BEVERAGE DISPENSING DEVICE

• US 20110121032A1
• Filed: 02/09/2010
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PepsiCo Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PepsiCo Incorporated
• Inventors: Deo, Indrani, Jersey, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 8,490,829 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/145.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0027 control of the amount of one component, the amount of the other components(s) being dependent on that control
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0032 using flow-rate sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0034 for controlling the amount of each component
• 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 1/1234 to determine the total amount
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00089 Remote control means, e.g. by electromagnetic signals
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 6/04 using stationary unheated wet elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 6/043 with self-sucking action, e.g. wicks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/00 Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus coin inlet arrangements G07F1/00; coin-actuated mechanisms, interlocks G07F5/00
• 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: Y10S 261/07 Carbonators

Abstract

Novel systems and methods for dispensing compositions, such as beverages, are provided. Novel beverage dispensers may be configured to receive one or more physiological parameters regarding a user, and in response, formulate at least one beverage recipe for dispensing. A beverage dispenser may wirelessly receive data from a biosensor. In certain embodiments, data from the biosensor may be used to alter the recipe to another existing beverage or a custom beverage. Non-physiological data may also be considered. In one embodiment, environmental and/or biographical data may be utilized. In another embodiment, exertion data may be calculated. The calculation of exertion data may receive inputs regarding at least one physiological parameter and/or non-physiological parameters to derive a second physiological parameter not being measured. Novel systems and methods may reduce costs associated with extra sensors and/or allow more accurate assessment of the user'"'"'s exertion level.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a wireless transceiver configured to receive data from a biosensor that measures a physiological parameter of a user;

a user input device configured to transmit an input directing the discharge of a first recipe from the apparatus;

a first conduit selectively connected to a first ingredient source, the first conduit comprising a plurality of sensors configured to measure parameters of the first ingredient

a computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed by a processor are configured to execute a method comprising;

based upon at least the combination of the user input and the measured physiological parameter, determining to dispense a second recipe comprising an estimated amount of at least the first ingredient and a second ingredient;

initiating dispensing the first ingredient of the beverage through the first conduit;

utilizing the sensors to measure a plurality of parameters relating to the first ingredient being dispensed through the first conduit to obtain a result for each parameter; and

based upon the result of at least one measured parameter of the first ingredient, adjusting the amount of the second ingredient to be dispensed into either the first conduit or a second conduit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a dispenser containing a plurality of devices configured to measure at least one physiological parameter, wherein the devices communicate with the wireless transceiver.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user input device comprises a touch screen.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, the user input device is configured to receive an input selecting a class of beverages, and in a response selecting one or more beverage recipes that are classified within the selected class.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the selected one or more beverage recipes comprise branded recipes.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the branded recipe is further modified to create a non-requested recipe.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user input device is configured to receive an input selecting a specific branded beverage, and in a response, selecting one or more non-requested recipes based upon at least the measured physiological data.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the selection of the one or more non-requested recipes is also based upon non-physiological data.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the selection of the one or more non-requested recipes is also based upon exertion data that has been calculated, at least in part, at the apparatus.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, the computer-executable instructions further comprising:

measuring parameters of the second ingredient as it is dispensed; and

based upon the measured parameters of the second ingredient, adjusting the amount of a third ingredient to be dispensed into either the first conduit or a second conduit.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one ingredient is a micro ingredient selected from the group consisting of:

sodium chloride, sodium citrate, mono-potassium phosphate, quercetin, and combinations thereof

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least two micro ingredients are dispensed from a micro dosing module with variable viscosity capabilities.

13. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed by a processor are configured to execute a method comprising:

automatically receiving at a beverage dispenser, data from a biosensor configured to measure a physiological parameter of a user;

receiving a user input configured to select a non-customized beverage;

altering the recipe of the selected beverage to either (i) adjust at least one ingredient or (ii) introduce a new ingredient, wherein a second recipe is formed.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, further comprising:

calculating exertion data of the user.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the calculation of the exertion data comprises the analysis of at least one non-physiological parameter.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the non-physiological parameter is selected from the group consisting of:

a biographic parameter, an environmental parameter, and combinations thereof.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the second formula is chosen from a customized beverage and a non-customized beverage.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the biometric sensor is a portion of a beverage container.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the biometric sensor is removable.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the biometric sensor is configured to non-invasively measure the physiologic parameter from a bodily fluid.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the biometric sensor is configured to determine a parameter from sweat selected from the group consisting of:

humidity, temperature, pH, osmality, electrolyte content, and combinations thereof

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, further comprising:

displaying a representation of the second recipe to the user;

dispensing a representation of a third recipe to the user; and

receiving a user input configured to select the second recipe or the third recipe for dispensing.

23. An apparatus comprising:

a wireless transceiver configured to receive data from a biosensor that measures a physiological parameter of a user;

a user input device configured to transmit an input directing the discharge of a first recipe from the apparatus;

a computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed by a processor perform a method comprising;

receiving a user input configured to select a non-customized beverage;

altering, based on at least the received data, the recipe of the selected beverage to either (i) adjust at least one ingredient or (ii) introduce a new ingredient, wherein a second recipe is formed.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

a first conduit selectively connected to a first ingredient source, the first conduit comprising a plurality of sensors configured to measure parameters of the first ingredient

a computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed by a processor are configured to execute a method comprising;

initiating dispensing the first ingredient of the beverage through the first conduit;

utilizing the sensors to measure a plurality of parameters relating to the first ingredient being dispensed through the first conduit to obtain a result for each parameter; and

based upon the result of at least one measured parameter of the first ingredient, adjusting the amount of the second ingredient to be dispensed into either the first conduit or a second conduit.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the wireless transceiver is further configured to receive data comprising at least one non-physiological parameter selected from the group consisting of:

a biographic parameter, an environmental parameter, and combinations thereof.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, the computer-executable instruction further comprising:

calculating exertion data of the user.