Beverage serving quality monitoring system

Abstract

To provide a provided beverage quality monitoring system and a provided beverage quality monitoring method capable of grasping the consumption amount of a beverage and highly accurately grasping the quality of a beverage provided in a store.SOLUTION: A provided beverage quality monitoring system 1 is for monitoring the quality of a beverage provided in a store where the beverage is provided by a beverage server 10 provided with a beverage pipe through which one of the beverage and water passes and a faucet for pouring the beverage passing through the beverage pipe to a beverage container. This provided beverage quality monitoring system 1 comprises: a conductivity sensor 24 that is attached to the beverage pipe and that measures conductivity in the beverage pipe; and a data analysis unit 4 that determines which of the beverage and the water passes through the beverage pipe on the basis of the conductivity measured by the conductivity sensor 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a beverage supply quality monitoring system and a beverage supply quality monitoring method.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-113786 describes a beverage scoring system and a program. The beverage scoring system and the program are held by a system management company. A beer manufacturing company and a food and beverage store that provides the beer of the beer manufacturing company to customers are communicable via the Internet.

[0003] The beverage scoring system can transmit and receive information to and from each of a customer's portable information terminal at a food and beverage store and a computer of the beer manufacturing company via the Internet. The system management company provides an app that can be installed on the portable information terminal. This app is a program for photographing the beer provided at the food and beverage store and uploading the obtained image to the beverage scoring system.

[0004] In the photographing of beer, a top image which is an image of the beer in plan view and a side image which is an image of the beer in side view are photographed. The beverage scoring system executes a scoring process from the photographed top image and side image. In the scoring process, the state of the foam layer including the height of the foam layer of the beer, the size of the bubbles in the foam layer, the number of bubbles, the density of the bubbles, and the uniformity of the bubbles is evaluated. The state of the foam layer corresponds to the maintenance state of the beer server.

[0005] The scoring process assigns a score to the photographed beer. The assigned score is sent to the customer's mobile device. If the beer server is well-maintained, the foam layer will be in good condition, and a high score will be sent to the mobile device. Therefore, restaurant staff will be motivated to properly maintain the beer server to avoid receiving low scores. The scores assigned to each restaurant are also visible to the beer manufacturer's computer. In addition, the above scoring process is also performed on images of the piping used to dispense the beer, or on images of the glass. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-113786 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The aforementioned beverage scoring system and program scores beer using images of the beer, the piping, or the glass, and the scoring results are transmitted to a mobile device and the beer manufacturer's computer. However, it is not possible to track the amount of beverage consumed by customers.

[0008] The aforementioned beverage scoring system and program assign scores based on images of beer, pipes, or glasses. However, when scores are assigned based on images, variations in image quality can lead to inconsistencies in the scores. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the accuracy of beverage quality assessments in stores.

[0009] This disclosure aims to provide a beverage service quality monitoring system and method that can grasp the amount of beverage consumption and accurately assess the quality of beverages provided in stores. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One aspect of this disclosure relates to a beverage service quality monitoring system that monitors the quality of beverage service in a store that provides beverages using a beverage server equipped with a beverage pipe through which either beverage or water passes, and a tap for dispensing the beverage from the beverage pipe into a beverage container. The beverage is a carbonated beverage containing a liquid and foam placed on top of the liquid. The beverage service quality monitoring system includes a tilt sensor attached to the tap that measures the inclination of the tap, and a data analysis unit that determines whether liquid or foam is being dispensed based on the inclination of the tap measured by the tilt sensor.

[0011] The faucet may comprise a faucet body and a handle that is detachable from the faucet body. The tilt sensor may be installed between the faucet body and the handle.

[0012] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a beverage service quality monitoring system that monitors the quality of beverage service in a store that provides beverages using a beverage server equipped with a beverage pipe through which either beverage or water passes, and a tap for dispensing the beverage from the beverage pipe into a beverage container. The beverage service quality monitoring system comprises a barrel connected to the beverage server via a hose, a cylinder for supplying carbon dioxide to the barrel, a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the cylinder, and a data analysis unit for calculating the amount of beverage consumed from the carbon dioxide pressure measured by the pressure sensor.

[0013] The beverage quality monitoring system may include a gateway device mounted on the beverage server. The data analysis unit may be located in the gateway device.

[0014] A further aspect of this disclosure relates to a beverage service quality monitoring system that monitors the quality of beverage service in a store that provides beverages using a beverage server equipped with a beverage pipe through which either a beverage or water passes, and a tap for dispensing the beverage from the beverage pipe into a beverage container. The beverage is a carbonated beverage containing a liquid and foam placed on top of the liquid. The beverage service quality monitoring system comprises a capacitance sensor attached to the beverage pipe and measuring the capacitance inside the beverage pipe, a data analysis unit that determines whether beverage or water is passing through the beverage pipe based on the capacitance measured by the capacitance sensor, and a gateway device mounted on the beverage server. The data analysis unit is provided in the gateway device.

[0015] A further aspect of this disclosure relates to a beverage service quality monitoring system that monitors the quality of beverage service in a store that provides beverages using a beverage server equipped with a beverage pipe through which either a beverage or water passes, and a tap for dispensing the beverage from the beverage pipe into a beverage container. The beverage is a carbonated beverage containing a liquid and foam placed on top of the liquid. The beverage service quality monitoring system comprises a conductivity sensor attached to the beverage pipe and measuring the conductivity inside the beverage pipe, a data analysis unit that determines whether a beverage or water is passing through the beverage pipe based on the conductivity measured by the conductivity sensor, and a gateway device mounted on the beverage server. The data analysis unit is provided in the gateway device.

[0016] The gateway device may have a display unit and lamps that indicate the status of the beverage server. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to this disclosure, it is possible to grasp the amount of beverage consumption and to accurately grasp the quality of beverages provided at stores. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1]It is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a beverage supply quality monitoring system. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a server or terminal used in a beverage supply quality monitoring system. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a beverage supply device including a beverage server that constitutes the beverage supply quality monitoring system of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the beverage server of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the beverage supply device of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of the position where a pressure sensor of a cylinder is attached. [Figure 7] It is a diagram schematically showing a temperature sensor, a capacitance sensor, and a conductivity sensor arranged inside the beverage server of FIG. 3. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of a column and a tilt sensor of the beverage server of FIG. 3. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view showing an example of the base of the tilt sensor of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a diagram schematically showing the inclination of the column of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] It is a diagram schematically showing the dispensed foaming beverage. [Figure 12] It is a graph showing an example of the reciprocal of the conductivity measured by the conductivity sensor and the time-series data of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of a beverage supply quality monitoring system and a beverage supply quality monitoring method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted as appropriate. Also, the drawings may be drawn with some parts simplified or exaggerated for ease of understanding, and the dimensional ratios, angles, etc. are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0020] In the beverage quality monitoring system and beverage quality monitoring method according to this embodiment, for example, multiple sensors are installed on beverage servers and around beverage servers in each of multiple stores, and the quality of beverages provided in the multiple stores is monitored by receiving the measurement results from the multiple sensors.

[0021] The beverage quality monitoring system and method according to this embodiment enable efficient visits to multiple stores for quality checks by monitoring the quality of beverages provided at each store. In other words, since the quality of beverages provided at multiple stores can be monitored remotely, the frequency of visits to stores with high beverage quality can be reduced, and guidance for quality improvement can be quickly provided to stores with low beverage quality. For example, it becomes possible to encourage stores that are not cleaning their beverage dispensers properly to clean them.

[0022] The beverage quality monitoring system according to this embodiment makes it possible to remotely monitor the status of multiple beverage servers located in multiple stores. Therefore, it becomes possible to determine the timing of maintenance for multiple beverage servers. Furthermore, since the beverage quality monitoring system according to this embodiment can monitor the usage status of beverage servers, it is possible to detect when beverage servers are not being used due to store closures, etc., and when beverage servers have been moved from a store.

[0023] In this disclosure, “beverage” means a drinkable liquid. “Beverage” includes alcoholic beverages such as beer, shochu, sparkling wine, and wine, as well as non-alcoholic carbonated beverages and soft drinks. “Beverage” is, for example, a sparkling beverage. “Sparkling beverage” is, for example, a fermented alcoholic beverage containing gas such as carbon dioxide, and has foaming properties in which a layer of foam is formed on top of the liquid when poured into a beverage container, and foam retention properties in which the formed foam is maintained for a certain period of time or longer.

[0024] A sparkling beverage is, for example, a beverage that exhibits a NIBEM value of 50 seconds or more according to the EBC (European Brewery Convention) method. The NIBEM value is an index value indicating the foam retention characteristics of a beverage. Sparkling beverages may also be beer-flavored beverages. Beer-flavored beverages include beverages that have a beer-like taste and beverages that give the drinker the sensation of drinking beer. Beer-flavored beverages with an alcohol content of 1% or more are also called beer-flavored alcoholic beverages.

[0025] Furthermore, beer-flavored beverages include malt-fermented beverages such as beer, sparkling alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beer, and liqueurs (for example, beverages classified as "sparkling liqueurs (1)" under the Liquor Tax Act) that use malt as an ingredient, and beer-flavored beverages that do not use barley or malt as an ingredient (for example, beverages classified as "other brewed alcoholic beverages (sparkling) (1)" under the Liquor Tax Act). Note that "sparkling beverages" may be beverages other than beer-flavored beverages. In this embodiment, as an example, we will describe a case in which the sparkling beverage is beer and the liquid of the sparkling beverage is beer liquid.

[0026] "Quality of beverage provision" and "providing quality" include the quality of the beverage itself and the quality of the beverage dispenser. "Quality of beverage provision" and "providing quality" may further include the quality of the establishment where the beverage is provided (e.g., the temperature inside the establishment). "Establishment" is the establishment where the beverage is provided to the customer (drinker). "Establishment" may include, for example, a bar, restaurant or beer garden, or an event venue where the beverage is provided.

[0027] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the beverage quality monitoring system 1 according to this embodiment. The beverage quality monitoring system 1 is a computer system used, for example, to monitor the quality of beverages provided at multiple stores. For example, the beverage quality monitoring system 1 may consist of a single computer or multiple computers.

[0028] The beverage service quality monitoring system 1 may include, for example, a mobile terminal such as a tablet, a high-function mobile phone (smartphone), or a laptop personal computer, or it may include an information terminal such as a stationary personal computer. Alternatively, the beverage service quality monitoring system 1 may be a distributed processing system composed of multiple computers, a client-server system, or a cloud system.

[0029] The beverage quality monitoring system 1 may include a beverage quality monitoring program. The beverage quality monitoring program according to this embodiment includes, for example, a main module, a data acquisition module, an image analysis module, a judgment module, and an output module. The main module is a module that comprehensively manages the functions of the beverage quality monitoring system 1. The execution of the data acquisition module, image analysis module, judgment module, and output module enables the functioning of each functional component of the beverage quality monitoring system 1. The beverage quality monitoring program may be provided by being permanently recorded on a tangible storage medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or semiconductor memory. Alternatively, the beverage quality monitoring program may be provided via a communication network as a data signal superimposed on a carrier wave.

[0030] The beverage quality monitoring system 1 includes, for example, a server 2. For instance, the server 2 is capable of communicating with gateway devices 7 installed in beverage servers 10 located in each of multiple stores. In the example in Figure 1, examples of multiple stores include store A1 with one beverage server 10 and store A2 with multiple beverage servers 10. However, the number of stores targeted by the beverage quality monitoring system 1 may be three or more, or in some cases, even just one. Furthermore, the number of beverage servers 10 installed in a store is not particularly limited.

[0031] Server 2 includes, for example, a beverage supply information receiving unit 3, a data analysis unit 4, a data display unit 5, and an alert output unit 6 as functional components. The beverage supply information receiving unit 3 receives beverage server information D1, which indicates the status of the beverage server 10, and beverage information D2, which indicates information about the beverage dispensed from the beverage server 10, from the gateway device 7.

[0032] The data analysis unit 4 is a functional element that analyzes, for example, the beverage server information D1 and beverage information D2 received by the beverage provision information receiving unit 3. As an example, the data analysis unit 4 may determine whether the beverage server information D1 and beverage information D2 are good or bad. Specifically, the data analysis unit 4 may determine that a store is acceptable if the beverage server information D1 and beverage information D2 meet predetermined standards, or it may determine that a store is unacceptable if either the beverage server information D1 or beverage information D2 does not meet those standards.

[0033] The data display unit 5 is a functional element that displays the analysis results of beverage server information D1 and beverage information D2 performed by the data analysis unit 4. The data display unit 5 may display the analysis results as a dashboard that includes, for example, at least one of a pie chart, a bar graph, and a line graph. The data analysis unit 4 and the data display unit 5 may be composed of BI tools (Business Intelligence tools).

[0034] The alert output unit 6 is a functional element that outputs information about stores that have been determined to be unsuccessful by the data analysis unit 4. For example, the alert output unit 6 outputs information about stores that have been determined to be unsuccessful by the data analysis unit 4 to the information terminal T. The information terminal T is, for example, the information terminal (for example, a mobile terminal) of the head office (for example, a person in charge at a company that provides beverages), and the information about stores that have been determined to be unsuccessful by the alert output unit 6 is output to the information terminal T.

[0035] The alert output unit 6 outputs information about the store to the information terminal T, for example, via email or through an application of a beverage quality monitoring program. This allows, for example, a representative of a beverage company to quickly grasp information about stores that have been deemed unsatisfactory, enabling them to provide prompt guidance to those stores.

[0036] Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the beverage supply quality monitoring system 1 (as an example, server 2 and terminals). For example, each of the aforementioned functional elements of server 2 is realized by this hardware configuration. For example, server 2 includes a processor 2b, main memory 2c, auxiliary memory 2d, communication module 2f, display 2g, and input interface 2h.

[0037] The processor 2b is an arithmetic unit that executes the operating system and application programs. The main memory 2c is composed of, for example, ROM or RAM, and temporarily stores loaded programs or calculation results. The auxiliary memory 2d is composed of flash memory or a hard disk, and permanently stores programs or data. The communication module 2f is composed of a wireless communication module or a network card, and transmits and receives data with other computers. The display 2g is composed of a touch panel or monitor, and is a device that accepts data or instructions for the user to see.

[0038] For example, each of the aforementioned functional elements of server 2 (beverage supply information receiving unit 3, data analysis unit 4, data display unit 5, and alert output unit 6) is realized by loading predetermined software (for example, the beverage supply quality monitoring program mentioned above) into the processor 2b or main memory unit 2c and executing that software. The processor 2b operates the communication module 2f, display 2g, or input interface 2h according to the software and reads and writes data to the main memory unit 2c or auxiliary memory unit 2d. Database data, etc., is stored in the main memory unit 2c or auxiliary memory unit 2d.

[0039] As mentioned above, Server 2 may consist of one computer or multiple computers. For example, if it consists of multiple computers, the multiple computers are connected to each other via a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet, thereby logically forming one Server 2.

[0040] Next, an exemplary beverage dispensing device 11, including a beverage server 10, will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 3. In this embodiment, the beverage dispensing device 11 is located in store A1 and store A2, respectively. The exemplary beverage dispensing device 11 is a device that dispenses beverages (beer, for example) from a tap 10A of the beverage server 10 in response to customer orders, etc. The beverage server 10 has, for example, a rectangular box-shaped housing 10B. The housing 10B has, for example, a front surface 10v to which the tap 10A is attached, a pair of sides 10w facing left and right from the perspective of the user of the beverage server 10, and a top surface 10x facing vertically upward.

[0041] The beverage dispensing device 11 includes, in addition to the beverage server 10 of this embodiment, a cylinder 12, a pressure reducing valve 13, a carbon dioxide hose 14, a barrel 15 containing the beverage, a head 16, and a hose 17. The cylinder 12 is, for example, a container filled with carbon dioxide gas under high pressure, and has the function of pushing the beverage inside the barrel 15 to the beverage server 10, as well as the function of maintaining an appropriate amount of carbon dioxide gas contained in the beverage inside the barrel 15.

[0042] Inside cylinder 12, carbon dioxide is filled in liquid form, for example, at a pressure of 6 to 8 MPa. Cylinder 12 is equipped with a remaining amount indicator that displays the amount of carbon dioxide inside the cylinder. By providing this remaining amount indicator, the amount of carbon dioxide inside cylinder 12 can be recognized.

[0043] The pressure reducing valve 13 is a device for maintaining the proper pressure of the beverage inside the barrel 15. The pressure reducing valve 13 includes an operating section 13b for adjusting the pressure of carbon dioxide gas and a residual pressure indicator 13c for displaying the remaining pressure of carbon dioxide gas inside the cylinder 12.

[0044] The barrel 15 is a container filled with beverage. The head 16 has the function of, for example, sending carbon dioxide gas from inside the cylinder 12 into the barrel 15 via the pressure reducing valve 13 and the carbon dioxide gas hose 14, and also distributing the beverage from inside the barrel 15 to the beverage server 10. As an example, the head 16 includes an operating handle 16b that can open and close the flow paths of carbon dioxide gas and beverage by moving up and down, a gas fitting 16c connected to the carbon dioxide gas hose 14, and a beverage fitting 16d connected to the hose 17.

[0045] For example, lowering the operating handle 16b of the head 16 opens the flow paths of the carbon dioxide hose 14 and hose 17, and raising the operating handle 16b closes the flow paths of the carbon dioxide hose 14 and hose 17. The gas connector 16c and the beverage connector 16d are detachable, and the head 16 is designed to be easy to clean because the gas connector 16c and the beverage connector 16d can be disassembled.

[0046] The beverage server 10 is connected to the head 16 via a hose 17 and has the function of cooling the beverage delivered from the barrel 15 through the head 16 and hose 17. The beverage server 10 is, for example, an electrically cooled instantaneous cooling server. Inside the beverage server 10, there is a cooling device that functions as a supply device that cools the beverage from the hose 17 and supplies the beverage to the tap 10A.

[0047] The beverage server 10 is equipped with a tray 10j on which beverage containers for beverages dispensed from the tap 10A are placed. The tray 10j not only holds the beverage containers but also receives and stores any spilled beverages. The tray 10j is detachable from the beverage server 10 and, for example, can be removed from the beverage server 10 periodically for cleaning.

[0048] For example, the type of beverage server 10 installed in store A1 and the type of beverage server 10 installed in store A2 may be different from each other. Furthermore, the types of multiple beverage servers 10 installed in store A2 may be different from each other. In the beverage service quality monitoring system 1 and beverage service quality monitoring method according to this embodiment, the type of beverage server is not particularly limited.

[0049] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the beverage server 10. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cooling device of the beverage server 10 comprises a water tank 10d for containing cooling water and a spiral beverage pipe 10f connected to a hose 17 and positioned inside the water tank 10d. A refrigerant pipe 10g, connected to the refrigeration cycle device of the beverage server 10's cooling device, is positioned on the inner surface of the water tank 10d.

[0050] The refrigeration cycle device circulates the refrigerant through the refrigerant pipe 10g, which cools the cooling water surrounding the refrigerant pipe 10g, causing ice 10h to form on the refrigerant pipe 10g. This ice 10h further cools the cooling water in the water tank 10d, which in turn cools the beverage inside the beverage pipe 10f. The beverage supply quality monitoring system 1 is equipped with multiple sensors that detect the state of the beverage server 10 and the state of the beverage dispensed from the beverage server 10. Examples of the sensors in the beverage supply quality monitoring system 1 are described below.

[0051] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, for example, the beverage supply quality monitoring system 1 includes a pressure sensor 21, a capacitance sensor 22, a temperature sensor 23, a conductivity sensor 24, a tilt sensor 25, and a camera 26. Each of the pressure sensor 21, capacitance sensor 22, temperature sensor 23, conductivity sensor 24, tilt sensor 25, and camera 26 is connected to a gateway device 7 via a communication cable 27.

[0052] The gateway device 7 may have a rectangular box shape, for example. For instance, the gateway device 7 is placed on the top surface 10x of the housing 10B of the beverage server 10. For example, a magnet is provided on the bottom surface of the gateway device 7, and the gateway device 7 is attracted to the beverage server 10 via the magnet.

[0053] The gateway device 7 includes, for example, a display unit 7b and a lamp 7c that display the status of the beverage server 10. For example, the display unit 7b is a display that shows the status of the beverage server 10. For example, the display unit 7b is a rectangular liquid crystal display. The display unit 7b displays, for example, the internal temperature of the beverage server 10 measured by the temperature sensor 23 and the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 21.

[0054] For example, the carbon dioxide pressure in cylinder 12, measured by the pressure sensor 21, is stored as beverage server information D1 in the main memory unit 2c and the auxiliary memory unit 2d. The carbon dioxide pressure in cylinder 12, measured by the pressure sensor 21, is then transmitted to the beverage supply information receiving unit 3 via the gateway device 7.

[0055] The gateway device 7 has, for example, a waterproof structure to protect it from moisture. As an example, this waterproof structure includes a transparent plate attached in front of the display unit 7b and the lamp 7c, and a cable protection unit to protect the cable extending from the gateway device 7. The above describes examples of the arrangement and configuration of the gateway device 7. However, the arrangement and configuration of the gateway device 7 are not limited to the above examples and can be changed as appropriate. In the above description, an example was given in which the server 2 includes a beverage provision information receiving unit 3, a data analysis unit 4, a data display unit 5, and an alert output unit 6. However, the data analysis unit 4, the data display unit 5, and the alert output unit 6 may be provided in the gateway device 7.

[0056] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, for example, the pressure sensor 21 is attached to the cylinder 12. For example, the pressure sensor 21 is attached to the cylinder 12 via a pressure reducing valve 13. Specifically, the residual pressure indicator 13c of the pressure reducing valve 13 is provided with a tee fitting 13d to which a carbon dioxide hose 14 is connected, and the pressure sensor 21 is attached to the tee fitting 13d. For example, the tee fitting 13d is T-shaped. For example, the tee fitting 13d is connected to the residual pressure indicator 13c via a nipple fitting 13j and also connected to the carbon dioxide hose 14 via a tube fitting 13k.

[0057] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the capacitance sensor 22 is located inside the beverage server 10. For example, a tube 10k is placed between a hose 17 extending from the beverage server 10 and a beverage pipe 10f, and the beverage from the hose 17 is supplied to the beverage pipe 10f via the tube 10k. The capacitance sensor 22 is attached to the beverage pipe 10f via the tube 10k, for example.

[0058] The capacitance sensor 22 is, for example, a flow sensor that measures the flow rate of beverage inside tube 10k. Alternatively, the capacitance sensor 22 may measure the presence or absence of beverage inside tube 10k. For example, the capacitance sensor 22 is fixed to tube 10k while clamping it. By measuring the presence or absence of beverage passing through tube 10k, the capacitance sensor 22 can estimate, for example, the amount of beverage dispensed per certain period (for example, one day), the amount of beverage consumed, and the sales of beverages. Furthermore, by measuring the capacitance of tube 10k, the capacitance sensor 22 can determine the type of fluid (e.g., liquid type) passing through tube 10k.

[0059] The temperature sensor 23 measures, for example, the temperature of the liquid (beverage or water) passing through the inside of the beverage server 10. For example, the temperature sensor 23 measures the temperature of the liquid passing through the inside of the tube 10k. The temperature sensor 23 is, for example, wrapped around an insulating material in contact with the tube 10k and fixed to the tube 10k together with the insulating material. The temperature sensor 23 and the insulating material wrapped around the temperature sensor 23 are attached to the tube 10k, for example, by cable ties.

[0060] The temperature sensor 23 may be fixed to the tube 10k in a manner that it embraces the tube 10k. The temperature sensor 23 may also be equipped with a metal fitting, and both ends of the metal fitting may be supported by the tube 10k. In this case, since the temperature sensor 23 is attached to the tube 10k via the metal fitting, it is possible to more accurately determine the temperature of the liquid passing through the tube 10k.

[0061] The conductivity sensor 24 measures the conductivity in the flow path of a beverage. For example, the conductivity sensor 24 measures the conductivity of a liquid passing through the inside of tube 10k. As an example, the conductivity sensor 24 comprises a pair of electrodes and a fitting, with tube 10k supported at both ends of the fitting. For example, the conductivity sensor 24 measures the conductivity of tube 10k by measuring the electrical resistance between the pair of electrodes.

[0062] Since the conductivity differs depending on the type of liquid passing through tube 10k (whether the liquid passing through tube 10k is a beverage or water, and the type of beverage), the conductivity sensor 24 measures the conductivity of tube 10k, making it possible to determine the type of fluid (e.g., liquid type) passing through the inside of tube 10k.

[0063] Figure 7 schematically shows an example of the arrangement of the capacitance sensor 22, temperature sensor 23, and conductivity sensor 24. As shown in Figure 7, the capacitance sensor 22, temperature sensor 23, and conductivity sensor 24 are supported by the tube 10k. As an example, the capacitance sensor 22, temperature sensor 23, and conductivity sensor 24 are arranged in series in the tube 10k. In this case, the capacitance sensor 22, temperature sensor 23, and conductivity sensor 24 can be efficiently arranged in a limited space.

[0064] For example, in the beverage flow path of tube 10k, a temperature sensor 23 is positioned at the upstream end, a conductivity sensor 24 is positioned at the downstream end, and a capacitance sensor 22 is positioned between the temperature sensor 23 and the conductivity sensor 24. Each of the capacitance sensor 22, temperature sensor 23, and conductivity sensor 24 is electrically connected to the gateway device 7. The capacitance measured by the capacitance sensor 22, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 23, and the conductivity measured by the conductivity sensor 24 are transmitted to the beverage supply information receiving unit 3 via the gateway device 7.

[0065] When the beverage supply information receiving unit 3 receives capacitance from the capacitance sensor 22, temperature from the temperature sensor 23, or conductivity from the conductivity sensor 24, time-series data of capacitance, temperature, or conductivity is stored in the main memory unit 2c and auxiliary memory unit 2d of the server 2 as beverage server information D1. Then, the data analysis unit 4 analyzes the capacitance, temperature, or conductivity received by the beverage supply information receiving unit 3.

[0066] The data analysis unit 4 determines whether beverage is flowing through the beverage pipe 10f and whether water is flowing through the beverage pipe 10f based on at least one of conductivity and capacitance. The data analysis unit 4 calculates the amount of beverage consumed from the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 21. The data analysis unit 4 also determines the presence or absence of liquid (e.g., beverage) inside the beverage pipe 10f based on capacitance.

[0067] The tilt sensor 25 measures the tilt of the tap 10A of the beverage server 10. Figure 8 shows an example of the tilt sensor 25. Figure 9 shows an example of the base 25b of the tilt sensor 25. Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating how the tilt sensor 25 measures the tilt of the tap 10A.

[0068] An exemplary faucet 10A comprises a faucet body 10p and a handle portion 10q that is detachable from the faucet body 10p. For example, a screw is provided inside the handle portion 10q, and the handle portion 10q can be attached to and detached from the faucet body 10p by rotating it. The tilt sensor 25 is installed, for example, between the faucet body 10p and the handle portion 10q.

[0069] For example, the tilt sensor 25 includes a base 25b, a sensor body 25c mounted on the base 25b, and a covering member 25d that covers the sensor body 25c. For example, the base 25b has a rectangular plate shape. For example, the base 25b has a first mounting hole 25f to which the faucet body 10p is attached, and a second mounting hole 25g to which the sensor body 25c is attached.

[0070] The first mounting hole 25f and the second mounting hole 25g each penetrate the base 25b along the thickness direction of the base 25b. For example, the first mounting hole 25f is formed on one longitudinal side of the base 25b, and the second mounting hole 25g is formed on the other longitudinal side of the base 25b. The base 25b is joined between the handle portion 10q and the faucet body 10p with the internal screw of the handle portion 10q passing through the first mounting hole 25f. In other words, the base 25b is fixed in a sandwiched state between the faucet body 10p and the handle portion 10q.

[0071] The sensor body 25c is fixed, for example, on the second mounting hole 25g of the base 25b. Wiring 25h extends from the sensor body 25c and is connected to the gateway device 7. As a result, the tilt of the faucet 10A measured by the sensor body 25c is transmitted to the beverage supply information receiving unit 3 via the gateway device 7.

[0072] The sensor body 25c may, for example, be an acceleration sensor. The covering member 25d is a protective member that covers and protects the sensor body 25c. The covering member 25d may, for example, be box-shaped. The covering member 25d may be made of resin, for example. The covering member 25d can protect the sensor body 25c by covering it with the sensor body 25c on the base 25b.

[0073] As described above, the tilt sensor 25 measures the tilt of the tap 10A while it is attached to the tap 10A. For example, the tilt sensor 25 measures whether the angle of the tap 10A (handle portion 10q) to one side relative to the vertical is greater than or equal to angle θ1. The "angle to one side" refers to the angle toward the user of the beverage server 10, and indicates the angle of the tap 10A from which the beverage liquid (beer, for example) is dispensed.

[0074] For example, the tilt sensor 25 measures whether the angle of the tap 10A (handle portion 10q) toward the other side relative to the vertical direction is greater than or equal to an angle θ2. The "angle toward the other side" refers to the angle toward the back as seen from the user of the beverage server 10, and indicates the angle of the tap 10A from which the beverage foam (beer foam, for example) is dispensed.

[0075] The tilt of the tap 10A, measured by the tilt sensor 25, is transmitted to the beverage supply information receiving unit 3 via the gateway device 7. When the beverage supply information receiving unit 3 receives the tilt of the tap 10A from the tilt sensor 25, time-series data of the tap 10A's tilt is stored, for example, in the main memory unit 2c and auxiliary memory unit 2d of the server 2. Then, the data analysis unit 4 analyzes the tilt of the tap 10A received by the beverage supply information receiving unit 3.

[0076] The data analysis unit 4 determines, for example, whether liquid from a carbonated beverage or foam from a carbonated beverage is being dispensed, based on the tilt of the tap 10A measured by the tilt sensor 25. Specifically, the data analysis unit 4 determines that liquid is being dispensed when the angle of the tap 10A to one side with respect to the vertical is θ1 or greater, and determines that foam is being dispensed when the angle of the tap 10A to the other side with respect to the vertical is θ2 or greater.

[0077] For example, the data analysis unit 4 determines that nothing is being dispensed when the angle of the tap 10A to one side with respect to the vertical is not greater than or equal to angle θ1, and the angle of the tap 10A to the other side with respect to the vertical is not greater than or equal to angle θ2. As an example, the data analysis unit 4 stores the time during which liquid is being dispensed, the time during which foam is being dispensed, and the time during which nothing is being dispensed as beverage server information D1 in the main memory unit 2c and auxiliary memory unit 2d of the server 2.

[0078] For example, the main memory unit 2c or the auxiliary memory unit 2d stores a table showing the relationship between the temperature of the effervescent beverage B before dispensing and the appropriate pressure range. For example, the data analysis unit 4 determines whether the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 21 is appropriate based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 23. Specifically, the data analysis unit 4 estimates the temperature of the effervescent beverage B before dispensing from the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 23 and determines whether the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 21 is within the appropriate pressure range corresponding to that temperature. The data analysis unit 4 determines that the pressure is appropriate if the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 21 is within that pressure range, and determines that the pressure is not appropriate if the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 21 is outside that pressure range. In this way, the data analysis unit 4 can determine whether the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 21 is appropriate based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 23.

[0079] As shown in Figure 3, for example, the camera 26 is mounted between the front 10v and side 10w of the housing 10B of the beverage server 10. For example, the camera 26 is attached to the housing 10B via a suction part 26b. The suction part 26b is, for example, a suction cup or a magnet. The camera 26 captures an image of the effervescent beverage.

[0080] As shown in Figure 11, for example, camera 26 captures an image of the effervescent beverage B poured into beverage container C. The image captured by camera 26 is transmitted to beverage supply information receiving unit 3 via gateway device 7, for example. When beverage supply information receiving unit 3 receives the image of effervescent beverage B, data analysis unit 4 performs image analysis of effervescent beverage B.

[0081] The data analysis unit 4 measures, for example, the ratio of liquid B1 to foam B2 in a sparkling beverage B poured into a beverage container C. In this case, the data analysis unit 4 measures the ratio of the foam B2 area to the liquid B1 area in the beverage container C. The data analysis unit 4 also calculates the ratio of the foam B2 height H2 to the liquid B1 height H1 in an image of the sparkling beverage B.

[0082] The data analysis unit 4 can determine whether the amounts of foam B2 and liquid B1 are appropriate by measuring the ratio of foam B2 to liquid B1. For example, if the ratio of foam B2 to liquid B1 is X:Y (where X and Y are real numbers), it is desirable that X=3 and Y=7. Therefore, the data analysis unit 4 may, for example, measure the value of X / (X+Y) and determine whether the value of X / (X+Y) is within a predetermined range.

[0083] As a specific example, it may be determined whether the value of X / (X+Y) is 0.25 or greater and 0.35 or less. For instance, if the value of X / (X+Y) is 0.25 or greater and 0.35 or less, the ratio of foam B2 to liquid B1 is considered good, and if the value of X / (X+Y) is less than 0.25 or greater than 0.35, the ratio is considered unfavorable. In this way, it is possible to determine whether the ratio of foam B2 to liquid B1 is appropriate.

[0084] The data analysis unit 4 may measure the foam B2 itself from the image of the carbonated beverage B. For example, the data analysis unit 4 may measure the surface of the foam B2 from the image of the carbonated beverage B. As a specific example, the data analysis unit 4 may measure the pattern of the captured foam B2 and calculate the ratio of fine-grained foam to coarse-grained foam in the foam B2 from the measured pattern of the foam B2. This utilizes the characteristic that the pattern of captured images of fine-grained foam is white, while the pattern of captured images of coarse-grained foam is mottled. In this case, it is possible to understand the state of the foam B2.

[0085] The data analysis unit 4 may, for example, measure the dispensed liquid B1. The data analysis unit 4 may also measure the presence or absence of bubbles and foreign matter in the liquid B1. For example, if bubbles are generated in the liquid B1 from the bottom or inner surface of the beverage container C, it is possible that minute foreign matter remains in the beverage container C, and therefore it is advisable to clean the beverage container C more thoroughly. Accordingly, by measuring bubbles and foreign matter in the liquid B1, the data analysis unit 4 can determine the degree of cleaning of the beverage container C.

[0086] The data analysis unit 4 may measure the distance D between the upper end C1 of the beverage container C into which the sparkling beverage B is dispensed and the upper end B4 of the foam B2. In this case, by measuring the distance D between the upper end C1 of the beverage container C and the upper end B4 of the foam B2, the data analysis unit 4 can determine whether the amount of sparkling beverage B is appropriate. Therefore, the quality of the sparkling beverage B can be determined with higher accuracy. The various data measured and analyzed by the data analysis unit 4 are stored as beverage information D2 in the main memory unit 2c and the auxiliary memory unit 2d.

[0087] Next, an example of a beverage supply quality monitoring method according to this embodiment will be described. First, as shown in Figures 3, 7, and 8, a pressure sensor 21, a capacitance sensor 22, a temperature sensor 23, a conductivity sensor 24, a tilt sensor 25, and a camera 26 are installed (sensor installation step). At this time, the pressure sensor 21 is attached to the pressure reducing valve 13, the capacitance sensor 22, the temperature sensor 23, and the conductivity sensor 24 are attached to the tube 10k, the tilt sensor 25 is attached to the faucet 10A, and the camera 26 is attached to the housing 10B. Next, a gateway device 7 is installed (gateway device installation step), and each of the pressure sensor 21, capacitance sensor 22, temperature sensor 23, conductivity sensor 24, tilt sensor 25, and camera 26 is electrically connected to the gateway device 7 (sensor connection step).

[0088] After installing the multiple sensors and gateway device 7 as described above, the carbonated beverage B is poured from the beverage server 10 into the beverage container C (the process of pouring the carbonated beverage). At this time, the pressure sensor 21 starts measuring the pressure of the cylinder 12 (the process of measuring pressure), the capacitance sensor 22 starts measuring the capacitance of the tube 10k (the process of measuring capacitance), and the temperature sensor starts measuring the temperature (the process of measuring temperature). The measured pressure, capacitance, and temperature are each transmitted to the server 2 via the gateway device 7 (the process of transmitting measured data).

[0089] Then, the conductivity sensor 24 starts measuring the conductivity of tube 10k (conductivity measurement step), the tilt sensor 25 starts measuring the tilt of tap 10A (tap tilt measurement step), and the camera 26 takes an image of the effervescent beverage B (beverage image capture step). At this time, for example, an image of the effervescent beverage B is taken with the beverage container C being held in the hand. For example, the measured capacitance, conductivity, tilt of tap 10A, and image of effervescent beverage B are transmitted to the server 2 via the gateway device 7 (transmission of measured data step).

[0090] When the beverage supply information receiving unit 3 receives data, the data analysis unit 4 starts analyzing the data (analysis process). As described above, the data analysis unit 4 determines whether beverage is flowing through the beverage pipe 10f and whether water is flowing through the beverage pipe 10f based on at least one of conductivity and capacitance, and calculates the amount of beverage consumed from the pressure.

[0091] The data analysis unit 4 then determines the presence or absence of liquid (e.g., beverage) inside the beverage tube 10f from the capacitance, and determines, for example, whether liquid from a carbonated beverage or foam from a carbonated beverage is being dispensed from the tilt of the tap 10A measured by the tilt sensor 25. Furthermore, the data analysis unit 4 performs the aforementioned various analyses and measurements from the image of the carbonated beverage B captured by the camera 26. The beverage server information D1 and beverage information D2 analyzed and measured by the data analysis unit 4 are stored in the main memory unit 2c and auxiliary memory unit 2d of the server 2.

[0092] Furthermore, the data analysis unit 4 may determine whether the beverage server information D1 and the beverage information D2 are good or bad. The data analysis unit 4 may also perform a pass / fail determination on the beverage server information D1 and beverage information D2 for each of multiple stores.

[0093] Next, the data display unit 5 displays the analysis results of the beverage server information D1 and beverage information D2 (display step). Figure 12 is a graph showing a specific example of the data displayed by the data display unit 5. As shown in Figure 12, for example, the data display unit 5 displays time-series data of temperature measured by the temperature sensor 23 and conductivity measured by the conductivity sensor 24, as well as the conductivity threshold. The conductivity threshold indicates the conductivity threshold for identifying the liquid passing through tube 10k.

[0094] Figure 12 shows the temperature of tube 10k, the reciprocal of its conductivity, and the conductivity threshold when water and carbonated beverage B are passed through tube 10k. The example shown in Figure 12 first shows water flowing through tube 10k, then carbonated beverage B is passed through tube 10k, and finally, tube 10k becomes empty (air).

[0095] For example, when water is passed through tube 10k for maintenance purposes, the temperature of tube 10k remains around 33°C, and the reciprocal of the conductivity of tube 10k remains around 200. Since the value of the reciprocal of the conductivity at this time is greater than the conductivity threshold, the data analysis unit 4 can determine that water is flowing through tube 10k.

[0096] Subsequently, when the effervescent beverage B was passed through tube 10k, the temperature of tube 10k dropped to about 10°C, and the reciprocal value of the conductivity decreased (the conductivity increased). At this point, the reciprocal value of the conductivity is smaller than the conductivity threshold, so the data analysis unit 4 can determine that the effervescent beverage B is flowing through tube 10k. In the example in Figure 12, the conductivity threshold value is increased to about 185 in order to perform this determination with higher accuracy.

[0097] For example, when the carbonated beverage B inside barrel 15 is emptied and gas can flow through tube 10k, the reciprocal value of the conductivity increases (the conductivity decreases). By detecting this increase in the reciprocal value of conductivity (or decrease in conductivity), the data analysis unit 4 can determine that tube 10k has become empty.

[0098] The above describes one example of how the data in the data display unit 5 can be displayed. However, the data display unit 5 may also display the analysis results from the data analysis unit 4 on an information terminal installed inside store A1. In this case, the beverage providers in store A1 can themselves understand the quality of the beverages provided by the beverage server 10.

[0099] Furthermore, the alert output unit 6 may output an alert to the information terminal (the step of outputting an alert). For example, the alert output unit 6 may output information of stores that have been determined to be unsatisfactory by the data analysis unit 4 to the information terminal. In this way, the alert output unit 6 outputs an alert to the information terminal as needed, and then completes the series of steps.

[0100] Next, the effects and benefits of the beverage supply quality monitoring system 1 and beverage supply quality monitoring method according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figures 4 and 7, in the beverage supply quality monitoring system 1 and beverage supply quality monitoring method according to this embodiment, conductivity sensors 24 are attached to the beverage pipes 10f of beverage servers 10 located in each of the multiple stores. The data analysis unit 4 determines whether beverage is flowing through the beverage pipes 10f and whether water is flowing through the beverage pipes 10f from the conductivity measured by the conductivity sensors 24. Therefore, it is possible to determine the time for which beverage is flowing through the beverage pipes 10f and the time for which water is flowing through the beverage pipes 10f for each store.

[0101] The amount of beverage consumed can be determined from the time the beverage flows through the beverage pipe 10f. Therefore, the amount of beverage consumed by customers can be determined for each store. In addition, the time the water flows through the beverage pipe 10f can be determined for each store regarding the cleaning time of the beverage pipe 10f. Therefore, the cleaning time of the beverage pipe 10f can be determined for each store, and the quality of beverages provided at each store can be determined with high accuracy.

[0102] As mentioned above, the beverage may be a sparkling beverage B comprising liquid B1 and foam B2 placed on top of liquid B1. The beverage supply quality monitoring system 1 may include a tilt sensor 25 that measures the tilt of the tap 10A while it is attached to the tap 10A. The data analysis unit 4 may determine from the tilt of the tap 10A measured by the tilt sensor 25 whether liquid B1 is being dispensed and whether foam B2 is being dispensed.

[0103] In this case, the tilt sensor 25 measures the tilt of the tap 10A, and the data analysis unit 4 analyzes whether liquid B1 is being dispensed from that tilt and whether foam B2 of the sparkling beverage B is being dispensed. Therefore, the time during which liquid B1 of the sparkling beverage B is being dispensed and the time during which foam B2 of the sparkling beverage B is being dispensed can be determined for each store.

[0104] The beverage supply quality monitoring system 1 may include a barrel 15 connected to the beverage server 10 via a hose 17, a cylinder 12 that supplies carbon dioxide to the barrel 15, and a pressure sensor 21 that measures the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the cylinder 12. The data analysis unit 4 may calculate the amount of beverage consumed from the carbon dioxide pressure measured by the pressure sensor 21. In this case, the pressure sensor 21 measures the pressure of the carbon dioxide, and the data analysis unit 4 calculates the amount of beverage consumed from the carbon dioxide. Therefore, the amount of beverage consumed from the beverage server 10 can be grasped with higher accuracy.

[0105] The beverage supply quality monitoring system 1 may include a capacitance sensor 22 attached to the beverage pipe 10f. The data analysis unit 4 may determine the presence or absence of beverage inside the beverage pipe 10f from the capacitance measured by the capacitance sensor 22. In this case, since the data analysis unit 4 determines the presence or absence of beverage passing through the beverage pipe 10f from the capacitance, the amount of beverage consumed from the beverage server 10 can be determined with higher accuracy.

[0106] In the beverage supply quality monitoring system 1, a capacitance sensor 22 is attached to the beverage pipe 10f of the beverage server 10 installed in the store. The data analysis unit 4 determines whether beverage is flowing through the beverage pipe 10f and whether water is flowing through the beverage pipe 10f from the capacitance measured by the capacitance sensor 22. Therefore, similar to the case where a conductivity sensor 24 is used, it is possible to determine the time for which beverage is flowing through the beverage pipe 10f and the time for which water is flowing through the beverage pipe 10f for each store. In addition, the time for which water is flowing through the beverage pipe 10f can be determined for each store regarding the cleaning time of the beverage pipe 10f. Therefore, the cleaning time of the beverage pipe 10f can be determined for each store, and the quality of beverage supply at each store can be determined with high accuracy. In this way, even when using the capacitance sensor 22, the quality of beverage supply can be determined with high accuracy, so it is possible to omit the conductivity sensor 24.

[0107] The beverage supply quality monitoring system 1 may include a temperature sensor 23 attached to the beverage pipe 10f. The data analysis unit 4 may determine whether the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 21 is appropriate based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 23. In this case, by having the data analysis unit 4 determine whether the pressure is appropriate, the quality of the beverage supply can be grasped with higher accuracy.

[0108] The beverage quality monitoring system 1 may include a camera 26 that photographs the sparkling beverage B poured into the beverage container C. The data analysis unit 4 may analyze the state of the liquid B1 and the state of the foam B2 of the sparkling beverage B from the images captured by the camera 26. In this case, the state of the liquid B1 and the state of the foam B2 are analyzed from the images of the sparkling beverage B captured by the camera 26. Therefore, the state of the liquid B1 and the state of the foam B2 of the poured sparkling beverage B can be grasped for each store, and the appropriateness of the ratio of liquid B1 to foam B2 can be grasped for each number of cups poured at each store.

[0109] Embodiments of the beverage quality monitoring system and beverage quality monitoring method relating to this disclosure have been described above. However, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and may be modified or applied to other things without changing the gist of each claim. That is, this disclosure can be modified in various ways without changing the gist of the claims, and the configuration, function, shape, size, number, material and arrangement of each part of the beverage quality monitoring system, as well as the content and order of each step of the beverage quality monitoring method, can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the above. For example, the embodiments described above described a beverage quality monitoring system 1 that monitors the quality of beverages provided at multiple stores. However, the number of stores monitored by the beverage quality monitoring system may be one or fewer, and is not particularly limited.

[0110] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the sensors included a pressure sensor 21, a capacitance sensor 22, a temperature sensor 23, a conductivity sensor 24, a tilt sensor 25, and a camera 26. However, at least some of the pressure sensor 21, capacitance sensor 22, temperature sensor 23, conductivity sensor 24, tilt sensor 25, and camera 26 may be omitted, and the sensor configuration can be changed as appropriate.

[0111] Furthermore, the above-described embodiment explained an example in which the beverage is a sparkling beverage B and sparkling beverage B is beer. However, the beverage supply quality monitoring system and beverage supply quality monitoring method according to this disclosure can also be applied to sparkling beverages other than beer, and beverages other than sparkling beverages. For example, the beverage may be a sparkling alcoholic beverage with foam retention properties, non-alcoholic beer, chuhai, sour, highball, RTD (Ready To Drink), cola, soda, or cider. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1…Beverage supply quality monitoring system, 2…Server, 2b…Processor, 2c…Main memory unit, 2d…Auxiliary memory unit, 2f…Communication module, 2g…Display, 2h…Input interface, 3…Beverage supply information receiving unit, 4…Data analysis unit, 5…Data display unit, 6…Alert output unit, 7…Gateway device, 7b…Display unit, 7c…Lamp, 10…Beverage server, 10A…Faucet, 10B…Housing, 10d…Water tank, 10f…Beverage pipe, 10g…Refrigerant pipe, 10h…Ice, 10j…Receiving stand, 10k…Tube, 10p…Faucet body, 10q…Handle unit, 10v…Front, 10w…Side, 10x…Top, 11…Beverage supply device, 12…Cylinder, 13…Pressure reducing valve, 13b…Operation unit ,13c...Pressure gauge, 13d...Tee fitting, 13j...Nipple fitting, 13k...Tube fitting, 14...Carbon dioxide hose, 15...Barrel, 16...Head, 16b...Operating handle, 16c...Gas fitting, 16d...Beverage fitting, 17...Hose, 21...Pressure sensor, 22...Capacitance sensor, 23...Temperature sensor, 24...Conductivity sensor, 25...Tilt sensor, 25b...Base, 25d...Covering member, 25f...First mounting hole, 25g...Second mounting hole, 25h...Wiring, 26...Camera, 26b...Adsorption part, 27...Communication cable, A1,A2...Store, B...Effervescent beverage, B1...Liquid, B2...Foam, C...Beverage container, D1...Beverage server information, D2...Beverage information, T...Information terminal, θ1,θ2...Angle.

Claims

1. A beverage service quality monitoring system for monitoring the quality of beverage service in a store that provides beverages using a beverage server equipped with a beverage pipe through which either a beverage or water passes, and a tap for dispensing the beverage from the beverage pipe into a beverage container, The beverage is a carbonated beverage comprising a liquid and foam placed on top of the liquid. A tilt sensor that measures the tilt of the faucet while it is attached to the faucet, A data analysis unit that determines whether the liquid is being dispensed and whether foam is being dispensed based on the tilt of the faucet measured by the tilt sensor, Equipped with, The tilt sensor comprises a base and a sensor body mounted on the base. The aforementioned faucet comprises a faucet body and a handle portion that is detachable from the faucet body. The base has a first mounting hole to which the faucet body is attached and a second mounting hole to which the sensor body is attached, and the base is coupled between the handle and the faucet body with the internal screw of the handle passing through the first mounting hole. Beverage serving quality monitoring system.

2. The beverage server is equipped with a gateway device, The data analysis unit is provided in the gateway device. The beverage supply quality monitoring system according to claim 1.

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