Beverage dispensing system with user customizable inputs

• US 9,533,867 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2016
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Hortin, Gregory Gene
• Primary Examiner(s): Duong, Tho V
• Assistant Examiner(s): MALIK, RAHEENA REHMAN
• Application Number:
  US15/163,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20160264395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 224 Days
• Field of Search: 700/233
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0015 the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/004 the diluent being supplied from water mains
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0889 Supports
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/84 Casings, cabinets or frameworks; Trolleys or like movable supports
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/028 Details
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/04 with special compartments, e.g. butter conditioners
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2600/02 Timing
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 Item recommendations

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a first compartment, a second compartment, a first door providing access to the first compartment, a second door providing access to the second compartment, and a beverage dispensing system operatively connected the cabinet. The refrigerator further includes a user interface operatively connected to the cabinet, the user interface having a display and being configured to identify a user of the beverage dispensing system and customize beverage settings and preferences associated with the user.

Claims

1. A beverage dispenser comprising:

a cabinet;

a user interface disposed on the cabinet and comprising an input portion and a display portion;

a wireless interface in electrical communication with the user interface; and

a dispenser having a nozzle, the nozzle being in liquid communication with a conduit with least one beverage to be dispensed;

wherein the wireless interface detects a user characteristic of a user of the beverage dispenser and electrically communicates the user characteristic to the user interface; and

wherein the user interface automatically and without user action or input displays on the display portion a recommended beverage to be dispensed to a user of the beverage dispenser based on the detected user characteristic.

2. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein wireless interface comprises a cellular network communication.

3. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface comprises a RFID sensor.

4. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface comprises an optical sensor.

5. The beverage dispenser of claim 4, wherein the optical sensor comprises a charge-coupled device or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor device.

6. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the beverage dispenser is disposed within a door of a refrigerator.

7. The beverage dispenser of claim 6, wherein the refrigerator further comprises an ice dispenser.

8. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to store usage data based on the detected user characteristic.

9. The beverage dispenser of claim 8, wherein the usage data comprises historical user data, and the user interface displays beverage usage data of the user on the display portion.

10. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to display restrictions associated with the user on the display portion.

11. A beverage dispensing system comprising:

a beverage dispenser comprising a nozzle, the nozzle being in liquid communication with a conduit having at least one beverage to be dispensed;

a user characteristic detecting device configured to wirelessly identify a user of the beverage dispensing system; and

a user interface disposed at a location for a user to easily access, the user interface in electrical communication with the user characteristic detecting device;

wherein the user characteristic detecting device electrically communicates the identified user to the user interface; and

wherein the user interface automatically and without user action or input displays a recommended beverage to be dispensed to a user based on the identified user and customizes beverage settings and preferences associated with the user.

12. The beverage dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the characteristic detecting device comprises a cellular network communication.

13. The beverage dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the user characteristic detecting device comprises a RFID sensor.

14. The beverage dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the user characteristic detecting device comprises an optical sensor.

15. The beverage dispensing system of claim 14, wherein the optical sensor comprises a charge-coupled device or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor device.

16. The beverage dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the user interface is configured to adjust customized beverage settings and preferences for the user at least partially based on time of day.

17. The beverage dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the user interface is configured for storing usage data for the beverage dispensing system.

18. The beverage dispensing system of claim 17, wherein the usage data includes beverage data and time data.

19. The beverage dispensing system of claim 18, wherein the usage data further includes user data and is configured to report beverage usage data of the user.

20. A refrigerator comprising:

a cabinet having at least one door for selective access to an interior portion of the cabinet;

a beverage dispenser disposed on the door, the beverage dispenser comprising a nozzle, the nozzle being in fluid communication with at least one beverage to be dispensed;

a user characteristic detecting device configured to wirelessly identify a user of the beverage dispenser; and

a user interface in electrical communication with the user characteristic detecting device;

wherein the user characteristic detecting device is configured to electrically communicate the identified user to the user interface; and

wherein the user interface is configured to store data comprising user data, beverage data, and time data, and is configured to report beverage usage data of the user, and customize beverage settings and preferences associated with the user.