초록 ▼

A liquid level sensing and reporting system for bar keepers is proposed, having a liquid level sensor in wireless communication with a remote computer having software algorithms for calculating and reporting volume. The sensor is substantially in the form of a liquor bottle spout, and includes a mea

A liquid level sensing and reporting system for bar keepers is proposed, having a liquid level sensor in wireless communication with a remote computer having software algorithms for calculating and reporting volume. The sensor is substantially in the form of a liquor bottle spout, and includes a means for measuring the height of the liquid in a bottle, sensing inversion of the spout, and sending the data wirelessly to a receiver. The receiver is associated with the computer, and transmits the data to the computer which calculates liquor volumes based on the changing height of the liquid in a bottle from pre-pour to post-pour status. The software extrapolates this information to produce a variety of real-time beverage consumption reports, including error reports caused by over pours, under pours, and skimming.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A liquid measuring and monitoring device for reporting container volume to a digital computer, comprising: a means for sensing a liquid level in the container at rest, and for sensing partial or total inversion of the container;a transmitting device associated with said level sensing means;said t

1. A liquid measuring and monitoring device for reporting container volume to a digital computer, comprising: a means for sensing a liquid level in the container at rest, and for sensing partial or total inversion of the container;a transmitting device associated with said level sensing means;said transmitting device in communication with the digital computer; anda converter capable of converting said level sensor data into volumetric data from the container. 2. The liquid measuring and monitoring device of claim 1 wherein the device is configured to be attached to, and pour liquor from, a conventional liquor bottle. 3. The liquid measuring and monitoring device of claim 2 further comprising attachment means to lockably secure the device to the neck of the liquor bottle. 4. The liquid measuring and monitoring device of claim 2 wherein said level sensor is a device for sensing acceleration, including inversion of said bottle, and comprises a battery for powering a transmitter reporting inversion of said bottle. 5. The liquid measuring and monitoring device of claim 2 wherein said level sensor comprises means for governing the amount of liquid dispensed from said bottle. 6. The liquid measuring and monitoring device of claim 4 further comprising memory for storing level sensor data. 7. The liquid measuring and monitoring device of claim 6 further comprising a display for displaying the level sensor data and identifying a type of liquor. 8. The liquid measuring and monitoring device of claim 4 wherein said level sensor comprises an accelerometer calibrated to measure motion in and orientation of said at least one bottle spout. 9. The liquid measuring and monitoring device of claim 4 wherein said level sensor comprises a MEMs gyroscope to measure motion and orientation of said bottle spout. 10. The liquid measuring device of claim 1 wherein the inventory program individually correlates pre-pour data with post-pour data to calculate volume change data. 11. The liquid measuring device of claim 1 wherein volume change data is calculated by correlating liquid level data with known dimensions of specific liquor bottles. 12. The liquid measuring device of claim 11 wherein the inventory program associates volume change data with data chosen from the list of container size, liquor description, product brand, product code and vendor information, using the identifying information of a particular level sensor. 13. The liquid measuring device of claim 1 wherein the inventory program calculates and presents volume change data in tandem with changing sensor data thereby providing volume change data in “real time.” 14. The liquid measuring device of claim 1 wherein the inventory program recognizes commonly mixed liquor combinations and proposes likely combinations to a user when receiving commonly combined liquor data from individual sensors. 15. The liquid measuring device of claim 1 wherein the inventory program detects data anomalies representing pour errors in tandem with changing sensor data, and provides individualized error reports to a user in “real time.” 16. The liquid measuring device of claim 1 wherein the inventory program stores inventory data for individual liquor types and generates a re-order alert at predetermined inventory levels based on sensor volume data. 17. The liquid measuring device of claim 1 wherein the inventory program interfaces with at least one point-of-sale register with which at least one sensor is associated. 18. The liquid measuring device of claim 17 wherein the inventory program correlates individual sensor data to mixed drink combination data, and suggests likely combinations to a bartender, thereby decreasing the likelihood of a point of sale error. 19. The liquid measuring device of claim 17 wherein the inventory program detects anomalies between sensor data and point of sale register data and produces an error report based on data anomalies. 20. The liquid measuring device of claim 19 wherein the inventory program generates time-based transaction histories associated with pour data and point of sale data. 21. The liquid measuring device of claim 1 wherein users may switch from real-time transaction monitoring to transaction history viewing without affecting ongoing data collection. 22. The liquid measuring device of claim 2 wherein the at least one spout transmits activation data upon the occurrence of a predetermined activation event. 23. The liquid measuring device of claim 1 wherein the inventory program correlates sensor data to produce individualized reports chosen from the list of pours to drinks, pours to bartenders, pours to time, pours to point of sale transaction, and pours to inventory open bottle level. 24. A method of measuring and monitoring liquid volume comprising the steps of: obtaining a first volume measurement based on a first liquid level in a container of known volume;detecting partial or total inversion of the container;obtaining a second volume measurement based on a second liquid level in said container of known volume;calculating the difference between the first liquid level and the second liquid level; andreporting the difference on a per-pour basis. 25. A liquid measuring and monitoring device for liquor bottles and reporting to a digital computer, comprising: a removable liquor bottle spout comprising a sensor for detecting the liquid level in each said liquor bottle, an accelerometer for detecting inversion of said bottle, and an identifier for associating said bottle with a unique set of data;a transmitting and receiving device, associated with said spout, capable of identifying said unique data and wirelessly transmitting and receiving said sensor and accelerometer data;said transmitting device electronically connected to the digital computer, said computer capable of converting said level sensor data into volume data for said liquor bottle and applying mathematical algorithms to said volume data in real time as said volume data changes.