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.

A liquid product distribution network includes a keg distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus associated with a keg. The apparatus includes a radio transmitter device and sensing circuitry for sensing and communicating physical properties associating with the keg. A top or bottom chime of keg physically protects the sensing circuitry during keg distribution in the keg distribution network. The apparatus also includes a battery power supply unit fitted within and protected by the top or bottom chime. The apparatus further includes a unique identifier associated with the sensing and reporting device. The apparatus further includes a mobile communications device is configured to identify the keg based on the unique identifier associated with the sensing and reporting device embedded therein, and receive and process the radiofrequency signals from the radiofrequency signal transmission circuitry of the identified keg passively and without user interaction, for monitoring the physical properties and location of the keg.

A beverage dispenser uses-high ratio concentrates to mix on-demand beverages. The high-ratio concentrate is pre-mixed with an alkaline water to allow for improved blending performance in the final beverage. The beverage recipe may be customized by the user to suit personal tastes. Aspects of the beverage dispenser also may include the ability to dispense room temperature, chilled, heated, sparkling, or highly alkaline beverages. Operation of a user interface to receive a beverage order includes the ability to display and employ user interfaces present on both a display on the beverage dispenser and an application on a mobile device. In some aspects, both user interfaces may be used simultaneously to receive user input. Methods of dispensing a beverage using the beverage dispensing systems are also discussed.

Beverage dispensers, systems, and methods are provided for producing a beverage flavored mixture/solution based on instructions from a mobile device (also referred to as an electronic device) and without requiring a user to touch the beverage dispenser (e.g., reducing the spread of germs through touching shared surfaces). The beverage dispensers, systems, and methods described may also be advantageous in allowing for monitoring of use of a beverage dispenser, billing users, and tracking liquid intake. The beverage dispensers, systems, and methods may enable a greater tracking and control compared to conventional beverage dispensers.

Cooler control system for a beverage dispense system 1 having a beverage line (2) extending from a beverage source to a dispense site via a cooler (6). The cooler control system comprises: a controller (51) for adjusting the cooling of the beverage line; a flow rate sensor (41) measuring the flow rate in the beverage line, a temperature sensor (40); and an electronic control unit (31) for receiving a signal from the temperature sensor and/or the flow rate sensor and sending a signal to said controller. Cooler monitoring system comprising: at least one sensor (45) for monitoring energy consumption of the cooler (6); and an electronic control unit for receiving a signal from the at least one energy consumption sensor and for sending a signal to a remote location when energy consumption increases above a predetermined maximum value.

Embodiments of the disclosure include systems and methods for providing dynamic ingredient matrix reconfiguration in a product dispenser. In one example, a method for configuring a dispenser apparatus may include determining one or more current associations between some or all of a plurality of ingredient packages and one or more of a plurality of dispensing devices associated with the dispenser apparatus. The method may include determining whether a current association of the one or more current associations has changed with respect to at least one previous association between some or all of the plurality of ingredient packages and one or more of the plurality of dispensing devices, and in response to ascertaining that the current association has changed, modifying an association table based at least on the one or more current associations, the association table being representative of the at least one previous association.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for dispensing consumable products. An example method may include generating, at a controller associated with a beverage dispenser, a beverage composition record for a beverage that is formulated via an ingredient matrix and dispensed at the beverage dispenser, where the ingredient matrix comprises multiple ingredient packages each comprising a beverage ingredient. The method may include writing depletion data to the ingredient package or to a data processing device associated with the ingredient package for each ingredient package from which a beverage ingredient was included in the dispensed beverage, wherein the depletion data is based at least in part on the beverage composition record.

A beverage dispensing system provides a product metering system, a dispenser and a control system for operatively controlling dispensing, metering, delivering and reporting of dispensed product. Authentication, authorization and control operation are distributed in a cloud based control through a wide area network. The dispenser includes sensor to identifying objects and filter out movements that are not interpreted as requests for dispensing. A local controller operates the metering and dispensing, combining inputs from the hardware level sensors and applying logic and rules from the remote cloud level. The instant abstract neither defines the invention disclosed in this specification nor limits the invention scope in any way.

Systems and methods for dispensing consumable liquids are disclosed. An example networked system includes a server and a plurality of beverage dispenser stations. Each of the beverage dispenser stations includes a filler including a filler outlet configured to deliver a beverage into a container, an RFID reader configured to read an RFID tag fixed to a water filter through which water for the beverage is to flow, and a controller. The controller is configured determine a duration-of-use of the water filter and a volume of water that has passed through the water filter. Each of the beverage dispenser stations also includes a network communications interface configured to communicate the duration-of-use and the volume of water to the networked administrative server to track use of the water filter among the plurality of beverage dispenser stations.

Kegs of beer may be connected in parallel alongside one or more valves that connect to a flushing fluid supply. When a beer is selected, the associated beer valve opens so that beer can be dispensed. After a pour is completed, the system automatically flushes the beverage tubing line clean by opening a flushing fluid valve, allowing flushing fluid to cleanse the line. This flushing of the line enables the system to dispense a beer from a recently flushed line for each pour, and/or dispense many different beers because leftovers of a beer from an earlier pour do not contaminate the line for later pours. The system is also configured to measure the time poured based on information from a sensor in a dispenser (e.g., a tap handle). The time poured and a measured flow rate are used to calculate the total price to charge a customer for the beer.