A beverage preparation machine

Abstract

A food or beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a control panel (5), said control panel (5) comprising an actuator (5x) for setting at least one beverage preparation parameter to a predetermined value and a controlling unit for controlling the functioning of the food or beverage preparation machine (1), the food or beverage preparation machine (1) comprising in association with said actuator (5x): a light emitting device (6x) for emitting a light beam, an element for reflecting the light beam that has been emitted by the light emitting device (6x), the position of the reflecting element being modified when a press action (F) is applied to the actuator (5x), a coupler (8x) for generating an interference signal based on the emitted light beam and the reflected light beam, a value of at least one parameter of the interference signal depending on the position of the reflecting element, and a light sensor (7x) for detecting the interference signal, said light sensor being electronically connected with the controlling unit, the controlling unit being configured for detecting a press action applied to the actuator (5x) based on the value of the at least one parameter of the interference signal so as to set at least one food or beverage preparation parameter.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.