Remote Vending Bridge for Inventory and Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vending machines and similar dispensers are limited by their autonomous operation, which restricts process flow and consumer preferences, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to unnecessary electronics, and lack of compatibility with other devices, resulting in reduced reliability and missed market opportunities.

Innovation Solution

A goods storage system with a vending bridge that allows remote data processing and virtual equipment modules to manage temperature, inventory, and energy management, enabling flexible process flows and integration with other devices through a networked system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If vending machines operate autonomously with onboard local control systems, then they can function independently, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to more electronics that can malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous operationVSAvoidequipment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the control system from the vending machine cabinet and places it in a remote facility. The vending machine retains only minimal onboard electronics for basic functions, while the remote facility handles complex control logic, payment processing, and inventory management through a web server and database system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The remote facility serves multiple vending machines simultaneously through a centralized control system. A single web server and database infrastructure can manage inventory, pricing, and transactions across numerous machines, reducing the need for dedicated electronics in each individual machine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Extent of automation

If vending machines are equipped with all necessary electronics for autonomous operation, then they can function independently, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous operationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control system electronics are extracted from the vending machine and relocated to a remote facility. This reduces the bill of materials for each machine, eliminating the need for expensive onboard processors, memory, and associated electronics that can be centralized in the remote facility instead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple vending machines share a common remote facility infrastructure including web server, database system, and communication protocols. This consolidation reduces total electronics requirements across the fleet compared to each machine having its own complete control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If each device uses different electronics, then device-specific functionality is achieved, but economies of scale cannot be realized and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice-specific functionalityVSAvoideconomies of scale

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The remote facility provides a universal platform that can serve multiple types of vending machines (snacks, beverages, refrigerated, heated) through a common web server and database system. This standardized architecture enables economies of scale while still supporting device-specific requirements through configuration rather than hardware differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Device-specific functionality is achieved through software configuration and parameter settings in the remote facility rather than through different hardware electronics. The system can adapt to different machine types by changing control parameters, communication protocols, and inventory management settings in the centralized system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If refurbished vending machines use existing autonomous control systems, then they can operate immediately, but they retain the same reliability issues and high costs as new machines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefurbishment costVSAvoidequipment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Refurbished machines can have their old autonomous control systems completely removed and replaced with minimal onboard electronics that communicate with the remote facility. This extraction eliminates the reliability issues of legacy systems while keeping refurbishment costs low by only replacing essential components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of upgrading the control system in the machine itself, the solution inverts the architecture by placing the intelligent control system in the remote facility. This allows refurbished machines to gain improved reliability and functionality without requiring expensive onboard electronics upgrades.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8140185B2Virtual vendor shelf inventory management

Publication Date: 2012.03.20 THE COCA COLA CO

AI summary

A cooler system for providing goods. The cooler system may include a cooler with a refrigeration system and a shelf monitor, a data processing device remote from the cooler, and a vending bridge. The data processing device is in communication with the refrigeration system and the shelf monitor of the cooler.