Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to beverage dispensing. More specifically, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a beverage dispensing method and device that allows the user to customize their beverage settings and preferences. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Consumers that desire a certain beverage are required to purchase, store, retrieve, or prepare the beverage to meet their taste. For example, pre-packaged beverages (such as beverages packaged in cans or bottles) may create storage space issues and issues with transportation. Where beverages are prepared by the consumer, there is the attendant inconvenience of preparing the beverage. In recent years, consumers are turning to single serve pods/cartridges to deliver their hot or even cold beverages through countertop or water cooler based systems. These pods typically may contain a powder, concentrate, or grounds that mix with a fluid to create the beverage. There are examples of current countertop systems that detect the type of pod or cartridge and configure the system accordingly. However, the use of such systems may limit the ability of a consumer to prepare beverages which match their taste. Even where such systems allow a consumer to adjust parameters affecting taste, doing so may be inconvenient and where multiple users are using the same beverage dispensing system may require each user to modify settings before each use. What is needed is a beverage dispensing system which assists users in preparing beverages according to their individual tastes in a way that is convenient to the users. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a cabinet, a first compartment, a second compartment, a first door providing access to the first compartment, a second door providing access to the second compartment, and a beverage dispensing system operatively connected the cabinet. The refrigerator further includes a user interface operatively connected to the cabinet, the user interface having a display and being configured to identify a user of the beverage dispensing system and customize beverage settings and preferences associated with the user. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator includes a cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, a fresh food compartment door providing access to the fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment door providing access to the freezer compartment. The refrigerator further includes a beverage dispensing system disposed operatively connected to the cabinet, the beverage dispensing system configured to prepare a beverage using a liquid enhancement component and a user interface electrically connected to the beverage dispensing system, the user interface having a display and being configured to identify a user of the beverage dispensing system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a beverage dispensing integrated in a refrigerator. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram representation of a beverage dispensing system. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of an example of a “main menu” screen display accessible to the user. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustrations of an example of an “add user” screen display. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of an example of a “user settings” screen display accessible to the user. 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of an example of a “beverage usage and status” screen display accessible to the user. 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of an example of a “beverage usage and status” screen display for an individual user. 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of an example of an “add recipe” screen display accessible to the user. 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of an example of a “brandable logos” screen display accessible to the user. 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of an example of a “refrigerator component and sub-systems reporting” screen display accessible to the user. 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration of another example of a “refrigerator component and sub-systems reporting” screen display accessible to the user. 
         FIG. 12  is an illustration of an example of a “beverage dispensing” screen display accessible to the user. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a refrigerator  10  having a fresh food compartment  14  and a freezer compartment  12 . The fresh food compartment  14  has a door  18  and the freezer compartment  12  has a door  16 . The refrigerator  10  includes a beverage dispensing system  20  which is shown in the door  16 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the refrigerator  10  is shown in a side-by-side configuration. Of course, the refrigerator  10  may take on other configurations as well, such as a bottom mount freezer configuration. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram representation of a beverage dispensing system  20 . The beverage dispensing system  20  may include beverage dispenser components  22 . The beverage dispenser components  22  may include valve(s), pump(s), actuator(s), carbonator(s), heater(s) and nozzle(s) to allow the chosen beverage (colas, sparkling water, iced tea, lemonade, fruit punch, hot chocolate, hot tea, coffee, milk, water, hot water, etc.) to dispense into a consumer&#39;s chosen container (cup, glass, mug, etc.). The beverage dispensing system  20  may also dispense ice cubes and or crushed ices. 
     Another component of the beverage dispensing system  20  is an user characteristic detecting device  24  which may be integral to the beverage dispensing system  20  or may be mounted in any convenient location on the door  16  or otherwise. The characteristic detecting device  24  may be an image sensor which may be a device that converts an optical image to an electric signal. The image sensor may be a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) active-pixel sensor, or other type of image sensor or camera. The characteristic detecting device  24  may also be a fingerprint sensor or other type of device for use in identifying a user. 
     Another component of the beverage dispensing system  20  is a display  26 . The display  26  may display images or symbols which represent the state of the refrigerator, such as fresh food temperature, freezer temperature, beverage dispenser functions and recognition of the present user. The display  26  may be a touch screen display. 
     Another component of the beverage dispensing system  20  are user controls  28 . The user controls  28  may include controls such as buttons, touch screen display inputs, sliders or switches, which enable a user to select a preferred dispensing operation or selected other settings. 
     Another component of the beverage dispensing system  20  is a clock  34 . Although shown as a separate component, the clock may also be integrated into the intelligent control  30 . The clock  34  allows for maintaining time and date information. 
     A memory/storage device  36  is also shown operatively connected to the intelligent control  30 . The memory/storage device  36  may be used to store individual user information. The memory/storage device  36  may be a machine readable storage medium. 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may include a wired interface  38 . The interface may be a sim card interface, USB interface, memory card interface, or other type of interface suitable for interfacing with a removable device or memory. The removable device may be used to store individual user information and beverage usage patterns. The beverage usage patterns may be daily, weekly, monthly, yearly or for any other period of time. 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may also include a wireless interface  40 . The wireless interface  40  may be used to communicate with a computer network and/or cellular network, or other types of wireless networks. 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may also include a reader/detector  42 . The reader/detector  42  may be a radio-frequency identification (RFID) system, a microchip based system or a barcode system. A Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag or a barcode may be affixed to the user&#39;s beverage container or a microchip may be embedded within the user&#39;s beverage container for the purpose of identifying a particular beverage container. As will be discussed later herein the beverage container may be associated with a particular user or type of beverage. 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may also include sensors  44 . The sensors  44  may include temperature sensors, flow rate sensors, and/or pressure sensors to assist in allowing the chosen beverage to be dispensed properly and consistently. The sensors  44  may also include contact sensors or other sensor used to determine the state of various components within the beverage dispensing system  20 . 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may include an intelligent control  30 . The intelligent control  30  may function as a main controller for the refrigerator, including the functions provided by the beverage dispensing  20  as well as other operations. The intelligent control  30  may be a microcontroller, microprocessor, or other type of intelligent control. The intelligent control  30  is electrically connected to the beverage dispenser components  22 , the user characteristic detecting device  24 , the display  26 , the user controls  28 , the clock  34 , the memory/storage device  36 , the wired interface  38 , the wireless interface  40 , the reader/detector  42  and the sensors  44 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a main menu  46  screen display which may be seen on the display  26 . The main menu screen display  46  may allow a user to access the add user screen display by selecting button  48 , the user settings screen display by selecting button  50 , the beverage usage and status screen display by selecting button  52 , the add recipe screen display by selecting button  54 , the refrigerator component and system reporting screen display by selecting button  56  and the beverage dispenser screen display by selecting button  58 . The main menu screen display  46  is merely one example of a screen display that may be used by a user to perform various functions associated with the beverage dispensing system  20 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the add user screen display  48  which may be seen on the display  26 . The add user screen display  48  may include a new user input field  70 . The add user screen display  48  may also include an up arrow  62 , a down arrow  64 , a left arrow  66 , a right arrow  68  and an OK button  60 . The up arrow  62  and down arrow  64  allow the user to scroll through an alphanumeric alphabet, both uppercase and lowercase to select each letter and number. The OK button  60  confirms each letter or number choice. The left arrow  66  and the right arrow  68  allow the user to move left or right within the input field  70 . The add user screen display  48  may also include a user settings button  50  and a main menu button  46  to allow the user to quickly jump to those screen displays. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the user settings screen display  50  which may be seen on the display  26 . The user settings screen display  50  may include a new user input field  70 . The user settings screen display  50  may include a user age input field  72 . The user age input filed  72  may be utilized to prevent children from accessing hot beverages. The user settings screen display  50  may include a beverage input field  74 . The beverage input field  74  allows each user to choose a preferred beverage, to choose a preferred time period and restrictions related to the preferred beverage. The user settings screen display  50  may include a brandable logo  76  to be associated with a preferred beverage. The user settings screen display  50  may also include an up arrow  62 , a down arrow  64 , a left arrow  66 , a right arrow  68  and an OK button  60 . The up arrow  62  and down arrow  64  allow the user to scroll through an alphanumeric alphabet, both uppercase and lowercase, to select each letter and number. The OK button  60  confirms each letter or number choice. The left arrow  66  and the right arrow  68  allow the user to move left or right within the input field  70 . The user settings screen display  50  may also include a add beverage or recipe button  75 , a remove beverage or recipe button  77  and a main menu button  46 . The add beverage or recipe button  75  allows the user to add multiple preferred beverages or recipes. The remove beverage or recipe button  77  allows the user to remove multiple preferred beverages or recipes which are no longer preferred or available. The main menu button  46  allows the user to quickly go back to the main menu. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a beverage usage and status screen display  52  which may be seen on the display  26 . The beverage usage and status screen display  52  may include the following column headings: beverage  78 , consumed  80 , remaining  82  and out of date  84 . The column heading “beverage”  78  names the particular beverage or fluid enhancement component. The heading “consumed”  80  reflects the amount of each beverage or fluid enhancement component consumed. The heading “remaining”  82  reflects the amount of each beverage or fluid enhancement component remaining. The heading “out of date”  84  reflects the freshness of each beverage or fluid enhancement component. The page left  86  and page right  90  arrows allow the user to scroll through multiples of pages for easy viewing. The by user  92  button allows the user to jump to the user beverage usage and status screen display  92  for viewing individual user usage and status. The main menu button  46  allows the user to quickly go back to the main menu. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a user beverage usage and status screen display  92  which may be seen on the display  26 . The individual beverage usage and status screen display  92  may include the following column headings: beverage  79 , daily,  94 , weekly,  96 , monthly  98  and calories  100 . The daily  94  column may relate the total volume of beverage  79  per day. The weekly  96  column may relate the total volume of beverage  79  per week. The monthly  98  column may relate the total volume of beverage  79  per month. The calories  100  column may relate the total calories of beverage  79  per day, week or month. The page left  86  and page right  90  arrows allow the user to scroll through multiples of pages for easy viewing. The main menu button  46  allows the user to quickly go back to the main menu. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the add recipe screen display  54  which may be seen on the display  26 . The add recipe screen display  54  may include a user preference input field  110 . The user preference input field  110  may have fields to input beverage brand, sweetener brand, dairy brand, beverage temperature, beverage volume, i.e., 8 oz. or 12 oz. The input field  110  may also for carbonation and the time of day to dispense. The add recipe screen display  54  may also include an up arrow  62 , a down arrow  64 , a left arrow  66 , a right arrow  68  and an OK button  60 . The up arrow  62  and down arrow  64  allow the user to scroll through an alphanumeric alphabet within the user preference input field  110  to select each letter and number (both uppercase and lowercase letters). The OK button  60  confirms each letter or number choice. The left arrow  66  and the right arrow  68  allow the user to move left or right within the input field  70 . The add recipe screen display  54  may also include a add user button  48  and a main menu button  46  to allow the user to quickly jump to those screen displays. The add recipe screen display  54  may include an add logo  108  button. The add logo  108  button may jump to a logo selection screen display  109  wherein the user may select from logos residing within memory/storage  36 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a brandable logo screen display  109  which may be seen on the display  26 . The brandable logo screen display  109  may show logos  76 A-F associated with beverage or fluid enhancement consumable within the beverage dispensing system  20  or may show all logos  76 A-F which are associated with any beverage or fluid enhancement consumable available for use within the beverage dispensing system  20 . The brandable logo screen display  109  may include a logo left arrow  102  and a logo right arrow  106  which allows the user to scroll through all available logos  104 . The main menu button  46  allows the user to quickly go back to the main menu. 
       FIG. 10-11  each illustrate separate pages for the refrigerator component and sub-systems reporting screen display  56  which may be seen on the display  26 . The refrigerator component and sub-systems reporting screen display  56  may include the beverage dispenser components  22 , the user characteristic detecting device  24 , the display  26 , the clock  34 , the memory/storage  36 , the wireless interface  40 , the reader/detector  42  and the sensor(s)  44 . The refrigerator component and sub-systems reporting screen display  56  may include a page left arrow  112  and a page right arrow  116  which allows the user to scroll through all available pages  114 . The main menu button  46  allows the user to quickly go back to the main menu. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the beverage dispenser screen display  58  which may be seen on the display  26 . The beverage dispenser screen display  58  may include an interactive welcome message  118  based on the user characteristic detection device  24 . The interactive welcome message  118  may include a yes  120  button and a no  122  button. By pressing the yes  120  button the beverage dispenser shall dispense a beverage based on the user settings screen display  50 . By pressing the no  120  button the user may have multiple dispensing choices. The user may select crushed ice  126 , cubed ice  128 , hot water  130  and cold water  132  or any combination thereof. The user may select a beverage by brandable logo  76 . The user may view a brandable logo  76  by pressing the logo left arrow  122  or the logo right arrow  126 . The brandable logo  76  may be selected by pressing logo indicator  124 . The user may also select a beverage by recipe  140 . The user may view a recipe  140  by pressing the left recipe arrow  134  or the right recipe arrow  138 . The user may then select a recipe  140  by pressing recipe indicator  136 . The main menu button  46  allows the user to quickly go back to the main menu. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may de-activate the hot water from dispensing when children are using the beverage dispenser components  22 . Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  provides a safe and optimized usage experience of the beverage dispenser components  22  which may prevent a child from being burned or scalded by the hot water. To do so, the user characteristic detecting device  24  may acquire an image of the user and determine that the user is a child. One way of doing so is to compare an image of the user with images within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the image indicating that the user is a child. The user characteristic detecting device  24  may also acquire a fingerprint of the user and determine that the user is a child. One way of doing so is to compare a fingerprint of the user with fingerprints within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the fingerprint indicating that the user is a child. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may be programmed to prevent children from drinking too much of a specific type of beverage. Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  may limit a child to four caffeinated drinks per day, or no more than one caffeinated drink per hour. Additionally the beverage dispensing system may not allow the child to have caffeinated beverages after a certain hour. The beverage dispensing system  20  may then prevent a child from over indulging in a beverage which may cause them to become over caffeinated and they are therefore provided a safe and optimized beverage dispensing usage experience. To do so, the user characteristic detecting device  24  may acquire an image of the user and determine that the user is a child. One way of doing so is to compare an image of the user with images within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the image indicating that the user is a child. The user characteristic detecting device  24  may also acquire a fingerprint of the user and determine that the user is a child. One way of doing so is to compare a fingerprint of the user with fingerprints within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the fingerprint indicating that the user is a child. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may prepare a given drink that the consumer uses on a regular basis. Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  may provide coffee or juice in the morning, cola throughout the day. The user places their beverage container into the beverage dispenser components  22  and receives their preferred beverage without the need to make any decisions and they are therefore provided a safe and optimized beverage dispensing usage experience. To do so, the user characteristic detecting device  24  may acquire an image of the user and determine the identity of that the user. One way of doing so is to compare an image of the user with images within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the image indicating that specific user. The user characteristic detecting device  24  may also acquire a fingerprint of the user and determine that the user. One way of doing so is to compare a fingerprint of the user with fingerprints within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the fingerprint indicating that the user. 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may recognize a type of container, such as a mug or a specific glass. Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  may recommend via the user interface a beverage that matches the container type or automatically dispense a beverage that matched the container type. To do so, the user characteristic detecting device  24  may acquire an image of the container and determine the type of container. One way of doing so is to compare an image of the container with images within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the image indicating that specific container type. The user may then place their beverage container into the beverage dispenser components  22  and receive their preferred beverage and they are therefore provided a safe and optimized beverage dispensing usage experience. 
     EXAMPLE 5 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may display branded logos, refer to  FIG. 7 . Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  may utilize brandable logos for the user to make their beverage dispensing decisions. To do so, the user characteristic detecting device  24  may acquire an image of the user and determine the users preferred beverages and then display a plurality of branded logos. One way of doing so is to compare an image of the user with images within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the image indicating that user. The user may then place their beverage container into the beverage dispenser components  22  and receive their chosen beverage and they are therefore provided a safe and optimized beverage dispensing usage experience. 
     EXAMPLE 6 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may display the status of the beverage dispensing system  20 , refer to  FIG. 6A-C . Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  gives the user important information graphically, iconically and/or textually to the real-time operation of the system via the display  26 . The information may include the plurality of beverage dispenser components  22 , the user characteristic detecting device  24 , the reader/detector  42 , etc. Also, the beverage dispensing system  20  may presently be brewing a beverage, or carbonating a beverage, etc. As these processes occur internally they are not visible to the user, the beverage dispensing system  20  may inform to its state via the display  26 . The beverage dispensing system  20  may also notify the user of the need to replace a beverage which is now empty or its expiration date has expired, or indicate how much fluid or beverage enhancement is available (such as many unused pods are available in pod-systems) or otherwise provide an inventory of fluid enhancement components. To do so, the intelligent control  30  may query and acquire the status of the various beverage dispenser components  22 , the user characteristic detecting device  24 , the display  26 , the user controls  28  the memory/storage  34 , the clock  34 , the memory/storage device  36 , the wired interface  38 , the wireless interface  40 , the reader/detector  42 , and the sensors  44 . One way of doing so is to compare the existing status of the various beverage dispenser components  22 , the user characteristic detecting device  24 , the display  26 , the user controls  28  the memory/storage  36 , the clock  34 , the memory/storage device  36 , the interface  38 , the wireless interface  40 , the reader/detector  42 , and the sensors  44  with the present status of the various beverage dispenser components  22 , the image sensor, the user controls  28  the memory/storage  36 , the reader/detector  42  and the image processing component within a database to determine a change and to then to indicate that to the user via the display  26 . 
     EXAMPLE 7 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may also display drink information for each user for a given period of time, refer to  FIG. 8 . Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  gives the user important information such as nutritional or the total volume consumed for each beverage which they may use to adjust their consumption rates. The information may also be used to evaluate costs associated with each beverage over time. 
     EXAMPLE 8 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may detect a user&#39;s container utilizing RFID tags. Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  recognizes the user based upon the container. To do so, the RFID reader/detector  42  may acquire the identifying information of the container from the RFID tag affixed to the container. One way of doing so is to compare the identifying information located in the RFID tag of the container with identifying information within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the identifying information indicating that the user. The system may associate a specific beverage based on the container. The system may also associate the container to a specific user and their beverage preferences. The user then places their beverage container into the beverage dispenser components  22  and is then provided a safe and optimized beverage dispensing usage experience. 
     EXAMPLE 9 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may detect a user&#39;s container utilizing direct contact data communication via a microchip within the container, or other means. Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  recognizes the user based upon the container. To do so, the RFID reader/detector  42  may acquire the identifying information of the container from the microchip embedded within the container. One way of doing so is to compare the identifying information located in the microchip of the container with identifying information within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the identifying information indicating that the user. The system may associate a specific beverage based on the container. The system may also associate the container to a specific user and their beverage preferences. The user then places their beverage container into the beverage dispenser components  22  and is then provided a safe and optimized beverage dispensing usage experience. 
     EXAMPLE 10 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  recognizes the container and not the user. Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  recognizes the container visually as opposed to utilizing a RFID tag affixed to the container or a microchip embedded into the container. The system may associate a specific beverage based on the container. The system may also associate the container to a specific user and their beverage preferences. Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  may recommend via the user interface a beverage that matches the container type. To do so, the user characteristic detecting device  24  may acquire an image of the container and determine the type of container. One way of doing so is to compare an image of the container with images within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the image indicating that specific container type. The user may then place their beverage container into the beverage dispenser components  22  and receive their preferred beverage and they are therefore provided a safe and optimized beverage dispensing usage experience. The user then places their beverage container into the beverage dispenser components  22  and is then provided a safe and optimized beverage dispensing usage experience. 
     EXAMPLE 11 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may limit caloric intake of the user for a given period of time. Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  prevents the user from dispensing any beverage once a caloric limit has been reached for the given period of time. To do so, the user characteristic detecting device  24  may acquire an image of the container and/or the user and determine the type of container and/or the user. One way of doing so is to compare an image of the container and/or the user with images within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the image indicating that specific container type and/or the user. The beverage dispensing system  20  may query the user regarding limiting caloric intake or the user may initiate limiting caloric intake via the user interface  36 . The user may limit their caloric intake to 1000 calories a day or any other caloric value or time period. The user may then place their beverage container into the beverage dispenser components  22  and receive their preferred beverage and they are therefore provided a safe and optimized beverage dispensing usage experience. 
     EXAMPLE 12 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may limit drink selections of the user. Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  prevents the user from dispensing certain beverages, such as sugary or caffeinated beverages, etc. To do so, the user characteristic detecting device  24  may acquire an image of the container and/or the user and determine the type of container and/or the user. One way of doing so is to compare an image of the container and/or the user with images within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the image indicating that specific container type and/or the user. The beverage dispensing system  20  may query the user regarding limiting caloric intake or the user may initiate limiting caloric intake via the user interface  36 . The user may limit their caloric intake to 1000 calories a day or any other caloric value or time period. The user may then place their beverage container into the beverage dispenser components  22  and receive their preferred beverage and they are therefore provided a safe and optimized beverage dispensing usage experience. 
     EXAMPLE 13 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may inform the user of their beverage usage. Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  informs the user of their beverage usage via the display  26  for monitoring dietary intake. The information may include total beverages, total volume and total calories for a day, a week, a month or any length of time. The beverage dispensing system  20  may query the user regarding displaying the information or the information may be displayed as a normal operating function of the beverage dispensing system  20 . To do so, the user characteristic detecting device  24  may acquire an image of the user and determine the user. One way of doing so is to compare an image of the user with images within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the image indicating the user and then displaying the beverage usage. 
     EXAMPLE 14 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  may inform the user of their beverage usage. Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  informs the user of their beverage usage via the display  26  to assist with inventory management. The information may include total beverage usage for a day, a week, a month or any length of time. The beverage dispensing system  20  may query the user regarding displaying the information or the information may be displayed as a normal operating function of the beverage dispensing system  20 . To do so, the user characteristic detecting device  24  may acquire an image of the user and determine the user. One way of doing so is to compare an image of the user with images within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the image indicating the user and then displaying the beverage inventory levels. 
     EXAMPLE 15 
     The beverage dispensing system  20  recognizes indicia on the container. Thus in this example, the beverage dispensing system  20  may recommend via the user interface a beverage that matches the container indicia or automatically dispense a beverage that matched the container indicia. To do so, the user characteristic detecting device  24  may acquire an image of the container indicia and determine the indicia on the container. One way of doing so is to compare an image of the container indicia with images within a database to determine a match and to then access data associated within the image indicating that specific container indicia. The user may then place their beverage container into the beverage dispenser components  22  and receive their preferred beverage and they are therefore provided a safe and optimized beverage dispensing usage experience. 
     The invention has been shown and described above with respect to various aspects and embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the present invention contemplates numerous variations with respect to the types of sensors used, the user interface used, the method in which users are identified, the methods in which users specify preferences, and other variations, options, and alternatives. The present invention is not to be limited to any specific embodiment described herein or combinations thereof.

Technology Category: 2