A system for monitoring and controlling modes of operation of a machine for preparing beverages, in particular coffee, by means of cartridges or capsules

A system for monitoring and controlling modes of operation of a machine (CM) for preparing beverages by means of cartridges or capsules (C), in particular coffee, the machine (CM) comprising a pair of terminals (A, B) for connection to a voltage supply source, to which through a control switch (5a) an electric pump (10) is connectable to supply a flow of hot water through a cartridge or capsule (C) positioned in the machine (CM) to prepare a beverage;

• the system comprising
• data input means (T) for inputting data associated with a supply of cartridges or capsules comprised of a predetermined amount of cartridges or capsules (C), and capable of defining a predetermined reference number related to said amount of cartridges or capsules (C);
• and
• electronic monitoring and control means (EM), adapted to be associated with a machine (CM) of the above kind, and comprising:
• detecting means (26) adapted to acquire said data;
• at least one controlled switch (22), connectable between the electric pump (10) and the associated control switch (5a) of the machine (CM), such that the electric pump (10) can be activated only when said controlled switch (22) is closed, and can be deactivated if said switch (22) is open;
• at least one detection terminal (21a) adapted to be connected to the control switch (5a) associated with the electric pump (10) of the machine (CM), to provide an activation signal each time said control switch (5a) is operated to activate the electric pump (10);
• and
• electronic processing and control means (25) predisposed for
• driving said controlled switch (22) to allow the activation of the electric pump (10), each time said electronic processing and control means (25) receive one above-mentioned activation signal;
• counting and storing the number of activations of the electric pump (10) corresponding each to the preparation of a beverage by means of a corresponding cartridge or capsule (C);
• comparing said number of activations with said reference number;
• and
• performing at least one predetermined operation as a function of the result of said comparison.