Dye dispensing system

Abstract

A system is disclosed including at least one scanner identifying an identification associated with a receptacle. At least one dispenser is configured to dispense a first desired amount. At least one dispensing area has a measuring instrument that measures a dispensed amount and an unused amount, and associates with the identification. At least one storage device stores a program, and at least one controller which, when executing the program, is configured to receive information and associate the information with the identification. Collected data associated with the identification is recorded. A second desired amount based on at least some of the collected data in at least one file in the database is recommended. The at least one dispenser is controlled by the at least one controller based on the first desired amount or the second desired amount. The at least one dispenser is configured to dispense the second desired amount.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method in a dye dispensing system for determining the amount of dye formulation to apply to a client, comprising:
 receiving a client request for a color service from a stylist;   receiving information comprising at least one of stylist information, client information, or information related to the color service;   detecting the identity of a receptacle placed in the dye dispensing system, wherein the receptacle comprises an identification;   dispensing a desired amount of formulation into the receptacle based on the identity of the receptacle and the received information;   measuring an amount of unused formulation remaining in the receptacle and associating the unused amount with the identification; and   updating the client information with the measured amount of unused formulation.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising dispensing a desired amount of formulation for the client based on the updated client information. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising dispensing an additional amount of formulation prior to measuring an amount of unused formulation and subsequent to dispensing a desired amount of formulation. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the information is received from a mobile device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the information comprises stylist information and the stylist information comprises a stylist identifier. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the information comprises client information, and the client information comprises at least one of client hair attributes, client formulation, client application location, a client identifier, or a first desired amount of formulation. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the information comprises stylist information and the stylist information comprises a formulation code, wherein the formulation code is used to track information related to the stylist's method of applying dye formulation to the client. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the information comprises stylist information and the stylist information comprises the stylist's method for performing a color service, the method comprising at least an initial desired amount of formulation and at least one additional amount of formulation needed to complete the color service. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein detecting the identity of the receptacle comprises detecting an RFID code associated with the receptacle. 
     
     
         30 . A dye dispensing system, comprising a processor configured to perform a method comprising:
 receiving a client request for a color service from a stylist;   receiving information comprising at least one of stylist information, client information, or information related to the color service;   detecting the identity of a receptacle placed in the dye dispensing system, wherein the receptacle comprises an identification;   dispensing a desired amount of formulation into the receptacle based on the identity of the receptacle and the received information;   measuring an amount of unused formulation remaining in the receptacle and associating the unused amount with the identification; and   updating the client information with the measured amount of unused formulation.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the processor is further configured to perform a method comprising dispensing a desired amount of formulation for the client based on the measured amount of unused formulation from one or more prior hair treatments. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the processor is further configured to perform a method comprising dispensing an additional amount of formulation prior to measuring an amount of unused formulation and subsequent to dispensing a desired amount of formulation. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the information is received from a mobile device. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the information comprises client information, and the client information comprises at least one of client hair attributes, client formulation, client application location, a client identifier, or a first desired amount of formulation. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein detecting the identity of the receptacle comprises detecting an RFID code associated with the receptacle. 
     
     
         36 . A method for recommending an amount of dye formulation to dispense for a new client, the method comprising:
 measuring data for one or more visits, wherein the data comprises at least one of stylist information, client information, and information related to services;   recording the data for one or more prior clients;   tracking the data to determine how much dye formulation is used for each of the one or more clients;   generating statistics relating to the amount of dye formulation used by the one or more clients; and   recommending an amount of dye formulation for the new client.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the statistics are generated using aggregated data from the one or more prior clients. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the data comprises at least one of a first amount of formulation, a dispensed amount of formulation, an unused amount of formulation, or an additional amount of formulation remaining after treatment.