EP1380996A1 - Product distribution system, automatic dispenser and corresponding supervisor - Google Patents

Abstract

Product distribution system has a number of automatic vending machines (111) for delivery of selected products. Each machine is connected to a remote control unit via a network link (112). The remote control units have means for receiving and storing transaction messages received from each of the vending machines. Independent claims are also included for the following:- (a) a control unit for receipt of data from networked vending machines; (b) and an automatic vending machine equipped with means for transmitting transaction messages to a remote control unit.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of sales systems for products and more precisely automatic product distribution.

We know in the prior art, different types of distributors automatic products and associated means of payment, in particular by coin or badge.

Traditionally, distributors integrating a single coin mechanism allow payment of a consumption only by means of coins or of tokens with or without change. This technique presents several disadvantages, including a lack of access control, a lack of security for counting and storing money, difficult scalability of the equipment and prices, a problem of change of money and a total absence of monitoring the activity of the coin mechanism in real time.

According to another known technique, distributors integrate a reader badge or electronic purse (purse on board for example of the smart card type). The electronic wallet allows especially payment without coin or note type currency. The medium used must be charged via, for example, a charging station independent of the ATM, or via a coin-operated coin changer or a banknote reader. This solution also has many disadvantages including management complex of badges and / or theft of badges, the obligation to prepay and, also, a total absence of monitoring the activity of the distributor and / or the coin mechanism in real time.

To allow user identification and pricing adapted to this user, JES (registered trademark) has developed a system of payment MONE DA (registered trademark) which is connected to a system MONEWIN 2 remote collection system (registered trademark). The payment system MONE DA (registered trademark) is equipped with a badge reader. The introduction of a badge by a user in the dispenser allows his identification and issuing a request to the remote POS system which allows the authorization of the distribution of a product according to the user with a adapted pricing. However, this solution also presents several disadvantages, in particular, an obligation to use a badge (a direct sale by currency is not possible or even controlled) and the impossibility of consume for a guest without a badge.

The invention according to its various aspects has in particular the objective of overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

More specifically, an objective of the invention is to provide a system, a process and device for automatic distribution of products which allow a real-time monitoring of the activity of the corresponding automatic distributor for, for example, having real-time management of the cabinet filling (so avoid loss of sales) in distributed products (inventory management), elements involved in the automatic preparation of products (for example sugar water, coffee and / or cup in the case of hot drinks), in change (for return and / or statement of currency), make sales statistics associated with a distributor, type of product, consumers ...

Another objective of the invention is to allow flexibility of use vending machines allowing for example an evolution of the prices of real-time vending machine products and / or pricing differentiated according to the guest and the use of the vending machine.

Yet another objective of the invention is to allow management accountant of vending machines sticking to reality: the sales report is always up to date, which facilitates accounting.

An additional objective of the invention is to allow to know in real time the total amount of money (banknotes and coins) stored in distributors to collect as soon as necessary.

The invention also aims to allow the use of automatic distributor for non-holders of specific badges, associated with distributor.

These objectives and others which will appear later are achieved according to the invention, using a product distribution system, putting in operates a plurality of automatic product distributors, each capable of deliver at least one selected product, when a corresponding transaction is accepted, remarkable in that it implements at least one supervisor remote, each of the supervisors being connected, via a communication link, to the at least one of the distributors and comprising means for receiving, storing and / or process transaction messages sent by each of the distributors, when each transaction, and including information relating to the transaction.

Here, a vending machine notably includes a part dedicated to distribution and delivery of products (typically a distribution cabinet including standard food products, prepared drinks automatically on demand, manufactured products, ...) and means of handling into a payment, these can be integrated or associated with the game distribution by staying close to it or being attached to it.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that that at least one of the distributors includes means for taking into account a payment and means for delivering a product, connected to means for send one of the transaction messages by a link bus according to the standard MDB.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that that at least one of the distributors includes means for taking into account a payment and means for delivering a product, connected to means for send one of the transaction messages via an EXE type link.

Thus, the different means of payment, delivery of a product and transmission of transaction messages are linked together by a bus and / or a standardized binding. The implementation of means of payment on distributors is therefore facilitated.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that that each of the associated transaction messages includes an identifier of a product delivered during the transaction.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that that the transaction message further includes an identifier of the distributor corresponding to the transaction.

• générer des statistiques correspondant à des consommation de produits en fonction de l'heure d'achat, du type de produit, de la localisation du distributeur ;
• optimiser la gestion du remplissage des distributeurs ; et/ou
• pour optimiser la localisation des distributeurs ou le type de produits qu'ils contiennent.

Thus, the supervisor (s) make it possible to follow in real time and in a relatively simple and automatic manner, the activity of each of the distributors for, for example:

• generate statistics corresponding to consumption of products according to the time of purchase, the type of product, the location of the distributor;
• optimize the management of filling dispensers; and or
• to optimize the location of distributors or the type of products they contain.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that that the transaction message further includes an identifier of a consumer corresponding to the transaction.

Thus, the supervisor can know the nature of the consumer (for example example consumer using a coin mechanism for direct or guest sales identified using a badge).

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that that the supervisor includes means for receiving, storing and / or processing audit messages issued by each distributor, including information audit of distributors separate from accepted transactions.

• les informations d'échec de transactions ;
• les informations de pannes des distributeurs ; et
• les informations de remplissage et/ou de non remplissage des distributeurs.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that the audit information is part of the group comprising:

• transaction failure information;
• distributor breakdown information; and
• filling and / or non-filling information for distributors.

Thus, not only, the supervisor manages the transactions accepted in real time, but also events not related to accepted transactions. This complementary management by taking advantage in a simple and effective way of the availability of a link between the distributors and the supervisor allows also great responsiveness to these events.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that that the audit information includes counting information coins and / or banknotes in each of the ATMs.

Thus, the invention makes it possible to manage in real time and in a simple manner the cash content of each of the ATMs so, for example, collect money when the amount in a cash machine is high, avoid unnecessary movement of a person responsible for collecting if, on the contrary, the amount contained in a distributor is small or manage effectively the different types of coins intended for the change in order to avoid any loss of sale in the event of insufficient currency content for the made.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that that the supervisor further comprises means for transmitting to at least one distributors, known as recipient distributors, product information relating to the products it contains.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that that the product information intended to be sent to each of the distributors, includes a product selection list, the list being associated with each of the destination distributors.

Thus, the supervisor (s) can send each distributor relevant and specific information for each distributor.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that that each of the destination distributors includes means for receiving, store and / or process the associated list.

• des moyens pour recevoir la liste ;
• des moyens pour comparer, à chaque transaction, un paiement et la donnée représentative du prix d'un produit sélectionné ; et
• des moyens pour autoriser une délivrance du produit sélectionné si le paiement est supérieur ou égal à la donnée.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that the list includes data representative of the price of each product belonging to the list and in that each of the recipient distributors able to locally manage a payment comprises:

• means for receiving the list;
• means for comparing, at each transaction, a payment and the data representative of the price of a selected product; and
• means for authorizing a delivery of the selected product if the payment is greater than or equal to the data.

Thus, the system makes it possible to manage products and the associated prices in depending on the consumer, the means of payment and / or each distributor of simple and efficient, especially for direct sales by distributors. This management makes it possible in particular to remotely assign a direct selling price and authorize a product sale based on many criteria, including depending on the location of each distributor, the time, the type of means of payment or consumer. It also allows to evolve in real time prices flexibly and quickly.

• des moyens pour recevoir la liste ;
• des moyens pour autoriser une délivrance du produit sélectionné ; et
• des moyens pour transmettre une information d'encaissement associé à une transaction au superviseur de paiement.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that each of the recipient distributors able to allow management by a supervisor of a payment comprises:

• means for receiving the list;
• means for authorizing a delivery of the selected product; and
• means for transmitting collection information associated with a transaction to the payment supervisor.

Thus, the system also allows to manage efficiently and simply a list of products for non-direct sales (in the case of a sale to a consumer pre-registered and identified for example by a badge, including a account is debited by a supervisor). In this case, in general, all products are authorized for sale by the supervisor.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that that at least one of the distributors includes a coin mechanism intended for payment corresponding to each transaction implemented by the distributor (s).

Thus, the invention is compatible with the use of means of payment trustees such as a coin acceptor or a banknote acceptor.

Thus, the invention is compatible with many means of payment, including electronic means of payment (or "cashless" in English) such than smart card readers, magnetic cards and badges or mobile radio payments, an account associated with the subscription of the user of the radio telephone being debited for each transaction.

• les moyens de paiement électroniques ; et
• les radio-téléphones mobiles.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that at least one of the distributors comprises means of payment belonging to the group comprising:

• electronic means of payment; and
• mobile radio telephones.

Thus, the invention makes it possible to distinguish direct selling (managed transactions locally) and the sale of badge type sales, the actual payment associated with a transaction is managed remotely.

• des transactions gérées localement par un distributeur ; et
• de transactions gérées à distance par au moins un superviseur parmi le ou les superviseurs,
  le ou les superviseurs comprenant :

• des moyens pour prendre en compte un paiement pour chacune des transactions gérées à distance ; et
• des moyens pour autoriser une délivrance d'un produit correspondant à la transaction.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that it comprises means of distinction:

• transactions managed locally by a distributor; and
• transactions managed remotely by at least one supervisor among the supervisor (s),
  the supervisor (s) including:

• means for taking into account a payment for each of the transactions managed remotely; and
• means for authorizing a delivery of a product corresponding to the transaction.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that that it also includes at least one point of sale terminal and / or at least one multimedia terminal.

A point of sale terminal (or POS) is, here, an entry point collection, for example, of a meal tray by a dedicated person.

In addition, a multimedia terminal allows, here, in particular an input collection and / or reservation, for example, of a meal tray by a guest.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that that it further comprises means for managing at least one device collection.

A collection device is, here, in particular a distributor automatic, a point of sale terminal and / or a multimedia terminal.

Thus, the product distribution system not only allows the automatic product distribution but also product distribution via, in particular, point of sale terminals which in particular allow entering the collection of delivered products (for example, in a restaurant) or meal reservations. This is particularly advantageous in the field catering, where a guest can use their badge at a time to obtain products from vending machines and to use a catering service with payment based on catering products choose.

• des moyens de paramétrages de convives, de tarifs différentiés, de plats servis et/ou de produits de distribution automatique ; et/ou
• des moyens d'édition de statistiques relatives à des convives, des tarifs différentiés, des plats servis et/ou des produits de distribution automatique.

According to a particular characteristic, the system is remarkable in that the management means include:

• means for configuring guests, differentiated prices, meals served and / or automatic distribution products; and or
• means for editing statistics relating to guests, differentiated rates, meals served and / or automatic distribution products.

Thus, the system also allows simple management (including various settings related to guests and / or products offered and editions of statistics) of collection devices (including automatic vending machines, point of sale terminals and / or multimedia terminals)

The invention also relates to a distribution system supervisor. of products, using a plurality of automatic vending machines products, each capable of delivering at least one selected product, when a corresponding transaction is accepted, remarkable in that the supervisor further comprises means for receiving, storing and / or processing messages transaction, issued by each distributor, during each transaction, and including information relating to the transaction.

The invention also relates to an automatic product dispenser, capable of deliver at least one selected product, when a corresponding transaction is accepted, remarkable in that it includes means for transmitting, during each transaction, to at least one remote supervisor, messages from transaction, each of the messages including information relating to the transaction.

The advantages of systems, devices and vending machines are the same as those of the product distribution management process, they are only not further detailed.

• la figure 1 présente un réseau de distributeurs automatiques conforme à l'invention selon un mode particulier de réalisation;
• les figures 2 et 3 illustrent chacune une architecture d'un distributeur automatique du réseau de la figure 1;
• les figures 4 et 5 présentent respectivement un monnayeur et un contrôleur appartenant au distributeur de la figure 2;
• la figure 6 décrit un superviseur du réseau présenté en regard de la figure 1; et
• les figures 7 et 8 illustrent un protocole de communication entre le superviseur de la figure 6 et divers éléments du distributeur de la figure 2.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and of the appended drawings, among which:

• Figure 1 shows a network of vending machines according to the invention according to a particular embodiment;
• Figures 2 and 3 each illustrate an architecture of a vending machine of the network of Figure 1;
• Figures 4 and 5 show respectively a coin mechanism and a controller belonging to the dispenser of Figure 2;
• FIG. 6 describes a network supervisor presented with reference to FIG. 1; and
• FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a communication protocol between the supervisor of FIG. 6 and various elements of the dispenser of FIG. 2.

• d'un superviseur distant en charge d'émettre des informations tarifaires et/ou des autorisations (par exemple pour la vente par badge) vers un ou plusieurs distributeurs automatiques et de collecter des rapports d'activité en temps réel émis par le ou les distributeurs automatiques; et
• d'un contrôleur associé à chacun du ou des distributeurs automatiques en charge de récupérer et de traiter les informations tarifaires et/ou ou les autorisations émises par le superviseur et pour chaque transaction effectuée de transmettre en temps réel au superviseur un rapport d'activité.

The general principle of the invention is based on the use:

• a remote supervisor in charge of issuing price information and / or authorizations (for example for sale by badge) to one or more automatic distributors and collecting real-time activity reports issued by the distributor (s) automatic; and
• a controller associated with each of the automatic distributor (s) responsible for retrieving and processing the pricing information and / or the authorizations issued by the supervisor and for each transaction carried out, transmit an activity report to the supervisor in real time.

Thus, the supervisor processes the activity reports received in real time.

According to another aspect of the invention, the supervisor can transmit in real-time pricing information and / or authorizations to be applied automatically and in real time for each distributors based on multiple criteria (location, time, day, consumer, passage already made by the consumer, ...). So we can manage easily changing tariffs and / or adapting the tariffs associated with each distributor (for example, depending on its location).

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the dispenser can be equipped one or more means of payment, including coin acceptor, reader badge, means of payment by mobile phone, ... Thus, the distributor allows an adaptation of tariffs and the choice of means of payment.

We present, in relation to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a network of automatic distributors, in accordance with the invention.

• un superviseur 100;
• des concentrateurs 110 et 120; et
• des distributeurs automatiques 111, 113, 115, 117, 121 et 123.

The network includes:

• a supervisor 100;
• concentrators 110 and 120; and
• vending machines 111, 113, 115, 117, 121 and 123.

The supervisor 100 is connected to each of the concentrators 110 and 120 via a Ethernet 101 link, using a TCP / IP protocol.

According to an alternative embodiment, the link 101 is a link of short or long distance telecommunications, for example a link wired telephone, a mobile radio-telephone link (notably GSM or UMTS) or a dedicated link ....

Each of the distributors 111, 113, 115 and 117 is connected to the concentrator 110 by an RS 232 serial link (if the distance between the distributor and the concentrator is less than 20 m) or RS 485, respectively 112, 114, 116 and 118.

Likewise, each of the distributors 121 and 123 is connected to the concentrator 120 via an RS232 or RS485 serial link, respectively 122 and 124.

• l'aiguillage des données transmises sur la liaison 101 vers la liaison série correspondant au distributeur destinataire de ces données;
• la transmission des données de chaque liaison série vers la liaison 101 ; et
• l'interface physique entre la liaison 101 et plusieurs liaisons séries.

Each of the concentrators 110 and 120 ensures:

• the routing of the data transmitted on the link 101 to the serial link corresponding to the distributor receiving this data;
• the transmission of data from each serial link to the link 101; and
• the physical interface between link 101 and several serial links.

According to an alternative embodiment, the distributors are connected directly to supervisor 100.

• un ou plusieurs terminaux points de vente (permettant notamment la vente de produits de restauration, par exemple dans un restaurant collectif et/ou de type self-service) ; et/ou
• un ou plusieurs terminaux de gestion de dispositifs d'encaissement (qui sont par exemple, les distributeurs 111, 113, 115, 117, 121, 123 et/ou des terminaux points de vente).

According to an alternative embodiment, the supervisor 100 is also connected, via an Ethernet link, to:

• one or more point of sale terminals (allowing in particular the sale of catering products, for example in a collective restaurant and / or of self-service type); and or
• one or more terminals for managing collection devices (which are, for example, distributors 111, 113, 115, 117, 121, 123 and / or point-of-sale terminals).

• le paramétrage de convives identifiés par badge, de plats servis et/ou de produits de distribution automatique ; et/ou
• le calcul ou l'édition de statistiques correspondantes.

According to this latter variant, the management terminal or terminals allow, in particular:

• the configuration of guests identified by badge, meals served and / or vending products; and or
• calculation or edition of corresponding statistics.

FIG. 2 illustrates an architecture of the automatic dispenser 111 presented opposite figure 1

• un contrôleur 200 ;
• un monnayeur 201 ; et
• une partie distribution 202.

The automatic distributor 111 includes:

• a controller 200;
• a coin mechanism 201; and
• a distribution part 202.

• avec le superviseur 100 via la liaison 112 ;
• avec le monnayeur 201 via une liaison 205 ;
• avec la partie distribution 202 via une liaison 204 ; et
• avec un afficheur 203 intégré au contrôleur 200.

The controller 200 is a central organ of the distributor 111 responsible for routing and processing the data exchanged. Thus, it communicates:

• with the supervisor 100 via the link 112;
• with the coin mechanism 201 via a link 205;
• with the distribution part 202 via a link 204; and
• with a display 203 integrated into the controller 200.

The display 203 controlled by the controller 200 is responsible for the display user information.

• le maítre interroge continuellement l'esclave ;
• le maítre peut envoyer directement des données à l'esclave ; et
• si un évènement se produit au sein de l'esclave, l'esclave transfert immédiatement les informations correspondantes au maítre qui l'interroge.

The links 204 and 205 are point to point and compatible with the EXE (or "EXEcutive") protocol described in the document entitled "product specfication G-26-440 Simplex V" and published on August 20, 1990 by the company NRI (registered trademark ) based in Buxtehude, Germany. They are therefore of the master / slave type and operate in polling mode (or "polling" in English):

• the master continually interrogates the slave;
• the master can send data directly to the slave; and
• if an event occurs within the slave, the slave immediately transfers the corresponding information to the master who interrogates it.

For the link 205, the coin mechanism 201 thus plays the role of the master vis-à-vis of controller 200.

Similarly, for the link 204, the controller 200 plays the role of the master vis-à-vis of the distribution part 202.

Coin-operated 201 is responsible for acquiring and returning change.

The distribution part 202 includes different products 210 to 213 which can be selected by a consumer and is responsible for the selection and the delivery of these products. This distribution part is well known to the man of the trade and will therefore not be described further.

Figure 3 illustrates an architecture of the vending machine 113 presented opposite FIG. 1 which is a variant of the distributor 111.

• un contrôleur 300 ;
• un monnayeur 301 ;
• une partie distribution 302 équipée d'une interface homme/machine (notamment de boutons de sélection) ; et
• un afficheur 303 intégré au contrôleur 300.

The automatic dispenser 113 includes:

• a controller 300;
• a 301 coin mechanism;
• a distribution part 302 equipped with a man / machine interface (in particular selection buttons); and
• a display 303 integrated into the controller 300.

These elements are similar to the corresponding elements 200 to 203 illustrated with reference to FIG. 2, with the exception of the EXE links which are replaced by an MDB 304 bus (from the English “Multi-Drop Bus” which is standardized by the EVA or “European Vending Association” and described in the document “International Multi-Drop Bus Interface Standard” which is published by the NAMA (or “National Automatic Merchandising Association”) committee based in Chicago in the United States of America) on August 19, 1994 and which is prepared by the NAMA Vending Technology Standards Committee.

• avec le superviseur 100 via la liaison 114 ;
• avec le monnayeur 301 via le bus 304;
• avec la partie distribution 302 via le bus 304; et
• avec l'afficheur 303.

The controller 300 communicates:

• with the supervisor 100 via the link 114;
• with the coin mechanism 301 via bus 304;
• with the distribution part 302 via bus 304; and
• with display 303.

The controller 300, the distribution part 302 and the coin mechanism 301 are connected by the same MDB 304 bus, the distribution part 302 of which is the master or VMC (or sales machine controller from English “Vending Machine Control ”) compatible with the MDB standard.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the coin mechanism 201 of the distributor 113 as illustrated with reference to FIG. 2.

• un processeur 400 chargé du contrôle du monnayeur;
• une mémoire vive 410 sauvegardée par pile;
• une interface 430 compatible avec le protocole EXE permettant la liaison 205 avec le contrôleur 200 ;
• une unité d'acceptation de monnaie 440 ; et
• un tube de rendu de monnaie 441.

The coin mechanism 201 comprises interconnected by an address and data bus 401:

• a processor 400 responsible for controlling the coin mechanism;
• a random access memory 410 saved by battery;
• an interface 430 compatible with the EXE protocol allowing the link 205 with the controller 200;
• a currency acceptance unit 440; and
• a coin tube 441.

Each of the elements illustrated in FIG. 4 is well known to the person skilled in the art. job. These common elements are not described here.

It is observed that the word “register” used throughout the description designates in each of the memories mentioned, both a memory area of low capacity (some binary data) than a large memory area capacity (allowing to store an entire program or an entire transaction data sequence).

• le programme de fonctionnement du processeur 400 dans un registre « Prog » 411 ; et
• des données, des variables et des résultats intermédiaires de traitement dans un registre « Var » 412.

The memory 410 stores in registers which for convenience have the same names as the data they store:

• the operating program of processor 400 in a “ Prog ” register 411; and
• data, variables and intermediate processing results in a “ Var ” register 412.

According to the variant embodiment of the dispenser illustrated opposite the Figure 3, the EXE interface is replaced by an MDB interface allowing a link with bus 304 to controller 300 and distribution part 302.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the controller 200 of the distributor 113 as illustrated with reference to FIG. 2.

• un processeur 500 chargé des commandes et de la gestion du contrôleur 200;
• une mémoire vive 510 sauvegardée par pile;
• deux interfaces 530 et 531 compatibles avec le protocole EXE permettant respectivement la liaison 204 avec la partie distribution 202 et la liaison 205 avec le monnayeur 201 ; et
• une interface série 532 de type RS 232 permettant la liaison 112 avec le concentrateur 110.

The controller 200 comprises interconnected by an address and data bus 501:

• a processor 500 responsible for commands and management of the controller 200;
• a random access memory 510 saved by battery;
• two interfaces 530 and 531 compatible with the EXE protocol allowing respectively the link 204 with the distribution part 202 and the link 205 with the coin mechanism 201; and
• a serial interface 532 of RS 232 type allowing the link 112 with the concentrator 110.

Each of the elements illustrated in FIG. 5 is well known to the person skilled in the art. job. These common elements are not described here.

• le programme de fonctionnement du processeur 500 dans un registre « Prog » 511 ;
• des données, des variables et des résultats intermédiaires de traitement dans un registre « Var » 512 ;
• la liste des sélections possibles du distributeur 111 dans un registre « Liste Sélections » 513 ;
• des messages à destination ou en provenance de la partie distribution 202 (notamment les messages illustrés en regard des figures 7 et 8, par exemple les messages de crédit, de sélection, d'ordre de distribution et de l'acquittement correspondant) dans un registre « Messages Partie Distribution » 514 ; et
• des messages à destination ou en provenance du superviseur 100 (notamment les messages illustrés en regard des figures 7 et 8, par exemple les messages de liste de sélection, d'identifiant, d'autorisation, de compte-rendu et de l'acquittement correspondant) dans un registre « Messages Superviseur » 515.

Memory 510 stores in registers which for convenience have the same names as the data they store:

• the operating program of processor 500 in a “ Prog ” register 511;
• data, variables and intermediate processing results in a “ Var ” register 512;
• the list of possible selections of the distributor 111 in a “ Selection List ” register 513;
• messages to or from the distribution part 202 (in particular the messages illustrated with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, for example the credit, selection, distribution order and corresponding acknowledgment messages) in a register “ Distribution Part Messages ” 514; and
• messages to or from the supervisor 100 (in particular the messages illustrated with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, for example the messages of selection list, of identifier, of authorization, of report and of the corresponding acknowledgment ) in a “ Supervisor Messages ” register 515.

According to the variant embodiment of the controller illustrated with reference to the Figure 3, the two EXE interfaces are replaced by an MDB interface allowing a connection with the bus 304 towards the coin mechanism 301 and the part distribution 302.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the supervisor 100 as illustrated in look at figure 1.

The supervisor 100 is of the personal microcomputer or PC type.

• un processeur 600 chargé des commandes et de la gestion du superviseur 100;
• une mémoire vive ou RAM ( de l'anglais « Random Access Memory ») 620;
• un disque dur 610 ; et
• une interface Ethernet 630 permettant la liaison 101 avec le concentrateur 110.

The supervisor 100 comprises interconnected by an address and data bus 601:

• a processor 600 responsible for the commands and management of the supervisor 100;
• a random access memory or RAM (from the English “Random Access Memory”) 620;
• a hard drive 610; and
• an Ethernet interface 630 allowing the link 101 with the concentrator 110.

Each of the elements illustrated in FIG. 6 is well known to the person skilled in the art. job. These common elements are not described here.

• le programme de fonctionnement du processeur 600 dans un registre « Prog » 611 ;
• une liste de distributeurs automatiques et des paramètres associés (concentrateur associé, adresse, ...) dans un registre « Liste Distributeurs » 615 ;
• N listes de sélection respectivement dans des registres 612 à 614 ; et
• une liste de convives (chaque entrée de cette liste comprenant un identifiant de convive et son solde) dans un registre « Liste Convives » 616 ; et
• une liste de tarifs comprenant des tarifs attachés chacun à un convive ou à un ensemble de plusieurs convives de la liste 616 dans un registre « Liste Tarifs » 617.

The hard drive 610 keeps in registers which for convenience have the same names as the data they keep:

• the operating program of processor 600 in a “ Prog ” register 611;
• a list of automatic distributors and associated parameters (associated concentrator, address, etc.) in a “ Distributor List ” register 615;
• N selection lists respectively in registers 612 to 614; and
• a list of guests (each entry in this list including a guest identifier and its balance) in a “Guest List” register 616; and
• a list of tariffs comprising tariffs each attached to a guest or to a set of several guests from list 616 in a “ List of Tariffs ” register 617.

The value N, for example equal to 64, represents the maximum number of distributors managed by the supervisor.

Register 615 contains the list of vending machines managed by the supervisor 100 and in particular of the identifiers of the distributors 111, 113, 115, 117, 121 and 123.

Each of the N selection lists 612 to 614 comprises either a list of selection associated with one of the distributors on list 615, i.e. a value indicating that no distributor is associated with this selection list.

The algorithms implementing the steps of the methods described below in particular with regard to FIG. 6 illustrating the protocol are stored in the hard disk associated with the supervisor 100 implementing these steps. When put under voltage, processor 600 loads these algorithms as well as the data necessary for their operation and executes the instructions of these algorithms.

• le programme de fonctionnement du processeur 600 dans un registre « Prog » 621 ;
• une liste de distributeurs automatiques et des paramètres associés (concentrateur associé, adresse, ...) dans un registre « Liste Distributeurs » 625 ;
• N listes de sélection respectivement dans des registres 622 à 624 ;
• une liste de convives (chaque entrée de cette liste comprenant un identifiant de convive et son solde) dans un registre « Liste Convives » 516 ; et
• une liste de tarifs comprenant des tarifs attachés chacun à un convive ou à un ensemble de plusieurs convives de la liste 616 dans un registre « Liste Tarifs » 517 ; et
• des messages en provenance ou à destination d'un distributeur automatique dans un registre « Messages » 628.

Thus, the RAM 620 stores in registers which for convenience have the same names as the data they store:

• the operating program of processor 600 in a “ Prog ” register 621;
• a list of automatic distributors and associated parameters (associated concentrator, address, etc.) in a “ Distributor List ” register 625;
• N selection lists respectively in registers 622 to 624;
• a list of guests (each entry in this list including a guest identifier and its balance) in a “ Guest List ” register 516; and
• a list of tariffs comprising tariffs each attached to a guest or to a set of several guests from list 616 in a “ List of Tariffs ” register 517; and
• messages from or to a vending machine in a “ Messages ” register 628.

The operating program “ Prog ” of the supervisor 100 also makes it possible to update the various lists 622 to 627 and 612 to 617 which are stored respectively in the RAM 620 and on the hard disk 610.

By way of illustration, the first element of the lists of distributors 615 and 625 and the selection lists 612 and 622 correspond to the distributor 111. The list of selection 513 of the controller 200 of the distributor 111 is therefore obtained by download of the selection list 612 saved by the supervisor 100.

According to an alternative embodiment, one or more of lists 612 to 617 can be stored on a remote machine (having, for example, a TCP / IP address) linked to the supervisor by any communication link (for example of the Ethernet type) and / or shared by several supervisors. The corresponding lists in memory 620 are then downloaded from the lists 612 to 617 corresponding to power-up, periodically and / or on request or, more generally when necessary.

Figure 7 illustrates a communication protocol between the supervisor 100 and the distributor 111 and more precisely the controller 200, the coin mechanism 201 and the distribution part 202 of the distributor 111.

• une phase préalable de transmission ou de mise à jour de la liste de sélections 513 du distributeur 111 par le superviseur 100 ; et
• une phase de transactions, chaque transaction correspondant à un paiement de produit conduisant à la vente effective d'un produit ou à un échec de la transaction. Ainsi, au cours de la phase préalable de transmission et plus précisément d'une étape 700, le superviseur 100 transmet au contrôleur 200 une liste de sélections, correspondant à la liste mémorisée dans le registre 622 et comprenant des prix associés chacun à un produit. Les échanges entre le superviseur 100 se fond via la liaison Ethernet 101, le concentrateur 110 et la liaison 112 suivant un protocole TCP/IP. A la réception de la liste de sélection, le contrôleur 200 mémorise ou met à jour sa propre liste de sélection dans le registre 513.Lorsque le registre 513 contient une liste de sélections, une ou plusieurs transactions peuvent être mises en oeuvre et la phase de transaction débute.Ainsi, au cours d'une transaction débutant par une étape 701, un utilisateur introduit dans l'unité d'acceptation de monnaie 440 du monnayeur 201 une pièce.L'unité d'acceptation 440 transmet la valeur de la pièce au processeur 400 qui, au cours d'une étape 702, transmet via la liaison EXE 205 la valeur de cette pièce au processeur 500 du contrôleur 200.Ensuite, au cours d'une étape 703, le processeur 400 calcule le crédit disponible pour l'utilisateur (le crédit correspondant ici à la valeur de cette première pièce introduite) et, au cours d'une étape 718, transmet le montant de ce crédit à l'afficheur 203 et à la partie distribution 202. Ainsi, la partie distribution peut ou non autoriser la délivrance d'un produit et l'afficheur présenter au consommateur le montant du crédit et éventuellement une indication de crédit suffisant ou insuffisant.Puis, au cours d'une étape 704, l'utilisateur introduit dans l'unité d'acceptation de monnaie 440 du monnayeur 201 une nouvelle pièce.De manière similaire à l'étape 703, au cours d'une étape 706, le monnayeur 201 transmet via la liaison EXE 205 la valeur de cette nouvelle pièce au processeur 500 du contrôleur 200. Ensuite, au cours d'une étape 706, le processeur 400 calcule le crédit disponible pour l'utilisateur (le crédit correspondant ici à la somme des valeurs des deux pièces introduites) et, au cours d'une étape 719, transmet ce crédit à l'afficheur 203 et à la partie distribution 202.Ensuite, si le crédit est suffisant au vu de la liste de sélections 513, au cours d'un étape de sélection 707, l'utilisateur sélectionne via la partie distribution 202 un produit parmi les produits proposés.Puis, au cours d'une étape 708, la partie distribution 202 transmet au contrôleur 200 via la liaison EXE 204 les données relatives à la sélection opérée par l'utilisateur au cours de l'étape 707.Ensuite, au cours d'une étape 709, le processeur 500 compare le montant du crédit au prix de la sélection opérée, tel qu'indiqué dans la liste de sélection 513.Si le crédit est insuffisant, rien ne se passe et le contrôleur 200 indique via l'afficheur 203 au consommateur d'introduire d'autres pièces.Sinon, le crédit est suffisant et, au cours d'une étape 710, le contrôleur 200 donne un ordre de distribution à la partie distribution 202 qui effectue la distribution du produit sélectionné au cours d'une étape 711.Ensuite, au cours d'une étape 712, au cours d'une étape 713, la partie distribution 202 transmet un acquittement de distribution correctement effectuée au contrôleur 200.Suite à l'étape 712, le contrôleur 200 retransmet au monnayeur 201 cet acquittement avec un montant éventuel de rendu de monnaie, ce dernier étant effectué au cours d'une étape 714.Immédiatement après l'étape 712, au cours d'une étape 715, le contrôleur 200 transmet également au superviseur 100 un compte-rendu de transaction comportant
• un numéro de badge (correspondant à un numéro de badge de type vente directe par introduction de monnaie) ;
• la date et l'heure de la transaction ; et
• la sélection choisie.

The exchanges between the supervisor 100 and the distributor 111 have two phases:

• a prior phase of transmission or updating of the selection list 513 of the distributor 111 by the supervisor 100; and
• a transaction phase, each transaction corresponding to a product payment leading to the effective sale of a product or to a failure of the transaction. Thus, during the prior transmission phase and more precisely of a step 700, the supervisor 100 transmits to the controller 200 a list of selections, corresponding to the list stored in the register 622 and comprising prices each associated with a product. The exchanges between the supervisor 100 are based on the Ethernet link 101, the concentrator 110 and the link 112 according to a TCP / IP protocol. On receipt of the selection list, the controller 200 stores or updates its own selection list in the register 513. When the register 513 contains a selection list, one or more transactions can be implemented and the phase of Thus, during a transaction starting with a step 701, a user introduces a coin into the coin acceptance unit 440 of the coin mechanism 201. The acceptance unit 440 transmits the value of the coin to processor 400 which, during a step 702, transmits via the EXE link 205 the value of this part to the processor 500 of the controller 200. Then, during a step 703, the processor 400 calculates the credit available for the user (the credit corresponding here to the value of this first coin introduced) and, during a step 718, transmits the amount of this credit to the display 203 and to the distribution part 202. Thus, the distribution part can or no authorize the delivery of a product and the display present to the consumer the amount of the credit and possibly an indication of sufficient or insufficient credit. Then, during a step 704, the user enters the acceptance unit of coin 440 of the coin mechanism 201 a new coin. In a similar manner to step 703, during a step 706, the coin mechanism 201 transmits via the EXE link 205 the value of this new coin to the processor 500 of the controller 200. Then, during a step 706, the processor 400 calculates the credit available to the user (the credit corresponding here to the sum of the values of the two coins entered) and, during a step 719, transmits this credit to the display 203 and to the distribution part 202. Then, if the credit is sufficient in view of the selection list 513, during a selection step 707, the user selects via the distribution part 202 a product from the products offered . Then, during a step 708, the distribution part 202 transmits to the controller 200 via the EXE link 204 the data relating to the selection made by the user during step 707. Then, during a step 709, the processor 500 compares the amount of the credit with the price of the selection made, as indicated in the selection list 513. If the credit is insufficient, nothing happens and the controller 200 indicates via the display 203 to the consumer to introduce other coins. Otherwise, the credit is sufficient and, during a step 710, the controller 200 gives a distribution order to the distribution part 202 which distributes the selected product during a step 711. Then, during a step 712, during a step 713, the distribution part 202 transmits a delivery acknowledgment correctly made to the controller 200. Next in step 712, the controller 200 retransmits to the coin mechanism 201 this acquittal before ec any amount of change of money, the latter being carried out during a step 714. Immediately after step 712, during a step 715, the controller 200 also transmits to the supervisor 100 a transaction report comprising
• a badge number (corresponding to a badge number of direct sale type by introducing money);
• the date and time of the transaction; and
• the selected selection.

Upon receipt of the report, during a step 716, the supervisor saves and processes the data from the report associated with the distributor 111 (identified by the TCP / IP address of the concentrator 110 and the channel number used which appear in the report message).

Then, if the report has been correctly received by the supervisor 100, at the during a step 717, the supervisor 100 transmits an acknowledgment (or ACK) associated with the current transaction to the controller 200 which can then delete from its stores the data relating to the transaction report. If the report was not received correctly by supervisor 100, controller 200 is not receiving not this acknowledgment within a predetermined period and re-issues the report to the supervisor 100 until an acknowledgment is received.

Figure 8 illustrates a communication protocol between the supervisor 100 and a distributor similar to distributor 111 in which the coin mechanism 201 is replaced by a badge reader allowing identification of the holder of the badge and sales to an account debited by supervisor 100.

• une phase préalable de transmission ou de mise à jour d'une liste de sélections du distributeur 111 par le superviseur 100 ; et
• une phase de transactions, chaque transaction correspondant à un paiement de produit conduisant à la vente effective d'un produit ou à un échec de la transaction.

As with the protocol illustrated with reference to FIG. 7, within the framework of the protocol of FIG. 8, the exchanges between the supervisor 100 and the distributor 111 comprise two phases:

• a preliminary phase of transmission or updating of a list of selections of the distributor 111 by the supervisor 100; and
• a transaction phase, each transaction corresponding to a product payment leading to the effective sale of a product or to a failure of the transaction.

The debit of the account being done at the level of the supervisor 100, it is not the selection list must include the prices associated with each of the products distributed.

Thus, during a step 800, the supervisor 100 transmits to the controller 200 a list of selections without price, corresponding to the list stored in the register 622. The exchanges between the supervisor 100 merges via the Ethernet link 101, the concentrator 110 and the link 112 according to a TCP / IP protocol. To the reception of the selection list, the controller 200 memorizes or updates its own selection list in register 513.

When register 513 contains a selection list, one or more transactions can be implemented and the transaction phase begins.

Thus, during a transaction starting with a step 801, a user inserts his badge in the distributor's badge reader.

Then, during a step 802, the badge reader transmits to the processor 500 of the controller 200 an identifier of the badge introduced via the EXE link 205.

Then, during a step 803, the processor 400 transmits the identifier from badge to supervisor 100.

Then, the supervisor 100 checks the adequacy of the balance associated with the badge identifier.

If the balance is sufficient, during a step 805, the supervisor 100 transmits to the controller 200 a product delivery authorization with the amount of credit available.

Then, during a step 806, the controller 200 transmits an amount of minimum credit to the distribution part 202 as well as to the display 203. Thus, the distribution party may authorize the selection of a product, the display showing to the consumer the amount of the balance and possibly a balance indication sufficient or insufficient.

Then, the distribution part transmits to the controller 200 the selection made by the consumer and authorizes or not the distribution.

Then, if the balance is sufficient in view of the selection list 513, steps 807 to 813 and 815 to 817 similar respectively to steps 707 to 713 and 715 to 717 are implemented.

After step 817, if the badge is still present in the reader, step 803 is repeated.

Those skilled in the art will be able to adapt the protocol illustrated with regard to Figures 7 and 8, based on the use of the dispenser of Figure 2 (including internal connections of type EXE) in the case of using the distributor of FIG. 3 which includes an MDP bus. Indeed, in the case of exchanges between the supervisor 100 and distributor 113, the same protocol will be used according to a production. According to another embodiment, exchanges between the coin mechanism 301 and the distribution part 301 will be done directly. It will nevertheless necessary to inform the controller 300 when the transaction ends so that the latter can pass on the transaction data in real time, to supervisor 100.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments mentioned above.

In particular, the person skilled in the art can make any variant in the nature of the means of payment connected to the reader and which can be in particular of the coin-operated type, electronic payment terminal, electronic wallet, communication interface with radio telephones Mobile ....

We also note that the type of communication links inside of a vending machine or between the supervisor and the vending machine is not limited not respectively to EXE or MDP bus links, or to the protocol TCP / IP on serial or Ethernet link but extends to any type of link communication (for example, wireless, dedicated link, etc.).

In addition, the type of distributor and the nature of the products are arbitrary. The products concerned are of all types that can be supplied to a consumer via an automatic distributor and could in particular be foodstuffs perishable food and / or drink, objects ...

Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the real-time ascent to a supervisor of accepted transaction information, but concerns also the reporting of information relating to transactions not having resulted and more generally in audit feedback via the same link or a link similar to the one used for feedback of accepted transactions. The audits relate in particular to reports of breakdowns or failures of transactions, information relating to the contents of the distribution cabinet or coin operated ...

The invention is not limited to the cases of isolated networks of distributors automatic but also relates to catering systems including one or more several networks of automatic distributors preferentially connected but not limited, via the supervisor, to a collection system of catering including manual or automatic cash registers allowing the payment of catering products (corresponding, for example, to a meal) after a guest has served himself. In such a configuration, the badge used by the guest for the payment of a meal at a cash desk can be used also for direct payment to an ATM (as illustrated for example with regard to FIG. 8).

Note that the invention is not limited to a purely implantation material but that it can also be implemented in the form of a sequence of instructions from a computer program or any form mixing a hardware part and software part. In the event that the invention is implemented partially or totally in software form, the sequence of instructions corresponding may be stored in a removable storage means (such as for example a floppy disk, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM) or not, this means of storage being partially or fully readable by a computer or a microprocessor.

Claims (22)

Product distribution system, implementing a plurality of automatic distributors (111, 113, 115, 117, 121, 123) of products, each capable of delivering at least one selected product, when a corresponding transaction is accepted,
characterized in that it implements at least one remote supervisor (100), each of said supervisors being connected, via a communication link (101, 112, 114, 116, 118, 122, 124) to at least one of said distributors and comprising means for receiving (630), storing (620, 610) and / or processing transaction messages sent by each of said distributors, during each of said transactions, and comprising information relating to said transaction. System according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said distributors comprises means (201, 301) for taking into account a payment and means (202,302) for delivering a product, connected to means (200,300) for sending one of said transaction messages by a link bus according to the MDB standard. System according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that at least one of the said distributors comprises means for taking account of a payment and means for delivering a product, connected to means for sending one of the said transaction messages by an EXE type link. System according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of said associated transaction messages comprises an identifier of a product delivered during said transaction. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said transaction message further comprises an identifier of the distributor corresponding to said transaction. A system according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said transaction message further comprises an identifier of a consumer corresponding to said transaction. Product distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said supervisor comprises means for receiving, storing and / or processing audit messages sent by each of said distributors, comprising audit information relating to said distributors separate from said accepted transactions. System according to claim 7, characterized in that said audit information is part of the group comprising: transaction failure information; fault information from said distributors; and the filling and / or non-filling information of said distributors. A system according to any of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that said audit information includes information on counting coins and / or banknotes in each of said dispensers. System according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said supervisor further comprises means for transmitting to at least one of said distributors, called recipient distributors, product information relating to the products it contains. System according to claim 10, characterized in that said product information intended to be sent to each of said recipient distributors, comprises a product selection list, said list being associated with each of said recipient distributors. System according to claim 11, characterized in that each of said destination distributors comprises means for receiving, storing and / or processing said associated list. System according to claim 12, characterized in that said list comprises data representative of the price of each product belonging to said list and in that each of said recipient distributors able to locally manage a payment comprises: means for receiving said list; means for comparing, with each transaction, a payment and said data representative of the price of a selected product; and means for authorizing a delivery of said selected product if said payment is greater than or equal to said data. System according to any one of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that each of said destination distributors able to allow management by a supervisor of a payment comprises: means for receiving said list; means for authorizing a delivery of said selected product; and means for transmitting collection information associated with a transaction to said payment supervisor. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that at least one of said distributors comprises a coin mechanism intended for payment corresponding to each transaction implemented by said distributor (s). System according to any one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that at least one of said distributors comprises means of payment belonging to the group comprising: electronic means of payment; and mobile radio telephones. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it comprises means of distinction: said transactions managed locally by a distributor; and transactions managed remotely by at least one supervisor among said supervisor (s),
said at least one supervisor comprising: means for taking into account a payment for each of said remotely managed transactions; and means for authorizing the delivery of a product corresponding to said transaction. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it further comprises at least one point of sale terminal (POS) and / or at least one multimedia terminal. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it further comprises means for managing at least one collection device. System according to claim 19, characterized in that said management means comprise: means for configuring guests, differentiated prices, meals served and / or automatic distribution products; and or means for editing statistics relating to guests, differentiated rates, meals served and / or automatic distribution products. Product distribution system supervisor, implementing a plurality of automatic product distributors, each capable of delivering at least one selected product, when a corresponding transaction is accepted, characterized in that said supervisor further comprises means to receive, store and / or process transaction messages, sent by each of said distributors, during each of said transactions, and comprising information relating to said transaction. Automatic product distributor, capable of delivering at least one selected product, when a corresponding transaction is accepted, characterized in that it comprises means for sending, during each transaction, to at least one remote supervisor, messages from transaction, each of said messages comprising information relating to said transaction.

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