ES2873107T3 - Interchangeable light panels multi-connection device in vending machines - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for multi-connection of interchangeable light panels in vending machines that includes connection stations (2), located together in a multi-connector block (5) with multiple male-female inputs to connect and disconnect different light panels (4) allowing to exchange them, and an element outlet connector (3) to the machine itself (24), which incorporates an electronic microcontroller (13), interposed between the multi-connector block (5) and the outlet connector element (3), which is equipped with several connectors (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) that allow its connection, to the Internet or Intranet and / or electronic memory devices to perform, in the light panels (4), which count as a light source in their light surface (12) with OLED, GRAPHENE or similar technology, additional functions to lighting, such as animation effects, signage, internet or intranet browsing and / or tuning and broadcasting of audio content visuals.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Interchangeable light panels multi-connection device in vending machines

Object of the invention

The invention, as expressed in the title of the present specification, refers to a multi-connection device for interchangeable light panels in vending machines that provides, to the function for which it is intended, various advantages and novel characteristics that will be described in more detail. forward and that represent an improvement over the systems currently known in the state of the art for the same purpose.

More in particular, the object of the invention refers to a device whose purpose is to allow the connection of a plurality of different luminous and / or luminescent panels, of which they are incorporated in labels, information plates and / or indicator or selection buttons. in usual vending machines for the sale of products such as tobacco, electronic cigarettes, beverages, food, telephone cards or any product that can be sold in said type of machine, with the particularity that said panels use OLED, graphene or similar technology, and that said device, in addition to said multi-connection for lighting these panels, allows their exchange quickly and easily, and their power by taking the power of the machine itself without the need for a voltage regulator; It comprises a micro-controller that allows animation, signage, broadcasting of audiovisual content, internet or intranet browsing possibilities and / or tuning and broadcasting of audiovisual content that can be modified on any of the panels, even remotely due to its connection to the network, as well as to control sensors and external components of the machine such as microphone, camera, speaker, motion sensor or light sensor.

Field of application of the invention

The field of application of the present invention is in the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of vending machines, with a particular focus on the field of lighting devices for vending machines.

Background of the invention

In the vending machine sector, various devices are currently used to provide light to labels in order to differentiate some items from others. In some cases, they are used to allow a product to stand out from the other products displayed on the machine and, in others, to display the entire product range in environments with poor visibility or poor lighting. Devices of this type are not exclusive to vending machines; They also apply to the advertising industry, the safety signaling device industry, the decoration industry, the gaming industry or the automotive industry, among others.

Devices or labels of this type can usually be custom made on the machine itself.

These possibilities can range simply from the lighting of one or more labels that will act as a single light emitter on which a transparency will be superimposed indicating the product or brand to choose, and that will be arranged within the selection button of the own machine, or that identifies each product, with the consequent discrimination of other brands or products that are not illuminated or are less brightly. In addition, the materials and technologies existing up to now for said type of lighting elements present a series of limitations and drawbacks that the present invention aims to overcome. In this sense, both the duration of the existing devices and their brightness are limited. In the same way, spaces with a certain thickness are necessary for their incorporation, so they cannot be incorporated in very small spaces. However, its main drawback is the need for a voltage regulator that adapts the current of the machine so that the panels and labels can be illuminated, causing a large part of the energy consumed by the machine to be used for said conversion of voltage and intensity to adapt to the current needed by the panels. Finally, the incorporation of said voltage regulators also implies the need to provide space for this purpose, which in turn generates another drawback, since it is a remarkably bulky element that entails at the same time a cost in the manufacture of the machine. .

To solve all these drawbacks, the applicant discloses, in utility model no. ES1087554U, relating to a "Multi-connection device for interchangeable labels" and in utility model no. ES1094562U, relating to an "Improved multi-connection device for LED lights interchangeable for tobacco vending machines ", of which it is the holder, two devices that partially achieve the aforementioned objective of improving the previously known systems for the illumination of labels in vending machines, focusing particularly on vending machines for the sale of tobacco, that, however, present aspects that could be improved, specifically aspects related to the lighting elements or light source used, since they are limited to LED technology, and aspects related to their functionality that are restricted to the illumination of labels that carry the brands of the different products, being the objective of The present invention improve and perfect said type of device so that it can also be implemented with panels of OLED, graphene or similar technology and allow, in addition to lighting, animation, signage, broadcasting of audiovisual content, internet or intranet browsing possibilities and / or tuning in the vending machine on all types of labels, plates and buttons that can be incorporated into any part of the vending machine.

United States Patent Publication US 2011/022980 refers to a vending arrangement for computerized vending machines, retail display systems, automated retail stores, or the like that features a physical display system comprising a plurality of windows or display modules that contain items for sale. A control computer responds to the software and provides a software-controlled visual display system to set up screens to enter customer selections and display machine options.

United States Patent Publication US 2006/195222 discloses an interactive vending machine that facilitates the purchase of digital media. The machine includes a video screen displaying consumer-controlled rendering systems and includes speakers that allow audiovisual promotional material and informational material to be used at the vending machine in conjunction with digital means of purchase from the vending machine or from a source remote from machine.

United States patent publication US 2003/0150146 relates to a vending machine display apparatus for a vending machine having a control that can be manipulated by the user to dispense a product, and to a method for advertising products in a vending machine.

Description of the invention

In this way, the interchangeable light panel multi-connection device in vending machines proposed by the present invention is configured as a novelty within its field of application since the objective described above is completely achieved on the basis of its implementation, the details being Characterizers that make it possible and that distinguish it from what is already known, conveniently included in the final claims that accompany the present specification of the device.

Specifically, the multi-connection device proposed by the invention essentially comprises, on the one hand, a set of connection points arranged together in a multi-connector block that allows to connect and disconnect in a practical, easy and fast way each of the lighting elements of the machine through the corresponding male-female connection system provided for this purpose, which are characterized in that they consist of panels whose light surface uses light sources OLED technology elements, graphene or similar, said surfaces being able to be designed and dimensioned in different shapes and sizes to be incorporated into different labels, buttons and / or illuminated plates of the machine. In addition, the multi-connection device also includes a socket connector element, which is a connector that takes the electrical current from the machine itself, for which it has a cable that leads to several independent and different connectors that allow it to be compatible with most of the existing vending machines on the market.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the device has the particularity of having an electronic micro-controller that, when inserted between the multi-connector block and the socket outlet connector element, allows GRAPHENE or similar interchangeable, a plurality of additional functions other than the lighting of the panels alone, such as animation effects, signage, broadcasting of audiovisual content, Internet or intranet browsing and / or tuning and broadcasting of any type of audiovisual content, in addition to control different sensors and external components of the machine such as a microphone, a camcorder, speakers, motion sensor or light sensor. For this, said micro-controller comprises the corresponding electronic components, sensors, transmitters and receivers, and is connected wirelessly or by cable and is operated through the controls provided for this purpose in it.

By incorporating said regulator in the device, you have the possibility of changing the message to be displayed on the panels, the possibility of broadcasting audiovisual content that can be modified on any of the panels, even remotely, due to its connection to the network, as well as the possibility of displaying interactive elements on said panels, such as information of any kind, advertising, games, email, etc. It also allows the possibility of modifying content remotely and endless possibilities offered by communication and computer technologies.

With all this, and taking as reference other devices that only allow the possibility of providing light to labels or other lighting elements in vending machines, the proposed device has many important advantages;

- The duration of the devices that use OLED, graphene or similar technology is much higher than the materials and technologies existing up to now. The useful life of the panels that use this technology is more than 10 times higher compared to the existing ones so far.

- In turn, the luminosity of these panels is also much higher.

- Similarly, the thickness is much lower compared to existing materials applied for these purposes, for what can be applied in smaller spaces.

- However, the most important advantage is that within the simple function of lighting the panels, the proposed device does not need a voltage regulator. This is due to the fact that, unlike other existing systems, the present device, as a result of the incorporation of the power socket connector, works with the same voltage as the machine itself, so there is no need for a regulator to adapt the machine current so that the panels can be illuminated. This thus generates greater energy savings, since most of the energy used in other devices and supplied by the machine itself is used by the actuator to convert the voltage and intensity to adapt it to the current needed by the panels. or devices.

Therefore, the system is more energy efficient, and the energy can be used to incorporate more panels per machine. It also saves space by eliminating the bulkiest item, the regulator.

In addition, the proposed device provides the possibility of broadcasting, animating or tuning as if it were a TV set or a conventional computer, on the label itself that will be arranged inside the selection button to select or display the product or on plates that They can be placed on the front, on the sides or on the top of the machine.

This possibility opens up a wide range of possibilities that do not exist in any current machine in terms of selecting the message to transmit to the potential buyer, since what is being represented can only be the brand in a static or animated way or any type of audiovisual message.

Similarly, different parts of the machine can be covered with light panels that use OLED, graphene or similar technology, due to their reduced thickness, weight and consumption, and can be used with the same message properties as the keypads, but also adding the same Possibilities of interaction and control of the panel by touch, by sounds with voice control, visually or by interconnection with mobile devices, in addition to the logic of being panels that can be larger than the panels of the keypads. This allows the machine to display useful information such as temperature, traffic, news and sports while browsing the network or intranet etc., and interact by touch, sound visually or through an electronic device with a mobile internet connection with the machine vending machine as if it were a tablet, smartphone, television or computer type device.

In the same way, current machines have the drawback of illuminating labels by selecting the degree of luminosity or the intensity of the light, especially in tobacco vending machines, where the environment in which the machine is located can be well lit, so in many cases a normal fluorescence light is not sufficient. A very high degree of illumination would be necessary, greater than 100 cd / m2 By incorporating panels that use OLED technology, graphene or similar to the lighting elements of vending machines, you can choose the light intensity so that the machine changes its lighting from automatically or manually and adapts it to the ambient light according to previously selected parameters.

Said regulator or control center of the device, which can allow from a simple intermittence in the lighting to the dissemination of messages and audiovisual content on the panels, the change and remote control of the message to be broadcast over the internet, bluetooth or similar wireless systems, or intranet, controls the interaction of the user by touch, by sound or visually with the panel of both the pushbuttons that dispense the product and the exterior panels. In this way, the appearance and / or final message of the panel label or the label bearing the product brand can be adjusted, as well as the exterior panels. This regulator is small in size, allowing greater versatility to be arranged in any available space within the vending machine.

This improved panel multi-connection device with OLED, graphene or similar technology for vending machines provides a series of advantages and advances with respect to the devices currently available, some of the most important being that it allows the exchange of the real panels or the message that is displayed in them very quickly, the attractiveness for the consumer of the possibility of interacting with the machine and finding additional information other than the information about the product in which potential consumers are interested or may be interested, thus attracting more consumers, the possibility of displaying dynamic and audiovisual information both on the keypads that supply the product and on the exterior panels, saving energy by consuming the same type of energy as the machine itself and thus optimizing the consumption of the panels as a consequence of not using external power supplies, achieving a perfect and highly defined brand image, compatibility both with machines already on the market and with machines of new designs regardless of the sector for which the vending machine is used, by incorporating very small elements both in the panels and in the device connectors and regulators.

Another important advantage is that, being provided with independent and different current connection devices, the multi-connection device can be used in any vending machine that sells products.

Another advantage of the present invention is that its manufacture is very simple and economical, in addition to having an easy and easy installation and replacement of the panels that use OLED, graphene or similar technology. In addition, these materials are very resistant to shocks, humidity, heat, etc., much more than those existing today.

The described multi-connection device for interchangeable light panels in vending machines therefore represents an innovative device that has structural and constitutive characteristics that have been unknown until now for the purpose for which it is intended, and these reasons, combined with its practical utility, they give the invention a sufficient basis to obtain the exclusive privilege sought.

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 is attached, as an integral part thereof, to a set of drawings, in which, with character illustrative and not limiting, the following has been represented:

Figure number 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the interchangeable light panel multi-connection device in vending machines, object of the invention, showing the main parts and elements it comprises, the device having been represented with various examples of the panels that the machine can incorporate, showing a panel already connected to a connection point of the multi-connector block and the rest not connected.

Figure number 2 shows a schematic perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the multi-connection device, according to the invention, in this case equipped with a micro-controller to allow additional options to the simple illumination of the panels, representing the device of new with several examples of the panels contemplated in a machine, a panel already connected to the multi-connector block and the rest not connected, and also representing an enlarged detail of the micro-controller to show the different controls and connectors that it incorporates.

Figure number 3 shows a schematic front perspective view of an example of a vending machine to which the device of the invention has been incorporated, showing the different configuration and arrangement possibilities of the light panels controlled by the device, as well as the different external components that can also control the device.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

In view of the aforementioned drawings, according to the numbering used, a preferred, but not limiting, example of the device for multi-connection of interchangeable light panels in vending machines can be observed, a device that comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the proposed multi-connection device (1) is equipped with several connection points (2) arranged together in a multi-connector block (5) with a plurality of male-female inputs to connect and disconnect different panels (4) easily and simply, as well as a socket connector element (3) to connect a socket outlet connector to the machine itself (24) to power the device (1).

This power outlet connector (3) is coupled to the multi-connector block (5) through a connection input point (7) for powering the device, and has a power cable (8) that leads in turn in various independent connectors (9a, 9b, 9c ...), each of them being compatible with most of the vending machines on the market, which allows supplying the light panels (4) with electrical energy from the machine itself for their functioning.

Said panels (4) use OLED, graphene or similar technology as a light source on their light surface (12) and are interchangeable at the different connection points (2), for which they are equipped with a male-female connection system ( 10) that allows such connection in an easy and simple way. In the same way, for their installation they have an extension wiring (11) of sufficient length to be able to reach from the connection points (2) to the location of the panel in the corresponding part of the machine (24), and which may be in the product dispensing keypads (14) or in compartments arranged near said keypads, inside or near the dispensing control (15), as well as in any other part of the machine, as shown in Figure 3. The dimensions of the Light surface (12) of each of the panels (4) are very specific to allow their arrangement in each of their locations, for example, within the product dispensers (14) of most vending machines or in the compartments displaying the products. Similarly, said light surfaces (12) must be flexible, light and very thin to be able to cover the machine with panels. In this example of Figure 1, the panels (4) of the multi-connection device (1) are preferably labels that are inserted in, or coupled to, the product dispensing keypads (14) or in compartments arranged near the dispensing keypads. of products, the luminous surfaces (12) acting as mere producers of luminosity. A transparency would then be incorporated on these panels that will identify each product, the panels acting as mere light emitters.

Figure 2 shows how, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the multi-connection device (1) incorporates an electronic micro-controller (13) inserted between the multi-connector block (5) and the socket connector element (3) to which has a connection entry point (7). This micro-controller (13) is operated with several controls (6) arranged inside, also having said controls (6) with various connectors (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) that allow its connection, conventional or wireless, to the internet or intranet and / or electronic storage devices with audiovisual content, as well as to different internal or external devices of the machine (24) such as a video camera (19), light sensor (20), microphone (21), speakers (22) and / or motion sensor (23) to perform, in the lighting panels (4), functions other than simple lighting, such as animation effects, signage, internet or intranet browsing and / or tuning and broadcasting of any type of audiovisual content.

In the example of Figure 2, the panels (4) have luminous surfaces (12) consisting of labels that are inserted into, or attached to, the product dispensing keypads or compartments arranged near the product dispensing keypads, but at the same time Incorporating a micro-controller (13), it allows the diffusion of dynamic or non-dynamic messages that can move or not and that can be changed in a simple way from said regulator. This regulator also allows you to change these messages wirelessly or with a normal connection, remotely or on site. Therefore, in this case the panels (4) can be provided with surfaces (12) that use touch technology. The regulator also incorporates a plurality of connectors and wireless connections for a quick and easy change of the audiovisual or static messages to be broadcast on the panels, as well as a plurality of elements for the connection to the internet and intranets, connectors for coupling storage devices of type flashcards, hard drives, etc. with information that can be issued on said panels.

Figure 3 shows an example of the vending machine (24) equipped with the proposed multi-connection device (1), representing panels (4) with different surface arrangement options (12) that use OLED, graphene or similar technology, consisting of both on labels to be placed on the product dispensing keypads (14) or on the keypads that indicate the product to choose near the product dispenser control (15), as well as on plates intended to be placed on the front part (18) of the machine , on the top (16) and / or on the sides (17) of the machine.

It is also observed the incorporation of a video camera (19), a light sensor (20), a microphone (21), speakers (22) and a motion sensor (23), connected in a conventional or wireless way to the electronic micro-controller. (13).

Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its description more extensive so that any expert in the field understands its scope and the advantages derived from it, stating that, Within its essentiality, it may be put into practice in other embodiments that differ in detail from the one indicated by way of example, and said embodiments would also be covered by the protection sought as long as its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified. .

Claims (12)

1. Device (1) for multi-connection of interchangeable light panels (4) for vending machines (24), the device (1) comprising: - connection points (2), arranged together in a multi-connector block (5) with a plurality of male-female inputs to connect and disconnect different light panels (4) that allow their interchange, - a socket connector element (3) to connect a socket outlet to the machine itself (24), and - an electronic micro-controller (13), inserted between the multi-connector block (5) and the socket connector element current (3), in which the electronic micro-controller (13) is adapted to carry out, on the light panels (4), animation and signaling effects, characterized because The electronic microcontroller (13) is provided with connectors (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e) to connect the electronic microcontroller (13) to the Internet or Intranet and / or electronic storage devices, in which the electronic micro-controller (13) is also adapted to carry out, in the light panels (4), internet or intranet browsing and / or tuning and broadcasting of audiovisual content, in which the light panels (4) include OLED technology, graphene or similar as the light source on its light surface (12) and in which the light panels (4) are powered by taking energy from the machine itself (24). 2. Device (1) for multi-connection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 1, characterized in that the micro-controller (13) has conventional wired connectors. 3. Device (1) for multi-connection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the micro-controller (13) has wireless connectors. 4. Device (1) for multi-connection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the micro-controller (13) controls devices of the machine (24) such as such as a video camera (19), light sensor (20), microphone (21), speakers (22) and / or motion sensor (23). 5. Device (1) for multi-connection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the panels (4) connected to the device have light surfaces (12) that use OLED technology, graphene or similar, consisting of labels to be placed inside the product dispensing keypads (14) or on the keypads that indicate the product to be selected near the product dispensing control (15). 6. Device (1) for multi-connection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the panels (4) connected to the device have light surfaces (12) that use OLED technology, graphene or similar, consisting of plates intended to be arranged on the front of the machine (18), on the top (16) and / or on the sides (17) of the machine (24). 7. Device (1) for multi-connection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 6, characterized in that the panels (4) connected to the device have light surfaces (12) that use OLED technology, graphene or similar, with touch technology. 8. Device (1) for multi-connection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 1, characterized in that the power outlet connector (3) is coupled to the multi-connector block (5) through a connection input point (7) for powering the device (1). 9. Device (1) for multi-connection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 1, characterized in that the power socket connector (3) has a power cable (8) that leads turn into various independent connectors (9a, 9b, 9c ...). 10. Device (1) for multi-connection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 1, characterized in that the light panels (4) are provided with a male-female connection system (10) that allows an easy and simple connection, said light panels (4) having an extension cable (11) of sufficient length to be able to reach from the connection points (2) to the location of the panel in the corresponding part of the machine ( 24). 11. Device (1) for multi-connection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 1, characterized in that the light panels (4) have light surfaces (12) that are flexible, light and thin to cover the machine (24) with panels. 12. Device (1) for multi-connection of interchangeable light panels (4) in vending machines (24) according to claim 1, characterized in that the diffusion of audiovisual content that is modified in any of the light panels (4), even at distance due to your network connection.