Controlled Pourer Locking and Flow Metering for Liquor Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The distribution, consumption, and payment of liquor are inefficient, inaccurate, and largely manual, lacking proper measurement and reporting, relying heavily on bartenders for control and supervision.
Innovation Solution
A controlled pourer system that includes a locking mechanism, communication module, flow control mechanism, and flow meter, allowing controlled and monitored liquor dispensing through a user-friendly interface, enabling real-time tracking and secure payment processing via a smartphone application, preventing bypass of the flow control mechanism and providing feedback on liquor consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual distribution and monitoring of liquor is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and accuracy of consumption tracking deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring with electronic sensors, flow meters, and communication modules that automatically track liquor consumption. The flow control mechanism uses electronic signals rather than manual bartender control, achieving precise measurement without proportional increase in mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlled pourer system performs self-monitoring and self-reporting of consumption data. The device automatically measures, records, and transmits consumption information without requiring external manual intervention, improving measurement precision while keeping the system relatively simple through automation.
2Productivity
If automated flow control mechanism is implemented, then productivity and efficiency improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controlled pourer device performs multiple functions including flow control, measurement, data recording, communication, and payment integration within a single integrated system. This multi-functionality improves productivity while managing complexity by combining rather than multiplying separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the flow control mechanism, flow meter, communication module, and locking mechanism into a single integrated controlled pourer unit. This merging approach streamlines the system architecture, improving operational efficiency while avoiding the complexity that would arise from multiple separate devices.
3Reliability
If locking mechanism is used to prevent bypass, then reliability of consumption tracking improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the controlled pourer is attached to the bottle, preventing bypass before any unauthorized access can occur. This preliminary action ensures reliability without requiring manual intervention, and the automatic engagement minimizes the impact on ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism serves as an intermediary between the controlled pourer and the bottle, providing automatic security without requiring the user to manually lock or unlock. The mechanism engages and disengages automatically during normal operation, maintaining reliability while preserving ease of use.
4Loss of information
If real-time monitoring and communication module are implemented, then loss of information is reduced, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module transmits consumption data periodically or at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action reduces energy consumption while still effectively communicating consumption information to the appropriate parties, minimizing data loss without excessive power usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transmits consumption data selectively based on predetermined criteria such as consumption thresholds or time intervals. This partial transmission approach reduces energy consumption compared to continuous reporting, while still capturing and communicating sufficient consumption information for accurate tracking and billing.
Data Source
AI summary
A controlled pourer that may include a locking mechanism for locking the controlled pourer to a bottle; a communication module; a flow control mechanism that is configured to control an output of fluid, during a liquid consumption iteration, from the bottle under a control of one or more commands received by the communication module; and a flow meter for monitoring an amount of fluid outputted by the flow control mechanism during the fluid consumption iteration. The communication module is configured to output information regarding the amount of fluid consumed during the fluid consumption operation. Once locked to the bottle the controller pourer prevents a bypass of the fluid control mechanism.