Beverage preparation machine arranged to share capsule image and machine operation data

Abstract

An apparatus and method for sharing capsule image data and beverage preparation parameters, from one or more beverage preparation machines with a remote computer system via a network, such as the Internet, is disclosed. The remote computer system may process the capsule image data to determine characteristics of the capsule (e.g., a type of capsule, such as a brand, or beverage ingredients in the capsule), thereby relieving the beverage preparation from having to determine information about the capsule. The remote computer may track a user's consumption of capsules, may compare this value to the user's past capsule purchase history, and may determine if the user's supply of capsules is below a threshold value (e.g., below a week's worth of capsules).

1 - 35 . (Cancelled) 
     
     
         36 . A beverage preparation machine, comprising:
 a cartridge receiver configured to receive a beverage cartridge to form a beverage, the cartridge receiver being movable between an open position and a closed position;   an imaging device configured to capture an image of a portion of the beverage cartridge, the imaging device being located on the cartridge receiver such that the imaging device is movable with the cartridge receiver relative to the beverage cartridge as the cartridge receiver is moved between the open position and the closed position; and   a controller configured to control the imaging device to capture the image of the portion of the beverage cartridge in the cartridge receiver when the cartridge receiver is being closed and is not yet entirely closed.   
     
     
         37 . The beverage preparation machine of  claim 36 , wherein the cartridge receiver includes a top portion and a bottom portion, and wherein the imaging device is located on the top portion of the cartridge receiver, and the bottom portion receives the beverage cartridge, and wherein the imaging device is configured to capture an image of at least a portion of a lid of the beverage cartridge. 
     
     
         38 . The beverage preparation machine of  claim 36 , further comprising a trigger configured to detect closing of the cartridge receiver, wherein the controller controls the imaging device to capture the image according to the trigger. 
     
     
         39 . The beverage preparation machine of  claim 38 , wherein the trigger detects when the imaging device has reached a set angle relative to a lid of the beverage cartridge. 
     
     
         40 . The beverage preparation machine of  claim 39 , wherein the set angle is a perpendicular angle. 
     
     
         41 . The beverage preparation machine of  claim 38 , wherein the trigger comprises a mechanical switch. 
     
     
         42 . The beverage preparation machine of  claim 36 , further comprising a lighting element configured to illuminate the portion of the beverage cartridge. 
     
     
         43 . The beverage preparation machine of  claim 42 , wherein the cartridge receiver includes a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the imaging device and the lighting element are located on the top portion of the cartridge receiver. 
     
     
         44 . The beverage preparation machine of  claim 42 , wherein the controller is configured to turn the lighting element on when the cartridge receiver is in the open position. 
     
     
         45 . The beverage preparation machine of  claim 42 , wherein the controller is configured to turn the lighting element off when the cartridge receiver is in the closed position. 
     
     
         46 . The beverage preparation machine of  claim 36 , wherein the controller is configured to decode information from the image. 
     
     
         47 . The beverage preparation machine of  claim 46 , wherein the decoded information comprises a beverage preparation parameter. 
     
     
         48 . The beverage preparation machine of  claim 46 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit the decoded information to a remote computer. 
     
     
         49 . The beverage preparation machine of  claim 46 , further comprising a memory configured to store data, wherein the controller is configured to store the decoded information in the memory when the beverage preparation machine is not connected to a network, and wherein the controller is configured to transmit the decoded information to a remote computer when the beverage preparation machine has established network connectivity. 
     
     
         50 . The beverage preparation machine of  claim 49 , wherein the memory is configured to discard the decoded information after the beverage preparation machine has established network connectivity. 
     
     
         51 . The beverage preparation machine of  claim 36 , wherein the controller is configured to transfer undecoded capsule image data to a remote computer. 
     
     
         52 . A method comprising:
 providing a beverage cartridge in a cartridge receiver of a beverage preparation machine while the cartridge receiver is in an open position; and   moving the cartridge receiver from the open position to a closed position to at least partially enclose the beverage cartridge in the cartridge receiver, wherein movement of the cartridge receiver causes an imaging device located on the cartridge receiver to move relative to the beverage cartridge,   wherein as the cartridge receiver is moved from the open position toward the closed position and has not yet entirely closed, the imaging device is triggered to capture an image of a portion of the beverage cartridge.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the imaging device is triggered to capture an image of at least a portion of a lid of the beverage cartridge. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the imaging device is triggered to capture the image when the imaging device has reached a perpendicular angle relative to a lid of the beverage cartridge. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising the beverage preparation machine decoding information from the image.