Dispenser and associated tracking application

A mobile device, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the mobile device to perform at least the following:
• receive a storage status update from a dispenser adapted to store and dispense consumable items;
• determine, based on the received storage status update, whether a current storage status associated with the dispenser falls below a replenishment threshold;
• and
• upon determining that the current storage status falls below the replenishment threshold, then—
• determine a current location of the mobile device,
• determine a location of a retailer located proximate to the current location of the mobile device at which additional consumable items are purchasable,
• present a notification indicating a suggestion to replenish the dispenser,
• present the location of the retailer determined to be located proximate to the mobile device at which additional consumable items are purchasable, and
• present a user interface to allow online ordering of the additional items at the retailer such that the additional items are available for pick up at the retailer.

A system comprising:

• a communications network over which a storage status update is transmitted;
• a dispenser for storing and dispensing a plurality of consumable items;
• and
• a mobile device adapted to execute an application, the application adapted to:
• receive the storage status update from the dispenser;
• determine a retailer located proximate to the mobile device at which additional consumable items are purchasable;
• and
• present a notification indicating a suggestion to replenish the dispenser based on the storage status update and the retailer located proximate to the mobile device at which additional consumable items are purchasable to replenish the dispenser.

A computer-readable memory including computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause an apparatus to perform a method comprising:

• receiving, at a mobile device, a storage status update indicating a remaining quantity of a type of single serve coffee packs stored in a dispenser;
• updating a current storage status associated with the type of single serve coffee packs based on the received storage status update;
• determining whether the updated current storage status meets a predetermined threshold associated with the type of single serve coffee packs;
• determining a location of the mobile device;
• and
• upon a determination that the updated current storage status of the dispenser meets the predetermined threshold associated with the type of single serve coffee packs, presenting a notification on the mobile device suggesting ordering an additional quantity of the type of single serve coffee packs, determining a retailer proximately located to the mobile device at which the additional quantity of the type of single serve coffee packs are purchasable, and presenting a notification on the mobile device with a suggestion of the proximately located retailer.

A method, comprising:

• receiving, at a mobile device, a storage status update indicating a remaining quantity of a type of single serve coffee packs stored in a dispenser;
• updating a current storage status associated with the type of single serve coffee packs based on the received storage status update;
• determining whether the updated current storage status meets a predetermined threshold associated with the type of single serve coffee packs;
• determining the location of the mobile device;
• and
• upon a determination that the updated current storage status of the dispenser meets the predetermined threshold associated with the type of single serve coffee packs, presenting a notification on the mobile device suggesting ordering an additional quantity of the type of single serve coffee packs, determining a retailer proximately located to the mobile device at which the additional quantity of the type of single serve coffee packs are purchasable, and presenting a notification on the mobile device with a suggestion of the proximately located retailer.