WO2014127343A1

WO2014127343A1 - Social drink coaster or interactive object

Info

Publication number: WO2014127343A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/016825
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guy Marsden; Gavin PAYNE; Mikhail Vladimirovich BURILOV; Eliahu Blank
Original assignee: Guy Marsden; Payne Gavin; Burilov Mikhail Vladimirovich; Eliahu Blank
Priority date: 2013-02-17
Filing date: 2014-02-18
Publication date: 2014-08-21

Abstract

Described is a system for posting to a user's social network page upon detection of an event. In one embodiment, an electronic coaster can be attached to a glass or bottle that detects when it has been bumped or toasted with another glass or bottle. A user is associated with a particular coaster and gives permission for a computer to post to their social network site. Upon the detection of an event such as a toast, a transceiver in the coaster sends a signal to a computer that posts to a user's social network website indicating that the toasting event has just occurred.

Description

SOCIAL DRINK COASTER OR INTERACTIVE OBJECT

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/765,767 filed February 17, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Enjoyment of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in social settings has existed for millennia. Various rituals exist and are customary in many cultures, including toasting by the knocking of glasses together prior to consuming such beverages.

[0003] According to various apocryphal stories, the custom of touching glasses evolved from concerns about poisoning. By one account, clinking glasses together would cause each drink to spill over into the others' (though there is no real evidence for such an origin). According to other stories, the word toast became associated with the custom in the 17th century, based on a custom of flavoring drinks with spiced toast. The word originally referred to the lady in whose honor the drink was proposed, her name being seen as figuratively flavoring the drink. The International Handbook on Alcohol and Culture says toasting "is probably a secular vestige of ancient sacrificial libations in which a sacred liquid was offered to the gods: blood or wine in exchange for a wish, a prayer summarized in the words "long life!" or "to your health!"

[0004] Whatever its origins, toasting and the accompanying clinking of glasses is a fixed part of social custom now wherever beverages, especially alcoholic beverages, are consumed. However, it is common for many friends and acquaintances to be separated by distance or to be too busy to meet in person so often at get-togethers one or more persons are not in attendance. It is often the case that friends will raise a glass to absent members of their party whether living or in some cases, passed on.

[0005] Increasingly common is the usage of social networking for friends and acquaintances to stay in touch. Also, people often check into bars or other venues via online tools such as Foursquare or Facebook. One may even symbolically buy a drink for a friend online or post to their page, or the user's own page that they are drinking with a particular person or persons or drinking a particular brand of beverage at a specified establishment.

[0006] In addition to toasting, humans often engage in other activities where objects are made to impact one another, such as sports or games.

[0007] What does not presently exist is a way for patrons of a social event or game to automatically make posts, or to easily update or make new posts concerning the social event or game. What is needed is a way to automatically make posts, or to easily update or make new posts concerning the social event or game, including posts about a brand of beverage, the persons in attendance, the event venue, or other posts relating to the event or game thus enhancing brand presence online via the user's social media postings.

SUMMARY

[0008] In one embodiment of the disclosed technology, an electronic transmitter is connectable to a physical object and is configured to provide a signal when subjected to an event. The signal is received by a computer system that is programmed to connect to a user's social network service, and update the social network service with a posting correlated to the detected event.

[0009] In another embodiment of the disclosed technology, the electronic transmitter that is connectable to a physical object is an electronic coaster which is configured to communicate with a receiver, and the detected event includes the clinking/contact of physical objects bearing electronic coasters together.

[0010] In yet another aspect of the disclosed technology, a computer system is utilized to communicate the detected event to the social network service.

[0011] In a further aspect, a selectively detachable sensor for glasses or bottles is disclosed.

[0012] In another aspect, glasses or bottles with integrally formed sensors are disclosed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates a system for detecting the "clinking" of glasses in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology. [0014] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a detector circuit for detecting and transmitting an occurrence of a glass clinking another glass in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology;

[0015] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a receiver for receiving radio frequency transmissions that indicate when glasses have been clinked together in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology;

[0016] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a system for posting detected events such as the clinking of glasses to an Internet/social network site in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology;

[00 7] Figure 5 is a flow diagram of a user logging into a social network account such that posts can be made upon the detection of events with a glass or other object;

[0018] Figures A-6C illustrate an ornamental design of an electronic coaster in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosed technology; and

[0019] Figures 7 A and 7B (referred to herein as Figure 7) comprise a schematic diagram of a circuit of a detector circuit for detecting and transmitting an occurrence of a glass clinking another glass in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide a method and system for updating a user's social network whenever a detected event occurs via a trarismrtting device located on a physical object which interacts with its environment via human control. Such an object may, for example, be a coaster attached to the bottom of a beverage glass, but could also be a gaming device such as a racket, ping pong paddle, glove, ball or other sports devices or other devices which impacts an object or are otherwise handled. The disclosed technology will now be described by way of the exemplary embodiment of an electronic coaster and social network communication system and method, but it will be appreciated that the scope of the technology disclosed is not limited to this embodiment.

[0021] Broadly described, the system comprises the following components: (i) an electronic coaster for attachment to a user's glass or bottle, (ii) a mobile software application (i.e., an app) to connect a user's glass or bottle and to their social network, (iii) a receiver, and [0014] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a detector circuit for detecting and transmitting an occurrence of a glass clinking another glass in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0017] Figure 5 is a flow diagram of a user logging into a social network account such that posts can be made upon the detection of events with a glass or other object;

[0018] Figures 6A-6C illustrate an ornamental design of an electronic coaster in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosed technology; and

[0019] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a circuit of a detector circuit for detecting and transmitting an occurrence of a glass clinking another glass in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide a method and system for updating a user's social network whenever a detected event occurs via a transmitting device located on a physical object which interacts with its environment via human control. Such an object may, for example, be a coaster attached to the bottom of a beverage glass, but could also be a gaming device such as a racket, ping pong paddle, glove, ball or other sports devices or other devices which impacts an object or are otherwise handled. The disclosed technology will now be described by way of the exemplary embodiment of an electronic coaster and social network communication system and method, but it will be appreciated that the scope of the technology disclosed is not limited to this embodiment.

[0021] Broadly described, the system comprises the following components: (i) an electronic coaster for attachment to a user's glass or bottle, (ii) a mobile software application (i.e., an app) to connect a user's glass or bottle and to their social network, (iii) a receiver, and

3 (iv) an Internet connected computer capable of connecting to one or more social networks. Optionally there may be a master electronic coaster which initiates a connection process to the social network.

[0022] In one embodiment, the electronic coaster comprises an RF capable device as depicted in Figure 1. Preferably the electronic coaster 20 is able to communicate with at least one receiver (not shown). The electronic coaster 20 is preferably cylindrical and accommodates a pint glass or beer bottle 10 via a friction fit such as a rubberized ring or alternatively is adhered to a pint glass or beer bottle via a glue or adhesive strip 24. The adhesive strip 24 may bear the logo of a beer brand or other beverage brand. The electronic coaster 20 is preferably formed from a plastic, such as an acrylic, which embeds a micro-controller chip, an RF transmitter, a power source and a shock sensor such as a shock switch in a preferably waterproof enclosure. The power source may be a battery, preferably a lithium ion button cell.

[0023] In one embodiment, the electronic coaster 20 provides an LED light feedback to the user whenever a bump registers with the shock sensor. The shock sensor is preferably a switch that is closed when it senses abrupt physical motion. Preferably a capacitor and resistor extend the duration of the signal produced from a contact closure of the switch to be long enough to be detected by the microcontroller chip of the electronic coaster. In an alternative embodiment, accelerometers could be used instead of switches.

[0024] More particularly in one embodiment, and referring to Figure 2, the electronic coaster 20 comprises a transmitter circuit where power is provided by a CR2032 3V lithium battery (Bl). SW1 and SW2 are bump switches 4 (i.e. electronic devices that are configured to conduct or not conduct such as by closing briefly when the coaster is bumped). The switches SW1 and SW2 are preferably oriented in the X and Y axes to ensure that a bump in any horizontal direction will close at least one switch. When either or both switches close, 3 V is sent through a dual diode Dl to MOSFET Q2. When Q2 turns on, it pulls resistor ladder Rl and R2 low, which turns on PNP transistor Ql thus providing 3V power to Ul (microcontroller such as a PIC 12F508) and RF1 (radio transmitter such as a Linx TRM-418-L7). On receiving power, Ul immediately outputs a high signal on pin 3, which holds power on via Dl, Q2, and Ql . In one embodiment, the microcontroller is programmed to use a serial number that is stored in its permanent memory to determine a time delay from 50 to 255 ms. After this delay, the

4 microcontroller applies power to D2 (illuminating the green LED) and data is transmitted to the radio transmitter RF1 as a brief serial burst consisting of a precursor byte, a data byte (which may include a unique ID code for the coaster) and CRC byte(s), after which power is removed from D2 (turning the LED off). This cycle repeats two more times essentially illuminating the green LED to indicate when 3 data bursts are transmitted via the radio transmitter RF1 at intervals separated by approximately 255 ms. At this point, the microcontroller takes its pin 3 low, which turns off Ql and removes power from the circuit. This power saving scheme ensures that battery power is only used for less than one second any time the switches are activated.

[0025] The electronic coaster's RF transmitter is thus capable of communicating a signal to a receiver. The microcontroller of electronic coaster contains firmware or software such as the code included herein as an appendix labeled Coaster.pbp, which provides a unique ID code to the electronic coaster, controls the LED indicator and causes the transmission of the precursor, the unique ID code and CRC byte for the electronic coaster, as well as optionally providing for one or more delay timers to prevent repeated transmissions outside of a preset delay to prevent excessive transmissions to the RF receiver. The precursor may be data that represents information such as the brand of beverage associated with a particular electronic coaster.

[0026] In one embodiment of the disclosed technology, the transmissions are delayed after a detected event (e.g., a glass clink) by a timed period equivalent to a stored serial number value. For example, if coasters with serial numbers 50 and 100 are clinked, then the transmissions are sent 50 ms and 100 ms after the clink is detected. These time delays are then correlated with the serial numbers by the receiving software to confirm which coasters were clinked at the exact same moment. In the exemplary software code, the range of values used for this delay are from 5 to 255, 255 is the maximum value that can be represented by a data byte and also happens to represent about one quarter of a second. However, it is appreciated that more than one byte may be used increasing the number of possible electronic coasters that can function at a given location.

[0027] The mobile app comprises application software that is configured to register a user to a particular electronic coaster via a unique identifier and communicate the appropriate permissions to a user's social network in order to allow an Internet connected computer to transmit updates for posting to the user's social network page. As shown in the flow diagram of

5 Figure 5, in one embodiment, a user is given a glass or bottle with the coaster secured to it. The user interacts with a computer, tablet, smart phone or the like, that runs software to match the ID of the coaster to the user. The user then logs onto their social media account and gives permission for a computer that detects signals from the coaster to make posts to their social network account.

[0028] A receiver is preferably an RF receiver that uses custom or standard communication protocols to enable a fast connection to the electronic coasters, such as 802.11 Wi-Fi. The receiver is in communication with an Internet capable computer which receives confirmations of successful toasts from the receiver.

[0029] The Internet capable computer is configured to run application software which (i) receives an indication of one or more toasts, "clinking," "cheers" or other events; (ii) determines which users performed a toast, (iii) filters out any potential false reads such as repeated toasts occurring within a preset interval and (iv) posts one or messages regarding the toast(s) to the user(s) social network. Posted messages about the toasts may include selected information, for example the brand of beverage consumed, the location and the name(s) of those participating in the toast.

[0030] The Internet capable computer's application software determines whether one or more users are participating in a toast together because the times of receipt of their RF signal transmission will correlate. For example, if the users of coasters 50 and 100 clink their glasses, signals identifying those coaster numbers will be received 3 times at times that are 50 ms apart. Thus the Internet capable computer's application software can locate pairs or groups of users, and post the selected information. Optionally, the Internet capable computer's application software may also receive information from an event's beverage order system such that it can determine the brand of beverage served for each user within a preset time interval of the toast, and therefore make an "educated guess" as to the branded contents of the user's glass.

[0031] Figure 4 illustrates a system showing two glasses with coasters 50 & 100 that are clinked together. Signals are received by a receiver 200 that detects the RF transmissions and provides the received data to the Internet capable computer. Upon determining which coasters have been clinked, the Internet capable computer posts messages on either or both user's social network pages.

6 [0032] In another embodiment of the disclosed technology, the detector circuit in the coaster is programmed to transmit an ID code of the unit each upon the detection of bump switch being activated. The detector circuit also transmits a time code at which the circuit detects the activation of the switch. In this embodiment, the receiver (if equipped with suitable processing logic) or the computer connected to the receiver, looks for two coasters that transmit their codes and time stamps at nearly the same time to determine which coasters have been bumped together. In one embodiment, the receiver (such as the receiver 200 shown in Figure 4) engages in two- way communications with transceivers in the coasters to periodically synch the a clock in the coasters to a common time clock. For example, timing signals may be transmitted every 20-30 seconds to ensure that each coaster's clock is synchronized. Because it is unlikely that each coaster will detect the activation of a switch at exactly the same time, the time stamps of two coasters that are bumped together will differ by enough to allow the receiver or computer to detect which coasters were bumped.

[0033] The two-way communication link with each coaster also allows a computer system to control the coasters, such as by turning on one or more LED's. Similarly, other devices such as vibrators or the like may be controlled in the unit. For example, the winner of a prize can be alerted by activating a flashing LED on their coaster or a particular user can be signaled by vibrating their coaster etc.

[0034] Figures 6A-6C show the ornamental design of one embodiment an electronic coaster in accordance with the disclosed technology. Figure 6A shows an isometric view of the electronic coaster. The screw shown in the center of the coaster is not considered part of the ornamental design. In the embodiment shown, the electronic coaster has two lips that are raised from the base with a generally sinusoidal shape such that the high part of the lips engages a glass or bottle that is inserted into coaster. Figure 6B shows the electronic coaster secured to a glass and Figure 6C shows the underside of the coaster. The underside shows the generally circular shape of the coaster bottom.

[0035] Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of an electrical circuit for detecting an event such as a glass clink and for transmitting a signal to a receiver when such an event is detected.

7 [0036] While it is apparent that the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and embodiments as fall within the true scope of the present invention.

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Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A system comprising:

(i) one or more sensor units for glasses or bottles comprising an RF transmitter and a processor configured to run and software that directs the processer to transmit a unique ID code;

(ii) a computer system configured to run application software to register a user with the unique ID code that is assigned to a sensor unit and communicate with a user's social network to allow application software running on an internet capable computer to update the user's social network page;

(iii) a receiver for receiving a transmitted unique ID code; and wherein upon receipt of a transmitted unique ID code, the application software of the internet capable computer is configured to post one or more updates to one or more user's social networks.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the update to the user's social network page include one or more of the brand of beverage consumed, the location of consumption, and the identification of the beverage consumers.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more sensor units for glasses or bottles transmits a unique ID code upon making contact with one or more sensor units for other glasses or bottles.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor unit for glasses or bottles is an electronic coaster.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor unit for glasses or bottles is detachable from a glass or bottle.

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6. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor unit for glasses or bottles is integral to the glass or bottle.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the internet capable computer is a laptop.

8. A method comprising:

(a) registering a sensor unit for glasses or bottles on an application running on a computing device;

(b) communicating with a social network to grant permission for an Internet capable computer to post on the user's social network;

(c) activating one or more sensor units for glasses or bottles to produce an output when tapped against another glass or bottle;

(d) transmitting a message from the sensor unit to a receiver upon detection of the sensor unit being tapped; and

(e) posting on a user's social network upon receipt of the message by an Internet capable computer.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the posting identifies one or more of a brand of beverage consumed, the location of consumption, and the identification of the beverage consumers.

10. The method of claim 8 one or more sensor units for glasses or bottles transmits a unique ID code upon making contact with one or more sensor units for glasses or bottles.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the sensor unit for glasses or bottles is an electronic coaster.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the sensor unit for glasses or bottles is detachable from the glass or bottle.

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13. The method of claim 8 wherein the sensor unit for glasses or bottles is integral to the glass or bottle.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the internet capable computer is a laptop.

15. An electronic coaster, comprising:

a base configured to be secured to a bottle or glass of a user;

an electronic circuit within the base that includes - a detector circuit that is able to detect when the bottle or glass is tapped against another object; and

an RF transmitter that is configured to send a message upon the detection of the glass or bottle being tapped against the object.

16. The electronic coaster of claim 15, wherein the electronic circuit includes a controller programmed to wait for a predetermined time that is unique to the particular coaster before sending the message after detecting the glass or bottle was tapped against the object.

17. The electronic coaster of claim 16, wherein the predetermined time is related to a serial number of the particular coaster.

18. The electronic coaster of claim 15, wherein the transmitter of the detector circuit is a transceiver that is configured to transmit a code that identifies the coaster and a time at which the detector circuit detected that the glass or bottle was tapped against the object.

19. The electronic coaster of claim 18, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to receive a synchronization signal that synchronizes a clock in the electronic circuit to a common time reference.

20. The electronic circuit of claim 18, wherein the electronic circuit is configured to selectively control a device in the coaster based on signals received by the RF transceiver.

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