WO1996036023A1 - Method of updating of prices and display of messages in a local unit - Google Patents

Method of updating of prices and display of messages in a local unit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1996036023A1
WO1996036023A1 PCT/NO1996/000109 NO9600109W WO9636023A1 WO 1996036023 A1 WO1996036023 A1 WO 1996036023A1 NO 9600109 W NO9600109 W NO 9600109W WO 9636023 A1 WO9636023 A1 WO 9636023A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
prices
unit
goods
local
services
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO1996/000109
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Øystein KONSMO
Finn Staff
Original Assignee
Konsmo Oeystein
Finn Staff
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 Konsmo Oeystein, Finn Staff filed Critical Konsmo Oeystein
Priority to AU57061/96A priority Critical patent/AU5706196A/en
Publication of WO1996036023A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996036023A1/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

Definitions

  • the invention concerns a method for remotely setting and updating prices of goods and services in a local unit for sale of goods and services, especially a vending machine, according to the introduction of claim 1, together with a method for generating and displaying messages in a local unit for sale of goods and services, especially a vending machine, according to the introduction of claim 2.
  • a decentralized system for supplying goods and services wherein the system comprises a number of local units, especially vending machines, for supplying goods and services, is described in international patent claim
  • PCT/NO95/00060 which concerns a method for monitoring such a decentralized system for supplying goods and services and generating messages concerning the state of the system.
  • the methods which are employed today for setting prices in vending machines are based on the fact that if the vending machine has an intelligent coin validator or coin changer, the prices in the vending machine unit are set by the use of keys provided on the vending machine or the door thereof or by connecting a hand-held terminal to an input on the vending machine and setting the new prices via the keyboard on the terminal. If the vending machine is equipped with electronic control devices and has a non-intelligent coin unit connected to the control device, the prices can also be set in the control unit in approximately the same fashion as described above.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to provide a method which permits remote setting of the prices and thereby gives maximum flexibility at the lowest possible cost.
  • a second object of the invention is to provide a method for generating and displaying messages in a local unit or a vending machine, especially in a situation where the prices have been altered or reset, thus enabling a customer to obtain immediate information concerning a commodity or service.
  • An operator specifies on the host computer the products, i.e. goods and ser ⁇ vices, which are offered by the vending machine.
  • the price of each product is also specified.
  • Data for product specification and price are downloaded to a system control unit in the vending machine every time a change is made in the product selection or the prices have to be changed. The data in this system control unit will therefore reflect the data which are stored in a data base in a host computer which monitors the vending machine or the local units.
  • the system control unit In the local unit or in the vending machine the system control unit is connected to an intelligent coin unit and/or an electronic control device via a serial interface or bus interface.
  • a program which emulates the method for setting the price for each individual product in either the coin unit or in the electronic control unit.
  • the emulator program starts and the prices in the coin unit or the electronic control unit or both are automatically updated.
  • a wireless data network may advantageously be used as the communication network.
  • An additional advantage with this method is that the operator can react quickly to market requirements.
  • An example of this is the case where a vending machine is located at a place where special events are taking place, e.g. a sports arena, the operator may wish to offer one or more products at a special price while the event is in progress, or during a short period in the course of the event.
  • This can easily be implemented by using the above- mentioned method.
  • a price is altered in a local unit or a vending machine, it will be desirable to make the price known to the public. The same will be the case when the product selection has changed or when a completely new product is offered.
  • a number of local units will be equipped with a display device which informs the buyer of the sales prices.
  • the display device can work in various ways. The buyer can, e.g., press a selector key in order to obtain information on the sales price for a specific product.
  • the vending machine has a display device with a finite number of characters, thus enabling the text to be scrolled over the display unit.
  • the system control unit can be connected to the display device via a serial interface or bus interface in order to transfer information via this interface in a format determined by the display unit. If the local unit or the vending machine does not have a display device which permits scrolling, an external display unit can be mounted on the local unit and connected to the system control unit in a similar manner.
  • the system control unit in the local unit will contain a message library with messages which can be displayed on the display device, the message library being remotely updated from the system's host computer. Each message in the message library is assigned a reference number.
  • the operator at the host computer will download a data block to the system control unit in the local unit, the data block containing the message's reference number or reference numbers for more messages, as well as starting and stopping times for when the message or messages have to be displayed.
  • the operator can preset the time for transfer of the data block and also to which local units the data have to be transferred, thus making the physical presence of the operator unnecessary at the host computer to perform this task.
  • Examples of messages which can be mentioned are "New flavour, Coke Light in selection one" and "All products 75 cents until 7 p.m.”. In the latter case the operator will download a data block with new prices when the sales promotion starts and thereafter the data block which contains the message's reference number and the starting and stopping times for the message. At the end of the sales promotion the system control unit will reset the prices to the prices before the sales promotion in the intelligent coin unit and/or in the local unit's control device which validates the prices.

Abstract

In a local unit for supplying goods and services the prices of the goods and services are remotely set and updated from a central host computer which controls and monitors a system wherein a number of such local units are included. In connection with the setting and updating of prices, especially in connection with sales promotion, the local unit can, on instructions from the host computer, simultaneously display messages concerning prices and products on a display device in the local unit. These messages are stored in a message library in the local unit.

Description

Methods of updating of prices and display of messages in a local unit
The invention concerns a method for remotely setting and updating prices of goods and services in a local unit for sale of goods and services, especially a vending machine, according to the introduction of claim 1, together with a method for generating and displaying messages in a local unit for sale of goods and services, especially a vending machine, according to the introduction of claim 2.
A decentralized system for supplying goods and services, wherein the system comprises a number of local units, especially vending machines, for supplying goods and services, is described in international patent claim
PCT/NO95/00060 which concerns a method for monitoring such a decentralized system for supplying goods and services and generating messages concerning the state of the system.
The methods which are employed today for setting prices in vending machines are based on the fact that if the vending machine has an intelligent coin validator or coin changer, the prices in the vending machine unit are set by the use of keys provided on the vending machine or the door thereof or by connecting a hand-held terminal to an input on the vending machine and setting the new prices via the keyboard on the terminal. If the vending machine is equipped with electronic control devices and has a non-intelligent coin unit connected to the control device, the prices can also be set in the control unit in approximately the same fashion as described above.
A drawback with both of these methods is that the prices can only be altered when a person is physically present at the machine. Consequently such methods are both expensive and inflexible.
The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method which permits remote setting of the prices and thereby gives maximum flexibility at the lowest possible cost. A second object of the invention is to provide a method for generating and displaying messages in a local unit or a vending machine, especially in a situation where the prices have been altered or reset, thus enabling a customer to obtain immediate information concerning a commodity or service. The above-mentioned objects are achieved with a method which is characterized by the features which are disclosed by the characterizing part of claim 1 and a method which is characterized by the features which are disclosed by the characterizing part of claim 2 respectively.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments.
An operator specifies on the host computer the products, i.e. goods and ser¬ vices, which are offered by the vending machine. The price of each product is also specified. Data for product specification and price are downloaded to a system control unit in the vending machine every time a change is made in the product selection or the prices have to be changed. The data in this system control unit will therefore reflect the data which are stored in a data base in a host computer which monitors the vending machine or the local units.
In the local unit or in the vending machine the system control unit is connected to an intelligent coin unit and/or an electronic control device via a serial interface or bus interface. In the system control unit there is stored a program which emulates the method for setting the price for each individual product in either the coin unit or in the electronic control unit. When new prices are transferred to the system control unit via a data communication network which is employed by the system in order to connect the local units to the host computer, the emulator program starts and the prices in the coin unit or the electronic control unit or both are automatically updated. A wireless data network may advantageously be used as the communication network.
An additional advantage with this method is that the operator can react quickly to market requirements. An example of this is the case where a vending machine is located at a place where special events are taking place, e.g. a sports arena, the operator may wish to offer one or more products at a special price while the event is in progress, or during a short period in the course of the event. This can easily be implemented by using the above- mentioned method. When a price is altered in a local unit or a vending machine, it will be desirable to make the price known to the public. The same will be the case when the product selection has changed or when a completely new product is offered.
A number of local units will be equipped with a display device which informs the buyer of the sales prices. The display device can work in various ways. The buyer can, e.g., press a selector key in order to obtain information on the sales price for a specific product. In other cases the vending machine has a display device with a finite number of characters, thus enabling the text to be scrolled over the display unit. In this case the system control unit can be connected to the display device via a serial interface or bus interface in order to transfer information via this interface in a format determined by the display unit. If the local unit or the vending machine does not have a display device which permits scrolling, an external display unit can be mounted on the local unit and connected to the system control unit in a similar manner.
The system control unit in the local unit will contain a message library with messages which can be displayed on the display device, the message library being remotely updated from the system's host computer. Each message in the message library is assigned a reference number. When a message or a number of messages have to be displayed in the local unit, the operator at the host computer will download a data block to the system control unit in the local unit, the data block containing the message's reference number or reference numbers for more messages, as well as starting and stopping times for when the message or messages have to be displayed. The operator can preset the time for transfer of the data block and also to which local units the data have to be transferred, thus making the physical presence of the operator unnecessary at the host computer to perform this task. Examples of messages which can be mentioned are "New flavour, Coke Light in selection one" and "All products 75 cents until 7 p.m.". In the latter case the operator will download a data block with new prices when the sales promotion starts and thereafter the data block which contains the message's reference number and the starting and stopping times for the message. At the end of the sales promotion the system control unit will reset the prices to the prices before the sales promotion in the intelligent coin unit and/or in the local unit's control device which validates the prices.

Claims

4PATENT CLAIMS
1. A method for remotely setting and updating prices of goods and services in a local unit for supply of the goods and services, especially a vending machine, wherein the local unit comprises a system control unit which is con- nected via an interface with an electronic coin unit and/or an electronic control device in the local unit, wherein the local unit is connected via a communication network with an operator-controlled, central host computer which controls and monitors a number of such local units which form part of a decentralized system for supplying the goods and services, and wherein the host computer stores a data base which contains information on the local units, the goods and services offered together with the prices thereof, the method being characterized by implementing an emulator program in the system control unit for setting and updating prices of goods and services, and transferring data for setting and updating of prices of goods and services from the central host computer to the system control unit, whereupon the emulator program therein sets and/or updates the prices in the electronic coin unit and/or the electronic control device which stores and validates the prices for the individual goods and services which are sold by the local unit.
2. A method for generating and displaying messages in a local unit for supply of goods and services, especially a vending machine, wherein the local unit comprises a system control unit which is connected via an interface with an electronic coin unit and/or electronic control device in the local unit, wherein the local unit is connected via a communication network with an operator-controlled, central host computer which controls and monitors a number of such local units which form part of a decentralized system for supplying the goods and services, wherein the host computer stores a data base which contains information on the local units, the goods and services offered together with the prices thereof, wherein the local unit further comprises or is connected with a display device for display of information on the goods or services, and wherein the prices thereof are set and updated by means of the method according to claim 1, the method being characterized by implementing in the system control unit a message library for storing messages for display on the display device, the messages being generated in the central host computer and downloaded to the message library in the system control unit, transferring instructions concerning which message has to be displayed and when it should be displayed from the host computer to the system control unit, transferring the selected message from the message library in the system control unit to the display device, the display device being connected to the system control unit via an interface, and controlling the duration of the display of the selected message from the system control unit.
PCT/NO1996/000109 1995-05-08 1996-05-07 Method of updating of prices and display of messages in a local unit WO1996036023A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU57061/96A AU5706196A (en) 1995-05-08 1996-05-07 Method of updating of prices and display of messages in a lo cal unit

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO951799 1995-05-08
NO951799A NO951799L (en) 1995-05-08 1995-05-08 Procedures for updating prices and displaying messages in a local unit for the delivery of goods and services

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996036023A1 true WO1996036023A1 (en) 1996-11-14

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NO1996/000109 WO1996036023A1 (en) 1995-05-08 1996-05-07 Method of updating of prices and display of messages in a local unit

Country Status (3)

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AU (1) AU5706196A (en)
NO (1) NO951799L (en)
WO (1) WO1996036023A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6230150B1 (en) 1997-10-09 2001-05-08 Walker Digital, Llc Vending machine evaluation network
US6321985B1 (en) * 1994-08-29 2001-11-27 Usa Technologies, Inc. System and method for networking and controlling vending machines
WO2002042958A2 (en) * 2000-11-24 2002-05-30 Thermo Hybaid Gmbh System for executing a transfer of goods, and a goods storage container
US7050654B2 (en) 2000-01-18 2006-05-23 Branders.Com Methods for generating composite images including positioning grid
US7191145B1 (en) * 2000-01-18 2007-03-13 Branders.Com, Inc. Method and system automatically to price a promotional product
US7228536B2 (en) * 1999-12-15 2007-06-05 Sanden, Corporation System for rewriting control program in vending machine
US8988418B1 (en) 2007-01-05 2015-03-24 Florelle, Inc. System and method for parametric display of modular aesthetic designs

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5091713A (en) * 1990-05-10 1992-02-25 Universal Automated Systems, Inc. Inventory, cash, security, and maintenance control apparatus and method for a plurality of remote vending machines
US5212774A (en) * 1988-12-09 1993-05-18 Dallas Semiconductor Corporation Two processor communications system with processor controlled modem
US5313569A (en) * 1984-10-15 1994-05-17 Unigrafic Ag Device for marking edges of shelves
WO1995027242A2 (en) * 1994-03-30 1995-10-12 Oeystein Konsmo Methods for monitoring a plurality of remote local units connected in a network and generating messages therefrom, and a device employed in said local units

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5313569A (en) * 1984-10-15 1994-05-17 Unigrafic Ag Device for marking edges of shelves
US5212774A (en) * 1988-12-09 1993-05-18 Dallas Semiconductor Corporation Two processor communications system with processor controlled modem
US5091713A (en) * 1990-05-10 1992-02-25 Universal Automated Systems, Inc. Inventory, cash, security, and maintenance control apparatus and method for a plurality of remote vending machines
WO1995027242A2 (en) * 1994-03-30 1995-10-12 Oeystein Konsmo Methods for monitoring a plurality of remote local units connected in a network and generating messages therefrom, and a device employed in said local units

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6321985B1 (en) * 1994-08-29 2001-11-27 Usa Technologies, Inc. System and method for networking and controlling vending machines
US6230150B1 (en) 1997-10-09 2001-05-08 Walker Digital, Llc Vending machine evaluation network
US7228536B2 (en) * 1999-12-15 2007-06-05 Sanden, Corporation System for rewriting control program in vending machine
US7050654B2 (en) 2000-01-18 2006-05-23 Branders.Com Methods for generating composite images including positioning grid
US7191145B1 (en) * 2000-01-18 2007-03-13 Branders.Com, Inc. Method and system automatically to price a promotional product
US7236647B2 (en) 2000-01-18 2007-06-26 Branders.Com, Inc. Methods and apparatuses for generating composite images including warping
US7302114B2 (en) 2000-01-18 2007-11-27 Branders.Com, Inc. Methods and apparatuses for generating composite images
US7315659B2 (en) 2000-01-18 2008-01-01 Branders.Com, Inc. Methods for generating composite images including filtering and embroidery price calculation
US7835591B2 (en) 2000-01-18 2010-11-16 Branders.Com, Inc. Methods and apparatus for generating composite images
WO2002042958A2 (en) * 2000-11-24 2002-05-30 Thermo Hybaid Gmbh System for executing a transfer of goods, and a goods storage container
WO2002042958A3 (en) * 2000-11-24 2004-02-19 Thermo Hybaid Gmbh System for executing a transfer of goods, and a goods storage container
US8988418B1 (en) 2007-01-05 2015-03-24 Florelle, Inc. System and method for parametric display of modular aesthetic designs

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO951799D0 (en) 1995-05-08
AU5706196A (en) 1996-11-29
NO951799L (en) 1996-11-11

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