Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/40—Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23F—COFFEE; TEA; THEIR SUBSTITUTES; MANUFACTURE, PREPARATION, OR INFUSION THEREOF
  • A23F5/00—Coffee; Coffee substitutes; Preparations thereof
  • A23F5/24—Extraction of coffee; Coffee extracts; Making instant coffee
  • A23F5/243—Liquid, semi-liquid or non-dried semi-solid coffee extract preparations; Coffee gels; Liquid coffee in solid capsules
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/002—Apparatus for making beverages following a specific operational sequence, e.g. for improving the taste of the extraction product
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/40—Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
  • A47J31/41—Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea of liquid ingredients
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
  • A47J31/44—Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
  • A47J31/52—Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus
  • A47J31/521—Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus the electronic control being performed over a network, e.g. by means of a computer or a handheld device
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F13/00—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs
  • G07F13/06—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof
  • G07F13/065—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof for drink preparation

Definitions

• the present invention is directed to methods and systems to provide consumers (at home or away from home) quantities of ready-to-dnnk beverages, especially fresh brewed coffee and tea and coffee and tea drinks (lattes, cappuccinos, chai teas, etc )
• the consumer may customize a type of selection of beverage and various characteristics thereof, based upon his/her taste preferences, the serving of ready-to-dnnk beverage will be provided to the consumer
• the present invention is directed to a system in which information is collected from a consumer regarding certain type, quantity, taste and strength preferences of the consumer
• the information collected will be used to customize a suitable beverage product(s) for the individual consumer
• the means for dilution of the beverage extract or concentrate may be linked to the information system so that an extract/concentrate (e g , brewed) may be diluted according to a customized strength, thereby accommodate the consumer's strength preferences
• the "delayed dilution" aspects of the present invention may be used to accommodate the individual consumer's taste preferences by utilizing multiple varieties of specific types of beverage (e g , more than one selection of coffee and/or tea, as well as different varieties or tea or coffee (roast strength, grind selection, plant and/or bean variety) in the brewing system
• the "delayed dilution” aspects may also be used to deliver varieties of beverage options by using the undiluted concentrate/extract to mix/dissolve other beverage compounds or flavors to make chia-teas
• This invention may also be used in household environments where it may be desirable to make several different types of finished beverage products tailored to the taste preferences of several household members Because these many variations may be made from earlier, initial brew(s), the variations of the same type of beverage (e g , coffee vs tea) can be provided immediately upon each individual selection
• Coffee beverages comprise an aqueous solution of the water-soluble (and sometimes insoluble) constituents of the roasted and ground beans of the tree of the family Rubiaciae
• the two having the most significance commercially is Caffee arabica and Caffea canephora (robusta)
• Equipment for brewing beverages such as coffee, tea, and the like have typically been of the "single station" type, in which an empty carafe or pot is positioned on a heating element below a receptacle or brewing funnel which contains a measured quantity of dry beverage-making material, e g roast and ground coffee or tea leaves Hot water is then passed through the material to extract the essential oils, flavor and body that make up the beverage, and then drains downwardly through an opening in the funnel into the pot or carafe If and when a second pot or carafe of beverage is needed, the first must be moved to a separate heating element or plate
• cold water is poured into the basin
• the cold water flows through the cold water fill tube and accumulates at the bottom of the hot water reservoir due to temperature variations between the cold and hot water
• the hot water is displaced by the cold water and moves upwardly towards the top of the hot water reservoir, which is sealed by a cover, and through the hot water discharge tube
• the hot water and beverage brewing substance create a brewed beverage concentrate (For examples of representative instantaneous hot water beverage brewing apparati, see U S 3,385,201 to Martin, U S 4,920,871 to Anson, and U S 5,025,714 and U S 5,113,752, both to Brewer )
• Dilution of the brewed extract/concentrate is necessary in order to prevent the brewed extract/concentrate from being too strong as well as preventing an additional manual step of diluting the extract/concentrate after it has been brewed Dilution of the brewed concentrate is achieved by feeding water from the basin to either the brewing funnel and allowing it to pass through the grounds/leaves or the area between the inner brewing funnel and the outer brewing funnel
• the system of the present invention will provide an individually customized serving of beverage delivered at the desired temperature and ready to drink
• a general object of the present invention is to utilize "delayed dilution" of a concentrate extract to provide a beverage brewing system which immediately (upon customer selection) provides selective dilution (based on individual consumer's selections) of a brewed beverage extract after the extract has been allowed to brew and held as an extract before dilution
• An exemplary method comprises the steps of obtaining consumer preference data from the consumer, determining a beverage formulation corresponding to the consumer preference data, and providing the consumer a customized beverage product corresponding to the beverage formulation
• the system comprises a user interface, a customization director in communication with a customization data store, wherein the customization director comprises executable instructions for determining a user's customized formulation, and a beverage delivery system in communication with the customization director comprising executable instructions for delivering a customized beverage product
• Yet another aspect is a computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a beverage delivery system to produce a customized beverage product
• the instructions comprise the steps of obtaining consumer preference data, determining a consumer beverage formulation corresponding to the consumer preference data, and providing the consumer a customized beverage corresponding to the consumer beverage formulation
• Fig 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary interactive system for conducting business according to the present invention
• Fig 2 depicts a flowchart of a method of providing a customized beverage product to a consumer according to the present invention
• Fig 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary server/client network according to the present invention
• Fig 4 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary method of providing a customized beverage to a consumer
• FIG. 5 represents another embodiment of the present invention wherein various components of the customizable beverage delivery system 100 are located and/or replicated at different physical locations
• System 100 comprises one or more away from home customizable beverage delivery systems 502, one or more at home customizable beverage delivery systems 504, and one or more remote beverage programming stations 506
• the away from home systems 502 may be located in restaurants, at work, in convenience or grocery stores, and the like
• the remote programming stations 506 may be located either at the same physical location as the at home system 504 and away from home system 502, or at another, remote physical location
• the components of system 100 are each connected by a network 507 by network connector 509
• Network connector 509 may be any network connector known in the art including, but not limited to, token ring, Ethernet, telephone line, fiber optic, cellular, coaxial cable, universal serial bus, parallel cable, serial cable, IEEE 1394 Firewire, Bluetooth, infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF), laser, and the like, or combinations thereof
• Network connector 509 is connected to the various components via a network connection device
• both the away from home system 502 and the at home system 504 comprises a customization director 104, a beverage delivery system 109, a data display device 510, a data input device 512, a data storage device 106, and network connection device 508
• both the data display device 510 and the data input device 512 may be the same device (as in the case of a touch screen) or may be separate devices (e g a keyboard and an LCD display screen)
• the data input and display devices (512 and 510) can be any such device known or used in the art including, but not limited to those that work by sight, sound, magnetism, light, electrical signal, and the like or combinations thereof
• the customization director 104 is connected to the network and other components of system 100 via the network connection device 508
• the customization director 104 is also connected to the data input device 512, data display device 510, the beverage delivery system 109 and the data storage device 106
• the data storage device 106 may be comprised of one
• Remote programming station 506 is connected to network 507 via a network connection device 508, which is in turn connected to customization director 104, a data display device 510, a data input device 512, and a data storage device 106
• the remote programming station 506 may be a stand alone, dedicated computer device, such as a work station
• station 506 may be the combination of a generic computer device running a software program that allows the user to create a customized beverage formula and store the information on data storage device 106 Suitable programs could be constructed using such programming languages java, cgi script, html, xtml, shtml, and the like
• network 507 could employ a single data storage device 106 that may, or may not, be located in physical proximity to the system component at which the user is currently located
• system 100 could employ a single data director 104 to
• FIG. 6 Another embodiment of the present invention is represented by Fig 6 and described in detail below
• the customizable beverage system 100 is contained within housing 608
• a touch screen display 602 located within housing 608 serves as both the input device for the collection of data from the system user and the output device for displaying information relating to the user's beverage selection
• Touch screen 602 displays a series of Graphical user Interfaces (GUI) 603 which serve to facilitate the collection and display of information between the user and the customized beverage system 100
• GUI Graphical user Interfaces
• Information may also be collected electronically by system 100 through the use of a card reader 604 which reads information stored on identification card 607
• microphone 606 can be utilized to input verbal commands to system 100 and speaker 609 can be utilized to communicate choices and other information to the user Verbal commands via microphone 606 would be translated using speech recognition software into instructions that could be interpreted by customization director 104 (not shown)
• the user would approach system 100 and be presented with a standard welcome GUI 603
• the information displayed on the standard welcome GUI could be either static, dynamic, or mixtures thereof
• the standard welcome GUI 603 displays current news, weather and sports information, in addition to information describing the types of customizable beverages system 100 can provide System use instructions may also be displayed on the standard welcome GUI 603
• the user then activates System 100 by either touching touch-screen 602 displaying the standard welcome GUI 603, inserting the user's identification card 607 into card reader 604, or alternatively vocalizing a session start command that would be picked-up by microphone 606 Following system activation, system 100 alters the display on touch-screen display 602 from the standard welcome GUI 603 to the beverage selection GUI 700
• Beverage selection GUI 700 contains a personalized greeting area 702 which displays information referring to the current user This information could include the user's name, account information such as remaining balance, beverage selection suggestions based on previous consumption patterns and/or predicted beverage choice desires, and the like
• Beverage selection GUI 700 also contains additional data display area 704 which can display a variety of information that may or may not be associated with the current user For example, additional data display area 704 could display an update of user's financial portfolio, e-mail account information (i e , new message status, message sender, subject, or alternatively the entire message), weather updates, news headlines, sports scores, and the like
• the exact information content displayed may be selected by the user, by system 100 based on previous and/or current experience with the user (e g demographic criteria, beverage selection, and the like), or a combination of the two Additional data display area 704 may also display advertisements and other promotional information
• Beverage selection GUI 700 also contains predetermined beverage selection icons and labels 706 which correspond to standard beverage formulations These standard beverage formulations
• the predetermined beverage selection icons and labels 706 may correspond to beverage formulations saved by the current user, for example, the current user's favorite afternoon beverage choice
• the saved beverage formulation may be located on and accessed from the user identification card, may be stored in a local data storage device, or may be located on a remote data storage device that is accessed by system 100
• Beverage selection GUI 700 also displays a customization option icon and label 708 which when selected by the user will initiate activation and display of the customization GUI 800.
• FIG. 8 details a beverage customization GUI 800 which display information corresponding to the design of a customized beverage
• the beverage customization GUI 800 may optionally contain personalized greeting area 702 and/or additional data display area 704
• the beverage customization GUI 800 displays one or more customizable beverage characteristic indicators 802 which correspond to a given beverage characteristic which system 100 can adjust in conformity with the indicated preference of the system user
• Customizable beverage characteristic indicators 802 comprises a customizable beverage characteristic scale 804 which conveys the total degree of variability possible with the given customizable beverage characteristic (i e , roast color, beverage strength, beverage temperature, additional flavors, and the like), and customizable beverage characteristic position marker 805 which corresponds to the current level of customizable beverage characteristic on the customizable beverage characteristic scale 804
• the system user would, in the case of a touch-screen, touch that portion of the customizable beverage characteristic scale 804 that represents the desired level of the given customizable beverage characteristic
• the beverage customization GUI 800 would then update such that the customizable beverage characteristic indicator 802 would reflect the user's preference by displaying the customizable beverage characteristic position marker 805 over the appropriate portion of
• System 100 is capable of dispensing both customized beverages and beverages with predetermined, non-customizable formulations
• the beverage variety is indicated by the beverage variety indicator icon 902, which displays information pertaining to a given beverage choice If a given beverage variety indicator icon 902 corresponds to a beverage choice that is customizable then one or more customizable beverage characteristic indicators 802 will be located in close proximity such that the user may customize the beverage
• the customizable beverage characteristic indicator 802 comprises two or more discrete customizable beverage characteristic indicators 908 which correspond to a customizable beverage characteristic (i e , roast color, beverage strength, beverage temperature, additional flavors, and the like)
• System 100 also allows the user to select a non-customizable beverage Once the user has selected the desired beverage, and customized the beverage if the desired beverage choice corresponds to a customizable beverage, the beverage may be dispensed via depression of dispense button 906
• the present invention is directed to a system for the individual customization of ready to drink brewed beverage products for multiple consumers, as well as the provision of the customized ready to drink beverages after consumer input
• the method of the present invention comprises three basic steps collecting information from a consumer regarding the consumer's desires as to the type and character of beverage he/she desires at that point in consumption, a system linking the consumer's choice of product to a beverage delivery system which contains an amount of extract/concentrate and areas in the beverage delivery system(s) to accommodate, if desired, one or more aspects of delayed dilution
• the system of the present invention may optionally utilize the delayed dilution to further increase the options of beverage deliverable, on demand, to the individual consumer based upon their preferences
• brewed beverage products and “fresh-brewed beverage products” refers to coffees and teas
• extract and concentrate are used interchangeably, unless where otherwise specified Within the context of the present invention - providing individually customized beverages on demand to consumer - it does not matter whether an extract or concentrate is used "Fresh brewed" extracts are certainly acceptable, but are not required
• beverage products may be made but when the "customized variety- on-demand" aspects of the present invention are used (delayed dilution), a customized beverage product can be delivered, that used either extracts or concentrates as starting material
• extracts includes “brews,” concentrates, "toddies,” infusions, and the like
• fresh-brewed refers to beverage concentrates/extracts which have been extracted and held for a "hold-time" for at least about 5 minutes, preferably at least about 15 minutes, and most preferably at least about 30 minutes and no more than about 48 hours, preferably no more than about 24 hours, more preferably no more than about 12 hours, most preferably no more than about 6 hours
• coffee beverages include cappuccinos, espressos, lattes, flavored coffee beverages, creamy coffee beverages, and other coffee-based beverages which are derivatives and/or variants of the above
• tea beverages include tea, green teas, herbal teas, flavored tea, chai teas, and creamy teas, and other tea-based beverages which are derivatives and/or variants of the above
• ready-to-serve beverage and ' ready-to-dnnk beverage
• beverage products that are in a ready-to-use, consumable form, and other coffee and/or tea-based beverages which are derivatives and/or variants of the above
• coffee extracts or tea extracts are made from coffee extracts or tea extracts and can also include dry mixes, powders, liquids, extracts, concentrates, and emulsions, in a wide variety of formulations
• the temperature of the brew as it leaves the extractor is greater than about 100°F , preferably greater than about 120°F, more preferably greater than about 150°F , and most preferably greater than about 170°F and the brew solids is less than about 6%, preferably less than about 5%, more preferably less than about 4%
• beverage type means coffee or tea
• classifications means characteristics or attributes of certain types of beverage and include temperature, strength, body (full or light), roast (color or degree), acidity, sweetness, bitterness, and/or mouthfeel
• variety means country of origin (grown) and/or specific grown region (e g , varietal), including harvesting and post-harvesting techniques within a given species or a species within a genus The fineness of the grind exerts an influence on the (quality) flavor as well as the degree of extraction (quantity)
• Coffee beans useful in the present invention can be either of a single type or grade of bean or can be formed from blends of various bean types or grades, and can be undecaffeinated or decaffeinated
• These high-grown-type beans are typically referred to as high grade coffees Suitable high grade coffee having high acidity include Arabicas and Colombians characterized as having "excellent body,” “acid,” “fragrant,” “aromatic” and occasionally "cho
• hold-time means that period of time beginning with the onset of brewing of the extract and ending when dilution beings
• the term “comprising” means that the various coffees, other ingredients, or steps, can be conjointly employed in practicing the present invention Accordingly, the term “comprising” encompasses the more restrictive terms “consisting essentially of and “consisting of "
• the extract is brewed by contacting the roasted and ground coffee with hot water at a temperature from moderately-below boiling to moderately-above boiling, for a predetermined brewing time, separating the extract (including the solutes) from the insolubles, and consuming the resulting beverage
• Any extract/concentrate which is generally available can be used in the practice of the system of this invention
• the roast and ground coffee is contained in pods or sachets that are inserted into the brewing chamber
• An example of this type of pod is the "K-Cup", manufactured by Keung, Inc and disclosed in U S Patent Numbers 5,325,765 and 5,840,189, hereby incorporated by reference herein Brewing methods, especially coffee brewing, can generally be categorized in three broad groups (1) single-pass infusions in which the water is percolated or pumped through the roasted and ground coffee (which may partially serve as its own filter) then filtered through a metal, paper, or cloth sie
• Brewing methods can generally be categorized in three broad groups (1) single-pass infusions in which the water is percolated or pumped through the roasted and ground coffee (which may partially serve as its own filter) then filtered through a metal, paper, or cloth sieve, (2) percolation methods which recycle the extract through one or more volumes of grind consecutively, in either a co-current or counter-current flow, before the extract is siphoned off at the requisite strength, and (3) batch-slurry methods in which a fixed volume of coffee is mixed with a fixed volume of water in a brewing vessel, permitted to steep with or without agitation, then filtered or mechanically separated to produce the extract
• a suitable method for brewing a tea extract useful in the system of the present invention is disclosed in U S , 4,757,752 to Robbins (assigned to General Foods Corp ), issued June 19, 1988, and is hereby incorporated by reference Any extract/concentrate which is generally available can be used in the practice of the system of the present invention, a particularly preferred method of providing brewed beverages is to provide an extract and combine it with the "delayed dilution" aspect of the system of the present invention
• the system of the present invention preferably offers customization of a brewed beverage based upon consumer selection This is optionally provided by utilization of delayed dilution of a beverage coffee extract
• the term “delayed dilution” refers to the aspect of holding the fresh brewed coffee extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes, preferably of about 15 minutes, more preferably of about 30 minutes In a preferred mode, “delayed dilution” also refers to the aspect of holding the extract for a maximum period of time of about 48 hours, preferably of about 24 hours, more preferably of about 12 hours, most preferably of about 6 hours
• a key aspect of a preferred embodiment of the present invention allows selection of the preferred beverage type and classification just prior to dispensing, there is no predetermination of characters or strength as is seen with many automated systems
• the "delayed dilution" aspect allows multiple servings of the same beverage type in individually tailored beverages to be prepared from a minimum number of brew cycles, preferably one Additionally, these individually tailored servings may be dispensed, if desired, on demand
• said dilution ratios will be from about zero (no dilution) to about 1 15 coffee/water, and can be easily varied, utilizing currently available methods, upon receiving the consumer's selection input regarding strength
• the temperature of the dilution water may be varied to accommodate individual consumer preferences around consumption temperature, there are several ways that this could readily be accomplished, but one preferred way would be to have two dilution lines, one for hot (170-190°F) and one for cold (40-80°F) water and coordinate their rate and flow to deliver the coffee to each
• the weight ratio of the extraction portion of water to dry, roast and ground coffee is from about 5 1 to about 24 1 , preferably from about 8 1 to about 13 1
• a relatively strong (meaning concentrated but not bitter) filtered coffee extract is issued Normally, this extract will have a soluble solids content by weight of greater than about 1 2%, preferably 1 5%
• the relatively strong filtered coffee extract is then diluted with a sufficient amount of dilution water to a preferred beverage concentration
• this aspect of the system of the present invention imparts many benefits to the extract that result in a better final beverage for the consumer For instance, delaying dilution of the extracted beverage removes the need to hold the beverage in a "consumption-ready,” i e , "ready- to-dnnk", state (e g , diluted and at the preferred temperature) In the undiluted state, the beverage, particularly coffee, has less water and degrades at a slower rate Additionally, the
• the brewed extract may be cooled or refrigerated, to less than 170°F preferably to less than 160°F, more preferably to less than 140°F and most preferably between 30°F and 50°F to further reduce the changes occurring during holding the extract much less energy and space will be required to run this system, as it is easier to heat and keep hot water than to keep brewed hot beverage ready to dispense It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that cooling or refrigerating the extract or concentrate will further increase maximum hold times that can still maintain desirable flavor attributes
• the method of the present invention comprises three basic steps collecting information from a consumer regarding the consumer's desires as to the variety of beverage they desire at that point in consumption, a process linking the consumer's choice of beverage product to a holding area which contains an amount of fresh-brewed extract, and an area where the dilution of the beverage occurs at a ratio of water to fresh-brewed beverage extract that is consistent with the consumer's choice as to brew strength and variety
• variable creating systems/devices refers to devices and processes that can transform one or more input materials into multiple varieties of beverages Such systems and devices including delayed dilution means/systems, delayed filtering means/systems, and/or delayed filtration means/systems
• customization interface refers to the non-human vehicle which transmits the information (e g consumer information, customization information, and customization recommendation) between the consumer and the beverage delivery system This interface can be embodied in many ways, and the consumer may access the customization interface from a remote location
• beverage delivery system refers to the station, apparatus, device, equipment, or series thereof that is linked with the customization interface and is, optionally, equipped with "variety creating systems/devices” including delayed dilution means/systems
• customized selection identification refers to the process in which, and the means by which, the customization interface or the beverage delivery system recognizes the consumer and is able to deliver ( in the case of the beverage delivery system) or to direct the delivery ( in the case of the customization interface) the customized beverage to the consumer
• Suitable ways of identifying the consumer include, but are not limited to, personal identification number (PIN) either communicated to the system via a keypad, touchscreen, matrix card, retinal scanner, thumbp ⁇ nt reader, or radio frequency identification tags (RFID)
• PIN personal identification number
• RFID radio frequency identification tags
• consumer identification refers to the process in which, and the means by which, the customization director or the ID device recognizes the applicable consumer preferences and is able to develop and determine the appropriate customized beverage accordingly Suitable ways of identifying the applicable consumer preferences include, but are not limited to, personal identification number (PIN), username, pass code, and the like which can be communicated to the system via an input device or process, such as a keypad, touch screen, matrix card, retinal scanner, thumbprint reader, magnetic card readers, bar codes, or radio frequency identification tags (RFID), and the like
• PIN personal identification number
• RFID radio frequency identification tags
• consumer refers to any user of the system interacting with the customization director for the purpose of inputting a beverage option, customization information, customization recommendation, or receiving a beverage product
• This individual can be a chef, clerk, customer, " wait staff', servers, etc , and the like
• the consumer may access the user interface from a remote location, e g by phone, Internet, wireless connection, or the like
• beverage formulation is the information determined by the customization director providing a customized selection corresponding to the selected products, options, characteristics or beverage products that has been processed by the customization director to be relevant to the individual consumer or consumer preference(s) (i e in the case of large volume orders for multiple beverage drinkers)
• customization information as used herein the information delivered by the customization interface or the beverage delivery system providing an individualized selection of customized information regarding products, option, characteristic or beverage products that has been processed by the customization interface to be relevant to the individual consumer
• customization recommendation is the information determined by the customization director to provide an individualized customized recommendation regarding products, option, characteristic or beverage products that has been processed by the customization director to be relevant to the individual consumer or consumer preference(s)
• customization recommendations will be based on past interactions
• the customization recommendations may include promotional and/or seasonal selections
• the system of the present invention can also allow individual consumers to communicate with the system so that their personal customized selections can be accommodated by the beverage delivery system
• individual systems can be developed to achieve this aspect of the present invention, the examples discussed herein are representative only and are not intended to be limiting Suitable ways of communicating with the consumer include, but are not limited to, voice, keyboard, Internet, touchscreen, and conventional means such as selectors, slide bars, buttons, and switches
• An individuals' desires can also be dynamic and changing over time and/or by event or experience, e g time of day, day of week, day of month, seasonal, occasion, environment, work/pleasure, mood, physical, mental, etc Their desires can also evolve based on experimentation, experience, education, knowledge, lifestyle changes, and age
• the customization interface can include this type of personal or historical information as it processes the consumer information, as well as incorporate demographical trends and traits, and common experiences as it processes consumer information
• the customization recommendation may include promotional and/or seasonal selections For example, as individuals age, they may choose to add supplements to their customized beverage (post menopausal women may want to add calcium) Beverage delivery systems in particular venues may offer special additives (e g , health food stores in health clubs may want to add new product lines (like vitamins or mineral powders) as samples to increase retail sales and health clubs may offer rehydration support after workouts Additionally, the customization interface may be continually assimilating available data to increase customization capability and ongoing recommendations In a particularly prepared embodiment of the system of the present invention
• the system uses information around consumer's task preferences to suggest particular retail beverages that the consumer might try
• a consumer could use the beverage system to sample various retail brands
• various retail brands could refer to, or otherwise be associated with, certain flavors or selections in the beverage supply system
• the system of the present invention must be equipped with sufficient and suitable memory function so that both of the consumer and the menu items can be accommodated This includes product use and incidence and consumer selection and response
• Suitable embodiments of the memory functions of the system of the present invention can include, but are not limited to, central databases, system databases, portable databases
• the system of the present invention can have a means for the customization interface to identify, i e recognize, individual consumers This allows individual consumers to go/return to the physical locat ⁇ on(s) of the system(s) (either the customization interface or beverage delivery system) and transmit to the system(s) their desired beverage selection without repeating the step- by-step sequence of selection programming
• These individual preferences may also include time and place based adjustments that are determined by past system use histories
• Suitable ways of identifying the consumer include, but are not limited to, personal identification number (PIN) either communicated to the system via a keypad, touchscreen, matrix card, retinal scanner, thumbprint reader, or radio frequency identification tags (RFID)
• PIN personal identification number
• RFID radio frequency identification tags
• the system(s) can be pre-programmed, periodically programmed, and/or networked to allow for the individual consumers' identification and associated preferences to be universally recognized by all such systems
• Fig 1 One aspect of the present invention, schematically depicted in Fig 1 , can be understood from the system 100 for delivering a customized beverage product to a consumer, comprising a user interface 102, a customization director 104 in communication with the user interface 102, a data store 106 in communication with the customization director 104, and a beverage delivery system 109 in communication with the customization director 104
• the system further comprises an identification device 108 in communication with the customization director 104 and a consumer identifier 110
• the customization director 104 might comprise a set of executable instructions such as in the form of software, routines, programs, algorithms, code, logic and the like, which would, inter alia, facilitate the determination of customized beverage formulations
• the customization director 104 is provided in communication, such as via a token ring, Ethernet, telephone modem connection, radio or microwave connection, parallel cables, serial cables, telephone lines, universal serial bus "USB", Firewire, Bluetooth, fiber optics, infrared "IR”, radio frequency “RF” and the like, or combinations thereof, with the data store 106 and the user interface 102
• the customization director 104 may be integrated into a beverage dispensing device, or in an alternative embodiment might be hosted or housed on a remote device Remote devices may include other consumer appliances, a personal computer, or an external server located somewhere on the Internet
• the user interface 102 might comprise a computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a kiosk, a device with wireless application protocol programs (WAP) such as cell phone, auto computer or PDA, interactive TV, or an Internet appliance, or the like
• PDA personal digital assistant
• WAP wireless application protocol programs
• the user interface 104 may comprise a computer system comprising a CPU, memory, a visual display device and an input means Preferred input means comprise a keyboard/keypad or mouse or other means of input such as an input microphone with speech recognition input devices, touch screen input devices, and/or visual input utilizing a video camera
• the user interface 104 might comprise a computer connected to the Internet through a communication link 120 and running a web browser such as Internet Explorer from Microsoft Corp or Netscape Navigator from Netscape Communications Corp An example of the consumer input to be provided by the consumer might comp ⁇ se the desired
• the beverage delivery system 109 of this example can be a standard beverage delivery system known to one skilled in the art Examples include single-pass infusion systems, percolation systems, and batch-slurry systems
• the interactive system 100 is integrated into the beverage delivery system 109
• the interactive system 100 is separate from the beverage delivery system 109
• consumers desiring a customized beverage are provided an identifier 110 such as an identification card, password or number which comprises any available identification device or protocol known to one skilled in the art
• identification may comprise any combination of bar codes, radio frequency identification tags, data, chips, smart cards and the like
• Various identification/identification device combinations are known to one skilled in the art, and may be employed by various embodiments of the present invention
• the identification device 108 comprises a bar code scanner
• bar code scanners are known to one skilled in the art and include 1) pen type readers and laser scanners, 2) CCD readers, and 3) camera based readers
• Pen type readers include a light source and a photo diode that are placed next to each other in the tip of a pen or wand
• the user passes the tip of the pen across the bars and the photo diode measures the intensity of the light reflected back from the light source and generates a waveform that is used to measure the widths of the bars and spaces in the bar code
• Dark bars in the bar code absorb light and white spaces reflect light so that the voltage waveform generated by the photo diode is an exact duplicate of the bar and space pattern in the bar code
• This waveform is decoded by the scanner
• Laser scanners work the same way as pen type readers except that they use a laser beam as the light source and typically employ either a reciprocating mirror or a rotating prism to scan the laser beam back and forth across the bar code
• the identification device 108 comprises a radio frequency scanning device Radio Frequency Identification (RF ID) uses radio frequency communication to automatically identify, track and manage objects, people or animals
• RF ID Radio Frequency Identification
• a low-frequency, passive, magnetically-coupled RF ID system is made up of two parts a reader and a tag
• the tags are typically attached to objects or animals that require a unique identification number
• the tags include an electronic circuit (transponder) and tuned antenna-capacitor circuit
• the tags are small sophisticated radio transmitters and receivers They are powered by the RF field generated by the reader Upon being powered up, the tag will continuously transmit, by damping the incoming RF power field, its data
• the RF ID reader has three main functions energizing, demodulating and decoding
• the reader using a tuned antenna-capacitor circuit, emits a low-frequency radio wave field This is used to power up the tags
• the information sent by the tag must be demodulated
• the encoded information is decoded by the reader's on
• the consumer is prompted to enter consumer preference data through the user interface This data may then be stored for later retrieval during subsequent visits to the beverage delivery system
• the consumer preference data inputted through the user interface or retrieved from the data store might be matched against one or more decision trees
• a decision tree typically comprises a set of responses/traits/categories against which the consumer preference data can be compared against
• a decision tree might comprise every combination of possible consumer preference data
• the preference data is then compared against the decision tree for a matching branch and the matching branch provides further instructions to be executed as a result of the match
• Such decision trees would preferably comprise potential combinations of consumer preference data which have been designed with the system's intended application in mind, so that appropriate optimized operating conditions can be established that pertain to the customized beverage to be delivered
• the decision trees are converted to mathematical algorithms which then process the decision tree comparisons or "decisions" electronically to quickly ascertain the appropriate optimized beverage formulation for the beverage delivery system
• the decision trees are converted to mathematical algorithms which then process the decision tree comparisons or "decisions" electronically to
• the system of the present invention can also allow individual customers to communicate with the beverage delivery system so that their customized selections can be accommodated by the beverage delivery system
• Suitable ways of communicating with the consumer include, but are not limited to, voice, keyboard, Internet, touchscreen, and conventional means such as selectors, slide bars, buttons, and switches
• voice, keyboard, Internet, touchscreen and conventional means such as selectors, slide bars, buttons, and switches
• selectors slide bars, buttons, and switches
• a customer's desires can also be dynamic and changing over time and/or by event or experience, e g time of day, day of week, day of month, seasonal, occasion, environment, work/pleasure, mood, physical, mental, etc
• Their desires can also evolve based on experimentation, experience, education, moods, health conditions, knowledge, lifestyle changes, and age
• the customization interface can include this type of personal or historical information as it processes the consumer information, as well as incorporate demographic trends and traits, and common experiences as it processes consumer information Additionally
• Fig 3 schematically illustrates a sample client/server network 300 which might be employed to implement an embodiment of the present invention
• a client/server network is only one type of network, and a variety of other configurations, such as peer-to-peer connections, are also considered networks
• a server node 302 is interconnected with a plurality of client nodes 314 using a connection 316 such as a token ring, Ethernet, telephone modem connection, radio or microwave connection, parallel cables, serial cables, telephone lines, universal serial bus "USB”, Firewire, Bluetooth, fiber optics, infrared "IR”, radio frequency “RF”, or other wireless communications, and the like, or combinations thereof
• a computer-readable medium, shown here as a CD ROM (318) holds information readable by a computer, such as programs, data, logic, files, etc
• computer-readable medium shown here as a CD ROM (318) holds information readable by a computer, such as programs, data, logic, files, etc
• computer-readable medium shown here as a CD ROM (3
• One embodiment of the present invention comprises the method for providing a customized beverage product to a consumer
• An exemplary embodiment is depicted in the flowchart of Fig 4
• the consumer has previously registered with the beverage system and has been issued an RF ID key tag to utilize the system
• the consumer passes the RF ID key tag across the ID device area of the system (step 400)
• the ID device activates the RF ID tag and receives the customer identifier stored in the tag (step 402)
• This customer identifier is then passed to the customization director (step 404), which in turn searches the data store for consumer data corresponding to the consumer identifier (step 406)
• the consumer data is retrieved and the customization director analyzes the data (step 408) and then presents to the consumer one or more customization options (step 410)
• the customization director might also prompt the consumer to enter feedback data for the last interaction and beverage delivery with the system
• the customization director may present one or more promotional and/or seasonal option selections to the consumer Customization options include but are not limited to strength, flavor, type of bean (co
• the consumer can access the user interface to preselect his/her beverage preferences in advance from a remote location
• the system may comprise numerous customization formulation options whereby the desired formulations could be customized ahead of actual purchase to save time
• a web site might be hosted on a network such as a wide-area network, local-area network, or the Internet, and the like, which the consumer can access through some communications device
• the web browser contacts a web server and requests data information, in the form of a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
• URL addresses are typed into the browser to access web pages, and URL addresses are embedded within the pages themselves to provide the hypertext links to other pages
• a hypertext link allows the user to click on the link and be redirected to the corresponding web site to the URL address of the hypertext link
• numerous web servers exist for providing content to the World Wide Web, such as Netscape Navigator from Netscape Communications Corp and the Internet Explorer from Microsoft Corp Similarly
• the system is configured to communicate with a remote data store This ability allows the customization director to identify individual customers who have not previously interacted with the system at the present location and to retrieve the consumer's centrally-stored profile This allows individual consumers to go to various physical locations of the system] and transmit to the system their desired beverage selection without repeating the step-by-step sequence of selection programming
• These individual preferences may also include time and place based adjustments that are determined by past system use histories
• personal identification number PIN
• RFID radio frequency identification tags
• the system(s) can be pre-programmed, periodically programmed, and/or networked to allow for the individual consumers' identification and associated preferences to be universally recognized by all such systems
• Example 1 Consumer establishes a personal profile over the Internet or at the system and answers a few simple questions around beverage and related preferences These questions help deliver the product with the right profile, and may allow the system to make suggestions and/or formulation modifications appropriate for the user during the instant or future transaction
• the profile is maintained in a central database accessed by the system via wireless, local area network (LAN)or telephony communication devices wherever the consumer is
• LAN local area network
• PIN personal identification number stored in radio frequency identification tags RFID, matrix cards, or their credit card Consumer can get their own designed drink or choose from a variety of drinks that are close to their prescribed beverage in personal acceptance
• an administrative user may access the customization director 104 and data store 106 by utilizing an administrative interface 130 to utilize, analyze or otherwise apply the customization data and consumer feedback data to develop or improve products of the enterprise and to develop or improve components of the beverage brewing system
• This insight gained from the consumer may also provide very beneficial information for the research, development, marketing and improvement of future products and systems
• an enterprise might make its interactive data store results and analysis of the data available to other entities This might entail allowing such entities to have access to such data via the Internet, via printed reports, via interactive software on computers, periodic data subscription services or the like
• the system may further comprise a retail interface 180
• the retail interface may be adapted to communicate purchase data and consumer data to and from the customization director 104
• a consumer may make a purchase for a beverage at a cashier checkout, but the beverage system may not be directly accessible from the checkout
• the retail interface 180 may send data to the customization director 104 which will then prepare the beverage upon interaction by the purchaser
• the retail interface 180 communicates with the customization director 104 to ensure that the consumer is authorized to receive the beverage product For example, a consumer may purchase the beverage from a remote locate and then enter a special access code at the user interface which then dispenses the beverage to the consumer
• the extract is prepared by extracting in an industrial coffee extraction column train an all arabica roast and ground coffee.
• the coffee is extracted such that the end extract is at 30% solids and a 38% extraction yield
• the coffee is then cooled and packaged in freezable containers
• the containers are then frozen and shipped to various locations
• B The coffee extract is then received at the location, still frozen and held in a frozen manner until needed Sixteen days after brewing, the extract is allowed to warm to 45°F and then placed in a refrigerated dispenser
• the dispenser has a variable dilution system that can dispense the beverage at any strength of coffee from 0 2 to 2 0% brew solids and at dispensed temperatures of 50°F to 190°F
• the extract can then be held in the refrigerated dispenser for up to 20 days
• Example 3 A The extract is prepared in a system that extracts Colombian coffee one cup at a time in 60 seconds using a piston and a perforated metal filter mesh screen
• the resultant extract can be dispensed "as is” or it can either be diluted and/or used to dissolve an Instant Cappuccino powder
• the final extract can have variable brew solids and levels of powder
• B The coffee extract is used immediately after brewing to develop the desired finished beverage
• Example 4 A The extract is prepared by extracting in an industrial coffee extraction column train an all very dark roasted and fine ground all arabica coffee The coffee is extracted such that the end extract is at 29% solids and a 34% extraction yield and has a exit temperature from the extractor at 86°F The coffee is then cooled and packaged in containers The containers are then refrigerated and shipped to various locations B ) The coffee extract is then received at the location, still refrigerated and held in a refrigerated manner until needed Five days after brewing, the extract is placed in a refrigerated dispenser The dispenser has a variable dilution system that can dispense the beverage at any strength of coffee from 0 2 to 2 0% brew solids and at dispensed temperatures of 50°F to 190°F The extract can then be held in the refrigerated dispenser for up to 15 days C ) Consumer establishes a personal profile at the system and answers a few simple questions around preference These questions help customize a product with the right profile The profile is maintained in a central database accessed
• Example 6 an exemplary interaction with the customization director will be described
• the consumer, Frank approaches the user interface and slides his beverage card through the card reader which is part of the user interface Frank previously had completed an application for the beverage card and was subsequently sent his own beverage card
• Frank's beverage card contains a unique identification number that is utilized by the customization director to retrieve Frank's profile
• Frank had previously chosen a password/passnumber to protect unauthorized use of his beverage card
• the customization director through the user interface prompts Frank to input his password
• Frank inputs his password through the touch screen display of the user interface
• the customization director transmits the identification number and password to the data store to determine if they matched an existing record Finding a match, the customization director retrieves Franks customization profile and analyzes the profile to determine the beverage options to display to Frank
• the customization director displays numerous customization options to Frank such as coffee been type, temperature, strength, finishing options as well as a few express options such as your last coffee purchase, store's special pick and beverage of the month Frank then inputs the selection
• Example 7 In this example, another exemplary interaction with the customization director will be described
• the user interface prompts Alice to enter her user ID number or select "NEW if the consumer is new Alice selects "NEW on the touch screen of the user interface
• the customization director receives the "NEW selection and determines which selection options to present to Alice
• the customization director presents various customization options to Alice through the user interface Some of the options include express recommendations, formulation options and a registration option
• the registration option contains various input areas for the consumer to enter his/her preference data
• the customization director then creates a new record for the consumer in the data store and associates the record with a new user identification (number, password, and the like) This new identification is then displayed to the user and preferably is sent to the user through an additional means
• Alice chooses the formulation options and is asked to select the type of bean Alice selects her desired bean type and then is prompted by the

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
• Tea And Coffee (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=22528230

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Families Citing this family (15)

Family Cites Families (12)

• 2000
  • 2000-08-14 BR BR0013150-4A patent/BR0013150A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2000-08-14 CN CN00814309A patent/CN1379635A/zh active Pending
  • 2000-08-14 JP JP2001516385A patent/JP2003506182A/ja not_active Withdrawn
  • 2000-08-14 EP EP00954066A patent/EP1204349A2/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2000-08-14 CA CA002379408A patent/CA2379408A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2000-08-14 MX MXPA02001627A patent/MXPA02001627A/es unknown
  • 2000-08-14 CN CNA2003101015769A patent/CN1512457A/zh active Pending
  • 2000-08-14 AU AU66412/00A patent/AU6641200A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2000-08-14 WO PCT/US2000/022280 patent/WO2001012035A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events