Beverage preparation machine with ambience emulation functionality

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9514595-B2
Application number	US-201013513767-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 29, 2010
Priority date	Dec 2, 2009
Publication date	Dec 6, 2016
Grant date	Dec 6, 2016

Abstract

The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine with ambience emulation functionality. A providing arrangement ( 11, 21, 17 ) provides data with visible 5 content for generating a predefined ambience when reproduced, wherein the provided data are linked to context information, said context information being indicative of a situation. An acquisition arrangement ( 11, 37, 60, 62, 63 ) acquires at least one actual context 10 information indicating an actual situation, and a display ( 10 ) reproduces data being associated to the acquired actual context information for generating an ambience related to the actual situation.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A beverage preparation machine with ambience emulation functionality, the machine comprising:
a reservoir for a liquid;
a mechanism to allow introduction, extraction and removal of a capsule containing a beverage ingredient;
a providing arrangement for providing data with visible content for generating a predefined ambience when reproduced, the provided data linked to context information selected from the group consisting of a color shade of a surrounding area, a brightness of the surrounding area, and combinations thereof;
an acquisition arrangement for acquiring at least one actual context information indicating an actual situation; and
a display that reproduces data associated with the acquired actual context information to generate an ambience related to the actual situation.

2. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the acquisition arrangement comprises:
an internal clock providing a data selected from the group consisting of date and time;
a camera for taking an image of the surrounding area;
a microphone for detecting a signal selected from the group consisting of sound and spoken language; and
a sensor for identifying the type of prepared beverage.

3. The machine of claim 2 , wherein the sensor is adapted to identify the prepared beverage using a coded capsule.

4. The machine of claim 1 ,
wherein the providing arrangement comprises a memory for storing the data with visible content.

5. The machine of claim 1 ,
wherein the providing arrangement is adapted to provide as visible data graphical data an image selected from the group consisting of still images, an image sequence, an animated image and text.

6. The machine of claim 1 ,
wherein the providing arrangement is adapted to provide data with visible and audible content and to provide as audible a sound selected from the group consisting of data music, spoken text, artificial sounds and natural sound.

7. The machine of claim 1 ,
wherein the acquisition arrangement is adapted to acquire the actual context information by a technique selected from the group consisting of:
reading out an internal clock,
taking an image of the surrounding area by using a camera and analyzing the image with respect to a characteristic selected from the group consisting of colour shade and brightness,
detecting the presence of a user by use of the camera,
detecting a signal selected from the group consisting of sound and spoken language by use of a microphone, and
identifying the type or prepared beverage by use of a sensor.

8. The machine of claim 1 ,
wherein the providing arrangement is adapted to provide data linked to an agenda of the user; and
data are reproduced generating an ambience corresponding to the entry in the agenda.

9. The machine of claim 1 ,
wherein the providing arrangement is adapted to provide data linked to different types of beverages; and
data are reproduced including information on the type of prepared beverage.

10. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the acquisition arrangement comprises a sensor for identifying the type of capsule, and data are reproduced including information on the type of the capsule.

Assignees

• Agon Fabien Ludovic
• Delbreil Marc
• Nestec Sa

Inventors

• Agon Fabien Ludovic
• Delbreil Marc

Classifications

• A47J31/4492

  Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge · CPC title

• G06F3/048

  Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] · CPC title

• G07F17/16

  for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like · CPC title

• G07F13/02

  by volume · CPC title

• G07F9/026 Primary

  for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty · CPC title