TWM669019U - Smart vending machines for Taiwanese street food and braised delicacies - Google Patents

Abstract

A smart vending machine designed to sell a variety of prepared foods, especially Taiwanese street snacks and braised delicacies. The smart vending machine uses integrated artificial intelligence and IoT technologies to dynamically control the internal temperature through multiple sensors and AI-driven systems to maintain the optimal freshness and flavor of the food. Its features include comprehensive freshness monitoring, automated inventory management and predictive analysis to optimize inventory levels and reduce waste. The smart vending machine is equipped with an interactive touch screen interface and supports multiple electronic payment methods to enhance the user experience. In addition, the smart vending machine has remote monitoring and management functions, allowing operators to monitor machine status, adjust settings and update promotional content in real time. Safety and hygiene are ensured through automatic disinfection cycle and overheat protection mechanism.

Description

Smart vending machines for Taiwanese street food and braised delicacies

The new type generally relates to an automated vending system, and more specifically, a smart vending machine designed to sell a variety of prepared foods, including Taiwanese street snacks and braised delicacies. The new type uses advanced artificial intelligence and Internet of Things technologies to enhance the functionality, efficiency and user experience of traditional vending machines.

Vending machines have been around for decades in the retail and foodservice industries, providing consumers with convenient access to a wide variety of products, including beverages, snacks, and pre-packaged meals. Traditional vending machines are typically limited in functionality and are primarily focused on vending products at ambient or refrigerated temperatures. While these machines are effective for certain types of merchandise, they have significant limitations when applied to more perishable and temperature-sensitive foods.

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for fresh, ready-to-eat food options to meet diverse culinary preferences. Famous for their rich flavors and sophisticated preparation methods, Taiwanese street food and braised delicacies have gained wide recognition both locally and internationally. However, selling such foods through traditional vending machines presents several challenges:

1. Temperature control: Taiwanese street snacks and stewed delicacies usually require a specific temperature range to maintain the best taste and safety. Traditional vending machines lack the necessary advanced temperature control mechanisms to ensure that these foods remain fresh and delicious for a long time.

2. Freshness and Shelf Life: Maintaining the freshness of perishable foods is critical. Traditional vending machines are often limited in their ability to monitor and manage the shelf life of individual products, which can lead to reduced quality and consumer satisfaction.

3. Inventory management: Efficient inventory management is important to minimize waste and ensure the supply of popular items. Existing vending machines usually only provide basic inventory tracking and may not be able to meet the dynamic and diverse inventory needs of specialized food items.

4. Payment and user interface: Although many vending machines support electronic payments, their user interfaces are often rudimentary, limiting the ability to provide detailed product information, promotional content, or personalized recommendations.

5. Remote monitoring and maintenance: Traditional vending machines have limited connectivity options, limiting operators’ ability to remotely monitor machine status, manage inventory, and perform predictive maintenance to prevent downtime.

Although there have been some advances in the field of smart vending machines, these machines combine IoT and AI technologies to address certain limitations, such as improved inventory tracking, remote monitoring, and enhanced user interfaces. However, these solutions are generally more general and are not specifically designed for the unique needs of diverse and temperature-sensitive food items such as Taiwanese street snacks and braised delicacies. In addition, existing smart vending solutions often lack integrated systems for precise temperature regulation, comprehensive freshness monitoring, and adaptive inventory management based on real-time sales data and environmental conditions.

Given the limitations of existing vending machine technology, there is an urgent need for an advanced automated vending system that can effectively handle a wide variety of prepared foods, especially those that are temperature-sensitive and require sophisticated freshness management. Such a system should include intelligent control mechanisms that can dynamically adjust operating parameters to ensure food safety and quality, optimize inventory levels, and enhance the overall consumer experience through an interactive and information-rich interface. This new model meets these needs by introducing a smart vending machine designed specifically for selling Taiwanese street snacks and braised delicacies, leveraging AI and IoT technologies to provide superior performance and reliability.

This novel invention relates to an advanced smart vending machine designed specifically for selling a wide variety of prepared foods, including Taiwanese street food and braised delicacies. By integrating state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and IoT technologies, the vending machine provides a comprehensive solution that effectively addresses the unique challenges of distributing temperature-sensitive and perishable foods.

The present invention provides a smart vending machine for dispensing prepared foods, which includes a housing configured to store a plurality of individually packaged foods; and a temperature control system disposed in the housing. The temperature control system includes a plurality of temperature sensors disposed at different positions of the housing to monitor temperature changes; and a heating element electrically connected to the temperature sensors. The smart vending machine also includes an AI control unit electrically connected to the temperature control system, and the AI control unit is configured to dynamically adjust the heating element based on data from the temperature sensors, external environmental conditions, and sales data to maintain each food at its optimal edible temperature. In addition, the present invention includes a freshness monitoring system, electrically connected to the AI control unit, configured to track the storage time of each food, and send a signal to the AI control unit when the food exceeds a predetermined freshness threshold to generate an alert or initiate the removal of any food that exceeds the predetermined freshness threshold. In addition, the smart vending machine also includes an inventory management system, electrically connected to the AI control unit, configured to update inventory levels in real time when food is distributed, and provide information to the AI control unit based on historical sales data and purchasing trends so that the AI control unit can predict future inventory needs. The smart vending machine also includes a communication module electrically connected to the AI control unit to connect the smart vending machine to a backend management system, so that the AI control unit can support remote monitoring and control through the communication module. In addition, the present invention also includes a safety and hygiene system electrically connected to the freshness monitoring system, configured to perform automatic disinfection functions and overheating protection mechanisms to ensure that food safety standards are maintained.

Optimized inventory management is another key feature of this new model. Using AI algorithms, the smart kiosk predicts future inventory needs based on historical sales data and real-time purchasing trends. This predictive capability minimizes waste, ensures the stability of product supply, and improves overall operational efficiency. This is complemented by an enhanced user interface equipped with an interactive touch screen display, allowing customers to easily select and purchase the food they need. The smart kiosk supports multiple electronic payment methods, including contactless payments, mobile payment applications, and traditional credit or debit card transactions, providing a seamless and convenient user experience.

The new model also incorporates powerful remote monitoring and management capabilities through integrated IoT connectivity. This enables the smart vending machine to communicate with the backend management system, allowing operators to remotely monitor machine status, manage inventory, adjust temperature settings, and update promotional content in real time. These features facilitate proactive maintenance and operational supervision, thereby reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

Safety and hygiene compliance is ensured by including the execution of automatic sterilization cycles and overheating protection mechanisms, which are mainly implemented by the safety and hygiene system. These features maintain high standards of food safety and hygiene, ensuring that all foods sold meet regulatory requirements and are suitable for consumption. In addition, a high-resolution display unit, preferably a high-resolution display unit, is integrated into the smart vending machine to display product information, advertising and promotional content. These contents can be updated remotely, realizing dynamic marketing strategies and enhancing consumer interaction.

Finally, the smart vending machine is equipped with a predictive maintenance system that uses artificial intelligence to continuously monitor the operating status of internal components, predict potential failures, and notify maintenance personnel before problems occur. This proactive approach reduces downtime, extends the life of the machine, and reduces maintenance costs.

By combining these innovative features, the smart vending machine provides a comprehensive and efficient solution for distributing a variety of Taiwanese street snacks and braised delicacies. This new model overcomes the limitations of traditional vending machines, ensures optimal food quality, enhances inventory management, improves user interaction, and enables remote operation control. As a result, this new model meets the growing consumer demand for convenient access to high-quality, diverse ready-to-eat food options in a variety of environments.

100: Smart vending machine

110: Chassis

10: Food

112: Storage compartment

120: Temperature control system

122: Temperature sensor

124: External environment sensor

126: Heating element

128: Cooling unit

130: AI control unit

140: Freshness monitoring system

142: Automatic removal mechanism

144: Identification tag

150: Inventory management system

160: User Interface

162: Electronic payment module

170: Communication module

172: Internet of Things Interface

20: Backend management system

180: Safety and health systems

190: Air filtration system

195: Predictive maintenance system

Figure 1 shows a structural diagram of one embodiment of the new smart vending machine.

FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the housing of this embodiment.

Figure 3 shows the architecture of the temperature control system of this embodiment.

This novel invention relates to an advanced smart vending machine, which is specially designed for selling a variety of prepared foods, including Taiwanese street snacks and braised delicacies. The vending machine seamlessly integrates advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, effectively solving the challenges of maintaining the freshness, safety and optimal supply conditions of temperature-sensitive and perishable foods. The following detailed description explains the structural components, systems and functions that constitute this novel invention.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , which shows a block diagram of one embodiment of the novel smart vending machine. The smart vending machine 100 includes a sturdy housing 110 made of food-grade materials that meet strict health and safety regulations. Please also refer to FIG. 2 , the housing 110 is designed to accommodate multiple individually packaged foods 10 and is provided with dedicated storage compartments 112. These compartments are strategically arranged to optimize space utilization and promote efficient temperature control, and each storage compartment 112 can be customized according to different sizes and types of foods. This flexibility allows for a variety of products to be provided to meet different cooking preferences and needs.

Please also refer to FIG. 3 , which is a diagram of the temperature control system of the present embodiment. The smart vending machine 100 of the present embodiment also includes a temperature control system 120 to ensure that each food is maintained at an optimal edible temperature. The temperature control system 120 includes a plurality of temperature sensors 122 strategically placed at different locations of each storage compartment 112. These temperature sensors 122 continuously monitor the temperature inside the smart vending machine 100 and transmit real-time data to the AI control unit 130 driven by the AI. In addition, the temperature control system 120 is also equipped with a heating element 126 and, in some embodiments, a cooling unit 128. The heating element 126 can precisely adjust the temperature, while the cooling unit 128 keeps the food that needs to be refrigerated at a lower temperature. The AI control unit 130 processes data from the temperature sensor 122, the external environment sensor 124 (such as the ambient temperature and humidity sensor), and sales data, and dynamically adjusts the heating element 126 and the cooling unit 128. This ensures that different foods are kept at specific optimal temperatures according to specific needs, taking into account factors such as time of day, predicted sales, and external environment.

Please continue to refer to Figure 1. To ensure the quality and safety of the food sold, the smart vending machine 100 incorporates a freshness monitoring system 140. Each food 10 is packaged with an identification label 144, such as a barcode or RFID label, containing information such as production time, expiration date, and specific storage requirements. The AI control unit 130 uses dedicated tracking software to monitor the storage time of each food by analyzing the data of these identification labels. The freshness monitoring system 140 ensures that only fresh and high-quality products are available for consumers to purchase by comparing the stored time with the predetermined freshness threshold for each product type. If a food exceeds its freshness threshold, the freshness monitoring system 140 alerts the operator and can automatically disable the selection of the food to prevent it from being sold. In some configurations, the automatic removal mechanism 142 can transfer expired food to a designated processing compartment, thereby maintaining the overall product quality.

Please continue to refer to Figure 1. Efficient inventory management is achieved through the AI-driven inventory management system 150 integrated into the smart vending machine 100. The inventory management system 150 updates the inventory level in real time every time a food is sold, recording detailed sales data including timestamp and product type. Using the AI algorithm executed by the AI control unit 130, the inventory management system 150 performs predictive analysis based on historical sales data and real-time purchasing trends to predict future inventory requirements. This predictive capability enables the vending machine to anticipate demand during different time periods, such as peak hours or special events, thereby optimizing inventory levels and minimizing waste. In addition, operators can remotely access inventory data through the backend management system to facilitate timely replenishment and efficient supply chain coordination.

In addition, the smart vending machine 100 is equipped with a user interface 160, which includes an electronic payment module 162. The electronic payment module 162 is designed to provide a close and convenient customer experience. In the present embodiment, the user interface 160 uses an interactive touch screen display to allow customers to easily browse available products, view detailed descriptions and select items to purchase. The display screen supports multimedia content, including images, videos and animations, enhancing the customer experience and providing opportunities for promotional activities. The electronic payment module 162 supports a variety of payment methods, including contactless payment via near field communication (NFC) technology, secure card readers for traditional credit card and prepaid card transactions, and integration with popular mobile wallet platforms. This variety of payment options ensures that customers can complete transactions quickly and easily. In addition, in one embodiment, the user interface 160 is a high-resolution display unit dedicated to displaying promotional and informational content. This display screen displays product information, advertisements and promotional content, and can be remotely managed and updated through a content management system. Interactive functions on the display screen attract customer participation through touch interaction, such as games or loyalty programs, enhance consumer interaction and promote dynamic marketing strategies.

Additionally, IoT connectivity is a key feature of the smart vending machine 100, enabling real-time data transmission between the smart vending machine 100 and the backend management system 20 via the communication module 170. The IoT interface 172 of the communication module 170 allows operators to remotely monitor the machine status of the smart vending machine 100, manage inventory, adjust temperature settings, and update promotional content in real time. Through a web-based dashboard or mobile application, operators can obtain a comprehensive overview of operating parameters, inventory levels, and alerts, thereby enabling proactive maintenance and operational supervision. The remote control function also allows operational settings, such as temperature parameters and promotional content, to be adjusted without physical intervention.

Ensuring food safety and hygiene is a key aspect of the new smart vending machine 100. The smart vending machine 100 has a built-in safety and hygiene system 180, which automatically sterilizes and overheats to maintain high standards of food safety and hygiene. Regular sterilization cycles may utilize ultraviolet (UV) sterilization or apply antimicrobial coatings to the storage compartment 112 and various mechanisms of the smart vending machine 100 to prevent contamination. The overheat protection mechanism continuously monitors the temperature level, and the safety and hygiene system 180 can automatically shut down the heating element 126 or activate the cooling unit 128 to prevent overheating. In addition, the safety and sanitation system 180 may also drive the air filtration system 190, such as a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, as appropriate, to maintain clean air circulation within the smart vending machine 100, further reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring a safe environment for food storage.

In addition, to minimize downtime and extend the operational life of the machine, the smart vending machine 100 also includes a predictive maintenance system 195. The AI control unit 130 continuously collects and analyzes operational data from internal components such as motors, sensors, and heating elements. The fault prediction algorithm executed by the AI control unit 130 can detect patterns of potential component failures, enabling the predictive maintenance system 195 to notify maintenance personnel of predicted problems. This proactive approach allows timely maintenance before a failure occurs, thereby reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

All in all, this new smart vending machine ensures optimal performance and user satisfaction. The temperature control system uses a closed-loop feedback mechanism, where temperature sensors collect real-time data that is processed by the AI control unit along with external environmental conditions and sales trends. Based on this analysis, the AI control unit adjusts the heating elements and cooling units to maintain the desired temperature settings for each food item, continuously monitoring and adjusting to maintain optimal conditions.

The freshness monitoring system 140 includes initializing the identification tag of each food item when it is put on the shelf, allowing the AI control unit to accurately track the storage time. The freshness monitoring system 140 evaluates whether each food item is still within its freshness threshold and takes appropriate measures when it does not meet the requirements, such as disabling selection or initiating a removal process. The inventory management system 150 uses AI to analyze sales data, predict demand, and generate replenishment recommendations to ensure that inventory levels are consistent with expected sales and reduce the possibility of waste.

Through the user interface, customers can select products on the touch screen, access detailed product information, complete transactions through the electronic payment module, and obtain the selected food with minimal handling to maintain hygiene. Remote management and maintenance capabilities allow operators to monitor multiple machines from a central location, adjust settings as needed, receive maintenance alerts, and use data analysis for strategic planning and business optimization.

Safety protocols and compliance measures are strictly adhered to, and smart vending machines are designed to meet or exceed local and international food safety regulations. Safety features include overheat protection and automatic shut-off mechanisms to prevent hazards, while regular disinfection and air filtration maintain a clean environment for food storage.

Although the detailed description focuses on Taiwanese street food and braised delicacies, the smart vending machine’s modular design and flexible AI control unit allow it to be adapted to other prepared foods that require precise temperature control and freshness monitoring. This adaptability ensures that the vending machine can meet a variety of cooking traditions and consumer preferences, expanding its applicability and market potential.

All in all, this smart vending machine provides a comprehensive and efficient solution for selling temperature-sensitive and perishable foods. By integrating AI and IoT technologies, this new model ensures optimal food quality, enhances inventory management, improves user interaction, and enables remote operation control. These innovations address the limitations of traditional vending machines, providing consumers with convenient access to high-quality, diverse ready-to-eat food options in a variety of environments, while improving operators’ operational efficiency and reliability.

The above is only to illustrate the implementation of the new model and is not intended to limit the new model. For technical personnel in this field, any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the new model without creative labor should be included in the protection scope of the new model.

100: Smart vending machine

120: Temperature control system

130: AI control unit

140: Freshness monitoring system

150: Inventory management system

160: User Interface

162: Electronic payment module

170: Communication module

172: Internet of Things Interface

20: Backend management system

180: Safety and health systems

190: Air filtration system

195: Predictive maintenance system

Claims (9)

A smart vending machine for dispensing prepared foods, comprising: a housing configured to store a plurality of individually packaged foods; a temperature control system disposed in the housing, the temperature control system comprising: a plurality of temperature sensors disposed at different locations of the housing to monitor temperature changes; and a heating element electrically connected to the temperature sensors; an AI control unit electrically connected to the temperature control system, the AI control unit configured to dynamically adjust the heating element based on data from the temperature sensors, external environmental conditions, and sales data to maintain each food at its optimal edible temperature; a freshness monitoring system electrically connected to the AI control unit, configured to track the storage time of each food, and to send a signal to the AI control unit when the food exceeds a predetermined freshness threshold to generate an alert or initiate the removal of any food that exceeds the predetermined freshness threshold; an inventory management system electrically connected to the AI control unit, configured to update inventory levels in real time when food is distributed, and to provide information to the AI control unit based on historical sales data and purchasing trends so that the AI control unit can predict future inventory requirements; a communication module electrically connected to the AI control unit to connect the smart vending machine to a backend management system so that the AI control unit can support remote monitoring and control through the communication module; A safety and sanitation system, electrically connected to the freshness monitoring system, is configured to perform an automatic sterilization function and an overheating protection mechanism to ensure that food safety standards are maintained. According to the smart vending machine described in claim 1, the AI control unit adjusts the operating frequency of the heating element to optimize energy consumption while maintaining a stable temperature condition in the casing. The smart vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the AI control unit is further configured to analyze external environmental conditions, including ambient temperature and customer traffic patterns, to adjust the operating parameters of the vending machine accordingly. The smart vending machine of claim 1, wherein the freshness monitoring system utilizes a timestamp or identification tag associated with each food to accurately track storage time. According to the smart vending machine described in claim 1, the inventory management system predicts sales volume in different time periods and adjusts internal temperature and energy consumption settings to meet the predicted needs. According to the smart vending machine described in claim 1, the communication module includes an Internet of Things interface, allowing real-time data transmission between the vending machine and the back-end management system. The smart vending machine of claim 1, wherein the safety and sanitation system includes an automatic disinfection cycle performed at predetermined intervals or when a contamination risk is detected. The smart vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the individually packaged foods are selected from a combination of Taiwanese street snacks and braised delicacies, and each food is maintained within a specific optimal temperature range suitable for that specific food type. The smart vending machine according to claim 1 further includes a fault detection and predictive maintenance system, wherein the AI control unit monitors the operating data of internal components to predict potential faults and notify maintenance personnel in advance.

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