Wireless Dispensing Machine Control for Remote Updates and Logging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensing systems require manual updates and adjustments by technicians, which are inconvenient and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing machine communicable with a wireless network, equipped with processors, sensors, and readers, that receives preconfigured instructions for operations, updates, and data transmission via a wireless network, enabling remote monitoring and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual updates and adjustments are performed by technicians using buttons on the machine, then the machine can be updated and adjusted, but the process becomes inconvenient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEase of updating and adjusting the machineVSAvoidTime required for manual updates and adjustments

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-based interface with a wireless communication system. The dispensing machine includes a wireless transceiver that communicates with remote devices, allowing inventory counts, visual graphics, and price updates to be transmitted wirelessly instead of requiring manual button presses. This substitution of mechanical interaction with wireless electronic communication resolves the contradiction by making updates both easier and faster.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a wireless communication system as an intermediary between the technician and the machine's internal systems. The wireless transceiver acts as a mediator that receives update commands remotely and translates them into internal machine operations, eliminating the need for direct physical interaction. This intermediary approach allows updates to be performed conveniently and quickly without manual button pressing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a technician manually updates inventory count, visual graphics, and prices using buttons, then the machine operations can be adjusted, but the process is inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to update machine parametersVSAvoidConvenience of updating parameters

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless transceiver serves multiple functions: it transmits inventory count updates, visual graphics updates, price updates, and other machine parameter adjustments. This multi-functional wireless communication system replaces multiple separate manual update processes, providing universal adaptability for updating any machine parameter while improving convenience through remote wireless operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical button interface with a wireless communication system that can transmit various types of data (inventory, graphics, prices) through electromagnetic signals. This substitution maintains full adaptability for updating all machine parameters while dramatically improving ease of operation by allowing remote updates without physical contact with the machine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If manual button operations are used for machine adjustments, then the machine can be controlled, but the process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSpeed of machine updatesVSAvoidTime for technician intervention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication system allows update commands to be prepared and transmitted remotely before the technician needs to physically access the machine. Inventory counts, graphics, and prices can be updated in advance through wireless transmission, eliminating the time required for on-site manual adjustments. This preliminary action through wireless communication significantly increases productivity and reduces time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces time-consuming mechanical button pressing with rapid wireless data transmission. The wireless transceiver can transmit multiple parameters simultaneously through electromagnetic signals, which travel at the speed of light, compared to the sequential mechanical action of pressing buttons. This substitution dramatically increases the speed of machine updates and reduces technician intervention time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12469352B2Functionality of a dispensing machine that is in communication with a wireless network

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 TRINITY AXIS INC

AI summary

Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate to functionality of a dispensing machine (e.g., a vending apparatus) that is in communication with a wireless network. A system includes the wireless network, a messaging server in communication with the wireless network, a host application server in communication with the wireless network, a client application in communication with the wireless network, and a dispensing machine in communication with the wireless network. The dispensing machine is configured to transmit logs to the wireless network. The dispensing machine is also configured to receive updates from the host application server.