Method and apparatus for illuminating the status of a consumable
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of automatic feedback systems in restaurants to indicate when a beverage container needs refilling, leading to delayed refills and patron dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve with a light emitting diode (LED) status indicator that detects the beverage level using a spring-loaded switch on a coaster, providing visual feedback to waiters on the status of the beverage container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a waiter manually observes beverage containers to determine refill needs, then the system requires no additional devices, but the refill response time is delayed and customer satisfaction decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic feedback system where a sensor detects beverage level in the container and triggers a visual indicator (LED light) to signal when refilling is needed. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual observation by waiters, reducing refill response time while maintaining simple system architecture through the use of basic sensing and indication components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the beverage container setup to self-report its status automatically. The sensor and indicator work together to provide self-service functionality, where the container itself communicates its refill needs without requiring external human observation, thereby reducing wait time while keeping the system simple and maintenance-free.
2Loss of information
If no status indication system is used, then the device complexity remains low, but information about beverage status is lost and customers must manually request refills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-changing LED indicators to communicate beverage status information visually. Different colors (e.g., green for full, red for empty) provide immediate, intuitive status information to both customers and waiters, preventing information loss while maintaining simple system architecture through the use of standard LED technology and basic color-coding conventions.
3Productivity
If manual observation by waiters is used, then the system requires no sensors or indicators, but productivity in terms of service efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic feedback system continuously monitors beverage levels and provides real-time status information, enabling waiters to efficiently identify and service tables that need refills during their normal rounds. This increases service productivity by eliminating the need for waiters to individually check each container, while the system remains simple using basic sensor and indicator components that require minimal maintenance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables timely refills by providing visual cues to waiters about the beverage status, enhancing customer satisfaction by reducing wait times and perceived responsiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is a spring-loaded switch on the coaster that is configured to trigger and enable the status indicator based on a predetermined weight of the beverage container
Implementation Method 2
the status indicator is a light source comprising one or more light emitting diodes (LED)
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for communicating the status of a consumable includes a sleeve with a tubular housing. The tubular housing has a lumen with a proximal section and a distal section separated by an internal flange. The sleeve includes a battery case or power module with a coaster coupled on the proximal side of the internal flange, an electronic module and a power supply module coupled to the distal side of the internal flange. A sensor in the form of a spring-loaded switch is located on the coaster to trigger and enable a status indicator based on a predetermined weight of a beverage container. The status indicator is an LED light source or wireless signal coupled to the sensor through the electronic module.