Abstract: A sensor (105) is placed into the ice bin (110) of a beverage dispenser (180). The sensor can measure the current level (102) of ice in the ice bin and can provide the measured level to a control component (115) of the beverage dispenser. The control component of the beverage dispenser can record the measured level and may selectively activate or deactivate an associated ice maker based on the measured levels (300). When the current level is below a minimum threshold (315), the control component may send a signal to the ice maker that causes it to make ice (320). When the current level is above a maximum threshold (330), the control component may send a signal to the ice maker that causes it to stop making ice (335).

Abstract: A sensor (105) is placed into the ice bin (110) of a beverage dispenser (180). The sensor can measure the current level (102) of ice in the ice bin and can provide the measured level to a control component (115) of the beverage dispenser. The control component of the beverage dispenser can record the measured level and may selectively activate or deactivate an associated ice maker based on the measured levels (300). When the current level is below a minimum threshold (315), the control component may send a signal to the ice maker that causes it to make ice (320). When the current level is above a maximum threshold (330), the control component may send a signal to the ice maker that causes it to stop making ice (335).

Abstract: A beverage dispenser maintains a profile queue with profile data of “close” consumer mobile computing devices. Each profile in the profile queue maintains one or more beverages previously selected by a consumer, such as favorite beverage(s), mixed or blended beverages, and/or past or future beverage order(s). Each profile in the profile queue is additionally associated with a profile identifier, such as a name, screen name, social media picture, avatar, alphanumeric identifier, other such text or graphics recognizable by a consumer to be associated with their corresponding profile. Upon navigation to an appropriate screen on the beverage dispenser, a display on the beverage dispenser shows the profile identifiers or one or more of the previously selected beverages in the profiles of “close” consumer mobile computing devices. In this way, a consumer is able to quickly access their previously selected beverages without actively manipulating their mobile device.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and method for operating a beverage dispenser may include receiving a handshake request from a mobile device of a user. A communications link may be established with the mobile device. Responsive to receiving control data associated with a beverage order from the mobile device, a physical function may be caused to be performed by the beverage dispenser.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and method for operating a beverage dispenser may include receiving a handshake request from a mobile device of a user. A communications link may be established with the mobile device. Responsive to receiving control data associated with a beverage order from the mobile device, a physical function may be caused to be performed by the beverage dispenser.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and method for operating a beverage dispenser may include receiving a handshake request from a mobile device of a user. A communications link may be established with the mobile device. Responsive to receiving control data associated with a beverage order from the mobile device, a physical function may be caused to be performed by the beverage dispenser.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser maintains a profile queue with profile data of “close” consumer mobile computing devices. Each profile in the profile queue maintains one or more beverages previously selected by a consumer, such as favorite beverage(s), mixed or blended beverages, and/or past or future beverage order(s). Each profile in the profile queue is additionally associated with a profile identifier, such as a name, screen name, social media picture, avatar, alphanumeric identifier, other such text or graphics recognizable by a consumer to be associated with their corresponding profile. Upon navigation to an appropriate screen on the beverage dispenser, a display on the beverage dispenser shows the profile identifiers or one or more of the previously selected beverages in the profiles of “close” consumer mobile computing devices. In this way, a consumer is able to quickly access their previously selected beverages without actively manipulating their mobile device.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and method for operating a beverage dispenser may include receiving a handshake request from a mobile device of a user. A communications link may be established with the mobile device. Responsive to receiving control data associated with a beverage order from the mobile device, a physical function may be caused to be performed by the beverage dispenser.