Abstract:
Methods and systems directed to dispensing fluids, such as beverages, using wireless technology are provided. Aspects relate to a beverage dispenser with a dispensing system housing, a valve housing positioned exterior to the dispensing system housing and extending from the dispensing system housing. The valve housing may be configured to dispense a beverage and include self-contained electronics disposed within an interior area of the valve housing. In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser has one or more additional valve housings positioned exterior to the dispensing system housing. The valve housing may be configured to dispense a beverage and include self-contained electronics disposed within an interior area of the valve housing.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/968,101, filed Dec. 14, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/528,695, filed Oct. 30, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,212,040, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/704,217, filed Feb. 11, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,674, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/151,770, filed on Feb. 11, 2009. These applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to dispensing fluids. More specifically, the invention provides methods and systems for dispensing fluids, such as beverages, using wireless technology. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to dispensing fluids, such as beverages, using wireless technology. Retail establishments, for example fast food restaurants and convenience stores, often utilize fountain drink dispensers to dispense servings of different beverages to multiple users. Using such beverage dispensers allows consumers to purchase a cup or other containers that may be filled with one or more beverages at the beverage dispenser. Unfortunately, however, traditional systems cannot adequately monitor the user&#39;s actions to confirm the user obtained the beverage paid for. Indeed, some “premium” beverages may be offered at the beverage dispenser, however, there is no efficient method or system to efficiently monitor whether consumers pay for the drink they consume. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention by way of exemplary embodiments. These embodiments do not define key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some of the concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description of aspects of the invention provided below. 
         [0005]    Aspects of the invention relate to a beverage dispensing system, having at least one beverage container and at least one beverage dispenser. The beverage container may include a sidewall disposed around a central bottom, wherein the bottom is distal to an opening for receiving a beverage, and a container wireless transceiver associated with the container. In one embodiment, the container wireless transceiver may be affixed to the bottom of the container. In other embodiments, the container wireless transceiver may be affixed to the sidewall of the container. Yet in other embodiments, the container wireless transceiver may be located in an impermeable layer between the sidewall and the bottom of the container, wherein the impermeable layer is not in fluid communication with the location where the beverage would be received in the opening. Additionally, the container wireless transceiver may be configured to transmit an electronic signal indicative that the beverage container is validated to receive a beverage and whether the beverage container is properly located to receive the beverage from the valve of the drink dispenser. 
         [0006]    In aspects in accordance with this invention, the beverage dispenser may include a housing, a valve extending from the housing configured to dispense the beverage into the container located below the valve, and a dispenser wireless transceiver located in close proximity to the beverage dispenser configured to communicate with the container wireless transceiver on the beverage container. The beverage dispenser may further include a valve lever that extends from the housing, wherein in some embodiments the dispenser wireless transceiver may be located on the valve lever. In other embodiments, the valve lever may include a lever backing that extends from the housing, wherein the dispenser wireless transceiver is located on the lever backing. The dispenser wireless transceiver may be configured to receive a return signal from a compatible container indicative that the beverage container is validated to receive the beverage from the beverage dispenser and whether the beverage container is properly located to receive the beverage. Additionally, when the dispenser wireless transceiver is positioned such that upon placement of a compatible container in a location to properly receive the beverage from the valve, the dispenser wireless transceiver may be aligned with the container wireless transceiver of the beverage container. In yet another embodiment, when the beverage container is placed under the valve, the dispenser wireless transceiver may transmit a first electronic signal to the beverage container and the container wireless transceiver may transmit a second electronic signal to the dispenser wireless transceiver to confirm proper placement under the valve and to confirm that the beverage container is a compatible container to receive the beverage from the valve, and wherein the valve subsequently dispenses the beverage into the beverage container. 
         [0007]    Further aspects of the invention are related to a beverage container configured to communicate with a beverage dispenser that includes a dispenser wireless transceiver. The beverage container may include a sidewall disposed around a central bottom, wherein the bottom is distal to an opening for receiving a beverage and a container wireless transceiver affixed to the container, with the container wireless transceiver configured to communicate with the dispenser wireless transceiver. In one embodiment, the container wireless transceiver may be affixed to the bottom of the container. In other embodiments, the container wireless transceiver may be affixed to the sidewall of the container. Yet in other embodiments, the container wireless transceiver may be located in an impermeable layer between the sidewall and the bottom of the container, wherein the impermeable layer is not in fluid communication with the location where the beverage would be received in the opening. Additionally, the container wireless transceiver may be configured to transmit an electronic signal indicative that the beverage container is validated to receive a beverage and whether the beverage container is properly located to receive the beverage from the valve of the drink dispenser. 
         [0008]    Further aspects of the invention are related to a beverage dispenser configured to communicate with a beverage container that includes a wireless transceiver. The beverage dispenser may include a housing, a valve extending from the housing configured to dispense the beverage into the container located below the valve, and a dispenser wireless transceiver located in close proximity to the beverage dispenser configured to communicate with the container wireless transceiver on the beverage container. The beverage dispenser may further include a valve lever that extends from the housing, wherein in some embodiments the dispenser wireless transceiver may be located on the valve lever. In other embodiments, the valve lever may include a lever backing that extends from the housing, wherein the dispenser wireless transceiver is located on the lever backing. The dispenser wireless transceiver may be configured to receive a return signal from a compatible container indicative that the beverage container is validated to receive the beverage from the beverage dispenser and whether the beverage container is properly located to receive the beverage. Additionally, when the dispenser wireless transceiver is positioned such that upon placement of a compatible container in a location to properly receive the beverage from the valve, the dispenser wireless transceiver may be aligned with the container wireless transceiver of the beverage container. In yet another embodiment, when the beverage container is placed under the valve, the dispenser wireless transceiver may transmit a first electronic signal to the beverage container and the container wireless transceiver may transmit a second electronic signal to the dispenser wireless transceiver to confirm proper placement under the valve and to confirm that the beverage container is a compatible container to receive the beverage from the valve, and wherein the valve subsequently dispenses the beverage into the beverage container. 
         [0009]    Further aspects of the invention are related to a method for dispensing fluids for example with the container and beverage dispenser or beverage dispensing system as described above. The method may include the steps of: 1) sensing a beverage container in close proximity to a beverage dispenser; 2) transmitting a first electronic signal to the beverage container from a dispenser wireless transceiver located in close proximity to the beverage dispenser; 3) transmitting a second electronic signal to the dispenser wireless transceiver from a container wireless transceiver associated with the container; and 4) dispensing the fluid from the beverage dispenser to the beverage container. Additionally, the transmission of the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal may confirm the proper placement of the beverage container under the beverage dispenser and may confirm that the beverage container is a compatible container to receive a fluid from the beverage dispenser. 
         [0010]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawing figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary beverage dispensing system in accordance with aspects of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary beverage container that may be used with the beverage dispensing system from  FIG. 1  in accordance with aspects of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary beverage dispenser that may be used with the beverage dispensing system from  FIG. 1  in accordance with aspects of the invention; and 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3B and 3C  illustrate rear perspective views of the beverage dispenser from  FIG. 3A  in accordance with aspects of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0016]    The reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    In the following description of various examples of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures, systems, and steps in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, structures, example devices, systems, and steps may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. 
         [0018]    An exemplary beverage dispensing system may comprise one or more components shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3C . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3C , the beverage dispensing system  10  may comprise a container  100  and a beverage dispenser  200 . As is shown in  FIG. 1 , the beverage dispensing system may include one or more beverage dispensers  200 . Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the beverage dispensing system may include beverage dispensers in accordance with the present invention and traditional beverage dispensers utilized in the prior art, represented by the box labeled “PRIOR ART” in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0019]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , aspects of the invention relate to novel beverage containers that can be utilized with a beverage dispenser  200  in accordance with this invention, such as container  100 . Exemplary container  100  may contain a sidewall  102  disposed around a central bottom  104 , wherein the bottom  104  is distal to an opening (not shown) for receiving a beverage. While the exemplary container  100  is shown as an open-faced cup, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other containers that are configured to hold a beverage, such as a bottle, can, bowl, or any structure that may receive a fluid, may be utilized in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. 
         [0020]    Additionally, the container  100  may be made of any materials known and used in the art. The container  100  may be made the materials, such as: plastic, Styrofoam™, paper, or metal in accordance with aspects of this invention. Additionally, the container  100  may be any size as known and used in the art without departing from this invention. 
         [0021]    In accordance with one embodiment, the container  100  comprises a wireless transceiver  106 . The wireless transceiver  106  may be configured to utilize one or more forms of wireless technology, including but not limited to: radio frequency identification (RFID), electronic article surveillance (EAS), Bluetooth, cellular, and/or any transmissions in accordance with IEEE 802.xx. Indeed, any component(s) configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals is within the scope of this disclosure. In accordance with aspects of this invention, the wireless transceiver  106  may be in the form of RFID, similar to examples such as automated automobile toll collection or security access cards. Additionally, the wireless transceiver  106  may be in the form of an EAS system. EAS systems are generally used in a retail setting for security and to help protect against shoplifting. 
         [0022]    RFID systems generally may include one or more RFID tags that may be inductively-coupled, capacitively-coupled, active, semi-passive, and passive. In general, each RFID tag works by first, storing data within an RFID tag&#39;s microchip. The RFID tag may include an antenna that receives electromagnetic energy from an RFID reader&#39;s antenna. Using power from the RFID tag&#39;s internal battery or power harvested from the reader&#39;s electromagnetic field, the tag may then send radio waves back to the reader. The reader may then receive the RFID tag&#39;s radio waves and interpret the frequencies as meaningful data. 
         [0023]    EAS systems may include technologies such as radio frequency (RF) systems, electromagnetic systems, acousto-magnetic systems, or microwave systems. RF systems generally work with an RF tag or label attached to a product, with the RF tag being basically a miniature, disposable electronic circuit and antenna. The RF tag or label may respond to a specific frequency emitted by a transmitter antenna. For electromagnetic systems, a magnetic, iron-containing strip may be attached to the product. This electromagnetic strip can be activated or deactivated using a highly intense magnetic field. The electromagnetic strip may respond to electromagnetic field transmitted from a transmitter antenna. For acousto-magnetic systems, a transmitter sends a radio-frequency signal in pulses, which in turn may energize a tag within the transmitted zone. When the pulse ends, the tag responds, emitting a single frequency signal like a tuning fork. While the transmitter is off between pulses, the tag signal is detected by the receiver and is checked to ensure it is the correct frequency. If all these criteria are met, the tag is signaled as correct (or alarmed in the example of a security system). 
         [0024]    These wireless systems are different systems known and used in the art at the present time, however, any component(s) configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals is within the scope of this invention. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , wireless transceiver  106  may be affixed or molded to the bottom  104  of the beverage container  100 . In other embodiments, however, the wireless transceiver  106  may be located on, affixed to, or otherwise associated with a sidewall  102  of the container  100 . Yet in further embodiments, the wireless transceiver  106  may be located within a secondary compartment of container  100 . For example, an impermeable layer or structure may be placed between the sidewall  102  and/or the bottom  104  of the container  100  to create an internal compartment that is not in fluid communication with the location where a beverage would be received in the opening (not shown). As discussed in more detail below, the wireless transceiver  106  may be configured to transmit information to a beverage dispenser, such as a dispenser  200  shown in  FIGS. 3A through 3C . 
         [0026]    An exemplary beverage dispenser  200  is shown in  FIGS. 3A through 3C . The term “beverage” has been used to readily convey exemplary embodiments to reader, however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that any liquid, gel, or similar product, including for example, concentrated syrup, is within the scope of the invention. Therefore, while the below embodiments are explained in relation to a ready-made beverage, readers are advised that the dispensing of any liquid, gel, or similar product is within the scope of the invention. The exemplary beverage dispenser  200  may generally resemble a traditional fountain-drink dispenser and may comprise a valve  202 , a housing  204 , and a valve lever  212 . 
         [0027]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A through 3C , the housing  204  may include a front housing area  206  and a rear housing area  207 . The front housing area  206  may include a push-button  208 . The push-button  208  may include a logo of the beverage to be dispensed from the beverage dispenser  200 . Additionally, the push-button  208  may illuminate at different times, such as when the push-button  208  is pushed, when the beverage dispenser  200  is ready, or when the beverage dispenser  200  is communicating with a container  100 . Additionally, the push-button  208  may illuminate and blink at varying times or varying frequencies to signal events or activities. In accordance with aspects of this invention, the push-button  208  may only be a button, that may not be pushed at all. Pressing the push-button  208  may control the flow of the beverage from the valve  202  to the container  100 . Additionally, in accordance with other aspects of this invention, the housing  204  may include a lever actuator that may actuate the valve  202  and dispense the beverage from the valve  202  to the container  100 . 
         [0028]    In addition to the push-button  208 , the front housing  206  may also include electronics  210 . The electronics  210  may be self-contained within the front housing  206  as is illustrated specifically in  FIG. 3C . The electronics  210  may be in the form of a circuit board or other similar control electronics capable of controlling the functionality and operability of the beverage dispenser  200 . The electronics  210  may also help facilitate communication between the container  100  and the beverage dispenser  200 . 
         [0029]    The rear housing  207  may include a set of connections  220  to the beverage dispensing system  10 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3B and 3C , these connections  220  may include tubing or similar-type connection ends configured to attach to the tubing or connection of the beverage dispensing system  10 . The connections  220  may also be capable of connecting directly to individual beverage lines, such as when the beverage dispenser  200  is not used as part of a beverage dispensing system  10 . 
         [0030]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A through 3C , the beverage dispenser may also include a valve  202 . The valve  202  may protrude or extend from the housing  204  as is shown in  FIG. 3A . While the term “valve” is used throughout this disclosure, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that any outlet configured to dispense a liquid is within the scope of invention. The valve  202  may be configured to dispense a beverage into a compatible container  100 . Additionally, the valve  202  may include a relay or electromechanical switch that turns the valve on or off (or enabled or disabled) based on the presence of a compatible container  100 . 
         [0031]    Additionally, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A through 3C , the beverage dispenser may include a valve lever  212 . The valve lever  212  may protrude or extend from the housing  204  as shown in  FIG. 3A . The valve lever  212  may be of any of various shapes and sizes without departing from this invention. As discussed in more detail below, the use of the valve lever  212  may be further supplanted or replaced with a wireless transceiver, such as a wireless transceiver  216  located on the beverage dispenser  200 . The valve lever  212  may also include a lever backing  218 . The lever backing  218  may extend from the housing  204 , and more specifically, from the rear housing  207 . The lever backing  218  may include the wireless transceiver  216  as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . For example, the wireless transceiver  216  may be located on the lower portion of the lever backing  218 . Additionally, the beverage dispenser  200  may not include the lever backing  218 , and in this instance, the transceiver  216  may be located on the valve lever  212 . In another embodiment in accordance with this invention, the beverage dispenser  200  does not include a valve lever  212  and only includes the lever backing  218 , wherein the transceiver  216  may be located on the lever backing  218 . 
         [0032]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A through 3C , the beverage dispenser  200  and more specifically, the valve  202 , may dispense a beverage into a compatible container, such as the container  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Construction of exemplary containers has been described above in relation to  FIG. 2 , and is also known in the art. As discussed below, however, in certain embodiments the presence and/or orientation of a wireless transceiver  106  within, affixed to, imbedded or otherwise associated with container  100  may be determinative of whether a beverage receptacle may be considered a compatible container  100 . 
         [0033]    In certain embodiments, valve  202  may be in operative communication with a valve lever  212  which may be mechanical, electrical, or electro-mechanical. In one embodiment having valve lever  212 , pressure may be placed upon the valve lever  212  (for example, along the direction of arrow  214 ), as container  100  is placed under the valve  202 . Pressure upon the valve lever  212  may transmit a signal (electrical or mechanical) indicating the presence of a container, such as container  100 . In one embodiment where transceiver  216  is located on the lower portion of the lever backing  218 , a container  100  configured for use with dispenser  200  may include the wireless transceiver  106  located on or near its bottom  104 , such that the wireless transceiver  216  of the beverage dispenser  200  is aligned with wireless transceiver  106  of the container  100 . 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, the wireless transceiver  216  of the dispenser  200  is configured to transmit an electronic signal. The transmission of the electronic signal may be set to a continuous loop, such that the signal is continually transmitted. Yet in other embodiments, the transmission of the electronic signal may be dependant on one or more conditions, such as determined or influenced by a timer, a motion sensor (which may external to the dispenser  200 ) or any other hardware or software in communication with dispenser  200 . As discussed above in relation to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A , the wireless transceiver  216  may be located in the lever backing  218  of the valve lever  212 , such that a consumer may press the container  100  against it to dispense the beverage from valve  202 . In one embodiment, the electronic signal transmitted from wireless transceiver  216  is received by wireless transceiver  106  on container  100  when container  100  is correctly placed to receive a beverage from the valve  202 . In this regard, one or both of the wireless transceivers  106 ,  216  are configured to transmit a signal that may only be received by the other when each are within a threshold distance from each other. Yet in other embodiments, the signal transmitted from one of the transceivers  106 ,  216  may be received by the other transceiver  106 ,  216  at a distance that is further than when the container  100  is properly placed to receive a beverage from the valve  202 , however, the dispenser  200  is configured such that a threshold signal strength or proximity measurement is required for the valve  202  to dispense the beverage, wherein the threshold strength or proximity measurement is met only when the container  204  is properly located to receive a beverage from valve  202 . 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, upon receiving the electronic signal from the wireless transceiver  216 , the wireless transceiver  106  of the container  100  may transmits a return signal indicating that the container is located in a proper configuration to receive the beverage, such as the placement of the container  100  in relation to valve  202  shown in  FIG. 3A . In this regard, the beverage is only dispensed when the container  100  having a wireless transceiver  106  transmitting a valid electronic return signal is correctly placed to receive the beverage. 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, the wireless transceiver  106  is configured to transmit information to enable a beverage to be dispensed from a specific valve  202 . Yet in other embodiments, the wireless transceiver  106  is configured to enable the dispensing of a beverage from several different valves. In one such embodiment, at least one valve dispenses a fluid that is different than the fluid dispensed from at least one other valve. In another embodiment, the wireless transceivers  106 ,  216  do not require complex circuitry that requires information to be rewritten with additional information, such as the amount of beverage dispensed, quantity of times the container has been utilized at one or more dispensers  200 , or other information. Yet in other embodiments, information, including one or more of the parameters above (and/or other parameters) may be transmitted. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, one or more of the electronic signals transmitted from the wireless transceiver(s)  106 ,  216  does not include information regarding the purchaser or user of container  100 . Yet in other embodiments, such information regarding the purchaser or user of container  100  may be utilized. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, one or more of the electronic signals to be transmitted from container  100  to the transceiver  216  is determined and configured before a consumer purchases the cup. Therefore, in certain embodiments, this would reduce the complexity and time required for transactions related to selling or otherwise providing container  100  to a consumer. 
         [0038]    As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate in view of this disclosure, either wireless transceiver  106 ,  216  may be located at other locations associated with the beverage dispenser  200  and the container  100 . 
         [0039]    The advantages and benefits of a beverage dispensing system in accordance with this invention may be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Specifically, one advantage of the beverage dispensing system  10  may be controlled access to premium beverages at a beverage dispensing system. Because of the transmissions between the transceiver  106  on the container  100  and the transceiver  216  on the beverage dispenser  200 , the beverage dispenser system  10  may provide controlled access to premium beverages. Another advantage for the beverage dispensing system  10  may be that the RFID/EAS equipped valves and wireless systems are generally more difficult to bypass than systems that utilize mechanical or contact/switch systems as used in the prior art. Additionally, the beverage dispensing system  10  does not require physical contact between the container  100  and the valve  202  to activate the beverage dispenser system  10 , thereby making the beverage dispensing system  10  of the present invention easier to use and generally more sanitary. 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0040]    The present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of examples. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the aspects described above without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.