DRAFT BEER SUPPLY CHAIN SYSTEMS AND METHODS
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Supply chain systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring fluid levels in liquid containers, such as kegs. Embodiments include sensors that fit within a keg'"'"'s false bottom, measure the weight of the keg, and transmit the weight information to a computer database via a wireless network. Other embodiments include an RFID device with information about a characteristic of the liquid within a keg (such as brand and/or type of beer) that may be attached to the keg and paired with the sensor so the sensor can transmit information about the characteristic of the liquid in the keg. In alternate embodiments, the sensor'"'"'s transmitter is short range and an uplink/gateway is used to receive information from the sensor and relay that sensor'"'"'s information to a broader wireless network. Multiple containers in close proximity may each be fitted with an RFID device and sensor and communicate their individual information to the database.
113 Citations
102 Claims
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1-87. -87. (canceled)
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88. A method, comprising:
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attaching a sensor to a keg; attaching a wireless electronic communication device to the keg, the wireless electronic communication device being in electronic communication with the sensor; and transferring information about the keg sensed by the sensor from the wireless electronic communication device to a computer database, the information including at least one time and date at which the information was sensed. - View Dependent Claims (89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98)
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99. A system, comprising:
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one or more wireless electronic communication devices, each encodable with information identifying a characteristic of liquid within a keg, each wireless electronic communication device being attachable to a keg; one or more sensors each couplable to the bottom of a keg, each sensor configured and adapted to; measure the weight of the keg to which the sensor is coupled; receive information from one of the wireless electronic communication devices coupled to the same keg as each sensor, the information relating to a characteristic of the liquid within the keg to which the one wireless electronic communication device and the sensor is coupled; transmit information to a wireless network, the transmitted information including information from the wireless electronic communication device including the characteristic of the liquid within the keg to which the sensor is coupled and information about the weight of the keg to which the sensor is coupled; and a computer database that receives and stores information from the one or more sensors via the wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (100, 101, 102)
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Specification