WO1999030260A1

WO1999030260A1 - Vending machine displaying the on-line information and the digital video images

Info

Publication number: WO1999030260A1
Application number: PCT/KR1998/000002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Byung Hee Kim; Young Hun Chung
Original assignee: Byung Hee Kim; Young Hun Chung
Priority date: 1997-12-08
Filing date: 1998-01-09
Publication date: 1999-06-17
Also published as: AU5680798A; KR19990048188A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vending machine displaying the on-line information and the digital video images. This machine can receive various advertisement and information from the host network and display them on the attached monitor. The present invention includes: a vending machine part (200) includes a microprocessor (201) transmitting the product sales information signal to the communication interface (205), a communication interface (205) transmitting the product sales data to the communication interface (101) of the video processing part (100); a video processing part (100) loading the corresponding VGA and MPEC files to the product sales information saved in the external memory (107) after receiving the product sales information from the above vending machine part (200), and displaying those files using the multi-video device (108) after receiving the VGA and MPEC files from the computer network.

Description

Vending machine displaying the on-line information and the digital video images

Technical Field The present invention relates to video image displaying vending machines. More specifically, this invention saves the video images containing the VGA and MPEG files received by the host network to the system memory, fetches the VGA and MPEG files from the system memory, and displays the video images on the attached monitor of the vending machines. Moreover, the above VGA and MPEG files include video images such as advertisements of the products and their companies.

Background Art

Vending machines store various products and dispense the selected products. In recent years, many vending machines began to have video monitors or VCR's displaying advertisements installed on them to attract or draw attention of the customers. However, these video image displaying vending machines have very limited video tape space, and because their only capacity is to process the analogue video signal processor, they do not have the capacity to display VGA and MPEG programs. Furthermore, because these vending machines do not have the memory capacity to store images such as advertisements generated by the computer on-line network, they cannot provide a variety of images and advertisements.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is intended to overcome the above described disadvantages of the conventional video image displaying vending machines.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a video image displaying vending machine in which, the machine can receive various information through the host network and display them on the attached monitor . Thus, the object is to use the computer on-line system and the vending machine to advertise the products and their companies and provide fast information service.

Another object of the present invention is to use the monitor of the vending machine to display the VGA or MPEG images containing the corresponding advertisement of the product that the user selects. This invention provides an effective advertisement for various products.

In achieving the above objectives, the video image displaying vending machines of the present invention includes: a vending machine part incluses a microprocessor transmitting the product sales information signal to the communication interface, a communication interface transmitting the product sales data to the communication interface of the video processing part ; a video processing part loading the corresponding VGA and MPEC files to the product sales information saved in the external memory after receiving the product sales information from the above vending machine part, and displaying those files using the multi -video device after receiving the VGA and MPEC files from the computer network.

Brief Description of Drawings

In the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the vending machine on which the video image of the present invention is displayed; Fig. 2 is a system circuit block diagram of the vending machine on which the video image of the present invention is displayed;

Fig. 3 is a circuit block diagram of the performance model that presents the multi -video device of the Fig. 2 in detail. Fig. 4 is a flow chart of the main control program which receives the VGA and MPEG programs .

Fig. 5 is a flow chart of the MPEG mode sub-program of the MPEG displaying mode of the Fig. 4 in detail. Fig. 6 is a flow chart of the news mode sub-program of the Fig. 4 in detail.

Fig. 7 is a flow chart of the still mode sub-program of the Fig.4 in detail.

Numerical Explanation in the Drawings

100. Video processing part

101. Communication interface of video processing part

(RS-232C)

102. CPU 103. Communication interface device

104. VGA signal processor 105. MPEG signal processor 106. Internal memory 107. External memory (HDD) 108. Multi -video device 109. Monitor 110. PC-bus 200A. Vending machine 200. Vending machine part

201. Microprocessor of vending machine

202. Coin mechanism 203. condition detector

204. Button key 205. Communication interface of vending machine (RS-232C)

Best Mode for Carrying Out of This Invention

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the vending machine 200A which displays the on-line information and the digital video image of the present invention. This vending machine 200A comprises of a general monitor 109, which displays the video image, and a button key 204 which selects the product. Furthermore, it is equipped with the system circuit as shown in Fig. 2. This system circuit consists of different vending machine part 200 and the video processing part 100. The above vending machine part 200 includes a general coin mechanism 202, and the microprocessor 201 which transmits the product sales information to the communication interface 205 of the vending machine generated by pressing the button key 204. This communication interface 205 of the vending machine transmits the product sales information to the communication interface 101 of the video processing part 100. The vending machine part 200 also includes a condition detector 203 which senses the pedestrians passing the surrounding vending machine 200A and checks the passing pedestrian numbers per hour.

Another part of the system circuit is the video processing part 100 which includes the video processing communication interface 101 connecting the communication interface 205 of the vending machine, and the multi -video device 108, which is controlled by the CPU, selectively outputs one file from the VGA or MPEG files. This video processing part 100 also includes the VGA signal processor 104, which is controlled by the CPU 102, produces the VGA signal text and graphic, and the MPEG signal processor 105, controlled by the CPU 102, produces the video signal which interprets the video data of compressed live images.

Furthermore, the above video processing part 100 includes the communication device 103 which receives the VGA file data and the compressed video data of the MPEG file, and the external memory 107 which saves the information data from the network transmitted by the communication interface device 103. The video processing part 100 also includes the multi -video device 108 which connects the monitor 109. This multi -video device 108 is controlled by the CPU 102 and it selects one file from the VGA or MPEG files and displays the selected video data on the monitor 109. The Fig. 3 shows this multi -video device 108 more specifically.

This multi -video device 108 includes the video signal selection part 108a which generates the selection signal, controlled by the CPU 102 and selected from the VGA and MPEG signals, and the video switching part 108b, controlled by the CPU 102, transmits one selected file from the VGA and MPEG signals. In addition, the multi -video device 108 includes the watchdog timer part 108c, which initializes the total system if no activity occurs in the given time period, connects the PC bus 110. In this watchdog timer part 108c is the system reset part 108d which initializes the video processing part 100 system. These components of the present invention operate as followed.

When a user selects a product by pressing a button key 204 of the vending machine 200A in Fig. l, the microprocessor 201 recognizes this selection and transmits the corresponding information to the communication interface 101 using the communication interface 205. Once the corresponding information of the selected product is sent to the communication interface 101, the CPU 102 reads this information data and fetches the pre-saved VGA or MPEG files from the external memory 107 and saves this data on the internal memory 106. The CPU 102 transmits this fetched VGA or MPEG file to the multi -video device 108 using the VGA signal processor 104 or the MPEG signal processor 105.

Once this fetched VGA or MPEG file is transmitted to the multi -video device 108, the multi -video device 108 selects one file from the VGA and MPEG files, and transmits the TV signal 108g in Fig. 3 to the monitor 109. After the monitor 109 receives this signal, the CPU 102 transmits the logic signal to the video signal selection part 108a through the PC bus 110 control line, and the video signal selection part 108a operates the video switching part 108b. For example, if the output logic of the video signal selection part 108a is '1' , the MPEG signal 108e input of the video switching part 108b connects the TV signal 108g. In another hand, if the output logic of the video signal selection part 108a is '0', the VGA signal 108h of the video switching part 108b connects the TV signal 108g. This is to say that the CPU 102 selectively fetches one file from the VGA and MPEG files in the external memory 106, and transmits the VGA signal 108h or MPEG signal 108e to the multi -video device 108. Accordingly, the monitor 109 selectively displays these signals.

On the other hand, if the VGA file or the MPEG file is transmitted to the communication interface device 103 through the communication network, the video processing part 100, controlled by the CPU 102, receives one file from the VGA file and the compressed MPEG file using the communication interface device 103, and saves the file into the hard disk of the external memory 107. Further, the above video processing part 100 provides the VGA signal 108h, which is processed by the VGA signal processor 104, to the multi -video device 108. The video processing part 100 also transmits the MPEG signal 108e which is processed by the MPEG signal processor105, to the multi -video device 108.

Next, the watchdog timer 108c checks the condition of the control signal which selects the video signal selection part 108a, and if no signal change is detected in the given time, the watchdog timer 108c transmits the initializing order signal to the reset terminal of the CPU 102 through the system reset part 108d and the reset terminal 108i . Also, the system reset part 108d outputs the initializing order signal when the reset push button 108f is pressed. If the initializing order signal is sent to the reset terminal 108i, the CPU 102 initializes the system and maintains the current state until the next command.

As indicated in Fig 4. to Fig. 7, these programs receive, save, and transmit the VGA and MPEG files which are transmitted by the communication network. Fig. 4 is a flow chart of the main program 10. First, the CPU 102 checks the communication port and the communication speed to determine the existence of the watchdog card, and if the watchdog is found, the CPU 102 sets the VGA and MPEG conversion time, and if it is not found, the CPU 102 ends the program (Step

10a~10d) . Next, after the CPU 102 initializes the modem and the communication port, it reads the "MPEG.SCN" field from the external memory 107 and saves this in the MPEG buffer. Similarly, the CPU 102 reads the "NEWS.SCN" field and saves this in the news buffer (Step lOe, lOf) . The CPU

102 then reads the "MAIN.SCN" field, and saves this in the

"ALL.SCN" buffer. After this step, the CPU 102 reads the text font and saves this in the corresponding buffer and sets the VGA mode to SVGA mode (Step 10g~10i) Next, the CPU

102 checks for the offtime.dat file. If the file exists, the CPU 102 sets the automatic power off time and if no file exists, the CPU 102 continues to run the program.

Once all the proper steps have been taken, the main control program checks the main scenario sequence (step lOj-101) . If the above main scenario is in the MPEG mode, the Fig.5 MPEG mode sub-program 20 operates and if the main scenario is in the news mode, the Fig.6 news mode sub-program 30 operates. If it is in the still image mode, the Fig.7 still mode sub-program 40 operates (Step 10m, 10n,10p) .

Once the operation of the above modes take place, the CPU 102 determines whether the current time is greater than the off time, and if the current time is greater than the off time, it ends the program, and if the current time is less than the off time, it continues the program (Step lOq, lOr) .

As shown in Fig.5, the MPEG mode sub-program 20 runs the MPEG statement (MPEG While) in the MPEG Mode (Step 20a~ 20e) . First, the CPU 102 using the MPEG statement changes the VGA mode to MPEG mode, decodes the MPEG data, and displays the MPEG data. The CPU 102 then checks the condition of the modem which is connected to the communication port, and if the condition of the modem is abnormal (ring signal detect, etc) , it ends the program. In addition, the CPU 102 checks the program and if the program has reached the end of the MPEG file, it stops the operation, and if the program is not at the end of the MPEG file, it continues the operation until the program reaches the end of the MPEG file.

While running the above program, the CPU 102 checks the key input signal of the vending machine and if the key input is detected, it immediately displays the corresponding advertisement or the information data (Step 20c~20g) . After completing the above operation, the CPU102 changes the MPEG mode to the VGA mode (step 20h) .

Once the operation of the above step 20h takes place, the CPU 102 checks the condition of the modem and if the modem connecting signal is detected, the modem then receives the data using the communication protocol. After completing this step, it returns to the main program 10 (Step 20i~20l) .

Similarly, the Fig. 6 indicates the operation of the news mode sub-program. Here, the CPU 102 reads the corresponding news data in the news mode, and determines the background picture and the text color . The CPU 102 then separates the ASCII or KSC5602 code, automatically arranges the text, and displays it into 24x48 or 48x48 form(Step 30a ~30c) . After this step, the CPU 102 determines whether the vending machine button key 204 is selected, and if a button key 204 is selected, the CPU 102 displays the corresponding advertisement or the information data on the monitor (Step 30d, 30e) . The CPU 102 then checks the condition of the modem and if the modem connecting signal is detected, the modem then receives the data (Step 30f, 30g) .

As shown in Fig. 7, there is the still mode sub-program 40. Here, the CPU 102 decodes the still image files in the still image mode, and checks the connecting condition of the modem. If the CPU 102 recognizes the connecting signal, it receives the data (Step 40a, 40b, 40e, 40f) . Once the operation of the above step takes place, the CPU 102 checks whether the button key 204 is selected and if it is selected, the CPU 102 displays the corresponding advertisement or the information data (Step 40c, 40d) .

Another function of the present invention is that the CPU 102 recognizes and counts the number of the passing pedestrians by using the condition detector.

industrial Application

This invention provides the user with a vending machine which transmits and displays the on-line internet information and the digital video data. Especially, the above digital video data pre- stored in the external memory. Furthermore, these on-line information and the digital video data are transmitted through the data communcation network, and displayed into the VGA and MPEG files. Accordingly, the present invention can provide effective means of advertisement and information services utilizing the data communication technology.

With the conventional video image displaying vending machines, in order to display text data or graphic data on television, it required excessive equipments and high cost in the video production. However, the present invention enables the text and graphic data to be displayed without the high cost by using the computer network. In addition, because the present invention can separately process, transmit, and display small VGA files and the large MPEG files, it uses the general telephone service instead of the other expensive exclusive line services. Therefore, the present invention reduces the time and labor used in video production and editing. Furthermore, while reducing the costs, it increases its efficiency.

Claims

Claim

1. The vending machine displaying the on-line information and the digital video images comprises: a vending machine part 200 includes a microprocessor 201 transmitting the product sales information signal to the communication interface 205, a communication interface 205 transmitting the product sales data to the communication interface 101 of the video processing part 100; a video processing part 100 loading the corresponding VGA and MPEG files to the product sales information saved in the external memory 107 after receiving the product sales information from the above vending machine part 200, and displaying those files using the multi -video device 108 after receiving the VGA and MPEC files from the computer network.

2. The vending machine displaying the on-line information and the digital video images as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said video processing part 100 comprises : a communication interface 101 connected to the communication interface 205 of the vending machine, a multi -video device 108 selecting and generating one file from the VGA and MPEG files, a communication interface device 103 receiving video data and information from the communication network, a external memory 107 saving data and video files transmitted from the network through the above communication interface device 103, a CPU 102 controlling the total system, a monitor 109 displaying the video signal from the multi -video device 108.

3. The vending machine displaying the on-line information and digital video images as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said multi -video device 108 comprises: a video signal selection part 108a, controlled by the CPU, generating the logic signal selected from the VGA signal I08h or the MPEG signal 108e and connecting to the PC bus 110 of the video processing part 100, a video switching part 108b connecting the VGA signal (108h) or the MPEG signal (108e) to the TV signal (108g) , a watchdog timer part 108c transmitting the reset order to the entire system if the signal selection has no change within the given time, a push-button 108f installed to reset the system, a reset terminal 108i generating the initializing signal according to the reset order of the watchdog timer part 108c.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 19 February 1999 (19.02.99 ); original claims 1, 2 and 3 replaced by new claims 1, 2 and 3 (2 pages)]

1. The vending machine displaying the on-line information and the digital video images comprises: a vending machine part 200 including a microprocessor 201 transmitting the product sales information signal to the communication interface 205, and a communication interface 205 transmitting the product sales data to the communication interface 101 of the video processing part 100; and a video processing part 100 loading the corresponding VGA and MPEG files to the product sales information saved in the external memory 107 after receiving the product sales information from the above vending machine part 200, and displaying those files using the multi -video device 108 after receiving the VGA and MPEG files from the computer network.

2. The vending machine displaying the on-line information and the digital video images as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said video processing part 100 comprises : a communication interface 101 connected to the communication interface 205 of the vending machine; a multi -video device 108 selecting and generating one file from the VGA and MPEG files; a communication interface device 103 receiving video data and information from the communication network; a external memory 107 saving data and video files transmitted from the network through the above communication interface device 103; a CPU 102 controlling the total system; and a monitor 109 displaying the video signal from the multi -video device 108.

3. The vending machine displaying the on-line information and the digital video images as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said multi -video device 108 comprises: a video signal selection part 108a, controlled by the CPU, generating the logic signal selected from the VGA signal 108h or the MPEG signal I08e and connecting to the PC bus 110 of the video processing part 100; a video switching part 108b connecting the VGA signal 108h or the MPEG signal I08e to the TV signal 108g; a watchdog timer part 108c transmitting the reset order to the entire system if the signal selection has no change within the given time; a push-button I08f installed to reset the system; and a reset terminal I08i generating the initializing signal according to the reset order of the watchdog timer part 108c.