Disposable container with signal producing elements

Abstract

A disposable container for use with a system for dispensing a predetermined amount of a liquid. The container is filled with a dry beverage or the like and sealed, and has printed thereon using a metallic ink a plurality of lines or rings, each configured to generate a distinctive response to an imposed electromagnetic signal as a data bit detectable by a sensor proximate to the container. The sensor outputs to a processor a plurality of bits as a series of sequential bits. The processor initiates an action based on the sequence of bits.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method to identify a program for an automated dispensing system for liquid containers, comprising:
 imposing an electromagnetic signal on a sealed container having a plurality of electrically conductive rings, each ring distinctively responsive to the electromagnetic signal and representative of a data bit;   reading with a sensor the response of at least a portion of the rings to the signal to detect the rings' respective data bits; and   outputting to a processor the detected bits as a series of sequential bits; and   automatically initiating by the processor an action at least partially based on the series of bits.   
     
     
         2 . A disposable container for use with a system for dispensing a predetermined amount of a liquid, comprising:
 a continuous sidewall with a bottom, the sidewall and bottom defining a container having an external surface and an internal cavity with an opening at the top;   a container cover adapted to sealably cover the opening at the top of the container; and   a plurality of metallic lines disposed on the external surface of the container, each line configured to generate a distinctive response to an imposed electromagnetic signal as a data bit detectable by a sensor proximate to the container.   
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the metallic lines are printed on the external surface of the container. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the container forms a right circular cylinder or truncated cone, and the metallic lines form a plurality of concentric circles on the bottom of the container. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the metallic lines are formed using a metallic ink printed on the container. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the metallic lines comprise at least one of copper, gold, silver, or aluminum. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein each metallic ring represents a data bit. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein a first predetermined one of the rings represents a start bit, and a second predetermined one of the rings represents an end bit, and wherein the start bit ring and the end bit ring have responses to an imposed electromagnetic signal that are detectibly distinct by an external sensor proximate to the container. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the container contains a dry mix which, when combined with water, forms a beverage; and   the dry beverage mix is sealed inside the container by applying the cover after the container is filled with the dry beverage mix.   
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the container is filled with a medication. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the container is filled with a pet food.