Systems and methods for facilitating consumer-dispenser

• US 10,255,746 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2012
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Peters, Dan, Tran, Son V., Newman, David R., Antao, Leonard F., Slagley, David O., Kolls, H. Brock
• Primary Examiner(s): Collins, Michael
• Application Number:
  US13/683,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20130079926A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,330 Days
• Field of Search: 700236-238, 700240, 700244
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0041 Fully automated cocktail bars, i.e. apparatuses combining the use of packaged beverages, pre-mix and post-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00089 Remote control means, e.g. by electromagnetic signals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/00 Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 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

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.

Claims

1. A method for a consumer reward program, comprising:

receiving, at a beverage dispenser, identification information associated with a consumer;

identifying, by a controller associated with the beverage dispenser, the consumer based on the identification information;

tracking, by the controller associated with the beverage dispenser, a beverage dispensed from the beverage dispenser to the consumer;

assigning, by the controller associated with the beverage dispenser, a reward to the consumer based at least in part on a type or volume of beverage dispensed to the consumer; and

posting, by the controller associated with the beverage dispenser, the reward to a remote data processing resource configured to store reward data in an account previously designated by the consumer to receive the reward.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving identification information associated with a consumer comprises at least one receiving information via a digital user interface associated with the beverage dispenser, scanning a machine readable code, receiving a token or loyalty card, receiving a unique code, receiving information from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, receiving information from a near-field communication (NFC) tag, receiving information or a communication from a client-type device, or receiving information or a communication from a wireless communication device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

outputting a reward code operable to be redeemed by the consumer at one of a website, the beverage dispenser, a second beverage dispenser, a vending machine, a transaction terminal, a retail store, or a store.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

outputting a communication to the consumer that a free or discounted beverage is available in response to an amount of rewards assigned to the consumer being greater than or equal to a threshold amount;

receiving an instruction from the consumer to redeem one or more assigned rewards; and

dispensing a free or discounted beverage to the consumer.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

updating a rewards total assigned to the consumer based at least in part on the consumer redemption of the one or more assigned rewards.

6. A beverage dispenser, comprising:

an identification device configured to receive identification information associated with a consumer; and

a controller in communication with the identification device, and configured to execute a set of instructions to;

identify the consumer based on the identification information;

track a beverage dispensed from the beverage dispenser to the consumer;

assign one or more rewards to the consumer based at least in part on a type or volume of beverage dispensed to the consumer; and

post the reward to a remote data processing resource configured to store reward data in an account previously designated by the consumer to receive the reward.

7. The beverage dispenser of claim 6, wherein the set of instructions to receive identification information associated with the consumer further comprise instructions to perform at least one of receive information via a digital user interface associated with the beverage 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.

8. The beverage dispenser of claim 6, wherein the set of instructions further comprise instructions to:

output a reward code operable to be redeemed by a consumer, wherein the reward code is operable to be redeemed at one of the beverage dispenser, a website, a second beverage dispenser, a vending machine, a transaction terminal, a retail store, or a store.

9. The beverage dispenser of claim 6, wherein the set of instructions further comprise instructions to:

based at least in part on a predefined number of rewards assigned to the consumer, output a communication to the consumer that a free or discounted beverage is available;

receive an instruction from the consumer to redeem one or more assigned rewards; and

dispense a free or discounted beverage to the consumer.

10. The beverage dispenser of claim 9, wherein the set of instructions further comprise instructions to:

update the number of rewards assigned to the consumer based at least in part on the consumer redemption of the one or more assigned rewards.

11. A system comprising:

one or more servers; and

a plurality of beverage dispensers in communication with the one or more servers via at least one network, wherein each beverage dispenser comprises;

an identification device configured to receive identification information associated with a consumer; and

one or more processors in communication with the identification device, and configured to execute a set of instructions to;

identify the consumer based on the identification information;

track a beverage dispensed from the beverage dispenser to the consumer;

assign one or more rewards to the consumer based at least in part on a volume of beverage dispensed to the consumer; and

post the reward to a remote data processing resource configured to store reward data in an account previously designated by the consumer to receive the reward.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the set of instructions to receive identification information associated with a consumer further comprise instructions to perform at least one of receive information via a digital user interface associated with the beverage 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.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the set of instructions further comprises instructions to:

output a reward code operable to be redeemed by a consumer, wherein the reward code is operable to be redeemed at one of a website, the product dispenser, a second product dispenser, a vending machine, a transaction terminal, a retail store, or a store.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the set of instructions further comprises instructions to:

output a communication to the consumer that a free or discounted beverage is available in response to an amount of rewards assigned to the consumer being greater than or equal to a threshold amount;

receive an instruction from the consumer to redeem one or more assigned rewards; and

dispense a free or discounted beverage to the consumer.