Automatic weight illumination display coasters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coasters are passive and do not provide additional functionalities, such as indicating the level of drinks in glasses or providing information and entertainment to customers, which can lead to invasive or inconvenient experiences for customers in eateries.
Innovation Solution
An illuminated coaster equipped with light emitters, a processor, and memory that detects the presence and volume of liquid in a container, activating different colored lights to indicate the liquid level and displaying information such as advertisements, menus, or games when the container is absent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional passive coasters are used, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but they cannot provide drink level monitoring or customer engagement functionalities
Solution Approach 1:
The coaster is transformed from a single-function passive base into a multi-functional active device that simultaneously performs drink level monitoring, staff notification, and customer entertainment functions. The system integrates sensors, processors, light emitters, and display capabilities within the coaster structure, allowing it to serve multiple purposes: protecting the table surface, monitoring beverage levels, communicating with staff, and engaging customers through games and information display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds multiple functional components within the coaster structure in a nested arrangement. Sensors are integrated into the coaster body to detect liquid levels, processors are housed within the coaster to analyze sensor data, light emitters are positioned within the coaster to provide visual notifications, and display elements are incorporated into the coaster surface. This nesting approach allows complex functionality to be contained within a compact form factor that resembles a traditional coaster.
2Reliability
If employees manually check drink levels, then the monitoring is direct and reliable, but employees become invasive and disrupt customer experience
Solution Approach 1:
The coaster system performs self-monitoring of drink levels through integrated sensors that continuously detect the liquid level in the glass. The processor automatically analyzes sensor data and determines when the glass needs refilling. The system then autonomously communicates this information to staff through visual signals, eliminating the need for employees to manually approach customers and check drink levels. This self-service capability maintains monitoring reliability while preserving customer privacy and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where sensors continuously monitor drink levels, the processor analyzes this data in real-time, and the system provides visual feedback to staff through light emitters when refilling is needed. This automated feedback mechanism replaces manual checking with an intelligent system that continuously informs staff of customer needs without requiring direct customer-staff interaction for routine monitoring.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the coaster displays information and entertainment, then customer engagement increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display and entertainment features operate periodically rather than continuously. The system activates display elements and games based on detected conditions, such as when a glass is placed on the coaster or when specific time intervals elapse. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption compared to continuous display while still providing customer engagement and information delivery at appropriate moments during the customer experience.
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
The illuminated coaster allows staff in eateries to monitor drink levels without being invasive, while also providing customers with entertainment and information, potentially increasing customer engagement and sales.
Implementation Method 1
The illuminated coaster comprises a plurality of light emitters
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated coaster comprising a plurality of light emitters, and a control unit associated with the illuminated coaster are provided. The control unit comprises a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions. The control unit comprises a processor in communication with the memory, the processor being configured to execute the computer-executable instructions, which when executed, cause the processor to detect presence of a container on the coaster, estimate a volume of liquid within the container present on the coaster, and activate a plurality of light emitters to emit one of a light of first color, a light of second color, or a light of third color based on the estimate volume of liquid.