Solution Benefits
- Enable self serve in any retail format to dramatically improve register throughput
- Shift margin from bottles and cans and their associated handling costs into a fountain program
- Get paid for every ounce of syrup poured
- Deliver 24 hour access to your guests with no shrink
- A platform for high margin refill vessel sales
- Expand refill mug pricing option like "Season Pass" or "All Semester"
- A platform for dramatic sustainability improvements
- A promotion vehicle (stored value on the mug) to drive instances to a food service location
Features & Functionality
ValidFill utilizes RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) technology to control beverage dispensing by retrofitting standard fountain beverage dispensers. ValidFill's technology controls dispensing, creates advertising space, and captures data about the transaction. ValidFill provides these functions by using a RFID tag.
RFID tags are placed on the bottom of each beverage container used with the system. This RFID tag is a miniature memory chip that stores unique information about that beverage container. The information is used to identify the validity of the cup as well as specific transaction details, including:
RFID tags are placed on the bottom of each beverage container used with the system. This RFID tag is a miniature memory chip that stores unique information about that beverage container. The information is used to identify the validity of the cup as well as specific transaction details, including:
- Cup Type (Hot , Cold, Reusable, Disposable)
- Cup Size
- Company
- Location
- Date Purchased
- Location Purchased
- Number of Times Used
- Number of Refills Remaining
- Time of Last Use
A customer uses the ValidFill enabled system the same way they would utilize a standard fountain beverage dispenser. The customer places the RFID tagged beverage container under the fountain dispensing valve and presses the fill button. When the button is pressed, the system turns on the RF antenna that is embedded in the drip tray to read, verify and re-write information back to the RFID tag within a fraction of a second. If the tag is valid, the system will allow the customer to dispense a drink. If the container is out of refills, the system will display a message letting the customer know they are out of refills.
The system allows for an unlimited number of refill programs to be run simultaneously.
Fills can be controlled by ounces dispensed, number of refills, a specific amount of time, or a combination of these options. This process is all controlled through the brains of the system, the Black Box.
The Black Box houses a RFID Reader as well as the system's CPU (Central Processing Unit). Each time a valve is activated, the reader sends a signal to the antenna to detect the presence of a RFID tag and to read the information. The information is then relayed to the CPU for processing and if the tag is valid, the valve is opened. All of this, taking place in matter of micro seconds. The CPU's software is kept updated through a web interface. The web interface updates the software on a regular basis and monitors the system's health. Each client is given a username and password to view their specific machines, update advertising, and access data reports. Each time a drink is dispensed, approximately 40 fields of data are reported to the server to generate client specific reports. This allows our clients to make educated decisions on their refill programs.
The Black Box houses a RFID Reader as well as the system's CPU (Central Processing Unit). Each time a valve is activated, the reader sends a signal to the antenna to detect the presence of a RFID tag and to read the information. The information is then relayed to the CPU for processing and if the tag is valid, the valve is opened. All of this, taking place in matter of micro seconds. The CPU's software is kept updated through a web interface. The web interface updates the software on a regular basis and monitors the system's health. Each client is given a username and password to view their specific machines, update advertising, and access data reports. Each time a drink is dispensed, approximately 40 fields of data are reported to the server to generate client specific reports. This allows our clients to make educated decisions on their refill programs.
