Universal dispenser interface
First Claim
1. A product dispenser assembly for dispensing a product, the dispenser comprising:
- a dispenser controller having a first communication interface disposed within the dispenser; and
a communication controller comprising a second communication interface and a memory, the second communication interface operatively connected to the first communication interface and disposed within the dispenser, the communication controller configured to be in communication with one or more devices, wherein the communication controller is configured to;
receive a command from one of the one or more devices, wherein the command is configured for execution by the dispenser controller; and
provide the command to the dispenser controller, andwherein execution of the command by the dispenser controller causes (a) product to be dispensed, (b) dispenser data to be stored, (c) dispenser data to be communicated, (d) a change in how a product is dispensed, or (e) an update to be made to the firmware of the dispenser controller, in accordance with the command.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a dispenser interface, associated methods and systems, and dispensers employing the dispenser interface and associated systems and methods. An example embodiment provides a product dispenser assembly for dispensing a product. The dispenser comprises a dispenser controller having a first communication interface; and a communication controller having a second communication interface. The second communication interface is operatively connected to the first communication interface. The communication controller is configured to be in communication with one or more devices. The communication controller is configured to receive a command from one of the one or more devices; and provide the command to the dispenser controller. The dispenser controller and communication controller are configured to cause (a) product to be dispensed, (b) dispenser data to be stored, or (c) dispenser data to be communicated in accordance with the command.
139 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A product dispenser assembly for dispensing a product, the dispenser comprising:
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a dispenser controller having a first communication interface disposed within the dispenser; and a communication controller comprising a second communication interface and a memory, the second communication interface operatively connected to the first communication interface and disposed within the dispenser, the communication controller configured to be in communication with one or more devices, wherein the communication controller is configured to; receive a command from one of the one or more devices, wherein the command is configured for execution by the dispenser controller; and provide the command to the dispenser controller, and wherein execution of the command by the dispenser controller causes (a) product to be dispensed, (b) dispenser data to be stored, (c) dispenser data to be communicated, (d) a change in how a product is dispensed, or (e) an update to be made to the firmware of the dispenser controller, in accordance with the command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling a dispenser for dispensing products, the method comprising:
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establishing a communication connection with a communication controller, the communication controller (a) operatively connected to a communication interface of a dispenser controller and (b) comprising a memory, the dispenser controller configured to control the dispenser, wherein the dispenser comprises the dispenser controller and the communication controller; and providing a command to the communication controller, the command (a) originating from a remote computing device and (b) configured for execution by the dispenser controller, wherein the communication controller is configured to provide the command to the dispenser controller and wherein execution of the command by the dispenser controller causes (a) product to be dispensed, (b) dispenser data to be stored, (c) dispenser data to be communicated, (d) a change in how a product is dispensed, or (e) an update to be made to the firmware of the dispenser controller, in accordance with the command. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification