Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
  • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
  • G06Q20/32—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using wireless devices
  • G06Q20/327—Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• • 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
• • 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
• • 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
• • 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
  • A47J31/525—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 based on monitoring of specific process parameters
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
  • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
  • G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
  • G06Q20/342—Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• • 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
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
  • G07F7/005—Details or accessories
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
  • G07F7/02—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices
  • G07F7/025—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered

Definitions

• the present invention is directed to methods and systems to provide to consumers (at home or away from home) quantities of ready-to-d ⁇ nk beverages, especially 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-d ⁇ nk 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 customization of the beverage extract or concentrate may be linked to the information system so that an extract/concentrate (e g , brewed) may be mixed according to a customized strength, thereby accommodate the consumer's strength preferences
• the "delayed mixing" aspect of the present invention may be utilized to accommodate consumers' taste preferences by taking separated selected extractions of the brew and diluting appropriate fract ⁇ on(s) in accordance with the consumer's preferences
• the invention is particularly desirable in the restaurant, (especially fast food) environments, as well commercial and industrial settings (office buildings, workplaces, hospitals, and the like, with large waiting areas
• the intent is to brew, separately hold fractions of the brew, in quantities sufficient to satisfy demand, and then, on demand, mix the desired quantities of each of the fractions to achieve the desired beverage character without the necessity of making large quantities of each of the beverage extracts and then storing them in several containers and eventually discarding the deteriorated old brew
• 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 fract ⁇ on(s), the variations of the same type of beverage (e g , coffee vs tea) can be provided immediately upon each individual selection
• the intent is to brew separately held fractions of the brew (in quantities sufficient to satisfy demand and then, on demand, mix the desired quantities of each of the fractions to achieve the desired beverage character without the necessity of making large quantities of beverage extracts and then storing them in several containers and eventually discarding the deteriorated old brew
• 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
• Rubiaciae There are many varieties of this plant, but 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
• Some currently available beverage brewing devices provide essentially instantaneous hot water to brew beverages in a short amount of time
• These devices typically have a hot water reservoir which maintains a volume of water at a predetermined temperature
• a cold water fill tube is attached inside the reservoir, with one end close to, but not abutting, the bottom of the hot water reservoir, of a separate cold water reservoir or basin positioned above the heated reservoir
• a hot water discharge tube has one end positioned in the hot water reservoir near an outlet zone generally at the top of the hot water reservoir Another end of the discharge tube delivers hot water transported through the tube to a beverage brewing substance in order to produce a brewed beverage concentrate
• a beverage in a beverage brewing device In order to brew a beverage in a beverage brewing device as described above, 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 Upon being dispensed into a beverage brewing substance, the hot water and beverage brewing substance create a brewed beverage (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 ) The brewed beverage is then collected in a storage container to hold the brew composite until desired for consumption These currently available brewing devices result in one composite with one character from one brew To develop a different character in the final beverage requires a different bre
• 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 mixing" of an automatically fractionated extract to provide a beverage brewing system which immediately (upon customer selection) provides selective mixing (based on individual consumer's selections) of a automatically fractionated beverage extract after the extract has been allowed to brew and held as an extract before mixing
• 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
• Figure 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
• 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 508
• the network connection device includes, but is not limited to, telephone modems, cable modems, DSL modems, peripheral ports (e g , serial, parallel, USB, IR), and the like and combinations thereof
• Network 507 may be a peer- to-peer network, a client-server network, the Internet, an intranet, and the like, or combinations thereof
• 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
• 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 may be displayed for every user, regardless of the time of activation, or may be alternated by system 100 depending on the time of day, season, weather, and the like Alternatively, 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 delayed mixing of the automatically fractionated coffee extracts occurs by mixing various fractions of the coffee extract that are consistent with the consumer's choice as to beverage variety
• 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
• 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 Keurig, Inc and disclosed in U S Patent Numbers 5,325,765 and 5,840,189, hereby incorporated by reference herein
• fresh-brewed refers to beverage concentrates/extracts which have been extracted and held for a "hold-time" and no more than about 48 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” are used interchangeably to refer to 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 They 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
• beverage type as used herein means coffee or tea
• classifications as used herein 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
• 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
• 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 “chocolatey " Examples of typical high quality coffees are "Milds” often referred to as high grade Arabicas, and include among others Colombians, Mexicans, and other washed Milds such as strictly hard bean Costa Spain, Kenyas A and B, and strictly hard bean Guatemalan
• hold-time means that period of time beginning with the onset of brewing of the extract and ending when dispensed to the consumer
• 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 Keurig, Inc and disclosed in U S Patent Numbers 5,325,765 and 5,840,189, hereby incorporated by reference herein
• 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
• the beverage extract/concentrate can be automatically fractionated previous to initial, or a subsequent (if any) dilution
• the character and body of the resulting beverage can be changed
• the coffee beverages could be made from the earlier extract alone, the latter extract alone, or a mix of fractions in various ratios
• the potential variety created could cover "high grown” to "low” coffees and could also cover some of the aspects character and body resulting from a degree of roasting
• the term “delayed mixing” refers to the aspect of holding the brewed (preferably fresh brewed) beverage (preferably coffee) extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes, preferably of about 15 minutes, more preferably of about 30 minutes
• “delayed mixing” 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
• Said diluting ratios will be from about zero (no diluting) 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 diluting 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 diluting lines, one for hot (170-200°F) and one for cold (40-80°F) water and coordinate their rate and flow to deliver the coffee to each individual consumer at their preferred temperature
• 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 mixing of a beverage coffee extract
• the term “delayed mixing” refers to the aspect of holding the brewed extract for some time prior to final mixing
• 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 mixing" 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
• 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 mixing 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 and/or unmixed state, the beverage, particularly coffee, has less water and degrades at a slower rate Additionally, the need to heat or cool during holding is minimized
• the beverage extract/concentrate can be automatically fractionated previous to initial, or a subsequent (if any) mixing
• the character and body of the resulting beverage can be changed
• the coffee beverages could be made from the earlier extract alone, the latter extract alone, or a mix of fractions in various ratios
• the potential variety created could cover "high grown” to "low” coffees and could also cover some of the aspects character and body resulting from a degree of roasting
• novel beverage products could be prepared using this aspect of the present invention Clearly, some substances that result in character and body appear in initial fractions only (or appear in initial fractions and disappear upon continued heating) while other such substances appear in later fractions only
• 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 brewed extract, and an area where the mixing of the beverage fractions occurs at ratios of extracts that are 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 mixing 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
• the term "beverage delivery system” as used herein 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 mixing 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, thumbprint reader, or radio
• 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), usemame, 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 as used herein is
• 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
• 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
• the customization interface may be continually assimilating available data to increase customization capability and ongoing recommendations
• this type of information and inputs are continually monitored, updated, and refined, to changes and predicts options tailored to individual consumers, this aspect of information processing is Global Assimilator Customization System
• 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
• the examples discussed herein are representative only and are not intended to be limiting 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
• One aspect of the present invention 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 aha, 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 comprise the desired temperature of the
• the beverage delivery system 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
• 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
• 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
• FIG. 2 Another embodiment of the present invention, depicted in Fig 2, includes the method for providing a customized beverage product to a customer
• the method comprises the steps of obtaining consumer preference data corresponding to a customer (step 200), determining a consumer beverage formulation corresponding to the consumer preference data (step 204), and providing the consumer a customized beverage corresponding to the consumer beverage formulation (step 206)
• 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.
• 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
• 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
• 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 can take a variety of forms, including magnetic storage (such as hard disk drives, floppy diskettes, etc ), optical storage (such as laser discs, compact discs, DVD's, etc ), electronic storage (such as random access memory "RAM”, read only memory “ROM”, programmable read only memory “PROM”, etc ), and the like
• 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 (coffee), temperature, and finishing options (cream, milk, etc )
• the customization director can also display express formulations which enable the consumer to select the express formulation and all other decisions are automatically completed by the system
• the consumer can manually create and save customization options as express formulations to save time and reduce formulation errors for future beverage deliveries
• the customization director will analyze the options (step 414) and send corresponding commands to the beverage delivery system (step 416)
• the customization director preferably stores the selected customization options in the data store in a record corresponding to the consumer identifier
• the customization director will, during a later interaction, prompt the consumer to input feedback data corresponding to the previous beverage formulation
• the customization director may prompt the consumer to input a rating of 1 to 10 on the beverage product customized during the last visit
• the consumer may select to speak with a customer service representative and the customization director will establish a connection which places the consumer in communication with the customer service person
• the customization director will display previous beverage purchases associated with the consumer's identification and prompt the consumer to enter feedback data or complete a survey regarding the previous beverage purchases The consumer may receive a reward (i e con, discount, etc ) for complete feedback data
• 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
• 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 coffee is prepared by placing 56 8 grams of roast and ground coffee in a standard brew basket of a ! gallon bottle brewer 1860 milliliters of water is delivered to the brew basket at 200°F and 12 milliliters per second and atmospheric pressure
• the brew is filtered with standard paper coffee filters During extraction, the first half of the extract is diverted to one holding chamber resulting in a 1 0% brew solids and a 15% brew solids yield.
• the last half of the brew, a resultant extract of 0 7% brew solids and 10% yield, is collected in a second chamber
• the two fractions of the brew are delivered to a three chambered glass lined thermos, including a hot water reservoir
• the user selects the character of the coffee they prefer with a dial that controls the delivery rate of the three streams
• the range of delivery is from all first half to all second half to any ratio in between and a mixing 0 1% brew solids to full strength
• 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
• Consumer can get their own designed drink or choose from a variety of drinks that are close to their prescribed beverage in personal acceptance
• Consumer is allowed to choose from flavor profile of different attributes in creating their own cup This is done with slide bars and selectors or a multidimensional space representing the world of beverage taste including strength, sweetness, creaminess, and flavor User selects at various times the character of the coffee they prefer via an consumer interface window
• the consumer establishes a personal profile over the Internet or at the system which may entail and answering a few questions about beverage preferences The responses to these questions are
• Example 3 The coffee is prepared by placing 128 grams of all roast and ground coffee in a standard brew basket/funnel of a 1 V_ gallon satellite brewer 4500 milliliters of water is delivered to the brew basket at atmospheric pressure Water is delivered at 200°F and 10 milliliters per second The brew is filtered with standard paper coffee filters This brew is fractionated into five equal volumes over the length of the brew B ) User selects at various times the character of the coffee they prefer via an consumer interface window C ) Table of Use History Coffee fractions were blended together as stated below and then diluted at the designated ratios User Time Fraction Fraction Fraction Fraction Fraction Fraction Fraction Fraction Fraction Fraction
• Example 5 The coffee is prepared by placing 35 grams of roast and ground coffee in a standard brew basket of a % gallon bottle brewer 1860 milliliters of water is delivered to the brew basket at 200°F and 12 milliliters per second and atmospheric pressure The brew is filtered with standard paper coffee filters During extraction, the first half of the extract is diverted to one holding chamber resulting in a 0 6% brew solids and a 12% brew solids yield The last half of the brew, a resultant extract of 04% brew solids and 10% yield, is collected in a second chamber B ) The two fractions are held in a insulated vessel until dispensed The two fractions can be blended together at any ratio and also diluted with water , C ) Consumer establishes a personal profile over the Internet or 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 by the system via wireless, local area network (LAN)
• Example 6 The coffee is prepared by placing 90 grams of all roast and ground coffee in a standard brew basket funnel of a 1 Vz gallon satellite brewer 4500 milliliters of water is delivered to the brew basket at atmospheric pressure Water is delivered at 200°F and 10 milliliters per second The brew is filtered with standard paper coffee filters This brew is fractionated into five equal volumes over the length of the brew B ) The fractions are held for up to 2 hours on a Bunn SoftheatTM satellite system at 180°F C ) Consumer selects at various times the character of the coffee they prefer via an consumer interface window
• Example 7 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 8 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

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