Systems and Methods for Facilitating Consumer-Dispenser Interactions

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for facilitating consumer-dispenser interactions. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a reader configured to read machine readable item. In addition, the product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the reader, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive information from the machine readable item associated with a consumer via the reader. Moreover, the controller can be further operable to execute a set of instructions to configure at least one characteristic based at least part on the information from the machine readable item, and dispense a product.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A product dispenser, comprising:
 a reader operable to read a machine readable item; and   a controller in communication with the reader, and operable to execute a set of computer-executable instructions operable to:
 receive, via the reader, information from the machine readable item associated with a consumer; 
 receive, via the product dispenser, an input from the consumer for an order for a product; 
 determine, based at least in part on the information from the machine readable item and the input from the consumer, that the consumer is entitled to a refill for the product; 
 dispense, via the product dispenser, the refill for the product to the consumer; and 
 update, via the controller, a record indicating a status of the dispensed refill for the product. 
   
     
     
         24 . The product dispenser of  claim 23 , wherein the product comprises at least one of the following: a beverage, a beverage can, a beverage bottle, a beverage container, a beverage refill, a branded drink or beverage, a non-branded drink or beverage, or a customized drink or beverage. 
     
     
         25 . The product dispenser of  claim 23 , wherein the machine readable item comprises at least one of the following: product packaging, a print ad, a bar code, an icon, a RFID tag, a RFID tagged item, an item associated with a RFID tag, a wireless communication device, or an item with a wireless communication device. 
     
     
         26 . The product dispenser of  claim 23 , wherein the information from the machine readable item associated with a consumer comprises at least one of the following: product type information, product identification information, or information about a product and/or item. 
     
     
         27 . The product dispenser of  claim 23 , wherein the instructions to determine that the consumer is entitled to a refill for the product further comprise instructions operable to:
 determine that a consumer order includes a refill of the product;   determine that a consumer order has been paid in full;   determine that an offer is satisfied to permit the refill of the product; or   determine that a predefined number of refills of the product has not yet been reached.   
     
     
         28 . The product dispenser of  claim 23 , wherein the instructions to update a record indicating a status of the dispensed refill for the product further comprise instructions operable to:
 reflect in the status, a change or new data associated with the dispensed refill of the product;   reflect in the status, a change in type or kind of product;   reflect in the status, a change in portion size;   reflect in the status, a change in price; or   reflect in the status, a change in status of a refill of a product.   
     
     
         29 . A computer-implemented method for a product dispenser, the method comprising:
 receiving, via a reader operable to read a machine readable item, information from the machine readable item associated with a consumer;   receiving, via a controller in communication with the reader, the controller operable to execute a set of computer-executable instructions, an input from the consumer for an order for a product;   determining, based at least in part on the information from the machine readable item and the input from the consumer, that the consumer is entitled to a refill for the product;   dispensing, via the product dispenser, the refill for the product to the consumer; and   updating, via the controller, a record indicating a status of the dispensed refill for the product.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the product comprises at least one of the following: a beverage, a beverage can, a beverage bottle, a beverage container, a beverage refill, a branded drink or beverage, a non-branded drink or beverage, or a customized drink or beverage. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the machine readable item comprises at least one of the following: product packaging, a print ad, a bar code, an icon, a RFID tag, a RFID tagged item, an item associated with a RFID tag, a wireless communication device, or an item with a wireless communication device. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the information from the machine readable item associated with a consumer comprises at least one of the following: product type information, product identification information, or information about a product and/or item. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising at least one of the following:
 determining that a consumer order includes a refill of the product;   determining that a consumer order has been paid in full;   determining that an offer is satisfied to permit the refill of the product; or   determining that a predefined number of refills of the product has not yet been reached.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising at least one of the following:
 reflecting in the status, a change or new data associated with the dispensed refill of the product; 
 reflecting in the status, a change in type or kind of product; 
 reflecting in the status, a change in portion size; 
 reflecting in the status, a change in price; or 
 reflecting in the status, a change in status of a refill of a product. 
 
     
     
         35 . A non-transitory computer readable media operable to store computer-executable instructions operable to:
 receive, via a reader operable to read a machine readable item, information from the machine readable item associated with a consumer;   receive, via a controller in communication with the reader, the controller operable to execute a set of computer-executable instructions, an input from the consumer for an order for a product;   determine, based at least in part on the information from the machine readable item and the input from the consumer, that the consumer is entitled to a refill for the product;   dispense, via the product dispenser, the refill for the product to the consumer; and   update, via the controller, a record indicating a status of the dispensed refill for the product.   
     
     
         36 . The non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 35 , wherein the product comprises at least one of the following: a beverage, a beverage can, a beverage bottle, a beverage container, a beverage refill, a branded drink or beverage, a non-branded drink or beverage, or a customized drink or beverage. 
     
     
         37 . The non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 35 , wherein the machine readable item comprises at least one of the following: product packaging, a print ad, a bar code, an icon, a RFID tag, a RFID tagged item, an item associated with a RFID tag, a wireless communication device, or an item with a wireless communication device. 
     
     
         38 . The non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 35 , wherein the information from the machine readable item associated with a consumer comprises at least one of the following: product type information, product identification information, or information about a product and/or item. 
     
     
         39 . The non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 35 , wherein the instructions to determine that the consumer is entitled to a refill for the product further comprise instructions operable to:
 determine that a consumer order includes a refill of the product;   determine that a consumer order has been paid in full;   determine that an offer is satisfied to permit the refill of the product; or   determine that a predefined number of refills of the product has not yet been reached.   
     
     
         40 . The non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 35 , wherein the instructions to update a record indicating a status of the dispensed refill for the product further comprise instructions operable to:
 reflect in the status, a change or new data associated with the dispensed refill of the product;   reflect in the status, a change in type or kind of product;   reflect in the status, a change in portion size;   reflect in the status, a change in price; or   reflect in the status, a change in status of a refill of a product.   
     
     
         41 . The non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 35 , further comprising instructions operable to:
 prompt the consumer to pay for the refill.