Capsule provided with a code and automated beverage preparation system
View Patent ↗The invention relates to a capsule intended for delivering a beverage in a beverage preparation machine. The capsule comprises a code support surface on which a code is represented. The code comprises a first value for at least one capsule-related information. The code further comprises a first element and a second element arranged on the code support surface so as that the distance between the first element and the second element is a function of the first value.
1. A capsule for delivering a beverage in a beverage preparation machine, the capsule comprising:
a code support surface on which a code is represented, the code comprising a first value for at least one capsule-related information, characterised in that the code further comprises a first element and a second element arranged on the code support surface so that the distance between the first element and the second element is a function of the first value, and wherein the first value is comprised between a minimum value and a maximum value, the first element and the second element being arranged on the code support surface so that the distance between the first element and the second element is a function of the difference between the first value and the minimum value or the maximum value.
2. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the first element and the second element are arranged sensibly on an arc shaped path so that the angular distance between the first element and the second element is a function of the first value.
3. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the code comprises a second value for at least one capsule-related information, the code further comprises a third element arranged on the code support surface so that the distance between the second element and the third element is a function of the second value.
4. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the code support surface comprises at least one second code, the second code comprising the first value.
5. The capsule according to claim 1 , wherein the first element is formed by a first sequence of symbols and the second element is formed by a second sequence of symbols.
6. The capsule according to claim 5 , wherein the first sequence of symbols is distinct from the second sequence of symbols.
7. The capsule according to claim 5 , wherein at least part of the symbols are represented on the code support surface by magnetically responsive surfaces.
8. The capsule according to claim 5 , wherein at least part of the symbols are represented on the code support surface by embossed surfaces.
9. The capsule according to claim 5 , wherein at least part of the symbols are represented on the code support surface by electrically-responsive surfaces.
10. The capsule according to claim 5 , wherein at least part of the symbols are represented on the code support surface by optically-readable surfaces.
11. A capsule for delivering a beverage in a beverage preparation machine, the capsule comprising:
a code support surface on which a code is represented, the code comprising a first value for at least one capsule-related information, characterised in that the code further comprises a first element and a second element arranged on the code support surface so that the distance between the first element and the second element is a function of the first value, and wherein the first value belongs to a group of predefined values, each predefined value being identifiable by an index value, the first element and the second element being arranged on the code support surface so that the distance between the first element and the second element is a function of one of the index values.
12. The capsule according to claim 11 , wherein the first element and the second element are arranged sensibly on an arc shaped path so that the angular distance between the first element and the second element is a function of the first value.
13. The capsule according to claim 11 , wherein the code comprises a second value for at least one capsule-related information, the code further comprises a third element arranged on the code support surface so that the distance between the second element and the third element is a function of the second value.
14. The capsule according to claim 11 , wherein the code support surface comprises at least one second code, the second code comprising the first value.
15. The capsule according to claim 11 , wherein the first element is formed by a first sequence of symbols and the second element is formed by a second sequence of symbols.
16. The capsule according to claim 15 , wherein the first sequence of symbols is distinct from the second sequence of symbols.
17. The capsule according to claim 15 , wherein at least part of the symbols are represented on the code support surface by magnetically responsive surfaces.
18. The capsule according to claim 15 , wherein at least part of the symbols are represented on the code support surface by embossed surfaces.
19. The capsule according to claim 15 , wherein at least part of the symbols are represented on the code support surface by electrically-responsive surfaces.
20. The capsule according to claim 15 , wherein at least part of the symbols are represented on the code support surface by optically-readable surfaces.
21. A beverage preparation system comprising:
the capsule of any one of claims 1 - 20 ; and
a beverage preparation machine having an ingredient processing module adapted to use for preparing beverages with the capsule, the beverage preparation machine further comprising a code reader configured to:
measure the distance between the first element and the second element; and
determine the first value according to said distance.
22. A method for reading a code on the capsule according to any one of claims 1 - 20 , the method comprising the steps of:
using a code reader of a beverage preparation machine to measure the distance between the first element and the second element; and
determining the first value according to said distance.