Granted Patent B2

US 12,583,763 · App. 17/608,294 · Granted Mar 24, 2026

Inventors: Denis Razin (Wiesbaden, DE); Benjamin Richstein (Taunusstein, DE); Jochen Zöller (Nastätten, DE)

Assignee: BRITA SE

C02F1/008C02F1/001H04L9/088H04L9/3247C02F1/283C02F1/42C02F2209/006

Abstract

Claims (102)

1 . A liquid treatment device, comprising:

a liquid treatment container containing at least one liquid treatment medium, an inlet for receiving liquid, and an outlet for the liquid; and

a device head adapted for detachable coupling to the liquid treatment container, wherein the device head has an inlet line detachably coupled to the inlet and an outlet line detachably coupled to the outlet of the liquid treatment container, the device head comprising:

a processing unit;

a memory unit communicatively connected to the processing unit;

a sensor comprising i) integrated circuits within the processing unit or ii) software, which is stored on the memory unit and executed by the processing unit for determining a parameter characterizing a liquid treatment process;

a plug-in module interface for plug-in modules coupled to the processing unit, configured to enable a communication with different types of plug-in modules, wherein the types of plug-in modules are distinguished by using different communication standards or by having different functionalities; and

means for mechanically coupling the liquid treatment device to the plug-in module,

a housing part in which at least the plug-in module interface is arranged, which housing part includes the means for mechanically coupling the liquid treatment device to the plug-in module and is configured to fit to a housing part of the plug-in module in a sealing manner to form a closed housing protecting electronic parts of both the device head and the plug-in module from moisture, dust, dirt or mechanical damage,

integrated circuits within the processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the memory unit and executed by the processing unit for identifying the plug-in module;

integrated circuits within the processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the memory unit and executed by the processing unit for loading instructions from the memory unit in response to identifying the plug-in module;

wherein the instructions are loaded in response to identifying the plug-in module,

wherein the loaded instructions depend on the type of the coupled plug-in module; and

integrated circuits within the processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the memory unit and executed by the processing unit for sending the parameter according to the instructions via the plug-in module interface to the plug-in module.

2 . A method for operating the liquid treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises the steps of:

determining the parameter characterizing the liquid treatment process and sending the parameter to the processing unit;

receiving the parameter by the processing unit;

identifying a plug-in module coupled to the plug-in module interface by the processing unit;

in response to identifying the plug-in module, loading instructions from the memory unit to the processing unit; and

sending the parameter according to the instructions via the plug-in module interface to the plug-in module by the processing unit.

3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein identifying the plug-in module comprises the steps of:

i. sending an identification request to the plug-in module via the plug-in module interface; and

ii. receiving a response to the identification request from the plug-in module.

4 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the plug-in module is a plug-in communication module and the method further comprises

sending the parameter from the plug-in module to an external system via wired or wireless communication.

5 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein the liquid treatment device further comprises the liquid treatment container and a sensor, wherein the sensor is communicatively connected to the processing unit, and wherein the parameter characterizing the liquid treatment process is a parameter characterizing a liquid passing the liquid treatment container.

6 . The liquid treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuits within the processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the memory unit and executed by the processing unit for identifying the plug-in module are configured to perform the steps of:

sending an identification request to the plug-in module via the plug-in module interface; and

receiving a response to the identification request from the plug-in module via the plug-in module interface.

7 . The plug-in module for the liquid treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the plug-in module comprises:

a liquid treatment device interface for connecting to the liquid treatment device;

plug-in module integrated circuits within a plug-in module processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on a plug-in module memory unit and executed by the plug-in module processing unit for identifying the plug-in module to the liquid treatment device;

the plug-in module integrated circuits within the plug-in module processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the plug-in module memory unit and executed by the plug-in module processing unit for receiving the parameter characterizing the liquid treatment process from the liquid treatment device; and

the plug-in module integrated circuits within the plug-in module processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the plug-in module memory unit and executed by the plug-in module processing unit for functional processing of the parameter,

wherein the plug-in module further comprises the housing part in which at least the liquid treatment device interface is arranged, which housing part includes means for mechanically coupling the plug-in module to the liquid treatment device and is configured to fit to the housing part of the device head in a sealing manner to form the closed housing protecting electronic parts of both the device head and the plug-in module from moisture, dust, dirt or mechanical damage.

8 . The plug-in module according to claim 7 , wherein the plug-in module is a plug-in communication module connectable to at least one external system and the plug-in module integrated circuits within the plug-in module processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the plug-in module memory unit and executed by the plug-in module processing unit for functional processing are for communicating with the external system and sending at least the parameter from the plug-in module to the external system via wired or wireless communication.

9 . A system for liquid treatment, the system comprising:

the liquid treatment device according to claim 1 ; and

the plug-in module

comprising:

a liquid treatment device interface for connecting to the liquid treatment device;

plug-in module integrated circuits within a plug-in module processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on a plug-in module memory unit and executed by the plug-in module processing unit for identifying the plug-in module to the liquid treatment device;

the plug-in module integrated circuits within the plug-in module processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the plug-in module memory unit and executed by the plug-in module processing unit for receiving a parameter characterizing the liquid treatment process from the liquid treatment device; and

the plug-in module integrated circuits within the plug-in module processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the plug-in module memory unit and executed by the plug-in module processing unit for functional processing of the parameter,

wherein the plug-in module further comprises a housing part in which at least the liquid treatment device interface is arranged, which housing part includes means for mechanically coupling the plug-in module to the liquid treatment device and is configured to fit to the housing part of the device head in a sealing manner to form the closed housing protecting electronic parts of both the device head and the plug-in module from moisture, dust, dirt or mechanical damage.

10 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the system further comprises:

a terminal

wherein the terminal comprises:

a terminal processing unit;

a terminal memory unit;

terminal integrated circuits within the terminal processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on a terminal memory unit and executed by the terminal processing unit for communicating with the plug-in module; and

the terminal integrated circuits within the terminal processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the terminal memory unit and executed by the terminal processing unit for receiving the parameter from the plug-in module,

wherein the plug-in module further comprises:

the plug-in module integrated circuits within the plug-in module processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the plug-in module memory unit and executed by the plug-in module processing unit for executing instructions received from the terminal.

11 . The system according to claim 10 , wherein the plug-in module integrated circuits within the plug-in module processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the plug-in module memory unit and executed by the plug-in module processing unit for functional processing of the parameter are for communicating with the terminal.

12 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the plug-in module integrated circuits within the plug-in module processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the plug-in module memory unit and executed by the plug-in module processing unit for functional processing of the parameter comprise a display for displaying the parameter, a mass memory module comprising a memory for storing the parameter or a combination thereof.

13 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the device head integrated circuits within the device head processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the device head memory unit and executed by the device head processing unit for authenticating the plug-in module to the liquid treatment device.

14 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the liquid treatment device comprises a status indicator and the plug-in module comprises means for forwarding a signal from the status indicator.

15 . The system according to claim 14 , wherein the status indicator is a light source and the means for forwarding the signal from the status indicator is a light guide or fiber optics cable forwarding the light from the light source to a surface of the plug-in module.

16 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the liquid treatment medium is a filter medium.

17 . A method for operating the system according to claim 9 , wherein the method comprises:

determining a parameter characterizing the liquid treatment process by a means for determining the parameter of the liquid treatment device and sending the parameter to the processing unit of the liquid treatment device;

receiving the parameter by the processing unit of the liquid treatment device;

mechanically coupling the plug-in module to the liquid treatment device by connecting the means for mechanically coupling the liquid treatment device to the plug-in module of the liquid treatment device with the means for mechanically coupling the plug-in module to the liquid treatment device of the plug-in module, and

communicatively coupling the plug-in module to the liquid treatment device by connecting the plug-in module interface with the liquid treatment device interface;

detecting the plug-in module being coupled to the liquid treatment device via the plug-in module interface and the liquid treatment device interface by monitoring a signal response sent from the processing unit of the liquid treatment device to the plug-in module interface;

upon detecting the plug-in module being coupled to the liquid treatment device identifying the plug-in module by the processing unit of the liquid treatment device;

in response to identifying the plug-in module, loading instructions for handling the parameter from the memory unit to the processing unit of the liquid treatment device;

sending the parameter according to the instructions from the processing unit of the liquid treatment device via the plug-in module interface and the liquid treatment device interface to the plug-in module;

upon receiving the parameter from the liquid treatment device, processing the parameter therewith.

18 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein identifying the plug-in module comprises the steps of

sending an identification request from the liquid treatment device via the plug-in module interface and the liquid treatment device interface to the plug-in module; and

receiving a response to the identification request via the plug-in module interface and the liquid treatment device interface from the plug-in module, wherein the response to the identification request comprises information on the type of the plug-in module.

19 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein a first key is assigned to the plug-in module and a second key is assigned to the liquid treatment device, wherein the method comprises the following steps prior to sending the parameter to the plug-in module:

sending an authentication request from the liquid treatment device via the plug-in module interface and the liquid treatment device interface to the plug-in module;

receiving a response to the authentication request via the plug-in module interface and the liquid treatment device interface from the plug-in module, wherein the response to the authentication request comprises a signature of the plug-in module being encrypted with the first key;

decrypting the signature from the plug-in module with the second key by the processing unit of the liquid treatment device;

verifying the decrypted signature from the plug-in module with a list of authorized signatures, wherein the list of authorized signatures is stored within the memory unit of the liquid treatment device;

wherein the parameter is sent to the plug-in module only if the verification of the decrypted signature from the plug-in module results in the plug-in module being authenticated to receive the parameter.

20 . A system for liquid treatment, the system comprising a liquid treatment device and a plug-in module, wherein the liquid treatment device comprises a liquid treatment container containing at least one liquid treatment medium, an inlet for receiving liquid, and an outlet for the liquid and a device head adapted for detachable coupling to the liquid treatment container, wherein the device head has an inlet line detachably coupled to the inlet and an outlet line detachably coupled to the outlet of the liquid treatment container, and wherein the plug-in module is configured to be plugged into the device head of the liquid treatment device, the device head comprising:

a processing unit;

a memory unit communicatively connected to the processing unit;

a sensor comprising: i) integrated circuits within the processing unit or ii) software, which is stored on the memory unit and executed by the processing unit for determining a parameter characterizing a liquid treatment process;

a plug-in module interface for communicatively coupling the plug-in module to the processing unit;

integrated circuits within the processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the memory unit and executed by the processing unit for identifying the plug-in module;

integrated circuits within the processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the memory unit and executed by the processing unit for loading instructions from the memory unit in response to identifying the plug-in module;

integrated circuits within the processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the memory unit and executed by the processing unit for sending the parameter according to the instructions via the plug-in module interface to the plug-in module;

means for mechanically coupling the liquid treatment device to the plug-in module;

wherein the plug-in module comprises:

a liquid treatment device interface for communicatively coupling the plug-in module to the liquid treatment device;

plug-in module integrated circuits within a plug-in module processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on a plug-in module memory unit and executed by the plug-in module processing unit for identifying the plug-in module to the liquid treatment device;

the plug-in module integrated circuits within the plug-in module processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the plug-in module memory unit and executed by the plug-in module processing unit for receiving a parameter characterizing the liquid treatment process from the liquid treatment device;

the plug-in module integrated circuits within the plug-in module processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on a plug-in module memory unit and executed by the plug-in module processing unit for functional processing of the parameter; and

means for mechanically coupling the plug-in module to the liquid treatment device.

21 . The system according to claim 20 , wherein the device head integrated circuits within the device head processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the device head memory unit and executed by the device head processing unit for identifying the plug-in module comprise:

the device head integrated circuits within the device head processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the device head memory unit and executed by the device head processing unit for sending an identification request to the plug-in module via the plug-in module interface; and

the device head integrated circuits within the device head processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the device head memory unit and executed by the device head processing unit for receiving a response to the identification request from the plug-in module via the plug-in module interface.

22 . The system according to claim 20 , wherein the plug-in module is a plug-in communication module connectable to at least one external system and the plug-in module integrated circuits within the plug-in module processing unit or in the form of software, which is stored on the plug-in module memory unit and executed by the plug-in module processing unit for functional processing are for communicating with the external system, wherein the communication with the external system comprises at least sending the parameter from the plug-in module to the external system via wired or wireless communication.

23 . The system according to claim 20 , wherein the means for mechanically coupling the plug-in module to the liquid treatment device and the means for mechanically coupling the liquid treatment device to the plug-in module are formed as a pair of releasable interlocking means.

24 . The system according to claim 20 , wherein the means for mechanically coupling the plug-in module to the liquid treatment device and/or the means for mechanically coupling the liquid treatment device to the plug-in module are configured to be brought into a holding state for locking the coupling of the plug-in module and the liquid treatment device and a release state for removing the plug-in module from the liquid treatment device.

25 . The system according to claim 20 , wherein the device head further comprises a housing part in which at least the plug-in module interface is arranged, and which includes the means for mechanically coupling the liquid treatment device to the plug-in module.

26 . The system according to claim 20 , wherein the plug-in module further comprises a housing part in which at least the liquid treatment device interface is arranged, and which includes the means for mechanically coupling the plug-in module to the liquid treatment device.

Assignments (3)

Priority Claims (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (19)