Low cost control pour

US11544697B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE COCA-COLA COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Benjamin Kingston · Suwanee, US
• Akhil Karibandi · Atlanta, US
• Chetan Polavaram · Atlanta, US
• Thomas Stubbs · Atlanta, US
• Jevawn Sebastian Roberts · Atlanta, US
• Scott Harrison · Atlanta, US
• Stan Kaplita · Sammamish, US
• Christopher Dennis · Clear Spring, US
• Gregg Carpenter · Marietta, US
• Joshua Casey Schwarber · Decatur, US
• Tao Peng · Atlanta, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 12, 2018
• Grant date: Jan 3, 2023
• Expiry date: Jun 12, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07F13/065
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

One embodiment may include a machine for providing beverages. The machine may include a reader configured to read data representative of an available balance for a user to obtain beverages from the machine from a machine-readable medium and electronics. The electronics may be configured to receive the data from the machine-readable medium in response to the user positioning the machine-readable medium within reading distance of the reader, enable the user to dispense a beverage into a vessel, and update the available balance of the machine-readable medium so as to reduce or prevent the user from dispensing unlimited beverages.