U.S. patent application number 16/215378 was filed with the patent office on 2019-04-11 for customizing beverage profiles for a user.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jooster IP AG. Invention is credited to John CRONIN, Michael Glynn D'Andrea, Steven Matthew PHILBIN, Dylan Jonathan Wilson.
Application Number | 20190106313 16/215378 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59625492 |
Filed Date | 2019-04-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190106313 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CRONIN; John ; et
al. |
April 11, 2019 |
CUSTOMIZING BEVERAGE PROFILES FOR A USER
Abstract
Systems and methods for customizing beverage profiles and
associated consumption programs, such as customizing smoothie pods
to be used in making smoothies and other beverages, are described.
For example, the systems and methods may receive or obtain
information associated with a user's previous, current, and/or
future activities (e.g., workouts or training sessions), a user's
sleep activities, a user's current mental acuity or sharpness, a
user's health or fitness, and so on, and determine or create a
beverage profile for the user based on the information for the
user. Further, the systems and methods may communicate and/or
facilitate interactions with various online health or wellness
programs.
Inventors: |
CRONIN; John; (Bonita
Springs, FL) ; Wilson; Dylan Jonathan; (Sarasota,
FL) ; PHILBIN; Steven Matthew; (Livermoore, CA)
; D'Andrea; Michael Glynn; (Burlington, VT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jooster IP AG |
Bielbenken BL |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
59625492 |
Appl. No.: |
16/215378 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16105709 |
Aug 20, 2018 |
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16215378 |
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PCT/US2017/018494 |
Feb 17, 2017 |
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16105709 |
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62297632 |
Feb 19, 2016 |
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62297644 |
Feb 19, 2016 |
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62296851 |
Feb 18, 2016 |
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62297716 |
Feb 19, 2016 |
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62296814 |
Feb 18, 2016 |
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62296844 |
Feb 18, 2016 |
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62297711 |
Feb 19, 2016 |
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62297009 |
Feb 18, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/04847 20130101;
A23L 2/14 20130101; A23L 2/52 20130101; A63B 2024/0068 20130101;
A47J 31/4407 20130101; A63B 24/0062 20130101; G06F 3/0482 20130101;
B65D 85/8043 20130101; A47J 31/401 20130101; A61B 5/4866 20130101;
A47J 31/005 20130101; F25D 29/00 20130101; A63B 2024/0065 20130101;
B67D 1/00 20130101; F25D 2400/361 20130101; A61B 5/162 20130101;
B67D 1/0078 20130101; A61B 5/4815 20130101; A47J 31/404 20130101;
A61B 5/1118 20130101; A47J 31/521 20180801; B65D 51/2807 20130101;
A47J 31/525 20180801; A61B 2503/12 20130101; B67D 1/0042 20130101;
F25D 23/126 20130101; A23L 2/12 20130101; A23V 2002/00 20130101;
B67D 1/0021 20130101; A47J 31/407 20130101; B65D 25/08 20130101;
B65D 85/8046 20130101; A23L 2/385 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B67D 1/00 20060101
B67D001/00; F25D 23/12 20060101 F25D023/12; F25D 29/00 20060101
F25D029/00; B65D 85/804 20060101 B65D085/804; G06F 3/0482 20060101
G06F003/0482; A23L 2/52 20060101 A23L002/52; A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00; A61B 5/16 20060101 A61B005/16; A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00; A47J 31/52 20060101 A47J031/52; A61B 5/11 20060101
A61B005/11; A23L 2/12 20060101 A23L002/12; A47J 31/44 20060101
A47J031/44; A47J 31/40 20060101 A47J031/40; G06F 3/0484 20060101
G06F003/0484 |
Claims
1. A system, comprising: at least one processor; at least one data
storage device coupled to the at least one processor and storing
instructions for implementing a method, the method comprising:
collecting information associated with a user's workout routine or
physical activity; determining a workout score based on the
collected information; matching the workout score to one or more
beverage profiles associated with beverages to be consumed by the
user; and making, at an automated beverage machine, a beverage
having ingredients based on the one or more beverage profiles.
2. The system claim 1, wherein the automated beverage machine makes
beverages from beverage pods provided to the automated beverage
machine.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the implemented method further
comprises: receiving information identifying a health goal for the
user; matching the health goal to the one or more beverage
profiles; and making a beverage having ingredients based on a
beverage profile that matches the workout score and the information
identifying the health goal for the user.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein matching the workout score to one
or more beverage profiles associated with beverages to be consumed
by the user includes identifying information stored in a database
of the automated beverage machine that represents the one or more
beverage profiles associated with the workout score.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein making a beverage having
ingredients based on the one or more beverage profiles includes
making a smoothie having the beverage profile.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein determining a workout score based
on the collected information includes determining a workout score
based on a number of calories burned by the user during a completed
workout routine or physical activity.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein determining a workout score based
on the collected information includes determining a workout score
based on a number of calories expected to be burned during an
upcoming workout routine or physical activity.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein determining a workout score based
on the collected information includes determining a workout score
based on one or more activity metrics measured associated with the
workout routine or physical activity.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This divisional application is a division of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/105,709, filed Aug. 20, 2018, entitled
"CUSTOMIZING BEVERAGE PROFILES FOR A USER" which is a bypass
continuation of Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No.:
PCT/US2017/018494, filed on Feb. 17, 2017, entitled "CUSTOMIZING
BEVERAGE PROFILES FOR A USER", which claims priority to the
following U.S. Provisional Patent Applications: U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/296,814 filed on Feb. 18, 2016, entitled
"PROVIDING A USER INTERFACE FOR CUSTOMIZING BEVERAGE PROFILES;"
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/296,844 filed on Feb.
18, 2016, entitled "REFRIGERATOR WITH POD-BASED BEVERAGE
DISPENSER;" U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/296,851
filed Feb. 18, 2016, entitled "CUSTOMIZING BEVERAGE PROFILES TO
USER SLEEP CYCLES;" U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/297,009 filed Feb. 18, 2016, entitled "RECOMMENDING
MODIFICATIONS TO USER-CREATED BEVERAGE PROFILES;" U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/297,644 filed Feb. 19, 2016, entitled
"CUSTOMIZING BEVERAGE PROFILES TO USER MENTAL ACUITY;" U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/297,711 filed Feb. 19, 2016,
entitled "PORTABLE, POD-BASED SMOOTHIE MAKER;" U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/297,716 filed Feb. 19, 2016, entitled
"CUSTOMIZING BEVERAGE PROFILES TO USER WELLNESS PROGRAMS;" and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/297,632 filed Feb. 19, 2016,
entitled "CUSTOMIZING BEVERAGE PROFILES TO USER ACTIVITIES;" each
of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] There are numerous retailers, distributors, and companies
that attempt to target users with supplements, beverages, and other
nutritional foods or drinks. However, most of these products are
pre-made and generic to a certain population of users and/or for a
certain purpose. For example, companies sports drinks to assist the
performance of a generic user during activities, and retailers sell
smoothies that promote certain health benefits to a large
population of users.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Embodiments of the disclosed technology will be described
and explained through the use of the accompanying drawings.
[0004] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a suitable computing
environment for providing beverages having customized beverage
profiles to a user.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for making a
beverage for a user that is based on mental or physical
characteristics of a user.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a suitable computing
environment for providing customized beverages to users based on
activities of the users.
[0007] FIG. 4A is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
preparing a beverage for a user based on activity information
associated with the user.
[0008] FIG. 4B is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
determining a beverage recommendation that is based on user
activity information.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a display diagram illustrating a user interface
that displays recommended beverages to a user based on activities
of the user.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a suitable computing
environment for providing customized beverages to users based on
sleep activities of the users.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
determining a beverage recommendation for a user based on sleep
information associated with the user.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a display diagram illustrating a user interface
that displays recommended beverages to a user based on sleep
information of the user.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a suitable computing
environment for providing customized beverages to users based on
mental acuity information for the users.
[0014] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
determining a beverage recommendation based on user performance on
one or more acuity tests before and after consuming a customized
beverage.
[0015] FIG. 11A is a display diagram illustrating a user interface
that present a mental acuity test for a user.
[0016] FIG. 11B is a display diagram illustrating a user interface
that displays recommended beverages to a user based on test
performance for a user.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a suitable computing
environment for providing customized beverages to users of online
wellness programs.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating components of a
beverage network system that interacts online wellness
programs.
[0019] FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
determining a beverage recommendation for a user of an online
wellness program.
[0020] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
determining a nutritional profile for a user.
[0021] FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for
determining a customized beverage for a user based on the user's
nutritional profile.
[0022] FIG. 17 is a display diagram illustrating a user interface
that presents recommended beverages to a user and facilitates
making and ordering of beverages on behalf of the user.
[0023] The drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale.
Similarly, some components and/or operations may be separated into
different blocks or combined into a single block for the purposes
of discussion of some of the embodiments of the present technology.
Moreover, while the technology is amenable to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way
of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The
intention, however, is not to limit the technology to the
particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the technology
is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the scope of the technology as defined
by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Overview
[0024] Systems and methods for customizing beverage profiles and
associated consumption programs, such as customizing smoothie pods
to be used in making smoothies and other beverages, are described.
For example, the systems and methods may receive or obtain
information associated with a user's previous, current, and/or
future activities (e.g., workouts or training sessions), a user's
sleep activities, a user's current mental acuity or sharpness, a
user's health or fitness, and so on, and determine or create a
beverage profile for the user based on the information for the
user.
[0025] The systems and methods may make beverages (e.g., smoothies
or other drinks) and/or order or create smoothie pods (e.g.,
containers of ingredients used when making a beverage) having the
beverage profile. The systems and methods, therefore, may provide
the user with a customized smoothie or other beverage that includes
ingredients useful in improving, benefiting, or mitigating the
user's health, performance, mental state, and/or other
characteristics or states, among other benefits.
Suitable Computing Environment
[0026] As described herein, the systems and methods customize
beverage profiles for users based on various aspects or
characteristics associated with the users, and create or customize
smoothie pods having ingredients that include the customized
beverage profiles. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a
suitable computing environment 100 for providing beverages having
customized beverage profiles to a user.
[0027] The computing environment 100 includes a user device 110
(having a user interface 1 12), such as a mobile device, which may
be paired with a user wearable device 115 or peripheral configured
to capture and/or measure information associated with the user. A
beverage machine 120, such as a machine, device, or refrigerator
configured to create beverages from pods or other ingredients
sources, may be directly connected to the user device 110 or
wearable device 115, or may communicate with the user device 110,
the wearable device 115, or other devices, systems, and/or servers
over a network 125, such as the Internet.
[0028] The beverage machine 120, therefore, may include a
communication component 126 that facilitates communicating with
various devices over the network 125, a user interface component
122 that renders, displays, and/or presents information to users
via a display, such as a graphical user interface (GUI), and/or
receives input from users via the display or via various manual
controls of the beverage machine 120. The beverage machine 124 also
includes a beverage making device 122, such as a blender or other
pod-based beverage creating or making devices.
[0029] For example, the beverage making device 122 may be
configured to extract contents (e.g., ingredients) within a
beverage pod, such as a smoothie pod, and mix or combine the
extracted contents with various liquids or other mixing substances,
such as water, ice, milk, and so on, based on received or stored
programs, recipes, and/or instructions. The beverage pods may be
pods or cartridges containing specific mixtures of ingredients. For
example, a pod may include a mixture of various freeze dried fruits
(e.g., freeze dried bananas, strawberries, blueberries, mango, and
so on), freeze dried vegetables (e.g., kale, spinach, beets, and so
on), additive powders (e.g., protein powders, powdered greens),
oils, seeds, supplements, flavors, and so on. In some cases, a pod
may include a mixture of many different ingredients. In other
cases, the pod may include one or more ingredients.
[0030] A beverage profile determination server 130 may support
and/or provide a "beverage network" or other cloud-based systems
that perform various actions or functions to determine or create
beverage profile recommendations for users. For example, the server
130, which may communicate with the beverage machine 120, the user
device 110, and/or the wearable device 115 over the network 125,
may include various different systems configured to access,
receive, obtain, or retrieve certain information about a user
(e.g., activity or health information), and generate beverage
profiles for beverages targeted to the user based on the
information about the users.
[0031] Example systems, which are discussed in greater detail
herein, include a user activity system 135 configured to generate
to determine beverage profiles for beverages based on activity
information associated with a user, a user sleep system 140
configured to generate or determine beverage profiles for beverages
based on sleep activity associated with the user, and a user acuity
system 145 configured to generate or determine beverage profiles
for beverages based on mental acuity information measured for a
user.
[0032] A beverage network system 150 may be part of, or associated
with, the server 130 and its various beverage profile
recommendation systems. The beverage network system 150 may
facilitate interactions between the systems of the server 130 and
one or more online health systems 160, such as online wellness
programs, online health monitoring systems, medical or doctor
partner networks, and so on. Thus, in some embodiments, various
third party systems, such as the online system 160, may access the
operations of the server 130 via one or more Software As A Service
(SaaS) interfaces provided by the beverage network system 150.
[0033] Further details regarding the systems, devices, methods, and
routines utilized to provide and/or implement various aspects of
the computing environment 100 will be described herein. The
drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Similarly, some
components and/or operations may be separated into different blocks
or combined into a single block for the purposes of discussion of
some of the embodiments of the present technology. Moreover, while
the technology is amenable to various modifications and alternative
forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in
the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention,
however, is not to limit the technology to the particular
embodiments described. On the contrary, the technology is intended
to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling
within the scope of the technology as defined by the appended
claims.
[0034] FIG. 1 and the discussion herein provide a brief, general
description of the suitable computing environment 100 in which the
system can be supported and implemented. Although not required,
aspects of the system are described in the general context of
computer-executable instructions, such as routines executed by a
general-purpose computer, e.g., mobile device, a server computer,
or personal computer. Those skilled in the relevant art will
appreciate that the system can be practiced with other
communications, data processing, or computer system configurations,
including: Internet appliances, hand-held devices (including tablet
computers and/or personal digital assistants (PDAs)), all manner of
cellular or mobile phones, multi-processor systems,
microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, set-top
boxes, network PCs, mini-computers, mainframe computers, and the
like. Indeed, the terms "computer," "host," and "host computer,"
and "mobile device" and "handset" are generally used
interchangeably herein, and refer to any of the above devices and
systems, as well as any data processor.
[0035] Aspects of the system can be embodied in a special purpose
computing device or data processor that is specifically programmed,
configured, or constructed to perform one or more of the
computer-executable instructions explained in detail herein.
Aspects of the system may also be practiced in distributed
computing environments where tasks or modules are performed by
remote processing devices, which are linked through a
communications network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide
Area Network (WAN), or the Internet. In a distributed computing
environment, program modules may be located in both local and
remote memory storage devices.
[0036] Aspects of the system may be stored or distributed on
computer-readable media (e.g., physical and/or tangible
non-transitory computer-readable storage media), including
magnetically or optically readable computer discs, hard-wired or
preprogrammed chips (e.g., EEPROM semiconductor chips),
nanotechnology memory, or other data storage media. Indeed,
computer implemented instructions, data structures, screen
displays, and other data under aspects of the system may be
distributed over the Internet or over other networks (including
wireless networks), on a propagated signal on a propagation medium
(e.g., an electromagnetic wave(s), a sound wave, etc.) over a
period of time, or they may be provided on any analog or digital
network (packet switched, circuit switched, or other scheme). Those
skilled in the relevant art will recognize that portions of the
system reside on a server computer, while corresponding portions
reside on a client computer such as a mobile or portable device,
and thus, while certain hardware platforms are described herein,
aspects of the system are equally applicable to nodes on a network.
In an alternative embodiment, the mobile device or portable device
may represent the server portion, while the server may represent
the client portion.
[0037] As described herein, the beverage profile determination
server 130, therefore, may perform various processes, methods, or
operations when creating and/or making beverages (e.g., customized
pod-based smoothies) for users. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram
illustrating a method 200 for making a beverage for a user that is
based on mental or physical characteristics of a user. Aspects of
the method 200 may be performed by the beverage profile
determination server 130 and, accordingly, is described herein
merely by way of reference thereto. It will be appreciated that the
method 200 may be performed on any suitable hardware.
[0038] In operation 210, the server 130 accessed information
associated with a user's physical or mental characteristics. For
example, the server 130, via one or more associated systems, may
access user activity information, user sleep activity information,
mental acuity information, and so on, measured or provided by the
user device 110, the wearable device 115, and/or the beverage
machine 120 (e.g., input by the user to the GUI 122 of the machine
122).
[0039] In operation 220, the server 130 matches the accessed
information to a beverage profile associated with a beverage, such
as a smoothie. For example, the server 130 may compare the user
information to information associated with different ingredients,
additives, and so on, and generate identify one or more beverage
profiles (e.g., mixtures of ingredients at certain quantities) that
match or are otherwise associated with the user information. The
server 130 may then provide the one or more beverage profiles to
the beverage machine 120.
[0040] In operation 230, the machine 120 mates a beverage having
the beverage profile that matched the user information. For
example, using instructions (e.g., beverage profiles) received from
the server 130, the beverage making device 124 of the beverage
machine 120 may select one or more beverage pods whose contents
include ingredients that represent the beverage profile, and make
the beverage using the contents of the pods. In some cases, the
machine 120 may order the beverage pods, and make the beverages
once the pods are received and provided to the machine 120.
[0041] Therefore, in some embodiments, the beverage profile
determination server 130 performs various processes for
identifying, determining, recommending, and/or suggesting
beverages, such as smoothies, to users based on various aspects
associated with the users. The following sections describe, in
greater detail, the different systems supported by the server
130.
Examples of Customizing Beverages Based on User Activities
[0042] As described herein, in some embodiments, the systems and
methods determine and/or generate customized beverage profiles and
associated consumption programs based on user activities, such as
current or predicted workout routines, and other exercises or
activities. For example, the systems and methods may provide an
automated beverage machine (e.g., smoothie maker or other beverage
machine 120, which makes smoothies from ingredients contained in
smoothie pods) configured to receive information associated with a
user's activities, such as workout routines, exercises, and so
on.
[0043] In some embodiments, the beverage machine 120 or other
devices 110, 115 may collect information associated with a user's
workout routine and/or physical activity, transmit the collected
information to the server 130 over the network 125, and calculate,
via the user activity system 135, an estimated loss in calories,
vitamins, carbohydrates, and so on, due to the activity/workout
that was performed or scheduled to be performed.
[0044] The user activity system 135 receives the values, such as
the estimated deficiencies, matches the identified deficiencies
with beverage available and desirable to the user (e.g., for weight
loss users, beverages that maintain a net loss of calories), and
sends a list of beverages that include beverage profiles associated
with satisfying or meeting the user's deficiencies due to the
completed, running, or planned activities. The machine 120 and/or
user device 110 may display the list of beverages via an associated
GUI, and make (or, order) a beverage selected by the user.
[0045] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a suitable computing
environment 300 for providing customized beverages to users based
on activities of the users. As described herein, the user activity
system 135, located at or within the beverage profile determination
server 140, communicates over the network 125 with the beverage
machine 120, the user device 110, and/or one or more wearable or
peripheral devices 115 associated with the user.
[0046] For example, the wearable devices 115 may include smart
watches, activity monitors, heart rate monitors, peripheral
devices, and so on. The measured activity levels and/or parameters
may include steps taken by a user, a user's heart rate, distance
walked or ran by the user, calories burned (or estimated to be
burned), temperature of the user, physical characteristics during
the activity, and so on. Also, in some cases, the device 115, or
another device, may be a connected workout machine (e.g.,
treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike, and so on) that
communicates workout data for the user to the user device 110,
beverage machine 120, and/or server 130.
[0047] In addition, health data may be provided by or to the user
device 110, such as a smartphone, where a user is tracking his/her
food intake, and determines suitable intake levels of calories,
carbohydrates, fats, proteins, or other nutrients. The user may log
caloric/food intake over the course of the day (type of food,
quantity size, time of day, and so on), and the user, via the user
device 110, may upload or sent the logged data to the beverage
machine 120 or user activity system 135, which performs utilizes
the various information to determine recommendations associated
with one or more beverages for consumption by the user.
[0048] In some embodiments, the beverage machine 120 includes
various operating software programs, located in the machine's
memory, which may gather incoming data and transmit the data to
various remote or networked systems, such as the user activity
system 135. As described herein, the external devices (e.g., a
mobile phone 110, wearable device 115, smart workout machine, or
other user device), captures and sends data associated with the
user's workout or activity level to the machine 120. The beverage
machine 120 may receive the data via a wireless connection (e.g.,
via network 125) through the use of a plug-in device (e.g., USB
stick, SD card, and so on), via direct communication channels
(e.g., Bluetooth), and so on.
[0049] The beverage machine 120 receives the data via the
communication component or port 126. When a user interacts with the
machine 120, via a user GUI provided by the user interface
component 122, the information is loaded, and if a suitable option
presented by the user GUI screen is selected by the user, the data
is transferred to the user activity system 135, which generates
beverage scores or other metrics. For example, the system 135, via
a determination module 320, compares the beverage scores to
beverages stored in a beverage database 330, and then, via a
recommendation module 310, recommends beverages that match the
beverage scores by sending information to the beverage machine 120.
The beverage machine 120, via the GUI, displays user-selectable
options for the user that represent the recommended beverages.
[0050] Therefore, the user activity system 135 performs various
processes or methods when preparing beverages for a user based on
the user's activities. FIG. 4A is a flow diagram illustrating a
method 400 for preparing a beverage for a user based on activity
information associated with the user. Aspects of the method 400 may
be performed by the beverage machine 120 and, accordingly, is
described herein merely by way of reference thereto. It will be
appreciated that the method 400 may be performed on any suitable
hardware.
[0051] In operation 405, the machine 120 receives a user request
for a beverage, such as a smoothie or other drink. For example, the
machine 120 stay receive a user selection of one or more options
displayed by a GUI of the machine 120 and/or the user device
110.
[0052] In operation 410, the machine 120 determines whether the
request includes a request or indication of user activity
information. If the request does not include user activity
information (or, an indication to utilize user activity
information), the method 400 proceeds to operation 415, and the
machine displays a complete list of beverages available to the
user, such as beverages available to be made at that time by the
machine 120.
[0053] If the request does include a request or indication of user
activity information, the method 400 proceeds to operation 420, and
the machine 120 determines whether user activity information has
been received or provided by the user. If no user activity
information has been received, the method 400 proceeds to operation
412, and the machine 120, via the GUI, prompts the user to provide
activity information (e.g., manually or via an associate device).
If the user activity information has been received, the method 400
proceeds to operation 425, and the machine 120 transmits the
received or accessed user activity information to the
recommendation module or system 310 of the user activity system
135.
[0054] In operation 430, the machine 120 receives one or more
beverage recommendations from the recommendation module or system
310, such as indications of beverages having beverage profile
information that matched the user activity information. In
operation 435, the machine 120 displays a list of the recommended
beverages to the user, via the machine 120 GUI.
[0055] In operation 440, the machine 120 determines that the user
has selected one or more displayed beverages, either from a
presented list of all available beverages (via operation 415)
and/or from a presented list of recommended beverages operation
440), and, in operation 445, prepares or makes the selected
beverage using the beverage making device 124 and one or more
beverage pods that include ingredients matching the selected
beverage.
[0056] As described herein, in some embodiments, the user activity
system 135 may perform various processes to compare and match user
activity information to one or more beverage profiles that
represent beverages to be made by the machine 120 and consumed by
the user. FIG. 4B is a flow diagram illustrating a method 450 for
determining a beverage recommendation that is based on user
activity information. Aspects of the method 450 may be performed by
the determination module 320 and, accordingly, is described herein
merely by way of reference thereto. It will be appreciated that the
method 450 may be performed on any suitable hardware.
[0057] In operation 460, the module 320 receives activity
information from the beverage machine 120. For example, the user
activity system 135 may receive information from the machine 120
that is associated with a user's completed, current, or future
workout routine and/or physical activity, as described herein.
[0058] In operation 465, the module 320 determines a beverage
profile score for the received activity information. For example,
the module 320 may determine the score by taking the total calories
expended in the workout (e.g., 450 calories) and dividing it by 10
(or some other normalization factor), which provides a score of 45.
Of course, the module 320 may utilize other activity information
and/or other scoring algorithms or rules (e.g., scores based on
total calories, average heart rate, miles logged, steps walked, and
so on) when scoring the activity information.
[0059] In operation 470, the module 320 compares the beverage
profile score, or beverage score, to the scores associated with
beverages profiles stored in the beverage database 330. In some
cases, the score may be based certain user goals, where there are
selections of beverages useful in the user achieving their goals.
Thus, in some embodiments, the module 320 matches the score, along
with the user's goals (e.g., loaded as part of the workout
information), with values associated with beverage profiles stored
by the beverage database 330.
[0060] In some cases, the module 320 receives user goal information
(e.g., target weight information, fitness level information, and so
on) from third party health/fitness programs, such as online
program 160. For example, the module 320 may receive the goal
information (e.g. via the network 125 and/or via devices provided
to the machine 120) from a third party health practitioner (e.g.,
trainer, nurse, doctor, and so on) who can provide medically
approved goals for the user.
[0061] In operation 475, the module 320 identifies one or more
beverages having beverage profiles that match the determined
beverage profile scores. Table 1 represents a data structure stored
by the database 330 that includes entries that relate a user goal
(e.g., "lose weight") to beverage scores and beverage profiles.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Goal Score Range Beverage Profile Gain
weight 0-25 Beverages #1 and #4 26-50 Beverages #6 and #2 50+
Beverages #8 and #12 Maintain weight 0-20 Beverage #3 21-44
Beverages #5, #10, #11 45+ Beverages #15, #19, #20 Lose weight 0-22
Beverages #7, #22 23-35 Beverage #16 35+ Beverages #13, #17,
#18
[0062] For example, the module 320, having received a beverage
profile score of 25 and a user goal of maintain weight, searches
Table 1 for matching beverage profiles, and identifies Beverages
#5, #10, and #11 as matching the score.
[0063] In operation 480, the module transmits information that
identifies the recommended (e.g., matching) beverage profiles to
the beverage machine 120, which presents the information to the
user. FIG. 5 is a display diagram illustrating a user interface 500
that displays recommended beverages to a user based on activities
of the user.
[0064] The user interface 500 presents various states of
interaction with a user. A user first requests to make a beverage,
and selects a manual option 510 to manually choose a beverage from
a list or menu, or a user activity option 505 to use their workout
information/data, such as data gathered by the user device 110 or
device 115. In some cases, the user interface may include elements
than enable a user to directly input their daily health data (e.g.,
activity, desired goals, and so on), and the interface 500 may
include elements that facilitate the user to input both activity
data and specified goals. For example, the user interface 500 may
receive the information via a questionnaire type interaction with
the user, where the user answers questions regarding goals and
activities posed by the machine 120, and/or the user may
voluntarily input information that represents regards the user's
goals, activities, and other information.
[0065] As described herein, when the user selects the manual option
520, the machine 120 presents a list of some or all available
beverages. However, when the user selects the user activity option
505, the machine 120 presents a list 520 of recommended beverages,
based upon user activity information. The user may select one or
more of the recommended beverages 530, and the machine 120, in
response to the selections, makes (or, orders), a beverage, such as
a smoothie for the user. As described herein, the machine may make
a smoothie using a smoothie pod of ingredients that match the
beverage profile associated with the selected beverage.
[0066] Thus, in some embodiments, the systems and methods collect
information associated with a user's workout routine or physical
activity via an automated beverage machine, where the automated
beverage machine makes beverages from beverage pods provided to the
automated beverage machine, determines a workout score based on the
collected information, matches the workout score to one or more
beverage profiles associated with beverages to be consumed by the
user, and makes, at the automated beverage machine, a beverage
having ingredients based on the one or more beverage profiles.
[0067] Therefore, in some embodiments, the systems and methods
enable a user to provide workout and/or health goal information to
an automated beverage machine (e.g., beverage machine 120), which
identifies and makes a pod-based beverage (e.g., smoothie from a
smoothie pod) based on the provided information.
Examples of Customizing Beverages Based on User Sleep
Activities
[0068] The systems and methods described herein, in some
embodiments, determine and/or generate customized beverage
profiles, and make associated beverages, for users based on
characteristics of the user's sleep activities, patterns, habits,
and/or cycles. The systems and methods utilize sleep and activity
data measured by a user's wearable device (e.g., device 115) to
determine when and how well the user sleeps. The systems and
methods combine the sleep data with usage data (e.g., beverage
consumption data), and determine recommendations for the user
regarding the types (e.g., ingredient profiles) and timing (e.g.,
when to consume) of smoothies he/she should consume to increase
his/her quality of sleep, among other things.
[0069] For example, the systems and methods may attempt to improve
or modify a user's sleep (or, quality of sleep), by determining a
user's current or historical quality of sleep from sleep and
activity data obtained from a user's wearable device or other
monitoring device, combining or comparing the determined data with
usage data associated with the user's consumption of various
smoothies, and determining recommendations for the user about the
types and timing of smoothies and other beverages to consume to
improve the quality of sleep. The system and methods may then
tracks changes in the user's quality of sleep based on the
recommendations to provide more accurate recommendations for the
specific user and/or a population of other similar users.
[0070] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a suitable computing
environment 600 for providing customized beverages to users based
on sleep activities of the users. As described herein, a wearable
device 110 (e.g., a Withings, FitBit device, or other device
configured to monitor a user's sleep activities) may capture data
associated with a user's sleep activities, as well as other
non-sleep data (e.g., temperature, heart rate, and so on). The
systems and methods may combine the user's sleep data with the
user's smoothie consumption history, determine recommendations to
be made to the user about the types and timing of smoothies that
can increase the quality of their sleep.
[0071] The computing environment 600 includes the beverage profile
determination server 130, which includes the user sleep system 140.
The user sleep system 140 includes various components or modules,
such as a recommendation module 610 configured to determine one or
more beverages having beverage profiles that match user sleep
activity information. Further, the user sleep system 140 includes a
smoothie database 620, which stores information that includes the
ingredients of all available beverage pods (e.g., beverage pods at
the machine and/or to be ordered and provided to the machine), such
as smoothie pods, for the beverage machine 120, and a consumption
database 630, which stores user usage or beverage consumption data
as well as user sleep activity data.
[0072] As an example, when a user's wearable device 115 comes
within wireless communications range of the beverage machine 120,
the device 115 transfers the user's sleep and activity data, which
is then relayed by the beverage machine 120 to the consumption
database 630 of the user sleep system 140.
[0073] When the user goes to get a smoothie after a certain time
(e.g., after 5 pm or so, as the user may not want a relaxation
smoothie when they are getting up to go to work), the
recommendation module 610 may compare the user's sleep on any given
day to their average night's sleep. For example, the user's sleep
activity may be measured with respect to both quantity and quality
to determine a current or prior level of sleep (e.g., poor, ok,
average, good, short, long, and so on), via the wearable device
115. Using the information, the system 140 determines a
recommendation for a beverage to be provided to the users, and
sends the recommendation over the network 125 to the beverage
machine 120, which makes the beverage for the user.
[0074] Therefore, the sleep activity system 140, via the
recommendation module 610, performs various processes, operations,
or methods when determining beverages to recommend to users based
on their sleep activity information. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram
illustrating a method 700 for determining a beverage recommendation
for a user based on sleep information associated with the user.
Aspects of the method 700 may be performed by the user sleep system
140 and, accordingly, is described herein merely by way of
reference thereto. It will be appreciated that the method 700 may
be performed on any suitable hardware.
[0075] In operation 710, the system 140 provides an initial stock
of beverage pods to the beverage machine 120. For example, a user
associated with the machine 120 may receive an initial order of
various different beverage pods for popular or initially targeted
beverages, and provide them to the beverage machine 120. In some
cases, various analysis systems may utilize data within the
consumption database 630 to determine supplements that are
effective in enhancing sleep quality, sleep quantity, and so on.
For example, these systems may determine initial orders of smoothie
pods based on determinations of a large user population, modifying
the initial orders based on the demographics of users, the specific
user, and their wearable devices.
[0076] In operation 720, various devices monitor the user's sleep
activities. For example, the wearable device 115 may capture data
associated with a user's sleep cycle activity, such as time periods
of deep sleep, time periods of light sleep, time periods of REM
sleep, time periods of wakefulness, a total sleep time, user
movement data, non-sleep data, and so on.
[0077] In operation 730, the system 140 receives or otherwise
accesses the sleep activity information from e beverage machine 120
and/or directly from the wearable device 115 and/or the user device
110. For example, the system 140 may receive the sleep activity
information from a most recent night's sleep, as well as any usage
or beverage consumption data for the user, and store, in operation
735, the information in the consumption database 630.
[0078] In operation 740, the system 140 determines whether the
sleep activity information indicates a low or sub-optimal quality
of sleep for the user. For example, the system 140 may determine a
time period of deep sleep or REM sleep is below a minimum time
period associated with good sleep, and/or may determine the overall
sleep quality for the previous night's sleep is below an average
sleep quality for the user, among other determinations.
[0079] When the sleep quality does not indicate a low quality of
sleep, the method 700 proceeds back to operation 720, and the
system 140 continues to monitor the user's sleep activity, else the
method proceeds to operation 750. In operation 750, the system 140
determines and causes the machine 120 to display one or more
beverage recommendations for the user. For example, the system 140
may utilize information stored in the consumption database 630 to
determine one or more beverages to recommend to the user.
[0080] The following table (Table 2) illustrates the various data
structures stored in the database 630, via which the system 140
identified beverages to recommend to a user.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Date Sleep Quality Ingredients Volume Time
Jan. 1, 2016 Poor Melatonin, ABC 8 oz. 7:15 Jan. 2, 2016 OK
Chamomile, ABC 8 oz. 6:15 Jan. 3, 2016 OK ABC 8 oz. 7:15 Jan. 4,
2016 OK DEF 8 oz. 8:15 Jan. 5, 2016 Good Melatonin, DEF 12 oz.
7:15
[0081] Thus, the system 140 may utilize the information stored by
the table to identify and/or modify beverage profiles based on the
user's sleep activities or quality. For example the table indicates
that the user experience a good sleep quality (e.g., sufficient
amounts of REM sleep) after consuming a smoothie with ingredients
DEF.
[0082] In operation 760, the machine 120 updates a stock of
beverage pods based on the recommended beverage and/or based on a
user selection of the recommended beverage. Thus, in some cases,
the machine 120 tracks and/or monitors consumption of beverages by
the user to maintain sufficient stock of beverage pods for making
recommended beverages.
[0083] For example, an initial stock of sleep supplement smoothies
or other beverages are provided to the machine 120, and a wait
period counter is set to initialize to a 4 day wait period. Next,
the activity/sleep monitor (e.g., device 115) communicates when
within wireless range of the beverage machine 120, which triggers a
download from the wearable device 115 to the beverage machine 120
of user sleep data.
[0084] As described herein, the user sleep system 140 determines a
quality of the user's sleep (e.g., is poor for >2 days or some
other threshold), and when the quality is low, the system 140,
within the 4 day wait period (initialization period) and if causes
the machine 120 to present a suggestion to take a sleep supplement
or relaxing beverage. The machine 120 then starts a period for 4
days and subtracts one sleep supplement smoothie from the stock,
updating the number of pods in stock within the machine 120. In
some cases, when the stock of pods is less than 2 (or below a
defined threshold number), the machine 120 may suggest other
beverages, and initiates an order/reorder routine to replenish the
stock of beverage pods.
[0085] As described herein, the beverage machine 120 presents the
recommended smoothies and other beverages to the user via a GUI of
the machine 120. FIG. 8 is a display diagram illustrating a user
interface 800 that displays recommended beverages to a user based
on sleep information of the user.
[0086] The interface 800 displays various interface elements or
buttons, including user-selectable display elements 820
representing smoothies 830 recommended by the system 140. In some
cases, the interface 800 provides a user-selectable option to
request a smoothie 805, log or record consumption of a smoothie
810, and or order a smoothie or smoothie pods 840. In some cases,
the user interface may mark recommended beverages as being "in
stock" when the inventory database indicates the user has that pod
available, or "order," which will automatically send an order to a
server to order additional smoothie pods. The interface 800 may
also include other display and input elements, such as elements
informing the user of their monitored sleep activities, elements
that receive user input regarding the consumption of smoothies, and
so on.
[0087] The beverage machine 120, therefore, may include an input
component that receives a request from a user to make a beverage
(via the interface 800, a communication component that receives
information from a wearable device associated with the user that
identifies sleep activity characteristics of the user (via wearable
device 115), and a beverage making component that makes a beverage
having a beverage profile that is associated with the sleep
activity characteristics of the user (e.g., determined via the user
sleep system 140 located at the server 130 and/or within the
machine 120).
[0088] Thus, in some embodiments, the systems and methods may
receive input from a wearable device of a user that identifies
sleep activity characteristics of the user, compare the sleep
activity characteristics of the user with usage data associated
with the user's previous consumption of smoothies and received from
a smoothie machine that prepared the smoothies, and determine a
smoothie to recommend to the user that is based on the
comparison.
Examples of Customizing Beverages Based on User Mental Acuity
[0089] The systems and methods described herein, in some
embodiments, determine and/or generate customized beverage profiles
for users based on the users' measured mental acuity. The systems
and methods utilize or provide gains or tests that measure mental
acuity, in some cases delivered before and after the smoothie, to
identify those ingredients that yield increases in mental acuity
for the specific user.
[0090] For example, the systems and methods may measure a user's
mental acuity each time the user obtains a beverage, and presents
tests, games, and so on, via the user's mobile device or via a user
interface of the beverage machine 120, which provides cognitive
assessment systems with data points associated with the user's
mental acuity. The systems and methods identify a state of the
user's mental acuity in certain contexts, and generates or suggests
a smoothie program (types and/or timing) of smoothies (and
associated supplements) predicted to be of benefit to the user.
[0091] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a suitable computing
environment 900 for providing customized beverages to users based
on mental acuity information for the users. As described herein,
the user acuity system 145 includes various components, modules, or
systems for determining a current mental acuity or sharpness of a
user, and determining smoothies and other beverages (or,
supplements to be added to base smoothies) to recommended to the
user for consumption.
[0092] For example, the system 145 includes a recommendation module
910, which receives information associated with the user's mental
acuity, such as a score obtained while playing an online or virtual
game, and identifies beverages having certain beverage profiles,
and/or supplements, to recommended to the user. The system stores
various user information (e.g., previous scores, beverage
consumption data, and so on) in a consumption database 930, and
stores various games virtual games or tests in a game database
920.
[0093] In some cases, when the user mobile device 110 triggers,
based upon the user profile (not shown), a game the user will
interact with, the user acuity system 145 may retrieve and present
or display a game from the game database 920 to the user. Once the
user plays the game, the recommendation module 910 receives or
accesses the results or outcomes (e.g., scores) of the game play to
determine whether a smoothie with stimulants or supplements should
be recommended or suggested to the user.
[0094] Once the user has taken the stimulants or supplements, the
user may play another game. For example, the system 910 may receive
an indication from the user or from the beverage machine 120 that
the user has consumed a recommended smoothie (e.g., the beverage
machine 120 prepared the smoothie for the user). The system 145
determines whether the recommended smoothie (with stimulants or
supplements) improved results based on a comparison of the scores
of the games played before and after consumption of the smoothie.
The system may store the results of the comparison in order to
provide more accurate or targeted recommendations to the user or
other users regarding the consumption of certain ingredients,
stimulants, or supplements.
[0095] Thus, the system 145 may identify optimal or helpful
smoothie stimulants or supplements based on user performances
during presented games and other activities. The system 145, via
various channels, such as via advertising services, nutritional and
wellness programs, social media, and so on, may then promote or
recommend the identified ingredients to others. Further, in some
embodiments, the system 145 facilitates ordering and reordering of
the smoothie stimulants or supplements targeted to the user.
[0096] Therefore, the user acuity system 145 may perform various
processes, operations, or methods when determining smoothie
recommendations for users based on their performance in playing
certain games, tests, or other mental activities. FIG. 10 is a flow
diagram illustrating a method 1000 for determining a beverage
recommendation based on user performance on one or more acuity
tests before and after consuming a customized beverage. Aspects of
the method 1000 may be performed by the user acuity system 145 and,
accordingly, is described herein merely by way of reference
thereto. It will be appreciated that the method 1000 may be
performed on any suitable hardware.
[0097] In operation 1010, the system 145, via one or more user
interfaces, causes display of a first mental acuity test or virtual
game. For example, the system 145 may send a virtual game stored in
the game database 920 to the mobile device 110 or beverage machine
120 for display to a user via associated user interfaces. In some
cases, the system 145 may utilize one or more games provided by
online or third party game providers, and cause displays or
interaction between the online game and the user via the associated
user interfaces.
[0098] In operation 1020, the system 145 determines whether a score
associated with the user playing the game or test indicates a
beverage recommendation. For example, the system may compare the
score with an expected score, a minimum score, a maximum score, and
so on, and determine whether the current mental acuity of the user
is below, above, or within a threshold associated with recommending
beverages to the user to enhance or improved the user's current or
temporal acuity.
[0099] When the system 145 determines the user's score does not
indicate a recommendation (e.g., the score is a maximum or high
score), the method 1000 proceeds to operation 1025, and the system
polls the user and other users to take additional or later tests or
play games. When the system 145 determines the user's score does
indicate a recommendation (e.g., the score is low or within a
certain low performance threshold), the method 1000 proceeds to
operation 1030, and the system 145 randomly selects a beverage
profile for the user.
[0100] After receiving an indication that the user consumed a
smoothie or other beverage, the system 145, at operation 1040,
displays a second, or additional mental acuity test or game to be
played by the user. Once the user plays the game, the system 145,
in operation 1050, determines whether the user's score indicates a
changed mental acuity (e.g., the score is above a threshold, or the
difference between scores exceeds a threshold).
[0101] When the score exceeds the threshold, the 1000 proceeds to
operation 1060, and the system 145 updates the consumption database
930 with the results of the comparison. Therefore, the system 145
obtains a data point for the user that indicates the smoothie
and/or its contents consumed by the user improved or modified the
user's mental acuity. Table 3 depicts a data structure that
represents that data stored in the consumption database 930.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Prefered DB Score DB Pre Keep Pre drink Post
Keep Drink Smoothie Recommendation test Recommend Smoothie drink
test Recomendation Score Stimulant Delta >20 Date score >=85
Stimulant score Delta >=20 40-55 Caffene Jan. 1, 2016 85 No N/A
N/A N/A N/A Maca Jan. 2, 2016 75 Yes B12 70 5 no . . . Jan. 3, 2016
55 Yes Caffene 85 30 Yes 56-55 Ginseng Yes Jan. 4, 2016 55 Yes
Caffene 95 40 Yes Cayene Jan. 5, 2016 85 No N/A 75 N/A N/A . . .
Jan. 6, 2016 65 Yes Ginseng 65 0 No 66-75 B12 Cocunut Oil . . .
76-84 Green Tea Guarana . . . 84-100 None
[0102] As shown in Table 3, the data structures log the results of
a pre-test game, and if the score is greater than 85, the system
145 does not suggest smoothie stimulants or supplements. When the
scores range between 40-84, the system 145 recommends various
smoothie stimulants or supplements, and if second, or subsequent
game results show improvement (e.g., with a score difference of
20), the system 145 logs the improvement data for future
recommendations.
[0103] As described herein, the user acuity system 145 may present
various games or other displayed information when attempting to
ascertain a current or temporal mental acuity, sharpness, or
alertness for a user.
[0104] FIG. 11 A is a display diagram illustrating a user interface
1100 that present a mental acuity test 1110 for a user. As
depicted, the example or test 1110 prompts the user to play a logic
puzzle and repeat or complete a pattern. The user may play the game
1110 via the interface 1100, or select an option 1115 to skip the
presented game 1110 and play a different game.
[0105] Of course, the system may display a variety of different
games to test a user's mental acuity, include puzzle games, first
person games, journey games, tests, quizzes, and so on. In some
cases, the games database 920, or a third party provider of the
games, may advertise certain smoothies within the games, and/or
develop specific games for certain smoothie types. In addition,
other scored games or activities may be utilized when recommending
smoothies. For example, the system 145 may receive a student's test
scores, and recommend smoothies or supplements based on the test
scores or based on their online gaming results.
[0106] Once the game is played, the system 145, via the user
interface, presents the user with recommended beverages for
consumption. FIG. 11B is a display diagram 1120 illustrating a user
interface that displays recommended beverages to a user based on
test performance for a user. The GUI 1120 may present recommended
smoothies, amounts of stimulants, frequencies of smoothie or
supplements or doses, and so on, based on results of the user
playing the game or games. The interface 1120 may include
user-selectable options to take another acuity test 1130, order one
or more recommended smoothies 1135, as well as present recommended
beverages 1140 with options 1145 to make the beverages using the
beverage machine 120.
[0107] For example, a smoothie machine may include an input
component that presents, via a user interface of the smoothie
machine, a virtual game to be played by a user, a recommendation
component that recommends one or more smoothies to make for the
user based upon a result associated with the user playing the
virtual game, and a beverage making component that makes the one or
more smoothies (via smoothie pods).
[0108] Thus, in some embodiments, the systems and methods may
present a game to a user via a mobile device associated with the
user, receive a score associated with the user playing the
presented game, and identify a smoothie to recommend to the user
that is based on the received score.
[0109] Further, the systems and methods may present a second game
to the user via the mobile device, receive a score associated with
the user playing the presented second game, determine the score
associated with the user playing the presented second game is
greater than the score associated with the user playing the
presented game, and recommend the smoothie to other users.
Examples of Customizing Beverages to User Wellness Programs
[0110] The systems and methods described herein, in some
embodiments, determine and/or generate customized beverage profiles
for users of wellness and other online health programs, via
integrated communications between services and supporting
servers.
[0111] For example, the systems and methods may provide a Software
as a service (SaaS) application programming interface (API) to
various online health, weight loss and/or wellness programs,
facilitating exchanges of information between a smoothie
recommendation program (e.g., a system that orders smoothie pods
and/or recommends or makes smoothies for users) and the various
online programs. The online programs may be various partner
services, such as diet partners, exercise partners, ingredient or
nutrition partners, blender device partners, medical partners,
doctor network partners (e.g., partner systems develop having their
own algorithms) to integrate their software programs (services) and
data through various APIs to the smoothie recommendation
program.
[0112] Thus, the systems and methods provide users, members, and/or
subscribers of online partnership programs to obtain smoothie pods
(for various smoothies and other beverages) and/or made smoothies
and other beverages from the cloud-based service (e.g., "Smoothie
as a Service"). The service facilitates the exchange of data
between the smoothie recommendation program and the online partner
programs (e.g., wellness programs, exercise and health programs,
nutrition programs, diet and weight loss programs, and so on). In
some cases, the systems and methods may provide a subscription
system to tie in with Weight Watchers or NutriSystem or other
partners, allowing a user to get a smoothie pod or beverage
integrated with or based on the partnership's programs or
services.
[0113] For example, a person on a long term weight loss program
(e.g., a program that restricts the person to a certain number of
calories per day) will receive smoothies that have low calorie,
high protein ingredient or nutrition profiles (and possibly energy
and metabolisms boosters), whereas a person looking to get in shape
will receive smoothies that have high protein enhancement
ingredient or nutrition profiles, as instructed by the health or
diet programs to which they subscribe (e.g., a smoothie program,
provided by a smoothie making machine, may receive instructions via
a SaaS API provided to the online programs).
[0114] Thus, the systems and methods integrate the automated
provision of smoothies (e.g., based on customized smoothie pods)
and a weight loss or other user health partner. In some cases, the
products (e.g., pods or made beverages) may be white labeled
through the partners so that product kits are shipped with both the
partners' weight loss program branding and the smoothie pods'
branding, with ordering and provision of pods being performed by
the smoothie program or recommendation server.
[0115] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a suitable computing
environment 1200 for providing customized beverages to users of
online wellness programs. Similar to the other computing
environments described herein, the beverage profile server 130
communicates over the network 125 with various devices or systems,
such as the beverage machine 120 and the online health system 160.
Additionally, the server 130 may provide access to various
recommendation systems (as described herein) via the beverage
network system, which provides APIs to the online health system and
other systems requesting information (e.g., beverage recommendation
information) from the beverage profile server 130.
[0116] For example, a customer network 1210 of sites, such as
consumers associated with computing devices, retail entities,
and/or restaurants and other service provider entities (e.g.,
cafes, gyms, snack bars, and so on), may access the systems of the
server 130 via APIs or other SaaS services provided by the beverage
network system 150. As another example, a networked blender 1220,
refrigerator, or other smoothie making entity or device may
communicate with the server 130 over the network 125 via published
APIs. Further, as described herein, the online health system 160
may be part of or associated with partner entities, such as online
diet or health programs.
[0117] Further, the system 150 may include ordering services via an
ordering database, weight analysis services via a weight database,
exercise services via an exercise database, and other health
services (e.g., special medical analyses), and may issue reports,
alerts and other dashboard indicators or displays, depending on the
needs of the users or partner systems.
[0118] FIG. 13 illustrates various components of a beverage network
system 1300 that interacts online wellness programs. The system
1300, which may be part of the beverage network system 150 or
beverage profile server 130, includes various components or modules
configured to provide recommended beverages to users of online
systems.
[0119] For example, the system 1300 includes an ordering service
1305 and associated ordering database 1307 configured to order
stock of beverage pods for users and other entities, a weight
analysis service 1310 and associated diet database 1312 that stores
information associated with analyzing weight loss goals for users,
an exercise service 1315 and associated exercise database that
includes and stores information associated with analyzing user
exercise and workout activities, and other health service 1320
modules.
[0120] The system 1300 also includes a base recommendation system
1330, which includes a diet analysis system 1332 and action system
1334 configured to perform various operations described herein and
directed to receiving user information and determining beverage
profiles to recommend to the users based on the user information.
The base system 1330 may provide information to a partners system
1335, which includes partner information, algorithm partner
information 1337, and is configured to modify recommendation
information to transmit to various online systems or partners using
their formats, structures, and/or relevant APIs or syntaxes.
[0121] A health database 1340 stores information received by the
system 1300 and/or generated by the system 1300. The health
database 1300 includes a nutrition database 1342 that stores
nutrition information for ingredients, profiles, available
beverages, and so on, a medicine database 1344 that stores
information for various medical goals or issues provided by users,
and a recipe database 1346 that stores recipes for creating
beverage profiles, such as profiles for smoothies to be made for
users.
[0122] The system 1300 may also include components that generate
reports 1350, send alerts 1352, provide various informational
dashboards 1354, or otherwise provide information to users and
online systems that is associated with their consumption, progress,
health, and so on. The system 130 may include billing software that
handles billing and payments for use of the system 1300 by the
online systems. The billing software 1356 and/or the partners
system 1335 may store data in a partners database 1360, which may
also transfer data to the various health databases 1340 via APIs
1365 provided by the system 1300.
[0123] As described herein, the system 1300 performs various
processes, operations, or methods when determining and/or providing
recommendations for beverages, such as smoothies, to online systems
160. FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 1400 for
determining a beverage recommendation for a user of an online
wellness program. Aspects of the method 1400 may be performed by
the system 1300 or various connected devices and, accordingly, is
described herein merely by way of reference thereto. It will be
appreciated that the method 1400 may be performed on any suitable
hardware.
[0124] In operation 1405, a request for a smoothie, or other
beverage, is received at a connected device, machine (beverage
machine 120), or system (restaurant device). In operation 1410, the
system 1300 receives the request, along with wellness goal
information and/or daily smoothie consumption data for the
user.
[0125] In operation 1420, the system 1300 determines a nutritional
profile for the user. For example, the system 1300 may employ one
or more recommendation systems described herein to determine a
nutritional profile that meets the received request and associated
data for the user.
[0126] In operation 1430, the system 1300 transmits the determined
nutritional profile to the requesting device, machine or system.
The receiving device, machine, or system, in operation 1440,
matches the received nutritional profile to beverage profiles of
available beverages (e.g., beverages associated with pods contained
by the device).
[0127] In operation 1450, the device, such as a smoothie making
entity, displays one or more available smoothies that match the
nutritional profile for user selection, and in response to a
selection, makes, in operation 1460, the selected smoothie (e.g.,
using one or more associated pods). In operation 1470, the system
1330 receives an indication that the smoothie was made for the
user, and updates various databases with the nutritional profile
for the smoothie and the consumption of the smoothie by the
user.
[0128] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 1500 for
determining a nutritional profile for a user. Aspects of the method
1500 may be performed by the system 1300 or various connected
devices and, accordingly, is described herein merely by way of
reference thereto. It will be appreciated hat the method 1500 may
be performed on any suitable hardware.
[0129] In operation 1510, the system 1300 accesses a user activity
database of the beverage network server 130, and, in operation
1520, identifies nutritional needs for the user based on the
information. For example, the database may store data received from
one or more wearable devices 1 15 and/or via one or more online
systems 160 associated with wellness programs that include the user
as a member.
[0130] In operation 1530, the system 1300 determines a nutritional
profile for the user based on identified nutritional needs. As
described herein, the system 1300 may access health goal
information or user health information to identify the nutritional
needs for the user. In operation 1540, the system 1300 stores the
nutritional profile to one or more health databases 1340 of the
system.
[0131] FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 1600 for
determining a customized beverage for a user based on the user's
nutritional profile. Aspects of the method 1600 may be performed by
the system 1300 or various connected devices and, accordingly, is
described herein merely by way of reference thereto. It will be
appreciated that the method 1600 may be performed on any suitable
hardware.
[0132] In operation 1610, a smoothie making entity (e.g., a
connected device or beverage machine 120) receives a nutritional
profile from the system 1300 (e.g., a "smoothie service"). In
operation 1620, the entity accesses beverage profile information
for smoothies available at the entity.
[0133] In operation 1630, the entity determines an optimal smoothie
based on matching the profiles of the available smoothies to the
received nutritional profile, and, in operation 1640, retrieves a
recipe for the smoothie. Using the recipe, the entity, in operation
1650, displays information representative of the available smoothie
or smoothies via an interface of the entity. Upon receiving a
selection of a displayed smoothie, the entity makes the smoothie
(or, orders the related smoothie pods) for the user.
[0134] For example, FIG. 17 is a display diagram illustrating a
user interface 1700 that presents recommended beverages to a user
and facilitates making and ordering of beverages on behalf of the
user. The user interface 1700 presents options to select a partner
1710 and access data 1720 associated with the user. The user
interface also presents options to request a smoothie, and displays
recommended smoothies 1740. Further displayed options include
partner site navigation options 1750, options to order associated
smoothie pods 1760, and other user-selectable elements associated
with ordering or making recommended smoothies for the user.
[0135] Further, the interface 1700 includes user-selectable
elements associated with the system 1300 generating reports 1770,
sending or setting alerts 1722, presenting dashboards 1774, or
performing other services 1776. Thus, the interface 1700 may
facilitate the access of reports, alerts, dashboards (e.g., trends,
and so on) and other health service information.
[0136] In addition, the system 1300 may provide other aspects or
features, including:
[0137] Allow partner systems to disable aspects of the
recommendations, such as after determining a user is over their
calorie allotment for the day, preventing the user from further
hurting their diet;
[0138] Receiving data from various wearable tracking devices,
including: communicating previous exercise data (e.g., 3 mile run
burning 380 calories) to the system, which may modify smoothie
recommendations, and inform the user how the calories burned by the
exercise translates to consumption, educating the user about the
results of exercise (e.g., how much work it takes to burn off
enough calories), or communicating calories of a recommended
beverage to the fitness tracker to give the user a goal calorie
amount to burn, which informs the user about how many calories
their smoothie was, and that amount is set as a goal for the user
during their workout session;
[0139] Facilitating connections to POS devices, so a user's food
order may be automatically uploaded to a partner system, enabling
immediate ordering of the uses meal choice, allowing the partner to
make smoothie suggestions based on up to date information, allowing
automatic logging of user choices, and so on;
[0140] Directly logging exercise data (e.g., at the gym) for a user
to directly log their workout data, as well as have smart gym
equipment (e.g., treadmill) send data to the system, which can then
be uploaded to the partner sites. The system may also prompt the
user to enter their previous meals for the day if the user hasn't
done so, ensuring the partner receives updates of exercise/diet
data before making a smoothie suggestion; and so on.
[0141] Thus, in some embodiments, the systems and methods receive,
via an application programming interface (API), a request for a
smoothie from a smoothie making entity associated with a user,
determine a nutritional profile for the user that is based on a
wellness goal associated with the user and daily consumption data
of the user, and send the nutritional profile to the smoothie
making entity, which makes a pod-based smoothie having the
nutritional profile. As described herein, the smoothie making
entity may be a restaurant that communicates with the API using an
online ordering system, a networked smoothie making machine or
device, an online diet program, and so on.
[0142] Therefore, in some embodiments, the systems and methods
provide a smoothie SaaS for various smoothie making (or, smoothie
pod ordering) endpoints, such as restaurants, networked machines,
and so on. The endpoints receive requests from users, access the
various processes provided by the SaaS, and provide users with
smoothies based on recommendations or instructions received from
the smoothie SaaS.
CONCLUSION
[0143] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout
the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising,"
and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed
to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense
of "including, but not limited to." As used herein, the terms
"connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof means any connection
or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more
elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be
physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the
words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when
used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and
not to any particular portions of this application. Where the
context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the
singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular
number respectively. The word "or," in reference to a list of two
or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the
word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list,
and any combination of the items in the list.
[0144] The above Detailed Description of examples of the technology
is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the
precise form disclosed above. While specific examples for the
technology are described above for illustrative purposes, various
equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the
technology, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.
For example, while processes or blocks are presented in a given
order, alternative implementations may perform routines having
steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and
some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided,
combined, and/or modified to provide alternative or
subcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be
implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes
or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these
processes or blocks may instead be performed or implemented in
parallel, or may be performed at different times. Further any
specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative
implementations may employ differing values or ranges.
[0145] The teachings of the technology provided herein can be
applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described
above. The elements and acts of the various examples described
above can be combined to provide further implementations of the
technology. Some alternative implementations of the technology may
include not only additional elements to those implementations noted
above, but also may include fewer elements.
[0146] These and other changes can be made to the technology in
light of the above Detailed Description. While the above
description describes certain examples of the technology, and
describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the
above appears in text, the technology can be practiced in many
ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its specific
implementation, while still being encompassed by the technology
disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when
describing certain features or aspects of the technology should not
be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to
be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects
of the technology with which that terminology is associated. In
general, the terms used in the following claims should not be
construed to limit the technology to the specific examples
disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed
Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the
actual scope of the technology encompasses not only the disclosed
examples, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or
implementing the technology under the claims.
[0147] To reduce the number of claims, certain aspects of the
technology are presented below in certain claim forms, but the
applicant contemplates the various aspects of the technology in any
number of claim forms. For example, while only one aspect of the
technology is recited as a computer-readable medium claim, other
aspects may likewise be embodied as a computer-readable medium
claim, or in other forms, such as being embodied in a
means-plus-function claim. Any claims intended to be treated under
35 U.S.C. .sctn. 1 12(f) will begin with the words "means for", but
use of the term "for" in any other context is not intended to
invoke treatment under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 1 12(f). Accordingly, the
applicant reserves the right to pursue additional claims after
filing this application to pursue such additional claim forms, in
either this application or in a continuing application.
* * * * *