Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system for beverage dispensing and sales tracking. The system includes a data manager, a data store, and one or more sales nodes. In some embodiments, the data manager includes a point-of-sale server function. In some embodiments, the data manager obtains information from the sales nodes related to pouring of beverages, such as liquor. This information may include (1) who poured the drink, (2) where it was poured, (3) when it was poured, and (4) how much was poured. The data manager uses this information to maintain an accurate inventory of beverages and for billing beverage customers. The data manager stores and manipulates this information in the data store.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method of hosting a social event. The method includes bringing a portable data collector to the event. The method also includes attaching a set of pour monitoring devices (PMDs) to a set of liquid containers. The method transmits liquid pour information from PMDs to the portable event data collector. The method time-stamps and saves the pour data by the event data collector. The method transfers the saved pour data from the event data collector to a data collection computer that is communicatively coupled to the event data collector. In some embodiments, the communicatively coupling of the portable event data collector and the data collection computer is performed after the event by taking the event data collector to proximity of the data collection computer and linking them through a wireless communication connection.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system for monitoring liquid consumption at an establishment that includes a set of pour monitoring devices (PMDs). The system also includes a set of liquid containers. The system further includes a set of electronic identification tags for storing electronics information in them. Each PMD attaches to a liquid container. Each electronic identification tag attaches to a liquid container. Each PMD is communicatively coupled to the electronics identification tag that is attached to the liquid container on which the particular PMD is mounted. Some embodiments provide an antenna that includes a first water impermeable layer; a first metallic RF receptive layer above the first water impermeable layer; an insular layer above the first RF receptive layer; a second metallic RF receptive layer above the insular layer; and a second water impermeable layer above the second metallic RF receptive layer.