Systems and Methods for Facilitating Consumer-Dispenser Interactions

• US 20090069931A1
• 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 8,744,618 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/236
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0015 the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components
• 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 1/08 Details
• 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: 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 system comprising a product dispenser and processor can be provided. The processor can be operable to execute a set of instructions operable to receive a consumer preference to receive a notification associated with a product. The set of instructions can be further operable to determine whether the product is being offered, and based at least in part on the consumer preference, notify the consumer regarding availability of the product from the product dispenser.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a product dispenser;

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

receive a consumer preference to receive a notification associated with a product;

determine whether the product is being offered; and

based at least in part on the consumer preference, notify the consumer regarding availability of the product from the product dispenser.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further operable to execute a set of instructions operable to:

notify the consumer regarding a location associated with where the product is being offered.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the consumer preference comprises at least one of the following:

consumer data, at least one consumer selection, at least one product preference, at least one beverage preference, a preference to receive a notification when the product is available, or at least one location preference.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a data storage device comprising data from at least one ingredient matrix associated with a beverage dispenser, wherein the controller communicates with the data storage device to determine whether the product is being offered.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor can facilitate transmitting any of the following:

e-mail, a message, an online posting via a network, voice mail, wireless communication, or wired communication.

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

determine whether an alternative product is being offered; and

based at least in part on the availability of the alternative product, notify the consumer regarding availability of the alternative product.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the product comprises a new product, and the consumer preference is to be notified when the new product becomes available.

8. A system comprising:

a product dispenser;

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

receive selection data from a consumer;

based at least in part on the selection data, determine at least one notification to transmit to the consumer; and

transmit a notification to the consumer regarding the product dispenser.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein selection data comprises at least one of the following:

a brand name of a beverage, a type of beverage, a promotion, a type of user interface associated with a beverage dispenser, a health interest, a location of interest, or a beverage attribute.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein a notification to the consumer comprises transmitting at least one of the following:

e-mail, a message, an online posting via a network, an output via a user interface, an output via a user interface associated with the beverage dispenser, an output via a user interface associated with a product dispenser, a communication via a client-type device, a communication via a wireless communication device, voice mail, wireless communication, or wired communication.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the notification comprises at least one of the following:

a product, a product location, a beverage, a beverage location, an alternative product, an alternative beverage, an alternative location, availability of a selected product, a time or date for availability of a selected product, an enhanced user interface, a classic type user interface, a promotion, promotion information, a coupon, product information, beverage information, a ring tone, a game code, health information, or consumer interest information.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further operable to execute a set of instructions operable to:

add a transaction charge for some or all content provided to the consumer.

13. A method of interacting with a consumer regarding availability of a product, the method comprising:

receiving a consumer preference to receive a notification associated with a product;

determining whether the product is being offered; and

based at least in part on the consumer preference, notifying the consumer regarding availability of the product.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

notifying the consumer regarding a location associated with where the product is being offered.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the consumer preference comprises at least one of the following:

consumer data, at least one consumer selection, at least one product preference, at least one beverage preference, a preference to receive a notification when the product is available, or at least one location preference.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein determining whether the product is being offered comprises querying a data storage device comprising data from at least one ingredient matrix associated with a beverage dispenser.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein notifying the consumer regarding availability of the product comprises transmitting at least one of the following:

e-mail, a message, an online posting via a network, voice mail, wireless communication, or wired communication.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprises:

determining whether an alternative product is being offered; and

based at least in part on the availability of the alternative product, notifying the consumer regarding availability of the alternative product.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the product comprises a new product, and the consumer preference is to be notified when the new product becomes available.

20. A method of interacting with a consumer regarding a product associated with a product dispenser, the method comprising:

receiving selection data from a consumer;

based at least in part on the selection data, determining at least one notification to transmit to the consumer; and

transmitting a notification to the consumer.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein selection data comprises at least one of the following:

a brand name of a product or beverage, a type of product or beverage, a promotion, a type of user interface associated with a dispenser, a health interest, a location of interest, or a product or beverage attribute.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein transmitting a notification to the consumer comprises transmitting at least one of the following:

e-mail, a message, an online posting via a network, an output via a user interface, an output via a user interface associated with the beverage dispenser, an output via a user interface associated with a product dispenser, a communication via a client-type device, a communication via a wireless communication device, voice mail, wireless communication, or wired communication.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the notification comprises at least one of the following:

a product, a product location, a beverage, a beverage location, an alternative product, an alternative beverage, an alternative location, availability of a selected product, a time or date for availability of a selected product, an enhanced user interface, a classic type user interface, a promotion, promotion information, a coupon, product information, beverage information, a ring tone, a game code, health information, or consumer interest information.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

adding a transaction charge for some or all content provided to the consumer.

25. A method for marketing a product to consumers, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of consumer preferences from a respective plurality of consumers, wherein at least some of the consumer preferences are associated with a preference to receive a notification associated with a product;

notifying at least a portion of the consumers that the product will be available at a predefined time; and

authorizing a plurality of product dispensers to dispense the product at the predefined time.