Beverage communication system

• US 7,268,698 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2002
• Issued: 09/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
• Inventors: Knepler, John T., Hart, Burton L., Lowe, Kevin G., Wurtzler, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr.; Timothy
• Application Number:
  US10/476,950
• Publication Number:
  US 20040183693A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,953 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.16, 340/870.07, 340/870.11, 340/5.9, 700/239, 700/231, 222/52, 222/638, 992/75, 992/79, 992/80
• US Class Current: 340/870.07
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/007 for brewing on a large scale, e.g. for restaurants, or for use with more than one brewing container
• 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 31/40 Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/401 whereby the powder ingredients and the water are delivered to a mixing bowl
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/402 Liquid dosing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/404 Powder dosing devices
• 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: A47J 31/525 the electronic control being based on monitoring of specific process parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/5253 of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/56 having water-level controls; having temperature controls
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/60 Cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/44 in which magazines the articles are stored in bulk
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/02 by volume
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 5/18 specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

A beverage system including a communication means (300) for communicating between a beverage dispensing module (32) and a base station (304). Each beverage-dispersing module (32) includes a controller (76), which is centralized for use with multiple modules (32) or dedicated to an individual module (32). The controller (76) collects information about the module (32) or modules. The controller (76) includes link (302), which connect the controller (76) to the base station (304). The base station (304) includes a means for displaying display (305) and can provide visual auditor or other information about numerous conditions.

Claims

1. A communication system for use with a beverage making apparatus, the communication system comprising:

at least one controller for collecting information from at least one beverage making apparatus;

at least one receiver for receiving information from at least one controller;

means for linking the controller to the receiver for communicating the collected information about a beverage making apparatus from the controller to the receiver;

means for displaying at the receiver a form of the collected information about the beverage making apparatus; and

communication means for sending a control signal to the beverage making apparatus

wherein the means for linking uses a multiple path verification signal which originates as an initial communication at the controller and is received by the receiver with the receiver communicating at least a portion of the initial communication which is received by the controller whereupon the controller provides a confirmation to the receiver.

2. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising the link means operates using a physical, generally point-to-point link between the controller and the receiver.

3. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising the display means being configured as an auditory display.

4. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising the display means including at least a visual display and auditory display.

5. The communication system of claim 1, the receiver further comprising operator control means for facilitating control of the communication system at the receiver.

6. The communication system of claim 1, the receiver further comprising operator control means for facilitating control of the controller from the receiver using the linking means.

7. The communication system of claim 1, the means for linking operating using a single path signal from the controller to the receiver.

8. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is positioned at a cash register location.

9. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the means for displaying communicates a condition of the beverage such as temperature, freshness or flavor.

10. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to dispose of beverage from a container.

11. The communication system of claim 10, wherein the controller is operable to flush and sanitize a portion of the beverage making apparatus.

12. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising the link means operating using a wireless communication link.

13. The communication system of claim 12, further comprising the wireless communication link operating using radio frequencies.

14. The communication system of claim 12, further comprising the wireless communication link operating using an optical link.

15. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising the display means being configured as a visual display.

16. The communication system of claim 15, further comprising the visual display being configured to provide a text message.

17. The communication system of claim 15, further comprising the visual display being configured to provide a symbolic message.

18. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to initiate a brew cycle.

19. The communication system of claim 18, wherein the controller is operable to sense a temperature or level.

20. The communication system of claim 18, wherein the controller operates a valve to introduce a liquid into a housing.

21. A communication system for use with a beverage making apparatus, the communication system comprising:

at least one controller for collecting information from at least one beverage making apparatus;

at least one receiver for receiving information from at least one controller;

means for linking the controller to the receiver for communicating the collected information about a beverage making apparatus from the controller to the receiver;

means for displaying at the receiver a form of the collected information about the beverage making apparatus; and

communication means for sending a control signal to the beverage making apparatus

wherein the controller is operable to prevent beverage dispensing during a brew cycle.

22. The communication system of claim 21, wherein the receiver is positioned at a cash register location.

23. The communication system of claim 21, wherein the means for displaying communicates a condition of the beverage such as temperature, freshness or flavor.

24. The communication system of claim 21, wherein the controller is operable to prevent beverage dispensing during a brew cycle.

25. The communication system of claim 21, wherein the controller is operable to control the timing of adding flavoring during a brew cycle.

26. The communication system of claim 25, wherein the controller is operable to ensure the addition of flavoring early in the a brew cycle.

27. The communication system of claim 21, wherein the controller is operable to dispose of beverage from a container.

28. The communication system of claim 27, wherein the controller is operable to flush and sanitize a portion of the beverage making apparatus.

29. The communication system of claim 27, wherein the controller measures the length of beverage brew time.

30. The communication system of claim 21, wherein the controller is operable to initiate a brew cycle.

31. The communication system of claim 30, wherein the controller is operable to sense a temperature or level.

32. The communication system of claim 30, wherein the controller operates a valve to introduce a liquid into a housing.

33. A communication system for use with a beverage making apparatus, the communication system comprising:

at least one controller for collecting information from at least one beverage making apparatus;

at least one receiver for receiving information from at least one controller;

means for linking the controller to the receiver for communicating the collected information about a beverage making apparatus from the controller to the receiver;

means for displaying at the receiver a form of the collected information about the beverage making apparatus; and

communication means for sending a control signal to the beverage making apparatus

wherein the controller is operable to control the timing of adding flavoring during a brew cycle.

34. The communication system of claim 33, wherein the controller is operable to ensure the addition of flavoring early in the a brew cycle.

35. A communication system for use with a beverage making apparatus, the communication system comprising:

at least one controller for collecting information from at least one beverage making apparatus;

at least one receiver for receiving information from at least one controller;

means for linking the controller to the receiver for communicating the collected information about a beverage making apparatus from the controller to the receiver;

means for displaying at the receiver a form of the collected information about the beverage making apparatus; and

communication means for sending a control signal to the beverage making apparatus

wherein the controller measures the length of beverage brew time and initiates disposal from a container at a predetermined time.