CONTAINER-LESS CUSTOM BEVERAGE VENDING INVENTION
First Claim
1. A beverage dispensing system comprising:
- one or more beverage dispensers for dispensing a user defined custom beverage;
one or more memory devices in communication with the one or more beverage dispensers, wherein the one or more memory devices store one or more user accounts containing user account information and user preferences in electronic form;
an authentication device for identifying a user of the one or more beverage dispensers having a user account;
a user interface for selection of a beverage to be dispensed based on the user preferences; and
wherein the one or more beverage dispensers will only dispense a beverage where the user is an authorized user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus describing a convenience beverage vending machine and its operation are described. An embedded computer interface allows consumers to create their own drinks or choose from a menu of drinks. Drinks are dispensed in a re-usable container. The beverages may be made from hot water, cold water or carbonated water that is mixed with various flavors of syrup, sweeteners and nutritional supplements. Identification may be presented and the computer recognizes the consumer and pulls up that consumer'"'"'s account to determine funds available and previous drink selections and mixtures. The machine may incorporate an automatic cleaning cycle for both the valves and the dispense area.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A beverage dispensing system comprising:
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one or more beverage dispensers for dispensing a user defined custom beverage; one or more memory devices in communication with the one or more beverage dispensers, wherein the one or more memory devices store one or more user accounts containing user account information and user preferences in electronic form; an authentication device for identifying a user of the one or more beverage dispensers having a user account; a user interface for selection of a beverage to be dispensed based on the user preferences; and wherein the one or more beverage dispensers will only dispense a beverage where the user is an authorized user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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- 9. A beverage dispensing system of 1, wherein the one or more beverage dispensers are in communication with the one or more memory devices over a computer network, and wherein the user account information and user preferences are accessible from the one or more memory devices and made available at the one or more beverage dispensers when a user has been identified via the authentication device, wherein the user interface is in communication with the one or more memory devices for a user to access and manage user account information and user preferences.
Specification