# US 10,121,306 B2 · Systems and methods for facilitating consumer-dispenser interactions > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,121,306 B2 - Document ID: US10121306B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/968,094 - Filed: 2013-08-15 - Published: 2014-05-22 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2007-09-06 - Assignees: The Coca-Cola Company - Applicants: The Coca-Cola Company - Inventors: Dan Peters; Son V. Tran; David R. Newman; Leonard F. Antao; David O. Slagley; H. Brock Kolls - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10121306B2 ## CPC - G07F 9/001: {Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices} - B67D 1/0041: {Fully automated cocktail bars, i.e. apparatuses combining the use of packaged beverages, pre-mix and post-mix dispensers} - B67D 1/0888: {Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)} - G06Q 20/3278: {RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices} - G06Q 30/02: Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising - G06Q 30/0207: Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates - G06Q 50/06: Energy or water supply - G07F 9/002: {Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines} - G07F 9/02: Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus (alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10) - G07F 11/00: Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles - G07F 13/065: {for drink preparation} - B67D 2210/00089: Remote control means, e.g. by electromagnetic signals - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) - B67D: DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes B08B9/02; emptying or filling of bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels, or similar containers, not otherwise provided for B67C; water supply E03; pipe systems F17D; domestic hot-water supply systems F24D; measuring volume, volume flow, mass flow or liquid level, metering by volume G01F; coin-freed or like apparatus G07F) - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a user interface operable to receive consumer inputs and to present product selection information. In addition, the product dispenser can include a reader configured to obtain identification information associated with a consumer. The product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the reader and user interface, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive from the reader identification information associated with a consumer. The controller can also be operable to execute a set of instructions operable to retrieve consumer information based at least in part on the identification information, and provide product selection information at the user interface based at least in part on the consumer information. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for interacting with a product dispenser, the method comprising: initiating presentation of a selection of products at a display of a remote device, the selection of products corresponding to one or more previously entered product preferences of a recipient consumer; receiving, via at least one processor, product identification information of a product from a purchasing consumer, wherein the product is one of the selection of products for the recipient consumer; receiving an instruction from the purchasing consumer to purchase the product for the recipient consumer; facilitating purchase of the product to provide to the recipient consumer; and dispensing the product at the product dispenser. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the product identification information comprises at least one of the following: receiving information via a user interface associated with a product dispenser, scanning a machine readable code, receiving a token or loyalty card, receiving a unique code, receiving information from a RFID tag, receiving information from a NFC tag, receiving information or a communication from a client-type device, or receiving information or a communication from a wireless communication device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing product selection information at a user interface associated with the product dispenser, wherein the purchasing consumer is prompted to input selection of a product. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing product selection information at a user interface associated with a wireless communication device in communication with the product dispenser, wherein the purchasing consumer is prompted to input an instruction for selection of a product. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving one or more product preferences associated with the recipient consumer; and prompting the recipient consumer to transmit the one or more product preferences to the purchasing consumer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the instruction is communicated by the purchasing consumer by at least one of the following: a voice input, a gesture input, or a manual input. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein facilitating purchase of the product to provide to the recipient consumer comprises transmitting one or more purchase instructions to a client-type device, a wireless communication device, or at least one product dispenser. ### Claim 8 A product dispenser, comprising: an interface operable to receive user inputs and to present product information; a controller in communication with the interface, and operable to execute a set of instructions to: initiate presentation of a selection of products at a display of a remote device, the selection of products corresponding to one or more product preferences of a recipient consumer; receive, via at least one processor, product identification information of a product from a purchasing consumer, wherein the product is one of the selection of products for the recipient consumer; receive an instruction from the purchasing consumer to purchase the product for the recipient consumer; facilitate purchase of the product to provide to the recipient consumer; and dispense the product at the product dispenser. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The product dispenser of claim 8, wherein the set of instructions to receive product identification information from the purchasing consumer further comprise instructions to perform at least one of the following: receive information via a user interface associated with a product dispenser, scan a machine readable code, receive a token or loyalty card, receive a unique code, receive information from a RFID tag, receive information from a NFC tag, receive information or a communication from a client-type device, or receive information or a communication from a wireless communication device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The product dispenser of claim 8, wherein the set of instructions further comprise instructions to: provide product selection information at a user interface associated with the product dispenser, wherein the purchasing consumer is prompted to input selection of a product. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The product dispenser of claim 8, wherein the set of instructions further comprise instructions to: provide product selection information at a user interface associated with a wireless communication device in communication with the product dispenser, wherein the purchasing consumer is prompted to input an instruction for selection of a product. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The product dispenser of claim 2, wherein the set of instructions further comprise instructions to: receive one or more product preferences associated with the recipient consumer; and prompt the recipient consumer to transmit the one or more product preferences to the purchasing consumer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The product dispenser of claim 8, wherein the instruction is communicated by the purchasing consumer by at least one of the following: a voice input, a gesture input, or a manual input. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The product dispenser of claim 8, wherein the set of instructions to facilitate the product purchase for the recipient consumer further comprise instructions to transmit one or more purchase instructions to a client-type device, a wireless communication device, or at least one product dispenser. ### Claim 15 A system comprising: one or more servers; a plurality of product dispensers in communication with the one or more servers via at least one network, wherein each of the plurality of product dispensers comprises: a user interface operable to receive user inputs and to present product information; and one or more processors in communication with the user interface, and operable to execute computer-executable instructions to: initiate presentation of a selection of products at a display of a remote device, the selection of products corresponding to one or more product preferences of a recipient consumer; receive product identification information of a product from a purchasing consumer, wherein the product is one of the selection of products for the recipient consumer; receive an instruction from the purchasing consumer to purchase the product for the recipient consumer; facilitate purchase of the product to provide to the recipient consumer; and dispense the product at the product dispenser. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the set of instructions to receive product identification information from the purchasing consumer further comprise instructions to perform at least one of the following: receive information via a user interface associated with a product dispenser, scan a machine readable code, receive a token or loyalty card, receive a unique code, receive information from a RFID tag, receive information from a NFC tag, receive information or a communication from a client-type device, or receive information or a communication from a wireless communication device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the set of instructions further comprise instructions to: provide product selection information at a user interface associated with the product dispenser, wherein the purchasing consumer is prompted to input selection of a product. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the set of instructions further comprise instructions to: provide product selection information at a user interface associated with a wireless communication device in communication with the product dispenser, wherein the purchasing consumer is prompted to input an instruction for selection of a product. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the set of instructions further comprise instructions to: receive one or more product preferences associated with the recipient consumer; and prompt the recipient consumer to transmit the one or more product preferences to the purchasing consumer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the set of instructions to facilitate the product purchase for the recipient consumer further comprise instructions to transmit one or more purchase instructions to a client-type device, a wireless communication device, or at least one product dispenser.