DE102020207405B4 - vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A beverage vending machine for providing a predetermined beverage comprises an input device for entering a beverage parameter; a preparation device for preparing the beverage as a function of the beverage parameter; an optical output device; and a control device that is set up to determine a visualization of the beverage as a function of the entered beverage parameter and to output it by means of the output device.

Description

The invention relates to a drinks machine. In particular, the invention relates to user guidance when operating a drinks machine that is set up to provide different variations of a drink.

A drinks machine is set up to dispense a predetermined drink. The beverage can be hot or cold and can include, for example, water, tea or coffee. Some drinks can be prepared or varied in different ways. For example, a coffee specialty can be prepared with more or less milk, with stronger or less strong coffee or with an additional ingredient such as sugar. A user can select which variation of the drink he wants, for example by indicating the amount of milk used by means of buttons on a predetermined scale. Such vending machines are, for example, in the DE 10 2019 204 912 A1 and the U.S. 10,398,251 B2 disclosed.

In particular when the drinks machine is set up to provide a large number of different drinks or when a drink can be prepared in a number of different variations, it is often difficult for a user to operate the device correctly in order to select a desired variation. The selection of the drink, for example by means of a menu structure, can require a very deep menu that can only be displayed poorly on a display device. The input of a preparation parameter is often not intuitively related to the sensory experience of a prepared drink, so that an incorrect operation is likely. For example, numerically entering a degree of froth for milk can be perceived as detached from a desired cappuccino. The beverage provided may be perceived as inappropriate, even if the parameter has been correctly specified and implemented.

One of the objects on which the present invention is based is to specify an improved technology for operating a beverage vending machine. The invention solves this problem by means of the subject matter of the independent claim. Subclaims reflect preferred embodiments.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a beverage vending machine for providing a predetermined beverage comprises an input device for entering a beverage parameter; a preparation device for preparing the beverage as a function of the beverage parameter; an optical output device; and a control device that is set up to determine a visualization of the beverage as a function of the entered beverage parameter and to output it by means of the output device.

According to the invention, a user can already be given immediate feedback about the drink that can be prepared on the basis of a user-controlled drink parameter when making the selection. If the user is satisfied with the result, he can start the preparation process so that the beverage parameter is taken into account when preparing the beverage.

The beverage parameter may include at least one of an amount, a temperature, or a processing parameter of the beverage or one of its components. In particular, the beverage parameter can distinguish variants of the same beverage from one another. For example, if the beverage relates to coffee, the beverage parameter may relate to an amount of the total coffee or an amount of coffee powder used for the preparation. The beverage parameter can also relate, for example, to a brewing or dispensing temperature or a degree of grinding for coffee beans for the production of coffee powder as part of the preparation process. Several and also subtle differences in the preparation of the drink can be visualized, so that the user can gain sensitive control over the drink to be prepared.

The beverage can comprise a number of components, in which case the beverage parameter can comprise a ratio of two components to one another. The ratio can relate in particular to a quantity, volume or temperature ratio. For example, if the drink is milky coffee, the drink parameter can be used to control how much milk and how much coffee is added.

It is preferred that the beverage parameter influences a visual appearance of the beverage that has been prepared, with the visualization preferably representing the influence in a realistic or enhanced manner. For example, a less strong coffee can be displayed more transparently and a strong coffee more opaquely. Conventional techniques for displaying other optically perceptible properties can be used. For example, if the drinks machine is also set up to provide chilled drinks, the visualization can include the drink in a container, with precipitation of condensation water on the outside of the container being able to be displayed as a function of a selected degree of cooling. Conversely, with a hot drink, more or less strong steam can be displayed over the drink depending on a selected temperature.

The control device can also be set up to visualize a beverage parameter that has no influence on the optical appearance of the beverage that has been prepared. For example, the visualization of a beverage parameter can be implemented using light and/or color on the visualization. For example, a shine or backlighting of the beverage (halo) can be displayed as a function of an aroma selected via the beverage parameter. A beverage temperature selected via the beverage parameter can be expressed by a color (“false color”) of the displayed liquid. A rainbow scale from blue to red, corresponding to a temperature scale from cold to warm, can be used in the usual way. Alternatively, symbolic colors can be used. For example, if hot water is requested at a temperature suitable for brewing green tea, the visualized water can be displayed in green. Black tea is usually prepared at a higher temperature, so the corresponding visualization can show black-colored water. Other symbolic colors relate to fruit tea (red) or white tea (transparent or white).

In yet another embodiment, the visualization includes a movement, the intensity of which is determined as a function of the beverage parameter. For example, a content of carbonic acid in a cold drink to be prepared can be visualized by simulating the effect of rising CO ₂ gas bubbles. The more carbonic acid the drink should contain, the more the representation of the gas bubbles can be moved. If the drink forms streaks, for example with a mixture of milk and coffee, a movement of the streaks can be displayed as a function of a selected temperature. The movement preferably relates only to specific components of the visualization, in particular the beverage itself and any carbon dioxide rising therein, steam rising above it and/or water condensing on the vessel.

Other components of the visualization, such as a container for the drink, a subsurface or a background, preferably remain unmoved.

In a further embodiment, the visualization includes a vessel for the beverage, the vessel being selected as a function of the beverage parameter. If, for example, a double espresso is required, a larger cup can be displayed than when a single espresso is selected. It is generally preferred that the vessel is displayed transparently, so that its contents can be better recognized when displayed from the side.

The control device usually does not have unlimited performance and can, for example, include a limited memory for recording visualizations. It is therefore preferred that the visualization is composed of different elements in a modular manner. According to the invention, the visualization includes a superimposition of several predetermined images, at least one of which is selected depending on the beverage. The overlay can be done in a layered fashion, with each image lying in a predetermined layer. An order of different types of images can be predetermined.

For example, one layer each for a background, the drink, and the vessel can be overlaid in that order to give the visualization. For example, if different drinks can be dispensed in the same container, corresponding visualizations can be created simply by exchanging the image that represents the liquid in the drink. By using a sufficient number of levels or a sufficient number of images that can be displayed in each level, a large number of different visualizations can be provided with simple means.

It is particularly preferred that one of the images is selected as a function of the beverage parameter. For example, a predetermined selection of several images can be assigned to the beverage parameter, so that an assigned image is included in the visualization depending on the selected parameter. Different sets of images can be used in different contexts. If the drink parameter relates to a temperature of the drink, for example, then different groups of images can be used for a hot drink and a cold drink.

In a further embodiment, one of the images is selected depending on the vessel in which the drink is displayed. Different vessels can be assigned to different beverages and/or different reference values.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the visualization can comprise a group of images that are generated at a predetermined time chen sequence are shown differently to represent a movement. For example, a transparency can be assigned to each of the images, with the transparencies being able to be varied over time in order in each case to allow one of the images to flow more or less into the visualization. This allows a realistic movement to be visualized without providing an extensive sequence of individual images. Also, using an image format such as MPEG for moving images can be avoided. For example, an image can be saved in PNG format, which can realize good image quality with small storage requirements.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a predetermined beverage includes the steps of detecting an input of a beverage parameter; determining and outputting a visualization of the beverage depending on the entered beverage parameter; and preparing the beverage depending on the beverage parameter.

It is preferred that the visualization of the beverage is output in real time for entering the beverage parameters. This means that no more than a predetermined time elapses between changing the beverage parameter and the corresponding change in the visualization, which is usually less than about 1 second, more preferably less than about 0.5 seconds or even less than about 0.1 seconds. As a result, a user can directly order a drink in a variation he has in mind from a drinks machine in an improved manner.

The method can be carried out in particular in connection with a beverage dispenser described herein. In particular, the method can run partially or completely on the control device of the drinks machine. For this purpose, the control device can include a programmable microcomputer or microcontroller, and the method can be in the form of a computer program product with program code means. The computer program product can also be stored on a computer-readable data carrier. Features or advantages of the method can be transferred to the drinks machine or vice versa.

• 1 einen Getränkeautomaten;
• 2 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens;
• 3 eine Überlagerung von Bildern zu einer Visualisierung;
• 4 beispielhafte Visualisierungen von Getränken; und
• 5 beispielhafte Bedienelemente für einen Getränkeautomaten

darstellt.The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

• 1 a vending machine;
• 2 a flowchart of a method;
• 3 an overlay of images into a visualization;
• 4 example visualizations of beverages; and
• 5 exemplary operating elements for a drinks machine

represents.

1 shows an example drinks machine 100, which is preferably provided for operation in a household. The drinks machine 100 is set up to prepare at least one drink 105, with different drinks 105 usually being able to be prepared. The drinks 105 can include hot drinks and/or cold drinks. A preferred embodiment, on which the following description is based as an example, is a hot beverage machine, in particular a coffee machine, which is set up to prepare a coffee-based hot beverage. In particular, the hot drink can be prepared using water, milk and whole or ground coffee beans. Other ingredients such as cocoa, caramel, cardamom or sugar can also be added.

The drinks machine 100 includes an input device 110, an output device 115 and a control device 120. In one embodiment, the output device 115 and the input device 110 are integrated with one another in the form of a touchscreen. An input can be made, for example, via a slider displayed on the touchscreen, as in 1 is shown. Alternatively, a dedicated input device 110 may be used, which may include, for example, a physical slider, a rotary control, or one or more buttons or switches. The input device 110 is set up to change a predetermined beverage parameter. The output device 115 is set up to optically output a graphical representation and preferably comprises a color screen, more preferably with backlighting (for example using LCD technology) or with self-illuminating pixels (for example using OLED technology). In particular, the output device 115 is set up to optically output a visualization 125 of a drink 105 to be prepared, the visualization 125 representing a realistic or realistic image of the drink 105 .

The control device 120 is set up to detect a beverage parameter entered or changed by means of the input device 110 and to reflect this in the visualization 125 . The visualization 125 should be based on the optical result of the beverage 105 as far as possible, which depends on the beverage parameters can be prepared by the drinks machine 100. In other words, a change in the appearance of the beverage 105 based on the beverage parameter can also be seen in the visualization 125 . However, the visualization 125 can also visually represent a parameter of the beverage 105 that is not directly visually perceptible, as is described in more detail below.

The optical output of the visualization 125 on the output device 115 should follow a change in the beverage parameter by means of the input device 110 with as little delay as possible. A user can thus vary one or more beverage parameters of a predetermined beverage 105 and immediately recognize a result to be expected in the form of visualization 125 on output device 115 . If he is satisfied with the result of his parameter selection, he can accept the selected beverage parameter(s) and the beverage machine 100 can prepare or dispense the beverage 105 using a preparation device 135 on the basis of the beverage parameter(s) set.

The preparation device 135 can prepare the beverage 105 from one or more components, with the individual components being able to be treated and combined differently. For example, different coffee specialties can be created by combining coffee and milk. Different proportions and different ways of treating the milk or coffee can lead to different variations. For example, the milk can be frothed at different temperatures by means of steam or air, the coffee can be boiled stronger or weaker, or the manner and order in which the beverage 105 is poured into a vessel can vary. In one embodiment, the control device 120 is set up to also control the preparation device 135; in another, the preparation device 135 can be controlled by another, in particular integrated, device.

Optionally, the drinks machine 100 includes a wireless interface 140 for communication with a mobile device 145, in particular a smartphone, a laptop or a tablet computer. The interface 140 can be produced using Bluetooth, WLAN or mobile radio technology, for example. Effectively, a user can use mobile device 145 to control beverage dispenser 100 . In this type of use, the input device 110 and/or the output device 115 can be comprised by the mobile device 145 .

2 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method 200 for providing a beverage. The method 200 can be carried out in particular in connection with a drinks machine 100 .

In a step 205, an input can be recorded that corresponds to a value or a change in the beverage parameter. The input can be actuated by a user using an input device 110 .

In a step 210, a visualization 125 of a beverage 105 can be determined on the basis of the captured beverage parameter. The beverage parameter should be reflected as realistically as possible by the visualization 125 . This means that a parameter that is optically perceptible on the drink 105 , for example a size or a color, is optically perceptible in a corresponding manner in the visualization 125 . Since the beverage 105 is difficult to display without a vessel, it is preferred that the visualization 125 includes a vessel. The vessel is preferably displayed transparently, so that the beverage can be better recognized on the visualization 125, for example in terms of color or structure. The vessel can be selected depending on the beverage and/or the captured beverage parameter.

A beverage parameter that has no direct visual correspondence on the beverage 105 can also be implemented graphically in the visualization 125 in a different way. For this purpose, artistic effects are preferably used instead of textual information or a symbol. For example, a temperature can be expressed by a color of the displayed beverage or an intensity of an aroma of the beverage can be expressed by a glow or a lighting in the visualization 125 . Other optical effects such as blurring, a geometric disturbance or a distortion can also be used.

In a step 215 the visualization 125 is output on the output device 115 . This step can include a transmission of the visualization 125 from the drinks machine 100 to the mobile device 145 . The determination and output of the visualization in steps 210 and 215 is preferably carried out very quickly, that is to say with a delay which is hardly noticeable to a user and which is preferably in the range of a few 10 to a few 100 milliseconds.

Steps 205 to 215 can be run through as often as desired in the manner of a loop. One or more beverage parameters can be recorded and defined. In a preferred embodiment, each drink is 105, the a drinks machine 100 can produce, one or more drink parameters are permanently assigned. It is further preferred that the number of variable beverage parameters per beverage does not exceed a predetermined value, which can be 3, for example.

In a step 220, an input can be recorded which indicates that the beverage parameter(s) set should form the basis for the preparation of a beverage 105 . In this case the beverage 105 can be prepared in a step 225 . For this purpose, the preparation device 135 can be controlled accordingly in order to suitably take into account the beverage parameter(s) when preparing the beverage 105 .

3 12 shows an exemplary embodiment of overlay 300 of images 305 to yield visualization 125. FIG.

In the representation of 3 the schematically represented images 305 are superimposed in the manner of levels for an observer 315 who is located to the right of the images 305 in the representation. The overlay 300 is preferably formed by overlaying two or more images 305 on top of each other. In this context, an image 305 can in particular be exchanged, its transparency or brightness can be influenced, it can be shifted or it can be masked by the content of another image 305 . A number of images 305 can be combined into a group 310 which can be changed independently of the other images 305 .

Each image 305 can be stored in a memory of the control device 120 . It is preferred that the visualization 125 can be provided without intruding on a single image 305; rather, the aim is only to control the superimposition 300 of the images 305 in order to generate the visualization 125 . The images 305 are preferably stored in a format that supports transparency (alpha channel), such as Portable Network Graphics (PNG).

In the following, the example in 3 illustrated sequence of images 305 described in more detail. It should be noted that other sequences are also possible and that the individual images 305 can also be assigned to other purposes. The sequence uses exemplary levels indicated by suffixes in the reference numbers.

The image 305.1 that faces the viewer 315 furthest represents a vessel in which the beverage 105 in the visualization 125 is held. A second image 305.2 is located next to it, which carries a mask in order to select contents of other images 305 selectively. In the present case, the mask is set up to allow through only parts of certain images 305 that are further away from the viewer 315 than the second image 305.2, which lie in the area of the vessel shown in the first image 305.1.

A third image 305.3 can represent streaks or veils in order to show a movement of the liquid of the beverage by fading in or out. A plurality of third images 305.3 are preferably provided, three in the illustrated embodiment. The third images 305.3 can be shifted relative to one another or alternately displayed more or less brightly or transparently in order to produce the movement effect.

A fourth image 305.4 is assigned to a liquid of the beverage in the visualization 125. In the example shown, beverage 105 is coffee, so the liquid shown is dark. A coffee strength set as a beverage parameter can be reproduced by the transparency of the fourth image 305.4. The stronger the coffee should be, the less transparent the fourth image 305.4 can be displayed and vice versa.

A fifth image 305.5 may represent portions of the vessel that are behind the liquid. For example, a rear inner side of a cup can be shown, in which the beverage 105 is located, if the liquid shown is transparent enough.

A sixth image 305.6 can be associated with steam rising above the vessel if the drink is a hot drink. A plurality of sixth images 305.6 are preferably provided, which form a group 310 and can be varied in terms of their transparency in a manner coordinated with one another in order to visualize a movement of the vapor represented.

A seventh image 305.7 represents a glow that can backlight the visualized beverage in a halo fashion. For example, shininess can be represented as a radial gradient of brightness that can be displayed against a dark background. The brightness gradient may be slightly irregular or blurred to appear more vivid or realistic. The gloss can be used to represent a beverage parameter that is not visible per se, for example the strength of an aroma of the beverage 125. For this purpose, the transparency or brightness of the seventh image 305.7 can be controlled in order to make the gloss appear stronger or less strong.

The position of one of the images 305 can be changed to reflect, for example, the amount of beverage desired. In the present example, for example, the fourth image 305.4 could be shifted downwards in order to reflect a smaller amount of liquid (for example with an espresso ristretto). If several fourth images 305.4 are provided, which are assigned to different liquids of the drink, for example coffee and milk in a latte macchiato, one or both can be shifted up or down appropriately in order to show different proportions of milk and coffee. In one embodiment, a further image 305 is associated with a boundary layer between an upper and a lower liquid. In some cases, an image 305 can also be shifted horizontally.

4 shows example visualizations 125 of drinks 105. 4a shows a visualization 125 of cappuccino, 4b from cafe au lait, 4c from Cafe Crema and 4d of espresso. A background is selected in each case, for example, in such a way that the dark beverage 105 can be displayed in front of a light background in a lower area and steam that may be above the beverage can be displayed in front of a dark background in an upper area. This results in the visible appearance of a horizon. Other embodiments are also possible, for example in one color or in a vertical progression between a first and a second color. Gradients between several colors can also be used.

5 shows exemplary operating elements for a drinks machine 100. 5a 11 shows an input device 110 comprising a dedicated rotary knob, and 5b an input by means of touch screens, which combines the input device 110 with the output device 115 as a touch-sensitive screen.

In 5a the beverage parameter can be changed by turning the input device 110 . In addition to the visualization 125, an output 505 can also be output on the display device 125, which displays an input value numerically, textually or graphically. It is preferred that the visualization 125 and the output 505 follow an actuation of the input device 110 with as little delay as possible. In this embodiment, different beverage parameters can be selected one after the other, for example by means of buttons 510, and then changed by means of the input device 110. The selected beverage parameters can be accepted by pressing an optional start button 515 and used as a basis for preparing the beverage.

In 5b one or more beverage parameters are shown in addition to the visualization 125 . For example, each beverage parameter is shown as a bar on an assigned scale. To change a bar, for example, you can tap it with a finger and move it up or down. The value of the beverage parameter can also be displayed numerically or as text. In another embodiment, only one beverage parameter can be displayed at the same time for visualization 125 on the output device 115, with different beverage parameters being able to be set one after the other. Operating elements for changing between the beverage parameters or for accepting the set parameters are in 5b not shown as an example.

Reference List

100

vending machine

105

drink

110

input device

115

output device

120

control device

125

visualization

135

preparation facility

140

wireless interface

145

mobile device

200

procedure

205

capture input

210

Determine visualization

215

output visualization

220

capture input

225

prepare drink

300

overlay

305

image

305.1

first picture: vessel

305.2

second picture: mask

305.3

third picture: movement

305.4

fourth picture: liquid

305.5

fifth picture: vessel

305.6

sixth picture: steam

305.7

seventh picture: shine

310

group

315

viewer

505

output

510

button

515

start button

Claims (10)

Drinks machine (100) for providing a predetermined drink (105), the drinks machine (100) comprising the following: - an input device (110) for entering a drink parameter; - A preparation device (135) for preparing the beverage (105) as a function of the beverage parameter; - an optical output device (115); and - a control device (120), which is set up to determine a visualization (125) of the beverage (105) as a function of the entered beverage parameter and to output it by means of the output device (115), - characterized in that the visualization (125) has a Superimposition of a plurality of predetermined images (305), of which at least one is selected depending on the beverage (105). Drinks vending machine (100) after claim 1 , wherein the beverage parameter comprises at least one of an amount, a temperature or a processing parameter of the beverage (105) or a component thereof. Drinks vending machine (100) after claim 1 or 2 , wherein the beverage (105) comprises a plurality of components and the beverage parameter comprises a ratio of two components to one another. Drinks vending machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drink parameter influences an optical appearance of the prepared drink (105) and the visualization represents the influence realistically or in an enhanced manner. Drinks vending machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (120) is set up to implement the visualization of the drinks parameter by means of light and/or color on the visualization. Drinks vending machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the visualization (125) comprises a movement whose intensity is determined as a function of the drink parameter. Drinks vending machine (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the visualization (125) comprises a vessel for the drink (105), the vessel being selected as a function of the drink parameter. Drinks vending machine (100) after claim 1 , wherein one of the images (305) is selected depending on the beverage parameter. Drinks machine (100) after the claims 1 and 7 , wherein one of the images (305) is selected depending on the vessel. Drinks vending machine (100) after one of the Claims 1 , 8th or 9 , wherein the visualization (125) comprises a group of images (305) whose transparencies are varied over time in order to represent a movement.

Images