Systems and Methods for Facilitating Consumer-Dispenser Interactions

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for consumer-dispenser interactions. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a user interface operable to interact with a consumer and receive at least one input from the consumer. The product dispenser can also include a controller comprising a set of instructions operable to receive a request from a consumer to dispense a custom product. In addition, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions operable to present via the user interface a at least one of a list of selectable product ingredients or adjustable product formulation parameters. Moreover, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions operable to dispense a product based at least in part on one or more of the selectable ingredients or selected formulation parameters.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A beverage dispenser comprising:
 a user interface operable to interact with a user; and   a controller comprising a set of instructions operable to:
 receive a first input from the user indicating a request to generate a custom beverage, wherein the custom beverage is a post-mix beverage with a liquid sweetener; 
 present, via the user interface, an ingredient list comprising a set of product ingredients available for dispensing at the beverage dispenser; 
 receive a second input indicating a first product ingredient selection from the ingredient list; 
 present a first option to modify a formulation parameter of the first product ingredient, the formulation parameter comprising a ratio of the first product ingredient with respect to a second product ingredient, a volume of the first product ingredient, or a portion of the first product ingredient with respect to a total amount of the custom beverage; 
 present a second option to modify a formulation factor of the custom beverage, the formulation factor comprising a sweetener level, a flavor level, or a carbonation level; and 
 dispense, based at least in part on the first input and the second input, the custom beverage via at least one nozzle of the beverage dispenser. 
   
     
     
         27 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 26 , wherein the controller further comprises a set of instructions operable to:
 receive a third input indicating a second product ingredient selection from the ingredient list, wherein the first option to modify the formulation parameter comprises the ratio of the first product ingredient with respect to the second product ingredient.   
     
     
         28 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 26 , wherein the controller further comprises a set of instructions operable to receive, prior to presenting the ingredient list, a third input from the user indicating selection of a beverage customization request. 
     
     
         29 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 26 , wherein the controller further comprises a set of instructions operable to:
 determine the total amount of the custom beverage; and   receive, in response to the first option, a third input indicating a formulation parameter modification of the portion of the first product ingredient with respect to the total amount of the custom beverage;   wherein the custom beverage is dispensed based at least in part on the third input.   
     
     
         30 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 26 , wherein the controller further comprises a set of instructions operable to:
 receive, in response to the first option, a third input indicating a formulation parameter modification; and   receive, in response to the second option, a fourth input indicating a formulation factor modification;   wherein the custom beverage is dispensed based at least in part on the third input and the fourth input.   
     
     
         31 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 26 , wherein the controller further comprises a set of instructions operable to:
 present, via the user interface, a product list comprising a set of post-mix beverages available for dispensing at the beverage dispenser, wherein the set of post-mix beverages comprises post-mix beverages with a diluent and a concentrate.   
     
     
         32 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 26 , wherein the controller further comprises a set of instructions operable to receive a third input indicating a quantity of the first product ingredient. 
     
     
         33 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 26 , wherein the controller further comprises a set of instructions operable to present, via the user interface, options to add at least one nutritional additive to the beverage formulation. 
     
     
         34 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 26 , wherein the controller further comprises a set of instructions operable to store a recipe associated with the dispensed custom beverage in a profile associated with the user. 
     
     
         35 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a computer processor coupled to at least one memory, a first input from the user indicating a request to generate a custom beverage, wherein the custom beverage is a post-mix beverage with a liquid sweetener;   presenting an ingredient list comprising a set of product ingredients available for dispensing at the beverage dispenser;   receiving a second input indicating a first product ingredient selection from the ingredient list;   presenting a first option to modify a formulation parameter of the first product ingredient, the formulation parameter comprising a ratio of the first product ingredient with respect to a second product ingredient, a volume of the first product ingredient, or a portion of the first product ingredient with respect to a total amount of the custom beverage;   presenting a second option to modify a formulation factor of the custom beverage, the formulation factor comprising a sweetener level, a flavor level, or a carbonation level; and   dispensing, based at least in part on the first input and the second input, the custom beverage via at least one nozzle of a beverage dispenser.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 receiving a third input indicating a second product ingredient selection from the ingredient list, wherein the first option to modify the formulation parameter comprises the ratio of the first product ingredient with respect to the second product ingredient.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising receiving, prior to presenting the ingredient list, a third input from the user indicating selection of a beverage customization request. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 determining the total amount of the custom beverage; and   receiving, in response to the first option, a third input indicating a formulation parameter modification of the portion of the first product ingredient with respect to the total amount of the custom beverage;   wherein the custom beverage is dispensed based at least in part on the third input.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 receiving, in response to the first option, a third input indicating a formulation parameter modification; and   receiving, in response to the second option, a fourth input indicating a formulation factor modification;   wherein the custom beverage is dispensed based at least in part on the third input and the fourth input.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 presenting a product list comprising a set of post-mix beverages available for dispensing at the beverage dispenser, wherein the set of post-mix beverages comprises post-mix beverages with a diluent and a concentrate.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising receiving a third input indicating a quantity of the first product ingredient. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising storing a recipe associated with the dispensed custom beverage in a profile associated with the user. 
     
     
         43 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a computer processor coupled to at least one memory, a request to generate a custom beverage, wherein the custom beverage is a post-mix beverage with a liquid sweetener;   presenting a set of ingredients available to form the custom beverage;   receiving a first selection of a first option to modify a formulation parameter of one or more ingredients selected from the set of ingredients, the formulation parameter comprising a ratio of at least two ingredients selected from the set of ingredients, a volume of an ingredient selected from the set of ingredients, or a portion of the ingredient selected from the set of ingredients; and   dispensing a custom beverage via a nozzle of a beverage dispenser system based at least in part on the selected product and the first selection, wherein the custom beverage is mixed about the nozzle during dispensing.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising:
 receiving a second selection of a second option to modify a formulation factor of the set of ingredients, the formulation factor comprising a sweetener level, a flavor volume, or a carbonation level;   wherein the custom beverage is dispensed based at least in part on the second selection.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising storing a recipe associated with the dispensed custom beverage in a profile associated with the user.