초록 ▼

A control panel for automatic beverage machines includes a touch screen that visually represents icons saved in a memory unit as the displayed basic setting as a first selector mechanism used for choosing a desired beverage and by which a predetermined preparation process is triggered. The steps of

A control panel for automatic beverage machines includes a touch screen that visually represents icons saved in a memory unit as the displayed basic setting as a first selector mechanism used for choosing a desired beverage and by which a predetermined preparation process is triggered. The steps of the selected beverage preparation process may be visually represented on the touch screen. Alternatively, the touch screen is used as a second selector mechanism for choosing a desired preparation setting after a beverage is chosen by actuating the first selector mechanism. When a preparation setting is selected, the touch screen displays the icon for the selected beverage in addition to setting key icons that allow an operator to select and save a desired setting.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A control panel for hot beverage dispensing machines designed for preparing and dispensing a plurality of different beverages, the beverages are selectable by means of the control panel and are prepared and dispensed upon having been selected, the control panel comprises

The invention claimed is: 1. A control panel for hot beverage dispensing machines designed for preparing and dispensing a plurality of different beverages, the beverages are selectable by means of the control panel and are prepared and dispensed upon having been selected, the control panel comprises:a touch screen panel for displaying a plurality of icons and identifying a touched icon of the plurality of icons, the plurality of icons include a first set of icons of which, each icon represents one of the plurality of beverages and a second set of icons of which, each icon represents one of a plurality of desired preferences of beverage preparation;a first selection mechanism for, in accordance with a touched icon of the first set, selecting a desired beverage, initiating a predetermined beverage preparation process, and visually representing the beverage preparation process on the touch screen panel in its chronological sequence;a second selection mechanism for, in accordance with a touched icon of the second set, selecting a setting of a mode of preparation of the selected beverage in accordance with a touched icon of the second set, the touched icon of the second set of icons changes the predetermined beverage preparation process; anda third selection mechanism for, in accordance with a touched icon of individual settings key icons, selecting and saving a desired combination of the touched icons of the first and second sets.