Vending method of vending machine

Abstract

The invention provides a vending method of a vending machine, which is characterized by comprising the following steps of: cooperatively detecting the stock state of goods in a goods channel through an infrared photoelectric sensor array and a high-precision weight sensor, and triggering a pre-purchasing process when a stockout signal is continuously detected for three times; receiving a pre-purchase instruction input by a user, generating an electronic contract including a commodity code, a payment account identifier and pre-purchase timeliness, and performing distributed evidence storage on the electronic contract through a block chain node; based on the historical sales volume data of the commodities and the real-time inventory data of the suppliers, the replenishment volume is calculated and encrypted information is sent, and a replenishment volume calculation formula comprises a historical sales volume standard deviation and a supplier committed arrival day number parameter; executing a multi-stage price adjustment strategy and updating a commodity label of the vending machine according to the failure timestamp of the pre-purchase order and the remaining shelf life of the commodity; the self-service pre-purchase function is provided for the user, the purchase experience of the user is improved, and the replenishment efficiency of the vending machine is improved at the same time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of automatic vending, and more particularly, to a vending method of an automatic vending machine. Background Art

[0002] Current vending machines lack a pre-order function, meaning users cannot directly pre-order out-of-stock items through the machines. Instead, they need to manually contact suppliers or make multiple trips to confirm the arrival status, resulting in low replenishment efficiency and poor user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present application aims to at least partially solve the above technical problems and provide a vending method for a vending machine.

[0004] An embodiment of the present application provides a vending method for a vending machine, the vending method comprising:

[0005] S100: An infrared photoelectric sensor array and a high-precision weight sensor are used to collaboratively detect the inventory status of goods in the aisle. When out-of-stock signals are detected three times in a row, the pre-order process is triggered.

[0006] S200: Receive a pre-order instruction input by a user, generate an electronic contract including a product code, a payment account identifier, and a pre-order time limit, and store the electronic contract in a distributed manner through blockchain nodes;

[0007] S300: Calculate the replenishment quantity based on the historical sales data of the product and the supplier's real-time inventory data and send the encrypted information. The replenishment quantity calculation formula includes the historical sales standard deviation and the supplier's promised delivery days parameter.

[0008] S400: Execute a multi-stage price adjustment strategy and update the vending machine product label based on the pre-order expiration timestamp and the remaining shelf life of the product.

[0009] Furthermore, the S100 includes: using a reflective infrared photoelectric sensor to detect the presence status of goods in the aisle;

[0010] When the weight change rate of the cargo lane is less than 5g / s, the infrared sensor calibration procedure is triggered to eliminate false positives.

[0011] Furthermore, the S200 includes:

[0012] Freeze user account funds through the payment gateway interface and set a 10-minute cancellation period for users to cancel the operation;

[0013] Write the pre-order time limit parameters into the blockchain contract and activate the 48-hour delivery countdown program after the product arrives.

[0014] Furthermore, the replenishment quantity calculation in S300 satisfies the following relationship:

[0015]

[0016] Among them, Q is the replenishment quantity, Si is the average sales volume in the previous n days, Td is the number of days for the supplier to arrive, and σ is the standard deviation of historical sales volume.

[0017] Furthermore, the S400 includes:

[0018] Maintain the original price for 24 hours after the product arrives, display the "New Arrival" logo on the vending machine display, and send the user a delivery information;

[0019] Starting from the 25th hour, the price will be reduced by 5% every 12 hours, and the maximum cumulative price reduction shall not exceed 50%.

[0020] Further, S500: sending a delivery reminder synchronously through the software of the vending machine and the configured buzzer sound and light prompt;

[0021] S600: When a pre-order is not fulfilled within 48 hours, the payment lock is automatically released and the product is transferred to the promotion queue.

[0022] Furthermore, the S100 further includes:

[0023] When two consecutive test results are inconsistent, the backup ultrasonic sensor is activated to perform a third verification;

[0024] Perform dust removal on the infrared sensor lens every 24 hours to maintain detection accuracy.

[0025] The present application provides a vending method for a vending machine, which provides users with a self-service pre-order function, improves the user's purchasing experience, and simultaneously improves the restocking efficiency of the vending machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] An embodiment of the present application provides a vending method for a vending machine, the vending method comprising:

[0027] S100: An infrared photoelectric sensor array and a high-precision weight sensor are used to collaboratively detect the inventory status of goods in the aisle. When out-of-stock signals are detected three times in a row, the pre-order process is triggered.

[0028] S200: Receive a pre-order instruction input by a user, generate an electronic contract including a product code, a payment account identifier, and a pre-order time limit, and store the electronic contract in a distributed manner through blockchain nodes;

[0029] S300: Based on the product's historical sales data and the supplier's real-time inventory data, the replenishment quantity is calculated and encrypted information is sent. The replenishment quantity calculation formula includes the historical sales standard deviation and the supplier's promised delivery days parameter. S400: Based on the pre-order expiration timestamp and the product's remaining shelf life, a multi-stage price adjustment strategy is implemented and the vending machine product label is updated.

[0030] The step S100 includes: using a reflective infrared photoelectric sensor to detect the presence of goods in the aisle;

[0031] When the weight change rate of the cargo lane is less than 5g / s, the infrared sensor calibration procedure is triggered to eliminate false positives.

[0032] Freeze user account funds through the payment gateway interface and set a 10-minute cancellation period for users to cancel the operation;

[0033] Write the pre-order time limit parameters into the blockchain contract and activate the 48-hour delivery countdown program after the product arrives.

[0034] The replenishment quantity calculation in S300 satisfies the following relationship:

[0035]

[0036] Among them, Q is the replenishment quantity, Si is the average sales volume in the previous n days, Td is the number of days for the supplier to arrive, and σ is the standard deviation of historical sales volume.

[0037] The S400 includes:

[0038] Maintain the original price for 24 hours after the product arrives, display the "New Arrival" logo on the vending machine display, and send the user a delivery information;

[0039] Starting from the 25th hour, the price will be reduced by 5% every 12 hours, and the maximum cumulative price reduction shall not exceed 50%.

[0040] S500: The vending machine's software and configured buzzer and light prompts synchronously send arrival reminders; S600: When a pre-order is not fulfilled within 48 hours, the payment lock is automatically released and the product is transferred to the promotion queue.

[0041] The S100 further includes:

[0042] When two consecutive test results are inconsistent, the backup ultrasonic sensor is activated to perform a third verification;

[0043] Perform dust removal on the infrared sensor lens every 24 hours to maintain detection accuracy.

[0044] Overall technical solution

[0045] This invention builds a closed-loop sales management process through multi-sensor fusion detection, blockchain smart contracts, and dynamic algorithms. The technical solution includes:

[0046] Multi-sensor collaborative detection module: uses a reflective infrared photoelectric sensor array and a high-precision weight sensor to detect commodity inventory, combined with ultrasonic sensor redundant verification to solve the problem of single sensor misjudgment.

[0047] Blockchain evidence pre-order system: freezes user funds and generates encrypted electronic contracts through the payment gateway, and uses blockchain nodes to distribute and store transaction data to ensure that the pre-order process is traceable and cannot be tampered with.

[0048] Dynamic replenishment algorithm: Build a replenishment quantity model based on the historical sales standard deviation (σ) and the supplier's arrival days (Td) to achieve dynamic inventory balance.

[0049] Multi-stage price adjustment strategy: Execute price reduction strategies in stages based on product arrival timestamps and remaining shelf life, and update prices in real time through electronic tags.

[0050] 2. Detailed description of technical features

[0051] (1) Inventory detection and pre-order triggering (S100)

[0052] Sensor collaboration mechanism:

[0053] Reflective infrared photoelectric sensor: Three groups of sensors are arranged in a triangle in each aisle, with the transmitting and receiving ends 15 cm apart. The presence of goods is determined by changes in the intensity of reflected light (the threshold is set at 70% of the reference value).

[0054] High-precision weight sensor: range 0-20kg, resolution 1g, installed at the bottom of the cargo aisle, real-time monitoring of weight change rate.

[0055] Misjudgment processing: When the weight change rate is less than 5g / s and the infrared sensor detects inconsistent results for three consecutive times, the ultrasonic sensor (frequency 40kHz) is activated for a third verification to eliminate misjudgments caused by dust obstruction or product tilt.

[0056] Maintaining the calibration procedure:

[0057] Dust removal cycle: Perform dust removal on the infrared sensor lens every 24 hours (compressed air pulse cleaning at a pressure of 0.2 MPa).

[0058] Dynamic calibration: The sensor zero drift is automatically calibrated at zero o'clock every day based on the empty cargo aisle state.

[0059] (2) Pre-order Contract Generation and Evidence Storage (S200)

[0060] Pre-order instruction processing:

[0061] Users initiate pre-orders by scanning a QR code on a mobile terminal, and the system generates an electronic contract containing the product code (GS1-128 standard), payment account identification (hash encryption), and pre-order time limit (48 hours by default).

[0062] Funds freeze: The payment gateway (supports API interface) freezes the corresponding amount in the user's account and sets a 10-minute cancellation period (after the countdown ends, the frozen funds will be transferred to the pending settlement status).

[0063] Blockchain evidence storage:

[0064] Using the Hyperledger Fabric framework, electronic contracts are written into smart contracts and synchronized to at least four nodes (supplier node, payment platform node, regulatory node and user node) through the PBFT consensus algorithm.

[0065] The evidence data includes: contract hash value, timestamp (UTC standard), and digital signature (ECDSA algorithm).

[0066] (3) Dynamic calculation of replenishment quantity (S300)

[0067] Mathematical model construction:

[0068] Replenishment quantity calculation formula:

[0069]

[0070] Parameter Description:

[0071] Si: average sales volume over the previous n days (n is a 7-day sliding window, excluding holiday outliers);

[0072] Td: The number of days for delivery promised by the supplier (including logistics time, accurate to 0.5 days);

[0073] b: Standard deviation of historical sales (reflects demand volatility, with the calculation period consistent with Si).

[0074] Encrypted communication:

[0075] The replenishment instruction is sent to the supplier system after being encrypted with AES-256, including the product code, replenishment quantity and expected arrival time (format: YYYY-MM-DDHH:MM±time zone).

[0076] (4) Dynamic Price Adjustment Strategy (S400)

[0077] Phase division and implementation:

[0078] Phase 1 (0-24 hours after arrival): The original price is maintained, the electronic label displays the "New Arrival" logo (RGBLED flashing prompt), and pushes APP notifications to users.

[0079] Phase 2 (25-72 hours): Price reduction of 5% every 12 hours. Price reduction formula: Where P0 is the original price, t is the number of hours after arrival, and the cumulative price reduction shall not exceed 50%.

[0080] Phase 3 (unsold for more than 72 hours): The product is transferred to the promotion queue and sold at 80% of the cost price, and the S600 timeout processing process is triggered at the same time.

[0081] Electronic label update:

[0082] The price is displayed on an E-Ink screen and commands from the central controller are received via the ZigBee protocol, with an update delay of less than 1 second.

[0083] (V) Contract Performance Reminder and Timeout Processing (S500-S600)

[0084] Arrival reminder:

[0085] The buzzer emits a 2kHz pulse tone (lasting 3 seconds, repeated 3 times with an interval of 10 seconds), and the LED light strip flashes (frequency 2Hz).

[0086] APP push uses FCM (Firebase Cloud Messaging) and

[0087] APNs (Apple Push Notification Service) dual channels guarantee delivery rate.

[0088] Timeout processing:

[0089] After the pre-order order expires 48 hours later, the payment lock will be automatically released (funds will be returned to the original account) and the product label will be switched to "Promotion" status.

[0090] Products in the promotional queue are displayed at the front of the aisle first, and discount information is pushed to the user through user portraits (purchase history, preferences).

[0091] Example 1: Taking a beverage vending machine as an example

[0092] Sensor configuration: 3 sets of reflective infrared sensors (model E18-D80NK), weight sensors (model HX711), and spare ultrasonic sensors (model HC-SR04) are installed in the cargo aisle.

[0093] Blockchain nodes: Supplier nodes are deployed on Alibaba Cloud, payment nodes use the WeChat payment platform interface, and supervision nodes are connected to the Internet of Things Identity Management Public Service Platform.

[0094] Replenishment calculation example: For a certain product, Si = 50 pieces / day, b = 8, Td = 2 days, then the replenishment quantity is

[0095]

[0096] Example 2: Price Adjustment Verification

[0097] The original price of a certain product is 10 yuan. 72 hours after arrival, the price drops to (10×0.95^4≈8.14 yuan), which meets the maximum price reduction constraint of 50%.

[0098] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. It should also be noted that the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, commodity, or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, commodity, or device. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, commodity, or device comprising the element.

[0099] Each embodiment in this specification is described in a related manner. Similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to in conjunction with each other. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. In particular, the device embodiments are described in a relatively simple manner because they are based on similarities to the method embodiments. For related parts, refer to the description of the method embodiments.

[0100] The above are merely embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application may have various changes and variations. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application should all be included within the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A vending method for a vending machine, characterized in that: The sales include: S100: An infrared photoelectric sensor array and a high-precision weight sensor are used to collaboratively detect the inventory status of goods in the aisle. When out-of-stock signals are detected three times in a row, the pre-order process is triggered. S200: Receive a pre-order instruction input by a user, generate an electronic contract including a product code, a payment account identifier, and a pre-order time limit, and store the electronic contract in a distributed manner through blockchain nodes; S300: Calculate the replenishment quantity based on the historical sales data of the product and the supplier's real-time inventory data and send the encrypted information. The replenishment quantity calculation formula includes the historical sales standard deviation and the supplier's promised delivery days parameter. S400: Execute a multi-stage price adjustment strategy and update the vending machine product label based on the pre-order expiration timestamp and the remaining shelf life of the product.

2. The sales method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The step S100 includes: using a reflective infrared photoelectric sensor to detect the presence of goods in the aisle; When the weight change rate of the cargo lane is less than 5g / s, the infrared sensor calibration procedure is triggered to eliminate false positives.

3. The sales method according to claim 1, wherein: The S200 includes: Freeze user account funds through the payment gateway interface and set a 10-minute cancellation period for users to cancel the operation; Write the pre-order time limit parameters into the blockchain contract and activate the 48-hour delivery countdown program after the product arrives.

4. The sales method according to claim 1, wherein: The replenishment quantity calculation in S300 satisfies the following relationship: Among them, Q is the replenishment quantity, Si is the average sales volume in the previous n days, Td is the number of days for the supplier to arrive, and σ is the standard deviation of historical sales volume.

5. The sales method according to claim 1, wherein: The S400 includes: Maintain the original price for 24 hours after the product arrives, display a "new arrival" sign on the vending machine's display, and send the user a delivery message; Starting from the 25th hour, the price will be reduced by 5% every 12 hours, and the maximum cumulative price reduction shall not exceed 50%.

6. The sales method according to claim 1, wherein: S500: The vending machine software and the configured buzzer sound and light prompts synchronously send the arrival reminder; S600: When a pre-order is not fulfilled within 48 hours, the payment lock is automatically released and the product is transferred to the promotion queue.

7. The sales method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The S100 further includes: When two consecutive test results are inconsistent, the backup ultrasonic sensor is activated to perform a third verification; Perform dust removal on the infrared sensor lens every 24 hours to maintain detection accuracy.

Images