Automated vending machines have a long history; their use has been traced to at least 200 BC, in ancient Greece. Beginning in the Industrial Age in the late 19th century, however, vending machines came into prominence and widespread public use. Today, vending machines are used for dispensing a wide variety of goods, including beverages, food, candy, newspapers, tobacco, etc.
During all this time, however, the interface between users and vending machines has largely remained the same. That is, the person operating the vending machine inserts a coin or paper currency bills, the machine validates the cash, and dispenses the goods and, possibly, change. While this user interface has withstood the test of time, it has not been without problems, all of which are familiar to practically everyone in modern society. Some examples of the problems are: the user might not have sufficient coins, bills are rejected or get stuck, etc. All of these issues lead to reduced sales for the operator of the vending service, and frustration for the user.
Accordingly, equipping vending machines with cashless transactional capability is of great interest to the vending industry, and efforts are under way in this regard. See, e.g., “Experts Review Progress in Cashless Payment; Option Can Please Patrons and Generate Lift In Vending Sales,” Vending Times, vol. 48, no. 7, July 2008. Traditionally, these efforts have focused on equipping vending machines with credit/debit card readers. However, both the costs associated with the card-reading equipment, as well as the transaction fees associated with each credit or debit card transaction, are high. Since the typical purchase from a vending machine involves relatively small monetary transactions, these high costs pose a problem for the vending service operator. Moreover, a credit card transaction involves the user swiping the card, waiting for approval of transaction, and confirming the purchase—multiple steps to complete a simple transaction. From the perspective of user convenience, the credit/debit card alternative is, therefore, not very desirable. This fact has further led the vending industry to explore alternative cashless transaction means such as pre-paid cards or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) equipped smart cards. However, such cards are not widely possessed by the general public, and therefore, are not a very convenient means of vending machine purchases for the customer.
On a related, but separate track, in conjunction with the advent of the Internet and mobile phones, there have been efforts to allow consumers to request products from vending machines through an application available on their mobile phone. For example, there is the “Dial-a-Coke” technology tested by Coca-Cola, as described in “Coca-Cola Customers to Buy Drinks From Vending Machines Using Marconi's GSM . . . ,” Business Wire, dated Feb. 7, 2001). This, and other related technologies, require the consumer to look up the telephone number or network address of the vending machine they are trying to interact with using their mobile phone or computer, and request a purchase. The charge for the product dispensed is then added to the user's online account. While this interface eliminates direct credit/debit/smart card interaction with the vending machine, it still suffers from the disadvantage of being a complex interface requiring the user to complete multiple steps—looking up the vending machine, selecting a product from a menu in the computer or mobile device in order to complete a simple transaction. A similar, but slightly different interface proposed by the company Vendtxt Vending, Inc. involves the user sending a text message incorporating a vending machine identification code to a pre-determined service number, and then the system issuing the user an authorization code via text message, which the consumer then inputs into the vending machine to obtain the product desired. As can be seen, this interface too suffers from the same disadvantage of multiple steps being involved to complete a simple transaction. Further, the cost of fitting the vending machine with equipment to input the authorization code and receive and authorize the codes may be relatively high as well.
In essence, no current vending machine interface technology offers the right balance between cost, ease-of-use and the convenience of cashless transactions.
An advantage of embodiments described herein is that they overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. These advantages and others are achieved, for example, by a system for interactive use of automated vending machines. The system includes a server computer, one or more vending machines, each of the one or more vending machines including, one or more first sensing devices capable of detecting forces exerted on an external surface of the vending machine, a first communications device capable of communications between the vending machine and the server computer, and a first control module coupled to at least the one or more first sensing devices and the first communications device, and one or more human interface devices capable of being held by, worn by, or carried in or on the person of a human, each of the human interface devices including one or more second sensing devices capable of detecting forces exerted on a surface of the human interface device while the human interface device is held, worn or carried, a second communications device capable of communications between the human interface device and the server computer, and a second control module coupled to at least the one or more second sensing devices and the second communications device.
These advantages and others are also achieved by a method for interactive use of automated vending machines. The method includes detecting a force exerted on an external surface of a vending machine, generating a first signal corresponding to the force, communicating the first signal from the vending machine to a server computer, receiving a second signal from the human interface device at the server computer, the second signal generated in response to the force being detected in a human interface device, detecting a match between the first signal and the second signal, the match indicating an association between the vending machine, the human interface device, and the force, communicating an authorization message from the server computer to the vending machine, receiving the authorization message at the vending machine, and subsequent to receiving the authorization message, dispensing one or more selected objects the one or more objects.
These advantages and others are also achieved by, for example, a system for interactive use of automated vending machines. The system includes a server computer, one or more vending machines, each of the one or more vending machines including one or more first sensing devices capable of detecting forces exerted on an external surface of the vending machine, when a user exerts a force on the external surface of a vending machine, the one or more sensing devices detects the force and generates a first signal indicative of the force, a first communications device capable of communications between the vending machine and the server computer, the first communications device communicates the signal to the server computer, and a first control module coupled to at least the one or more first sensing devices and the first communications device. The server computer receives a second signal indicative of the force and compares the first signal to the second signal, and if there is a match between the first signal and the second signal, the server computer communicates an authorization message to the first control module authorizing the vending machine to dispense items selected by a user.
The detailed description will refer to the following drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:
Described herein are a system and method for users to interact with automatic vending machines in order to make purchases. As noted above, systems known in the art at present suffer numerous problems, all of which are overcome by embodiments described herein. By providing an intuitive, simple, cashless interface that allows completion of a purchase at a vending machine in a single step, embodiments solve the fundamental transactional issues associated with the human interface to vending machines. Moreover, the embodiments of the system and method described herein also provide several other advantages that are realized for the first time.
In embodiments, the interface automatically incorporates an engaging and fun aspect into the act of making a purchase from a vending machine. This aspect can lead to further increase in sales from vending machines over and above the increases generated purely from the cashless convenience aspect. A further advantage is that embodiments allow an operator of the vending service to construct and conduct innovative marketing campaigns around the consumer interaction with the vending machine, converting the vending machine into a marketing aid, and leading to potentially improved sales. Perhaps more importantly, embodiments allow such marketing campaigns to be conducted on a highly targeted basis, directed at each individual consumer, or each individual vending machine, or a combination of both. Yet another advantage is that embodiments automatically provide a wealth of data regarding consumer buying habits to the vending service operator without the operator incurring any added cost. Such data is invaluable for vending service operators in analyzing and understanding the consumer buying experience, with a view to improving this experience and thus obtaining increased revenue.
These and other advantages are achieved by embodiments through equipping the vending machines with devices that can sense a user knocking, thumping or slapping the vending machine while holding, carrying or wearing a mobile phone or other gadgets that are also equipped with similar sensing devices. Examples of devices that can sense such actions by the user are accelerometers. In embodiments, when the user simply knocks, thumps or slaps a vending machine with a mobile phone in hand, the sensing devices in both the vending machine and the phone detect this action and transmit a signature characterizing the action to a central server. The server matches individual actions to vending machines based on the signatures sent by both the machine and the mobile phone held by the user. Consequently, the server can know both the user who is performing the action as well as the vending machine on which the action is being taken and communicates an authorization message to the vending machine. Thereafter, when the user makes a selection at the machine and the product is dispensed, the vending machine informs the server and the user is charged for the product, either through the mechanism of adding to the user's mobile phone bill, or through other convenient means. Accordingly, embodiments present an intuitive, simple interface to the vending machine that comprises a single physical action that is very familiar to all users.
With reference now to
As shown, system 100 also includes one or more communication devices 103, which provide for data communications between vending machine 101 and (typically remote) server computer 301. Communications device 103 may be, e.g., a cellular modem, or similar device, that is capable of communicating with the server 301 over the Internet or other network 250. Alternatively, communications device 103 may also be a telephone modem, or similar device, that communicates over telephone lines. Both cellular and telephone line modems are well-known and widely available. Furthermore, communications device 103 may be shared between multiple vending machines using serial bus technologies, wireless or wired local area networking (LAN) technologies, or other network technologies. Such technologies are well-known in the art. The server computer 301 may, for example, be owned and operated by the operator of the vending service, the manufacturer of the products dispensed, the owner of the brand of the products being dispensed, or a third party service operator. The server computer 301 may be any computing device specifically programmed or running software applications to perform the methods, steps and actions described herein. The server computer 301 may include one or more processors, memory, secondary storage devices (e.g., hard drives), input, output and display devices. The vending machine 101 may also be provided with a control module 104 that is operationally coupled to sensing devices 102 and communications device 103. Control module 104 could, for example, include a microcontroller executing a software program to perform methods and functions described herein.
With continuing reference to
With continuing reference to
Sensing devices 102 and 202, located in the vending machine 101 and the mobile phone 201, respectively, detect the force exerted by the user's action, block 404. Sensing devices 102 and 202 then provide signals 1021 and 2021 corresponding to their respective sensed physical quantities, block 406. If the sensing devices 102 and 202 are, for example, accelerometers, the signals 1021 and 2021 would be time-varying functions proportional to the acceleration produced at their respective locations due to the force exerted by the user's action.
Control modules 104 and 204, located respectively in the vending machine and the mobile phone, receive the signals 1021 and 2021, block 408. The reception of the signal 1021 by control module 104 may, e.g., occur over a hardware interface (not shown) that operatively couples control module 104 to sensing devices 102, the hardware interface in turn being controlled by software programs executed by control module 104. The reception of the signal 2021 by control module 204 may, e.g., occur via software drivers or software interfaces provided by the operating system in mobile phone 201.
With continuing reference to
Control modules 104 and 204 communicate their respective converted forms of the signals 1022 and 2022 to the server computer 301, block 412. Control module 104 conducts this communication using communications device 103, whereas control module 204 conducts this communication using the mobile communications facility inherent in mobile phone 201. Communication 412 may be conducted over a secure communications channel, may occur in encrypted form and may, e.g., include steps to mutually authenticate the communicating devices.
Server computer 301 compares the received forms 1022 and 2022 with the objective of determining a match between the two, block 414. Method 400 performs matching 414 because, although
With continuing reference to
Upon receipt of the authorization message, block 418, vending machine 101 enables dispensation of goods and indicates to the user that it is ready to dispense goods according to the user's selection, block 420. This indication 420 may include, e.g., lighting up selection buttons, displaying currency amounts as if the user has user has inserted actual currency, and/or displaying a message. The indication 420 may be achieved by control module 104 receiving the authorization message from server computer 301 via the communications device 103 and either directly operating the controls of vending machine 101 or sending appropriate messages to a Vending Machine Controller (VMC) (not shown) which provides centralized command and control functionality for vending machine 101. Such VMCs are common in modern vending machines and well-known in the art. Further, enabling and indicating 420 may also include the sub-step of vending machine 101 performing appropriate authenticity checks on the received authorization message to verify the source of the message as well as the contents of the message.
With continuing reference to
A confirmation message indicating successful dispensation as well as the particular object dispensed is sent from vending machine 101 to server computer 301, block 426. This confirmation message is sent by control module 104, via communications device 103, and may, for example, be generated upon control module 104 detecting through the VMC that an object has been dispensed. As before, the confirmation message may be sent 426 over a secure communications channel, may occur in encrypted form and/or may, e.g., include steps to mutually authenticate the communicating devices.
Server computer 301, upon receipt of the confirmation message, charges the user for the object dispensed, block 428. The charging 428 may be accomplished by a variety of means, including, for example, charging an online account set up the user, adding a charge to the user's mobile telephone bill, direct debiting from the user's bank account etc.
As can be seen, embodiments of system 100 and method 400, as described herein, solve the fundamental challenges outlined earlier with existing vending machine human interfaces. By allowing for a cashless transaction, embodiments describe herein ensure consumer convenience. Moreover, by enabling the transaction to be charged to a variety of online and other accounts with the possibility of micro-payments, embodiments avoid the high transaction costs associated with credit-card transactions. Further, by reducing the action of buying from a vending machine to the simple act of knocking, thumping or slapping the vending machine and nothing more, embodiments ensure a simple, easy-to-use and intuitive interface.
With the base operation described above, enhancements that add to the robustness of embodiments are considered. For example, after vending machine 101 has received 418 an authorization message, control module 104 may implement a timeout function, which cancels the entire purchase and returns vending machine 101 to the initial state if the user does not make a selection within an appropriate time period. Such an enhancement will handle cases where a user changes his mind after performing the initial action of knocking, thumping or slapping the machine, and decides to buy nothing after all, and walks away from the machine. In such a scenario, the timeout will prevent another user from obtaining a dispensation from the vending machine based on the authorization received for the first user, and thus having the purchase charged to the first user's account.
The steps described in the above embodiment of method 400 should not be construed as necessarily occurring in sequential order. Some of the steps may occur simultaneously and some may occur in practice in a different sequence than that described without having material effect on the operation of system 100. Likewise, some steps may be omitted.
Furthermore, additional variations that build upon the central theme presented in the above embodiment and add further advantages to embodiment may also be included. Several such enhancements are presented in the embodiments described below.
With reference now to
With reference now to
An interface in server computer 301 that allows the user to perform this registration may, e.g., be constructed to enable the user to make definitions of the thumping action by selection of items from menu choices. Alternatively, the interface could also allow the user to perform the thumping action with a mobile phone and record the sequence directly. The user may also, using the same registration procedure, register multiple sequences, each with a corresponding object to be dispensed. Furthermore, the registration may be for use on a general basis, i.e., to indicate that the association is valid in all vending machines, restricted to certain vending machines only, or, restricted on a time-of-day basis, i.e., to indicate that a certain product is to be dispensed in response to a certain thumping action in certain times of the day. Subsequent steps 402-428 may be performed in a manner to similar to that described in the embodiments described above with the exception that the user does not perform a separate selection 422 of the object to be dispensed, but rather performs in 402 a thumping action corresponding to one of the pre-determined sequences defined in registration 602. Accordingly, in matching 414, server computer 301 matches the user with the vending machine as in prior embodiments. Server computer also matches the thumping action performed by the user with one of the pre-determined sequences registered by the user, block 604. If a match with a pre-determined sequence is found, authorization message is sent to vending machine 101, block 606. Authorization message sent 606 also indicates the product to be dispensed. Vending machine receives the authorization message with indicated product, block 608, and directly dispenses the item desired by the user without requiring an explicit selection of the product by the user, block 610. If no match with a pre-registered sequence is found, the operation of the system reverts that described in the prior embodiments, i.e., allowing the user to make a selection 422 and then dispensing the product selected.
With reference to
With continuing reference to
If a match is not achieved, then an authorization message is sent indicating that there is no gift to be dispensed, but rather only that the vending machine is authorized to dispense products according to user's selection, block 718. User is informed that his action did not match the pre-determined gift action, block 720. The user may be informed through server computer 301 sending a message to user's mobile phone 201, or by vending machine 101 presenting the information in a display device located in vending machine 101. User is prompted to either try again, or proceed with a product selection and dispensation as before, block 722. The prompting 722 of the user may be achieved either through control module 204 in the user's mobile phone 201, or it may be achieved through an input device such as, for example, a button or a keypad in vending machine 101. Alternatively, the user's intent may also be sensed directly if he performs the thumping action again and the prompting can be skipped. If the user decides to try again then the entire process may be repeated. If the user decides not to try again, then he can proceed with a product selection and dispensation procedure as described above.
With reference now to
Other additions to embodiments are possible. For example, vending machine 101 may be equipped with display devices for a variety of functions ranging from advertising the availability of the thumping interface through, for example, a sticker, to providing various indications and messages through more sophisticated active display screens. As another example, vending machine 101 may be equipped with speakers or more sophisticated music-playing devices which play a short tune or music clip in response to thumping actions, or matches, or gifts. Moreover, the user may be allowed to customize the tune or music played by such a device. Yet another example is to equip vending machine 101 with a short-range wireless communication device such as, for example, a Bluetooth device, capable of communicating with equivalent devices in the user's mobile phone 201. Vending machine 101 can then identify and communicate with the user's mobile phone via such a short-range wireless communications link. This capability may be used for a variety of purposes ranging from aiding the match heuristics performed in the server computer, to displaying personalized messages to the user on a display device located in the vending machine. Such personalized messages may, for example, be a welcome message to the user as he approaches the vending machine, or, a marketing message indicating that the user can win a free gift, etc.
It is noted that while the use of the term “vending machine” in the above embodiments and descriptions may evoke vending machines that dispense beverages, candy and other such similar items, the system and method described above is equally applicable in a number of other scenarios involving machines that vend items in general. One such example is an automated gasoline pump. The embodiments described herein may be applied with equal effect is gasoline pumps as well. Another such example is ticket vending machines in train stations or bus terminals. Further examples are arcade game machines that allow a user play a game, or juke boxes that allow a user to play music, or laundromat machines for washing and drying. Consequently, the term vending machine used herein refers to the broad class of machines that vend items or services.
As is illustrated herein, the system and method for interactive use of automated vending machines may be implemented in various embodiments. For example, an embodiment of a system may include one or more vending machines, one or more human interface devices capable of being held by, worn by, or carried in or on the person of a human, and a server computer, in which each of the one or more vending machines is equipped with one or more first sensing devices capable of detecting forces exerted by a human on an external surface of the vending machine, a first communications device capable of communications between the vending machine and the server computer, and a first control module coupled to at least the one or more first sensing devices and the first communications device. Each of the human interface devices may include one or more second sensing devices capable of detecting forces exerted on a surface by a human while the human interface device is held, worn or carried, a second communications device capable of communications between the human interface device and the server computer, and a second control module coupled to at least the one or more second sensing devices and the second communications device. In embodiments, the sensing devices may be accelerometers and the human interface devices may be mobile phones, key fobs, bracelets, rings, wristwatches, or items worn on the hand. The vending machines may be further equipped with devices capable of playing audio or with display devices, and each of the human interface devices may include a display device. Each of vending machines and human interface devices may be equipped with short-range wireless devices capable of detecting and identifying other similar short-range wireless devices in the vicinity.
Likewise an embodiment of a method for interactive use of automated vending machines may include exerting a force on an external surface of a vending machine while holding, wearing, or carrying a human interface device, detecting the force in sensing devices located in the vending machine, generating a signal from the sensing devices corresponding to the force, detecting the force in sensing devices located in the human interface device, generating a signal from the sensing devices in the human interface device corresponding to the force, processing of the signals to generate processed signals, the processing adding information that uniquely identifies the vending machine and the human interface device, communicating the processed signals from the vending machine to a server computer either directly or indirectly through other communications devices or networks, detecting a match between the processed signals at the server computer in order to infer an association between the vending machine, the human interface device, and occurrence of the force, communicating an authorization message from the server computer to the vending machine either directly or indirectly through other communications devices or networks, verifying the authorization message and enabling dispensation of goods at the vending machine upon successful verification of the authorization message, and receiving a selection of one or more objects to be dispensed, dispensing the one or more objects, communicating a confirmation message from the vending machine to the server computer either directly or indirectly through other communications devices or networks, the confirmation comprising indication of the dispensation of the one or more objects, and charging of a user for the dispensation at the server computer. The processing may compress the signals and may add information on the physical location of the vending machine, on physical location of the human interface device, on direction and an associated co-ordinate system of the signals, time of generation of the signals, describing the signals as time-varying functions, describing statistics of time variation of the signals, the statistics consisting one or more of mean, maximum, minimum and standard deviation, on the magnitude, duration, energy, spectral content or power spectral density of the signals, on the proximity of one or more human interface devices, and/or on the proximity of one or more vending machines.
The embodiment may also include one or more short-range wireless devices in the vending machine detecting and identifying a short-range wireless device located in the vicinity of the vending machine or one or more short-range wireless devices in the human interface device detecting and identifying a short-range wireless device located in the vicinity of the human interface device. The method may also display a visual indication or message pertinent to a user in possession of a short-range wireless device. The communicating may be conducted over a secure communication channel, the secure communication channel providing facilities to encrypt the communication messages, authenticate communicating endpoints, authenticate the communication message sources, and/or verify the integrity of communication messages. Likewise, the detecting a match between the processed signals may be achieved by comparing information on the physical location of the vending machine to information on the physical location of the human interface device, comparing information on respective directions, times of generation, descriptions as time-varying functions, statistics of time variation, magnitudes, durations, energies, spectral contents, and/or power spectral densities of the signals, and/or comparing information on the proximity of one or more of the vending machines. The charging of a user for the dispensation may include charging a mobile phone account of the user, charging an account of the user, debiting funds from the bank account of the user, or charging a credit card account of the user. The method may further include playing audio or displaying a visual indication/message at the vending machine and/or the human interface device upon the exerting a force, performing a verification of the authorization message, and/or dispensing of the one or more objects.
Another embodiment of a method for interactive use of automated vending machines may include a user exerting a force on an external surface of a vending machine while holding, wearing, or carrying a human interface device in a hand, receiving a selection of one or more objects to be dispensed, detecting the force in one or more sensing devices located in the vending machine, generating a signal from the one or more first sensing devices corresponding to the force, detecting the force in one or more sensing devices in the human interface device, generating a signal from the one or more sensing devices in the human interface device corresponding to the force, processing of the signals, at the vending machine and human interface device, respectively, to generate processed signals, the processing adding information that uniquely identifies the vending machine and information that identifies the one or more objects to be dispensed, and the processing adding information that uniquely identifies the human interface device, respectively, communicating the processed signals from the vending machine and the human interface device, respectively to a server computer either directly or indirectly through other communications devices or networks, detecting a match between the processed signal from the vending machine and the processed signal from the human interface device at the server computer in order to infer an association between the vending machine, the human interface device, and occurrence of the force, communicating an authorization message from the server computer to the vending machine either directly or indirectly through other communications devices or networks, verifying the authorization message at the vending machine, dispensing the one or more objects upon successful verification of the authorization message, communicating a confirmation message from the vending machine to the server computer either directly or indirectly through other communications devices or networks, the confirmation including an indication of the dispensation of the one or more objects, and charging of a user for the dispensation at the server computer.
Embodiments of the method may include registering actions of a user with a server computer, each registration specifying an association between a manner of applying a force and one or more objects to be purchased, the specifying capable of being further qualified by one or more specification qualification parameters, detecting a match between the processed signals and a manner of applying force in one of the registrations of actions at the server computer in order to infer an association between the vending machine, the human interface device, occurrence of the interaction force, and one of the registrations of actions, identifying one of the registrations of action as the matched registration of action, identifying one or more objects to dispensed in accordance with the specification in the matched registration of action and, if the specification is further qualified by the one or more specification qualification parameters, in accordance also with the one or more specification qualification parameters, and communicating an authorization message from the server computer to the vending machine, the authorization message including indication of the one or more objects to be dispensed. The specification qualification parameters may include the time of the day such that one or more of the registrations of actions specifies an association between a manner of applying a force and one or more objects to be purchased in certain time periods of the day. The specification qualification parameters may include a list of one or more vending machine attributes, such that one or more of the registrations of actions specifies an association between a manner of applying a force and one or more objects to be purchased in certain vending machines.
Embodiments of the method may include registering actions of a user with a server computer, each registration specifying an association between a manner of applying a force and one or more objects to be gifted, the specifying capable of being further qualified by one or more specification qualification parameters, communicating an authorization message from the server computer to the vending machine, the authorization message comprising indication of the one or more objects to be dispensed based on a matched registration and the specified objects to be gifted, and dispensing the one or more objects to be gifted.
Methods described herein may be executed as computer software programs including instructions to perform the methods, steps and actions described herein. The instructions may be stored on computer-readable media, such as memory or secondary storage devices (e.g., hard-drives), on vending machines, mobile phones and other human interface devices, server computers, etc, and executed by processors on such devices.
Further enhancements and added features to embodiments described herein will readily occur to those well versed in the art. All such modifications, changes, extensions, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein are deemed to be covered by the foregoing description and the claims which follow.