WO1997028509A1 - System for controlling sales effected through dispensing machines - Google Patents

System for controlling sales effected through dispensing machines Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1997028509A1
WO1997028509A1 PCT/ES1997/000019 ES9700019W WO9728509A1 WO 1997028509 A1 WO1997028509 A1 WO 1997028509A1 ES 9700019 W ES9700019 W ES 9700019W WO 9728509 A1 WO9728509 A1 WO 9728509A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
product
machine
vending machines
vending
transmission line
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ES1997/000019
Other languages
Spanish (es)
French (fr)
Inventor
Emilio Alvarez Fernandez
Original Assignee
Xestal, S.L.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Xestal, S.L. filed Critical Xestal, S.L.
Publication of WO1997028509A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997028509A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F5/00—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks
    • G07F5/18—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/002—Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/02—Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus
    • G07F9/026—Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for the control of sales made through vending machines, which allows a centralized control of the sales made through a certain number of vending machines located at different points of a building. or certain area.
  • the invention is of special application in hotel facilities in which a vending machine for certain products or articles is available in each room.
  • the present invention aims at a system by means of which a centralized control of the sales made through a series of vending machines can be carried out, including its billing to the person who acquires or extracts the product.
  • the Invention system allows customers or users to extract the product or products they want without having to have coins or cards.
  • the system allows the amount of all products extracted to be charged directly to the account of each client or user over a certain period of time.
  • the system of the invention allows greater comfort, agility and total control of the products sold through the different sales machines installed.
  • each vending machine is provided with a personalized computer card, which detects the output of a product from the vending machine and identifies it, at the time when the extraction of a particular article or product takes place by a user or client.
  • the card detects the output of an article, it produces a connection signal with a central control unit, to which it transmits the identification code of the machine itself, as well as certain data related to the product extracted.
  • the central unit is responsible for accounting for the extraction of the product and charging the amount thereof in the customer or user account of the room in which the machine is installed.
  • the system of the invention therefore, includes two different blocks or assemblies, the first one consisting of each of the vending machines installed in the different rooms or points and are responsible for detecting the extraction of the article or product and communicating it to the second of the blocks, which is unique and will be located in a control area that, in the case of hotels, may consist of receiving it.
  • the purpose of this block is to receive the message sent from the different retailers and bill the account of the room from which the corresponding message has departed.
  • the connection between the vending machines and the central control unit will be made through a transmission line, radio or cable, preferably through the telephone or power supply line existing in the premises where the vending machines are installed.
  • the system provides for the inclusion of a busy line detector circuit, which is responsible for storing the information until the moment the line is free, at which time it will send the identification code of the machine itself and the product extracted.
  • the system is based on the arrangement of two electronic circuits that communicate through the transmission line, preferably the telephone line, and this line can be used as a power system, thus avoiding having to connect the machines Vending machines to the electricity grid.
  • One of the electronic circuits is the one belonging to the vending machines and the other to the central control unit.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of the electronic circuit included in each vending machine.
  • Figure 2 is a diagram of an installation for carrying out the system of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows the block diagram of the electronic card that will be included in each vending machine.
  • the vending machine is referenced, within which the electronic card 2 is placed, which includes circuits to detect the exit or removal of an article, for the identification of the same and for the sending of the own code of the Vending machine 1 and the item removed, through a transmission line 3, which will preferably be constituted by the telephone line of the premises where the vending machines are installed.
  • the system includes a circuit 4 occupied line detector, which includes a memory capable of storing the information supplied by the circuit of card 2 when detecting the removal of an article.
  • the line 3 is free, the information composed of the machine's own code 1, which will be contained in a memory 5, and the data corresponding to the extracted product, also stored in the corresponding one, will be sent through it memory.
  • the corresponding detector When an item is removed from the machine, the corresponding detector generates a signal that activates the system. If at this time line 3 is is unoccupied, the dialing circuit of card 2 is responsible for sending the corresponding codes.
  • circuit 4 If, at the moment of extracting the article, circuit 4 detects occupied line, it informs the circuit of card 2 that it memorizes the order and remains waiting for the line to be cleared to be able to access it and send the data at that moment.
  • Each vendor has a memory on its card 5 where it stores its identification code which will essentially include two parts: a first one, which will be common to all the vendors of the same hotel or premises, where the information is included to detect that it is of an internal call from the hotel itself and that the information sent is not a routine call, but the billing order for the removal of an item; and a second part, exclusive to each retailer, where the number of the room from which the call was made is reported.
  • This need to individually identify each of the vendors and the lack of standardization of internal calling codes, requires separate programming of each of the vendors. To do this, there will be a suitcase or programming unit that will communicate with the vendor through a connector.
  • the operator To program the vendors, the operator must enter the first part of the code only once, and the programmer is responsible for memorizing it so that it can be automatically assigned to all the vendors.
  • the programming therefore, is limited to connecting the programming unit to the dispenser and will then appear on the display that incorporates a message requesting the room number.
  • the room number is entered via the corresponding numeric keypad and the programmer will be responsible for dumping the complete code into the code memory of the card of the vendor.
  • the central control unit will have to be installed only in those facilities or hotels that do not have computerized the billing system, or in those places where even having a computer to make the invoices, the computer billing program does not allow the appropriate reforms to include in it an additional charge, as is the case at hand.
  • FIG. 2 A complete installation is shown schematically in Figure 2, which includes a series of vending machines 1, each of them located for example in one of the rooms of a hotel. Each time the extraction of an article or product from a machine takes place, it sends through the telephone line 3 the corresponding identification data, already commented, of both the machine and the product extracted, which pass through the central telephone 6 to an invoice 7 to which the printer is connected ⁇ . In the event that the hotel or premises had a computer 9 through which billing could be carried out, the invoiceer 7 could be deleted.
  • the receptionist When a hotel customer prepares to pay his bill, the receptionist will type in the billing 7 the number of the room where the customer was staying, appearing on the display of the same the amount of items consumed, as well as the amount of the same. Simply press the corresponding key so that this information is printed through the printer 8.
  • the printer ⁇ can be dispensed with, the invoice being made manually from the data that appears on the screen of the invoiceer 7.
  • the billing agent 7 can be dispensed with in cases where the hotel has computerized the billing system through the computer 9.
  • the inclusion of the invoiceer 7 can make essential computer 9 and printer 8.
  • the telephone line will preferably be used as a transmission line, but, as it can be understood, it can be carried out through an own connection, of the electrical network, television cable, through a conventional radio system, etc.

Abstract

System for controlling sales effected through dispensing machines by including a personnalized computer card in each dispensing machine (1), which detects the exit of a product and which identifies said product, thereby providing a signal to a central control unit (7) to which is transmitted the machine identifing code, as well as predetermined data related to the extracted product in order to account for said product, charging the amount of the product sale to the account corresponding to the sale point where the machine is situated. The invention applies to hotel installations which include dispensing machines in their rooms.

Description

SISTEMA PARA EL CONTROL DE VENTAS EFECTUADAS A TRAVÉS DE MAQUINAS EXPENDEDORAS.SYSTEM FOR THE CONTROL OF SALES CARRIED OUT THROUGH EXPENDING MACHINES.
La presente invención se refiere a un sistema para el control de ventas efectuadas a través de máquinas expendedoras, que permita llevar a cabo un control centra¬ lizado de las ventas efectuadas a través de un determinado número de máquinas expendedoras situadas en diferentes puntos de un edificio o área determinada.The present invention relates to a system for the control of sales made through vending machines, which allows a centralized control of the sales made through a certain number of vending machines located at different points of a building. or certain area.
La invención es de especial aplicación en instalaciones hoteleras en las cuales se dispone en cada habitación de una máquina expendedora de determinados productos o articulos.The invention is of special application in hotel facilities in which a vending machine for certain products or articles is available in each room.
Hasta ahora, el único sistema para el control de este tipo de ventas era utilizar máquinas expendedoras automáticas, que funcionan mediante la introducción de monedas o tarjetas de crédito. Este sistema, sin embargo, resulta excesivamente costoso, ya que hay que utilizar máquinas expendedoras automáticas de costo elevado. Por otro lado, el sistema resulta incómodo para el usuario, debido a que en el momento en que desea extraer el producto puede no disponer de las monedas o tarjetas necesarias.Until now, the only system for controlling this type of sales was to use automatic vending machines, which work by introducing coins or credit cards. This system, however, is excessively expensive, since you have to use high-cost automatic vending machines. On the other hand, the system is uncomfortable for the user, because at the time you want to extract the product you may not have the necessary coins or cards.
La presente invención tiene por objeto un sistema mediante el que puede llevarse a cabo un control centrali¬ zado de las ventas efectuadas a través de una serie de máquinas expendedoras, incluyendo su facturación a la persona que adquiera o extraiga el producto.The present invention aims at a system by means of which a centralized control of the sales made through a series of vending machines can be carried out, including its billing to the person who acquires or extracts the product.
Este sistema permite el uso de máquinas expende¬ doras de constitución sencilla y costo reducido, al no tener que incluir medios de control y cobro ni de contabi- lización del producto todo ello en comparación con las máquinas expendedoras automáticas tradicionales, en las que la extracción del producto se consigue mediante el pago con monedas o tarjetas.This system allows the use of vending machines of simple constitution and reduced cost, since it does not have to include control and collection means or accounting for the product all in comparison with traditional automatic vending machines, in which the extraction of the product is achieved by paying with coins or cards
El sistema de la Invención permite que los clientes o usuarios puedan extraer el producto o productos que desean sin tener que disponer de monedas o tarjetas. Por otro lado, el sistema permite cargar directa¬ mente a la cuenta de cada cliente o usuario el importe de todos los productos extraídos a lo largo de un periodo de tiempo determinado. En definitiva, el sistema de la invención permite lograr una mayor comodidad, agilidad y control total de los productos vendidos a través de las diferentes máquinas de venta instaladas.The Invention system allows customers or users to extract the product or products they want without having to have coins or cards. On the other hand, the system allows the amount of all products extracted to be charged directly to the account of each client or user over a certain period of time. In short, the system of the invention allows greater comfort, agility and total control of the products sold through the different sales machines installed.
De acuerdo con la presente invención, se dota a cada máquina expendedora de una tarjeta informática personalizada, la cual detecta la salida de un producto de la máquina expendedora y lo identifica, en el momento en que tiene lugar la extracción de un articulo o producto determinado por parte de un usuario o cliente. En el momento en que la tarjeta detecta la salida de un articulo, produce una señal de conexión con una unidad central de control, a la cual transmite el código identificador de la propia máquina, asi como determinados datos relativos al producto extraído. La unidad central se encarga de contabi- lizar la extracción del producto y cargar el importe del mismo en la cuenta del cliente o usuario de la habitación en la que se encuentra instalada la máquina.In accordance with the present invention, each vending machine is provided with a personalized computer card, which detects the output of a product from the vending machine and identifies it, at the time when the extraction of a particular article or product takes place by a user or client. When the card detects the output of an article, it produces a connection signal with a central control unit, to which it transmits the identification code of the machine itself, as well as certain data related to the product extracted. The central unit is responsible for accounting for the extraction of the product and charging the amount thereof in the customer or user account of the room in which the machine is installed.
El sistema de la invención, por tanto, incluye dos bloques o conjuntos diferentes, el primero de ellos está constituido por cada una de las máquinas expendedoras instaladas en las diferentes habitaciones o puntos y son las encargadas de detectar la extracción del articulo o producto y comunicárselo al segundo de los bloques, que es único y que estará situado en una zona de control que, en el caso de hoteles puede consistir en la recepción del mismo. La finalidad de este bloque es recibir el mensaje enviado de los diferentes expendedores y facturar en la cuenta de la habitación de la que ha partido el mensaje correspondiente. La conexión entre las máquinas expendedoras y la unidad central de control se efectuará a través de una linea de transmisión, radioeléctrlca o por cable, preferen¬ temente a través de la linea telefónica o de suministro eléctrico existente en el local donde se instalan las máquinas expendedoras. En el caso de que se utilice como linea de transmisión la linea telefónica y en previsión de que ésta pudiera estar ocupada en el momento en que se extrae un producto de una máquina expendedora, el sistema prevé la inclusión de un circuito detector de linea ocupada, el cual se encarga de almacenar la información hasta el momento en que la linea quede libre, momento en que enviará el código identificativo de la propia máquina y del producto extraí¬ do.The system of the invention, therefore, includes two different blocks or assemblies, the first one consisting of each of the vending machines installed in the different rooms or points and are responsible for detecting the extraction of the article or product and communicating it to the second of the blocks, which is unique and will be located in a control area that, in the case of hotels, may consist of receiving it. The purpose of this block is to receive the message sent from the different retailers and bill the account of the room from which the corresponding message has departed. The connection between the vending machines and the central control unit will be made through a transmission line, radio or cable, preferably through the telephone or power supply line existing in the premises where the vending machines are installed. In the event that the telephone line is used as a transmission line and in anticipation that it could be occupied at the time a product is removed from a vending machine, the system provides for the inclusion of a busy line detector circuit, which is responsible for storing the information until the moment the line is free, at which time it will send the identification code of the machine itself and the product extracted.
En los hoteles o instalaciones que disponga de un programa de facturación que permita modificaciones en la tarificación de las facturas de teléfono, no será necesario disponer una unidad central de control, ya que el propio sistema informático existente podrá realizar las funciones de contabilización. De este modo se aprovecha al máximo la infraestructura de que disponga el hotel, lográndose asi abaratar la instalación y suprimir aparatos innecesarios. En aquellos casos en los que el hotel o instala¬ ción carezca de sistema informático o el mismo no permita ser aprovechado para el objeto de la invención, habrá que disponerse de la unidad central de control, para llevar a cabo la fase de facturación.In hotels or facilities that have a billing program that allows changes in the pricing of telephone bills, it will not be necessary to have a central control unit, since the existing computer system itself can perform the accounting functions. In this way, the infrastructure available to the hotel is maximized, thus reducing the cost of the installation and eliminating unnecessary devices. In those cases in which the hotel or facility lacks a computer system or does not allow it to be used for the purpose of the invention, the central control unit must be available to carry out the billing phase.
En resumen puede decirse que el sistema se basa en la disposición de dos circuitos electrónicos que se comunican a través de la linea de transmisión, preferente- mente la linea telefónica, pudiendo servir esta linea como sistema de alimentación, evitando asi tener que conectar las máquinas expendedoras a la red eléctrica.In summary, it can be said that the system is based on the arrangement of two electronic circuits that communicate through the transmission line, preferably the telephone line, and this line can be used as a power system, thus avoiding having to connect the machines Vending machines to the electricity grid.
Uno de los circuitos electrónicos es el pertene¬ ciente a las máquinas expendedoras y el otro a la unidad central de control.One of the electronic circuits is the one belonging to the vending machines and the other to the central control unit.
Las características del sistema de la invención y las ventajas derivadas del mismo se comprenderán mejor con la siguiente descripción, hecha con referencia a los dibujos adjuntos, en los que se muestra, de forma esquemᬠtica y a titulo de ejemplo no limitativo, una posible forma de realización del sistema objeto de la invención. En los dibujos:The characteristics of the system of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom will be better understood with the following description, made with reference to the attached drawings, in which it is shown, schematically and by way of non-limiting example, a possible embodiment of the system object of the invention. In the drawings:
La figura 1 es un diagrama de bloques del circuito electrónico incluido en cada máquina expendedora. La figura 2 es un esquema de una instalación para llevar a cabo el sistema de la invención.Figure 1 is a block diagram of the electronic circuit included in each vending machine. Figure 2 is a diagram of an installation for carrying out the system of the invention.
En la figura 1 se representa el diagrama de bloques de la tarjeta electrónica que irá incluida en cada máquina expendedora. En el dibujo con el número 1 se referencia la máquina expendedora, dentro de la que va situada la tarjeta electrónica 2 que incluye circuitos para detectar la salida o extracción de un articulo, para la identificación del mismo y para el envió del código propio de la máquina expendedora 1 y del articulo extraído, a través de una linea de transmisión 3, la cual estará de preferencia constituida por la linea telefónica del propio recinto en el que van instaladas las máquinas expendedoras. En previsión de que la linea telefónica 3 pudiera estar ocupada en el momento en que se extrae el articulo o producto de la máquina 1, el sistema incluye un circuito 4 detector de linea ocupada, el cual incluye una memoria capaz de almacenar la información suministrada por el circuito de la tarjeta 2 al detectar la extracción de un articulo. En el momento en que la linea 3 quede libre se enviará a través de la misma la información compuesta por el código propio de la máquina 1, que estará contenido en una memoria 5, y los datos correspondientes al producto extraído, almacenados también en la correspondiente memoria.Figure 1 shows the block diagram of the electronic card that will be included in each vending machine. In the drawing with the number 1 the vending machine is referenced, within which the electronic card 2 is placed, which includes circuits to detect the exit or removal of an article, for the identification of the same and for the sending of the own code of the Vending machine 1 and the item removed, through a transmission line 3, which will preferably be constituted by the telephone line of the premises where the vending machines are installed. In anticipation that the telephone line 3 could be occupied at the time the article or product is removed from the machine 1, the system includes a circuit 4 occupied line detector, which includes a memory capable of storing the information supplied by the circuit of card 2 when detecting the removal of an article. When the line 3 is free, the information composed of the machine's own code 1, which will be contained in a memory 5, and the data corresponding to the extracted product, also stored in the corresponding one, will be sent through it memory.
Cuando se extrae un articulo de la máquina, el detector correspondiente genera una señal que es la que activa el sistema. Si en este momento la linea 3 se encuentra desocupada, el circuito de marcación de la tarjeta 2 se encarga de enviar los códigos correspondien¬ tes.When an item is removed from the machine, the corresponding detector generates a signal that activates the system. If at this time line 3 is is unoccupied, the dialing circuit of card 2 is responsible for sending the corresponding codes.
Si en el momento de extraer el articulo el circuito 4 detecta linea ocupada, informa al circuito de la tarjeta 2 que memoriza la orden y permanece a la espera de que la linea se desocupe para poder acceder a ella y enviar los datos en ese instante.If, at the moment of extracting the article, circuit 4 detects occupied line, it informs the circuit of card 2 that it memorizes the order and remains waiting for the line to be cleared to be able to access it and send the data at that moment.
Cada expendedor lleva en su tarjeta una memoria 5 donde almacena su código de identificación el cual incluirá esencialmente dos partes: una primera, que será común a todos los expendedores de un mismo hotel o recinto, donde se incluye la información para poder detectar que se trata de una llamada interna del propio hotel y de que la información que se envia no es una llamada rutinaria, sino la orden de facturación por la extracción de un articulo; y una segunda parte, exclusiva de cada expendedor, donde se informa del número de la habitación desde la que se ha producido la llamada. Esta necesidad de identificar individualmente cada uno de los expendedores y la falta de normalización de códigos de llamada interna, obliga a la programación separada de cada uno de los expendedores. Para ello se dispondrá de una maleta o unidad de programación que se comunicará con el expendedor a través de un conector. Para programar los expendedores, el operario habrá de introducir una sola vez la primera parte del código, encargándose la programadora de memorizarlo para poder asignarlo después de forma automática a todos los expendedores. La programación, por tanto, se limita a conectar la unidad de programación al expendedor y a continuación aparecerá en el display que incorpora un mensaje solicitando el número de habitación. Se introduce, a través del teclado numérico correspondien¬ te, el número de habitación y la programadora se encargará de volcar el código completo en la memoria de código de la tarjeta del expendedor. La unidad central de control habrá que instalarla solo en aquellas instalaciones u hoteles que no tengan informatizado el sistema de facturación, o bien en aquellos lugares en los que aun disponiendo de un ordenador para realizar las facturas, el programa de facturación del ordenador no permita realizar las reformas oportunas para incluir en él un cargo adicional, como es el caso que nos ocupa.Each vendor has a memory on its card 5 where it stores its identification code which will essentially include two parts: a first one, which will be common to all the vendors of the same hotel or premises, where the information is included to detect that it is of an internal call from the hotel itself and that the information sent is not a routine call, but the billing order for the removal of an item; and a second part, exclusive to each retailer, where the number of the room from which the call was made is reported. This need to individually identify each of the vendors and the lack of standardization of internal calling codes, requires separate programming of each of the vendors. To do this, there will be a suitcase or programming unit that will communicate with the vendor through a connector. To program the vendors, the operator must enter the first part of the code only once, and the programmer is responsible for memorizing it so that it can be automatically assigned to all the vendors. The programming, therefore, is limited to connecting the programming unit to the dispenser and will then appear on the display that incorporates a message requesting the room number. The room number is entered via the corresponding numeric keypad and the programmer will be responsible for dumping the complete code into the code memory of the card of the vendor. The central control unit will have to be installed only in those facilities or hotels that do not have computerized the billing system, or in those places where even having a computer to make the invoices, the computer billing program does not allow the appropriate reforms to include in it an additional charge, as is the case at hand.
En la figura 2 se muestra de forma esquemática una instalación completa que incluye una serie de máquinas expendedoras 1, cada una de ellas situada por ejemplo en una de las habitaciones de un hotel. Cada vez que tiene lugar la extracción de un articulo o producto de una máquina, ésta envia a través de la linea telefónica 3 los datos de identificación correspondientes, ya comentados, tanto de la máquina como del producto extraído, que pasan a través de la central telefónica 6 hasta un facturador 7 al que va conectada la impresora θ. En el caso de que el hotel o recinto dispusiera de un ordenador 9 a través del que se pudiera llevar a cabo la facturación, podría suprimirse el facturador 7.A complete installation is shown schematically in Figure 2, which includes a series of vending machines 1, each of them located for example in one of the rooms of a hotel. Each time the extraction of an article or product from a machine takes place, it sends through the telephone line 3 the corresponding identification data, already commented, of both the machine and the product extracted, which pass through the central telephone 6 to an invoice 7 to which the printer is connected θ. In the event that the hotel or premises had a computer 9 through which billing could be carried out, the invoiceer 7 could be deleted.
Cuando un cliente del hotel se dispone a abonar su factura, el recepcionista tecleará en el facturador 7 el número de la habitación donde se alojaba el cliente, apareciendo en el display del mismo la cantidad de artícu¬ los consumidos, asi como el importe de los mismos. Bastará con pulsar la tecla correspondiente para que esa informa¬ ción se obtenga impresa a través de la impresora 8.When a hotel customer prepares to pay his bill, the receptionist will type in the billing 7 the number of the room where the customer was staying, appearing on the display of the same the amount of items consumed, as well as the amount of the same. Simply press the corresponding key so that this information is printed through the printer 8.
Como puede comprenderse, puede prescindirse de la impresora θ, realizándose la factura manualmente a partir de los datos que aparecen en la pantalla del facturador 7.As can be understood, the printer θ can be dispensed with, the invoice being made manually from the data that appears on the screen of the invoiceer 7.
También, tal y como se ha señalado anteriormente, puede presclndirse del facturador 7 en aquellos casos en los que el hotel tenga informatizado el sistema de factura- ción a través del ordenador 9.Also, as noted above, the billing agent 7 can be dispensed with in cases where the hotel has computerized the billing system through the computer 9.
La inclusión del facturador 7 puede hacer imprescindible el ordenador 9 y la impresora 8.The inclusion of the invoiceer 7 can make essential computer 9 and printer 8.
Las diferentes formas de instalación permiten abarcar las diferentes posibilidades que pueden encontrarse en las instalaciones hoteleras, evitando de este modo que sea el sistema electrónico un impedimento para la instala¬ ción en hoteles del sistema de la invención.The different forms of installation make it possible to cover the different possibilities that can be found in hotel facilities, thus avoiding that the electronic system is an impediment to the installation in hotels of the system of the invention.
Para abaratar la implantación del sistema se utilizará preferentemente como linea de transmisión la linea telefónica pero, tal y como puede comprenderse, puede realizarse a través de una conexión propia, de la red eléctrica, cable de televisión, a través de un sistema radioeléctrico convencional, etc. To reduce the implementation of the system, the telephone line will preferably be used as a transmission line, but, as it can be understood, it can be carried out through an own connection, of the electrical network, television cable, through a conventional radio system, etc.

Claims

REIVINDICACIONES 1.- Sistema para el control de ventas efectuadas a través de máquinas expendedoras, especialmente aplicable en instalaciones hoteleras y similares que disponen en las habitaciones de máquinas expendedoras de determinados productos o artículos, caracterizado porque se dota a cada máquina expendedora de una tarjeta informática personaliza¬ da, la cual detecta la salida de un producto de la máquina expendedora y lo identifica, produciendo a continuación una señal de conexión con una unidad central de control, a la que transmite el código identificador de la propia máquina, asi como determinados datos relativos al producto extraído, contabilizando la unidad central la extracción del producto y cargando su venta a la cuenta del usuario de la habita- ción en la que se encuentra instalada la máquina.CLAIMS 1.- System for the control of sales made through vending machines, especially applicable in hotel facilities and similar that have in the rooms of vending machines of certain products or items, characterized in that each vending machine is provided with a computer card customized, which detects the output of a product from the vending machine and identifies it, then producing a connection signal with a central control unit, to which it transmits the identification code of the machine itself, as well as certain data relating to the product extracted, the central unit accounting for the extraction of the product and charging its sale to the user account of the room in which the machine is installed.
2.- Sistema según la reivindicación 1, caracteri¬ zado porque la conexión entre la máquina expendedora y la unidad central de control se efectúa a través de una linea de transmisión, preferentemente a través de una linea de telefonía o suministro eléctrico existente en el local donde se instalan las máquinas expendedoras.2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection between the vending machine and the central control unit is made through a transmission line, preferably through a telephone line or power supply existing in the premises where vending machines are installed.
3.- Sistema según las reivindicaciones 1 y 2, caracterizado porque cada tarjeta informática incluye un detector de linea de transmisión ocupada y una memoria capaz de almacenar la información suministrada por la tarjeta, como consecuencia de la extracción de un producto de la máquina, cuya información es transmitida a la unidad central al detectar linea de transmisión libre. 3. System according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that each computer card includes a busy transmission line detector and a memory capable of storing the information supplied by the card, as a result of the extraction of a product from the machine, whose information is transmitted to the central unit when detecting free transmission line.
PCT/ES1997/000019 1996-01-30 1997-01-30 System for controlling sales effected through dispensing machines WO1997028509A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES09600208A ES2113816B1 (en) 1996-01-30 1996-01-30 SYSTEM FOR THE CONTROL OF SALES MADE THROUGH VENDING MACHINES.
ESP9600208 1996-01-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997028509A1 true WO1997028509A1 (en) 1997-08-07

Family

ID=8293609

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/ES1997/000019 WO1997028509A1 (en) 1996-01-30 1997-01-30 System for controlling sales effected through dispensing machines

Country Status (3)

Country Link
ES (1) ES2113816B1 (en)
FR (1) FR2744266B3 (en)
WO (1) WO1997028509A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002056265A1 (en) * 2001-01-10 2002-07-18 Smartstock Pty Ltd A dispensing device

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2820864A1 (en) * 2001-02-12 2002-08-16 Philippe Mermet CONTROL SYSTEM FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSING MACHINES
ES2471975B1 (en) * 2012-12-26 2015-04-13 José María DOMINGOT JIMÉNEZ Cold products dispenser for hotels and similar

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4120452A (en) * 1975-08-14 1978-10-17 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Automatic vending system
GB1536534A (en) * 1975-11-17 1978-12-20 Television Syst & Res Ltd Devices for providing data
US4412292A (en) * 1981-02-17 1983-10-25 The Coca-Cola Company System for the remote monitoring of vending machines
FR2573889A1 (en) * 1984-11-27 1986-05-30 Sonelec System for processing information originating from the rooms of a hotel complex or the like and for monitoring these rooms.
WO1988000741A1 (en) * 1986-07-11 1988-01-28 Bar Vender, Inc. Remotely-controlled vending system
EP0340420A1 (en) * 1988-04-21 1989-11-08 WMF Hogatron AG Article removing detector device for a self-service unit
EP0442349A1 (en) * 1990-02-07 1991-08-21 Tadiran Electrical Appliances Ltd. Minibar system

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2017220A6 (en) * 1989-11-10 1991-01-01 Sistemas Y Aplicaciones De Tel Data transmission equipment

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4120452A (en) * 1975-08-14 1978-10-17 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Automatic vending system
GB1536534A (en) * 1975-11-17 1978-12-20 Television Syst & Res Ltd Devices for providing data
US4412292A (en) * 1981-02-17 1983-10-25 The Coca-Cola Company System for the remote monitoring of vending machines
FR2573889A1 (en) * 1984-11-27 1986-05-30 Sonelec System for processing information originating from the rooms of a hotel complex or the like and for monitoring these rooms.
WO1988000741A1 (en) * 1986-07-11 1988-01-28 Bar Vender, Inc. Remotely-controlled vending system
EP0340420A1 (en) * 1988-04-21 1989-11-08 WMF Hogatron AG Article removing detector device for a self-service unit
EP0442349A1 (en) * 1990-02-07 1991-08-21 Tadiran Electrical Appliances Ltd. Minibar system

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002056265A1 (en) * 2001-01-10 2002-07-18 Smartstock Pty Ltd A dispensing device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2744266A1 (en) 1997-08-01
ES2113816B1 (en) 1999-02-16
ES2113816A1 (en) 1998-05-01
FR2744266B3 (en) 1998-04-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5206488A (en) Credit card system including a central unit and a plurality of local units for conducting low-cost transactions
US6010239A (en) Automatic item-driven system for deposit and pick-up
US5345379A (en) System for controlling access to subsystems
CA2113805C (en) Pocketsize electronic travel and commuter pass and a plurality of accounting systems.
US6899268B2 (en) Electronic locker system
US7874482B2 (en) Parking meter
CN105976529A (en) Charger baby leasing method
EP0112609A2 (en) Data input/output system for gasoline stations
EP0505137A2 (en) Public laundry facility management system
US20040059693A1 (en) Parking space payment method
CN107180379A (en) A kind of portable power source leasing system and its rent method
WO2009080566A1 (en) Automatic parking station system for cycles and bicycles
KR100652151B1 (en) Vehicle parking lot management method
JPH10302147A (en) Vending machine and reservoir locker
JP2003512686A (en) A system for quickly distributing and adding values to fare cards
US7330719B2 (en) Method for using radiotelephone terminal as remote control for automatic devices supplying fee-paying services
JP4105923B2 (en) Electricity sales system equipment
JP4273641B2 (en) Charge settlement system
JP2002304559A (en) Electronic lock type coin locker, reserving system therefor and luggage transferring system using the same
US8744622B2 (en) Information management system
WO1997028509A1 (en) System for controlling sales effected through dispensing machines
US7165719B2 (en) Method for controlling a service-providing device
JP4870977B2 (en) Facility management system using automatic settlement machine
JP3629213B2 (en) Location-specific billing system and information processing server
JP4668353B1 (en) Billing system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BR CA CU MX PT

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA