Dynamic Tiered Menu for Self-Serve Dispenser

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-service product dispensers lack dynamic and secure menu modification, inventory tracking, and theft prevention, failing to promote date-sensitive products and provide secure access to qualified users.

Innovation Solution

A self-serve product dispenser with a distributed computing system and user-interactable tiered menu display that allows remote access and payment, dynamically updates product availability, and includes anti-theft features like GPS tracking and climate control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a static menu is used in traditional dispensers, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and ability to remotely modify products/prices is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemenu dynamic modificationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The menu system is segmented into a remote server component and a local dispenser component. The server handles dynamic content management, while the dispenser executes local display logic, allowing independent optimization of each segment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A communication interface acts as an intermediary between the remote server and the dispenser, enabling dynamic menu updates without requiring direct physical access to the dispenser or increasing its internal complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional vending machines are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but security features and inventory tracking capabilities are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity and inventory controlVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements real-time feedback loops where the dispenser communicates inventory status and transaction data back to the server, which then updates the menu and provides control commands, ensuring accurate inventory tracking and security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional mechanical inventory tracking is replaced with electronic sensors and networked communication systems that provide real-time digital monitoring and control, enhancing reliability without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If date-sensitive products are stored in traditional dispensers, then product variety is increased, but intelligent promotion before expiration is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesales efficiencyVSAvoidcomputing system requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs preliminary analysis of product expiration dates and proactively adjusts menu pricing or prominence before expiration occurs, preventing waste and optimizing sales without requiring complex real-time decision-making at the dispenser.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The menu dynamically adjusts product display based on real-time inventory data, automatically promoting items approaching expiration through pricing adjustments or positional changes, enabling adaptive sales optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If remote access and payment functionality is added, then user convenience is improved, but security requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote access capabilityVSAvoidsecurity requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Security functions are segmented into separate modules including authentication, encryption, and transaction verification, distributed between the server and dispenser, allowing robust security without centralizing all complexity in one location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20210365915A1Self-serve product dispenser system with associated dynamically modifiable tiered menu

Publication Date: 2021.11.25 AUTOMATED VENDTECH LLC

AI summary

A self-serve product dispenser system includes a user-interactable tiered menu that is dynamically modifiable in realtime to display available products at current price. The menu may be displayed proximate to the product dispenser, or displayed remotely, e.g., on a user's smart device. Preferably the menu is displayed on a touch screen to facilitate user touch-interaction with images of available products, which interaction advances to a new menu tier with more detailed product information. The user can touch-select payment mode and can make secure payment in a variety of ways, including remotely. Upon confirmed payment, products are dispensed directly from the product dispenser, and associated inventory is debited by the quantity of dispensed products. However, the product dispenser may act as a virtual locker should the user elect to select and pay for products but defer secure pick-up from the dispenser.