System for digital crediting of deposit amounts via QR code

Abstract

System for the digital crediting of deposit amounts, comprehensive: a) a reverse vending machine with a recognition unit, b) a processing unit for determining the value of the deposit balance, c) an output and transmission unit for generating a QR code, d) a communication interface for the use of the QR code in a mobile application, wherein the QR code assigns a digital credit of the deposit value to a customer account.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a technical system for the return of deposits in retail trade. It relates in particular to a system for the digital recording, processing and crediting of deposit amounts using QR codes. State of the art

[0002] Common reverse vending machines for empty bottles and cans generate paper receipts that can easily get lost. A fully digital integration of deposit refunds is not known. Object of the invention

[0003] The object of the invention is to enable a completely digital, secure and unambiguous crediting of deposit amounts without paper. Solution to the task

[0004] The problem is solved by a system according to claim 1, consisting of a recognition unit, a processing unit, a QR code output unit and a communication interface. Advantages of the invention - No paper consumption - Unique digital assignment to customer accounts - Tamper-proof - Easy integration into existing devices Example of implementation

[0005] A reverse vending machine recognizes containers, calculates the deposit amount and generates an encrypted QR code that can be redeemed by the customer via app. Fig. 1 - Basic structure (block diagram) • Return Machine Unit (12): Mechanical mechanism into which the bottle is inserted and which transports the bottle inside. • Processing Unit (14): Electronics / software that evaluates the bottle (material, shape, quantity) and calculates the deposit. • QR Code Generator & Display (16 / 18): Module that generates a QR code from the deposit data and displays it on a screen so that the customer can scan it later. Fig. 2 - Physical Machine • Housing (22, 34, 36): Cabinet-shaped vending machine with an upper section for operation and a lower section for the collection container. • Control Panel & Sensors (30): Area with the deposit slot, cameras / sensors, and possibly buttons. • QR Code Display (18): Display on the front that makes the generated QR code visible to the customer. • Collection Container (36): Interior in which the deposited bottles are collected. Fig. 3 - Data Technology • Detection Data (40): All measurement and sensor data generated when the bottle is detected (e.g., barcode, weight, shape). • Data Storage (42 / 44): Storage unit in which the detection data and the calculated deposit amount are stored. • QR Code Generator & Display (44): Uses the stored data to create a QR code containing, for example, the deposit amount, time, and machine ID. Fig. 4 - User Procedure • Step 1: “Insert a bottle (100)” - Customer inserts a bottle into the slot. • Step 2: “Detecting bottle (110)” - Sensors check if it is a valid deposit bottle and record the relevant data. • Step 3: “Scan QR code (120)” - The machine displays a QR code; the customer or a POS system can scan this code to credit the deposit. • Step 5: “Confirmation (140)” - Confirmation that the deposit transaction was successful (e.g., display “Deposit credited” or printout / receipt)

[0006] Line designations (labeled with arrows) to: Fig. 2 1 Housing of the deposit bottle machine 2. Display (text, amount, instructions). 3 buttons / control knobs (Start, Receipt) 4 dispensing slots for deposit slips". 5 Filling openings for deposit bottles and cans 6 Internal technology (scanner, conveyor belt, container)

Claims

[1] System for the digital crediting of deposit amounts, comprising: a) a reverse vending machine with a recognition unit, b) a processing unit for determining the value of the deposit balance, c) an output and transmission unit for generating a QR code, d) a communication interface for the use of the QR code in a mobile application, wherein the QR code assigns a digital credit of the deposit value to a customer account. [2] System according to claim 1, characterized by that the detection unit includes optical, mechanical, or weight-dependent sensors. [3] System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the processing unit uses an internal database. [4] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the QR code contains encrypted data with device identifier, timestamp and deposit amount. [5] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the communication interface is implemented as a WLAN, mobile network, Bluetooth or cloud interface [6] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the app automatically reads the QR code and transmits the data to a backend. [7] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the backend detects duplicate redemptions. [8] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the machine has a screen to display the QR code. [9] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the QR code is alternatively displayed on an external customer display. [10] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the mobile application stores a history of redeemed deposit amounts.

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