Systems and methods for dispensing consumable products

• US 8,751,037 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2008
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Peters, Dan, Tran, Son V., Newman, David R., Antao, Leonard F., Slagley, David O., Kolls, H. Brock
• Primary Examiner(s): WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R
• Application Number:
  US12/204,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20090069930A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,105 Days
• Field of Search: 700/236, 700/239, 700/244
• US Class Current: 700/236
• 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 2210/00089 Remote control means, e.g. by electromagnetic signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• 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: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation
• 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: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. One embodiment of the invention can provide a product dispenser. The product dispenser can include an ingredient matrix operable to receive a plurality of product ingredients. In addition, the product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the ingredient matrix, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive product data associated with the plurality of product ingredients. Moreover, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions to track usage of the plurality of product ingredients when at least one product is dispensed. Furthermore, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions to update the product data during or after dispensing of a product or installation of one or more product ingredients in the ingredient matrix.

Claims

1. A beverage dispenser, comprising:

an ingredient matrix comprising carbonated water supply and configured to receive a plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages comprising respective beverage ingredients, wherein the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages is configured to formulate a beverage via a combination of at least two of the respective beverage ingredients in predetermined ratios, and wherein at least a portion of the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages contains one or more beverage ingredients limiting placement within the ingredient matrix; and

a controller in communication with the ingredient matrix and configured to execute a set of instructions that, in response to execution, cause the controller to;

generate a virtual ingredient matrix based at least in part on the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages within the ingredient matrix, the virtual ingredient matrix comprises data representative of the ingredient matrix;

generate a beverage composition data record comprising data indicative of quantity of each beverage ingredient and carbonated water that are dispensed in a beverage that is formulated via the ingredient matrix and dispensed at the beverage dispenser;

receive beverage data associated with the respective beverage ingredients in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages and comprising previously generated beverage composition data records;

track usage of the respective beverage ingredients in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages in the virtual ingredient matrix based at least in part on one or more of the beverage composition data record or the previously generated beverage composition data records; and

update the virtual ingredient matrix with one or more quantities of the respective beverage ingredients in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages in response to formulating and dispensing of the beverage and based at least in part on the beverage data.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the beverage data comprises at least one of beverage composition data, type of ingredient, type of beverage, volume of a beverage ingredient, quantity of a beverage ingredient, depletion rate of a beverage ingredient, remaining volume of beverage ingredient, or remaining quantity of beverage ingredient.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the controller is further operable to execute a set of instructions that, in response to execution, cause the controller to

update the virtual ingredient matrix during or after the beverage is formed and dispensed based at least in part on the beverage data.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the controller is further operable to execute a set of instructions that, in response to execution, cause the controller to

determine whether to order one or more of the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages based at least in part on the beverage data.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the controller is further operable to execute a set of instructions that, in response to execution, cause the controller to determine a depletion rate for at least one beverage ingredient in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages based at least in part on the beverage data.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein the controller is further operable to execute a set of instructions that, in response to execution, cause the controller to

determine an optimized ingredient matrix based at least in part on the depletion rate for the at least one beverage ingredient in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages.

7. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising

a reader configured to read machine readable information associated with a beverage forming ingredient package of the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages, the beverage forming ingredient package containing at least one beverage ingredient.

23. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the controller is further operable to execute a set of instructions that, in response to execution, cause the controller to update the virtual ingredient matrix with one or more quantities of the respective beverage ingredients in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages in response to installation of one or more beverage ingredients in the ingredient matrix.

24. The beverage dispenser of claim 23, wherein one or more beverage ingredient quantities in the virtual ingredient matrix are depleted per usage of the plurality of beverage ingredients based at least in part on the beverage composition data records.

25. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the controller is further operable to execute a set of instructions that, in response to execution, cause the controller to update the virtual ingredient matrix with one or more quantities of the respective beverage ingredients in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages based at least in part on detection of insertion of a new beverage forming ingredient package to the ingredient matrix.

8. A method for operating a beverage dispenser, comprising:

receiving, at an ingredient matrix, a plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages comprising respective beverage ingredients;

generating, at a controller associated with the beverage dispenser, a beverage composition data record comprising data indicative of quantity of each beverage ingredient dispensed in a beverage that is formulated via the ingredient matrix and dispensed at the beverage dispenser;

receiving, at the controller, beverage data associated with the respective beverage ingredients in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages and comprising data indicative of previously generated beverage composition data records; and

tracking, at the controller, usage of the respective beverage ingredients in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages in a virtual ingredient matrix based at least in part on one or more of the beverage composition data records or the data indicative of the previously generated beverage composition data records, the virtual ingredient matrix comprises data representative of the ingredient matrix.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein receiving beverage data associated with the plurality of beverage ingredients comprises reading machine readable information associated with a beverage forming ingredient package containing at least one beverage ingredient.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the tracking comprises monitoring at least one of usage volume of a beverage ingredient in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages, usage quantity of the beverage ingredient, or usage rate of the beverage ingredient.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising

determining a depletion rate for at least one beverage ingredient in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages based at least in part on the beverage data.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising

determining when to order one or more of the respective beverage ingredients in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages based at least in part on the beverage data.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the tracking comprises:

generating the virtual ingredient matrix based at least in part on the respective beverage ingredients in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages within the ingredient matrix; and

updating the virtual ingredient matrix during or after at least one beverage is dispensed based at least in part on the beverage data.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising

determining an optimized ingredient matrix based at least in part on beverage data.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein determining the optimized ingredient matrix based at least in part on the beverage data comprises determining a depletion rate for at least one beverage ingredient in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages.

16. A method for managing a beverage dispenser, the method comprising:

generating, at a controller associated with the beverage dispenser, a beverage composition data record comprising data indicative of quantity of each beverage ingredient dispensed in a beverage that is formulated via an ingredient matrix and dispensed at the beverage dispenser;

receiving, at the controller, beverage data associated with a plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages installed within the ingredient matrix, the beverage data comprising the beverage composition data record and data indicative of previously generated beverage composition data records;

tracking, at the controller, usage of the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages in one or more of the beverage composition data record or a previously generated beverage composition data record when at least one product is formulated via the ingredient matrix and dispensed at the beverage dispenser, wherein one or more beverage ingredient quantities in the beverage composition data record are depleted per usage of the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages;

determining, at the controller, a depletion rate for at least one beverage ingredient in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages;

estimating, at the controller, complete depletion of the at least one beverage ingredient based at least on the depletion rate; and

transmitting an order for a depleted beverage ingredient via a network.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the receiving comprises reading machine readable information associated with a beverage forming ingredient package containing at least one beverage ingredient.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the tracking comprises:

generating the virtual ingredient matrix based at least in part on the respective beverage ingredients in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages within the ingredient matrix; and

updating the virtual ingredient matrix during or after at least one beverage is dispensed based at least in part on the beverage data.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the estimating comprises determining the depletion rate based at least in part on one of usage volume of a beverage ingredient in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages, usage quantity of the beverage ingredient, usage rate of the beverage ingredient, usage volume of a virtual beverage ingredient, usage quantity of the virtual beverage ingredient, or usage rate of the virtual beverage ingredient.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the transmitting comprises at least one of sending the order prior to when the beverage ingredient or virtual beverage ingredient is depleted, or sending the order at a predetermined time prior to an estimated time of depletion of the beverage ingredient or the virtual beverage ingredient.

21. A system for managing beverage ingredients, comprising:

an ingredient matrix configured to receive a plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages contains one or more beverage ingredients with limited placement within the ingredient matrix; and

a controller in communication with the ingredient matrix and configured to execute a set of instructions that, in response to execution, cause the controller to;

generate a beverage composition data record comprising data indicative of quantity of each beverage ingredient and carbonated water that are dispensed in a beverage that is formulated via the ingredient matrix;

receive beverage data associated with the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages installed within an ingredient matrix and comprising previously generated beverage composition data records;

track usage of the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages in the beverage composition data record when at least one beverage is dispensed, wherein one or more beverage ingredient quantities in the beverage composition data record are depleted per usage of the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages;

determine a depletion rate for at least one beverage ingredient in the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages;

estimating, at the controller, complete depletion of the at least one beverage ingredient based at least on the depletion rate; and

transmit an order for a depleted beverage ingredient via a network.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the controller is further configured to execute a set of instructions that, in response to execution, cause the controller to:

generate a virtual ingredient matrix based at least in part on the plurality of beverage forming ingredient packages within the ingredient matrix; and

update the virtual ingredient matrix during or after at least one beverage is dispensed based at least in part on the beverage data.