Beverage dispensing system
View Patent ↗Beverage dispensing systems are provided. Beverages dispensing systems may detect the presence of a person or container then search for a wireless transponder, which in some embodiments is an RFID tag on the detected person or container. Depending on the detection or absence of detection of a transponder, beverage dispensing systems may display information or allow a beverage to be dispensed.
1. A beverage dispensing system comprising:
a dispensing device including at least one dispensing valve for dispensing a beverage, an actuator for initiating the dispensing of said beverage through said valve;
a display screen having a user interface being coupled to said at least one dispensing device, said display screen adapted to display exhibits;
wireless communication electronics coupled to said beverage dispensing system and adapted to communicate with a wireless transponder;
a controller functionally connected to said at least one dispensing valve, said display screen and said wireless communication electronics;
a proximity sensor for detecting when an object enters a predetermined area adjacent said beverage dispensing device and for sending a signal to said controller in response to the sensing of the object, said controller activating said display screen in response to said signal from the sensor and displaying a first exhibit if a wireless transponder is detected by said wireless communication electronics and displaying a second exhibit if a wireless transponder is not detected by said wireless communication electronics.
2. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said wireless communication electronics includes an RFID reader and an antenna.
3. The beverage dispensing system of claim 2 wherein said RFID reader is adapted to write information back to a transponder.
4. The beverage dispensing system of claim 2 wherein said antenna is a high frequency (HF) or ultra high frequency (UHF) antenna.
5. The beverage dispensing system of claim 2 wherein the proximity sensor is an infrared sensor.
6. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the transponder is selected from the group consisting of a read-only RFID tag and a read/write RFID tag.
7. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the transponder is an EAS tag.
8. The beverage dispensing system of claim 2 wherein said display screen is a touch sensor screen.
9. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said exhibits include text, images and audio/visual presentations.
10. The beverage dispensing system of claim 2 wherein the first exhibit is a demonstration of a user placing a cup on or near the antenna.
11. The beverage dispensing system of claim 2 wherein the second exhibit is a disposable cup selection screen.
12. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the dispensing device is a hot beverage dispenser.
13. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the dispensing device is a cold beverage dispenser.
14. A method for dispensing a beverage from a beverage dispensing system including a dispensing device with at least one dispensing valve for dispensing a beverage, an actuator for initiating the dispensing of said beverage through said valve, a display screen, wireless communication electronics and a controller, said method comprising:
detecting the presence of a beverage container within a predetermined area of said dispensing device;
searching for a RFID tag within a read field;
displaying an exhibit on said display screen, said exhibit being an RFID transaction screen if an RFID tag was detected and a disposable cup transaction screen if an RFID tag was not detected in said read field;
verifying validity of said RFID tag or payment information and determining a verified amount of beverage to dispense;
opening said valve to allow dispensing of said beverage when said actuator is engaged;
closing said valve following the dispensing of the verified amount of beverage.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising: modifying information read from said RFID tag and writing said modified information back onto said tag.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of modifying information includes reducing a number of available refills.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein said RFID transaction screen is a demonstration of a user placing a cup on or near the antenna.
18. The method of claim 14 wherein said disposable cup transaction screen is a disposable cup size selection screen.
19. A method for dispensing a beverage from a beverage dispensing system including a dispensing device with at least one dispensing valve for dispensing a beverage, an actuator for initiating the dispensing of said beverage through said valve, a display screen, wireless communication electronics and a controller, said method comprising:
detecting the presence of a beverage container within a predetermined area of said dispensing device;
searching for a RFID tag within a read field;
displaying an exhibit on said display screen, said exhibit being an RFID transaction screen if an RFID tag was detected and a disposable cup transaction screen if an RFID tag was not detected in said read field;
verifying validity of said RFID tag or payment information and determining a verified amount of beverage to dispense;
opening said valve to allow dispensing of said beverage when said actuator is engaged;
closing said valve following the dispensing of the verified amount of beverage.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein said transponder is part of said beverage container.