BREWER SYSTEM INCLUDING PERVASIVE RFID SENSING FOR SERVERS

• US 20110052766A1
• Filed: 03/06/2009
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
• Inventors: Knepler, John T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,265,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/231
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/002 following a specific operational sequence, e.g. for improving the taste of the extraction product
• 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 31/52 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: G06K 7/10009 sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1413 1D bar codes

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for use with beverages and beverage making and dispensing equipment. The apparatus, system, and method of use monitors characteristics of the beverage, reports characteristics, or both and selectively affects the beverage and beverage making and dispensing equipment, a server containing the beverage, or both. The apparatus, system, and method of use employs an information vehicle device associated with each beverage server or dispenser and a reader which reads the information device. The reader communicates the information from the information device to a controller for use to individually or collectively display information, collect information, and/or selectively affect the condition of the beverage in response to the information.

Claims

1. A system for use with a beverage apparatus to identify at least one characteristic of beverage associated with the apparatus to facilitate control.

2. An apparatus for use in at least one of producing and maintaining a beverage including at least one server for containing beverage,

an information device associated with the server for carrying at least one characteristic of information relating to the beverage contained in the server,

at least one of a read and write device associated with the apparatus for respectively reading information from the information device, writing information to the information device, or both reading and writing information,

wherein the apparatus provides control of at least one characteristic of the information associated with information device.

3. A method for use in at least one of reading, writing, controlling, or monitoring information relative to at least one of beverage contained in a server, the server or both, the method including the steps of:

providing a server for containing a beverage,

providing an information device associated with the server, the information device being transportable with the server,

providing information on the information device relative to at least one characteristic of the beverage contained in the server, and

reading information from the information device.