Systems and methods for facilitating consumer-dispenser interactions

• US 8,755,932 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2008
• Issued: 06/17/2014
• 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:
  US12/204,514
• Publication Number:
  US 20090065520A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,112 Days
• Field of Search: 700/233, 700/236, 700/239
• US Class Current: 700/233
• 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: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• 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

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for facilitating consumer-dispenser interactions. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a reader configured to read a machine readable item. In addition, the product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the reader, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive information from the machine readable item associated with a consumer via the reader. Moreover, the controller can be further operable to execute a set of instructions to configure at least one characteristic based at least in part on the information from the machine readable item, and dispense a product.

Claims

1. A product dispenser, comprising:

a reader configured to read a machine readable item associated with a consumer; and

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

receive information from the machine readable item via the reader;

configure dispenser parameters of a product to be dispensed from the product dispenser based at least in part on the information from the machine readable item, the dispenser parameters comprising product formulation of the product and product size of the product;

provide a promotional offer to the consumer based at least in part on the product and a portion size of the product;

provide, prior to dispense of the product, an option via a user interface for the consumer to select an adjusted product associated with the promotional offer, wherein the adjusted product comprises an adjustment to one or more of the dispenser parameters based on the promotional offer; and

dispense the adjusted product in response to selection of the adjusted product.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to execute a set of instructions that, in response to execution, cause the controller to further configure at least one of a product size of the product to be dispensed, or a product price of the product to be dispensed.

3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the machine readable item comprises at least one of product packaging, a print ad, a bar code, an icon, or a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to execute a set of instructions that, in response to execution, cause the controller to determine whether the consumer is eligible to receive the product.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the product comprises at least one of a beverage, a beverage can, a beverage bottle, a beverage container, or a beverage refill.

6. A product dispenser, comprising:

a user interface configured to receive consumer input and output content to the consumer; and

a controller configured to execute a set of instructions that, in response to execution, cause the controller to;

receive product selection information from the consumer, the information identifies a selected product;

provide a promotional offer to the consumer based at least in part on the selected product and a portion size of the selected product;

provide, prior to dispense of the selected product, an option via the user interface for the consumer to select an adjusted product associated with the promotional offer, wherein the adjusted product comprises an adjustment to one or more dispenser parameters of the selected product based on the promotional offer, the one or more dispenser parameters comprising at least one of product formulation of the selected product or product size of the selected product; and

dispense the adjusted product.

7. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the promotional offer comprises at least one of an offer for a phone card, an offer for a wireless communication device, an offer for Internet or network service, an offer for a particular type of product or service, or an offer for a specially priced product or service.

8. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the product selection information from a consumer comprises information provided to the dispenser by at least one of a user interface associated with the product dispenser, a machine readable code, product packaging, a print ad, a bar code, an icon, information from an RFID tag, a communication from a client-type device, or a communication from a wireless communication device.

9. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein promotional information can be provided via the user interface to present a promotional offer associated with the product or a different product.

10. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the controller is further configured to execute a set of instructions that, in response to execution, cause the controller to bill the consumer for use of the product or service.

11. A method for product dispensing, comprising:

receiving information from a machine readable item associated with a consumer;

configuring dispenser parameters of a product to be dispensed from a product dispenser based at least in part on the information from the machine readable item, the dispenser parameters comprising product formulation and product size;

providing a promotional offer, based at least in part on the product and a portion size of the product, to the consumer;

prior to dispensing any product, providing an option via a user interface for the consumer to select an adjusted product associated with the promotional offer, wherein the adjusted product comprises an adjustment to one or more dispenser parameters of the selected product based on the promotional offer; and

dispensing the adjusted product.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising configuring at least one of a product size of the product to be dispensed or a product price of the product to be dispensed.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the machine readable item comprises at least one of product packaging, a print ad, a bar code, an icon, or an RFID tag.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein dispensing the adjusted product comprises determining whether the consumer is eligible to receive the product.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the product comprises at least one of a beverage, a beverage can, a beverage bottle, a beverage container, or a beverage refill.

16. A method for operating a product dispenser, comprising:

receiving product selection information from a consumer, the information identifies a selected product;

providing a promotional offer to the consumer based at least in part on the selected product and a portion size of the selected product;

prior to dispensing the product, providing an option via a user interface for the consumer to select an adjusted product associated with the promotional offer, wherein the adjusted product comprises an adjustment to one or more dispenser parameters of the selected product based on the promotional offer, the one or more dispenser parameters comprising at least one of product formulation of the selected product or product size of the selected product; and

dispensing the adjusted product corresponding to the promotional offer.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the promotional information comprises at least one of an offer for a phone card, an offer for a wireless communication device, an offer for Internet or network service, an offer for a particular type of product or service, or an offer for a specially priced product or service.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving the product selection information from the consumer comprises obtaining information from at least one of a user interface associated with the product dispenser, a machine readable code, product packaging, a print ad, a bar code, an icon, information from an RFID tag, a communication from a client-type device, or a communication from a wireless communication device.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein providing promotional information to the consumer based at least in part on the product selection information comprises configuring a user interface to present a promotional offer associated with the product or a different product.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising billing the consumer for use of the product or service.

21. A method for operating a product dispenser, comprising:

receiving information associated with a consumer;

based at least in part on the information associated with the consumer, identifying whether a commercial partner associated with the consumer exists; and

dispensing a product in accordance with the determination whether a commercial partner exists.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein receiving information associated with a consumer comprises reading cup identification information using at least one of an RFID reader, a bar code scanner, a wireless communication device, or an optical communication device.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising billing the commercial partner for a dispensed product.