WO2024127094A1 - A smart product vending system - Google Patents

A smart product vending system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024127094A1
WO2024127094A1 PCT/IB2023/054560 IB2023054560W WO2024127094A1 WO 2024127094 A1 WO2024127094 A1 WO 2024127094A1 IB 2023054560 W IB2023054560 W IB 2023054560W WO 2024127094 A1 WO2024127094 A1 WO 2024127094A1
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WO
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Prior art keywords
products
sensors
booth structure
users
booth
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PCT/IB2023/054560
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French (fr)
Inventor
Tursunboi ABDUSAMINOV
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Abdusaminov Tursunboi
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Publication of WO2024127094A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024127094A1/en

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  • the payment terminal module is configured to receive the one or more token, wherein the token generated activates the payment terminal module configured to process a purchase initiated by the token of selected one or more products.
  • the user interface is configured to display the selected one or more products from the one or more users.
  • the first set of sensors selected from proximity sensors, ultrasonic sensors, LIDARs, LEDARs, photodiodes photo-transistors photoelectric sensors and combination thereof.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a smart vending system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2A-2D illustrate a booth structure of the smart vending system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3A illustrates an arrangement of plurality of frames with one or more shelves having one or more products in the smart vending system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3B-3C illustrate outer body material present in between one or more shelves in the smart vending system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 4A illustrates a second set of sensors, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 4B illustrates a use of the second set of sensors for detecting touch indicating no selected one or more products or product samples by one or more users in the smart vending system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a smart vending system (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the system (100) may comprise, but not limited to, a booth structure (107), a drive mechanism (200), a first set of sensors (108a), a second set of sensors (108b), a processing module (102), a payment terminal module (1 10), and a user interface.
  • the processing module (102) has been shown in a detailed block diagram in figure 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the processing module (102) is envisaged to include computing capabilities such as a memory unit (1022) configured to store machine readable instructions.
  • the machine-readable instructions may be loaded into the memory unit (1022) from a non-transitory machine- readable medium, such as, but not limited to, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs and Flash Drives. Alternately, the machine-readable instructions may be loaded in a form of a computer software program into the memory unit (1022).
  • the memory unit (1022) in that manner may be selected from a group comprising EPROM, EEPROM and Flash memory.
  • the processing module (102) has been shown in the figure 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the processing module (102) includes a processor (1024) operably connected with the memory unit (1022).
  • the processor (1024) may be a microprocessor selected from one of, but not limited to a ARM based or Intel based processor (1024) in the form of field- programmable gate array (FPGA), a general-purpose processor and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
  • the processing module (102) may further include a configurable processing unit, an operating system (100), an Application Processing Unit (APU), Hardware (HW) threads, Software (SW) threads, SSD storage, EMCC, SD etc.
  • the APU is for highly sequential processing and a configurable Processing Unit is for parallel execution, customization, deep pipelining as a custom soft logic core to improve performance and energy efficiency.
  • a DL inference engine that requires high performance and energy efficiency and hence runs on a HW thread with a Custom Hardware Accelerator Soft Logic Core on the Reconfigurable Computing Platform.
  • the operating system has been implemented for the configurable Processing Unit to offer a unified multithreaded programming model and OS services for threads executing in software and threads mapped to the Reconfigurable Hardware.
  • the Operating System semantically integrates hardware accelerators into a standard OS environment for rapid design-space exploration, to support a structured application development process, and to improve the portability of applications between different Reconfigurable Processing Systems.
  • the Operating System makes sure that from the perspective of an application, it is thus completely transparent whether a thread is executing in software or hardware.
  • the processing module (102) may implement artificial intelligence and deep learning-based technologies for, but not limited to, data analysis, collating data & presentation of data in real-time.
  • a communication network may also be used in the system (100) for connecting the components within the system (100) or connecting the processing module (102) with the booth structure (107), the drive mechanism (200), the first set of sensors (108a), the second set of sensors (108b), the payment terminal module (1 10), and a user interface (128).
  • the communication network can be a short-range communication network and/or a long- range communication network, wire or wireless communication network.
  • the communication interface includes, but not limited to, a serial communication interface, a parallel communication interface or a combination thereof.
  • the communication network may be implemented using a number of protocols, such as but not limited to, TCP/IP, 3GPP, 3GPP2, LTE, IEEE 802.x etc.
  • the communication network (110) may be wireless communication network selected from one of, but not limited to, Bluetooth, radio frequency, internet or satellite communication network providing maximum coverage.
  • the processing module (102) may also include a registration module adapted to receive details of one or more users and register them on the system (100).
  • the details may include, but not limited to, username, contact number, email ID, age, gender, areas of interest, shopping habit, likes dislikes, cookies from their devices etc.
  • the registration module may also have a biometrics receiver configured to register the one or more users via their biometrics.
  • the biometrics may include, fingerprint recognition, face recognition, Iris recognition or a combination thereof.
  • the processing module (102) may be a stand-alone device where the user may come and register themselves for shopping and sampling or other related activities.
  • the processing module (102) may also include the user interface (128).
  • the network-connected computer user interface (128) may include a display envisaged to show the data received from the processing module (102), the booth structure (107), the drive mechanism (200), the first set of sensors (108a), the second set of sensors (108b), the payment terminal module (1 10), and the user interface (128).
  • the display may be, but not limited to Light-emitting diode display (LED), electroluminescent display (ELD), liquid crystal display (LCD), Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) & AMOLED display.
  • network-connected computer user interface (128) may include accessories like keyboard, mouse etc. envisaged to provide input capability to enable a user to enter their details mentioned above.
  • network-connected computer user interface (128) may be a touch inputbased display, that integrates the input-output functionalities.
  • system (100) may include one or more user devices associated with respective users connected with the processing module (102) via a wired or wireless connection.
  • the user devices may be selected from computing devices such as desktop PC, laptop, PDA or hand-held computing device such as smartphones and tablets. It has already been mentioned, the one or more user devices are associated with one or more users.
  • the user devices instead of a processing module (102) and user interface (128) being a stand-alone device, the user devices may house the processing module (102) and user interface (128) along with their functionalities.
  • the user devices already include microprocessor (1024) for processing and communication capabilities via wired or wireless connections.
  • system (100) could be implemented as a distributed system (100) where the user interface (128) and the processing module (102) may be at disposed at a different location from each other and/or the processing module (102) could be implemented in a server-side computing device or cloud computing environment. It will be appreciated by a skilled addressee that there are multiple arrangements in which the present invention can be implemented, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the processing module (102) is also envisaged to implement Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and deep learning for data collation and processing.
  • the system (100) may also include a data repository.
  • the data repository may be a local storage (such as SSD, eMMC, Flash, SD card, etc.) or a cloud-based storage.
  • the data repository is envisaged to be capable of providing the data to the processing module (102), when the data is queried appropriately using applicable security and other data transfer protocols.
  • the data repository may store, but not limited to, previous and/or live images, verbatim files, processing files, videos, audios, 3D immersive content, solutions. It is also envisaged to store various charts, tables, learning contents such as practical videos, images of one or more products (1070), manipulatable 3D content, prepared for the users.
  • the processing module (102) may include Al and deep learning-based trained models using the above data, so as to compare and assess and update the database based on the received data from the processing module (102), the booth structure (107), the drive mechanism (200), the first set of sensors (108a), the second set of sensors (108b), the payment terminal module (1 10), and the user interface (128) and/or the internet in realtime.
  • FIG 2A illustrates a booth structure (107) and a drive mechanism (200) of the smart vending system (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the booth frame may be disposed above the drive mechanism (200).
  • the booth structure (107) can be further illustrated separately by figure 2B.
  • the booth structure (107) as shown in figure 2B comprises a plurality of frames (107a) and shelves (107b), configured to store one or more products (1070).
  • the plurality of frames (107a) may be disposed in hexagonal sides of the booth structure (107).
  • FIG 2C illustrates the drive mechanism in the smart vending system (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the drive mechanism (200) may comprise one or more motion control sensors proximal to a base panel (107c), one or more wheels (204), one or more actuators drives (202), with a central shaft (107d), and one or more gear (205).
  • the booth structure (107) may be placed on the base panel (107c).
  • the central shaft may be placed at the bottom of the booth structure (107).
  • the central shaft may be rotated using the one or more actuators drives (202) and one or more gear (205).
  • one or more wheels (204) may be used to evenly distribute the weight of the booth structure (107).
  • FIG. 3A illustrates the system (100) with an arrangement of plurality of frames (107a) with one or more shelves (107b) having one or more products (1070) or product samples fixed on the booth structure (107), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the plurality of frame (107a) the shelves (107b) and the outer body (310) may be made of, but not limited to, polymers, alloys, composite materials, metals such as iron, steel, titanium, brass, bronze, carbon fiber, glass, acrylic etc.
  • the plurality of frames (107a) is adapted to have one or more shelves (107b) for placing the one or more products (1070).
  • the one or more shelves (107b) and the outer body (310) incorporates one or more sheets to cover the booth structure (107).
  • the sheet material can be selected from, but not limited to, polymers, alloys, composite materials, carbon fiber, glass, acrylic as shown in figure 3B and 3C.
  • FIG. 3C illustrates an arrangement of one or more light-diffused in the one or more sheets used to improve visibility and make the booth structure more attractive.
  • the booth structure (107) may have the one or more first set of sensors disposed on the top of the booth structure (107).
  • the first set of sensors (108a) may be selected from a group comprising proximity sensors, ultrasonic sensors, LIDARs, LEDARs, photodiodes photo-transistors photoelectric sensors and combination thereof.
  • Figure 4A illustrates the second set of sensors (108b) for detecting touch indicating selected one or more products (1070) or product samples in the smart vending system (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the second set of sensors (108b) may be disposed above the one or more shelves (107b).
  • the second set of sensors (108b) may be selected from a group comprising touch sensors, a voice detection sensor, one or more cameras or a combination thereof.
  • the system (100) as shown in figure 1 has the booth structure (107), with plurality of frames (107a) and shelves (107b), configured to store one or more products (1070).
  • the one or more products (1070) represented as one or more pictures, videos, demo clips, dummies or demo samples of the one or more products (1070) on the corresponding shelf.
  • the shelves (107b) of the booth structure (107) may contain a variety of product visible through a see through shield (1070a).
  • the first set of sensors (108a) configured to detect presence of one or more users in front of the booth structure (107).
  • the ultrasonic sensor may detect the presence of the one or more user near the booth structure (107).
  • the booth structure (107) may be rotated.
  • the processing module (102) is configured to determine the presence of the one or more users (125) in a vicinity of the booth structure (107) based on the detection of the one or more users. For example, when the user comes in close proximity of the booth structure (107), the processing module (102) may determine that there is at least a user in the vicinity of the booth structure (107). After detection of the user, the processing module (102) is configured to instruct the drive mechanism (200) to rotate the booth structure (107) based on the detected presence of the one or more user in the vicinity of the booth structure (107). For example, as soon as the booth structure (107) is approached by the user, the drive mechanism will start rotating the booth structure (107) showing the one or more products (1070) in the shelves (107b) to the one or more users.
  • the drive mechanism (200) may be configured to rotate, move or hover the booth frame (107) in a defined manner. Defined manner such as continuous spin, periodic spin, patterned spin etc.
  • the second set of sensors (108b) corresponding to the one or more products (1070), disposed on the booth structure (107), configured to receive an input of the user indicating selection of one or more products (1070) by user (125).
  • Figure 4B illustrates a use of the second set of sensors for detecting touch indicating selected one or more products or product samples by one or more users in the smart vending system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Consequently, the processing module (102) is configured to select the one or more products (1070) or product samples (1070) based on the touch by the one or more users.
  • the system (100) may provide haptic feedbacks.
  • the processing module (102) may be configured to provide the haptic feedbacks on touching the one or more products (1070). Based on the selection of the one or more products (1070), the processing module (102) may be configured to pre order a bulk order of the one or more products (1070). Furthermore, the processing module (102) may be configured to pre order any product of the one or more products (1070) in case the booth structure (107) is running out of such products (1070).
  • the user chooses two products (1070) from the booth structure (107), the user will have to tap on the second set of sensors corresponding to the one or more products (1070) to make the selection.
  • the processing module (102) is configured to make the selection based on the touched two products (1070) from the shelves (107b).
  • the user interface (128) is configured to display the selected one or more products (1070) from the one or more users (125).
  • the processing module (102) is configured to generate one or more token related to the selected one or more products (1070), to initiate a purchase based on the selection. Further, the payment terminal module (1 10) is configured to receive the one or more token. The token generated activates the payment terminal module (1 10). The payment terminal module (1 10) is then configured to process a purchase initiated by the token of selected one or more products (1070).
  • the payment terminal module (1 10) may have multiple modes of payment such as UPI, credit card, debit card, QR code, etc.
  • the processing module (102) in connection with a spiral motor or conveyer belt inside the shelves (107b), may dispense the selected item from the booth structure (107).
  • the invention has various advantages.
  • the present invention provides space efficient solution of the problems of heavy vending machines. Further, this invention is less time consuming and less tiring since the user do not need to travel to various locations for searching and collection of products (1070). Furthermore, since less space is required to keep this wending machine with a vast variety of products (1070), its maintenance is also cheaper and cooling is way less complicated and economical.
  • the user can pay at the system without standing in line. The user can come near the booth & see the product sample live before ordering it. A user can touch it, feel it and order it immediately delivered to his door. So, it increases sales of any kind of suitable product affixed on the booth. Therefore, a user will have a chance to order easily, fast & with no mistakes as usually does when doing online shopping without seeing & touching the product sample.
  • module refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, written in a programming language, such as, for example, Java, C, or assembly.
  • One or more software instructions in the modules may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM.
  • modules may comprised connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and may comprise programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processors.
  • the modules described herein may be implemented as either software and/or hardware modules and may be stored in any type of computer-readable medium or other computer storage device.
  • any function or operation that has been described as being performed by a module could alternatively be performed by a different server, by the cloud computing platform, or a combination thereof.
  • the techniques of the present disclosure might be implemented using a variety of technologies.
  • the methods described herein may be implemented by a series of computer executable instructions residing on a suitable computer readable medium.
  • Suitable computer readable media may include volatile (e.g., RAM) and/or non-volatile (e.g., ROM, disk) memory, carrier waves and transmission media.
  • Exemplary carrier waves may take the form of electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals conveying digital data steams along a local network or a publicly accessible network such as the Internet.

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Abstract

A smart vending system comprising a booth structure comprising frames and shelves, configured to store products; a drive mechanism configured to rotate the booth structure; a first set of sensors configured to detect presence of users in front of the booth structure; a second set of sensors corresponding to the products, disposed on the booth structure, configured to receive an input of the user; a processing module configured to determine the presence of the users; instruct the drive mechanism to rotate the booth structure based on the detected presence of the user in the vicinity of the booth structure; select the products based on the touch by users; generate token related to the selected products to initiate a purchase based on the selection; dispense the selected product from the booth structure; a payment terminal module configured to receive the token, and a user interface configured to display the selected products.

Description

A SMART PRODUCT VENDING SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to smart technologies for selling and advertising products. Particularly, present disclosure relates to a smart product vending system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of it being mentioned in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.
[003] A vending machine that traditionally comprises a box like structure, with a transparent glass on the frontside to display products, a input pad and a payment receiving module. The product for sell is usually limited to beverages, bottles, cans, snacks fast food and other items. It serves as an alternate automated selling system to online sites and app for product sell. In case of vending machines buyers can have a view of the products for sell and purchase of the very same product on the point of sell. It accepts a mode of payment for dispensing the products for the purchase of the chosen product by the input pads attached to the machine.
[004] But Most of these existing system uses primitive technology and poor user experience especially for products like artificial grass, marble, tiles, paint, wallpaper, leathers, metal sheets, polymeric products, or facade application products. Each item in a vending machine has its own selection number or corresponding button.
[005] Hence, there exists a need for a smarter system for technologies for selling and advertising products on the point of sell. Such system and method should be far more efficient and adaptive to new technologies like display and speech sub- systems than prior art to make the process more interactive, in terms of advertising, purchase and better user experience. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[006] An object of the invention is to provide a smart product vending system.
[007] Another object of the invention is to provide an automated system to dispense products.
[008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system to advertise products.
[009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide ease of payment with respect to product purchased.
[010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a moving platform to the vending system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a smart vending system. The system comprises a booth structure, comprising a plurality of frames and shelves, configured to store one or more products; a drive mechanism configured to rotate the booth structure; a first set of sensors configured to detect presence of one or more users in front of the booth structure; a second set of sensors corresponding to the one or more products, disposed on the booth structure, configured to receive an input of the user indicating selection of one or more products by user; a payment terminal module; a user interface; a processing module in communication with the booth structure, the drive mechanism, the first set of sensors, the second set of sensors, the payment terminal module, and the user interface, wherein the processing module is configured to determine the presence of the one or more users in a vicinity of the booth structure based on the detection of the one or more users; instruct the drive mechanism to rotate the booth structure based on the detected presence of the one or more user in the vicinity of the booth structure, select the one or more products or product samples based on the touch by the one or more users; generate one or more token related to the selected one or more products, to initiate a purchase based on the selection; dispense the selected one or more product from the booth structure. Further, the payment terminal module is configured to receive the one or more token, wherein the token generated activates the payment terminal module configured to process a purchase initiated by the token of selected one or more products. Furthermore, the user interface is configured to display the selected one or more products from the one or more users.
[012] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the booth structure comprises the plurality of frames disposed on polygonal sides of the booth structure.
[013] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of frames are adapted to have one or more shelves for placing the one or more products.
[014] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the drive mechanism comprises one or more motion control sensors proximal to a base panel, one or more wheels, one or more actuators drives, with a central shaft, and one or more gear.
[015] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the drive mechanism configured to rotate, move or hover the booth frame in a defined manner.
[016] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more products selected through the input of the one or more users selected from touch, voice command, typed text or combination thereof.
[017] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the first set of sensors selected from proximity sensors, ultrasonic sensors, LIDARs, LEDARs, photodiodes photo-transistors photoelectric sensors and combination thereof.
[018] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the second set of sensors selected from touch sensors, a voice detection sensor, one or more cameras or a combination thereof.
[019] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the user interface is selected from display screens, LEDs, indicators, printers, speakers or a combination thereof.
[020] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the second set of sensors connected to one or more products represented as one or more pictures, videos, demo clips, dummies or demo samples of the one or more products on the corresponding shelf.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [021] So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention
90 can be understood in detail, a more particular to the description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention may admit to other equally effective
95 embodiments. These and other features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following text figure, with like reference numbers referring to like structures across the views, wherein:
[022] Fig. 1 illustrates a smart vending system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
100 [023] Fig. 2A-2D illustrate a booth structure of the smart vending system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[024] Fig. 3A illustrates an arrangement of plurality of frames with one or more shelves having one or more products in the smart vending system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
105 [025] Fig. 3B-3C illustrate outer body material present in between one or more shelves in the smart vending system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[026] Fig. 4A illustrates a second set of sensors, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[027] Fig. 4B illustrates a use of the second set of sensors for detecting touch indicating no selected one or more products or product samples by one or more users in the smart vending system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[028] The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein reference numerals used in the
115 accompanying drawing correspond to the like elements throughout the description.
[029] While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to represent the scale of the various components. Further, some components that may form a part of the invention may not be illustrated in certain figures, for ease of illustration, and such omissions do not limit the embodiments outlined in any way. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. As used throughout this description, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. , meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e., meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one” and the word “plurality” means “one or more” unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.
[030] This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following detailed description, numeric values and ranges are provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and ranges are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In addition, a number of materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the implementations. These materials are to be treated as exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[031] Figure 1 illustrates a smart vending system (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system (100) may comprise, but not limited to, a booth structure (107), a drive mechanism (200), a first set of sensors (108a), a second set of sensors (108b), a processing module (102), a payment terminal module (1 10), and a user interface.
[032] The processing module (102) has been shown in a detailed block diagram in figure 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the processing module (102) is envisaged to include computing capabilities such as a memory unit (1022) configured to store machine readable instructions. The machine-readable instructions may be loaded into the memory unit (1022) from a non-transitory machine- readable medium, such as, but not limited to, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs and Flash Drives. Alternately, the machine-readable instructions may be loaded in a form of a computer software program into the memory unit (1022). The memory unit (1022) in that manner may be selected from a group comprising EPROM, EEPROM and Flash memory.
[033] The processing module (102) has been shown in the figure 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 1 , the processing module (102) includes a processor (1024) operably connected with the memory unit (1022). In various embodiments, the processor (1024) may be a microprocessor selected from one of, but not limited to a ARM based or Intel based processor (1024) in the form of field- programmable gate array (FPGA), a general-purpose processor and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Additionally, the processing module (102) may further include a configurable processing unit, an operating system (100), an Application Processing Unit (APU), Hardware (HW) threads, Software (SW) threads, SSD storage, EMCC, SD etc.
[034] The APU is for highly sequential processing and a configurable Processing Unit is for parallel execution, customization, deep pipelining as a custom soft logic core to improve performance and energy efficiency. There may also be a DL inference engine that requires high performance and energy efficiency and hence runs on a HW thread with a Custom Hardware Accelerator Soft Logic Core on the Reconfigurable Computing Platform. Further, the operating system has been implemented for the configurable Processing Unit to offer a unified multithreaded programming model and OS services for threads executing in software and threads mapped to the Reconfigurable Hardware. The Operating System semantically integrates hardware accelerators into a standard OS environment for rapid design-space exploration, to support a structured application development process, and to improve the portability of applications between different Reconfigurable Processing Systems. The Operating System makes sure that from the perspective of an application, it is thus completely transparent whether a thread is executing in software or hardware.
[035] Moreover, the processing module (102) may implement artificial intelligence and deep learning-based technologies for, but not limited to, data analysis, collating data & presentation of data in real-time.
[036] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a communication network may also be used in the system (100) for connecting the components within the system (100) or connecting the processing module (102) with the booth structure (107), the drive mechanism (200), the first set of sensors (108a), the second set of sensors (108b), the payment terminal module (1 10), and a user interface (128). The communication network can be a short-range communication network and/or a long- range communication network, wire or wireless communication network. The communication interface includes, but not limited to, a serial communication interface, a parallel communication interface or a combination thereof. The communication network may be implemented using a number of protocols, such as but not limited to, TCP/IP, 3GPP, 3GPP2, LTE, IEEE 802.x etc. The communication network (110) may be wireless communication network selected from one of, but not limited to, Bluetooth, radio frequency, internet or satellite communication network providing maximum coverage.
[037] In accordance with an additional or alternative embodiment of the present invention, the processing module (102) may also include a registration module adapted to receive details of one or more users and register them on the system (100). The details may include, but not limited to, username, contact number, email ID, age, gender, areas of interest, shopping habit, likes dislikes, cookies from their devices etc. Besides, the registration module may also have a biometrics receiver configured to register the one or more users via their biometrics. The biometrics may include, fingerprint recognition, face recognition, Iris recognition or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the processing module (102) may be a stand-alone device where the user may come and register themselves for shopping and sampling or other related activities.
[038] Further, as shown in figure 1 , the processing module (102) may also include the user interface (128). The network-connected computer user interface (128) may include a display envisaged to show the data received from the processing module (102), the booth structure (107), the drive mechanism (200), the first set of sensors (108a), the second set of sensors (108b), the payment terminal module (1 10), and the user interface (128). The display may be, but not limited to Light-emitting diode display (LED), electroluminescent display (ELD), liquid crystal display (LCD), Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) & AMOLED display. Furthermore, network-connected computer user interface (128) may include accessories like keyboard, mouse etc. envisaged to provide input capability to enable a user to enter their details mentioned above. In another embodiment, network-connected computer user interface (128) may be a touch inputbased display, that integrates the input-output functionalities.
[039] Additionally, system (100) may include one or more user devices associated with respective users connected with the processing module (102) via a wired or wireless connection. Herein, the user devices may be selected from computing devices such as desktop PC, laptop, PDA or hand-held computing device such as smartphones and tablets. It has already been mentioned, the one or more user devices are associated with one or more users. In another embodiment, instead of a processing module (102) and user interface (128) being a stand-alone device, the user devices may house the processing module (102) and user interface (128) along with their functionalities. The user devices already include microprocessor (1024) for processing and communication capabilities via wired or wireless connections.
[040] In yet another embodiment, the system (100) could be implemented as a distributed system (100) where the user interface (128) and the processing module (102) may be at disposed at a different location from each other and/or the processing module (102) could be implemented in a server-side computing device or cloud computing environment. It will be appreciated by a skilled addressee that there are multiple arrangements in which the present invention can be implemented, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The processing module (102) is also envisaged to implement Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and deep learning for data collation and processing.
[041] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in figure 1 , the system (100) may also include a data repository. The data repository may be a local storage (such as SSD, eMMC, Flash, SD card, etc.) or a cloud-based storage. In any manner, the data repository is envisaged to be capable of providing the data to the processing module (102), when the data is queried appropriately using applicable security and other data transfer protocols. The data repository may store, but not limited to, previous and/or live images, verbatim files, processing files, videos, audios, 3D immersive content, solutions. It is also envisaged to store various charts, tables, learning contents such as practical videos, images of one or more products (1070), manipulatable 3D content, prepared for the users. In one embodiment of the present invention, the processing module (102) may include Al and deep learning-based trained models using the above data, so as to compare and assess and update the database based on the received data from the processing module (102), the booth structure (107), the drive mechanism (200), the first set of sensors (108a), the second set of sensors (108b), the payment terminal module (1 10), and the user interface (128) and/or the internet in realtime.
[042] Figure 2A illustrates a booth structure (107) and a drive mechanism (200) of the smart vending system (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The booth frame may be disposed above the drive mechanism (200). The booth structure (107) can be further illustrated separately by figure 2B. The booth structure (107) as shown in figure 2B, comprises a plurality of frames (107a) and shelves (107b), configured to store one or more products (1070). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of frames (107a) may be disposed in hexagonal sides of the booth structure (107).
[043] Figure 2C illustrates the drive mechanism in the smart vending system (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A detailed view of drive mechanism (200) is shown in figure 2D, the drive mechanism (200) may comprise one or more motion control sensors proximal to a base panel (107c), one or more wheels (204), one or more actuators drives (202), with a central shaft (107d), and one or more gear (205). The booth structure (107) may be placed on the base panel (107c). As shown in figure 2D, the central shaft may be placed at the bottom of the booth structure (107). The central shaft may be rotated using the one or more actuators drives (202) and one or more gear (205). To support the rotation of the booth structure (107), one or more wheels (204) may be used to evenly distribute the weight of the booth structure (107).
[044] Figure 3A illustrates the system (100) with an arrangement of plurality of frames (107a) with one or more shelves (107b) having one or more products (1070) or product samples fixed on the booth structure (107), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The plurality of frame (107a) the shelves (107b) and the outer body (310) may be made of, but not limited to, polymers, alloys, composite materials, metals such as iron, steel, titanium, brass, bronze, carbon fiber, glass, acrylic etc. The plurality of frames (107a) is adapted to have one or more shelves (107b) for placing the one or more products (1070). The one or more shelves (107b) and the outer body (310) incorporates one or more sheets to cover the booth structure (107). The sheet material can be selected from, but not limited to, polymers, alloys, composite materials, carbon fiber, glass, acrylic as shown in figure 3B and 3C.
[045] Figure 3C illustrates an arrangement of one or more light-diffused in the one or more sheets used to improve visibility and make the booth structure more attractive. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the booth structure (107) may have the one or more first set of sensors disposed on the top of the booth structure (107). The first set of sensors (108a) may be selected from a group comprising proximity sensors, ultrasonic sensors, LIDARs, LEDARs, photodiodes photo-transistors photoelectric sensors and combination thereof.
[046] Figure 4A illustrates the second set of sensors (108b) for detecting touch indicating selected one or more products (1070) or product samples in the smart vending system (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The second set of sensors (108b) may be disposed above the one or more shelves (107b). In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the second set of sensors (108b) may be selected from a group comprising touch sensors, a voice detection sensor, one or more cameras or a combination thereof.
[047] The invention works in following manner:
[048] The system (100) as shown in figure 1 has the booth structure (107), with plurality of frames (107a) and shelves (107b), configured to store one or more products (1070). The one or more products (1070) represented as one or more pictures, videos, demo clips, dummies or demo samples of the one or more products (1070) on the corresponding shelf. For example, the shelves (107b) of the booth structure (107) may contain a variety of product visible through a see through shield (1070a). Next, the first set of sensors (108a) configured to detect presence of one or more users in front of the booth structure (107). For example, the ultrasonic sensor may detect the presence of the one or more user near the booth structure (107). Using the drive mechanism (200), the booth structure (107) may be rotated. [049] The processing module (102) is configured to determine the presence of the one or more users (125) in a vicinity of the booth structure (107) based on the detection of the one or more users. For example, when the user comes in close proximity of the booth structure (107), the processing module (102) may determine that there is at least a user in the vicinity of the booth structure (107). After detection of the user, the processing module (102) is configured to instruct the drive mechanism (200) to rotate the booth structure (107) based on the detected presence of the one or more user in the vicinity of the booth structure (107). For example, as soon as the booth structure (107) is approached by the user, the drive mechanism will start rotating the booth structure (107) showing the one or more products (1070) in the shelves (107b) to the one or more users. The drive mechanism (200) may be configured to rotate, move or hover the booth frame (107) in a defined manner. Defined manner such as continuous spin, periodic spin, patterned spin etc.
[050] Further, the second set of sensors (108b) corresponding to the one or more products (1070), disposed on the booth structure (107), configured to receive an input of the user indicating selection of one or more products (1070) by user (125). Figure 4B illustrates a use of the second set of sensors for detecting touch indicating selected one or more products or product samples by one or more users in the smart vending system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Consequently, the processing module (102) is configured to select the one or more products (1070) or product samples (1070) based on the touch by the one or more users. In accordance with an additional or alternative embodiment, the system (100) may provide haptic feedbacks. The processing module (102) may be configured to provide the haptic feedbacks on touching the one or more products (1070). Based on the selection of the one or more products (1070), the processing module (102) may be configured to pre order a bulk order of the one or more products (1070). Furthermore, the processing module (102) may be configured to pre order any product of the one or more products (1070) in case the booth structure (107) is running out of such products (1070).
[051] For example, the user chooses two products (1070) from the booth structure (107), the user will have to tap on the second set of sensors corresponding to the one or more products (1070) to make the selection. Afterwards, the processing module (102) is configured to make the selection based on the touched two products (1070) from the shelves (107b). Here, the user interface (128) is configured to display the selected one or more products (1070) from the one or more users (125).
[052] After the selection of the one or more product, the processing module (102) is configured to generate one or more token related to the selected one or more products (1070), to initiate a purchase based on the selection. Further, the payment terminal module (1 10) is configured to receive the one or more token. The token generated activates the payment terminal module (1 10). The payment terminal module (1 10) is then configured to process a purchase initiated by the token of selected one or more products (1070). The payment terminal module (1 10) may have multiple modes of payment such as UPI, credit card, debit card, QR code, etc. After the payment corresponding the selected one or more product, the processing module (102) in connection with a spiral motor or conveyer belt inside the shelves (107b), may dispense the selected item from the booth structure (107).
[053] The invention has various advantages. The present invention provides space efficient solution of the problems of heavy vending machines. Further, this invention is less time consuming and less tiring since the user do not need to travel to various locations for searching and collection of products (1070). Furthermore, since less space is required to keep this wending machine with a vast variety of products (1070), its maintenance is also cheaper and cooling is way less complicated and economical. With the integrated payment options, the user can pay at the system without standing in line. The user can come near the booth & see the product sample live before ordering it. A user can touch it, feel it and order it immediately delivered to his door. So, it increases sales of any kind of suitable product affixed on the booth. Therefore, a user will have a chance to order easily, fast & with no mistakes as usually does when doing online shopping without seeing & touching the product sample.
[054] In general, the word “module,” as used herein, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, written in a programming language, such as, for example, Java, C, or assembly. One or more software instructions in the modules may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM. It will be appreciated that modules may comprised connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and may comprise programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processors. The modules described herein may be implemented as either software and/or hardware modules and may be stored in any type of computer-readable medium or other computer storage device.
[055] Further, while one or more operations have been described as being performed by or otherwise related to certain modules, devices or entities, the operations may be performed by or otherwise related to any module, device or entity. As such, any function or operation that has been described as being performed by a module could alternatively be performed by a different server, by the cloud computing platform, or a combination thereof. It should be understood that the techniques of the present disclosure might be implemented using a variety of technologies. For example, the methods described herein may be implemented by a series of computer executable instructions residing on a suitable computer readable medium. Suitable computer readable media may include volatile (e.g., RAM) and/or non-volatile (e.g., ROM, disk) memory, carrier waves and transmission media. Exemplary carrier waves may take the form of electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals conveying digital data steams along a local network or a publicly accessible network such as the Internet.
[056] It should also be understood that, unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as "controlling" or "obtaining" or "computing" or "storing" or "receiving" or "determining" or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that processes and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
[057] Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The principles associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown along with the accompanying drawings but is to be providing broadest scope of consistent with the principles and the novel and inventive features disclosed or suggested herein. Accordingly, the invention is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention and the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:
1 . A smart vending system (100), wherein the system (100) comprising a booth structure (107), comprising a plurality of frames (107a) and shelves (107b), configured to store one or more products (1070); a drive mechanism (200) configured to rotate the booth structure (107); a first set of sensors (108a) configured to detect presence of one or more users in front of the booth structure (107); a second set of sensors (108b) corresponding to the one or more products (1070), disposed on the booth structure (107), configured to receive an input of the user indicating selection of one or more products (1070) by user (125); a payment terminal module (1 10); a user interface (128); a processing module (102) in communication with the booth structure (107), the drive mechanism (200), the first set of sensors (108a), the second set of sensors (108b), the payment terminal module (1 10), and the user interface (128), wherein the processing module is configured to: determine the presence of the one or more users (125) in a vicinity of the booth structure (107) based on the detection of the one or more users; instruct the drive mechanism (200) to rotate the booth structure (107) based on the detected presence of the one or more user in the vicinity of the booth structure (107). select the one or more products (1070) or product samples (1070) based on the touch by the one or more users; generate one or more token related to the selected one or more products (1070), to initiate a purchase based on the selection; dispense the selected one or more product from the booth structure (107); wherein the payment module is configured to receive the one or more token, wherein the token generated activates the payment terminal module (1 10) configured to process a purchase initiated by the token of selected one or more products (1070); and wherein the user interface is configured to display the selected one or more products (1070) from the one or more users (125).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the booth structure (107) comprises the plurality of frames (107a) disposed on polygonal sides of the booth structure (107).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of frames (107a) are adapted to have one or more shelves (107b) for placing the one or more products (1070).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism (200) comprises one or more motion control sensors proximal to a base panel (107c), one or more wheels (204), one or more actuators drives (202), with a central shaft (107d), and one or more gear (205).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism (200) configured to rotate, move or hover the booth frame (107) in a defined manner.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the one or more products (1070) selected through the input of the one or more users selected from touch, voice command, typed text or combination thereof.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first set of sensors (108a) selected from proximity sensors, ultrasonic sensors, LIDARs, LEDARs, photodiodes photo-transistors photoelectric sensors and combination thereof.
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second set of sensors (108b) selected from touch sensors, a voice detection sensor, one or more cameras or a combination thereof.
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the user interface (128) is selected from display screens, LEDs, indicators, printers, speakers. Or a combination thereof.
10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second set of sensors connected to one or more products (1070) represented as one or more pictures, 60 videos, demo clips, dummies or demo samples of the one or more products (1070) on the corresponding shelf.
PCT/IB2023/054560 2022-12-15 2023-05-02 A smart product vending system WO2024127094A1 (en)

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KR20180073923A (en) * 2016-12-23 2018-07-03 롯데알미늄 주식회사 Rotational display apparatus for automatic vending machine
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KR101722554B1 (en) * 2015-09-16 2017-04-21 주식회사 아스티엄 Smart vending machine apparatus and managing system including the same
CN206515980U (en) * 2016-12-22 2017-09-22 范继良 Disk vending machine
KR20180073923A (en) * 2016-12-23 2018-07-03 롯데알미늄 주식회사 Rotational display apparatus for automatic vending machine
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