Operating procedure of a vending machine and vending machine for carrying out the operating procedure

Abstract

At a vending machine (1), ordering and dispensing products (4) occurs through interaction between the vending machine (1) and a user (7). Payment for the products (4) is processed through communication between the user (7) and a payment service provider (9), and between the payment service provider (9) and the vending machine (1). Registration of the user (7) at the vending machine (1) or a special app is not required.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a working method of a vending machine. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vending machine for carrying out the working method, comprising a selection field for selecting available products, a dispensing slot for dispensing products, and a network interface for connecting to a data network.

[0002] Vending machines for dispensing drinks or individual products are generally known.

[0003] Paying with cash has the advantage that such a vending machine can be used anonymously. However, cashless payment is often preferred.

[0004] In practice, vending machines are known where a user registers, for example, via a fixed QR code on the machine or with an app previously downloaded to a mobile phone. The user can then communicate with the vending machine using their mobile phone.

[0005] However, registering with the vending machine involves a very high barrier to entry for the user. Furthermore, communication between the vending machine and the user must be in a form that is understandable to both.

[0006] The invention addresses the problem of creating a vending machine operating method that is particularly simple and accessible. Furthermore, the aim is to create a vending machine that is especially easy to use.

[0007] The first problem is solved by the following steps: - Display of available products - Selection of desired products and their quantity by the user - Calculation of the total amount payable for the desired products - Display of the amount to be paid and a selection list of payment service providers in a format readable by a portable computer device, in particular a mobile phone. - Receipt of data from a selected payment service provider for payment of the amount due. - Dispensing of the requested products after the amount to be paid has been entered.

[0008] This design eliminates the need for users to register with an app or similar service, or to interact directly with the vending machine itself. This avoids a significant barrier to entry for operating the vending machine. Instead, user interaction with the machine is immediate, occurring solely through product selection, which can be graphically displayed across languages, and the removal of the products. Payment is processed through communication between the vending machine, the user's portable device, and the payment service provider. Since the user only needs to operate their familiar device in their own language to confirm payment or select a payment service provider, any language barrier is eliminated in the simplest scenario. This makes the workflow particularly accessible.

[0009] A particularly barrier-free operation is made possible according to another advantageous embodiment of the invention if available products are displayed on a screen, in particular a touchscreen of the vending machine.

[0010] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, globally readable communication is particularly easy if, after selecting the desired products, the amount to be paid for the selected products is displayed as a QR code or on an NFC tag.

[0011] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, a preferably language-independent verification of the order by the user on their portable computer device is particularly easy if the QR code or the NFC signal contains the following data: order of the products, individual and total amount of the products, payment service provider data of the vending machine.

[0012] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, payment for the selected products by the user is simply transmitted to the vending machine when the vending machine waits a predetermined period of time for a signal from a payment service provider that the amount has been paid.

[0013] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, further simplifying the working process is achieved by issuing a receipt containing the data contained in the QR code or an NFC tag when the desired products are dispensed.

[0014] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operator of the vending machine receives an overview of the status and fill level of the vending machine at any time when the vending machine sends individual orders to a server. The server is thus accessible to the operator.

[0015] The second problem mentioned, namely the creation of a particularly barrier-free vending machine, is solved according to the invention by a computing unit for calculating the total amount of several selected products and a signal output device for outputting the amount to be paid in a format readable by a portable computer device, in particular a mobile phone.

[0016] This design allows communication with the vending machine for ordering, payment processing, and dispensing of the desired products without the need to install an app or register beforehand. This makes the vending machine particularly accessible.

[0017] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the vending machine is structurally particularly simple if the selection field and the signal output device share a common graphic display. This graphic display can depict the individual products and show a QR code for payment processing with a computer device, in particular a mobile phone. The user is guided through the process by changing the display, without requiring any special language skills.

[0018] The invention allows for numerous embodiments. Several of these are shown in the drawing for clarification and are described below. This shows in Fig. 1 schematically depicts a vending machine in a work environment, Fig. 2 a working method of the vending machine from Fig. 1.

[0019] Fig.Figure 1 shows a vending machine 1 with a graphical touchscreen display 2 as a selection field for choosing from the products offered 4 and a dispensing slot 3 for dispensing various products 4. Alternatively, the selection field could also be a conventional display with individual buttons or labeled buttons. The vending machine 1 also has an interface 5 for communication with a data network (not shown), such as the internet, and a processing unit 6. A user 7 operates the vending machine 1 using a portable computer device 8, such as a mobile phone or smartphone. The user 7 also has a connection to a payment service provider 9 via the portable computer device 8. The vending machine 1 can also communicate with the payment service provider 9 via the interface 5. Furthermore, the vending machine 1 has a connection to a server 10 of the operator via the interface 5.

[0020] Vending machine 1 displays a start screen on its screen 2 showing the available products 4. To operate vending machine 1, the user 7 selects the desired products and their quantity 4 in step S1. The processing unit 6 in vending machine 1 calculates the amount to be paid in step S2. If the order is not yet complete, steps S1 and S2 are repeated. Once the order is complete, vending machine 1 displays the amount to be paid in step S3 on its screen 2 in a format readable by the portable computer 8, for example, as a QR code. The display is maintained for a predetermined time interval. If the time interval expires or a restart is initiated at vending machine 1, the machine returns to the start screen. To pay, the user 7 can...In step S4, the user scans the amount with their computer device 8 at a specified time interval and in step S5 instructs their payment service provider 9 to settle the amount. For this purpose, the user 7 communicates exclusively with their payment service provider 9 via their own computer device 8 in their preferred language. After the user 7 approves the payment, the payment service provider 9 reports the completed payment to the vending machine 1 via interface 5 in step S6. In step S7, the vending machine 1 dispenses the requested products 4 into its dispensing slot 3 and returns to the initial display.

[0021] In step S7, if the user requests it or if required by law, a receipt for the paid products 4 is additionally issued in dispensing slot 3, and in step S8 a message about the sale of products 4 or the stock level of available products is forwarded to the operator's server 10. The communication possible in step S8 between the operator's server 10 and the vending machine 1 can also be used, for example, for maintenance purposes.

Claims

[1] Operating procedure of a vending machine (1), characterized by the following steps: - Display of available products (4) - Selection of the desired products (4) and their quantity by the user (7) - Calculation of the total amount payable for the desired products (4) - Display of the amount to be paid and a selection list of payment service providers in a format readable by a portable computing device (8), in particular a mobile phone - Receipt of data from a selected payment service provider (9) for payment of the amount to be paid - Dispensing of the requested products (4) after the amount to be paid has been recorded. [2] Working method according to claim 1, characterized by , that in a first step available products (4) are displayed on a display (2), in particular a touchscreen, of the vending machine (1). [3] Working method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that after selecting the desired products (4), the amount to be paid for selected products (4) will be displayed as a QR code or on an NFC tag. [4] Working method according to claim 3, characterized by , that the QR code or NFC signal contains the following data: order of the products (4), individual and total amount of the products (4), payment service provider, vending machine data. [5] Working method according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the vending machine (1) waits for a specified period of time for a signal from a payment service provider (9) that the amount has been paid. [6] Working method according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that with the dispensing of the desired products (4) a receipt containing the data contained in the QR code or an NFC tag is issued. [7] Working method according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by, that the vending machine (1) sends individual orders to a server (10). [8] Vending machine (1) for carrying out the working method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a selection field for selecting available products (4), a dispensing slot (3) for dispensing products (4) and an interface (5) for connecting to a data network, characterized by a computing unit (6) for calculating the total amount of several selected products (4) and a signal output device for outputting the amount to be paid in a format readable by a portable computing device (8), in particular a mobile phone. [9] Vending machine according to claim 8, characterized by , that the selection field and the signal output device have a common graphic display (2).

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