HK1148259B - Systems and methods of selecting and dispensing products - Google Patents

Description

System and method for selecting and dispensing products

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for dispensing products, and more particularly to systems and methods for dispensing products based at least in part on a user's selection.

Background

There are currently a number of pre-packaged beverage product segments. Each beverage product may have a different taste or flavor. Despite the different tastes, many beverage products include common components. For example, a large number of beverage products may include dilution water.

Some beverage dispensing systems utilize commonality of components. The components may be separated from each other and the system may form a beverage by combining the components in response to the consumer's demand. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,370 entitled "Tri-Mix Sugar based dispensing System" filed on 11.3.1987 discloses a beverage dispensing System that combines separate diluents and flavoring agents with a common sweetener to form different types of beverage products.

Such beverage dispensing systems are not typically employed to produce juices. Due to the volume of juice concentrate, these systems typically require a relatively large footprint (footprint) in order to provide a variety of different juices. U.S. sequence No. 11/276549 entitled "Juice dispensing system" (filed on 6.3.2006); U.S. sequence No. 11/777,309 entitled "Dispenser for Beverages Including fruit Juices" (Dispenser for Beverages inclusion junctions), filed on 13.7.2007; U.S. sequence No. 11/777,314 entitled "Clean in Place System for Beverage Dispensers" (filed on 7, 13, 2007); and U.S. sequence No. 11/777,303 entitled "Flow Sensor" filed on 13.7.2007 discloses a juice dispensing system that is capable of producing many different juices and yet has a relatively small footprint.

While some known beverage dispensing systems may utilize commonality of components, many beverage dispensing systems do not utilize inherent functionality to dispense user-configured products. In contrast, beverage dispensing systems typically dispense branded products that have been market tested and are readily available from pre-packaged containers on the market. One reason why beverage dispensing systems typically do not dispense user-configured products is that users may inadvertently dispense products having a poor configuration and, therefore, may be dissatisfied with the system. An ideal beverage dispensing system would allow the user to configure the product himself while limiting the freedom of the user to select products outside the scope of certain tests. Such a beverage dispensing system may ensure that the dispensed product has the desired taste and consistency.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of a dispensing system for dispensing a plurality of products to a user are disclosed. The dispensing system may include an input/output device and a dispenser. The input/output device is adapted to receive a selection of one of the products from a user. The dispenser is adapted to dispense a plurality of diluent components. The diluent component and the ratio of the diluent components may correspond at least in part to a user's selection.

The dispenser is also adapted to dispense one or more flavoring ingredients. The one or more flavoring ingredients may correspond at least in part to one or more taste choices of the user. The one or more flavoring ingredients may include fruit juice concentrate. The dispenser is adapted to produce a first juice concentrate from a universal juice base (universal juice base) and a first concentrated flavoring, and the dispenser is adapted to produce a second juice concentrate from the universal juice base and a second concentrated flavoring. The diluent component may include water, milk and yogurt. The product may include fruit juice, fruit-flavored milk, fruit-flavored smoothies, and fruit-flavored yogurts.

Embodiments of a dispensing system are also disclosed. The dispensing system may include an input/output device and a dispenser. The input/output device is adapted to receive a plurality of selections. The selection may include one or more diluent selections and one or more diluent intensity selections. The dispenser is adapted to dispense one or more diluent components. The one or more diluent components may correspond at least in part to the one or more diluent selections. The ratio of the one or more diluent components may correspond at least in part to the one or more diluent strength selections.

The input/output device may include a display that visually presents one or more diluent options and one or more predefined combinations of diluent options. The input/output device is adapted to restrict the one or more diluent selections to one of the diluent options, or one of a predefined combination of the diluent options.

The input/output device may include an input apparatus. The input device is adapted for positional adjustment along a continuous range. The input/output device is adapted to receive each of the diluent selections when the input is adjusted to a position within the continuous range of positions. The continuous range of positions includes a first discrete position, a second discrete position, and a region. The first discrete location represents a first diluent option. The second discrete location represents a second diluent option. The region is located between the first discrete location and the second discrete location. The region represents a combination of the first diluent option and the second diluent option. The first discrete location and the second discrete location may be separated by a total distance. The input/output device is further adapted to receive a diluent strength selection when the input is adjusted to a position within the continuous range of positions. The positions are a first distance from a first discrete position and a second distance from a second discrete position. The relative relationship between the first distance and the total distance represents a relative amount of a first diluent selection and the relative relationship between the second distance and the total distance represents a relative amount of a second diluent selection.

The input/output device includes a display that visually presents a continuum of options (continuum) to a user. The continuum visually shows a plurality of diluent options and a plurality of diluent intensity options. The input device is adapted to select each of one or more diluent selections and each of one or more diluent intensity selections from the continuum of options.

Embodiments of the method will also be described below. The method may include presenting a plurality of options to a user. The options include a plurality of diluent options and a plurality of diluent strength options. The method also includes receiving a plurality of selections from the user. The selection includes one or more diluent selections and one or more diluent intensity selections. The method also includes determining one or more diluent components. The diluent composition may be determined based at least in part on diluent selection. The method may further comprise determining the relative amounts of the diluent components. The relative amount may be determined based at least in part on the diluent strength selection. The method may additionally comprise dispensing a product comprising the diluent component in relative amounts.

The step of presenting the user with a plurality of options comprises: the user is presented with one or more predefined combinations of diluent options. The method may further comprise: limiting the one or more diluent selections to one of a diluent option, or one of a plurality of predefined combinations of diluent options. The step of receiving a plurality of selections from a user comprises: an indication of a position of an input device is received. The location may be associated with each of the one or more diluent selections and each of the one or more diluent intensity selections.

The step of presenting the user with a plurality of options comprises: the user is presented with a continuum of options. The continuum of options may be a two-dimensional curve that visually illustrates the diluent option according to the relative amounts in the product. In these embodiments, the continuum of options may visually illustrate each diluent option using a diluent intensity line. The diluent intensity line may have a magnitude that represents a diluent intensity option. Also in these embodiments, the end point of the continuum may be the same as the beginning point of the continuum. The step of presenting the user with a continuum of options includes: a continuum of options is displayed on the display. On the display, the end point of the continuum may be positioned adjacent to the beginning of the continuum, such that the continuum of options is in the shape of a ring. The step of receiving a plurality of selections from a user comprises: an indication of a location on a continuum is received. The location on the continuum may represent each of the one or more diluent selections and each of the one or more diluent intensity selections simultaneously.

The options may also include one or more taste options, and the selection may also include one or more taste selections. The product may also include one or more flavoring ingredients. The flavor component may be determined at least in part by taste selection. In these embodiments, the flavor component may include a juice concentrate, and the diluent component may include water, milk, and yogurt.

Drawings

In the following figures, matching reference numerals identify corresponding parts. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system for selecting and dispensing products;

fig. 2 is a chart listing an exemplary product that may be constructed by combining one or more flavoring ingredients and one or more water or milk-based diluent ingredients.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system for dispensing a product illustrating the system included in a housing.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a user interface presenting a user with a predefined combination of options.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a user interface.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a user interface.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a user interface that presents a user with a continuum of options.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a user interface that presents a user with a circular set of closures of options.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method of selecting and dispensing a product.

Detailed description of the invention

Described below are embodiments of systems and methods for selecting and dispensing products. The system and method may be used to dispense a product that includes a flavor component and one or more diluent components, at least some of which correspond to a user's selections. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system 100 for selecting and dispensing products. The system 100 generally includes an input/output device 102, a processing unit 104, and a distributor 106. The input/output device 102 may provide a plurality of options to the user 108 and may receive a plurality of selections from the user 108. The processing unit 104 may instruct or control the dispenser 106 at least in part according to the user's 108 selections. The dispenser 106 may dispense the product 110 in response to a selection by the user 108.

More specifically, the input/output device 102 may present a plurality of taste options 112 to the user 108 and receive one or more taste selections 114 from the user 108. Exemplary flavor options 112 include apple, orange, grape, cranberry, pineapple, grapefruit, and guava, among others. Of these taste options 112, an exemplary taste choice 114 may be apple. In some cases, the user 108 may make multiple flavor selections 114. In this case, the input/output device 102 may present a taste intensity option 116 to the user 108 and may receive a taste intensity selection 118 from the user 108. The user 108 may select a taste intensity selection 118 from the taste intensity options 116. The taste intensity selection 118 may represent the relative contribution of the selected taste to the taste of the product 110. For example, the user 108 may make two flavor selections 114, apple and cranberry, and the user 108 may make a 40% apple and 60% cranberry flavor intensity selection 118. In other cases, the input/output device 102 may not present the taste intensity option 116 to the user 108. For example, if the user 108 is allowed to select at most one taste at a time, the taste intensity option 116 may not be presented. As another example, if the system 100 can determine the relative contribution of the selected taste to the product 110, the taste intensity option 116 may not be presented. In fact, in the event that the product 110 dispensed by the dispenser 106 cannot correspond to the taste preferences of the user 108, the input/output device 102 may not present the taste options 112 or receive the taste selections 114.

The input/output device 102 is also adapted to present a variety of diluent options 120 to the user 108, as well as receive one or more diluent selections 122 from the user 108. For example, the user 108 is presented with diluent options 120, which diluent options 120 may include a water-based diluent option and a milk-based diluent option. Examples of water-based diluent options 120 include still water (still water), carbonated water, and ice, while examples of milk-based diluent options include milk, soy milk, and yogurt. Other exemplary diluent options 120 may display the product 110 without specifically displaying the diluent components or constituents used by the dispenser 120 when the product 110 is being formulated. Examples of these diluent options 120 may include juice, juice milk, smoothies, and yogurt, as will be described in further detail below. User 108 may make one or more diluent selections 122 from diluent options 120. For example, a user 108 presented with the exemplary diluent options 120 listed above may make a diluent option 122 for water. In some cases, the user 108 may make multiple diluent selections 122. In this case, input/output device 102 may present diluent intensity option 124 and may receive diluent intensity selection 126 from user 108. User 108 may select diluent strength selection 126 from diluent strength selections 124. For example, diluent intensity selection 122 may display the relative amount of diluent selection 122 compared to other diluent selections 122. The user 108 may make a water and milk diluent selection 122, in which case the user 108 may make a diluent strength selection 126 of 40% water and 60% milk. It should be noted that the flavor and diluent options 112, 120 disclosed above are given as examples, and that other options may be employed.

In some cases, the input/output device 102 may also be adapted to present one or more other options 128 to the user 108 and receive one or more other selections 130 from the user 108. Examples of other options 128 and other options 130 may be the size of product 110 and an indication of an additive to be included in product 110. For example, other options 128 for adding additional vitamin C or calcium to the product 110 may be presented to the user 108, among others. Another example may be a dispense option that may show that user 108 has finished dispensing product 110.

The processing unit 104 is adapted to instruct the dispenser 106 to dispense the product 110 based at least in part on the selection by the user 108. The processing unit 104 may include an input/output device interface 132, a processor 134, a memory 136, and a dispatcher interface 138. The input/output device interface 132 may be configured to communicate the user's 108 selections to the processor 134 and/or the memory 136. The memory 136 may store logic 140 that is executed by the processor 134. As described below, the logic 140 may be configured to determine the allocation instructions 142 based at least in part on the user's 108 selections. The dispensing instructions 142 may indicate the type and quantity of the constituent components of the product 110. The dispenser interface 138 may be configured to communicate dispensing instructions 142 to the dispenser 106 or to control the dispenser 106 according to the dispensing instructions 142, depending on the embodiment.

The dispenser 106 may be adapted to generate a product 110 corresponding to the dispensing instructions 142. More specifically, the dispenser 106 may be adapted to combine one or more flavoring ingredients 144 and one or more diluent ingredients 146 to generate the product 110. The type and quantity of flavor and diluent components 144, 146 may be displayed by the dispensing instructions 142. In some cases, the dispenser 106 may also be adapted to combine one or more additive components 148, in which case the dispensing instructions 142 may further display the type and quantity of the additive components 148.

The flavor components 144 utilized by the dispenser 106 may correspond to the flavor options 112 presented to the user 108 through the input/output device 102. In an embodiment, the flavor component 144 may include a fruit juice concentrate. For example, the flavor components 144 can include concentrated apple juice, concentrated orange juice, concentrated grape juice, concentrated cranberry juice, concentrated pineapple juice, concentrated grapefruit juice, and concentrated guava juice, among others. In certain embodiments, the dispenser 106 may be formed from one or more constituent components to form a juice concentrate, as will be described in further detail below. Other flavor components 144 are possible, such as chocolate flavor components, among others. The diluent components 146 may correspond to the diluent options 120 presented to the user 108 through the input/output device 102. For example, the diluent components 146 may include still water, soda, ice, milk, soy milk, and yogurt, among others. Other diluent components 146 may be used. In certain embodiments, the dispenser 106 may form a diluent component from one or more constituent components, as will be described in further detail below. Also in some cases, the diluent components 146 may not be visible from the diluent options 120 presented by the input/output device 102. For example, the fruit juice diluent option 120 may correspond to a water diluent component 146, while the smoothie diluent option 120 may correspond to a water, milk, and yogurt diluent component 146, as will be described in further detail below. In some instances, the dispenser 106 may be adapted to combine one or more additive ingredients 148 with the flavor ingredients 144 and the diluent ingredients 146. The additive component 148 may be a vitamin or natural flavoring, among others.

Once the flavor component 144, the diluent component 146, and in some cases the additive component 148 are combined, the dispenser 106 can dispense the product 110. The product 110 may be any type of product depending on the options presented on the input/output device 102 and the selections entered by the user 108.

Fig. 2 is a chart listing an exemplary product 110, which product 110 may be constructed by combining one or more flavoring ingredients 144 and one or more water or milk-based diluent ingredients 146. Specifically, the product 110 can be one of a juice 202, a combined juice 204, a blended juice 206, a foamed juice 208, a juice flavored milk 210, a juice flavored yogurt 214, a juice flavored ice smoothie 216, and a juice flavored yogurt smoothie 218, among others. Further, product 110 may be any variation of these products or any number of combinations of these products. In an embodiment, product 110 may be an incremental combination of two of these products, as described below in connection with fig. 7.

Juice 202 may be formed from concentrated juice 230 and water 220. The combined juice 204 may be formed from a plurality of juice concentrates 230 and water 220. The blended juice 206 may be formed from concentrated juice 230, water 220, and other natural flavorings 238. The sparkling juice 208 may be formed from a juice concentrate 230 and soda 220. The juice flavored milk 210 may be formed from a concentrated juice 230, water 220, and milk 226. Other flavors of milk 226 may be formed from flavor components 144 other than water 220, milk 226, and concentrated juice 230, such as chocolate flavor components. The fruit yogurt 228 may be formed from concentrated fruit juice 230 and yogurt 228. The juice flavored ice smoothie 216 may be formed from concentrated juice 230, water 220, milk 226, and ice 224. The fruit juice flavored yogurt smoothie 218 can be formed from concentrated fruit juice 230, water 220, milk 226, and yogurt 228. According to embodiments, other additive components 148, such as vitamins 236 and natural flavors 238, may be included as shown in fig. 2 or otherwise. Likewise, the juice concentrate 230 can be a combination of a plurality of different juice concentrates. In addition, the product 110 listed in fig. 2 may include components that are not listed in fig. 2 or may omit components listed in fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the system 100 for selecting and dispensing products 110, illustrating the system 100 incorporated into a housing 302. The housing 302 includes an outer portion 304 and an inner portion 306 (shown in phantom). As shown, the input/output device 102 may be a user interface 308 located on the exterior 304 of the housing 302. The user interface 308 may include a display 310 and a plurality of input devices 312. Display 310 is any physical or electronic display configured to visually present options to user 108. An exemplary physical display may be a physical poster mounted on the housing 302, while an exemplary electronic display may be a monitor. The input device 312 may be any device configured to receive a selection from the user 108. Examples of input devices 312 include, among others, a dial 314, a slider 316, a switch 318, and a button 320. Some of the input devices 312 may be physical devices adapted to be physically actuated by the user 108, while other input devices 312 may be virtual devices adapted to be virtually controlled by the touch screen. Exemplary user interfaces are described below with reference to fig. 4-8. In addition, other types of user interfaces 308 or other input/output devices 102 may be used depending on the implementation.

As shown, the user interface 308 may be operatively associated with the processing unit 104, the processing unit 104 being located on the interior 306 of the housing 302. Conversely, the processing unit 104 may be operatively associated with the distributor 106. The dispenser 106 may be at least partially located on the interior 306 of the housing 302. More specifically, the dispenser 106 includes a flavor component 144, a diluent component 146, and an additive component 148.

For clarity, the flavor component 144 and the diluent component 146 are depicted as separate components. In some cases, the ingredients 144, 146 may be stored separately in the dispenser 106, while in other cases one or more of the ingredients 144, 146 may be produced by the dispenser 106. For example, the dispenser 106 may be adapted to utilize a carbonator to produce the diluent component 146 of soda water by carbonating water from a source of still water. As another example, the dispenser 106 may produce a diluent component 146 of cow's milk or soy milk from a source of standing water and a concentrated cow's milk or soy milk component.

Where the flavor component 144 is a juice concentrate, the dispenser 106 may be adapted to produce a variety of different flavors of juice concentrates using a common juice base 342. The universal fruit juice base 342 may be a concentrated fruit juice having a relatively low degree of flavor. For example, the universal fruit juice base 342 may be a white grape juice concentrate or a pear juice concentrate, each of which has a relatively general or indistinguishable flavor. The universal fruit juice base 342 may likewise be a concentrated fruit juice from which the essence of its flavor has been extracted, such as a concentrated apple juice from which apple essence has been extracted. The universal fruit juice base 342 may be formed by combining universal fruit juice concentrate with water. To form a concentrated juice having a particular flavor, a relatively large amount of the universal juice base 342 can be combined with a relatively small amount of a highly concentrated flavoring 344, which highly concentrated flavoring 344 can be, for example, orange, apple, grape, cranberry, pineapple, or guava flavoring, among others. For example, the concentrated juice produced by the dispenser 106 includes about 7.9 ounces of the universal juice base 342 and about 0.1 ounces of the highly concentrated flavoring 344 per 8 ounce volume of the concentrated juice. The 7.9 ounce universal juice base 342 may comprise a 5: 1 mixture of water and universal fruit juice concentrate.

Such a dispenser 106 occupies a relatively small footprint because the dispenser 106 may not separately store each flavor concentrate used by the dispenser 106. Alternatively, the dispenser 106 may separately contain certain flavors of juice concentrates 340 and use the universal juice base 342 to produce other flavors of juice concentrates. Whether the concentrated flavored juice is stored separately, such as concentrated flavored juice 340, or formed with a universal juice base 342, may be determined at least in part by the size of the dispenser 106, the size of the space in which the dispenser 106 must fit, the anticipated needs of the flavored juice concentrate as compared to other flavored juice concentrates, and the desired quality of the flavored juice concentrate. Certain flavor concentrates may be used relatively frequently by the dispenser 106, and thus storing these separately may have no substantial effect on the size of the dispenser 106. For example, when concentrated guava juice is formed by dispenser 106, the concentrated apple juice may be stored separately in dispenser 106 because the concentrated apple juice is used more frequently than the concentrated guava juice. As another example, the concentrated orange juice may be stored separately in the dispenser 106 because the concentrated orange juice formed using the universal fruit juice base 342 is significantly different from the taste expected by the user 108. The scope of the various configurations is within the purview of one skilled in the art in view of the foregoing disclosure.

The dispenser may be adapted to produce the product 110 according to the dispensing instructions 142. Referring back to fig. 1, the logic 140 may be configured to determine the allocation instructions 142 based at least in part on the user's 108 selections. The dispensing instructions 142 may indicate the type and quantity of flavor, diluent, and additive components 144, 146, 148 to be included in the product 110. For example, in response to one flavor selection 114, the logic 140 may include an individual juice concentrate 340 in the dispensing instructions 142, while in response to another flavor selection 114, the logic 140 may include a universal juice base 342 and one or more flavorings 344 in the dispensing instructions 142. In some embodiments, the allocation instructions 142 may correspond directly to the user's 108 selections. Alternatively, based on the selection by the user 108, the logic 140 may determine that additional components, fewer components, or alternative proportions of components are desirable. For example, the logic 140 may determine that the additive composition 148 may improve the product 110 configured by the user 108. Accordingly, the logic 140 may include the additive composition 148 in the dispensing instructions 142. Alternatively, the logic 140 may limit or block certain combinations that may result in the product 110 having an undesirable taste, color, or odor, etc. In this case, logic 140 may determine alternative dispensing instructions 142 based on the selection by user 108.

The logic 140 may be configured to determine the volume of each component in the configuration instructions 142 such that the volume of the dispensed component is capable of reaching the total target volume of the product 110. More specifically, the logic 140 may be configured to vary the volume of the flavor composition 144 based on the characteristics of the flavor composition 144 or the selected quantity of the product 110. Certain flavor ingredients 144 may be relatively more concentrated, and thus the logic 140 may be configured to ensure that relatively smaller volumes of these flavor ingredients 144 may be dispensed. However, other configurations are possible. The logic 140 may also be configured to determine the volume of the diluent component or components 146. The logic 140 may dispense the remaining volume of the product 110 from the one or more diluent components 146 according to the diluent strength selection 124. The diluent intensity selection 124 may represent a ratio of one or more diluent components 146 to one another. The logic 140 may utilize the diluent intensity selection 124 in conjunction with the volume of the flavor component 144 and the volume of the product 110 to determine the volume of each of the one or more diluent components 146.

For example, a diluent selection of water 122 and a diluent intensity selection of 100% 124 may represent water making up 100% of the diluent volume of the product 110. Thus, if the total volume of the product 110 is 12 ounces and the volume of the flavor composition 144 is 4 ounces, the logic 140 may determine that an 8 ounce volume of water is suitable. In this case, the ratio of water to the other diluent components 146 may be 100%, and the ratio of the other diluent components 146 may be 0%. As another example, a diluent strength selection 124 of 10% water and 90% milk may indicate that the product 110 includes a proportion of 1 part water per 9 parts milk. Thus, if the total volume of the product 110 is 12 ounces and the volume of the flavor composition 142 is 2 ounces, the logic 140 may determine that a volume of 1 ounce of water and a volume of 9 ounces of milk are suitable. Skilled persons will appreciate that logic 140 having other configurations may be used in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

The dispenser 106 may produce the product 110 according to the dispensing instructions 142. The dispenser 106 may include a mixing nozzle 322, the mixing nozzle 322 being in fluid communication with the flavor component 144, the diluent component 146, and the additive component 148. The mixing nozzle 322 is adapted to combine the ingredients to produce the product 110. The mixing nozzle 322 is adapted to deliver the product 110 to the exterior 304 of the dispenser 106 so that the user 108 can retrieve the product 110.

Turning now to the user interface 308, the user interface 308 may include an input device 312 associated with an option to provide the user 108 with a desired degree of freedom in formulating the product 110. Some options may be discrete options 324 representing discrete selections. Exemplary discrete options 324 include, among other things, taste options 112 and diluent options 120. Each taste option 112 may represent a discrete taste and each discrete option 120 may represent a discrete diluent. Another option is an increment option 326, which increment option 326 changes step by step along a continuous range. Exemplary increment options 326 include taste intensity option 116 and diluent intensity option 124, which represent a range of potential contributions to product 110.

As described below, the input device 312 may be a binary input device 328, a graduated input device 330, an incrementally adjustable input device 332, or a combination input device 334. The binary input device 328 may be adjusted between two discrete positions. In some cases, the binary input 328 may be associated with any one of the discrete options 324. In this case, the binary input device 328 may be engaged to select or cancel one of the discrete options 324 independently of the other discrete options 324. One type of binary input device 328 may be a button 320. The button 320 is pressed to select or cancel the discrete option 324 associated with the button 320. Another binary input device 328 may be the switch 318. The switch 318 is flipped to select or deselect the discrete option 324 associated with the switch 318. For example, each additive option 128 may be individually selected by flipping switch 318 in fig. 3. In some cases, the user interface 308 may allow the user 108 to engage multiple binary input devices 328 so that the user 108 may include combinations of discrete options 324 in the product 110. For example, a plurality of diluent options 120 are selected in fig. 3 by pressing the corresponding buttons 320. In other cases, the user interface 308 may limit the number or combinations of binary input devices 312 that may be engaged. Such limitations may control the number or combination of options to be incorporated into the product 110.

The scaled input device 330 may be adjusted between a plurality of discrete positions 336. In some cases, the scaled input device 330 may be associated with a plurality of discrete options 324, with each discrete option 324 associated with a discrete position 336. In this case, the scaled input device 330 may be adjusted between discrete positions 336 to select any one of the discrete options 324. One type of graduated input device 330 may be a dial 314. The dial 314 may have a plurality of discrete options 324, with the discrete options 324 being located at a plurality of discrete positions 336 around the dial 314. The user 108 may select at most one discrete option 324 by rotating the dial 314 to the appropriate discrete position 336. Another graduated input device 330 may be a slider bar 316. The slider 316 may have discrete options 324 located at discrete locations 336 along the slider 316. The user 108 may select at most one discrete option 324 by sliding the slider 316 to the appropriate discrete position 336. The scaled input device 330 may limit the number or combination of discrete options 324 that the user 108 may select because the user 108 may adjust the scaled input device 330 to at most one discrete position 336 at a given time. As an example shown in fig. 3. A plurality of flavor options 112 are associated with the dial 314, and the user 108 can select one flavor option 112 by rotating the dial 314 to a corresponding discrete position 336.

The incrementally adjustable input device 332 can be continuously adjusted along a continuous range 338. The continuous range 338 may correspond to a continuous set of increment options 326. The minimum end of the continuous range 338 may correspond to the minimum increment option 326 and the maximum end of the continuous range 338 may correspond to the maximum increment option 326. Between the minimum and maximum ends of the continuous range 338, the increment options 326 may be incrementally increased from a minimum value to a maximum value, each increment option 326 incrementally changing from the next adjacent increment option 326. An exemplary incrementally adjustable input device 332 may be a dial 314 or a slider 316. The incremental options 326 may be represented by a continuous range 338 around the dial 314 or along the slider 316. The user 108 may select one of the increment options 326 within the continuous range 338 by adjusting the dial 314 or slider 316 to a certain position.

In some embodiments, a plurality of incrementally adjustable input devices 332 are associated with one another such that adjustment of one incrementally adjustable input device 332 automatically adjusts another associated incrementally adjustable input device 332. More specifically, as the user 108 adds one incrementally adjustable input device 332, the associated incrementally adjustable input device 332 may be automatically lowered. As an example shown in fig. 3. Each diluent option 120 is associated with a slider bar 316. The slider bar 316 displays a continuous range 338 of the diluent intensity options 124. The user 108 may adjust the slider bar 316 to select the contribution of the diluent to the product 110. The minimum end of the continuous range 338 shows the minimum contribution of diluent to the product 110, while the maximum end of the continuous range 338 shows the maximum contribution of diluent to the product 110. As a result, the relative contributions of all selected diluents add together to 100%, and the sliders 316 may be operatively related to each other. User 108 may adjust one or more sliders 316 and, in response, one or more associated sliders 316 may automatically adjust. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the user interface 308 may adjust other associated sliders 316. Thus, when the user 108 slides the slider bar 316 associated with milk, the user interface 308 may automatically adjust the slider bar 316 associated with water and yogurt so that the contributions of the selected diluents add together to 100%.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a user interface 308 of predefined combinations 402 of options presented to the user 108. The predefined combination of options 402 recommends a particular group of options and allows the user 108 to select each option in the group at the same time. In some cases, the predefined combination of options 402 is associated with discrete options 336 on the scaled input device 330, such that moving the scaled input device 330 to discrete locations 336 selects each option in the predefined combination 402 at the same time. Alternatively, the predefined combination of options 402 is associated with the binary input 328 such that engaging the binary input 328 simultaneously selects each of the options in the predefined combination 402. Thus, the user interface 308 may allow the user 108 to combine certain groups of options while preventing the user 108 from combining other groups.

For example, the dial 314 in fig. 4 has one diluent option 120 or a predefined combination of diluent options 120 at each discrete position 336 on the dial 314. The user 108 can thus rotate the dial 314 to the appropriate discrete position 336 for diluent selection. A predefined combination 402 of such options gives the user 108 freedom while preventing the user 108 from making unwanted selections. For example, the user 108 can combine milk and yogurt as such combination can form an ideal product 110 that can be compared to a smoothie. However, the user 108 may be discouraged from selecting both water and yogurt at the same time, as this combination tends to form a too dilute yogurt with a poor taste and appearance. The user 108 may also be prevented from selecting both soda water and milk at the same time, as this combination may result in poor foaming.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a user interface 308. The user interface 308 presents a diluent option 120 that enables the user 108 to envision the product 110 to be formed by the dispenser 108. More specifically, the diluent option 120 displays the product 110 to be formed from the selected diluent and the flavoring 144 component as the juice concentrate. While the diluent options 120 may or may not specifically represent one or more diluents to the user 108, each diluent option 120 may display one diluent or a predefined combination of diluents 402. For example, the diluent options 120 associated with the discrete locations 336 on the slider bar 316 in fig. 5 are juice, sorbet milk, smoothies, and yogurt. The diluent option 120 for selecting juice may be equivalent to the diluent option 120 for selecting water because the dispenser 106 is adapted to form juice from water and concentrated juice. The choice of diluent 120 for selecting a milk enhanced juice (juice enhanced milk) is equivalent to the choice of diluent 120 for selecting water and milk, as the dispenser 106 is adapted to form a milk enhanced juice from water, milk, and concentrated juice. Selecting a diluent option 120 for juice milk is equivalent to selecting a diluent option 120 for milk because the dispenser 106 is adapted to form juice milk from milk and juice concentrate. Selecting the smoothie's diluent option 120 is equivalent to selecting the milk and yogurt diluent option 120 because the dispenser 106 is adapted to form a smoothie from milk, yogurt, and concentrated juice.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a user interface 308. User interface 308 includes a combination input device 334. The combination input device 334 may include both graduated and incrementally adjustable input features. More specifically, the plurality of discrete options 324 may be associated with the combined input device 334 at a plurality of discrete locations 336 along a continuous range of locations 338. The combination input device 334 may be adjusted to select one of the discrete options 324 at one of the discrete locations 336. Further, the area 602 between two adjacent discrete locations 336 corresponds to the predefined combination 402 of two adjacent discrete options 324. The combined input device 334 may be adjusted to the region 602 to simultaneously select two discrete options 324 in the predefined combination 402.

One example of the combination input device 334 is the dial 314 shown in fig. 6. The dial 314 may be adjusted to one of four discrete positions 336 to select one of four flavor options 112: orange, pineapple, apple and cranberry. The dial 314 may also be adjusted to one of the regions 602 between two adjacent discrete positions 336 to select one of the four predefined combinations 402 of taste options 112: orange and pineapple, orange and cranberry, apple and pineapple, or apple and cranberry. Another example of a combination input device 334 is the slider bar 316 shown in fig. 6. The slider bar 316 may be adjusted in three discrete positions 336 to select one of three diluent options 120: water, milk and yogurt. Further, the slider 316 may be adjusted to the region 602 between any two adjacent discrete positions 336 to select one of the two predefined combinations 402 of diluent options 120: water and milk, or milk and yogurt.

In some embodiments, the combination input device 334 is also adapted to select the increment option 326. Such a combined input device 334 enables simultaneous selection of one or more discrete options 324, such as a flavoring or diluent to be included in the product 110, along with a corresponding increment option 326, such as an intensity option showing the relative contribution of the selected flavor or diluent to the product 110. For example, in fig. 6, the dial 314 is adapted to select the taste option 112. Thus, the dial 314 is also adapted to select the taste intensity selection 118 within a continuous range 338 of taste intensity options 116. Likewise, the slider bar 316 is equally suitable for selecting the diluent option 120. Thus, slider 316 may also be adapted to select diluent intensity selections 126 within a continuous range 338 of diluent intensity selections 124. One discrete location 336 may represent a maximum value of one discrete option 324 and the next adjacent discrete location 336 may represent a minimum value of the discrete option 324. The area 602 between two discrete locations 336 may represent a continuous range 338 of intensity options and gradually decreases from a maximum intensity to a minimum intensity.

An example is shown in fig. 6. The dial 314 includes four discrete positions 336 and four regions 602. Each discrete location 336 corresponds to one taste option 112 and each region 602 corresponds to a predefined combination 402 of two adjacent taste options 112. Each region 602 also represents a taste intensity option 116 for an adjacent taste. The taste intensity options 116 may be in an inversely related relationship such that as one taste intensity option 116 increases, another taste intensity option 116 must decrease. At any point in the area 602, the two taste intensity options 116 correspond to 100% of the flavor ingredients 144 of the product 110. For example, the user 108 may indicate the apple and pineapple flavor selections 114 by adjusting the dial 314 to a position 337 between two discrete positions 336 associated with the apple and pineapple flavor options 112. The user 108 may also represent a 50% apple taste intensity selection 118 by adjusting the dial 314 to a position 337, the position 337 being approximately 50% of the distance between two discrete positions 336 when measured from the discrete positions 336 associated with the apple taste options 112. The user 108 may also represent a 50% pineapple taste intensity selection 118 by adjusting the dial 314 to a position 337, which position 337 is approximately 50% of the distance between two discrete positions 336 when measured from the discrete positions 336 associated with the pineapple taste options 112.

Similarly, slider 316 includes three discrete locations 336 and two regions 602. Each discrete location 336 corresponds to one diluent option 120 and each region 602 corresponds to a predefined combination 402 of adjacent diluent options 120. Each region 602 also represents the diluent intensity option 124 of the adjacent diluent. Thus, user 108 may adjust slider 316 to register both diluent selection 122 and diluent intensity selection 126 simultaneously. For example, the user 108 may indicate the water and milk diluent selection 122 by adjusting the slider bar 316 to a position 337 between the discrete positions 336 associated with the water and milk diluent selection 120. The slider bar 316 can be adjusted to a position 337, which position 337 is approximately 25% of the distance between the discrete positions 336 when measured from the discrete positions 336 associated with the water. Such a location 337 may represent a diluent strength selection 126 of 25% water. The locations 337 are also approximately 75% of the distance between the discrete locations 336 when measured from the discrete locations 336 associated with the milk. This location 337 may therefore represent a diluent intensity selection of 75% milk.

It should be noted that the above embodiments of the user interface 308 are described as examples, and any combination of the above embodiments is possible. Further, it should be emphasized that the input device 312 described above may be implemented using a touch screen, in which case the input device 312 may be virtual. By limiting the user 108 to a particular option or predefined combination of options, the user interface 308 may provide the user 108 with freedom to formulate the product 108 while preventing the user 108 from making undesired selections. This user interface 103 may enable the user 108 to configure products 110 that are not pre-packaged and are readily available in the market, yet have desirable taste and consistency.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a user interface 308 that presents a user 108 with a continuum 702 of options. The continuum 702 may be a two-dimensional curve that may present the diluent option 120 and the diluent intensity option 124 to the user 108. This set of closures 702 may help the user 108 to visualize the products 110 to be dispensed by the dispenser 106. Further, this continuum 702 may limit the consumer to a particular option or predefined combination of options to ensure that the user 108 selects a product 108 with good taste and consistency.

As shown in FIG. 7, the continuum 702 includes a horizontal axis 704 and a vertical axis 706. The horizontal axis 704 represents the diluent option 120. More specifically, each discrete location 336 on the horizontal axis 704 may represent one diluent option 120, and the area 602 between two adjacent discrete locations 336 may represent a predefined combination 402 of two adjacent diluent options 120. Additionally, each diluent option 120 may be associated with a diluent intensity line 708. The diluent intensity line 708 may extend from a discrete location 336 associated with the diluent option 120 to the next adjacent discrete location 336. The diluent intensity line 708 has a vertical magnitude that can visually represent the diluent intensity option 124 of the diluent option 120. In the illustrated embodiment, each diluent intensity line 708 may linearly decrease from a vertical maximum at a discrete location 336 to a vertical minimum at the next adjacent discrete location 336. Similarly, the diluent intensity line 708 for the next adjacent diluent may increase linearly from the vertical minimum at the discrete location 336 to the vertical maximum at the next adjacent discrete location 336. In other words, the region 602 between the two discrete locations 336 includes two diluent intensity lines 708 because the region 602 corresponds to a combination of two diluent components 146. Together, the two diluent intensity lines 708 visually show how the two diluent components 146 combine to produce the product 110. The diluent intensity lines 708 may be inversely related and intersect or form an X-shape, visually indicating that the relative amount of one diluent component 146 decreases as the relative amount of the other diluent components 146 increases. Thus, at any point on the horizontal axis 704, the contribution of the diluent composition 146 to the product 110 increases to 100%. However, the continuum of options 702 may have other configurations. For example, the continuum 702 may be a pie chart, among other things.

The set of closures 702 may be visually presented to the user 108 in association with the combined input device 334. Combination input device 334 may be adjusted to select a position 337 on horizontal axis 704. Selecting a location 337 on the horizontal axis 704 may select each of the diluent options 120 and each of the diluent intensity options 124 simultaneously. More specifically, selecting discrete location 336 on horizontal axis 704 may select a respective one of diluent options 120, while selecting location 337 in area 602 may select a respective combination of two diluent options 120. In addition, selecting a location 337 on the horizontal axis 704 may also select the corresponding diluent strength option 124. The relative distance of the location 337 from the discrete location 336 may represent the relative amount of the diluent composition 146 associated with the discrete location 336 to be included in the product 110. Thus, by selecting a point on the horizontal axis 704, the user 108 can simultaneously select one or more diluent components 146 and can indicate the relative amount of that diluent component 146 in the components of the product 110.

It should be noted that, as described above, the continuum 702 may be visually presented on the user interface 308, which may also enable the user to select one or more of the taste options 112. In this embodiment, the continuum 702 may also be visually presented to the user 108 taste intensity line 710. The flavor intensity line 710 may represent the relative amount of flavor ingredients 144 in the product 110. As shown, the flavor intensity line 710 can be a straight line, but other flavor intensity lines 710 are possible. Further, the taste intensity line 710 may be omitted from the set of associations 702 in the event that an indication of taste is not visually presented to the user 108 on the set of associations 702.

In fig. 7, the discrete locations 336 on the horizontal axis 704 correspond to the following diluent options 120: water, milk and yogurt. The regions 602 correspond to two different predefined combinations 402 of diluent options 120: milk and water, and milk and yogurt. As described above, the continuum 702 may likewise present other diluent options 120 to the user 108. For example, the diluent options 120 presented to the user 108 may include juice, juice milk, and yogurt. The area 602 on the horizontal axis 704 between the discrete locations associated with the juice and the juice milk may be represented as corresponding to juice fortified with milk, while the area 602 on the horizontal axis 704 between the discrete locations associated with the juice milk and yogurt is represented as corresponding to a smoothie. Thus, by selecting a location 337 on the horizontal axis 704 of the continuum 702, the user 108 can select a product 110 having a diluent composition 146 that includes 100% water, any combination of water and milk, 100% milk, any combination of milk and yogurt, or 100% yogurt. When such diluent ingredients 146 are mixed with the flavor ingredient 144 as a juice concentrate, the continuum 702 may present a variety of products 110 from direct juice at one end of the continuum 702 to spoonable yogurt at the other end of the continuum 702. Along the continuum 702, the product 110 can be graded from juice to milk fortified juice, juice milk, smoothies, and ultimately direct yogurt. Each position 337 on the horizontal axis 704 of the continuum 702 may correspond to a progressively different product 110 having a progressively different characteristic. For example, the product 110 may be one of the products illustrated in FIG. 2, or an incremental combination of any two of these products. By associating a set of closures 702 with a combined input device 334, a user 108 can select from a wide variety of products 110 by selecting a single location 337 on a horizontal axis 704 of the set of closures 702.

It is noted that in the illustrated embodiment, the combination input device 334 is a slider bar 316, but other configurations are possible. For example, a dial 314 may be used. The dial 314 may be coupled to a separate visual indicator that indicates a position 337 on the horizontal axis 704 such that rotating the dial 314 will adjust the visual indicator along the horizontal axis 704. In some implementations, the user 108 can select additional features of at least some of the options presented on the continuum 702. This example is shown in fig. 7. The user 108 can define the diluent option 120 for milk as cow's milk or soy milk. The user 108 can also define the diluent option 120 of the yogurt as either a skim yogurt or a full fat yogurt. The user interface 308 includes an input device 312 adapted to receive user 108 preferences regarding such features. For example, in fig. 7, multiple switches 718 are employed for this purpose, but other configurations are possible. Also noteworthy, the continuum 702 may represent options other than the diluent option 120 and the diluent intensity option 124. Further, the diluent intensity lines 708 may increase or decrease in a non-linear manner between adjacent discrete locations 336. In addition, horizontal axis 704 and vertical axis 706 may have other orientations.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a user interface 308 presenting a circular set of closures 802 of options. The circular continuum 802 may have an end 804 that is the same as the beginning 806 of the continuum 802. The locations of the ending point 804 and the starting point 806 may abut each other to form a loop. The circular continuum 802 may be repeated seamlessly after the entire length of the circular continuum 802 has been swept. Such a circular continuum 802 is suitable for visual display on a monitor or touch screen because the user 108 can scroll continuously along the horizontal axis 704 of the circular continuum 802 without reaching the end of the circular continuum 802.

Similar to the continuum 702, the circular continuum 802 may have a plurality of diluent intensity lines 708. For example, the circular continuum 802 can be formed by placing the continuum 702 as a mirror image of the contiguous continuum 702. In this embodiment, the continuum 702 may include two locations 337 corresponding to the same product 110. Alternatively, one or more of the diluent options 120 and the diluent intensity line 124 may be altered to correspond to different diluents. For example, the circular closure set 802 shown in fig. 8 includes separate diluent strength lines 724 for cow's milk and soymilk. Other ranges of configurations are also possible.

Thus, the user 108 may receive products 110 configured according to their own preferences. For example, in an embodiment, the product 110 may be an equivalent of a branded product or an incremental combination of a plurality of branded products. However, the configuration of the user interface 308 may protect the user 108 from selecting products 110 having undesirable characteristics. Further, the user interface 308 may present options to the user 108 in a relatively intuitive manner such that the user 108 may enter a relatively large number of selections with a relatively small amount of communication with the user interface 308.

The skilled artisan will appreciate that the above description also discloses a method 900 of selecting and dispensing a product. Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method 900. In block 902, a user is presented with a plurality of options. The options may include a plurality of diluent options and a plurality of diluent strength options. In some embodiments, the user may be presented with one or more predefined combinations of diluent options. For example, the user may be presented with a continuum of options. The continuum of options may be a two-dimensional curve that visually illustrates the diluent option in terms of relative amounts in the product. The continuum of options may visually illustrate each diluent option using a diluent intensity line. The diluent intensity line may have a magnitude representing a diluent intensity option. The end point of a continuum may be the same as the beginning of the continuum. The set of closures may be presented on a display, and an end point of the set of closures may be positioned adjacent to a start point of the set of closures on the display such that the set of closures of the option presents a ring shape. Other configurations are also possible.

In block 904, a plurality of selections are received from a user. The selection includes one or more diluent selections and one or more diluent intensity selections. In some embodiments, the diluent selection may be limited to any one of the diluent options or one of a plurality of predefined combinations of diluent options. In some embodiments, the user may enter a selection by moving the input device to a certain position. The location is associated with each of the one or more diluent selections and each of the one or more diluent intensity selections. In these embodiments, receiving the plurality of selections from the user includes receiving an indication of a location of the input device. For example, the location may be a location on a continuum. The location on the continuum may represent each of the one or more diluent selections and each of the one or more diluent intensity selections simultaneously.

In block 906, one or more diluent components may be determined. The diluent composition may be determined based at least in part on diluent selection. In block 908, the relative amounts of the diluent components may be determined based at least in part on the diluent strength selection.

In block 910, a product is dispensed. The product may include diluent components in relative amounts. In some implementations, the options presented in block 902 also include one or more taste options, and the selections received in block 904 also include one or more taste selections. In these embodiments, the product dispensed in block 908 also includes one or more flavoring components. In these embodiments, the method further comprises determining the flavor component based at least in part on the taste selection. Also in these embodiments, the flavor component includes concentrated fruit juice, and the diluent component includes water, milk, and yogurt.

Claims (15)

1. A dispensing system, comprising:

an input/output device adapted to receive a plurality of selections, the selections including one or more diluent selections and one or more diluent intensity selections, the diluent intensity selections representing relative proportions for the diluent selections; and

a dispenser adapted to dispense one or more diluent components corresponding at least in part to the one or more diluent selections, the one or more diluent components having opposing portions corresponding at least in part to the one or more diluent intensity selections;

the input/output device comprises an input means adapted to be adjusted along a continuous range of positions, wherein the continuous range of positions comprises:

a first discrete location representing a first diluent option;

a second discrete location representing a second diluent option, the first and second discrete locations being separated by a total distance; and

a region between the first and second discrete locations, the region representing a combination of the first and second diluent options;

said input/output device adapted to receive each of said diluent selections when said input is adjusted to one of said continuous range of positions; and is

The input/output device is further adapted to receive the diluent intensity selection when the input apparatus is adjusted to the position in the continuous range of positions, the positions being a first distance from the first discrete position and a second distance from the second discrete position, a relative relationship between the first distance and the total distance representing a relative amount of the first diluent selection and a relative relationship between the second distance and the total distance representing a relative amount of the second diluent selection.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the dispenser is further adapted to dispense one or more flavor ingredients corresponding at least in part to one or more flavor selections of the user.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the one or more flavor components comprise fruit juice concentrates, the dispenser is adapted to produce a first fruit juice concentrate from a universal fruit juice base and a first concentrated flavoring agent, and the dispenser is adapted to produce a second fruit juice concentrate from a universal fruit juice base and a second concentrated flavoring agent.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein:

the diluent component includes one or more of the following: water, milk and yogurt; and is

The dispenser is adapted to dispense a product comprising one or more of the following: fruit juice, fruit juice flavored milk, fruit juice flavored smoothies, and fruit juice flavored yogurt.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the input/output device includes a display that visually presents one or more diluent options and one or more predefined combinations of diluent options; and is

The input/output device is adapted to restrict the one or more diluent selections to one of the diluent options, or one of a predefined combination of diluent options.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the input/output device comprises:

a display that visually presents a continuum of options to a user, the continuum visually showing a plurality of diluent options and a plurality of diluent intensity options; and

an input device adapted to select each of the one or more diluent selections and each of the one or more diluent intensity selections from the continuum of options.

7. A method for preparing a product comprising:

presenting a plurality of options to a user, the options including a plurality of diluent options and a plurality of diluent intensity options, the diluent intensity options representing relative proportions of the diluent options;

receiving a plurality of selections from a user, the selections including one or more diluent selections and one or more diluent intensity selections, the diluent intensity selections representing relative proportions of the diluent selections;

determining one or more diluent components based at least in part on the diluent selection;

determining a relative amount of the diluent component based at least in part on the diluent strength selection;

dispensing a product comprising relative amounts of the diluent ingredients; and is

Wherein presenting the plurality of options to the user comprises: a user is presented with a continuum of options that includes a two-dimensional curve that visually illustrates the diluent options as a function of relative amounts in the product.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein presenting the plurality of options to the user comprises: the user is presented with one or more predefined combinations of diluent options.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: limiting the one or more diluent selections to one of the diluent options, or one of a plurality of predefined combinations of diluent options.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein receiving a plurality of selections from a user comprises: receiving an indication of a location of an input device, the location associated with each of the one or more diluent selections and each of the one or more diluent intensity selections.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the continuum of options visually shows each diluent option with a diluent intensity line having a magnitude representing the diluent intensity option.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the end point of the closed set is the same as the starting point of the closed set; and is

The step of presenting the user with a continuum of options includes: presenting a continuum of options on a display on which an end point of the continuum is positioned adjacent to a start point of the continuum such that the continuum of options appears in a ring.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein receiving a plurality of selections from a user comprises: receiving an indication of a location on the continuum representing both each of the one or more diluent selections and each of the one or more diluent intensity selections.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the options further include one or more taste options, an

The selection may also include one or more taste selections,

the product further comprises one or more flavor ingredients, the flavor ingredients being determined at least in part by the taste selection.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the flavoring component comprises concentrated fruit juice; and is

The diluent components include water, milk and yogurt.