Monitoring balance and distribution of fluid distribution systems to improve quality and efficiency

Abstract

A beverage monitoring system is provided for use with a beverage system including a pressurized gas source, a pressurized gas regulator, a pressurized gas dispensing line, a beverage dispensing line, a beverage container, and a beverage dispenser. The beverage monitoring system includes at least one gateway having a processor, a network interface connected to the dispenser, and a network interface connected to a sensor assembly. The beverage monitoring system also includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly is configured to perform diagnostic processing to diagnose potential problems with the line or provide aggregate information for correlation with POS data.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to monitoring the balance and distribution of fluid distribution systems to improve quality and efficiency. [Background technology]

[0002] Cross-reference to related applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 267,253, filed January 28, 2022, entitled "Monitoring Fluid Distribution System Balance and Distribution to Improve Quality and Efficiency," and this application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 797,790, filed February 21, 2020, entitled "Monitoring Fluid Distribution System Balance and Distribution to Improve Quality and Efficiency," both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Field of the invention The present disclosure relates generally to monitoring the balance and dispensing of fluid dispensing systems, and more particularly, for example, to draft beverage systems to diagnose potential problems, improve the quality of dispensed fluids, and improve the efficiency of the dispensing process. Prior art description

[0004] A fluid dispensing system dispenses fluid at a metered rate. An example of a fluid dispensing system is a draft beverage system installed in a bar, restaurant, etc. Draft beverage systems are used to dispense draft beverages such as beer, cider, soda, juice, etc. from a tap. ·summary

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a beverage monitoring system for use in a beverage system including a pressurized gas source, a pressurized gas regulator, a pressurized gas dispensing line, a beverage dispensing line, a beverage container, and a beverage dispenser. The beverage monitoring system includes at least one gateway having a processor, a network interface connected to the dispenser, and a network interface connected to a sensor assembly. The beverage monitoring system also includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly is configured to diagnose potential line problems or provide aggregate information for correlation with point-of-sale data. A cooler control and monitoring assembly monitors a cooler fan, monitors humidity within the cooler, and / or monitors air pressure within the cooler.

[0006] In a variant, the beverage monitoring system further comprises at least one flow sensor that applies ultrasound to monitor flow.

[0007] In a variant, the at least one flow sensor includes a processor, an ultrasonic front-end processor, two ultrasonic transducers, and a temperature sensor.

[0008] In a variant, at least one flow sensor uses a time of flight mechanism to measure the flow rate of the beverage being dispensed.

[0009] In a variant, the ultrasonic front-end processor sends an ultrasonic signal through the fluid passing through the channel from one ultrasonic transducer to another ultrasonic transducer at a predetermined nominal speed in one direction along a signal path of a predetermined length, and then sends the ultrasonic signal back again in the opposite direction, the measured speed of the signal being increased or decreased from the nominal speed by the fluid flow speed depending on whether the signal is traveling with the flow or against the flow, so that the difference in signal travel time in each direction is directly correlated to the fluid flow speed.

[0010] In a variant, at least one flow sensor provides data regarding pressure, temperature, and fluid flow within the beverage dispensing line.

[0011] In a variant, the beverage monitoring system further comprises at least one environmental sensor.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment, at least one environmental sensor measures and monitors the ambient temperature of the cooler and the oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and / or other ambient gas concentrations within the cooler.

[0013] In a variant, the beverage monitoring system further comprises at least one pressure sensor.

[0014] In a variant, the at least one pressure sensor measures the pressure in the beverage dispensing line directly in real time.

[0015] In a variation, the beverage monitoring system further comprises at least one carbon dioxide sensor.

[0016] In a variant, the beverage monitoring system further comprises at least one color sensor.

[0017] In a variant, the at least one color sensor is a photometer and / or a spectrophotometer.

[0018] In a variant, at least one color sensor is integrated into the flow sensor.

[0019] In a variant, at least one color sensor determines the particular beverage passing through the beverage delivery line.

[0020] In a variant, the beverage monitoring system further comprises a user interface that provides real-time keg levels so that the beverage system operator can monitor when a particular beverage is starting to run low and initiate a replacement keg and move the replacement keg to the cooler.

[0021] In a variation, the beverage monitoring system further comprises a user interface that provides daily, weekly, and / or monthly reports.

[0022] In a variant, the sensor assembly comprises at least one flow sensor, at least one environmental sensor, at least one pressure sensor, and at least one color sensor.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment, the beverage monitoring system determines when the beverage dispensing line needs to be cleaned.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, the beverage monitoring system includes a glycol cooling control and monitoring assembly that monitors the level of glycol solution in the glycol cooling system, monitors the flow rate of glycol in the glycol cooling system, monitors the viscosity of the glycol solution, and / or measures the temperature delta of the glycol cooling system to determine the effectiveness of the beverage system.

[0025] In a variant, the beverage monitoring system comprises tracking devices affixed to the keg shells to enhance the cleaning process, optimize the transition of keg shells for use in combination with different types of beer and beverages, and keep a record of the contents of the various keg shells.

[0026] In one embodiment, the beverage monitoring system includes at least one gateway having a processor, a network interface connected to the dispenser, and a network interface connected to a sensor assembly. The beverage monitoring system also includes a sensor assembly configured to diagnose potential line problems or provide aggregate information for correlation with POS data. A glycol cooling control and monitoring assembly monitors the level of glycol solution in the glycol cooling system, monitors the flow rate of glycol in the glycol cooling system, monitors the viscosity of the glycol solution, and / or measures a temperature delta of the glycol cooling system to determine the effectiveness of the beverage system.

[0027] In one embodiment, the beverage monitoring system includes at least one gateway having a processor, a network interface connected to the dispenser, and a network interface connected to a sensor assembly. The beverage monitoring system also includes a sensor assembly configured to perform diagnostic processing to diagnose potential line problems or provide aggregate information for correlation with POS data. Tracking devices are affixed to keg shells to enhance the cleaning process, optimize the transition of keg shells for use in combination with different types of beer and beverages, and keep a record of the contents of various keg shells.

[0028] In one embodiment, a beverage monitoring system includes at least one gateway having a processor, a network interface connected to a dispenser, and a network interface connected to a sensor assembly. The beverage monitoring system also includes a sensor assembly and a user interface. The user interface provides real-time keg levels so that an operator of the beverage system can monitor when a particular beverage is starting to run low and can initiate a replacement keg and move the replacement keg to a cooler.

[0029] In one embodiment, a method for monitoring beverages in a beverage system including a pressurized gas source, a pressurized gas regulator, a pressurized gas dispensing line, a beverage dispensing line, a beverage container, and a beverage dispenser comprises sensing a characteristic of a fluid in the beverage system, processing data generated based on the sensed characteristic of the fluid in the beverage system, monitoring a cooler fan, humidity in the cooler, and / or air pressure in the cooler, and performing diagnostic processing to diagnose potential line problems or provide aggregate information for correlation with POS data.

[0030] In one embodiment, a method for monitoring beverages in a beverage system includes sensing a characteristic of a fluid in the beverage system, processing data generated based on the sensed characteristic of the fluid in the beverage system, monitoring a level of a glycol solution in a glycol cooling system, monitoring a flow rate of glycol in the glycol cooling system, monitoring a viscosity of the glycol solution, and / or measuring a temperature delta of the glycol cooling system to determine beverage system effectiveness, and performing diagnostic processing to diagnose potential line problems or provide aggregate information for correlation with POS data.

[0031] In one embodiment, a method for monitoring beverages in a beverage system comprises sensing a characteristic of a fluid in the beverage system, processing data generated based on the characteristic of the fluid sensed in the beverage system, tracking keg shells to enhance cleaning processes, optimize the transition of keg shells for use in combination with different types of beer and beverages, and keeping a record of the contents of various keg shells, and performing diagnostic processing to diagnose potential line problems or provide aggregate information for correlation with POS data.

[0032] Other features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] Aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary beverage monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A illustrates a functional diagram of an exemplary local controller (gateway) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B]FIG. 2B is an external view of the example gateway of FIG. 2A in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A illustrates a functional diagram of an exemplary sensor assembly (eg, a beverage reporting unit (BRU)) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B illustrates an external view of the exemplary sensor assembly of FIG. 3A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A illustrates a functional diagram of an exemplary flow sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B illustrates an external view of the exemplary flow sensor of FIG. 4A in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary flow sensor of FIG. 4B in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a beverage monitoring system. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows different types of beer differentiated by color according to the Standard Reference Method (SRM). [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the relationship between the cooler temperature (-) and the line temperature (----). [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates various user interfaces used in the beverage monitoring system. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates various user interfaces used in the beverage monitoring system. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates various user interfaces used in the beverage monitoring system. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows various user interfaces used in the beverage monitoring system. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates various user interfaces used in the beverage monitoring system. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows various user interfaces used in the beverage monitoring system. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 illustrates various user interfaces used in the beverage monitoring system. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 illustrates various user interfaces used in the beverage monitoring system. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 illustrates various user interfaces used in the beverage monitoring system. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 illustrates various user interfaces used in the beverage monitoring system. [Figure 18A] FIG. 18A shows an exemplary daily report. [Figure 18B] FIG. 18B shows an exemplary daily report. [Figure 18C] FIG. 18C shows an exemplary daily report. [Figure 18D] FIG. 18D shows an exemplary daily report. [Figure 18E] FIG. 18E shows an exemplary daily report. [Figure 18F] FIG. 18F shows an exemplary daily report. [Figure 18G] FIG. 18G shows an exemplary daily report. [Figure 18H] FIG. 18H shows an exemplary daily report. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, aspects of the present disclosure may be illustrated or described in a patent or patent content, including any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof. Consequently, aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of software and hardware, which may be referred to generally herein as "circuits," "modules," "components," or "systems." Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied in the form of a computer program product by one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediums having computer-readable program code embodied thereon.

[0036] Any combination of one or more non-transitory computer-readable media may be utilized. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable storage medium. Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (non-exhaustive list) of computer-readable storage media may include portable computer diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) or flash memory, suitable optical fiber with repeaters, portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this specification, a computer-readable storage medium may be any non-transitory medium capable of storing or preserving a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0037] A computer-readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer-readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take various forms, including, but not limited to, electromagnetic, optical, or a suitable combination thereof. A computer-readable signal medium may also be a computer-readable medium other than a computer-readable storage medium that can communicate, propagate, or transfer a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Program code embodied on a computer-readable signal medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including, but not limited to, wireless, wired, fiber optic cable, RF, etc., or a suitable combination thereof.

[0038] Computer program code for carrying out operations of aspects of the present disclosure may be written in one or a combination of programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as JAVA®, SCALA®, SMALLTALK®, EIFFEL®, JADE®, EMERALD®, C++, C#, VB.NET, PYTHON®, the C programming language, traditional procedural programming languages ​​such as VISUAL BASIC®, FORTRAN® 2003, Perl, COBOL 2002, PHP, ABAP®, dynamic programming languages ​​such as PYTHON®, RUBY®, Groovy, or other programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on a single computing device, partially on one computing device (e.g., a local computing device) and on another computing device (e.g., a remote computing device, such as a server in a data center or cloud computing device), or entirely on a remote computing device. In the case of multiple computing devices, the computing devices may be connected to each other via any type of network, including wired and / or wireless connections, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), the Internet using an Internet service provider, an intranet, a mobile network (e.g., a 3G network, a 4G network, or a 5G network conforming to 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications), or other network.

[0039] Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (e.g., systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Each block in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, may be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a computing device or other programmable data processing apparatus such that the instructions, executed via a processor of the computing device, cause the computing device to perform the operations illustrated in the blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams. The processor may control one or more devices and / or one or more sensors described herein.

[0040] These computer program instructions may also be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, which, when executed, may direct instructions to a computer, other programmable data processing device, or other device to function in a particular manner. The non-transitory computer-readable medium, with the computer program instructions stored thereon, may, when executed by a computer, produce an article of manufacture including instructions that perform the operations illustrated in the flowchart and / or block diagram blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded into a computer, other programmable instruction execution device, or other device to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer, other programmable device, or other device. The instructions, executing on the computer or other programmable device, thereby provide a process that performs the operations illustrated in the flowchart and / or block diagram blocks.

[0041] Embodiments of the present disclosure may monitor fluid flow to a dispensing unit, such as a tap pouring draft beer, to, for example, improve the dispensing quality of the dispensed fluid, reduce waste and / or spillage, identify and reduce dispensing issues such as theft and waste by correlating flow data with point-of-sale (POS) data, and collect data for analysis, thereby improving efficiency and other business operation metrics. For example, a beer manufacturer may produce beer with the intended amount of carbonation and foam. Certain embodiments described herein may use any of a variety of sensor technologies (e.g., optical, electromagnetic, ultrasonic) to characterize characteristics of a beverage dispensing line and the flows therein (e.g., the presence and amount of air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or oxygen), such as the volumetric flow rate of the beverage in the line, the temperature of the beverage in the line, the cleanliness of the beverage line, the presence of undesirable substances in the line (e.g., beer stones, yeast, mold, bacteria), fluid deaeration, fluid viscosity, fluid density, fluid temperature, etc. Some embodiments described herein may use these characteristics, along with other measurements collected from other sensors (e.g., measurements of environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, or pressure from environmental sensors), to improve beverage dispense quality by providing feedback and alerts. Using this information, some embodiments may identify quality issues with the pour of the beverage, such as whether there is too much foam, and determine potential causes of the quality issues, such as the temperature in the cooler or the pressure in the beverage line. In some embodiments, sensors such as optical sensors and / or light sensors may be configured to detect and / or identify particulate matter, such as dust, pollen, glass, dirt, metal shavings, and other impurities in a fluid. By way of example, particulate matter may be detected and / or identified based on the size of the particulate matter from a sensor reading. Additionally or alternatively, sensors may be tuned to operate with a particular fluid. For example, sensors may be tuned according to a predetermined color, carbonation level, viscosity, specific gravity, specific volume, specific gravity, pH, and other fluid characteristics. In addition to fluid calibration, sensor functionality may be improved by calibration of certain environmental factors, such as line color or bar brightness, because environmental factors may affect sensor functionality, for example, with respect to monitoring fluid color.

[0042] Some embodiments may also improve and maintain balance in a draft beverage system by integrating with dispensing system elements such as gas conditioning and blending systems. Furthermore, some embodiments may correlate sensor-monitored flow and environmental data with point-of-sale information to detect beverage volume theft (e.g., volume poured but not sold) and improper pouring practices (e.g., waste), and evaluate business operations such as which beverages bring in the highest revenue or profit or are judged by quality in specific situations or time frames. In this manner, some embodiments may improve business operations by identifying beverages whose sales are likely to improve business operation metrics.

[0043] In one example of a draft beverage system dispensing beer, an embodiment of the present disclosure may use an ultrasonic transducer to measure the flow rate of beer as it travels from the keg to the tap. Using an ultrasonic transducer may avoid drawbacks associated with traditional turbine flow meters and other more expensive or less accurate methods for measuring and monitoring flow. Disadvantages of using turbine flow meters include their mechanical nature, e.g., moving parts subject to wear and failure, the need for periodic recalibration based on wear or changes in mechanical properties, and a tendency for dissolved gas concentrations to decrease in the measured fluid (i.e., outgassing). Additionally, turbine flow meters designed for fluids are generally not well-suited for partially or completely empty lines, often producing erroneous measurements and potentially being damaged in such cases. Electromagnetic flow measurements are relatively expensive and use more power than ultrasonic sensors, which can be powered solely by a coin cell battery.

[0044] Some embodiments described herein may include a flow sensor through which the measured fluid flows. While this allows for non-intrusive measurements, it is generally inferior because the relevant engineering properties that affect the measurement (such as the speed of sound, which is material-dependent, or the cross-sectional area, which is geometry-dependent) typically vary over time and space, affecting the accuracy of the relevant measurements. For example, typical lines used to dispense draft beverages are flexible and will bend, compress, or deform when using a typical non-intrusive clamp-on meter. A consistent, quality-controlled, and regulated environment for such properties is provided by the sensor through which the fluid flows, resulting in more accurate measurements.

[0045] Some embodiments are described with reference to a draft beverage system (e.g., carbonated beer dispensed via tap from a keg stored in a cooler). Some embodiments are applicable to the dispensing of any carbonated beverage, non-carbonated beverage, or non-beverage fluid, such as nitro-infused coffee, carbonated soda, or water used in a manufacturing process, for which monitoring of temperature, pressure, flow rate, or other measurements described herein may be performed. Some embodiments described in this disclosure are provided as exemplary embodiments only. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the embodiments include and are applicable to numerous other embodiments in addition to those described herein, without departing from the examples herein.

[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of an exemplary beverage monitoring system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates beverage monitoring system 10 including beverage system 100 for monitoring beverage equilibrium and dispensing using a draft beverage system. According to the disclosed embodiment, system 100 may include an installation location 102 (e.g., a bar or restaurant), an environmental control cabinet 104 (e.g., a cooler, refrigerator) used to maintain desired environmental characteristics (e.g., temperature, pressure) of dispensed beverages, and various dispensing elements. The various dispensing elements include a pressurized gas source 106, a pressurized gas regulator 108, a pressurized gas dispensing line 110, a beverage dispensing line 111, a beverage container 112 (e.g., a keg, a cask, etc.), and a beverage dispenser 114 (e.g., a tap). Beverage monitoring system 10, which performs the operations described herein, may include one or more components local to system 100 or one or more components remote from system 100. For example, beverage monitoring system 10 may include a gateway 200 installed at installation location 102 and data connections 113, 115, 117 to beverage dispenser 114, POS system 12, pressurized gas regulator 108, sensor assembly 300, flow sensor 400 (see FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, and 4C), and environmental sensor 500 (see FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C), respectively. In addition to flow sensor 400 and environmental sensor 500, various other sensors may be integrated into beverage monitoring system 10 to enhance the operation of system 100, including, but not limited to, pressure sensor 600, carbon dioxide sensor 700, and / or color sensor 800. Gateway 200 is connected to off-site component 118 (e.g., a server device) via network 116. The operation of the beverage monitoring system and / or devices or components is described in further detail elsewhere herein. As will be understood based on the following disclosure, the gateway 200, sensor assembly 300, flow sensor 400, environmental sensor 500 (including carbon dioxide sensor 700), pressure sensor 600, and / or color sensor 800 work in conjunction to collect, process, and distribute information regarding the operation of the draft beverage system.

[0047] 5, the data described above includes real-time readings related to the characteristics of the beverage flowing through the beverage dispensing line 111. The readings include, but are not limited to, line temperature, line pressure, line fluid volumetric flow rate, fluid color, fluid spectral characteristics, fluid degassing, and fluid flow rate. The data includes environmental values ​​related to the environment associated with the system 100. The environmental values ​​include, but are not limited to, air pressure within the storage cabinet 104, humidity within the storage cabinet 104, ambient temperature within the storage cabinet 104, ambient gas concentration within the storage cabinet 104, etc. The data further includes sales information. As will be understood based on the following disclosure, this data is processed by the gateway 200 and optional off-site components 118 to generate information presented to the beverage system operator via various interfaces 900 to enable the beverage system operator to optimize the operation of the system 100.

[0048] One of the core goals of the beverage monitoring system 10 is to eliminate unnecessary waste, with a particular focus on mitigating quality-related waste. Simply put, quality-related waste is most easily addressed if beverage system operators are provided with the right tools—the granularity of data and real-time feedback that only the beverage monitoring system 10 can provide. Prior to the current beverage monitoring system 10, beverage system operators had no way to determine the frequency or magnitude of quality-related issues. Previously, the only option was to have the bartender report any foaming issues, but by the time the bartender reported something, it was often too late. Bartenders often wait until the situation becomes unbearable and disrupts daily operations before reporting it to a manager. One of the key ways the beverage monitoring system differs from traditional draft beverage systems is its approach to specifically categorizing where waste is occurring.

[0049] Many conventional draft beverage systems simply show the % sold and % wasted and nothing more. In contrast, the beverage monitoring system 10 of the present invention goes several steps further by providing a breakdown of pour and sales volume by time and separating it into six different categories: Human, Overpour, Underpour, Quality, Comp, and System (see Figures 18A through 18H). Human waste is loss caused by improper point-of-sale (POS) use or improper draft beverage system use and is typically related to beer entry errors. Overpour and underpour are inverses of each other and are derived through a matching algorithm that assigns individual pour and sales volumes together to determine actual and expected pour and sales volumes. Quality waste is loss due to draft system balance issues, particularly related to pours assigned to temperature or pressure flags.

[0050] In the comp category, which corresponds to discounted or free sales, the beverage monitoring system 10 treats this as "waste" because the beverage system operator is selling the product but not receiving the full revenue for it. Finally, the beverage monitoring system 10 typically considers losses associated with cleaning lines or replacing kegs to be non-preventable.

[0051] Because the beverage monitoring system 10 of the present invention monitors environmental conditions for every pour, it can provide customers with a frequency distribution of when, where, and what problems are being encountered. Temperature and pressure issues are often intertwined, leading to a common cause-and-effect scenario in which a bartender notices a suspected problem and adjusts the pressure regulator, only to make the problem worse. The science of draft beer is relatively straightforward if you understand what you're doing and have the ability to get real-time feedback. However, if you make adjustments blindly, problems can quickly get out of control. For example, if a keg is kicked unexpectedly, or if space constraints force an operator to store the keg in a hallway or outdoors, the operator may be forced to pour a very frothy, hot keg from the keg no matter what they do.

[0052] As will be described below with reference to the various user interfaces 900 shown in Figures 18A-18H, the beverage monitoring system 10 of the present invention provides real-time keg levels, allowing the beverage system operator to monitor when a particular beverage is starting to run low and initiate temperature responses such as moving a replacement keg to the cooler. Beverage system operators can reference the real-time temperature of the beverage delivery lines 111 in their applications to determine if they are experiencing high temperatures, which tend to directly contribute to low-pressure scenarios. These two variables are intricately related. If a single beverage dispensing line 111 or a group of beverage dispensing lines 111 is hotter than the others, depending on several factors such as whether a long-draw or direct-draw system is in use, the operator can make inferences such as the keg is hot and needs time to respond, the beverage dispensing line 111 may not be properly encased by an insulated trunk, there is a hot spot in the beverage dispensing line 111, or the glycol needs to be refilled / repaired.

[0053] The daily, weekly, and monthly reports (see, e.g., Figures 18A-18H) provided in accordance with the present beverage monitoring system 10 all include a system health section that breaks down the percentage of pours for each beverage dispensing line 111 and categorizes whether the temperature and pressure were low, normal, or high. Beverage system operators can set temperature operational thresholds for each line and specify stricter or looser thresholds for flagging pours with temperature issues. Hands-on managers utilizing the reports generated by the present beverage monitoring system 10 can analyze these reports daily. Because the reports generated by the beverage monitoring system 10 include a line identifier for each beverage, managers can cross-reference beverages containing high-quality waste to problematic beverage delivery lines 111. Depending on the issues observed in the health section of the beverage monitoring system 10 report, operators can take action to mitigate the issues. The daily reports generated by the present beverage monitoring system 10 include an hourly breakdown of pour data and an overlay that indicates what percentage of pours had underlying quality-related issues. This allows the beverage system operator to identify whether the problem lasted all day or only for a short period of time. In taking action, the beverage monitoring system 10 allows the beverage system operator to utilize these reports and utilize the application of the beverage monitoring system 10 in making adjustments to verify the operating conditions of the draft beverage system.

[0054] With the foregoing in mind and in view of the detailed disclosure below, the beverage monitoring system 10 of the present invention provides the tools and data to enable beverage system operators to make informed business decisions. The reporting and consulting style of the beverage monitoring system 10 is intended to provide the beverage system operator with as much information as possible so that the operator can address issues with confidence. The beverage monitoring system 10 of the present invention can be integrated with additional sensors and control systems to automatically correct issues such as cooler temperature and line pressure.

[0055] As mentioned above, Figure 1 is provided as an example, and other examples are possible according to the present embodiment.

[0056] 2A illustrates a functional diagram of an exemplary local controller, e.g., gateway 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, FIG. 2A illustrates the beverage monitoring gateway 200 described in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, gateway 200 monitors and collects environmental and flow metrics for the dispensing of beverages from taps, acts as a router between various devices, and acts as a gateway between devices located on-site at installation location 102 and devices located off-site, such as off-site component 118. Gateway 200 is connected to a draft beverage system. For example, beer kegs are stored in a cooler and flow through lines from the kegs to the taps before being dispensed from the taps. Gateway 200 may include processor 201, network interface 202 connected to dispenser 114 (e.g., tap) via connection 113, network interface 204 connected to sensor assembly 300 via connection 117, audio / visual control network interface 206 connected to a disc jockey (DJ) or other audio / visual booth at installation location 102, interface 208 for serial communications, and Ethernet network interface 210.

[0057] Gateway network interfaces 202, 204, 206, and 210 are individually controlled and signaled to reduce packet latency. Gateway 200 acts as a router between the three network interfaces. Gateway 200 receives data from the sensor network via network interface 204 and processes the data to determine if a pour has begun. It then transmits that information to the tap network via network interface 202. This allows tap 114 to visually indicate the amount poured and, in some embodiments, automatically closes once the selected amount has been poured. Gateway 200 may implement an alternative communication interface, such as a cellular network modem, to provide connectivity when wired or wireless Ethernet (Wi-Fi) is unavailable or undesired.

[0058] The gateway 200 communicates with each tap 114 via a tap network interface 202. Each tap 114 may be daisy-chained. The taps 114 may be externally powered. The gateway 200 recognizes which tap 114 has requested a dispense and prioritizes the associated flow measurement packets so that the tap 114 has real-time, low-latency data that can be used to control the valves within the tap. For example, if three of the fifteen taps 114 are actively dispensing beer, those traffic streams will be prioritized over the data (e.g., the gateway 200 need only bridge traffic for the three active taps from the sensor network to the tap network while caching other data for unused taps 114). This configuration has various advantages because data latency can lead to uncertainties and errors regarding the amount of beer dispensed. Reducing latency can correspondingly reduce dispense uncertainties and errors. As an example of this, an increase in the delay time between collecting a flow measurement and delivering the measurement to the tap 114 to control the valve of the tap 114 may result in an increase in over-pouring of beverages. As a result, the gateway 200 in certain embodiments may reduce waste and save costs incurred as a result of over-pouring.

[0059] The audio / visual network interface 206 is used to synchronize a lighting control system with the draft beer taps 114 and to coordinate other special or audio / visual effects. For example, the gateway 200 may provide data to activate a lighting device or play music when a particular tap 114 is in use. Additionally or alternatively, this network interface may be used to activate a light or sound alarm if a particular problem is detected by the beverage monitoring system 10, as described elsewhere herein. Figure 2B illustrates an external view of the example gateway 200 of Figure 2A in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] As mentioned above, Figures 2A and 2B are provided as an example, and other examples are possible according to this embodiment.

[0061] FIG. 3A illustrates a functional diagram of an exemplary sensor assembly (e.g., a beverage reporting unit (BRU)) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, FIG. 3A illustrates a diagram of a sensor assembly 300 of a beverage monitoring system 10. The sensor assembly 300 houses sensors and may provide locally collected data to the gateway 200 for further processing. The sensor assembly 300 includes a processor 301, a sensor network interface 204 (e.g., for connecting upstream toward the gateway 200 and downstream toward the next daisy-chained sensor assembly 300, if present), one or more flow sensors 400, one or more environmental sensors 500, one or more pressure sensors 600, and one or more color sensors 800. Briefly, as described in more detail below, the flow sensor 400 provides data regarding pressure, temperature, and fluid flow within the beverage dispensing line 111. The environmental sensor 500 provides data regarding environmental conditions within a cooler in which beverages are stored. This includes, but is not limited to, barometric pressure, humidity, ambient temperature, and concentrations of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or other ambient gases. The pressure sensor 600 directly measures the pressure within the beverage dispensing line 111 in real time, and / or the color sensor 800 provides optical information regarding the color characteristics of the beverage to confirm operational information. The collected data is used to provide the operator with important insights regarding the operation of the beverage system.

[0062] Although FIG. 3A shows two flow sensors 400, two environmental sensors 500, two pressure sensors 600, one carbon dioxide sensor 700, and two color sensors 800, any suitable number of sensors may be used depending on the number of fluid beverage dispensing lines 111 being measured. For example, a bar may have eight taps (eight beverage supply lines). In the disclosed embodiment, the sensor assembly 300 includes eight flow sensors 400, eight pressure sensors 600, and eight color sensors 800. To accommodate additional flow sensors 400, pressure sensors 600, and color sensors 800, the sensor assembly 300 may be connected to one or more other sensor assemblies 300 via an appropriate sensor network interface 204 (e.g., upstream or downstream). The number of flow sensors 400, pressure sensors 600, and color sensors 800 specifically corresponds to the number of fluid beverage dispensing lines 111 being measured. This typically corresponds to the number of taps or distribution units, but may involve more complex configurations using line splitters. This embodiment includes one flow sensor 400, one pressure sensor 600, and one color sensor 800 per tap or distribution unit. Figure 3B shows an external view of the exemplary sensor assembly of Figure 3A in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] As mentioned above, Figures 3A and 3B are provided as an example, and other examples are possible according to this embodiment.

[0064] FIG. 4A illustrates a functional diagram of an exemplary flow sensor 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, FIG. 4A shows a diagram of the flow sensor 400. The flow sensor 400 includes a processor 401, an ultrasonic front-end processor 402, two ultrasonic transducers 404, and a temperature sensor 406. The ultrasonic front-end processor 402 communicates with the processor 401 via a flow pulse interface. In alternative embodiments, the ultrasonic front-end processor 402 may communicate with the processor 401 via serial data communication and / or pulse width modulation (PWM), or any combination of these methods. PWM of flow may be able to transmit flow data with higher resolution and lower latency than a simple pulse flow interface. A serial data interface may be able to transmit flow and other measurement data much faster and with lower latency than a simple pulse flow or PWM interface.

[0065] As described in more detail below, in one example embodiment, the flow sensor 400 includes two ultrasonic transducers 404 and uses a time-of-flight mechanism to measure the flow rate of the dispensed beverage. The ultrasonic front-end processor 402 transmits an ultrasonic signal through the fluid 420 passing through the channel 450 at a predetermined nominal speed from one ultrasonic transducer 404 to the other along a signal path of a predetermined length 440, then transmits the ultrasonic signal back again in the opposite direction. The measured speed of the signal increases or decreases from the nominal speed by the fluid flow rate, depending on whether the signal travels with the flow or against the flow, so the difference in signal travel time in each direction can be directly correlated to the fluid flow rate. According to the disclosed embodiment, the sensor 400 and gateway 200 cooperate to detect the flow rate and the time difference between the leading and trailing edges of the flow, and this information is transmitted to the off-site component 118, where the volume is calculated. However, the sensing and calculations may be performed elsewhere in the system. One example of this embodiment may incorporate correction for the effects of different temperatures, different alcohol concentrations, or different compositions (as characterized by spectral signatures) at the nominal speed of sound in the fluid.

[0066] Specifically, the flow velocity is calculated as follows: The ultrasonic front-end processor 402 transmits an ultrasonic signal from the first ultrasonic transducer 404a to the second ultrasonic transducer 404b through the fluid 420 passing through the channel 450 at a predetermined nominal velocity along a signal path of predetermined length 440. The ultrasonic front-end processor 402 transmits an ultrasonic signal from the second ultrasonic transducer 404b to the first ultrasonic transducer 404a through the fluid 420 passing through the channel 450 at a predetermined nominal velocity along a signal path of predetermined length 440. The measured velocity of the signal increases or decreases from the nominal velocity by the fluid flow velocity depending on whether the signal is traveling with the flow or against the flow, so the difference in signal travel time in each direction directly correlates to the initial setting of the fluid flow velocity.

[0067] The initial fluid flow setting is then adjusted based on known properties of the sensed fluid, such as temperature, different alcohol concentrations, or different compositions (as characterized by spectral signatures), to arrive at a flow rate for the sensed fluid.

[0068] FIG. 4B illustrates an external view of the exemplary flow sensor 400 of FIG. 4A in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary flow sensor 400 of FIG. 4B in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, highlighting the ultrasonic signal path. As shown in FIG. 4C, the first ultrasonic transducer 404 and the second ultrasonic transducer 404 may be positioned relative to one another to establish a signal path between them through the monitored fluid. Taking into account the material properties of the components traversed by the signal path (i.e., the transducer mount 410, the walls of the fluid channel 450, and the monitored fluid 420), the first ultrasonic transducer 404 and the second ultrasonic transducer 404 may be piezo transducers operating in the range of 100 kHz to 5 MHz. In some embodiments, the sensors may be positioned within the tap or within the distribution unit itself.

[0069] In addition to providing information about the measured flow rate as described above, the ultrasonic transducer 404 of the present disclosure also provides a baseline signal quality metric under normal operating conditions. For example, the transducer provides a baseline signal strength when the channel 450 is filled with beer or other liquid 420, or when the channel 450 is substantially filled with beer or other liquid 420. If the signal strength decreases, that decrease can be used to determine the amount of air or other gas in the beverage dispensing line 111.

[0070] As an example, the baseline signal quality metrics are applied to a rule-based evaluation system that runs each time a pore (a collection of samples and population statistics) or heartbeat (a single sample) is received. For purposes of this disclosure, the evaluation system will be described as running each time an injection is received.

[0071] Each time a poa is received, the following process is performed: (1) The type of event (e.g., pour or heartbeat) and the event's ID (identification) are sent to a queue for asynchronous processing (to prevent long-running rules from delaying processing). (2) The message queued in step 1 is received and some data items are retrieved. Window: The pore and the most recent value (greater than or equal to 0) for this sensor. Variable: A specific numerical value, e.g., number of samples, mean sample volume, standard deviation of sample signal intensity, Z-score of the mean sample volume for this pore compared to the sample volume within a defined window. (3) The data from step 2 is evaluated based on the stored rules. (4) The result of step 3 (true or false) is used to initiate an action based on the stored rule (e.g., setting pore conditions, archiving pores).

[0072] For example, if the standard deviation of the sample signal intensity is between 50 and 75, a "low pressure" condition exists and is set for injection. This condition is used in downstream analysis to characterize the waste.

[0073] The decision-making signal quality metric is used to notify bar staff that the draft beverage system may be out of balance, that an attached keg may be empty, or that there may be a leak in the beverage dispensing line 111 or other problem with the gas supply. For example, the beverage monitoring system 10 can make this determination and output a notification to a POS system or another computing device, trigger an alarm, or turn on a light. Based on other sensor data points, the beverage monitoring system 10 can identify the cause of the imbalance condition. For example, if the detected temperature and flow rate are within specification (i.e., as desired) and the detected ambient pressure within the cabinet 104 is low, then the draft beverage system should be pressurized more. As another example, if the detected temperature is higher than specification, then the environmental control (e.g., a thermostat) should be used to reduce the temperature and the draft beverage system should be depressurized until the temperature reaches specification. The present disclosure distinguishes between a decrease in signal strength or signal quality (e.g., indicative of air bubbles) and a complete loss of signal or a signal degradation below a predetermined threshold (e.g., indicative of an empty beverage dispensing line 111). In this embodiment, the beverage monitoring system 10 determines whether a container, such as a keg, is empty. For example, the beverage monitoring system 10 may determine that a keg is empty by detecting a threshold amount of gas in the beverage dispensing line 111, the size of the keg, etc.

[0074] In conjunction with the keg empty identification, the beer line may be provided with a solenoid that closes immediately adjacent to the keg, eliminating the need for currently used ball valves, which, when a keg is emptied, require the beer line to be purged before another keg can be installed and beer flow resumed.

[0075] In various embodiments, the beverage monitoring system 10 determines when the beverage distribution line 111 is to be cleaned. For example, the beverage monitoring system 10 determines that the beverage dispensing line 111 is being cleaned based on a particular flow pattern and / or composition of the fluid in the beverage dispensing line 111. Additionally, in this embodiment, the beverage monitoring system 10 monitors the filling of containers and / or bottles at a dispensing location. According to this embodiment, the beverage monitoring system 10 doses one or more chemicals into the fluid to achieve particular concentrations of the chemicals in the fluid.

[0076] In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 406 is a semiconductor temperature sensor, thermocouple, non-contact infrared sensor, or similar device secured to the inside or outside of the sensor pipe using adhesive or other suitable attachment mechanisms. Data monitored by the temperature sensor 406 may be collected simultaneously with the flow data from the flow sensor 400, first collected by the sensor assembly 300 and then forwarded to the gateway 200. These data may be reported to the off-site component 118 for storage and further analysis.

[0077] Additionally, as described in more detail herein, flow sensor 400 may incorporate other sensing mechanisms, such as pressure sensor 600 and color sensor 800. The flow sensor may further include any combination of an illumination source, optical sensor, multi-channel spectral sensor, and / or laser to monitor various aspects of the beverage's color or spectral characteristics, or to identify air or other gases passing through beverage dispensing line 111. For example, an illumination source may illuminate the beverage as it flows through beverage dispensing line 111, and an optical sensor, multi-channel spectral sensor, laser, etc. may be used to determine changes in the flowing beverage (e.g., changes in the keg), the cleanliness of the line compared to a reference standard, the presence of beer stones, the presence of gases, etc. In another embodiment, these same sensors may be used to apply active and / or passive spectroscopy techniques to further analyze the characteristics of the beverage passing through the sensor. For example, flow sensor 400 may utilize spectroscopy techniques to analyze contaminants in the beverage or to assess the composition of the beverage. In other embodiments, an acoustic sensor may collect additional characteristics of the fluid (e.g., density) to perform additional analysis, such as deriving alcohol concentration. In other embodiments, spectral analysis techniques (based on comparison with or inference from pre-determined spectral characteristics of other fluids) can be used to characterize the fluid passing through the sensor and automatically adjust specific conditioning parameters for the particular fluid being dispensed. Also, a warning can be given that the actual contents of the keg may differ from the expected contents of the keg (e.g., drawing stout beer from the keg when the system is expecting lager).

[0078] The sensor assembly 300 includes one or more environmental sensors 500. The environmental sensors 500 measure and monitor the cooler's air pressure, humidity, and / or ambient temperature, as well as the concentration of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and / or other ambient gases within the cooler (e.g., to promote employee safety and prevent asphyxiation in the event of a major gas leak). For example, the environmental sensors may promote employee safety in various ways (e.g., trigger an alarm within the cooler, activate a motor to open a vent within the cooler, turn on a fan, etc.) based on the detected ambient gas concentration. Based on the air pressure, the beverage monitoring system 10 may calculate the gas pressure adjustment needed to properly balance the draft beverage system and maintain the desired amount of dissolved gas in the beverage, determine the amount of adjustment to one or more mechanical components needed to make the gas pressure adjustment, and trigger the operation of one or more mechanical components (e.g., send instructions to one or more mechanical components) to make the gas pressure adjustment. In this embodiment, the gas regulator 108 is connected to the gateway 200 via a control network interface (not shown with respect to the gateway 200) and connection 115, allowing for remote operation. For example, the gas pressure in the beverage dispensing line 111 may be adjusted remotely without the need for a technician to physically adjust the gas pressure, improving the performance and quality of beverage dispensing.

[0079] As mentioned above, the beverage monitoring system 10 includes a pressure sensor 600, a carbon dioxide sensor 700, and / or a color sensor 800. These sensors are described in more detail below.

[0080] According to the disclosed embodiment, the pressure sensor 600 is a commonly available pressure transducer integrated into the beverage dispensing line 111. According to the disclosed embodiment, the pressure transducer 600 is integrated into the flow sensor 400; however, the pressure transducer 600 can be located in various locations in the beverage monitoring system 10. The integration of the pressure transducer 600 allows for the measurement of real-time data regarding the force (e.g., in pounds per square inch (PSI)) applied to a specific surface of the individual beverage delivery line 111. The ability to monitor PSI is useful for assisting customers in diagnosing and resolving pressure-related issues in the draft beverage system. Additionally, the measurement of real-time data regarding the PSI of the individual beverage delivery line 111 is utilized for signal quality metric evaluation.

[0081] The specific action recommendations to be taken based on the measurement of real-time data regarding the PSI of an individual beverage dispensing line 111 will depend on the type of gas system, i.e., whether it is strictly carbon dioxide or a mixed gas system. While there are general recommendations for certain types of beer, there are several variables involved in balancing a draft beverage system, and it is not possible to establish a blanket answer: if the operator sees "X," then set the pressure to "Y."

[0082] Also provided is a carbon dioxide sensor 700 and alarm 710. Carbon dioxide leaks are known to cause economic losses and safety hazards. The beverage monitoring system 10 of the present invention addresses these issues by integrating the carbon dioxide sensor 700 and alarm 710. The carbon dioxide sensor 700 is typically located in a cooler, where kegs and a carbon dioxide source are stored. By adding the carbon dioxide sensor 700 to either the BRU cabinet 104 or the cooler, the beverage monitoring system 10 alerts the beverage system operator when carbon dioxide gas, which is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, reaches dangerous levels. At these levels, prolonged exposure can be fatal to humans.

[0083] According to the disclosed embodiment, multiple carbon dioxide sensors 700 are placed within the cabinet-level cooler. Placing multiple carbon dioxide sensors 700 at the cabinet level is important because the entire cooler does not need to be filled with carbon dioxide to avoid adverse effects from exposure. Unfortunately, regulations mandating the addition of carbon dioxide sensors are virtually nonexistent and are sometimes ignored to reduce costs. Carbon dioxide leaks not only pose a safety threat to employees and contractors who may be inside the cooler, but also result in significant economic losses. If a leak depletes the entire carbon dioxide system, the beverage system operator must order replacement / refills of carbon dioxide cylinders, in addition to the loss of revenue during the period when the beverage system operator is unable to offer draft products.

[0084] The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets exposure limits for gases in the workplace. For carbon dioxide, OSHA has set exposure limits of 5,000 ppm over an eight-hour period and 30,000 ppm over a ten-minute period. Carbon dioxide concentrations above 30,000 ppm can cause deeper breathing, decreased hearing, headaches, elevated blood pressure, and increased pulse rate.

[0085] According to the disclosed embodiments of the beverage monitoring system 10 of the present invention, a photometer and / or a spectrophotometer is used as the color sensor 800. According to the disclosed embodiments, the color sensor 800 is integrated into the flow sensor 400, however, the color sensor 800 may be located in various locations in the beverage monitoring system 10.

[0086] The addition of the color sensor 800 provides further insight into the optimal operation of the draft beverage system. For example, information extracted from the color sensor 800 can identify the specific beverage passing through the beverage delivery line 111. According to the disclosed embodiments, this is achieved through the application of the Standard Reference Method (SRM). The SRM is a standard method used by brewers to designate the color of beer. According to the SRM, the attenuation of light of specific wavelengths (e.g., the infrared range from 300 nm to 700 nm, specifically 430 nm) is measured as the light passes through the beer. The measured attenuation is then correlated to a specific type of beer.

[0087] 6, each beer type has a specific color range, and while this information is not universally the same for all beer types within a particular classification, it is very useful for optimizing the operation of the present beverage monitoring system 10. Additionally, the color sensor 800 not only allows the beverage system operator to see in real time the specific beverages passing through the beverage delivery line 111, but also detects when changes and / or deviations occur in the specific beverages passing through the beverage delivery line 111, indicating events such as keg changes or line cleaning.

[0088] Data extracted from color sensor 800 can also be combined with other sensors and data collected by the present beverage monitoring system 10 to provide more robust processing tailored to a particular beverage. For example, beverage monitoring system 10 may detect that a beer has been changed, and a beverage system operator inputs the new beer by brand (e.g., Bud Light) into the beverage monitoring system 10 app. However, color sensor 800 may identify that the color of the new beer is closer to a stout. Beverage monitoring system 10 may then notify the beverage system operator that the wrong beer may have been input into the beverage monitoring system 10 app or that the wrong beer may be connected to the beverage distribution line 111.

[0089] The beverage monitoring system is further enhanced by integrating certain functions into the cooler. For example, beverage monitoring system 10 includes a cooler control and monitoring assembly 1000 that, among other things, monitors the cooler fan, monitors humidity within the cooler, and monitors air pressure within the cooler. By providing a cooler control and monitoring assembly 1000 that specifically monitors the cooler fan, the beverage monitoring system of the present invention is able to maintain a service history, monitor ongoing system health, identify trends, and provide customer feedback regarding the general operation and performance of the cooler. Integrating cooler control and monitoring assembly 1000 with beverage monitoring system 10 can determine if the cooling cycle is deviating from normal, indicating a problem or abnormality in the draft beverage system.

[0090] As previously mentioned, the cooler control and monitoring assembly 1000 includes a sensor 1002 for monitoring the air pressure within the cooler. Measurements of the BRU air pressure are used to determine if there is a deviation in the operation of the cooler. Measurements of the BRU air pressure are also used to alert the beverage system operator that the cooler is not operating, is due for scheduled maintenance, or requires maintenance to correct a problem.

[0091] In addition to specifically monitoring beer coolers, the cooler control and monitoring assembly 1000 is particularly useful for multi-purpose coolers, where tracking maintenance logs can provide important insights. For example, by integrating the cooler control and monitoring assembly 1000 with the beverage monitoring system 10, the beverage system operator is provided with an alert if a shared cooler (food + draft beverages) is operating outside of defined parameters (e.g., seafood needs to be kept below a certain temperature, or humidity needs to be kept within a certain range). Integrating the cooler control and monitoring assembly 1000 with the beverage monitoring system 10 further provides an alert to the beverage system operator if a cooler door is left open. With the above in mind, the cooler control and monitoring assembly 1000 provides the functionality to alert the beverage system operator if a cooler is not operating, is due for scheduled maintenance, or requires maintenance to correct an issue. Incorporating these insights into daily, weekly, and monthly reports provides context for when and why quality-related issues occur in the reports.

[0092] The graph in Figure 7 shows the relationship between the cooler temperature (solid line) and the line temperature (dashed line). Note the periodic vibrations that occur when the cooling fan operates to lower the temperature and then repeats this cycle.

[0093] Beverage monitoring system 10 provides monitoring of glycol cooling systems commonly employed in long-draw beer systems. Similar to the integration of beverage monitoring system 10 with cooler control and monitoring assembly 1000, glycol cooling control and monitoring assembly 1100 is integrated with the glycol cooling system to ensure the long-draw beer system is operating optimally. Specifically, glycol cooling control and monitoring assembly 1100 monitors the level of glycol solution in the glycol cooling system, monitors the flow rate of glycol in the glycol cooling system, monitors the viscosity of the glycol solution, and / or measures the temperature delta of the glycol cooling system to determine the effectiveness of the draft beverage system. These measurements are made at various locations throughout beverage system 100.

[0094] Additionally, it is well known that glycol cooling systems require periodic maintenance, and the glycol cooling control and monitoring assembly 1100 tracks when maintenance is due for various components, including but not limited to glycol level, condenser fins, air flow, and mains insulation.

[0095] By incorporating the aforementioned insights generated by the glycol cooling control and monitoring assembly 1100 into the daily / weekly / monthly reports, the reports are provided with context as to when / why quality-related issues exist.

[0096] The beverage monitoring system 10 may further include an automatic carbon dioxide regulator system that provides a control mechanism that works in conjunction with the pressure transducer. When integrated, the carbon dioxide regulator system provides a valve or actuator that directly interacts with the pressure regulator, allowing adjustments to be made to the draft beverage system based on various metrics (e.g., flow rate, pressure, temperature, signal quality, etc.) observed by the beverage monitoring system 10. The carbon dioxide regulation system also recognizes when an "event" has occurred, such as a line being cleaned or a keg being replaced, so that incorrect adjustments cannot be made that would result in undesirable results.

[0097] According to the disclosed embodiments, information generated by the flow sensor 400, the environmental sensor 500, the pressure sensor 600, the carbon dioxide sensor 700, and the color sensor 800, as well as the beverage dispenser 114, the pressurized gas regulator 108, the POS system 12, the cooler control and monitoring assembly 1000, and the glycol cooling control and monitoring assembly 1100, is combined and processed to provide insight into the operation of the draft beverage system and ultimately enable optimization of operation.

[0098] As described above, the flow sensor 400 provides specific information regarding flow rate, fluid temperature, signal quality metrics, changes in the beverage flow (e.g., keg changes), line cleanliness compared to a baseline, presence of beer stones, gases present, fluid density, alcohol percentage, etc. The environmental sensor 500 provides specific information regarding cooler air pressure, humidity, ambient temperature, and concentration of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or other ambient gases. The beverage dispenser 114 provides specific information regarding pouring techniques. The pressurized gas regulator 108 provides specific information regarding gas pressure within the system. The POS system 12 provides specific information regarding sales.

[0099] With this information in hand, the beverage monitoring system determines a wide range of operator parameters and whether the draft beverage system is operating properly. One of the biggest problems faced in beer serving is foamy beer and the associated waste. The beverage monitoring system 10 of the present invention addresses this commercial problem using information generated by the pressure sensor 600, carbon dioxide sensor 700, and color sensor 800, as well as the beverage dispenser 114, pressurized gas regulator 108, POS system 12, cooler control and monitoring assembly 1000, and glycol refrigeration control and monitoring assembly 1100, in combination with computer-based algorithms.

[0100] As one example, the environmental sensor 500 may determine whether there is condensation or an abnormal moisture level in the cooler (e.g., uncontrolled atmospheric air reaching the cooler through a hole or open door in the cooler), or whether there is a difference between the temperature of the cooler measured by the environmental sensor 500 and the temperature of the beer measured by the flow sensor 400 or the environmental sensor 500 (e.g., the beer is not cooled enough to reach thermal equilibrium with the cooler). In this case, too much foam may be poured (e.g., wasted). As another example, the beverage monitoring system may know that a full keg contains enough beer to pour 60 pints of beer, but upon accessing the POS system 12, the beverage monitoring system 10 may determine that only 50 pints of beer were recorded for sale before the keg was emptied. The beverage monitoring system 10 uses data from the flow sensor 400, the temperature sensor 406 (associated with the flow sensor 400), and the environmental sensor 500 to analyze and determine whether conditions exist that result in a foamy beer and output this information to a computer (e.g., a computer associated with a manager or bartender) to help prevent future waste. Additionally or alternatively, the beverage monitoring system 10 monitors for the occurrence of similar conditions and triggers an alarm or output notification indicating that the environmental conditions that previously led to waste are again present. In this embodiment, the beverage monitoring system 10 determines the flow rate, temperature, or environmental factor changes (e.g., increasing / decreasing the temperature or humidity of a cooler or other room) necessary to prevent waste and outputs this information or activates one or more flow distribution or environmental control devices to adjust these measurements. For example, the beverage monitoring system 10 may turn an air conditioner or heater on or off (or adjust a thermostat), turn a humidifier or dehumidifier on or off, etc.

[0101] Alternatively, if analysis of the data from flow sensor 400, temperature sensor 406, and environmental sensor 500 determines that conditions are favorable for preventing foam or other waste, beverage monitoring system 10 may determine that someone is pouring beer without paying for it or pouring it incorrectly, and output this information to a computer (e.g., a bar manager's computer). In this manner, this embodiment facilitates the detection and prevention of theft and waste.

[0102] Other examples of sensor-integrated controls are possible. For example, a temperature sensor 406 measuring the temperature of the liquid in the beverage dispensing line 111 may incorporate control over the temperature of a cooler from which the fluid flows, or may include a separate control mechanism for regulating the temperature of the liquid in the beverage dispensing line 111. Including a controller in combination with one or more sensors can provide a draft beverage system that autonomously balances itself based on system parameters (e.g., line length, line drop, dispensed beverage, and other factors described in this specification), environmental or other conditions identified by the sensors (e.g., temperature changes, changing weather patterns that cause changes in barometric pressure and contribute to flow anomalies). This allows embodiments to detect anomalies or other changes and make adjustments to automatically and autonomously correct or improve the operating conditions of the draft beverage system.

[0103] Additionally, other operations are possible in this embodiment. For example, the systems described herein can generate reports containing information related to the results of the data analysis, such as identifying causes of fluid flow problems, forecasting fluid distribution, and comparing net profits. Specific examples include reports identifying per keg efficiency or other per keg metrics, expected remaining keg life, leaks in specific kegs and / or beverage dispensing lines 111, etc.

[0104] As described above, this embodiment may use one sensor per beverage dispensing line 111 (or other suitable fluid or beverage line). Bars and restaurants with draft beverage systems may install any number of taps depending on the needs of their business. This embodiment also includes co-locating multiple flow sensors within a sensor assembly 300, which may then be networked via the sensor network interface 204 to streamline the installation process and reduce costs. For example, the sensor assembly 300 may be installed within a first beverage cooler. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly 300 may include two flow sensors, as shown in FIG. 3B . A second beverage cooler may include another sensor assembly, and so may each beverage cooler in the facility location 102. The sensor assemblies 300 may be daisy-chained via the sensor network interface 204 and communicate with each other (or may be connected via other suitable mechanisms to enable communication). The final connection from the sensor assemblies 300 may be connected to the gateway 200. This network of sensor assemblies 300 may use a network protocol for communication and data collection among the sensor assemblies 300. It is designed for low latency communication to the gateway 200.

[0105] The gateway 200 acts as a protocol converter for sensor network data and can connect to off-site resources 118 via the network 116. The gateway 200 can query one or more sensor assemblies 300 ("pull"), and optionally, one or more sensor assemblies 300 can report directly to the gateway 200 ("push"). The sensor assemblies 300 can provide data from flow sensors and environmental sensors. The gateway 200 then integrates and processes the data using algorithms that analyze the data, including detecting flow onset and flow cessation (e.g., flow onset is determined when the flow exceeds a threshold flow rate, and flow cessation is determined when the flow falls below a threshold flow rate). The gateway 200 then transmits this data to the off-site resource 118 for retention and further processing. Here, the flow and environmental data can be correlated with POS system data, and flows can be characterized based on whether they meet a predetermined threshold flow rate (e.g., beverage dispense, leak, system cleaning). This is done based on sensor data and other information (e.g., the hours of operation offered by the bar, scheduled / activated cleaning procedures). Thus, the data flow envisioned in this embodiment includes sensors monitoring and measuring environmental conditions associated with the flow of beer as it flows to the tap and is dispensed. These sensors can provide that data to the sensor assembly 300. The sensor assembly 300 reports that data to the gateway 200, which can provide the data to the off-site resource 118 via the network 116.

[0106] The gateway 200 can poll the sensor network interface 204 (e.g., periodically, according to a schedule, or continuously) to request data and receive packets representing flow (e.g., flow in milliliters since the last packet) and environmental data from the sensor assembly 300. Using this data, the gateway 200 can perform processing to determine whether fluid flow is occurring (e.g., identify various types of flow, such as pouring, leaks, or line flushing, based on whether the flow rate meets one or more predetermined thresholds). The gateway 200 can constantly monitor the flow (e.g., in a streaming manner). The gateway 200 can perform a derivative function on the flow rate. If the gateway 200 detects a sudden rise above some threshold (e.g., a predetermined threshold or a dynamically determined threshold), it may begin accumulating data until it detects the end of the infusion. In this manner, the accumulation of related data may be transmitted to an off-site resource 118, such as a cloud resource, for storage and / or further analysis. In this embodiment, the accumulated data may be stored in the gateway 200.

[0107] Considering that, according to the disclosed embodiments, beverage monitoring system 10 includes gateway 200 with data connections to beverage dispensers 114, POS systems 12, and flow sensors 400, beverage monitoring system 10 can match pour volumes to sales and provide insights into efficient operations. However, it should be noted that gateway 200 only has data connections to flow sensors 400 and the "cloud" 116, and is not connected to dispensers 114, e.g., "smart taps" (such as these are not commonly installed). POS integration occurs downstream, or "in the cloud," through a separate channel, without gateway 200's knowledge.

[0108] This is accomplished using active pours and sales, e.g., pours and sales that are not archived. Each pour and sale includes its associated beverage, quantity, and timestamp. Pouring archiving is the process by which pours are flagged for exclusion, either (a) automatically based on numerical criteria (e.g., number of samples below a threshold, sample flow rate standard deviation above a certain threshold, negative total volume) or (b) manually based on out-of-band knowledge (e.g., sensor issues, special events). Sales archiving is the process by which sales are manually flagged for exclusion based on out-of-band knowledge, such as a sensor being offline. In either case, archiving is used to ensure that inaccurate or improperly imbalanced data (as opposed to properly imbalanced data, such as from poor POS usage) is excluded and does not reduce the accuracy of associated reports.

[0109] The procedure works as follows:

[0110] Step 1. For a given integration job (e.g., a batch of POS data defined by a timestamp range and location), time series data is generated for beverages and business days. The time series data consists of mixed pour volumes and sales volumes ordered by timestamp. For a "business day," the concept of "rotation" is utilized. The concept of "rotation" refers to the number of hours from "today" extending into "tomorrow" for reporting purposes. For example, data up to 2:00 AM tomorrow (i.e., a 2-hour "rotation") is counted as "today" data.

[0111] Step 2. For each time series created in Step 1, pours and sales are associated as follows: Matching pours to sales (1:1 sales:pour ratio)—For each sale, match the closest (e.g., with separate thresholds for time and volume) unmatched pour (if any) (Step 2.1); Matching pours to sales (m:1 sales:pour ratio, e.g., two 16-ounce sales to one 32-ounce pour)—Within an order, aggregate sales into a single "sales" and repeat the process from Step 2.1 (respecting matches already made) (Step 2.2); Matching replenishments (matching smaller pours used to "complete" larger pours)—For matched pours, match unmatched smaller pours that occurred within a parameterized time and on the same line as the base matched pour (Step 2.3).

[0112] Step 3. Matching groups ("components" in graph theory) are extracted from the related pours and sales in step 2.

[0113] Step 4. The match groups from Step 3 are stored in a database for use in analysis (described elsewhere).

[0114] The above procedure envisions that sales for processing incremental pours that are not refills can be further optimized by considering the 1:m ratio of pours (step 2.3), pour-to-sale relationships that may be misconnected or mis-rang, and location-specific behaviors regarding pours and sales (such as tab closure (and sales timestamps) at the end of a shift, 1:m and m:1 sales:pour practices, etc.), and applying machine learning to adjust the matching algorithm.

[0115] Diagnostics can be performed on data on the gateway 200 or on data on the off-site resource 118. For example, the beverage monitoring system 10 of the present embodiment can remotely diagnose potential problems (e.g., system overpressure, abnormal cooler temperatures) without requiring personnel at the business location 102 to make a service call. For example, the beverage monitoring system 10 can remotely diagnose beer waste due to an imbalance in the pressure system, cooler temperatures not being maintained, etc. Collected data can also be used to monitor prices, beer types, usage, trends, regional preferences, etc.

[0116] The beverage monitoring system 10 can also be used to monitor beverage containers, such as keg shells 112. According to this embodiment, each keg shell 112 is provided with a tracking device 112t, similar to, for example, the Air Tags sold by Apple. The Air Tags 112t are registered and monitored by the beverage monitoring system 10. Monitoring the keg shells 112 can enhance cleaning processes required for particular beers, optimize the transfer of keg shells 112 for use in combination with different types of beers and beverages, and keep a record of the contents of the various keg shells 112.

[0117] The wide variety of data sources and information generated based on the components of the beverage monitoring system 10 of the present invention provides a robust user interface that provides high level overviews and highly detailed views to the end beverage system operators.

[0118] For example, referring to Figure 8, a beverage system operator can visualize an overview of the beverages currently connected to the draft beverage system, in addition to the amount remaining in each keg via a keg level icon. This allows the beverage system operator to know when a new keg needs to be moved to the cooler and the temperature acclimation process started before the keg is empty.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 8, the main components of the disclosed interface are as follows: · Organize by line identifier -Can be grouped by cooler or bar Drink name and associated characteristics (type / style / ABV etc.) A logo that makes your brand easily identifiable Real-time barrel levels Real-time cleaning indicator ·line# Elapsed time - Ability to perform "quick actions" · Change - Same Replace your current keg with the same size and beverage If you don't have the barrel in your inventory, the interface will automatically add it and allow you to continue changing the barrel. · Change - Different Moves the beverage system operator to the keg change screen to select the next keg · Change - Add to Queue Swap the current barrel with the next one in the queue Start cleaning Start line cleaning on the selected line

[0120] Referring to Figure 9, the beverage system operator can visualize more detailed information about a specific keg connected to one of the lines. The beverage system operator is provided with information that can be used to perform diagnostics in addition to taking management actions.

[0121] The main components of the interface disclosed with reference to FIG. 9 are: Real-time data Barrel level (%) and remaining amount (oz / gal) ·temperature ·pressure Last pour timestamp Barrel & Line History · Cask filling date (barrel) Cleaning deadline (line) · Barrel cue Managers can assign kegs from inventory to specific lines, eliminating confusion for bar staff when switching between kegs. ·Beverage information Bar staff can refer to this information to provide customers with recommendations and details such as drink type, style, ABV, IBU, characteristics, etc.

[0122] Referring to Figure 10, an administrator can perform administrative actions within the keg details section, modifying various attributes of the keg and reviewing the history of actions performed on the keg. The beverage system operator can visualize details about a specific keg connected to one of the beverage delivery lines 111. In addition to performing administrative actions, the beverage system operator is provided with information that can be used to perform diagnostics.

[0123] Referring to FIG. 10, the main components of the disclosed interface are as follows: Price adjustments Keg costs and keg targets directly impact the analysis, making it easy for beverage system operators to verify that the correct values ​​are set. If the beverage system operator determines that a change is necessary, they can apply the change to all kegs in their inventory or set the new value as the new default for all kegs of that type going forward. Adjust barrel size · The size of the barrels can be easily changed as employees sometimes make mistakes. (e.g. tap 1 / 2 BBL instead of 1 / 6 BBL) Barrel level adjustment · Barrel history Tap date / tapper Date added / added by Barrel level adjuster / changer Price Adjuster / Changer

[0124] Referring to Figure 11, beverage system operators can manage and visualize on-hand inventory grouped by keg size. Beverage system operators can see at a glance how many keg items are left for each type of operator and easily add / remove inventory based on consumption.

[0125] The main components of the interface disclosed with reference to FIG. 11 are: Real-time inventory - Ability to easily add / remove inventory

[0126] Referring to Figure 12, managers can perform high volume keg management, making extensive adjustments to kegs and visualizing exactly where inventory is currently allocated. This section expands on presenting PAR (Periodic Automatic Replacement) to help beverage system operators understand when they need to order additional product to prevent stockouts.

[0127] The main components of the interface disclosed with reference to FIG. 12 are: Real-time inventory Inventory / Queue Total cost Bulk Actions · Delete (sold, mistake, skunk, etc.) Price adjustments Barrel Cost and Barrel Target If the beverage system operator determines a change is needed, they can apply the change to a single keg, all kegs on tap, all kegs in inventory, or all kegs in history, and set the new value as the new default for all kegs of that type going forward. New reports New reports are currently in development that are focused on providing inventory on hand, inventory consumed, and PAR-related information.

[0128] Referring to Figure 13, managers can perform high volume keg management, making extensive adjustments to kegs and visualizing exactly where inventory is currently allocated. This section expands on presenting PAR (Periodic Automatic Replacement) to help beverage system operators understand when they need to order additional product to prevent stockouts.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 13, the main components of the disclosed interface are as follows: · Barrel history Ability to specify a date range to determine how much product was consumed during a specific period Timestamp data showing who performed what on a particular barrel Price adjustments Barrel Cost and Barrel Target If the beverage system operator determines that a change is necessary, they can apply the change to a single keg, all kegs in inventory, or all kegs in history, and can also set the new value as the new default for all kegs of that type going forward. New reports New reports are currently in development that are focused on providing inventory on hand, inventory consumed, and PAR related information.

[0130] Referring to Figure 14, all environmental and quality related information generated by the beverage monitoring system is presented to the beverage system operator, providing a concise overview of the current status of all beverage delivery lines 111 at a particular location.

[0131] Referring to FIG. 14, the main components of the disclosed interface are as follows: - Ability to classify information by cooler Cooler Health (under development) Graphical visualization of cooler and line temperatures over time ·Humidity Line health Current temperature Updated with each injection or the last heartbeat (every 5 minutes), whichever is more recent. Current pressure (Note - Pours only updated) ·Cleaning management Number of overdue cleanings Final cleaning Regular cleaning ·Average cleaning time ·Average cleaning interval Ability to switch and see which line is currently being cleaned Line diagnosis (under development) An interactive walkthrough of how to solve health-related issues in draft beverage systems · Example- Low pressure / High pressure.

[0132] Referring to Figure 15, a useful widget bundled with the application is the beverage monitoring system 10 draft price calculator, which allows the beverage system operator to input several variables related to keg and general draft performance metrics to determine what the product should be priced to achieve their goals. In addition to determining pricing, customers can use this tool as a what-if scenario generator to see how variances, head percentages, pour costs, etc., affect the overall profitability of the product.

[0133] Referring to FIG. 15, the main components of the disclosed interface are as follows: - Ability to calculate recommended draft prices -Ability to simulate various scenarios

[0134] From time to time, it may become necessary to update operational firmware or calibration parameters within the sensor or the corresponding cabinet controller circuitry, including various other sensor communication interfaces. If firmware needs to be updated remotely, a "bootloader" can be implemented within the beverage sensor itself and / or the sensor cabinet controller that communicates with the beverage sensor to receive and update the "application" firmware payload with specific commands. This method allows various bug fixes and enhancements to be deployed without physical user intervention. If calibration coefficients need to be updated remotely, the bootloader or application firmware processes and stores the updated coefficients in the local bootloader, continually improving sensor performance and calibration as more data is collected and analyzed over time. Dynamically updated calibration coefficients can result in more linear and / or more accurate responses for temperature sensors, multi-channel spectral sensors, flow sensors, and more.

[0135] In addition to the aforementioned thermal balance regarding the temperature of the beer in the keg and the ambient temperature in the cooler, pressure balance can also be a factor in identifying and / or diagnosing beer dispensing problems. For example, line pressure is a function of several variables, including the length and diameter of the beverage dispensing line 111, the material of the beverage dispensing line 111, the regulated gas pressure, the beverage viscosity, and the beer flow rate. Draft beverage systems may be equalized line by line at a set, predetermined flow rate, such as 1 gallon per minute. Differences in line length and barometric pressure can affect the flow rate and cause it to vary from the set, predetermined flow rate. Additionally, low pressure, high pressure, or high temperature can cause gas release. Integrating flow sensor data with environmental sensor data (e.g., temperature) at the gateway 200 or off-site resource 118 for analysis allows the beverage monitoring system to analyze various types of data, analyze what factors are affecting optimal beer flow, identify underlying issues from the integrated data, and remotely diagnose problems or diagnose potential problems early.

[0136] As is apparent from the above description, certain exemplary embodiments provide several technical improvements, enhancements, and / or advantages over existing technological processes. For example, one advantage of the example embodiments is that they improve the quality and efficiency of dispensing fluids, such as draft beverages, and reduce waste associated with dispensing. Thus, use of the example embodiments improves the functionality of fluid dispensing systems, or at least the technical field of monitoring fluid dispensing.

[0137] The above disclosed embodiments provide various parameters that may be measured, used to extrapolate data, presented to an operator, and / or used for other purposes regarding the operation of the system 100 for monitoring balance and dispense using a draft beverage system. The monitored parameters, extrapolated data, and operational insights can be used in various combinations tailored specifically to meet the needs of the operator of the system 100. The information and control provided by the present beverage monitoring system 10 provides a variety of business benefits, including tax incentives based on waste quantification, increased efficiency through improved employee pouring techniques, optimized cleanliness based on a feedback system, increased monitoring of keg usage and inventory, and identification of potential theft from "house" drinks.

[0138] In addition to the many features described above, various additional features are contemplated. For example, it is envisioned that the hardware disclosed above in accordance with the disclosed beverage monitoring system 10 can be repurposed to serve as the brains of other draft system equipment. Many other draft systems use turbine flow meters, which present various challenges. By incorporating technologies such as the flow meters and pressure sensors described above, these draft systems can be retrofitted to provide more accurate data resolution as well as virtually maintenance-free, reliable hardware.

[0139] As an example, the advances in the beverage monitoring system 10 of the present invention can be applied to self-pour beverage dispensing systems. Integrating the advances in the beverage monitoring system 10 with self-pour beverage dispensing systems can improve accuracy in situations where users are charged for specific amounts of beer poured and where accuracy and precision are critical.

[0140] According to the disclosed beverage monitoring system 10, the hardware disclosed above can also be used to develop an automatic line cleaning system. According to the disclosed beverage monitoring system 10, the hardware disclosed above captures flow data and tracks the amount of flow through, allowing the automatic line cleaning system to know when to open and close various valves and when to "turn off" cleaning. This allows the beverage system operator to know when line cleaning has occurred and allows the customer to use a non-corrosive solution to reduce cleaning time.

[0141] Foamy draft beer can be caused by the buildup of bacteria, yeast, mold, and beer stones in beverage distribution lines 111. Dirty beverage delivery lines reduce the quality and taste of your beer. Regular cleaning of beverage distribution lines 111, taps, and keg couplers is important to ensure high-quality beer delivery. To avoid skunk beer, beverage distribution lines 111 and equipment should be cleaned regularly every two weeks. In some states, a two-week cleaning period is required by law. Proper cleaning of beverage distribution lines 111 dissolves proteins, hop resins, biofilm, mold, bacteria, and yeast. Acid cleaning to dissolve mineral buildup, such as beer stones, should also be performed every three months.

[0142] One of the many benefits the beverage monitoring system 10 offers is the ability to digitally track when line cleanings were performed, how long they were performed, who performed them, and how effective they were. There are several different types of cleanings, ranging from a short rinse to a long soak followed by recirculation of the cleaning solution through the draft beverage system. Customers can specify the type of cleaning to be performed, allowing them to properly categorize the information and understand what to expect in terms of flow data. If customers can quantify and prove the amount of beer lost due to line cleaning, they can deduct that loss for tax purposes. The beverage monitoring system 10 provides this beer pour data. Often, distributors offer free line cleaning services as part of a "bundle," but unfortunately, not all employees are conscientious about their work, resulting in ineffective cleaning (or even no cleaning) being performed when they arrive at the service location. The beverage monitoring system 10 can evaluate the effectiveness of the cleaning (or lack thereof) and alert the beverage system operator if the situation is substandard. If the beverage delivery line 111 is dirty, the customer may conclude that the beverage delivery line 111 is not being cleaned frequently enough. As a result, you may experience several scenarios: the customer doesn't order another beer, the customer asks for another beer (or gets their money back), the customer switches to bottles or cans which saps your profits, or the customer leaves (and never comes back).Some states require line cleaning of draft beverage systems and require submission of cleaning logs showing that cleaning was performed properly.

[0143] Example embodiments of the present disclosure may be comprised of various components that are physically separated from one another, such as a gateway, a sensor assembly, and a dispenser. In some embodiments, one or more of these components may be combined into a single component. For example, a gateway and a sensor assembly may be combined into a single component to provide the combined operations described with respect to each of the above components.

[0144] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "comprises" and / or "includes" are intended to specify the presence of stated feature integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence and addition of one or more other feature integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0145] Equivalents of corresponding structure, material, acts, and means- or step-plus-function elements in the following claims include the disclosed structure, material, or acts for performing the function in combination with other specifically claimed elements. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the disclosed form. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the present disclosure allows for combinations of various elements and features disclosed herein, and specific elements and features set forth in the claims and disclosed above may be combined with each other in other ways within the scope of the present application. It should be recognized that other embodiments, including other possible combinations, are also intended. The aspects of the disclosure herein have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical applications of the disclosure and to enable those skilled in the art to understand the disclosure with various modifications suited to the particular use intended.

[0146] While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it is not intended that the invention be limited by such disclosure, but rather that it is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. 1. A beverage monitoring system for use in a beverage system including a pressurized gas source, a pressurized gas regulator, a pressurized gas dispensing line, a beverage dispensing line, a beverage container, and a beverage dispenser, comprising: at least one gateway having a processor, a network interface connected to the dispenser, and a sensor assembly; a glycol cooling control and monitoring assembly that monitors the level of glycol solution in the glycol cooling system, monitors the flow rate of glycol in the glycol cooling system, monitors the viscosity of the glycol solution, and / or measures the temperature delta of the glycol cooling system to determine the effectiveness of the beverage system; a sensor assembly having at least one flow sensor and configured to perform diagnostic processing to diagnose potential problems with the line or to provide aggregate information for correlation with POS data; a cooler control and monitoring assembly that monitors the cooler fan, monitors humidity within the cooler, and / or monitors air pressure within the cooler; Equipped with data from the sensor assembly, the cooler control and monitoring assembly, and the glycol cooling control and monitoring assembly are configured to diagnose the potential problem, provide insight into the operation of the beverage system with the line, or provide the aggregate information for the correlation with the POS data. Beverage monitoring system.

2. The at least one flow sensor applies ultrasound to monitor flow. The beverage monitoring system of claim 1 .

3. the at least one flow sensor includes a processor, an ultrasonic front-end processor, two ultrasonic transducers, and a temperature sensor; The beverage monitoring system of claim 2 .

4. the at least one flow sensor uses a time of flight mechanism to measure the flow rate of the beverage being dispensed; The beverage monitoring system of claim 3 .

5. the ultrasonic front-end processor transmits an ultrasonic signal through a fluid passing through a channel at a predetermined nominal speed in one direction along a signal path of a predetermined length from one of the ultrasonic transducers to the other of the ultrasonic transducers, and then transmits the ultrasonic signal back again in the opposite direction; the measured velocity of the signal increases or decreases from the nominal velocity by the fluid flow velocity depending on whether the signal is traveling with the flow or against the flow, so that the difference in signal travel time in each direction is directly related to the fluid flow velocity; The beverage monitoring system of claim 3 .

6. the at least one flow sensor provides data regarding pressure, temperature, and fluid flow within the beverage dispensing line. The beverage monitoring system of claim 2 .

7. at least one environmental sensor; The beverage monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising:

8. the at least one environmental sensor measures and monitors the ambient temperature of the cooler and the concentration of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and / or other ambient gases within the cooler; The beverage monitoring system of claim 7.

9. at least one pressure sensor; The beverage monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising:

10. the at least one pressure sensor measures pressure directly in the beverage dispensing line in real time; 10. The beverage monitoring system of claim 9.

11. at least one carbon dioxide sensor; The beverage monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising:

12. at least one color sensor; The beverage monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising:

13. the at least one color sensor is a photometer and / or a spectrophotometer; 13. The beverage monitoring system of claim 12.

14. the at least one color sensor is integrated into a flow sensor; 13. The beverage monitoring system of claim 12.

15. the at least one color sensor determining a particular beverage passing through the beverage delivery line; 13. The beverage monitoring system of claim 12.

16. a user interface that provides real-time keg levels so that an operator of the beverage system can monitor when a particular beverage is starting to get low and initiate a replacement keg and move the replacement keg to a cooler; The beverage monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising:

17. a user interface that provides daily, weekly, and / or monthly reports; The beverage monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising:

18. the sensor assembly further comprising at least one environmental sensor, at least one pressure sensor, and at least one color sensor; The beverage monitoring system of claim 1 .

19. the beverage monitoring system determines when the beverage dispensing line needs to be cleaned; The beverage monitoring system of claim 1 .

20. the beverage monitoring system includes a tracking device secured to a barrel shell; The tracking device is used to enhance the cleaning process, optimize the transition of the keg shells for use in combination with different types of beer and beverages, and keep a record of the contents of the various keg shells. The beverage monitoring system of claim 1 .

21. 1. A method for monitoring a beverage in a beverage system including a pressurized gas source, a pressurized gas regulator, a pressurized gas dispensing line, a beverage dispensing line, a beverage container, and a beverage dispenser, comprising: sensing a property of a fluid in the beverage system, including sensing the flow of the fluid by application of ultrasound; processing data generated based on the properties of the fluid sensed within the beverage system; and monitoring a cooler fan, monitoring humidity within the cooler, and / or monitoring air pressure within the cooler; monitoring the level of glycol solution in a glycol cooling system, monitoring the flow rate of glycol in the glycol cooling system, monitoring the viscosity of the glycol solution, and / or measuring a temperature delta of the glycol cooling system to determine the effectiveness of the beverage system; performing diagnostic processing to diagnose potential problems with the line or to provide aggregate information for correlation with POS data; A beverage monitoring method comprising:

22. Varying the flow of the fluid within the beverage system based on ongoing diagnostics; 22. The beverage monitoring method of claim 21, further comprising:

23. and sensing the fluid flow includes using a time of flight mechanism to measure flow rate.

23. The beverage monitoring method of claim 22.

24. Sensing the characteristic includes sensing an environmental characteristic.

22. The beverage monitoring method of claim 21.

25. and sensing the environmental characteristic includes providing data related to environmental conditions within the cooler in which beverages are stored.

25. The beverage monitoring method of claim 24.

26. Sensing the characteristic includes sensing an environment; sensing the environment includes measuring and monitoring the ambient temperature of the cooler and the concentration of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and / or other ambient gases within the cooler; 22. The beverage monitoring method of claim 21.

27. Sensing the characteristic includes sensing pressure.

22. The beverage monitoring method of claim 21.

28. Sensing the property includes sensing carbon dioxide.

22. The beverage monitoring method of claim 21.

29. Sensing the characteristic includes sensing color.

22. The beverage monitoring method of claim 21.

30. and detecting the color includes determining a particular beverage passing through the beverage dispensing line.

22. The beverage monitoring method of claim 21.

31. Providing real-time barrel levels, 22. The beverage monitoring method of claim 21, further comprising:

32. Providing daily, weekly, and / or monthly reports; 22. The beverage monitoring method of claim 21, further comprising:

33. receiving data that a pour has begun and determining when a tap is closed to terminate said pour; 22. The beverage monitoring method of claim 21, further comprising:

34. determining when to clean the beverage dispensing line; 22. The beverage monitoring method of claim 21, further comprising:

35. Tracking keg shells to enhance the cleaning process, optimize the transition of said keg shells for use in combination with different types of beer and beverages, and keep a record of the contents of the various keg shells; 22. The beverage monitoring method of claim 21, further comprising:

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