Smart beverage system, apparatus, and method of using same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12575693-B2
Application number	US-202017621132-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 24, 2020
Priority date	Jun 24, 2019
Publication date	Mar 17, 2026
Grant date	Mar 17, 2026

Abstract

A method for making and/or dispensing a beverage may be provided. For example, a beverage may be selected from a user interface of a beverage dispensing apparatus. A beverage pressure value may be provided. A package containing a beverage preparation ingredient may be inserted into the beverage dispensing apparatus. A type of the inserted package may be detected. A package pressure value for the inserted package may be determined based on the type of the inserted package. If the package pressure value corresponds to the beverage pressure value, the beverage dispensing apparatus may inject a liquid into the inserted package at the beverage pressure value. If the package pressure value does not correspond to the beverage pressure value, the beverage dispensing apparatus may inject the liquid into the inserted package at the package pressure value. The selected beverage and/or the modified beverage may be dispensed into a drinking vessel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A beverage dispensing apparatus comprising:
a processor configured to cause the beverage dispensing apparatus to produce a beverage; a user interface of the beverage dispensing apparatus configured to, while the beverage dispensing apparatus is producing the beverage or dispensing the beverage:
display one or more questions related to the operation of the beverage dispensing apparatus;
receive responses to the one or more questions; +
generate one or more follow-up questions based on the responses to one or more questions, the one or more follow-up questions related to the operation of the beverage dispensing apparatus; and
display the one or more follow-up questions; and
a memory device operably coupled to the processor and configured to store the responses to at least one of: the one or more questions, or the one or more follow-up questions.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured such that the responses are further received by the user actuating buttons on the user interface, or a user provision of audio to a microphone, of the beverage dispensing apparatus.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the user interface further comprises a touch screen, the processor being further configured such that the responses are received via user contact with one or more different portions of the touch screen.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a communication interface, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit the responses to one or more external devices.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a communication interface, wherein the processor is further configured to receive the responses from one or more external devices via the communication interface.

6 . A beverage dispensing apparatus comprising:
a processor configured to cause the beverage dispensing apparatus to produce a beverage; a user interface of the beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a plurality of buttons, at least a first button of the plurality of buttons configured for a user input response of yes, and at least a second button of the plurality of buttons configured for a user input response of no, the user interface configured to, while the beverage dispensing apparatus is producing the beverage or dispensing the beverage:
display one or more questions related to the operation of the beverage dispensing apparatus, at least some of the one or more questions including yes/no response questions;
receive responses to at least some of the one or more questions via a user provision of at least one of: a yes, or no, user input response via at least one of: the first button, or the second button; and
generate one or more follow-up questions based on the responses, the one or more follow-up questions related to the operation of the beverage dispensing apparatus; and
display the one or more follow-up questions; and
a memory device operably coupled to the processor and configured to store the responses to the one or more questions.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured such that the responses are further received by the user actuating buttons on the user interface, or a user provision of audio to a microphone, of the beverage dispensing apparatus.

8 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the user interface further comprises a touch screen, the processor being further configured such that the responses are received via user contact with one or more different portions of the touch screen.

9 . The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a communication interface, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit the responses to one or more external devices.

10 . The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a communication interface, wherein the processor is further configured to receive the responses from one or more external devices via the communication interface.

11 . A method for soliciting user feedback while making and dispensing a beverage with a beverage dispensing apparatus, the method comprising:
causing, via a processor, the beverage dispensing apparatus to produce or dispense a beverage; while the beverage dispensing apparatus is producing the beverage or dispensing the beverage:
displaying, via a user interface of the beverage dispensing apparatus, one or more questions related to the operation of the beverage dispensing apparatus;
receiving, from a user of the beverage dispensing apparatus, responses to the one or more questions;
generating one or more follow-up questions based on the responses to one or more previously displayed questions, the one or more follow-up questions related to the operation of the beverage dispensing apparatus; and
displaying the one or more follow-up questions; and
storing the responses to at least one of: the one or more questions, or the one or more follow-up questions on a memory device.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising further receiving the responses by the user actuating buttons on the user interface, or a user provision of audio to a microphone, of the beverage dispensing apparatus.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the one or more questions are yes/no questions corresponding to a plurality of buttons, one of the plurality of buttons corresponding to a response of yes and another one of the plurality of buttons corresponding to an answer of no.

14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising receiving the responses by the user touching different portions of a touch screen of the user interface.

15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising transmitting, via a communication interface, the responses to one or more external devices.

16 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising receiving, via a communication interface, the responses from one or more external devices.

17 . A method for soliciting user feedback while making and dispensing a beverage with a beverage dispensing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
a user interface of the beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a plurality of buttons, at least a first button of the plurality of buttons configured for a user input response of yes, and at least a second button of the plurality of buttons configured for a user input response of no, the method comprising: causing, via a processor, the beverage dispensing apparatus to produce a beverage; while the beverage dispensing apparatus is producing the beverage or dispensing the beverage:
displaying one or more questions related to the operation of the beverage dispensing apparatus, at least some of the one or more questions including yes/no response questions;
receiving responses to at least some of the one or more questions via a user provision of at least one of: a yes, or no, user input response via at least one of: the first button, or the second button;
generating one or more follow-up questions based on the responses, the one or more follow-up questions related to the operation of the beverage dispensing apparatus; and
displaying the one or more follow-up questions; and
storing responses to the one or more questions via a memory device operably coupled to the processor.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
further receiving responses by the user actuating buttons on the user interface, or a user provision of audio to a microphone, of the beverage dispensing apparatus; receiving at least some of the responses via user contact with one or more different portions of a touch screen of the apparatus.

Assignees

• Lugi Lavazza S P A
• Lavazza Luigi Spa

Inventors

• Knowles David
• Mccoy Tony

Classifications

• A47J31/002

  following a specific operational sequence, e.g. for improving the taste of the extraction product · CPC title

• A47J31/5251 Primary

  of pressure · CPC title

• A47J31/4492

  Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge · CPC title

• A47J31/521 Primary

  the electronic control being performed over a network, e.g. by means of a computer or a handheld device · CPC title

• B67D1/0801

  of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs · CPC title