially vertical or inclined as illustrated using a slider. Alternatively, the capsule can be substantially horizontal when dropped in the device using a tubular feeder such as described a capsule selection mechanism described in EP1593326. The capsule then falls into a capsule-holder 24 and may be recovered in a substantially horizontal position of its membrane as illustrated in FIG. 6. The capsule-holder is associated to transport means 25 which move the capsule from the insertion zone to the identification zone where the capsule is placed below the camera 11 with the barcode facing the camera a predefined distance. The transport means may comprise any suitable carrier driving the capsule holder linearly and/or rotationally. For example, the transport means comprise an electric motor 26 and linearly driving a belt 27 which supports the capsule holder. When positioned below the camera 11, the transport means may be stopped for capturing at least one image of the barcode 7 placed onto the membrane of the capsule. Alternatively, image-capturing operation can take place with a digital flutter shutter camera while the capsule-holder is moved from the insertion zone to the liquid injection zone.

(41) After identification, the control unit activates the transport means 25 to move the capsule-holder in the liquid injection zone. In this zone, the device comprises liquid injecting means 28 comprising a closure plate 29 and a liquid injector 30 which is engaged onto the capsule such as by relative movement of the capsule-holder and closure plate 29. When engaged, the liquid injector communicates with the compartment of the capsule to enable feeding of liquid in the capsule. As known per se, the liquid injecting means 28 are fluidically connected to fluid supply means 31 including a water tank 32, a liquid metering means 33 (e.g., piston pump) for metering the proper volume of liquid in the capsule as a function of the identified capsule and a liquid heater 34. Typically, the liquid used for preparation of the beverage is water. The fluid supply means may further comprise a gas supply means 35 such as an air pump for emptying the capsule from residual liquid after the brewing operation. The selective activation of the supply means, in particular, the liquid metering means 33, heater 34 and gas supply means 35 is controlled by the identification and control means 9 according to the device setting parameters stored in the code.

(42) During the different operations, the display may be controlled to prompt the user to operate different functions and/or to provide information. For example, before insertion of the capsule in the beverage producing device, the control unit prompts, via the display 12, the user to insert a capsule in the device to initiate the brewing operation (FIG. 5). A capsule presence sensor 36 of the identification and control means can verify presence of the capsule in the handling means, e.g., in the slider, tubular feeder or capsule holder. If a capsule is detected, the transport means can be activated and/or the prompt message to insert a capsule be removed from the display. It should be noted that the presence detector can also be the camera 11 when identifying the two-dimensional barcode.

(43) As already mentioned, after capsule identification by the camera 11 (FIG. 3), product information is decoded and the control unit can command a message on the display 12 related to this product information, such as the name of the beverage and/or such decoded information can initiate a program displaying additional information contained in a memory of the control unit or information retrieved by the communication unit 19 from a remote date base. Such additional information could be commercials, nutritive information, information concerning the geographical origin of the coffee or tea ingredients, etc.

(44) In the brewing operation (FIG. 7), further information can be displayed on the display 12 such as product information, user's instructions, brewing information, authentication data, etc. For instance, a unique serial number can be provided on each code that is compared for identification to a list of numbers stored in the memory of the control unit or on a remote server. For instance, product information displayed during or after capsule identification can be initiated at this stage only or be continued. User's instructions can be provided to prompt the user to carry out steps relevant to the brewing procedure. For instance, a prompt to wait the end of the beverage component coming out of the capsule can be provided. Also, a prompt to insert a second capsule can also be displayed, when a beverage is prepared from two or more beverage components such as cappuccino or latte macchiato necessitating more than one capsule. Brewing information can cover information as to the temperature of the beverage or of injected liquid, pressure, beverage volume, etc. This information can also be displayed at suitable time during the process.

(45) In a possible application illustrated in FIG. 8, the beverage producing device is configured via its communication unit to communicate with a mobile telecommunication terminal 40 of the user to exchange information such as to display information on its display 41 such as product information or a link to a commercial website corresponding to the coded URL address.

(46) As illustrated in FIG. 9, the product information as well as URL contained in the code can also be read by a mobile telecommunication terminal 40 before insertion of the capsule in the beverage producing device. For this, the mobile telecommunication terminal requires a digital camera 42 and a decoding application which can be downloaded by the user onto the terminal or preloaded. The loading application is configured to read the 2-D barcode on the capsule and decode usable information therefrom. It should be noted that only certain bits of the code can be made accessible to the user as others can be confidential or useless. Thereby, algorithms or software for selecting relevant data from the code is provided in the terminal. Such algorithms or software can be downloaded as part of the decoding application. Various applications already exist to decode matrix code such as Kaywa reader and the like. Softwares can also be tailored with menus and submenus, graphics, images, movies, avatars, etc., for displaying various services in a more attractive or intuitive manner.

(47) The invention provide the user's benefits in that he/she can obtain product information, e.g., nutritive content, product recipes, etc., such as before inserting the capsule in the beverage producing device, or access relevant websites if the terminal has an internet browser and transmitter. For instance, this straight and rapid link to websites enables to achieve a transaction such as ordering new capsules or accessories, or participate to contests, promotions, or access a client's call after sale or call centres, etc.

(48) As other examples, recipes instructions can be displayed to the user for preparing a multi-component beverage such as a cappuccino, latte macchiato, etc, using more than one capsule.

(49) It should also be noted that the mobile telecommunication terminal can serve to download information from a remote server and subsequently uploaded it into the control unit of the beverage producing device such as to update it on: brewing parameterization software, user's instruction software, decoding application and combinations thereof.

(50) Another application of the 2-D bar-coded capsule is illustrated in FIG. 10 where the beverage producing device 20 is configured to display on its display 12, an image 50 of the 2-D barcode, as captured by its digital camera 11. The image can be a complete or partial reproduction of the 2-D barcode 7 and of the same or different size. When displayed, the barcode image 50 can be re-captured by a portable telecommunication device 40, decoded via a decoding application and processed using a suitable communication software.

(51) Of course, the present invention is not limited to the preferred described embodiments but extends to other equivalent ones which are covered by the scope of the following claims.