The present invention relates to a method for controlling an automatic device for preparing a beverage.
The present invention further relates to a control unit for a device for preparing a beverage.
The present invention furthermore relates to a device provided with such a control unit.
Known are devices for preparing beverages provided with a touch-sensitive image display panel, where the image display panel shows a hierarchical menu structure, whereby the user by touching parts from the presented menu chooses step-by-step the composition of the beverage to be dosed. In the main menu the user can choose from, for example, “coffee”, “tea”, “soup”. After selection of one of these options, a new menu appears, in which the user can give a further specification of the selected beverage. If the user makes the selection of, for example, “coffee”, thereupon a menu appears in which a choice can be made from the options “with sugar”, “with milk”, “with sugar and milk”, etc. After a choice has been made from these options, in a menu thereupon appearing a choice can be made from amounts of these additions.
EP109623 B1 describes an automatic device for preparing hot beverages provided with a control panel with an input element and a display element. When the user movingly touches the input element, this results in a scrolling of the presented menu in the image display element. It has appeared that collectively used devices for dosing beverages are a source of transmission of infectious diseases, such as common cold and flu.
It is an object of the invention to provide a control unit for a device for dosing beverages that does not have these disadvantages.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a device that is provided with such a control unit.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for controlling an automatic device for preparing a beverage.
Accordingly, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control unit for an automatic device for preparing a beverage, which control unit is provided with an input means which enables a user to choose from a plurality of formulations a formulation for the beverage to be prepared, wherein the control unit is provided with an operating unit for controlling the automatic device, wherein the input means comprises an image input means for visually observing the user and for generating image signals which are representative of the visual observation and wherein the operating unit is arranged for generating control signals for the automatic device as a reaction to the image signals, wherein from the generated image signals an extent of movement of the user is determined and the operating unit only prompts the automatic device to prepare a beverage if the determined movement satisfies minimum requirements.
This is surprising, in view of the fact that it is actually a trend in designing user interfaces to provide for operation of equipment with as little effort as possible. As the control unit according to the invention sets relatively high requirements on the movement to be determined, it stimulates the worker to move more than usual. Especially in office environments where a great deal of sedentary work is done, this is highly beneficial to health.
With the aid of the image input means, users can indicate a desired formulation in a noncontact manner, which obviates users touching the device, so that no pathogens can be transmitted by the device.
The image input means can be, for example, a camera, with the image signals giving a two-dimensional representation of the image observed by the camera. A still more complete observation can be obtained by an operating unit that is provided with more than one camera. The operating unit can generate control signals from the generated image signals using image processing and pattern recognition algorithms. Image processing and pattern recognition algorithms are known per se and are used, for example, in photo cameras for determining the location of a face, in security systems for detecting persons and the like.
It is not necessary that a complete image of the user be obtained. In an embodiment, the image input means comprises, for example, sensors each detecting presence in a respective zone. In that case, the user can control the device by moving through those zones.
In a variant of this embodiment, for the prompting of the preparation of a beverage, at a minimum an overall vertical movement of the user is required.
Although any sufficient extent of movement contributes to the user's health, especially vertical movements require relatively much energy in that gravity needs to be overcome, and are hence very favorable.
In an embodiment of the control unit according to the first aspect of the invention, the operating unit has an indication unit for calculating from the image signals an indication of energy spent by the user in providing the input.
The indication can be calculated, for example, from the extent to which the user moves. According as a more complete image of the user is obtained, a more accurate indication can be obtained of the energy spent by the user in providing the input. The display of this indication stimulates the user in performing movements.
An embodiment of the control unit according to the first aspect of the invention is furthermore provided with visual display means for showing possible choices for the formulations of the beverage to be prepared by the device, whereby the user makes a selection from the possibilities shown through movements.
The user can, for example, select ingredients shown on the display means by moving from left to right with respect to the automatic device and jumping. The visual display means enhance the appeal of the device and hence the willingness of the user to physically exert himself to achieve the desired result.
Automatic devices provided with such visual display means may also be highly advantageously coupled with each other to form a group of at least a first and a second automatic device. The image input means of the first automatic device is then coupled with the visual display means of the second automatic device and vice versa.
Automatic devices for preparing beverages are often a meeting point where workers of a company or institution happen upon each other and consult with each other. By coupling the automatic devices according to this embodiment, it is possible to make direct contact also with workers who have gathered at another automatic device. The image input means present in the device according to the invention is then used for a second purpose. In a practical embodiment, there is also an auditory coupling between the devices, so that the respective workers can speak with each other.
An embodiment of a control unit according to the first aspect of the invention is furthermore provided with acoustic display means for auditorily displaying the result of input provided by the user.
The acoustic display means can then reproduce, for example, sounds that are associated with the preparation and the pouring of beverages, for example, the sound of a cup being placed on a saucer, of coffee being poured into the cup and of a lump of sugar falling into it. The auditory representation enhances the appeal of the device and hence the willingness of the user to physically exert himself to achieve the desired result. The acoustic display means may be arranged, for example, in lieu of or together with the visual display means.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an automatic device for preparing a beverage provided with a control unit according to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling an automatic device for preparing a beverage, comprising:
visually observing a user of the device,
generating image signals which are representative of the visual observation,
generating control signals for the automatic device as a reaction to the image signals,
preparing a beverage according to a formulation from a plurality of formulations depending on the generated control signals.
These and other aspects according to the present invention are elucidated in more detail on the basis of the drawings. In the drawings:
In the following detailed description numerous specific details 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 instances, generally known methods, 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 present 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 meaning given to them by the person skilled in the art of the present invention. Further, terms such as they are defined in commonly used reference works and dictionaries are understood to be interpreted 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 interpretation of a term, the interpretation given to it by the present application shall be decisive.
Corresponding parts have mutually corresponding reference numerals.
The control unit 2 is provided with a visual display means, here an LCD screen 3, and an input means 52 which enables a user to choose from a plurality of formulations a formulation for the beverage to be prepared.
The control unit 2 is equipped with an operating unit 5 for controlling the automatic device. The input means 52 comprises an image input means, in this case a camera for visually observing the user and for generating image signals Vxy which are representative of the visual observation. In this case, the image signals Vxy of the camera give a two-dimensional representation of the image observed. The operating unit 5 is arranged for generating control signals Sc for the preparation unit 6 as a reaction to the image signals Vxy. In the embodiment shown, besides the camera 52, a second input means 4 is present in the form of a transparent touch-sensitive panel which is arranged on the display panel 3. Upon touching, the input means 4 delivers a position signal x,y which is indicative of the position where the display panel 3 has been touched. If desired, the user can thereby operate the automatic device in a different manner as well, for example, through designation of selection fields on the basis of a menu shown on the display panel.
The operating unit 5 is furthermore arranged for displaying by means of the display panel 3 a visually observable reaction to designations provided by the user, and for controlling a preparation unit 6 of the automatic device 1. To this end, the operating unit 5 controls the display panel with an image control signal Sb. The operating unit 5 controls the preparation unit with control signals Sc. In addition, the operating unit 5 can receive condition signals St from the preparation unit 6 which are indicative of the condition of the preparation unit. The condition signals St can indicate, for example, the filling degree of the holders 61a, 61b, 61c, or the height of a temperature reached by the heating unit 62. The control unit 2 is provided with acoustic display means 8 for auditorily representing the result of input provided by the user.
In a first step S1 the user 9 of the device 1 is visually observed. Prior to the first step S1 the device may give the user directions, for example, auditorily or visually. Alternatively, the user 9 may be informed in a different manner of what is necessary to operate the device.
In step S2 image signals Vxy are generated which are representative of the visual observation.
In step S3 control signals Sc are generated for the control of a preparation unit of the automatic device as a reaction to the image signals.
Depending on the generated control signals, in step S4 a beverage is prepared according to a formulation from a plurality of formulations.
In the embodiment shown, during operation, from the generated image signals Vxy an extent of movement of the user 9 is determined. The operating unit 5 only prompts the preparation unit 6 of the automatic device to prepare a beverage if the determined movement satisfies minimum requirements.
To this end, the user is invited by images on the display panel 3. In another embodiment, the user 9 is invited by spoken directions. In yet another embodiment, the user receives both spoken and visual directions.
In an embodiment, the user is shown the display of
In the situation shown in
The operating unit 5 may be implemented with dedicated hardware or as a general signal processor programmed for that purpose. But also a combination of programmable and dedicated hardware may be used. An at least partly programmable implementation of the operating unit has the advantage that the associated software can easily be replaced, e.g., to improve the interaction with the user. The replacement software may be loaded, for example, via the internet.
In the embodiment shown in
In this case, there is provided an activation module 524 which generates an activation signal Ex if the value of the coordinate exhibits sufficient variation. If desired, the activation module 524 could generate the activation signal Ex on the basis of the variations in the value of the coordinate or on the basis of a combination of the two signals.
Although the present invention has been shown in detail on the basis of examples and described in the drawings 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 elements 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. Reference numerals in the claims are understood not to limit the scope of protection of the claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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NL 2003662 | Oct 2009 | NL | national |
The present application is a continuation of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/NL2010/050664 filed on Oct. 8, 2010; which claimed priority to Netherlands Application No. NL 2003662 filed on Oct. 16, 2009, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/NL2010/050664 | Oct 2010 | US |
Child | 13444598 | US |