BEVERAGE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

• US 20070296608A1
• Filed: 09/10/2007
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
• Inventors: Wurtzler, David, Lowe, Kevin, Knepler, John, Hart, Burton
• Granted Patent: US 7,564,370 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.11
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/007 for brewing on a large scale, e.g. for restaurants, or for use with more than one brewing container
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/057 with water container separated from beverage container, the hot water passing the filter only once i.e. classical type of drip coffee makers
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/40 Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/401 whereby the powder ingredients and the water are delivered to a mixing bowl
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/402 Liquid dosing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/404 Powder dosing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/52 Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/525 the electronic control being based on monitoring of specific process parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/5253 of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/56 having water-level controls; having temperature controls
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/60 Cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/44 in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/02 by volume
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

A beverage system including a communication means (300) for communicating between a beverage dispensing module (32) and a base station (304). Each beverage-dispersing module (32) includes a controller (76), which is centralized for use with multiple modules (32) or dedicated to an individual module (32). The controller (76) collects information about the module (32) or modules. The controller (76) includes link (302), which connect the controller (76) to the base station (304). The base station (304) includes a means for displaying display (305) and can provide visual auditor or other information about numerous conditions.

Claims

1. A communication system for use with a beverage making apparatus, the communication system comprising:

at least one controller for collecting information from at least one beverage making apparatus;

at least one receiver for receiving information from at least one controller;

a link operatively coupling at least the controller and the receiver for communicating the collected information from the controller to the receiver;

a display at the receiver for presenting a form of the collected information.

2. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising the link is provided in the form of a wireless communication link.

3. The communication system of claim 2, further comprising the wireless communication link operating using radio frequencies.

4. The communication system of claim 2, further comprising the wireless communication link operating using an optical link.

5. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising the link operates using a physical link between the controller and the receiver.

6. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising the display being configured as a visual display.

7. The communication system of claim 6, further comprising the visual display being configured to provide a text message.

8. The communication system of claim 6, further comprising the visual display being configured to provide a symbolic message.

9. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising the display being configured as an auditory display.

10. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising the display including at least a visual display and auditory display.

11. The communication system of claim 1, the receiver further comprising operator control facilitating control of the communication system at the receiver.

12. The communication system of claim 1, the receiver further comprising operator control facilitating control of the controller from the receiver using the linking means.

13. The communication system of claim 1, the link uses a single path signal from the controller to the receiver.

14. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is positioned at a cash register location.

15. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the display communicates a condition of the beverage.

16. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the display communicates a condition of the beverage making apparatus.

17. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to control a function of the beverage making apparatus dispose of beverage from a container.

18. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to initiate a brew cycle.

19. The communication system of claim 18, wherein the controller is operable to sense at least a temperature or level associated with the beverage making apparatus.

20. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to prevent beverage dispensing during a brew cycle.

21. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to ensure the addition of flavoring during a brew cycle.

22. A method of operating at least one beverage making apparatus comprising the steps of:

providing a communication system;

providing at least one controller;

coupling the controller with the at least one beverage making apparatus;

providing at least one receiver;

coupling the receiving with the controller for communicating between the communication system and the beverage making apparatus; and

displaying information relating to the at least one beverage making apparatus.

23. The method of operating at least one beverage making apparatus of claim 22, further comprising the step of:

communicating a control signal to the at least one beverage making apparatus.

24. A communication system for use with a beverage making apparatus, the communication system comprising:

at least one controller for at least receiving and sending information associated with at least one beverage making apparatus;

at least one receiver for receiving information from at least one controller;

a link at least operatively connecting the controller to the receiver for communicating information about the beverage making apparatus;

an output operatively associated with the communication system and at least the receiver for outputting information associated with the beverage making apparatus.