A system and method a method may include receiving (i) beverage composition data of a requested beverage, and (ii) a user identifier of a user requesting the beverage. Responsive to receiving an instruction to dispense the requested beverage, the requested beverage may be dispensed. The beverage composition data may be stored in a dispensed beverage data record. A verification as to whether or not the dispensed beverage is a qualified beverage pour may be performed. Responsive to determining that the dispensed beverage is a qualified beverage pour, a counter may be increased. Responsive to determining that the counter value crosses a threshold value, a first message may be communicated to a mobile electronic device of the user, otherwise, a second message may be communicated to the mobile electronic device. The first or second message may be displayed on the mobile electronic device

A method for operating a beverage dispenser includes: receiving a request to dispense a beverage; receiving information enabling dispensing the beverage from the beverage dispenser for a pre-determined validity period; and checking whether the current time is within the pre-determined validity period, and if so, dispensing the beverage. A method for dispensing a beverage from a beverage dispenser, the method includes the steps of: by a requesting entity: sending a request for issuing first information enabling dispensing beverage from the beverage dispenser for a pre-determined validity period; by an issuing entity: receiving the request for issuing and issuing the first information; by the beverage dispenser: receiving a request for dispensing a beverage and receiving second information regarding the dispensing request; and checking whether the second information matches the first information and whether the current time is within pre-determined validity period, and if so, enabling dispensing the beverage.

Disclosed are various embodiments for dispensing and tracking beverages. An identifier associated with a user can be read by an identification device. Beverage availability information for the user can be determined. The beverage availability information can specify categories of beverages that the user is authorized to dispense. Valves can be selected that correspond to the authorized beverage categories. The valves can be enabled to allow the user to dispense beverages from the authorized beverage categories. The quantity of beverages dispensed can be tracked.

Unattended beverage dispensers configured to dispense one or more beverages after authenticating a customer and associating the customer with a customer account. An unattended beverage dispenser may include a user interface with a biometric sensor configured to identify a biometric characteristic of a customer. A controller associated with the unattended beverage dispenser may authenticate a customer based on a biometric characteristic and associate the authenticated customer with a customer account. After authenticating a customer, the controller may allow beverage dispensing from the unattended beverage dispenser in accordance with a beverage dispensing rule associated with the customer's account.

The disclosed beverage dispensing monitors, systems, and methods help to track, monitor, and analyze data about beverage pours dispensed from one or more beverage dispensers. For example, a beverage dispensing system can have monitors attached to one or more of its beverage dispensing taps so that when a beverage is dispensed at one of the monitored taps, the beverage poured is tracked and analyzed for many reasons like tracking inventory levels for supply and loss purposes and user training and accountability. Various data integrity analyses can be performed and reports can be generated based on the analyzed data included data integrity reports and variance reports. The disclosed systems and methods can interface with a point-of-sale system to reconcile data of inventory and sales transactions.

The disclosed beverage dispensing monitors, systems, and methods help to track, monitor, and analyze data about beverage pours dispensed from one or more beverage dispensing taps. A beverage dispensing system can have monitors attached to one or more of its beverage dispensing taps so that when a beverage is dispensed at one of the monitored taps, the beverage poured is tracked and analyzed for many reasons like tracking inventory levels for supply and loss purposes and user training and accountability. Various data integrity analyzes can be performed and reports can be generated based on the analyzed data included data integrity reports and variance reports. The disclosed systems and methods can interface with a point-of-sale system to reconcile data of inventory and sales transactions.

A touchless tap handle for beverage dispensing is provided that incorporates a spring and ball check valve within a spigot housing. The spigot housing as a male threaded end for connection to a beverage dispensing line. Between the beverage connection and the check valve is a flow control valve having a detachable control mechanism. A system operator can use the control mechanism to calibrate fluid flow. The control mechanism is further fastened or keyed to allow for removal after modifying system flow parameters. A tap handle extension is further provided that can be threadingly affixed to the spigot housing. The tap handle extension specifically does not control operational parameters, which are intended to be initiated through pushbutton control of a pour control system.

Food product dispensing machines and methods for dispensing food product into a cup. The food product dispensing machine includes a cup holder having a target element, a sensor that senses the target element, and a controller. The cup holder is configured to hold a cup such that the cup prevents the sensor from sensing at least a portion of the target element. The controller determines whether a cup is present in the cup holder and/or a size of the cup based on a remaining portion of the target element that is sensed by the sensor when the cup is held by the cup holder. Drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position. An indicator is configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user.

Method of controlling beverage dispensing system suitable for alcoholic beverages. A base unit comprises a control unit, a base-device transceiver in communication with the control unit and at least one visual indicator controlled by the control unit. At least one module is mounted in or on the base unit. The at least one module comprises a dispensing arrangement for dispensing beverage from a beverage reservoir. A computing devise configured to communicate with the base-device transceiver. The method comprises receiving an input from a user at the computing device and sending a dispense instruction signal to the control unit of the base unit via the base-device transceiver. In a dispense event, in response to the control unit of the base unit receiving the dispense instruction signal, at least one visual indicator is controlled to light up the at least one module for a predetermined time period based upon a fixed beverage flowrate and a desired beverage volume. The fixed beverage flowrate is the same for all dispense events relating to a particular module.

Food product dispensing machines and methods for dispensing food product into a cup. The food product dispensing machine includes a cup holder having a target element, a sensor that senses the target element, and a controller. The cup holder is configured to hold a cup such that the cup prevents the sensor from sensing at least a portion of the target element. The controller determines whether a cup is present in the cup holder and/or a size of the cup based on a remaining portion of the target element that is sensed by the sensor when the cup is held by the cup holder. Drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position. An indicator is configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user.