Patent Application
20060064201
The following description comprises three parts.
Part I describes a vending machine apparatus and details thereof, useful for understanding methods and apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention,
Part II describes methods and apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention, for controlling a vending machine of the type described in Part I, and
Part III provides further description of the methods and apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
The present invention relates generally to improvements in the design, operation, and use of article handling apparatus and in particular to article handling apparatus of the type which utilize computer-controlled electromechanical technology for grasping and moving a selected article from one area to another, such as from a storage area to a dispensing area of a vending apparatus.
FIGS. 14 though 27 are various illustrations of the methods of operation described in Parts II and III, for a vending machine as described in Part I, as well as business relationships which can benefit from and utilize a vending machine having the features of the present invention.
Accordingly,
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 credit/debit 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 purchases via credit/debit cards. A door lock mechanism 36 enables front door 14 to 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
Referring first to
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
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 U.S. Pat. No. 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 positioned in a refrigerated environment, such as a freezer located 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. Pat. No. 5,240,139. 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 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
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 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
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
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.
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 U.S. Pat. No. 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
As also shown in
As shown more clearly in
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
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, Theta), an articulated arm, telescoping or scissor system, or other technique. Furthermore, the illustrated gravity-based retraction/hose storage 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 and/or 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,
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.
A further one of such arrangements is shown in
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
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 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 carriage 218 reaches the virtual home can also be used as a check to ensure that 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, 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.
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 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. 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 network) or a WAN (wide area network). The remote computer may comprise a database which receives and/or accumulates the operational data from one or more vending machines, which data 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 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
Accurate control of energization of blower motor 226 is particularly 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 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 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. The technique to slow down upon the pickup head 224 approaching the next article also helps ensure that the stored articles will not 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 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 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.
For the embodiments described herein, it is assumed that energization of the 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 218 reaches the dispensing chute 210 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
Alternatively, or in addition to the hose contraction provided by compliant tip 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 218 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
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 U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,139), in combination with the forenoted controls for creating and/or maintaining suction at the gripping end of the suction hose.
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.
The present invention is directed to a vending apparatus of the type described in Part I, and a method of operation therefore for dispensing articles, including some or all of the following:
The present invention is also directed to a dispensing machine with:
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 rules that the equipment will be governed by. These restrictions and changes thereto could include, for example:
The following description, consisting of Parts II & III, are to be read in conjunction with FIGS. 14 though 27, which illustrate various methods of operation for a vending machine and associated apparatus, such machine being described in Part I, as well as business relationships which can benefit from and utilize a vending machine and associated apparatus having the features of the present invention.
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.
Rule Enforcement,
Disables part or all of the system capabilities if:
Revenue Sharing
The revenue sharing aspect of the invention relates to an interested party's desire 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 to 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 monies 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 & 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 agreements with the 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 in exchange for some of the machine's revenue, as described more fully hereinafter.
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, where the asset and data management company acts enables the product producers in the example 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:
1) A vending apparatus which is controlled by control system, whereby 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 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.
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.
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 control(s) 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. 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.
3. 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 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.
4. 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
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, 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 mech etc.
Disabling Apparatus
For the optical article identification (ID) system:
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.
Even furthermore, 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
New business methods relating to the above-noted enforcement possibilities. That is:
Furthermore, 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:
Use of article/article handling/dispensing of the type noted above, in alternative environments:
The apparatus and a business method 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.
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 Spirals
An article dispensing apparatus, comprising:
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.
As Directed To Restriction Capabilities
An article storage and retrieval and/or dispensing system/apparatus which includes a the following:
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).
An apparatus for providing a product1 to a user of the apparatus, comprising:
1 defined in the text as goods, services or information
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;
2 e.g., selection and payment
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.
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:
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 product1 to a user of the device, comprising:
A device for providing a product1 to a first-type of user of the device, comprising:
The device described above further including
The device wherein the authorizing signal is automatically generated internal to said device based on the passage of time.
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.
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).
The device wherein said controller creates notification/communication to the second-types of users (owner/operator) of the status of the comparator.
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.
The device wherein the authorizing signal may only authorize a partial operation of the device.
A method for providing a product1 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.
1 defined in the text as goods, services or information
3 such as one or more of “time, cycles, $ sales”
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 ID 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).
1. Equipment Control System
A. Feedback tools using a microprocessor
B. Feedback communication link for transmitting encrypted code
III. Control Data Processing Center
A. Managed by or for the owner/operator
IV. Possible On-Board Machine Enforcement Features
V. Alternatives to consider
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 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 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 find 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 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 JP 4123194 and the Murphy Patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,711 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 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:
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 find 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. For 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, or
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 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 ID 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 leased business equipment and other types of machinery.
Additionally:
Gravity feed dispensing system where article “falls” past a centrally located article identification system
For further description of various aspects of the invention, please refer to the following description.
The invention relates to methods of doing business, and more particularly relates to methods of doing the business of machine vending with a third party. 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 PART I herein.
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.
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 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 upon 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 confidence 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 large 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 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 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 lack 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.
These different forms of payments need not be mutually exclusive; a third party may for example receive a combination of currency and data.
CVMs suitable for the herein-disclosed inventions are disclosed in PART I herein, as well as the below-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-specific 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 and times it is serviced and the identity of the person(s) servicing it, etc. (For example, a 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 area.
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:
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:
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 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
This application is a continuation application of and claims priority under 35 USC 120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/296,566, filed Nov. 23, 2002, which is a U.S. national phase designation of PCT application PCT/US01/16,837 filed May 23, 2001, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by this reference thereto.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10296566 | Nov 2002 | US |
| Child | 11267352 | Nov 2005 | US |
