Patent Publication Number: US-2023159317-A1

Title: Beverage dispenser fluid level sensor

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to sensors, and more specifically to a beverage dispenser fluid level sensor. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Beverage dispensers, such as fountain drink dispensers, typically operate by combining flavored syrup, carbon dioxide, and water, and dispensing the combination through a nozzle. The flavored syrup is typically stored in a syrup bag, housed within a box—a bag-in-box (“BIB”). For beverage dispensers that dispense different types of drinks, the volume needed to store the associated syrup BIBs may be quite large. Accordingly, the syrup BIBs are often stored in a separate room from the beverage dispenser, on a BIB rack. This may make it difficult and/or time consuming for a worker within a building in which the beverage dispenser is stored to proactively monitor the syrup BIBs and determine when a given syrup bag is close to empty and should be replaced. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure contemplates a beverage dispenser sensor system that is configured to automatically monitor a beverage dispenser and create an alert for display on a user device when a syrup bag that is used to supply the beverage dispenser with syrup is approximately empty, and/or the level of carbon dioxide within the carbon dioxide tank that is used to supply carbon dioxide to carbonate the beverage has fallen below a desired threshold. In particular, because the pump that is used to pump syrup from the syrup bag through a syrup line and towards an outlet nozzle of the beverage dispenser is a diaphragm pump powered with the same compressed carbon dioxide that is used to carbonate the beverage, when the outlet nozzle is closed and the syrup bag is not empty, the pressure in the syrup line will be the same as the pressure of the carbon dioxide (i.e., the pressure in the syrup line will balance the pressure of the carbon dioxide). However, when the syrup bag is empty, the pump will not be able to create a pressure in the syrup line sufficient to balance the pressure of the carbon dioxide, and the measured pressure within the syrup line will fall below that of the carbon dioxide. At the same time, because the carbon dioxide that is used to power the pump is also used to carbonate the beverage, as the carbon dioxide is consumed the pressure measured within each syrup line (corresponding to the pressure of the carbon dioxide) will fall. Accordingly, when the measured pressure within one, but not all, syrup lines falls below a threshold, the system is configured to generate an alert identifying the syrup bag associated with that syrup line for replacement. On the other hand, when the measured pressure within all of the syrup lines falls below the threshold, the system is configured to generate an alert identifying the carbon dioxide tank for refill/replacement. 
     Because a quantity of syrup remains within the syrup line for a period of time following the emptying of the syrup bag, by generating the alert when an empty syrup bag is first detected, certain embodiments of the system may provide sufficient advanced notice of a need to refill/replace the syrup bag thereby reducing the likelihood that the beverage dispenser will run out of syrup. Furthermore, because a diaphragm pump operates when the pressures (carbon dioxide pressure and syrup pressure) are not equal, a pump connected to an empty syrup bag may operate continuously, resulting in unnecessary strokes and wasted carbon dioxide. Accordingly, by helping to ensure that empty syrup bags are consistently replaced in a timely manner, certain embodiments may extend the useful lifetime of the pumps in the system and help prevent carbon dioxide leaks from occurring within the system. Similarly, by generating the alert when the carbon dioxide pressure falls below the threshold, certain embodiments of the system reduce the likelihood that the carbon dioxide tank that is used to supply carbon dioxide to the system will reach an empty state. 
     Furthermore, because the demand for beverages may vary throughout the day, in certain embodiments, the system is configured to compare the carbon dioxide pressure to different thresholds, depending on the time of day. For example, the system may notify a user to refill/replace the carbon dioxide tank at a higher pressure threshold during the lunch hour, when demand for beverages is high, while the system may notify the user to refill/replace the carbon dioxide tank at a lower pressure threshold late at night, when demand for carbonated beverages may be low. In this manner, certain embodiments help to reduce the likelihood that the carbon dioxide tank will reach the empty state, while nevertheless avoiding the generation of unnecessary alerts. An embodiment of the system is described below. 
     According to an embodiment, a system for identifying a syrup bag of a beverage dispenser for replacement includes a first sensor and a computing system communicatively coupled to the first sensor. The first sensor is coupled to a first syrup line of the beverage dispenser. The first syrup line is coupled at a first end to a first syrup bag and coupled at a second end to a first pump. The first pump is configured to pump syrup from the first syrup bag to a first outlet of the beverage dispenser. The first sensor is configured to measure a first pressure within the first syrup line. The first pump is operated using pressurized gas that is associated with a given gas pressure. The first pump is configured to generate a pressure corresponding to the given gas pressure within the first syrup line when both the first syrup bag is full and the first outlet of the beverage dispenser is closed. The first sensor is also configured to transmit the measured first pressure across a network. The computing system includes memory and a hardware processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The memory stores a threshold pressure. The hardware processor receives the measured first pressure from the network. The hardware processor also determines that the measured first pressure is less than the threshold pressure. In response to determining that the measured first pressure is less than the threshold pressure, the processor transmits an alert for display on a user device. The alert identifies the first syrup bag for replacement. 
     The disclosed embodiments provide several practical applications and technical advantages. As an example, the disclosed system includes one or more pressure sensors to measure the pressures within syrup lines that carry syrup from syrup bags to the outlet nozzles of a beverage dispenser. Because the system relies on diaphragm pumps to pump the syrup from the syrup bags through the syrup lines and to the outlet nozzles, the disclosed system is able to leverage the fact that the pressure within the syrup lines will be the same as the pressure of the carbon dioxide used to power the pumps, provided the syrup bags are not empty, to obtain the pressure of the carbon dioxide. In particular, the system is able to determine both (1) when a syrup bag is empty-based on an observation that the pressure in the associated syrup line has fallen below a set threshold, while the pressure in the other syrup lines has not; and (2) when the carbon dioxide tank is approaching an empty state-based on an observation that the pressure in all of the syrup lines has fallen below the set threshold, without additionally relying on a separate sensor coupled to the carbon dioxide line. In this manner, certain embodiments conserve the processing and networking resources that would otherwise be expended by such an additional sensor. 
     As another example, certain embodiments automatically alert a worker when a syrup bag is empty, thereby enabling the worker to replace the bag in a timely manner. Because a pump connected to an empty syrup bag may operate continuously, consistent timely replacement of a syrup bag may improve the overall beverage dispensing system, by (1) extending the lifetime of the pumps within the system, and (2) helping to avoid carbon dioxide leaks within the system which may occur as a result of the continuous pump operation. 
     As another example, certain embodiments automatically cause an alert to appear on the screen of a user device, automatically cause the user device to generate a sound in response to receiving an alert, and/or automatically cause the user device to vibrate in response to receiving an alert. Accordingly, certain embodiments automatically inform a user of the alert, without requiring the user to repeatedly check his/her device to determine if an alert has been received, thereby conserving the computational resources otherwise expended during such actions. 
     As a further example, certain embodiments automatically adjust the threshold against which the pressure measurements are compared, based on demand for use of the beverage dispenser. For example, certain embodiment automatically lower the threshold against which the carbon dioxide pressure is compared. In this manner, certain embodiments help to reduce the likelihood that the carbon dioxide tank will reach the empty state, while nevertheless avoiding the generation of unnecessary alerts and thereby conserving the computational resources that would be associated with the generation of such unnecessary alerts. 
     Certain embodiments may include none, some, or all of the above technical advantages and practical applications. One or more other technical advantages and practical applications may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts. 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic diagram of a beverage dispenser monitoring system, according to certain embodiments; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates sensors of the system of  FIG.  1    coupled to the syrup lines of a beverage dispenser; and 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a flowchart describing a method for monitoring the syrup and carbon dioxide levels of a beverage dispenser, according to certain embodiments 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure and its advantages are best understood by referring to  FIGS.  1  through  3    of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
     I. System Overview 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an example automatic beverage dispenser monitoring system  100  that is designed to automatically monitor the levels of syrup and carbon dioxide available to a beverage dispenser, and to alert a user device when one or more of the syrup bags and/or the carbon dioxide tank coupled to the beverage dispenser should be replaced, based on such monitoring. In this manner, certain embodiments of the system enable a worker to replace/refill syrup bags and/or carbon dioxide tank(s) that are used to provide syrup and carbon dioxide to a beverage dispenser before the beverage dispenser runs out of syrup and/or the carbon dioxide tank(s) reach an empty state, without requiring the worker to engage in proactive monitoring. Furthermore, because the pumps used in beverage dispensers are typically diaphragm pumps, which may operate continuously when connected to an empty syrup bag that is unable to provide pressure to balance the carbon dioxide pressure, by helping to ensure that empty syrup bags are consistently replaced in a timely manner, certain embodiments may extend the useful lifetime of the pumps in the system and help prevent carbon dioxide leaks from occurring within the system. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , automatic beverage dispenser monitoring system  100  includes computing system  102 , user(s)  104 , device(s)  106 , network  108 , gateway  110 , and sensor device  112 . Sensor device  112  includes two or more sensors  114   a/b , each of which is coupled to a syrup line that is used to supply a beverage dispenser with syrup, as illustrated in  FIG.  2   . Each sensor  114   a/b  is configured to measure the pressure within the syrup line to which the sensor is coupled. Sensor device  112  is configured to transmit the pressure measurements made by sensors  114   a/b  directly or indirectly to computing system  102  and/or device  106  using network  108  and/or gateway  110 . Computing system  102  and/or device  106  is configured to use the pressure measurements to identify one or more of the syrup bags and/or carbon dioxide tank(s) that are used to supply the beverage dispenser with syrup and/or carbon dioxide for refill/replacement, as described in further detail below. As an example, in certain embodiments, device  106  is configured to use the measured pressures to identify one or more of the syrup bags and/or carbon dioxide tank(s) for refill/replacement, and automatically generate and display an alert  138  communicating such identification to user  104 . As another example, in some embodiments, computing system  102  may provide information associated with the identifications of the one or more syrup bags and/or carbon dioxide tank(s) for refill/replacement to user device  106 . For instance, computing system  102  may use the measured pressures to determine if any of the syrup bags and/or carbon dioxide tank(s) should be refilled/replaced, and transmit an alert  138  to user device  106  if it determines that such replacement should occur. The manner by which computing system  102  performs these functions is described in further detail below, and in the discussion of  FIG.  3   . 
     Device(s)  106  are used by user(s)  104  (e.g., workers within a physical location housing one or more cup dispensers) to communicate with remote computing system  102 . As an example, user  104  may use device  106  to (1) receive an alert  138  from computing system  102  identifying a syrup bag for replacement and/or indicating that a fill level a carbon dioxide tank is below a desired threshold  129 , and (2) display the alert to user  104 . Device  106  may display alert  138  to user  104  in any suitable manner. For example, in certain embodiments, device  106  may generate a pop-up message that includes the alert, and automatically display the pop-up message on a screen of device  106 . In some embodiments, device  106  may generate a sound and/or vibration in response to receiving alert  138 . In certain embodiments, device  106  may display a graphical user interface (GUI) on a screen of device  106  within which the alert may be displayed. As further examples, in some embodiments, device  106  may receive alert  138  through an email and/or text message. After receiving the alert  138 , user  104  may refill/replace the syrup bag or carbon dioxide tank associated with the alert. 
     In certain embodiments, device(s)  106  may receive the measurements  130  made by pressure sensors  114   a/b  and use those pressure measurements  130  to determine whether one or more of the syrup bags and/or carbon dioxide tank(s) that are used to supply the beverage dispenser with syrup and/or carbon dioxide should be refilled/replaced. For example, in such embodiments, memory  136  of device  106  may include instructions that, when executed by processor  134  of device  106 , enable the device to determine, based on the received pressure measurements  130 , whether one or more of the syrup bags and/or carbon dioxide tank(s) should be refilled/replaced. For example, the instructions (which may be the same or similar to instructions  126 ) stored in memory  136  may indicate that (1) a syrup bag should be identified for refill/replacement if the pressure measurement for it is below a threshold, while one or more of the other pressure measurements are above a threshold, and (2) the carbon dioxide tank should be identified for refill/replacement if all of the received pressure measurements are below the threshold. In response to identifying a syrup bag and/or a carbon dioxide tank for refill/replacement, device  106  may automatically generate and display an alert for user  104 . 
     User device  106  is any appropriate device for communicating with components of remote computing system  102  over network  108 , and notifying user  104  to an alert  138  received from remote computing system  102 . For example, user device  106  may be a handheld computing device such as a smartphone, wearable computer glasses, a smartwatch, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, and the like. User device  106  may include an electronic display, a keypad, or other appropriate terminal equipment usable by user  104 . For instance, the electronic display of user device  106  may be configured to display an alert  138  that is provided by remote computing system  102 . In some embodiments, an application stored in a memory  134  of the device  106  and executed by a processor  136  of the device  106  may perform the functions described herein. 
     Network  108  allows communication between and amongst the various components of system  100 . For example, remote computing system  110 , user device  106 , and gateway  110  may communicate via network  108 . This disclosure contemplates network  108  being any suitable network operable to facilitate communication between the components of system  100 . Network  108  may include any interconnecting system capable of transmitting audio, video, signals, data, messages, or any combination of the preceding. Network  108  may include all or a portion of a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an overlay network, a software-defined network (SDN), a virtual private network (VPN), a packet data network (e.g., the Internet), a mobile telephone network (e.g., cellular networks, such as 4G or 5G), a Plain Old Telephone (POT) network, a wireless data network (e.g., WiFi, WiGig, WiMax, etc.), a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network, a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, a Bluetooth network, a Near Field Communication (NFC) network, a Zigbee network, and/or any other suitable network. 
     Sensor device  112  is a computing device that is coupled to a beverage dispenser BIB rack system (e.g., beverage dispenser BIB rack system  200 , illustrated in  FIG.  2   ). Sensor device  112  includes one or more sensors  114   a/b , processor  116 , memory  118 , and radio  120 . In general, sensor device  112  provides sensor data  130  to computing system  102  and/or user device  106 . Various embodiments of sensor data  130  are described in further detail below. 
     Each sensor  114   a/b  is configured for sensing or measuring a pressure within a fluid. Each sensor  114   a/b  may be any suitable sensor configured for measuring an applied force per unit area of the syrup within the syrup line to which the sensor is coupled. For example, sensor  114   a/b  may correspond to a piezoresistive strain gauge sensor, a capacitive pressure sensor, an electromagnetic pressure sensor, a piezoelectric pressure sensor, a strain-gauge pressure sensor, and/or any other suitable type of pressure sensor. In certain embodiments each sensor  114   a/b  may additionally be configured to measure a temperate of the syrup within the syrup line to which the sensor is coupled. 
     Further details of the use of sensors  114   a/b , including a description of the manner by which the sensors are coupled to the syrup lines of the beverage dispenser, are provided below, in the discussion of  FIG.  2   . 
     While  FIG.  1    illustrates a pair of sensors  114   a  and  114   b , this disclosure contemplates that sensor device  112  may include any suitable number and combinations of two or more sensors  114 . Furthermore, while  FIG.  1    illustrates each sensor  114   a  and  114   b  as sharing processor  120 , memory  122 , and radio  124 , in certain embodiments, each sensor  114   a/b  may be associated with its own processor  120 , memory  122 , and/or radio  124  (e.g., each sensor  114   a/b  may operate independently of the other sensor  114   a/b ). 
     Sensor device  112  is configured to provide the pressures and/or temperatures measured by sensors  114   a/b  to remote computing system  102  and/or user device  106 . These pressure and/or temperature measurements  130  may include any appropriate pressure values (e.g., Pascals, psi, etc.) and/or temperature values (e.g., Celsius, Fahrenheit, etc.). In some embodiments, sensor device  112  is configured to provide pressure and/or temperature measurements  130  automatically to computing system  102  and/or user device  106 . For example, sensor device  112  may be configured to provide pressure and/or temperature measurements  130  to computing system  102  periodically (e.g., every five minutes), at random time intervals, and/or at any other suitable times. For instance, in some embodiments, in order to conserve power, sensor device  112  may be configured to provide pressure and/or temperature measurements  130  when certain conditions associated with the syrup lines to which the device is coupled are met (e.g., one or more of the measured pressures have fallen below a threshold value, one or more of the measured temperatures have risen above a threshold value). In some embodiments, sensor device  112  is configured to provide pressure and/or temperature measurements  130  to computing system  102  and/or user device  106  when requested to do so by the computing system/user device. 
     Sensor device  112  may be configured to operate in a manner that conserves power (e.g., battery power). For example, in some embodiments, sensor device  112  may remain in a low power consumption “sleep” mode for extended periods of time. While in sleep mode, sensor device  112  may consume less power by reducing or avoiding using components such as radio  120  and/or sensors  114   a/b . In these embodiments, sensor device  112  may wake from the sleep mode after a predetermined amount of time (e.g., every five minutes), measure the pressures and/or temperatures within the syrup lines associated with the beverage dispenser, transmit measurements  130  to computing system  102  and/or device  106 , and then return to sleep mode. As a result, embodiments of sensor device  112  that use batteries for power may be able to operate for a longer duration of time before requiring new batteries. 
     In certain embodiments, sensor device  112  (and/or the sensors  114   a/b  associated with the device) may operate as an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device. In general, IoT describes a network of physical objects (or “things”) that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the internet. In embodiments where sensor device  112  is an IoT device, system  100  may include a gateway  110  for communicating with sensor device  112 . Gateway  110  may be any appropriate IoT gateway, computer system, or electronic device that is capable of wirelessly communicating with sensor device  112  using any appropriate IoT communications protocol. Without limitations, the IoT communications protocol may include message queuing telemetry transport (MQTT), constrained application protocol (CoAP), advanced message queuing protocol (AMQP), data-distribution service (DDS), Zigbee, Z-Wave, lightweight machine-to-machine (LwM2M), or any combinations thereof. For example, sensor device  112  may wirelessly transmit measurements  130  to gateway  110 , and gateway  110  may in turn send measurements  130  to computing system  102  via network  108 . In other embodiments, sensor device  112  may not be an IoT sensor. In embodiments where sensor device  112  is not operable as an IoT sensor, sensor device  112  may transmit measurements  130  directly to computer system  102  via network  108  (e.g., without using gateway  110 ). 
     Sensor device  112  uses radio  120  to transmit measurements  130 . Radio  120  is any transmitter or transceiver that is capable of wirelessly transmitting data. In some embodiments, for example, radio  120  is a Bluetooth transceiver. In these embodiments, measurements  130  are transmitted via Bluetooth to gateway  110  and/or remote computing system  102 . In some embodiments, radio  120  is a Wi-Fi transceiver and measurements  130  are transmitted via Wi-Fi to gateway  110  and/or remote computing system  102 . 
     Memory  118  of sensor device  112  may include any suitable set of instructions, logic, and/or code used by the device to perform the functions described herein. In particular embodiments, memory  118  may include a software application executable by processor  116  of sensor device  112  to perform one or more of the functions described herein. 
     While described above as providing measurements  130  to gateway  110  and/or computing system  102 , in certain embodiments, sensor device  112  may be configured to perform one or more calculations on the measurements obtained from sensors  114   a/b , and to transmit the results to gateway  110  and/or computing system  102 . For example, in some embodiments, memory  118  may include instructions for comparing the pressure measurements obtained from sensors  114   a/b  to one or more thresholds  129 , and determining whether any of the syrup bags and/or carbon dioxide tanks should be identified for refill/replacement, based on such comparison. As another example, in some embodiments, memory  118  may include instructions for comparing the temperature measurements obtained from sensors  114   a/b  to one or more thresholds  129 , and determining whether to generate an alert based on such comparisons. In other embodiments, such comparisons/determinations are performed by computing system  102 . Further details of the manner by which the pressure and/or temperature measurements obtained by sensors  114   a/b  of sensor device  112  are used to identify one or more syrup bags and/or carbon dioxide tanks for refill/replacement (either by computing system  102  and/or sensor device  112 ) are provided below, in the discussion of  FIG.  2   . 
     Computing system  102  may be any appropriate computing system in any suitable physical form. As an example and not by way of limitation, computing system  102  may be an embedded computer system, a system-on-chip (SOC), a single-board computer system (SBC) (such as, for example, a computer-on-module (COM) or system-on-module (SOM)), a desktop computer system, a laptop or notebook computer system, a mainframe, a mesh of computer systems, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a server, a tablet computer system, an augmented/virtual reality device, or a combination of two or more of these. Where appropriate, computing system  102  may include one or more computing systems  102 ; be unitary or distributed; span multiple locations; span multiple machines; span multiple data centers; or reside in a cloud, which may include one or more cloud components in one or more networks. Where appropriate, one or more computing systems  102  may perform without substantial spatial or temporal limitation one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein. As an example and not by way of limitation, one or more computing systems  102  may perform in real time or in batch mode one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein. One or more computing systems  102  may perform at different times or at different locations one or more steps of one or more methods described or illustrated herein, where appropriate. In some embodiments, computing system  102  includes an electronic display  138  that may alternately or additionally display alert  138 . 
     Computing system  102  may be physically located within the same physical building in which sensors  114   a/b  are located, or physically located at a location remote from the physical building in which sensors  114   a/b  are located. For example, in certain embodiments, computing system  102  may be located in one or more remote servers (e.g. in the cloud). 
     Processor  122  is any electronic circuitry, including, but not limited to a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), an application specific instruction set processor (ASIP), and/or a state machine, that communicatively couples to memory  124  and controls the operation of computing system  102 . Processor  122  may be 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, 64-bit or of any other suitable architecture. Processor  122  may include an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) for performing arithmetic and logic operations, processor registers that supply operands to the ALU and store the results of ALU operations, and a control unit that fetches instructions from memory and executes them by directing the coordinated operations of the ALU, registers and other components. Processor  122  may include other hardware that operates software to control and process information. Processor  122  executes software stored in memory  124  to perform any of the functions described herein. Processor  122  controls the operation and administration of computing system  102  by processing information received from sensor device  112 , gateway  110 , network  108 , user device  106 , and/or memory  124 . Processor  122  may be a programmable logic device, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, any suitable processing device, or any suitable combination of the preceding. Processor  122  is not limited to a single processing device and may encompass multiple processing devices. 
     Memory  124  may store, either permanently or temporarily, data such as pressure and/or temperature measurements  130 , user preferences, operational software  126 , and/or other information for processor  122 . Memory  114  may include any one or a combination of volatile or non-volatile local or remote devices suitable for storing information. For example, memory  124  may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, or any other suitable information storage device or a combination of these devices. 
     In certain embodiments, memory  124  may also store entity information  128 . Entity information  128  may include any entity-specific information that may be used by computing system  102 . As an example, in certain embodiments, entity information  128  may include one or more thresholds  129  against which computing system is configured to compare pressure and/or temperature measurements  130 . Computing system  102  may use such thresholds to determine whether or not to generate an alert  132  to transmit to device  106 . For example, in response to receiving pressure measurements from both sensor  114   a  and sensor  114   b  and determining that the pressure measurement received from sensor  114   a  is above a specified threshold  129  and that the pressure measurement received from sensor  114   b  is below the specified threshold  129  (conditions that together may indicate that the syrup bag associated with sensor  114   b  is approximately empty), computing system  102  may transmit an alert  132  to user device  106  identifying the syrup bag associated with sensor  114   b  to user  104  for refill replacement. On the other hand, in response to receiving pressure measurements from both sensor  114   a  and sensor  114   b  and determining that both pressure measurements are below the specified threshold  129  (conditions that may together indicate that the level of carbon dioxide within the carbon dioxide tank that is coupled to the beverage dispenser is below a certain level), computing system  102  may transmit an alert  132  to user device  106  indicating that the carbon dioxide level with the carbon dioxide tank is below the certain level. As another example, in response to receiving temperature measurements from sensors  114   a  and  114   b , and determining that one or more of the measured temperatures are greater than a specified threshold, computing system  102  may transmit an alert  132  to user device  106  indicating that the temperature of the environment surrounding the associated syrup bag and/or syrup line is greater than desired. 
     In certain embodiments, entity information  128  may include a set of thresholds associated with the pressure of the carbon dioxide tank that is used to supply carbon dioxide to the beverage dispenser. When computing system  102  determines that the measured pressures  130  received from both sensors  114   a  and  114   b  are below a first threshold, the computing system  102  may be configured to compare the measured pressures  130  to one or more additional thresholds. For example, if the measured pressures  130  are below the first threshold but above a second threshold (e.g., a threshold associated with a tank at 40% capacity), computing system  102  may be configured to generate an alert  132  associated with a low level of severity. If the measured pressures  130  are both below the first threshold and the second threshold, but above a third threshold (e.g., a threshold associated with a tank at 25% capacity), computing system  102  may be configured to generate an alert  132  associated with a medium level of severity. If the measured pressures are both below all of the thresholds, computing system  102  may be configured to generate an alert  132  associated with a high level of severity. Device  106  may be configured to communicate alerts  132  to user  104  in different manners, depending on the severity level associated with the alert. For example, depending on the severity of a received alert  132 , device  106  may be configured to (1) display the alert within a graphical user interface accessible to user  104  through device  106 ; (2) automatically generate an display a pop-up window that displays the alert; (3) generate a sound and/or vibration; and/or (4) perform any other suitable action to draw user  104 &#39;s attention to the alert. 
     The threshold(s) included in entity information  128  may include static thresholds, time-dependent thresholds, and/or information from which time-dependent thresholds may be determined. For example, a given entity may be busier (e.g., more individuals may enter the physical building associated with the entity per unit time) during certain periods of the day, and/or during certain days of the week. For example, an entity such as a restaurant may be busier during the lunch hour than from 3:00-4:00 pm. Accordingly, the time-dependent threshold that triggers computing system  102  to send an alert  132  indicating that the carbon dioxide level within the carbon dioxide tank is low may be set at a higher value during such busier periods. For instance, the threshold for transmitting alert  132  to device  106  may be set at a value associated with a 30% capacity during busy periods, and a 10% during non-busy periods. Computing system  102  may identify busy periods in any suitable manner. For example, in certain embodiments, computing system  102  may automatically identify busy periods by monitoring the number of transactions that occur within the physical building associated with the entity over time. In some embodiments, computing system  102  may receive identifications of busy times from user  104 . 
     Entity information  128  may also include information used by computing system  102  to determine the physical building from which pressure and/or temperature measurements  130  have been received, the specific syrup bag within the building that is associated with each pressure and/or temperature measurement  130 , and the devices  106  to which the corresponding alerts  132  should be transmitted. As an example, in certain embodiments, for each physical building that computing system  102  is configured to monitor, entity information  128  may include identification numbers of the sensor devices  112  installed within the building, and the user devices  106  operated by workers  104  who work within the building. In such embodiments, sensor device  112  may be configured to transmit an identification number along with pressure and/or temperature measurements  130  to computing system  102 . Computing system  102  may then use this identification information to identify the physical building within which sensor device  112  is installed, and the devices  106  to which alerts  132  may be sent. As another example, in certain embodiments, each sensor  114   a/b  may be associated with an identification number. In such embodiments, sensor device  112  may be configured to transmit the identification number of the sensor  114   a/b  from which each measurement  130  was obtained, along with the pressure and/or temperature measurements  130 , to computing system  102 . Computing system  102  may then use this identification information to identify the specific syrup bag (e.g., by type of syrup, etc.) within the physical building within which sensor device  112  is installed, that is associated with each pressure and/or temperature measurement  130 . 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, system  100  may include any number of existing users  104 , devices  106 , networks  108 , gateways  110 , sensor devices  112 , sensors  114   a/b , processors  116 , memories  118 , radios  120 , computing systems  102 , processors  122 , memories  124 , and/or displays  138 . The components may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. Additionally, the operations may be performed using any suitable logic comprising software, hardware, and/or other logic. 
     II. Use of Sensor Measurements to Identify Syrup Bags and/or CO 2  Tanks for Refill/Replacement 
     A. Coupling Sensors to a Beverage Dispenser BIB Rack System 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an example beverage dispenser BIB rack system  200  that includes sensors  114   a  and  114   b . As illustrate in  FIG.  2   , beverage dispenser BIB rack system  200  includes a pair of syrup boxes  202   a  and  202   b , each housing a bag of syrup, syrup lines  204   a/b  configured to transport syrup from syrup boxes  202   a/b  to pumps  208   a/b  through pump inlets  210   a/b , a carbon dioxide tank  214 , and a carbon dioxide line  216  configured to transport carbon dioxide to pumps  208   a/b  through carbon dioxide inlets  218   a/b . As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , each sensor  114   a/b  is coupled to a syrup line  204   a/b  using a T-connector  206   a/b . T-connector  206   a/b  may be any suitable T-connector configured to couple syrup lines  206   a/b  to sensors  114   a/b . Because each of T-connectors  206   a/b  and sensors  114   a/b  are in fluid communication with the syrup transported by syrup lines  204   a/b , in certain embodiments, T-connectors  206   a/b  and sensors  114   a/b  are formed from food grade materials. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , for each syrup box  202   a/b  and associated syrup line  204   a/b  beverage dispenser BIB rack system  200  includes a sensor  114   a/b . While  FIG.  2    illustrates, for simplicity, a pair of syrup boxes  202   a/b  and associated syrup lines  204   a/b , this disclosure contemplates that beverage dispenser BIB rack system  200  may include any number of syrup boxes  202   a/b  and associated syrup lines  204   a/b , and therefore any number of sensors  114   a/b . Each sensor  114   a/b  is configured to measure the pressure and/or temperature of the syrup within the syrup line  206   a/b  to which the sensor is coupled. Sensor device  112  is then configured to transmit these measured pressures and/or temperatures to gateway  110  and/or computing system  102 , as described above, in the discussion of  FIG.  1   . 
     B. Identifying a syrup bag and/or the carbon dioxide tank for refill/replacement. 
     As explained above, in the discussion of  FIG.  1   , computing system  102  is configured to use the pressures measured by sensors  114   a  and  114   b  to identify a syrup bag housed within a syrup box  202   a/b , and/or carbon dioxide tank  214  for refill/replacement. In particular, because pumps  208   a  and  208   b  are diaphragm pumps powered by the carbon dioxide provided by tank  214 , the pressure of the syrup within syrup lines  204   a  and  204   b  should be approximately the same as the pressure of the carbon dioxide within tank  214 , when the system is closed (e.g., when the beverage dispenser is not dispensing beverages), and the syrup bags housed within syrup boxes  202   a  and  202   b  are not empty. This is because each pump  208   a/b  is configured to pump syrup from syrup boxes  202   a/b  until the pressure of the syrup within syrup line  206  balances the pressure from the carbon dioxide within the system. Accordingly, when the syrup bags housed within syrup boxes  202   a/b  are not empty, the pressures measured by sensors  114   a/b  correspond approximately to the pressure of the carbon dioxide within tank  214 . However, when a syrup bag housed within a syrup box  202   a  empties, there will likely not be enough syrup within the associated syrup line  206   a  to balance the pressure of the carbon dioxide. Accordingly, the pressure measured by the corresponding sensor  114   a  will drop. Thus, when the pressure measured by one of sensors  114   a  and  114   b  falls below a threshold, while the pressure measured by the other sensor remains above the threshold, this indicates that associated syrup box  202   a  or  202   b  is likely empty. On the other hand, when the pressure measured by both of sensors  114   a  and  114   b  falls below the threshold, this indicates that the pressure of the carbon dioxide within the system has dropped below the threshold. Thus, the pressure measurements provided by sensors  114   a/b  may be used to identify both empty syrup bags/boxes  202   a/b  and low levels of carbon dioxide within tank  214 . 
     In certain embodiments, prior to determining that a given syrup bag/box  202   a/b  is empty and/or that the level of carbon dioxide within tank  214  is low, computing system  102  is configured to receive additional pressure measurements from sensors  114   a/b  and to determine that the additional pressure measurements do not indicate a rise in the pressure of the syrup within the corresponding syrup line  204   a/b . In particular, when a nozzle of the beverage dispenser is opened (causing syrup to flow towards the nozzle), the pressure within the associate syrup line will experience a drop, before the corresponding pump  208   a/b  is able to operate to increase the pressure within syrup line  204   a/b  to balance the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas powering the pump. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, multiple pressure measurements are used to identify pressure drops that are associated with empty syrup bags/boxes  202   a/b  and/or low carbon dioxide fill levels, rather than temporary pressure drops associated with the regular operation of the beverage dispenser. 
     III. Method for Automatically Identifying Syrup Bags and/or Carbon Dioxide Tanks for Refill/Replacement 
       FIG.  3    illustrates an example method  300  (described in conjunction with elements of  FIGS.  1  and  2   ) for automatically monitoring a beverage dispenser BIB rack system  200  and alerting user  104  when a syrup bag housed within a given syrup box  202   a/b  should be refilled/replaced and/or when the carbon dioxide level within a carbon dioxide tank  214  used within the beverage dispenser BIB rack system  200  falls below a desired level. 
     During operation  302 , the system uses sensors  114   a  and  114   b  to measure pressures within syrup lines  204   a  and  204   b . Sensor device  112  then transmits these measured pressures to computing device  102 . During operation  304 , computing device  102  determines whether any of the measured pressures are below a specified threshold  129 . If, during operation  304 , computing device  102  determines that none of the measured pressures are below the specified threshold  129 , method  300  returns to operation  302  and the system continues to monitor the pressure within syrup lines  204   a  and  204   b.    
     On the other hand, if, during operation  304 , computing device  102  determines that one or more of the measured pressures are below the specified threshold  129 , during operation  306 , computing device  102  determines whether all of the measured pressures are below the specified threshold  129 . If, during operation  306 , computing device  102  determines that all of the measured pressures are below the specified threshold  129 , computing system  102  determines that the pressure of the carbon dioxide provided by carbon dioxide tank  214  is below the specified threshold  129 . Accordingly, during operation  308 , computing system  102  transmits and alert  132  to user device  106  indicating that the pressure (and correspondingly amount) of carbon dioxide within carbon dioxide tank  214  is less than desirable. 
     On the other hand, if, during operation  306  computing system  102  determines that less than all of the measured pressures are below the specified threshold  129  (e.g., the pressure measured by sensor  114   a  is below the specified threshold  129 , while the pressure measured by sensor  114   b  is above the specified threshold  129 ), computing system  102  determines that the syrup bag(s) associated with the measured pressures that are below the specified threshold  129  are approximately empty. Accordingly, during operation  310 , computing system  102  transmits an alert  132  to user device  106  identifying the empty syrup bag(s)/boxes  204  to user  104  for refill/replacement. 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The methods may include more, fewer, or other operations. Additionally, operations may be performed in any suitable order. That is, the operations of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated. 
     As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set. Furthermore, as used in the document “or” is not necessarily exclusive and, unless expressly indicated otherwise, can be inclusive in certain embodiments and can be understood to mean “and/or.” Similarly, as used in this document “and” is not necessarily inclusive and, unless expressly indicated otherwise, can be inclusive in certain embodiments and can be understood to mean “and/or.” All references to “a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc.” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. 
     Furthermore, reference to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or operative. 
     The embodiments disclosed herein are only examples, and the scope of this disclosure is not limited to them. Particular embodiments may include all, some, or none of the components, elements, features, functions, operations, or steps of the embodiments disclosed herein. Certain embodiments are in particular disclosed in the attached claims directed to a method, a storage medium, a system and a computer program product, wherein any feature mentioned in one claim category, e.g. method, can be claimed in another claim category, e.g. system, as well. The dependencies or references back in the attached claims are chosen for formal reasons only. However, any subject matter resulting from a deliberate reference back to any previous claims (in particular multiple dependencies) can be claimed as well, so that any combination of claims and the features thereof are disclosed and can be claimed regardless of the dependencies chosen in the attached claims. The subject-matter which can be claimed comprises not only the combinations of features as set out in the attached claims but also any other combination of features in the claims, wherein each feature mentioned in the claims can be combined with any other feature or combination of other features in the claims. Furthermore, any of the embodiments and features described or depicted herein can be claimed in a separate claim and/or in any combination with any embodiment or feature described or depicted herein or with any of the features of the attached claims. 
     To aid the Patent Office, and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants note that they do not intend any of the appended claims to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) as it exists on the date of filing hereof unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.