NZ717163B2 - Beverage preparation system and method for preparing a beverage - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a beverage preparation system with a preparation unit for preparing a beverage, with a display panel defining a screen space, and having integrated therewith a touch sensitive panel and with a control unit for controlling the preparation unit with user guidance obtained from the touch sensitive panel and for providing visual feedback to the display panel, the touch sensitive panel being arranged for generating a position signal indicative for a position pointed to. The control unit is operable in a tuning mode wherein the user is enabled to tune a beverage recipe. In the tuning mode a holder is displayed with a filling corresponding to a beverage recipe as well as a movable soft-button in its interior. The user is enabled to control a composition of the beverage to be prepared by moving the soft-button. ensitive panel and for providing visual feedback to the display panel, the touch sensitive panel being arranged for generating a position signal indicative for a position pointed to. The control unit is operable in a tuning mode wherein the user is enabled to tune a beverage recipe. In the tuning mode a holder is displayed with a filling corresponding to a beverage recipe as well as a movable soft-button in its interior. The user is enabled to control a composition of the beverage to be prepared by moving the soft-button.

Description

Title: Beverage preparation system and method for ing a beverage Field of the invention The invention relates to a beverage preparation system.

The ion further s to a method for preparing a beverage.

The invention r relates to a er program product for controlling a beverage ation system for preparing a beverage.

The invention still further relates to a record carrier sing the computer program product.

Related Art Nowadays, automatic devices for preparing beverages provide the user with more and more options for controlling the composition and other parameters of the beverage to deliver.

Examples of such parameters are - the blend between the main product ly coffee) and the additives (usually milk), - the blend between the main product and one or more flavors, - The blend of different additives (e.g. 50-50 soy milk and skimmed milk) • The drink strength • The drink volume • Any other parameter that influences the drink taste (e.g. ature, foam layer, pre-infusion, pressure) Recently devices have become available that are equipped with a plurality of containers intended for holding different types of coffee and with a blender for ng coffee from these containers according to a certain blending ratio. Typically the blending ratio is set according to a predetermined setting by the manufacturer or by an operator. In a 3 ingredient device, the ingredients may for example be mixed according to a ratio of 25%-25%-50%.

Enabling a user to control the blending ratio is considered an attractive feature, but this would make operation of the device even more complicated.

It is further a complicating factor that once the process of ring the beverage is started it can not be undone without wastage of material, e.g. the ients of the beverage that was already delivered. Also, if the tic device can only deliver the beverage with built in disposables, this implies that the cup used for the erroneously brewed delivery is lost for further use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the t invention to provide a beverage preparation system that is controllable in a more intuitive manner, ith mitigating the risk of erroneous control ions and/or that at least provides the public with a useful choice. This object is achieved by the system as claimed in claim 1 or claim In the claims and the description the qualification “movable” of a softbutton is used to specify that the control unit is configured for determining whether a point of contact by a physical object on the touch-sensitive panel coincides with the soft-button, for detecting whether said coinciding point of contact moves along the composition control direction, and for updating the position of the utton in accordance with said movement. The physical object g the point of contact is for example a stylus, or a users finger operating the This object is further achieved by the system as claimed in claim 10.

It is a r object of the present invention to provide a beverage preparation method that is controllable in a more intuitive manner, therewith mitigating the risk of ous control operations and/or that at least provides the public with a useful choice. This object is achieved by the method as claimed in claim 18 or 22.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a computer program product for controlling a beverage preparation system that when executed by a control unit of the beverage preparation system allows the user to l the system in a more intuitive manner, therewith mitigating the risk of erroneous control operations and/or that at least provides the public with a useful choice.

This object is achieved by the computer program product as claimed in claim 19 or Additionally a record carrier according to claim 20 or 24 is provided comprising said computer program product.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a beverage preparation system with a preparation unit for preparing a beverage, with a display panel ng a screen space, and having integrated therewith a touch sensitive panel and with a control unit for controlling the preparation unit with user guidance obtained from the touch sensitive panel and for providing visual feedback to the display panel, the touch sensitive panel being ed for ting a position signal indicative for a position pointed to, the control unit being operable in one of a set of potential operational modes, sing a tuning mode n the user is d to tune a ge recipe, in which tuning mode the control unit causes the display panel to display a holder with a filling corresponding to a beverage recipe as well as with one or more soft-buttons in its interior, the one or more soft-buttons comprising at least one soft-button that is e in a first control direction, the l unit being configured for controlling a relative contribution of an ingredient among a plurality of ients comprising at least a first ingredient and a second ingredient, in the beverage to be prepared, to therewith control a ition of said beverage, in accordance with the position of the at least one soft-button in said first control direction and for providing additional information in the form of an appearance of the g of said holder to the user, tive of a setting for said composition as controlled in accordance with the position of the at least one soft-button in said first control direction, wherein in said tuning mode a filling of the holder is displayed with a plurality of parts representative for the plurality of ingredients and comprising at least a first part with a first appearance and a second part with a second appearance that occupy respective fractions of said filling indicative for respective s of the at least a first ingredient and the at least a second ingredient of said plurality of ingredients in the beverage to be prepared and wherein the appearance of the filling is adapted by adapting a position of a boundary between the first and the second part in the first control direction.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a beverage preparation system with a preparation unit for preparing a beverage, with a display panel defining a screen space, and having integrated therewith a touch sensitive panel and with a control unit for controlling the preparation unit with user ce obtained from the touch sensitive panel and for providing visual feedback to the display panel, the touch sensitive panel being arranged for generating a position signal indicative for a position pointed to, the control unit being operable in one of a set of potential operational modes, comprising a tuning mode wherein the user is enabled to tune a beverage recipe, in which tuning mode the control unit causes the y panel to display a holder with a filling corresponding to a beverage recipe as well as with one or more soft-buttons in its interior, the one or more soft-buttons comprising at least one soft-button that is e in a first control direction, the control unit being configured for lling a relative contribution of an ingredient among a plurality of ingredients comprising at least a first ingredient and a second ingredient in the beverage to be prepared, to therewith control a composition of said beverage, in accordance with the position of the at least one soft-button in said first control direction and for providing additional information in the form of an appearance of the filling of said holder to the user indicative of a setting for said composition as controlled in accordance with the on of the at least one soft-button in said first control direction, wherein in said tuning mode the filling of said holder has a color that is a weighted average of a plurality of colors including at least a first color indicative for a first ingredient and a second color tive for a second ient, wherein in the applied weighting the contribution of each color in the plurality of the colors corresponds to the fraction of the ingredients indicated by said each color, wherein the first color corresponds to the on of the first ient and the contribution of the second color corresponds to the fraction of the second ingredient.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for ing a beverage, comprising the steps of: a) providing a beverage preparation system with a preparation unit for preparing a beverage, with a display panel defining a screen space and having integrated therewith a touch ive panel and with a control unit for controlling the preparation unit with user guidance obtained from the touch sensitive panel and for providing visual feedback to the display panel, the touch sensitive panel being arranged for generating a position signal indicative for a on d to, the method further comprising b) providing a recipe for a beverage to be prepared, c) subsequently, in a tuning mode enabling the user to tune said recipe, therewith carrying out the following sub-steps, c1) displaying a holder with a filling corresponding to the selected recipe as well as one or more soft-buttons in its or, the one or more soft-buttons comprising at least one soft-button that is e in a first control direction, c2) enabling a user to move the at least one soft-button in said first control ion, by determining whether a point of contact by a physical object on the touch-sensitive panel coincides with the at least one soft-button, detecting whether said ding point of contact moves along the first control direction, and by updating the position of the at least one soft-button in ance with said nt, and c3) controlling a relative contribution of an ingredient in the beverage to be prepared, and therewith controlling a composition of said beverage, in accordance with a position of the at least one utton in the first control direction, and c4) providing additional ation in the form of an appearance of the filling of the holder, to the user indicative of a setting for said composition as controlled in accordance with the position of the at least one soft-button in said first l direction, wherein said tuning mode the filling of the holder is displayed with a plurality of parts representative for a plurality of ingredients and comprising at least a first part with a first appearance and a second part with a second appearance that occupy respective fractions of said filling indicative for respective amounts of a first ingredient and a second ingredient of said plurality of ingredients in the beverage to be prepared and wherein the appearance of the filling is adapted by ng a position of a boundary n the first and the second part in the first control direction.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product for controlling a beverage preparation system for preparing a beverage, the beverage preparation system comprising a preparation unit for preparing a beverage, a display panel defining a screen space and having integrated therewith a touch sensitive panel and a control unit for controlling the preparation unit with user guidance obtained from the touch sensitive panel and for providing visual feedback to the display panel, the touch sensitive panel being arranged for generating a position signal indicative for a on pointed to, which m product when executed by the control unit carries out the following steps, a) providing a recipe for a beverage to be prepared, b) subsequently, in a tuning mode enabling the user to tune said , therewith ng out the following sub-steps b1) displaying a holder with a g corresponding to the selected recipe as well as one or more soft-buttons in its interior, the one or more soft-buttons comprising at least one soft-button that is movable in a first control direction b2) enabling a user to move the at least one soft-button in the first control direction, by determining whether a point of contact by a physical object on the touch-sensitive panel coincides with the at least one soft-button, detecting r said coinciding point of contact moves along the first control direction, and by updating the position of the at least one utton in accordance with said movement, b3) controlling a relative contribution of an ingredient in the beverage to be prepared, and therewith controlling a composition of said beverage, in accordance with a on of the at least one soft-button in the first control direction, and b4) providing additional information in the form of an appearance of the g of said holder to the user indicative of a setting for said composition as controlled in accordance with the position of the at least one soft-button in said first control direction, wherein in said tuning mode the filling of the holder is displayed with a plurality of parts representative for a plurality of ients and comprising at least a first part with a first appearance and a second part with a second appearance that occupy respective fractions of said filling indicative for respective amounts of a first ingredient and a second ingredient of said plurality of ingredients in the beverage to be prepared and wherein the ance of the filling is adapted by adapting a position of a boundary between the first and the second part in the first control direction.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for preparing a ge, comprising the steps of: a) ing a ge preparation system with a ation unit for preparing a beverage, with a display panel defining a screen space and having integrated therewith a touch sensitive panel and with a control unit for controlling the preparation unit with user guidance obtained from the touch sensitive panel and for providing visual feedback to the display panel, the touch sensitive panel being ed for generating a position signal indicative for a position pointed to, the method further comprising b) providing a recipe for a beverage to be prepared, c) subsequently, in a tuning mode enabling the user to tune said recipe, therewith carrying out the ing sub-steps, c1) displaying a holder with a filling corresponding to the selected recipe as well as one or more soft-buttons in its interior, the one or more soft-buttons comprising at least one soft-button that is movable in a first control direction, c2) enabling a user to move the at least one soft-button in said first control ion, by determining whether a point of contact by a physical object on the touch-sensitive panel coincides with the at least one soft-button, detecting r said coinciding point of contact moves along the first control direction, and by updating the position of the at least one soft-button in accordance with said movement, and c3) controlling a relative contribution of an ingredient in the beverage to be prepared, and therewith controlling a composition of said beverage, in accordance with a on of the at least one soft-button in the first control direction, and c4) providing additional information in the form of an appearance of the filling of the holder, to the user tive of a g for said composition as controlled in accordance with the position of the at least one soft-button in said first control direction, wherein in said tuning mode the filling of said holder has a color that is a ed average of a plurality of colors including at least a first color tive for a first ingredient and a second color indicative for a second ingredient, wherein in the applied weighting the contribution of each color in the plurality of the colors corresponds to the fraction of the ingredients indicated by said each color, wherein the first color corresponds to the fraction of the first ingredient and the contribution of the second color corresponds to the fraction of the second ingredient.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product for controlling a beverage preparation system for preparing a beverage, the beverage preparation system comprising a preparation unit for preparing a beverage, a display panel ng a screen space and having integrated ith a touch ive panel and a control unit for controlling the preparation unit with user guidance obtained from the touch ive panel and for providing visual feedback to the display panel, the touch sensitive panel being arranged for generating a position signal indicative for a position pointed to, which program product when executed by the l unit carries out the following steps, a) providing a recipe for a beverage to be prepared, b) subsequently, in a tuning mode ng the user to tune said recipe, therewith ng out the following sub-steps b1) displaying a holder with a filling corresponding to the selected recipe as well as one or more soft-buttons in its interior, the one or more soft-buttons comprising at least one soft-button that is movable in a first control direction b2) enabling a user to move the at least one soft-button in the first control ion, by determining whether a point of contact by a physical object on the touch-sensitive panel coincides with the at least one soft-button, detecting whether said ding point of contact moves along the first control direction, and by updating the position of the at least one soft-button in accordance with said movement, b3) controlling a relative contribution of an ient in the beverage to be prepared, and therewith lling a composition of said ge, in accordance with a position of the at least one soft-button in the first control direction, and b4) ing additional information in the form of an appearance of the filling of said holder to the user indicative of a g for said composition as controlled in accordance with the position of the at least one soft-button in said first control direction, wherein in said tuning mode the filling of said holder has a color that is a weighted average of a plurality of colors ing at least a first color indicative for a first ingredient and a second color indicative for a second ingredient, wherein in the applied weighting the contribution of each color in the plurality of the colors ponds to the fraction of the ingredients indicated by said each color, wherein the first color corresponds to the fraction of the first ingredient and the contribution of the second color ponds to the fraction of the second ingredient.

A beverage preparation system described herein is provided with a preparation unit for preparing a beverage, with a display panel defining a screen space, and having integrated therewith a touch sensitive panel and with a control unit for controlling the preparation unit with user guidance obtained from the touch sensitive panel and for providing visual feedback to the display panel. The touch sensitive panel is arranged for generating a position signal indicative for a position pointed to. The control unit typically comprises a storage facility having stored therein beverage preparation control information for control of the preparation unit. The beverage preparation information may comprise indications for the amounts of ingredients to be used, temperature and pressure settings etc.

The control unit typically also ses a y control unit for displaying by means of the display panel a visually observable reaction to designations provided by the user. The display control unit may comprise a hardware accelerator for dedicated graphic operations.

The control unit is operable in one of one or more operational modes. At least one of these modes is a tuning mode, wherein the user is enabled to tune a beverage recipe. The beverage recipe may be preselected, for e ing to a user profile and/or according to a time of the day. In the tuning mode the control unit causes the display panel to display a holder with a filling corresponding to a beverage recipe as well as a soft-button in its interior. The control unit is further configured for controlling a feature of the beverage to be prepared in accordance with the on of the at least one soft-button in said at least one control direction and for providing additional information to the user indicative of a setting for said e as controlled in ance with the position of the at least one soft-button in said at least one control direction.

It is not necessary that all parts of the beverage preparation system are integrated in one housing. In an embodiment the system comprises a first, portable part comprising at least a touch screen display and a second part, not necessarily portable, sing at least the beverage ation unit. The first portable part may be a suitably programmed handheld device, such as a mobile phone, a tablet or a PDA.

The tuning mode allows the user to see in more detail which recipe is going to be prepared. In embodiments an escape functionality may be available allowing the user to escape the tuning mode in order to select r beverage recipe. In an embodiment the at least one soft-button comprises a soft-button of which the at least one control direction ses a first l direction, wherein the controlled feature is a relative contribution of an ingredient in the beverage in accordance with the position of the soft-button in the first control direction and wherein said additional ation is an appearance of the g in said holder.

The filling in the holder is adapted ing to a position of the soft-button in said first control ion resulting from said user control. The first control direction preferably is the direction which appears to the user as the vertical ion of the holder. Hence typically this direction is substantially orthogonal to a line representing the surface of the filling in the holder. The position of the soft-button in the interior of the holder and the adaptation of the filling to the position of the soft-button gives the user a good insight how the button should be used to control the composition.

Various options are possible for the adaptation of the filling to the on of the soft-button.

According one option the filling of the holder has a color that is a weighted average of a ity of colors including at least a first color tive for a first ingredient (e.g. a coffee or coffee blend) and a second color indicative for a second ingredient (e.g. milk or a milk blend), n in the d weighting the contribution of each color in the plurality of the colors corresponds to the fraction of the ingredients indicated by said each color, wherein the first color corresponds to the fraction of the first ingredient and the contribution of the second color corresponds to the fraction of the second ingredient. For example a first ingredient may be coffee indicated by black and a second ingredient may be milk, indicated by white. As the movement of the soft-button along the first control direction causes an increase of the relative amount of the first ingredient, this may be visually indicated by a more dark appearance of the filling, whereas if the nt of the soft-button along the first control direction causes a decrease of the ve amount of the first ingredient this may be visually indicated by a more dark appearance of the filling. In this way the user can easily perceive how the filling is adapted to a change in position of the soft-button and from this perception estimate the effect on the composition of the beverage to be prepared, therewith allowing the user to intuitively l the amounts of the ingredients.

According to another option a filling of the holder is displayed with a ity of parts representative for a plurality of ients and comprising at least a first part with a first appearance, for example a first color or hatching and a second part with a second appearance, for example with a second color or hatching different from the first color or hatching, that occupy respective fractions of said filling indicative for respective amounts of the first ingredient and the second ingredient of said plurality of ingredients in the ge to be prepared. Also this option allows the user to intuitively l the amounts of the ingredients as the filling with different d parts in the holder can be easily perceived by the user and enables the user to estimate the effect on the ition of the beverage to be prepared. Likewise the presence of a number of more than two ingredients may be represented by that number of parts of the filling. The appearance of the g is adapted by adapting a position of a boundary between the first and the second part in said first control direction. ably the position of the boundary between the first and the second part of the filling is adapted to coincide with the position of the soft-button. This appears to the user as if a boundary between the first and the second part follows the movement of the first soft-button, so that the user not only can perceive the effect of moving the soft-button, but the user can also predict the effect of a movement. This further facilitates user control.

In an embodiment the at least one soft-button comprises a soft-button of which the at least one control direction comprises a second control direction, wherein the feature controlled by the on of the at least one soft-button in the second control direction is an intensity of said ingredient and wherein the additional information is a row of icons of which a number is highlighted in accordance with the intensity controlled with the soft-button.

The soft-button with the second control direction may be integral with the utton having the first control direction, provided that these control directions do not coincide. In that case the second control direction is preferably transverse to the first l direction,.. The combination of control options assigned to one soft-button extends the options of the user to adjust the features of the beverage to be ed. The fact that the same soft-button is used for this e, but that the optional r movement is in a transverse direction may be used to clarify that it is associated to the same ingredient but another e thereof.

In an embodiment the at least one soft-button comprises a soft-button of which the at least one control direction comprises a third control direction. Therein the position in the third control direction determines the amount of the beverage to be prepared. A level to which the holder is filled is preferably adapted to coincide with the position of the further soft-button. This enables the user to predict the effect of a movement of the soft-button in the third control direction. Preferably a change in the filling level does not change the composition specified for the beverage to be prepared. Accordingly in the embodiment wherein the filling of the holder is displayed with parts with mutually different appearance the ratio between the fractions that represent the contribution of the ingredients is preferably maintained constant.

In an embodiment the at least one soft-button comprises a soft-button of which the at least one control direction comprises a fourth control ion wherein a position of the utton in said fourth control direction determines a composition of an ingredient and wherein the additional information is a graphical representation of said composition.

In an embodiment the at least one soft-button comprises a soft-button of which the at least one control direction comprises a fifth control ion wherein a position of the soft-button in said fifth control direction ines a temperature of the beverage to be prepared, and wherein the additional information is a graphical representation of the temperature. As mentioned above, a single tton may be associated with more than one control direction, ed that these control ions do not coincide. Preferably in that case associated control directions are mutually transverse.

For example the utton having the third control direction may also have the fifth control direction. For each onal ingredient in the ge to be prepared a further soft-button may be provided. It is noted that for controlling the ratio between N ingredients in the beverage a total number of N-1 buttons is sufficient, so that one button remains for controlling the total amount of the ge to be prepared.

The image data corresponding to the selected recipe may be supplemented with textual data describing the . If the user substantially changes the recipe by using the further control options in the tuning mode, this textual information may be faded away. This may be the case if the user sets one or more features of the beverage to be prepared to a value that deviates more than a predetermined amount (e.g. more than 10%) from a reference value.

In an embodiment the beverage preparation system has a selection mode ing the tuning mode. In the selection mode the user is enabled to select a recipe, which recipe can be tuned in the tuning mode before it is used for preparing the beverage. In the selection mode the user may for example select the recipe from a menu, such as a hierarchically organized menu. Various graphical user interfaces enabling selection of a recipe are disclosed in WO/2011/046428 and WO/2011/046429 from the same Applicant. Further embodiments including novel implementations of the ion mode are described below.

In an embodiment of the beverage preparation system ge ation control information is stored as a sequence of able beverage recipes. In that embodiment the set of potential operational mode includes a selection mode M1 wherein the control unit is configured for - mapping image data corresponding to tive beverage recipes from said sequence in respective regions in a recipe selection zone of the display panel in a predetermined order at mapping positions along a mapping direction of said recipe selection zone, - detecting whether a nt of a physical object on or near the touch sensitive display panel along the mapping direction , - upon ion of such a movement applying a corresponding change in the mapping position of recipe images, - for enabling the user to select a beverage recipe from beverage recipes presented by their corresponding recipe image in the recipe selection zone.

The recipe selection zone is typically an te zone, so that a plurality of recipes can be represented by their recipe image. In that case, the mapping direction is typically a length ion of the elongate zone. The predetermined order wherein the recipe images are displayed is for example the order in which the recipes occur in the stored sequence. Recipe images that would be mapped to regions at mapping positions outside the recipe selection zone are not displayed.

When the motion detection module detects a movement of the physical object along the mapping direction of the recipe selection zone, it causes the mapping module to apply a ponding change in the mapping position of recipe images. The user is enabled to select a beverage recipe from beverage recipes presented by their corresponding recipe image in the recipe selection zone.

The mapping of image data for the beverages is user controllable by making a g motion along the mapping direction, e.g. a length direction if the recipe selection zone is an elongate zone. Upon detection of such motion the control unit causes a ponding change in the mapping position of the recipe images.

Therewith recipe images in the sequence for which the mapping position is moved into the recipe selection zone become e, whereas recipe images in the sequence for which the mapping position is moved outside the recipe ion zone are hidden. Accordingly, in case a large sequence of recipes is available for selection, a pre-selection thereof can be shown in more detail as a subsequence in the recipe selection zone. Therewith the user has a more clear impression of the beverage that would be prepared upon selection than would be the case if the entire sequence were visualized. Furthermore the capability of recognizing a swiping movement and accordingly adapting the mapping position enables the user to easily and intuitively control which part of the sequence is visualized. The mapping position may be adapted in various ways. In an embodiment the mapping position takes place stepwise. This has the effect that at each swiping movement a next subsequence of the sequence is yed in the recipe selection zone.

Alternatively, the g position may be gradually d in accordance with the user input. This has the effect that each time all recipe images shift in the mapping direction of the recipe selection zone, wherein at one end a recipe image shifts out of the recipe selection zone and at the other end a recipe image shifts into the recipe selection zone. The shifting nt may be visualized by a stepwise or by a smooth movement of the recipe images in the direction wherein swiping takes place. The ce of beverage recipes may be arranged as a finite sequence. In that case the corresponding ce of recipe images can be moved in the length direction of the te zone until the beginning or the end thereof is reached. This has the advantage that the user can easily determine the range of possible options. Alternatively, the sequence of recipe images may be arranged as a cyclic sequence. In that case the corresponding sequence of visual representations can be moved without limit, wherein the last recipe image in the sequence is followed by the first recipe image. This has the advantage that the user can always swipe in the same ion to arrive at the desired recipe.

In an embodiment the control unit has a tory operational mode preceding the first operational mode wherein a series of recipe images slides into the elongate zone from one end thereof. Subsequently the beverage preparation system assumes the first operational mode when the sliding movement is completed. This transitory operational mode helps making the user aware that more ge recipes may be available and that the user can visualize these by making a swiping movement.

In an embodiment the sliding movement is accompanied by a ght moving along a path alongside the series of corresponding image data in a direction opposite to the g movement. This additional movement in a direction opposite of the sliding movement even more raises the ess of the user.

In an embodiment the ge preparation system the control unit is further configured for determining if a region in the recipe ion zone is selected, and for upon such detection assuming the tuning mode. Upon detection that a region is selected in the recipe selection zone when the control unit is in the selection mode, the control unit assumes the tuning mode, in which the beverage recipe corresponding to said region is selected and image data corresponding to said beverage recipe is displayed. Nevertheless, embodiments are possible wherein the tuning mode is skipped or absent and the ge preparation system starts preparation of a beverage once the recipe therefore is selected. The user may select one of the beverage recipes ted in the elongate zone, for example by selecting a display region in the recipe selection zone showing the corresponding recipe image. The control unit may ine that a display region is selected if the region is indicated longer than a predetermined time, or if the user exerts a pressure within said . Alternatively the region may be a ermined region, e.g. in the middle of the elongate zone or a candidate region which is accentuated, e.g. by highlighting and the user may indicate selection by otherwise providing a confirmation, e.g. by pressing a hard or soft confirmation button to acknowledge that the recipe represented by its image in the predetermined region or the candidate region is ed.

In another embodiment the control unit is configured for mapping an image of a three-dimensional body, the user being enabled to indicate a position on the mapped image, in which selection mode the beverage preparation system is configured for fying a region on the three-dimensional body from the indication of the position pointed to and for selecting one or more ge recipes associated with said region.

The three-dimensional body is for example a sphere, for example a globe.

The corresponding selectable beverages may be beverages that are traditional for said region, for example coffee recipes as Lungo, Expresso and Latto Machiato, when a position is indicated within the country Italy. Alternatively the selection may be based on the availability of certain ingredients in the region of origin pointed to by the user. For example Robusta coffee may be selected by pointing to sub-Saharan Africa or an Arabica coffee may be selected by pointing to the Arabian Peninsula. Alternatively the pondence may be found in the physical circumstances of the region pointed to. For e indication by the user of one of the poles may correspond to the selection of ice water.

Preferably, the three-dimensional body has a user llable orientation in that the control unit is configured for determining a movement of a point of contact by a physical object on the touch-sensitive panel and for ing a mapping n the three-dimensional body is rotated around an axis, which rotation causes a mapped surface of the three-dimensional body to displace in a direction corresponding to the direction of nt of the point of contact.

Depending on the region on the globe indicated by the user, one or more selectable ges may be available. If the indication results in exactly one selectable beverage recipe, the user can subsequently tune this recipe in the tuning mode. If more than one recipe is available for the indicated position the user may be enabled to select one from the available recipes for example using one of the other selection procedures referred to above. Instead of a sphere another threedimensional body may be used, e.g. a polyhedron. Therein each face of the polyhedron may be a region representing a set of one or more selectable beverages.

It is not necessary that the tuning mode is preceded by a selection. In other embodiments the beverage preparation system may provide a predetermined selection, which can be tuned to the desired specification. In again other embodiments a predetermined selection may be user customized on the basis of a user profile. The user e may have user profile data for different time slots.

The beverage preparation system may have facilities that ize the user, for example by face recognition, fingerprint recognition or by performing an iris scan.

Alternatively, the user may be identified from a badge, e.g. by RFID technology. In again r ment the user may control the beverage preparation device using a handheld device, comprising the user profile data. Based on the recognition and a determination of the time of the day, the beverage ation system may provide a predetermined selection, which can be tuned to the d specification.

In an embodiment the beverage preparation system may provide for an escape functionality allowing the user to set aside the predefined selection and to select another beverage recipe, e.g. using one of the embodiments described above for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other aspects are described in more detail with reference to the drawing.

Therein: tically shows an embodiment of an automatic system for preparing a shows a practical setup of components of the automatic system, schematically shows a state diagram of the control unit of an embodiment of the system of and 2, schematically shows a user ace available in a y mode of the control unit, schematically shows a user interface available in a further mode of the control unit, schematically shows a mapping of information to a part of the display in said further mode, schematically shows a further g of information to said part of the display in the same mode after user input is received, schematically shows a user interface available in a first phase of a still further mode of the control unit, schematically shows a user interface available in a second phase of said still further mode of the control unit, and 6D schematically show states of a user ace available in an operational mode of the control unit of another embodiment, schematically shows a user interface available in again a further mode of the control unit, schematically shows a user interface available in an operational mode of a further ment of a beverage ation system according to the present invention, shows in more detail a control unit in an embodiment of the automatic system, schematically shows an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS In the following detailed description numerous specific s are set out to provide for a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be clear to the skilled person that these details are not essential to the present invention. In other ces, generally known s, procedures and components are not described in detail to thereby avoid more essential aspects of the invention being veiled.

It will be clear to the skilled person that the terms "first", "second", "third" in this description can be used to distinguish parts from each other, without thereby indicating any priority. Hence, a first element, component, area, field, module, etc., could also be called a second element, component, area, field, module, etc., without departing from the scope of protection of the t application.

In the drawings, parts are normally not shown to scale. In some instances, parts are shown in a magnified representation for clarity.

Unless indicated otherwise, all terms have the g given to them by the person skilled in the art of the present invention. r, terms such as they are d in ly used reference works and dictionaries are understood to be reted in accordance with their meaning in the context of the technical field relevant in this case and not to be interpreted in an idealized or unduly formal sense, unless expressly indicated otherwise. In the event of a difference in retation of a term, the interpretation given to it by the present application shall be decisive.

Corresponding parts have mutually ponding reference numerals. tically shows an embodiment of an automatic system 1 for preparing a beverage. The system 1 is provided with a preparation unit 6 with a display panel 3 having integrated therewith a touch sensitive panel 4 and with a control unit 5. The control unit 5 is arranged for controlling the preparation unit with user guidance obtained from the touch sensitive panel 4. The control unit is further arranged for providing visual feedback to the display panel 3. Therewith the preparation unit 6 is configured for preparing a beverage according to a formulation ied by a user. The control unit may further give audio feedback via speaker 8. The preparation unit 6 can prepare, for example, a plurality of ges such as water, tea, , chocolate milk and soup. In a practical embodiment, the beverages can be provided with additions, such as sugar, milk and aromas. If desired, also a temperature of the beverage to be poured can be set.

In an embodiment, the preparation unit 6 is provided with inter alia holders 61a, 61b, 61c for storage of various types of coffee, and holders 61d, 61e for other ients such as sugar and milk and possibly one or more flavors such as caramel, hazelnut or vanilla. It is noted that ingredients may be present in the holders as a raw material, nut otherwise may be preprocessed. For example coffee may be present in the form of beans, ground beans or as a solution. The embodiment shown is furthermore provided with a heating unit 62, dosing valves 63a-63e for dosing the ingredients from the respective holders 61a-61e and a ge outlet 64.

Upon touching, the touch-panel 4 delivers a position signal xp, yp, which is indicative of the position where the display panel 3 has been touched. The touch-panel 4 may further provide a pressure signal pp indicative for a pressure with which a position indicated by xp, yp is d. Alternatively or in addition, the user may be d to designate a position on the display panel in a noncontact manner, for e, by pointing at that on, or by giving spoken commands. To this end, the control unit 5 receives the position signal xp, yp from the input means, and the control unit 5 controls the y panel with an image signal Sb. The control unit 5 controls the preparation unit with control s Sc.

In addition, the control unit 5 can receive condition signals St from the preparation unit 6 which are indicative of a condition of the preparation unit. The condition signals St can te, for example, the filling degree of the holders 61a, 61b, 61c, or the height of a temperature reached by the heating unit 62.

The beverage preparation system may have all its components integrated in a single housing, but that is not ary. In an embodiment the system ses a first, portable part 10 comprising at least a touch screen display and a second part, not necessarily portable, comprising at least the beverage preparation unit. The second part in that case comprises a communication module 5a for allowing wireless communication with the portable part, as shown schematically in The first portable part may be a suitably programmed handheld device, such as a mobile phone, a tablet or a PDA. In case the beverage preparation device 1 is controllable by a portable device it is not necessary that the beverage ation device is provided with a display and associated touch ive panel as these facilities are y available in the portable device 10. Also part of the functions of the controller 5 may be taken over by portable device. Nevertheless it is ageous if the beverage preparation device es the touch screen display panel and all functions of the controller, so that the ge preparation device can also be operated stand-alone. shows a practical setup of components of the tic device.

Parts therein that correspond to those from have the same reference. In the practical embodiment shown, the device has a housing 7 for the parts shown in The housing 7, furthermore, has a support 71 for supporting a beaker 75.

The beaker 75 can be placed there, for example, by the user or by a placing mechanism. tically shows a state diagram of the control unit 5 in an embodiment of the beverage preparation device 1. Therein operational mode M0 represents a standby mode wherein the control unit 5 awaits input from a user. In this operational mode a screen, e.g. as in may be displayed providing various input modes available to the user to control the apparatus. In this example the display 3 shows selectable tabs 331, 332, 333 in a right edge 33. A left edge 34 of the display may include a utton 341 enabling a user to request information.

The information may be made available by ‘pressing’ this button or more easily by merely pointing to the button 341. A background image 360 is shown, that in embodiments may extend over the edges 33, 34 of the screen. The background image 360 may remain also in other operational modes. In the e of user input (indicated by the circular arc) the control unit remains in the standby mode S0. Selection of one of the tabs 331, 332, 333 corresponds to user input uip1, uip2, uip3 respectively, which causes a transition to modes M4, M1, M5 respectively.

Once standby mode M0 is left a home icon 342 may be presented on a fixed location on the display to allow a user to return to this mode any time. Operational mode M1 resulting from the transition after user input uip2 will now be described in more detail with reference to 5A and 5B. For clarity modes M4, M5 will not be further described. In operational mode M1 recipe image data for respective beverage recipes, here R3 to R6 from the sequence of stored recipes is mapped to screen space and displayed as recipe images, here IR3 to IR6, in respective regions 313 to 316 in an elongated zone 31 of the display panel 3 (See at mapping positions along the length direction of said elongate zone. The control unit 5 may have a mapping module 53 for this purpose as shown in . The recipe images IR3 to IR6 are arranged in a predetermined order, for example the order in which the recipes occur in the stored sequence. The mapping is schematically illustrated in . Therein R1 to RN are a ce of recipes and their image data stored in memory 51, of which currently recipes R3 to R6 are visualized in a zone 31. In this case the zone 31 is an elongate zone, more in particular a rectangular zone, and its length direction extends along the x-axis of the display 3. Alternatively, the elongate zone may have another shape, e.g. a meandering shape. In that case the length direction is preferably extends along the heart line of the meandering shape.

In operational mode M1 the control unit 5 changes the mapping position of the recipe images upon detection of a motion of an indicated position along the length direction of the te zone 31. A motion detected by control unit 5 is indicated as user input uip4 in the state diagram of For example, if the user makes a g movement in a direction from left to right this may have the effect that the mapping position of recipe images and the associated selection fields of the corresponding recipes are also moved to the right as is shown schematically in . Therewith one or more new beverage recipes may be introduced at the left side, whereas other beverage recipes may disappear at the right side. For example, upon detection of this swiping movement, the subsequence R2, R3, R4, R5 of recipes is now visualized as images IR2 to IR5 in tive regions 312 to 315 and becomes able, so that it appears that the sequence of images has followed the swiping movement of the user’s finger. Various options are possible to control the g and to visualize the selection. The example illustrated in , 5B represents a relatively fine-grained stepwise adaptation of the mapping. Therein each time one new recipe, here R2, is ented by its image, here IR2 and the image, here IR6 for one recipe, here recipe R6 disappears. ing to another option, the g module 53 provides for a relatively course stepwise tion of the mapping position. For example when recipe images IR1, IR2, IR3 for recipes R1, R2, R3, are replaced by recipe images IR4, IR5, IR6 for recipes R4, R5 and R6 upon swiping to the left etc. In a red embodiment an adaptation of the mapping is visualized as a continuous movement, wherein it appears as if a series of recipe images slide through the elongate zone 31 of the display 3, as if the images were attached to a carousel. In the embodiment shown the recipe images IRi of the recipes Ri in the subsequence may be assigned a position x(i) = Offs + i*W. Therein W is a width of the respective recipe images and Offs is a variable that can be substantially continuously varied, at least in steps ntially smaller than the width W, e.g. times smaller. The position indicated by x(i) is for example the lower-left corner of the images or another reference position.

The assigned regions 313, 314, etc for the recipe images IR3, IR4 preferably have a fixed size but that is not mandatory. For example some recipe images may be assigned a larger region than others. The size may also be dependent on the position of the recipe image within the elongate zone. For example images halfway the elongate zone may be larger than images at the ends of the elongate zone. An indicator 321 may be present for indicating which beverage recipe Rn is currently selected. In case no beverage is selected yet, this may be indicated by positioning the series of recipe images so that the tor 321 is somewhere between two uent recipe images, in the example of between the recipe images IR4 and IR5.

X(i) = Offs + i*D As mentioned above, it is not necessary that the position X(i) is a position along a straight line, e.g. el to the horizontal or vertical axis of the . atively, the position X(i) may be a position along a curved tory, e.g. a circle. An elongate zone along a curved, e.g. meandering trajectory would have the advantage that a larger number of beverage images can presented within the elongate zone. The speed with which the beverage images move along the length direction of the elongate zone is vOffs = dOffs/dt dOffs vOffs = The mapping module 53 of may have a clipping sub-module that determines which recipe images would be mapped e the elongate zone 31.

This is superfluous if the elongate zone ends at the edges of the display. A movement induced in the mapping position X(i) may have ntially the same speed as a speed detected by the control unit 5, so that a recipe image pointed to appears to follow a user’s finger when the latter is moving, but this is not ary. Alternatively, the speed vOffs may be a more complex function of the detected speed. Also a value for vOffs may be selected from fixed values, e.g. a speed 0 if no motion is detected and a fixed non-zero speed vOffs if a motion is detected.

A suggestion of mass and on may be given by applying a motion model. For example, if the control unit 5 detects no r , the speed vOffs may decline according to the following differential equation: dvOffs /dt = -c. vOffs This has the effect that the sequence of recipe images displayed in the elongate zone gradually slows down, if a movement is no longer induced by the user.

Further refinements may be added. For example, the movement of the sequence of images may be automatically stopped if the end of the ce is reached, e.g. in order to prevent that beverage items disappear at one end from the elongate zone, whereas at the other end no new items can be introduced. Stopping the movement may be preceded by a vibrating movement as if the sequence of recipe images bounces at an edge.

At any point in time the user may be d to select a beverage recipe by user input uip5 from the recipes represented by their corresponding recipe images, for example by selecting a display region in the elongate zone 31 showing the corresponding recipe image. A display region may be considered selected if the region is indicated longer than a predetermined time, or if the user exerts a pressure within said region. Alternatively the region may be a predetermined region, e.g. in the middle of the elongate zone or a ate region which is accentuated, e.g. by highlighting and the user may indicate selection by otherwise ing a mation, e.g. by pressing a hard or soft confirmation button.

Upon selection by user input uip5 the control unit assumes a second operational mode M2. In an embodiment, upon assuming the second operational mode M2 the preparation unit 6 of the beverage ation device 1 may be controlled to start preparing the beverage corresponding to the selected recipe. In this case a further confirmation uip6 is requested before ation is started.

The user is further enabled to tune the recipe by providing further input uip7. By way of example the transition to mode M2 is visualized by the screen illustrated in . In the embodiment the recipe image, in this example IR4 for the beverage recipe R4 selected from the subsequence is displayed in a zone 32 separate from the elongate zone 31. The user can now see in more detail what recipe is going to be prepared and can if required still select another beverage recipe from the subsequence of recipes visualized in the elongate zone 31. In an embodiment the ge recipe specifies at least a first and a second ingredient and in the second operational mode M2 a holder 322 for a beverage is presented filled for a first fraction 3221 with a first color indicative for the first ingredient (e.g. a coffee blend) and for a second fraction 3222 with a second color tive for the second ingredient (e.g. milk). This very clearly informs the user about the beverage that is up to be prepared. The filling ons may correspond to the fractions in which the respective ingredients will be present in the beverage to be prepared.

Additionally textual information, here the ption “Latte” is presented tive for the selected recipe in an information box 323. In the embodiment shown in FIG, 6B, the user is also provided with further control options for adjusting the recipe before preparation is started. In the present embodiment the screen illustrated in appears automatically after the screen ing to , e.g. in a time period from 0.5 to 1 sec. The transition to the screen of may take place by fading in the additional objects shown in . Alternatively the intermediary screen as shown in may be skipped. In the e shown in a first soft-button 324 is provided in the second operational mode M2 that is at least movable in a direction corresponding to the vertical direction of the holder (direction y) and further also d as first control direction. Therein the vertical position determines the bution of the first ingredient in the beverage to be prepared. The motion detection module 52 is capable of detecting that a display region wherein the soft-button 324 is displayed on the screen is pointed to and that the pointed position moves from said display region in a vertical direction. Upon detection of the vertical movement the image of said soft-button 324 is correspondingly ced in ance with said vertical movement and the contribution of the first ingredient in the beverage to be prepared is correspondingly adapted. Therewith the user can easily l the composition of the beverage to be prepared. User control of the ition is even more intuitive if a boundary between regions in the holder 322 filled with the first and the second color 3221, 3222 follows the vertical movement of the first softbutton 324.

In an embodiment, not shown here, the first soft-button 324 may alternatively or in addition be movable in a direction x (also denoted as second control direction) transverse to the vertical direction of the holder 322 wherein the transverse position determines a feature of said first ingredient. A combination of control options ed to one soft-button extends the options of the user to adjust the features of the beverage to be prepared. The fact that the optional further movement is transverse to the al movement, but that the same soft-button is used for this purpose clarifies that it is associated to the same ingredient but another feature thereof. A feature that can be controlled in this way may be for example a composition of said first ingredient, e.g. in a blend of coffees. Therein an extreme left on may indicate pure coffee of a first type, an extreme right position may indicate pure coffee of a second type and a position between these extremes may indicate a blend of these coffees in a ratio corresponding to the position.

Another feature that may be controllable is an intensity. The wording intensity is used to indicate the degree of roasting of a coffee, its body and its bitterness. Also this e may be represented symbolically by a row 325 of beans, wherein the number of highlighted ones f indicates the intensity.In the embodiment shown, a second utton 326 is provided that is at least e in a direction corresponding to the horizontal direction of the holder 322.

In this way the th of the coffee can be controlled. This feature is also symbolically represented by a row 325 of beans, n the number of highlighted ones thereof indicates the currently set strength.

In an embodiment not shown here, the second soft-button 326 may be additionally or alternatively movable in a direction corresponding to the vertical direction of the holder 322 and wherein the vertical position determines the amount of the beverage to be prepared. This function may be visualized by ng the filling level of the displayed holder 322 in accordance with the al movement of the second soft-button 326. Preferably therewith the ratio between the fractions that represent the contribution of the ingredients is maintained constant. In the embodiment shown the possible displacement directions of the soft-buttons 324, 326 are indicated by arrows thereon. In this case, the arrow on the first soft-button 324 indicate that this soft-button 324 is moveable in a al ion. The arrow on the second soft-button 326 indicates that the latter is moveable in a vertical direction. In another embodiment, however, the first softbutton 326 may likewise be further movable in a direction x (fourth control direction) transverse to the vertical ion y of the holder 322. In that case the transverse position may determine a feature of the second ingredient, e.g. a ratio of soy milk and cow milk or a blend of s. Alternatively, the transverse position of the second soft-button 326 may determine a global feature of beverage to be prepared, e.g. the temperature.

For each additional ingredient in the beverage to be ed a further soft-button may be ed. It is noted that for controlling the ratio between N ients in the beverage a total number of N-1 buttons suffice, so that one button remains for controlling the total amount of the beverage to be prepared.

As indicated above, an information box 323 may provide textual data describing the selected recipe. If the user substantially changes the recipe by using the r control options in the second operational mode M2, this textual information may be faded away. This may be the case if the user sets one or more features of the beverage to be prepared to a value that es more than a predetermined amount (e.g. more than 10%) from a reference value.

In this embodiment a further information box 327 is t that indicates the filling degree of the holder 322. By way of example, the information box 327 shows a first, a second and a third cup provided with characters “S”, “M” and “L” that respectively represent a small, a medium and a large cup. One of these is highlighted to indicate the currently made selection. The selection may be made by the vertical position of the second utton 326, but alternatively, or in on by pointing one of the cups in the information box 327.

A still r information box 328 is presented in this embodiment allowing the user to select between a single cup or a double cup to be filled, by pointing within this information box to the field comprising the numeral 1 and the single cup or to the field comprising the numeral 2 and the double cup.

Optionally selection buttons 343 may be present to select one of a set of predetermined blends. and 6D show an alternative embodiment. Parts therein corresponding to those in have the same reference numeral. By way of example the selected beverage in this case is “Cappucino”. r, the example is equally applicable to other types of beverages.

In this alternative embodiment of the beverage preparation device the filling 3220 of the holder has a color in the tuning mode M2 that is a weighted average of at least a first color indicative for a first ingredient and a second color indicative for a second ingredient. In the applied weighting the contribution of the first color corresponds to the fraction of the first ingredient and the contribution of the second color corresponds to the fraction of the second ingredient. By way of example the beverage has coffee as a first ingredient formed (represented by the color black) and milk (represented by the color white) as a second ingredient. As in the previous embodiment the ve amounts of the ingredients in the beverage to be prepared correspond to the composition control position (y) of the button 324. However, in this embodiment the appearance of the filling is adapted in that in the d weighting the contribution of the colors is adapted to the relative amounts of the ingredients correspond to the composition control on (y). By way of example shows a composition control position of the button 324 wherein the first and the second ingredient are present in approximately equal s. To indicate this, the filling 3220 of the holder is a darker shade of gray. In the example shown in the user has d the soft-button 324 to a position corresponding to a composition having a relatively low amount of the first ingredient (coffee) and a relatively large amount of the second ingredient (milk). This change in composition is indicated by displaying the filling 3220 of the holder with a r shade of gray.

Also in the embodiment shown in and 6D a further soft-button 326 may be provided that is movable in a direction y to control an amount of the beverage and in a direction x transverse to the amount control direction y. A position of the further soft-button 326 in the transverse ion determines a global e of beverage to be prepared. The transverse position x of the r soft-button 326 may for e determine a temperature of the beverage to be ed. This may be visualized by displaying more or less vapor above the holder in accordance with the beverage ature. Alternatively, this may be visualized by displaying the filling of a holder with a color indicative for the ge temperature, for example for example by a mixture of the colors blue and red in a ratio corresponding to the beverage temperature. Depending on which soft-button 324 or 326 was last used the filling 3220 of the holder 320 may be used to visualize the temperature or the composition of the beverage.

The transverse position x of the further soft-button 326 may alternatively determine a property of the second ingredient. For example if the second ingredient is milk the transverse position x may determine a ratio of constituents in said milk, e.g. a ratio between soy milk and cow milk.

The embodiment described with reference to may likewise have a second soft-button 326 that is r movable in the transverse direction x and that can be used to determine a global feature of the beverage to be prepared or a property of the second ingredient.

In the cal user interface shown in , 6C and 6D, the user can at any time start preparation of the beverage according to the selected recipe, here R4, and further adjusted with the available controls in operational mode M2, by “pressing” the soft-button OK with reference numeral 329. Upon this user input, d with uip6 in the control unit assumes mode M3. Alternatively, or in addition a physical button may be provided to start preparation. In embodiments the user may be allowed to step back to operational mode M1 by selecting another beverage recipe from the elongate region 31.

In operational mode M3 the process control unit 56 controls the beverage preparation unit 6 to have it prepare the beverage specified by the user. This operational mode M3 may be separately visualized to the user in various ways, for example by displaying a quivering manometer 355 on the screen 3, as rated in In addition or alternatively an animation may be shown wherein the holder 352 shown on the display is gradually drained, ably over a time-period corresponding to the time period used to prepare the beverage, to suggest the user that the t of the holder on the screen flows in the physical holder that is being . Alternatively, an animation may be shown n the holder 352 displayed on the screen 3 is gradually filled, again preferably over a time-period corresponding to the time period used to prepare the ge. In operational mode M3, the display 3 may atively or in addition show a text message tive for the preparation process. For e the message “Your drink is being prepared …” in message box 354. The user may be allowed to interrupt the preparation s by a stop button 359 that replaces the OK button in the previous operational mode. Once preparation is completed the control unit assumes the standby operational mode M0.

In an embodiment the control unit 5 has a time-out function that provides for a transition to a hibernate or a shut-off mode MX if no user interaction has taken place for a prolonged period of time. As indicated above, further operational modes M4, M5, may e other forms of user interaction, or may support maintenance purposes for example.

A still different embodiment of a beverage preparation device according to the present invention is now described with reference to In this embodiment the control unit 5 is configured for mapping an image of a threedimensional body 30 and the user is enabled to indicate a position on the mapped image. In the ion mode M1 the beverage preparation system is configured for identifying a region on the three-dimensional body from the indication of the position pointed to and for selecting one or more beverage recipes associated with said . In this case the three-dimensional body 30 is a globe. Beverage recipes associated with a region may be recipes for beverages that are ional for said . Regions are for example countries. The associated one or more beverage recipes may be ional recipes for such country. The country Italy may for example be ated with coffee recipes such as Lungo, so and Latte Macchiato. Alternatively regions may be associated with beverages that can be prepared from ingredients originating from those regions. For example Robusta coffee may be selected by pointing to sub-Saharan Africa or an Arabica coffee may be selected by pointing to the n Peninsula. Alternatively the pondence may be the physical circumstances of the region pointed to. For example indication by the user of one of the poles may correspond to the ion of ice water. By way of example in ion 91 the user points to India. Upon detection that this country is indicated the control unit 5 provides a list of most popular beverages in this country and allows the user to select one thereof. The selectable beverages provided in this way may for example be presented with the graphical user interface described with reference to 6A and 6B. However alternatives are possible. For example, the selectable beverages may be presented in a numbered list and the user may enter a number to select the beverage. In situation 92 the user points to the North Pole. This region has only one corresponding selectable beverage, here ice-water, so that no further selection is necessary, and the control unit can ately proceed to the tuning mode M2, or even to the preparation mode M3.

The globe 30 has a user controllable ation in that the control unit is configured for determining a movement of a point of contact by a physical object on the touch-sensitive panel 4 and for providing a mapping wherein the three- dimensional body is rotated around an axis, which rotation causes a mapped surface of the three-dimensional body 30 to displace in a direction corresponding to the direction of nt of the point of contact. For example if a movement in the direction x is determined, the control unit 5 will apply a rotation around the axis h the poles, so that the mapped surface of the globe also displaces in the direction x.

In another embodiment the globe may have a fixed orientation, or the globe may rotate continuously. shows in more detail a control unit 5 in an ment of the invention. Therein the control unit comprises a storage facility 51 having stored n a sequence of selectable beverage recipes as well as corresponding image data for visually representing these beverage recipes. The recipes specify the required composition and way of preparing for each selection. s may for example be provided for Lungo, so, Macchiato, Cappuccino, Latte, Café au lait and Wiener mélange. Characteristic image data may be any image data enabling the user to discriminate between the various recipes. Even a brief description may be used to present the recipes, e.g. the conventional names used for these beverages. In another embodiment the storage ty stores a lookup table 511. The lookup table 511 specifies for each region one or more beverage recipes associated therewith. The beverage recipes associated with a region are for e recipes for traditional beverages, or beverages that can be prepared with ingredients available in the region.

The control unit 5 further comprises a g module 53 that is arranged for mapping image data to screen space. The image data is for example image data corresponding to respective beverage recipes in a list of beverage recipes. Alternatively, the image data to be mapped may be a three-dimensional object. The mapping module 53 may comprise a coordinate transform facility 531 for example in the form of dedicated re to apply a nate ormation from model coordinates to screen coordinates. The control unit 5 may for example have a dedicated transform facility 531 for mapping an image of a threedimensional object. Furthermore the control unit 5 comprises a display control unit 54 for controlling the display panel 3.

The control unit 5 further comprises a motion ion module 52 for detecting a motion of an indicated position, e.g. by swiping movement of the users finger. In an ment it may be required that the touch ive panel 4 is d. In another embodiment it may be sufficient that the users finger moves close enough to the surface of the touch sensitive panel 4.

The control unit further comprises an identification module 55 for determining whether a region on the screen is selected and to identify an object that corresponds to this region, for example using a lookup table that associates the screen coordinates of a position pointed to with an index in a further lookup table with a list of recipes. The fication module 55 may apply an inverse coordinate transformation to take into account a nate transformation applied to the image data.

The control unit further comprises a process control module 56 for controlling the beverage preparation process with control signals Sc and using status information received from the preparation unit 6.

An embodiment of a method according to the invention for preparing a beverage is schematically shown in .

According to the first step S1 shown in a beverage preparation system is ed. The beverage ation system may be provided as a single beverage preparation device 1, but may alternatively be provided as a beverage preparation device 1 in combination with a portable device 10. Such a portable device may comprise user profile information, such as preferred settings of the beverage preparation device for each time of the day. The beverage preparation device 1 (e.g. as illustrated in 2 and 3) to be provided has a preparation unit 6 for preparing a beverage, a display panel 3 ng a screen space and integrated therewith a touch ive panel 4. The beverage preparation device 1 further has a control unit 5 for controlling the preparation unit with user guidance obtained from the touch ive panel 4 and for providing visual feedback to the display panel 3. The touch sensitive panel 4 is arranged for generating a on signal xp, yp indicative for a on pointed to and may further provide a pressure signal pp, indicative for a pressure exerted at the position xp, yp.

The method of further comprises a step S2, information about selectable beverage recipes is . The beverage recipe information may for example be stored as a sequence of selectable beverage recipes as well as corresponding image data for visually representing these beverage recipes is stored, i.e. maintained in a storage space. For e, the beverage recipes R1, …..Rn and image data are stored in a memory 51, as shown in and 6A, 6B, that may be retrieved from another storage and may for example be provided as embedded data in a program. Alternatively or in addition the beverage recipes R1, …..Rn and corresponding image data may be provided by users of the device 1. In another embodiment the beverage recipe information may be stored in a lookup table 511 that associates respective regions on a surface of a three-dimensional body with one or more s from which a selection may be made.

In a third step S3 image data is mapped to screen space to visualize the selections available to the user. In an embodiment respective image data for each recipe is mapped to screen space and displayed as recipe images in tive display s in a, typically elongate recipe selection zone of the display panel at mapping positions arranged according to a length direction of recipe selection zone in a predetermined order for example corresponding to the order of the beverage s in the sequence, for example as shown in 6A and 6B. In another embodiment a three-dimensional body is mapped to screen space as shown in Therein the three dimensional body has regions on its surface that are associated with respective sets of one or more recipes. Also other embodiments are possible wherein the image data is a list of recipe names.

In step S4 it is detected whether a beverage recipe is selected, e.g. by pointing at a display region within the elongate zone comprising the recipe image for that recipe. If this is the case (Y), l flow continues with step S6, otherwise (N) control flow continues with step S5. The selection may alternatively indication of a region on a three-dimensional body, ly in combination with a second selection s, e.g. selection from a menu, In step S5 it is detected whether a movement of a al object on or near the touch sensitive display panel is detected. For e it is detected in step S5 whether a motion occurs in the length direction of the elongate zone 31 in the graphical user interface of If said motion occurs control flow continues with step S3 after adapting in step S6 parameters for the mapping in step S3 by changing the mapping position of recipe images in ance with the detected motion. An example thereof is illustrated in and 6B illustrating a change in mapping position caused by swiping to the right. As a result the sequence of recipe images moves also to the right, wherein recipe images at one end, here at the right, disappear from the elongate zone, and at the other end, here at the left . Alternatively, in the embodiment having the user interface shown in detection of a al object on or near the touch sensitive display panel has the effect that a mapping is provided wherein the dimensional body is rotated around an axis, wherein the rotation causes a mapped surface of the imensional body to displace in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of the point of contact.

If it was detected in step S4 that a beverage recipe, e.g. R4, was selected, the user may be enabled in step S7 to provide further input, for example in order to tweak the ge recipe before it is prepared. This option is further illustrated with reference to -6D. More in particular, in this step the display panel displays a holder 322 with a filling 3220 corresponding to a beverage recipe and with at least one soft-button 324 in its interior. The at least one soft-button is movable.

This allows the user to control a feature of a beverage to be prepared in accordance with a position the soft-button in a control direction thereof. The user is provided with onal information indicative of a setting for the feature that is lled in this way. By way of example the following options features maybe available in step S7.

- A soft-button is movable in a first control direction to control a relative bution of an ient in the beverage and the additional information is an appearance of the filling in said holder.

- A soft-button is movable in a second control direction to control an intensity of an ingredient and the additional information is a row of icons of which a number is highlighted in accordance with the intensity controlled with the tton.

- A soft-button is movable in a third control direction to control the amount of the beverage to be prepared, wherein the additional information is a level to which the holder is filled.

- A soft-button is movable in a fourth control direction to determines a composition of an ient and the additional information is a graphical representation of the ition.

- A soft-button is movable in a fifth control ion to control a temperature of the beverage and the additional information is a graphical representation of the temperature.

A soft-button may control more than one feature, provided that the control ions associated with the features controlled by the soft-button are mutually different, preferably transverse to each other. Preferably features controlled by the same soft-button are associated with each other. For example a same soft-button may be used to control the amount and the temperature of the beverage. In this case the es are associated to each other in that they both relate to the beverage as a whole. For example a same soft-button may be used to control the relative contribution of an ingredient in the beverage and an intensity of the ingredient. In that case the es are associated to each other in that they both relate to a particular ingredient in the beverage.

Subsequent to step S7 or directly after step S4 the beverage is prepared in step S8 in accordance with the ge recipe and if applicable according to said further user input. The preparation method may be visualized in various ways, as is described with reference to According to an aspect of the invention a computer program is provided that executes the steps S3 to S7 of the method. The program may be stored on a record r, e.g. a hard disk, an optical disk or a flash memory and may be executed by the controller 5 of the apparatus.

Alternatively dedicated hardware may be provided that controls part or all of the device.

An at least partly programmable entation of the control unit has the advantage that the associated software can easily be replaced, e.g., to improve the interaction with the user. The ement software may be loaded, for example, via the internet. On the other hand a fast and efficient rendering of visual ation may be achieved with dedicated re in the form of a graphics accelerator. gh the present ion has been shown in detail on the basis of examples and described in the gs and the preceding description, the invention is not limited to these examples. Other variations of the exemplary embodiments disclosed may be understood and used on the basis of the description, the drawings and the claims by the skilled person in carrying out the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps. The indefinite article "a" does not exclude plurality. A single processor or unit can in practice carry out functions of different ts recited in the claims.

The mere fact that some features are mentioned in mutually different claims does not exclude the possibility of a favorable combination of those features. Thus, for example, it is conceivable that the different embodiments of the control unit are used in one and the same device, as desired. Reference ls in the claims are tood not to limit the scope of protection of the claims.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the e of ing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents or such sources of information is not to be construed as an admission that such nts or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

Claims (27)

Claims

1. A beverage preparation system with a preparation unit for preparing a beverage, with a display panel defining a screen space, and having integrated therewith a touch sensitive panel and with a control unit for controlling the preparation unit with user guidance obtained from the touch sensitive panel and for providing visual ck to the display panel, the touch sensitive panel being arranged for generating a position signal tive for a position pointed to, the control unit being operable in one of a set of potential operational modes, comprising a tuning mode wherein the user is enabled to tune a beverage recipe, in which tuning mode the control unit causes the display panel to display a holder with a filling corresponding to a beverage recipe as well as with one or more soft-buttons in its interior, the one or more soft-buttons comprising at least one soft-button that is movable in a first control direction, - the control unit being ured for controlling a relative contribution of an ingredient among a plurality of ingredients comprising at least a first ingredient and a second ient, in the ge to be prepared, to therewith control a composition of said beverage, in accordance with the on of the at least one soft-button in said first control direction and for providing additional information in the form of an appearance of the filling of said holder to the user, indicative of a setting for said composition as controlled in accordance with the position of the at least one soft-button in said first control direction, wherein in said tuning mode a filling of the holder is displayed with a plurality of parts representative for the plurality of ingredients and comprising at least a first part with a first appearance and a second part with a second appearance that occupy tive fractions of said g indicative for respective amounts of the at least a first ingredient and the at least a second ingredient of said ity of ingredients in the beverage to be ed and wherein the appearance of the filling is adapted by adapting a position of a boundary n the first and the second part in the first control direction.

2. The beverage preparation system according to claim 1, wherein the on of the boundary between the first and the second part of the filling is adapted to coincide with the position of the soft-button.

3. A beverage preparation system with a preparation unit for preparing a beverage, with a display panel ng a screen space, and having integrated therewith a touch sensitive panel and with a l unit for controlling the preparation unit with user ce obtained from the touch sensitive panel and for providing visual feedback to the display panel, the touch sensitive panel being arranged for generating a position signal indicative for a position pointed to, the control unit being operable in one of a set of potential ional modes, comprising a tuning mode wherein the user is enabled to tune a ge recipe, in which tuning mode the l unit causes the display panel to display a holder with a filling corresponding to a beverage recipe as well as with one or more soft-buttons in its interior, the one or more soft-buttons comprising at least one soft-button that is movable in a first control direction, - the control unit being configured for controlling a relative contribution of an ingredient among a plurality of ingredients comprising at least a first ingredient and a second ingredient in the beverage to be prepared, to ith control a composition of said ge, in accordance with the position of the at least one soft-button in said first control direction and for providing additional information in the form of an appearance of the filling of said holder to the user indicative of a g for said composition as controlled in accordance with the position of the at least one soft-button in said first control direction, wherein in said tuning mode the filling of said holder has a color that is a weighted average of a plurality of colors including at least a first color indicative for a first ingredient and a second color indicative for a second ingredient, wherein in the applied weighting the contribution of each color in the plurality of the colors corresponds to the fraction of the ingredients indicated by said each color, n the first color corresponds to the fraction of the first ingredient and the contribution of the second color corresponds to the fraction of the second ingredient.

4. The beverage preparation system according to one of the previous claims, wherein the one or more soft-buttons comprise a soft-button with a second control direction, wherein the feature controlled by the position in the second control direction of the soft-button with the second control direction is an intensity of said ingredient and wherein further additional information is provided as a row of icons of which a number is highlighted in accordance with the intensity controlled with the utton with the second control direction.

5. The beverage preparation system ing to one of the previous claims, wherein the one or more soft-buttons se a soft-button with a third control direction wherein a position in the third control direction of the soft-button in the third control ion ines the amount of the beverage to be prepared, and wherein a level to which the holder is filled is provided as further onal ation.

6. The beverage preparation system according to claim 5, wherein a level to which the holder is filled is adapted to coincide with the position in the third control direction of the soft-button with the third control direction.

7. The beverage preparation system according to claim 6, wherein in said tuning mode a filling of the holder is displayed with a ity of parts representative for a plurality of ients and comprising at least a first part with a first appearance and a second part with a second appearance that occupy respective fractions of said filling indicative for respective s of the first ingredient and the second ingredient in the beverage to be ed and wherein upon adaptation of the level, the ratio between the fractions that represent the contribution of the ingredients is maintained constant.

8. The ge preparation system according to one of the previous claims, wherein the one or more soft-buttons comprise a soft-button with a fourth control direction wherein a position in the fourth control direction of the soft-button with said fourth control direction determines a composition of an ingredient and wherein a cal representation of said composition provides r onal information.

9. The beverage preparation system according to one of the previous claims, wherein the one or more soft-buttons comprise a soft-button with a fifth control direction wherein a position in the fifth control direction of the soft-button with said fifth control direction determines a ature of the beverage to be prepared, and wherein a graphical representation of the ature provides further additional information.

10. The beverage preparation system according to one of the preceding claims, the set of potential operational modes further including at least a selection mode wherein the user is enabled to select a recipe for a beverage to be prepared, wherein beverage preparation control information is stored as a sequence of selectable beverage recipes and n the control unit operational in the selection mode is configured for: - mapping image data corresponding to respective beverage recipes from said ce in respective regions in a recipe selection zone of the display panel in a predetermined order at mapping positions along a mapping direction of said recipe selection zone, - detecting r a movement of a physical object on or near the touch sensitive display panel along the mapping direction occurs, - upon detection of such a movement applying a corresponding change in the mapping position of recipe images, - for enabling the user to select a beverage recipe from beverage recipes presented by their corresponding recipe image in the recipe selection zone.

11. The beverage preparation system according to claim 10, wherein the set of potential operational modes includes a transitory operational mode preceding the first operational mode wherein the subsequence of beverage s is shown as a series of its corresponding image data that slides into the recipe selection zone, the beverage preparation system assuming the first operational mode after completion of the sliding movement.

12. The beverage preparation system according to claim 11, wherein the sliding movement is anied by a highlight moving along a path ide the series of corresponding image data in a direction opposite to the sliding movement.

13. The beverage preparation system according to claim 11 or 12, n the control unit is further configured for determining if a region in the recipe ion zone is selected, and for upon such detection assuming the tuning mode, in which the beverage recipe corresponding to said region is selected and image data corresponding to said beverage recipe is displayed.

14. The beverage ation system according to claim 13, wherein the image data corresponding to the selected beverage recipe is yed in a zone separate from the recipe selection zone.

15. The beverage preparation system according to one of the previous claims, wherein the set of allowable operational modes further includes a selection mode wherein the user is enabled to select a recipe for a beverage to be prepared, wherein the control unit is configured for mapping an image of a dimensional body, the user being enabled to indicate a on on the mapped image, in which selection mode the beverage preparation system is configured for identifying a region on the three-dimensional body from the indication of the position pointed to and for selecting one or more beverage recipes associated with said region.

16. The beverage preparation system according to claim 15, wherein the dimensional body has a user controllable ation in that the l unit is configured for determining a movement of a point of contact by a physical object on the touch-sensitive panel and for providing a g wherein the three-dimensional body is rotated around an axis, which rotation causes a mapped surface of the three-dimensional body to displace in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of the point of contact.

17. The beverage preparation system according to one of the previous claims, wherein in the tuning mode textual information indicative for the selected beverage recipe is presented in an ation zone, and wherein said textual information is faded away when the user sets one or more features of the recipe to be tuned to a value ing more than a predetermined amount from a reference value for said recipe.

18. Method for preparing a beverage, comprising the steps of: a) providing a beverage preparation system with a ation unit for preparing a beverage, with a display panel defining a screen space and having ated therewith a touch sensitive panel and with a control unit for controlling the preparation unit with user guidance obtained from the touch sensitive panel and for providing visual feedback to the display panel, the touch sensitive panel being arranged for generating a position signal tive for a position pointed to, the method further comprising b) providing a recipe for a beverage to be prepared, c) subsequently, in a tuning mode enabling the user to tune said recipe, therewith carrying out the following eps, c1) displaying a holder with a filling corresponding to the selected recipe as well as one or more soft-buttons in its interior, the one or more soft-buttons comprising at least one soft-button that is e in a first control direction, c2) enabling a user to move the at least one soft-button in said first control direction, by determining whether a point of contact by a physical object on the touch-sensitive panel coincides with the at least one softbutton , detecting whether said coinciding point of contact moves along the first control direction, and by updating the position of the at least one softbutton in accordance with said movement, and c3) controlling a relative contribution of an ingredient in the beverage to be prepared, and ith controlling a ition of said ge, in ance with a position of the at least one soft-button in the first control direction, and c4) providing onal information in the form of an appearance of the filling of the holder, to the user indicative of a setting for said composition as controlled in accordance with the on of the at least one soft-button in said first control direction, wherein said tuning mode the filling of the holder is displayed with a plurality of parts representative for a plurality of ingredients and comprising at least a first part with a first appearance and a second part with a second appearance that occupy respective fractions of said g indicative for respective amounts of a first ingredient and a second ingredient of said plurality of ingredients in the beverage to be prepared and wherein the appearance of the filling is adapted by adapting a position of a boundary between the first and the second part in the first control direction.

19. A er program product for controlling a ge ation system for preparing a beverage, the beverage preparation system comprising a preparation unit for preparing a beverage, a display panel defining a screen space and having integrated therewith a touch sensitive panel and a control unit for controlling the preparation unit with user guidance obtained from the touch sensitive panel and for providing visual feedback to the display panel, the touch sensitive panel being arranged for generating a position signal indicative for a position pointed to, which program t when executed by the control unit carries out the following steps, a) providing a recipe for a beverage to be prepared, b) subsequently, in a tuning mode enabling the user to tune said recipe, therewith carrying out the following sub-steps b1) displaying a holder with a filling corresponding to the selected recipe as well as one or more soft-buttons in its interior, the one or more soft-buttons comprising at least one soft-button that is movable in a first l ion b2) enabling a user to move the at least one soft-button in the first control direction, by determining whether a point of contact by a physical object on the touch-sensitive panel coincides with the at least one softbutton , detecting whether said coinciding point of t moves along the first l direction, and by updating the position of the at least one softbutton in accordance with said movement, b3) controlling a relative contribution of an ient in the beverage to be prepared, and therewith controlling a composition of said beverage, in accordance with a position of the at least one utton in the first control direction, and b4) providing additional information in the form of an appearance of the filling of said holder to the user indicative of a setting for said composition as controlled in accordance with the position of the at least one soft-button in said first control direction, n in said tuning mode the filling of the holder is displayed with a plurality of parts representative for a plurality of ingredients and comprising at least a first part with a first appearance and a second part with a second ance that occupy respective fractions of said filling indicative for respective amounts of a first ingredient and a second ingredient of said plurality of ients in the beverage to be prepared and wherein the appearance of the g is adapted by adapting a position of a boundary between the first and the second part in the first control direction.

20. A record carrier comprising the computer program t of claim 19.

21. Beverage preparation system according to one of the claims 1 to 17, comprising a beverage preparation device and a portable device for controlling the beverage preparation device, wherein the beverage preparation device at least comprises the beverage preparation unit and the portable device at least comprises the display and the touch sensitive panel integrated therewith, wherein the beverage ation device and the portable device further comprise a facility for wireless communicating with each other.

22. Method for preparing a beverage, comprising the steps of: a) providing a beverage preparation system with a ation unit for ing a ge, with a display panel defining a screen space and having integrated therewith a touch sensitive panel and with a control unit for controlling the preparation unit with user guidance ed from the touch sensitive panel and for providing visual feedback to the display panel, the touch sensitive panel being arranged for generating a position signal indicative for a position pointed to, the method r sing b) ing a recipe for a beverage to be prepared, c) uently, in a tuning mode enabling the user to tune said recipe, therewith carrying out the following sub-steps, c1) displaying a holder with a filling corresponding to the selected recipe as well as one or more soft-buttons in its interior, the one or more soft-buttons comprising at least one soft-button that is movable in a first control direction, c2) enabling a user to move the at least one soft-button in said first control direction, by determining whether a point of contact by a physical object on the touch-sensitive panel coincides with the at least one softbutton , detecting whether said coinciding point of contact moves along the first control direction, and by updating the position of the at least one softbutton in accordance with said movement, and c3) lling a relative contribution of an ingredient in the beverage to be prepared, and therewith controlling a composition of said beverage, in accordance with a position of the at least one soft-button in the first l direction, and c4) providing additional information in the form of an appearance of the filling of the holder, to the user indicative of a setting for said composition as controlled in accordance with the position of the at least one soft-button in said first l direction, wherein in said tuning mode the filling of said holder has a color that is a ed average of a ity of colors including at least a first color indicative for a first ingredient and a second color indicative for a second ingredient, wherein in the d weighting the contribution of each color in the ity of the colors corresponds to the fraction of the ingredients indicated by said each color, wherein the first color corresponds to the fraction of the first ingredient and the contribution of the second color corresponds to the fraction of the second ingredient.

23. A computer program product for controlling a beverage preparation system for preparing a beverage, the beverage preparation system comprising a preparation unit for preparing a beverage, a display panel defining a screen space and having integrated therewith a touch sensitive panel and a control unit for controlling the ation unit with user guidance obtained from the touch sensitive panel and for providing visual feedback to the display panel, the touch sensitive panel being arranged for generating a position signal indicative for a on pointed to, which program product when ed by the control unit carries out the following steps, a) providing a recipe for a beverage to be prepared, b) subsequently, in a tuning mode ng the user to tune said recipe, therewith carrying out the following sub-steps b1) displaying a holder with a filling corresponding to the selected recipe as well as one or more soft-buttons in its interior, the one or more soft-buttons comprising at least one utton that is movable in a first control direction b2) enabling a user to move the at least one soft-button in the first control direction, by determining whether a point of contact by a physical object on the touch-sensitive panel coincides with the at least one tton , detecting r said ding point of contact moves along the first control direction, and by updating the position of the at least one softbutton in accordance with said movement, b3) controlling a relative contribution of an ingredient in the beverage to be ed, and therewith controlling a composition of said ge, in accordance with a position of the at least one soft-button in the first control direction, and b4) providing additional information in the form of an appearance of the filling of said holder to the user indicative of a g for said composition as controlled in accordance with the position of the at least one soft-button in said first control ion, n in said tuning mode the filling of said holder has a color that is a weighted average of a plurality of colors including at least a first color indicative for a first ingredient and a second color indicative for a second ingredient, wherein in the applied weighting the contribution of each color in the plurality of the colors corresponds to the fraction of the ingredients indicated by said each color, wherein the first color corresponds to the fraction of the first ingredient and the bution of the second color corresponds to the fraction of the second ingredient.

24. A record carrier comprising the computer m product of claim 23.

25. The beverage ation system of claim 1 or claim 3, substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed.

26. The method of claim 18 or claim 22, substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed.

27. The computer program of claim 19 or claim 23, substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed. WO 16709