Apparatus and cartridge for the preparation of hot drinks

The present invention relates to an apparatus for preparing hot drinks with an optical detection unit for interchangeable cartridges (10) in which a powdery beverage substance (14) is accommodated. The recognition unit is provided for reading out a on the cartridges provided (10), codes (11) and has at least one radiation emitter (32, 52, 54, 56) and at least one radiation detector (28, 34, 36, 38). The optical detection unit is embodied to read out the present as optical transmission pattern codes (11). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the detection of cartridges (10) by optical transmission measurement and cartridges (10) with an optical transmission pattern (11) and a designated production process (Figure 7).