Beverage communications system using a communication protocol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing systems lack real-time monitoring and efficient communication networks to track beverage freshness, levels, and equipment status, leading to inefficiencies and potential customer dissatisfaction due to delayed detection of empty or stale beverages.
Innovation Solution
A beverage communication network utilizing low-energy communication protocols like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) allows brewers and stands to exchange information on beverage status, enabling real-time monitoring and notification of attention requirements through visual indicators, with scalability and security features for reliable communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an employee physically visits each serving station to inspect servers, then the status of servers can be determined, but the monitoring process becomes inefficient and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The server system performs self-monitoring by automatically detecting its own status parameters (beverage level, temperature, freshness) using integrated sensors and reporting them through the communication network, eliminating the need for manual inspection by employees
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical inspection (employee visiting serving stations) with an automated electronic monitoring system using sensors, microcontrollers, and wireless communication to transmit server status data
2Reliability
If physical inspection is used to monitor servers, then server status can be determined, but real-time feedback is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by automatically transmitting server status data through a communication network to a central system or mobile device, enabling real-time monitoring and immediate notification when servers require attention
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system operates continuously rather than periodically, with sensors constantly measuring server parameters and the communication system continuously transmitting data, ensuring uninterrupted real-time feedback
3Productivity
If a communication network is implemented for real-time monitoring, then monitoring efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: sensors for detection, microcontrollers for processing, and communication modules for data transmission, allowing the same hardware to perform monitoring, communication, and control functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines previously separate functions (physical inspection, data collection, communication) into an integrated automated system where sensors, processors, and communication modules work together as a unified monitoring platform
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage communication network having a brewer, stands, and servers atop the stands, in which the brewer and the stands communicate in accordance with a suitable wired or wireless communication protocol, such as Bluetooth® Low Energy. The brewer can monitor the status of the servers, including the freshness and temperature of the beverage contained within the servers, the equipment status of the servers, and communication signal quality in the network. The status of the servers can be displayed to an on-site user through a tablet computer coupled to the brewer or to a remote user through a computer connected to the Internet.