Vending machine management system

Abstract

We provide a more convenient vending machine management system. [Solution] In a vending machine management system equipped with a management server for managing vending machines, the vending machine includes a solar cell, a reusable battery, a battery management system, a power supply means for providing power supply services to users, a means for providing products free of charge in the event of a disaster, an acquisition means for acquiring the degree of deterioration of each cell of the reusable battery, and a communication means for communicating with the server, the management server includes a storage means for storing the location of the vending machine, an output means for outputting information about replacing the reusable battery based on the degree of deterioration of each cell of the reusable battery sent from the vending machine via communication, and an instruction means for acquiring information about the occurrence of a disaster and instructing vending machines installed in the relevant area to provide free products and power supply services.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vending machine management system.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1 below, a solar panel is provided on the top surface, the solar panel is placed on a panel mounting table, the front part of the panel mounting table has a fixing part, and the fixing part has fixing means for fixing from the inside of the vending machine body with the outer door on the front surface of the vending machine body open. The structure of the vending machine is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of this invention is to provide a more convenient vending machine management system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to one aspect of this invention, in a vending machine management system equipped with a management server for managing vending machines, the vending machine includes a solar cell, a reusable battery, a battery management system, a power supply means for providing power supply services to users, a means for providing products free of charge in the event of a disaster, an acquisition means for acquiring the degree of degradation of each cell of the reusable battery, and a communication means for communicating with the server, the management server includes a storage means for storing the location of the vending machine, an output means for outputting information about replacing the reusable battery based on the degree of degradation of each cell of the reusable battery sent from the vending machine via communication, and an instruction means for acquiring information about the occurrence of a disaster and instructing vending machines installed in the relevant area to provide free products and power supply services. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a centralized vending machine management system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a centralized vending machine management system.

[0008] This configuration relates to a centralized vending machine management system that manages multiple vending machines from a central server. The system provides functions including energy efficiency optimization, remote monitoring, and battery life prediction, and also has emergency response capabilities.

[0009] This system consists of a management center server, multiple vending machines, and a management center PC. While the diagram shows three vending machines, one server, and one management center PC, these numbers are not limited to these. Each component will be explained below. (1) Management Center Server The management center server forms the core of this system and includes the following subsystems: a) Remote monitoring system: Monitors the operating status, inventory status, sales data, etc. of each vending machine in real time.

[0010] Traditionally, inventory management and product replenishment for vending machines relied on manual checks. This resulted in delays in collecting sales data, identifying best-selling products (top-selling items and priority items based on demand forecasts), and optimizing replenishment timing. This often led to lost sales opportunities due to stockouts and wasted replenishment work. To maximize the operational efficiency of vending machines, dynamic inventory management based on sales trends and the ability to determine optimal replenishment timing are essential. Traditional methods made it difficult to create efficient replenishment plans because sales data could not be obtained in real time, and replenishment requests were generally made manually.

[0011] In this embodiment of the remote monitoring system for a vending machine, the vending machine has means for acquiring and recording data on the products it holds and the products that have been sold. It also has communication means for periodically transmitting the number of sales and inventory status of each product to a server.

[0012] Data is transmitted and received between the vending machine and the server via a communication network. The internet is preferred as the communication network. The communication method can be wired or wireless.

[0013] The management center server analyzes sales data obtained from vending machines and extracts information on best-selling products. It also has the function of determining the need for replenishment based on inventory levels and notifying workers of replenishment requests at the appropriate time. This allows for the real-time collection and analysis of sales status and inventory data.

[0014] Vending machines are equipped with a system (or sensors, detection devices) to manage the inventory of each product, and data is immediately transmitted to a server after a sale. The server aggregates this data and analyzes sales patterns for each product (specific analysis methods such as moving averages and regression analysis can be used). For example, if a particular product sells out in a short period of time, the server may recognize that product as a bestseller and issue instructions to increase the frequency of replenishment.

[0015] If the server determines that replenishment is necessary, a notification is automatically sent to the replenishment worker's mobile device or PC. This notification includes the location of the vending machine, a list of items that need replenishing, and the urgency level.

[0016] This configuration allows for real-time acquisition of best-selling product information, significantly improving inventory management efficiency. Furthermore, automated replenishment requests at the appropriate time reduce the risk of stockouts and streamline replenishment operations. The server also automatically plans replenishment tasks based on data and sends work instructions to replenishment personnel, further improving efficiency and optimizing human resources. b) Battery degradation prediction system The battery degradation prediction system analyzes the usage status of the reused batteries in each vending machine and predicts degradation. This enables the development of an efficient battery replacement plan. The batteries in each vending machine consist of multiple cells, multiple modules (combinations of cells), and packs (combinations of modules). Information can be acquired and inspected at the cell, module, and pack levels, and degradation can be predicted at each level. Degradation data is acquired for the units that need to be replaced. Cell inspection includes automatic measurement of cell voltage, capacity, and internal resistance.

[0017] The server determines the degree of deterioration, and if battery repair or replacement is necessary, instructions for repair or replacement are issued to the terminals or PCs of the vending machine owners and administrators. c) Emergency control system The emergency control system sends appropriate instructions to each vending machine during emergencies such as disasters and power outages. More specifically, during emergencies such as disasters and power outages, when receiving information to that effect and the information on the area where the disaster or power outage has occurred from an external disaster / power outage information providing server, it provides goods for free to the vending machines existing in the area and sends a transition signal to the mode of becoming a power station. For this reason, the server manages the information on the installation locations of each vending machine, associating the installation area with the unique ID of the vending machine. The location of the vending machine may be determined by a GPS receiver built into the vending machine. d) Data processing and analysis system The data processing and analysis system processes the collected data and conducts analysis for the efficiency improvement and operation improvement of the entire system. (2) Management center PC The management center PC provides an interface for the administrator to operate and monitor the system. It displays data from the management center server and inputs control commands as necessary. In addition to the management center PC, terminals such as smartphones and tablets may be used. (3) Vending machine A plurality of vending machines are connected to the management center server. Each vending machine is connected to a commercial power supply. Since each vending machine is equipped with a solar cell and a battery, when power is not supplied from the commercial power supply, it functions as an off-grid power station (power supply source). As the battery of the vending machine, a reused battery (reuse battery) of an electric vehicle (EV) may be used.

[0018] Each vending machine can operate completely independently even during a power outage with a battery and a solar cell. It may also be equipped with a camera and a weather measurement function. Each vending machine has a beverage release function that provides beverages for free during disasters. Each vending machine may also be equipped with an AED. Furthermore, each vending machine may be equipped with a weather prediction function, a remote monitoring function, a USB power supply function, an AC power supply function, and an AI face recognition function.

[0019] The battery of each vending machine is of the battery cell replacement type, and it is desirable that deteriorated cells can be replaced.

[0020] By combining solar power generation and a storage battery in a vending machine in this way, a vending machine that does not impose a burden on the environment can be configured. And since it is an off-grid type that operates even when disconnected from the power transmission line, it becomes a local power station during disasters and power outages. If it is configured so that cameras and weather stations continue to operate, it is also possible for the administration and police to check the safety using the vending machine. Also, during disasters, it is possible to freely distribute beverages, charge smartphones, and continue to use AEDs.

[0021] For example, in a vending machine, a USB power port (and an AC power outlet) that is normally covered with a cover that is usually locked (a cover that cannot be opened normally) and that users cannot access normally is provided. The lock of this cover is removed during a power outage so that users can freely use the USB power port (and the AC power outlet) (enabling charging of mobile phones etc. from the USB power port etc.). Locking / unlocking can be performed, for example, by operating a solenoid according to an instruction from a server.

[0022] Alternatively, a device may be configured to supply power to a USB port (and an AC power outlet) that is not normally energized during an emergency. With such a configuration, during an emergency, the vending machine can provide the function of an off-grid power station (power supply source).

[0023] Each vending machine includes the following components. a) A reusable battery (storage battery): Functions as the main power source of the vending machine during disasters and power outages. The battery does not have to be reusable. b) An IoT module: Responsible for communication with the server and performs transmission and reception of various data. c) Emergency system: Based on instructions from the server, it controls emergency actions (such as providing products free of charge, opening charging stations, and switching to power-saving mode). d) AC power connection: This section supplies power from the commercial power supply and charges the main battery. It is desirable to charge the battery at night or during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower, using a timer or similar device. e) Solar cells: These function as an auxiliary power source and assist in charging the reused batteries. In addition to solar cells, wind power, hydroelectric power, etc. may also be used as an auxiliary power source. Fuel cells, gas generators, etc. may also be connected as auxiliary power sources.

[0024] The aforementioned vending machine may consist of a conventional vending machine and a reuse battery & off-grid unit equipped with other functions. The reuse battery & off-grid unit includes a reuse battery, solar cells, a control device, a communication unit for the vending machine, etc. In this case, the present invention can be implemented by attaching the unit to a conventional vending machine.

[0025] Furthermore, the reused batteries in the vending machines are connected to a Battery Management System (BMS). This is an electronic system designed to optimize the performance, lifespan, and safety of the battery pack. The BMS ensures optimal operation by monitoring and controlling various parameters of the battery pack.

[0026] The BMS (Battery Management System) installed in the vending machine has the following functions: (1) Monitoring the voltage of individual cells: The Battery Management System (BMS) individually monitors the voltage of each cell that makes up the battery pack. This is important to prevent overcharging and over-discharging of cells. It also includes a cell balancing function to minimize voltage differences between cells. Large voltage differences between cells can reduce battery performance and shorten its lifespan. Common balancing methods include adjusting the voltage by flowing small amounts of current through the cells. (2) Monitoring and control of current: The Battery Management System (BMS) monitors the charging current to the battery and controls it to prevent overcharging. More specifically, it monitors the discharge current from the battery to prevent over-discharge and overload. It also detects battery short circuits and shuts down the system if necessary. (3) Temperature monitoring: The BMS monitors the battery pack temperature by receiving signals from temperature sensors located in the battery, preventing overheating and overcooling. It maintains the optimal operating temperature by controlling the cooling or heating system as needed. (4) State estimation (SoC, SoH): By monitoring the State of Charge (SoC), the BMS estimates the remaining power of the battery pack. This is used for displaying and checking the remaining battery level. Furthermore, by monitoring the State of Health (SoH), it estimates the degree of degradation of the battery pack. This is used to predict the battery's lifespan. As mentioned above, individual cell monitoring is possible, and cells that have degraded beyond a predetermined level are notified to the center, allowing for appropriate replacement.

[0027] The BMS also features overvoltage protection that stops charging if the cell voltage exceeds the allowable range, overcurrent protection that stops discharging if the current exceeds the allowable range, overdischarge protection that stops discharging if the cell voltage falls below the allowable range, overheat protection that shuts down the system if the battery temperature exceeds the allowable range, and short-circuit protection that shuts down the system if a short circuit occurs. Next, I will explain how the system works.

[0028] Each vending machine periodically (for example, every hour, or at intervals of 30 minutes to 2 hours) transmits information such as operating status, sales data, and battery status to a management center server via an IoT module. The management center server's remote monitoring system processes the received data and monitors for any abnormalities. The battery degradation prediction system analyzes the battery data of each vending machine and predicts its degradation state. If replacement is deemed necessary, it notifies the administrator.

[0029] The data processing and analysis system uses collected data to analyze sales trends, evaluate energy efficiency, and contribute to the overall optimization of the system. (Emergency procedures) a) In the event of an emergency such as a disaster or a large-scale power outage, the emergency control system on the management center server will activate. This is because the emergency control system on the management center server will become aware of the disaster when signals indicating the occurrence of the disaster, as well as the type, area, and situation of the disaster, are input to the management center server from an external source. b) The emergency control system sends appropriate instructions to each vending machine (such as instructions to activate free dispensing mode or switch to power-saving mode). c) The emergency system of each vending machine will change its operating mode based on the instructions received. For example, it may offer products free of charge, open the USB charging port (and AC power outlet) to the public, or switch to energy-saving mode by stopping the compressor. Once the emergency has subsided, the server may instruct each vending machine to return to its normal operating mode.

[0030] The following describes the communication methods between the management center server and vending machines or management center PCs. These communications can utilize protocols such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), HTTPS, WebSocket, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), UDP (User Datagram Protocol), and MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport). MQTT, in particular, is a lightweight, publish / subscribe type communication protocol, making it suitable for communication between servers and IoT devices such as vending machines.

[0031] Data formats that can be used for communication include JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), XML (Extensible Markup Language), and Protocol Buffers.

[0032] Communication methods such as request / response, streaming, and push notifications can be used.

[0033] For the security of the communication path, measures such as TLS / SSL (Transport Layer Security / Secure Sockets Layer), OAuth 2.0, and JWT (JSON Web Token) can be used to protect the communication path.

[0034] Furthermore, the communication architecture may be either a client / server model or a peer-to-peer (P2P) model. Alternatively, the server may be located in the cloud and accessed from terminals or vending machines.

[0035] A general-purpose computer can be used as the control device for the aforementioned servers, PCs, and vending machines. Such a computer typically consists of a CPU, memory (RAM), storage devices (HDD, SSD, optical drive, etc.), motherboard, power supply unit, graphics card (GPU), network interface card (NIC), cooling system, case, BIOS / UEFI, chipset, etc.

[0036] The system configured as described above has the following characteristics. a) Centralized management allows for the efficient operation and monitoring of multiple vending machines. b) By combining reused batteries and solar cells, we can reduce environmental impact and improve energy efficiency. c) The battery degradation prediction system enables battery replacement at the optimal time, resulting in reduced operating costs and stable operation. d) The emergency control system allows vending machines to be used as a local emergency power source during disasters. e) Continuous operational improvements can be made through data analysis, leading to improved service quality and profitability.

[0037] In summary, the centralized vending machine management system of the present invention possesses advanced remote monitoring capabilities, optimized energy efficiency, and emergency response capabilities, thereby drastically improving the operation of vending machines.

[0038] In the above-described embodiment, the invention can be considered not only as a system configuration, but also as an invention of the server portion only, an invention of the device portion only, an invention of a processing method, or a program that operates on each device.

[0039] The above-described embodiments and their elements (some configurations, some processes) can be combined or replaced to create new and different embodiments.

[0040] The embodiments described above should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included.

Claims

[Claim 1] A vending machine management system equipped with a management server for managing vending machines, The aforementioned vending machine is Solar cells and Reused batteries and Battery management system, A power supply means that provides power supply services to users, Means of providing goods free of charge during a disaster, An acquisition means for acquiring the degree of degradation of each cell of the reused battery, Includes communication means for communicating with the aforementioned server, The aforementioned management server is A storage means for storing the location where the vending machine is installed, An output means that outputs information about replacing the reused battery based on the degree of degradation of each cell of the reused battery transmitted via communication from the vending machine, A vending machine management system that acquires information regarding the occurrence of a disaster and includes a means for issuing instructions to vending machines installed in the affected area to provide free products and power supply services.

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