Beverage dispensing device configured to alter a recipe in response to external inputs

• US 8,798,799 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2013
• Issued: 08/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PepsiCo Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PepsiCo Incorporated
• Inventors: Deo, Indrani, Jersey, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Buechner, Patrick M
• Application Number:
  US13/947,557
• Publication Number:
  US 20130304265A1
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 222/129.4, 700/233, 700/239, 700/240, 700/283, 700/285, 705/2
• US Class Current: 700/285
• 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

Systems and methods for dispensing compositions, such as beverages, are provided. 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. Environmental or biological 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. 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.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

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

determining an activity performed by the user based on the data received from the biosensor;

a display device configured to display one or more beverage options available for selection based, at least in part, on the data received from the biosensor and at least one of a favorite beverage of the user and a past beverage purchase of the user;

an input device configured to receive input indicating a selection of one of the beverage options; and

a controller connected to the transceiver, display device, and input device wherein the controller is configured to alter a recipe of a beverage associated with the selection based on the activity performed by the user and at least one of the data received from the biosensor, the favorite beverage, and the past beverage purchase such that a second recipe is formed.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the physiological parameter is an electrolyte level of the user; and

the controller is further configured to alter the recipe of the beverage associated with the selection by including an electrolyte ingredient in the recipe.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the amount of electrolyte ingredient is based on the data received from the biosensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the electrolyte ingredient is one of sodium chloride, sodium citrate, mono-potassium phosphate, quercetin, and combinations thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

the biosensor is part of a wristband worn by a user; and

the biosensor is configured to measure the electrolyte level from sweat of the user.

6. A method of providing a user a beverage from a beverage dispenser comprising:

receiving, at the beverage dispenser, data from a biosensor associated with the user;

determining an activity performed by the user based on the data received from the biosensor;

determining one or more beverage options available for selection based, at least in part, on the data received from the biosensor and at least one of a favorite beverage of the user and a past beverage purchase of the user;

receiving user input indicating a selection of one of the beverage options;

altering a recipe of a beverage associated with the selection based on the activity performed by the user and at least one of the data received from the biosensor, the favorite beverage, and the past beverage purchase such that a second recipe is formed; and

providing the beverage to the user according to the second recipe.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the one or more beverage options are determined based on the data received from the biosensor and the favorite beverage.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the one or more beverage options are determined based on the data received from the biosensor and the past beverage purchase.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the recipe of the beverage associated with the selection is altered based only on the data received from the biosensor.

10. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

identifying a favorite class of beverages associated with the user; and

wherein at least one of the beverage options available for selection is associated with the favorite class of beverages.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein altering a recipe of a beverage associated with the selection includes at least one of:

adjusting at least one ingredient of the recipe; and

introducing a new ingredient to the recipe.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions that, when executed, cause a beverage dispenser to perform steps comprising:

receiving data from a biosensor associated with the user;

determining an activity performed by the user based on the data received from the biosensor;

determining one or more one or more beverage options available for selection based, at least in part, on the data received from the biosensor and at least one of a favorite beverage of the user and a past beverage selection;

receiving user input indicating a selection of one of the beverage options; and

altering a recipe of a beverage associated with the selection based on the activity performed by the user and at least one of the data received from the biosensor, the favorite beverage, and the past beverage selection such that a second recipe is formed.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein:

the data from the biosensor corresponds to an electrolyte level of the user; and

the instructions, when executed, cause the beverage dispenser to alter the recipe of the beverage associated with the selection by including an electrolyte ingredient in the recipe.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13 wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the beverage dispenser to determine an amount of electrolyte ingredient based on the data received from the biosensor.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 13 wherein:

the biosensor is part of a wristband worn by a user; and

the biosensor is configured to measure the electrolyte level from sweat of the user.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the beverage dispenser to perform steps further comprising determining the one or more beverage options based on the data received from the biosensor and the favorite beverage.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 12 wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the beverage dispenser to determine the one or more beverage options based on the data received from the biosensor and the past beverage selection.