RU210433U1 - AUTOMATIC POINT CONTROL MODULE - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a data processing system intended for trade, namely, a control system for vending machines and micromarkets without a seller, equipped with means for allowing buyers to access goods without prepayment, and can be used to create automatic outlets in a remotely controlled network. retail. The automatic point of sale control module contains a microcontroller, a display, a communication module, a combined module and connectors located in the case and interconnected for connecting with the functional modules of the automatic point of sale and an uninterruptible power supply. The microcontroller contains software and a database configured to update them, communicate with a remote server, control the functional modules of the automatic outlet, monitor their operation, transfer information about violations in their work to the remote server and transfer the functions of managing the automatic outlet to the latter. Through connectors, the microcontroller is connected to the functional modules of the automatic point of sale, designed for temperature monitoring, refrigeration compressor control, door position monitoring, door lock control and light source control. The display is configured to display the operation parameters of the automatic outlet. The communication module is configured for high-speed wireless data transmission between the microcontroller and a remote server via GPRS and TCP/IP networks. The combined module is made in the form of a quad-band GSM/GPRS+BT module with the ability to support satellite navigation in GPS/GLONAS systems and Bluetooth BR/EDR and BLE technologies. The small weight and size characteristics of the control module make it possible to place it inside an automatic point of sale practically without reducing its usable volume. The control module can be used for a wide range of automatic refrigerators, showcases and other outlets for the sale of food and non-food products without a seller. 4 w.p. f-ly, 5 ill., 3 pr.

Description

The utility model relates to a data processing system intended for trade, namely, a control system for vending machines and micromarkets without a seller, equipped with means for allowing buyers to access goods without prepayment, and can be used to create automatic outlets in a remotely controlled network. retail.

A control module for an automatic outlet is known (RF patent No. 2707906, IPC (2012.01): G06Q 20/18, publication date 12/02/2019), containing an interconnected microcontroller, a communication module and an audit module. The control module is part of the device for selecting and issuing goods and is connected to the module for issuing goods, telemetry sensors, a reset relay and a display located in it. Through the communication module, the microcontroller is connected to the payment unit containing the database of identified codes and to the remote server. The microcontroller contains software and a database configured to control the device for selecting and issuing goods, changing its settings, rebooting, connecting and exchanging data between at least two similar devices connected to the network using different protocols, storing and processing data using accounting for goods and sending information to a remote server. The communication module contains a wired Ethernet communication module and/or a module for receiving and transmitting radio signals. The audit module is configured to receive information about the type of selected product, the quantity of goods sold, telemetry sensor readings and other information coming from interconnected elements of the system, process this information and transfer it to a remote server.

The control module is used as follows. The buyer, by means of a device for selecting and issuing goods, selects the type of goods and, through the payment block, makes payment for it with a contactless card. Information about payment through the communication module enters the microcontroller and is then transmitted to a remote server for identification and decryption of the contactless card code. Having received data on the compliance of the code with the requirements necessary for the issuance of goods, or data on payment for the goods, the microcontroller or remote server, which identifies and decrypts the codes of contactless cards, sends a signal to the module for issuing goods to release to the buyer the corresponding amount of goods chosen by him. At the same time, the audit module receives information about the type of the selected product, the quantity of the issued product and other information received by the control module from other elements of the system, after which the control module processes the information received and sends it to a remote server. The read code enters the database of identified payment block codes and to an external server. The control module is used in automatic outlets, made with the possibility of issuing goods after pre-payment.

The disadvantage of the known control module is the limited scope due to the use in automatic outlets, made with the ability to provide customers with access to goods after their prepayment. The need to make advance payments at automated outlets significantly complicates the actions of buyers in cases of refusal to purchase or return of paid goods, for example, if they are of inadequate quality or in other situations.

A control module for an automatic outlet is known (RF patent No. 2729373, IPC (2019.08): G06Q 30/00, G07F 11/00, G06K 5/04, publication date 08/06/2020), containing a microcontroller located in the housing and interconnected, a display , communication module and connectors for connection with the functional modules of the point of sale and uninterruptible power supply. The control module also contains a memory unit connected to the microcontroller. The point of sale is made in the form of a vending machine equipped with a system of radio frequency identification of goods by means of RFID antennas, which ensure the transmission of a UHF radio signal between the reader and RFID tags. The functional modules of the vending machine consist of temperature and humidity sensors, a door lock and a light source. The microcontroller contains software and a database configured to control said functional modules and communicate with a remote server through a communication module. The microcontroller is also connected by means of a communication module to a remote server for accounting for commodity balances and conducting transactions and a remote transaction server. To provide these functions, the microcontroller contains additional software and a database configured to read data from RFID antennas about goods taken from the vending machine upon purchase, transfer the read information to a remote accounting server and receive control information from it. The memory unit is configured to store the data read from the RFID antennas and the information received from the remote accounting server. The display is configured to display the operating parameters of the vending machine. The communication module is configured for high-speed wireless data transmission between the microcontroller and said remote servers. Reception and transmission of data is carried out via a TCP / IP network and / or a WiFi network.

The control module is used as follows. Access to the goods is provided to the buyer after successful authorization through the application on a personal electronic device. Information about the buyer's authorization is sent to the microcontroller and the remote accounting server, after which the microcontroller issues a command to open the lock on the door of the vending machine. The customer opens the door, selects the desired items by removing them from the shelves, and when the selection is complete, closes the door. At the command of the microcontroller, the lock on the door is closed and the microcontroller polls the RFID antennas, each of which scans passive RFID tags. The RFID antenna sends signals to the microcontroller about missing RFID tags on the shelves, which the microcontroller compares with the information in the memory block. If during comparison it is determined that these data were received and transmitted to a remote accounting server earlier, then the microcontroller stops further data processing. If the incoming data was not previously detected and transferred to the remote accounting server, the microcontroller stores the information in the memory block for subsequent comparisons, and simultaneously transfers it to the remote accounting server. The latter saves information received from the microcontroller about product balances, performs their automatic analysis and displays the relevant information on the operator's remote display. After saving the information, the accounting server connects to the transaction server, which executes the transaction request in accordance with the data received from the microcontroller. After receiving the request, the transaction server performs a transaction between the electronic device of the buyer and the accounting server in accordance with the received data. The functionality of the known control module, combined with the capabilities of the vending machine and its network environment, allows customers to access goods without prepayment, which eliminates the disadvantage of the control module according to RF patent No. 2707906.

The disadvantages of the known control module are:

- limited scope due to the possibility of use on vending machines equipped with a system of radio frequency identification of goods through RFID antennas;

- the complexity of the design implementation, due to the combination of functions for accounting for the movement of goods and the relationship with remote servers in the network environment, which leads to an increase in the weight and size characteristics of the control module and, accordingly, a decrease in the useful volume of the automatic outlet.

The utility model is based on the task of expanding the arsenal of technical means for managing an automatic point of sale, containing other elements for accounting for sales and customer access to goods without prepayment.

The technical result from the implementation of this task is to increase the reliability of the management of the automatic outlet.

The problem is solved by the fact that the automatic point of sale control module, which contains a microcontroller, a display, a communication module and connectors located in the housing and interconnected for connection with the functional modules of the automatic point of sale and an uninterruptible power supply, while the microcontroller contains software and a database , configured to control the functional modules of the automatic outlet and communicate with a remote server, the display is configured to display the parameters of the automatic outlet, and the communication module is configured to transmit high-speed wireless data between the microcontroller and the remote server, according to the utility model, it additionally contains a combined a module connected to the microcontroller and configured to support satellite navigation in GPS/GLONAS systems and Bluetooth BR/EDR and BLE technologies, and the software The data and database of the microcontroller are configured to update them, monitor the operation of the functional modules of the automatic outlet, transfer information about violations in the operation of the functional modules of the automatic outlet to a remote server, and transfer functions to control the automatic outlet to the remote server.

In this case, it is advisable that the communication module be made in the form of a WiFi transceiver with the ability to connect to the Internet via GPRS and TCP/IP networks.

At the same time, it is also advisable that the combined module be made in the form of a miniature quad-band GSM/GPRS+BT module that combines the functions of a cellular communication and navigation module with simultaneous support for Bluetooth Low Energy and Bluetooth Classic technologies.

At the same time, it is also expedient that the microcontroller be connected via connectors to the functional modules of the automatic point of sale designed for temperature monitoring, refrigeration compressor control, door position monitoring, door lock control and light source control.

At the same time, it is also expedient that the microcontroller be configured to control the compressor of the refrigeration unit, the lock on the door, and the light source of the automatic point of sale.

The new design of the automatic point of sale control module ensures the achievement of the claimed technical result. In particular, the use of a combined module connected to a microcontroller and capable of supporting satellite navigation in GPS/GLONAS systems and Bluetooth BR/EDR and BLE technologies makes it possible to increase the reliability of communication links in a remotely controlled network of retail outlets and control the exact location of each of them. The execution of the software and the database of the microcontroller with the possibility of updating them, monitoring the operation of the functional modules of the outlet, transmitting information about violations in the operation of the functional modules of the outlet to a remote server and transferring the functions of managing the outlet to the remote server is aimed at improving the convenience of remote maintenance and reliability of work. automatic outlet, because allow you to quickly change the settings and operating modes of the control module, control the resource of functional modules and duplicate the functionality of the control module on a remote server at each outlet. In general, the set of common and distinctive essential features of the utility model allows the use of the control module at automatic outlets intended for the sale of a wide range of chilled and/or frozen food products, which expands its scope and improves the convenience of buying goods.

The essence of the claimed utility model is illustrated by examples of the implementation of the module for managing an automatic outlet in the form of a micromarket "Briskli-module", developed by the Limited Liability Company "BRISKLI".

The figures of the drawing show: in Fig. 1 - block diagram of the control module; in fig. 2 - location of the control module inside the automatic outlet; in fig. 3 is a block diagram of the connections of the control module with the functional modules of the automatic point of sale; in fig. 4 is a block diagram of the connections of the control module in the mode of providing access to goods through a payment terminal at an automatic outlet; in fig. 5 is a block diagram of the communications of the control module in the mode of providing access to goods through the mobile application B-Rau on the personal electronic device of the buyer.

The automatic point of sale control module consists (Fig. 1) of a housing 1 and a microcontroller 2 located in it, a display 3 with a keyboard 4, a communication module 5, a combined module 6 and connectors 7 for connecting to the functional modules of an automatic point of sale and an uninterruptible power supply and /or external power supply (not shown).

The functional modules of the automatic outlet include (Fig. 2, 3): a temperature sensor 8, a compressor 9 of a refrigeration unit, a position sensor 10 of the door of the outlet, an electromechanical lock 11 on the door of the automatic outlet and a light source 12 inside the automatic outlet.

The microcontroller 2 is made on the basis of the ARM family microarchitecture with the CORTEX-M core and is connected at the output with the display 3, the compressor 9, the electromechanical lock 11 and the light source 12 by means of connectors 7, at the input - with the keyboard 4, temperature sensors 8 and 10 of the door position, and at the input and output - with a communication module 5 and a combined module 6 (Fig. 1, 3). The software and database of the microcontroller 2 are designed to control the automatic point of sale in the following customer service modes:

- providing access to goods through a payment terminal at a point of sale;

- providing access to goods through the V-Rau application on the buyer's personal electronic device.

In addition, the software and database of the microcontroller 2 are configured to maintain the specified operating parameters of the automatic outlet and monitor its technical condition based on information from the temperature sensor 8 and the door position sensor 10 of the outlet.

To implement the mentioned modes, the software and the database of the microcontroller 2 are made with the following functionality:

- management of visualization of information on the display 3;

- exchange via communication 5 and/or combined 6 modules with information with a remote server related to monitoring the readings of the temperature sensor 8, the door position sensor 10 and the position of the electromechanical lock 11 on the door of the automatic outlet, the operating mode of the compressor 9 of the refrigeration unit and the light source 12, coordinates of the location of the automatic point of sale and the software version of the microcontroller 2;

- changes in the status of functional modules 8-12 of the automatic outlet;

- processing and storage of information coming from the functional modules 8-12 of the automatic outlet and the remote server;

- updating own software and database through a remote server;

- transfer to a remote server of functions for managing an automatic outlet.

Display 3 is designed to visualize information about the mode of operation of the automatic outlet and the specified service information. Display 3 is OLED technology with a 0.96" monochrome screen. The HDMI display interface is compatible with single board computers and multi-systems and provides interactive input and visual display of information on demand from the keyboard 4.

The communication module 5 is designed to provide wireless communication between the microcontroller 2 and a remote server and is made in the form of a WiFi transceiver with the ability to connect to the Internet via GPRS networks using the TCP/IP and WEBSOCKET protocols.

The combined module 6 is designed to provide wireless communication between the microcontroller 2 and a remote server. The combined module 6 contains (Fig. 1) the GSMB 13 module, designed to communicate with a remote server, the GNSS 14 module, designed to determine the geographical location of the trading terminal using GPS / GLONAS, and the BLE / BT 15 module, designed to communicate with a personal electronic device the buyer to make settings using the BLE/BLUETOOTH protocols. Combined module 6 is based on a miniature quad-band SIM868E module, which combines the functions of a cellular communication and navigation module with simultaneous support for Bluetooth Low Energy and Bluetooth Classic technologies. The SIM868E module is capable of operating in GSM networks simultaneously using two SIM cards (Dual Sim Dual Standby), receiving GPS / GLONASS and other systems navigation signals, as well as using Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy stacks.

The claimed architecture of the control module made it possible to minimize the weight and size characteristics and make it in the form of a monoblock with overall dimensions of 35×80×85 mm and a weight of 0.2 kg. The control module implements a combination of functions for monitoring the telemetry of an automatic point of sale, managing its functional modules and managing access to goods both when making purchases by customers and when servicing by staff. Along with this, the control module allows you to provide:

- redundancy of a communication channel with a remote server by installing transceivers of two types - WiFi and GSM;

- control of the location of the automatic outlet by means of GPS/GLONASS navigation signals;

- blocking the lock on the door of the automatic outlet in case of emergency situations of its functional modules;

- visualization of the operation parameters of the automatic outlet by means of a contrast display 3 and keyboard 4;

- the ability to remotely update the program and settings of the microcontroller 2 without leaving the technician to the automatic outlet.

At the same time, the small weight and size characteristics of the control module make it possible to place it inside the automatic outlet with virtually no reduction in useful volume, for example, in the upper part of the working chamber (Fig. 2).

The design features of the automatic point of sale control module shown in the figures of the drawing and in the description do not exhaust all possible options for its implementation, ensuring the achievement of the claimed technical result. The combination of common and distinctive features of the independent claim of the utility model makes it possible to use different models of the microcontroller, display and communication modules for the manufacture of the control module, the technical characteristics of which provide the declared functionality.

The use of the control module is carried out as follows.

Example 1. Using the control module in the mode of providing access to goods through a payment terminal (Fig. 4).

The case 1 of the control module is mounted inside the working chamber of the automatic outlet and through connectors 7 the microcontroller 2 is connected to functional modules 8-12 and an uninterruptible power supply (not shown). The payment terminal 16 is attached to the outside of the door of the automatic point of sale (not shown) and is connected to an uninterruptible power supply. The design and functionality of the payment terminal 16 correspond to the patent of the Russian Federation for utility model No. 203773 "Device for the purchase of goods without a seller". Communication between the control module and the payment terminal 16 is carried out by means of wireless communication through a remote server 17.

Providing the buyer with access to goods is performed in the following sequence:

1. The buyer starts the session of the purchase of goods on the payment terminal 16, which transmits to the remote server 17 information about the start of the session.

2. The remote server 17 receives information and sends a signal to the microcontroller 2 of the control module to open the door of the automatic outlet, after which the microcontroller 2 opens the electromechanical lock 11 on the door.

3. The remote server 17 sends to the payment terminal 16 information about the opening of the electromechanical lock 11 on the door of the automatic outlet, after which the buyer opens the door, selects the product, closes the door and makes payment through the payment terminal 16.

4. The payment terminal 16 sends to the remote server 17 information about the successful payment for the goods by the buyer.

5. The remote server 17 sends a signal to the microcontroller 2 of the control module to close the electromechanical lock 11 on the door of the automatic outlet, after which the microcontroller 2 closes the electromechanical lock 11.

After closing the electromechanical lock 11, the software of the microcontroller 2 switches to the mode of maintaining the specified mode of operation of the refrigeration unit and monitoring the parameters of the operation of the functional modules of the automatic outlet.

Example 2. Using the control module in the mode of providing access to goods through a special B-Rau application on the buyer's personal electronic device (Fig. 5).

The location and connections of the control module and payment terminal 16 at the automatic outlet are similar to example 1.

1. The customer starts a session of buying goods in the B-Rau application on a personal electronic device 18, which transmits information about the start of the session to the remote server 17.

2. The remote server 17 receives information and sends a signal to the microcontroller 2 of the control module to open the door of the automatic outlet, after which the microcontroller 2 opens the electromechanical lock 11 on the door.

3. The remote server 17 sends to the V-Pau application on the buyer's personal electronic device 18 information about opening access to the automatic point of sale, after which the buyer opens the door, selects the product, closes the door and pays for it using the mentioned V-Pau application on the personal electronic device 18.

4. The V-Rau application on the buyer's personal electronic device 18 sends information about the successful payment for the goods to the remote server 17.

5. The remote server 17 sends a signal to the microcontroller 2 of the control module to close the electromechanical lock 11 of the door of the automatic outlet, after which the microcontroller 2 closes the electromechanical lock 11.

After closing the electromechanical lock 11, the software of the microcontroller 2 switches to the mode of maintaining the specified mode of operation of the refrigeration unit and monitoring the parameters of the operation of the functional modules of the automatic outlet.

Example 3. Using the control module to maintain the set parameters of the automatic outlet and monitor its technical condition (Fig. 3).

The location and connections of the control module at the automatic point of sale are similar to example 1.

1. Temperature sensor 8 constantly sends information about the temperature in the working chamber of the automatic outlet to the microcontroller 2.

2. Microcontroller 2 receives temperature information and sends it to a remote server 17.

3. The remote server 17 receives information about the temperature, compares the current temperature values with the set parameters and sends commands to the microcontroller 2 to turn on or turn off the compressor 9 when the temperature value deviates from the set parameters.

4. The microcontroller 2 receives commands from the remote server 17 and turns on or off the compressor 9 to maintain the set temperature parameters.

5. The sensor 10 and the electromechanical lock 11 constantly send to the microcontroller 2 information about the position of the door and the electromechanical lock on the door of the automatic outlet.

6. Microcontroller 2 receives information about the positions of the door and the electromechanical lock on the door of the automatic outlet and sends it to the remote server 17.

7. The remote server 17 receives information about the positions of the door and the electromechanical lock on the door of the automatic outlet, compares their status with the specified modes of access to the automatic outlet and, if they correspond, sends a command to the microcontroller 2 to open or close the electromechanical lock 11 on the door.

8. The microcontroller 2 receives commands from the remote server 17 and performs the opening or closing of the electromechanical lock 11 on the door of the automatic outlet.

9. In cases where the flow of current information from the temperature sensor 8 and/or the door position sensor 10 of the automatic outlet and/or the electromechanical lock 11 on the door stops, the microcontroller 2 stops its transmission to the remote server 17 and blocks the electromechanical lock 11 in the closed position.

10. In cases where the flow of current information from the microcontroller 2 ceases, the remote server 17 transmits this information to the operator's video monitor (not shown) in order to make a prompt decision to eliminate the malfunction of the corresponding functional module of the automatic outlet.

The inventive control module has been tested in real operating conditions. The results of the approbation confirm the achievement of the claimed technical result associated with the creation of a relatively simple and compact design of the automatic point of sale control module with customer access to goods without prepayment. The control module implements a combination of functions for monitoring the telemetry of an automatic outlet and managing its functional modules, incl. access to goods when making purchases. The small weight and size characteristics of the control module make it possible to place it inside an automatic point of sale practically without reducing its usable volume. The control module can be used for a wide range of automatic refrigerators, showcases and other outlets for the sale of food and non-food products without a seller, which enhances customer service and improves the convenience of their purchase of goods.

Claims (5)

1. An automatic point of sale control module containing a microcontroller, a display, a communication module and connectors located in a housing and interconnected for connecting with functional modules of an automatic point of sale and an uninterruptible power supply, while the microcontroller contains software and a database configured to controlling the functional modules of the automatic outlet and interconnecting with a remote server, the display is configured to display the operation parameters of the automatic outlet, and the communication module is configured to transmit high-speed wireless data between the microcontroller and the remote server, characterized in that it additionally contains a combined module connected with a microcontroller and designed to support satellite navigation in GPS / GLONAS systems and Bluetooth BR / EDR and BLE technologies, and the software and database of the microcontroller in are made with the possibility of updating them, monitoring the operation of the functional modules of the automatic outlet, transferring information about violations in the operation of the functional modules of the automatic outlet to a remote server, and transferring the functions of managing the automatic outlet to the remote server. 2. The control module according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication module is made in the form of a WiFi transceiver with the ability to connect to the Internet via GPRS and TCP / IP networks. 3. The control module according to claim 1, characterized in that the combined module is made in the form of a miniature quad-band GSM / GPRS + BT module that combines the functions of a cellular communication and navigation module with simultaneous support for Bluetooth Low Energy and Bluetooth Classic technologies. 4. The control module according to claim 1, characterized in that the microcontroller is connected via connectors to the functional modules of the automatic point of sale, designed to monitor the temperature, control the compressor of the refrigeration unit, monitor the position of the door, control the door lock and control the light source. 5. The control module according to paragraphs. 1 and 4, characterized in that the microcontroller is configured to control the compressor of the refrigeration unit, the lock on the door and the lighting source of the automatic point of sale.

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