NL2026812B1 - Dispensing device and method for automatically dispensing collectables - Google Patents

Dispensing device and method for automatically dispensing collectables Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2026812B1
NL2026812B1 NL2026812A NL2026812A NL2026812B1 NL 2026812 B1 NL2026812 B1 NL 2026812B1 NL 2026812 A NL2026812 A NL 2026812A NL 2026812 A NL2026812 A NL 2026812A NL 2026812 B1 NL2026812 B1 NL 2026812B1
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Netherlands
Prior art keywords
receipt
dispensing device
read
collectibles
dispensing
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NL2026812A
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Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Marijn Van Dijck Koen
Jan Hendrik Nagel Klaas
Gautier De Vroom Cyril
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World Licenses B V
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Publication date
Application filed by World Licenses B V filed Critical World Licenses B V
Priority to NL2026812A priority Critical patent/NL2026812B1/en
Priority to PCT/NL2021/050671 priority patent/WO2022093032A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2026812B1 publication Critical patent/NL2026812B1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B3/00—Machines for issuing preprinted tickets
    • G07B3/02—Machines for issuing preprinted tickets from stock in wound strip form
    • 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
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/04—Payment circuits
    • G06Q20/045—Payment circuits using payment protocols involving tickets
    • 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
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/20—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
    • G06Q20/204—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
    • 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
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/20—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
    • G06Q20/209—Specified transaction journal output feature, e.g. printed receipt or voice output
    • 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
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G06Q30/0207—Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
    • G06Q30/0238—Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates at point-of-sale [POS]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B5/00—Details of, or auxiliary devices for, ticket-issuing machines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/42—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for ticket printing or like apparatus, e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards

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  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Finance (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Game Theory and Decision Science (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Cash Registers Or Receiving Machines (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispensing device for automatically dispensing collectables, such as stamps, comprising a holder configured for holding a plurality of collectables; a collectable dispenser configured for dispensing one or more collectables from the holder holding the plurality of collectables, and a controller operatively connected to the collectable dispenser and configured for controlling' the collectable dispenser‘ to dispense one or more collectables, wherein. the dispensing' device further comprises a receipt reader operatively connected. to the controller and configured for reading a receipt, and wherein. the controller‘ is configured. for controlling 'the collectable dispenser so as to dispense a predetermined number of collectables in accordance with the read receipt.

Description

P138790NL00
DISPENSING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY DISPENSING COLLECTABLES
BACKGROUND The invention relates to a dispensing device for automatically dispensing collectables, such as stamps. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for automatically dispensing collectables, such as stamps. Such a dispensing device 1s known, for example, from the international patent publication WO 2016/099278. WO 2016/099278 relates to an apparatus and a method for automatically dispensing stamps. The apparatus comprises: a housing for containing a plurality of stamps; a dispensing device for dispensing at least one stamp from the plurality of stamps; and a control device for receiving information from a point-of-sale terminal which is adapted to communicate with the apparatus, wherein the dispensing device is characterized in that said control device is adapted to control said dispensing device so as to dispense a certain number of stamps according to the information received.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The known dispensing device, during use, receives sales information from the point-of-sale terminal, for example, of a supermarket. The received sales information indicates the amount of stamps to be dispensed to the customer of which the sales information has been received by the known dispensing device. In order to enable the known dispensing device to receive sales information from the point-of-sale terminal, the dispensing device must be operatively connected to the payment system of the supermarket.
Since a large variety of different payment systems is available to be used with point-of-sale terminals, a disadvantage of the known dispensing device is that the dispensing device must be able to be integrated into or has to be integrated into each of the large variety of different payment systems in order to be enabled to receive sales information from the respective payment system.
It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate or to eliminate one or more disadvantages of the known dispensing device, to provide an improved dispensing device, or to at least provide an alternative dispensing device.
According to a first aspect, the invention provides a dispensing device for automatically dispensing collectables, such as stamps, comprising: a holder configured for holding a plurality of collectables; a collectable dispenser configured for dispensing one or more collectables from the holder holding the plurality of collectables, and a controller operatively connected to the collectable dispenser and configured for controlling the collectable dispenser to dispense one or more collectables, wherein the dispensing device further comprises a receipt reader operatively connected to the controller and configured for reading a receipt, and wherein the controller is configured for controlling the collectable dispenser so as to dispense a predetermined number of collectables in accordance with the read receipt.
During use of the dispensing device, a customer, for example, of a supermarket may pay collected groceries at a cash register of the supermarket. After paying the groceries, the customer usually receives a receipt as prove of payment of the groceries and in order to enable the customer, for example, to check whether the prices of the paid groceries are correct. Subsequently, the customer may go to the dispensing device according to the invention, and may present the receipt of the supermarket to the dispensing device, in particular the receipt reader thereof. The receipt reader reads the presented receipt, and provides the read receipt to the controller of the dispensing device. After receiving the read receipt, the controller determines the number of collectables to be dispensed and controls the collectable dispenser to dispense the determined number of collectables to the customer. The dispensing device according to the invention, thus, has to be provided with a receipt only in order to dispense collectables to a customer. There is no need for the dispensing device to be operatively connected to or to be integrated into the payment system of the supermarket and, therefore, the dispensing device according to the invention is a true standalone dispensing device. This is advantageous, as the dispensing device according to the invention may be used easily in combination with substantially every payment system.
Additionally, since the dispensing device according to the invention does not have to be operatively connected to or does not have to be integrated, for example, into the payment system of the supermarket, the dispensing device may be put into use relatively quickly, and/or may be located at any position within the supermarket.
In an embodiment, the controller is configured for extracting information from the read receipt and for controlling the collectable dispenser so as to dispense a predetermined number of collectables in accordance with the extracted information. In an embodiment thereof, the receipt reader is configured for converting a physical receipt into a digital receipt.
During use, a receipt is presented to the receipt reader of the dispensing device, which receipt reader converts the physical receipt into a digital receipt.
Subsequently, the controller is provided with the digital receipt, which controller extracts information from the digital receipt.
The extracted information, for example, may relate to the amount of money spent, for example, at the supermarket.
On basis of the amount of money spent at the supermarket, the controller determines the amount of collectables to be dispensed to the customer.
Advantageously, the determination of the amount of collectables to be dispensed is based on the receipt.
In an embodiment, the receipt reader comprises a receipt scanner and/or a barcode scanner.
By providing a receipt scanner and a barcode scanner as the receipt reader, the dispensing device may be enabled advantageously to read a large variety of different receipt formats.
In an embodiment, the receipt reader comprises an imaging module configured for recording one or more images of a receipt.
In an embodiment thereof, the controller is configured for stitching together images of a receipt when multiple images are recorded of a receipt so as to form a single image {from the recorded receipt.
The length of receipts issued by a point-of-sale terminal may vary greatly, as the length of a receipt depends among others on the amount of groceries listed on the receipt.
By recording multiple images of a receipt, followed by stitching together the multiple images of the receipt, the dispensing device may be enabled to create a digital receipt of a physical receipt, independent of the length of the receipt.
An advantage of this embodiment, therefore, may be that the dispensing device is capable of reading substantially every receipt.
Additionally, since the receipt reader is configured for recording one or more images of a receipt, the dimensions of the receipt reader may be kept to a minimum or may be limited, such that the dimensions of the dispensing device may be kept to a minimum or may be limited. This is advantageous, since the space required for installing the dispensing device may be kept to a minimum.
5 In an embodiment, the controller is configured for performing a check on the read receipt for inconsistencies, irregularities and/or fraud. In an embodiment thereof, the controller is configured for determining a confidence level as an outcome of the check on the read receipt, wherein the controller further is configured for switching to an outcome of a parallel check when the determined confidence level is below a predetermined threshold.
In an embodiment, the dispensing device comprises a memory operatively connected to the controller and/or being in data communication with a remote server, wherein the controller is configured for saving a read receipt at the memory and/or the remote server. In an embodiment thereof, the controller is configured for creating an unique identificator for each read receipt. In an embodiment thereof, the controller is configured for saving the created unique identificator in association with the read receipt for which the unique identificator has been created. During use, each read receipt is saved at the memory and/or the remote server in combination with the unique identificator of the respective read receipt. The dispensing device may therewith be enabled to check for each read receipt whether the receipt has been read before. When it is determined that the receipt has been read before, the dispensing device is prevented advantageously from dispensing collectables in relation to the respective receipt. Abuse of the dispensing device, therefore, may be prevented.
In an embodiment, the holder configured for holding the plurality of collectables is configured for holding the plurality of collectables digitally and/or physically, preferably wherein the collectables are stamps.
In an embodiment, the collectable dispenser comprises a connector configured for connecting to an external device and/or for dispensing collectables digitally to the external device.
In an embodiment thereof, the connecter is a wireless connector.
Preferably the connector is a Wi-Fi connector and/or a Bluetooth® connector.
During use, a customer may connect a mobile phone to the dispensing device, whereafter the dispensing device may dispense the collectables digitally to the mobile phone of the customer.
This advantageously enables customers, for example, of the supermarket to collect the collectables digitally.
In an embodiment, the dispensing device is contained in a housing, preferably is contained in a single housing.
An advantage of this embodiment is that the dispensing device may be installed completely at once, such that installation of the dispensing device may be completed relatively fast and may be relatively simple.
In an embodiment, the dispensing device does not receive information from a point-of-sale terminal so as to dispense a predetermined number of collectables in accordance with information from the point-of-sale terminal.
In an embodiment, the dispensing device comprises a display operatively connected to the controller and configured for displaying the read receipt and/or the number of collectables to be dispensed.
The display, during use, may be used, for example, may be used advantageously to display to the user the read receipt, such that the user may check whether the receipt has been read correctly, or to display that number of collectables that will be dispensed to the user, such that the user is provided with an indication of the number of collectables to expect.
In an embodiment the receipt reader has a receipt input for enabling a user to enter a receipt into the receipt reader in an insert direction, wherein the receipt input is provided with a receipt corrector configured for checking the alignment of the entered receipt and/or for correcting the alignment of the entered receipt when it is determined that the entered receipt is misaligned. In an embodiment thereof, the receipt corrector has a receipt guiding channel with two longitudinal sides substantially parallel to the insert direction, wherein a receipt detector, such as an IR photocell, is provided at or near each of the two longitudinal sides for detecting the presence of at least a part of the entered receipt. During use, each receipt detector, which receipt detectors are located at opposite sides of the guiding channel, detects a part of the entered receipt. When the receipt detectors detect simultaneously or within a predetermined time period of each other a part of the entered receipt, it is determined that the entered receipt is correctly aligned within the guiding channel. When the time period between a first one of the receipt detectors detecting a part of the entered receipt and a second one of the receipt detectors detecting a part of the entered receipt exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the entered receipt is misaligned within the guiding channel. A misaligned receipt, for example, may get stuck in the receipt reader or may result in wrongly read data. This embodiment, therefore, advantageously prevents a misaligned receipt from entering the receipt reader.
In a further embodiment, the receipt input is provided with indicators at a side visible to a user and configured {for indicating whether the entered receipt is misaligned. A user is provided with an indication whether the entered receipt is aligned properly within the receipt input.
In an embodiment, the receipt reader is provided with a scanner module for scanning a receipt entered by a user, wherein the scanner module has a camera, such as a high-speed camera, for recording one or more images of the entered receipt. In an embodiment thereof, the scanner module has a receipt guiding wheel configured for receiving the entered receipt and for guiding the entered receipt through the scanner module, wherein the receipt guiding wheel has a cylindrical wheel body arranged rotatably within the scanner module, the cylindrical wheel body having one or more guiding ribs provided at the outer circumference thereof, the scanner module further comprising a tensioning mechanism arranged at the outer circumference of the cylindrical wheel body and configured for tensioning the entered receipt with respect to the outer circumference of the receipt guiding wheel. During use, the receipt is received, for example, from the receipt input and placed between the outer circumference of the cylindrical wheel body and the tensioning mechanism. Subsequently, the receipt is turned by rotating the cylindrical wheel body, such that the receipt passes along the camera of the scanner module. When the receipt passes along the camera, the camera records one or more images of the passing receipt in order to digitize the receipt. The recorded receipt may be removed from the scanner module and handed back to the user. The inventors have surprisingly found that the described scanner module results in a fast and reliable scanning of receipts.
In an embodiment, the outer circumference of the cylindrical wheel body is at least partially covered by means of a strip made of slip-resistant material, such as rubber. The strip of slip-resistant material prevents the entered receipt advantageously from slipping with respect to the outer circumference of the cylindrical wheel body while rotating the cylindrical wheel body together with the receipt.
In an embodiment, the scanner module is provided with a camera trigger configured for triggering the camera to record one or more images of the entered receipt. In an embodiment thereof, the camera trigger has a trigger disc arranged coaxially at an end of the cylindrical wheel body and provided with a plurality of trigger points, such as trigger openings in the trigger disc, arranged along the outer edge of the trigger disc, and a trigger detector configured for detecting movement of the plurality of trigger points. It is advantageous when the trigger detector is operatively connected to the camera, wherein the camera is configured to record one or more images of the entered receipt when the trigger detector detects movement of the trigger points. The camera, during use, records an image of a predetermined part of the cylindrical wheel body, such that multiple images of the receipt are recorded. The trigger points are chosen, such that a non- recorded part of the receipt is placed in front of the camera when a next tripper point is detected by the trigger detector. Due to the use of the trigger points, the multiple images each cover a part of the receipt, wherein the images may be placed below each other in order to obtain a single image of the recorded receipt. Recording of the different parts of the receipt is done so accurate, that stitching of the images only involves placing the images below each other, preferably without the need of partially overlapping the images.
In an embodiment, the scanner module comprises a lighting unit configured for lighting the entered receipt to be scanned. In an embodiment thereof, the lighting unit has a number of light sources, such as LEDs, wherein the light sources are controllable independently of each other. The light sources, in particular the LEDS, are so controlled that the receipt on the cylindrical wheel body is illuminated evenly, without, for example, having dark spots on the edge of the receipt. This advantageously results in one or more evenly iliuminated images of the receipt, reducing the risk of information on the receipt being misinterpreted by the dispensing device.
In an embodiment, the collectable dispenser is configured for dispensing stamps, wherein the collectable dispenser has a holding frame for holding rotatably a roll of stamps, a dispensing unit {for dispensing one or more stamps to a user, and a dispensing channel extending between the holding frame and the dispensing unit, wherein the collectable dispenser is provided with a dispensing mechanism for unwinding stamps from the roll of stamps.
In an embodiment thereof, the collectable dispenser is provided with a stamp counter, such as an IR sensor, arranged at the dispensing channel and configured for counting the number a stamps passing the stamp counter, and with a stamp separator, such as a cutting blade, arranged downstream of the stamp counter and arranged for separating stamps from each other.
In an embodiment, the collectable dispenser is provided with a roll detector, such as an IR led and a phototransistor, configured for determining the state of the roll of stamps held by the holding frame.
During use, the roll detector may detect when the roll of stamps is almost run out of stamps, such that the dispensing device may be enabled advantageously to indicate to staff of the supermarket that the roll of stamps is almost empty.
The staff, therefore, for example may already prepare a new roll of stamps to be inserted into the dispensing device.
According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method for automatically dispensing collectables, such as stamps, preferably by means of a dispensing device according to the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps of: by means of a receipt reader, reading a receipt which is offered to the receipt reader; on basis of the read receipt, determining how many collectables to dispend; and by means of a controller, controlling a collectable dispenser so as to dispense the determined number of collectables in accordance with the read receipt.
The method according to the second aspect of the invention has at least the same technical advantages as described in relation to the dispensing device according to the first aspect of the invention.
In an embodiment, the step of determining how many collectables to dispend comprises the step of extracting information from the read receipt, wherein the collectable dispenser is controlled in accordance with the extracted information. In an embodiment thereof, the step of reading the receipt comprises converting a physical receipt into a digital receipt.
In an embodiment, the step of reading the receipt comprises the steps or scanning the receipt, preferably by means of a receipt scanner, and/or of scanning a barcode on the receipt, preferably by means of a barcode scanner.
In an embodiment, the step of reading the receipt comprises the step of recording one or more images of a receipt. In an embodiment thereof, the method comprises the step of stitching together images of a receipt when multiple images are recorded of a receipt so as to form a single image from the recorded receipt.
In an embodiment, the method comprises the step of performing a check on the read receipt for inconsistencies, irregularities and/or fraud. In an embodiment thereof, the method comprises the steps of determining a confidence level as an outcome of the check on the read receipt, and of switching to an outcome of a parallel check when the determined confidence level is below a predetermined threshold.
In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of creating an unique identificator for each read receipt and, optionally, of saving the created unique identificator in association with the read receipt for which the unique identificator has been created. In an embodiment thereof, the method comprises the steps of comparing a created unigue identificator with saved unigue identificators in order to determine whether the read receipt has been read before, and when it is determined that the read receipt has been read before, of controlling the collectable dispenser not to dispense any collectable on basis of the respective read receipt.
According to a third aspect, the invention provides a computer readable medium having computer instructions saved thereon causing a dispensing device according to the first aspect of the invention to perform the method according to the second aspect of the invention. The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which: Figures 1A-1B show a schematic front view of a dispensing device with a receipt input and a scanner module according to an embodiment of the invention; and a schematic cross-sectional view of the dispensing device of figure 1A, respectively; Figures 2A-2B show an isometric view of the scanner module of the dispensing device of figure 1A; and an isometric view of the receipt input of the dispensing device of figure 1A; and Figure 3 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for dispensing collectables according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A dispensing device 1 for dispensing collectables, such as stamps, to a customer of a shop according to an embodiment is schematically shown in figures 1A-1B. The dispensing device 1 is intended to be placed, for example, in a supermarket. Usually, a supermarket has one or more loyalty programs in order to reward the loyal customers for their loyalty with respect to the supermarket. Such a loyalty program often involves collecting a number of stamps, wherein rewards may be obtained when a predetermined number of stamps has been collected. The dispensing device 1 may be used for dispensing stamps to customers of the supermarket, after the customers did some shopping in the supermarket. As shown in figures 1A and 1B, the dispensing device 1 is provided with a housing 2 in which a controller 3 has been provided. The dispensing device 1 {further comprises a scanner module 4 with a receipt input 5 and a receipt output 6 which are arranged at the front side of the housing 2 and are accessible from the outside of the housing, wherein the scanner module 4 is operatively connected to the controller 3 as schematically indicated in figure 1B. The scanner module 4 is configured for scanning a receipt entered into the scanner module 4 via the receipt input by the customer and providing the scanned receipt to the controller 3. A display 7 is arranged at the front side of the housing 2 and operatively connected to the controller 3, wherein the display 7 is configured for displaying to a customer, for example, the scanned receipt. Furthermore, a collectable dispenser 8 is arranged within the housing 2, wherein the collectable dispenser 8 has a dispensing unit 9 arranged at the front side of the housing
2. The collectable dispenser 8 is configured for dispensing stamps to the customer on basis of the scanned receipt. A connector 10, such as a wireless transceiver, is arranged within the housing 2 and operatively connected to the controller 3. The connector 10 is configured for communicating with a remote server, for example, in order to save scanned receipts. The dispensing device 1 is further provided with a power distribution module 11 arranged within the housing 2 and configured for powering the dispensing device 1.
An isometric view of the scanner module 4 is shown in figure 2A. The scanner module 4 comprises a first module wall 20 and a second module wall 21 substantially parallel to the first module wall 20. The receipt input 5 is provided between and at or near the top end of the first and second module walls 20, 21, and the receipt output 6 is provided between and at or near the bottom end of the first and second module walls 20, 21. The scanner module 4 further comprises a receipt guiding wheel 23 arranged between the first and second module walls 20, 21. The receipt guiding wheel 23 is configured for receiving a receipt from the receipt input 5 and for guiding the receipt from the receipt input 5 to the receipt output 22. The receipt guiding wheel 23 has a cylindrical wheel body 24 with two guiding ribs 25 at the outer circumference thereof. The cylindrical wheel body 24 is further provided with three strips 26 of slip-resistant material, such as rubber, arranged around the cylindrical wheel body 24. Furthermore, a non-shown driving axle extends through the center of the cylindrical wheel body 24 and through the first module wall 20. At the end of the non-shown driving axle located at the side of the first module wall 20 facing away from the receipt guiding wheel 23, a driving pulley 27 1s provided for driving the receipt guiding wheel 23 rotatably. The driving pulley 27 is connected to a non-shown driving unit by means of a non- shown driving element spanned between the driving pulley 27 and the non-shown driving unit.
The scanner module 4 is further provided with a tensioning mechanism 28 for applying a tension to the receipt at the outer circumference of the cylindrical wheel body 24. The tensioning mechanism 28 has a tensioning wheel 29 arranged at the outer circumference of the cylindrical wheel body 24 and in the middle thereof when seen in the longitudinal direction thereof. The tensioning wheel 29 is arranged in proximity of or in contact with the cylindrical wheel body 24, such that the receipt may pass between the tensioning wheel 29 and the outer circumference of the cylindrical wheel body 24. The tensioning mechanism 28 further has two tensioning arms 30, wherein each of the tensioning arms 30 is arranged at a side of the tensioning wheel 29. The tensioning arms 30 are configured for straightening the receipt when necessary. Each of the tensioning arms 30 has a first arm wheel 31 arranged next to the tensioning wheel 29 and a second arm wheel 32 arranged at a distance from the first arm wheel 31. A flexible tensioning strip 33 is spanned by the first arm wheel 31 and the second arm wheel 32, wherein the first and second arm wheels 31, 32 are located such that the flexible tensioning strip 33 is pushed against the outer circumference of the cylindrical wheel body 24 thereby applying a force to the receipt arranged at the outer circumference of the wheel body 24. As shown in figure 2A, the first arm wheels 31 and the tensioning wheel 29 are arranged at a tensioning driving axis 34. The tensioning driving axis 34 is arranged rotatably between the first and second module walls 20, 21, and is connected to the non-shown driving axle by means of a non-shown tensioning driving element. The second arm wheels 32 are arranged at an idle tensioning axis 35 that is arranged between the first and second module walls 20, 21 in a freely rotatable manner.
The scanner module further comprises a camera unit 40 for recording one or more images of a receipt passing along. The camera unit 40 has a high-speed camera 41 directed towards the receipt guiding wheel 23 in order to image the part of the receipt guiding wheel 23 and thus the receipt located on the receipt guiding wheel 23 currently placed in front of the high-speed camera 41. The camera unit 40 further has a camera trigger 42 configured for triggering the camera to record an image of the part of the receipt currently placed in front of the high-speed camera. The camera trigger 42 comprises a trigger disc 43 arranged coaxially at an end of the cylindrical wheel body 24 in such a manner, that the trigger disc 43 rotates together with the cylindrical wheel body 24. The trigger disc 43 has a plurality of trigger points, in this case trigger openings 44 along the outer edge thereof the trigger disc, and a non-shown trigger detector configured for detecting movement of the plurality of trigger openings
44. The non-shown trigger detector detects when another trigger opening 44 is placed in front thereof, and subsequently triggers the high-speed camera 41 to record an image of the part of the receipt in front of the high-speed camera 41. The trigger openings 44 are chosen, such that every next trigger opening 44 triggers the high-speed camera 41 to record an image of a part of the receipt, which part has not been recorded before. Furthermore, images of the recorded parts of the receipt, for example, can be placed below each other in order to obtain a substantially seamless single image of the receipt, The camera unit 40 comprises a lighting unit 45 configured for lighting the entered receipt to be scanned. The lighting unit 45 comprises multiple non-shown light sources, in this case LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), for illuminating at least a part of the receipt on the receipt guide wheel 23. The LEDs are controllable independently of each other, such that, for example, one led might emit light with a higher intensity than the neighboring led. The lighting unit 45 is therewith enabled to illuminate at least a part of the receipt uniformly, which contributes to better scanning results of the scanner module 4.
The receipt input 5 of the scanner module 4 is shown in more detail in figure 2B. The receipt input 5 has an input body 50 with an input channel 51 extending therethrough in an input direction E. The entrance of the input channel 51 is located in front of the front side of the housing and the exit of the input channel 51 is aligned with the outer circumference of the wheel body 24, such that an entered receipt is smoothly transferred to the receipt guide wheel 23. The input channel 51 has a first longitudinal side 52 and a second longitudinal side 53,
wherein the first and second longitudinal side 52, 53 are substantially parallel to the insert direction E. An infrared (IR) photocell 54, forming a receipt detector or at least a part thereof, is located at or near each of the first and second longitudinal sides 52, 53. The IR photocells 54 are configured for detecting the presence of a part of a receipt within the input channel 51 directly below the respective IR photocell 54 and for determining whether the entered receipt is properly aligned. When the IR photocells 54 detect the presence of a receipt simultaneously or within a predetermined time period from each, it is determined that the receipt is properly aligned and the receipt guiding wheel 23 is controlled to start rotating. When the time period between one of the IR photocells 54 detecting the presence of the receipt and the other one of the IR photocells 54 detecting the presence of the same receipt exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the receipt is misaligned. This is indicated to the customer by means of indicators 55 visible at the front side of the housing 2.
Although the scanner module 4 is now described in relation to a dispensing device 1, the scanner module 4 may be used in a variety of applications, such as scanning receipts at an administration department, scanning entrance tickets at concerts, scanning pictures, etc. The scanner module as such may become the subject of a separate application.
The stamp dispenser 8 is not shown in detail, but it is noted that the collectable dispenser has a holding frame for holding rotatably a roll of stamps, a dispensing unit for dispensing one or more stamps to a user, and a dispensing channel extending between the holding frame and the dispensing unit, wherein the collectable dispenser is provided with a dispensing mechanism for unwinding stamps from the roll of stamps. In an embodiment thereof, the collectable dispenser is provided with a stamp counter, such as an IR sensor, arranged at the dispensing channel and configured for counting the number a stamps passing the stamp counter, and with a stamp separator, such as a cutting blade, arranged downstream of the stamp counter and arranged for separating stamps from each other.
Figure 3 shows a schematic flow diagram of the method for automatically dispensing stamps by means of the dispensing device 1. Step S1 contains the operations of entering a receipt into the receipt input 5 of the scanner module 4, wherein the receipt input 5 determines by means of the IR photocells 54 whether the receipt is properly aligned within the input channel 51. When the receipt is properly aligned, this is displayed on the display 7, the receipt guiding wheel 23 is started to rotate, and the dispensing device 1 continues to step S2, otherwise it is indicated to the customer by means of the indicators 55 and the receipt has to be re-entered into the receipt input 4.
In step $52, multiple images are recorded of the entered receipt by means of the scanner module 4 and the camera unit 40 as described above. The multiple images 40 are stitched together by means on the controller 3, wherein stitching together, for example, involves placing the multiple images 40 below each other in order to form a single digitized image of the entered receipt. After stitching together the multiple images, the controller 3 performs an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) operation to the digitized image of the receipt in order to be able to extract information from the scanned receipt.
In step S53, by means of the controller 3, a check is performed on the read receipt for inconsistencies, irregularities and/or fraud. The check comprises determining the confidence level of the scanned receipt in order to check whether the scanned receipt is legit. The confidence level may be determined among others by confirming the logo and shop address on the scanned receipt. When the confidence level is below a predetermined level, a parallel check may be performed. The parallel check, for example, contains performing a more accurate OCR operation to the digitized image and determining an additional confidence level.
The parallel check is performed for preventing legit receipts from being refused, for example, due to inaccurate OCR.
When the confidence level of the additional check is above the predetermined level, the dispensing device 1 continues to step 54, otherwise the display 7 displays that the receipt is invalid.
In step S84, by means of the controller 3, a fraudulent check is performed.
The fraudulent check comprises determining the number of stamps to be dispensed by using the total sum, VAT and item-lines on the receipt, and checking whether the total sum, VAT and item-lines are in line with each other.
If the scanned receipt passes the fraudulent check, the dispensing device 1 continues to step 35, otherwise it is displayed, by means of the display +, that the receipt is considered to be fraudulent.
In step 55, by means of the controller 3, an unique fingerprint, also called identificator, is created for the scanned receipt in order to prevent receipts from being offered to the dispensing device 1 multiple times.
Creating the unique fingerprint comprises calculating the fingerprint on basis of specific text on the receipt, such as total sum, VAT, date and/or time, which is always present on the receipt and is very difficult to manipulate.
Subsequently, the unique fingerprint is checked to see whether this unique fingerprint has been created before in order to validate the unique fingerprint.
When the fingerprint is validated, this is displayed on the display 7 and the dispensing device continues to step S6. When the fingerprint is not validated, this is also displayed on the display 7. In step S6, by means of the collectable dispenser 8, stamps are dispensed to the customer on basis of the scanned receipt.
Optionally, in step S7, the scanned receipt with the fingerprint and associated metadata is uploaded to an external device, such as a server, by means of the wireless transceiver 10 in order to save the data in the cloud. The saved data, for example, may be used for validating the fingerprint in step S55.
The method as described above is an objective and contactless manner of dispensing stamps, which does not require any private details of the customer.
It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

Claims (42)

CONCLUSIESCONCLUSIONS 1. Uitgifte-inrichting voor het automatisch uitgeven van verzamelobjecten, zoals zegels, omvattend: een houder die is geconfigureerd voor het houden van een pluraliteit van verzamelobjecten; een uitgever van verzamelobjecten voor het uitgeven van één of meer verzamelobjecten vanuit de houder die de pluraliteit van verzamelobjecten houdt, en een controller die werkzaam is verbonden met de uitgever van verzamelobjecten en die is geconfigureerd voor het besturen van de uitgever van verzamelobjecten om één of meer verzamelobjecten uit te geven, waarbij de uitgifte-inrichting verder een bonnenlezer omvat die werkzaam is verbonden met de controller en die is geconfigureerd voor het lezen van een bon, en waarbij de controller is geconfigureerd voor het besturen van de uitgever van verzamelobjecten om een vooraf bepaald aantal van verzamelobjecten af te geven in overeenstemming met de gelezen bon.A dispenser for automatically dispensing collectibles, such as stamps, comprising: a container configured to hold a plurality of collectibles; a collectibles publisher for issuing one or more collectibles from the container holding the plurality of collectibles, and a controller operatively associated with the collectibles publisher and configured to control the collectibles publisher to control one or more collectibles issuing collectibles, the dispensing device further comprising a receipt reader operatively connected to the controller and configured to read a receipt, and wherein the controller is configured to control the collectors issuer to set a predetermined number of collectibles to be issued in accordance with the receipt read. 2. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de controller is geconfigureerd voor het extraheren van informatie uit de gelezen bon en voor het besturen van de uitgever van verzamelobjecten om een vooraf bepaalde hoeveelheid van verzamelobjecten af te geven in overeenstemming met de geëxtraheerde informatie.The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to extract information from the read receipt and to control the collectible issuer to dispense a predetermined amount of collectibles in accordance with the extracted information. 3. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens conclusie 1 of conclusie 2, waarbij de bonnenlezer is geconfigureerd voor het omzetten van een fysieke bon naar een digitale bon.The dispensing device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the receipt reader is configured to convert a physical receipt to a digital receipt. 4. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens één der conclusies 1-3, waarbij de bonnenlezer een bonnenscanner en/of een streepjescodescanner omvat.Dispensing device according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the receipt reader comprises a receipt scanner and/or a barcode scanner. 5. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de bonnenlezer een beeldvormingsmodule omvat die is geconfigureerd voor het opnemen van één of meer afbeeldingen van een bon.A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receipt reader comprises an imaging module configured to receive one or more images of a receipt. 6. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens conclusie 5, waarbij de controller is geconfigureerd voor het aan elkaar plakken van afbeeldingen van een bon wanneer meerdere afbeeldingen zijn opgenomen van een bon om zodoende een enkele afbeelding van de opgenomen bon te vormen,The dispensing device of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to stitch together images of a receipt when multiple images of a receipt are recorded so as to form a single image of the captured receipt, 7. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de controller is geconfigureerd voor het uitvoeren van een controle op de gelezen bon voor inconsistenties, onregelmatigheden en/of fraude.A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to perform a check on the read receipt for inconsistencies, irregularities and/or fraud. 8. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens conclusie 7, waarbij de controller is geconfigureerd voor het bepalen van een vertrouwensniveau als een uitkomst van de controle op de gelezen bon, waarbij de controller verder is geconfigureerd voor het schakelen naar een uitkomst van een parallelle controle wanneer het bepaalde vertrouwensniveau onder een vooraf bepaalde drempel is.The dispenser of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to determine a confidence level as a result of the check on the read receipt, the controller further configured to switch to a result of a parallel check when the determined confidence level is below a predetermined threshold. 9, Uitgifte-inrichting volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, omvattend een geheugen dat werkzaam is verbonden met de controller en/of zijnde in dataverbinding met een op afstand gelegen server, waarbij de controller is geconfigureerd voor het bewaren van een gelezen bon op het geheugen en/of de op afstand gelegen server.A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a memory operatively connected to the controller and/or being in data connection with a remote server, the controller being configured to store a read receipt on the memory and /or the remote server. 10. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de controller is geconfigureerd voor het realiseren van een unieke identificator voor elke gelezen bon.A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to realize a unique identifier for each receipt read. 11. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens conclusies 9 en 10, waarbij de controller is geconfigureerd voor het bewaren van de gerealiseerde unieke identificator in associatie met de gelezen bon waarvoor de unieke identificator is gerealiseerd.The dispensing device of claims 9 and 10, wherein the controller is configured to store the realized unique identifier in association with the read receipt for which the unique identifier has been realized. 12. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de houder die is geconfigureerd voor het houden van de pluraliteit van verzamelobjecten is geconfigureerd voor het digitaal en/of fysiek houden van de pluraliteit van verzamelobjecten, bij voorkeur waarbij de verzamelobjecten zegels zijn.A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container configured to hold the plurality of collectibles is configured to digitally and/or physically hold the plurality of collectibles, preferably wherein the collectibles are stamps. 13. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens conclusie 12, waarbij de uitgever voor verzamelobjecten een connector omvat die is geconfigureerd voor het verbinden met een externe inrichting en/of voor het digitaal uitgeven van verzamelobjecten naar de externe inrichting.The dispensing device of claim 12, wherein the collectible issuer comprises a connector configured to connect to an external device and/or to digitally issue collectibles to the external device. 14. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens conclusie 13, waarbij de connector een draadloze connector is, bij voorkeur waarbij de connector een Wi-Fi-connector en/of een Bluetooth® connector is.A dispensing device according to claim 13, wherein the connector is a wireless connector, preferably wherein the connector is a Wi-Fi connector and/or a Bluetooth® connector. 15. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de uitgifte-inrichting omsloten is in een behuizing, bij voorkeur omsloten is in een enkele behuizing.Dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing device is enclosed in a housing, preferably enclosed in a single housing. 16. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de uitgifte-inrichting geen informatie ontvangt vanaf een verkooppuntterminal voor het uitgeven van een vooraf bepaald aantal van verzamelobjecten in overeenstemming met informatie vanaf de verkooppuntterminal.A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser does not receive information from a point-of-sale terminal for dispensing a predetermined number of collectibles in accordance with information from the point-of-sale terminal. 17. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, omvattend een beeldscherm dat werkzaam is verbonden met de controller en dat is geconfigureerd voor het weergeven van de gelezen bon en/of het aantal van uit te geven verzamelobjecten.A dispensing device according to any preceding claim, comprising a display operatively connected to the controller and configured to display the receipt read and/or the number of collectibles to be dispensed. 18. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de bonnenlezer een bonneninvoer heeft waardoor een gebruiker een bon kan invoeren in de bonnenlezer in een invoerrichting, waarbij de bonneninvoer is voorzien van een bonnencorrector die is geconfigureerd voor het controleren van de uitlijning van de ingevoerde bon en/of voor het corrigeren van de uitlijning van de ingevoerde bon wanneer het is bepaald dat de ingevoerde bon verkeerd is uitgelijnd.A dispensing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the receipt reader has a receipt entry allowing a user to enter a receipt into the receipt reader in an input direction, the receipt entry including a receipt corrector configured to check the alignment of the receipts. receipt and/or to correct the alignment of the entered receipt when it is determined that the entered receipt is misaligned. 19. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens conclusie 18, waarbij de bonnencorrector een bongeleidingskanaal heeft met twee longitudinale zijden in hoofdzaak parallel ten opzichte van de invoerrichting, waarbij een bondetector, zoals een IR- fotocel, is voorzien aan of nabij elk van de twee longitudinale zijden voor het detecteren van de aanwezigheid van ten minste een deel van de ingevoerde bon.The dispensing device of claim 18, wherein the receipt corrector has a receipt guide channel having two longitudinal sides substantially parallel to the input direction, a receipt detector, such as an IR photocell, being provided on or near each of the two longitudinal sides for detecting the presence of at least a portion of the entered receipt. 20. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens conclusie 18 of conclusie 19, waarbij de boninvoer is voorzien van indicatoren aan een zijde die zichtbaar is voor een gebruiker en die is geconfigureerd voor het aanduiden of de ingevoerde bon verkeerd is uitgelijnd.A dispenser according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the receipt input has indicators on a side visible to a user and configured to indicate whether the receipt input is misaligned. 21. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de bonnenlezer is voorzien van een scanmodule voor het scannen van een bon die is ingevoerd door een gebruiker, waarbij de scanmodule een camera, zoals een hogesnelheidscamera, heeft voor het opnemen van één of meer afbeeldingen van de ingevoerde bon.A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receipt reader comprises a scanning module for scanning a receipt entered by a user, the scanning module having a camera, such as a high-speed camera, for recording one or more images of the receipt entered. 22. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens conclusie 21, waarbij de scanmodule een bongeleidingswiel heeft die is geconfigureerd voor het opnemen van de ingevoerde bon en voor het geleiden van de ingevoerde bon door de scanmodule, waarbij het bongeleidingswiel een cilindrisch wiellichaam heeft dat roteerbaar is aangebracht in de scanmodule, waarbij het cilindrische wiellichaam één of meer geleidingsribben heeft die zijn voorzien aan de buitenomtrek daarvan, waarbij de scanmodule verder een spanmechanisme omvat dat is aangebracht aan de buitenomtrek van het cilindrische wiellichaam en dat is geconfigureerd voor het spannen van de ingevoerde bon ten opzichte van de buitenomtrek van het bongeleidingswiel.The dispensing device of claim 21, wherein the scanning module has a receipt guide wheel configured to receive the entered receipt and to guide the entered receipt through the scanning module, the receipt guide wheel having a cylindrical wheel body rotatably mounted in the receipt. scanning module, the cylindrical wheel body having one or more guide ribs provided on the outer periphery thereof, the scanning module further comprising a tensioning mechanism mounted on the outer periphery of the cylindrical wheel body and configured to tension the input receipt with respect to the outer circumference of the bon guide wheel. 23. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens conclusie 22, waarbij de buitenomtrek van het cilindrische wiellichaam ten minste gedeeltelijk is bedekt voor door een strip die is vervaardigd van een slipvast materiaal, zoals rubber.Dispensing device according to claim 22, wherein the outer circumference of the cylindrical wheel body is at least partially covered by a strip made of a non-slip material, such as rubber. 24. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens één der conclusies 21-23, waarbij de scanmodule is voorzien van een cameratrigger die is geconfigureerd voor het triggeren van de camera teneinde één of meer afbeeldingen van de ingevoerde bon op te nemen.A dispensing device according to any one of claims 21-23, wherein the scanning module includes a camera trigger configured to trigger the camera to take one or more images of the entered receipt. 25. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens één de conclusies 22-24, waarbij de cameratrigger een triggerschijf heeft die coaxiaal is aangebracht aan een einde van het cilindrische wiellichaam en die is voorzien van een pluraliteit van triggerpunten, zoals triggeropeningen in de triggerschijf, die zijn aangebracht langs de buitenrand van de triggerschijf, en een triggerdetector die is geconfigureerd voor het detecteren van beweging van de pluraliteit van triggerpunten.The dispensing device according to any one of claims 22-24, wherein the camera trigger has a trigger disk mounted coaxially at one end of the cylindrical wheel body and provided with a plurality of trigger points, such as trigger holes in the trigger disk, arranged along the outer edge of the trigger disk, and a trigger detector configured to detect movement of the plurality of trigger points. 26. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens conclusie 25, waarbij de triggerdetector werkzaam is verbonden met de camera, waarbij de camera is geconfigureerd voor het opnemen van één of meer afbeeldingen van de ingevoerde bon wanneer de triggerdetector beweging van de triggerpunten detecteert.The dispensing device of claim 25, wherein the trigger detector is operatively connected to the camera, the camera being configured to record one or more images of the input receipt when the trigger detector detects movement of the trigger points. 27. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens één der conclusies 21-26, waarbij de scanmodule een verlichtingseenheid omdat die is geconfigureerd voor het verlichten van de te scannen ingevoerde bon.A dispensing device according to any one of claims 21-26, wherein the scanning module is an illumination unit because it is configured to illuminate the entered receipt to be scanned. 28. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens conclusie 27, waarbij de verlichtingseenheid een aantal lichtbronnen, zoals LEDs, heef, waarbij de lichtbronnen onafhankelijk van elkaar bestuurbaar zijn.A dispensing device according to claim 27, wherein the lighting unit has a plurality of light sources, such as LEDs, the light sources being controllable independently of each other. 29. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de uitgever van verzamelobjecten is geconfigureerd voor het uitgeven van zegels, waarbij de uitgever van verzamelobjecten is voorzien van een houdframe voor het roteerbaar houden van een rol met zegels, een uitgifte-eenheid voor het uitgeven van één of meer zegels naar een gebruiker, en een uitgiftekanaal dat zich uitstrekt tussen het houdframe en de uitgifte-eenheid, waarbij de uitgever van verzamelobjecten is voorzien van een uitgiftemechanisme voor het afwikkelen van zegels vanaf de rol met zegels.A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the collectible issuer is configured to issue stamps, the collectible issuer comprising a holding frame for rotatably holding a roll of stamps, a dispenser for dispensing issuing one or more stamps to a user, and a dispensing channel extending between the holding frame and the dispensing unit, the collectible issuer having a dispensing mechanism for unwinding stamps from the roll of stamps. 30. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens conclusie 29, waarbij de uitgever van verzamelobjecten is voorzien van een zegelteller, zoals een IR-sensor, die is aangebracht aan het uitgiftekanaal en die is geconfigureerd voor het tellen van het tellen van het aantal zegels dat de zegelteller passeert, en met een zegelscheider, zoals een snijblad, die stroomafwaarts van de zegelteller is aangebracht en die is ingericht voor het van elkaar scheiden van zegels.The dispensing device of claim 29, wherein the collectible issuer includes a stamp counter, such as an IR sensor, mounted on the dispensing channel and configured to count the number of stamps passing through the stamp counter and with a stamp separator, such as a cutting blade, arranged downstream of the stamp counter and adapted to separate stamps from each other. 31. Uitgifte-inrichting volgens conclusie 29 of conclusie 30, waarbij de uitgever van verzamelobjecten is voorzien van een roldetector, zoals een IR-led en een fototransistor, die is geconfigureerd voor het bepalen van de toestand van de rol met zegels die is gehouden door het houdframe.The dispensing device of claim 29 or claim 30, wherein the collectible issuer includes a roll detector, such as an IR LED and a phototransistor, configured to determine the state of the roll of seals held by the holding frame. 32. Werkwijze voor het automatisch uitgeven van verzamelobjecten, zoals zegels, bij voorkeur door middel van een uitgifte-inrichting volgens één der conclusies 1-31, waarbij de werkwijze de stappen omvat van: door middel van een bonnenlezer, het lezen van een bon die is aangeboden aan de bonnenlezer; op basis van de gelezen bon, het bepalen hoeveel verzamelobjecten uit te geven; en door middel van een controller, het besturen van een uitgever van verzamelobjecten om het bepaalde aantal van verzamelobjecten uit te geven in overeenstemming met de gelezen bon.A method for automatically issuing collectibles, such as stamps, preferably by means of a dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 31, the method comprising the steps of: by means of a receipt reader, reading a receipt has been presented to the coupon reader; based on the receipt read, determining how many collectibles to spend; and through a controller, controlling a collector's item publisher to issue the determined number of collectibles in accordance with the read receipt. 33. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 32, waarbij de stap van het bepalen van hoeveel verzamelobjecten uit te geven de stap omvat van het extraheren van informatie uit de gelezen bon, waarbij de uitgever van verzamelobjecten wordt bestuurd in overeenstemming met de geëxtraheerde informatie.The method of claim 32, wherein the step of determining how many collectibles to issue includes the step of extracting information from the read receipt, wherein the collectible issuer is controlled in accordance with the extracted information. 34. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 32 of conclusie 33, waarbij de stap van het lezen van de bon het omzetten omvat van een fysieke bon naar een digitale bon.The method of claim 32 or claim 33, wherein the step of reading the receipt comprises converting a physical receipt to a digital receipt. 35. Werkwijze volgens één der conclusies 32-34, waarbij de stap van het lezen van de bon de stappen omvat van het scannen van de bon, bij voorkeur door middel van een bonnenscanner, en/of van het scannen van een streepjescode op de bon, bij voorkeur door middel van een streepjescodescanner.A method according to any one of claims 32-34, wherein the step of reading the receipt comprises the steps of scanning the receipt, preferably by means of a receipt scanner, and/or scanning a barcode on the receipt , preferably by means of a barcode scanner. 36. Werkwijze volgens één der conclusies 32-35, waarbij de stap van het lezen van de bon de stap omvat van het opnemen van één of meer afbeeldingen van een bon.The method of any of claims 32-35, wherein the step of reading the receipt comprises the step of including one or more images of a receipt. 37. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 36, omvattend de stap van het aan elkaar plakken van afbeeldingen van een bon wanneer meerdere afbeeldingen worden opgenomen van een bon om een enkele afbeelding van de opgenomen bon te vormen.The method of claim 36, comprising the step of stitching together images of a receipt when multiple images of a receipt are recorded to form a single image of the captured receipt. 38. Werkwijze volgens één der conclusies 32-37, omvattend de stap van het uitvoeren van een controle op de gelezen bon voor inconsistenties, onregelmatigheden en/of fraude.A method according to any one of claims 32-37, comprising the step of performing a check on the read receipt for inconsistencies, irregularities and/or fraud. 39. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 38, omvattend de stappen van het bepalen van een vertrouwensniveau als een uitkomst van de controle op de gelezen bon, en van het schakelen naar een uitkomst van een parallelle controle wanneer het bepaalde vertrouwensniveau onder een vooraf bepaalde grens is.The method of claim 38, comprising the steps of determining a confidence level as a result of the check on the read receipt, and of switching to a result of a parallel check when the determined trust level is below a predetermined limit. 40. Werkwijze volgens één der conclusies 32-39, omvattend de stappen van het realiseren van een unieke identificator voor elke gelezen bon en, optioneel, van het bewaren van de gerealiseerde unieke identificator in associatie met de gelezen bon waarvoor de unieke identificator is gerealiseerd.A method according to any one of claims 32-39, comprising the steps of realizing a unique identifier for each receipt read and, optionally, storing the realized unique identifier in association with the read receipt for which the unique identifier has been created. 41. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 40, omvattend de stappen van het vergelijken van een gerealiseerde identificator met bewaarde unieke identificatoren teneinde te bepalen of de gelezen bon eerder is gelezen, en wanneer het is bepaald dat de gelezen bon eerder is gelezen, van het besturen van de uitgever van verzamelobjecten om geen enkel verzamelobject uit te geven op basis van de respectievelijke gelezen bon.The method of claim 40, comprising the steps of comparing a realized identifier with stored unique identifiers to determine whether the receipt read has been previously read, and if it is determined that the receipt read has been previously read, controlling the collector's item publisher not to issue any collectibles based on the respective receipt read. 42. Computer-leesbaar medium met computerinstructies daarop bewaard die een uitgifte- inrichting volgens één der conclusies 1-31 de werkwijze volgens één der conclusies 32-41 laat uitvoeren, -0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-A computer-readable medium with computer instructions stored thereon that allows a dispensing device according to any one of claims 1-31 to perform the method according to any one of claims 32-41, -0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 -
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FR2849252A1 (en) * 2002-12-19 2004-06-25 Adhipress Electronic lottery device, especially for use in supermarkets or similar, to enable winning of discount coupons or similar comprises a barcode reader and a coupon distributor
US20120284184A1 (en) * 2011-05-06 2012-11-08 Mcgivney Charlie Method of operating a self-service terminal to provide on-demand postage stamp labels to a postage stamp buyer and a self-service terminal therefor
US20180108204A1 (en) * 2014-11-21 2018-04-19 Shanghai Air-Paq Composite Material Co., Ltd. Automatic Vending Machine Having Air Cushion Packaging Apparatus, Monitoring System Thereof, and Method Therefor
WO2016099278A1 (en) 2014-12-19 2016-06-23 Tcc Global N.V. An apparatus for dispensing stamps and a method thereof

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