# US 11,026,538 B2 · Drinks preparation machine, a system with a drinks preparation machine, method for its activation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,026,538 B2 - Document ID: US11026538B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/775,914 - Filed: 2016-11-14 - Published: 2018-11-15 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-11-16 - Assignees: Qbo Coffee GmbH - Applicants: Qbo Coffee GmbH - Inventors: Rafael Stasch; Rüdiger Ternitè; Robert Stein; Doreen Hartmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026538B2 ## CPC - A47J 31/407: {with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means} - A47J 31/4485: {Nozzles dispensing heated and foamed milk, i.e. milk is sucked from a milk container, heated and foamed inside the device, and subsequently dispensed from the nozzle} - A47J 31/4492: {Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge} - A47J 31/52: Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus {; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus} - A47J 31/521: {the electronic control being performed over a network, e.g. by means of a computer or a handheld device} - A47J 31/5253: {of temperature} - A47J 31/5255: {of flow rate} - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES ## Abstract A method for operating a drinks preparation machine, for producing a total product amid the use of a portion package, and according to a preparation prescript. The method includes detecting a portion code of a portion package by way of a portion recognition unit; determining first preparation parameters of the preparation prescript that are assigned to the portion code and are stored in the drinks preparation machine, and determining second preparation parameters of the preparation prescript, wherein at least one of the first and/or the second preparation parameters is an adaptable preparation parameter, and at least one preparation parameters is not adaptable; detecting a user input for adapting at least one adaptable preparation parameter; and preparing the total product according to the preparation prescript with at least one adapted preparation parameter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for the operation of a drinks preparation machine, for producing a total product amid the use of a portion package, and according to a preparation prescript, comprising the steps of: detecting a portion code of the portion package by way of a portion recognition unit; determining first preparation parameters of the preparation prescript, which are assigned to the portion code, and determining second preparation parameters of the preparation prescript, wherein at least one of the first and the second preparation parameters includes at least one adaptable preparation parameter, and at least one of the first and the second preparation parameters are not adaptable; detecting a user input of a user, and adapting the at least one adaptable preparation parameter according to the user input to generate at least one adapted preparation parameter; preparing the total product according to the preparation prescript including the at least one adapted preparation parameter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the first preparation parameters are not adaptable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein: an interface displays the at least one adaptable preparation parameter to the user, and the interface detects the user input of the user. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: storing the at least one adapted preparation parameter in the drinks preparation machine as a recipe; retrieving the recipe at a later point in time; detecting a further user input; and adapting the recipe according to the further user input. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one adaptable preparation parameter defines a quantity of the total product or a quantity of one of several part-products, from which the total product is composed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein: the drinks preparation machine is a coffee machine which is designed for preparing the total product including a first share of coffee as a first part-product and including a second share of milk as a second part-product, and the at least one adaptable preparation parameter includes a first adaptable preparation parameter defining a first quantity share of the first share of coffee, and includes a second adaptable preparation parameter defining a second quantity share of the second share of milk. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method according to claim 6, wherein the at least one adaptable preparation parameter includes a further adaptable preparation parameter defining at least one of: a milk temperature; a receptacle size or a total volume of the total product; a quantity of milk froth; a quantity ratio of milk and milk froth; a temporal sequence, in which the part-products are to be created. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the portion code includes a portion identity of the portion package, and wherein the first preparation parameters and/or additional information are assigned to the portion identity, the method further comprising: determining, on basis of the portion identity, whether or not the first preparation parameters and/or the additional information are stored in the drinks preparation machine; if the first preparation parameters and/or the additional information are stored in the drinks preparation machine, retrieving the first preparation parameters and/or the additional information; if the first preparation parameters and/or the additional information are not stored in the drinks preparation machine, representing a display to the user with a request to carry out or to permit a downloading of the first preparation parameters and/or the additional information. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the portion code defines a portion category of the portion package and a portion identity of the portion package, the first preparation parameters are assigned to both the portion category and to the portion identity, the first preparation parameters assigned to the portion category are stored in the drinks preparation machine, and the step of determining the first preparation parameters includes: determining, on a basis of the portion identity, whether or not the first preparation parameters assigned to the portion identity are stored in the drinks preparation machine; if the first preparation parameters assigned to the portion identity are stored in the drinks preparation machine, determining, on a basis of the portion identity, the first preparation parameters assigned to the portion identity; if the first preparation parameters assigned to the portion identity are not stored in the drinks preparation machine, determining, on a basis of the portion category, the first preparation parameters assigned to the portion category. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein: the portion code defines a portion category of the portion package, and the first preparation parameters are assigned to the portion category, the step of determining the first preparation parameters includes: determining, on basis of the portion category, the first preparation parameters assigned to the portion category. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein: the portion code defines a portion category of the portion package and a portion identity of the portion package, the portion category is characterized in the drinks preparation machine as a special category or is not characterized as a special category, and the first preparation parameters are assigned to the portion identity, the step of determining the first preparation parameters include: determining, on the basis of the portion category, whether or not the portion category is characterized as the special category; if the portion category is characterized as the special category, determining, on the basis of the portion identity, the first preparation parameters assigned to the portion identity.