Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. In one embodiment, a system comprising a product dispenser and processor can be provided. The processor can be operable to execute a set of instructions operable to receive a consumer preference to receive a notification associated with a product. The set of instructions can be further operable to determine whether the product is being offered, and based at least in part on the consumer preference, notify the consumer regarding availability of the product from the product dispenser.

Abstract: A system for implementing a loyalty program includes a personal terminal, an interaction terminal, and a loyalty module. The personal terminal may be associated with a user. The interaction terminal may be associated with a product or service. The interaction terminal and the personal terminal may be operable to establish a communication when in proximity of each other. The loyalty module may be operable to provide a benefit to the user in response to the communication. The benefit may be provided without regard to whether the user obtained or purchased the product or service.

Abstract: A product dispenser for use with a container. The product dispenser may include a container motion detector to detect the container in motion, a graphical user interface, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor receives a plurality of data associated with the container in motion from the container motion detector and implements instructions that perform the steps of determining the motion of the container, enabling a user to interact with the graphical user interface, and allowing the user to rotate or move the container to select a product type from the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method of making a beverage in a beverage making machine includes inserting at least one of a first beverage making cartridge, into the beverage making machine, the first beverage making cartridge includes a gas source portion which includes a solid gas source that through sublimation emits a gas, and pressurizing a gas storage tank arranged to store the gas. The method further includes inserting at least one of a second beverage making cartridge, into the beverage making machine, the second beverage making cartridge includes at least one of a beverage ingredient, supplying a beverage diluent liquid into a beverage diluent receptacle, dissolving the gas, from the gas storage tank, into the beverage diluent liquid; and dispensing selectively a predefined ratio of the beverage ingredient and the beverage diluent liquid to form a beverage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for facilitating consumer-dispenser interactions. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a reader configured to read a machine readable item. In addition, the product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the reader, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive information from the machine readable item associated with a consumer via the reader. Moreover, the controller can be further operable to execute a set of instructions to configure at least one characteristic based at least in part on the information from the machine readable item, and dispense a product.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. One embodiment of the invention can provide a product dispenser. The product dispenser can include an ingredient matrix operable to receive a plurality of product ingredients. In addition, the product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the ingredient matrix, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive product data associated with the plurality of product ingredients. Moreover, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions to track usage of the plurality of product ingredients when at least one product is dispensed. Furthermore, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions to update the product data during or after dispensing of a product or installation of one or more product ingredients in the ingredient matrix.

Abstract: A beverage making cartridge for use in a beverage making machine includes a beverage making cartridge enclosure comprising a gas source portion, the gas source portion further including a solid gas source that through sublimation emits a gas, and a one-way vent arranged in the beverage making cartridge enclosure vents the gas emitted from the solid gas source, such that it can be captured and stored in a gas storage tank, wherein the gas from the gas storage tank is dissolved in a beverage diluent liquid and mixed with at least one of a beverage ingredient to form the beverage. Exemplary embodiment includes a dispenser attached to the beverage making cartridge, the dispenser dispenses the beverage diluent liquid and the beverage ingredient to form a beverage.

Abstract: A method of making a beverage in a beverage making machine, the method increasing the retained volume of a gas in the beverage after dispense into a vessel, by mixing a beverage diluent liquid with at least one of a beverage ingredient to form an enhanced beverage diluent liquid, and then dissolving the gas into the enhanced beverage diluent liquid versus dissolving the gas into the beverage diluent liquid only. The method includes mixing on inlet into a dissolver the beverage diluent liquid and a beverage ingredient to form an enhanced beverage diluent liquid, the beverage ingredient being sweetener or non-nutritive sweetener, or a combination thereof, dissolving the gas into the enhanced beverage diluent liquid, mixing the enhanced beverage diluent liquid with additional beverage ingredients, and dispensing the beverage from the beverage making machine into a vessel.

Abstract: A method of making a beverage in a beverage making machine includes filling a beverage diluent receptacle with a beverage diluent liquid, a beverage making cartridge further comprising at least one of a beverage ingredient, and the beverage diluent receptacle, and storing the beverage making cartridge in a refrigerated appliance separate from the beverage making machine, wherein at least the beverage diluent liquid is chilled. The method further preparing a beverage by retrieving the beverage cartridge form the refrigerated appliance, inserting the beverage making cartridge, into the beverage making machine, and dispensing selectively a predefined ratio of the beverage ingredient and a beverage diluent liquid to form the beverage.

Abstract: A beverage making machine includes a beverage diluent receptacle for storing a beverage diluent liquid. The beverage making machine further includes a beverage making cartridge includes at least one of a beverage ingredient, the beverage making cartridge is arranged to receive at least portion of the beverage diluent liquid, and a dispenser selectively dispenses a predefined ratio of the beverage ingredient and the beverage diluent liquid to form a beverage. Exemplary embodiments include a gas source portion, the gas source portion contains a solid gas source that through sublimation emits a gas, wherein the gas source portion is arranged to thermally couple the cold surface temperature of the solid gas source to the beverage diluent receptacle, cooling the beverage diluent liquid.

Abstract: A beverage making machine includes a first beverage making cartridge including at least one of a gas source portion, the gas source portion contains a solid gas source that through sublimation emits a gas, and a gas storage tank arranged to store the gas emitted from the solid gas source. The beverage making machine further includes a second beverage making cartridge includes at least one of a beverage ingredient, a beverage diluent receptacle for receiving a beverage diluent liquid, a dissolver dissolves portion of the gas, from the gas storage tank, into the beverage diluent liquid, and a dispenser selectively dispenses a predefined ratio of at least one of the beverage ingredient and the beverage diluent liquid, to form a beverage. Exemplary embodiments include a computer control arranged to receive a beverage selection from a consumer and control the beverage making machine to form beverages.

Abstract: A method of supplying consumables to a beverage making machine includes receiving at least one of a beverage making cartridge including at least a solid gas source shipped by way of a no-high-pressure-gas-allowed-delivery-service to the consumer, the solid gas source through sublimation emits a gas, inserting the beverage making cartridge, into a beverage making machine, pressurizing a gas storage tank arranged to store the gas, the beverage making machine further including the gas storage tank, and utilizing the gas to form a plurality of beverages. Exemplary embodiments include sending a notification to a consumer wireless device, and allowing the consumer to reorder by way of the consumer wireless device.

Abstract: A beverage making cartridge for use in a beverage making machine includes making cartridge comprising a beverage making cartridge enclosure further comprising a gas source portion further comprising a solid gas source, that through sublimation, emits a gas to be dissolved in a beverage diluent liquid and a beverage ingredient portion further including a beverage ingredient, the beverage ingredient is dispensed and mixed in a pre-defined volumetric ratio with the beverage diluent liquid to form a beverage.

Abstract: A method of producing aroma enhanced gas for use in a beverage making machine, to make a beverage, includes producing an enhanced aroma solid gas source using at least an enhancing compound as part of an ingredient, forming an aroma precipitate through conversion of an aroma vapor released during a preparation process which utilizes at least the ingredient, and mixing predefined ratio of the aroma precipitate with a solid gas source to form an aroma enhanced solid gas source. Exemplary embodiments include allowing the aroma enhanced solid gas source to sublimate emitting an aroma enhanced gas, dissolving a portion of the aroma enhanced gas into the beverage diluent liquid, and mixing the beverage diluent liquid in predefined ratio with at least one of a beverage ingredient to form a beverage.

Abstract: A method of rewarding loyalty of a user may include providing a personal terminal to the user, detecting whether the personal terminal is within proximity of an interaction terminal, and based at least in part on the proximity of the personal terminal to the interaction terminal, providing a benefit to the user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. In one embodiment, a system comprising a product dispenser and processor can be provided. The processor can be operable to execute a set of instructions operable to receive a consumer preference to receive a notification associated with a product. The set of instructions can be further operable to determine whether the product is being offered, and based at least in part on the consumer preference, notify the consumer regarding availability of the product from the product dispenser.

Abstract: A method for managing orders and dispensing products into a container. The method may include the steps of prompting a user selection of a product type at an order entry station, printing indicia on the container indicating at least the product type selected, reading the indicia at a product dispensing station, and dispensing the product type selected into the container.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a server includes a memory device and a processor configured to execute a set of instructions to communicate with a property management system, wherein the server receives transaction data from the property management system, the transaction data associated with a transaction and comprising a transaction type or a transaction class. The processor may inspect each transaction type or transaction class, compare each transaction type or transaction class to one or more allowed transaction types or transaction classes, and communicate approval of the respective transaction when the transaction type or transaction class has been previously approved to perform with the property management system.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method which effectuates an interactive interface and protocol for interfacing a payment module (system 500) to and data communicating with a computing platform (computing platform 802), wherein the computing platform can elect to control by way of the interactive interface and protocol a vending transaction cycle or alternatively elect to monitor the payment module by way of the interactive interface and protocol allowing the payment module to control a vending transaction cycle.