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BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to vending machines and, more particularly, to an
inventory and security apparatus and method for a plurality of remotely
located vending machines.
2. The Prior Art
The term "vending machine" was first used in about 1909 to define a
coin-operated machine for vending merchandise. Any suitable merchandise
can be sold through a vending machine including foodstuffs such as snacks,
soft drinks, and frozen novelties, etc., and nonedible items such as
cigarettes, postage stamps, newspapers, and the like. The basic concept of
the vending machine is that it contains an inventory of the particular
merchandise and dispenses individual units of merchandise in response to
product ordered along with the money deposited in the machine. A primary
advantage to the vending machine is that it provides for the sale of
merchandise in remote locations at all hours without requiring the
presence of a sales person.
Customarily, each vending machine is visited on a periodic, routine basis
by a service person who conducts an inventory of the product sold,
replenishes the stock, checks the machine for any malfunctions, and
retrieves the deposited money. Since each machine in each location will
have a different vending history, some machines could be empty for
considerable periods of time while others will be utilized only
sporadically. Further, a malfunctioning vending machine creates a loss of
goodwill, a loss of revenue, and increases the risk of vandalism to the
machine by an angry customer. Ideally, the service frequency for each
machine will occur just prior to the machine having vended all of its
stock, regardless of the frequency of need.
A further expense that adversely affects the profitability of a vending
machine service company is the excessive inventory requirements for the
service person. In the absence of reliable information about the resupply
needs of a particular vending machine, the service person must carry a
full inventory of all merchandise sold through the vending machine so as
to assure that no lost sales occur because of depletion of inventory
between sales calls. However, the total excess inventory requirements for
certain items such as food items can result in certain food items being
held in inventory beyond the expiration date. Further, excessive handling
of packaged merchandise along with the heat and vibration encountered in a
delivery vehicle substantially reduces the expected shelf life of certain
products.
System failure of certain types of vending machines such as those with
refrigeration or freezer units is particularly crucial. For example, a
vending machine for frozen novelty items can create several hundred
dollars in damage if a failed freezer unit is not discovered for several
days. The damage results not only from the loss of stock but also
resultant damage from melted product inside the machine and to the
surrounding flooring such as carpeting. The hidden costs from loss of
goodwill from such an unforeseen accident can also be considerable.
The advantage created by the ability to place a vending machine in a
remote, unattended location is also a major contributor to one of the
primary causes of damage to the machine and that is either through
vandalism or damage caused by unauthorized removal of money from the
machine. Since a vending machine costs thousands of dollars, this type of
damage can be considerable not only to the machine but also from the loss
of inventory and money.
In view of the foregoing, it would be an advancement in the art to provide
an inventory and security apparatus and method for monitoring a plurality
of remotely located vending machines. It would also be an advancement in
the art to provide a vending machine with a communication system coupled
to a central location to enable a user of the vending machine to report a
malfunction condition in the vending machine. Such a novel apparatus and
method is disclosed and claimed herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed toward an apparatus and method for controlling
and securing a plurality of vending machines located remotely from the
central control. A telephone line interconnects each vending machine to a
centrally located computer. Sensors in each vending machine detect the
number and types of items dispensed, the amount of money collected, the
quantity and type of change dispensed, problem conditions such as loss of
electrical power, refrigeration malfunction, temperatures out of
tolerance, vandalism, and the like. A communication link is also provided
to enable a user to report a malfunction and for the security personnel in
the central location to broadcast a message from the vending machine. The
vending machine also has the ability to accept credit card charges and
print receipts and even a menu for the user.
It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide
improvements in inventory and security apparatus for vending machines.
It is another object of this invention to provide improvements in the
method of determining inventory of a vending machine at a remote location.
Another object of this invention is to provide a method for communication
between a central location and a plurality of vending machines each of
which is located at a discrete, remote location.
Another object of this invention is to provide each vending machine with a
plurality of discrete sensors to sense items dispensed, money received,
change dispensed, temperature, acts of vandalism, and the like.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become
more readily apparent from the following description in which preferred
and other embodiments of the invention have been set forth in conjunction
with the accompanying drawing and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a vending
machine incorporating the novel features of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vending machine of FIG. 1 shown with
the front open to reveal the internal components; and
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the inventory and security features of
this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The invention is best understood by reference to the drawing wherein like
parts are designated by like numerals throughout in conjunction with the
following description.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
The vending machine control apparatus and method of this invention is
designed to accomplish a number of specific functions in addition to
inventory control. These include credit card verification and receipt
printing, security, and maintenance, including scheduled maintenance.
Inventory control is an important aspect of this system since it provides
to the service person a current listing of the products requiring
replenishment while at the same time it provides an overview of the total
vending system to identify those products having the best and worst sales
histories at each location. With this information, the flow of products to
the various vending machines can be very accurately controlled for
increased profitability.
Reduced inventory is a goal most companies seek because it directly affects
the profitability of the company. Further, if a delivery person is
required to carry only the necessary resupply items and then only when
required, numerous advantages result. For example, a smaller delivery
vehicle is required to carry the specific resupply items, the resupply
route can be accurately planned so as to service only those vending
machines requiring service, and the delivery person will need to carry
from the delivery vehicle to the vending machine only those items required
to restock the vending machine.
Credit card use is increasing particularly for the purchase of items for
which the cost substantially exceeds one dollar. While bill changers are
common additions to most of the newer models of vending machines, they do
not lend themselves well for accommodating the purchase of items costing
several dollars. Also, bill changers reject worn or torn bills, and many
people are accustomed to purchasing merchandise through the use of a
credit card. Not only is a credit card safer to carry but it also provides
the user with a printed history of purchases.
Clearly, the technology exists for the adaptation of a conventional credit
card reader to a vending machine. Importantly, since each vending machine
of this invention is coupled to a telephone line, it is a simple matter to
process the credit card purchase automatically with this system. The
processing step includes verifying the current status of the credit card
and making the necessary electronic fund transfers to complete the sale.
A small, conventional printer is included in the vending machine to provide
the customer with a printed copy of the transaction along with any other
printed information such as menus, menu histories, ingredient listings,
nutritional information, discount coupons, promotional items, and the
like. Advantageously, the printer can be programmed to print most of the
foregoing information even if the credit card system is not utilized.
Each vending machine is directly coupled by the telephone line to a central
security monitor which is programmed to alert security personnel if
sensors in the vending machine detect attacks or other apparently unlawful
intrusions on the vending machine. For example, a sharp, forceful blow to
the vending machine will be sensed as vandalism while an attempt to pry
open the locking mechanism will also be sensed and an alert signal passed
to the security personnel.
Each vending machine is also equipped with a speaker/microphone combination
in addition to a call button which enables the customer to communicate
directly with the central security personnel. The speaker system also
enables the security personnel to issue verbal warnings to persons in the
vicinity of a vending machine undergoing a vandalism attack thereby
helping dissuade the perpetrator from further damage to the vending
machine. The two-way communication system also allows for prompt response
to customer complaints, etc., and also provides for directing any required
refunds directly to the address provided by the customer. Another
advantage to the speaker system is that it can be programmed to verbally
thank the customer or even provide verbal directions to the customer in
the event of difficulty.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional vending machine is shown
generally at 10 and includes a housing 12 and a front panel 14 hingedly
joined to housing 12 by a hinge 16. Vending machine 10 can be any suitable
vending machine for vending products such as frozen novelties, soft
drinks, prepared meals, or the like. In the event vending machine 10 is
used for refrigerated or frozen products it includes the appropriate
refrigeration mechanism in a machine compartment 18 and a cold temperature
chamber 20 behind an insulated, inner door 22. An outlet 24 delivers
product (not shown) from cold temperature chamber 20 to a dispenser chute
26 in front panel 14.
An electrical power cord 15 supplies electrical energy to the various
electrical systems in vending machine 15 from a conventional wall outlet
(not shown). A telephone cord 13 provides the necessary communication link
between vending machine 10 and the various control/communication systems
described more fully hereinafter with respect to FIG. 3. Importantly,
telephone cord 13 is provided as a conventional, armored telephone cord
such as found on the handset to a pay telephone (not shown). This latter
feature is important since it is through telephone cord 13 that the
necessary protection and inventory control features of vending machine 10
are controlled.
Front panel 14 provides the support surface and enclosure for a selector
30, a credit card reader 40, a display screen 50, a bill changer 60 and a
printer 70. Selector 30 includes a coin slot 32 and a change slot 34 with
a plurality of adjacent selection buttons 36, all of which are
conventional features of a coin-operated vending machine. The only
difference is the inclusion of a coin box sensor 38 (FIG. 3) the function
of which will be discussed more fully hereinafter.
Credit card reader 40 is essentially a conventional credit card reader and
includes an insertion slot 42 and a keyboard 44 for entering the correct
confirmatory code for the credit card (not shown) inserted into insertion
slot 42. Screen 50 provides written instructions to the customer (not
shown) in a manner somewhat analogous to the screen of an automatic teller
machine. Coupled with credit card reader 40 and screen 50 is a printer 70
which not only prints a receipt for purchases with the credit card but
also can be used to print coupons, promotional information, and the like.
Bill changer 60 is a conventional bill changer which is programmed to
verify the authenticity of a the specific paper money (not shown) and then
to allow the customer to select the desired product through selection
buttons 36. Any change to be returned is discharged into coin return slot
62. Bill changer 60 is directly linked to an alarm system 66 (FIG. 3), the
function of which shall be discussed more fully hereinafter.
A speaker 80 includes an integral microphone 82 and can be activated by
depressing a call button 84 adjacent credit card reader 40. Speaker 80 can
be activated independently by security and/or maintenance personnel as
will be discussed more fully hereinafter. Speaker 80 provides for the
delivery of background music, if desired, messages, advertisements, or
audible instructions for the use of the various components of vending
machine 10. Importantly, speaker 80 in combination with microphone 82
serves as a communication link for the customer. Speaker 80 can also be
used to deliver warning messages to persons tampering with or otherwise
attempting an unlawful activity with vending machine 10.
It should be noted that each of selector 30, credit card reader 40, display
screen 50, bill changer 60, printer 70, and speaker 80 are shown as
separate units for ease of illustration. Clearly, the technology currently
exists whereby each of these units can be incorporated into the same
housing which would be substantially smaller than the combined space taken
up by each of these units as shown This latter feature is important in
that it means that a conventional vending machine can be retrofit with the
novel system of this invention.
Referring now also to FIG. 3, the schematic for the novel security and
inventory apparatus and method of this invention is shown generally at 100
and includes a security station 102, a maintenance control station 104, a
comptroller station 106, and an inventory control station 108
interconnected by a central computer 110 to vending machine modem 11.
Central computer 110 is specifically configured to be coupled with a
plurality of vending machines 10 although only one is shown for ease of
illustration. Telephone line 13 provides the communication link between
vending machine modem 11 and central computer 110 and also provides the
direct link of speaker 80 and microphone 82 with security station 102 and
maintenance control station 104. As illustrated, telephone line 13 is
shown separately for ease of presenting the foregoing concept of direct
linkage although it is the same telephone line.
During normal operation, vending machine modem 11 acts as the relay device
for transmitting transactional information between the various systems in
vending machine 10 and the central computer. For example, referring also
to FIGS. 1 and 2, a customer (not shown) will place the appropriate paper
money into dollar bill changer 60 or a credit card into credit card reader
40 prior to making a selection with selector 30. Change, if any, is
delivered through a change slot 34 and the item of merchandise is
delivered to dispenser chute 26. Simultaneously, inventory sensor 94
electronically records the transaction and stores the accumulated
inventory information for subsequent transmittal to inventory control 108.
The monies received are likewise recorded electronically by dollar bill
changer 60 and coin box 38 and transmitted via vending machine modem 11
and central computer 110 to comptroller 106.
A customer using credit card reader 40 inserts an appropriate credit card
along with the personal encoding information. Central computer 110
verifies the authenticity of the credit card and the authorization code
thereby activating vending machine 10 to deliver the merchandise selected
at selector 30. Simultaneously, a receipt is printed by printer 70 while
controller 106 records the transaction and inventory control 108 records
the merchandise sold and deducts the same from the inventory record of
vending machine 10.
At all times a visual message can be displayed on screen 50 not only to
impart operating instructions to the consumer but also to carry
merchandise advertising as well as paid advertising for products or
services remote from the merchandise sold through vending machine 10.
Speaker 80 can also be used in conjunction with screen 50 to transmit the
foregoing or supportive information verbally.
Security for vending machine 10 is supplied by several features among which
are impact sensor 92 and alarm 86. Impact sensor 92 is designed to sense
untoward motion such as sharp blows, tilting, or the like. Even an
unauthorized attempt to move vending machine 10 will result in impact
sensor sending an alarm signal via alarm 86 and vending machine modem 11
to central computer 110. The resulting alarm signal is then sent to
security 102 where the appropriate response is initiated. One response
will be for security 102 to alert the local police, building security, or
even the building maintenance personnel in the building where vending
machine 10 is located. Simultaneously or separately, as the case may be,
security 102 can activate either or both of microphone 82 and speaker 80.
Through microphone 82 security 102 can listen to the ambient sounds around
vending machine 10 and thereby possibly obtain sufficient information to
enable security 102 to initiate the appropriate action. One such action
would be to broadcast the appropriate verbal message through speaker 80.
In most instances such a verbal message should be sufficient to deter
further attacks on vending machine 10. If such deterrence is ineffective,
the appropriate law enforcement or security personnel can be alerted to
the problem giving the precise location of vending machine 10.
Alarm 86 is also coupled to bill changer 60 and coin box 38 as well as door
14 so as to initiate alarm signals in the event there is an unlawful
attempt to break into vending machine 10. This is particularly important
since vending machine 10 may contain considerable amounts of cash and is
generally placed at a remote location. As before, alarm 86 transmits the
alarm signal via vending machine modem 11 to central computer 110 where
the alarm signal is forwarded to security 102. Any of the above-described
responses can be initiated by security 102. Advantageously, once it is
learned that the unlawful entry to vending machine 10 results in a high
capture rate of persons engaged in such unlawful activities, there should
be a significant drop in the number of such incidents perpetrated against
vending machine 10 in the future.
Machine condition sensors 90 are configured to detect selected machine
conditions such as temperatures outside the temperature ranges specified,
refrigeration system failure, or failure of any other selected system in
vending machine 10. Depending upon the seriousness of the particular
system failure, alarm 86 will either store the specific information
electronically or, in the most probable circumstance, transmit this
information directly to central computer 110 via vending machine modem 11.
Central computer 110 routes the information to maintenance control for
action. Maintenance control can then initiate the appropriate response
which can range between placing the information on the instruction
printout for the route service person for routine action or initiate an
immediate service response.
Machine condition sensors 90 are also programmable to act as a process
control system if vending machine 10 is used to vend a consumable item
such as a frozen entree (not shown), or the like, and the item requires a
second or third step prior to delivery of the item to the purchaser. For
example, if vending machine 10 is used for vending hot meat pies (not
shown) stored in the frozen state in cold temperature chamber 20, the
programmable features of machine condition sensors 90 enable it to
retrieve the frozen meat pie and transfer it to a microwave oven (not
shown) where the meat pie is defrosted and heated to the proper
temperature for that particular meat pie. Thereafter, the hot, meat pie is
delivered to dispenser chute 26.
Inventory sensor 94 is configured to be interrogated periodically by
central computer 110 via vending machine modem 11 to update inventory
control 108 with the current status of the merchandise inventory in
vending machine 10. Advantageously, this information can be obtained over
telephone line 13 during periods of low telephone rate charges, and, since
the information is transmitted electronically, the actual line time is
relatively brief thereby providing significant savings.
Perhaps the greatest cost savings realized through vending machine 10 are
from the improved inventory control achieved through inventory control
108. In particular, the service person (not shown) is provided with a
precise route for servicing vending machines 10 at each specific location.
The servicing instructions will specify the types and quantities of the
specific merchandise to be put into each machine along with the amount of
change to be placed in the coin changer portion of selector 30.
Additionally, the routing instructions will carry any repair and
maintenance instructions for vending machine 10. Importantly, the service
person (not shown) is thereby able to more efficiently service more
vending machines 10 more quickly with unnecessary trips with excess
inventor virtually eliminated. One specific advantage is that the service
person knows in advance what is required for a visit to a specific vending
machine. This means that only the necessary restocking merchandise need be
carried from the delivery vehicle to vending machine 10. Also, if any
tools, cleaning supplies, or the like are required, the route instructions
contain such information so that the time saved by the service person is
significant.
Another advantage to inventory control 108 is that it can readily supply a
continuous flow of sales information about merchandise dispensed through
vending machine 10. This is important since it allows the operator (not
shown) to maximize sales of merchandise through vending machine 10 by
concentrating high-demand merchandise into vending machines 10 where the
most units of that specific merchandise is being sold. Correspondingly,
slow moving merchandise can also be identified and even eliminated
entirely from the system. This latter feature is particularly advantageous
in light of the fact that very little excess inventory is held in storage
and none is carried on the delivery vehicles so that it is relatively
inexpensive to discontinue a particular line of merchandise.
Significantly, the introduction of a new product can be test marketed
relatively inexpensively through vending machine 10. In particular, the
new product can be advertised over speaker 80 and screen 50 while sales of
the same can be accurately monitored not only by the physical location of
vending machine 10 but also by continuous monitoring by inventory sensor
94 in combination with central computer 110 to provide a running inventory
of sales by time of day. Additionally, printer 70 can be used to print
rebate slips, coupons, and the like as a further means of identifying
consumers and their response to the particular merchandise being dispensed
by vending machine 10.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described
embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and
not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by
the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes
which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are
to be embraced within their scope.
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