Beverage dispensing system

BACKGROUND

[0001] This invention relates to a beverage dispensing system.

[0002] Traditional beverage distribution business models involve a bottling company producing beverages and then distributing the beverages through wholesale and retail channels. A consumer would then make small quantity beverage purchases through the wholesale and retail channels. It was believed not cost effective to deliver beverages directly to the consumer because of a low delivery density which may characterize the consumer distribution channel. Moreover, gathering beverage consumption information from consumers has often been difficult making future consumption delivery decisions prone to error.

SUMMARY

[0003] In one aspect, the invention provides a method for receiving beverage consumption information over a communications path and producing beverage configuration information based on the beverage consumption information. The beverage configuration information which is to be used for configuring a beverage dispensing device is sent over the communications path.

[0004] In one embodiment, the method may include receiving a beverage configuration information request over the communications path, retrieving beverage consumption information previously stored, and sending a beverage configuration information response over the communications path for configuring the beverage dispensing system, wherein the beverage configuration information response is based on the retrieved beverage consumption information.

[0005] In another embodiment, the communications path may include a network. The consumption information may include an expected beverage usage during a period of time. The beverage configuration information may include at least one of a beverage quantity, password protection for the beverage as installed in the beverage dispensing device, and beverage delivery information.

[0006] In a second aspect, the invention includes an apparatus configured to operate according to the method disclosed above.

[0007] In a third aspect, the invention includes an article comprising a computer-readable medium that stores computer-executable instructions for causing a computer system to perform the method disclosed above.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method of monitoring usage of a beverage in a beverage dispensing device, producing a beverage configuration information request in response to having the level of the beverage in the beverage dispensing device reach a predetermined threshold level, sending the beverage configuration information request over a communications path, and receiving a beverage configuration information response for configuring the beverage dispensing device.

[0009] In one embodiment, the beverage configuration information request maybe sent as an Email signal or a wireless signal, to an authorized user of the beverage dispensing device. The communications path may include a network. The configuration information response may include a password to control access to a beverage in the beverage dispensing device. The configuration information response may also include a predetermined threshold level that when reached causes the beverage configuration information request to be produced. Also, the beverage configuration information may include beverage dispensing data.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, the invention includes an apparatus configured to operate according to the method disclosed above.

[0011] In a sixth aspect, the invention includes an article comprising a computer-readable medium that stores computer-executable instructions for causing a computer system to perform the method disclosed above.

[0012] The foregoing techniques can help reduce the cost of operating a consumer or business distribution channel by increasing the delivery density of delivering beverages to a consumer or business entity. The information infrastructure, which includes gathering beverage consumption from users maybe used by various beverage related entities such as bottlers, wholesalers, and retailers to improve sales into this distribution channel. The beverage related entities could leverage their current distribution infrastructure with the information infrastructure according to the invention to increase profits through improved sales over the distribution channel. The techniques allow the automatic reordering of beverages when they have reached a predetermined level which have been previously established by the user. This automatic ordering techniques can allow the beverage related entities to optimized delivery times and dates resulting in reduced transportation costs. More importantly, the beverage related entities may now have the capability of having marketing information about consumer consumption habits permitting the entities to focus advertising and marketing efforts to actual consumption habits and behavior.

[0013] In addition, the foregoing techniques may provide a user of a beverage dispensing device with increased flexibility and control over the beverage dispensing system. The user maybe able to control access to each beverage in the dispenser through the use of password protection techniques such as an alphanumeric passwords, access control cards, or other password protection techniques. The user is also able to update the configuration information at the server over a communications path such technology ranging from an Internet connection using a conventional personal computer (PC) to a personal digital assistant (PDA) using wireless techniques. A user of the dispenser may also benefit from reduction in beverage delivery services which is made possible by the consumption information gathered and managed by the server. The information includes information related to each user which can be used by third parties such as the beverage delivery entities to optimize delivery routes resulting in reduced transportation costs which may be passed onto the user.

[0014] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a beverage dispensing system in accordance with the invention.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a beverage dispensing device in accordance with the invention.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a beverage system server computer in accordance with the invention.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of operating a beverage dispensing device in accordance with the invention.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of operating a beverage dispensing server computer in accordance with the invention.

[0020] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, a beverage dispensing system <b>10</b> includes a beverage dispensing device (“the dispenser”) <b>12</b> capable of dispensing multiple beverages from multiple beverage containers. The dispenser <b>12</b> communicates with a beverage system server computer (“the server”) <b>14</b> over a communications path <b>16</b>. A user such as a residential or commercial consumer can request to purchase or acquire a dispenser <b>12</b> by using a client computer <b>18</b> to send beverage consumption information to the server <b>14</b> over the communications path <b>16</b>.

[0022] The beverage consumption information is used by the server <b>14</b> to produce beverage configuration information which can be utilized to configure the dispenser <b>12</b>. The server <b>14</b> communicates this information to a beverage fulfillment service <b>19</b> which can use the information to fulfill any beverage requirements of the dispenser <b>12</b> such as delivering a refilled beverage container. The operation of the beverage dispensing system <b>10</b> is discussed in further detail below.

[0023] The communications path <b>16</b> can be implemented using a network such as the Internet, wide-area-network (WAN), local-area-network (LAN), or other network. The path <b>16</b> also can be implemented using wireless techniques such as cellular digital packet data (CDPD), wireless application protocol (WAP), Bluetooth, or other wireless techniques. In addition, the communications path <b>16</b> can be implemented using wired communications techniques such as cable-modem, analog modem, digital subscriber line (DSL), or other wired techniques. The communications path <b>19</b> also can employ secured transmission techniques such as secured socket layer (SSL), private key infrastructure (PKI), and encryption methods, or other secure techniques.

[0024] The client computer <b>18</b> can be implemented using a computing device capable of communicating with the server <b>14</b>. Such a computing device can be a personal computer (PC) configured to communicate over the communications path <b>16</b> such as the Internet or the World-Wide-Web (“Web”). The computing device can be adapted with a communications program such as a Web-browser so that a user can access a Web-site provided by the server <b>14</b>. The Web-site can allow the user to view information provided by the server. This information can include information associated with purchasing a beverage dispensing system. For example, the user can provide the Web-site with beverage consumption information including the type and amount of beverages consumed, the number of persons in the household, and the preferred time and date for beverage delivery, and other information. In response, the server can produce beverage configuration information which represents a recommendation based on various factors including the beverage consumption information received from the user. In addition, the client computer can view the status of the account, make payment, or view beverage consumption information.

[0025] The client computer <b>18</b> can have electronic mail (Email) capability so that it can receive information from other systems. For example, the beverage dispensing device <b>12</b> can monitor the level of each beverage and generate a beverage configuration information request when the level reaches a predetermined level. The request can be in the form of an Email. In addition, the server can user Email to send information to the client computer such as payment status, promotional, advertising, marketing information, or other information.

[0026] The beverage fulfillment service <b>19</b> can be, according to one embodiment, a business entity using a PC running a communications program to allow it to communicate with the server <b>14</b> over the communications path <b>16</b>. The beverage fulfillment service is granted access to the information related to the dispenser such as beverage consumption information and beverage configuration information. This information gives the beverage fulfillment service the capability of providing order fulfillment services such as replenishing the beverages used by the dispenser <b>12</b> when the amount of beverage in the beverage container has reached a predetermined level indicating that replenishment is required. Replenishment can include physically removing empty beverage containers and replacing the empty containers with filled beverage containers. Once the beverages have been replenished, the beverage fulfillment service can request to have the beverage configuration information downloaded to the dispenser so that it can be configured according to the information.

[0027] The user can make payment to the beverage fulfillment service personnel for the replenishment service at the time the service is being rendered. Alternately, the user could arrange to pay for services on a periodic basis such as on a monthly basis. The server <b>14</b> can handle back office functions such as billing and accounts receivable such that the beverage fulfillment service can concentrate on gathering information from the server and simply deliver filled beverage containers to location of the dispenser.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the dispenser <b>12</b> includes a controller system <b>20</b> for controlling the operation of the dispenser. The controller system <b>20</b> comprises a central processing unit (CPU) <b>21</b> coupled to memory <b>22</b> through a system bus <b>31</b>. The memory <b>22</b> can include static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory DRAM, read only memory (ROM), flash ROM, or other memory. The CPU <b>21</b>, such as an Intel Pentium, processes data and programs residing in the memory <b>22</b>. Such a program includes a beverage control program <b>23</b> containing software instructions for carrying out the functions of the operation of the dispenser <b>12</b>.

[0029] The dispenser <b>12</b> can receive data from a user of the dispenser by an input means <b>24</b> such as a keyboard, touch screen display, wireless devices such as a personal data assistant (PDA), or other input means. Typically, the input means is used for inputting data such as beverage requests, password data for controlling access to the dispenser, a request to have an empty beverage container <b>29</b> replenished, or other data. Likewise, the dispenser <b>12</b> can output data for viewing through an output display means <b>25</b> such as a PDA, liquid crystal display (LCD), a printer, or other output means. The output data can include beverage configuration information such as status data indicating the amount of beverage remaining, usage information such as the time and dates when beverage dispensing occurred, or other data.

[0030] In addition, a communications means <b>26</b>, which includes hardware and software components, can be configured to exchange information over the communications path <b>16</b> using several communications technologies, such as wireless means, as discussed above. The information that is exchanged can include beverage configuration information requests indicating the status of the dispenser such as that the amount in a beverage container has reached a predetermined level and that it is time to replenish the beverage container.

[0031] The beverage control program <b>23</b> includes instructions for controlling the dispensing of a beverage housed in a beverage container <b>29</b>. The dispenser <b>12</b> can include multiple beverage containers <b>29</b> each containing a beverage which can be dispensed through a respective dispensing nozzle <b>28</b>. The flow of the beverage can be controlled by a power relay <b>27</b> and a corresponding beverage valve <b>30</b>. To dispense a beverage, the power relay <b>27</b> converts an activate signal having low power from the CPU <b>21</b> into a higher power signal adequate to open the beverage valve <b>30</b> allowing the flow of the beverage through the dispensing nozzle <b>28</b>. In a similar manner, to halt the flow of the beverage, the CPU <b>21</b> removes the activate signal causing the power relay <b>27</b> to deactivate and the beverage valve <b>30</b> to close.

[0032] The dispenser <b>12</b> can process input data such as a request to dispense a particular beverage from a dispensing nozzle <b>28</b>. The user may also be required to enter password information, which maybe validated by the beverage control program <b>23</b>, to determine whether to proceed and accept the request to dispense the beverage. Moreover, the program <b>23</b> may contain instructions for determining the amount of pressure and the time duration necessary to dispense a beverage from a beverage container <b>29</b>. In addition, the program <b>23</b> may include instructions for monitoring the amount of beverage in a beverage container and for generating a beverage configuration information request when the level reaches a predetermined level.

[0033] In addition, the dispenser <b>12</b> may include functionality to control the amount dispensed from a beverage container. This functionality can be derived from a combination of the beverage control program <b>23</b> in conjunction with criteria in beverage configuration information. For example, the beverage configuration information that is received from the server contains beverage dispensing criteria such as the amount in a full beverage container. It may also include a predetermined amount of beverage that when reached can trigger an alert signal such as a beverage configuration information request indicating that the predetermined amount has been reached. The program <b>23</b> can use the criteria to calculate during each dispensing action the amount dispensed which is accumulated and compared against the filled amount. Once the amount has been reached, the alert signal discussed above is produced. The operation of the dispenser <b>12</b> is discussed in further detail below with reference to FIG. 5.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the server <b>14</b> can be implemented as a computer <b>33</b> having a CPU <b>39</b> connected to memory <b>40</b> over a system bus <b>35</b>. The CPU <b>39</b> processes data and programs residing in memory. Such a program can include a beverage server program <b>41</b> and an operating system <b>42</b> such as Windows NT, Linux, or other operating system. The operating system <b>42</b> in conjunction with the beverage server program <b>41</b> may provide the software resources and instructions for controlling the overall operation of the server <b>14</b>. In particular, the beverage server program <b>41</b> manages business transaction related to the dispenser <b>14</b>. Such business transactions include maintaining a Website infrastructure for permitting a user to input information to subscribe to services associated with purchasing the dispenser, allowing the user to update the information, generating recommended beverage configuration information such as the amount of beverage and the delivery schedule for the beverage, predetermined level data for generating an alert or reminder for replenishing the beverage. In addition, the beverage program <b>41</b> can manage business transactions with the fulfillment service <b>19</b> including handling the back office functions such as handling the payment transactions for the beverage service and forwarding information such as beverage configuration and consumption information containing data related to the user and associated dispenser. The operation of the beverage server program <b>41</b> is discussed in detail below with reference to FIG. 5.

[0035] The server <b>14</b> can include conventional input means <b>34</b> such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a floppy drive, and an output display means <b>36</b> such as a video display monitor and/or a printer. A communications means <b>38</b> may permit the server <b>14</b> to communicate over the communications path <b>16</b> with external systems such as multiple dispensers <b>12</b>, multiple client computers <b>18</b>, and multiple fulfillment service systems <b>19</b>, or other external systems. As discussed above, the communications means <b>38</b> can accommodate communications technologies including wireless and wired means using a direct link or over a network.

[0036] In addition, the server <b>14</b> may be adapted to have a storage resource <b>32</b> such as long term storage including a hard disk drive, redundant array of inexpensive/independent disks (RAID), optical drives, or other storage resources. The storage resource <b>32</b> can be configured to contain a file system or databases for storing information associated with each dispenser <b>14</b> and user. This information can include beverage consumption information containing profile information about each user such as home/business/mailing address, beverage consumption, demographic data, or other information. In addition, the storage resource <b>32</b> can maintain beverage configuration information such as password data for authorizing usage to the dispenser <b>12</b>. The information also can include predetermined level data specifying when and through which method an alert signal should be generated indicating when the amount of the beverage has reached the predetermined level.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the server <b>14</b> receives <b>100</b> beverage consumption information from a user utilizing, for example, a client computer <b>18</b> running a Web-browser, over a communications path <b>16</b>. The user who maybe interested in acquiring a dispenser <b>12</b> can search the Internet for a Web-site provided by the server <b>14</b> and browse for information about the beverage dispensing services. Once the user decides to subscribe to the beverage dispensing service, the used can provide beverage consumption information such as an expected beverage usage or consumption during a period of time.

[0038] For example, the user may be interested in having a dispenser <b>12</b> configured to dispense 4 different beverages: (1) sparkling water from a first container, (2) beer from a second container, (3) orange juice from a third container, and (4) ginger ale from a fourth container. The user can also provide demographic information such as the number of persons in the household and the anticipated consumption amounts during a period of time such as one week. In addition, each container can be assigned a password such that only persons with the password will be allowed to dispense from a particular beverage container holding, for example, an alcoholic beverage.

[0039] Information related to when the dispenser is to be delivered as well as anticipated delivery and refill times for each beverage can be processed by the server <b>14</b>. In addition, the user can select for each beverage a predetermined amount that when reached by each beverage a signal in the form of a beverage configuration information request is generated. The user can decide the different alerting means the signal can be communicated including Email, page alert, phone call reminder, or other alerting means. Methods of payments also can be established such as credit card billing arrangements, secured Internet payment schemes or other methods of payment.

[0040] Once the data is gathered from the user and combined into the beverage confirmation information, the server <b>14</b> produces <b>102</b> beverage configuration information based on the beverage consumption information and other criteria. For example, the server may recommend the delivery of a particular beverage container on a day that would cost less than the delivery arrangement originally desired by the user. This recommendation is based on information the server has created as a result of relationships with fulfillment services and various cost criteria such as whether the user is a consumer or business entity, the time and date of delivery, the amount of business the user has generated in the past which is based on the type, amount, and frequency of precious beverage orders.

[0041] Once the beverage configuration information has been produced, the server <b>14</b> sends <b>104</b> the beverage configuration information over the communications path <b>16</b>. The information can be used for configuring the dispenser <b>12</b>. The dispenser <b>12</b> processes the received information which can include password information for each beverage, the name of each beverage to be used to display the name of the beverage to the user, dispensing information such as amount/volume and pressure for dispensing each beverage.

[0042] Alternately, the server <b>12</b> can be configured to handle a beverage configuration information request from the communications path. In response, the server can retrieve the beverage configuration information previously stored and send a beverage configuration information response over the communications path. The request can originate from the dispenser <b>12</b> as a result of a beverage reaching a predetermined level.

[0043] In addition, the beverage configuration information can be forwarded to a fulfillment service <b>19</b> which can satisfy a beverage configuration request such as replenishing the beverage containers by delivering filled beverage container specified in the information. As discussed above, the server <b>14</b> can provide the fulfillment service <b>19</b> with business functions such as gathering the information from the user and handling the billing process. Moreover, it can provide data warehousing functionality such as storing the information for later analysis. This analysis includes customer relations marketing and distribution. For example, the information gathered could reveal trends which can be used to increase profits by improving the beverage delivery distribution channel.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, the dispenser <b>12</b> monitors <b>110</b> the usage of a beverage in the dispenser <b>12</b>. The dispenser <b>12</b> produces and sends an initial beverage configuration information request to the server <b>14</b> when it is first installed. In response, the server <b>14</b> sends a beverage configuration response to the dispenser <b>12</b> which can be used by the dispenser to initialize the dispenser. As discussed above, the beverage configuration information response include password data to control access to a beverage in the beverage dispenser <b>12</b>. In addition, the beverage configuration information includes a predetermined threshold level that when reached causes the beverage configuration information request to be produced. As discussed above, the amount of beverage dispensed is tracked during each dispense operation and the amount remaining can be compared to the original full amount in the beverage container <b>29</b>.

[0045] The dispenser <b>12</b> produces <b>112</b> a beverage configuration information request in response to having the level of the beverage in the dispenser <b>12</b> reach a predetermined threshold level. In one embodiment, the request can be an Email or a wireless signal sent to an authorized user of the beverage dispenser <b>12</b>. The authorized user can include the person responsible for making payments for the dispenser <b>12</b> or some other person who has been given authority. This may help prevent unauthorized transactions from taking place. The user has the option of configuring the dispenser to automatically generate the request without any intervention. In addition, the dispenser <b>12</b> can be configured to generate a request to the user through the output means <b>25</b> as shown in FIG. 2.

[0046] In another embodiment, the dispenser <b>12</b> can provide the user with the opportunity to review the configuration information before it sent to the server <b>14</b>. This allows the user to modify the request by changing, for example, the amount or type of beverage to be delivered which may reduce the cost of the next beverage delivery transaction. For example, the dispenser <b>12</b> may alert the user that a particular beverage has reached the predetermined level and that it needs to be ordered. The dispenser <b>12</b> may also communicate the status of the other beverages indicating that another the amount in the beverage is near the predetermined amount. In this case, the user also can modify the configuration information and request to have both beverages reordered. As a result, the expense of delivery may be reduced since it may be less expense to have two beverages delivered during one transaction than to have two transactions one for each beverage.

[0047] Once the user is satisfied with the configuration information, it is sent <b>114</b> to the server <b>14</b> where it will be subsequently processed. The information can be sent over the communications path <b>16</b> using communications technologies discussed above such as over network using wireless techniques. Alternatively, the configuration information also can be sent automatically to the server from the dispenser <b>12</b> without user involvement. It should be noted that the user may also have access to the configuration, and if authorized, may change the information such as password data, delivery data, and beverage quantity and type data. As discussed above, the server <b>14</b> may communicate the configuration information to a beverage fulfillment service <b>19</b> which can actually perform the reorder function including delivering the beverage and configuring the dispenser using the configuration information.

[0048] The dispenser <b>12</b> receives <b>116</b> a configuration information response from the server <b>14</b> for configuring the dispenser <b>12</b>. As discussed above, the response includes information for configuring the dispenser <b>12</b>. The server may need to retrieve the information which was previously stored in the storage resource <b>32</b> such as a file system or database. Once service personnel are at the site of the dispenser, they can communicate with the server <b>14</b> over the communications path <b>16</b> using, for example, peer-to-peer communications techniques. Alternatively, personnel can download the configuration information from a handheld device using wireless communications techniques such as Bluetooth.

[0049] A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the hardware and software components needed to perform the functions of the server <b>14</b> and the beverage fulfillment service <b>19</b> can be combined into a single computer system. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.