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Intelligent Coasters Keep Beer Mugs Full

Posted by Zonk on from the best-science-ever dept.

Dotnaught writes "CNN.com is reporting that two German students have invented a beer mat, or coaster, that uses sensor chips to determine when the beer glass it supports is empty and then radios the bartender for a refill. One of the students interviewed for the story suggested that lifting mugs from sensing mats could double as a voting system during karaoke competitions." From the article: "Unlike the usual cardboard beer mats, the invention is made out of plastic, which means it does not absorb water. Butz said that to get around the problem, ordinary cardboard mats could be placed on top of the plastic version to absorb liquid and display advertising. 'Cardboard beer mats could still sit on top of the plastic mat and there could still be advertising, and you would just exchange the cardboard mat when you wanted to change the advertising.'"

12 of 168 comments (clear)

  1. Correct me if I'm wrong, but... by rasafras · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...aren't these (or similar) invented by somebody every year? Yet they seem to still be few and far between... What I'm trying to say is, why should this one be any different?

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    webpage
  2. Phew by SpiffyMarc · · Score: 4, Funny

    Thank god we can display advertising on the cardboard.

  3. A beer gadget! by lheal · · Score: 5, Funny

    My life is complete. Now I don't even have to speak to bartenders! I can just use my mouth for its One True Purpose, the ingestion of sufficient quantities of "liquid bread".

    Germany is where?

    --
    Raise your children as if you were teaching them to raise your grandchildren, because you are.
    1. Re:A beer gadget! by No+Salvation · · Score: 5, Funny
      Tomorrows news...
      CNN.com is reporting that two German students have invented a beer stool, or chair, that uses sensor chips to determine when the occupant it supports has fallen off and then radios for a cab.
      --
      I'm agneglectic, too lazy to care if there is a God.
  4. Popular topic by Rew190 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Before a whole bunch of us scream "dupe," yes, we've seen this before, but this time it's the mugs that are phoning the bar. Let's see 'em!

    Another Beer Please

    Beer Stein Goes Hi Tech

  5. I know this is hard to believe, but... by phlegmofdiscontent · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sometimes, I don't WANT another beer (usually when I can't afford another beer).

  6. Simpler Solution? by The+Amazing+Fish+Boy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why not just have buttons to push if a beer is needed. The button could be on the coaster, or just on the bar, or at the tables, or whatever. That would probably be cheaper. That also solves the problem of having finished one beer, but not wanting another. Not to mention people walking out of the bar with the coaster, etc.

  7. Re:It can tell when a glass is empty... by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...but can it tell when you've had enough for the night?

    What, reinvent the wife?

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    Table-ized A.I.
  8. 6 reasons why this is not going to work by Crouty · · Score: 4, Insightful
    1. People like beer in different sizes. Coaster would have to be calibrated.
    2. People do the weirdest things with coasters from which few leave the coaster intact.
    3. Coaster without cardbord gets wet. Cardboard soaks beer and would have to be replaced. Cardboard that just lies on top of intelligent coaster does not stick to it. Cardboard glued to the intelligent coaster cannot be replaced easily.
    4. Tons of coasters get lost in a pub. Would be expensive.
    5. People tend to like waitresses to take care of your refills.
    6. Pubs will not be able to save on personnel because of intelligent coasters. Someone still has to look after the customers.
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    On se Internetz nobody noes your German.
  9. Sounds like something out of SciFi. by zwilliams07 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Giving the coasters total control of beer? They could keep mankind enslaved.

    I, for one, welcome our new Intelligent Coaster Overlords.

  10. Re:It can tell when a glass is empty... by shayne321 · · Score: 4, Funny
    ...but can it tell when you've had enough for the night?

    Absolutely - the production model will have an LCD display on top that periodically flashes up photos of fat women. When it hears you drunkenly slur "I'd like to get me some of dat" it will automatically charge your existing bar tab to your credit card, call you a taxi, and call your wife and make excuses about why you're coming home drunk. The deluxe model will even automatically cancel your meetings/classes the following morning, and automatically purchase roses to be delivered to your wife.

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    Today I didn't even have to use my AK; I got to say it was a good day -- Icecube
  11. Czech System: Simpler, Free, Better by putko · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The Czechs at U Zlateho Tigra have a simpler system.

    They serve one beer. (an excellent one).
    They serve one kind of mug (half-liter).
    It is presumed that if you have an empty in front of you, you want another.

    A guy goes around the room looking for empties. He carries as many beers as he can hold. He takes your empty, puts down the new beer and marks your coaster to "add" the new beer to the tally. Then he goes back to the bar, loads up with more beers and heads out.

    If you don't want the beer, you must say "no!"

    When finished, you pay. He counts up and you are done.

    That's it: free but for the paper (or coaster) used for the tab. Works great. No need to even talk to the guy.

    Ruthelessly efficient.

    --
    http://www.thebricktestament.com/the_law/when_to_s tone_your_children/dt21_18a.html