Product dispenser and method of distributing products using a product dispensing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a product dispensing device (100) comprising a door (12) configured to assume a closed configuration and an open configuration, an RFID label reader (30), and a door locking device (14). The dispensing device (100) is configured such that when the door (12) moves from the closed configuration to the open configuration, a first activation of the reader (30) occurs, and when the door (12) moves from the open configuration to the closed configuration, a second activation of the reader (30) occurs. The dispensing device (100) further comprises a control unit (40) configured to store RFID labels detected by the reader (30) and compare the RFID labels detected in the first and second activation. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method of dispensing a product from a dispensing device (100).

Description

[0001] PRODUCT DISPENSER AND METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING PRODUCTS USING A PRODUCT DISPENSING DEVICE

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates generally to the technical field of product dispensers, and in particular to a product dispensing device and a method of distributing a product, preferably food products. More specifically, the present invention relates to a product dispensing device, preferably a refrigerator, and a method of distributing a product, preferably food products, using a product dispensing device such as a refrigerator.

[0004] In environments such as offices, gyms, and schools, it is common to have product dispensers, particularly for food products, configured to dispense products to a user upon payment of the product.

[0005] In detail, traditionally, such product dispensers comprise an enclosure that may include a plurality of shelves on which a plurality of products are arranged. In such traditional product dispensers, the enclosure is not directly accessible to a user. A control device is configured to detect payment for a selected product by a user and to command the dispensing of the product through a mechanical device configured to move the selected product from the corresponding shelf to a dispensing zone accessible to a user through, for example, a door.

[0006] Product dispensers in which the interior environment of the dispenser, containing the products to be dispensed, is directly accessible to a user for the retrieval of a product, such as a food product, are also known. Generally, this type of product dispenser includes a payment system configured, for example, to detect a credit or debit card of a user. Once payment is enabled, a door of the product dispenser is unlocked, allowing the user to independently retrieve a product from the interior environment of the dispenser.

[0007] However, this type of product dispenser requires a complex automatic system capable of determining which products are present inside the dispenser before the user retrieves the desired product, and which products are present inside the dispenser after the user retrieves the desired product, in order to determine, by difference, which product was actually retrieved by the user and to charge the correct amount to the user.

[0008] Traditionally, in order to detect products present in the internal environment of a product dispenser, radio frequency identification, or RFID technology, is used. Essentially, each product is associated with an RFID label, and a reader in the product dispenser is configured to detect the RFID labels associated with the products located in the internal environment of the dispenser.

[0009] These known dispensers therefore provide for an initial scan by the reader to detect the RFID labels before the dispenser door is opened, in order to verify which products are present in the internal environment before a user selects a product. Additionally, this type of dispenser provides for a second scan by the reader to detect the RFID labels after the user selects a product and closes the dispenser door, in order to verify which products remain in the internal environment.

[0010] Subsequently, the dispenser determines which product was selected by the user by comparing the RFID labels detected before the door was opened to those detected after it was closed, and charges the user the corresponding amount of money for the selected product.

[0011] However, this solution has significant drawbacks.

[0012] Specifically, the operation of these known product dispensers does not allow for the detection of all RFID labels, and therefore all products, in certain conditions, particularly when the density of products in the internal environment of the dispenser is particularly high. In these conditions, some RFID labels may obscure others, thus preventing the correct detection of all RFID labels present inside the product dispenser. In other words, some RFID labels may shield, or obscure, one or more other RFID labels, which are therefore not detected by the RFID label reader.

[0013] This is particularly disadvantageous, as an incorrect detection of RFID labels, and therefore an incorrect detection of products in the internal environment, creates particular problems when a user selects a product associated with an RFID label that is hidden or shielded by other RFID labels. In this case, the product dispenser does not detect any product selection by the user, when in fact such a selection has occurred.

[0014] Therefore, the present disclosure starts from the technical problem of providing a product dispenser, preferably for food products, that meets the above-mentioned needs with reference to the known technique, and overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages and / or provides additional advantages.

[0015] This is achieved by a product dispensing device and a method according to the respective independent claims. Further features of the present invention are defined in the corresponding dependent claims. In particular, the product dispensing device according to the present invention comprises an enclosure configured to define an internal environment within the dispenser and configured to accommodate a plurality of products. In other words, the enclosure may include, or be made up of, a plurality of walls configured to separate an internal environment from an external environment to the dispenser itself. The dispensing device further comprises a door configured to assume at least a first configuration, or closed configuration, in which access to the internal environment is prevented, and a second configuration, or open configuration, in which access to the internal environment of the dispensing device is allowed through an access opening. In other words, the dispensing device includes an access opening to the internal environment, which can be closed by at least one movable door between a closed configuration and an open configuration, or vice versa. Each product present in the internal environment is associated with an RFID tag. According to this aspect, the dispensing device further comprises an RFID tag reader, configured to detect a plurality of RFID tags in the internal environment. In addition, the dispensing device comprises a door locking device, which is configured to detect a movement of the door from the first configuration to the second configuration, and vice versa. In detail, according to the present invention, a movement of the door from the first configuration to the second configuration is configured to, or corresponds to, a first activation of the RFID tag reader, while a movement of the door from the second configuration to the first configuration is configured to, or corresponds to, a second activation of the RFID tag reader. In other words, an opening of the door is configured to activate the RFID reader, and a closing of the door is configured to activate the RFID reader again. The dispensing device further comprises a control unit configured to store a plurality of RFID tags detected by the reader in the first and second activations and to compare such plurality of RFID tags detected in the two activations.

[0016] Advantageously, in this way, the dispensing device is configured for a first detection of RFID tags associated with products present in the internal environment of the dispensing device when the door is in an open configuration. This configuration corresponds to a configuration in which a user retrieves a product. According to this aspect, therefore, in the event that a user retrieves a product associated with an RFID tag that was hidden or obscured from the reader by other RFID tags, that product can be detected because it has been moved from a shielding condition by other RFID tags. After the door is closed and the product has been retrieved, the dispensing device performs a second scan using the reader to detect any remaining RFID tags in the internal environment. These two detections or scans are then compared, and the retrieved product can be detected by the dispensing device. In other words, the dispensing device performs a first scan under dynamic conditions, where products inside the internal environment may be moved by a user. Subsequently, the door is closed and the dispensing device performs a second scan, this time under static conditions, where products inside the internal environment are stationary and cannot be moved. Advantageously, therefore, the first scan or dynamic scan can also detect products associated with RFID tags that may be hidden or obscured by other RFID tags.

[0017] Furthermore, preferably, according to another aspect of the present invention, the control unit is further configured to store RFID tags related to products inserted into the internal environment, for example during a filling phase of the dispensing device. In other words, the control unit is configured to contain a register or information related to the products arranged in the internal environment and therefore retrievable by a user. Such information stored in the control unit can be used in the comparison phase between the RFID tags detected during the first and second scans to improve the accuracy of the detected information.

[0018] The present invention further relates to a method of distributing a product from a dispensing device comprising a enclosure defining an internal environment configured to accommodate a plurality of products, where each product is associated with an RFID tag. The method comprises a phase of movement by a user of a door from a closed configuration to an open configuration, where access to the internal environment is allowed. The method then comprises a phase of retrieval by the user of a product from the internal environment. Moreover, the method of the present invention comprises a phase of first reading by an RFID tag reader of a plurality of RFID tags in the internal environment, where such first reading phase takes place while the door is in the open configuration. In other words, this first reading is a dynamic scan of the RFID tags associated with the products arranged in the internal environment, where the products and their respective RFID tags can be moved. This advantageously allows reading or scanning of even those tags that may have been hidden or shielded by the presence of other RFID tags. The method further comprises moving the door from the open configuration to the closed configuration and a phase of second reading by the RFID tag reader of RFID tags present in the internal environment once the door is closed. Finally, the RFID tags detected by the reader during the first and second readings are compared. Advantageously, these phases are carried out in chronological order.

[0019] Further advantages, features, and ways of using the subject matter of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of its embodiments, presented for illustrative purposes only and not limiting.

[0020] However, it is evident that each embodiment of the subject matter of the present invention may present one or more of the above-mentioned advantages; in any case, it is not required that each embodiment simultaneously presents all the listed advantages.

[0021] Reference will be made to the figures of the attached drawings, in which:

[0022] • Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a dispensing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0023] In detail, with particular reference to the attached Figure 1 , the present invention relates to a product dispensing device 100, preferably food products.

[0024] Within the scope of the present invention, "dispensing device" means a device, for example, arranged in environments such as offices or gyms, capable of dispensing a product. Preferably, the dispensing device 100 according to the present invention is a refrigerator.

[0025] The product dispensing device 100 comprises an enclosure 10 that defines an internal environment 11 of the product dispensing device 100 itself. For example, the enclosure 10 may comprise, or be constituted by, a plurality of walls.

[0026] The product dispensing device 100 further comprises a door 12. Such door 12 may be part of the enclosure 10. In detail, the door 12 is configured to assume at least a first configuration, or closing configuration, and a second configuration, or opening configuration. More specifically, in the closing configuration, access to the internal environment 10 of the dispensing device 100 is prevented, while in the opening configuration, access to the internal environment 10 is allowed through an access opening 13. Such access opening 13 may be provided in the enclosure 10.

[0027] Preferably, such at least one door 12 is configured to move autonomously from the second configuration, or opening configuration, to the first configuration, or closing configuration. In other words, the door 12 is configured to close by itself once opened, that is, without the need for a user to close the door 12 itself.

[0028] The dispensing device 100 further comprises a locking device 14 for at least one door 12. The locking device 14 is configured to detect a movement of the door 12 from the first configuration, or closing configuration, to the second configuration, or opening configuration. Additionally, the locking device 14 is configured to detect a movement of the door 12 from the second configuration, or opening configuration, to the first configuration, or closing configuration. For example, the locking device 14 may include a sensor, such as a pressure sensor.

[0029] Preferably, according to an aspect of the present invention, the enclosure 10 may comprise shielding means configured to shield the internal environment 1 1 from external electrostatic fields to the dispensing device 100. The shielding means are preferably configured to prevent, or substantially prevent, a reader device of RFID tags disposed in the internal environment 11 from detecting RFID tags disposed outside the same internal environment 1 1 . For example, the enclosure 10 may be made of, or include, a metal sheet, a mesh, or a plurality of bars. Preferably, the enclosure 10 forms a Faraday cage. Furthermore, preferably, the shielding means are configured to prevent or substantially prevent such RFID tag reader from detecting RFID tags disposed outside the internal environment 1 1 at least in a condition where the door 12 is in the first configuration, or closing configuration.

[0030] The internal environment 11 is configured to accommodate a plurality of products. Each of these products is configured to be taken or purchased by a user. Each product of this plurality of products is associated with an RFID tag 20a, 20b, 20c. Preferably, each of these RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c is disposed on a package of a respective product disposed in such an internal environment 11. In other words, each product inserted in the internal environment 1 1 is associated with an RFID tag 20a, 20b, 20c. Preferably, each RFID tag 20a, 20b, 20c may contain information such as, for example, description and / or price and / or photo and / or characteristics of the product to which each RFID tag is associated.

[0031] The dispensing device 100 further comprises an RFID tag reader 30, configured to detect a plurality of RFID tags in the internal environment 1 1. Preferably, the RFID tag reader 30 comprises at least one antenna 31 arranged in the internal environment 11 and configured to detect at least one RFID tag disposed in the internal environment 1 1 .

[0032] According to the present invention, the dispensing device 100 is configured so that a movement of at least one door 12 from the first configuration, or closing configuration, to the second configuration, or opening configuration, corresponds to a first activation of the RFID tag reader 30. In other words, opening the door 12 from the closing configuration results in a first activation of the reader 30. Stated differently, opening the door 12 triggers a first scan by the RFID tag reader 30 of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c disposed in the internal environment 11 .

[0033] Preferably, specifically, the locking device 14, once a movement of the door 12 from the first to the second configuration is detected, i.e. an opening of the door 12 itself, is configured to command a first activation of the reader 30, i.e. a first scan by the latter of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c arranged in the internal environment 11 . During this first activation, as at least one door 12 is open, the reader 30 can potentially detect, or scan, RFID tags not only arranged internally in the internal environment 1 1 but also RFID tags arranged externally to it.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, the dispensing device 100 is configured so that a movement of at least one door 12 from the second configuration, or opening configuration, to the first configuration, or closing configuration, corresponds to a second activation of the RFID tag reader 30. In other words, closing the door 12 from the opening configuration triggers a second activation of the reader 30. In other words, closing the door 12 results in the reader 30 scanning RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c arranged in the internal environment 1 1 . Advantageously, during this second activation, as at least one door 12 is closed, the RFID tag reader 30 will only scan RFID tags arranged in the internal environment 11 .

[0035] Preferably, specifically, the locking device 14, once a movement of the door 12 from the second to the first configuration is detected, i.e. a closing of the door 12 itself, is configured to command a second activation of the reader 30, i.e. a second scan by the latter of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c arranged in the internal environment 11 .

[0036] The RFID tag reader 30 is configured to communicate with a control unit 40. In other words, the RFID tag reader 30 is configured and / or programmed to communicate with said control unit 40, for example by sending the readings obtained through the first and / or second scans. The control unit 40 is configured to store a plurality of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c detected by the reader 30 during its first activation, or first scan, i.e. during the opening of the door 12. The control unit 40 is further configured to store a plurality of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c detected by the reader 30 during its second activation, or second scan, i.e. following the closing of the door 12.

[0037] The control unit 40 is also configured to compare the plurality of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c detected by the reader 30 during the first activation with the plurality of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c detected by the same reader 30 during the second activation.

[0038] Essentially, this comparison allows to detect which RFID tag from the plurality of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c present in the internal environment has been taken by the user and, consequently, which product has been taken by the user, even if the RFID tag associated with the product taken by the user was shielded or hidden, and therefore not detectable by the reader 30 in the case of a static scan by the same.

[0039] In other words, the control unit 40 is configured to track or detect changes in the status of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c arranged in the internal environment 11 , each associated with a product. Specifically, the control unit 40 can be configured to determine whether an RFID tag 20a, 20b, 20c associated with a specific product inserted into the internal environment 11 is still in stock, i.e., present in the internal environment 11 , or whether that particular product has been sold, i.e., removed from the internal environment 11 .

[0040] Preferably, the control unit 40 is also configured to store RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c associated with products inserted into the internal environment 11 . In other words, the control unit 40 is configured to store the RFID tags associated with each product inserted into the internal environment 1 1 , i.e., each product that can be dispensed or sold. Advantageously, according to this aspect, the comparison between the plurality of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c detected by the reader 30 during the first activation with the plurality of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c detected by the same reader 30 during the second activation is not affected by errors due to the possible reading by the reader 30 during the first activation of RFID tags not belonging to products present in the internal environment 1 1. In other words, the control unit 40 can be configured not only to compare the RFID tags detected by the reader 30 during the first and second activations but also with RFID tags previously stored in the same control unit and associated with products inserted into the internal environment 11 . Preferably, according to another aspect of the invention, the control unit 40 can be configured to store information related to products inserted into the internal environment 11 , such as those inserted during a filling phase of the internal environment, where each of these products present in the internal environment 11 is associated with an RFID tag. According to this aspect, the control unit 40 can be configured not only for the aforementioned comparison between the plurality of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c detected by the reader 30 during the first activation with the plurality of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c detected by the same reader 30 during the second activation but also with a comparison with the plurality of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c stored in relation to products present in the internal environment 11 . In other words, the control unit 40 can be configured to store information related to an inventory or a registry of products inserted into the internal environment 11 , and therefore potentially retrievable by a user.

[0041] Finally, the control unit 40 can be configured to modify the information stored in it, for example, by deleting the information associated with an RFID tag 20a, 20b, 20c associated with a product that has been removed from the internal environment 11 and thus, for example, sold.

[0042] The control unit 40 may include, or consist of, a device, such as a processor, arranged in the dispensing device 100, and configured to process information detected by the RFID tag reader 30. In combination or alternatively, the control unit 40 may include a remote device or processor, relative to the dispensing device 100, and configured to communicate wirelessly with the dispensing device 100, in particular with the reader 30. For example, the control unit 40 may be in the cloud and configured to communicate wirelessly with the RFID tag reader 30.

[0043] The dispensing device 100 may also include means for user authentication. Such authentication means may include payment means for the payment of a product taken by a user. For example, such authentication means may include a QR code or a QR code reader, such as generated by an application on the user's smartphone. Such authentication means are configured to detect an authorized user for the withdrawal of a product from the dispensing device 100 and may be operatively associated with means for locking said door 12 in the first configuration, or closing configuration. For example, the authentication means can control said locking means so as to allow the authorized user to open the door 12 and take a product arranged in the internal environment 11 of the dispensing device 100. In addition, the authentication means may be configured to receive payment for a product taken from the internal environment 1 1 by the authorized user. Preferably, the authentication means may be configured to withdraw a sum of money from a user's current account, where the sum of money corresponds to a price of the product taken by the authorized user. For example, the user's credit or debit card may be registered in the application installed on the user's smartphone. Once the control unit has determined which product has been taken by the user, the authentication means may withdraw, via the credit or debit card registered in the application, the corresponding amount of money for the product taken.

[0044] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the dispensing device 100 may comprise a sensor configured to detect the presence of products in the internal environment 10. For example, the dispensing device 100 may comprise a sensor or a plurality of sensors configured to detect the presence of products in the internal environment 10. Preferably, for example, the dispensing device 100 may comprise a plurality of weight sensors and / or one or more cameras configured to detect products in the internal environment 10, such as arranged corresponding to each shelf of a plurality of shelves in the internal environment 10, in which such sensor or each sensor of such a plurality of sensors is configured to detect the presence of one or more products in the internal environment 10. The information detected by such sensor or plurality of sensors may be stored in the control unit 40 and used, for example, in combination with the information detected by the control unit 40 during the first and second activation, to determine with even greater accuracy whether a specific product is present in the internal environment 10 or has been taken from it.

[0045] Another object of the present invention is a method for distributing a product from a dispensing device 100 comprising a enclosure 10 defining an internal environment 1 1 for the dispensing device 100 itself, wherein the internal environment 11 is configured to accommodate a plurality of products, each of which is associated with an RFID label 20a, 20b, 20c.

[0046] In describing this method, the dispensing device 100 elements involved in the method and having the same function and structure as the elements previously described retain the same reference number and are not described in detail again.

[0047] In particular, the method comprises a phase of moving a door 12 of the dispensing device 100 from a first configuration, or closed configuration, to a second configuration, or open configuration. Preferably, this phase of moving the door 12 is carried out by a user.

[0048] Moreover, preferably, the method may preferably comprise a phase of detecting, through a closure device 14 of the dispensing device 100, a movement of the door 12 from the first configuration, or closed configuration, to the second configuration, or open configuration. For example, the detection of such movement of the door 12 may occur through a sensor, such as a pressure sensor, of the closure device 14.

[0049] The method further comprises a phase of a user taking a product from the internal environment 1 1 of the dispensing device 100. Preferably, this withdrawal phase occurs after the door 12 has been moved from the first to the second configuration.

[0050] According to the present disclosure, the method comprises a phase of a first reading by an RFID label reader 30. The reader 30 is configured to detect a plurality of RFID labels 20a, 20b, 20c in the internal environment 1 1 of the dispensing device 100. In other words, this phase involves the reader 30 scanning the RFID labels 20a, 20b, 20c arranged in the internal environment 11 . According to the present disclosure, this first reading phase occurs after the door 12 has been moved from the first configuration to the second configuration. In other words, this first reading phase, or the first scanning of the RFID labels 20a, 20b, 20c arranged in the internal environment 1 1 , occurs when the door 12 is in the second configuration, or open configuration. In other words, the first reading, or first scanning, occurs when the door 12 is open. Advantageously, this first reading is a dynamic scan, i.e., a scan in which the products and their related RFID labels 20a, 20b, 20c inside the internal environment 1 1 can be in motion. For example, in case a user takes a product, the RFID label associated with that product moves relative to the internal environment 1 1 and the RFID labels 20a, 20b, 20c associated with the products that the user did not take.

[0051] Preferably, a door movement from the first configuration to the second configuration is detected by a locking device 14, is configured to command or activate the first reading phase of the RFID label reader 30 in the internal environment 11 of the dispensing device 100.

[0052] Preferably, the first reading phase ends when the door 12 is moved from the second configuration to the first configuration. In other words, the first reading, or first scanning, ends when the door 12 is closed.

[0053] The method further comprises a phase of moving the door 12 from the second configuration, or open configuration, to the first configuration, or closed configuration. Preferably, this door movement phase occurs automatically, i.e., without the need for user intervention. In other words, the door 12, once opened, is configured to close autonomously.

[0054] Preferably, the method may also comprise a phase of detecting, via the locking device 14 of the dispensing device 100, the movement of the door 12 from the second configuration, or open configuration, to the first configuration, or closed configuration. For example, the detection of such door movement can occur via a sensor, such as a pressure sensor, of the locking device 14.

[0055] The method object of the present invention also includes a second reading phase, or second scan by the reader 30 of a plurality of RFID labels 20a, 20b, 20c in the internal environment 1 1 of the dispensing device 100. This second reading phase, or second scanning, occurs after the movement of the door 12 from the second configuration to the first configuration, or after the door 12 is closed. In other words, this second reading is a static scan, meaning that the products and their corresponding RFID labels 20a, 20b, 20c inside the internal environment 11 are stationary, or not moving.

[0056] Preferably, a detection by the locking device 14 of a movement of the door 12 from the second configuration to the first configuration is configured to command, or activate, the second reading phase by the reader 30 of the RFID labels 20a, 20b, 20c in the internal environment 11 of the dispensing device 100. The method also includes a comparison phase between the plurality of RFID labels 20a, 20b, 20c detected by the reader 30 in the first reading, or first scan, and the plurality of RFID labels 20a, 20b, 20c detected by the same reader 30 in the second reading, or second scan. This allows for the identification of the RFID label associated with the product taken by the user.

[0057] Advantageously, the method further includes a phase of storing, through a control unit 40, the RFID labels 20a, 20b, 20c detected by the reader 30 during the first reading and a phase of storing, through the same control unit 40, the RFID labels 20a, 20b, 20c detected by the reader 30 during the second reading.

[0058] The method further includes a comparison phase between the RFID labels 20a, 20b, 20c stored by the control unit 40 and associated with the first reading of the reader 30 and the RFID labels 20a, 20b, 20c stored by the control unit 40 and associated with the second reading of the reader 30. This allows for the identification of the RFID label associated with the product taken by the user.

[0059] Preferably, according to an aspect of the present invention, the method may include a filling phase of the internal environment 11 with products, where each product is associated with an RFID label 20. Preferably, a storing phase by the control unit 40 of the RFID labels 20 associated with the products inserted into the internal environment 11 is associated with the filling phase. Moreover, this filling phase is prior to the movement phase of a user opening the door 12 from the first configuration to the second configuration. For example, this filling phase may be carried out daily, such as at the beginning or end of the day, or weekly.

[0060] Moreover, according to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the method may include a comparison phase between the RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c stored by the control unit 40 and associated with the first reading of the reader 30 and the RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c stored by the control unit 40 and associated with the second reading of the reader 30, with the RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c stored by the control unit 40 during the internal environment 11 filling phase. In this way, advantageously, the comparison between the plurality of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c detected by the reader 30 during the first activation and the plurality of RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c detected by the same reader 30 during the second activation is not affected by errors due to possible reading by the reader 30 during the first activation of RFID tags that do not belong to products present in the internal environment The method may further include a user authentication phase by authentication means of the dispensing device 100. Preferably, this authentication phase takes place before the user moves the door 12 from the first to the second configuration. For example, the authentication phase may include scanning a QR code associated with a user, or the user reading a QR code, such as via a smartphone, preferably via a dedicated application. This authentication phase may also include an unlocking phase of the door 12 from the first configuration to the second configuration by means of locking means operatively associated with the authentication means.

[0061] Preferably, the method may further include a product payment phase retrieved by a user from the internal environment 1 1 . This payment phase may take place after the control unit 40 has determined the product taken by the user.

[0062] According to an aspect of the present invention, the method may include a product detection phase placed in the internal environment 11 by at least one sensor. Preferably, this sensor is a weight and / or a camera sensor. The information detected by this sensor can be used in the comparison phase between the RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c stored by the control unit 40 and associated with the first reading of the reader 30 and the RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c stored by the control unit 40 and associated with the second reading of the reader 30, and possibly also with the RFID tags 20a, 20b, 20c stored by the control unit 40 during the internal environment 11 filling phase, in order to improve the accuracy of the reader 30's detections.

[0063] The present invention, described according to preferred embodiments, allows achieving the task and purposes set for overcoming the limits of the known art.

[0064] The subject matter of the present disclosure has been described so far with reference to its embodiments. It should be understood that other embodiments may exist that relate to the same inventive core, all falling within the scope of protection of the claims set forth below.

Claims

CLAIMS Product dispensing device (100) comprising an enclosure (10) defining an internal environment (11 ) of said dispensing device (100) and at least one door (12) configured to assume at least a first configuration, or closing configuration, and a second configuration, or opening configuration, wherein in said first configuration, or opening configuration, an access to said internal environment (1 1 ) of said dispensing device (100) is prevented, and wherein in said second configuration, or opening configuration, an access to said internal environment (11 ) of said dispensing device (100) is allowed through an access opening (13), said internal environment (1 1 ) being configured to house a plurality of products, wherein each product of said plurality of products is associated with an RFID tag (20A, 20B, 20C), said dispensing device (100) further comprising an RFID tag reader (30), configured to detect a plurality of RFID tags in said internal environment (1 1 ), said dispensing device (100) further comprising a locking device (14) of said at least one door (12) configured to detect a movement of said door (12) from said first configuration, or closing configuration, to said second configuration, or opening configuration, and from said second configuration, or opening configuration, to said first configuration, or closing configuration, wherein said dispensing device (100) is configured so that a movement of said at least one door (12) from said first configuration, or closing configuration, to said second configuration, or opening configuration, corresponds to a first activation of said RFID tag reader (30), and wherein said dispensing device (100) is configured so that a movement of said at least one door (12) from said second configuration, or opening configuration, to said first configuration, or closing configuration, corresponds to a second activation of said RFID tag reader (30), wherein said RFID tag reader (30) is configured to communicate with a control unit (40) configured to save a plurality of RFID tags detected by said RFID tag reader (30) in said first activation and in said second activation and to compare said plurality of RFID tags detected by said RFID tag reader (30) in said first activation with said plurality of RFID tags detected by said RFID tag reader (30) in said second activation. Dispensing device (100) according to claim 1 , wherein said enclosure (10) comprises shielding means configured to prevent, or substantially prevent, said RFID tag reader (30) from detecting RFID tags arranged externally to said internalenvironment (1 1 ) of said dispensing device (100), in a condition wherein said at least one door (12) is in said first configuration, or closing configuration.

3. Dispensing device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said RFID tag reader (30) comprises at least one antenna (31 ) configured to detect a plurality of RFID tags (20A, 20B, 20C) arranged in said internal environment (11 ), wherein said at least one antenna (31 ) is arranged in said internal environment (11 ) of said dispensing device (100).

4. Dispensing device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said locking device (14) is configured to detect a movement of said at least one door (12) from said first configuration, or closing configuration, to said second configuration, or opening configuration, and to command said first reading by said reader (30), wherein said locking device (14) is further configured to detect a movement of said at least one door (12) from said second configuration, or opening configuration, to said first configuration, or closing configuration, and to command said second reading by said reader (30).

5. Dispensing device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one door (12) is configured to move autonomously from said second configuration, or opening configuration, and said first configuration, or closing configuration.

6. Dispensing device (100) including a sensor configured to detect products in the internal environment (1 1 ).

7. Method of distributing a product from a dispensing device (100), wherein said dispensing device (100) comprises an enclosure (10) defining an internal environment (11 ) of said dispensing device (100), said internal environment (11 ) being configured to house a plurality of products, wherein each product of said plurality of products is associated with an RFID tag (20A, 20B, 20C), wherein said method comprises the steps of:- moving by a user a door (12) of said dispensing device (100) from a first configuration, or closing configuration, wherein an access to said internal environment (11 ) of said dispensing device (100) is prevented, to a second configuration, or opening configuration, wherein an access to said internal environment (11 ) of said dispensing device (100) is allowed;- withdrawal of a product by a user from said internal environment (11 ) of said dispensing device (100);- first reading by a reader (30), configured to detect a plurality of RFID tags (20A, 20B, 20C) in said internal environment (1 1 ), of a plurality of RFID tags in said internal environment (1 1 ) of said dispensing device (100), wherein said first reading occurs when said door (12) is in said second configuration, or opening configuration;- movement of said door (12) from said second configuration, or opening configuration, to said first configuration, or closing configuration;- second reading by said reader (30) of a plurality of RFID tags (20a, 20b, 20c) in said internal environment (11 ) of said dispensing device (100), wherein said second reading occurs subsequent to said movement of said door (12) from said second configuration, or opening configuration, to said first configuration, or closing configuration;- comparison of the plurality of RFID tags (20a, 20b, 20c) in said internal environment (1 1 ) of said dispensing device (100) detected by said reader (30) in said first reading and the plurality of RFID tags in said indoor environment (1 1 ) to said dispensing device (100) detected by said reader (30) in said second reading. Method according to the preceding claim, further comprising a step of detecting, by means of a locking device (14), a movement of said door (12) from said first configuration, or closing configuration, and said second configuration, or opening configuration, and from said second configuration, or opening configuration, to said first configuration, or closing configuration. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein a detection by said locking device (14) of a movement of said door (12) from said first configuration, or closing configuration, to said second configuration, or opening configuration, is configured to command said first reading by said reader (30) of a plurality of RFID tags in said internal environment (11 ) of said dispensing device (100) and wherein a detection by said locking device (14) of a movement of said door (12) from said second configuration, or opening configuration, to said first configuration, or closing configuration, is configured to command said second reading by said reader (30) of a plurality of RFID tags in said internal environment (11 ) of said dispensing device (100).Method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein said first reading terminates when said door (12) is moved from said second configuration, or opening configuration, to said first configuration, or closing configuration. Method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising a step of saving by a control unit (40) the RFID tags (20a, 20b, 20c) detected by the reader (30) during the first reading, and a step of saving by said control unit (40) the RFID tags (20a, 20b, 20c) detected by the reader (30) during the second reading, the method further comprising a step of comparing the RFID tags (20a, 20b, 20c) saved by said control unit (40) and associated with said first reading of said reader (30) with the RFID tags (20a, 20b, 20c) saved by said control unit (40) and associated with said second reading of said reader (30).

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