Hi-tech beermat tells barman it's time for a refill

"German inventors have devised an interactive beermat that can be used for pub games and tell the barman when it's time for a refill," reports AFP. . "The device, created by computer scientists Andreas Butz of the University of Munich and Michael Schmitz of Saarland University, comprises a small, flat baseplate with a traditional cardboard beermat on top. . "The plate conceals a pressure sensor and accelaration sensor that react to the weight of the glass and to the position and movement of the beermat on the baseplate."