Systems and Methods for Providing Dynamic Ingredient Matrix Reconfiguration in a Product Dispenser

• US 20090069949A1
• 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: Tran, Son V., Kolls, H. Brock, Carpenter, Gregg, Newman, David R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,670,047 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/283
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0021 the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
• 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 1/0878 Safety, warning or controlling devices B67D1/12 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for providing dynamic ingredient matrix reconfiguration in a product dispenser. In one embodiment, a system can include an ingredient matrix operable to receive one or more ingredient packages within respective locations. In addition, the system can include a controller in communication with the ingredient matrix and operable to execute a set of instructions operable to receive information associated with one or more ingredient packages. Furthermore, the controller can be operable to determine at least one location within the ingredient matrix for a selected one or more ingredient packages, and output the at least one location within the ingredient matrix for insertion of selected one or more ingredient packages.

Claims

1. A product dispenser, comprising:

an ingredient matrix operable to receive one or more ingredient packages within respective locations; and

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

receive information associated with one or more ingredient packages;

determine at least one location within the ingredient matrix for a selected one or more ingredient packages;

output the at least one location within the ingredient matrix for insertion of selected one or more ingredient packages.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the determination of at least one location within the ingredient matrix for a selected one or more ingredient packages comprises monitoring at least one of the following:

availability of a location;

availability of a product or beverage;

product or beverage quality;

ingredient freshness;

or compatibility between two or more ingredients.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:

an ingredient package identifier operable to provide information to the processor, wherein the information is associated with the one or more ingredient packages.

4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the ingredient package identifier comprises at least one of the following:

a machine readable code reader, a bar code reader, a RFID reader, a reflected light frequency reader, or an optical reader.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface operable to display the at least one location within the ingredient matrix for the selected one or more ingredient packages.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein the user interface comprises at least one of the following:

an input/output device;

one or more LED indicators;

a LCD;

or a device operable to receive at least one input from a consumer, wherein the input is associated with at least one product or beverage.

7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the information can be received by way of at least one of the following:

manually input information associated with at least one product or ingredient package, automatically input information associated with at least one product or ingredient package, or a combination of automatically input information associated with at least one ingredient package and manually input information associated with at least one product or ingredient package.

8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the set of instructions is further operable to:

communicate via a network to transmit instructions or information between the controller and a remote device.

9. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the remote device comprises at least one of the following:

a data storage device, a database, a server, a processor, a product dispenser, a dispenser, a vending machine, or a client-type device.

10. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the set of instructions is further operable to:

generate at least one product menu comprising at least one available product selection based at least in part one or more ingredient packages inserted within the ingredient matrix.

11. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the set of instructions is further operable to:

verify whether the selected one or more ingredient packages is inserted within the at least one location within the ingredient matrix.

12. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the set of instructions is further operable to:

modify the at least one product menu if at least one ingredient package inserted within the ingredient matrix in incompatible with another ingredient package.

13. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one database in communication with the processor;

wherein the set of instructions is further operable to;

transmit instructions or information between the processor and the at least one database.

14. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the information comprises beverage recipe information.

15. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the set of instructions is further operable to:

transmit an order to a remote location, wherein the order comprises at least one of the following;

an order for one or more ingredient packages;

an order for service to the product dispenser;

or an order to facilitate restocking of or service to the product dispenser.

16. A method for configuring an ingredient matrix associated with a product dispenser comprising a plurality of dispensing devices, the method comprising:

receiving information associated with one or more ingredient packages;

determining at least one location within the ingredient matrix for a selected one or more ingredient packages; and

outputting the at least one location within the ingredient matrix for the selected one or more ingredient packages.

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

identification of one or more of the ingredient packages as containing a pungent ingredient, or identification of one or more of the ingredient packages as containing an ingredient requiring agitation.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein determining at least one location within the ingredient matrix for a selected one or more ingredient packages comprises monitoring at least one of the following:

availability of a location;

availability of a product or beverage;

product or beverage quality;

ingredient freshness;

or compatibility between two or more ingredients.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one location comprises at least one of the following:

an optimum location, an available location, an empty location, a location with an existing empty package, a location with a nearly empty package, or a location that is unallocated.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving at least one of the following;

manually input information associated with at least one product or ingredient package, automatically input information associated with at least one product or ingredient package, or a combination of automatically input information associated with at least one ingredient package and manually input information associated with at least one product or ingredient package.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

communicating instructions or information from a remote device via at least one network.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the remote device comprises at least one of the following:

a data storage device, a database, a server, a processor, a product dispenser, a dispenser, a vending machine, or a client-type device.

23. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

verifying whether the selected one or more ingredient packages is inserted within the at least one location within the ingredient matrix.

24. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

detecting an event associated with at least one of the plurality of ingredient packages; and

based at least in part on the event, determining whether to modify an association between the at least one of the plurality of ingredient packages and one or more dispensing devices associated with the product dispenser.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the event comprises at least one of the following:

supplying power to the dispenser apparatus;

resetting of the dispenser apparatus;

detection of an unsuitable or incompatible ingredient package;

determining an ingredient package contains a pungent-type or agitation required ingredient;

determining that a conflict exists between two ingredient packages in the at least one association;

detection of an ingredient package not associated with at least one previously stored beverage recipe;

detection of an incorrect installation of an ingredient package;

insertion of an ingredient package within the ingredient matrix;

removal of an ingredient package within the ingredient matrix;

expiration of an ingredient in an ingredient package;

replacement of a particular ingredient package;

or change in viscosity of an ingredient in an ingredient package

26. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

communicating instructions or information from at least one database associated with the product dispenser.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein at least a portion of the instructions or information comprises beverage recipe information.

28. A method for configuring an ingredient matrix associated with a dispenser apparatus comprising a plurality of dispensing devices, the method comprising:

receiving information associated with a plurality of ingredient packages operable to be inserted within an ingredient matrix;

determining at least one association between some or all of the plurality of ingredient packages and one or more of a plurality of dispensing devices;

detecting an event associated with at least one of the plurality of ingredient packages; and

based at least in part on the event, determining whether to modify the at least one association or modifying an operational characteristic of one or more of a plurality of dispensing devices.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the event comprises at least one of the following:

supplying power to the dispenser apparatus;

resetting of the dispenser apparatus;

detection of an unsuitable or incompatible ingredient package;

determining a ingredient package contains a pungent-type or agitation required ingredient;

determining that a conflict exists between two ingredient packages in the at least one association;

detection of an ingredient package not associated with at least one previously stored beverage recipe;

detection of an incorrect installation of an ingredient package;

insertion of an ingredient package within the ingredient matrix;

removal of a product forming ingredient package within the ingredient matrix;

expiration of an ingredient in an ingredient package;

replacement of a particular ingredient package;

or change in viscosity of an ingredient in an ingredient package.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

determining at least one location within the ingredient matrix for a selected plurality of ingredient packages; and

outputting the at least one location for user insertion of the selected plurality of ingredient packages within the ingredient matrix.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one location comprises at least one of the following:

an optimum location, an available location, an empty location, a location with an existing empty package, a location with a nearly empty package, or a location that is unallocated.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the operational characteristic comprises at least one of the following:

an electrical voltage, an electrical resistance, or an electrical current.

33. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

determining whether some or all of the locations within the ingredient matrix contain compatible ingredient packages; and

communicating whether insertion or removal of selected ingredient packages within the ingredient matrix is needed.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

communicating at least one location within the ingredient matrix for insertion or removal of at least one selected ingredient package.

35. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

comparing information from a database with information associated with some or all of the ingredient packages; and

outputting a beverage menu via an associated user interface.