Patent attributes
A consumable recognition system for recognizing placement and/or type of a consumable containing a food substance, for the preparation of a beverage using a beverage dispenser, includes a light sensor configured to sense light reflected from a reflection element of the consumable during a relative movement between the consumable and the light sensor to obtain a sensor signal. The sensor signal depends on the position, reflectivity and/or pattern of the reflection element. A movable sensor carrier is configured to carry the light sensor which is configured to sense light reflected from the reflection element during a movement of the sensor carrier. A signal processor is configured to recognize placement and/or type of consumable based on the sensor signal.