ES1282264U - Product distributor (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Product dispenser, comprising a structure (1) with a plane closed by a door (2) and a series of shelves (3) for products, and means of identifying a user or their means of payment, characterized because it comprises two or more cameras (4) in the plane, connected to a control unit (5) that executes an image recognition method configured to recognize which products are removed from the shelves (3). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Product distributor

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as the title of the present specification establishes, is a product distributor that allows the selection and acquisition of products, such as food, drink or small accessories in the retail trade.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the state of the art the existence of distribution machines that supply drinks, food or small accessories by means of a series of rows of product that advance and make the selected product fall, and paid, in an outlet in the part lower. This type of machine requires a complex mechanism (one or more worm screws, generally for each product), unreliable, and forces the user to select the product without error. If the consumer makes a mistake or changes his mind, he cannot return it. If you want multiple products, you must go through the same process for each one.

The applicant is not aware of the existence of a device that solves the problems of the art in a similar way to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a retail product distributor according to the claims. Its different variants solve the problems of the state of the art.

The product dispenser comprises a structure with a top closed by a door and a series of shelves for products. Some means of identifying a user or their means of payment allow access to the products, by ensuring payment. The distributor comprises two or more chambers in that closed plane, usually at the corners and preferably at all four corners. These cameras are connected to a control unit that executes an image recognition method configured to recognize which products are removed from the shelves until the door is closed again.

For example, the means of identifying a user or his means of payment are biometric recognition equipment, such as an external facial recognition camera. In turn, the user can access the closed plane structure through other solutions such as QR scanner, or NFC card.

As it is known which products have been taken and repositioned, it is possible to check if the shelf where the product has been placed is the correct one (from where the other similar products are extracted, or as it is in the memory of the control unit). Thus, it can be configured to recognize the replacement of the product on a wrong shelf and issue a warning to the user.

Other variants are appreciated later.

EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

To complete the description that is being made and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, the present specification is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by a figure in which, for illustrative purposes and not Limiting, the following has been represented.

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective of an embodiment.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION.

An example of an embodiment of the invention is described below, which is only intended to serve as an illustration and does not limit the invention.

Figure 1 shows an example of an embodiment formed by a structure (1) closed with a door (2) and a series of shelves (3) for products. The door (2) is generally made of glass or other transparent material, as is usual in the art.

The structure (1) of the figure comprises four corners in the plane of the door (2) where a series of chambers (4) are arranged. The cameras (4) are connected to a control unit (5) that executes an image recognition method. It is to be understood that this position is preferred, but that other positions in or near the plane are possible.

The door (2) has a lock that opens when the user or his means of payment is identified. For example, it may comprise an external camera (6) that recognizes the user by facial recognition. You can also have a reader for a prepaid, credit / debit or ID card. Other methods of user recognition (biometric, by carried elements ...) or payment (NFC to mobile ...) are applicable, without departing from the invention.

The cameras (4) and the control unit (5) make it possible to recognize which products have been removed from the shelves (3) and which, if any, have been returned. In this way it is possible to invoice or charge the price of these products to the user. This equipment also allows to recognize if the product has been placed on the wrong shelf (3), in which case it can issue a warning to the user. If the user does not correct it, the dealer owner can have a financial or time penalty charged without using the dealer.

The cameras (4) and the control unit (5) can be part of a distributor, from the factory, or be a complement added to a pre-existing distributor machine. In that case they will be removable to reposition it in the desired machine.

In that case, the communication between the cameras (4) and the control unit (5) will preferably be wireless (Bluetooth, LoRA ...) according to the desired standard to avoid having to install wiring. The cameras will be able to connect with the control unit through different protocols such as MDB.

All components will be powered from the electrical network, as usual, and may have emergency batteries.

Claims (5)

1. - Product dispenser, comprising a structure (1) with a plane closed by a door (2) and a series of shelves (3) for products, and means of identifying a user or their means of payment, characterized in that it comprises two or more cameras (4) in the plane, connected to a control unit (5) that executes an image recognition method configured to recognize which products are removed from the shelves (3). 2. - Distributor of products, according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of identifying a user or their means of payment are biometric recognition equipment, other user recognition methods (biometric, by carried elements ... ) or payment (NFC to mobile ...) are applicable. 3. - Distributor of products according to claim 2, characterized in that the biometric recognition equipment is an external camera (6) for facial recognition. 4. - Product dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to recognize the replacement of the product on a wrong shelf (3) and issue a warning to the user. 5. - Distributor of products according to claim 1, characterized in that the cameras (4) and the control unit (5) are communicated wirelessly. 6. Product distributor, according to claim 1, characterized in that the cameras (4) and the control unit (5) are removable. 7- Product dispenser, according to claim 1, characterized in that the chambers (4) are at the corners of the plane. 8. Product dispenser, according to claim 7, characterized in that the chambers (4) are in the four corners.