Thinking beer mat invented

A beer mat that calls for a refill when the pint is almost empty has been invented by scientists in Germany.

The electronic beer mat was created by computer scientists Andreas Butz of the University of Munich and Michael Schmitz of Saarland University.

Beneath the cardboard surface is a small, flat baseplate which conceals pressure and acceleration sensors that react to the weight of the glass and the position and movement of the coasters.

The microsensors then pass on this information via radio link to the bar, where the signal is picked up and decoded by a waiting computer.

The customer can speed the order up by "flapping" the beer mat, and can order more beers by using a stack of mats to express the number of drinks ordered.

The inventors say the thinking beer mat is also capable of more than just ordering a refill.

It could also for example be used to judge the performance of a karaoke singer or to give an opinion on referee decisions on big-screen matches in sports bars.


http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1554997.html?menu=news.quirkies

That sound interesting. College kids I'm sure would love that.

They need to design a toilet roll holder that sets off an alarm & flashing lights when it needs replaced.

Casshew said:

They need to design a toilet roll holder that sets off an alarm & flashing lights when it needs replaced.

Click to expand...

:laugh: I would definately love that in my house. Seems no one in this house knows when it needs to be replaced, except me of course.

As well as the milk container put back in the fridge with exactly two drops of milk left in the bottom. Juice containers ......as well as toilet paper rolls.

Boy going to get milk for my coffee in the morning, this really ticks me off. I have to send hubby out to get more milk for cereal......

As well as serving juice which has a 1/4 of a glass left in it.....

As well as the toilet paper rolls that is either empty or has one sheet left.

Irritates the heck out of me, big time to no end........

Casshew said:

They need to design a toilet roll holder that sets off an alarm & flashing lights when it needs replaced.

Click to expand...

Sounds like a great idea, but I am the only one in the house that would answer the alarm. The rest of my family have not been domesticated to the niceties of the TP roll...eta..I mean holder...yet...lol.

It is a great idea, but in my family, they would close their eyes and cover their ears and "pertend" not to see or hear the alarm, then of course when it drives me nuts, I will change the roll, and then they will open their eyes and uncover their ears.

Or they will just all leave the house at the same time and go intot he yard.......

But it is a good idea

Casshew said:

They need to design a toilet roll holder that sets off an alarm & flashing lights when it needs replaced.

Click to expand...

cass! and with easy to read instructions on how to change the rolls. i swear, i'm the only person in the whole state of california who knows how to change a roll of toilet paper!