Method, apparatus, and system for monitoring amount of liquid poured from liquid containers

Abstract

Some embodiments provide a system for monitoring liquid consumption at an establishment that includes a set of pour monitoring devices (PMDs). The system also includes a set of liquid containers. The system further includes a set of electronic identification tags for storing electronics information in them. Each PMD attaches to a liquid container. Each electronic identification tag attaches to a liquid container. Each PMD is communicatively coupled to the electronics identification tag that is attached to the liquid container on which the particular PMD is mounted. Some embodiments provide an antenna that includes a first water impermeable layer; a first metallic RF receptive layer above the first water impermeable layer; an insular layer above the first RF receptive layer; a second metallic RF receptive layer above the insular layer; and a second water impermeable layer above the second metallic RF receptive layer.

1 . A system for monitoring liquid consumption at an establishment, the system comprising: 
 a) a set of pour monitoring devices (PMDs);    b) a set of liquid containers; and    c) a set of electronic identification tags for storing electronics information in them;    wherein each PMD is for attaching to a liquid container;    wherein each electronic identification tag is for attaching to a liquid container;    wherein each PMD is communicatively coupled to the electronics identification tag that is attached to the liquid container on which the particular PMD is mounted.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronics identification tags are radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each PMD reads information stored on the identification tag that is attached to the particular liquid container on which the PMD is mounted.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein each PMD modifies information stored on the identification tag that is attached to the particular liquid container on which the PMD is mounted.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a data collector unit that is in wireless communication with said PMDs.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , 
 wherein the data collector unit receives data from said PMDs;    wherein the data collector unit time-stamps said received data;    wherein the data collector unit stores said received data.    
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , 
 wherein once a PMD is attached to a liquid container, the PMD sends a signal to activate the tag on the container;    wherein the PMD receives a value from the tag;    wherein the PMD transmits the received value to the data collector.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the PMD periodically sends a signal to activate the tag on the bottle if no value is received from the tag.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the PMD sends a signal to the tag to modify the information stored in the tag.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the PMD verifies that the information stored in the tag has been successfully modified.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein if said information stored in the tag has not been successfully modified, the PMD re-transmits said information.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data collector works with batteries.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the batteries are rechargeable.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver works with AC power in addition to working with batteries.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the PMD is a pour spout.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the PMD is for generating data regarding the amount of liquid poured from the liquid container that the particular PMD is attached to.  
   
   
       17 . An antenna comprising: 
 a) a first water impermeable layer;    b) a first metallic RF receptive layer above the first water impermeable layer;    c) an insular layer above the first RF receptive layer;    d) a second metallic RF receptive layer above the insular layer;    e) a second water impermeable layer above the second metallic RF receptive layer.    
   
   
       18 . The antenna of  claim 1 , wherein the RF receptive layers also act as RF transmitter.  
   
   
       19 . The antenna of  claim 1 , wherein the first water impermeable layer is also RF impermeable.  
   
   
       20 . The antenna of  claim 1 , wherein the RF receptive layers are for connecting to an RF transceiver by a cable.  
   
   
       21 . The antenna of  claim 1 , wherein the RF receptive layers are for connecting to an RF receiver by a cable.  
   
   
       22 . A system for monitoring liquid consumption, the system comprising: 
 a) a set of pour monitoring devices (PMDs), wherein each PMD is for attaching to a liquid container, wherein each PMD is for generating data regarding the amount of liquid poured from the spout's container;    b) a data collector comprising a memory and a printer, wherein the data collector is communicatively coupled to the PMDs;    wherein the PMDs transmit liquid pour information to the data collector;    wherein the data collector time-stamps and stores said liquid pour information in the memory;    wherein the data collector processes said liquid pour data and saves said processed data;    wherein the data collector generates liquid consumption reports for a human operator from said processed data.    
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said reports are printed on the printer.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the printer is a built-in printer within the housing of the data collector.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the data collector further comprises a display, wherein the reports are displayed on the display.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the display is a touch screen.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the data collector further comprises a set of light indicators for showing system status.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the data collector further comprises a radio transceiver function, a networking function, and a circuit board controller.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the data collector further comprises a set of push buttons for receiving commands from an operator.