# US 11,999,485 B2 · Beverage management system

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- Number: US 11,999,485 B2
- Document ID: US11999485B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/851,337
- Filed: 2022-06-28
- Published: 2022-12-29
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2021-06-28
- Assignees: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
- Applicants: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
- Inventors: Hans Huijsing; Varun Raman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999485B2

## CPC

- B64D 11/0007: {Devices specially adapted for food or beverage distribution services}
- B64D 11/0015: {Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television}
- B64D 11/04: Galleys
- H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)

## Abstract

A system for beverage management. The system includes at least one receptacle for receiving a beverage, said receptacle comprising at least one identification means that is configured to identify the type of beverage provided in the at least one receptacle. The system further comprises a trolley comprising at least one identification reader that is configured to read the identification means to determine the beverage present in the at least one receptacle, said trolley further comprising a weight sensor configured to determine the weight of the at least one receptacle. The system further includes a central programming unit configured to determine if the beverage within the at least one receptacle is below a pre-determined volume threshold based on the identity of the beverage and the weight value.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for beverage management, the system comprising:
at least one receptacle for receiving a beverage, said receptacle comprising at least one identification means that is configured to identify the type of beverage provided in the at least one receptacle;
a trolley comprising at least one identification reader that is configured to read the identification means to determine the beverage present in the at least one receptacle, said trolley further comprising a weight sensor configured to determine the weight of the at least one receptacle; and
a central programming unit configured to determine if the beverage within the at least one receptacle is below a pre-determined volume threshold based on the identity of the beverage and the weight value.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one identification means is at least one radio-frequency identification, RFID, tag.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one RFID tag is located on, in, or around the at least one receptacle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one identification reader is at least one radio-frequency identification, RFID, reader.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the RFID reader is embedded in, or on, a top surface of the trolley.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the central programming unit is configured to send a signal, via a wireless interface, to a galley of an aircraft to indicate that the at least one receptacle is below the pre-determined volume threshold and weight value.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, wherein the signal is configured to be sent, via the wireless interface, to a beverage dispenser/maker.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the beverage comprises at least one of soda, water, coffee, tea or ice.

### Claim 9

A method of beverage management, the method comprising:
providing at least one receptacle for receiving a beverage, said receptacle comprising at least one identification means that identifies the type of beverage provided in the at least one receptacle;
providing a trolley comprising at least one identification reader that reads the identification means to determine the beverage present in the at least one receptacle, said trolley further comprising a weight sensor that determines the weight of the at least one receptacle; and
providing a central programming unit that determines if the beverage within the at least one receptacle is below a pre-determined volume threshold based on the identity of the beverage and the weight value.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one identification means is at least one radio-frequency identification, RFID, tag.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one RFID tag is located on, in, or around the at least one receptacle.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one identification reader is at least one radio-frequency identification, RFID, reader.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the RFID reader is embedded in, or on, a top surface of the trolley.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the central programming unit sends a signal, via a wireless interface, to a galley of an aircraft to indicate that the at least one receptacle is below the pre-determined volume threshold and weight value.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the signal is sent, via the wireless interface, to a beverage dispenser/maker.