Systems and Methods for Facilitating Consumer-Dispenser Interactions

• US 20090065520A1
• Filed: 09/04/2008
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Peters, Dan, Slagley, David O., Kolls, H. Brock, Newman, David R., Antao, Leonard F., Tran, Son V.
• Granted Patent: US 8,755,932 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/1
• 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 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• 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 facilitating consumer-dispenser interactions. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a reader configured to read machine readable item. In addition, the product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the reader, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive information from the machine readable item associated with a consumer via the reader. Moreover, the controller can be further operable to execute a set of instructions to configure at least one characteristic based at least part on the information from the machine readable item, and dispense a product.

Claims

1. A product dispenser, comprising:

a reader configured to read a machine readable item; and

a controller in communication with the reader, and operable to execute a set of instructions operable to;

receive information from the machine readable item associated with a consumer via the reader;

configure at least one characteristic associated with the dispenser based at least part on the information from the machine readable item; and

dispense a product.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of the following:

a product type, a product size, or a product price.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the machine readable item comprises at least one of the following:

product packaging, a print ad, a bar code, an icon, or a RFID tag.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the controller is further operable to execute a set of instructions operable to:

determine whether the consumer is eligible to receive the product.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the product comprises at least one the following:

a beverage, a beverage can, a beverage bottle, a beverage container, or a beverage refill.

6. A product dispenser, comprising:

a user interface operable to receive consumer input and output content to the consumer; and

a controller operable to execute a set of instructions operable to;

receive product selection information from the consumer;

provide promotional information to the consumer based at least in part on the product selection information; and

dispense a product.

7. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the promotional information comprises at least one of the following:

an offer for a phone card, an offer for a wireless communication device, an offer for Internet or network service, an offer for a particular type of product or service, or an offer for a specially priced product or service.

8. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the product selection information from a consumer comprises information provided to the dispenser by at least one of the following:

a user interface associated with the product dispenser, a machine readable code, product packaging, a print ad, a bar code, an icon, information from a RFID tag, a communication from a client-type device, or a communication from a wireless communication device.

9. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein promotional information can be provided via the user interface to present a promotional offer associated with the product or a different product.

10. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the controller is further operable to execute a set of instructions operable to:

bill the consumer for use of the product or service.

11. A method for operating a product dispenser, comprising:

receiving information from a machine readable item associated with a consumer;

configuring at least one characteristic based at least part on the information from the machine readable item; and

dispensing a product.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein a product characteristic comprises at least one of the following:

a product type, a product size, or a product price.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the machine readable item comprises at least one of the following:

product packaging, a print ad, a bar code, an icon, or a RFID tag.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein dispensing a product further comprises determining whether the consumer is eligible to receive the product.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the product comprises at least one the following:

a beverage, a beverage can, a beverage bottle, a beverage container, or a beverage refill.

16. A method for operating a product dispenser, comprising:

receiving product selection information from a consumer;

providing promotional information to the consumer based at least in part on the product selection information; and

dispensing a product.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the promotional information comprises at least one of the following:

an offer for a phone card, an offer for a wireless communication device, an offer for Internet or network service, an offer for a particular type of product or service, or an offer for a specially priced product or service.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving product selection information from a consumer comprises obtaining information from at least one of the following:

a user interface associated with the product dispenser, a machine readable code, product packaging, a print ad, a bar code, an icon, information from a RFID tag, a communication from a client-type device, or a communication from a wireless communication device.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein providing promotional information to the consumer based at least in part on the product selection information comprises configuring a user interface to present a promotional offer associated with the product or a different product.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

billing the consumer for use of the product or service.

21. A method for operating a product dispenser, comprising:

receiving information associated with a consumer;

based at least in part on the information associated with the consumer, identifying whether a commercial partner associated with the consumer exists; and

dispensing a product in accordance with the determination whether a commercial partner exists.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein receiving information associated with a consumer comprises reading cup identification information using at least one of the following:

a RFID reader, a bar code scanner, a wireless communication device, or an optical communication device.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

billing the commercial partner for a dispensed product.