Radio transmitter device for use in method and system for monitoring, controlling and optimizing flow of products

A method for monitoring and reporting liquid product distribution network, comprising:

• operating a keg distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus associated with a keg adapted for containing the liquid product,
• said keg distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus operating steps comprising:
• attaching a sensing and reporting device to the keg comprising the steps of:
• embedding sensing circuitry in a top or bottom chime of the keg without extending any keg physical boundaries in any dimension, and further whereby the top or bottom chime physically protects the sensing circuitry during keg distribution in the keg distribution network, for sensing at least one of physical properties and location associated with the keg,
• attaching a radio transmitter comprising a low-energy consumption radio/processing module, in the top or bottom chime device, and
• associating radio frequency signal transmission circuitry with said radio/processing module for transmitting encrypted radiofrequency signals from the sensing and reporting device;
• fitting a battery power supply unit within and protected by the top or bottom chime, for electrically powering the sensing and reporting device;
• and
• utilizing a mobile communications device for:
• receiving and processing the encrypted radiofrequency signals from the radiofrequency signal transmission circuitry of the identified keg passively and without user interaction,
• storing data and computer processor executable instructions relating to the keg and the keg distribution network, and
• processing said data and executing said executable instructions for monitoring and reporting the physical properties and location of the keg within the keg distribution network, without otherwise using a network uplink/gateway circuit device.

A liquid product distribution network monitoring and reporting system, comprising:

• a tap handle flow distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus for use with a liquid product dispensing faucet and in association with a liquid product distribution network, comprising;
• a tap handle radio transmitter device fitting within and protected by said tap handle apparatus and comprising a low-energy consumption radio/processing module;
• tap handle sensing circuitry associated with said radio transmitter device for sensing and communicating to said radio/processing module physical properties associating with the tap handle and/or a faucet and/or line and/or container attached to said tap handle, and
• a radio transmitter device comprising a low-energy consumption radio/processing module;
• and
• radio frequency signal transmission circuitry associated with said radio/processing module for transmitting encrypted radiofrequency signals from said tap handle flow distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus;
• and further
• a battery power supply unit fitting within and protected by said tap handle flow distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus and electrically powering the sensing and reporting device;
• and
• a mobile communications device comprising cell radio circuitry for moving to a plurality of locations within the liquid product distribution network and configured to receive and process the encrypted radiofrequency signals from said tap handle passively and without user interaction;
• wherein said mobile communications device further comprising memory circuitry for storing data and computer processor executable instructions relating to the tap handle and the liquid product distribution network, and further comprising computer processing circuitry for processing said data and executing said executable instructions for monitoring and reporting the physical properties and location of the tap handle and/or kegs within the liquid product distribution network.

A method for monitoring and reporting the physical properties and location of a liquid storage and dispensing data in a keg-based distribution network, comprising the steps of:

• operating a tap handle flow distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus;
• said tap handle distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus operating steps comprising the steps of:
• fitting and fixedly attaching a tap handle radio transmitter device for fitting within and protected by a tap handle and comprising a low-energy consumption tap handle radio/processing module, comprising the steps of:
• associating with said radio transmitter device sensing circuitry for sensing and communicating to said radio/processing module to said tap handle radio/processing module physical properties associated with the tap handle and/or faucet attaching to said tap handle, and
• associating radiofrequency signal transmission circuitry with said radio/processing module for transmitting radiofrequency signals from said tap handle radio transmitter sensing and reporting device without the use of geographic position or cell radio circuitry;
• and further
• fitting a battery power supply within said outer housing and electrically powering said radio transmitter device using said battery power supply, whereby said small form factor keg sensing and reporting device operates without geographic position sensing or cell radio circuitry for a period of up to two years;
• and
• moving a mobile communications device comprising geographic position sensing and cell radio circuitry to a plurality of locations within the liquid product distribution network and configuring said mobile communications device to receive and process said radiofrequency signals from said tap handle radio/processing device;
• storing data and computer processor executable instructions relating to the tap and tap handle distribution in memory circuitry within said mobile communications device, and processing said data and executing said executable instructions for monitoring and reporting the physical properties and location of the tap handle within the liquid product distribution network and communicating with the liquid product distribution network using computer processing circuitry within said mobile communications device and with the capability of not using a network uplink/gateway circuit device;
• and
• said tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus operating steps comprising the steps of sensing flow of a liquid through a tap positioned to dispense a liquid from the keg.

A liquid product distribution network monitoring and reporting system, comprising:

• a liquid product distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus for operation in association with a tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus, wherein said liquid product distribution network alternatively utilizes at different locations either said tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus, or both said liquid product distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus on a keg and said tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus;
• said liquid product distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus, comprising a small form factor keg sensing and reporting device positioned on a keg;
• and
• said tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus comprising circuitry and for sensing location, type and flow of a liquid through a tap positioned to dispense a liquid from said keg containing said liquid product, wherein said tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus further comprises:
• a tap handle radio transmitter device for fitting within or configured in integral association within the form factor of said tap handle and protected by a tap handle and comprising a low-energy consumption tap handle radio/processing module;
• tap handle sensing circuitry associated with said tap handle radio transmitter device for sensing and communicating to said tap handle radio/processing module physical properties associating with the tap handle and/or a faucet and/or line and/or container attached to said tap handle;
• and
• tap handle radiofrequency signal transmission circuitry associated with said tap handle radio/processing module for transmitting encrypted radiofrequency signals from said tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus;
• and further
• a tap handle battery power supply fitting within and protected by said tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus and electrically powering said tap handle radio transmitter device;
• and
• a mobile communications device comprising cell radio circuitry for moving to a plurality of locations within the liquid product distribution network and configured to selectively receive and process said encrypted radiofrequency signals from said small form factor liquid product distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus and/or said tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus passively and without user interaction;
• said mobile communications device further comprising memory circuitry for storing data and computer processor executable instructions relating to the keg and the liquid product distribution network, and further comprising computer processing circuitry for processing said data and executing said executable instructions for monitoring and
• reporting the physical properties and location of the keg within the liquid product distribution network, without otherwise using a network uplink/gateway circuit device;
• wherein said liquid product distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus and said tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus may operate independently or collaboratively for sensing and reporting the status of fluid storage, flow, and financial operations relating to the distribution of said liquid product throughout the liquid product distribution network.