RF device in drinkware to record data/initiate sequence of behavior

• US 7,439,859 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2004
• Issued: 10/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Validfill LLC
• Original Assignee: Whirley Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Humphrey, Richard L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeff
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAI, ANNE VIET NGA
• Application Number:
  US10/971,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20050099304A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,460 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 340/618, 340/692, 340/691.6, 340/539.11, 732/90.R, 206/217, 222/66, 222/1, 362/101, 141/2, 141/198, 235/381, 235/383, 705/17, 705/41
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit

Abstract

A drinkware is provided to provide information to a receiver. The drinkware is a RF device coupled to a handheld drinking container. The RF device can receive and send RF signals and communicate with a sensory device. A transmitter can send a signal to the communication device, which then activates sensory device. The RF device can communicate with the transmitter to control a fountain machine.

Claims

1. A drinking system comprising:

a handheld drinking container;

a transmitting and receiving unit positioned remotely from said drinking container;

a sensory device coupled to the handheld drinking container; and

a communication device coupled to the handheld drinking container in communication with the transmitter and the sensory device, said communication device including a memory for storing user preferences and payment information and being adapted to send and receive signals from said transmitting and receiving unit and send signals to said sensory device to activate said sensory device in response to said signals received from said transmitting and receiving unit.

2. The drinking system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter can send a RF signal and the communication device can receive the RF signal.

3. The drinking system of claim 2, wherein the communication device can send a RF signal.

4. The drinking system of claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a RF chip powered by a power supply.

5. The drinking system of claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a radio frequency identification chip.

6. A drinking container for use with a beverage dispensing system capable of interpreting and updating information based on customer selections, said drinking container comprising:

a body including an upper rim, a side wall and a bottom forming an interior space for containing a beverage; and

an RF device coupled to said body, said RF device adapted to send a first signal to a transmitter operatively connected to a beverage dispenser and receive and store information sent via a second signal from said transmitter, said first signal including customer preference or payment information and said second signal including updated customer preference or payment information;

wherein the drinking container further includes a sensory device coupled to the container and in communication with said RF device, and wherein said sensory device is activated in response to an activation signal from said transmitter.

7. A method of dispensing a liquid from a beverage dispenser having a plurality of dispensing heads and a plurality of actuators, each actuator corresponding to a type of beverage, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a handheld drinking container having a RF device, said RF device capable of sending and receiving signals and storing information;

providing a transmitter that communicates with the RF device;

sending a signal from said RF device to said transmitter, said signal containing information about quantity of beverage purchased;

determining whether said signal includes authorization to fill said container;

opening the one or more dispensing heads if a refill is authorized;

allowing a user to select a type of beverage and commence dispensing by engaging an actuator;

dispensing a quantity of beverage;

subtracting the quantity of beverage dispensed from the quantity of beverage purchased to determine the quantity of beverage remaining; and

writing the quantity of beverage remaining onto said RF device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the handheld drinking container is a disposable cup.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the transmitter is operatively connected to said beverage dispenser.

10. A method of dispensing a liquid from a beverage dispenser having an RF transmitter/receiver, one or more dispensing heads and one or more actuators, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a handheld drinking container having a RFID tag;

sending a signal from said RFID tag to said transmitter/receiver, said signal containing user preferences or payment information;

interpreting said user preferences or payment information;

determining whether said user preferences or payment information includes authorization to fill said container;

opening the one or more dispensing heads if dispensing is authorized;

allowing a user to make select a type of beverage;

allowing a user to commence dispensing by actuating said one or more actuators corresponding to the selected beverage;

updating said user preferences or payment information based on a selection made by the user;

transmitting a signal to said RFID tag including updated user preferences or payment information; and

storing said user preferences or payment information on said RFID tag.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said payment information includes a number of available paid refills.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said step of updating user preferences or payment information includes reducing the number of available paid refills by one.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein said user preferences includes type of drink selected, shows or events attended, age, sex, or name.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising sending a signal to activate a sensory device, said sensory device being in communication with said RFID tag.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of displaying an advertisement based on said user information transmitted by said signal.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said sensory device is a visual display.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said advertisement is displayed by said visual display.