Water dispenser system and method

Abstract

Atmospheric water generators, systems and methods are presented involve user authentication, recording and tracking of water volumes dispensed by respective users over periods of various lengths, controlling component noise level and timing, and cleaning, heating and cooling the collected water more efficiently. The generators may be placed in network communication with other such generators to exchange water availability information therewith, or may communicate with a central server element by way of LAN, Internet, cell tower, peer-to-peer mesh or satellite. Information is conveyed to the user regarding the amount of water they consume from the water generators, and their resulting positive impact on the environment. Water dispensing data may be shared on the users' social media accounts, or used as inputs for competitions or games in order to further engage the user. User authentication may be accomplished by way of biometrics or an RFID/NFC tag embedded in the user's water vessel.

1 . A water dispenser system comprising:
 (a) at least one tap element configured to being in water receiving communication with a source of liquid water and being user-actuatable between an open state and a closed state, the at least one tap element being configured to allow water to be dispensed therefrom when in its open state and to prevent water from being dispensed therefrom when in its closed state, wherein:
 (i) actuation periods are respectively defined by each length of time the at least one tap element is continuously in its open state, and 
 (ii) actuated volumes of water are respectively defined by the volume of water dispensed during each actuation period; 
   (b) a computer element configured to:
 (i) register multiple registered users of the water dispenser system; 
 (ii) record respective said actuated volumes dispensed by the registered users; 
 (iii) sum the recorded actuated volumes dispensed throughout respective user dispensing periods, thereby defining respective user aggregate volumes; and 
 (iv) convey respective said user aggregate volumes to the registered users; 
   (c) a network interface, wherein the computer element includes a display screen and is configured to receive by way of the network interface for display on the display screen one or more messages selected from the group consisting of
 (i) health and worker productivity items, 
 (ii) educational or motivational messages, and
 (iii) graphics, messages or promotions relating to a brand. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 1  in which the user aggregate volumes are conveyed in at least one form selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) one or more standard units of volume measurement; 
 (b) a degree of progress toward a pre-set goal of the respective registered user; 
 (c) a degree of progress toward a pre-set group goal of a group of the respective registered users; and 
 (d) a number of hypothetical plastic containers of pre-determined volumetric capacity which are collectively volumetrically equivalent to the respective user aggregate volume. 
 
     
     
         3 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 1  in which the computer element includes a display screen, and the conveying of user aggregate volumes is completed at least by way of displaying the respective aggregate volumes on the display screen. 
     
     
         4 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 3  in which the display screen is a touch screen interface. 
     
     
         5 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 1  further comprising one or more sensor elements configured to measure one or more of the ambient temperature, ambient pressure and ambient humidity;
 wherein the computer element is in data communication with the one or more sensor elements and is configured to:
 (a) calculate from the data a current rate at which the generator water dispenser system is able to produce liquid water from the ambient air; and 
 (b) display the rate on a display screen. 
 
 
     
     
         6 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the network interface is configured to enable the computer element to communicate with at least one of a local area network, a wide area network, a cellular network, a peer-to-peer mesh and a satellite. 
     
     
         7 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 6  in which the conveyed user aggregate volumes are accessible by social media accounts of respective registered users. 
     
     
         10 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 6  in which the conveyed user aggregate volumes are conveyable as data inputs to:
 (a) a computer-based game playable by one or more registered users wherein the respective aggregate volumes:
 (i) trigger events within the game; or (ii) represent parameters within the game; and or 
 
 (b) a computer-based competition between registered users wherein the respective aggregate volumes of the competitors are used as a basis of mutual performance comparison. 
 
     
     
         11 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 6  in which the conveyed user aggregate volumes are accessible by mobile computing devices of respective registered users. 
     
     
         12 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 11  in which the accessibility is by way of an intermediate server element. 
     
     
         13 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 1  in which at least one of the user dispensing periods is the portion of the current calendar day which has elapsed as of the latest dispensing by the respective registered user. 
     
     
         14 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 1  in which the computer element includes a machine counter which is configured to be reinitialized, at least one of the user dispensing periods being equivalent to the time which has elapsed since latest reinitialization. 
     
     
         15 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 1  in which at least one of the user aggregate volumes corresponds to the dispensing by all users of the water dispenser system. 
     
     
         16 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the computer element is configured to be placed in network communication with computer elements of one or more additional said water dispenser systems located at other locations, each of the computer elements being configured to receive respective potable water availability data from each of the other water dispenser systems, and indicate potable water availability and location information corresponding to each of the other water dispenser systems. 
     
     
         21 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 1  in which the registering of one or more registered users enables the registered users to create respective user hydration profiles with associated user names, each user hydration profile including respective user hydration data which:
 (a) is accessible by the respective registered user by logging into their hydration profile using a unique authentication ID, and (b) tracks respective user aggregate volumes conveyed in the form of at least one of:
 (i) one or more standard units of volume measurement; 
 (ii) a degree of progress toward a pre-set goal of the respective registered user; or 
 (iii) a number of hypothetical plastic containers of pre-determined volumetric capacity which are collectively volumetrically equivalent to a respective user aggregate volume. 
 
 
     
     
         22 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 21  in which the authentication ID is readable by the computer element by way of blue tooth connection. 
     
     
         23 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 21  in which the authentication ID is readable by the computer element by way of biometric sensing. 
     
     
         24 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 21  in which the authentication ID is readable by the computer element by way of radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or near field communication (NFC) tag. 
     
     
         25 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . A water dispenser system as defined in  claim 1  in which the dispenser is configured to authenticate registered users by way of a respective authentication IDs, and customize the dispensed water for each said authenticated user by way of pre-selected temperature control or pre-selected additives.