Method and apparatus for use in a vending machine

• US 8,380,347 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2008
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alessandro Ratti, Aviel Dafna, Brent D. Garson, Ezio Cesare Ratti
• Original Assignee: Brent D. Garson
• Inventors: Garson, Brent D., Dafna, Aviel, Ratti, Alessandro, Ratti, Ezio Cesare
• Primary Examiner(s): COLLINS, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US12/250,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20100094457A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,590 Days
• Field of Search: 700/240, 700/236, 700/238, 700242-244
• US Class Current: 700/244
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 3/006 False operation

Abstract

During operation of a vending machine, visual images of the next product to be dispensed from product dispensing locations are obtained. Features of the visual images are compared to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed from each of the dispensing locations. After a product has been dispensed from a dispensing location, a visual image is obtained of the next product at the dispensing location. Features of the visual image of the next product at the dispensing location are compared to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed. A displayed price of a product is compared with product prices in the data base. If necessary, the displayed price is adjusted to agree with the data base.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a vending machine having a plurality of product dispensing devices, each of the product dispensing devices has a product dispensing location which holds the next product to be dispensed from the product dispensing device and a plurality of product storage locations which hold products to be sequentially moved to the product dispensing location after the next product to be dispensed is moved from the product dispensing location,

positioning products in the product dispensing locations and in the product storage locations, thereafter,

operating a plurality of imaging devices disposed in the vending machine to obtain visual images of the next products to be dispensed from each of the product dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices,

comparing features of the visual images of each of the next products to be dispensed from the dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed from each of the dispensing devices, thereafter,

moving the next product to be dispensed from the product dispensing location in one of the product dispensing devices to a product retrieval location where a customer has access to the product,

moving a second product from a storage location in the one product dispensing device to the product dispensing location in the one product dispensing device,

operating one imaging device of the plurality of imaging devices to obtain a visual image of the second product at the dispensing location in the one dispensing device, and

comparing features of the visual image of the second product to the data base of features to determine the identity of the second product.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the steps of determining prices for products to be dispensed from the dispensing devices based on the identity of the products as determined by performing said step of comparing features of visual images of the products to the data base of features, comparing prices on a plurality of displays with prices which were determined by said step of determining prices, and changing any prices on the displays which do not agree with the prices which were determined by said step of determining prices.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining a visual images of the next products to be dispensed from each of the product dispensing locations in the dispensing devices includes obtaining a single visual image containing images of the next products to be dispensed at the dispensing locations in a plurality of dispensing devices, said step of comparing features of the visual images of each of the next products to be dispensed from the dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices to a data base of features includes selecting the image of a single product from the images of a plurality of products contained in a single visual image and comparing features of the selected image of a single product to the data base of features.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining a visual image of the second product at the dispensing location in the one dispensing device includes obtaining a single visual image containing images of the next product to be dispensed at the dispensing locations in a plurality of dispensing devices, said step of comparing features of the visual image of the second product to the data base of features includes selecting the image of a single product from the images of a plurality of products contained in a single visual image and comparing features of the selected image of a single product to the data base of features.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining a visual image of the next product to be dispensed from each of the product dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices includes operating a plurality of imaging devices mounted on a door of the vending machine.

6. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining a visual image of the second product at the dispensing location in the one dispensing device includes operating an imaging device mounted on a door of the vending machine.

7. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining visual images of the next products to be dispensed from each of the product dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices is initiated in response to closing of a door of the vending machine.

8. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining visual images of the next products to be dispensed from each of the product dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices is initiated in response to supplying of electrical power to the vending machine.

9. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the data base of features includes data corresponding to an aspect ratio of products in the vending machine, said step of comparing features of the visual images of the next products to be dispensed from the dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed from each of the dispensing devices includes determining the aspect ratios of the visual images of the next products to be dispensed from the dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices and comparing the aspect ratios of the visual images of the next products to be dispensed from the dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices to data corresponding to the aspect ratios of each of the products in the vending machine.

10. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the data base of features includes data corresponding to a color histogram of each of the products in the vending machine, said step of comparing features of the visual images of the next products to be dispensed from the dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed from each of the dispensing devices includes determining color histograms of the visual images of the next products to be dispensed from the dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices and comparing the color histograms of the next products to be dispensed from the dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices to color histograms corresponding to the color histograms of products in the vending machine.

11. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the data base of features includes data corresponding to scale invariant features of each of the products in the vending machine, said step of comparing features of the visual images of the next products to be dispensed from the dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices to a data base of features to determine the identity of the next product to be dispensed from each of the dispensing devices includes determining scale invariant features of the visual images of the next products to be dispensed from the dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices and comparing the scale invariant features of the next products to be dispensed from the dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices to scale invariant features corresponding to the scale invariant features of products in the vending machine.

12. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of moving the next product to be dispensed from one of the dispensing devices to a product retrieval location includes rotating a helical conveyor member.

13. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of transmitting data from the vending machine indicative of the identity of products dispensed from the vending machine to a location spaced from the vending machine.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13 further including the step of collecting money deposited in the vending machine by customers, said step of transmitting data from the vending machine includes transmitting data indicative of the amount of money deposited in the vending machine by customers, and comparing the amount of money collected from the vending machine to data transmitted from the vending machine.

15. A method as set forth in claim 13 further including the steps of preparing a group of products corresponding to products which the transmitted data indicates were dispensed from the vending machine and transporting the group of products to the vending machine to facilitate restocking of the vending machine.

16. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the vending machine has a transparent window through which products may be viewed by potential customers, said step of obtaining visual images of the next products to be dispensed from each of the product dispensing locations in the product dispensing devices includes operating a plurality of imaging devices mounted on the window.

17. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the vending machine includes a housing, said step of obtaining a visual images of the next products to be dispensed from each of the product dispensing locations in each of the product dispensing devices includes operating a plurality of imaging devices which are mounted on the housing.

18. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the vending machine includes a carriage on which an imaging device is mounted, said step of obtaining a visual image of the second product at the dispensing location in the one dispensing device includes moving the carriage relative to the dispensing devices.

19. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of obtaining a visual image of a product after the product has moved from a dispensing device toward a product retrieval location.

20. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of stocking the plurality of product dispensing devices with products to be sold, said step of stocking the plurality of product dispensing devices includes opening the door of the vending machine to obtain access to the product dispensing devices and closing the door of the vending machine to block access to the product dispensing devices after products to be sold have been positioned in the product dispensing devices, said steps of opening and closing the door of the vending machine includes moving the plurality of imaging devices with the door of the vending machine, said step of operating a plurality of imaging devices being initiated in response to closing of the door of the vending machine.

21. A method as set forth in claim 20 further including the step of changing a display indicating the price of a product at a dispensing location as a function of a visual image obtained by effecting operation of an imaging device mounted on the door of the vending machine.

22. A method as set in claim 20 further including the step of transmitting data from the vending machine to a location spaced from the vending machine, said step of transmitting data includes determining data which is to be transmitted as function of visual images obtained by operating at least some of the imaging devices of the plurality of imaging devices and is initiated in response to closing of the door of the vending machine.

23. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein after a first product has been dispensed from a product dispensing location in a first one of the product dispensing devices, a first imaging device of the plurality of imaging devices is operated to obtain a visual image of a second product to be dispensed from the product dispensing location in the first one of the product dispensing devices, comparing features of the visual image of the second product to be dispensed from the product dispensing location in the first one of the product dispensing devices to the data base of features to determine the identity of the second product to be dispensed from the product dispensing location in the first one of the product dispensing devices, determining a price in a data base of prices for the second product to be dispensed from the product dispensing location in the first one of the product dispensing devices, changing a displayed price for the second product to be dispensed from the product dispensing location in the first one of the product dispensing devices if the displayed price does not agree with the price in the data base of prices for the second product to be dispensed, and, thereafter, moving the second product to be dispensed from the product dispensing location in the first one of the product dispensing devices.