Supply chain systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring fluid levels in liquid containers, such as kegs. Embodiments include sensors that fit within a keg's false bottom, measure the weight of the keg, and transmit the weight information to a computer database via a wireless network. Other emb
Supply chain systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring fluid levels in liquid containers, such as kegs. Embodiments include sensors that fit within a keg's false bottom, measure the weight of the keg, and transmit the weight information to a computer database via a wireless network. Other embodiments include an RFID device with information about a characteristic of the liquid within a keg (such as brand and/or type of beer) that may be attached to the keg and paired with the sensor so the sensor can transmit information about the characteristic of the liquid in the keg. In alternate embodiments, the sensor's transmitter is short range and an uplink/gateway is used to receive information from the sensor and relay that sensor's information to a broader wireless network. Multiple containers in close proximity may each be fitted with an RFID device and sensor and communicate their individual information to the database.
대표청구항▼
1. An apparatus comprising: a sensor structure configured to removably couple to an outside of a vessel and fit within an inner diameter of a bottom of the vessel;a plurality of sensors within the sensor structure, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to provide a combined weight of the v
1. An apparatus comprising: a sensor structure configured to removably couple to an outside of a vessel and fit within an inner diameter of a bottom of the vessel;a plurality of sensors within the sensor structure, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to provide a combined weight of the vessel, contents contained in the vessel, and identification information regarding the contents contained in the vessel, and wherein a combination of the sensor structure and the plurality of sensors supports the vessel when disposed between the bottom of the vessel and a surface;a transmitter within the sensor structure and communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of sensors, the transmitter configured to transmit the combined weight of the vessel and the contents contained in the vessel; anda communication gateway configured to: receive the combined weight of the vessel, the contents contained in the vessel and the identification information;add the combined weight of the vessel, the contents contained in the vessel, and the identification information as a data string to a data feed; andtransmit the data feed to an output device that provides a data report regarding at least one of the combined weight of the vessel, the contents contained in the vessel, or the identification information. 2. The apparatus of claim l further comprising: a receiver within the sensor structure and communicatively coupled to at least one information tag associated with the vessel; andwherein the receiver is configured to receive information regarding the contents contained in the vessel provided by the at least one information tag. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the receiver is communicatively coupled to the transmitter, and wherein the receiver is further configured to provide the information regarding the contents contained in the vessel to the transmitter. 4. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a power source within the sensor structure, the power source configured to provide power to the receiver, the transmitter, and the plurality of sensors. 5. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a pairing button configured to pair the receiver with the at least one information tag when depressed, and an indicator configured to indicate pairing of the receiver and the at least one information tag. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor structure is toroidal-shaped. 7. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of weight sensors, wherein each of the plurality of weight sensors is configured to measure a weight of a vessel;an abutment surface member disposed between the plurality of weight sensors and at least one external surface of the vessel, wherein the abutment surface member fits within an inner diameter of a bottom of the vessel; anda transmitter communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of weight sensors, the transmitter configured to transmit the weight of the vessel and identification information from an identification tag associated with the vessel; anda communication gateway configured to: receive the weight of the vessel and the identification information;add the weight of the vessel and the identification information to a data feed; andtransmit the data feed to a display that displays a data report regarding at least the weight of the vessel and the identification information. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the abutment surface member is disc-shaped, and wherein the plurality of weight sensors are arranged on a bottom side of the abutment surface member. 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of weight sensors and the transmitter are included on the abutment surface member, and wherein the abutment surface member is configured to be located within a false bottom of the vessel, and further configured to be coupled/decoupled from the vessel. 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the abutment surface member is toroidal-shaped, and wherein the plurality of weight sensors are arranged on a bottom side of the abutment surface member. 11. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising: a receiver communicatively coupled to the transmitter and to at least one identification tag associated with the vessel, the receiver configured to receive content identification information from the at least one identification tag associated with the vessel and to provide the content identification information to the transmitter, wherein the content identification information includes a brand, a product name, a brew type, an alcohol percentage, or combinations thereof. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the weight of the vessel and the content identification information to a communication gateway. 13. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a pairing button configured to pair the receiver with the identification tag. 14. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a battery coupled to the receiver, the transmitter, and the plurality of weight sensors. 15. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the vessel is a keg. 16. A system comprising: an identification tag configured for removable attachment to a keg, the identification tag configured to provide identification information about contents of the keg, the identification information at least including a brand, a product name, an alcohol percentage, or combinations thereof;a sensor structure configured to fit within a bottom cavity of the keg and be disposed between at least one surface of the keg and a support surface such that the sensor structure measures a weight of the keg, the sensor structure comprising: a plurality of weight sensors, each of the plurality of weight sensors configured to measure the weight of the keg, wherein the plurality of weight sensors are arranged on a bottom surface of the sensor structure;a receiver configured to receive the identification information from the identification tag; anda transmitter coupled to at least one of the plurality of weight sensors and the receiver, the transmitter configured to transmit the weight of the keg and the identification information;a communication gateway configured to receive the weight of the keg and the identification information, add the weight of the keg and the identification information to a data feed, and transmit the data feed; anda mobile device in communication with the communication gateway, the mobile device configured to display portion of the data feed on a display associated with the mobile device. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the identification tag is an RFID tag, and wherein the RFID tag is encoded with the identification information. 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the communication gateway is further configured to transmit location information to the mobile device. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the location information is associated with an establishment serving the contents of the keg. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the mobile device is further configured to provide alerts and notifications associated with a weight, a brand, a product name, or combinations thereof— to the display. 21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output device corresponds to at least one of a video display, a LED, an LCD, or an audio output device. 22. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein identification information comprises a serial number of the vessel and a serial number of the communication gateway. 23. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein adding the weight of the vessel and the identification information to the data feed comprises constructing a string that includes the weight of the vessel and the identification information.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (19)
Diaz, Aaron A.; Burghard, Brion J.; Skorpik, James R.; Pappas, Richard A.; Mullen, O. Dennis; Samuel, Todd J.; Reid, Larry D.; Harris, Joe C.; Valencia, Juan D.; Smalley, Jonathan T.; Shepard, Cheste, Acoustic inspection device.
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