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`
`USOU8T"88090B2
`
`(12) Ulllted States Patent
`Rothschild
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45; Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,788,090 B2
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATINGA
`PERSONALIZED CONSUMER PRODUCT
`.
`.
`.
`"F’I‘1“‘*‘““ R°“fn"‘“_l“"°““°“5-Ir”-~5"'““>’ 15195
`l3t‘==C11- 1‘L (US)
`
`ml
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Leigh M. Rothschild. Sunny lsles
`Beach’ 1:‘L(US)
`
`( “‘ ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer. the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U_3_C_ 154(1)) by 0 days_
`
`..
`
`232363
`4.-"2004 Hrtgclelal.
`6.715.642 B2‘
`700033
`E333‘;
`,1
`''.'i‘.‘''_:::i: 700.533
`8i2006 Barth I
`720992740 135 *
`700.-233
`7.295.339 B2* ti.-2007 I_&te:n
`7.299.109 32
`1172007 Juds et al.
`TOG-"239
`8.224.481 B2 ""
`T.-‘"2012 Bylsma et al.
`700':339
`------ --
`3349-315 133 “
`1353013 P<3lt-’l‘St’¢al-
`
`700-1239
`8.463.443 B2 "‘
`6.-:2t'Jl3
`.\lewir_1an et al.
`....................... .. 700-"233
`8.588.963 B2 ”‘
`ll.'_20l3 S-i_iI'I'1Elll'l
`..
`.-
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`'
`C
`.
`‘TSL
`
`‘
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(21) App1_ N0 _: 131,848,984
`(22)
`1,,-"ed.
`Ma“ 22‘ 2013
`
`"De,:;:ll1c.1&I;1enl:ii:a Raplid-Resfinse l~:]ow-Iflontrril Sys;
`Follier
`ISIIIQ.
`.
`Li
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`TR)-"S .
`.0l.1l"I1fi.
`U
`em
`g1g2l'§:l,eClI0lfl€CllafllUEll Systems. vol.
`l3. No. 6. Dec. 2004. pp.
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 201379218328 Al
`Aug. 22. 2013
`
`it
`
`_1 d b
`Cl C
`
`_
`y CX§:l.l1']]lll;3l'
`
`(5
`
`1)
`
`Related U°S° Applicafion Data‘
`(63) Continuation ofapplication No. 125354.451. lilcd on
`Aug. 1:. 2010. now Pat. No. 3.417.377. which is a
`C0I1tiI1ll£lIiL’Il1 0f<'l13p1iC£1Ii0l1 N0. ll/471,323, filed 011
`31111. 20. 2006. 110W Pal. N0. 7.399.713.
`1
`_l
`111- C -
`5961': 17/99
`l52l U-5- 0-
`USPC‘
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`7001233. 237. 239
`USPC
`See application file for complete search l1i story.
`
`(2005131)
`
`7ll'W2.3317UUJ'2.-‘l9
`
`Prfiiiarji‘ E.\‘o7m‘7:er — Tl.l110ll1y Waggoner
`(74) .»i:t*orm:_i=. Agem. or Firm — Atanu Dz1s:Tecl1law LLP
`‘
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A system and method for creating a personalized consumer
`product are provided. The system and method of the present
`disclosure enables a user. e.g.. a consumer.
`to customize
`products containing solids andfor fluids by allowing at server
`conmiunicating over the global computer network. e.g... the
`Internet. to provide product preferences ofa user to a product
`or;1|nixing device, c.g.. 3 product at’ beverage dispenser. The
`method for creating a product according to a user‘s prefer-
`ences over a network includes the steps identifying a product
`to a server over the network: identifying 21 user to the server
`over tl1e network: retrieving the user’s product preferences
`from a database at the server based on the produet’s identity
`and user’s identity: transmitting the user's product prefer-
`cnccs to the product over the network: and mixing at least one
`element contained within the product based on the user s
`P1'0dU0tPfefefe11°eS-
`
`20 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`(55}
`
`Refeffflcfs Cited
`.,
`,,
`_
`,
`,
`Uh‘ PM BN7 D0( UMDNTS
`5.939A45 A
`[H999 wise at al_
`5.205.022 Bl
`3.-2001 Tsai et al.
`7.-‘"2001 Khan ct al.
`6.253.956 Bl
`6.592.098 B2
`772003 Kat) ct al.
`
` (2)MMJ.JN|Ca|1'I()‘N5 IEIWORK
`
`
`PETITIONER - UNIFIED PATENTS, INC. - EXHIBIT 1001 - Page 1
`PETITIONER — UNIFIED PATENTS, INC. — EXHIBIT 1001 — Page 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 8,788,090 B2
`
`100
`
`|]l]l]
`
`4-00
`
`107
`
` COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
`
`105
`
`107
`
`112
`
`110
`
`FIG. 1
`
`PETITIONER - UNIFIED PATENTS, INC. - EXHIBIT 1001 - Page 2
`PETITIONER — UNIFIED PATENTS, INC. — EXHIBIT 1001 — Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 8,788,090 B2
`
`‘J10
`
`/
`
`COMMUNICATION
`MODULE
`
`204
`
`204
`
`204
`
`I
`
`O
`
`O
`
`I
`
`208
`
`205
`
`203
`
`206
`
`206
`
`208
`
`7
`
`‘V onto 7
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`202
`
`FIG. 2
`
`PETITIONER - UNIFIED PATENTS, INC. - EXHIBIT 1001 - Page 3
`PETITIONER — UNIFIED PATENTS, INC. — EXHIBIT 1001 — Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 8,788,090 B2
`
`ACQUIRE PRODUCT
`
`IDENTIFY PRODUCT TO
`SERVER
`
`IDENTIFY USER
`
`RIII
`
`03
`
`N
`
`O
`
`YES
`
`LOCATE PRODUCT
`PREFERENCES
`
`TRANSMIT PRODUCT
`
`PREFERENCES TO
`USER'S COMPUTER
`
`TRANSMIT PRODUCT
`
`PREFERENCES TO
`PRODUCT
`
`302
`
`304
`
`305
`
`312
`
`314
`
`316
`
`REGISTER USER)’
`PRODUCT
`PREFERENCES
`
`310
`
`MIX PRODUCT
`
`313
`
`FIG. 3
`
`PETITIONER - UNIFIED PATENTS, INC. - EXHIBIT 1001 - Page 4
`PETITIONER — UNIFIED PATENTS, INC. — EXHIBIT 1001 — Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 8,788,090 B2
`
`COMMUNICATION
`MODULE
`
`3
`
`Eflaififiil
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`USER
`INTERFACE
`
`404
`
`404
`
`404
`
`0
`
`O
`
`O
`
`O
`
`408
`
`406
`
`408
`
`405
`
`403
`
`406
`
`V A
`
`CAFIBONATION
`UNIT
`
`REFRIGERATOR
`UNIT
`
`402
`
`FIG. 4
`
`PETITIONER - UNIFIED PATENTS, INC. - EXHIBIT 1001 - Page 5
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 22, 2014
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 8,788,090 B2
`
`REGISTER USER
`IDENTITY AT SERVER
`
`502
`
`DETERMINE
`BEVERAGE PRODUCT
`
`PREFERENCES (BPP)
`
`ISSUE IDENTITY CODE
`TO USER
`
`TRANSMIT IDENTITY
`CODE TO USER
`
`TRANSMIT IDENTITY
`CODE TO SERVER
`
`504
`
`506
`
`503
`
`510
`
`512
`
`NOS
`
`YES
`
`REGISTER USER!
`PRODUCT
`
`PREFERENCES
`
`514
`
`DETERIVIINE BEVERAGE
`
`PRODUCT PREFERENCES
`BPP FOR USER
`
`515
`
`TRANSMIT BEVERAGE
`PRODUCT PREFERENCES
`BPP TO DISPENSER
`
`518
`
`MIX PRODUCT
`
`520
`
`FIG. 5
`
`PETITIONER - UNIFIED PATENTS, INC. - EXHIBIT 1001 - Page 6
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`

`
`US 3,788,090 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AN D METHOD FOR CREATING A
`PERSON ALIZEI) CONSUMER PR()DUC'l'
`
`PRIORITY
`
`The present applicatitin is a corttinuation application of
`U.S. patent application Scr. No. l2:"854.45l. lilcd Aug. 11.
`2010. which is a continuation application ofU.S. patent appli-
`cation Ser. No. 1 la"4-71.323. filed Jun. 20. 2006. now US. Pat.
`No. "L399. "Fl 3, the contents of which are hereby incorporated
`by reference in their entirety.
`
`ll]
`
`IBACKGROUNID
`
`J. Field
`
`The present disclosure relates generally to data processing
`systenis and consumer products. and more particularly. to a
`system and method for creating a personalized consumer
`product.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`The sale of consumer products such as beverage products.
`health products and perfutnes to name a few is a tnultibillion-
`dollar worldwide business. Increasingly.
`the consumer is
`given a wider choice of different types of the same product.
`For instance, in soda beverages, the consumer can now pur-
`chase not only a cola beverage [e.g.. a regular flavor}, but
`vanilla cola. diet cola, lemon cola. and cherry cola. Similarly.
`and also in the beverage industry. with vitamin water. the
`consumer can purchase the water beverage in lemon, berry.
`kiwi. strawberry. melon. peach. black cherry and grape. e.g._.
`l’ropel""-"‘ brand water.
`The trend ofallowing the user to choose from various types
`of differentiated products of the same brand also exists in
`shampoos and other health products. For instance. with Head
`and Sl1oulders"'” brand dandruff shampoo. the user can now
`choose frotn dry scalp. classic clean. sensitive care, ocean lift.
`extra volume, refresh. citrus breeze. smooth and silky and
`intensive treatment. It is apparent from the above that the user
`wants to have a wide and yet specific choice for the products
`that they use. However, even with nine dandruff shampoo
`choices. the consumer is not getting a product that is specifi-
`cally tailored for them. In the previous example, even with
`nine different dandruff products. the shampoo product will
`still not cover the specific needs of the millions of constuners
`who use or want to use this product.
`Tlteriefore. a need exists for teclmiqttes to allow consumers
`to personalize products for their specific needs. A further need
`exists for a system and method to enable a user to custoniize
`a consumable product wherein the user’ s product prc ferences
`may be stored and retrieved at a later time when the user
`purchases the product.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`A system and method to enable users to control mix param-
`eters ofa product from the global computer network to obtain
`a personalized consumer product are provided. The system
`and method of the present disclosure will enable a user to
`customize products containing solids and fluids by allowing a
`server on the global computer network, e.g., the Internet. to
`instruct the hardware mixing the solids and flu ids ofthe user's
`preferences tor the final mix.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The above and other aspects. features. and advantages of
`the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of
`
`3U
`
`35
`
`4t":
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`2
`
`the following detailed description when taken in conjunction
`with the accompanying drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system for creating a personalized
`consumer prodttct in accordance with an embodiment of the
`present disclosure:
`FIG. 2 is an exemplary consunier product in accordance
`with the present disclosure:
`FIG. 3 is a How chart illustrating a method for creating a
`consumer product according to a user’ s specific product pref-
`erences:
`
`FIG. 4 is a diagram of a beverage dispenser in accordance
`with the present disclosure: and
`FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for dispensing a
`beverage according to a user’s preferences.
`
`l)l£"l‘A] LEI) l)l~IS(?RIP'[‘I()N
`
`Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be
`described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying
`drawings. In the following description, well-known functions
`or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring
`the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.
`A system and method for creating a personalized consumer
`product are provided. The system and method of the present
`disclosure enables a user. e.g.. a consumer.
`to customize
`products containing solids and fluids by allowing a server
`communicating over the global computer network. e.g.. the
`Internet, to provide product preferences of a user to a product
`or a mixing device. e.g._. a product or beverage dispenser.
`For illustrative purposes. a consumer purchases a product,
`e.g._. a name brand shampoo. The user has specific needs for
`their hair care that they want the shampoo to conform to. By
`example. this specific user wants the shampoo to have extra
`ntoisturiaers and a refreshing ocean llavor. but without a tint
`to color the hair. The user goes to the web site for the product
`that the user has purchased. The user will type in the web site
`address. eg. URL. into their computer. or alternatively. the
`product comrrmnicates the web site infonnation to the user's
`computer and directs the user to that site. At the product web
`site. the user fills in information on their consumer product
`preferences and their specific hair care requirements. Ihe
`user then places the purchased product near a communication
`module (e.g.. a WiFi““ access point_. Bluetoothn‘ module.
`infrared port. RFID reader. etc.) coupled to their computer
`and the server of the web site via the global computer net-
`work. e.g.. the Internet. tells the product container how to mix
`the various elements contained in the product container so
`that the final product mix conforms to what the web site!
`server has determined would be appropriate for the consumer.
`The computer server also stores the specific consumer’ s prod-
`uct preferences. so that fiiture shampoo purchases ofthe satne
`brand can also be mixed according to the consumer’s stored
`preferences. After the shampoo mix is finalized. the user has
`a product that has been exactly customized for their indi-
`vidual needs. It is to be appreciated system and method (I fthe
`present disclosure would apply to the mixing of many con-
`sumable products. including toothpaste, shampoos. condi-
`tioners, beverages. soaps. etc.
`Referring to FIG. L a system 180 for creating a personal-
`ized consumer prodttct is illustrated. "the system 1 till includes
`a terminal 102. eg. a user computer. for accessing a server
`104 over a communications network 106, e.g.. the Internet.
`The terminal 102 and server 104 will communicate using any
`conventional architecture. for example a clientf server archi-
`tecture where the terminal 102 will execute a client applica-
`tion. g.. a web browser. to access an application executing
`on the server 1 04. The terminal 1 82 will access the server 1 04
`
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`

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`4
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`US 3,788,090 B2
`
`to enable a user to enter prodttct preferences for a specific
`product which will be store in database 108 for future use. The
`server 104 will fomiulate the proper mix of elements. e.g.._
`ingredients, for the product according to the user's product
`preferences. The server 104 will transmit the proper formu-
`lation to the terminal 102 which will communicate the for-
`mulation to the product 110. The terminal 102 will include a
`communication module 112 for conununicating the formula-
`tion to tl1e product 1 1 0. The communication module 112 may
`include a liardwarc or wireless interface to interface with the
`
`product 110, as will be described in more detail below.
`It is to be understood that the present disclosure may be
`implemented in various forms of hardware, software, firm-
`ware, special purpose processors. or a combination thereof. In
`one embodiment. the present disclosure may be implemented
`in sofiware as an application program tmigibly embodied on
`a program storage device. The application program may be
`uploaded to, and executed by, a machine, e.g. . tenninal 102 or
`server 104. comprising any suitable architecture such as a
`personal computer, a workstation or server. Preferably. the
`machine is implemented on a computer platform having hard-
`ware such as one or more central processing units (CPU). a
`random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM)
`and inputloutput (IEO) interface(s) such as a keyboard. cursor
`control device (eg., a mouse orjoystick) and display device.
`A systetu bus couples the various components and may be any
`of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or
`memory controller, a peripheral bus. and a local bus using any
`ofa variety of bus architectures. The computer platform also
`includes an operating system and micro instruction code. The
`various processes and functions described herein may either
`be part ofthe micro inslrttction code or part of the application
`program (or a combination tltereo 1) which is executed via the
`operating system.
`In addition, various other peripheral devices may be con-
`nected to the computer platform of the machine by various
`interfaces and bus structures. such a parallel port. serial port
`or universal serial bus (U313). One such peripheral device
`may include a conunttnications device. c.g.. a modem. satel-
`lite relay. wireless cotutection. etc.. for enabling communica-
`tions front the terminal 102 to various servers. Other periph-
`eral devices may include additional storage devices. a printer
`and a scanner.
`It is to be further understood that. because some of the
`constituent system components and method steps depicted in
`the accompanying figttres may be implemented in software.
`the actual coruiections between the system components (or
`the process steps) may differ depending upon the manner in
`which the present disclosure is programmed. Given the teach-
`ings ofthe present disclosure provided herein. one ofordinary
`skill iii the related art will be able to contemplate these and
`similar implementations or configurations of tlie present dis-
`closure.
`
`The terminal 102 andfor server 104 may operate in a net-
`worked cnvironment using logical connections to one or more
`remote computers. The remote computer may be a personal
`computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or
`other common network node. and typically includes many or
`all ofthe elements described above relative to the machine. It
`
`is to be appreciated that the network 106 may be a local area
`network (LAN). wide area network ( WAN ), the Internet or
`any known network that couples a plurality of cotnputers to
`enable various modes of communication via network mes-
`
`sages. The terminal 102 may communicate to the server 104
`and network 106 via any known communication link 107. for
`example. dial-up. hardwired. cable. I)SI.., satellite. cellular.
`PCS, wireless transmission (e.g., 802.1 lafbfg, etc.). etc. 1’ur-
`
`ll]
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`3o
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`35
`
`4t":
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`45
`
`50
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`55
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`60
`
`thennore. the devices will communicate using the various
`known protocols such as Transmission Control ProtocoUIn-
`temet Protocol
`(TCPIIP). File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
`Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). etc. During a purchas-
`ing transaction. the computing devices may employ I-Iyper-
`text Transfer Protocol Secure (l l'lTPs)_. Secure Sockets Layer
`(SSL) Protocol. Secure Electronic Transaction (SEC) Proto-
`col, etc.
`Willi reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a system and method of
`the present disclosure will now be described. where FIG. 2
`illustrates a consumer product in accordance with the present
`disclosure and FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for
`creating a cottsultler product according to a tl5et"s specific
`product preferences.
`Initially. i11 step 302. the user purchases andfor acquires the
`product 110. The product 100 will consist of a case covering
`or housing 202. and inside the case covering, the product 110
`includes one or more sealed compartments 204 that are water-
`proofand gas proof. These compartments 204 will contain the
`elements. e.g., fluids andfor solids. to be mixed to produce the
`final product. Each compartment is connected by a small tube
`206 to a chamber 210, eg. a mixing chamber (MC). Each
`tube will include a valve 208, e.g., a microvalve. that will
`control the amount of fluid andfor solid that is dispensed into
`the mixing chamber 210. The nticrovalves 208 will be con-
`trolled by controller 212. e.g.. a microprocessor. Micro Elec-
`tro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) microvalves are known in
`the art and exemplary microvalves are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
`No. 6.592.098 entitled “Microvalve": U.S. Pat. No. 5.989,
`445 entitled “Microchannel System for Fluid Delivery“; U .5‘.
`Pat. No. 6,206,022 entitled “integrated Flow Controller Mod-
`ule” and “Development of a Rapid-Response Flow-Control
`System Using MEMS Microvalve Arrays”. Journal ot'Micro-
`electromechanical Systems. Vol. 13, No 6. December 2004.
`pp. 912-922; the contents of all of which are hereby incorpo-
`rated by referenoe i11 their entireties. In one embodiment. the
`microvalves and controller are fabricated on a single inte-
`grated circuit chip as described in the above reference docu-
`ments.
`
`A communication module (CM) 214 is provided and
`coupled to the controller 212. The communication module
`214 will commttnicate to the controller 212 the speci tic valve
`settings for each valve based on the user's product prefer-
`ences. The product 110 will also contain memory 214. eg.
`random access memory, read only memory, etc._. for storing
`instructions to be exectttcd by the controller 212. As
`instructed by the controller 212. the microvalves 208 will
`release fluids andfor solids from the separate compartments
`204 into the central waterproof and gas proof chamber (MC)
`210. Optionally, the mixing chamber 210 will contain an
`actuator or a mixing device 216. The mixing device 216 will
`be powered by an electric motor or by any other means of
`power. The actuator or mixing device 216 will be coupled to
`the controller 212 and will receive instruction from the com-
`tuunication module 214. The communication module 214
`will tell the controller 212 when and for how long to activate
`the actuator or mixing device 216. Upon activation of the
`actuator 216, the contents of the sealed chamber 210 will be
`mixed. The mixing chamber 2 1 8 will inelttde an exit port 2 18
`for the fluidsfsolids to be dispensed to the user. This exit port
`218 may be a release valve to dispense the tluidsfsolids. or
`another type o fexit point. e.g.. a threaded cylindrical connec-
`tion and cap. that will allow the user to dispense the contents
`of the mixing chamber 21 I}.
`It is to be appreciated that the final mixed product to be
`dispensed from the chamber 210 may in one embodiment be
`a mixture ofelements released from the compartments 204. In
`
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`US 8,788,090 B2
`
`another embodiment, the chamber 210 may include a base
`substance before any element is released into the chamber and
`subsequently elements will be released into the chamber
`based on the uscr’s product preferences.
`After acquiring the product. the user takes the product to a
`computer/terminal 102 to idcltti fy the product (step 304). The
`identification can be by the user entering a barcode 113 ofthe
`product
`into a web site on the global computer network
`((i(.'N) for the prodttct. Alternatively. a scanner 114 is
`coupled to the terminal 102 for reading the barcode I 1 3 on the
`product 110 and automatically directing the user's computer
`to the appropriate web site. In a further embodiment. the
`identifying step could be done with communications between
`the product 110 and the computer 102 via communication
`module 112. e.g.. via WiFiT'“ communications (a.b.d. g. 11.
`etc), l3lt|etooth“'M communications. RF I D eomrnunications_. a
`cable between the product and a communications port on the
`applicable computer (e.g.. USB. Firewire““_. etc.). etc. The
`connntmication module (CM) 2 I 4 will allow the product 110
`to commuriicate with the computer 102 via the protocols
`listed above. The communication module 214 ofproduct 110
`will identify the product make and model and also direct the
`computer 102 to the specific web site on the global computer
`network that applies to the product.
`Next, in step 306. the user will transmit their identity to the
`server 104. In one embodiment, the user's computer will tell
`the product web site residing on the server the user's identity
`through a standard Internet cookie stored on the computer
`102. The server 104 will identify the cookie and. ifthe user’s
`identity is known to the server (step 308), the server 104 will
`use standard lookup database software such as Microsoflm
`SQI. or Oracle“ Database and standard cornpttter processing
`power to locate the user's product preferences (PP) (step
`312). These preferences will be stored ill the server database
`108 cross-referenced by the user's identity.
`If the server 104 cannot locate the user’s identity or the
`user‘s product preferences in the database 108 because the
`user is ttnknown to the database (step 308). the web site and
`corresponding server 104 will communicate with the user's
`computer and transmit a questionnaire to the user for the user
`to fill out to register the user (step 310). The questionnaire will
`prompt the user with questions to determine the user's prod-
`uct preferences. Once the questionnaire is completed. the
`server will use a software algorithm and standard computer
`processing power to determine the user's product prefer-
`ences. e.g.. the proper mix of elements. Once the user's prod-
`uct preferences are determined. the serverwill store this in for-
`mation in a standard database sollware program such as
`Microsoft?“ SQL or Oracle“ Database. cross-referenced to
`the users identity information. Optionally. the server will
`issue an identity code. e.g.. an alphanumeric code. to the user
`to facilitate retrieval of the user‘s product preferences for a
`subsequent purchase.
`Once the user's product preferences are established. the
`server 104 will communicate this information to the user's
`terminal 102 (step 314). Once received at the terminal 102.
`the communication module 112 will transmit this in_‘Fom1ation
`
`through the product container or housing 202 using commu-
`nication protocols including but not limited to Bluetootl1“".
`Wil~"i"V"‘ (a.b.d.g.n. etc). cable. infrared, R1711). voice recogni-
`tion or any other communications medium now known or
`practiced in the future (step 316).
`The communication module 214 on the product 110 will
`receive this information and send the information to the con-
`troller 212. The controller 212 will then instruct the microv—
`alves 208 in the container 202 as to the specific amount of
`fluids and.r‘or solids that should be released into the mixing
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`chamber 210 (step 318). The valves will then open to release
`the Fluids and/or solids into the mixing chamber 210. Once
`released. the fluids andfor solids in the mixing clrainber 210
`may be mixed by the user manually. by actuator 216 powered
`by El motor. or by an alternative means. The user may now use
`the customived product.
`In another embodiment of the present disclosure. the user
`goes to a beverage dispenser. eg.. a soda dispenser or another
`type of beverage dispenser (coffee, liqttor. etc.). The user
`identifies himself to the beverage dispenser. e.g.. by typing in
`a user code on a touch keypad on the dispenser. via a com-
`munications device such as a mobile device having Blue-
`tootl1""“‘_. Wilii'”“_. RFID. etc. capabilities. via a magnetic card
`or by voice recognition. The user enters this identity ir1for—
`mation into the dispenser and the dispenser retrieves the
`user’s product preferences from memory. Alternatively. the
`dispenser comrntmicates the user’s identity information to a
`server on the global computer network (e.g.. the Internet).
`The server then identities the user o f the dispenser and directs
`the dispenser to mix the beverage fiir the user exactly the way
`the user has predetermined that they like to drink the bever-
`age. In the example of soda. the user can and will determine
`the amount of carbonation. the amount of sweetness for the
`beverage. and if any extra llavors. such a lemon or lime. will
`be added to the beverage. The user is then dispensed the
`beverage for consumption.
`The above described embodiment will now be described in
`relation to FIGS. 1. 4 and 5 where FIG. 4 is a beverage
`dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the present
`disclosure and FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a r11ctl1od for
`dispensing a beverage according to a user’s preferences.
`A beverage dispenser 400 to mix and dispense beverages in
`accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 4.
`The dispenser 400 will consist of a housing 402 and a plural-
`ity of compartments 404 for storing elements of the bever-
`ages. for instance. soda syrup. additional flavorings such as
`lemon or lime. additional sweeteners for the beverage. etc.
`The compartments 404 are coupled to a dispensing section
`409 by tubing 406 including valves 408. The valves 408 may
`be any valves known in the art including but not limited to
`electrically actuated valves. pneumatically actuated valves.
`etc. The dispensing section 409 will mix the various elements
`and direct the mixture into a receptacle 411. e.g.. a cup. bottle.
`can. etc. Alternatively. the tubing 406 will led to a mixing
`chamber 410 to mix the various elements before allowing the
`mixture to flow to the dispensing section 409. The dispenser
`400 will further include a water carbonation unit 418 to car-
`
`bonate the beverage and refrigeration system 420 to cool the
`beverage andfor elements contained within the housing 402
`of the dispenser 400. Optionally, the mixing chamber 410
`may include a valve controlling the flow ofthe beverage to the
`dispensing section 409. All ofthe valves 408 will be coupled
`to a controller 412. e.g.. a microprocessor. which will actuate
`each valve independently to control the amount of each ele-
`ment or ingredient
`to be added to the mixture. Storage
`memory 413 in the form ofrandom access memory. read only
`memory. etc._. will be coupled to the controller 412 for storing
`instruction to be executed by the controller.
`The dispenser 400 will further include a conununication
`module (CM) 414 for coupling the dispenser to the global
`computer network. e.g.. the Internet. and ihr enabling com-
`munications between the dispenser 400 and a server residing
`on the Internet. The dispenser 400 will also include a user
`interface module (UIM) 416 for enabling a user to input
`information to the dispenser and to receive information from
`the dispenser. The user interface 111odttle 416 will enable
`cornmtinications between the user and dispenser via a key-
`
`PETITIONER - UNIFIED PATENTS, INC. - EXHIBIT 1001 - Page 9
`PETITIONER — UNIFIED PATENTS, INC. — EXHIBIT 1001 — Page 9
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`US 3,788,090 B2
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`board. voice recognition module, WiFi con1munication (b, d_.
`g. n. etc.), Rf-'Il) communications. infrared communication.
`Bluetooth, or any other type ofcomnrunication now known or
`practiced in the future that will allow the user to identify
`themselves andfor input information to the beverage dis-
`penser. The user interface lnodtlle 416 will also include a
`display screen to relay messages from the controller andfor
`from a server residing on the Internet via the comntunication
`module 414 to the display. This display may be in the form of
`an LCD display. LED display. Plasma display. CRT display.
`or another type of display device currently known or utilized
`in the future. Optionally. the user interface module 416 will
`include a card reader, e.g., a magnetic swipe reader, Rlill)
`card reader, etc.. for reading a card issued to the user. the card
`including the identity of the user. the user’s product prefer-
`ences. credits for pttrchases. etc.
`Referring to FIG. 5. initially. in step 502. a user will go to
`a web site residing on a server 104 on the global computer
`network to register his identity at this site. At the web site. the
`server 104 will communicate with the user's computer 102
`and transmit a questionnaire to the user for the user to fill out
`via a conventional browser interface. e.g.. Microsofim Inter-
`net
`tixplorer. This questionnaire will prompt information
`from the user where once completed. the server will use a
`software algorithm and with standard computer processing
`power to determine the users beverage product preferences
`[BPP] (step 504). Once the user’s beverage product prefer-
`ences (BPP} is detemiined, the server 104 will store this
`information in a standard database software program such as
`Microsoiil-"‘ SQI. or Oracle‘'*'‘* Database, cross-referenced to
`the user's identify information. The server will I11en issue an
`identity code to the user [step 506]. e.g.. an alphanumeric
`code. The identity code may be embedded in an R1’I I) card or
`on a magnetic swipe card. In one embodiment. the identity
`code may be transferred to the user's computer where the user
`may download the code to a mobile device. eg.. a personal
`digital assistant (PDA). mobile phone. etc.. and the mobile
`device will wirelessly transfer the code to the user interface
`module 4 16 andfor the communication module 414 when the
`
`mobile device is within range of the dispenser 400.
`Once the user is ready to dispense a beverage. the user will
`locate a beverage dispenser 400 that is coupled to the com-
`munications network 106. The user will then communicate
`
`the user’s identity to the subject dispenser via the dispenser‘s
`user interface module 416 [step 508]. Contnrunications may
`be in the form of a keyboard. magnetic reader. voice recog-
`nition. Wil-"if-"1 communication (b, d. g. 11, etc.]. RFID com-
`munications. infrared conlmunication. Bluetoot'l1T'“. or any
`other type of communication now known or practiced in the
`future that will allow the user to identify themselves to the
`beveragedispenser. This system and method may also include
`the beverage manufacturer or beverage dispenser company
`isstting to the user an ID card that may have a magnetic stripe
`on the card or another form ofcommunications for the user to
`use to communicate with the user interface module 416 of the
`beverage dispenser 400. As described above. the card may
`have credits for the user to purchase the beverage.
`The beverage dispenser 400 will now use its comn1unica—
`tion module 414 to cornmunicatc with the server 104. Using
`the internal memory 413 of the dispenser 400. the communi-
`cation module 4l4 will be directed to a specilic web site on
`the global computer network and. while at that site, it will
`comnnmicate the user's identity (step 510). The selected web
`site will identify the user's identity and, ifknown to the server
`(step 512), the server will use standard database lookup soft-
`ware such as Microsoft""“ SQL or Oracle'''-'‘'‘ Database and
`standard computer processing power to locate the user‘ s bev-
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`erage product preferences (BPP) {step 516). These beverage
`product preferences (BPP) will be stored in the database 103
`and cross-referenced by the user‘ s identity. e.g. . in the form of
`an Internet cookie from a previous registration session.
`If the server 104 cannot locate the user’s beverage product
`preferences {I3PP) iii the database 108 because Lhc user is
`unknown to the database (step 512). the server 184 will com-
`municate with the beverage dispenser‘s display and send a
`message that the