Hot Beverage Brewer for Multiple Volumes

Abstract

Systems ( 100 ) and methods ( 2800 ) for operating a hot beverage brewer. The methods include receiving a brew basket of a plurality of interchangeable brew baskets ( 900, 1400, 1800 ) within a basket chamber ( 402 ) of the hot beverage brewer. At least two of the plurality of interchangeable brew baskets are of different brew basket types and designed to hold different amounts of a beverage substance. Thereafter, the hot beverage brewer: automatically detects the brew basket type associated with the brew basket residing within the basket chamber; selects first operations from a plurality of operations that should be performed by the hot beverage brewer based on the brew basket type which was previously detected; and performs the first operations by the hot beverage brewer.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for operating a hot beverage brewer, comprising:
 receiving a brew basket of a plurality of interchangeable brew baskets within a single basket chamber of the hot beverage brewer, where at least two of the plurality of interchangeable brew baskets are of different brew basket types and designed to hold different amounts of a beverage substance;   automatically detecting, by the hot beverage brewer, the brew basket type associated with said brew basket residing within the same basket chamber;   selecting first operations from a plurality of operations that should be performed by the hot beverage brewer based on the brew basket type which was previously detected; and   performing the first operations by the hot beverage brewer.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the different brew basket types include a large brew basket type for use with carafes and a small basket type for use with single serve containers. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the interchangeable brew baskets includes at least one peg coupled thereto for triggering performance of respective operations of the plurality of operations by the hot beverage brewer. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the automatic detection of the brew basket type is facilitated by engagement of a portion of the brew basket with a triggering mechanism of the hot beverage brewer. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the triggering mechanism includes a mechanical triggering mechanism, an optical triggering mechanism, an electrical triggering mechanism, or a magnetic triggering mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the engagement causes a depression of a button, an actuation of a switch, or creation of closed electrical circuit. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first operations includes at least one of the following operations:
 discontinuing a display of a visual indicator;   selecting at least two visual indicators or virtual buttons from a plurality of virtual buttons;   enabling functionality of selected virtual buttons;   facilitating a display of selected visual indicators or virtual buttons on a display;   setting a brew temperature; and   setting a flow rate.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of visual indicators or virtual buttons allow a user of the hot beverage brewer to specify a particular value for a volume parameter that is appropriate for the type of container in which the brewed hot beverage is to be disposed. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including simultaneously directing a hot beverage from the brew basket to a carafe and a single serve container. 
     
     
         10 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 1 , further including starting a brew cycle only when it is determined that a sufficient amount of water is present in a water tank of the hot beverage brewer, where the sufficiency of the amount of water is determined based on the brew basket type associated with said brew basket residing within the basket chamber. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 1 , further including selectively displaying at least a 12 cup volume visual indicator exclusively when a brewed beverage is to be transferred to a non-thermal carafe.