Coffee brewer and a corresponding network-based method and apparatus

摘要

A coffee brewing apparatus comprises a corresponding coffee brewer as well as a sensor that is configured and arranged to sense food components as used by that means for brewing coffee beverages. This coffee brewing apparatus then further comprises an external network interface that is configured and arranged to facilitate interfacing with a remote resource (or resources). The coffee brewing apparatus can further comprise an end user interface and a processor that is operably coupled to the sensor, the external network interface, and the end user interface and that is configured and arranged to independently use information regarding food components as are used by the means for brewing coffee beverages to facilitate obtaining corresponding responsive information from the remote resource and to then present that information to an end user via the end user interface.

主权项

1. A coffee brewing apparatus that comprises:
a coffee brewer; a sensor configured and arranged to sense food components as used by the coffee brewer, wherein sensing food components comprises sensing information provided on a coffee pod containing the food components that includes at least one of information corresponding to a brand of the food component, information corresponding to a flavor of the food component, information corresponding to a grind of the food component, and information identifying whether the coffee pod is intended for use in the coffee brewer; an external network interface configured and arranged to facilitate interfacing with a remote resource; an end user interface including an active display; a processor operably coupled to the sensor, the external network interface, and the end user interface and being configured and arranged to independently use information regarding food components used by the coffee brewer to facilitate obtaining responsive information from the remote resource and presenting the responsive information to an end user via the end user interface including presenting via the active display at least one of textual content and graphic content that corresponds to the responsive information; the end user interface being capable of receiving an acceptance by the end user of a food component purchasing opportunity; and the processor and external network interface being capable of facilitating a verification of the end user to accept the food component purchasing opportunity.