Systems and methods for providing dynamic ingredient matrix reconfiguration in a product dispenser

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9670047-B2
Application number	US-20448508-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 4, 2008
Priority date	Sep 6, 2007
Publication date	Jun 6, 2017
Grant date	Jun 6, 2017

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for providing dynamic ingredient matrix reconfiguration in a product dispenser. In one embodiment, a system can include an ingredient matrix operable to receive one or more ingredient packages within respective locations. In addition, the system can include a controller in communication with the ingredient matrix and operable to execute a set of instructions operable to receive information associated with one or more ingredient packages. Furthermore, the controller can be operable to determine at least one location within the ingredient matrix for a selected one or more ingredient packages, and output the at least one location within the ingredient matrix for insertion of selected one or more ingredient packages.

First claim

The claimed invention is:

1. A product dispenser, comprising:
an ingredient matrix operable to receive a plurality of ingredient packages within respective locations, wherein a first ingredient package of the plurality of ingredient packages can be received in multiple ones of the respective locations; and
a controller in communication with the ingredient matrix and operable to execute a set of instructions operable to:
receive information associated with the first ingredient package prior to or during insertion of the first ingredient package into the ingredient matrix;
determine at least one location of the respective locations within the ingredient matrix for insertion of the first ingredient package, wherein the at least one location is selected from the respective locations after the information is received; and
output the determined at least one location to an output device to instruct a user regarding where the first ingredient package is to be inserted into the ingredient matrix.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the determination of at least one location within the ingredient matrix for insertion of the the first ingredient package comprises monitoring of availability of a location; availability of a product or beverage; product or beverage quality; ingredient freshness; compatibility between two or more ingredients, or a combination thereof.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 , further comprising:
an ingredient package identifier operable to provide information to the controller, wherein the information is associated with the one or more ingredient packages.

4. The dispenser of claim 3 , wherein the ingredient package identifier comprises at least one of the following: a machine readable code reader, a bar code reader, a RFID reader, a reflected light frequency reader, or an optical reader.

5. The dispenser of claim 1 , further comprising:
a user interface operable to display the at least one location within the ingredient matrix for the first ingredient package.

6. The dispenser of claim 5 , wherein the user interface comprises at least one of the following: an input/output device; one or more LED indicators; a LCD; or a device operable to receive at least one input from a consumer, wherein the input is associated with at least one product or beverage.

7. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the information can be received by way of at least one of the following: manually input information associated with at least one product or ingredient package, automatically input information associated with at least one product or ingredient package, or a combination of automatically input information associated with at least one ingredient package and manually input information associated with at least one product or ingredient package.

8. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the set of instructions is further operable to:
communicate via a network to transmit instructions or information between the controller and a remote device.

9. The dispenser of claim 8 , wherein the remote device comprises at least one of the following: a data storage device, a database, a server, a processor, a product dispenser, a dispenser, a vending machine, or a client-type device.

10. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the set of instructions is further operable to:
generate at least one product menu comprising at least one available product selection based at least in part one or more ingredient packages inserted within the ingredient matrix.

11. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the set of instructions is further operable to:
verify whether the selected one or more ingredient packages is inserted within the at least one location within the ingredient matrix.

12. The dispenser of claim 10 , wherein the set of instructions is further operable to:
modify the at least one product menu if at least one ingredient package inserted within the ingredient matrix in incompatible with another ingredient package.

13. The dispenser of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one database in communication with the controller;
wherein the set of instructions is further operable to:
transmit instructions or information between the controller and the at least one database.

14. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the information comprises beverage recipe information.

15. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the set of instructions is further operable to:
transmit an order to a remote location, wherein the order comprises at least one of the following: an order for one or more ingredient packages; an order for service to the product dispenser; or an order to facilitate restocking of or service to the product dispenser.

16. A method for configuring an ingredient matrix associated with a product dispenser comprising a plurality of dispensing devices, the method comprising:
receiving information associated with one or more ingredient packages prior to or during insertion into the ingredient matrix, wherein the ingredient matrix is operable with a first ingredient package of the one or more ingredient packages positioned in a plurality of locations within the ingredient matrix;
determining at least one location of the plurality of locations within the ingredient matrix for insertion of the first ingredient package, wherein a second ingredient package was previously inserted in the at least one location, the second ingredient package comprising a different ingredient than the first ingredient package; and
outputting second information representative of the at least one location via an output device, wherein the second information instructs a user regarding placement of the first ingredient package in the ingredient matrix.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the information comprises at least one of the following: identification of one or more of the ingredient packages as containing a pungent ingredient, or identification of one or more of the ingredient packages as containing an ingredient requiring agitation.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein determining at least one location within the ingredient matrix for the first ingredient package comprises monitoring at least one of the following: availability of a location; availability of a product or beverage; product or beverage quality; ingredient freshness; or compatibility between two or more ingredients.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the at least one location comprises at least one of the following: an optimum location, an available location, an empty location, a location with an existing empty package, a location with a nearly empty package, or a location that is unallocated.

20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
receiving at least one of the following: manually input information associated with at least one product or ingredient package, automatically input information associated with at least one product or ingredient package, or a combination of automatically input information associated with at least one ingredient package and manually input information associated with at least one product or ingredient package.

21. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
communicating instructions or information from a remote device via at least one network.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the remote device comprises at least one of the following: a data storage device, a database, a server, a processor, a product dispenser, a dispenser, a vending machine, or a client-type device.

23. The met

Assignees

• Carpenter Gregg
• Newman David R
• Kolls H Brock
• Tran Son V
• Coca Cola Co

Inventors

• Carpenter Gregg
• Newman David R
• Kolls H Brock
• Tran Son V

Classifications

• B67D1/0021 Primary

  the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers · CPC title

• B67D1/0041 Primary

  Fully automated cocktail bars, i.e. apparatuses combining the use of packaged beverages, pre-mix and post-mix dispensers · CPC title

• B67D1/0888

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

• B67D2210/00089

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

• B67D1/0878

  Safety, warning or controlling devices (B67D1/12 takes precedence) · CPC title