Transparent Touch Window Vending Machine Selection Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vending machines require indirect selection methods, leading to user errors due to the need to look away from the products to press keys or type codes, and lack direct visualization of the items, making it difficult to evaluate the quality of the selected products.
Innovation Solution
An automatic vending machine with a transparent window and touch screen technology that allows users to select products by proximity or contact with sensors integrated into or around the transparent portion, enabling direct visual access and intuitive selection without looking away from the products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional keys or touch screens are disposed laterally of the transparent portion, then the selection function is achieved, but the user must look away from the products to select them, causing selection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The selection interface is merged with the transparent window itself. Sensors are integrated into the transparent portion at positions corresponding to different products, allowing users to select items by touching or approaching the window directly in front of the desired product, eliminating the need to look away at separate controls
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent window serves as an intermediary between the user and the products. By placing sensors on the window surface, the window becomes both a visual display medium and a selection interface, allowing users to interact with products while maintaining visual contact through the window
2Area of stationary object
If photos of products are displayed instead of real products, then space is saved and variety is shown, but users cannot evaluate the actual quality and appearance of items
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using photos (copies) of products, the invention displays the actual products behind the transparent window. This allows users to see the real items for quality evaluation while the window itself serves as the display medium, eliminating the need for separate photo displays
Solution Approach 2:
The display transitions from a two-dimensional photo representation to a three-dimensional view of actual products behind the transparent window. Users can observe real product characteristics such as color, texture, and appearance that cannot be captured in photos
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly reduces selection errors and allows for a more careful evaluation of product quality by enabling direct visual contact with the products, resulting in quicker, safer, and more immediate selection processes.
Implementation Method 1
selection of the product lying behind a predetermined region 5a of the transparent portion 5 due to the user's hand moving close to or in contact with said predetermined region
Implementation Method 2
selection of the product lying behind a predetermined region 5a of the transparent portion 5 due to the user's hand moving close to or in contact with said predetermined region
Data Source
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AI summary
An automatic vending machine comprises a bearing structure (2) defining an inner space (3) and additionally having a front wall (4) provided with a transparent portion (5); the machine further comprises a magazine (6) to carry a predetermined number of products (7) and slidably movable between a first forward position and a second retracted position, and a picking-up space (11) to receive the selected item (7a); the outer surface (5a) of the transparent portion (5) is a touch screen (13) for selection of a desired item (7a).