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).

Abstract: A beverage forming system having a controller arranged to adjust at least one of a set of brew parameters in response to a failure to identify a characteristic of a capsule to be used to form a beverage. An adjusted brew parameter may be a configuration-type parameter that is generally has a fixed value for all or most beverage dispensing operations, or a beverage-specific parameter that may be user-adjusted for each beverage dispensing operation.

Abstract: A beverage forming system having a controller arranged to provide a user interface with a user-adjustable indication of at least one brew parameter and to receive a command from a user to adjust the at least one brew parameter. The user-adjustable indication may include a slider track extending between the maximum and minimum values for a brew parameter and a slider element movable along the slider track where a position of the slider element on the slider track indicates a set value for the brew parameter. The controller may limit a command from the user to adjust the brew parameter to be between a minimum value for the brew parameter and a limited value that is below a maximum value for the brew parameter, or between a limited value that is above the minimum value and the maximum value for the brew parameter.

Abstract: A beverage forming system in which a user interface is adapted to allow a user to control multiple different beverage machines that have different capabilities. A user may be associated with a plurality of different machines, and the user interface may be adapted to adjust display of information to the user and adjust options for controlling operation of a beverage machine based on the set of capabilities of the beverage machine. In some cases, only those stored sets of brew parameters that are compatible with a beverage machine may be displayed for user selection.

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).

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).

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).

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).