Vending Machine Shelf Weight and Image Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vending machine technologies face challenges in accurately determining product misplacement or replacement without relying on RFID tags, leading to pricing errors and operational inefficiencies, which are costly and difficult to popularize.
Innovation Solution
A vending method and system that uses a weighing device to detect weight changes and an imaging device to capture and recognize images before and after vending, issuing alarms for inconsistencies, thereby determining product misplacement or replacement without RFID tags, ensuring accurate pricing and user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID electronic tags are attached to each product for identification, then product identification accuracy is improved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification function from the product level (RFID tags on individual items) to the shelf level (weight sensors and image recognition systems monitoring product presence and movement). This eliminates the need for expensive RFID tags on each product while maintaining identification capability through alternative measurement approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image recognition systems to create visual copies/images of products on shelves, which are then analyzed to identify product presence, position, and movement. This optical copying approach replaces the need for physical RFID tags, reducing system cost while maintaining identification accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If weight sensors are installed on shelves to detect product removal, then operational simplicity is improved, but pricing accuracy deteriorates due to inability to detect product misplacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges weight sensing technology with image recognition technology into a unified monitoring system. The weight sensors detect product removal events, while the image recognition system captures and analyzes product images to verify correct product-shelf matching. This combination maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving pricing accuracy by detecting misplacement and replacement scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the image recognition system continuously monitors product positions and provides feedback to the pricing system. When product misplacement or replacement is detected through image analysis, the system receives real-time feedback to correct pricing errors, thereby improving pricing accuracy while maintaining simple operation.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If infrared sensors are used to detect product presence on shelves, then detection capability is improved, but ability to detect product replacement remains insufficient without RFID tags
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs image recognition systems to create optical copies of products on shelves, enabling detailed analysis of product characteristics, positions, and changes. This visual copying capability allows the system to detect product replacements and misplacements by comparing sequential images, achieving high detection precision without requiring infrared sensors or RFID tags.
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
The solution effectively prevents pricing errors, ensures correct product execution, and reduces costs, making it easier to popularize the technology by ensuring merchant and user benefits through dual verification methods.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring weight of a product on the shelf before and after vending
Implementation Method 2
capturing images of the product on the shelf before and after vending
Data Source
AI summary
A vending machine (100) and a vending method and vending system (1000) therefor, the vending machine (100) comprising a machine body (10), a door body (20), and at least one layer of shelves (30) and a weighing device (40) that are installed inside the machine body (10). The vending method comprises: collecting the weight of products on a shelf before and after vending (S1); calculating the difference of the change between the weight of the products on the shelf before vending and the weight of the products on the shelf after vending (S2); and if the difference of the change is less than a first weight change threshold, issuing an alarm prompt (S3), wherein the first weight change threshold is less than or equal to zero. Using the present invention may promptly determine the misplacement and replacement of the products without relying on an RFID tag.