I have start-up company called IKEG. We are in Beta testing right now.
I have patented a keg coupler (most people incorrectly call it a "tap") which is capable of measuring the quantity of beer left in the keg using pressure differentials. The device is wired to a central controller which is wifi enabled. The controller posts data to our company server which has the GUI.
Features:
1) It indicates when beer is flowing and for how long each draw lasted (for comparison to sales receipts).
2) It indicates how much beer is left in the keg without any requirement for resetting a counter or other intervention on the part of the user.
3) It uncouples a keg ("un-taps" the keg) the split second the keg goes empty (keeps empty keg switch out from foaming by not allowing gas into beer line)
4) It creates daily route reports for the beer distributors.
5) It monitors temperature in the cooler.
6) It has email/text alerts that are customizable by the user. (when keg hits a level (like 10%) or if beer flows at an incorrect time (like when you're closed), or temp goes out of range).
The main controller can handle 8 couplers. If you have more than 8, you will need two controllers.
The couplers look like normal couplers except they are about 2cm taller and have a small box attached to the side that contains the PCB and pressure transducer.
The couplers work like normal couplers regarding how you would switch out a keg (no additional employee training required).
Works with American Sanke style kegs only at this time, but will very soon be expanded to European Sanke and then others as demand indicates.
Works on quarter barrels and half barrels.
Works with pure CO2 systems or beer-gas blends without any changes to configuration.
Works at all draft beer PSI levels without any changes to configuration.
Once installed, requires no user input.
Setup is a matter of unscrewing the plumbing attachments to your current coupler (liquid and gas lines), and screwing this coupler in. A wire comes off the coupler which is zip tied to the gas line. All the wires from the different kegs converge at the gas manifold where you would locate the controller (about the size of a router). The control board requires 120vac (wall wart) and has an off-board wifi antenna that in the vast majority of cases would need to be ran outside of the cooler for a signal to be received. Temperature is measured at the control board. The board also has a cat5 plug which is how you access the unit's GUI for configuring your wifi settings or you can skip the wifi and use the cat5 only.
The system is a subscription service, the final pricing scheme is not as of yet determined.
The system is expected to go on sale toward the end of the first quarter of 2013.
If you have an interest in beta testing, send me a PM.
