GB2424968A - Vending apparatus and method - Google Patents

Vending apparatus and method Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2424968A
GB2424968A GB0506799A GB0506799A GB2424968A GB 2424968 A GB2424968 A GB 2424968A GB 0506799 A GB0506799 A GB 0506799A GB 0506799 A GB0506799 A GB 0506799A GB 2424968 A GB2424968 A GB 2424968A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vending
customer
control device
data
articles
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0506799A
Other versions
GB0506799D0 (en
Inventor
David Snell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HELENA BIOSCIENCES EUROP Ltd
Original Assignee
HELENA BIOSCIENCES EUROP Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by HELENA BIOSCIENCES EUROP Ltd filed Critical HELENA BIOSCIENCES EUROP Ltd
Priority to GB0506799A priority Critical patent/GB2424968A/en
Publication of GB0506799D0 publication Critical patent/GB0506799D0/en
Publication of GB2424968A publication Critical patent/GB2424968A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/02—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices
    • G07F7/025—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/0092—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/08—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means
    • G07F7/0866—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means by active credit-cards adapted therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/002—Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/02—Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus
    • G07F9/026—Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A vending apparatus (10) for vending articles to a customer is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a vending device (12) adapted to store articles such as microbiological samples and supply the articles to a customer in response to an instructing signal from the customer. A GPRS router (18) is adapted to allow transfer of data to a control device (16) located remotely of the vending device wherein the vending device communicates inventory data to the control device and the control device communicates pricing data to the vending device.

Description

* 2424968 Vendirip apparatus and method The present invention relates to a
method and apparatus for vending articles to a customer, and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a method and apparatus for vending biological and microbiological samples from a cold store.
The use of vending machines to dispense samples of microbiological materials is well known. However, such devices require considerable effort in maintaining stocks within the vending machines and maintaining account information relating to customers using the vending machines. This is particularly the case where machines are sited in different locations. * ** * * * S...
Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to S...
overcome disadvantages with the prior art, including those set *5 *S * . . out above. * 0
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending apparatus for vending articles to a customer, S...
the apparatus comprising:- at least one vending devico adapted to store a plurality of articles and supply at least one said article to a customer in response to an instructing signal from said customer; at least one data transfer device adapted to allow transfer of data to at least one control device located remotely of at least one said vending device wherein at least one said vending device communicates inventory data to at least one said control device and at least one said control device communicates pricing data to at least one said vending device.
By providing a vending apparatus which includes a vending device and which can connected to a control device remotely located from said vending device, the vending and control devices allowing the transfer of inventory and pricing data therebetween, the advantage is provided that the control device can determine when the vending device may need refilling, thereby ensuring that the vending device is always able to supply articles to the customer. Furthermore, the communication of pricing data from the control device to the vending device reduces the work involved in altering the prices of the articles being sold. This is particularly advantageous where the cost of the articles being sold may change regularly.
The apparatus may further comprise at least one customer identifying device for identifying said customer. * .* * * * I...
By providing at least one customer identifying device, the S..
advantage is provided that the sale of articles may be made on account and does not require the vending apparatus to handle volumes of cash.
In another preferred embodiment at least one said vending S...
S.,..' device communicates account data about said customer to at least one said control device.
In a further preferred embodiment at least one said vending device receives account data about said customer from at least one control device.
By communicating customer data between the vending and control devices, the advantage is provided that a customer can be prevented from exceeding a credit limit.
The apparatus may further comprise at least one key adapted to identify a customer to said customer identifying device.
In a preferred embodiment, said key is adapted to hold account information.
The key, which might typically be a card, so that it can carry account information about the customer, for example, credit may be stored on the key or card. The advantage is therefore provided that the vending device and control device can communicate account information after a transaction with the customer has been completed. As a result the customer does not have to wait for a data connection to be established between the vending and control devices before the article is dispensed. A key with credit stored on it ensures that a customer cannot obtain more articles than their account can pay for.
In another preferred embodiment, at least one said vending : ,", device and at least one said control device are connected via a a.
virtual private network using a general packet radio service a...
router. b I. * * .
By using a virtual private network utilising a general *1 packet radio service (GPRS) router, the advantage is provided : ... that the vending machine only requires a power supply and does not rely on connection to a wired network in the building in which it is located to maintain its connection with the control device.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided system for operating at least one vending apparatus, the system comprising:- at least one vending apparatus as defined above; and at least one control device located remotely of at least one said vending device and connected to at least one said vending device so as to allow transfer of data therebetween, wherein at least one said vending device communicates inventory data to at least one said control device and at least one said control device communicates pricing data to at least one said vending device.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a vending apparatus comprising the steps of:supplying at least one article from at least one vending device to a customer in response to an instructing signal from said customer; and transferring data between at least one said vending device and at least one control device located remotely from the or each : * vending device wherein at least one said vending device :::: communicates inventory data to at least one said control device and at least one said control device communicates pricing data to at least one said vending device.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus embodying the present invention.
Referring to Figure 1, a vending apparatus 10 for vending articles to a customer, has a vending device 12 which is adapted to store articles, such as microbiological samples, in a storage facility 14 and to supply such articles to a customer in response to an instructing signal from said customer. The vending apparatus 10 also includes a control device 16 which is located remotely of the vending device 12 and is connected to the vending device so as to allow the transfer of data therebetween.
Typically this connection may be made via a GPRS router 18 connected to a host server 20, associated with the control device 16, via a firewall 22. The control device 16 also includes a central information management system 24 which utilises transaction information 26 and a database of user details 28 to handle customer accounts. Information relating to the user details 28 and information relating to prices, held in a database of price configuration 30, can be sent from host server 20 via GPRS router 18 to the vending device 12. As a result, one centrally located control device 16 can update many vending devices 12 with new pricing information instantaneously.
Vending device 12 also includes a customer identifying device 32 which is used to identify a customer. This might typically be a key or card reading device which is adapted to read a smart card 34 carried by the customer. The smart card can also carry credit information relating to that customer identifying how much credit they have available to them. * *
In use, a vending device 12 uses a GPRS router 18 to **** S.". connect to a control device 16. A database of price information 30 is used to update the vending device 12 with current pricing information. When a user inserts a smart card 34 into card reader 32 an article may be dispensed from storage facility 14 as long as the smart card carries sufficient credit.
Tronoocton infcrmaton 26 iS transferred froni Cie yenning device 12 via a host server 20 to the central information management system 24 to manage the customer's account. The cards carry a number of points which have an equivalent cash value.
For example a card carrying 50 points with each point having a 2 value has a total cash value of 100. As goods are purchased from the vending machine, points are deducted from the card equivalent to their cash value. Thus a purchase at a value of 10.50 uses 5.25 points. At the end of each month, the number of points deducted from the card is calculated by the control device and an invoice is sent to the purchaser. The card is then replenished with the full number of points for the following month. The system of a monthly allocation of points allows for easy budgeting for the purchaser and assists in preventing overspend However, in the event that all of the points on a card are spent within one month, it is possible to add additional points to the card by contacting the vending machine supplier.
Because each card has an individual identifying code, the data link between the vending device and the control device can be used to block the purchase from certain cards where accounts have not been paid or to provide warning information accordingly to the purchaser as purchases are made.
As articles are dispensed from the storage facility inventory information, that is information relating to the volumes of stock held within the storage facility 14, can be transferred to the control device 16. This information can be used to arrange for the storage facility to be refilled as : * required. S..
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of protection as defined by the appended claims.
* . S. S * S...

Claims (12)

  1. Claims 1. A vending apparatus for vending articles to a customer, the
    apparatus comprising:- at least one vending device adapted to store a plurality of articles and supply at least one said article to a customer in response to an instructing signal from said customer; at least one data transfer device adapted to allow transfer of data to at least one control device located remotely of at least one said vending device wherein at least one said vending device communicates inventory data to at least one said control device and at least one said control device communicates pricing data to at least one said vending device.
  2. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at * * least one customer identifying device for identifying said customer. S... * S ..
  3. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one said vending device communicates account data about said customer to at least one said control device. *. * . * S..
  4. 4. An apporotuc according to any one of the preceding claims, 4.
    wherein at least one said vending device receives account data about said customer from at least one control device.
  5. 5. An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising dL least one key adapted to identify a customer to said customer identifying device.
  6. 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said key is adapted to hold account information.
  7. 7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one said vending device and at least one said control device are connected via a virtual private network using a general packet radio service router.
  8. 8. A vending apparatus for vending articles to a customer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
  9. 9. A system for operating at least one vending apparatus, the system comprising:- at least one vending apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims; and at least one control device located remotely of at least one said vending device and connected to at least one said vending device so as to allow transfer of data therebetween, wherein at least one said vending device communicates inventory data to at least one said control device and at least one said control device communicates pricing data to at least one said vending device.
  10. 10. A system for operating at least one vending apparatus substantially as hereinbeore described with reference to the p...
    accompanying drawing.
  11. 11. A method of operating a vending apparatus, the method comprising: supplying at least one article from at least one vending device to a customer in response to an instructing signal from said customer; and transferring data between at least one said vending device and at least one control device located remotely from the or each vending device wherein at least one said vending device communicates inventory data to at least one said control device and at least one said control device communicates pricing data to at least one said vending device.
  12. 12. A method of operating a vending apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing. * ** * * . a... S...
    S S S... S* 80 * . . * 0 a. * a * IS* S... * S S...
GB0506799A 2005-04-04 2005-04-04 Vending apparatus and method Withdrawn GB2424968A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0506799A GB2424968A (en) 2005-04-04 2005-04-04 Vending apparatus and method

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0506799A GB2424968A (en) 2005-04-04 2005-04-04 Vending apparatus and method

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0506799D0 GB0506799D0 (en) 2005-05-11
GB2424968A true GB2424968A (en) 2006-10-11

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0506799A Withdrawn GB2424968A (en) 2005-04-04 2005-04-04 Vending apparatus and method

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2549388A (en) * 2016-03-22 2017-10-18 Clever Motion Tech Ltd Vending machine

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2723655A1 (en) * 1994-08-11 1996-02-16 Ajl Card-operated vending machine selling various items
US20020084322A1 (en) * 2000-03-31 2002-07-04 Robert Baric Collective payment and control system
US20020125314A1 (en) * 1992-08-14 2002-09-12 Imaging Technologies Pty Limited Methods and apparatus for producing a vending machine inventory status signal
GB2379071A (en) * 1999-12-07 2003-02-26 Linda Din Vending machine operated by a chip card

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020125314A1 (en) * 1992-08-14 2002-09-12 Imaging Technologies Pty Limited Methods and apparatus for producing a vending machine inventory status signal
FR2723655A1 (en) * 1994-08-11 1996-02-16 Ajl Card-operated vending machine selling various items
GB2379071A (en) * 1999-12-07 2003-02-26 Linda Din Vending machine operated by a chip card
US20020084322A1 (en) * 2000-03-31 2002-07-04 Robert Baric Collective payment and control system

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2549388A (en) * 2016-03-22 2017-10-18 Clever Motion Tech Ltd Vending machine
US10002486B2 (en) 2016-03-22 2018-06-19 Clever Motion Technology Limited Vending machine

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Publication number Publication date
GB0506799D0 (en) 2005-05-11

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)