Automated Retail Vending System Item Verification via Image and Weight Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current unattended self-service automated product dispensing systems lack a definitive means to verify the exact item being returned or exchanged and ensure its authenticity.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a combination of image sensors, weight scales, and a database to positively identify items through image comparison and weight verification, allowing for secure returns, exchanges, or redemptions, and includes features like NFC interaction and customer analytics for enhanced user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If unattended self-service automated product dispensing systems are used, then self-service capability is improved, but the ability to verify product authenticity and exact item identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and physical handling with automated image sensors, weight scales, and NFC readers. The image sensor captures product images, the weight scale measures product weight, and the NFC reader detects wireless identifiers, automatically verifying product authenticity without requiring customer intervention in the verification process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces verification systems as intermediaries between the customer and the product. The verification system includes image sensors that capture product images, weight scales that measure weight, and NFC readers that detect wireless identifiers, serving as mediators to authenticate products automatically during the self-service transaction.
2Extent of automation
If traditional automated dispensing systems are used, then dispensing automation is improved, but product identification and verification capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the verification process into multiple independent measurement components: image sensors for visual identification, weight scales for mass measurement, and NFC readers for wireless identifier detection. Each component performs a specific verification function, and the system integrates these segmented measurements to achieve comprehensive product identification and authentication.
3Reliability
If multiple verification methods (image sensors, weight scales, NFC) are implemented, then product verification reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional verification system where image sensors, weight scales, and NFC readers work together to perform multiple verification functions simultaneously. The system can verify product authenticity through visual inspection, weight measurement, and wireless identifier detection, with the ability to use one or all verification methods depending on the specific product and situation, making the complex system adaptable and universally applicable.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated vending system for retail locations can include: an exterior housing that houses a plurality of differently shaped items for purchase and return; a data processor that is disposed in the exterior housing and that is coupled to an external server having a database; a display device on a face of the exterior housing; a memory storing computer-executable instructions that cause the automated vending system to execute vending and returning of an item; a payment validation device that is configured to accept payment information; a storage area that holds a plurality of items; an item compartment that is disposed within the exterior housing and that is capable of opening to the user; an item dispenser that dispenses an item from the storage area to the item compartment; and a detector that is positioned to detect foreign activity within the item compartment.