Barcode readers at soda fountains

[bizblock8]

I'm doing some research about the barcode readers the waterparks use to refill soda in the mugs for a school project. I haven't ever been there so I don't know much about it and I'm finding it rather difficult to gather information about it online. Can anyone tell me how the process works? Do you you buy the barcode and put it on a cup, or buy the cup and it has a barcode on it?

If anyone happens to have a picture of the machines that have the barcode reader on it, that would be so helpful! Really, any information about the technology would be useful.

Also, does anyone think this technology would be a good thing for movie theatres and food courts in malls to adapt? It seems like it would be a good way keep soda fountains self serve but keep people from "stealing" soda from places that charge for refills.

Again, any information on this system would be useful. Thank you!

 

[EnnEss]

Im not an expert, but ive used the system. You buy the cup, there's a barcode on it, my guess is when you buy it its activated in the computer system, so when you scan it, it allows you to pour pop. I dont have a picture sorry, its what it sounds like though, a bar code scanner in the middle of the pop machine, its like a 7 11 pop machine with a bar code scanner.

Home depot and some other places use this kinda thing actually for self serve checking out, but they add in a weight thingy, maybe you could look at their system for a similar set up.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The range of barcode number to be used on a specific day is entered into a computer terminal. Each location that sells the mugs has a supply of labels within the range. When they sell a mug or somebody pays to be allowed to reuse a mug that day's barcode label is put on the mug.

The system is set to allow unlimited use for that day only. If the barcode is outside that numeric range it will not be accepted.

If you want to allow self-service but single use only your system would have to keep track of every barcode which will be issued and record when it is used and then prohibit additional use of that code.

 

[mountdew1]

I'm doing some research about the barcode readers the waterparks use to refill soda in the mugs for a school project. I haven't ever been there so I don't know much about it and I'm finding it rather difficult to gather information about it online. Can anyone tell me how the process works? Do you you buy the barcode and put it on a cup, or buy the cup and it has a barcode on it?

If anyone happens to have a picture of the machines that have the barcode reader on it, that would be so helpful! Really, any information about the technology would be useful.

Also, does anyone think this technology would be a good thing for movie theatres and food courts in malls to adapt? It seems like it would be a good way keep soda fountains self serve but keep people from "stealing" soda from places that charge for refills.

Again, any information on this system would be useful. Thank you!

If I remember correctly it looks like a regular soda fountain. Except right about the ice dispenser in the middle of the fountains, there is a scanner set up. You scan your bar code there, and it turns the machine on for so long.

Is it worth it for self service? Possibly, but I doubt it. The hassles of having to support someone troubleshooting the scanner will kill the cost savings. Think of how many people have problems with the self check outs at the grocery store. Except now a cashier needs to come out from behind the counter, show the customer how to use the machine, then go back behind the counter, resanitize if they pass food to the customer.

 

[solfan68]

When did Disney start this ? Sounds like a cool technology. We bought the mugs when we stayed at POR in June and I know we didn't have to scan anything. I'd be curious to hear more about the new system. TIA.

ETA: Nevermind... just saw it was for the *waterparks*. Wonder if its meant to be a pilot for the resorts ?

 

[disneymoon95]

If you know of anyone who has already bought the mugs, borrow them. We brought our mug back this year and you can buy just the barcode for half the price!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Wow, this is new to me. So let's say you buy yours at ASMo, is the mug and barcode only good for there or is it good in the parks as well?

 

[Bell30012]

This sounds to me like Disney has found a way to crack down on drink cheats.

 

[ajsmommy1129]

To my knowledge, this system is only used at the Water Parks.

 

[twinklebug]

This sounds to me like Disney has found a way to crack down on drink cheats.

Not really.

Disney's been using this technology in the waterparks for years. The problem is that I saw many families buying one barcode, swiping it over and over, and using it to fill up everything from plastic cups to buckets for family, friends and anyone who asked.

I bring my own cooler of drinks. Soda & sun's a bad combo anyway for me.

 

[tink6137130]

To my knowledge, this system is only used at the Water Parks.

I only saw this at the water parks too...

 

[maggieb9975]

This sounds to me like Disney has found a way to crack down on drink cheats.

Funny story.....we were at Blizzaerd Beach in 2006 and one of my 14 yr old DD's was getting pop. She had just swiped her cup when an "Adult" male shoved in front of her, said thanks and filled his cup!!!
She was in shock and I couldn't believe it..it takes all kinds...

 

[bizblock8]

thanks, guys.

so for my project in class we have to invent something. We are making a product that is something kind of like this for everywhere else that sells self serve soda. But, ours is going to be something that the company can just attach to a machine that they already own. We are going to make it so every flavor has its own scanner so that nobody can cut in line and get the soda like what happened to maggieb9975's daughter and so that more than one person can use the machine at the same time. We haven't really made the model, and we're in the very beginning of all the research so if it doesn't make much sense...I'm sorry!

Do you guys like this idea at the waterpark? we were thinking of making our main target market movie theaters, theme parks, and food courts at malls. It would only be marketed to businesses that charge for refills. Our thinking behind this product is that if the businesses can make their drinks self serve, then the lines will go faster. But, places like movie theaters and malls typically don't have self serve because they don't want people to return and fill up their drinks a million times.

We would make it so every barcode was unique, and when you bought it you could choose to buy a refill right there and it will be added to the barcode. But if you only bought a large drink it would give you one barcode that is only allowed to be activated one time, unless the company's policy was one free refill or something like that, then it would be allowed to be scanned twice and then the barcode would expire.

As with any new product, it would take some getting used to. That's why I need to find out how the one at the waterparks work. Is it easy to adapt to?

 

[bdoyledimou]

thanks, guys.

so for my project in class we have to invent something. We are making a product that is something kind of like this for everywhere else that sells self serve soda. But, ours is going to be something that the company can just attach to a machine that they already own. We are going to make it so every flavor has its own scanner so that nobody can cut in line and get the soda like what happened to maggieb9975's daughter and so that more than one person can use the machine at the same time. We haven't really made the model, and we're in the very beginning of all the research so if it doesn't make much sense...I'm sorry!

Do you guys like this idea at the waterpark? we were thinking of making our main target market movie theaters, theme parks, and food courts at malls. It would only be marketed to businesses that charge for refills. Our thinking behind this product is that if the businesses can make their drinks self serve, then the lines will go faster. But, places like movie theaters and malls typically don't have self serve because they don't want people to return and fill up their drinks a million times.

We would make it so every barcode was unique, and when you bought it you could choose to buy a refill right there and it will be added to the barcode. But if you only bought a large drink it would give you one barcode that is only allowed to be activated one time, unless the company's policy was one free refill or something like that, then it would be allowed to be scanned twice and then the barcode would expire.

As with any new product, it would take some getting used to. That's why I need to find out how the one at the waterparks work. Is it easy to adapt to?

This would require the scanner and the cup to be "enclosed" during the fill process.

Have the codes pre-printed on the cups. At time of sale, the cup is scanned, and at this time it is "entered into the system".
When the cup is placed into the enclosed scanner, it checks the system for the existence of the code, then proceeds to fill the cup based on the drink type purchased. once filled, the enclosure would open.

If there were refills available, the code would remain valid for x hours before it expired ( to prevent perpetual reuse).