NZ537336A - Method for operating a vending machine and vending system - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a vending machine system where the data for controlling multiple vending machines at separate locations is stored in a central data processing unit. The machines contain goods placed in storage compartments, and the goods can be removed by customers. The stored data can be used to trigger control commands that are transmitted to change the operating parameters of the vending machines. The parameters can include selling times, prices, offer contents, and specific offers for particular groups of customers.

Description

537 METHOD FOR OPERATING A VENDING MACHINE AND VENDING SYSTEM Description: The invention relates to a method for operating a vending machine, whereby goods can be placed into storage compartments and can be subsequently removed 10 from the storage compartments by customers.

The invention also relates to a vending system.

A number of methods are known for selling goods by means of automated vend-15 ing machines.

Through prior public use, vending machines are known that comprise a plurality of compartments which contain a number of goods. The vending machines also comprise a coin slot mechanism. If a user deposits an amount of money, he can 20 select individual goods dispensing compartments until the monetary amount has been used up, so that the goods associated with the goods dispensing compartments can be dispensed.

Furthermore, individualized vending machines are known with which various 25 vendors have access to a locker system and a computing unit linked to it. This is where individual conditions for the withdrawal of goods are stipulated.

German Preliminary Published Application No. DE 199 39 744 A1 describes, for example, a goods storage and dispensing means for private households and busi-30 nesses as well as a method for this purpose. Here, in a dispensing means, for example, existing storage closets, shelves, refrigerators, freezers, ovens, micro INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 0 MAR 2005 RECEIVFO la waves and/or temperature-controlled cabinets are used to receive goods that have been placed into the dispensing means and stored there in accordance with the appropriate requirements. The introduced goods are preferably placed into the desired final storage place, so that the recipient does not have to carry out a trans-5 fer from an intermediate storage site to a final storage site.

European patent application EP 0 535 707 A2 also describes a vending system with a predefinable number of compartments which, in addition to reserving compartments for the goods that have been ordered by a customer, entails a filling 10 of the remaining compartments with goods. The supplier enters selling information such as prices, descriptions or images into the vending system and the information is transmitted to a customer, for example, by phone or BTX terminal. In this context, the information is adapted when the goods being offered change.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for controlling a vending machine; and/or an improved vending machine; or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. 2 In particular, the invention aims to create a method for the automated selling of goods which makes it possible to offer articles while achieving the greatest possible flexibility and, at the same time, the greatest possible capacity utilization of the dispensing compartments.

According to the invention, this objective is achieved in that a method of the type described above is carried out in such a way that offer-related data is recorded in a central data processing unit, whereby matching offers are associated with identical offer identification codes, that the offer identification codes are transmitted to a 10 plurality of electronic vending machines, that storage compartments which are provided for the distribution of goods are stocked with goods, and that offer identification codes associated with the goods are recorded.

The offer-related data preferably comprises at least one piece of information about 15 the identification of a type of goods and/or amount of goods as well as preferably also the price to be paid for the goods. The term offer-related data is by no means to be construed in a restricting manner. In particular, other information such as the quality and the features of the goods can be the subject matter of the offer-related data.

The offer identification codes are preferably recorded when the storage compartments of the vending machines are stocked with goods. This particularly preferred embodiment of the invention comprises especially the following cases: 1. First of all, the offer identification code of the goods is recorded and subsequently the goods are placed into the storage compartment; 2. During the placement of the goods into the storage compartment, the offer identification code is recorded (for example, automatically by recording the 30 information that is linked to or can be linked to the goods). 3 The cases shown here are preferably freely selectable, whereby especially preferred embodiments are characterized in that the processes of placing the goods and recording the identification codes can be combined with each other in order to achieve the fastest possible completion of the goods placement procedure and of 5 the data recording. Moreover, this has the advantage of preventing that different goods are inadvertently switched.

The invention entails numerous advantages. In particular, the invention makes it possible to operate the vending machine under flexible operating conditions. For 10 example, it is possible on short notice to enter and change selling times, prices and offer contents in the vending machine or in a - preferably central - database that can be connected to the vending machine. Moreover, it is possible to set up specific offers for specific customers or customer groups.

It is especially advantageous for the offer identification codes to be recorded before the compartments of the vending machine are stocked with the goods.

Moreover, it is advantageous for the placement of the goods into the vending machines to be transmitted to the central data processing unit.

In this manner, it is possible to incorporate the individual vending machines into a central goods management system.

Furthermore, in this manner, offer-related data can be specified for a plurality of 25 vending machines.

Another especially advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that data for controlling the vending machine is stored in the central data processing unit, this data is converted into control commands for controlling the vending 30 machine and the control commands are transmitted to the vending machine. 4 Moreover, it is advantageous to refine the invention in such a way that the control commands change operating parameters of the vending machine.

Another especially advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in 5 that the control commands interact with an electronic control unit located in the area of the vending machine in such a manner that the selection of the available operating functions can be changed.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to refine the invention in such a way that the con-10 trol commands are transmitted according to an XML protocol.

Another especially advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the vending machine sends a request for the transmission of control commands to the central data processing unit.

Moreover, it is advantageous to refine the invention in such a way that the request for the transmission of control commands is repeated when an event occurs.

Another especially advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in 20 that the request is repeated after a predefinable time interval.

Moreover, it is advantageous to refine the invention in such a way that, in the area of the central data processing unit, a procedure checks whether changes have been made in the offer-related data stored in the central data processing unit and/or con-25 trol data, and that, in case of changes in the offer-related data stored in the central data processing unit and/or control data, a control command is transmitted to the vending machine.

An especially advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that, 30 in the central data processing unit and/or in the vending machine, information about different user groups of the vending machine and information about the selection of individual offers are stored as a function of the appertaining user groups.

An especially preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that mail-5 pieces are transported to the vending machines, placed into at least some of the storage compartments and stored there for later pick-up.

Moreover, it is advantageous for mailpieces to be recorded by the vending machine and to be placed into at least some of the storage compartments, and for 10 the mailpieces to be taken out of the storage compartments at a later point in time.

Another subject matter of the invention is a vending system comprising a plurality of vending machines which is characterized in that the vending system comprises a central data processing unit in which information is stored about the goods pre-15 sent in the vending machines.

Moreover, it is advantageous to refine the invention in such a way that the data processing unit is equipped with an interface that allows external access to at least some of the information about the goods that is stored in the data processing unit.

Another especially advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the external access to some of the information about the goods that is stored in the data processing unit is effectuated via the Internet.

The invention also comprises a vending machine with storage compartments for storing goods. This vending machine is characterized in that the vending machine and/or a central data processing unit connected to it comprises means for a flexible allocation of the storage compartments for a vending system and/or for a logistic system for sending and/or picking up goods. 6 Further advantages, special features and advantageous embodiments of the invention ensue from the subordinate claims and from the following presentation of preferred embodiments, making reference to the drawings.

The drawings show the following: Figure 1 a block diagram with processing steps of an especially preferred stocking of compartments of the vending machine, Figure 2 a block diagram of an especially preferred removal of goods from the vending machine and Figure 3 a block diagram with processing steps for an access authorization to the vending machine.

The invention is especially well-suited for selling standardizable mass-produced goods that are sold preferably in large numbers by one or - which is especially preferred - several vending machines.

An especially preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the vending machine is additionally operated as an electronic parcel compartment system and is thus used for delivering and/or picking up mailpieces.

The invention allows the automated sale of goods, whereby the selection of the 25 available goods can be changed on short notice and whereby selling and offer-related conditions are controlled centrally and/or can be changed as a function of external conditions.

This flexibility of the offers makes it possible, for example, to sell goods only after a certain date, especially after a certain time of day. This is particularly significant in the case of articles that are only supposed to be sold after a certain 7 point in time. For example, the selling conditions of new editions of certain goods, especially books and films or audio media, require that they may only be sold after a certain date or after a certain time of day.

The invention makes it possible - also while otherwise not changing the operation of the vending machines - to sell individual goods and groups of goods only at certain times.

Moreover, through the invention, it is possible to sell goods at different times 10 under different conditions. For example, individual products can be sold at variable prices, for example, as a time-limited special offer, or as a sale, for example, in the case of end-of-season sales.

Additional selling conditions of the vending machine, or of a vending system 15 encompassing several vending machines, can be adapted to different needs.

Thus, it is possible to sell individual goods only to certain users, or to certain user groups, under special conditions as well as to use the same vending machine for the sale of goods in a way that is as automated as possible.

The invention entails the special advantage that it allows an anonymous (mass) sale of goods as well as a targeted selling of goods to individual customer groups.

In particular, customers can be informed via the mass media, in other publicly 25 accessible media, for example, via the Internet, or directly at the vending machines, about the available offers and these customers can utilize these offers without their being identified.

This is especially important from the viewpoint of the protection of the privacy of 30 the user. 8 Moreover, the invention allows goods to be reserved for individual customers, so that the vending machine allows a reliable execution of purchase orders.

Preferably, the vending machine is operated in such a way that the reservation 5 remains valid for a certain time interval and/or by a predefinable time interval so as to avoid a fraudulent blocking of the vending machine by purchasing offers that are not genuine.

By changing the operating parameters, the reservation capabilities can be acti-10 vated or deactivated for certain user groups as desired.

A selection of the goods and the completion of payment are sufficient for removing the goods. The customer remains anonymous vis-a-vis the vending machine and preferably also vis-a-vis the central data processing unit that controls the 15 vending machine; only payment data might possibly allow his identity to be traced. However, it is also possible to avoid identifying customers through the payment procedure, for example, in that anonymous means of payment such as, for example, money cards or monetary-value information are used.

In the case of fast-moving products, usually quick-selling goods, it is especially advantageous to achieve a storage duration of preferably two days at the maximum. The fast-moving products such as, for example, in the same way as specials in branch stores, can change weekly. It is also conceivable to offer just one fast-moving product per week.

In order to ensure the highest possible capacity utilization of the vending machine, it is advantageous to configure the stocking options for individual storage compartments of the vending machine so variably that the vending machine can also be used as en electronic parcel compartment system. 9 Through this flexible configuration of the vending machine as an electronic parcel compartment system, the highest possible capacity utilization of the vending machine can be achieved.

The selling offers are preferably selected in such a way that they are of interest to a large pool of customers so as to ensure the highest possible turnover rate of goods. The pre-filling of the vending machine can be done on the basis of concrete customer requests as well as also without such customer requests.

The modality of filling the vending machine before there are any customer requests will be referred to as PreFilling below.

The PreFilling offers can be planned together with shippers. Such special sales can be carried out as an event at special times during which the shipping volume 15 is not very high, for example, during the summer break. During this time, there are new products once or twice per week.

Special product editions that may only be sold after a certain date such as, for instance, books, should additionally be placed into specific vending machines. In 20 the case of date-restricted goods, one can take advantage of the fact that the goods are available for 24 hours per day by making the goods available starting at midnight. The customer is informed to this effect through an appropriate notification, for example, an e-mail or an SMS. A software update can make the goods available at the vending machine after a certain point in time, already before the open-25 ing of the stores, for example, starting at midnight.

For a certain time, a certain number of compartments can be (additionally) leased to vendors or reserved for the special summer sale.

The method allows the inclusion of users who are known to the system as well as of users who are not known to the system. All interested parties, that is to say, registered as well as unregistered users, should be able to take the goods out of the vending machine in exchange for payment. Once the user has paid, he is entitled to remove the goods. No further identification is needed. The customer can remain anonymous vis-a-vis the vending machine and the central data processing unit that 5 controls the vending machine.

Especially preferred properties of the vending system are listed below: An especially preferred embodiment of the invention, particularly of the vending 10 system according to the invention, is characterized in that information about the goods available in the vending machine and/or about the data of the vending machine can be accessed externally, for example, via the Internet.

Moreover, it is advantageous to furnish the vending machine with at least one of 15 the features listed below or with a combination thereof: • The vending machine shows which goods are available.

• A payment function for special sale products is present at the vending machine.

• The vendor role is integrated (special sale products can be placed) • The deliverer can likewise place special sale products (placement without postal number) • Direct addressing of a vending machine is possible • A user can also remove special sale products without a Login, but as an alternative, registered users can remove the goods with an appropriate access card, for example, a gold card and authorization information, especially a PostPIN.

• The vending machine and/or the central data processing unit that controls it can optionally produce, issue and administer order numbers and TAN's (transaction numbers) (both or either one) • Receipt printing is possible 11 The invention preferably entails a flexible stocking of the vending machines. The goods can be placed into the vending machine ahead of time, especially in the case of date-sensitive editions. The Screen Update, on which the product can be selected via a link, is then activated exactly at midnight.

During the stocking of the vending machine, the 'stacker' selects the menu item 'set offer'. If there are several products per shipper, it has to be possible to unambiguously associate the content with the shipment.

If so desired, the stocking of the compartments can be stocked via the normal delivery modality. The goods would be addressed directly to this PARCEL STATION and the deliverer would place them during the normal delivery to the vending machine.

Example: Offer 1 or: allocation is made by means of the goods code as a barcode PARCEL STATION 101 55116 Mainz, Germany The vendor can also organize or carry out the stocking himself; then individual entries have be made at the vending machine such as, for example, product information that the deliverer does not know or, for lack of time, could not enter.

An especially preferred stocking modality of the vending machine is shown in 25 Figure 1. This stocking modality is especially well-suited for the sale of goods to users who are not identified vis-a-vis the vending machine and/or who are not registered users of the vending machine.

The vending system shown in Figure 1 preferably comprises four participants. 30 These include a vendor who can address goods to the vending machine. Preferably, an offer identification code is indicated here. The term "vendor" is by no means to 12 be construed as a restriction. In particular, it also encompasses an electronic trading system that, in an especially preferred embodiment, can be fully automated. Moreover, it is possible to use software agents. Software agents, which are also referred to as intelligent agents, are preferably made up of software units that 5 monitor their environment and act automatically. In an especially preferred embodiment, the software agent is configured in such a way that it can respond flexibly to requests of customers and to the presence of goods production and/or goods delivery possibilities as well as preferably also to other parameters.

The vending machine used for executing the method, or for implementing the vending system, is such that it is as well-suited for placing and dispensing goods shipments as it is for placing and dispensing mailpieces, particularly postal parcels.

Individual vending machines or - which is especially preferred - all of the vend-15 ing machines are connected to a central data processing unit. The central data processing unit contains information about goods present in the vending machines as well as preferably also about sales queries or delivery requests to individual vending machines.

The vending system described here allows various implementations of the method. The process steps shown in Figure 1 are merely intended by way of example.

Preferably, these process steps comprise at least a few of the following process steps, especially a combination of the process steps shown here, whereby adher-25 ence to the sequence is not necessary, but is preferred in order to enhance the efficiency of the method.

• Deliverer/Stocker has logged in successfully (gold card + PostPIN) • The deliverer chooses between 'remove shipment' and 'place shipment'.

• Once 'place shipment' has been chosen, the following selection appears: 'place parcels', 'place offers'. 13 • The deliverer chooses 'place offers'; then he is prompted to enter the offer number.

• After the entry has been completed, the desired compartment size is asked.

• After the compartment size has been selected, the deliverer places the parcel 5 into the compartment, closes it and confirms the placement.

• The vending machine (PARCEL STATION) prints a receipt with the data (goods number, PARCEL STATION number, date, time of day).

• The parcel data is forwarded to the central data processing unit.

If the person in question is a stocker but not a deliverer, he may only see the functions in the menu sequence that he is entitled to use in view of his function. In points 2 and 3, only the option of placing offers would be visible.

The invention entails various realization possibilities for a goods preview and/or a 15 reservation of the goods. The special sale products in question are advertised ahead of time - for example, on the homepage or in cooperation with shippers. The possibility of providing a vending machine-related special sale product preview should likewise exist on the homepage.

That is where the current products and the vending machine locations are listed. Search function for products and the city and location (e.g. centrally located; near downtown; P&R parking places) should be integrated. The customer should be able to see if only a few more of the products are still available.

If cooperation arrangements with vendors exist, they should also make reference to the vending machine preview.

For non-customers, the vending machine preview only serves for information purposes. 14 Customers of the logistic system should be given the possibility to reserve a product (e.g. for two hours). For this purpose, there is a Login (especially by entering the postal number and the Internet password). Thus, up to x articles can be reserved, optionally only for a limited period of time.

In the database, the person picking up the goods or the goods number is overwritten. The previous order number is replaced by the customer number. The customer number is only valid in conjunction with the PostPIN.

A preferred embodiment of a removal of goods by customers is shown in Figure 2. The depicted embodiment is especially well-suited for the removal of goods that had not been previously reserved.

In particular, the embodiment whose block diagram is shown in Figure 2 is suit-15 able for selecting goods in the area of the vending machine. Preferably, for this purpose, the vending machine is equipped with a graphic display means for displaying at least some of the goods being offered. An especially suitable display means is a touch screen since it concurrently allows the offered goods to be selected in a simple manner.

Those interested (they can but do not have to be customers of the logistic system) can select an offer via the touch screen.

Preferably, with this embodiment of the invention, at least a few, preferably sev-25 eral, of the following process steps are used: • Offer is displayed on the screen • A product can be selected by means of touching • The user can now select the desired mode of payment 30 • The payment prompt is displayed • Payment procedure • Payment was made successfully -* 8 ;• Payment was not completed -* error message -»logout • The user can remove the shipment • The user can request a receipt • The receipt is printed (payment data, goods, identification information about the vending machine, date, time of day) • Information about the current goods inventory is sent to the central data processing unit • Goods inventory is sent to the vendor The vending procedure shown in Figures 1 and 2 can fundamentally be used for the removal of reserved goods.

In order to ensure that the person who reserved the goods is the one who actually 15 receives them, an authorization check is advantageous. An especially preferred embodiment for the removal of reserved goods is explained below with reference to Figure 3.

Figure 3 shows a block diagram of an access process for users of the vending 20 machine, whereby the access procedure is suitable for access to the vending machine in its function as a vending machine as well as in its function as an electronic parcel compartment system.

During the reservation period of time (e.g. 2 hours), customers of the logistic sys-25 tem who have reserved goods can remove the goods by using the same process as for parcels located in the vending machine: • Login with gold card and PostPIN • Goods or else shipments are displayed • Customer is prompted to make payment • After the payment has been completed, the goods can be removed • Refilling 16 • As soon as certain goods have been sold out, the system can generate an e-mail or SMS to the vendor with all of the necessary information for purposes of restocking.

• Address of the vending machine (PARCEL STATION 101; 55116 Mainz, 5 Germany) • Type of goods (the goods or offer characteristic) • Number of items (e.g. 5) • This notification is preferably equivalent to an order.

The embodiments of the invention shown are merely to be understood by way of example. In particular, it is possible and advantageous to integrate additional functions into the vending machine. This additional information allows the integration of additional information into the vending machine such as, for example, the selection possibilities described for using the vending machine for reserved as 15 well as for unreserved goods, as well as the combination of the use of an electronic parcel compartment system with storage compartments as a vending machine and also as an electronic parcel compartment system. Especially preferred embodiments of the invention entail the most flexible possible division of the electronically controlled compartment system into an anonymous vending 20 machine, a vending machine operated in a reservation mode, a vending machine for pre-ordered goods and an electronic parcel compartment system for dispensing and/or accepting mailpieces, especially postal parcels. 17

Claims (1)

Claims

1. A method for controlling a vending machine in which goods can be placed 5 into storage compartments and can be subsequently removed from the stor age compartments by customers, whereby offer-related data is recorded in a central data processing unit, whereby matching offers are associated with identical offer identification codes, the offer identification codes are transmitted to a plurality of electronic vending machines, storage compart- 10 ments which are provided for the distribution of goods are stocked with goods, and offer identification codes associated with the goods are recorded, characterized in that - data for controlling the vending machine is stored in the central data processing unit, this data is converted into control commands for control- 15 ling the vending machine and the control commands are transmitted to the vending machine, - in case of changes in the data stored, control commands are transmitted to the vending machine which changes the operating parameters of the vending machine, and the operating parameters contain at least selling 20 times, prices, offer contents, offers as a function of user groups and the number of operating functions, and - the control commands interact with an electronic control unit located in the area of the vending machine in such a manner that the selection of the available operating functions is changed, whereby 25 - a first operating function entails the use of the compartments for a vend ing system and a second operating function entails the use of the compartments for a logistic system for sending and/or picking up goods. 18 PCT/DE03/02700 The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the placement of the goods into the vending machines is transmitted to the central data processing unit. The method according to one or both of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the filling of the compartments with the goods is displayed by means of a graphic display unit. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that goods in individual compartments can be reserved for a certain period of time. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the central data processing unit and/or in the vending machine, information about different user groups of the vending machine and information about the selection of individual offers are stored as a function of the appertaining user groups. PCT/DE03/02700 19 5 10 7. 15 20 8. 25 9. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that mailpieces are transported to the vending machines, placed into at least some of the storage compartments and stored there for later pick-up, whereby the mailpieces are recorded by the vending machine and are placed into at least some of the storage compartments, and in that the mailpieces are taken out of the storage compartments at a later point in time and transported to a destination. A vending machine with storage compartments for storing goods, characterized in that a central data processing unit connected to the vending machine comprises means for a flexible allocation of the storage compartments for a vending system and/or a logistic system for sending and/or picking up goods, whereby the means can generate control commands and can transmit them to the vending machines, and the control commands interact with an electronic control unit located in the area of the vending machine in such a manner that the selection of the available operating functions is changed, whereby a first operating function entails the use of the compartments for a vending system and a second operating function entails the use of the compartments for a logistic system for sending and/or picking up goods. A method for controlling a vending machine substantially as herein described with reference to any appropriate selection or combination of the figures of the accompanying drawings. A vending machine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. P :i. pers At torn coys For: INTELLECTUAI PROPERTY OFFICE l-F N.Z. DEUTSCHE POST AG 1 0 MAR 2005 RECEIVED