Systems and Methods for Dispensing Consumable Products

• US 20090069930A1
• 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, Kolls, H. Brock, Newman, David R., Antao, Leonard F., Tran, Son V., Slagley, David O.
• Granted Patent: US 8,751,037 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/236
• 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: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10009 sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. One embodiment of the invention can provide a product dispenser. The product dispenser can include an ingredient matrix operable to receive a plurality of product ingredients. In addition, the product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the ingredient matrix, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive product data associated with the plurality of product ingredients. Moreover, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions to track usage of the plurality of product ingredients when at least one product is dispensed. Furthermore, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions to update the product data during or after dispensing of a product or installation of one or more product ingredients in the ingredient matrix.

Claims

1. A product dispenser, comprising:

an ingredient matrix operable to receive a plurality of product ingredients; and

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

receive product data associated with the plurality of product ingredients;

track usage of the plurality of product ingredients when at least one product is dispensed; and

update the product data during or after dispensing of a product or installation of one or more product ingredients in the ingredient matrix.

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

product composition data, type of ingredient, type of product, volume of a product ingredient, quantity of a product ingredient, depletion rate of a product ingredient, remaining volume of product ingredient, or remaining quantity of product ingredient.

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

generate a virtual ingredient matrix based at least in part on the plurality of product ingredients within the ingredient matrix.

4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the controller is further operable to execute a set of instructions to:

update the virtual ingredient matrix during or after at least one product is dispensed based at least in part on the product data.

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

determine whether to order one or more of the plurality of product ingredients based at least in part on the product data.

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

estimating when the product ingredient will be depleted based at least in part on the product data.

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

determining an optimized ingredient matrix based at least in part on product data.

8. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:

a reader configured to read machine readable information associated with an ingredient package containing at least one product ingredient.

9. A method for operating a beverage dispenser, comprising:

receiving product data associated with a plurality of product ingredients;

tracking usage of the plurality of product ingredients when at least one product is dispensed; and

updating the product data during or after dispensing of a product or installation of one or more product ingredients in the ingredient matrix.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving product data associated with the plurality of product ingredients comprises reading machine readable information associated with an ingredient package containing at least one product ingredient.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein tracking usage of the plurality of product ingredients when at least one product is dispensed comprises monitoring at least one of the following:

usage volume of an ingredient, usage quantity of an ingredient, or usage rate of an ingredient.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

estimating when at least one of the plurality of product ingredients will be depleted based at least in part on the product data.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining when to order one or more of the plurality of product ingredients based at least in part on the product data.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein tracking usage of the plurality of product ingredients when at least one product is dispensed comprises:

generating a virtual ingredient matrix based at least in part on the plurality of product ingredients within the ingredient matrix; and

updating the virtual ingredient matrix during or after at least one product is dispensed based at least in part on the product data.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining an optimized ingredient matrix based at least in part on product data.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein determining an optimized ingredient matrix based at least in part on product data comprises estimating when at least one of the plurality of product ingredients will be depleted based at least in part on the product data.

17. A method for managing a product dispenser, the method comprising:

receiving product data associated with a plurality of product ingredients installed within an ingredient matrix;

tracking usage of the plurality of product ingredients when at least one product is dispensed;

estimating when at least one of the plurality of product ingredients will be depleted; and

transmitting an order for any depleted product ingredients via a network.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein receiving product data associated with a plurality of product ingredients installed within an ingredient matrix comprises reading machine readable information associated with an ingredient package containing at least one product ingredient.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein tracking usage of the plurality of product ingredients when at least one product is dispensed comprises:

generating a virtual ingredient matrix based at least in part on the plurality of product ingredients within the ingredient matrix; and

updating the virtual ingredient matrix during or after at least one product is dispensed based at least in part on the product data.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein estimating when at least one of the plurality of product ingredients will be depleted comprises determining an estimate based at least in part on one of the following:

usage volume of an ingredient, usage quantity of an ingredient, usage rate of an ingredient, usage volume of a virtual ingredient, usage quantity of a virtual ingredient, or usage rate of a virtual ingredient.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting an order for any depleted product ingredients via a network comprises at least one of the following:

sending the order prior to when the product ingredient or virtual ingredient is depleted, or sending the order at a predetermined time prior to an estimated time of depletion of the product ingredient or virtual ingredient.

22. A system for managing product ingredients, the system comprising:

an ingredient matrix operable to receive a plurality of product ingredients; and

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

receive product data associated with a plurality of product ingredients installed within an ingredient matrix;

track usage of the plurality of product ingredients when at least one product is dispensed;

estimate when at least one of the plurality of product ingredients will be depleted; and

transmit an order for any depleted product ingredients via a network.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the controller is further operable to execute a set of instructions operable to:

generate a virtual ingredient matrix based at least in part on the plurality of product ingredients within the ingredient matrix; and

update the virtual ingredient matrix during or after at least one product is dispensed based at least in part on the product data.