# US 11,026,540 B2 · System with drinks preparation machine, a method and computer program for its activation

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- Number: US 11,026,540 B2
- Document ID: US11026540B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/775,911
- 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: Gaurabh Mathure; Cesar Marchetti; Young Seo; Phil Robinson; Sophie Schwerdtfeger
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026540B2

## CPC

- A47J 31/521: {the electronic control being performed over a network, e.g. by means of a computer or a handheld device}
- A47J 31/40: Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
- A47J 31/407: {with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means}
- A47J 31/44: Parts or details {or accessories} of beverage-making apparatus (filters or strainers A47J31/06)
- A47J 31/4403: {Constructional details}
- 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 31/5251: {of pressure}
- A47J 31/5253: {of temperature}
- A47J 31/5255: {of flow rate}
- G07F 13/065: {for drink preparation}
- A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00})

## Abstract

A method for operation of a drinks preparation machine serves for creating a total product from a first part-product and at least a second part-product and a third part-product. The method includes detecting a user input for specifying three quantity shares and creating a total product as a combination of the three part-products with quantities that correspond to the specified quantity shares. A graphic representation of the quantity shares is represented, each with a share display per quantity share, wherein a size of the share display is essentially proportional to the respective quantity share, and the size of at least one of the share displays and thus of the respective quantity share can be adapted in accordance with a user input.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for operation of a drinks preparation machine, for producing a total product from a plurality of part-products, the plurality of part-products comprising a first part-product, a second part-product, and a third part-product, the method comprising:
detecting a user input for specifying a plurality of quantity shares comprising a first quantity share, a second quantity share, and a third quantity share, wherein a graphic representation of each of the plurality of quantity shares is represented, with a plurality of share displays, each of the share displays being associated with one of the plurality of quantity shares, wherein for each of the plurality of share displays, a size of the respective share display represents the associated quantity share, and the size of at least one of the plurality of share displays and thus of the associated quantity share is adjusted according to the user input;
producing the total product as a combination of part-products of the plurality of part-products, comprising the first part-product, the second part-product, and the third part-product, wherein a quantity of the first part-product corresponds to the first quantity share, a quantity of the second part-product corresponds to the second quantity share, and a quantity of the third part-product corresponds to the third quantity share;
wherein the second part-product is milk, and the third part-product is milk froth, and the second quantity share corresponding to a quantity of the milk is limited by a minimum value which is a function of the third quantity share, the third quantity share corresponds to a quantity of the milk froth.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the share displays are sections, adjacent to one another, of a linear representation of the associated quantity shares on a touch-sensitive screen, and the size of the share displays is adapted by the user by way of manipulating the representation by way of contacting the touch-sensitive screen.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein adjustment symbols are represented at boundaries between the sections, and the size of the share displays is adapted by the user by way of displacing the adjustment symbols.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein the share displays are components of a pictorial representation of parts of the total product constituted by the part-products, said parts being layered over one another.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein on adapting one of the quantity shares, a sum of the quantity shares is limited by a maximum value referred to as a total quantity of the total product.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the first quantity share can only either assume a value of zero or a value which lies above a minimum value of the first quantity share, wherein the first part-product is coffee.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of:
detecting a further user input for specification of a receptacle size or of a total quantity of the total product.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, with the step:
detecting a further user input for specification of a temperature selection for at least one of the part-products.