Vending robot system and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a vending robot system and a control method thereof, and relates to the technical field of automatic vending, and the vending robot system comprises a plurality of monitoring devices used for collecting crowd images of a plurality of areas in a place and sending the crowd images to a platform server; the server is used for carrying out image recognition processing on the crowd image to obtain crowd density information of a plurality of regions, distributing vending robots to the plurality of regions according to the crowd density information of the plurality of regions, and sending a dispatching instruction of a specified region to the distributed vending robots; the platform server is used for distributing goods to the goods selling robots, obtaining goods selling frequency information of a designated area and generating goods matching instructions to the distributed goods selling robots according to the goods selling frequency information, and the goods selling robots are used for executing corresponding operations according to the instructions of the platform server. Therefore, the system has the advantages of reasonable distribution of the vending robots, high utilization rate and high selling efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vending, and particularly to a vending robot system and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] In some public places, such as airports, stations, shopping malls, parks and other places with large passenger flows, there are some unmanned retail cabinets for selling goods. However, these unmanned retail cabinets are set at fixed positions and require manual replenishment, so they have the disadvantage of low operation efficiency.

[0003] Therefore, at present, some people have developed a vending robot that is controlled by a server for regular replenishment and can move to a specific vending area by itself, which can save certain manual operations. However, this technical solution also has some deficiencies. For example, it cannot allocate the number of vending robots according to the population density and demand in the goods sales site and match the goods in the storage bins of the vending robots. Therefore, it has the disadvantages of unreasonable distribution of vending robots, low utilization rate and low sales efficiency.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to design a vending robot system and a control method thereof with reasonable distribution, high utilization rate and high sales efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a vending robot system and a control method thereof for the defects and deficiencies of the prior art, and at least solve one of the above technical problems. It has the advantages of reasonable distribution, high utilization rate and high sales efficiency.

[0006] On the one hand, the present invention provides a vending robot system, including:

[0007] A platform server;

[0008] A plurality of monitoring devices, configured to collect crowd images of multiple areas in the venue and send the crowd images to the platform server;

[0009] A plurality of vending robots, configured to match the goods in the storage bin according to the goods matching instruction of the platform server and autonomously move to the designated area according to the scheduling instruction of the designated area of the platform server;

[0010] Wherein, the platform server is configured to perform image recognition processing on the crowd images to obtain crowd density information of multiple areas, allocate the vending robots to the multiple areas according to the crowd density information of the multiple areas, and send a scheduling instruction of the designated area to the allocated vending robots; and obtain the goods sales frequency information of the designated area, and send a goods matching instruction to the allocated vending robots according to the goods sales frequency information.

[0011] Optionally, the platform server is further configured to obtain the sales volume information of goods in the multiple regions, and allocate vending robots to the multiple regions according to the sales volume information of goods.

[0012] Optionally, the vending robot includes a control unit, a walking unit, a wireless communication unit, an automatic navigation and positioning unit, an obstacle avoidance unit, a goods interaction unit, a voice interaction unit, and a power supply unit connected to the control unit.

[0013] Optionally, the vending robot system further includes at least one charging pile and a warehouse; the vending robot is further configured to detect the power of the power supply unit, and when the detected power is lower than a preset threshold, move itself to the charging pile for charging, send a low power message to the platform server, and move itself to the warehouse to wait for scheduling after the power is full.

[0014] Optionally, the vending robot is further configured to detect the quantity of goods in the storage bin, and when the detected quantity of goods is lower than a preset threshold, move itself to the warehouse to replenish the goods, send a goods shortage message to the platform server, and wait for scheduling after the goods are replenished.

[0015] Optionally, after receiving the goods shortage message and / or the low power message, the platform server is further configured to send a scheduling instruction to the vending robot waiting for scheduling in the warehouse to the corresponding area position of the vending robot with goods shortage and / or low power.

[0016] Optionally, the goods interaction unit of the vending robot conducts transactions through the voice interaction unit, on-board two-dimensional code or face brushing.

[0017] Optionally, a plurality of the monitoring devices are configured above multiple regions in the venue; the monitoring device includes: a controller, an image acquisition unit connected to the controller, and a communication unit.

[0018] On the other hand, the present invention further provides a control method for a vending robot, which is applied to the vending robot system as described above, and includes the following steps:

[0019] S110. Collect crowd images in multiple regions in the venue through a plurality of monitoring devices, and send the crowd images to the platform server;

[0020] S120. The platform server performs image recognition processing on the crowd images in multiple regions collected by the plurality of monitoring devices to obtain crowd density information in the multiple regions; and allocate vending robots to the multiple regions according to the crowd density information in the multiple regions, and send a scheduling instruction for a specified region to the allocated vending robot.

[0021] S130. The vending robot matches the goods in the storage bin according to the goods matching instruction of the platform server, and autonomously moves to the designated area according to the scheduling instruction of the designated area of the platform server.

[0022] Optionally, the step S120 further includes: the platform server obtains the sales volume information of the goods in the multiple areas, and allocates vending robots to the multiple areas according to the sales volume information of the goods.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present application are as follows:

[0024] Since the vending robot system can collect the crowd images in multiple areas of the venue through multiple monitoring devices and send them to the platform server, the platform server can perform image recognition processing on the crowd images to obtain the crowd density information in multiple areas, allocate vending robots to multiple areas according to the crowd density information in multiple areas, and control the vending robots to go to the designated area; and the platform server can also control the corresponding vending robots to match the goods in the storage bin according to the goods sales frequency information of each area. Therefore, it can allocate the number of vending robots and match the goods in the storage bin of the vending robot according to the crowd density and demand of the goods sales site. Therefore, there are the advantages of reasonable distribution of vending robots, high utilization rate, and high sales efficiency. Description of the Drawings

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required to be used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to these drawings without creative efforts.

[0026] Figure 1 It is a structural block diagram of a vending robot system in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 It is a structural block diagram of a platform server in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 It is a structural block diagram of a monitoring device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 It is a structural block diagram of a vending robot in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 It is a flowchart of a control method for a vending robot in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Explanation of the Reference Numerals

[0032] 100 - Vending Robot System

[0033] 1 - Platform Server; 11 - Processor; 12 - Memory; 13 - Input / Output Device;

[0034] 2 - Monitoring Device; 21 - Controller; 22 - Image Acquisition Unit; 23 - Communication Unit;

[0035] 3 - Vending Robot; 31 - Control Unit; 32 - Walking Unit; 33 - Wireless Communication Unit; 34 - Automatic Navigation and Positioning Unit; 35 - Obstacle Avoidance Unit; 36 - Goods Interaction Unit; 37 - Voice Interaction Unit; 38 - Power Supply Unit;

[0036] 4 - Charging Pile;

[0037] 5 - Warehouse. Detailed Implementation Manner

[0038] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without making creative efforts belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0039] The terms used in one or more embodiments of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit one or more embodiments of the present invention. The singular forms of "a", "the", and "said" used in one or more embodiments of the present invention are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used in one or more embodiments of the present invention refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0040] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 , on the one hand, an embodiment of the present invention provides a vending robot system 100, including: a platform server 1, a plurality of monitoring devices 2, and a plurality of vending robots 3. The plurality of monitoring devices 2 and the plurality of vending robots 3 are both communicatively connected to the platform server 1 to achieve signal transmission. The communication connection can be achieved by wired and / or wireless means, and no specific limitation is made here. The vending robot system 100 can divide the venue into multiple areas in advance according to the specific layout and area within the venue, plan corresponding identifiers for each area, and store the corresponding identifiers in the platform server 1 for later operations and analysis.

[0041] The platform server 1 can be implemented by a combination of computer hardware and software.

[0042] A plurality of monitoring devices 2 are used to collect crowd images in multiple areas of the venue and send the crowd images to the platform server 1. In this embodiment, the monitoring device 2 can be a vision camera.

[0043] A plurality of vending robots 3 are used to match the goods in the storage warehouse according to the goods matching instructions from the platform server 1, and autonomously move to the designated area according to the scheduling instructions of the designated area from the platform server 1. In this embodiment, the vending robot 3 is a vending robot 3 that can realize automatic vending, automatic navigation and automatic replenishment.

[0044] Among them, the platform server 1 is used to perform image recognition processing on the crowd images to obtain the crowd density information of multiple areas, allocate the vending robots 3 to multiple areas according to the crowd density information of multiple areas, and send the scheduling instructions of the designated area to the allocated vending robots 3; and obtain the goods sales frequency information of the designated area, and send the goods matching instructions to the allocated vending robots 3 according to the goods sales frequency information.

[0045] Since the vending robot system 100 can collect crowd images in multiple areas of the venue through a plurality of monitoring devices 2 and send them to the platform server 1, the platform server 1 can perform image recognition processing on the crowd images to obtain the crowd density information of multiple areas, allocate the vending robots 3 to multiple areas according to the crowd density information of multiple areas, and control the vending robots 3 to go to the designated area; and the platform server 1 can also control the corresponding vending robots 3 to match the goods in the storage warehouse according to the goods sales frequency information of each area. Therefore, it can allocate the number of vending robots 3 and match the goods in the storage warehouse of the vending robots 3 according to the crowd density and demand of the goods sales site, so there are the advantages of reasonable distribution of the vending robots 3, high utilization rate and high sales efficiency.

[0046] Optionally, please refer to Figure 2, in some embodiments, the platform server 1 can be implemented by a combination of general computer hardware such as a processor 11, a memory 12, and an input / output device 13 and software programs. The software programs can be stored in the memory 12 and loaded and executed by the processor 11 to implement the operations of the vending robot system 100 of the embodiments of the present invention. For example, a scheduling scheme for allocating vending robots 3 to multiple areas within a venue is formed based on the crowd density information of multiple areas obtained by performing image recognition processing on the crowd images from the monitoring device 2, a scheduling instruction to move to a specified area is sent to the corresponding vending robot 3 according to the scheduling scheme, messages indicating insufficient goods and insufficient power from the vending robots 3 in each area are received, the goods sales frequency information of each area is stored and obtained, and an adjusted scheduling scheme is formed based on the crowd density information and / or goods sales frequency information of multiple areas, and an instruction to move to a specified area is sent to the corresponding vending robot 3 according to the adjusted scheduling scheme, etc.

[0047] Optionally, please refer to Figure 4 , in some embodiments, the vending robot 3 includes a control unit 31, a walking unit 32, a wireless communication unit 33, an automatic navigation and positioning unit 34, an obstacle avoidance unit 35, a goods interaction unit 36, a voice interaction unit 37, and a power supply unit 38 connected to the control unit 31. It can be understood that the vending robot 3 can communicate with the platform server 1 through the wireless communication unit 33 to receive various instructions from the platform server 1 and send information such as its own status, goods sales data, and whether the goods in the storage bin are sufficient; after receiving the scheduling instruction from the platform server 1, it realizes movement and positioning through the cooperation of the automatic navigation and positioning unit 34, the obstacle avoidance unit 35, and the walking unit 32; and realizes commodity transactions with consumers through the goods interaction unit 36 and / or the voice interaction unit 37; and the power supply unit 38 can supply power to the control unit 31, the walking unit 32, the wireless communication unit 33, the automatic navigation and positioning unit 34, the obstacle avoidance unit 35, the goods interaction unit 36, and the voice interaction unit 37. Specifically, the control unit 31, the walking unit 32, the wireless communication unit 33, the automatic navigation and positioning unit 34, the obstacle avoidance unit 35, the goods interaction unit 36, the voice interaction unit 37, and the power supply unit 38 of the vending robot 3 are all prior arts, so they will not be elaborated here.

[0048] Optionally, please refer to Figure 3, in some embodiments, multiple monitoring devices 2 are arranged above multiple areas within the venue; the monitoring device 2 includes: a controller 21, an image acquisition unit 22 connected to the controller 21, and a communication unit 23. Specifically, the monitoring device 2 can be selected as a visual camera, which can be installed above multiple areas. Specifically, the number of visual cameras installed above each area is not limited. The monitoring device 2 acquires images of the crowd within the corresponding area through the image acquisition unit 22 and sends the crowd images to the platform server 1 through the communication unit 23.

[0049] To more reasonably allocate the vending robots 3 in multiple areas within the venue, optionally, in some embodiments, the platform server 1 is further configured to obtain the sales volume information of goods in multiple areas and allocate the vending robots 3 to multiple areas according to the sales volume information of goods. In this way, when allocating the number of vending robots 3 in multiple areas within the venue, the historical reference sales volume information of goods can be referred to to allocate the number of vending robots 3 in multiple areas in advance, so as to respond to the commodity demands of users in each area in advance.

[0050] To facilitate the charging and automatic replenishment of each vending robot 3 within the venue, optionally, please refer to Figure 1 , in some embodiments, the vending robot system 100 further includes at least one charging pile 4 and a storage room 5. The charging pile 4 is used for the vending robot 3 to charge. The storage room 5 is used to store goods to be sold, replenish the storage bin of the vending robot 3, and provide temporary parking for the vending robots 3 full of replenished goods.

[0051] The vending robot 3 is further configured to detect the power of the power supply unit 38, and when the detected power is lower than the preset threshold, it automatically moves to the charging pile 4 for charging, sends a low-power message to the platform server 1, and automatically moves to the storage room 5 to wait for scheduling after the power is fully charged. The vending robot 3 is further configured to detect the quantity of goods in the storage bin, and when the detected quantity of goods is lower than the preset threshold, it automatically moves to the storage room 5 for replenishment, sends a goods shortage message to the platform server 1, and waits for scheduling after the goods are replenished.

[0052] To make up for the shortage of the number of robots in each area caused by the replenishment and charging of the vending robot 3, optionally, in some embodiments, the platform server 1 is further configured to, after receiving the goods shortage message and / or the low-power message, preferentially send a scheduling instruction to the vending robot 3 waiting for scheduling in the storage room 5 to move to the corresponding area position of the vending robot 3 with goods shortage and / or low power.

[0053] Optionally, in some embodiments, the goods interaction unit 36 of the vending robot 3 conducts transactions through the voice interaction unit 37, on-board two-dimensional code, or face recognition.

[0054] Please refer to Figure 5, on the other hand, an embodiment of the present invention provides a control method for a vending robot, which corresponds to the vending robot system 100 in the above embodiment; the method includes the following steps:

[0055] S110. Collect crowd images of multiple areas in the venue through multiple monitoring devices 2 and send the crowd images to the platform server 1;

[0056] S120. The platform server 1 performs image recognition processing on the crowd images of multiple areas collected by the multiple monitoring devices 2 to obtain crowd density information of the multiple areas; and allocates vending robots 3 to the multiple areas according to the crowd density information of the multiple areas, and sends a scheduling instruction for the specified area to the allocated vending robots 3;

[0057] S130. The vending robot 3 matches the goods in the storage bin according to the goods matching instruction from the platform server 1, and autonomously moves to the specified area according to the scheduling instruction for the specified area from the platform server 1.

[0058] Further, in some embodiments, step S120 further includes: the platform server 1 obtains the goods sales volume information of multiple areas and allocates vending robots 3 to the multiple areas according to the goods sales volume information.

[0059] Since the control method of the vending robot includes all components of the vending robot system 100 and the connection and control relationships therebetween, it has all the advantages of the vending robot system 100, which will not be elaborated here.

[0060] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, only the above division of each functional unit and module is used as an example. In actual application, the above functions can be allocated to different functional units and modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional units or modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0061] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and should all be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vending robot system, characterized in that: include: Platform server (1); A plurality of monitoring devices (2) for collecting crowd images in a plurality of areas within a venue and sending the crowd images to the platform server (1); A plurality of vending robots (3) are used to match goods in the storage warehouse according to the goods matching instructions of the platform server (1), and autonomously move to a designated area according to the dispatching instructions of the designated area of ​​the platform server (1); The platform server (1) is used to perform image recognition processing on the crowd image to obtain crowd density information of multiple areas, allocate the vending robots (3) to the multiple areas according to the crowd density information of the multiple areas, and send a dispatch instruction of the designated area to the allocated vending robots (3); and obtain the product sales frequency information of the designated area, and send a product matching instruction to the allocated vending robots (3) according to the product sales frequency information.

2. The vending robot system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The platform server (1) is also used to obtain product sales volume information of the multiple areas, and allocate the vending robots (3) to the multiple areas according to the product sales volume information.

3. The vending robot system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vending robot (3) comprises a control unit (31), a walking unit (32) connected to the control unit (31), a wireless communication unit (33), an automatic navigation and positioning unit (34), an obstacle avoidance unit (35), a product interaction unit (36), a voice interaction unit (37), and a power supply unit (38).

4. The vending robot system according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes at least one charging pile (4) and a warehouse (5); the vending robot (3) is also used to detect the power level of the power supply unit (38), and when it detects that the power level is lower than a preset threshold, it automatically moves to the charging pile (4) for charging, sends a low power message to the platform server (1), and when the power is fully charged, it automatically moves to the warehouse (5) to wait for dispatch.

5. The vending robot system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The vending robot (3) is also used to detect the quantity of goods in the storage warehouse, and when it detects that the quantity of goods is lower than a preset threshold, it moves to the warehouse (5) to replenish the goods, sends a message of insufficient goods to the platform server (1), and waits for dispatch after the goods are replenished.

6. The vending robot system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The platform server (1) is also used to send a dispatch instruction to the vending robot (3) waiting for dispatch in the warehouse (5) to the corresponding area location of the vending robot (3) with insufficient goods and / or insufficient power after receiving a message of insufficient goods and / or insufficient power.

7. The vending robot system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The product interaction unit (36) of the vending robot (3) conducts transactions through the voice interaction unit (37), an onboard QR code or face recognition.

8. The vending robot system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of monitoring devices (2) are arranged above a plurality of areas in a place; the monitoring device (2) comprises: a controller (21), an image acquisition unit (22) connected to the controller (21), and a communication unit (23).

9. A control method for a vending robot, characterized in that: The vending robot system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is applied, comprising the following steps: S110, collecting crowd images of multiple areas in a venue through multiple monitoring devices (2), and sending the crowd images to the platform server (1); S120, the platform server (1) performs image recognition processing on the crowd images of the multiple areas collected by the multiple monitoring devices (2) to obtain crowd density information of the multiple areas; and allocates vending robots (3) to the multiple areas according to the crowd density information of the multiple areas, and sends a dispatch instruction of the designated area to the allocated vending robots (3); S130, the vending robot (3) matches the goods in the storage warehouse according to the goods matching instructions of the platform server (1), and autonomously moves to the designated area according to the dispatching instructions of the designated area of ​​the platform server (1).

10. The control method of the vending robot according to claim 9, characterized in that: The step S120 also includes: the platform server (1) obtains product sales volume information of multiple areas, and allocates vending robots (3) to the multiple areas according to the product sales volume information.

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