Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING AN ARTICLE HANDLING
DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to improvements in the design and
operation of article handling apparatus and in particular to article handling
mechanisms of the type that utilize computer-controlled electromechanical
technology, and in the illustrated embodiment a robotically positioned
gripper, which
uses suction, for example, for grasping and moving a selected article from one
area to
another, such as from a storage area to a dispensing area.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Most prior art article handling mechanisms, more specifically referred to in
the
description of the present invention as being in the environment of a point-of
sale
(POS) article dispenser, rely on a multitude of motors, switches and solenoids
for
moving various portions of the handling mechanism, and handling of the
articles
themselves, such as packaged products. Most such machines require one motor,
switch and/or solenoid dedicated for each row, column or type of article or
package to
be handled or dispensed therefrom. Such machines generally suffer from
numerous
disadvantages, such as poor reliability due to mechanical failures, as well
known by
those skilled in this art.
US Patent 5,240,139 represents a significant improvement in article handling
devices. It describes the use of a negative air pressure lifter (i.e., article
pickup or
handling mechanism), which uses suction, i.e.,a reduced or so-called
"negative" air
pressure created by a partial vacuum, for making a secure contact to an
article to be
retrieved by entering the open top of an article storage bin located in a
refrigerated
storage area of a vending machine. Although robotic, and specifically suction-
type
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lifting mechanisms are in common use in factory settings;'''wl~rere s~iab~
leitnita~ib~s.er~.j
generally relaxed, their use in tight confines, such as an article vending
machine, has
not gained wide acceptance. Due to the greater reliability and versatility of
vending
machines of the type which utilizes suction technology for grasping and moving
selected articles, it would be desirable to develop new techniques and methods
for the
operation and control of such machines, as well as for other more generalized
article
handling mechanisms.
Hose storage is provided in the forenoted US Patent 5,240,139 by use of a
longitudinally compressible air hose having about a 3:1 compression ratio. One
end
of the hose is connected to a source of negative air pressure which is
provided to a
support beam which is moved laterally over the top of the freezer. The other
end of
the air hose is connected to an article pickup head. Lateral positioning of a
compressible hose is satisfactory in the environment of US Patent 5,240,139
since the
freezer compartment only occupies the lower half of the interior of the
vending
machine, leaving the upper half available for the hose and its positioning
mechanism.
However, since the significant part of the expense of operating a vending
machine
business comprises servicing (i.e. filling) of the vending machine with
products, it
would be desirable to be able to provide taller article storage bins, with or
without a
freezer compartment, in order to maximize utilization of the article storage
volume
within the interior of the~vending machine cabinet. Prior art article
dispensers
typically use between 50 and 60 percent of their available height for article
storage.
Due to the above noted disadvantage, it would be desirable to decrease the
height requirement for the hose positioning mechanism. One such way would be
to
consider the use of a non compressible hose. A. non compressible hose has the
advantage that it can be driven and/or guided by direct engagement with the
walls of
the hose, a much simpler technique as compared to the indirect hose
positioning
technique of the forenoted US patent 5,240,139. Additionally, a non
compressible
hose has the advantage of maintaining a constant length in spite of being
subjected to
changes in vacuum. Even furthermore, a non compressible hose has greater
structural
integrity and reduced leakage, as compared with, for example telescopic
tubing.
However, two serious problems are presented by the use of a non compressible
hose:
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where can a sufficient length of the hose be stored in
ord~'~'~C'~at~~t<°s~~r.~~:~nd ~'~~~;~a'v~.. ~
the distance from the bottom of the hose positioning mechanism (a position
aligned
with the top of an article storage bin) to the bottom of the article storage
bin; and how
can it be simply and reliably be withdrawn and retracted to and from the
storage area
as needed?
PCT patent publication WO 99/12132 entitled VENDING MACHINE
discloses a vending machine having a folded articulated arm for positioning an
article
gripping suction hose into a freezer for retrieving articles to be dispensed.
The hose is
. non-compressible, and continuous from a base area located beneath the
articulated
arm to its free end, where it is coupled to an article pickup head. A linear
actuator and
arm mechanism located in the base area is used to drive the hose into and out
of the
base area, through the articulated arm and into the freezer compartment. The
hose
positioning arrangement of this PCT patent publication has a similar
disadvantage as
the forenoted US patent 5,240,139, in that a significant volume within the
vending
machine cabinet is required for the mechanism which positions the hose over
and into
the storage bins during a package dispensing cycle (i.e., a height almost
equal to the
height of the article storage bins themselves). Additionally, it is noted that
only a
relatively small length of hose is required to be stored, corresponding to the
amount of
hose required to move the article pickup head in the Z direction (i.e., into
and out of
the freezer), since a significant length of the hose is already stored in the
folded
articulated arm. Even furthermore, it is noted that this patent publication
teaches a
relatively complex mechanism for hose positioning, storage and drive.
German patent DE 2455673 by G. Lucas, published May 26, 1976 and entitled
VENDING MACHINE FOR ICE CREAM-USING SUCTION HEAD TO PICKUP
WRAPPED BLOCKS OF ICE CREAM FROM STACK 1N REFRIGERATOR
discloses an ice cream vending machine wherein a movable carriage is mounted
inside a freezer and laterally positionable over the article storage bins. The
carriage
includes a drive mechanism for lowering an electric cord having a suction
motor at its
free end into the article storage bins for retrieving the ice cream packages.
This type
of positioning mechanism for an article handling device avoids the problem of
hose
storage by actually lowering the suction motor into the bin. It's is
particularly
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disadvantageous since the repeated bending and flexing o~''~~i$»e~ectri~~cii~d
c''~ii li~af~ ~:~~.. ~>
to reliabilityifailure problems. Additionally, the diameter of the suction
motor places
severe limitations upon the dimensions of the article storage bins.
U.S. patent 5,957,326 entitled APPARATUS FOR RETRIEVING
RANDOMLY ORGANIZED ARTICLES, describes a vending apparatus including
carriage mounted for being laterally positionable over an article storage bin,
and
includes a drive mechanism for lowering into the storage bin a pickup head
having a
plurality of suction cups mounted thereon. Each suction cup is individually
connected
to a substantial length of hose which leads back to a manifold which supplies
suction
thereto. This type of positioning mechanism for an article handling device is
particularly disadvantageous since the plurality of suction hoses connected to
the
pickup head are not provided in a hose storage area, and instead are
coiledldragged
beneath the carriage during its repositioning thereby protruding significantly
into a
space which could more advantageously being used for the storage of articles
to be
vended/dispensed.
US patent 4,557,659 the entitled DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING AND
HANDLING LOADS BY MEANS OF VACUUM OPERATED SUCTION PADS,
describes an article lifting and transport device wherein an electric motor
slidably
mounted along a raised and rotatable I beam, is used to lower an electrical
cord
towards an article to be handled. The electrical cord has at its free end a
pickup head
including a plurality of suction cups mounted thereon. A suction providing
hose,
which is continuous from a suction generator to the pickup head, is loosely
supported
between its ends by a series of slides connected to the rotatable I beam. This
type of
positioning mechanism for an article handling device is disadvantageous for
substantially the same reason as the forenoted U.S. patent 5,957,326, due to
the fact
that the suction hose is dragged alongside and behind the carriage during its
repositioning, thereby protruding significantly into a space which could more
advantageously being used for the storage of articles to be vended/dispensed.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
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Accordingly, one of the objects of the present
inverit'1't~ti''is°''tovpiW ide~ri'e~~
techniques and methods for the design, operation and control of article
handling
mechanisms.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide new techniques and
methods for the design, operation and control of article handling mechanisms
of the
type that utilize computer-controlled electromechanical technology, and in the
illustrated embodiment a robotically positioned suction-type gripper, for
grasping and
moving a selected article from one area to another, such as from a storage
area to a
dispensing area.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide new techniques and
methods for such mechanisms which improve the speed and accuracy of the
article
handling operation while still handling the articles to be dispensed in a
careful manner
so as to prevent any damage thereto.
It is a more specific object of the invention to provide an article handling
mechanism of compact height, so as to maximize the article holding capacity of
the
storage area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above objects are achieved in an illustrated embodiment of an article
dispensing apparatus embodied, for example, as a vending machine, wherein the
internal height limitations as set by the cabinet of the machine determine
height
limitations. In order to maximize the height of the article storage volume,
the
following aspects of the invention are provided
1. the hose positioning mechanism maintains a constant height during hose
repositioning,
2. the hose is driven in the article extraction direction by passing "THROUGH"
the
hose positioning mechanism,
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3) the hose is constrained for movement moves between the hose storage area
anct
hose positioning mechanism in the same space in which the hose positioning
mechanism moves,
4. the hose positioning mechanism carries therein the hose drive means,
5. the hose positioning mechanism is an X-Y, R-Theta, or Scissors arrangement
as
more further described in the following description.
15 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a vending machine constructed and
operating in accordance with the principles of the invention.
FIG.'s 2 and 3 are front perspective views of the vending machine of FIG. 1,
with the front door opened, so as to illustrate the main mechanical and
electrical
components therein.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating the cooperation of the main
mechanical and electrical components in the vending machine of FIG. 1.
FIG.'S 5 and 6 illustrate details of the carriage portion of article handling
mechanism shown in FIG.'s 2 and 3.
FIG. 7 illustrates details of the hose guidance mechanism shown in FIG.'S 2
and 3.
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FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the hose positi'oriing
mechanism shown in Figure 3.
FIG.'S 9, 10, 1 l, 12 and 13 illustrate combinations/orientations of various
article handling mechanisms and storage areas.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates an environment for the invention described herein, in the
form of an article dispenser, such as a point-of sale (POS) dispenser.
Although
throughout the following description, reference is made to implementation of
the
invention in a vending machine environment, it is intended that the term
"vending
machine", and in fact the environment for the present invention, include more
general
purpose article handling, retrieval and/or dispensing apparatus, as well as
POS
equipment. Such equipment, if embodied as a portable device may comprise and
be
about the size of a traditional vending machine or as large as a tractor-
pulled trailer,
and if embodied as a non-portable device may comprise and be embodied as an
automated dispensing room or an area located in a permanent structure, such as
in a
building (aboveground or underground, and with or without interior walls or an
enclosing cabinet). Furthermore, it is intended that the term "articles" or
"products"
include in at least some of the embodiments of the invention described herein,
not
'only goods, but also services andlor information, in either a permanent or
temporal
form.
Accordingly, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vending machine 10,
comprising one embodiment for an apparatus which is constructed and operates
according to the present invention. Vending machine 10 includes a main cabinet
12
and a front door 14 mounted on a hinge 16 for providing access to the interior
of the
vending machine for servicing (filling it with articles, maintenance, etc.).
Note, in a
further vending machine embodiment, a service door or port could be positioned
anywhere on or as a part of cabinet 12. In FIG. 1, front door 14 is shown in a
closed
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position, forming an enclosure with main cabinet 12, within which various
components of vending machine 10 are housed, as explained in more detail
below.
Front door 14 includes a convex-shaped section 18 adjacent a flat section 20;
however, these particular shapes are not necessary to the invention. The
convex-
shaped section 18 comprises a translucent plastic display panel 18, which
typically
has brand name and/or logo graphics displayed thereon, and may even include
graphics which illustrate the individual articles that are vendible by vending
machine
10, as well as the price and/or selection information for the articles. Panel
18 is
typically back-light using fluorescent bulbs, not shown.
A customer retrieval area 22 is formed in the panel 18 on door 14 so that
articles stored therein can be discharged to a user of vending machine 10.
Various user interface features are mounted on flat section 20 of door 14. A
customer display 24 may be a conventional fluorescent or LED display panel for
displaying various items of information to a user of machine 10, such as
feedback to
the user of the selection made, the amount tended, and if the product is sold
out or
being vended. For accepting payments, a bill acceptor slot 26 accepts paper
money
into a conventional bill acceptor mechanism (mounted inside machine 10 so as
to
have its user interface portion extend through an aligned opening in flat
section 20)
for purchasing articles or for making change. A coin insertion slot 28 accepts
coins
into a conventional coin changer (also mounted inside machine 10 so as to have
its
user interface portion extend through an aligned opening in flat section 20)
for
purchasing articles or for making change. A coin return actuator 30 comprises
a
conventional push-button mechanism for activating a coin return portion of the
coin
changer mechanism which, upon actuation returns coins inserted by the current
user,
to a coin return well 32. The coin return portion of the coin changer
mechanism also
provides change to the coin return well 32 either in response to the
purchasing of
articles or for making change for paper money or larger coins. A credit/debit
card slot
34 accepts a plastic creditldebit card inserted into a conventional card
reader
mechanism (also mounted inside machine 10 so as to have its user interface
portion
extend through an aligned opening in flat section 20) for allowing a user to
pay for
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purchases via credit/debit cards. A door lock mechanism 36 enables front
door~l4
be secured so that it cannot be opened without a key. For allowing user
selections,
display panel 18 may include graphics, as noted above, which indicates the
various
articles vendible by the machine, as well as their associated price and unique
selection
number. Alternatively, flat section 20 could include a group of graphic
article
displays and their associated price. A conventional keypad push-button
mechanism 38
is provided for enabling a user to select a desired article from vending
machine 10.
Alternatively, push-button mechanism 40 could include individual push buttons
for
each article selection, as well as an associated price display; and even
furthermore, a
user operated touch screen could replace pushbutton mechanism 40 and display
24.
Although not shown in Figure 1, machine 10 also includes a conventional
telecommunications component that can be used for authenticating credit card
purchases, as well as other uses relating to machine control and reporting the
inventory and operational status of machine 10 to a remote location, as more
fully
described later on. Although vending machine 10 is illustrated to include the
above
described user interface components, in a more minimal embodiment of the
invention,
most, if not all, of these user interface components could be omitted, and the
dispenser could in fact be controlled from a remote location, with or without
a local
payment system.
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the vending machine of FIG. 1, with the
front door open, so as to illustrate the main mechanical and electrical
components
therein. FIG. 3 is a somewhat idealized version of the main components of the
article
handling mechanism portion of vending machine 10, and is useful for
understanding
its general operation. Note, some portions of vending machine 10 are shown in
these
FIGURES cut away in order to better illustrate the interior components.
Referring first to FIG 2, it is noted that the right portion of the front of
cabinet
12 includes a vertically mounted support panel 202 which is used for mounting
most
of the user interface components. More specifically, a hinged mounting bracket
204
is mounted on panel 202 and aligned with an opening in door 14 so that the
user
interface components, such as the selection button keypad 40, coin insertion
slot 30,
bill acceptor slot 28, coin return 32, and customer display 24, are all
accessible to the
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user from the front side of door 14. Mounted on the interior ~of front door 14
are two
fluorescent bulb light sources (which are behind protective covers 206. Other
numbers of light sources can be used) which emit light for backlighting panel
18. A
ballast 208 for the fluorescent bulbs and a product delivery chute 210. Note,
the
product delivery chute 210 is unconventional in that it is extremely tall, and
therefore
serves as a security measure to prevent unauthorized access into the machine
by
insertion of an arm or other grasping mechanism into the customer retrieval
area 22
from outside the machine. In typical prior art vending machines, a swinging
security
door is usually found at the top of chute 210, which swings into a vandal
blocking
position when the customer pushes in the swinging door at the entrance to the
product
retrieval area 8. In a further embodiment of vending machine 10, such a
security door
could be used in conjunction with product delivery chute 210, especially if
chute 210
is not as tall as the one illustrated in Figure 2 and also if the product
retrieval area 8 is
located higher up on machine 10. Mounted behind hinged mounting bracket 204 is
a
conventional bill acceptor mechanism for causing paper money inserted into
bill
acceptor slot 28 to be drawn into vending machine 10, a conventional coin
changer
supplies coins to coin return slot 34 and is located behind panel, a coin
guide guides
inserted coins into the coin changer, and a conventional bill validator
ascertains
proper insertion of paper money into bill acceptor slot 28 .
A control board 212 comprises a printed circuit board on which circuitry is
formed and to which integrated circuit chips are attached. Control board 212
includes
a microprocessor that is electrically connected to various sensors, motors,
the above
described user interface elements, as well as other devices within vending
machine
10, to control the operation of vending machine 10 as described herein. When
reference is made in this description to performance of specified functions by
control
board 212, it is to be understood that these functions are controlled by the
microprocessor and the associated circuitry formed on control board 212. A
power
supply 214 is mounted on panel 202 and supplies power for the electrical
components
of vending machine 10.
Referring now also to FIG 3, it is apparent that the bulls of the interior of
cabinet 12 is available as an article storage area 215. In the illustrated
embodiment, a
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plurality of vertically aligned article storage bins 216 are arranged on the
interior floor
217 of cabinet 12, for storing articles 223 to be vended by machine 10. In a
refrigerated environment for the present invention the bins could be arranged
to sit on
a shelf positioned above the refrigeration system.
An opened-top container 219 can be dimensioned to hold a plurality of article
storage bins 216 therein, and used, for example to facilitate the simultaneous
handling
(i.e., removal ,installation and transportation) of the plurality of bins 216
into/out of
the article storage area 215. Container 219 also facilitates rapid and
accurate
positioning of a plurality of the article storage bins into the storage area
of the article
handling apparatus. A carriage 218 (which may be more generally referred to as
an
X-Y or planar positioning mechanism) is coupled to the interior topside of
cabinet 12
and adapted for being controllably positioned by the control board portion 212
of
machine 10, to a location centered over (so as to be aligned with) the open
top-end of
a selected one of article storage bins 216.
Although vertical (Z-axis) alignment of the article storage bins 216 is shown,
non-vertical, i.e., slanted or even horizontal (X or Y axis) alignment may
also be
possible (such as found in the well know glass front vending machines of the
type
using a "spiral wire" type of dispensing apparatus). In the event of
substantially
horizontal alignment of the storage bins, the planar positioning mechanism
will be
appropriate changed so as to position carriage 218 for movement in the X/Z or
Y/Z
plane. In fact, a curvilinear plane, such as a cylinder, is also considered to
be within
the scope of the present invention. The combination of substantially
horizontally
aligned stacks of products with a robotically controlled article transport
mechanism
which moves in a vertical plane adjacent to dispensing ends of the stacks of
products,
is known, for example in US patent 6,230,930 issued May 15, 2001 and entitled
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VENDING PRODUCTS, and in US patent
publication US 2001/0000609 published May 3, 2001. Use of a curvilinear plane
for
article transport is known, for example in the videocassette vending art,
wherein the
videocassette's are stacked in an outwardly facing manner in a central storage
carousel, and a robotic gripper encircles the carousel. Furthermore, although
article
storage bins 216 are shown to be an ambient environment, bins 216 could in
fact the
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positioned in a refrigerated environment, such as a freezer~locafed in the
bottom of ~~-
storage area 217, and the article transport mechanism enter the bins from a
top
opening the freezer, such as shown and described in the forenoted U.S. patent
5,240,13 9. Alternatively,. in the event the refrigerated environment is of
the type
including a substantially horizontal alignment of the storage bins, a
vertically oriented
opening could be used to provide access to the dispensing end of the article
storage
bins.
In the environment of the present invention, an air hose 220 is continuous
from a point before it's exit from a hose storage area 222 over orthogonally
positioned
rollers 213, to its free end 221. Free end 221 includes a weighted portion 225
in
combination with a bellows extension tip portion 227. Depending upon the
physical
characteristics of the articles to be dispensed, article pickup head 224 may
comprise
only the weighted portion 225, or this portion in combination with a fitting
specifically adapted to the type of packages to be dispensed, such as the
bellows tip
227 or a compliant tip without a weight. Hose 220 has one end coupled to a
source of
negative air pressure, i.e., suction, which source of suction comprises in the
preferred
embodiment a blower motor 226, and a free end coupled to the article pickup
head
224. In the present invention, the word continuous is intended to mean a hose
which
is connected and acts between it's end points, in order to accomplish the
functions
required by it, as a unitary/single hose. An air hose portion 235 provides
suction from
blower motor 226 to one port of an air junction box 229, while continuous hose
220 is
connected to a second port of air junction box 229. Air junction box 229,
included at
a top portion of hose storage area 222, includes an airflow sensor and vacuum
breaker
assembly. The airflow sensor is used to develop a signal which is applied to
the
controller of the vending machine and is representative of the airflow through
air hose
220. The vacuum breaker assembly is used to quickly bring the air pressure in
hose
220 to the ambient pressure, thereby facilitating a "quick-release" of an
article
transported by the article pickup head, into the dispensing chute 210. It is
noted that a
quick release of the products does not have to occur at the top of dispensing
chute
210, and in the event that it is desirable to avoid subjecting the article to
forces which
result from jarring or dropping, the article pickup head could proceed to the
bottom of
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the dispensing chute 210 before providing the quick release of the article. In
one
embodiment, the airflow sensor arrangement may comprises a two-part switch, a
first
part includes a reed switch mounted on a top portion of box 229, and a second
part
includes a magnet mounted at the free end of a swinging arm mounted inside box
229.
As the arm swings inside box 229 due to changes in airflow, the switch is
"toggled",
thereby indicating changes in airflow. The use of this airflow signal will be
described
in greater detail later.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a novel hose
positioning arrangement is provided. As shown generally in FIG 3, and more
specifically in Figures 5 and 6, alignment of carriage 218 with a selected one
of bins
216 is accomplished in the front/back (~ direction using a frontlback linear
slide 228
(shown in a cut away view) mounted to an "L" shaped frontlback beam 230 so
that
carriage 218 can be controllably positioned therealong using slide 228. A
bottom
edge portion of beam 230 includes a rack portion 232 and carriage 218 includes
an
electric motor 233 that drives a gear (633 of Fig. 6) which engages rack
portion 232.
Application of forward and reverse motor control signals from control board
212 to
motor 233 causes carriage 218 to be driven in the front/back directions.
Alignment of
carriage 218 in the left/right (X) direction is accomplished in a similar
manner, using
a leftlright linear slide 234 which slidably couples the top side of
frontlback beam 230
to the underside of each of spaced apart leftlright beams 236a and 236b. Beams
236a
and 236b are rigidly attached to the inside top portion of cabinet 12. A rack
238, also
rigidly attached to the top inside portion of cabinet 12 and in parallel with
beams 236,
is engaged by a gear 240 driven by a reversible motor 243 mounted near the
inside
corner of beam 230. Application of forward and reverse motor control signals
from
control board 212 to motor 243 causes a rotation of gear 240 and a
corresponding
movement of beam 230, and hence carriage 218, in the leftJright (X)
directions.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, as the hose
positioning arrangement causes an article 223 to be moved by pickup head 224
from a
storage bin 216 to chute 210, it is positioned past an article identification
(ID) device
254 mounted within cabinet 12. A specific type of article ID device is not
required
for the present invention, and depending upon system constraints, such a
device may
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comprise, for example, a bar code scanner or other optical image/pattern
recognition
system, or even a non-optical system, such as a radio frequency identification
(RFID),
or magnetic-based system mounted within cabinet 12. for uniquely identifying
and
confirming that the article being dispensed is in fact the article that was
selected. The
construction operation of such article identification devices are well known
to those of
ordinary skill in this technology, and therefore further description in this
regard is not
necessary.
It is noted that article ID device 254 is mounted within cabinet 12 at a
relatively fixed location, the mounting being such that some controlled
movement in
the orientation of article ID device 254 may be facilitated, in order to help
ensure a
good "view" of the article being transported, and a high confidence of the
transported
articles being identified. One way to provide such controlled movement for ID
device
254 would be to mount it on a piezoelectric substrate, and control board 212
could
provide a voltage to the substrate so as to shift the "view" of ID device 254.
It is
noted that by using an appropriately positioned article ID device 254, only a
single
article ID device 254 is needed. This is particularly useful for a robotic
type
dispenser, since the robotic apparatus can controllably position, and re-
position if
necessary, the article in the vicinity of the article ID device 254, thereby
helping
ensure a reliable ID of the article.
A bin holder 260, shown in FIG. 2, comprising a pair of rectangular brackets
secured in a spaced manner to opposed interior side walls of cabinet 12, is
used to
maintain the bins situated therebetween in a predetermined position relative
to the
interior of the vending machine cabinet. This is required in view of the pre-
programming of control board 212 which controls the robotic structure for
retrieving a
selected article from one a selected one of bins 216.
Note that although carriage assembly 218 only moves in a single plane, it is
responsible for precisely positioning pickup head 224 in each of the X, Y and
Z
directions. More specifically, in accordance with a further aspect of the
invention as
shown in FIG.s 5 and 6, in a preferred embodiment, the hose positioning
carriage 218
includes a roller arrangement 502 which comprises three orthogonally
positioned
14
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rollers 504 at the point where hose 220 enters carriage 218, for redirecting
the
movement of hose 220 from a substantially horizontal direction along the top
interior
portion of machine 10 (i.e., in the X,Y direction), to a direction
perpendicular thereto
(i.e., in the Z direction). I~Iovement of carriage 218 will not only move the
free end
221 of hose 220 so that it can be axially aligned with a selected one of bins
216, but it
will also automatically withdraw hose 220 from the hose storage area 222.
Thereafter, a hose drive mechanism which may comprise a set of conventionally
operated "pinch rollers"506 driven by a reversible motor 508 via gear set 510,
which
in the illustrated embodiment are mounted in carriage 218, but in a further
embodiment motor 508/rollers 506 (or some other drive mechanism, such as the
one
shown from the forenoted PCT publication WO 99/12132) could be mounted
somewhere else along the length of hose 220, are used for driving pickup head
224
into/out of the selected bin 216 in order to retrieve articles stored therein.
The event
that hose 220 includes structural spiral corrugations along its length, pinch
rollers 506
could include matching corrugations thereon for assisting the driving of hose
220.
This arrangement, where hose 220 travels in the same X,Y plane that carriage
218 travels, facilitates a compact hose positioning and drive mechanism
embodiment
for the present invention. Furthermore, since movement of the carriage is
responsible
for supplying most of the force needed to withdraw hose 220 from storage area
222"
the Z drive motor is only needed to drive the hose for causing its free end to
travel
into/out of bins 216 for article retrieval. It is noted that the pinch rollers
506 should
comprise a soft rubber material so as to provide a good friction contact to
hose 220,
and if hose 220 includes structural spiral corrugations along its length,
pinch rollers
506 could include matching corrugations for providing a more positive driving
force
to hose 220. In the illustrated embodiment, it has been determined that two
drive
rollers are not needed, and accordingly only one of the pinch rollers is
driven by
motor 508, while a spring (514) is used to urge the other roller towards the
driven
roller, thereby pinching and driving hose 220 therebetween. Furthermore when
using
corrugated hose, in some applications it may be possible to replace pinch
rollers 506
with a linear screw mechanism adjacent hose 220, for driving the hose.
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In the vending machine environment, having a compact hose positioning and
drive mechanism is significant. The present arrangement of inventive features
provides a very compact robotic structure which maximizes the ability of the
carriage
to position the hose within the interior of cabinet 4. Additionally a compact
robotic
structure maximizes the article storage capacity of vending machine 10 and
increases
the ability of the robotic positioner to maneuver within the maximized storage
area.
Consider a cabinet having a height of 72 inches: a prior art hose positioning
mechanism, such as provided by the forenoted US patent 5,240,139 or the PCT
patent
publication WO 99/12132 typically occupied approximately 40 percent of the
height
dimension inside the cabinet, thereby leaving 60 percent or less for the
storage of
articles to be vended. With the arrangement of the present invention the hose
positioning and drive mechanism comprises less than 25 percent of the interior
height
of the enclosure, a very desirable result. Additionally, it is noted that the
compact
hose positioning and drive mechanism of the present invention is extraordinary
in that
in the illustrated embodiment it occupies approximately only 15 percent of the
interior
height of the enclosure. What is even more remarkable is that this very
compact hose
positioning and drive mechanism can position the free end of the hose into
alignment
with a bin of articles, and then have the ability to drive the hose all way to
the bottom
of the bin. In the present invention the hose is able to be driven a distance
which is
greater than three times the height of the hose positioning mechanism and in
fact, in
the illustrated embodiment the hose is driven approximately five times the
height of
the hose positioning mechanism.
Also shown in Figures 5, 6 and FIG. 7, is a telescoping guide mechanism 550
for ensuring that when picker head 224 is lowered by the drive mechanism in
carriage
218 into the storage area, it drops into the desired one of bins 216. For
example,
depending upon the material used for constructing hose 220, it is possible
that during
long time periods when hose 220 is not repositioned, the 90° turn in
the direction of
the hose which takes place in carriage 218 can form a significant "kink" in
hose 220.
Thereafter, as hose~220 is lowered into a selected bin 216, the kink may cause
picker
head 224 to swing as the hose kink moves past drive rollers 506. In order to
prevent
such undesired swinging or movements of picker head 224, guide mechanism SSO
is
provided and comprises a guide plate 552 affixed to the end of two sliding
support
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bars 554. As shown more clearly in Figure7, support bars 554 slide through
holes in a
plastic (PVC, i.e., poly vinyl chloride) block 556 secured to a wall portion
of carriage
218. Plate 552 is constructed so as to have a hole in the center thereof which
is
dimensioned to be slightly greater than the diameter of the body portion of
picker
S head 224, yet less than the diameter of a shoulder portion thereof.
Accordingly, in
operation when picker head 224 is lowered into a desired bin, support rods 554
allow
support plate 552 to drop, due to gravity, as the same speed as picker head
224 is
lowered away from carriage 218. At a height above the top of bins 216, and as
determined by the length of support rods 554, plate 552 no longer moves away
from
carriage 218 and the hole in the center thereof merely provides guidance for
the
remainder of the descent of picker head 224 into the selected bin 216. As
picker head
224 is retracted from the bin, after having a package secured thereto due to
the suction
force created within hose 220, picker head 224 eventually contacts guide plate
552
and then for the remainder of its upward travel, retraction of hose 220 also
provides
for retraction of guide plate 552.
As also shown in FIGs 5 and 6, the movement of carriage 218 is somewhat
stabilized by the cooperative action of a bracket 512, positioned on the
underside of a
top portion of support beam 230 through which slide 228 is constrained to
follow, and
a "U" shaped lip portion 602 which protrudes from a lower side portion of
support
beam 230. An upwardly pointing portion of the lip 602 is engaged (and in fact
"trapped") by a downward facing slot a slide mechanism 604 attached to
carriage 218.
It is believed that the cooperative action of the diagonally opposed supports
provided
by the combinations of bracket 512 and slide 228, as well as lip 602 and slide
604,
which are fixed to the two legs of "L" shaped support beam 230, provides for
superior
stability of carriage 218 during its travel along beam 230.
As shown more clearly in FIG. 7, support rods 554 comprise rods having a
threaded hole at each end, in which a machine screw can be inserted. At the
top
portion of rods 554 the head 555 of the screw forms a shoulder portion that
prevents
rods 554 from falling completely through the holes in block 556, and at the
bottom of
rods 554 the screws secure plate 552 to the rods. As also shown in FIG. 14b,
plate
552 includes a protective grommet ?? about the hole therein, for preventing
damage
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and reducing wear of hose 220 as it travels through plate 552. It is noted
that the
height of grommet ?? is preferably greater than the spacing between adjacent
turns of
the spiral support structure of hose 220. Furthermore, it is noted that hose
220 is
preferable constructed of a strong, flexible spiral portion functioning as the
spine to
form the shape of the hose, formed co-extensively with a flexible and air-
tight plastic
material which spans adjacent turns of the spiral portion.
Alternative constructions for guide mechanism 132 are also contemplated.
For example, a series of telescoping tubing sections, attached to the
underside of
carriage 218, and through which hose 220 passes, could be used in place of
rods 136
and plate 134.
As previously noted, since hose 220 is formed of a continuous material from
its connection to the source of suction at one end to the pickup head 224 at
its other
end, means are necessary for providing hose storage and/or retraction during
travel of
the pickup head 224 in the X, Y and Z directions, as appropriate during the
article
dispensing operations.
Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 3, placing an interior wall 246 parallel and
adjacent to an exterior wall 248 of cabinet 12 is used to form the hose
storage area
222 there between. Hose storage area 222 has a cross-sectional area which is
slightly
greater than the cross-sectional area of the hose loop formed therein. Walls
246 and
248 are shown partially cut-away so as to illustrate a gravity feed self
retracting loop
tensioner/ retraction mechanism 250 formed in hose 220. Loop tensioner 250 is
constrained for movement within hose storage area 222, and made somewhat self
retracting by comprising a rolling weight 252 having a groove 253 along its
periphery
in order to provide constant centering of the weight within hose storage area
222 and
for providing a constant "loop forming" tension on hose 220. Furthermore,
centering
of the grooved rolling weight 252 within hose storage area 222 results in
centering of
hose 220, thereby preventing hose 220 from rubbing with the walls of hose
storage
area 222 during X, Y and Z repositioning of pickup head 224. In order to
prevent
binding of hose 220, rolling weight 252 is dimensioned so as to be slightly
larger than
the diameter of hose 220 and the width dimension of hose storage area 222 is
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dimensioned to be only slightly larger than the width dimension of rolling
weight 252.
The specific amount of weight used for rolling weight 252 is a matter of
design
choice, and depends upon various factors, such as the weight of the articles
to be
moved, the strength of the motors used to drive the hose in the Z direction,
etc. In a
further embodiment, it may be desirable to couple weight 252 to a lower
portion of
cabinet 12 using a spring, for adding further tension to loop tensioner 250.
It is also noted that this gravity-based retraction! hose storage technique
meets
the storage requirements needed for both the X and Y movements of carriage 218
(left/right and front/back), as well as for the Z movement of pickup head 224.
Of
course this gravity-based retraction/ hose storage technique would work
equivalently
well in an embodiment wherein the robotic hose positioning mechanism used a
rotary
type device (R, 0), an articulated arm, telescoping or scissor system, or
other
technique. Furthermore, the illustrated gravity-based retraction/ hose storage
1 S technique is not necessary for the present invention, and in fact a fully
or partially
motorized retraction technique could also be used. Furthermore, in other
embodiments, it may be desirable to place hose storage area at another
location, such
as parallel to the top or rear portion of cabinet 12.
Even furthermore, although only a single storage area 215, hose 220 and
carriage 218 are shown in the illustrated embodiment, the invention described
herein
could also be used in a dispensing apparatus/article handler of the type
having
multiple storage areas andlor robotic article handling mechanisms, such as two
robotic
mechanisms (both positioned vertically or horizontally or mixed, and one
vertically
and one horizontally) each one serving a different storage area. Furthermore,
when
multiple article handling mechanisms are provided, each can be tailored for a
particular operation. For example, one may have a relatively large diameter
pickup
head and use a high airflow/modest suction vacuum supply device, while the
other
may have a relatively small diameter pickup head and use a low airflow/high
suction
vacuum supply.
In this regard, FIGURE 9 illustrates a multiple storage area arrangement 500,
where a single article handler of the type previously noted serves 3 adjacent
storage
areas. In one embodiment each area may be for storing stacks of articles
aligned in
the same direction as in the other areas. One storage area 502 may have an
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ambient environment, while the other storage areas may be cooled, e.g., one
area 504
being refrigerated and one area 506 being frozen. This arrangement may
typically
find use for dispensing in a compact, reliable and eff cient vending
structure: salty
snacks (such as bags of potato chips) from the ambient storage area, cooled
drinks
(such as soda) from the refrigerated storage area, and frozen snacks (such as
ice
cream) from the frozen storage area. Furthermore, an arrangement of this type
may
be particularly advantageous in that the frozen compartment can be used for
maintaining the quality of the stored articles until they are close to being
needed for
dispensing, as determined by an intelligent controller. At a predetermined
appropriate
time before dispensing, a certain amount of articles can be moved from the
frozen
area to the refrigerated area. This technique also fords particular advantage
in the
event that the third storage area is in fact a temporary storage area which is
used for
individually heating/cooking the articles, such as, e.g. frozen pizzas, using
an oven or
microwave. In this case the quality/shelf life of the frozen pizza is
maintained by not
moving them to the refrigerated area until the refrigerated area has been
depleted to
the point that it needs replenishment, at which time they are sequentially
moved from
the frozen area to the refrigerated area. This technique substantially reduces
the time
needed for heating the pizza while the customer is waiting, while at the same
time
allowing for storage of the pizza in a frozen manner, thereby substantially
increasing
its shelf life and reducing the labor costs involved in stocking the machine.
In this
arrangement, the refrigerated storage areas can include thermal separators at
their top
portions, such as an air curtain or sliding thermal panels.
Fig. 10 illustrates an arrangement where the single article handling mechanism
services two horizontally aligned in article storage areas. Backspace, area
602 being
an ambient environment and area 604 being a refrigerated environment. The
article
handling mechanism 606 can be constructed in a manner such as previously
described
using support beam 230 and carriage 218 so that mechanism 606 can "live" in
the
ambient area 602, and travel into the refrigerated area 604 through swinging
door 608
as needed. Areas 602 and 604 can each include their own article ID device 254
or
share a common ID device.
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Additionally, separate hoses and hose positioning mechanisms can also be
useful in order to speed up retrieval and delivery of stored articles to a
customer.
FIGURE 1 I shows such as a rapid article dispenser, of the type having two
horizontally displaced storage areas. Although separate hoses and hose
positioning
S mechanisms are used, they may share a single source of suction (e.g., blower
motor
226), airflow sensor and vacuum breaker. , a single hose, hose positioning
mechanism and hose storage area could be used in a further embodiment where
the
single hose services more than one article storage area, such as the
refrigerated and
non refrigerated storage areas shown by arrangement 700 in FIGURE 11, wherein
0 support beam 230 and carriage 218 is positionable between the two storage
areas
having different ambient environments via a door mechanism 702. Each robotic
article handling mechanism could have its own article ID device 254, or they
could
share a single article ID device 254.
LS Fig. I2 illustrates a vending machine having a single article handling
mechanism with dual customer interface areas (each including a product
selection
apparatus such as a keypad or touch screen, payment system, and product
retrieval
door), for example, one on the left side and one on the right side, with a
common
graphics display therebetween. This machine can service two purchasers at
?0 substantially the same time since customer selections and payment typically
take a
substantial amount time compared to the actual time needed for the dispenser
to
deliver the selected product.
A further one of such arrangements is shown in FIGURE I3, where cabinet
25 600 includes therein an upper area 602 which is non-refrigerated (and may
even be
heated) and a lower area 604 which is refrigerated (and may even be divided
into,
e.g., two additional sections, one area 606 being frozen and another area 608
being
merely cooled). This arrangement is particularly advantageous since hot air
tends to
rise and cool air tends to sink. Alternatively, one storage area may be
oriented for
30 vertical storage of products and the other one, or even multiple ones,
arranged for
horizontal storage. In this case a separate hose, hose positioning mechanism
and hose
storage area may be required for the differently oriented storage areas.
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In the above arrangements it is noted that the article handling mechanism can
have other configurations such as the forenoted telescopic tubing, scissors,
or R,theta
arrangement. Additionally, the articles can be consumer goods, such as office
supplies, printer cartridges etc.
In the embodiment illustrated herein, blower motor 226 provides a relatively
high volume of airflow but a relatively modest negative air pressure. As a
matter of
design choice, blower motor 226 could comprise a vacuum pump, so as to provide
a
much more substantial degree of negative air pressure, but, due to size and
cost
limitations, a correspondingly reduced amount of airflow. In this latter case,
the
diameter of the air hose 220 would be reduced from the diameter illustrated in
FIG's 2
and 3, which may be particularly important in some applications of the present
invention . The illustrated embodiment is particularly useful for picking up
flexible
packages since a momentary or even sustained leak in the coupling to the
packaging
to the article will generally not result in dropping of the package, while at
the same
time offering extreme versatility due to the ability to pick up a wide variety
of shaped
objects of varying weight and size. In the event that blower motor 226
comprises a
vacuum pump, it could be used alone or in combination with a storage tank
coupled to
the suction hose via a valve and air hose, in order to provide a greater
volume of
airflow. Alternatively a compressor could be used in combination with a
venturi
device to create a vacuum.
FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of the general operation of the
various aspects of the invention described herein, as embodied in an article
dispenser
of the type comprising, for example, vending machine 10. A control system 400
including a microprocessor 402 and associated memory circuits 404, is
constructed on
control board 212. Control system 400 may also include the electronic parts of
other
portions of vending machine 10, as appropriate. Memory circuits 404 include
ROM
for storage of operating programs (embedded software, as well known, for
accomplishing the described herein control of vending machine 10), as well as
RAM
cache for temporary storage of operational data during system operation as
well as
other data as may be needed. Control system 400 is responsive to user
operation of
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the user payment and selection system 506 (including the coin and bill
mechanism~28~
and 30 and the selection buttons 40 of FIG. 1) for operating the user
interface and
article handling apparatus of vending machine 10 so as to dispense the article
desired
by a user. More specifically, upon proper payment for a selection made by the
user
S using payment and selection system 506, control system 400 operates the X/Y
(left/right and front/back) drive motors 508 so as to position pickup head 224
to be in
alignment with a bin 216 which holds the article selected by the user. Control
system
400 then engages a hose drive motor 410 (Z-motor) mounted within and carried
by
carriage 218, so that hose 220 is driven in a direction towards the top
article in the
aligned bin. At an appropriate time before head 224 contacts the article to be
removed (and in an embodiment of the invention where cabinet 12 does not
include
refrigerated air, an appropriate time may be just before head 224 enters bin
216, but if
the air is refrigerated, just before contact with the desired article is
expected, in order
to minimize removal of refrigerated air), control system 400 activates blower
motor
226 so as to provide lifting suction at pickup head 224. Upon position sensors
412
determining that pickup head 224 has contacted and become secured to the
desired
article, control system 400 causes hose drive motor 410 to reverse its
direction so as
to retract hose 220 from the aligned bin 216 and thereby lift out from the bin
216 the
selected article. Carriage 218 is then driven to a position in alignment with
the article
delivery chute 210. As the desired article 223 is moved along its way from a
storage
bin 216 to chute 210, it is positioned past the article ID device 254 for
uniquely
identifying and confirming that the article being dispensed is in fact the
article that
was selected. Upon sensors 412 sensing alignment of carriage 218 with chute
210 (in
this case sensor 202 may comprise a reed switch mounted on a front wall of the
cabinet, and a magnet mounted at a leading edge of carriage 218), control
system 400
turns off blower motor 226 and the resulting loss of vacuum causes the
selected article
to drop into the customer retrieval area 22. As previously noted, in the event
that the
articles are so fragile that they should not be dropped or subjected to such
impact
forces, hose 220 can be driven to the bottom of chute 210 before the article
is
released.
It is noted that position sensor 412 may include the airflow sensor of
junction
box 229, or in a further embodiment, comprise a mechanically operated plunger-
type
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position sensor associated with pickup head 224. Even furthermore, position
sensors
412 may also include a reed switch mounted on a front wall of the cabinet, and
a
magnet mounted at a leading edge of carriage 218.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, since the
control
system keeps track of the movement of hose 220 and carriage 218(for example,
by
sensing pulses from a shaft encoder or other distance measuring device on each
of
their respective drive motors), the signal generated by the airflow sensor at
the time
caxriage 218 reaches the virtual home can also be used as a check to ensure
that
l0 control system 400 accurately counted the motor drive pulses, and can re-
calibrate the
positioning system based on the virtual home, if necessary.
It is noted that the above described carriage 218 and robotic hose positioning
and drive mechanism, are particularly advantageous in the environment of a
cabinet,
'~ 5 such as in a vending machine, in that it facilitates improved utilization
of the interior
storage volume of the cabinet. More specifically, in the event that, for
example non-
storage related components are mounted or reside inside the cabinet, leaving
"pockets" of storage area behind or in front of the components, the carriage
is easily
positionable so as to reach these pockets and make them usable for article
storage.
:0
A communication system 414 is connected to control system 400 so as to
provide article inventory and vending machine operation information to a
remote
location, as well as to allow for control of the operation of the vending
machine from
a remote location. In this regard, communication system 414 may include a
!5 connection to means for making a wire-line and/or wireless transceiver
interface
through which a communication link with a remote computer can be established.
Additionally, the communication system 414 may communicate with a plurality of
other similarly connected vending machines in the same general area and
communicate therewith using the wire-line interface or wireless communication.
.0 Even furthermore, communication system 414 can provide for communication
with
multiple vending machines and/or a local server/controller, in a Local site
along a
LAN (local area network), LAWN (a local area wireless netv~ork) or a WAN (wide
area network). The remote computer may comprise a database which receives
and/or
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accumulates the operational data from one or more
vend~ing~~tn~cri~~~~iavhi~'ii~d~ta.-is~~~
then accessible (via, e.g., the Internet, using a wired or wireless
connection) using
appropriate encryption, to others, such as route drivers, machine operators,
machine
owners, product suppliers, etc. Furthermore, the remote site may give feedback
to the
S vending machines, such as authorization information, which can control its
operation,
such as allow its continued operation.
Further embodiments for the robotic hose positioning mechanism described
above are contemplated to be within the scope of the present inventions. For
example, instead of using a combination of left/right slides 234 and support
beams
236a and 236b, a roller/guide rail combination as shown in FIG 8 could be
used.
Support beams 236a and 236b may comprise a support plate 2SS having two
outwardly facing, i.e., opposed, L-shaped rails 2S6a and 2S6b along its
longitudinal
edges. In this embodiment, the function of slides 234 is accomplished by
fixing a pair
1S of brackets 2S8 to opposed ends of beam 230, each bracket 258 including a
pair of
spaced apart and inwardly facing rollers 260 which engage and follow the
opposed
rails 256 on the support plate 255. Furthermore, the spaced apart and inwardly
facing
rollers 260 could each comprise a set of rollers positioned to be angled 90
degrees
with respect to each another, so as to engage or follow the two orthogonal
surfaces of
the L-shaped rails 2S6a and 2S6b. Such arrangement may result in a coupling of
carriage 218 to beam 230 which needs less adjustment for proper operation.
Furthermore, as previously noted, the event of substantially horizontal
alignment of
the storage bins, the robotic hose positioning mechanism can position carriage
218 for
movement in a vertical plane which is substantially flat (i.e., in the XJZ or
Y/Z plane)
2S or in fact a vertical curvilinear plane. Additionally, as previously noted,
in some
aspects of the invention, it may be desirable for the robotic hose positioning
mechanism to include a rotary device (R, 8) of the type including an I beam of
fixed
length (or telescopic sections), for establishing the "R" movement of the
gripper/pickup head, which pivots for establishing the "0" movement.
Alternatively,
in other environments for the invention the robotic hose positioning mechanism
may
include an articulated arm or scissor system, or other technique.
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Accurate control of energization of blower motor ~~zt3=esspart~;c~uyrty
advantageous in the event that the inside of the cabinet, or a portion
thereof, is
refrigerated, since accurate control would decrease the amount of refrigerated
air
being displaced by blower motor 226. In the preferred embodiment, the
microprocessor 402 will energize blower motor 226 as the pickup head 224
approaches the desired article, and in fact only when it is in the immediate
proximity
of the desired article (and not earlier), due to control system 400
maintaining updated
information about the height of the stack of articles in each bin 216. The
height is
assumed to be at a predefined level upon article filling of the vending
machine 10 by
LO the operator. Control system 400 may confirm the assumed height by moving
the
pickup head 224 at a reduced speed towards an article at the top of a bin 216
on the
first retrieval attempt after the storage area has been refilled, and then
compare the
assumed height to the actual height. Memory 404 can be pre-programmed with
specific article heights in advance, or the heights can be learned by control
system
C 5 400 by comparison of prior vend heights in each bin. Once the height of
the top
article is known, control system 400 is also able to always know the height of
the next
"top" article in that bin. Furthermore, control system 400 is also able to
cause the
pickup head 224 to approach the articles in that storage area at a higher
speed, and
only slow down when in the immediate proximity of the next "top" article in
that bin.
?0 The technique to slow down upon the pickup head 224 approaching the next
article
also helps ensure that the stored articles will riot be damaged by the pickup
head 224.
When a "reset" switch (not shown) is activated by the machine operator,
control system 400 automatically defaults to using the above height detection
>.5 technique since it can be assumed that the operator may have changed the
product
load levels and consequently the product heights in each bin.
It is noted that in an alternate embodiment, a simpler way of controlling
operation of blower motor 226 and the approach of pickup head 224, without
knowing
30 the specific article height, would be to turn on the blower motor 226, or
slow down
the pickup head 224 just prior to the learned stack height of the prior vend.
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For the embodiments described nerem, it is assul~~crtriat ~n~;gJtia~~JO~ tie,
blower motor or other suction creating device (or alternatives thereto, such
as a valve
operated source of vacuum), is meant to be equivalent to the appearance of a
prompt
package securing force, i.e., suction, at the pickup head 224.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, since the
control
system keeps track of the movement of hose 220 and carriage 218 by sensing
pulses
from a shaft encoder or other distance measuring device on each of their
respective
drive motors, the signal generated by the switch in airflow junction box 229
at the
time carriage 2I 8 reaches the dispensing chute 2I0 can also be used as a
check to
ensure that control system 400 accurately counted the motor drive pulses, and
can re-
calibrate its positioning system based on the virtual home, if necessary.
In the event that the stored articles could be easily damaged, and delicate
handling is required, e.g., the stored articles comprise soft plastic bags of
potato chips,
further modifications to the above-described apparatus may be desirable. For
example, in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the
pickup tip
227 (shown in Figure 2B) includes pleated or "bellows" type sides and is
constructed
of a soft compliant rubber or plastic, so that when tip 227 contacts a package
to be
removed, the sudden increase in negative air pressure inside hose 220 causes
the
length of tip 227 to suddenly decrease. This effect tends to rapidly and
momentarily
contract the gripping end of pickup head 224 from the article and might even
apply a
slight lifting to the package. This hose contracting/package lifting can be
important,
since weight portion 223 of pickup head 224 may be significant. Such weight
may
have a tendency to crush or otherwise damage a delicate package in the storage
area if
it makes a forceful contact with the package. 'The length of tip 227 and the
aggressiveness of its "pleats" is a matter of design choice, and should be
determined
so as to provide a hose contraction by an amount which is equal to or greater
than the
expected downward travel of pickup head 224 due to time delay/lag in effecting
a
braking and stopping of the z drive motor (310 of FIG. 3), by control system
300 and
its associated sensors, and the mechanical linkages associated therewith.
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Alternatively, or in addition to the hose contraction
''~rovideil~=by~''coih~ili'~nt tip je~
227 , a sufficiently compliant hose 220 may be designed to provide a desired
amount
of lift.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, although speed is
important, and generally the hose 220 is driven at a maximum allowable speed,
when
handling delicate articles, the speed at which pickup head 224 is driven by
control
system 400 towards a package to be retrieved, is reduced as pickup head 224
approaches the stored package. Since control system 400 maintains updated
information about the height of each stack of stores articles in the storage
bins 10,
appropriate speed control, i.e., slow-down, during the approach of pickup head
224
towards a stored article can be accomplished. Such slow down provides some
tolerance in the downward travel and reversal of pickup head 224, so as to
prevent the
weight associated therewith from "crashing" into and thereby crushing a
delicate
package. A similar type of speed control can also be used on the upward
direction of
pickup head 224, so as to prevent it from crashing into the underside of
carriage 218,
as well as at the ends of the left/right and front/back travel of carriage
218.
Additionally, wherein slide 228 has extended beyond the front edge of beam
230, the above-described mechanism for positioning carriage 2I8 is
particularly
advantageous in that it allows for a support beam, such as 22 which is limited
in
length so that it can travel within the full extent, i.e., wall-to-wall,
within the cabinet
of the vending machine (and behind corner support gussets, brackets and
partitions
such as partition 208 of FIG. 8, yet still allow for carriage 218 to extend
beyond its
2S front so that a desired article can be positioned into a customer retrieval
area which is
outside the interior confines of the vending machine cabinet.
Many of the benefits of the inventions described herein could also be
particularly useful in an article dispensing apparatus of the type having a
refrigerated
compartment, such as a chest freezer including various doors thereon (such as
described for the ice cream dispenser in US patent 5, 240,139), in combination
with
the forenoted controls for creating and/or maintaining suction at the gripping
end of
the suction hose
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While this invention has been particularly shown and described with
references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those
skilled in
the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended
claims. In fact, many such changes are already noted in this description.
Those
skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than
routine
experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention
described specifically herein. For example, although a suction providing air
hose 220
has been disclosed in the described preferred embodiments, in fact a solid
element
having a gripper at its free and, such as a mechanically operated claw (or an
electromagnetic device or even a self contained suction generator), could also
be
used. ... Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed in the scope of the
appended claims..
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Apparatus
1) A vending apparatus, for dispensing articles including some or all of the
following
a. An article ID device which can identify articles being dispensed from
the machine ( can include a camera, or a bar code scanner,and can
apply to other types of dispensing machines such as spiral machines,
food machines, beverage machines
b. Ability to disable dispensing of at least some of the articles stored
therein, in a predetermined fashion, without the need for any
communication or any disable code being input from any source
external to the machine or its control system ( The control system is
able to shut the machine down even if the whereabouts of the machine
are unknown to an interested party)
c. Ability to re-enable dispensing of articles when an authorization code
is received and input into the machine.( can be input by devices such as
a keypad, a modem, a portable computer, a wireless device, a modem,
a memory storage device, a telephone, an Internet connection etc.)
2) A dispensing machine with
a. A control system which includes:
I. A program memory for storing information relating to a
limited number of article selections (for example No more than
20 selections)
2$ ii. A program memory which contains defined information
detailing the identity of products which are authorized to be
dispensed.( can also include ability to store the identity of
products which are not authorized to be dispensed from the
machine)
In one aspect of the invention, any or all of the relevant parameters in the
control
system can be adjusted, changed or eliminated by an authorized party. Many of
these
parameters are restrictions that can be used by one or more interested parties
to
enforce agreements and rule that the equipment will be governed by. These.
restrictiori's~ and changes thereto could include, for example:
1 ) determining the types of articles which are authorized to be dispensed or
sold
through the equipment
2) adjustingthe parameters which determine when or how the equipment is
partially or fully disabled.
3) Adjusting the programming in the control system to allow a machine to
disable in six month intervals up from one month intervals.
4) Changing the control system to disable the machine based on the amount of
product sold instead of based on the amount of time elapsed.
5) Eliminating any or all of the restrictions on the machine whatsoever
6) Changing the price that products could be sold for
7) Giving the ability to allow some or all articles to be dispensed for a
reduced
rate or for no charge
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8) Changing the parts of the machine which will be disabled( eg. The coin
mechanism, the dispensing apparatus, the bill acceptor etc.)
9) Changing the specific data that someone can gain access to
Potential Parties, Third parties or Interested parties
1) End Consumer
2) Location Landlord
3) Equipment Operator
4) Money Lender
5) Product Producer
6) Data Management Entity
7) Asset management entity
8) Equipment Producer
9) Interested parties are generally entities which have a vested interest in
the
equipment. They can include but are not limited to;
a. Companies that own the equipment
b. Banks, money lenders, leasing companies,
c. product manufacturers which may own part or all of a machine, or be
giving subsides to the operator of the machine
d. vending machine manufacturers which may have a financial interest in
the machine.
e. Data management companies which expect to receive sales and other
data from the machine. These entities may be independent and buy the
data from the vending machine operator or other party that owns the
data, or they may manage the data from the machines an for the benefit
of another interested party, such as a consumer products company.
f. Asset management companies which manage assets for the owners.
For example, a food company may pay a management company to
manage and protect the food company's machines.
1) Rule enforcement, Disables part or all of the system capabilities if
a. Machine attempts to dispense unauthorized articles
b. The machine does not receive an authorization code prior to a specific
time
c. The machine does not receive an authorization code prior to dispensing
a specific amount of articles
d. The machine does not receive an authorization code prior to receiving
a specific total amount of aggregate payments from end users
2) Revenue sharing
REVENUE SHARING method
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Whereby an interested party wishes to gain some benefit from the ongoing sales
revenue generated out of a vending machine. In this aspect of the invention,
there are
many structures which can be beneficial all parties involved. This method can
involve
as few as two parties but can also involve many more parties.
For example, a company that wishes to finance vending machines for a vending
machine operating entity (the "operator" who makes money actually operating
the
equipment) can make the machine available to the operator in return for an
agreed
upon payment structure. This payment structure may or may not include a
predetermined fee for the use of the machine. The payment structure can at
least
partially be based on the amount of revenue or related movies which are sold
or
dispensed from the machine. So in one case, the operator might pay the finance
company a monthly fee for the machine as well as be responsible for paying a
fee
which is calculated as being a percentage of the sales or profits generated
from the
machine as agreed upon in advance.
In another aspect, the operator of the machine may have agreements with
several
parties relating to the same machine. For example, a machine operator may have
five
product manufacturing companies ( companies A,B,C,D and E) one leasing company
and one data and asset management company involved with the same machine. All
five of the product companies have an interest in their product being sold out
of the
machine. In this example, two of the product companies, companies A & B are
giving
free product to the vending machine operator in exchange for sales, location
and
demographic data on their products being sold by the operator, as well as an
agreement from the operator to stock and sell at least 4 of any type of
products, which
are produced by companies A 8~ B, in the machine. One of the product
companies,
company C, pays an up front contribution towards the cost of the machine in
return
for an agreement by the operator to always sell and stock at least 6 articles
manufactured by the producer. Company C agrees to let the operator choose, at
the
operator's own discretion, any 2 of the articles produced by company C to put
in the
machine, however they both agree in advance that the remaining 4 product
selections
will be specific ones. Company D agrees to pay part of the monthly lease
payment for
the machine in exchange for the operator agreeing to stock and sell 10
specific article
selection types at all times ( produced by company D) and also in exchange for
the
operator agreeing to share a defined percentage (for example 3%)of his
revenues with
company D, to be paid by the operator on a monthly basis. Company E agrees to
give the operator a one time payment and further agrees not to charge the
operator for
company E's products sold in the machine until one month after they are sold
out of
the machine ( offering the product to the operator on "consignment" ) in
exchange for
the operator agreeing to sell 8 specific types of company E's products out of
the
machine at all times and also pay 2% of revenue, from company E's retail sales
through the machine ,to company E. There is also a leasing company which has
leased
the machine to the operator. Since the operator has a limited credit history,
the leasing
company agrees to lease the machine to the operator under the condition that
the
machine will be programmed by a third party ( which can be the machine
manufacturer or another authorized party) to disable itself in the event that
an
authorization code is not received and input into the machine on a monthly
basis. This
authorization code will be made available to the operator and the machine
every
month on the condition that the operator maintains his financial obligations
to the
leasing company. The product producers can each have similar agreement with
the
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operator which would require them to authorize the release of authorization
codes
which need to be input into the machine in order to avoid the disabling a part
or all of
the machine. Separate authorization codes from the separate product companies
( or
from their agents)can be withheld in order to force a disabling of the product
selections that relate to their individual agreements with the operator. Since
this can
be a cumbersome situation for the product companies and even the leasing
company
to manage, They can authorize agents or utilize one agent to manage their
interests in
the machine. Such a data and asset management company can monitor the machine
and require the sales and other data be reported to them from the machine
operator
or the machine directly, if it so enabled) in order to confirm that the
operator is
following the agreed upon various contracts with the various interested
parties which
the management company is accountable to. In this example, the Leasing company
and the five product producers decide to utilize the services of the same
asset and data
management company. The management company also requires that a nominal
fee(for
example, .25% ) of the sales from the machine must be paid to the management
company for their services by the operator. The management company now is
legally
bound and entrusted to manage the machine for the parties involved based on
agreements ( typically in writing). One other function that the management
company
can perform is to verify to the parties that there are no conflicts between
the terms of
any of the agreements involved, preferably this is done before any new
contract is
signed. One function that the management company performs is getting any and
all
agreed upon data from the operator and or the machine so that proper decisions
of
authorization code releases can be made. This requires the machine to have the
ability
to compile the relevant data in a format that is transferable and meaningful
to the third
party( in this case the third party is the management company). In addition,
it is
important that the data which is retrieved from the machine is accurate and
true and
not tampered with. Advantageously, the machine should be equipped with the
ability
to encrypt or encode the data coming out of the machine so that an operator
can not
try to corrupt or adulterate it. Therefore, even though accessing the data and
communication from the machine may depend on the operator's cooperation, the
operator has no ability to change the authentic data from the machine. The
external
computer used to read the data and authenticate the operations of the machine
will
first be able to verify that the data has not been adulterated, since the
encryption
technique will verify, for example that the code sent has come from a specific
machine at a specific time and in an authentic manner etc.
The above scenario puts the power in the hands of the product companies and
banks.
There is also the example where the operator "rents out" space in the machine
One,SEVERAL OR ALL OF THE INTERESTED PARTIES COULD UTILIZE A
COMMON AGENT, SUCH AS A MANAGEMENT COMPANY, TO PROTECT
THEIR INTERESTS AND TO ENFORCE THEIR AGREEMENTS, WHICH
AGREEMENT MAY BE INDEPENDENT OR COMBINED, WITH THE
OPERATOR
Agreements can have a term and the parties can agree what will happen to the
restrictions on the machine or the machine itself at the end of a term.
A machine can be set up to facilitate both revenue sharing and rule
enforcement.
For example, a
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Eg. Where the asset and data management company acts enables the product
producers in the eg. Above to collect their payments and apply them toward the
leasing company until any excess is reached which is then forwarded to the
operator
Rules
l0 1) A VENDING APPARATUS WHICH IS CONTROLLED BY
CONTROL SYSTEM, WI~REBY UPON THE OCCURRENCE
OF A SPECIFIC DISABLING EVENT, SAID CONTROL
SYSTEM CAN CAUSE THE DISABLEMENT OF AT LEAST
PART OF THE FUNCTIONALITY OR CAPABILITY OF AT
is LEAST PART OF THE VENDING APPARATUS, OR TO
CAUSE THE DISABLEMENT OF AN APPARATUS WHICH
OPERATES IN CONJUNCTION WITH SAID VENDING
APPARATUS, UNLESS AN AUTHORIZATION CODE IS
RECEIVED BY THE CONTROL SYSTEM.
i. Where the disabling is caused by a control system, which is
linked to the machine, and which automatically occurs at a
predetermined time or time interval.WI~REIN THE
2s DISABLING EVENT, AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, IS
THE PASSAGE OF A SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF TIME
(CAN THIS WORDING INCLUDE A RANDOM
AMOUNT OF TIME? )
ii. Where the disabling is caused by an electronic communication
which is communicated to a control system, which is linked to the
machine, which disabling communication can occur as
determined by a third party or entity, other than the entity which
has physical possession of the apparatus. WI~REIN THE
DISABLING EVENT,AS DESCRIBED TO ABOVE, IS.....
iii. Where the disabling is caused by a control system linked to the
machine when the machine has performed a specific amount of
operating cycles.
iv. Where the disabling is caused by a control system linked to the
machine when the machine has dispensed a specific amount of
articles.
v. Where the disabling is caused by a control system linked to the
machine when the machine has accepted a specific amount of
payments.
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vi. . Where the disabling is caused by a control system linked to
the machine when the machine has performed a specific amount
of operating cycles within a specific amount of time.
vii. Where the disabling is caused by a control system linked to the
s machine when the machine has accepted a specific amount of
payments within a specific amount of time.
viii. Where the disabling is caused by a control system linked to
the machine when the machine has sold a specific amount of
articles within a specific amount of time.
ix. Where the disabling is caused by a control system linked to the
machine when the machine has dispensed a specific amount of
articles within a specific amount of time.
x. Wherein said control system contains at least one secure micro
chip, which has the ability to produce or store a code which can
be utilized to verify the authenticity of a potential authorization
code, which said potential authorization code has been
communicated to the control board from a source remote to the
vending apparatus.
xi. Wherein said at least part of the vending apparatus as described
above can include an apparatus or electronic device which is
connected physically, electronically or communicatively with any
part of the vending apparatus.
xii. Wherein the control system which controls the apparatus can
be comprised of one or any of a combination and quantity of
electronic controllers, computers or electronic devices.
2) A controlling third party (for example bank, product producer,
data management company, leasing or finance company ) controls
the ability to release an authorization code to enable the partial or
full functionality and capability of a specific machine.
i. In the event that the entity operating the machine is in violation
of any rule as agreed upon by a controlling third party.
1. Where the rules may include requiring the machine operating
entity to ;
a. Communicate specified data to a third party.
b. Make a payment to a third party
c. Operate the equipment under specified guidelines
d. Sell only articles or products which are authorized by a
third party
e. Maintain the equipment in an agreed upon fashion.
f. Operate the equipment in a location which is specified.
g. Maintain the product being sold in a fashion and with
standards which are acceptable to a third party.
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h. Display graphics or pictures which are acceptable to a third
party
i. Sell product at a price point acceptable to a third party
j. Not tamper or dismantle or disable any specific part of the
equipment
k. Not disable or tamper with a product ID device such as a
bar code scanner
1. Not move the machine from a given location
2. Where the equipment has a multiple capabilities or
functionalities, at least some of which, can be at least partially
disabled in a manner as described above, by any one of a
multiple, third controlling parties.
3. Where the equipment has a multiple capabilities or
functionalities, at least some of which, can be at least partially
disabled in a manner as described above, by all of a multiple
of third controlling parties.
Article Producer Methods
Product / article producer has an interest in at least one article
dispensing machine, and wishes to have ability to control aspects
of the dispensing capability of the machine, further where the
controls) involves a set of rules that must be adhered to by the
machine, further where the rules include at least one control
parameter which determines the specific type of articles which can
be dispensed, furthermore where the control system uses a ID
device to determine whether a particular article is authorized to be
dispensed, furthermore
1 ) where the article dispenser is being operated by a
party other than the article producer and where the
article producer is gaining the benefits of controlling its
interests in the article dispenser by enabling the control
system to follow a set of rules which are acceptable to
and or determined (directly or indirectly ) by the article
producer.
2) Where the machine is set to partially or full disable some or
all of the machine's functions in the event that the rules set
in the control system ( directly or indirectly by the article
producer) are violated.
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3) Where the dispensing machine can be reset by use of an
authorization / enable code being received by the control
system of the machine.
4) like (a) above where the article producer is able achieve at
least some control over the machine ( as stated above) by
utilizing at least one other party ( other than the product
producer and or the vending operator / such as an agent, a
broker, a data management company, a computer reporting
company)
5) as above Where the authorization codes axe able to be
generated/ stored in a data computer Where the data
computer is able to store data relevant to the rules and the
history of rule adherence / violation by the operator of the
machine.
6) Where the computer can do an automatic comparison
between the rules and the historical adherence/violation data
received from the computer associated with the dispensing
machine (or portion/bin of the machine).
7) Where the data management computer can determine
whether or not the continuation/authorization- enabling code
should be made available to the control system associated
with the dispensing machine.
8) Where the enabling codes) are made available to the
dispensing machine.
9) Where the enabling codes are not made available to the
dispensing machine.
10) Where the data management computer system (network /
computer / lan/wan etc. ) is able to generate reporting
information regarding the rule history of AT LEAST ONE
OF a given dispensing machine which can be useful to the
article producer.
11 ) Where reports generated can be utilized by article producer
to determine whether to modify the rules for at least one
machine operator.
12) Where data management computer can also have multiple
article producers' separate rules being applied to at least one
machine.
13) Where machine is set up to have a fixed number of total
selections available as pre-set/controlled by a computer
system (internal or remote).
14) Where the set number of selections is determined/limited
by the control system and governed by the article producer
+/or their agents rules.
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15) Where the limitation of the number of selections can be
modified only with the permission of at lest one the parties
who set the rules.
16) Where the changes to the number of selections allowed is
accomplished by an authorization code sent to a control
system which controls the machine.
17) (need all of these claims also in combination with graphics
and or tamper and or fixed graphics sheets etc.and or
graphics with embedded security chips or RF tags ( said rf
tagslprinting can be embedded in various non-detectable
locations so that the machine will not function without
communication to the graphics sheet.
18) Where continuation / enable codes for at least one of a
given machine can be given to allow some of the articles in a
machine to continue to be sold as normal and unrestricted,
while yet other articles are not authorized to be sold.
19) Where codes can be sent to the machine in order to allow
continuation of VENDING FROM AT LEAST ONE OF A
SPECIFIC STORAGE AREA OF THE ENTIRE STORAGE
AREA IN THE DISPENSING MACHINE. ( this is critical
to allow mars to shut down bins from a violation on x
number of bins , while still allowing Hershey to operate bins
which have not had a violation related to them ( or even need
to have claims which allow bins to be shut down without a
specific violation of a rule, but for example, just because the
contract is invalid or expired or under negotiation or non-
existent)
20) Where the machine control system ( NEED TO DEFINE
MACHINE CONTROL SYSTEM) will shut at least part of
the machine's functionality down unless the machine control
system has received authorization initiated from an external
source (lan, wan, Web, phone, wireless, handheld, micro
device,) on a periodic basis.
21 ) Where there is a protocol between the machine control and
the external control, whereby the machine control must first
send data to the external control which data relates to the
functions and certain specified ( claim examples as
dependents) sales related data, and or article dispensing data,
( can include BCR data, machine usage data, uptime data,
out of order data).
22) Where the outside control then does analyses of the
incoming data received from the machine control system and
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makes determinations regarding what if any authorization
codes should be released to the machine controller.
23) Where the authorization information/codes ( and or
disabling codes.. in the case of a partial approval...where
some bins may continue but others may not) are made
available to the machine control system to enable the aspects
of the machine which are authorized to be enabled.
24) Where the data sent back to the machine control include
changes of rules for the machine which reflect changes to the
contracts or rules agreed to by the involved parties
hershey's releases 2 bins for general all purpose use, mars
"contracts" to get access to one of the ex-hershey bins, and
the operator - in this case - use the other released bin to
vend as he sees fit.)
Business method Scenarios
1) Whereby a Vending machine producer wishes to offer a machine to a
potential customer on a trial basis for a limited time or for a limited
amount of trial usage, and therefore sets the control system to have the
ability to disable part or all of the vending machine and it's functions.
This disabling can be determined and set to occur, for example, after a
specific amount of time has lapsed, or after a number of articles have
been dispensed, or after a specific amount of payments have been
made to the machine.
2) Whereby a Bank, money lender, leasing company, financial institution,
or investor or similar interested party has a concern regarding the fact
that the equipment can be easily moved from one location to another.
In order to improve their confidence that they can have some control
over a portable asset such as a vending machine, The machine can be
set to automatically disable unless an authorized code has been input
into the control system. If the interested party such as a money lender
has a concern about the whereabouts of the machine or the payments
are overdue on a given machine, the money lender can decide not to
release an authorization code for one or more machines. Since this
would render the machines inoperable to the one in physical
possession of the machine, the lender can be very confident that he
will be able to either retrieve the payments due to him, or at the least
the money lender, in this example, should be able to repossess the
machine since it has little value to anyone in the disabled state.
Furthermore, the machine can have the ability to disable itself or be
disabled in the event that the machine has been moved. This can be
accomplished, for example, by putting sensors on the machine in order
to detect the types of motion which would occur if the machine were to
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be moved. In the event, for example, that a machine has been lost or
stolen and or sold to a third party in an illegal fashion and without the
permission of the lender, the new person taking possession of the
machine would naturally call the manufacturer of the machine, or their
agent or distributor, in order to re-enable the machine. At that point, the
inquiry could be used to alert the lender as to the whereabouts of the
machine. In addition, the interested party can set the machine to
display the phone number and other contact information or other
messages on the graphic or digital display of the machine so that a
person in possession of a stolen, lost or seized machine can know
whom to contact. This message and the disabling feature itself also
acts as an barrier to someone trying to sell a disable machine. Other
interested parties, such as product and food producers, may also want
to be able to control the movement of machines they have an interest
in, and therefore they can also benefit from forcing the machine to be
disabled in the event it is moved. Manufacturers who expect their
products to be being dispensed at a specific location will want to know
if a specific machine was removed from the location.
3) Any interested party may also have a desire to have access to certain
' information which can be communicated to them from the machine.
Such information could include
CONTROL BOARD AND CHIP SECURITY
1 ) The data that the control system uses, in order to determine whether or
not a given
article is authorized to be dispensed, is able to be updated and uploaded from
an
electronic data input device such as a computer, a portable computer, a memory
storage device or other similar input device. In addition, a keypad attached
to the
machine can also be used as the data input device. Can also be communicated by
phone lines or a through a wireless transmission. The information and data
being
communicated to the controls system can be encrypted or secured using a known
secure communications link. In addition, high security computer chips which
have
specific security features can be operable in the control system in order to
facilitate a
secure transmission of data to and from the machine control system. These
secure
communications to and from the control system can safeguard against any
unauthorized party from attempting to learn how to cheat the authorization
code
system. In this way, the control system cannot be studied by an unauthorized
party
attempting to ascertain what the next possible authorization code or code
sequence is
going to be. In the event that someone were to try and replace the main
control board
with a "fake" board or a "cheater" control board, the machine can have one or
multiple security devices or computer chips mounted in various components,
apparatus and accessories throughout the equipment and machine. These security
devices can communicate with each other so as to be designed to disable
specific
components or apparatus within the machine, in the event that any tampering of
the
control system has been detected by any one of the security devices in the
machine.
So, for example, if someone were to try and replace the main micro-controller
board
of the machine with an unauthorized controller board, security devices and
features in
components such as the motors, digital displays, touch screens, wire
harnesses,
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keypads, encoders, switches, control boards, motor controllers, or any other
electronic
device,could be designed to disable one or several capabilities or functions
of at least
one aspect of an apparatus or part of the machine, thereby rendering the
apparatus
partially or fully disabled and inoperable. A security scheme such as
described above
can have many variations and embodiments, however the key idea of this aspect
of the
invention is to cause it to be highly impractical
for someone to benefit financially by trying to cheat the system. Additional,
security
measures can be taken in order to protect the electronics and control system
of the
machine from being cheated, such as embedding part or all of the control
system in a
potting compound or an epoxy thereby making it inaccessible. In addition, one
could
secure the control system by using more conventional methods such as welding
or
locking key parts of the control system in an enclosure. Such an enclosure
could be
removable for servicing, whereby the entire enclosure can be replaced by
another
authorized unit while preventing all the while any unauthorized person from
gaining
access to the key component. Additionally, certain operational code for the
machine
can be kept in high security chips so that it becomes more expensive for a
person to
try and reverse engineer the control system, forcing them to engineer a
totally new
control system. Security measures such as those described above can give
confidence
to an interested party, such as a bank, a product manufacturer or a vending
machine
manufacturer, that they will be able to maintain some control over their
investment
and control over the machine. In the event that parts from a stolen machine
are
installed in another machine, they can be designed to not work without an
authorization code.
While the preferred embodiment of the rule enforcement and disabling
techniques described herein is described as utilizing a robotic vending
machine,
Other machine designs can greatly benefit from the same business methods and
the same disabling techniques and concepts. For example, some of these
techniques can be modified to function successfully in spiral snack machines
as
well as beverage machines
A machine programmed to disable itself after a certain predetermined amount of
vending has occurred within a predefined amount of time, so that if the
operator
wishes to continue to use the machine for additional usage within that define
time range they will have to pay for additional usage in order to re-enable
the
machine and continue to operate. If the operator negotiates this in advance he
can avoid the shut down of the machine.
Where the disabling of the machine can include the disabling of any key
apparatus or accessory associated with the machine, such as the bill
validator,
the coin meth etc.
Disabling anuaratus
For the optical article identification (ID) system:
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~ A bar code or other image/vision recognition system for verifying stored
article
and/or proper operation and dispensing of article.
~ Use of a robotic mechanism for bringing stored articles to the article ID
system.
THE ROBOT CAN PASS THE ARTICLE IN PROXIMITY TO THE ID DEVICE
OR SCANNER AND MOVE THE PRODUCT IN A PATTERN TO ENABLE A
CODE SEARCH PROCESS TO HELP LOCATE THE CODE ON THE ARTICLE,
ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTROLS SYSTEM CAN USE THE INFORMATION
LEARNED FROM A PRIOR PACKAGE CODE SEARCH TO IMPROVE THE
EFFICIENCY OF SUBSEQUENT SEARCHES AND SEARCH PATTERNS OF
ARTICLES FROM THE SAME BIN, OR PRESUMED TO BE OF THE SAME
TYPE AS ONE ALREADY SCANNED. FOR EXAMPLE, ONCE THE CODE OF
A CERTAIN ARTICLE TYPE HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE SCANNED WITH THE
ROBOT A CERTAIN DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE SCANNER, THEN THE
NEXT TIME A SIMILAR ARTICLE IS BEING SCANNED,THE ROBOT CAN
BEGIN IT'S SEARCH WITH THE ROBOT IN THE SAME RELATIVE POSITION
RELATIVE TO THE SCANNER AS THE POINT OF SUCCESS OF THE PRIOR
SCAN.(The robotic mechanism can be selectively controlled so as to improve the
reliability of article identification, i.e., movement of article past the ID
system can
be slowed, and for flexible bag articles, the article may be "jiggled" so as
to
change the flex of the bag and thereby improve scanning of a bar-code or
better
optical recognition of an image
~ Scanning for article ID can be at any time for verification and operation
purposes,
i.e., not just during or as part of a vend cycle, but also between cycles.
~ Proper operation and dispensing of article may include adherence to
predetermined rules, and interaction with the control system for reporting and
enforcement purposes, as well as further control of the vending machine for
furthering the enforcement purposes. ArticIeS identified as unauthorized can
be
put back in bin, or dispensed and then further article dispensing from that
storage
area can be disabled(UN,AUTHORIZED ARTICLES CAN ALSO BE
AUTOMATICALLY PLACED BY ROBOT IN A SPECIAL HOLDING AREA FOR
LATER INSPECTION)
~ Article ID apparatus can also be manually used by the machine operator for
inventory management.
~ Use of an optical ID system for spiral/Gravity feed machines to identify
article
package type, etc. prior to being dispensed, e.g., while article is falling
(or rolling,
in the case of beverage container etc.) or already landed at the customer
retrieval
area.
~ Determination of article ID is made during a dispensing operation, after
dispense
is initiated and the cycle is irreversible.
~ Article ID for inventory management, Pay As You Vend (PAYV) equipment
financing, or for calculating incentives based on proper operation and/or
adherence to rules
~ Addition of circuitry enabling remote connectivity of the vending machine
for
inventory management, as well as for operational control.
New business methods relating to the above-noted enforcement possibilities.
That
is:
~ Once there is article ID (SUCH AS A BAR CODE SCANNER, AN RF OR A
CAMERA) along with other data available about the dispensing operation of the
machine, it is possible to set up rules for the "Authorized" operation of the
machine, and if those rules are not followed, part or all of the vending
machine
can be shut-down.
~ The enforcement possibility facilitates AMONG OTHER THINGS "Pay As You
Vend" (PAYV) business methods, where the purchase price (or a lease or bonus
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payment) of a vending machine, or for that matter any other type of article
handling/dispensing apparatus, can be set up so that, AS AN EXAMPLE,
periodic payments are made based on the quantity or value of the articles
handled during a given time period. If the data needed to calculate the
payments
DUE BY THE PARTY LEASING THE EQUIPMENT, or the payments
themselves, are not provided, the machine may be pre-programmed to
automatically default to a shut-down mode AT SOME POINT IN TIME. If the
payments and/or data are provided, authorization codes are given to the
operator
(PREFERABLY BEFORE THE EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN) which
prevent the default shut-down. AN AUTHORIZATION CODE CAN ALSO BE
GIVEN TO RE-ACTIVATE A MACHINE THAT HAS BEEN FULLY OR
PARTIALLY DISABLED In a vending machine environment, this can be
implemented by a machine manufacturer (or a distributor[ or a] ,finance
company,
OR A PRODUCT MANUFACTURER), providing a vending machine to an
operator, and require that the operator make periodic financing payments based
on the quantity or value of the articles vended during a given time period
prior to
the payment date. The machine can be pre-programmed to shut-down if an
authorization code is not entered at periodic intervals. The authorization
code
COULD be given to the operator,OR COMMUNICATED TO THE MACHINE if the
proper payment, and sales data are made. This results in a win-win situation
for
both parties, since the more successful the operation of the machine, the more
money is available for the operator to make larger payments, and the more
money the manufacturer or lessor is able to make in a given time period.
New business methods relating to advantages provided to the machine operator
by
the above described novel apparatus. For example:
~ Once a reliable and verifiable database of sales data is available, it can
be used
to obtain volume discounts, both for the operator (from the article
manufacturers),
and for loyal customers (from grateful operators or as a promotion, etc from
an
article manufacturer).
~ Once a reliable and verifiable database of sales data is available, it can
be used
as a feedback tool to the machine operator, where adherence to predetermined
rules may result in the operator getting an incentive or bonus.
~ Once a reliable and verifiable database of sales data is available, it can
be used
as a basis for a lease payment for the space where the machine is positioned,
such as at a shopping mall.
~ The database can be made accessible to interested parties via the Internet
or
other remote accessing technique, which will further facilitate this business
method.
10. Use of article/article handling/dispensing of the type noted above, in
alternative
environments
~ Gas stations islands, where products are delivered to the customers using,
e.g., a
pneumatic tube, from a remote storage area using an article/article
handling/dispensing apparatus for dispensing the products prior to being
placed
into the tube
~ Automated convenience stores
~ Automated supermarkets, etc.
~ Automated storerooms/stockrooms in an office building, etc.
The apparatus and a business method in as described herein wherein the article
identification is used by the user interface and control apparatus for making
all or
part of the apparatus inoperable.
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A business method as described herein wherein inoperability of the apparatus
is
used as an enforcement mechanism to stimulate adherence by an operator or
owner of the apparatus to predetermined rules.
A business method as described wherein inoperability of the apparatus is used
as
an enforcement mechanism to stimulate reporting of sales and inventory data
to a central authority.
A business method as described herein, wherein inoperability of the apparatus
is
used as an enforcement mechanism to stimulate adherence to plan-o-grams
(proper
article layout by person stocking the apparatus with article, i.e., the route
driver).
A business method as described herein, wherein an incentive or bonus is
provided to the route driver for adherence to the plan-o-grams.
relating to article ID system for sairals
1. An article dispensing apparatus, comprising:
~ a storage volume for storing articles along a plurality of longitudinal
axes;
~ a plurality of article transporting mechanisms, each including an elongated
spiral-shaped article transporting device for selectively transporting an
article
along one of the plurality of longitudinal axes and out of the storage volume;
~ a drive mechanism coupled to each article transporting device for rotating a
selected one thereof for causing transportation of an article out of the
storage
volume ; and
~ user interface and control apparatus for allowing a user of the dispensing
apparatus to initiate an article dispensing operation, and to cause controlled
rotation of the article transporting device so that a selected article is
extracted
from the article storage area and moved along a path to a dispensing area of
the
dispensing apparatus, and
~ an article identification device, mounted within the dispensing apparatus,
and
operated so as to provide identification of an article before, during or after
it
moves to the dispensing area
The apparatus described , wherein the article identification device uses
imaging
optics to provide article identification.
The apparatus described wherein the article identification device comprises a
bar
code scanner.
An Apparatus wherein the article identification provided by the article
identification
device is used by the user interface and control apparatus for:
a) shutting down or disabling further dispensing of articles in alignment with
one or
more of the longitudinal axes.
An Apparatus, wherein disabling of said dispensing is overcome, or re-enabled,
in
response to input to the control portion of the user interface and control
apparatus of
an encoded authorizing signal.
An Apparatus wherein disabling of said dispensing is overcome, or re-enabled,
in
response to the passage of time.
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as directed to Restriction Capabilities
- An article storage and retrieval and/or dispensing system !apparatus which
includes a the
following:
a) At least one article retrieval mechanism;
b) At least one article identification system including at least one article
identification device and/or input device(such as a bar code scanner or
camera and vision or optical identification system );
c) A plurality of article storage areas wherein articles authorized to be
retrieved and/or dispensed are stored; and
d) At least one control system for controlling said article retrieval
mechanism, said control system being preprogrammed to disable the
ability of articles to be retrieved and/or dispensed based on a given
operational parameter reaching a threshold value;
e) further including,
~ means for providing an externally input authorization signal for
overcoming said preprogrammed disabling, andlor
~ means coupled with the article id system for detecting attempted
retrieval and/or dispensing of unauthorized articles, and
deactivating ability to retrieve articles from at least one of said
storage areas, and/or
~ communication means for providing, communication between
said control system and a remote site, wherein if said
communication means is disabled or tampered with, ability to
retrieve articles from at least one of said storage areas is
deactivated, where communication means can be a digital
display, a portable computer, amemory storage device, a phone
line, wireless, Internet etc.
~ whereby said article m system performs self checks, and if
evidence of tampering with proper operation of the B7 system is
detected, the ability to retrieve articles from at least one of said
storage areas is deactivated, and/or
wherein once ability to retrieve articles from at least one of said
storage areas is deactivated, a new authorization code is required
to reactivate the apparatus.
Specific Storage area/article restrictions
Article retrieval system ( which may or may not include a specific single
customer interface,
as in the case of an automated store) which contains a memory capable of
storing information
such as the information relating to the articles which may be stored in the
article storage
area(s).
a) whereby-the control system is capable of determining whether or not
an article which is identified by the id system is an article which is
authorized to be stored/retrieved/dispensed in/by the apparatus.
1) Whereby ( in one example) there are less id systems / input
devices ( Scanners) than there are storage compartments or
spirals etc., and/or
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2) Whereby there is only one id input device, and/or
3) Whereby Article is moved from initial storage area (to a
central scanning area) in order to scan article, and/or
4) Whereby a memory/database of articles (data stored in
controller memory or external computer memory) is
provided, including the list of articles which are authorized to
be dispensed from said dispensing device
5)
b) Whereby the control system is able to denyldeactivate the access of future
retrieval attempts by the apparatus of any specific articles/storage area(s),
in the event that the article id system or the control system has
determined, that a specific article which was previously retrieved from
that same area was not an "authorized article". This is based on a
comparison between the article id information gathered by the id system
on a given article and an list of authorized articles which is stored in the
memory accessible to the control system ( e.g., from a web-site , off
location / external database, an internal memory, etc.).
1) Whereby the determination of the authorization of a specific
article is made after the article is removed from the storage area,
and/or
2) Whereby, after the control system has detected an unauthorized
article, the control system prevents any further retrieval of
articles from that specific axea, and/or
3) This restriction can not be cleared by the operator unless
physically present at the machine, and/or
4) Whereby the first detected unauthorized article from any specific
storage area is dispensed into the retrieval area, and/or
5) Whereby the first detected unauthorized article from any specific
storage area is placed back in the original storage area/container,
prior to deactivating further access to that same storage
area/container in the future, or
6) Whereby the first detected unauthorized article from any specific
storage area is placed into a separate article rejection storage
area/container, prior to deactivating further access to that same
storage area/container in the future, or
7) whereby the control and or article id system above has anti-
tamper features including mechanical, electronic, software,
electronic hardware systems which disable use of the control
system and thereby disable the use of the whole
retrieval/dispensing apparatus in a temporary or permanent
fashion in the event that tampering of the system has occured
a) whereby the above tamper resistance mechanisms
include the requirement of access to an encrypted
code, which must be input into the control system
via numerous possible methods, wireless, manual
keypad,modem, handheld computer, etc. ) in order to
re-activate the apparatus after a tamper related
deactivation of the apparatus has occured.
b) whereby the control system has at least one tamper
evidencing system which enables an authorized
person to detect the unauthorized tampering with the
control/ id system.
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3. 2
Revenue_Sharin~ concepts; Pav-As-You-Vend (PAYV)
An apparatus for providing a products to a user of the apparatus, comprising:
a first validating device (i.e., the selection buttons and the payment
mechanism),
responsive to operation2 by the user, for internally generating a first
validating signal
representative of a user desired product from the apparatus;
a second validating device, responsive to an input to said apparatus from a
remote site in
response at least in part to payments, of an encoded signal, for developing a
second validating
signal; and
a controller, requiring prior receipt of both of said fist and second
validated signals, before
allowing said apparatus to provide the selected product to the user.
1 defined in the text as goods, services or information
2 e.g., selection and payment
The apparatus wherein said controller includes an accumulation device for
developing a
disable signal Which prevents said controller from providing the selected
product to the user,
based on an accumulated value of at least one operation parameter3 of the
device reaching a
predetermined value.
3 such as one or more of "time, cycles, $ sales"
The apparatus wherein the operation parameter comprises one of
~ time,
~ $ sales volume
~ # of sales transactions.
A method of operating an apparatus for providing a product to a user of the
apparatus upon
product selection and payment by the user, comprising the following steps:
providing an apparatus where a non-user operator of the apparatus must make
payments to
a third party, based on an accumulated value of an operational parameter of
the apparatus.
A device for providing a product' to a user of the device, comprising:
~ a selection mechanism, responsive to operation by the user, for generating a
user selection
signal representative of the user selecting a desired product from the device;
~ a processor, responsive to accumulation of at least one operational
parameter of said
device, for generating reporting data representative of accumulated user
operation of the
device;
~ (optional) an output, responsive to said processor, for providing said
reporting data
externally to said device according to a predetermined schedule;
~ an input, for receiving an encoded authorizing signal which is generated at
least in part in
response to the providing of said reporting data to said output;
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~ (or - an input, for sequentially receiving encoded authorizing signals, each
encoded signal
being generated at least in part in response to a scheduled providing of said
reporting data
to said output)
~ a decoder, for decoding the encoded authorizing signals so as to develop a
decoded
authorizing signal;
~ a disabler, responsive to at least one operational parameter of said device,
for developing
a disabling signal after said operational parameter reaches a predetermined
accumulated
value; and)
~ a controller, which once disabled by application of said disable signal, is
enabled by
application of said enabling signal thereto, and can then respond to one or
more of said
user selection signals and provide product to the user.
A device for providing a products to a first-type of user of the device,
comprising::
~ a selection and payment mechanism, responsive to operation and payment by
the first-type of user, for generating a user selection signal representative
of the
first-type of user selecting and making an appropriate payment for a desired
product from the device;
~ an accounting means for keeping track of an accumulated value of at least
one
operation parameter3 of the device;
~ a memory having stored therein a predetermined accumulated value for the at
least one operation parameter of the device, said accumulated value based on a
payment by a second-type of user of the device to a third party; and
~ a comparator, coupled to said accounting means and said memory, for
comparing the accumulated value of the operation parameter to the stored
value,
and applying a disabling signal so that said selection and payment mechanism
becomes inoperable if said accumulated value is greater than said stored
value.
The device described above further including
a controller, for controlling the operation of the device, the controller
having a first
input responsive to said disabling signal for preventing said device from
providing
a selected product to said user even if the user has made an appropriate
selection and payment, and the controller having a second input responsive to
an
authorizing signal for preventing said disabling signal from being at least
partially
effective.
5. The device wherein the authorizing signal is automatically generated
internal to
said device based on the passage of time.
6. The device further including a resetting mechanism, responsive to an
internally or
externally input authorizing signal for resetting the accumulated value of the
operation parameter in the accounting means to a starting (i.e., minimum)
value.
7. The device define the difference between the first and second-types of
users (i.e.,
first-type is actual purchaser of product from device, and second-type is one
who
operates the device as a business for selling to purchasers).
8. The device wherein said controller creates notification/communication to
the
second-types of users (owner/operator ) of the status of the comparator.
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9. The device wherein said controller is coupled to a communication path
(internet,
wired or wireless modem), to send communication to a remote site for
accounting
and generation of the authorizing signal.
10. The device wherein the authorizing signal may only authorize a partial
operation
of the device.
11. A method for providing a products to a user of the device, comprising the
steps of:
controlling operation of the device so as to selectively provide said product
to a user;
preprogramming the device to automatically shut down (i.e., prevent
selectively providing
of said product to the user) based on accumulation to a predetermined value of
a give
operation parameter of the device, or accumulating at least the one operation
parameter3 of the
device during operation of the device.
the bar code reader mounted to an interior wall of cabinet and positioned so
that the
article moves over the scanned surface thereof during the dispensing
operation. In
this manner, control system can maintain accurate information relating to the
articles
dispensed by the vending machine, thereby enabling new methods for operating a
vending machine, a business for operating a vending machine, as well as a
business
for financing or leasing a vending machine, as described in other parts of
this
application. Since article ID is accomplished during dispensing, while the
machine is
not normally attended by the owner/operator, as compared to during loading,
more
reliable operational information is developed by the sales management
information
system. Although a bar code scanner is illustrated, alternative imaging
systems
could be used. For example, a digital still camera, an analog or digital video
camera
(or similar imaging device), or a radio-frequency (RF) ID device, may be used
for
obtaining article ID information.
PAYV
The above described apparatus can facilitate new business methods relating to
article or article identification during or as part of a dispensing apparatus.
Traditionally, feedback of article ll~ is important as an analysis tool for
the equipment owner
(or operator or food manufacturer) for inventory and/or plan-o-gram
information (product
positioning or lay-out in the apparatus).
I. Equipment Control System
A. Feedback tools using a microprocessor
1) barcode or radio-frequency (RF) scanning for article identification
2) optical (imaging) article identification system, for example, a
digital still camera, or an analog or digital video camera or
similar imaging device for obtaining article 1D information.
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3) Meter: for monitoring time, as well as total or incremental sales
volume or receipts over time, and using the monitored information to
control continued operation of the machine.
4) Meter: for per bin monitoring and control as noted in 3) above.
5) power outage/tamper sensors/machine transport sensors
6) maintenance (trouble) sensors
B. Feedback communication link for transmitting encrypted code
1) wireless: cell, beeper, infrared,
radio frequency (RF)
2) verbal/telephone
3) modem
4) hand-held device
III. Control Data Processing Center
A. Managed by or for the owner/operator
1 ) in order to give feedback for machine sales, , SKU's, time,
volume, employee performance, etc.
B. Managed by or for financial backers (interested parties)
1. for purpose to determine sales, total or incremental
2. to authorize continued use of machine using authorization
(enforcement) codes
a) flat rate installment financing
b) PAYV (Pay As You Vend) where the financial party
gives authorization codes for continued operation of the
machine based on successful periodic payments for
incremental use of the machine above a minimum use
agreed upon in the financing arrangement
c) monitor cash receipts to determine machine thefts or
illegal sales as a result of using an unauthorized control
system which bypasses regular monitoring and
reporting.
C. Managed by or for the article manufacturer (such as M&Ms, Pepsi, or
a management agent for an article manufacfiurer)
1. for purposes of monitoring and controlling compliance by the
equipment operator to predetermined and agreed upon rules,
and when meeting the rules giving authorization codes to the
equipment operator (for continued operation of equipment.)
a) such as x percent of article bins for
vending the article
of a particular manufacturer
b) x percent for no bins of a competitor's
article
c) maintaining payments for article being
timely made and
current including rental lease payments,
etc.
d) any other agreed upon terms (i.e., reporting
in a timely
manner)
e) meeting terms gives access to the proper
encrypted
data
f) allowing food company access to machine
location and
sales data
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IV. Possible On-Board Machine Enforcement Features
A. Machine defaults to shut-down when:
S
1. predetermined time intervals, e.g., every
three months
2. based on tampering of the machine via physical
movement, or
removal of computer board for control system,
or removal of
article ID or tampering with article ID system
3. full or partial shut-down of machine based
on non-inherence to
authorized article sales
4. based on a given dollar amount of sales within
a given time
interval
5, to reconcile the account once per year based
upon time, for
example, x sales, like a debit card with
no time limit or
6. x sales per unit time (e.g., $2000/3 mos.)
a) the above two billing schemes require
periodic
payments, monthly or yearly, and if not paid
by a
certain time or if paid late, the machine
is
preprogrammed to shut down, or it can be
manually
shut-down using wireless control, etc.
B. Machine requires authorization code from a governing body (e.g., the
central data processing center)
2S
1. prior to restarting the machine after a shut-down
2. prior to shutting down, based on an agreed upon time interval
shut-down
3. obtain authorization codes from a governing body in order to
allow machine to continue its operation
a) prior to a total dollar sale amount meter running low,or
b) prior to a timed shut-down, or
c) restarting after a prior shut-down
3S C. Controlled partial shut-down of the storage area
in response to detection of unauthorized article in system
V. Alternatives to consider
A. Default is to shut down machine
1. machine internally senses improper sales, or adherence to
rules and shuts itself down
4S
Restricted Vending Machine
SO 1. Revenue sharing: where payments by the operator or renter /
lessee to the owner/lessor of the equipment are based
on usage of the machine or , usage can be based on ,
operation cycles, an accounting of time that the operator
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has had use of the equipment, the amount of money that
the apparatus has generated, etc. Typically, revenue
sharing between an owner and an operator of the
apparatus is based on DATA descriptive of the
usage/operation of the machine. Prior art attempts at
revenue sharing have been less than satisfactory
because usage data can be falsely reported , or not
reported at all. Furthermore most revenue sharing
arrangements between an owner and an operator require
the operator to make payments to the owner, which
payments can be difficult to collect, especially since the
owner may not even know exactly where the equipment is
located. For these and other reasons, the present
invention provides an equipment (such as a vending
machine) which has a built in enforcement system. This
enforcement system partially or fully disables the
apparatus in the event that the machine is not operated in
accordance with preset rules which the operator and the
owner of the machine agreed upon in advance.
Revenue sharing arrangements can include linking the
operator's cost of using an apparatus to the revenue
which the apparatus will generate. Therefore it is possible
to make equipment available to an operator in a way
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that reduces the operator's risk. This risk to the operator is
reduced since the typically fixed costs associated with
renting or buying the equipment are now variable. This
enables the operator to have much more flexibility and
encourages business expansion into business
opportunities that would have previously been riskier or
not viable at all. This has benefits for both the equipment
operator ( e.g. reduced risk and greater financial
flexibility) and the equipment owner ( e.g. increased
sales of equipment, and can offer same equipment at
variable costs to customers based on usage without
jeopardizing the high profits which are generated by
conventional sales on equipment which may have no
restrictions). Obviously, the revenue sharing business
method can include sharing revenues or revenue based
payments with parties other than the operator and/ or the
owner, such as payments to a product producer who is
subsidizing the equipment or a real estate owner who
provides space for the equipment (e.g. such as at a
shopping mall or a factory).
2. Adherence to rules agreed upon by an equipment operator and owner ( or
other
party with a vested interest) of the machine. In the case that, as an example,
a product
producer who may sell the products or services to be vended from the apparatus
( or
another interested party) wishes to subsidize (partially or fully) the cost of
a piece of
equipment, there are often rules that the parties agree to in advance. These
rules may
typically require the operator to sell only certain types or kinds of
merchandise
through the equipment. Various arrangements are generally known where usage of
a
part or all of a piece of equipment will be restricted to a certain type of
product or a
specific brand. However, again these relationships have been based on trust
and
whatever reporting methods can be employed. In some cases, electronic
reporting
from the equipment directly or indirectly through a communication device can
be
used to inform the necessary parties as to the true nature of the usage of the
machine.
Several problems still exist however. One problem is that the owner has little
or no
direct way of enforcing his agreement with the operator. Currently, the Owner
or
interested party (perhaps in this case, a product producer) may have a
difficult time
verifying the reports from the equipment operator. Furthermore, the operator
may not
always be willing to be cooperative with the owner or other party and may not
give
them access to the necessary data from the apparatus. Even still further, even
if an
operator is willing to share data with another party, the operator may also
fmd it hard
to authenticate the specific products vended from an apparatus. For example,
in a
traditional spiral type vending machine, the selection D2 may be thought of as
storing
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one specific type or brand of product, when in reality the spiral instead is
storing and
dispensing a totally different brand or type of product. Regardless of whether
the
equipment is intentionally or unintentionally loaded incorrectly, the route
person in
the field might be the only one who realizes the discrepancy ( if anyone
realizes it at
all ). Therefore it is desirable to have the ability to Verify the identity of
the actual
product being stored in the apparatus. Other attempts have been made to
utilize bar
code scanners in vending machines in order to try and detect unauthorized
product in
the machine. The Sanyo patent .............. and the Murphy Patent..........
both show
some ways of trying to achieve this. The Sanyo patent shows bar code scanners
at the
loading point of a conventional beverage machine, whereby any unauthorized
product
would be detected at the time the product is loaded. This design may show some
benefit in the case of the machine operator or route service loading person
who
simply tries to mistakenly put the wrong product in the machine. However, this
design does little to actually prevent an intentional attempt by an operator
or other
person trying to put unauthorized product into the machine. This is due to the
fact that
if the detection of unauthorized products is occurring when the machine is
being
loaded, then that person could easily defeat the scanner in several ways. For
one, the
route person could cover up the bar code scanner with paper or another object
while
loading the machine. In another case, someone could simply have a piece of
paper
with an authorized bar code printed on it and by waving that over the bar code
scanner, the machine will be tricked into vending unauthorized product.
Referring to
the patent by Murphy, the same problem is dealt with in a somewhat similar
manner.
By placing a bar code scanner at each spiral (product storage area) and with a
relatively complex scanning mechanism, Murphy attempts to disable the machine
from dispensing unauthorized product. Both Sanyo and Murphy require one
Scanner
or product identification system for each storage area (spiral or column of
cans). This
makes the practical usefulness of the designs very limited, since scanners are
relatively expensive, delicate, and require accurate proximity to the code to
be
scanned in order to be effective. Murphy is an improvement over Sanyo, in one
sense,
in that it minimizes the chance of cheating by a route person since the
verification of
each code occurs before dispensing not at the time of loading. Murphy further
shows
that cheating attempts by covering over the scanner will shut down the
operation of
the machine. A further disadvantage of both Sanyo and Murphy is the fact that
bar
code scanners and other ID devices are very sensitive to reading the code
within a
highly defined proximity. The prior art described, shows the scanners in a
fixed
position with the products to be scanned also in a highly defined position.
This is also
very impractical if the machine is going to be able to store and vend objects
and
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articles of various sizes and shapes. Spiral machines are designed to hold
various
types of articles and packages in one spiral at the same time. Therefore, in
order for a
design such as Murphy's to work effectively, it would require a reliable
identification
of product every time.
Thus, some of the benefits of the present invention are as follows:
~ In the present invention there is described a multi-axis dispensing and
product positioning mechanism. As product is removed from the storage
areas the product or articles can be brought within proximity to (over ) the
Product ID ( scanner). This design is far more efficient and an
improvement over the prior art in several ways. For example, in the
present invention there is only the need for as few as one product id
devices, since the dispensing mechanism carries the product to the ID
device. Due to the cost and delicate nature of installing these types of
devices in a machine of this cost, a dramatic cost savings and increased
reliability are now achieved with the present invention.
~ Additionally, the product positioning system can manipulate the product to
be scanned or identified until the control system gives back a signal
confirming that a code has been read or permission to vend the product
without a successful product ID.
~ The preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with a
storage system of containers which hold product which is of uniform type.
Additionally, in the preferred embodiment the product is merchandised
using graphics on the outside of the machine in such a way that the end
customer is usually not able to see the actual package or article to be
dispensed. This type of merchandising also forces the operator to keep
only one article type in any given bin and preprogrammed to at least one
specific selection key. If the entire, or a large portion of the front of the
machine comprises a single graphic, it further enhances this "enforcement"
aspect of the invention.
~ While the present invention has a more reliable code reading method, the
dedicated nature of the product storage bins (due to the graphics blocking
a view of the products by the user) allows for a system which doesn't need
to read 100% of the packages from any given container in order to
determine that authorized product is generally being stored there. This
enables the control system of the present embodiment to analyze the
statistical data of the codes read or not read from a given container. With
this analysis, the control system can determine whether it can allow a
certain amount of acceptable error in the loading or the mis-loading of the
product in the machine.
~ Using an algorithm, the control system can also detect whether product is
perhaps being loaded into the machine in a position which makes the code
unreadable. Regardless of the determination of the control system based
on the desired strictness of the algorithm, the control system can then
communicate the problem to an external computer, the digital display on
the machine or simply to maintain the information in memory for use at a
later time.
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~ The scanner can also be used for traditional uses like inventory
control and accountability, as well as time stamping for preventing
sale of food product which is stale. In the present invention, if the
control system determines that the article is not authorized, the
control system can disable access to that product storage bins/area
or disable the entire machine.
One problem facing vending machine operators is the control of the product
selections placed
in machines by their route personnel. Managers of vending companies often want
machines
merchandised in a specific way with a specific product selection plan (i.e.,
according to a
plan-o-gram). They fmd it difficult to enforce a discipline in their route
personnel who
actually load the machines. The person actually loading or restocking the
machine often tends
to have his own preferences regarding the selections of products to be stocked
in the machine.
Accordingly:
~ The preferred embodiment solves this problem by guaranteeing that the
verified
product specific sales data is captured and can be analyzed by the appropriate
person.
~ Furthermore, the control system in the preferred embodiment has the ability
to
monitor and measure the effectiveness, accuracy, and discipline of a given
route
person in adhering to the prescribed merchandising plan. Fox example, the
controls system can monitor 1) the time it takes between the service door
opening
and closing again, to indicate the total loading time that a driver spent at a
machine 2) the number of unauthorized products (if any) that the driver (route
person) may have put in the machine 3) if the route person is filling all
selections
in the machine up to a sufficient capacity (this is achieved by measuring the
known number of vends which occurred on a given product between the last fill
servicing and the point at which a given selection is sold out and comparing
that
number to the known capacity that a given selection is capable of storing in a
specific container).
There are several purposes that this employee performance data can be used
for. For example,
the performance data can be analyzed by software residing on the machine
control system or
at an external site, and this analysis can be used to calculate at least one
performance
measurement which can then be displayed or communicated to the route person at
the
machine or to a reporting system which can give a more detailed analysis. The
analysis can,
for example include showing the affect that the performance has had on revenue
at a
particular machine and can also show the employee the positive or negative
impact that his
performance at a given machine ( or a conglomerated group of machines) has had
on his/her
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potential commission or bonus incentives. In this way, monitoring machine
performance
especially as it relates to the service record of a given employee creates a
powerful tool which
can be used in order to educate, discipline and motivate the employee in an
automated
fashion. Every time that a service person stops at a machine to service it, he
will automatically
be seeing his performance rating on that machine ( or a group of machines)
based on an
analysis of the machine's problem and fill levels since the last time that the
route person was
at that machine. In doing the analysis in this way, it gives feedback to the
employee in a
manner which links his incentives on a given machine to that machine. It is
well known that
incentives or punishment are most effective when they are linked to a specific
action or
inaction and that the measurement of the performance be given as soon as
possible after the
occurrence of the event that is being assessed.
Product Identification:
Description
The apparatus will have product identification { product ID device) means
which could
include but is not limited to at least one of a bar code scanner, a magnetic
reading device, an
optical image recognition device, a radio frequency id device, a video camera,
a digital
camera. The product 117 device ( or multiple devices) is used in conjunction
with the
dispensing and storage apparatus and is capable of identifying the products
which are being
dispensed from the apparatus. Checking the product ID after it has been
removed from the
storage area or at least just before the product moves from it's storage area
is preferable to
checking the product during loading or at other times. This is true especially
when the ID
device is being utilized as described here, for the
If anyone tampers with a communication device such as a wireless device
connected to the
machine, the machine can be programmed to disable itself, and re-enable only
with a proper
authorization code.
The inventive techniques described herein can also be utilized for other
applications
such as teased business equipment and other types of machinery.
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Additionally:
gravity teed dispensing system where article "fialls" past a centrally located
article
identification system
a. to enable
~ shut-down, full or partial
~ for counting data and inventory control
~ plan-o-gram enforceability for proper article layout by route
driver as an incentive bonus with interior display and
monitor of bonus program provided to route driver
business method for manufacture of vending machines
~ manufacturer desires to sell equipment at discount price, where price is
tied to
the end use of the equipment without leaving any money on the table, the
equipment users can use the equipment, i.e., a Pay As You Vend (PAYV)
system
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Methods of doing the business of machine vending with a third party are
disclosed. The third party issues an authorization code that prevents a
computerized
vending machine ("CVM") from being shut down automatically, or a de-
authorization
code that causes the CVM to be at least partially shut down. Use of such codes
makes
it more prudent for parties to enter into contracts that were previously
impractical or
susceptible of abuse by dishonest vending machine operators.
1) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ARTICLE CONTACT
DETECTION 1N AN ARTICLE HANDLING DEVICE;
2) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING ARTICLES FOR
USE WITH AN ARTICLE HANDLING DEVICE;
3) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOSE STORAGE IN AN
ARTICLE HANDLING DEVICE;
4) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ARTICLE CONTACT
DETECTION IN AN .ARTICLE HANDLING DEVICE; and
5) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INCLUDING HANDLING
IDENTIFICATION IN AN ARTICLE HANDLING DEVICE.
Background of the Invention
The invention relates to methods of doing business, and more particularly
relates to methods of doing the business of machine vending. In its most
immediate
sense, the invention relates to methods of doing machine vending using a
computerized vending machine, or CVM, such as is disclosed in the above-
referenced
patent applications.
Existing methods of doing business using vending machines, and indeed
existing contractual relationships that relate to such machines, are based
upon a
conventional vending machines of the self standing type. In such methods and
relationships, an "operator" of the machine (this may be an owner or lessee of
the
machine) sites the machine at a particular location controlled by a person
having an
interest in the real property at that location (the "landlord"). (For the
purposes of this
invention, the landlord may own the property, may be a lessee, or a real
estate agent.
And, the landlord need not be different from the "operator".) The operator
contracts
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with a seller of goods (e.g. the "manufacturer" of snack foods, which usually
is but
need not necessarily be different from the operator or the landlord) that are
loaded
into the machine. When a purchaser purchases goods from the machine, he or she
makes a payment to the machine and gets the goods in return. The operator
periodically collects the money and pays the landlord and the manufacturer. If
the
owner is a lessee or has purchased the machine with financing provided by a
lender,
then the owner will also pay the lender (e.g. a bank) from the money collected
from
the machine.
Heretofore, the contractual relationships between these parties have been
independent of the actual operations carried out by the machine. For example,
the
landlord will charge the operator rent based e.g. upon the location and size
of the
place where the machine is located and the cost of providing electricity to
operate the
machine. So, too, the lender will charge the operator a sum that is related to
the
amount loaned to the operator and to whatever interest rate currently applies.
Likewise, the manufacturer will charge the operator a price related to the
quantity and
nature of the goods the operator elects to purchase.
Such relatively simple contracts are different from those used in analogous
retail situations. For example, a store in a shopping center will
conventionally pay the
landlord a negotiated percentage of its sales. Such a pay-as-you-go
arrangement can
be highly beneficial for both parties, since they can share the risks and
rewards of the
business and can adjust the share to correspond to e.g. the financial status
of the
tenant.
Such arrangements have not been practical for vending machines. This is
because such machines must be physically visited by persons who e.g. remove
cash
from them, and such persons cannot easily be supervised by third parties such
as
banks or landlords. Furthermore, operators can and do change the product
offerings
of the machines to better match the wants of the persons who purchase items
from
them, and it would be very difficult for e.g. a bank or a landlord to know
exactly what
goods were loaded into a particular machine at any particular time.
Operators, landlords, manufacturers, and lenders would all benefit from
contractual relationships wherein payments related to vending machines would
depend upon actual operations carried out by the machine, i.e. would depend
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e.g. the number, types, and prices of items sold from the machine, the time of
day that
the machine was most often used, sales data collected by the machine, etc.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a method of doing
business wherein persons could receive payments based on actual operations
carried
out a vending machine.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of doing business
wherein a person who is in physical possession of such a machine may be
deprived of
some or all of the economic benefits of the machine without the need to
physically
take the machine away from the person in possession of it.
The invention proceeds from the realization that a CVM can be provided with
computer intelligence sufficient to wholly or partly reversibly disable
operation of the
CVM, or to re-enable operation of the CVM again, by timely inputting an
authorization code or a deauthorization code, and that the use of such a code
will
engender co~dence in a third party that he or she will be properly paid. For
example, let it be assumed that a bank finances the operator's purchase of a
CVM and
the operator pays the bank every 30 days. The CVM will be programmed to
automatically shut down at 30 day intervals. If the operator actually pays the
bank,
then the bank will provide the operator with an authorization code that the
operator
can input to the CVM to keep the machine operating after the 30 days has
passed. If
the operator does not pay the bank, then the CVM will automatically become
disabled, and the operator will derive no economic benefit from it. The lack
of such
economic benefit will then serve as an incentive for the operator to pay the
bank.
And, the bank need not take physical possession of the CVM to achieve this
result.
The bank can wait until it is convenient to take physical possession.
Alternatively, a lessor may lease the operator a CVM in accordance with a
contract under which the operator pays the lessor 10% of the sales volume from
the
CVM every 30 days. The CVM can then be programmed to register the sales volume
over each 30 day period and then to shut down automatically unless the
operator
inputs an authorization code provided by the lessor.
In yet another alternative, let it be assumed that a landlord provides a laxge
space for a bank of CVMs, purchases or leases the CVMs and sites them there,
and
engages an operator to run the CVMs in accordance with a contract under which
the
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operator must pay the landlord 40% of the sales of the CVMs. After some time,
the
landlord checks the sales of the CVMs and finds that the operator has been
underpaying. The landlord can then input a deauthorization code to the CVMs to
shut
them down until the operator has settled its accounts with the landlord.
In still another alternative, let it be assumed that a landlord provides a
large
space filled with CVMs, hires staff to service the machines, and sets
different
manufacturers in competition with each other to have their goods sold from the
CVMs. (In this example, the landlord is also the owner. As stated above, the
landlord
and owner, just like the owner and manufacturer, the manufacturer and
landlord, etc.,
can be the same or different.) Each manufacturer contracts with the landlord
to pay
the landlord a rebate based on sales of the manufacturer's goods. If the
manufacturer
is late in paying the rebate, the landlord can input a deauthorization code to
prevent
that manufacturer's goods from being sold until the manufacturer has settled
accounts
with the landlord.
One particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is specifically
adapted for use in a very common relationship between a manufacturer and an
operator. In this common relationship, the manufacturer provides a custom-
decorated
vending machine to the operator. The vending machine is decorated with e.g.
the
manufacturer's logo and/or housemark, indicating that COCA-COLA~ or PEPSI~
etc. can be purchased from the vending machine. Naturally, when such a
relationship
exists, the manufacturer and operator enter into contract wherein the operator
is
obliged to refrain from stocking the vending machine with goods made by a
competing manufacturer.
In the CVM disclosed in at least one of the above-referenced patent
applications, the CVM can be loaded with different types of goods and the
front of the
CVM has first and second regions. The manufacturer can supply the CVM with the
manufacturer's logo, housemark etc. in the first region, and the operator can
provide
artwork for other goods in the second region.
With such an arrangement, the operator and manufacturer can contract to
provide e.g. that at least 80% (measured by units, sales in dollars, or by
whatever
criterion the parties negotiate and verified by e.g. a barcode scanner in the
CVM) of
the goods sold from the CVM will be manufactured by the manufacturer, while
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allowing the operator the freedom to select the other 20% (for which the
operator can
put corresponding artwork in the second region). If in actual operation of the
CVM
the negotiated percentage is not achieved, then the CVM can be programmed to
indicate that selected goods are unavailable, preventing them from being sold
and
thereby increasing the percentage to the negotiated percentage.
In the CVM disclosed in at least one of the above-referenced patent
applications, the CVM has a communications port permitting the CVM to be
accessed
by e.g. the Internet. In an especially advantageous embodiment of the
invention, an
exclusive contract is established with a data management company that
communicates
with the CVM through the port and serves as a gateway for other firms that
require
such communication. The data management company can convey information about
e.g. products purchased and dates and times of purchases to firms that can use
such
information and can also serve as a trusted intermediary so that the CVM is
not
subjected to conflicting authorization and deauthorization codes from
different
parties.
In accordance with yet another advantageous aspect of the invention, the third
party is paid at least partially by receipt of data. For example, a food
manufacturer
may produce a new food/snack item and may Iack information about consumer
acceptance of the item and the times and circumstances under which consumers
are
likely to purchase it. In such circumstances, the manufacturer may provide the
item to
the operator at no charge, but rather in accordance with a contract under
which the
operator must supply information regarding sales of the item at various prices
and at
various times of day and days of the week. Such information can aid the
manufacturer to test-market the new item and to determine consumer acceptance
of
the item at various price points. If the manufacturer does not receive the
information,
the manufacturer can either withhold an authorization code or generate a
deauthorization code and thereby prevent the operator from deriving a
financial
benefit by selling the item.
Alternatively, the third party may be paid at least partially by receipt of
contract rights. For example, a manufacturer may produce a new food/snack item
and
may purchase from the operator the right to have the item distributed from all
the
operator's CVMs, but at various price points so as to conduct a controlled
market test.
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These different forms of payments need not be mutually exclusive; a third
party may for example receive a combination of currency and data.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
CVMs suitable for the herein-disclosed inventions are disclosed in the above-
referenced pending patent applications, the entire disclosures of which are
incorporated herein as if fully set forth, including the drawings.
A proper understanding of this invention requires a reconsideration of
business
arrangements that are traditionally made with respect to vending from
machines. In
one traditional arrangement, an operator buys or leases a machine, installs it
at a
landlord's premises, and pays the landlord rent (which may be a commission
percentage). In such an arrangement, the landlord must trust the honesty of
the
operator. While it is possible for the landlord to audit the operator's
financial records,
the vending business is presently a cash-based business and no party to a
vending
contract can be sure that all machine receipts are in fact recorded on the
operator's
books.
In another traditional arrangement, a food or beverage manufacturer engages a
vending machine manufacturer to make machines having product-specif c graphics
(so that a consumer can know e.g. that the machine dispenses PEPSI~ or
FRITOS~).
This custom-labeled machine is then sold or leased to an operator. In such an
arrangement, the food or beverage manufacturer seeks to prevent the operator
from
selling products other than those for which the custom-labeled machine was
originally
intended, and most of the time the food manufacturer must simply trust to the
honesty
of the operator. In some exceptional instances, such machines can read the
barcode
information on the goods loaded into them, and self destruct if the goods are
not those
the machine has been programmed to expect, but this is an extreme and wasteful
measure.
These traditional arrangements are necessarily simple and unsophisticated
because inter alia it is not feasible for anyone other than the operator to
interact with
the vending machine.
However, a CVM of the types mentioned above has sufficient intelligence to
"know" e.g. the items stored in it, the dates, times, and prices of sales, the
dates arid
times it is serviced and the identity of the persons) servicing it, etc. (For
example, a
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CVM can use a laser scanner to read the barcode on an item stored in it and
this
information can be matched with information stored in the CVM.) And,
information
regarding the contents of the machine and the particulars of sales from the
machine
can be easily stored in the machine and outputted to a computer (e.g. a laptop
or a
handheld in the hands of a service person) or sent to a remote computer via a
communications port (that connects e.g. to the Internet). This makes it
practical for
persons other than the operator to have accurate information about the actual
operations carried out by the CVM. This in turn makes it practical for parties
to make
contracts that would have been imprudent using older vending machine
technology.
For example, most landlords would have been unwilling to purchase banks of
vending machines for use in e.g. company cafeterias. This is because the
landlord
would likely have to contract with an operator company to stock and service
the
machines and it would be very difficult for the landlord to be confident that
the
operator was not skimming cash that properly belonged to the landlord.
However, it
would be feasible for a landlord to purchase or lease a bank of CVMs and to
contract
with a third party operator to stock and service them, because the landlord
would have
recourse to the actual operations carried out by the CVM as a check on the
honesty of
the operator. In other words, CVMs can practically be owned or leased by
persons
other than operators, and CVMs make it practical to unbundle functions that
formerly
would have been carried out by operators alone. Hence, it would be practical
(although not necessarily profitable) for an operator to contract with a third
party to
stock and service CVMs that are remote from the operator's main geographical
axea.
Hence, the availability of highly sophisticated CVMs makes it possible for
parties to consider many different types of contracts that would have been
considered
imprudent using older vending machines. (As used herein, "contract" is used in
its
most general sense. The contract need not be written out.) In general, each
party to
such a contracts will likely fall into one or more of the following
categories:
a manufacturer of items dispensed from the CVM;
a person having an ownership interest (e.g. title, lease, security interest,
right
to operate) in the CVM;
a person having an interest (e.g. title, lease, possessory interest) in real
property where the CVM is located;
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a person having a legal right to remove money from the CVM;
a person having a legal right to load goods into the CVM; and
a person having a legal right to communicate with the CVM via its
communications port.
Although CVMs make it practical for parties to enter into different type of
vending contracts, they still require the ability to enforce self help
measures if their
contract partner does not adhere to the provisions of the contract. Usually
but by no
means always, the self help measure is the entire or partial shutdown of the
CVM. In
many instances, the CVM will shut down, totally or partially, by the automatic
generation of a shut-down signal. For example, the CVM might shut down
automatically upon:
a) passage of a predetermined period of time (e.g. a month);
b) movement of the CVM, or excessively frequent movement of the
CVM;
c) passage of a predetermined period of time between servicings (to e.g.
prevent stale goods in the CVM from being dispensed);
d) excessive sales of a non-branded item in a CVM primarily intended for
sales of branded items; or
e) sale of a predetermined sales volume of goods, or of a predetermined
sales volume within a predetermined period of time.
To prevent such a shutdown, or to reverse such a shutdown if one has already
occurred, an authorization code is input to the CVM. Hence, in accordance with
an
exemplary preferred embodiment of the invention, a bank may contract with an
operator to finance the operator's purchase or lease of a CVM. The CVM is
programmed to shut down at noon on the last day of each month unless an
authorization code is previously input to the CVM. If the bank receives
payment, it
generates an authorization code that may be input to the CVM and that will
prevent
the next scheduled shutdown from taking place. The authorization code may be
manually input to the CVM by the operator, or electronically input to the CVM
(as via
the Internet) if the CVM has a communications port that permits this.
The shutdown of the CVM need not necessarily prevent all operation of the
CVM. For example, the CVM disclosed in at least one of the above-referenced
patent
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applications can distinguish between different goods loaded into it. It is
possible, for
example, to disable the CVM from dispensing only one or two items that have
been
loaded into it, and to continue to dispense all the others until dispensing of
the
disabled goods is re-permitted by input of an authorization code.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the CVM does not
automatically shut down in the absence of a timely input authorization code.
Rather,
the CVM continues to operate until it is wholly or partially disabled upon
receipt of a
de-authorization code. This would be preferred when, for example, each party
recognizes that the other is a financially responsible entity that can
ordinarily be
depended upon to meet its financial obligations. In such a context, shutdown
should
properly be an extraordinary remedy.
Accordingly, in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the third party
issues the de-authorization code (or causes it to be issued) and causes it to
be input to
the CVM, which in turn causes the CVM to at least partially shut down.
In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a data management
company is engaged to serve as an electronic gateway having the exclusive
right to
communicate with the CVM through the communications port. This embodiment
may be particularly advantageous when an operator enters into a contracts
under
which a plurality of manufacturers supply items for a single machine. For
example, if
a CVM is capable of vending 40 items, the data management company may (acting
as
agent for the operator) contract with five different manufacturers, each
supplying 8
items to be sold from the CVM. The data management company would e.g.
administer the collection and input of the necessary authorization and
deauthorization
codes, would prevent the CVM from receiving contradictory codes, and would
package and distribute data from the CVM for the benefit of the operator.
Although at least one preferred embodiment of the invention has been
described above, this description is not limiting and is only exemplary. The
scope of
the invention is defined only by the claims, which follow:
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