Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a container having two RFID chips for tamper detection.

<CIT> discloses a smart storage bottle that can broadcast an opened state.

Aspects of the disclosure include an interactive beverage container. The beverage container includes a bottle, a cap for sealing an opening of the bottle, and circuitry attached to the cap. The circuitry is configured to transmit data over a broadcast area. In some embodiments, when the beverage container is closed by the cap, the broadcast area of the circuitry is not outside the bottle. In some embodiments, when the beverage container is open, the broadcast area extends out from the cap and the data can be received by a mobile device within the broadcast area.

In other aspects of the disclosure, a closure for a beverage container includes a top wall, an annular skirt extending downward from the top wall, and circuitry coupled to the top wall and configured to transmit radio signals to a mobile device. In some embodiments, the radio signals do not pass through the annular wall and are receivable by a mobile device only when the closure is not attached to a beverage container.

In other aspects of the disclosure, a method of transmitting data from a beverage container to a mobile device includes receiving power electromagnetically at a communication chip of a beverage container closure to activate the communication chip, and transmitting data from the communication chip only in a direction of an open end of the closure when the closure is not attached to a beverage container, the data receivable by a mobile device.

The summary here is not an exhaustive listing of the novel features described herein, and are not limiting of the claims. These and other features are described in greater detail below.

Some features herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like numerals reference similar elements between the drawings.

In the following description of various illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, various embodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced.

Sellers of products, such as beverages, may want to communicate with a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone or tablet) of a customer when the customer purchases or enjoys the product. The present disclosure describes a beverage container that includes a communication chip capable of sending data to a customer's mobile device, so that the customer can receive information from the seller through the chip's communication with the customer's device. For example, upon a beverage container being opened, the chip may send data including a message (or access to a message) to the customer informing the customer of the beverage's nutritional information or congratulating the customer on their excellent taste in choosing the beverage. The communication chip may send content (or access to content) such as audio or video to the customer. Or the chip may send marketing material such as advertisements or reward points to the mobile device of the customer.

<FIG> illustrates an interactive beverage container <NUM> in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Beverage container <NUM> may include a container or bottle <NUM> with an opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) in a neck <NUM> of bottle <NUM>. The size and geometry of bottle <NUM> may vary. Bottle <NUM> may hold a beverage (e.g., water, juice, soft drinks, iced tea, athletic beverages, energy drinks, etc.) for consumption. Beverage container <NUM> may further include a closure <NUM> (e.g., a bottle cap) for sealing opening <NUM> in neck <NUM> of bottle <NUM> to maintain the integrity of the beverage within. A variety of different types of closure devices may be used to seal opening <NUM>. Closure <NUM> of bottle <NUM> may further include a communication chip <NUM> to communicate with a mobile device of the customer.

<FIG> illustrates an interactive beverage container <NUM> that includes bottle <NUM>, closure <NUM>, communication chip <NUM> and a mobile device <NUM>. Mobile device <NUM> may include a display screen <NUM> and a corresponding communication chip <NUM>. Communication chip <NUM> of closure <NUM> is configured to communicate with corresponding communication chip <NUM> of mobile device <NUM>. Corresponding communication chips <NUM> and <NUM> may communicate with each other through RFID (radio frequency identification), NFC (near field communication), or any other suitable communication protocol. For example, communication chip <NUM> may be an NFC tag that uses a radio frequency (e.g., <NUM>, which is a popular high-frequency standard for RFID and NFC transmissions) to communicate with corresponding communication chip <NUM> of mobile device <NUM>.

Communication chip <NUM> may be circuitry, such as a printed electronic circuit that stores data to transfer to a customer. In some embodiments, the transfer of data to mobile device <NUM> relies of the native features of mobile device <NUM> and does not require a special application on mobile device <NUM> to initiate communication between communication chip <NUM> and communication chip <NUM>. In some embodiments, the transfer of data to mobile device <NUM> relies on an application that was previously installed on mobile device <NUM>. Communication between chips <NUM> and <NUM> simply needs close proximity to each other. For example, chips <NUM> and <NUM> may be less than <NUM> apart.

In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> may include memory for storing data. The data may include specific types of content or information for accessing such content. For example, a link may be stored in the memory, such as a website URL, and the link may be transferred to corresponding communication chip <NUM> in mobile device <NUM>. In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> may transfer additional instructions for mobile device <NUM> to open certain programs (e.g., web browser, special application, etc.) to execute the link. Mobile device <NUM> may access the link on a server <NUM> through a network <NUM> (e.g., the Internet) to enable the customer to access content and display the content on display <NUM> of mobile device <NUM> or otherwise provide the content to the customer (e.g., through speakers of mobile device <NUM> in the case of content with an audio component). Mobile device <NUM> may access server <NUM> over network <NUM> by any means known and used in the art to transfer information, such as a wireless network, cellular network, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or any other similar wireless-type connection.

In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> may be passive and not have its own power supply. Communication chip <NUM> may draw power from corresponding communication chip <NUM> in mobile device <NUM> through an electromagnetic field and transmit data to corresponding communication chip <NUM> after communication chip <NUM> has received power. Alternatively, communication chip <NUM> may be active and have its own power supply and may constantly or periodically transmit data without drawing external power. In addition, active communication chip <NUM> may participate in peer-to-peer communication with corresponding communication chip <NUM>.

In some embodiments, communication between communication chips <NUM> and <NUM> only occurs after the customer has purchased and opened beverage container <NUM> by removing closure <NUM>. This prevents the customer from accessing the data on communication chip <NUM> and corresponding content without paying for the product, since payment customarily occurs before a beverage is opened.

In some embodiments, after purchasing a beverage contained in beverage container <NUM> and opening closure <NUM>, communication chip <NUM> may transfer data to communication chip <NUM> of mobile device <NUM> for access to content for the benefit of the customer. For example, content may include nutritional information, marketing materials, videos, reward points for loyalty programs, games or contests, and the like, thus enabling beverage container <NUM> to interact with the customer after purchase.

For example, after the customer purchases beverage container <NUM> and opens it by removing closure <NUM>, communication chip <NUM> may transfer nutritional information (or access to nutritional information, e.g., if the information is stored on a remote server, as will be described in more detail below) to the customer's mobile device <NUM>. Nutritional information may include serving size, servings per container, calories, total fat, sodium, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, daily percentage value, ingredients, and the like of the beverage. Since mobile device <NUM> does not require a special application on the customer's mobile device, once communication chip <NUM> comes within a predetermined distance of communication chip <NUM>, the nutritional information simply appears on the customer's display screen <NUM> (optionally after the customer authorizes its appearance through a prompt or other authorization mechanism of their mobile device <NUM>).

In another example, after the customer purchases beverage container <NUM> and opens closure <NUM>, communication chip <NUM> may transfer marketing materials (or access to marketing materials) to the customer's mobile device <NUM>. Marketing materials may include coupons, commercials, promotional materials, and the like. In some embodiments, the marketing materials are exclusive content and only available to customers who purchase the beverage.

In another example, after the customer purchases beverage container <NUM> and opens closure <NUM>, communication chip <NUM> may transfer exclusive videos (or access to videos) to the customer's mobile device <NUM>. In some embodiments, the videos are exclusive to customers who purchase the beverage and are not freely available via the internet, social media, or other resources. Videos may include videos from musicians, athletes, artists, models, and other various spokesmen for the beverage brand.

In another example, after the customer purchases beverage container <NUM> and opens closure <NUM>, communication chip <NUM> may transfer and track loyalty points for the customer. The customer's mobile device <NUM> would act as the customer's loyalty card and may store and track the customer's loyalty points, or provide access to a database that does so. The customer may compile loyalty points and convert the loyalty points into various prizes or promotions.

In another example, after the customer purchases beverage container <NUM> and opens closure <NUM>, communication chip <NUM> may transfer games (or access to games) or enter the customer into a sweepstakes or contest. For example, the customer may be automatically entered into an exclusive sweepstakes for a prize. Prizes may include promotional items, free beverages, tickets to a concert or athletic event, all-expense paid trips, and the like. In some embodiments, the customer may gain access to an exclusive game for their mobile device <NUM> or free access to a publically available game. In some embodiments, the customer may gain access to content such as characters, levels, in-game currency, or points for games, including for games that are publically available.

In some embodiments, the data transferred from communication chip <NUM> to the customer's mobile device <NUM> may be regulated by the geographic location of communication chip <NUM> or communication chip <NUM>. For example, mobile device <NUM> may include a GPS (global positioning system) receiver that enables mobile device <NUM> to track its geographic location. When communication chip <NUM> of closure <NUM> and communication chip <NUM> of mobile device communicate, the data stored in the memory of communication chip <NUM> may be tailored to the geographic location of mobile device <NUM>. For example, when communication chip <NUM> is read by communication chip <NUM>, communication chip <NUM> may send both the data received from chip <NUM> and data relating to its own location to server <NUM> through network <NUM>. Server <NUM> may recognize the data from chip <NUM> as being instructions to return content, and it may recognize content that it has access to that is associated with the location of mobile device <NUM>. Server <NUM> can then transmit to mobile device <NUM> the content associated with the region that mobile device <NUM> is in.

For example, communication chip <NUM> may provide access to promotional materials for each team in a sports league. However, the promotional material for each team is only transferred to mobile device <NUM> if mobile device <NUM> is within a certain distance (e.g., a <NUM> mile radius) of the sports team or is closer to that sports team's home stadium than to the stadium of any other sports team in the league. Also for example, a country may be divided into specific geographic regions, and content relating to a specific geographic region is only transferred if mobile device <NUM> is within that specific geographic region.

In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> may include a GPS receiver that tracks the location of closure <NUM>. The GPS receiver of communication chip <NUM> regulates the data that is transferred based on the geographic location of communication chip <NUM>, in the same way as described above for chip <NUM>.

In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> may tailor content transferred to the customer's mobile device <NUM> based on time and location. Mobile device <NUM> may include a GPS receiver, clock, and calendar, which track the location of mobile device <NUM>, date, and time. The transfer of content to mobile device <NUM> may be tailored to the location, date, and time of the mobile device <NUM>'s receipt of data from communication chip <NUM>. For example, when communication chip <NUM> is read by communication chip <NUM>, communication chip <NUM> may send both the data received from chip <NUM> and data relating to the location, date, and time of mobile device <NUM> to server <NUM> through network <NUM>. Server <NUM> may recognize the data from chip <NUM> as being instructions to return content and it may recognize content that it has access to that is associated with the location, date, and time of the mobile device <NUM>. Accordingly, the content may only be transferred from server <NUM> to mobile device <NUM> at or in relation to a specific local event, such as a promotional event, sporting event, or concert. The time range may vary, for example, from a couple of days, to a couple of hours, to even a few minutes.

In another embodiment, promotional events may be based on a date and time range. For example, when communication chip <NUM> is read by communication chip <NUM>, communication chip may send both the data received from chip <NUM> and data relating to the date and time of mobile device <NUM> to server <NUM> through network <NUM>. Customer may gain access to a specific promotional event or prize based a specific date and time range of the promotion event. For example, customer may gain access to a buy one get one free promotional event that only runs for a week. In another example, the customer may enter a sweepstakes at a certain time range of the day (e.g., <NUM> AM-<NUM> AM).

In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> may include a GPS receiver, a clock, and a calendar that tracks the location, date, and time of closure <NUM>. The GPS receiver, clock, and calendar of communication chip <NUM> may regulate the data that is transferred based on the geographic location of communication chip <NUM> and the date and time, in the same way as described above for chip <NUM>.

Closure <NUM> may be attached to bottle <NUM> is variety of different manners. For example, <FIG> illustrates a threaded finish <NUM> on neck <NUM> of bottle <NUM>. Closure <NUM> may have a corresponding threaded finish within closure <NUM>. The customer may remove closure <NUM> from bottle <NUM> by unscrewing closure <NUM> from bottle <NUM>. After filling bottle <NUM> with the beverage, closure <NUM> may be attached and sealed to bottle <NUM> to contain and maintain the integrity of the beverage. Additional types of closures may include crown top, snap on, friction fit, tamper-evident, and the like.

<FIG> illustrate closure <NUM> in accordance in some embodiments. In some embodiments, closure <NUM> may include a top wall <NUM> and an annular skirt or outer wall <NUM> that functions as a side wall of closure <NUM>. Annular skirt <NUM> is adapted to be secured to neck <NUM> of bottle <NUM>. The inner surface of annular skirt <NUM> may include threads <NUM> (see <FIG>, and <FIG>) that correspond with threaded finish <NUM> of bottle <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of closure <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment taken along cross-sectional line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>. Communication chip <NUM> may be secured to an underside <NUM> of top wall <NUM>. Communication chip <NUM> may be secured to underside <NUM> by a hot-melt adhesive, film laminate, foam pouch, and the like. Communication chip <NUM> may also be attached to underside <NUM> of closure <NUM> by heat sealing, RF (radio-frequency) welding, mechanical attachments, and the like. Communication chip <NUM> may be sealed to underside <NUM> of closure <NUM> by a closure liner <NUM> within closure <NUM>. Liner <NUM> may be fabricated from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or other suitable material to seal communication chip <NUM> to underside <NUM> of closure to prevent communication chip <NUM> from coming in contact with the beverage in bottle <NUM> in order to maintain the integrity of the beverage and chip <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of closure <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment taken along cross-sectional line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>. Communication chip <NUM> may be embedded within closure <NUM>. In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> may be embedded within top wall <NUM> of closure <NUM>. In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> may be embedded during the molding process of closure <NUM>. In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> may be embedded within annular skirt <NUM> of closure <NUM>. Since communication chip <NUM> is embedded and sealed within closure <NUM>, contact between communication chip <NUM> and the beverage within bottle <NUM> is prevented.

In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> is only able to communicate with corresponding communication chip <NUM> of mobile device <NUM> after closure <NUM> has been removed from bottle <NUM>. In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> only transmits a signal in a single direction (e.g., communication chip does not transmit in a direction <NUM> degrees from a direction in which it does transmit, for example, it transmits downward but not upward, or vice versa). For example, communication chip <NUM> may be an NFC tag that only transmits a signal in a single direction. <FIG> illustrates communication chip <NUM> transmitting a signal <NUM> in a single direction that is normal to underside <NUM> of closure <NUM>. Signal <NUM> is transmitted toward the beverage within bottle <NUM>. In order to minimize access to signal <NUM> before purchasing the beverage, signal <NUM> is only transmitted a short distance d, less than the height h of bottle <NUM>. In some embodiments, distance d is less than <NUM>.

In order to further minimize access to signal <NUM>, signal <NUM>'s lateral extents may be constrained to stay within side walls of bottle <NUM> (e.g., by constraining a transmission angle of signal <NUM> or by blocking portions of signal <NUM>, as described in more detail below). Since signal <NUM> only travels narrowly and over a short distance, the customer's mobile device <NUM> is unable to receive signal <NUM> when closure <NUM> is attached to bottle <NUM>, since the broadcast area of signal <NUM> is within bottle <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the customer's mobile device <NUM> is able to access the content on communication chip <NUM> only after the customer removes closure <NUM> from bottle <NUM> and directs underside <NUM> towards mobile device <NUM>.

In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> does not a have a power supply and relies on receiving power to transmit signal <NUM> from mobile device <NUM>. In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> is able to receive power from mobile device <NUM> from any direction; however, communication chip <NUM> only transmits signal <NUM> in a single direction that is normal to underside <NUM> of closure <NUM>. In some embodiments communication chip <NUM> is only able to receive power from mobile device <NUM> when communication ship <NUM> is within broadcast area of signal <NUM>, or from a single direction (e.g., from the same direction that communication chip <NUM> can transmit out from closure <NUM>).

In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> is able to transfer data in multiple (e.g., two) directions. <FIG> illustrates communication chip <NUM> transmitting signals <NUM> and <NUM> in two separate directions. Similar to <FIG>, signal <NUM> is transmitted in a direction normal to underside <NUM> of closure <NUM>. Communication chip <NUM> is also configured to transmit signal <NUM> in a separate direction away from closure <NUM> and bottle <NUM>. These two different signals may transfer different types of data to the customer. In some embodiments, each of signal <NUM> and signal <NUM> is transmitted by a separate communication chip <NUM>.

In some embodiments, signal <NUM> transfers data to the customer to access content before the customer purchases the beverage or removes the closure <NUM>. This data is not exclusive to the purchase of the beverage and may enable the customer to access content such as promotional materials, commercials, and/or coupons on their mobile device <NUM> to entice the customer to purchase the beverage. In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> may inform the customer the number of loyalty points, how many loyalty points they may receive if they purchase the beverage, and how many loyalty points they lack to receive a certain prize.

In some embodiments, signal <NUM> in <FIG> only transfers data to the customer after the customer has purchased the beverage. Similar to the signal <NUM> in <FIG>, the data transferred by signal <NUM> provides access to exclusive content through network <NUM> for a customer who has purchased the beverage.

In some embodiments, the direction of signal <NUM> from communication chip <NUM> may be limited in other ways. For example, <FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of closure <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment taken along cross-sectional line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>. Similar to <FIG>, closure <NUM> includes communication chip <NUM> secured to underside <NUM> of closure <NUM>. Communication chip <NUM> is sealed within closure by liner <NUM>. In some embodiments, closure <NUM> may further include a shielding element <NUM> that blocks, absorbs, or refracts signals <NUM> of communication chip <NUM> in all directions except in a direction normal to underside <NUM> of closure <NUM>, toward the open end of closure <NUM> and into bottle <NUM> when closure <NUM> is attached to bottle <NUM>. Shielding element <NUM> may be embedded within top wall <NUM> and annular skirt <NUM> and may circumferentially surround communication chip <NUM>.

In some embodiments, shielding element <NUM> may be attached to the inner wall and underside <NUM> of closure <NUM> with communication chip <NUM> attached to the shielding element <NUM>. Liner <NUM> may seal communication chip <NUM> to prevent contact of shielding element <NUM> with the beverage in bottle <NUM>. In some embodiments, shielding element <NUM> may encompass the outer surface of closure <NUM>. In some embodiments, shielding element <NUM> and communication chip <NUM> may both be embedded within closure <NUM>.

Shielding element <NUM> may be an electrically conducting metal, such as aluminum, copper, and the like, that can reflect, absorb, or refract signals <NUM> transmitted by communication chip <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart transmission of data from communication chip <NUM> for communicating with corresponding communication chip <NUM> of mobile device <NUM>. In S910, communication chip <NUM> is manufactured. Communication chip <NUM> may be a printed electronic circuit and may include a chip, an antenna, and an inlay. The memory of communication chip <NUM> may range from <NUM> bytes to <NUM> kilobytes. Communication chip <NUM> may be programmed with data at the time of manufacture, or communication chip <NUM> may be rewritable and reprogrammable any time after manufacturing. Accordingly, the data on communication chip <NUM> may be altered at any convenient point during the preparation of beverage container <NUM>.

In S920, closure <NUM> is manufactured and includes communication chip <NUM>. Closure <NUM> may be fabricated through various manufacturing processes, such as injection molding, compression molding, and the like. As discussed previously, communication chip <NUM> may be embedded within closure <NUM> or may be attached to underside <NUM> of closure.

In S930, after bottle <NUM> is filled with the beverage, closure <NUM> is attached and sealed to bottle <NUM> to preserve the integrity of the beverage within beverage bottle <NUM>. When closure <NUM> is sealed, or in a closed configured with closure <NUM> attached to bottle <NUM>, communication chip <NUM> does not communicate with corresponding communication chip <NUM> of mobile device <NUM>.

In S940, the customer may purchase the beverage for consumption. In some embodiments, the beverage may be given away as a promotional item and not sold to the customer. In any case, closure <NUM> may be removed from bottle <NUM> to open bottle <NUM>.

In S950, once closure <NUM> is removed from bottle <NUM> or beverage container <NUM> in an open configuration, communication chip <NUM> may transmit data to corresponding communication chip <NUM> of mobile device <NUM> if mobile device <NUM> is within a predetermined distance, such as, for example, <NUM> or <NUM>. As discussed previously, communication chip <NUM> may transmit data or provide access to content on server <NUM> through network <NUM> to mobile device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a flowchart of how communication chip <NUM> interacts with mobile device <NUM>. In some embodiments, communication chip <NUM> is a passive chip and receives power over an electromagnetic field. In S1010, communication chip <NUM> receives power from a mobile device <NUM> when power is transmitted over the electromagnetic field to provide power to communication chip <NUM>. Power may only be transmitted to communication chip <NUM> if mobile device <NUM> is within a predetermined distance, such as, for example, <NUM> or <NUM>.

In S1020, once communication chip <NUM> receives power, communication chip <NUM> transmits data to corresponding communication chip <NUM>. Data may be transferred over a radio frequency, such as <NUM>, for example. As described previously, data is transferred after customer has removed closure <NUM> from bottle <NUM>.

In S1030, mobile device <NUM> accesses content from server <NUM> through network <NUM> based on data received from communication chip <NUM>. Mobile device <NUM> recognizes the data as instructions to access content from server <NUM> through network <NUM>. Mobile device may access network <NUM> through a wireless network, cellular network, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or any other similar wireless-type connection.

In some embodiments, the data transferred from communication chip <NUM> to mobile device <NUM> is itself content that can be output to the customer through mobile device <NUM>. In such embodiments S1030 may be omitted. It should be understood that all embodiments described herein may be adapted so that the content accessed by mobile device <NUM> directly from communication chip <NUM> or through network <NUM> based on data received from communication chip <NUM>. The decision as to which option to use may depend on any relevant consideration, such as, for example, the size of the data (e.g., if it is too much to economically fit in a memory of communication chip <NUM>), availability of wireless networks, or the desired ability to monitor or track sales or access of content.

In S1040, mobile device <NUM> has access to the content and the content is available to the customer. Content may be outputted by mobile device <NUM> to the customer (e.g., display <NUM>, speaker, etc.).

It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.

Claim 1:
A system comprising
a cap (<NUM>) for closing a beverage container (<NUM>) by sealing an opening of a bottle (<NUM>); and
circuitry (<NUM>) attached to the cap (<NUM>), the circuitry (<NUM>) configured to transmit data over a broadcast area,
wherein when the beverage container (<NUM>) is closed by the cap (<NUM>), the broadcast area of the circuitry (<NUM>) does not extend outside the bottle (<NUM>), and when the beverage container (<NUM>) is open, the broadcast area of the circuitry (<NUM>) extends out from the cap (<NUM>) and the data is receivable by a mobile device (<NUM>) within the broadcast area of the circuitry (<NUM>);
characterized in that the broadcast area of the circuitry extends only in a direction normal to an underside (<NUM>) of the cap (<NUM>).