Beverage communication system
View Patent ↗A beverage system including a communication means ( 300 ) for communicating between a beverage dispensing module ( 32 ) and a base station ( 304 ). Each beverage-dispersing module ( 32 ) includes a controller ( 76 ), which is centralized for use with multiple modules ( 32 ) or dedicated to an individual module ( 32 ). The controller ( 76 ) collects information about the module ( 32 ) or modules. The controller ( 76 ) includes link ( 302 ), which connect the controller ( 76 ) to the base station ( 304 ). The base station ( 304 ) includes a means for displaying display ( 305 ) and can provide visual auditor or other information about numerous conditions.
1. A communication system for use with a beverage making apparatus, the communication system comprising:
at least one controller for collecting information from at least one beverage making apparatus;
the controller is operable to prevent beverage dispensing during a brew cycle;
at least one receiver for receiving information from at least one controller;
a link operatively coupling at least the controller and the receiver for communicating the collected information from the controller to the receiver;
a display at the receiver for presenting a form of the collected information.
2. The communication system of claim 1 , further comprising the link operates using a physical link between the controller and the receiver.
3. The communication system of claim 1 , further comprising the display being configured as an auditory display.
4. The communication system claim 1 , further comprising the display including at least a visual display and auditory display.
5. The communication system claim 1 , the receiver further comprising operator control facilitating control of the communication system at the receiver.
6. The communication system claim 1 , the receiver further comprising operator control facilitating control of the controller from the receiver using the linking means.
7. The communication system claim 1 , the link uses a single path signal from the controller to the receiver.
8. The communication system claim 1 , wherein the receiver is positioned at a cash register location.
9. The communication system claim 1 , wherein the display communicates a condition of the beverage.
10. The communication system claim 1 , wherein the display communicates a condition of the beverage making apparatus.
11. The communication system claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to control a function of the beverage making apparatus dispose of beverage from a container.
12. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to ensure the addition of flavoring during a brew cycle.
13. The communication system claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to initiate a brew cycle.
14. The communication system of claim 13 , wherein the controller is operable to sense at least a temperature or level associated with the beverage making apparatus.
15. The communication system of claim 1 , further comprising the link is provided in the form of a wireless communication link.
16. The communication system of claim 15 , further comprising the wireless communication link operating using radio frequencies.
17. The communication system of claim 15 , further comprising the wireless communication link operating using an optical link.
18. The communication system of claim 1 , further comprising the display being configured as a visual display.
19. The communication system of claim 18 , further comprising the visual display being configured to provide a text message.
20. The communication system of claim 18 , further comprising the visual display being configured to provide a symbolic message.
21. A method of operating at least one beverage making apparatus comprising the steps of:
providing a communication system;
providing at least one controller;
coupling the controller with the at least one beverage making apparatus;
providing at least one receiver;
coupling the receiving with the controller for communicating between the communication system and the beverage making apparatus;
operating the controller for preventing beverage dispensing during a brew cycle; and
displaying information relating to the at least one beverage making apparatus.
22. The method of operating at least one beverage making apparatus of claim 21 , further comprising the step of: communicating a control signal to the at least one beverage making apparatus.
23. A communication system for use with at least one beverage making apparatus, the beverage making apparatus being of the type which brews a beverage during a beverage brewing cycle during which beverage making substance is combined with water to produce beverage which is collected in a dispenser for selective dispensing by a user, the communication system comprising:
at least one controller for collecting information from the at least one beverage making apparatus;
the beverage making apparatus controllable by a user to selectively dispense a beverage directly from the beverage making apparatus;
the controller being operable to prevent beverage dispensing during a beverage brewing cycle;
at least one receiver for receiving information from at least one controller;
a link operatively coupling the at least the controller and the receiver for communicating the collected information from the controller to the receiver;
a display at the receiver for presenting a form of the collected information.