EP3096408B1

EP3096408B1 - Device for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels in vending machines

Info

Publication number: EP3096408B1
Application number: EP15736970.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonio Torres Lopez
Original assignee: Muxunav SL
Current assignee: Muxunav SL
Priority date: 2014-01-17
Filing date: 2015-01-15
Publication date: 2021-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2035-01-15
Also published as: ES1103855Y; EP3096408A1; EP3096408A4; ES2873107T3; ES1103855U; WO2015107245A1; PT3096408T

Description

Object of the Invention

As expressed in the title of the present specification, the invention relates to a device for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels in vending machines which provides its intended function with various advantages and novel features that will be described in detail below, and entail an improvement with respect to systems currently known in the state of the art for the same purpose.
More particularly, the object of the invention relates to a device the purpose of which is to allow connecting a plurality of different light and/or luminescent panels, of the type comprised in labels, information boards and/or indicator or selection buttons of typical vending machines for selling products such as tobacco, electronic cigarettes, beverages, foods, telephone cards, or any product that can be sold in said machine type, with the particularity that said panels use OLED, graphene or similar technology, and that said device, in addition to said multiconnection for the illumination of such panels, allows interchanging said panels in a quick and easy manner, and powering them by taking energy from the machine itself without requiring a voltage controller; it comprises a microcontroller allowing animation, signaling, broadcasting of audiovisual content, possibilities of browsing on the Internet or Intranet and/or tuning and broadcasting of audiovisual content that can be modified in any of the panels, even remotely as a result of being connected to the network, as well as controlling sensors and external components of the machine such as a microphone, camera, speaker, motion sensor or light sensor.

Field of Application of the Invention

The field of application of the present invention is in the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of vending machines, particularly focusing on the field of devices for illuminating vending machines.

Background of the Invention

Various devices are used today in the vending machine sector to provide labels with light for the purpose of differentiating articles from one another. In some cases, they are used to allow differentiating one product from other products displayed in the machine, and in other cases to view the array of products in environments with low visibility or with deficient light. Devices of this type are not exclusive to vending machines; they also apply to the advertising sector, safety signaling device sector, decoration sector, games sector, or automotive sector, among others.
Normally, devices or labels of this type can be custom-manufactured in the machine itself.
These possibilities can range simply from the illumination of one or more labels that will act as a simple light emitter on which a transparency indicating the product or brand to be selected will be superimposed, and that will be arranged in the selection push buttons of the machine itself, or identifying each product, with the subsequent discrimination of other brands or products that are not illuminated or are less brightly illuminated.
In addition, the materials and technologies existing up until now for said type of light elements have a series of limitations and drawbacks which are to be solved by the present invention. In this sense, the lifespan of the existing devices as well as their brightness is limited. Similarly, spaces with a certain thickness are necessary for their incorporation, so they cannot be incorporated in very small spaces. However, their main drawback is the need for a voltage controller adapting the current of the machine so that the panels and labels can be illuminated, causing a large part of the energy consumed by the machine to be used for said voltage and intensity conversion for adapting same to the current required by the panels. Finally, the incorporation of such voltage controllers also entails the need to provide space for that purpose, which in turn leads to another drawback, as it is a considerably bulky element which in turn entails a machine manufacturing cost.
To solve all these drawbacks, the applicant discloses, in utility model no. ES1087554U , relating to a "Multiconnection device for interchangeable labels," and in utility model no. ES1094562U , relating to an "Improved device for the multiconnection of interchangeable LED lights for tobacco vending machines," both belonging to said applicant, respective devices that partially achieve the mentioned objective of improving earlier known systems for the illumination of labels in vending machines, focusing particularly on vending machines intended for selling tobacco, which, however, have aspects susceptible to improvement, specifically aspects relating to the illumination elements or light source used, since they are limited to LED technology, and aspects relating to their functionality which is restricted to the illumination of labels bearing the brands of the different products, the objective of the present invention being to improve and enhance said type of device so that it can also be implemented with panels using OLED, graphene or similar technology and allow, in addition to illumination, the animation, signaling, broadcasting of audiovisual content, possibilities of browsing on the Internet or Intranet and/or tuning in the vending machine in labels, boards and buttons of any type that can be incorporated in any part of the vending machine.
The US patent publication US 2011/022980 refers to a vending arrangement for computerized vending machines, retail displays, automated retail stores, or the like presents a physical display comprising a plurality of viewing windows or modules containing items to be vended. A controlling computer responds to software and provides a visual display controlled by the software for establishing screens for inputting customer selections and displaying machine options.
The US patent publication US 2006/195222 discloses an interactive vending machine that facilitates the purchase of digital media. The machine includes a video screen that present displays controlled by a consumer and includes speakers that enable audio-visual promotional material and informational material to be utilized on the vending machine in conjunction with purchasing digital media from the vending machine or from a source remote from the machine.
The US patent publication US 2003/0150146 relates to a vending machine display apparatus for a vending machine having a user-manipulatable control for dispensing a product, and to a method of advertising products in a vending machine.

Description of the Invention

The device for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels in vending machines proposed by the present invention is therefore configured as a novelty within its field of application since the objective described above is fully achieved based on its implementation, the characterizing details which make it possible and which distinguish it from that which is already known being conveniently included in the final claims accompanying the present specification of the device.
Specifically, the device for multiconnection proposed by the invention essentially comprises, on one hand, a set of connection points arranged together in a multiconnector block which allows connecting and disconnecting in a practical, quick and easy manner each of the light elements of the machine through the corresponding male-female connection system provided for that purpose, which are characterized in that they consist of panels the light surface of which uses elements with OLED, graphene or similar technology as the light source, such surfaces being able to be designed and sized in different shapes and sizes for being incorporated in different labels, buttons and/or light boards of the machine. In addition, the device for multiconnection also comprises an electrical outlet connector element which is a connector taking electric current from the machine itself, for which it has a cord that leads into various different, independent connectors making it compatible with most vending machines existing on the market.
Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment the device has the particularity of having an electronic microcontroller which, when inserted between the multiconnector block and the electrical outlet connector element, allows performing, in the mentioned interchangeable light panels with OLED, graphene or similar technology, a plurality of additional functions other than the illumination of the panels alone, such as animation effects, signaling, broadcasting of audiovisual content, browsing on the Internet or Intranet and/or tuning and broadcasting of any type of audiovisual content, in addition to controlling different sensors and external components of the machine such as a microphone, a video camera, speakers, motion sensor or light sensor. To that end, said microcontroller comprises the corresponding electronic components, sensors, emitters and receivers, and is connected wirelessly or with a cord and is operated through the controls provided for such purpose therein.
By means of incorporating said controller in the device, it has the possibility of changing the message to be shown on the panels, the possibility of broadcasting audiovisual content that can be modified in any of the panels, even remotely, as a result of being connected to the network, as well as the possibility of showing interactive elements on said panels, such as information of any type, advertisement, games, e-mail, etc. It also allows the possibility of modifying the content remotely and other endless possibilities offered by communication and computer technologies.
This being the case, and taking as a reference other devices which only allow the possibility of providing the labels or other light elements in vending machines with light, the proposed device has many significant advantages;

Devices using OLED, graphene or similar technology have a much longer lifespan than the materials and technologies existing up until now. Panels using this technology have a service life that is more than 10 times longer compared with those existing up until now.
In turn, these panels are also much brighter.
Similarly, the thickness is very little compared to the existing materials applied for these purposes, so it can be applied in smaller spaces.
However, the most significant advantage is that within the simple function of illuminating the panels, the proposed device does not need a voltage controller. This is due to the fact that, unlike other existing systems, the present device, as a result of the incorporation of the electrical outlet connector, works with the same voltage as the machine itself, so a controller adapting the current of the machine so that the panels can be illuminated is not required. This therefore leads to greater energy savings, since most of the energy used in other devices and supplied by the machine itself is used by the driver for voltage and intensity conversion in order to adapt same to the current required by the panels or devices.

The system is therefore more energy-efficient, the energy being able to be used for incorporating more panels per machine. It also saves space because the bulkiest element, i.e., the controller, is eliminated.
In addition, the proposed device provides broadcasting, animation or tuning possibility, as if it were a TV set or a conventional computer, in the label itself which will be arranged in the selection push buttons for selecting or showing the product or in boards which can be placed in the front, on the sides or in the upper part of the machine.
This possibility opens up a wide range of possibilities that do not exist in any machine today in terms of selecting the message to be transmitted to the possible buyer because what is being displayed can be the brand alone in a static or animated manner or any type of audiovisual message.
Likewise, different parts of the machine can be covered with light panels which use OLED, graphene or similar technology, due to their reduced thickness, weight and consumption, and they can be used with the same message properties as the push buttons but furthermore adding the possibilities of interacting with and controlling the panel by touch, by sounds with voice control, visually or by interconnection with mobile devices, in addition to the logics as they are panels which can be larger than the panels of the push buttons. This allows the machine to show useful information such as the weather, traffic, news and sports by browsing on the web or Intranet etc., and to interact by touch, sound or visually or by means of an electronic device having mobile Internet connection with the vending machine as if it were a tablet-, smartphone-, television- or computer-type device.
Likewise, machines today have the drawback of illuminating labels by selecting the degree of brightness or the light intensity, particularly in tobacco vending machines, where the environment in which the machine is placed can be well-lit, so a normal fluorescence light is not sufficient in many cases. A very high degree of illumination exceeding 100 cd/m² would be required. By incorporating panels which use OLED, graphene or similar technology to the light elements of the vending machines, the light intensity can be selected so that the machine changes its illumination automatically or manually and adapts it to the ambient light based on previously selected parameters.
Said controller or control center of the device, which can allow from a simple flashing illumination to the broadcasting of messages and audiovisual content on the panels, remotely changing and controlling the message to be sent via Internet, Bluetooth or similar wireless systems, or the Intranet, controls user's interaction by touch, sound or visually with the panel both with respect to the push buttons dispensing the product and to the outer panels. The appearance and/or final message of the label of the panel or the label bearing the product brand as well as the outer panels can therefore be regulated. This controller has a small size, allowing greater versatility to enable arranging it in any space available inside the vending machine.
This improved device for the multiconnection of panels which use OLED, graphene or similar technology for vending machines, provides various advantages and breakthroughs with respect to the devices available today, some of the most significant ones being the fact that it allows interchanging the actual panels or the message shown thereon very quickly, the appeal it has for consumers in terms of the possibility of interacting with the machine and finding additional information other than the information about the product they are interested in or finding information that may be of interest to possible consumers, thereby attracting more consumers, the possibility of displaying dynamic, audiovisual information both in the push buttons supplying the product and in the outer panels, the energy savings since the panels consume the same type of energy as the machine itself and thereby optimizing panel consumption as a result of not using external power sources, achieving a perfect and crystal clear brand image, compatibility with both machines already present on the market and with newly designed machines regardless of the sector in which the vending machine is used, as very small-sized elements are incorporated both in the panels and in the connectors and controllers of the device.
Another significant advantage is that, as it is provided with different, independent current connection devices, the device for multiconnection can be used in any vending machine that expends products.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it is manufactured in a simple and cost-effective manner, in addition to having a simple and easy installation and replacement of the panels which use OLED, graphene or similar technology. Furthermore, these materials are highly resistant to blows, humidity, heat, etc., much more so than those existing today.
The described device for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels in vending machines is therefore an innovative device having structural and constitutive features that have been unknown up until now for its intended purpose, and these reasons combined with its practical usefulness give the invention sufficient grounds for obtaining the exclusive right that is sought.

Description of the Drawings

To complement the description that is being made and for the purpose of aiding to better understand the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification as an integral part thereof in which the following has been depicted in an illustrative and non-limiting manner:

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the device for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels in vending machines, object of the invention, the main parts and elements it comprises being seen therein, the device being depicted with various examples of the panels which can be incorporated in the machine, showing one panel already connected to a connection point of the multiconnector block and the rest not connected.
Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the device for multiconnection according to the invention, in this case provided with a microcontroller for allowing additional options besides the simple illumination of the panels, the device again being depicted with various examples of the panels contemplated in a machine, one panel already connected to the multiconnector block and the rest not connected, and an enlarged detail of the microcontroller also being depicted to show the different controls and connectors it incorporates.
Figure 3 shows a schematic front perspective view of an example of a vending machine incorporating the device of the invention, showing the different possibilities for configuring and arranging the light panels controlled by the device as well as the different external components that can also be controlled by the device.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In view of the mentioned drawings, according to the numbering used, a preferred but non-limiting example of the device for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels in vending machines can be seen therein, which device comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.
As observed in Figure 1, the proposed device (1) for multiconnection is provided with several connection points (2) arranged together in a multiconnector block (5) with a plurality of male-female inlets for connecting and disconnecting different panels (4) in a simple and easy manner as well as an electrical outlet connector element (3) for connecting an electrical outlet to the machine (24) itself for powering the device (1).
This electrical outlet connector (3) is coupled to the multiconnector block (5) through a connection inlet point (7) for powering the device, and has a power cord (8) which in turn leads into various independent connectors (9a, 9b, 9c....), each of them being compatible with most vending machines on the market, which allows supplying the light panels (4) with electric energy from the machine itself for their operation.
Said panels (4) use OLED, graphene or similar technology as the light source on their light surface (12) and are interchangeable at the different connection points (2), for which purpose they are provided with a male-female connection system (10) allowing said connection in a simple and easy manner. Likewise, for installation thereof they have an extension wiring (11) that is long enough to reach from the connection points (2) the location of the panel in the corresponding part of the machine (24), which can either be in the product dispensing push buttons (14) or in compartments arranged close to said push buttons, inside or close to the dispensing control (15), and in any other part of the machine as well, as shown in Figure 3. The dimensions of the light surface (12) of each of the panels (4) are very specific to allow the arrangement thereof in each of their locations, for example, inside the product dispensers (14) of most vending machines or in the compartments showing the products. Similarly, said light surfaces (12) must be flexible, lightweight and very thin for covering the machine with panels.
In this example of Figure 1, the panels (4) of the device (1) for multiconnection are preferably labels that are introduced in or coupled to the product dispensing push buttons (14) or in compartments arranged close to the product dispensing push buttons, the light surfaces (12) acting as mere light producers. A transparency which will identify each product would then be incorporated on these panels, the panels acting as mere light emitters.
Figure 2 shows how, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the device (1) for multiconnection incorporates an electronic microcontroller (13) inserted between the multiconnector block (5) and the electrical outlet connector element (3) for which it has a connection inlet point (7). This microcontroller (13) is operated with several controls (6) arranged therein, said controls (6) furthermore having various connectors (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) allowing them to be conventionally or wirelessly connected to the Internet or Intranet and/or to electronic storage devices with audiovisual content, as well as to different internal or external devices of the machine (24), such as a video camera (19), light sensor (20), microphone (21), speakers (22) and/or motion sensor (23) in order to perform, in the light panels (4), functions other than simple illumination, such as animation effects, signaling, browsing on the Internet or Intranet and/or tuning and broadcasting of any type of audiovisual content.
In the example of Figure 2, the panels (4) have light surfaces (12) consisting of labels that are introduced in or coupled to the product dispensing push buttons or compartments arranged close to the product dispensing push buttons, but by incorporating a microcontroller (13), it allows the broadcasting of dynamic or non-dynamic messages which can be moving or not and can be changed in a simple manner from said controller. Said controller also allows changing said messages wirelessly or with a normal connection, remotely or on site. Therefore, in this case the panels (4) can be provided with surfaces (12) which use touch technology. The controller furthermore incorporates a plurality of connectors and wireless connections for quickly and easily changing the audiovisual or static messages to be broadcast on the panels, as well as a plurality of elements for connection to the Internet and Intranets, connectors for coupling storage devices like flash cards, hard drives, etc., with information that can be broadcast on said panels.
Figure 3 shows an example of the vending machine (24) provided with the proposed device (1) for multiconnection, depicting panels (4) with different options for arranging surfaces (12) which use OLED, graphene or similar technology, consisting both of labels to be arranged in the product dispensing push buttons (14) or in the push buttons indicating the product to be selected close to the product dispensing control (15), and of boards intended for being arranged in the front part (18) of the machine, in the upper part (16) and/or on the sides (17) of the machine.
The incorporation of a video camera (19), a light sensor (20) a microphone (21), speakers (22) and a motion sensor (23), conventionally or wirelessly connected to the electronic microcontroller (13), is also seen.
Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to further describe the invention so that any person skilled in the art can comprehend the scope thereof and advantages derived from it, stating that, it could be carried out to practice, staying within its essential features, in other embodiments differing in detail from that indicated by way of example and such embodiments would also be covered by the protection that is sought provided that the fundamental principle thereof is neither altered, changed nor modified.

Claims

Device (1) for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels (4) for vending machines (24), the device (1) comprising:
- connection points (2), arranged together in a multiconnector block (5) with a plurality of male-female inlets for connecting and disconnecting different light panels (4) allowing them to be interchanged,

- an electrical outlet connector element (3) for connecting an electrical outlet to the machine (24) itself, and

- an electronic microcontroller (13), inserted between the multiconnector block (5) and the electrical outlet connector element (3), wherein the electronic microcontroller (13) is adapted to perform, in the light panels (4), animation effects and signaling,
characterized in that
the electronic microcontroller (13) is provided with connectors (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) for connecting the electronic microcontroller (13) to the Internet or Intranet and/or electronic storage devices,
wherein the electronic microcontroller (13) is also adapted to perform, in the light panels (4), browsing on the Internet or Intranet and/or tuning and broadcasting of audiovisual content, wherein the light panels (4) includes OLED, graphene or similar technology as the light source on the light surface (12) thereof,
and wherein the light panels (4) are powered by taking energy from the machine (24) itself.
Device (1) for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 1, characterized in that the microcontroller (13) has conventional cord connectors.
Device (1) for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the microcontroller (13) has wireless connectors.
Device (1) for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the microcontroller (13) controls devices of the machine (24) such as a video camera (19), light sensor (20), microphone (21), speakers (22) and/or motion sensor (23).
Device (1) for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the panels (4) connected to the device have light surfaces (12) which use OLED, graphene or similar technology, consisting of labels to be arranged in the product dispensing push buttons (14) or in the push buttons indicating the product to be selected close to the product dispensing control (15).
Device (1) for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the panels (4) connected to the device have light surfaces (12) which use OLED, graphene or similar technology, consisting of boards intended for being arranged in the front part (18) of the machine, in the upper part (16) and/or on the sides (17) of the machine (24).
Device (1) for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 6, characterized in that the panels (4) connected to the device have light surfaces (12), which use OLED, graphene or similar technology, with touch technology.
Device (1) for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical outlet connector (3) is coupled to the multiconnector block (5) through a connection inlet point (7) for powering the device (1).
Device (1) for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical outlet connector (3) has a power cord (8) which in turn leads into various independent connectors (9a, 9b, 9c....).
Device (1) for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 1, characterized in that the light panels (4) are provided with a male-female connection system (10) allowing a connection in a simple and easy manner, said light panels (4) having an extension wiring (11) that is long enough to reach from the connection points (2) the location of the panel in the corresponding part of the machine (24).
Device (1) for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 1, characterized in that the light panels (4) have light surfaces (12) which are flexible, lightweight and thin for covering the machine (24) with panels.
Device (1) for the multiconnection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 1, characterized in that the broadcasting of audiovisual content that are modified in any of the light panels (4), even remotely as a result of being connected to the network.