Patent Grant
9984525
The present disclosure generally relates to vending machines in a retail environment, and more particularly, to automated apparatuses and methods for managing inventory within a vending machine.
Vending machines have been present in the marketplace for decades, but as technology in the vending field and in electronics in general has evolved, vending machines are increasingly shilling from items of mere convenience to central aspects of business strategy. In many ways, a modern vending machine can now come close to fully replacing a brick-and-mortar retail establishment.
Several features are desirable in a modern, integrated vending apparatus designed for a retail environment. Expediting and streamlining the vending process would increase efficiency, quality, repeatability, and profitability. One means of speeding up vending is by automating functions of the vending process traditionally performed manually. This goal may be achieved by implementing an inventory management apparatus that includes a robot and various computerized elements to monitor the items for sale within the vending apparatus. Another desirable feature is to emphasize interchangeable parts within the vending apparatus, such that different items for sale may be added and subtracted quickly. By minimizing the number of physical visits that a human must make to assess the status of the vending apparatus, costs of implementing and maintaining the vending apparatus may be substantially streamlined.
One attempt at an automated inventory system in a vending environment is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,166 (the '166 patent) issued to Long on Feb. 24, 2004. In particular, the '166 patent discloses a vending machine containing one or more racks of stacked products. One or more of the racks within the machine includes an array of capacitive switches that are aligned with the height of the stacked products on the rack. A controller senses the height of stacked products on the rack based on signals sent by the array of capacitive switches. Systems and methods disclosed in the '166 patent may enable the controller to correlate the height of the products to a discrete inventory count for the product, and may transmit the count to a remote device.
Although the systems and methods disclosed in the '166 patent may assist with managing the inventory of a vending machine, the disclosed system is limited. The '166 system would not be readily adaptable to multiple types of products, as an array of capacitive switches that fits one product well may have to be completely redeployed and reprogrammed for different types of products. Further, information communicated from the vending machine to the remote device is limited only to the number of products in each rack of the vending machine. The '166 system contains significant efficiency limitations that would not make it ideal for a merchant seeking to market products to consumers in a sophisticated vending apparatus.
The disclosed system is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above and/or elsewhere in the prior art.
The present invention is directed to automated apparatuses and methods for managing inventory within a vending machine. The advantages and purposes of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages and purposes of the invention will be realized and attained by the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for displaying products for sale is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a wall with a plurality of holes drilled through it at predetermined intervals. The apparatus further comprises one or more storage containers configured to store a plurality of products, wherein the one or more storage containers further comprise two or more pins configured to hold the products in place, and wherein the one or more storage containers are marked with one or more indicia readable by at least one of a sensor or camera associated with a robot. Additionally, the apparatus includes fasteners sufficient to secure the one or more storage containers to the wall through the drilled holes.
In another aspect, the invention is directed to a vending apparatus for facilitating sale of products in a retail environment. The apparatus comprises a wall with a plurality of holes drilled through it at predetermined intervals. The apparatus further comprises one or more storage containers configured to store a plurality of products, and a robot comprising at least one of a camera or a sensor, wherein the one or more storage containers are marked with one or more indicia readable by the at least one camera or sensor associated with the robot. Additionally, the apparatus includes a delivery opening configured to provide a product to the user. The apparatus also includes a housing substantially enclosing the wall, one or more storage containers, and robot. Finally, the apparatus comprises a user interface device configured to facilitate payment by a consumer for a product stored within a storage container within the vending apparatus.
In yet another aspect, a method for managing inventory within a vending apparatus is disclosed. The method comprises placing one or more storage containers containing a predetermined number of one or more types of items for sale within the vending apparatus. The method further comprises configuring one or more indicia associated with each of the one or more storage containers readable by a camera or sensor associated with a robot. The method includes determining an initial position of the predetermined number of items for sale within each of the one or more storage containers. The method also includes associating the determined initial positions with the configured indicia associated with each of the one or more storage containers. The method further comprises reading, by the camera or sensor associated with the robot, each of the configured indicia associated with each of the one or more storage containers. Also, the method includes determining, by the camera or sensor associated with the robot, an updated position of the items for sale within each of the one or more storage containers. Finally, the method comprises transmitting information relating to the vending apparatus to a remote server.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various embodiments and aspects of the disclosed embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:
Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
Vending apparatus 100 may include a user interface device 110. User interface device 110 may be configured with various capabilities to facilitate the various functions of a vending machine. User interface device 110 may include a variety of components to control other components of apparatus 100. Device 110 may contain a computing system (not shown), which may further comprise one or more processors and one or more internal memory devices. The one or more processors may be associated with control elements of apparatus 100 that position and operate the various components. The memory devices may store programs and instructions, or may contain databases. The memory devices may further store software relating to a graphical user interface, which device 110 may display to the user on an output screen. The computer system of user interface device 110 may also include one or more additional components that provide communications to other entities or systems via known methods, such as telephonic means or computing systems, including the Internet.
User interface device 110 may include input and output components to enable information associated with the sale of vending items to be provided to a user, and also for the user to input required information. In some embodiments, the input components may include a physical or virtual keyboard. Device 110 may be further configured to receive user-provided content or information in various ways, including but not limited to receiving insertion of flash memory or a USB drive, connecting via a USB or Firewire® cable, receiving files by email, receiving files uploaded via a mobile application, retrieving user-submitted files from an online library or website, etc. In some embodiments, user interface device 110 may be configured to transmit or receive information from a mobile application associated with one or more of a manufacturer of the vending apparatus, a retailer hosting the vending apparatus, or a third party. In these embodiments, vending apparatus 100 and the mobile application may be configured to exchange information relating to the consumer and/or a vending task associated with the user. The information may comprise one or more of information associated with a product the consumer wishes to purchase, information associated with a file submitted to the machine by the user, information associated with payment for the product, or information comprising a location of the nearest vending apparatus. In some embodiments, vending apparatus 100 may be configured to receive a fully pre-paid, pre-configured order for a vending task from the mobile application. In these embodiments, vending apparatus 100 may receive the order directly from the mobile application via user interface device 110 (for example, if a particular vending apparatus 100 is determined to be the closest geographically to the consumer). In other embodiments, user interface device 110 may be configured to access a remote server to retrieve information relating to the order from the mobile application. In these embodiments, vending apparatus 100 may be configured to receive a code configured to facilitate access by user interface device 110 to information associated with a saved transaction ordered from the mobile application.
In some embodiments, device 110 may be capable of outputting audible notifications or alerts to a customer or operator of vending apparatus 100. In such a situation, device 110 may be configured to audibly output, as an example, “PAPER MISFEED” and contact either an on-site or remote customer service representative via audio or visual cues (such as a flashing light) to fix the problem. In another embodiment, device 110 may be configured to tell the user to “LOOK AT THE SCREEN” when information is required from the user or important information is displayed for the user. In yet another embodiment, device 110 may be configured to audibly output “YOUR PRODUCT IS READY” when the desired product and/or accessory have been retrieved from within the vending apparatus 100. In some embodiments, the audio output capabilities of vending apparatus 100 may extend to the input components. Device 110 may include a display screen 112, which may serve as both an input and output device. Device 110 may be configured such that key presses on a virtual keyboard or touchscreen buttons associated with display screen 112 elicit confirmatory clicking noises. Additionally, the input components of device 110, including display screen 112, may be configured to provide tactile or visual feedback to the user to indicate that an input member, such as a key of a keyboard, has been successfully pressed.
In some embodiments, user interface device 110 may include a camera (not shown in
Device 110 and an included camera may be configured to allow interaction with vending apparatus 100 by remote operators. Device 110 may be configured to include a “hot button” that when pressed, sends a notification to the remote operator asking for bye video or audio contact with the operator of the apparatus. In some embodiments, a remote technician may be capable of being notified by device 110, and able to view system components live through the camera. Device 110 may be further configured to enable control by the remote technician, who could then perform service on vending apparatus 100 such as clearing jammed receipt paper, removing a stuck product from a storage container, retrieving a dropped accessory, etc. In other embodiments, device 110 and the included camera may enable real-time customer service interactions with a user. When either a customer or an operator such as a store clerk have questions about the process or require assistance, a remote customer service representative may be contacted via device 110's hot button and can interact live with the customer. In some embodiments, device 110 may be configured to facilitate live video chat on an included display screen, such as display screen 112, with the representative. In other embodiments, device 110 may be configured to facilitate live audio interaction with the representative, similar to a telephone call. In yet other embodiments, pressing the hot button may activate a text-based live chat, or send an email to the customer service representative. In some embodiments, the remote customer service may be a value-added service, as the service representative can assist a consumer in purchasing and customizing additional products and/or accessories.
Device 110 may be further configured to coordinate and collect payment for the vending task. The memory of device 110 may contain information relating to pricing for various types of the plurality of products. The pricing may vary by product, and may vary based on other predetermined criteria, such as the quantity of objects desired, processing tasks completed, etc. Device 110 may display the pricing information on an output screen, such as display screen 112, to the user. Device 110 may include, or be connected to, payment acceptance components that can accept cash, credit cards, or other payment methods from the consumer, such as a coupon, or a payment application on a mobile device. These payment acceptance methods may be situated proximal to a product delivery opening 114, as shown in the illustration of
Device 110 may include a printer that can provide the consumer with a receipt of the payment transaction. In some embodiments, the receipt may also contain other information, such as an Internet URL for a website associated with either the retail outlet hosting vending apparatus 100, or the maker of vending apparatus 100 for purposes of additional possible products. Device 110 may be integrated into housing 118, as shown in
Housing 118 may be configured to include at least one surface portion 116 comprised of a transparent material. The material may comprise, as non-limiting examples, acrylic, glass, fiberglass, plastic, or a hybrid material. Transparent surface portion 116 may be oriented in a manner that makes the components of the automated inventory management system visible to a consumer or other operator while safely shielding the user from heat, pinch points, stored energy sources, and other such potential hazards associated with the operation of heavy machinery. Transparent surface portion 116 may provide entertainment and education to the user while the vending task is underway, and may also allow an operator to take note of components of the apparatus requiring maintenance or repair. In some embodiments, transparent surface portion 116 may facilitate remote diagnostics, maintenance, and user assistance via the configured features of user interface device 110.
As discussed briefly above, vending apparatus 100 may contain one or more mechanisms for holding or storing a supply of product inventory. One such mechanism may be a storage container, with each container containing one type of a plurality of types of products. In other embodiments, one or more of the storage containers within vending apparatus 100 may be configured to store included accessories for products. Examples include, but are not limited to, key rings or key chains, covers or holders for luggage tags, frames, handles, etc. In some configurations, stand-alone accessories may also be contained in a storage container within vending apparatus 100, or may be introduced to the apparatus by a user. Accessories may serve as value-added components that add to the aesthetics or utility of the purchased product. Accessories may or may not be dispensed at the same time as the purchased product. For example, one user may purchase both a product and a matching accessory. Another user might purchase and customize only a product. Finally, another user might purchase and customize a product, and return to vending apparatus 100 at a later time to purchase one or more accompanying accessories for the product. As discussed above, the accessories may be pre-packaged, and inserted into vending apparatus 100 by the user before, during, or after the purchase of the product. Further detail about storage containers and various alternative embodiments therein is provided below in association with
Vending apparatus 100 may be configured to contain a robotic transport mechanism (not shown). The robotic transport mechanism may comprise a series of rails mounted onto one or more interior walls of housing 118. The mechanism may further comprise a robotic head unit, which is configured to travel along the rails in three dimensions by way of a belt or chain. In some embodiments, the robotic head unit may be operably coupled to a telescoping robotic arm and an end effector. An example embodiment of an end effector will be described in detail below in association with
Consistent, precise operation of the robotic transport mechanism is critical, since it must perform many activities in a compressed spatial area within vending apparatus 100. The robotic transport mechanism may be configured to retrieve a selected product and/or accessory from various storage containers. Further, the robotic transport mechanism may provide the purchased product to delivery opening 114 for the customer to retrieve.
The robotic transport mechanism may be deployed within vending apparatus 100 in a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the mechanism may comprise a single robotic head unit and end effector, and the rails for movement of the robot may be configured essentially in an “H” shape that primarily allows movement in the X and Y directions. Movement in the vertical Z direction is achieved via a telescoping robotic arm. The robotic arm permits an end effector to fit into tight areas within vending apparatus 100, and permits it to perform precise movements.
In alternative embodiments, these problems may be solved through a different configuration of the robotic transport mechanism. In these embodiments, the robotic transport mechanism may not include a telescoping robotic arm. Instead, the robotic transport mechanism may contain multiple end effectors. The rails may be configured in a manner that permits the robotic head unit and end effectors to essentially cover their own “region” in the Z-plane within vending apparatus 100. Thus, one end effector might be situated higher on the robotic head to access the top half of vending apparatus 100, and might for example be responsible for retrieving products and accessories from storage containers in the top half of vending apparatus 100. Meanwhile, another end effector might be situated lower on the same robotic head to access the bottom half of vending apparatus 100, and might be responsible for all transport activities associated with delivery of purchased products to the user via delivery opening 111. All of these robotic motion operations may be performed in full view of transparent section 116 of housing 118, so that the customer may visualize and enjoy the process of their product's retrieval and/or customization.
Turning to
As illustrated in
Elsewhere on the top row of the back wall of inventory system 200 is an empty portion of the mounting system for the product containers 4. By using common spacing, product containers 4 (as well as accessory containers 12) may be manufactured with common dimensional units. These common dimensional units may correspond to a predetermined distance between a series of key slots or holes drilled into the back wall. For example, a product container 4 with a thinner width, such as the pet tag containers in the upper left of
In the example embodiment illustrated in
Turning to
As discussed above, in some embodiments, pins 10 may be movable and/or removable with respect to product container 4. In embodiments where pins 10 are stationary, products 6 may be reloaded from the top either manually by a clerk or automatically, by the robotic transport mechanism via the suction cups. In embodiments where pins 10 are removable, particularly the pins proximal to shuttle 8, a stack of products 6 may be loaded into product container 4 from the front. Alternatively, pins 10 and/or product container 4 itself may contain springs or other flexible elements that may allow an end effector to “open” and/or reload the product container 4 without fully removing the pins 10.
Similar to
As discussed above, in some embodiments, pins 16 may be movable and/or removable with respect to accessory container 12. In embodiments where pins 16 are stationary, accessories 14 may be reloaded from the top either manually by a clerk or automatically, by the robotic transport mechanism via suction cups. In embodiments where pins 16 are removable, a stack of accessories 14 may be loaded into accessory container 12 from the front. Alternatively, pins 16 and/or accessory container 12 itself may contain springs or other flexible elements that may allow an end effector to “open” and/or reload the accessory container 12 without fully removing the pins 16.
End effector 50 may also include a mechanical implement 58 that assists with various functions. In some embodiments, for example, end effector 50 may use mechanical implement 58 to interact with product storage containers 52 and/or accessory storage containers 54 to retrieve products. This process was briefly discussed above in the context of
Shuttle 60 may also contain a hole cut to substantially the same dimensions of mechanical implement 58. Mechanical implement 58 may be configured to fit into this hole in shuttle 60 in order to gain access to products inside of product storage container 52. In
In some embodiments, end effector 50 may be equipped with one or more sensors and a camera that may be configured to interface with a vision system that will be described below in association with
In some embodiments, the one or more sensors may be situated on a side of end effector 50, and may be configured such that each sensor is pointed in a downward direction. In these embodiments, systems associated with vending apparatus 100 may determine inventory levels of products or accessories within the apparatus using the vertical distance traveled by the laser or infrared beam before recognizing an indicia and/or the physical presence of a product or accessory within the magazines or other storage containers. In other embodiments, the one or more sensors may be situated on end effector 50 proximal to mechanical implement 58, and may be configured such that each sensor is pointed in a forward direction. Different configurations of end effector 50 are illustrated and described in detail below in association with
Inventory system 200 may thus be configured to substantially automate the inventory management process for any given individual vending apparatus 100. Deployment of system 200 saves time and resources, particularly when augmented with additional features. In these embodiments, end effector 50 and an associated control (not shown) may be configured to track the inventory levels of the various products 6 and accessories 14 within each product container 4 and accessory container 12, respectively. For example, in one embodiment, upon installation of a given product container 4 or accessory container 12 within the back wall of an inventory system 200, a “home position” for the particular container may be registered by the sensor(s) associated with end effector 50. This home position would in essence be the “top” of the container, and would equate to the container being full. The control may then be configured to know the unit vertical height of each product 6 or accessory 14 within the container. For example, a given accessory container 12 may house boxed luggage tag holders whose boxes are each 0.5″ high. End effector 50 may translate within the robotic transport mechanism until it finds the home position for that particular accessory container 12. An associated robotic head may then translate vertically downwards in the Z-direction until the sensor(s) associated with end effector 50 detect the presence of the top of a box. In the example presented above, for example, if the robotic head translates about two inches before detecting a box, the robotic transport mechanism control may determine that four of the 0.5″ boxes have been removed from the accessory container 12.
Alternatively, the vertical home position for a given storage container may be the bottom level of the container, where the product quantity is zero, and the product height is represented by Ph0). The one or more sensors associated with end effector 50 may be configured to determine the top level of the stack of products in a container, represented by Phx. Assuming that the vertical thickness of any single product in that particular storage container is represented by the variable t, then the number of products in that storage container can be calculated by (Phx−Ph0)/t.
As configured, inventory system 200 may be configured to automate at least three major functions of the vending apparatus 100 supply chain. First, inventory system 200 enables vending apparatus 100 and associated user interface device 110 to know that a particular product or accessory is out of stock before an attempt is made to retrieve the out-of-stock item from its storage container. As discussed in further detail below in association with
A second function of inventory system 200 is that inventory levels can be tracked automatically, and resources can be saved by preventing unnecessary refill trips by a human worker. For example, the robotic transport mechanism control, in conjunction with user interface device 110, may be programmed such that a given inventory level triggers a refill visit. This threshold inventory level may be calculated on the basis of a single product container 4 or accessory container 12 (i.e., “refill me when inventory reaches 20% of full”) up to the level of the entire vending apparatus 100 (i.e., “make a service visit when the average inventory level of all containers readies 50%”). User interface device 110 may be configured to send information relating to inventory to a remote server, such as a server associated with the retail establishment hosting apparatus 100, a server associated with the manufacturer of apparatus 100, or another third party server. In some embodiments, the information may be sent regularly on a set schedule, including but not limited to hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. In other embodiments, the information may be sent on an as-needed basis; for example, when one or more of the threshold levels described above are reached. In still other embodiments, a user operating one or more of the remote servers described above may be capable of accessing user interface device 110 or a remote server containing the information, and may affirmatively cheek the inventory status of apparatus 100 and its equipped containers.
As described, inventory system 200 can substantially reduce time and hassle for a human service operator. The embodiments described above remove the necessity for a human operator to disable apparatus 100 and manually count the number of products 6 and/or accessories 14. Further, the refilling process can be expedited further by providing set declinations of refill products 6/accessories 4; for example, a pack of 25 of the boxed luggage tag holder accessories described in the example above. In these embodiments, a human operator may simply wait to refill the particular accessory container 12 for the luggage tag holder accessory until 25 of them have been removed and sold from apparatus 100. In other embodiments, user interface device 110 may be configured to compile an inventory report based on information relating to inventory gathered by inventory system 200, and display it on demand to the human service operator. The report may be displayed, for example, on display screen 112, or printed via an optional receipt printer associated with user interface device 110 described above. In these embodiments, the efficiency of visits to the vending apparatus 100 by a human service operator may be even further increased, by allowing an instant report of what products need to be replaced and/or replenished. The report may also be transmitted from user interface device 110 to a remote server. Inventory system 200 can thus reduce downtime for apparatus 100, minimize hassle to the service operator and the retail establishment, and enhance revenue.
A third function and benefit of inventory system 200 is that it can assist with replenishment and management operations further up the supply chain. For example, a warehouse or other such storage facility affiliated with the human service operator may contain known amounts of products or accessories for deployment in one or more vending apparatuses 100 in a given geographical region. As individual inventory systems 200 in each vending apparatus 100 periodically determine inventory levels of the various products, they may send information to a server as discussed above that prompts action by a human service operator, such as a replenishment visit. The server may be configured to compile information received from multiple vending apparatuses 100, including inventory levels, for purposes of determining inventory needs at the regional level. At a predetermined level of inventory, for example, the server may automatically place an order with a supplier for replenishment of the particular product or accessory. In this manner, multiple points of a supply chain can be automated and processed in a far more efficient and cost-effective manner thanks to the capability of a network of vending apparatuses 100 to self-determine and report their own levels of inventory.
The camera/sensor vision system and fiducial markers as described above may be used in some embodiments to assist an associated robotic transport mechanism within an apparatus 100 to faithfully retrieve products 6 and/or accessories 14 from their respective storage containers. In
Vending apparatus 100 may be configured to perform a vending inventory management process 700, such as that shown in the example of
As part of the installation of vending apparatus 100, the user may place the determined products 6 and/or accessories 14 in one or more compatible storage containers (Step 710). In the case of products 6, the storage containers may be substantially the same as product storage containers 4 described above. For embodiments including accessories 14, the accessories 14 may be placed in storage containers that are substantially the same as accessory storage containers 12 described above. In some embodiments, the storage containers may be further configured to be compatible with elements of vending apparatus 100. For example, the storage containers may be of a predetermined size based on predetermined spacing between holes cut on the back wall of the vending machine for purposes of displaying the storage containers.
The user may secure the storage containers within vending apparatus 100 (Step 715). As discussed briefly above, storage containers such as product storage containers 4 and accessory storage containers 12 may be installed within inventory system 200 of vending apparatus 100 in a variety of arrangements based on the desired presentation. The storage containers 4 and 12 may be securely locked in place within inventory system 200 using locks 2, which interface with a bar on the rear side of the back wall of the system.
In some embodiments, the user may configure one or more fiducial markers on or near the one or more storage containers 4/12 located within vending apparatus 100 (Step 720). As discussed above, one or more fiducial markers or other indicia may be affixed to each of the one or more storage containers to facilitate communication of information regarding the storage container. In some embodiments, the storage containers may be manufactured with the fiducial markers already included on them. In other embodiments, the fiducial markers may be affixed to the storage containers before deployment within vending apparatus 100. The fiducial markers are readable by a camera or sensor associated with a robotic transport mechanism such as the one described above. The fiducial markers may comprise any type of machine-readable marker, code, or indicia as described above in association with
Process 700 continues by configuring the camera or sensor associated with the robotic transport mechanism (Step 725). As described above, one or more storage containers within vending apparatus 100 may be associated with fiducial markers that are readable by the camera or sensor. In some embodiments, the camera or sensor may be affixed to an end effector, such as end effector 50. In other embodiments, the camera or sensor may be located elsewhere on the robot. When present, sensors associated with the robot may be either infrared or laser sensors, and these sensors may be calibrated and focused prior to deployment within vending apparatus 100.
Via the robotic transport mechanism, vending apparatus 100 may determine a “home point,” or initial position, of the products 6 or accessories 12 contained within each of the one or more storage containers (Step 730). The initial position may be determined individually for each storage container, and such a position may be newly determined each time a new storage container is introduced to vending apparatus 100. The initial position may be determined using the camera or sensors associated with the robotic transport mechanism. The position may be determined by any means, such as a predetermined coordinate system, by GPS, by measuring relative distances from the sides, top, or bottom of vending apparatus 100, or by measuring distances from other landmarks. Once determined, a control and/or computer system associated with the robotic transport mechanism may associate the determined initial position with the fiducial marker or indicia associated with that particular storage container (Step 735).
As desired, the robotic transport mechanism may monitor the inventory of the storage containers located within vending apparatus 100. This monitoring may occur on a predetermined time schedule, for example, on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. In other embodiments, the monitoring for one or more of the storage containers may occur after each purchase transaction processed by vending apparatus 100 for the particular storage container. Alternatively, a remote operator may have the robotic transport mechanism monitor storage container inventory on demand at any time. First, via equipped cameras and/or sensors, the robotic transport mechanism may scan or read the fiducial markers associated with one or more of the storage containers located within vending apparatus 100 (Step 740). As discussed above, information associated with the fiducial marker may include, but not be limited to, the size of each of the one or more storage containers, the type of item for sale contained within each of the storage containers, the current price of the items for sale, the determined initial position of the predetermined number of items for sale within each of the storage containers, the number of items for sale contained within each of the storage containers, the maximum capacity of each of the storage containers, or an entity associated with the items for sale or the vending apparatus. The control or computer system associated with the robotic transport mechanism may store and analyze said information as part of the inventory monitoring process.
After scanning the fiducial markers, the robotic transport mechanism may determine an updated position of the of the products 6 or accessories 12 contained within each of the one or more storage containers by determining a vertical distance from the initial position to a surface of the products or accessories (Step 745). In some embodiments, this process may include activating the camera or sensor, and aligning the camera or sensor with the previously determined initial position of a particular one of the one or more storage containers. Vending apparatus 100 may translate the robot until the camera or sensor detects the top surface (or other such visible indicator) of the “top” item within the container. Upon such detection, vending apparatus 100 may store information relating to the detected updated position of the items for sale, and may calculate the inventory level of the items within the storage container by factoring in a known thickness, height, or other such dimension of the given item. In some embodiments, these known dimensions may be included, within the information read from the fiducial markers in Step 740. As part of the calculation, vending apparatus 100 may be configured to determine a number of items for sale remaining within the storage container, or alternatively, a number of items recently restocked within the storage container.
Via interface device 110, vending apparatus 100 may transmit information relating to inventory management to a remote server (Step 750). The remote server may be associated with one or more of a manufacturer of the vending apparatus, a retailer hosting the vending apparatus, or a third party. The information sent may include any of the information described above that may be contained within the fiducial markers of each storage container, and may further comprise the determined updated position of items within the container and associated inventory level. Responsive to the transmission of the information to the remote server, one or more persons associated with the manufacturer of the vending apparatus, or a retailer hosting the vending apparatus may be dispatched to the location of the vending apparatus to refill one or more of the storage containers with a predetermined number of items for sale.
Turning to
In
As configured, the systems and apparatuses contemplated by the disclosed embodiments allow merchants to more efficiently manage the inventory of a vending apparatus. The apparatus takes full advantage of digital and robotic technology, which streamlines monitoring and management of inventory and saves resources. For retail establishments, the apparatus presents a vast array of new products and market opportunities, with minimal inputs of labor, training, and management. Deployable in a wide range of embodiments, the apparatus can be individually configured and customized for the needs of a given user or application. Aspects of the apparatus design revolutionize the vending process, and allow faster, more productive marketing of vended products with fewer demands on retail and maintenance personnel.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as examples only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.
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