ES2769911A1 - INTEGRAL MANAGEMENT AND AID INFORMATION SYSTEM APPLICABLE TO VENDING MACHINES (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Comprehensive help and management information system applicable to vending machines that includes a device internally connected to each machine through its standard communications port, which through its communication protocols, the internal processor of the same will retrieve information on sales, sales losses, money for collection available in coins and banknotes, or coins entered or extracted for exchange, as well as eventual breakdowns in any part or part of the machine, and your management software that allows the processing of information within the device and memory storage, being able to establish communication with the central server in a data center where through GPRS communication protocols generates an entry in the database for processing. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

INTEGRAL MANAGEMENT AND AID INFORMATION SYSTEM

APPLICABLE TO VENDING MACHINES

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, as expressed in the statement of this specification, refers to a comprehensive help and management information system applicable to vending machines that provides the intended function with a series of advantages and characteristics, apart from other inherent to its organization and constitution, which will be described in detail later, and which represent a substantial improvement over what is already known in this field.

More specifically, the object of the invention consists of an information storage and communication system applicable to the administration of vending machines through various computer tools, so that each device will provide the information, which is processed within the device and stored in memory, being able to establish communication with a central server in a data center generating an entry in the database for processing, using specifically developed communications software, optimizing the administration and management of information from of the specific data analyzed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of application of the present invention is included within the industry dedicated to the manufacture and / or installation of vending machines for various articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the current market there are numerous programmable communication interface devices, whose operation differs by the use of these components and the ability of the devices to provide direct communication through specially designed commands to any machine that uses the RS232 communication interface. To take an example, an Arduino device could do the same job, with the right program, as well as even a small PC.

Likewise, there are currently a large number of vending machines that sell products that, more or less complex, provide the product directly to the user, and can even store information and interconnect with a central server, but the essential advantage of the object of the Invention is that it is a vending machine management system applied specifically to vending machines, which allows a more in-depth development in terms of its possibilities and with a substantially lower price than others with similar characteristics.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The information system of help and comprehensive management applicable to vending machines that the invention proposes, constitutes in itself an evident novelty within its field of application, since, being specifically designed for vending machines, it has greater benefits, and at a price significantly lower than other systems of its competition.

More specifically, the invention consists of a computerized system that constitutes an integral platform for information, help and management in the distribution of products through vending machines, providing and processing all the necessary information through their devices.

Each vending machine will have a device internally connected through its standard communication port that comes from the factory, and through its communication protocols, the internal processor of the same retrieves the information related to sales, lost sales, money for the collection available in coins and notes, or coins you enter or extract for the change, as well as eventual breakdowns in any part or part of the machine. This information is processed within the device and stored in memory, this device being able to establish communication with a central server in a data center where, through GPRS communication protocols, it generates an entry in a database for processing. .

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the present specification, as an integral part thereof, is accompanied by a sheet of drawings in which, by way of illustration and not limiting the following is represented:

Figure 1 is a schematic circuit showing the internal connection of system components.

Figure 2 shows a possible physical embodiment of the device in a classic base and support structure.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of these figures, it can be seen how the comprehensive help and management information system applicable to vending machines is made up of hardware, which allows the logical connection of a vending machine and a central web communications server. The hardware has an RS232 input and output port, and a GPRS communications module, with a memory of Persistent storage, which allows it not to be erased during the period of time that the equipment is off, and is composed of a PCB board and electronic parts that include:

- Electrolytic and ceramic capacitors.

- Resistances.

- Microchip microcontroller: PIC18F25K22.

- MAX232 interface chip

- Microchip 24LC1025 memory.

- Connectors

- SIM800L module

- LED and Zener diodes.

- Push buttons.

The system is equipped with software called Firmware that controls GPRS communication, communication with the vending machine and the processes of each of the components, such as internal parameterization and memory storage. Firmware constitutes a fundamental part of the device, and is the base of operation of the microcontroller. The device is totally inert without the Firmware. The PIC18F25K22 microcontroller controls the entire communication process, as well as writing and reading to the memory module, which in turn is capable of storing binary information that will later be transferred to the central server.

On the central server is the entrance door or doors to the system, made up of a software unit based on Sockets technology. This unit contains the logic necessary to receive the information coming from the Gateway and to interface with the database.

The system is completed with a database, and a series of active web pages that make up the interaction with the user. All calculation processes Internal are carried out by stored procedures, and other programs that are run frequently.

Having clear the description of the system previously exposed, the functionality of the same is deduced. Through the communication protocols of the device internally connected to each vending machine, the processor of the same will retrieve sales information, lost sales, money for collection available in coins and banknotes, or coins entered or extracted for change, as well as eventual breakdowns in any part or part of the machine. This information is processed within the device and stored in memory, being able to establish communication with the central server in a data center where through GPRS communication protocols it generates an entry in the database for processing.

It is not considered necessary to make this description more extensive so that any person skilled in the art understands the scope of the invention and the advantages derived from it.

The materials, size and arrangement of the components of the described elements and all the accessory details that may be presented will be subject to variation as long as it does not suppose an alteration to the essential characteristics of the invention.

The terms in which this report has been described must always be taken with a broad and non-limiting nature.

Claims (2)

one.

Information system of help and comprehensive management applicable to vending machines characterized by the fact of comprising conventional type hardware adequately equipped with the necessary elements for the correct operation of the system, such as a PCB board, electrolytic and ceramic capacitors, resistors, microcontroller Microchip PIC18F25K22, chip MAX232 interface, connectors, SIM800L module, LED and Zener diodes and push buttons, which allow the persistent storage of the information of each machine and the logical connection of the vending equipment with a central web communications server; and specifically developed management and communication software. two.

- Interactive information system applicable to vending machines according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the communication processes are developed using firmware that will allow writing and reading in the memory module, which stores the binary information that will later be stored in the central server, where the entrance doors to the system, consisting of a software unit based on sockets, which contains the logic necessary to receive the information from the Gateway and interface with the database.