Systems and methods for facilitating consumer-dispenser interactions

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016155285-A9
Application number	US-201313968094-A
Country	US
Kind code	A9
Filing date	Aug 15, 2013
Priority date	Sep 6, 2007
Publication date	Jun 2, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a user interface operable to receive consumer inputs and to present product selection information. In addition, the product dispenser can include a reader configured to obtain identification information associated with a consumer. The product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the reader and user interface, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive from the reader identification information associated with a consumer. The controller can also be operable to execute a set of instructions operable to retrieve consumer information based at least in part on the identification information, and provide product selection information at the user interface based at least in part on the consumer information.

First claim

1 - 26 . (canceled)

27 . A method for interacting with a product dispenser, the method comprising:
receiving, via at least one processor, product identification information from a consumer; receiving an instruction from the consumer to purchase the product for another consumer; and facilitating purchase of the product to provide to other consumer.

28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein receiving product identification information comprises at least one of the following: receiving information via a user interface associated with a product dispenser, scanning a machine readable code, receiving a token or loyalty card, receiving a unique code, receiving information from a RFID tag, receiving information from a NFC tag, receiving information or a communication from a client-type device, or receiving information or a communication from a wireless communication device.

29 . The method of claim 27 , wherein receiving, via at least one processor, product identification information from a consumer further comprises:
providing product selection information at a user interface associated with the product dispenser, wherein the consumer is prompted to input selection of a product.

30 . The method of claim 27 , wherein receiving, via at least one processor, product identification information from a consumer further comprises:
providing product selection information at a user interface associated with a wireless communication device in communication with the product dispenser, wherein the consumer is prompted to input an instruction for selection of a product.

31 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising:
receiving one or more product preferences associated with the other consumer; and prompting the other consumer to transmit the one or more product preferences to the consumer.

32 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the instruction is communicated by the consumer by at least one of the following: a voice input, a gesture input, or a manual input.

33 . The method of claim 27 , wherein facilitating purchase of the product to provide to other consumer comprises transmitting one or more purchase instructions to a client-type device, a wireless communication device, or at least one product dispenser.

34 . A product dispenser, comprising:
an interface operable to receive consumer inputs and to present product selection information; a controller in communication with the interface, and operable to execute a set of instructions to:
receive, via at least one processor, product identification information from a consumer;
receive an instruction from the consumer to purchase the product for another consumer; and
facilitate purchase of the product to provide to other consumer.

35 . The product dispenser of claim 34 , wherein the set of instructions to receive identification information associated with a consumer further comprise instructions to perform at least one of the following: receive product identification information comprises at least one of the following: receive information via a user interface associated with a product dispenser, scan a machine readable code, receive a token or loyalty card, receive a unique code, receive information from a RFID tag, receive information from a NFC tag, receive information or a communication from a client-type device, or receive information or a communication from a wireless communication device.

36 . The product dispenser of claim 34 , wherein the set of instructions further comprise instructions to:
provide product selection information at a user interface associated with the product dispenser, wherein the consumer is prompted to input selection of a product.

37 . The product dispenser of claim 34 , wherein the set of instructions further comprise instructions to:
provide product selection information at a user interface associated with a wireless communication device in communication with the product dispenser, wherein the consumer is prompted to input an instruction for selection of a product.

38 . The product dispenser of claim 28 , wherein the set of instructions further comprise instructions to:
receive one or more product preferences associated with the other consumer; and prompt the other consumer to transmit the one or more product preferences to the consumer.

39 . The product dispenser of claim 34 , wherein the instruction is communicated by the consumer by at least one of the following: a voice input, a gesture input, or a manual input.

40 . The product dispenser of claim 34 , wherein the set of instructions to facilitate the product purchase for the other consumer further comprise instructions to transmit one or more purchase instructions to a client-type device, a wireless communication device, or at least one product dispenser.

41 . A system comprising:
one or more servers; a plurality of product dispensers in communication with the one or more servers via at least one network, wherein each product dispenser comprises:
a user interface operable to receive consumer inputs and to present product selection information; and
one or more processors in communication with the user interface, and operable to execute a set of instructions to:
receive product identification information from a consumer;
receive an instruction from the consumer to purchase the product for another consumer; and
facilitate purchase of the product to provide to other consumer.

42 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the set of instructions to receive identification information associated with a consumer further comprise instructions to perform at least one of the following: receive product identification information comprises at least one of the following: receive information via a user interface associated with a product dispenser, scan a machine readable code, receive a token or loyalty card, receive a unique code, receive information from a RFID tag, receive information from a NFC tag, receive information or a communication from a client-type device, or receive information or a communication from a wireless communication device.

43 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the set of instructions further comprise instructions to:
provide product selection information at a user interface associated with the product dispenser, wherein the consumer is prompted to input selection of a product.

44 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the set of instructions further comprise instructions to:
provide product selection information at a user interface associated with a wireless communication device in communication with the product dispenser, wherein the consumer is prompted to input an instruction for selection of a product.

45 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the set of instructions further comprise instructions to:
receive one or more product preferences associated with the other consumer; and prompt the other consumer to transmit the one or more product preferences to the consumer.

46 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the set of instructions to facilitate the product purchase for the other consumer further comprise instructions to transmit one or more purchase instructions to a client-type device, a wireless communication device, or at least one product dispenser.

Assignees

• Coca Cola Co

Inventors

• Peters Dan
• Tran Son V
• Newman David R
• Antao Leonard F
• Slagley David O
• Kolls H Brock

Classifications

• G07F9/02

  Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus (alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10) · CPC title

• B67D2210/00089

  Remote control means, e.g. by electromagnetic signals · CPC title

• G06Q30/02

  Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising · CPC title

• B67D1/0888

  Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means) · CPC title

• G07F9/002

  Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines · CPC title