System and method for dispensing consumable liquids
Systems and methods for dispensing consumable liquids are disclosed. An example networked system includes a server and a plurality of beverage dispenser stations. Each of the beverage dispenser stations includes a filler including a filler outlet configured to deliver a beverage into a container, an RFID reader configured to read an RFID tag fixed to a water filter through which water for the beverage is to flow, and a controller. The controller is configured determine a duration-of-use of the water filter and a volume of water that has passed through the water filter. Each of the beverage dispenser stations also includes a network communications interface configured to communicate the duration-of-use and the volume of water to the networked administrative server to track use of the water filter among the plurality of beverage dispenser stations.
1. A beverage dispenser comprising:
a filler including a filler outlet configured to dispense a beverage;
a fluid flow line in fluid communication with the filler;
a filter removably attached to the fluid flow line such that a fluid passing through the fluid flow line flows through the filter; and
an RFID reader configured to read data from and transmit data to an RFID tag that is coupled to the filter and configured to receive and store data form the RFID reader.
2. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a controller configured with a processor and a computer readable medium including computer executable instructions to calculate operational parameters relating to the beverage dispenser and store said operational parameters as operational data.
3. The beverage dispenser of claim 2 , wherein the operational data includes a duration-of-use of the filter.
4. The beverage dispenser of claim 3 further comprising a clock configured to track and measure a duration-of-use of the filter and a duration-of-fluid-flow of the filler.
5. The beverage dispenser of claim 4 , wherein the operational data includes a quantity of fluid that has passed through the filter.
6. The beverage dispenser of claim 2 further comprising a network communications interface configured to communicate the operational data to a networked administrative server to track use of the filter.
7. The beverage dispenser of claim 2 , wherein the RFID reader is configured to transmit data to and receive data from the controller.
8. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the RFID reader includes a Near-Field Communication sensor configured to read the data stored on the RFID tag.
9. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the RFID reader is configured to increment a counter embedded in the RFID tag for every gallon of water that passes through the filter.
10. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the RFID tag on the filter is configured to track usage parameters and prevent use of the filter past expiration.
11. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the data received and stored by the RFID tag includes at least one of a model of the filter, a manufacturing date of the filter, and a serial number to identify the filter.
12. A beverage dispenser comprising:
a fluid flow line;
a filter removably attached to the fluid flow line such that a fluid passing through the fluid flow line flows through the filter;
an RFID tag coupled to the filter and in electrical communication with an RFID reader by which filter data is read and transmitted, wherein the RFID tag is configured to receive and store data from the RFID reader;
a filler in fluid communication with the fluid flow line and including a filler outlet configured to dispense a beverage.
13. The beverage dispenser of claim 12 further comprising a controller in electrical communication with the RFID reader, wherein the control is configured with a processor and a computer readable medium including computer executable instructions to calculate operational parameters relating to the beverage dispenser based on data read by the RFID reader and store said operational parameters as operational data.
14. The beverage dispenser of claim 13 , wherein the controller is in electrical communication with a plurality of sensors.
15. The beverage dispenser of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of sensors includes a proximity sensor and at least one temperature sensor.
16. A beverage dispenser comprising:
a filler including a filler outlet configured to dispense a beverage;
a fluid flow line in fluid communication with the filler;
a filter removably attached to the fluid flow line such that a fluid passing through the fluid flow line flows through the filter;
a controller configured with a processor and a computer readable medium including computer executable instructions to calculate operational parameters relating to the beverage dispenser and store said operational parameters as operational data;
an RFID reader in electrical communication with the controller, wherein the RFID reader and a near-field communication sensor are configured to read data from and transmit data to an RFID tag;
wherein the RFID tag is coupled to the filter and configured to receive and store data from the RFID reader; and
a network communications interface configured to communicate with a networked administrative server to track use of the filter among the beverage dispenser.
17. The beverage dispenser of claim 16 further comprising a filter status display.
18. The beverage dispenser of claim 17 , wherein the filter status display comprises at least one LED configured to communicate a filter status, and wherein the filter status is based on the operational data.
19. The beverage dispenser of claim 18 , wherein the filter status is related to the filter meeting a lifetime expiration.
20. The beverage dispenser for claim 18 , wherein the filter status is related to the filter meeting a volumetric capacity.