Automated beverage dispenser system and method

A beverage production system, comprising:

• a cup dispensing station configured to dispense cups;
• a beverage dispensing station configured to dispense a beverage;
• and
• a turntable assembly comprising:
• a central axis;
• an inner turntable including a row of cup receptacles;
• and
• an outer turntable disposed circumferentially about the inner turntable;
• wherein the inner turntable is configured to rotate about the central axis to align the cup receptacles of the row with the cup dispensing station and the beverage dispensing station;
• wherein the turntable assembly is configured to align an opening in the turntable assembly with a cup receptacle in the row, the opening adjacent the outer turntable;
• and
• an actuator configured to move a cup positioned in the cup receptacle in the row onto the outer turntable;
• and
• processor, circuitry, and one or more sensors coupled to the beverage production system and configured to rotate the outer turntable such that cups on the outer turntable do not advance completely around the outer turntable.

A method for beverage production, comprising:

• dispensing a cup at a cup dispensing station into a cup receptacle in an inner turntable of a turntable assembly;
• dispensing a beverage at a beverage dispensing station into the cup in the inner turntable of the turntable assembly;
• rotating the inner turntable about a central axis of the turntable assembly to align the cup receptacle in the inner turntable with an opening between the inner turntable and an outer turntable of the turntable assembly, the outer turntable disposed circumferentially about the inner turntable and including a dial having a substantially flat circular surface;
• and
• moving the cup, via an actuator, from the cup receptacle in the inner turntable onto the outer turntable via the aligned opening.