Beverage dispenser with beverage level indicator

Abstract

To provide a beverage dispenser with a beverage level indicating system.SOLUTION: Provided is a beverage dispenser 100 having the beverage level indicating system. The beverage dispenser 100 comprises: a housing 120; and a dispensing head provided in the housing 120 for dispensing a beverage into a beverage container 500. The beverage dispenser 100 also includes a beverage level sensor provided in the housing 120. The beverage level sensor determines a beverage level inside the beverage container 500 without contacting the beverage inside the beverage container 500. The beverage dispenser 100 further includes a beverage level indicator 140 that provides a visual indication of the beverage level inside the beverage container 500, and a control unit that makes the beverage level indicator 140 display the beverage level inside the beverage container 500, based on the beverage level determined by the beverage level sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The embodiments described herein generally relate to systems for indicating the level of a beverage in a beverage container. Specifically, the embodiments described herein relate to a beverage dispenser including a beverage level indication system for providing a user with a visual indication of the beverage level in the container. [Background technology]

[0002] Reusable beverage containers are gaining popularity as an environmentally friendly alternative to single-use plastic bottles. Reusable beverage containers offer other benefits over single-use plastic bottles. In addition to being environmentally friendly, reusable beverage containers may have a variety of colors, designs, and patterns, allowing consumers to select a personalized beverage container. Furthermore, reusable beverage containers may offer additional features. Some containers include, for example, handles, gripping portions, and ergonomic designs. Some containers may be double-walled or otherwise insulated to minimize heat transfer, keeping beverages hot or cold. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Some embodiments relate to a beverage dispenser including a housing and a dispensing head disposed at an upper end of the housing for dispensing a beverage into a beverage container, the beverage dispenser further including a beverage level sensor disposed in the housing and configured to determine a beverage level in the beverage container without contacting the beverage in the beverage container, a beverage level indicator configured to provide a visual indication of the beverage level in the beverage container, and a control unit configured to cause the beverage level indicator to indicate the beverage level in the beverage container based on the beverage level determined by the beverage level sensor.

[0004] Some embodiments relate to a beverage dispenser having a beverage level indication system including a housing and a dispensing head disposed in the housing for dispensing a beverage into a beverage container, the beverage dispenser further including a beverage level sensor disposed in the housing, the beverage level sensor configured to determine a beverage level of a beverage in the beverage container without contacting the beverage, and a control unit configured to communicate with a mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device configured to provide an indication of the beverage level in the beverage container based on the beverage level determined by the beverage level sensor.

[0005] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the beverage level sensor may be located on the dispense head.

[0006] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the housing may include a protrusion below which a beverage container receiving area is defined and above which a dispensing head may be positioned.

[0007] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the beverage dispenser may further include a user interface configured to receive a beverage selection and cause the dispense of a beverage corresponding to the beverage selection. In some embodiments, the user interface may include a plurality of actuators for receiving the beverage selection. In some embodiments, the user interface may further include a selection indicator for each of the plurality of actuators, the selection indicator indicating that one of the plurality of actuators has been selected.

[0008] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the beverage level indicator includes one or more lights arranged in a line. In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser does not include a display.

[0009] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the beverage level indicator may continuously display the beverage level in the beverage container as the beverage container is being filled by the dispensing head.

[0010] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the control unit may be configured to receive a user's beverage selection from a mobile electronic device.

[0011] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the visual indicator may include a representation of a beverage container displayed on a display of a mobile electronic device, the representation of the beverage container being filled to a level corresponding to the beverage level within the beverage container.

[0012] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the control unit may be configured to transmit a signal to the mobile electronic device, causing the mobile electronic device to generate an audible indication or a vibration.

[0013] Some embodiments relate to a method for indicating the level of a beverage in a beverage container, the method comprising: dispensing a beverage into the beverage container by a dispensing head of a beverage dispenser; determining an initial beverage level of the beverage in the beverage container by a beverage level sensor of the beverage dispenser; and visually indicating the initial beverage level of the beverage in the beverage container to a consumer via a beverage level indicator.

[0014] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the beverage level indicator may include multiple lights arranged in a line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beverage dispenser, and indicating the beverage level may include illuminating a light of the multiple lights that is flush with the beverage level in the beverage container.

[0015] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the beverage level indicator may include a digital display, and indicating the beverage level may include displaying a representation of the beverage container filled to a level corresponding to the beverage level in the beverage container.

[0016] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, determining the beverage level may include the beverage level sensor determining the beverage level without contacting the beverage in the beverage container.

[0017] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, a method for indicating the level of a beverage in a beverage container may include playing a sound by an audio device of the beverage dispenser when the beverage level in the beverage container, as determined by a beverage level sensor, reaches a predetermined beverage level.

[0018] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, indicating the beverage level may include transmitting a signal corresponding to the beverage level in the beverage container to the mobile electronic device, resulting in the mobile electronic device displaying a visual indication of the beverage level.

[0019] In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, a method for indicating the level of a beverage in a beverage container may include determining a current beverage level of the beverage in the beverage container by a beverage level sensor of the beverage dispenser while the beverage container is being filled, and visually indicating the current beverage level of the beverage in the beverage container to a consumer as the beverage container is being filled. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, further explain the principles of the disclosure and enable one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure.

[0021] [Figure 1]1 illustrates a perspective view of a beverage dispenser having a beverage level indicator according to one embodiment.

[0022] [Figure 2] 2 shows a front view of the beverage dispenser according to FIG. 1;

[0023] [Figure 3] 1 illustrates a diagram of a mobile electronic device used to make a beverage selection, according to one embodiment.

[0024] [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic diagram of components of a beverage container dispenser having a beverage level indicator, according to one embodiment.

[0025] [Figure 5] 1 illustrates a front view of a beverage dispenser having a digital display, according to one embodiment.

[0026] [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a front view of a beverage dispenser having a touchscreen interface, according to one embodiment.

[0027] [Figure 7] 1 illustrates a beverage dispenser in communication with a mobile electronic device, according to one embodiment.

[0028] [Figure 8] 1 shows a flowchart of the operation of a beverage dispenser having a beverage level indicator, according to one embodiment.

[0029] [Figure 9] 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary computer system in which embodiments may be implemented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to any one preferred embodiment. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

[0031] Reusable beverage containers may allow consumers to fill their own reusable beverage containers with a beverage. Reusable beverage containers include insulated containers, thermoses, travel mugs, water bottles, sports bottles, etc. Filling stations for such reusable beverage containers may be found in a variety of locations, including restaurants, grocery stores, movie theaters, airports, and sports and entertainment venues, among others. While many consumers may prefer to use their own reusable containers rather than using single-use plastic bottles or cups, many reusable beverage containers are opaque, making it difficult for consumers to easily determine the level of beverage in the container while filling it. In some cases, even single-use containers may be opaque. Consumers may attempt to peer into the open top of the container while it is being filled, but even doing so may still prevent the consumer from accurately determining the beverage level. Furthermore, the filling station may have a dispensing head for filling the container. The dispensing head sits on an overhang that is positioned above the beverage container during filling, obscuring the open top end and preventing the consumer from looking into the container.

[0032] As a result, consumers are left to guess or estimate when their beverage container is sufficiently full. Consumers may overfill their containers, resulting in spillage of the beverage, sticky containers with some beverages, and wasted beverage. Additionally, consumers may underfill their containers, requiring them to look into the beverage container after filling it with beverage to check the beverage level and then, if necessary, return the beverage container to a filling station to fill the container with more beverage, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient.

[0033] Some embodiments described herein relate to a beverage dispenser having a beverage level indication system configured to visually indicate to a consumer the beverage level in a beverage container while the beverage container is being filled with a beverage, the beverage level indication system allowing a consumer to monitor the fill level of the beverage container while the container is being filled to allow the consumer to easily determine at what moment the beverage container has been filled to a desired level.

[0034] In some embodiments described herein, the beverage dispenser 100 includes a housing 120 having a dispensing head 160 for dispensing a beverage 550 into a beverage container 500. The beverage dispenser 100 may include a beverage level indication system 190 including a beverage level sensor 170 configured to determine a beverage level 503 of the beverage 550 in the beverage container 500 during filling of the beverage container 500, and a beverage level indicator 140 that provides an indication, such as a visual indication, to a consumer of the beverage level 503 in the container 500. The beverage level indication system 190 further includes a control unit 150 that receives information related to the beverage level 503 from the beverage level sensor 170 and causes the beverage level indicator 140 to provide a visual indication of the beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500 based on the beverage level information received from the beverage level sensor 170.

[0035] Some embodiments described herein relate to a beverage dispenser 100, for example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The beverage dispenser 100 includes a housing 120. The housing 120 may enclose the components of the beverage dispenser 100 and may store one or more beverage ingredients. It may also house conduits for supplying beverage components or a base liquid to a dispensing head 160. The beverage dispenser 100 may be configured as a freestanding tabletop beverage dispenser 100 such that it may be placed on a table or countertop.

[0036] The dispensing head 160 may be positioned on the housing 120, specifically on the top end 121 of the housing 120, so as to be able to fill a beverage container 500 located below the dispensing head 160 with a beverage. The dispensing head 160 may thus be configured to fill a beverage container 500 in a top-down manner. The dispensing head 160 may be a pre-mix or post-mix dispensing head. A pre-mix is ​​one in which the beverage ingredients to be dispensed are combined before the beverage is dispensed, while a post-mix is ​​one in which the beverage ingredients are combined as they are dispensed into the beverage container 500. In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser 100 may include multiple dispensing heads 160, thereby enabling the dispensing of a variety of beverages or the filling of multiple beverage containers with beverages.

[0037] The beverage container 500 may be placed in the beverage container receiving area 130 of the beverage dispenser 100. The beverage container 500 may be a container provided by a consumer. For example, it may be a reusable beverage container (e.g., a water bottle). The beverage container receiving area 130 may be an area below the dispensing head 160. The dispensing head 160 may be positioned on the overhang 129 of the housing 120, as best shown in FIG. 1 . This allows the beverage container receiving area 130 to reside below the overhang 129, making it easy to place the beverage container 500 below the dispensing head 160. The beverage container 500 may be positioned directly below the dispensing head 160, allowing a beverage dispensed by the dispensing head 160 to enter the open top end 501 of the beverage container 500. In some embodiments, the beverage container 500 may be single-use (i.e., not reusable).

[0038] Additionally, housing 120 may include a platform 110 located at a lower end 122 of housing 120 and below dispensing head 160, on which a beverage container 500 may be placed within beverage container receiving area 130. Thus, in some embodiments, beverage container receiving area 130 may be defined as the space or area existing between overhang 129 and platform 110. Platform 110 may be a drip tray or the like to collect spilled beverages or beverages that drip from dispensing head 160, as shown in FIG. 1 .

[0039] In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser 100 includes a user interface 180 for receiving a consumer's beverage selection. The user interface 180 may include one or more actuators 182, 183, such as buttons, levers, handles, dials, switches, etc., for receiving user input. The user input may be a beverage type or flavor, or the user input may be an input to initiate the dispensing of the selected beverage or beverage components. For example, the user interface 180 may include one or more groups of actuators. For example, a first group of actuators, including actuator 183, is for selecting a base liquid, such as water, carbonated water, or milk, and a second group of actuators, including actuator 182, is for selecting a beverage flavor or enhancement, such as, but not limited to, lemon and / or lime flavor, orange flavor, cola flavor, fruit flavor such as grape flavor, coffee or tea flavor, chocolate or vanilla flavor, sweetener, etc.

[0040] In some embodiments, the user interface 180 may further include a selection indicator 185 that provides visual feedback to the consumer as to which beverage option has been selected. In some embodiments, the selection indicator 185 may be a light-emitting diode (LED). Thus, each actuator 182, 183 may include a selection indicator 185 in the form of an LED that is initially unilluminated, and when a consumer activates a particular actuator 182, the corresponding selection indicator 185 illuminates to notify the consumer that that beverage option has been selected.

[0041] In some embodiments, user interface 180 may also include a selection display 186 that displays instructions for selecting and dispensing a beverage, as shown in FIG. 5. Selection display 186 may also display a menu, such as a list of available beverages or a list of available base liquids and flavorings. The consumer can use actuator 182 to select from among the options shown in selection display 186. Selection display 186 may also function as a selection indicator 185 by highlighting the selected option to indicate which beverage option has been selected.

[0042] In some embodiments, user interface 180 may be in the form of a touchscreen display 146, as shown in FIG. 6, whereby a consumer may select a beverage by interacting with touchscreen display 146. Touchscreen display 146 may display a graphical user interface, including icons representing available beverage options and / or available beverage ingredients or flavors, whereby a user may press the touchscreen within the area where the icon is displayed to make a beverage selection. The touchscreen display may also indicate which beverage option has been selected. The touchscreen display may also display commands for dispensing the selected beverage.

[0043] In some embodiments, any of the beverage dispensers described herein may be configured to communicate with a mobile electronic device 700, such as a smartphone, laptop, netbook, tablet computer, etc., as shown in FIG. 3 . Accordingly, the mobile electronic device 700 may be capable of being configured to wirelessly communicate with the beverage dispenser 100. In some embodiments, the mobile electronic device 700 may be used as the user interface 180, or the mobile electronic device 700 may communicate with the user interface 180, thereby allowing a consumer to select a beverage to be dispensed by the beverage dispenser 100. The mobile electronic device 700 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with the beverage dispenser 100, such as via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a local area network (LAN) connection, among various wireless communication types and methods. The mobile electronic device 700 may include a display 701, such as a touchscreen display. The mobile electronic device 700 may be capable of executing software applications (i.e., “apps”). The display 701 may display a graphical user interface (GUI) showing a list of available beverages or beverage flavors 706 that can be dispensed by the beverage dispenser 100, and a list of available base liquids 707, such as water or carbonated water. The display 701 may further indicate to the consumer which of the beverage options has been selected. The display 701 may also display a dispense command 708 to cause the selected beverage to be dispensed. Upon selection of the dispense command 708, information related to the selected beverage may be transmitted by the mobile electronic device 700 to the beverage dispenser 100, thereby causing the selected beverage to be dispensed by the beverage dispenser 100.

[0044] The beverage dispenser 100 includes a beverage level indication system 190, as shown, for example, in Figure 4. The beverage level indication system 190 includes a control unit 150, a beverage level sensor 170 for determining the beverage level in a beverage container 500, and a beverage level indicator 140 configured to provide a consumer with a visual indication of the beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500 (e.g., when the beverage container 500 is full of beverage).

[0045] The beverage level sensor 170 may be located on the housing 120, such as on the top end 121 of the housing 120. In embodiments having an overhang 129, the beverage level sensor 170 may be located on the overhang 129 of the housing 120. Furthermore, the beverage level sensor 170 may be located on or adjacent to the dispensing head 160. The beverage level sensor 170 is configured to be oriented in a downward direction towards a beverage container 500 located within the beverage receiving area 130 and towards the interior of the beverage container 500, for example through the open top end 501 of the beverage container 500. In some embodiments, a line can be drawn from the sensor 170 to the beverage level 503 within the beverage container 500 without contacting the walls of the beverage container 500.

[0046] The beverage level sensor 170 may be a non-contact sensor, such that the sensor 170 is able to determine the beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500 without physically contacting the beverage 550 in the beverage container 500. For example, in some embodiments, the beverage level sensor 170 may be an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, or the like. In some embodiments, multiple beverage level sensors 170 may be used to determine the beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of sensors may be used to detect the beverage level in the beverage container. Those skilled in the art will also be able to readily select a suitable sensor and will further appreciate that a variety of methods of determining the beverage level may be used.

[0047] For example, in some embodiments, the beverage level sensor 170 may be configured to determine a distance d2 from a beverage level 503 in a beverage container 500 to the beverage level sensor 170, as shown in FIG. 2. As the beverage container is filled with beverage, the distance d2 between the beverage level and the sensor decreases. The beverage level sensor 170 may also detect a distance d1 from the platform 110 or the bottom of the beverage container 500 (the bottom when the beverage container is empty). Thus, the beverage level in the beverage container may be determined as the difference between the distance d1 and the distance d2. In some embodiments, the beverage level sensor 170 or a secondary sensor may be configured to further detect the top edge 501 of the beverage container 500. As a result, the beverage level sensor 170 may determine the fill level 503 relative to the top edge 501 of the beverage container 500. In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser 100 may be configured to automatically stop the beverage container 500 when the fill level 503, as determined by the beverage level sensor 170, reaches or is close to the top end 501 of the beverage container 500 to avoid overfilling the beverage container 500 with beverage.

[0048] The beverage level sensor 170 is configured to determine the fill level 503 of the beverage in the beverage container 500 regardless of the size, shape, or type of beverage container 500 provided by the consumer. The beverage level indication system 190 may be particularly useful when the beverage container 500 is opaque, although it will be appreciated that the beverage container 500 need not be opaque but may be opaque, transparent, translucent, or a combination thereof, and may be constructed from any of a variety of materials including, for example, plastic, glass, metal, or ceramic.

[0049] The beverage level sensor 170 may detect an initial fill level of the beverage container 500, for example, before the beverage dispenser 100 is used to fill the beverage container 500 with a beverage. The initial fill level may indicate that the beverage container is empty or that the beverage container contains some amount of beverage. While the beverage container 500 is being filled with a beverage, the beverage level sensor 170 may detect a current fill level of the beverage in the beverage container 500, which is the instantaneous fill level while the beverage container is being filled with the beverage. The beverage level sensor 170 may continuously detect a current fill level of the beverage in the beverage container 500 within the beverage container receiving area 130. In this way, the beverage level indication system 190 may provide a real-time determination of the beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500.

[0050] The control unit 150 is configured to coordinate the operation of the beverage level indication system 190. The control unit 150 is configured to receive information related to the beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500, as determined by the beverage level sensor 170. Based on the beverage level information received from the beverage level sensor 170, the control unit 150 causes the beverage level indicator 140 to display the beverage level to provide the consumer with an indication of the beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500.

[0051] In some embodiments, the beverage level indicator 140 of the beverage level indication system 190 is configured to provide a consumer with a visual indication of the beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500. The terms "beverage level" or "fill level" refer to the highest level reached by a beverage 550 stored in the beverage container 500 in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the beverage container 500. Thus, in some embodiments, the beverage level indicator 140 indicates the height of the beverage 550 in the beverage container 500.

[0052] In some embodiments, the beverage level indicator 140 may include a light 148, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The lights 148 may be arranged in a row or line having a bottom end 142 and a top end 141. The lights 148 may be spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. The lights 148 may be arranged vertically, parallel to or along the longitudinal axis of the beverage dispenser and beverage container 500. In some embodiments, the light 148 may be a light emitting diode (LED). The light 148 may be located on the front surface 128 of the housing 120 so that it is easily visible to a consumer using the beverage dispenser 100.

[0053] If the beverage level sensor 170 determines that the beverage container 500 is empty, the light 148 is not illuminated. As the beverage container 500 is filled with beverage, the lights 148 in the linear array illuminate sequentially from the bottom end 142 to the top end 141, such that at any given time during filling, the highest illuminated light 148 indicates the current fill level 503 of the beverage 550 in the beverage container 500. Thus, the highest illuminated light 148 on the beverage dispenser 100 is flush with the beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500, as shown in FIG. 2 , for example. As the beverage container 500 is filled, the lights 148 illuminate sequentially to indicate the fill level 503 of the beverage container 500 at any given time. In this manner, the beverage level indicator 140 provides a live or "real-time" indication of the beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500. In some embodiments, rather than illuminating each light 148 from the bottom 142 to the light 148 at the current fill level 503, only the light 148 at the current beverage level 503 is illuminated, so that only one light 148 is illuminated at a time.

[0054] In some embodiments, the light 148 may be of a different color to indicate how much further the user should fill the beverage container 500. For example, the light 148 near the top end 141 of the beverage level indicator 140 may be red, so that when the light 148 begins to glow with a red color, it can alert the user that the beverage container 500 is likely full and that the consumer should stop filling the beverage container 500 with beverage. In some embodiments, the light 148 may flash to indicate that the beverage container 500 has been filled to a certain predetermined level, at which point the beverage container 500 will be full. For example, the light 148 may begin to flash when the beverage level sensor 170 detects that the beverage level 503 is within a certain predetermined distance from the beverage level sensor.

[0055] In some embodiments, the beverage level indicator 140 may include a digital display that provides a visual indication of the fill level 503 of the beverage 550 in the beverage container 500, as shown in FIG. 5 . The digital display 146 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. The display 146 may be disposed on the housing 120 of the beverage dispenser 100 adjacent to the beverage container receiving area 130. The digital display 146 may have a lower end 142 positioned at the height of the platform 110, with the digital display 146 facing the consumer and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beverage container 500. The digital display 146 may display a mark 145, such as a line, a hash mark, or an arrow, on the fill level 503 of the beverage 550 in the beverage container 500 to indicate to the consumer the current fill level 503 of the beverage container 500. In other embodiments, the digital display 146 may function similarly to the light 148 in that the digital display gradually illuminates from the bottom end 142 to the fill level 503, as shown in Figure 3. The display 146 may depict a liquid, such as water, carbonated water, or soda, to provide additional visual benefit. The display 146 may illuminate continuously from the bottom end 142 of the display 146 to the fill level 503.

[0056] In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser 100 may include a touchscreen display as the user interface 180, as shown in FIG. 6, which may also function as the beverage level indicator 140. The touchscreen display may depict a representation 600 of a beverage container, such as the outline of a beverage container representing a beverage container 500 being filled with a beverage. The beverage container representation 600 may be shown as being filled with beverage 650 to a level 603 that corresponds to the beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500 being filled by the beverage dispenser 100. For example, if the beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500 is half-full, then the beverage container representation 600 is also shown as being half-full.

[0057] In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser 100 may include a beverage container sensor 135 for determining whether a beverage container 500 is placed within the beverage container receiving area 130. In some embodiments, the beverage container sensor 135 may be the beverage level sensor 170 or a separate sensor. The separate sensor may be various other sensors capable of detecting the presence of the beverage container 500 within the beverage container receiving area 130, such as, for example, a proximity sensor that detects an object within a certain distance from the sensor, or a mass sensor that can detect the weight of the beverage container on the platform 110 of the housing 120. When the beverage container 500 is detected by the beverage level sensor 170, the beverage level indicator 140 may be activated to provide a visual indication of the beverage level 503 within the beverage container 500. Thus, the beverage level display system 190 may indicate the beverage level within the container prior to filling. However, in some embodiments, the beverage level sensor 170 may be configured to activate only when a beverage is being actively dispensed by the beverage dispenser 100.

[0058] In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser 100 may include one or more beverage container sensors 135 for determining the size and dimensions of a beverage container 500 placed within the beverage container receiving area 130. The beverage container sensors 135 may determine the length, width, and height of the beverage container 500. The control unit 150 may receive information from the beverage container sensors 135. The control unit 150 may be further configured to determine the volume of the beverage container 500 based on the dimensions determined by the beverage container sensors 135. The touchscreen display 146 of the beverage dispenser 100 may depict the beverage container representation 600 based on the information received from the beverage container sensors 135 such that the beverage container representation 600 more accurately corresponds to the beverage container 500 being filled. In this manner, the display 146 may enable the beverage container representation 600 to more accurately depict the current beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500.

[0059] In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser 100 does not include a display, such as a display for use as a user interface or a display for use as a beverage level indicator. In such embodiments, the user interface 180 may instead include a number of actuators, such as buttons, levers, or switches, and a selection indicator, such as an LED, to indicate a selected option, as described above. Additionally, the beverage level indicator 140 may include a light 148, such as those previously discussed, to provide a visual indication of the beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500. In this manner, the beverage dispenser 100 can be constructed in a low-cost manner while still providing the desired functionality of indicating the beverage level in the beverage container.

[0060] In some embodiments, the beverage level indicator 140 may provide an audible indication to the consumer. The beverage level indication system 190 may further include an audio device 149 configured to emit a tone, sound, or verbal message indicating the fill level 503 of the beverage container 500 to the consumer (see FIG. 4). The audio device 149 may include, for example, a memory for storing an audible sound or alert and a speaker for playing the sound or alert. In some embodiments, the audio device 149 may be configured to generate a sound (e.g., a chime or bell) to indicate that the beverage container 500 has been filled to a certain predetermined level. Additionally, in some embodiments, the audio device 149 may play a message informing the user that the beverage container 500 is completely full, or that the beverage container 500 is 25% full, 50% full, 75% full, etc. Alternatively, the audio device 149 may play a series of tones while the beverage container is being filled. In doing so, the tone may increase in pitch or frequency during filling, such that a rapid and / or higher pitched tone indicates filling of the beverage container 500. Using the audio device 149 to provide an audible indication of the beverage level in the container 500 may be particularly beneficial for alerting visually impaired consumers regarding the fill level of their beverage container 500.

[0061] In some embodiments, a beverage dispenser 100 as described herein may be configured to transmit an indication of a beverage level 503 in a beverage container 500 to a mobile electronic device 700, such as a consumer's smartphone, laptop, netbook, tablet computer, etc., as shown in FIG. 7 . The beverage dispenser 100 may include a communication interface, such as a wireless transmitter or transceiver 155, for transmitting signals to the mobile electronic device 700, which may also receive signals from the mobile electronic device 700. The mobile electronic device 700 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with the beverage dispenser 100, such as via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a local area network (LAN) connection, among various wireless communication types and methods. As previously discussed in connection with FIG. 3 , the mobile electronic device 700 may include a display 701 and be configured to execute a software application (i.e., “app”) 702. The software application may cause a visual indication of the fill level of the beverage container to be displayed. For example, the mobile electronic device 700 may display a representation 703 of a beverage container, such as the outline of the beverage container, as described above in connection with FIG. 6. The beverage container representation 703 is depicted as filled to a fill level 705 (e.g., by displaying a colored or shaded area within the outline of the beverage container) in a state 704 that corresponds to the fill level 503 of the beverage container 500. The mobile electronic device 700 may be configured to communicate with a beverage dispenser having any of the features described herein. In embodiments of the beverage dispenser 100 that have a display (e.g., FIG. 6), a visual indicator of the fill level of the beverage container may be displayed on the mobile electronic device 700, on the display of the beverage dispenser, or both.

[0062] In some embodiments, the mobile electronic device 700 may communicate the size or volume of the beverage container 500 to the beverage dispenser 100 to facilitate determining the fill level. For example, a consumer may be prompted using a user interface to input the size or volume of the beverage container 500, e.g., 16 ounces, 20 ounces, 24 ounces, etc., into a software application on the mobile electronic device 700, and the mobile electronic device 700 may communicate the volume of the beverage container 500 to the beverage dispenser 100 to facilitate determining the fill level 503 of the beverage container 500.

[0063] In addition to or instead of a visual indicator, the mobile electronic device 700 may be configured to provide the consumer with other types of indicators and / or tactile or haptic alerts related to the fill level 503 of the beverage container 500. For example, an auditory indicator may be provided, in which case the mobile electronic device 700 functions as the audio device 149 described herein. In some embodiments, the mobile electronic device 700 may be configured to vibrate to indicate the fill level 503. For example, the mobile electronic device 700 may vibrate at increasing frequencies as the beverage container 500 gradually fills with beverage. Alternatively, the mobile electronic device 700 may vibrate when the fill level 503 of the beverage in the beverage container 500 reaches a predetermined level. For example, the control unit 150 may be configured to transmit a signal to the mobile electronic device 700 to vibrate the device 700 when the beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500 reaches a predetermined beverage level, e.g., when the beverage level 503 is within a predetermined proximity to the beverage level sensor 170.

[0064] In some embodiments, the beverage level indication system 190 may be separate from the beverage dispenser 100. The beverage level indication system 190 may be located adjacent to the beverage dispenser 100 such that a consumer can use the beverage level indication system 190 to indicate the beverage level 503 in the beverage container 500, and if the beverage container 500 is not fully filled, the consumer may bring the beverage container 500 to the beverage dispenser 100 to be filled with the beverage. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the beverage level indication system 190 may be separate from the beverage dispenser, in which case the beverage level indication system 190 simply indicates to the consumer the current fill level of the beverage in the beverage container 500, independent of the fill operation.

[0065] Some embodiments described herein relate to a method 800 of operating a beverage dispenser including a beverage level indication system, as shown in FIG. 8 . A consumer may bring a beverage container, such as a reusable beverage container, close to the beverage dispenser (step 801). The beverage container may be placed within a beverage container receiving area of ​​the beverage dispenser (step 802). The consumer may then make one or more beverage selections using a user interface (step 803). The selected beverage may be dispensed by operating a beverage dispense actuator on the user interface or by selecting a beverage dispense command on a touchscreen interface. The beverage may then be dispensed continuously, for example, only while the actuator or touchscreen is pressed (step 804). A beverage level sensor may be activated when a dispense button is pressed and while the beverage is being dispensed into the beverage container within the beverage receiving area (step 805). The beverage level sensor continuously detects the beverage level in the beverage container during filling. The beverage level indicator displays the current fill level of the beverage in the container based on information received from the beverage level sensor (step 807). As long as beverage is being actively dispensed into the beverage container, the beverage level sensor continues to detect the beverage level, and the beverage level indicator continues to indicate the beverage container's fill level. However, once beverage is no longer being dispensed—for example, when the consumer releases the dispense actuator or stops pressing the touchscreen—dispensing of beverage is stopped (step 810) and the beverage level indicator ceases operation (step 811). The beverage level indicator may remain activated for a predetermined time, such as 5 or 10 seconds, after beverage is no longer being dispensed, thereby providing the consumer with an opportunity to view the final beverage level after the container has been filled with beverage. The consumer may then remove their filled beverage container from the beverage container receiving area (step 812).

[0066] In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser 100 may be configured to automatically stop dispensing the beverage 550 into the beverage container 500 when the beverage level sensor 170 determines that the beverage level 503 has reached a predetermined beverage level corresponding to the beverage container being full or nearly full. For example, the beverage level sensor 170 or another sensor may detect the top edge 501 of the beverage container 500, and the beverage dispenser 100 may stop dispensing the beverage when the beverage level 503 is at or just below the top edge 501 of the beverage container 500 as detected by the sensor 170. Alternatively, the beverage dispenser 100 may automatically stop dispensing the beverage when the beverage level 503 is within a predetermined distance from the beverage level sensor 170. The predetermined distance may be estimated based on an average-sized beverage container. For example, if the distance from the beverage level sensor to the platform 110 is 12 inches and the average container height is 8 inches, the beverage dispenser 100 may automatically stop dispensing beverages when the beverage level 503 is within 4 inches (or 4.5 inches to be safe) of the beverage level sensor 170.

[0067] 9 illustrates an exemplary computer system 900 in which embodiments or portions thereof may be implemented as computer-readable code. The control unit 150 discussed herein may be a computer system having all or some of the components of computer system 900 for implementing the processes discussed herein.

[0068] Where programmable logic is used, such logic may be executed on a commercially available processing platform or a special purpose device. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be practiced with a variety of computer system configurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems, minicomputers and mainframe computers, computers linked or clustered with distributed functionality, and pervasive or small computers that may be embedded in virtually any device.

[0069] For example, at least one processor device and memory may be used to implement the above-described embodiments. The processor device may be a single processor, multiple processors, or a combination thereof. The processor device may have one or more processor "cores."

[0070] Various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by this exemplary computer system 900. After reading this description, it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how one or more aspects of the present invention may be implemented using other computer systems and / or computer architectures. While operations may be described as sequential processes, some of the operations may in fact be performed in parallel, concurrently, and / or in a distributed environment, and may be performed by program code stored locally or remotely for access by single or multi-processor machines. Additionally, in some embodiments, the order of operations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the disclosed subject matter.

[0071] The processor device 904 may be a special purpose or a general purpose processor device. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the processor device 904 may also be a single processor in a multi-core / multi-processor system, operating singly or in a cluster of computing devices operating in a cluster or server farm. The processor device 904 is connected to a communications infrastructure 906, such as a bus, message queue, network, or multi-core message passing scheme.

[0072] The computer system 900 also includes a main memory 908, e.g., random access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 910. The secondary memory 910 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 912 or a removable storage drive 914. The removable storage drive 914 may include a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flash memory, or the like. The removable storage drive 914 reads from and / or writes to a removable storage unit 918 in a well-known manner. The removable storage unit 918 may include a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, a universal serial bus (USB) drive, or the like, which is read from and written to by the removable storage drive 914. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the removable storage unit 918 includes a computer-usable storage medium having stored thereon computer software and / or data.

[0073] Computer system 900 (optionally) includes a display interface 902 (which may include input and output devices such as a keyboard, mouse, etc.) that allows graphics, text, and other data to be transferred from a communications infrastructure 906 (or from a frame buffer, not shown) for display on a display unit 930.

[0074] In alternative implementations, the secondary memory 910 may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into the computer system 900. Such means may include, for example, a removable storage unit 922 and interface 920. Examples of such means may include program cartridges and cartridge interfaces (such as those found in video game devices), removable memory chips (such as EPROMs or PROMs) and associated sockets, and other removable storage units 922 and interfaces 920 that can transfer software and data from the removable storage unit 922 to the computer system 900.

[0075] Computer system 900 may also include a communications interface 924. Communications interface 924 allows software and data to be transferred between computer system 900 and external devices. Communications interface 924 may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, or the like. The software and data transferred via communications interface 924 may be in the form of signals, which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being received by communications interface 924. These signals may be provided to communications interface 924 via communications path 926. Communications path 926 carries signals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link, or other communications channel.

[0076] As used herein, the terms "computer program medium" or "computer usable medium" are generally used to refer to media such as removable storage unit 918, removable storage unit 922, and a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 912. Computer program medium and computer usable medium may also refer to memory such as main memory 908 and secondary memory 910, which may be memory semiconductors (e.g., DRAM, etc.).

[0077] Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in main memory 908 and / or secondary memory 910. Computer programs may also be received via communications interface 924. Such computer programs, when executed, enable computer system 900 to perform the embodiments discussed herein. In particular, the execution of the computer programs enables processor device 904 to perform the processes of the embodiments discussed herein. Such computer programs thus represent controllers of computer system 900. If the embodiments are implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system 900 using removable storage drive 914, interface 920, and hard disk drive 912, or communications interface 924.

[0078] Embodiments of the present invention may also be directed to computer program products including software stored on any computer-usable medium. Such software, when executed on one or more data processing devices, causes the data processing devices to operate as described herein. Embodiments of the present invention may employ computer-usable or readable media. Examples of computer-usable media include, but are not limited to, primary storage devices (e.g., any type of random access memory), secondary storage devices (e.g., hard drives, floppy disks, CD ROMs, ZIP disks, tapes, magnetic and optical storage devices, MEMS, nanotechnology storage devices, etc.).

[0079] It is understood that the "Detailed Description" section, and not the "Summary" and "Abstract" sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more, but not all, exemplary embodiments of the invention as contemplated by the inventor(s), but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention and the appended claims in any way.

[0080] The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks that illustrate the performance of certain functions and their relationships. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternative boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and their relationships are properly performed.

[0081] The foregoing description of specific embodiments makes the general nature of the present invention fully apparent, and others, by applying the knowledge of those skilled in the art, may readily modify and / or adapt such specific embodiments to various uses without undue experimentation and without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and therefore should be interpreted by those skilled in the art in light of the teaching and guidance provided herein.

[0082] The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. A beverage dispenser comprising: Housing and a dispensing head arranged at an upper end of said housing for dispensing beverage into a beverage container; a beverage level sensor disposed in the housing and configured to determine a beverage level in the beverage container without contacting the beverage in the beverage container; a beverage level indicator configured to provide a visual indication of the beverage level within the beverage container; a control unit configured to cause the beverage level indicator to indicate the beverage level in the beverage container based on the beverage level determined by the beverage level sensor; A beverage dispenser comprising:

2. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the beverage level sensor is located on the dispensing head.

3. the housing includes a protrusion defining a beverage container receiving area therebelow; and The dispensing head is disposed on the overhang. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 .

4. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface configured to receive a beverage selection and cause the dispense of a beverage corresponding to the beverage selection.

5. The beverage dispenser of claim 4 , wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of actuators for receiving the beverage selections.

6. the user interface further comprising a selection indicator for each of the plurality of actuators; the selection indicator indicating that one actuator of the plurality of actuators is selected; 6. The beverage dispenser of claim 5.

7. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the beverage level indicator comprises one or more lights arranged in a line.

8. The beverage dispenser of claim 7 , wherein the beverage dispenser does not include a display.

9. 2. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the beverage level indicator continuously displays the beverage level in the beverage container while the beverage container is being filled by the dispensing head.

10. 1. A beverage dispenser having a beverage level indication system, comprising: Housing and a dispensing head disposed on the housing for dispensing a beverage into a beverage container; a beverage level sensor disposed in the housing and configured to determine a beverage level of the beverage in the beverage container without contacting the beverage; a control unit configured to communicate with the mobile electronic device; Equipped with the mobile electronic device is configured to provide an indication of the beverage level in the beverage container based on the beverage level determined by the beverage level sensor. Beverage dispenser.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control unit is configured to receive a user's beverage selection from the mobile electronic device.

12. the visual indicator includes a representation of a beverage container displayed on a display of the mobile electronic device; 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the representation of the beverage container is filled to a level corresponding to the beverage level in the beverage container.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control unit is configured to transmit a signal to the mobile electronic device to cause the mobile electronic device to generate an audible indication or a vibration.

14. 1. A method for indicating the level of a beverage in a beverage container, comprising: Dispensing a beverage into a beverage container by a dispensing head of the beverage dispenser; determining an initial beverage level of the beverage in the beverage container by a beverage level sensor of the beverage dispenser; visually indicating to a consumer the initial beverage level of the beverage in the beverage container via a beverage level indicator; A method comprising:

15. the beverage level indicator includes a plurality of lights arranged in a line parallel to a longitudinal axis of the beverage dispenser; and indicating the beverage level includes illuminating a light of the plurality of lights that is flush with the beverage level within the beverage container.

15. The method of claim 14.

16. the beverage level indicator comprises a digital display; and wherein indicating the beverage level includes displaying a representation of the beverage container filled to a level corresponding to the beverage level in the beverage container.

15. The method of claim 14.

17. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein determining the beverage level comprises determining the beverage level without the beverage level sensor contacting the beverage in the beverage container.

18. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising playing a sound by an audio device of the beverage dispenser when the beverage level in the beverage container as determined by the beverage level sensor reaches a predetermined beverage level.

19. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein indicating the beverage level comprises transmitting a signal corresponding to the beverage level in the beverage container to a mobile electronic device, thereby causing the mobile electronic device to display the visual indication of the beverage level.

20. determining a current beverage level of the beverage in the beverage container by a beverage level sensor of the beverage dispenser while the beverage container is being filled; visually indicating to a consumer via a beverage level indicator the current beverage level of the beverage in the beverage container while the beverage container is being filled; The method of claim 14 further comprising:

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