Intelligent beverage and culinary appliances

• US 8,863,649 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2005
• Issued: 10/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IP Holdings Incorporated (IP Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: IP Holdings Incorporated (IP Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Rao, Raman K., Rao, Rekha K., Rao, Sunil K., Rao, Sanjay K.
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, REGINALD
• Application Number:
  US11/086,810
• Time in Patent Office: 3,501 Days
• Field of Search: 992/80, 992/81, 992/82, 992/83, 992/95, 700/12, 700/15, 700/65, 700/83, 340/534, 340/538
• US Class Current: 99/283
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/00 Apparatus for making beverages household machines or implements for straining foodstuffs A47J19/00; preparation of non-alcoholic beverages, e.g. by adding ingredients to fruit or vegetable juices, A23L2/00; coffee or tea pots A47G19/14; tea infusers A47G19/16; brewing of beer C12C; preparation of wine or other alcoholic beverages C12G

Abstract

A networking system, method and apparatus for real time management, operation, command and control of various intelligent beverage appliances and intelligent culinary appliances enabled for the preparation, storage and serving/dispensing of hot and cold beverages and food items. The intelligent beverage appliances and intelligent culinary appliances enabled for personalized/customized preparation, storage and dispensing of selected beverage/food items in accordance with user/customer preference profiles maintained within said intelligent appliances and or in conjunction with a central server, a mobile device, a stationary device or a combination thereof; including the maintenance of user/customer information in secure databases for evaluation and analysis by the customer, vendor and an authorized health care professional for personal health management and other utility.

Claims

1. A machine for creating and dispensing beverages, the machine comprising:

a housing that stores cartridges that are used to create a beverage;

a plurality of cartridges containing beverage ingredients, wherein each cartridge is replaceable and may be placed in the housing;

a preparation unit, wherein a beverage is prepared from the beverage ingredients;

a dispenser, wherein the dispenser releases the beverage liquid;

a touch screen display;

a plurality of icons, wherein the icons are associated with a specific type of beverage or action related to ordering or dispensing the beverage;

a user interface (UI) component, wherein the UI component allows a user to order a beverage, and wherein the beverage is created based on a specific order from a customer;

a processor;

a memory communicatively coupled with the processor;

a storage component communicatively coupled with the memory;

a wireless transmit and receive communication component;

a machine identification (ID); and

a plurality of RFID tags, wherein the processor on the machine is configured to access RFID information from one or more RFID tags, wherein the one or more RFID tags are configured with beverage profile information, wherein one more tags are configured for read-only access of beverage related information and one or more tags are configured for read-and-write access of beverage related information, wherein the processor accesses RFID tag information, and wherein the machine sends to a network server separate from the machine beverage or other information accessed from the one or more RFID tags.

2. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a server, wherein the server tracks data related to the machine including one or more of order data, purchase data, time of day, and customer data.

3. The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine downloads software updates from a server.

4. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium or software program that enables a user to access beverage information or place an order using the mobile device, wherein the mobile device sends the order to the machine.

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein the machine is further in communication with a mobile device, the mobile device storing in a memory of the mobile device a profile of a customer, wherein the profile includes payment information, wherein the software program allows for an option to pay for a beverage using stored credit card data, wherein the mobile device sends the payment information to a server, wherein the server communicates a valid payment to the machine, and wherein the machine dispenses the beverage in accordance with an order placed on said mobile device.

6. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a mobile device, wherein the mobile device is associated with a customer profile stored on a vendor'"'"'s server.

7. The machine of claim 1, wherein said one or more RFID tags are may be placed on the beverage appliance or mobile device or other beverage related item.

8. The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine accepts a payment using a credit card.

9. The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine accepts a payment using a mobile phone.

10. The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine collects a photo of a customer and associates said photo with an order.

11. The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine is configured to mix and match flavors based on a customized order.

12. The machine of claim 1, wherein the one or more RFID tags are associated with ingredient cartridges, and wherein the processor accesses the one or more RFID tag data and sends the data to the network server.

13. The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine is configured for dispensing various drinks including one or more of lemonade, ice tea, iced coffee, fruit juices, colas, or other cold drinks or combinations thereof.

14. The machine of claim 1, wherein the machine is configured to dispense hot beverages including one or more of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate or combinations thereof.

15. A system for creating and dispensing beverages, comprising:

a housing that stores cartridges that are used to create a beverage;

a plurality of cartridges containing beverage ingredients, wherein each cartridge is replaceable and may be placed in the housing;

a preparation unit, wherein a beverage is prepared from the beverage ingredients;

a dispenser, wherein the dispenser releases the beverage liquid;

a touch screen display;

a plurality of icons, wherein the icons are associated with a specific type of beverage or action related to ordering or dispensing the beverage;

a user interface (UI) component, wherein the UI component allows a user to order a beverage, and wherein the beverage is created based on a specific order from a customer;

a processor;

a memory communicatively coupled with the processor;

a storage component communicatively coupled with the memory;

a wireless transmit and receive communication component;

a machine identification (ID); and

a plurality of RFID tags, wherein the processor is configured to access RFID information from one or more RFID tags, wherein the one or more RFID tags are configured with beverage profile information, wherein one more tags are configured for read-only access of beverage related information and one or more tags are configured for read-and-write access of beverage related information, wherein the processor accesses RFID tag information, and wherein the system sends to a network server separate from the system or other information accessed from the one or more RFID tags.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a point of sale (POS) system, wherein said point of sale system accepts an order from the mobile device.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein delivery and payment of the beverage order is based on a user defined profile.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the requested item is a hot or cold beverage or coffee or tea beverage.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the mobile device communicates with the POS system using RFID.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the beverage appliance is a coffee machine.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein delivery and payment of a beverage order is according to the personal preferences of the user.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein a user may provide a picture to the vendor.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein a server stores preferences of a user and wherein the preferences relate to food or beverage.

24. The system of claim 15, wherein a server receives a request for refills of packages or pods from a mobile device.

25. The system of claim 15, wherein a server includes a database and wherein the database includes profiles for multiple users including preferences related to food or beverage items.

26. The system of claim 15, the system being configured for automation of preparation of beverage drinks, wherein a user may request a beverage item using a mobile device, wherein the request for a beverage item is sent to a server, and wherein a user is automatically charged the amount of the item requested based on a stored payment profile.

27. The system of claim 15, wherein a server maintains store level information including one or more of the following of individual beverage preferences, consumption patterns, and tracking of consumption of individual beverage items ordered at a vendor location.

28. The system of claim 15, wherein the system is configured for dispensing various drinks including one or more of lemonade, ice tea, iced coffee, fruit juices, colas, or other cold drinks or combinations thereof.

29. The system of claim 15, wherein the system is configured to dispense hot beverages including one or more of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate or combinations thereof.

30. The system of claim 15, wherein a program allows an individual to request a beverage, and wherein a program is executed by a processor on a mobile device, and wherein the program utilizes a touch screen display of the mobile device for interaction with a user;

and a server, wherein the mobile device sends a data request comprising beverage related information to the server.

31. The system of claim 15, wherein ordering and payment of the selected beverage or food item may be conducted by a user or a customer using the mobile device.

32. A machine for creating and dispensing beverages, the machine comprising:

a housing that stores pods that are used to create a beverage;

a plurality of pods containing beverage ingredients, wherein each pod is replaceable and may be placed in the housing;

a preparation unit, wherein a beverage is prepared from the beverage ingredients;

a dispenser, wherein the dispenser releases the beverage liquid;

a touch screen display;

a plurality of icons, wherein the icons are associated with a specific type of beverage or action related to ordering or dispensing the beverage;

a user interface (UI) component, wherein the UI component allows a user to order a beverage, and wherein the beverage is created based on a specific order from a customer;

a processor;

a memory communicatively coupled with the processor;

a storage component communicatively coupled with the memory;

a wireless transmit and receive communication component;

a machine identification (ID); and

a plurality of RFID tags, wherein the processor on the machine is configured to access RFID information from one or more RFID taus, wherein the one or more RFID tags are configured with beverage profile information, wherein one more tags are configured for read-only access of beverage related information and one or more tags are configured for read-and-write access of beverage related information, wherein the processor accesses RFID tag information, and wherein the machine sends to a network server separate from the machine beverage or other information accessed from the one or more RFID tags.

33. The machine of claim 32, wherein the machine is configured for use in a retail location, restaurant, home location, office location, or combination thereof.

34. The machine of claim 32, wherein the machine dispenses beverages in accordance with an individual'"'"'s personalized preferences.

35. The machine of claim 34, wherein the personalized preferences of a plurality of individuals is stored for evaluation and analysis.

36. The machine of claim 32, wherein the machine is configured for dispensing various drinks including one or more of lemonade, ice tea, iced coffee, fruit juices, colas, or other cold drinks or combinations thereof.

37. The machine of claim 32, wherein the machine is configured to dispense hot beverages including one or more of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate or combinations thereof.

38. The machine of claim 32, wherein the machine is configured with one or more identifiers including an IP address.

39. The machine of claim 32, wherein the machine is programmable for initiating an action including preparation of coffee at a specified time in accordance with the user selected/set preferences.

40. The machine of claim 39, wherein the beverage appliance accepts an order from a mobile device.

41. The machine of claim 39, wherein the beverage appliance prepares a beverage based on an input from a separate intelligent appliance.

42. The machine of claim 39, wherein the beverage appliance prepares a beverage based on a separate intelligent appliances including an intelligent alarm clock.

43. A system for creating and dispensing beverages, comprising:

a housing that stores pods that are used to create a beverage;

a plurality of pods containing beverage ingredients, wherein each pod is replaceable and may be placed in the housing;

a preparation unit, wherein a beverage is prepared from the beverage ingredients;

a dispenser, wherein the dispenser releases the beverage liquid;

a touch screen display;

a plurality of icons, wherein the icons are associated with a specific type of beverage or action related to ordering or dispensing the beverage;

a user interface (UI) component, wherein the UI component allows a user to order a beverage, and wherein the beverage is created based on a specific order from a customer;

a processor;

a memory communicatively coupled with the processor;

a storage component communicatively coupled with the memory;

a wireless transmit and receive communication component;

a machine identification (ID); and

a plurality of RFID tags, wherein the processor is configured to access RFID information from one or more RFID tags, wherein the one or more RFID tags are configured with beverage profile information, wherein one more tags are configured for read-only access of beverage related information and one or more tags are configured for read-and-write access of beverage related information, wherein the processor accesses RFID tag information, and wherein the system sends to a network server separate from the system or other information accessed from the one or more RFID tags.

44. The system of claim 43, further comprising a point of sale (POS) system, wherein said point of sale system accepts an order from the mobile device.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein delivery and payment of the beverage order is based on a user defined profile.

46. The system of claim 43, wherein the requested item is a hot or cold beverage or coffee or tea beverage.

47. The system of claim 43, wherein the mobile device communicates with the POS system using RFID.

48. The system of claim 43, wherein the beverage appliance is a coffee machine.

49. The system of claim 43, wherein delivery and payment of a beverage order is according to the personal preferences of the user.

50. The system of claim 43, wherein a user may provide a picture to the vendor.

51. The system of claim 43, wherein a server stores preferences of a user and wherein the preferences relate to food or beverage.

52. The system of claim 43, wherein a server receives a request for refills of packages or pods from a mobile device.

53. The system of claim 43, wherein a server includes a database and wherein the database includes profiles for multiple users including preferences related to food or beverage items.

54. The system of claim 43, the system being configured for automation of preparation of beverage drinks, wherein a user may request a beverage item using a mobile device, wherein the request for a beverage item is sent to a server, and wherein a user is automatically charged the amount of the item requested based on a stored payment profile.

55. The system of claim 43, wherein a server maintains store level information including one or more of the following of individual beverage preferences, consumption patterns, and tracking of consumption of individual beverage items ordered at a vendor location.

56. The system of claim 43, wherein the machine is configured for dispensing various drinks including one or more of lemonade, ice tea, iced coffee, fruit juices, colas, or other cold drinks or combinations thereof.

57. The system of claim 43, wherein the machine is configured to dispense hot beverages including one or more of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate or combinations thereof.

58. The system of claim 43, wherein a program allows an individual to request a beverage, and wherein a program is executed by a processor on a mobile device, and wherein the program utilizes a touch screen display of the mobile device for interaction with a user;

and a server, wherein the mobile device sends a data request comprising beverage related information to the server.

59. The system of claim 43, wherein ordering and payment of the selected beverage or food item is conducted by a user or a customer using the mobile device.