Water preparation system

Abstract

A system, apparatus and method are provided for preparing water for human consumption. Water from a public or other source is input to the system or apparatus and is filtered internal or external to the system/apparatus. A temperature adjustment may be applied, such as cooling or heating the water to a specific or approximate temperature. One or more water enhancements may be added to the water, in specified amounts or proportions. Enhancements potentially include flavoring agents, sweeteners, vitamins, nutrients, minerals, carbonation, and so on. A given combination of enhancements and corresponding amounts, and possibly other characteristics (e.g., the temperature, a quantity of water to prepare), may be saved as a recipe. The system, apparatus and method operate in association with an application or online service for creating, sharing, and preparing recipes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water preparation appliance, comprising:
 a first processor;   a first memory;   a communication interface engaged in a wireless communication connection with a portable electronic device;   a water preparation application simultaneously executed by the first processor and by a second processor of the portable electronic device;   multiple containers of water enhancements;   a dispenser; and   a display component controlled by the first processor to identify to the user one or more of:
 types of water enhancements contained by the multiple containers; and 
 recipes that can be prepared using the types of water enhancements contained by the multiple containers. 
   
     
     
         2 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a water input; and   a filter.   
     
     
         3 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more sensors configured to test a purity of the water. 
     
     
         4 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the display component is at least partially controlled by the water preparation application executed by the second processor. 
     
     
         5 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the first memory and/or a second memory of the portable electronic device store one or more recipes for preparing water. 
     
     
         6 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 5 , wherein the water preparation application is further executed by the second processor to share recipes with users of other water preparation appliances. 
     
     
         7 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the display component is further controlled by the first processor to identify a first water enhancement needed to prepare a selected recipe when none of the multiple containers contain the first water enhancement. 
     
     
         8 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a water input;   one or more water filters; and   an input component that receives from the user a selection of a water recipe to prepare;   wherein the display component is further controlled by the first processor to:
 display one or more recipes that require at least one type of water enhancement that is not contained in the multiple containers; and 
 when none of the multiple cartridges contain a first enhancement required for the selected water recipe, prompt the user to insert an additional container containing the first enhancement. 
   
     
     
         9 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the one or more filters comprise a reverse-osmosis filter; and   the water preparation appliance further comprises a waste water output for outputting waste water from the reverse-osmosis filter.   
     
     
         10 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 8 , further comprising one or more of:
 a first sensor for testing a quality of the water after it is received from the water input and before the water enters the one or more filters; and   a second sensor for testing the water after it is filtered by the one or more filters.   
     
     
         11 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a single enclosure enclosing the one or more water filters, a water chiller, a water heater, and the multiple containers.   
     
     
         12 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising means for automatically identifying a type of water enhancement contained in each of the multiple containers. 
     
     
         13 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the means for automatically identifying a type of water enhancement contained in a container comprises one or more optical sensors for reading an identification feature of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the means for automatically identifying a type of water enhancement contained in a container comprises circuitry for electronically communicating with the container. 
     
     
         15 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 1 , wherein each of the multiple containers is removably installed in a separate housing. 
     
     
         16 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotatable carousel housing the multiple containers. 
     
     
         17 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the multiple containers include:
 at least one container containing a flavoring agent; and   at least one container containing a sweetener.   
     
     
         18 . The water preparation appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more of:
 a water chiller; and   a water heater.