ES2590212B1 - Vending machine for cosmetic and / or sun protection products - Google Patents

Abstract

Vending machine for cosmetic and / or sun protection products comprising a body formed by a front portion and at least a rear portion; trays to house products; product payment methods; a product transport device; a product collection drawer; power supply means; a skin data acquisition device, a skin data processing unit, a unit of choice for cosmetic and / or sun protection products; a communication interface; and a central control unit.

Description

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

DESCRIPTION

Vending machine for cosmetic products and / or sun protection.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention belongs to the technical field of vending machines, commonly used in vending (or automatic sale of products). More specifically, the invention relates to a vending machine for cosmetic and sun protection products, capable of assessing the status of the skin of a potential customer and offering the most suitable cosmetic and sun protection products for their needs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vending machines, intended for the automatic sale of products, are well known in the art.

In fact, the first vending machines were developed in England in the 1880s. Since then they have been progressively evolving in such a way that, currently, it is possible to acquire a wide variety of products through them, among others: soft drinks; bakery products; candies; cigarettes; hot drinks; newspapers, magazines, condoms; stamps; and bus, subway and train tickets.

The main advantage of vending machines over conventional sales is that they significantly increase the availability of products intended for sale.

Thus, in order for a vending machine to be operational and, therefore, to offer the products stored inside it, it is only necessary that said machine be powered electrically. This implies that any place provided with a plug or connection point to an electrical network is capable of becoming a product distribution point by means of a vending machine.

In addition, unlike traditional stores or points of sale, vending machines are not subject to schedules, thus allowing the acquisition of products at any time, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

2

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

However, and despite the fact that vending machines have been known for more than a hundred years, there are still a number of products, such as cosmetics and sun protection products, which are difficult to distribute through vending machines according to prior art, because prior to the acquisition of such products it is convenient to perform a technical analysis of what the client's needs are and / or provide advice, so that said customer can know in advance what is the most suitable product for their needs.

Thus, before a customer acquires a cosmetic and / or sunscreen product, it is convenient to perform an analysis of the state of their skin, deduce what their phototype is (classification of the skin based on its ability to assimilate solar radiation) and / or evaluate what will be the UV (ultraviolet) radiation to which said customer will be subjected.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to address the problems and disadvantages of the prior art indicated above, the invention provides a vending machine for cosmetic and / or sun protection products comprising:

- A body formed by a front portion and a rear portion joined together in a partially separable manner and delimiting a closed interior space;

- Trays for housing cosmetic and / or sun protection products, said trays being arranged in the closed interior space;

- Means of product payment;

- A device for transporting cosmetic products and / or sun protection;

- A product collection drawer;

- Electric power supply means;

Characterized because it is also provided with:

- A cutaneous analyzer comprising: at least one device for acquiring cutaneous data, and a unit for processing cutaneous data,

- A unit of choice of cosmetic products and / or sun protection;

- A communication interface; Y

- A central control unit.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

Throughout this specification, it should be understood that the "front portion" is that portion of the vending machine that is oriented towards potential customers when the machine is operational and that the "rear portion" is the opposite portion of the "portion" frontal". Likewise, it should be understood that the term "cosmetic product" refers, among others, to "makeup bases, facial powders, facial correctors, make-up for legs and body, facial creams, facial lotions, hand and body creams, facial masks, lipsticks, lip liner, lip gloss, eye pencils, eyebrow pencils, eyeliner, masks for eyelashes and enamels of some "and that the term" sunscreen product "refers, among others to" tanning oils, creams suntan lotions, suntan lotions, sunscreen lotions, sunscreen lotions, lip balm, repair moisturizing lotions after sun tanning, after sun creams and sunglasses. ”

In the vending machine object of the invention, the cutaneous data acquisition device acquires cutaneous data from a person (a potential customer) that is at a distance from the vending machine less than a predetermined distance, for example one meter. The activation of the acquisition device can be automatic or, alternatively, at the request of the potential client, which requests it from the vending machine according to the invention, the realization of a cutaneous analysis through the communication interface. Once the cutaneous data is acquired by the cutaneous data acquisition device, the central control unit orders to transmit said cutaneous data to the cutaneous data processing unit.

The cutaneous data processing unit has access to a first database that contains a predefined relationship of possible cutaneous states. This database also associates each possible cutaneous state with a corresponding range of cutaneous data.

When the cutaneous data processing unit receives the cutaneous data from a potential client, it analyzes to which of the possible ranges said cutaneous parameters belong, assigning the cutaneous state corresponding to said range to the potential client. Subsequently, the central control unit orders transmit the cutaneous status assigned to the potential client to the means of choosing cosmetic products and / or sun protection, which they choose according to the cutaneous state assigned to the potential client which are the cosmetic and / or sun protection products in stock (en ie, housed in the vending machine), which are more appropriate for said potential customer.

4

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

The means of choosing cosmetic products and / or sun protection have access to a second database that relates each possible cutaneous state with a set of cosmetic and / or sun protection products, recommended for said cutaneous state and housed in the machine Vending of the invention.

When the means of choosing cosmetic products and / or sun protection receive the cutaneous status of a potential client, they identify by means of the second database which is the set of products recommended for said specific cutaneous state.

Finally, the control unit orders to transmit said quantitative estimation of the cutaneous state of the potential client, and / or the list of cosmetics and sun protection products recommended to the communication interface so that it can be consulted by the potential client.

If after receiving this information (quantitative estimation of the cutaneous state and / or the list of recommended products) the client wishes to finally acquire a cosmetic and / or sunscreen product housed in this vending machine, the client must indicate through the interface of communication which is the specific product that you want to acquire and proceed to pay the corresponding amount through the means of payment of product. The central control unit, after verifying that the customer has paid for the product to be purchased, activates the product transport device to move a cosmetic and / or sun protection product of the type acquired by the customer to the product collection drawer for That the customer can pick it up.

Therefore, the "transport device" is capable of transporting, moving and / or distributing a cosmetic and / or sunscreen product, from one of the vending machine trays to a point in the interior space of the vending machine in which said product falls by gravity to the product collection drawer.

The means of payment for the product are preferably provided with payment modules in currencies, bills and / or credit card.

Preferably, the cutaneous data acquisition device, the product choice means, the payment means and / or the product collection drawer are arranged in the front portion of the vending machine, while the network connection means Electric are not arranged on the front of the vending machine.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

Also, the front portion and the rear portion of the vending machine can be partially separated from each other to allow an operator to access the closed interior space, replenish the cosmetic and / or sun protection products housed in the trays (also known by the English term "rack") and perform maintenance.

The electric power supply means provide the electrical power necessary for the operation of the vending machine of the invention in particular, of the product payment means, the product transport device, the cutaneous analyzer, the product choice unit , the communication interface and / or the central control unit. Said power supply means may comprise a power cable for connection of the vending machine to an electrical network and may optionally be provided with a transformer and / or a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply System). Alternatively they can comprise batteries and / or photovoltaic cells.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the cutaneous data acquisition device comprises a conventional digital camera and / or a digital ultraviolet camera of UV videography. In said embodiment of the invention, the cutaneous data processing unit preferably comprises a digital photographic analysis device that makes a quantitative estimate of what the cutaneous state of the potential client is from the images taken by the conventional digital camera.

The UV ultraviolet cameras of UV videography comprise a sensor that detects the UV rays (ultraviolet) by filtering the RGB color rays (red, green and blue rays of the visible solar spectrum), so that the image captured by said camera is monochromatic. This particular type of image enhances skin pigmentation. Thus, in the images taken by such a camera, the light skin appears paler and the dark skin looks darker than in the images taken by a conventional camera, sensitive to visible light. This makes it easier to detect irregular pigmentations, freckles and sunspots, usually caused by UV rays.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vending machine object of the invention also allows the client to visualize the images captured by a UV digital UV camera while applying a cosmetic and / or sunscreen product on his body with UV radiation blockers. In the pictures

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

captured by the UV digital ultraviolet camera, the UV radiation blocker present in said cosmetic and / or sunscreen product is shown in black, so that the areas of the client's body with lower concentration of this product (and therefore, less protection against UV solar radiation) will appear in a lighter color. This allows the customer to properly administer the cosmetic and / or sunscreen product with UV sunscreen blocker, and effectively protect against such radiation, reducing the risk of sunburn, sunspots, melanoma and others. damage usually caused by excessive sun exposure.

The cutaneous data processing unit provided in a vending machine according to the invention preferably determines which is the phototype of the potential customer. They can also quantitatively evaluate at least one of the following cutaneous parameters:

- Presence of sebum;

- Degree of pigmentation;

- Presence of acne;

- State of the pores;

- Elasticity level;

- Level of sensitivity;

- Hydration level.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the cutaneous data acquisition device comprises a scanner, for example a skin scanner of the Portable Skin Analyzer (trademark) type marketed by Timpa Healthcare. In a third embodiment of the invention, the cutaneous data acquisition device comprises a scanner and a conventional digital camera and / or a digital ultraviolet camera of UV videography.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the central control unit, the cutaneous data processing unit, the means of choosing cosmetic products and / or sun protection are integrated in a microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP) and / or programmable logic means.

The communication interface preferably comprises a touch screen. More preferably, the communication interface is a large touch screen by

7

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

example, 45 to 55 inches (114 to 140 cm). The communication interface may also preferably comprise at least one speaker.

The vending machine according to the invention is preferably provided with an information reception unit preferably connected to an access to a communications network, for example a WiFi network (this term being understood as any wireless local area network) GPRS (General Package Service via radio) or Internet. The central control unit orders to acquire by means of the information reception unit connected to the access to a communications network, complementary information that shows the potential client through the communication interface.

This complementary information is, for example, information regarding the date, time, levels of UV solar radiation, solar reflection, height of the sun, humidity, atmospheric pressure, precipitation forecast, and / or points of tourist, cultural or sports interest , corresponding to the geographical region in which the vending machine is located.

The complementary information may also be advertising and / or entertainment information (such as children's games, video games, movies and / or cartoons).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vending machine is provided with an information transmission unit connected to the access to the communications network.

The information reception unit and the information transmission unit may be integrated into a single information reception / transmission unit.

In an even more preferred embodiment of the invention, the central control unit orders to periodically transmit to the transmission unit, management information of the vending machine. Said management information is transmitted from the access to the communications network to a remote location. The management information of the vending machine can be, for example, the amount of money collected by the vending machine, the change in currencies available in the vending machine, and / or the stock of cosmetic products and / or sun protection available in The vending machine.

In another embodiment of the invention, the vending machine is provided with an information reception / transmission unit connected to the access to the communication network, a communication interface comprising at least one speaker and a microphone,

8

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

the at least one speaker and the microphone being connected to the information reception / transmission unit. This configuration allows a customer to receive remote advice about the cosmetic and / or sun protection products available in the vending machine.

The vending machine according to the invention is also preferably provided with a device for checking the transmission of UV rays comprising a UV light source (for example a UV diode), a UV light receiving probe and a unit for estimating the UV transmission

The operation of the device for checking the transmission of UV rays is as follows: the client interposes between the UV light source and the receiving probe an object whose UV transmission wishes to know, for example sunglasses and orders the vending machine , through the control interface, to perform said check. The UV light source then emits UV radiation that strikes the object. A part of said UV radiation is reflected by the object while another part manages to pass through it reaching the receiving probe. The unit of estimation of the UV transmission compares the amount of UV light emitted by the UV light source with the amount of UV light received by the receiving probe and thus determines an estimate of the UV transmission.

Thus, for example, the device for checking the transmission of UV rays allows a potential customer to know which is the UV transmission of certain sunglasses (reference glasses). This UV transmission value of the reference glasses can serve the customer to estimate that approximate value of UV transmission (which may be similar, greater or less than the value of the reference glasses) should have sunglasses to fit your needs. In this way, the client could consult, through the communication interface, the UV transmission values of the sunglasses available in the vending machine and acquire sunglasses that fit their needs.

Preferably, the vending machine according to the invention is provided with a product conservation set comprising a thermostat and / or heating / cooling means. The thermostat measures what the temperature is and if it is not within a suitable range for the preservation of cosmetic and sun protection products (for example, between +10 and + 18 ° C), it activates the heating / cooling means until the temperature reaches a value within that range.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the vending machine is provided with an emotion detection unit comprising a conventional digital secondary camera and / or digital ultraviolet. This camera captures detailed images of the client's facial expression and transmits them to a means of interpretation of emotions for their interpretation. The interpretation of emotions of the potential client is transmitted to the unit of choice of products that uses it, in combination with the cutaneous data obtained by the rest of the units linked to sensors, cameras and / or photodiodes, to assign the potential client the cosmetic products and / or sun protection in stock more appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a schematic front view of an embodiment of a vending machine according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the vending machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic rear view of the vending machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the interior of the vending machine shown in Figure 1; Y

Figure 5 is a diagram showing a possible operation of the central control unit provided in a vending machine according to the present invention;

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A concrete embodiment of the invention is described below, given as an illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the attached figures. In these figures, components with the same or similar functions have been designated using the same reference number.

A vending machine according to the invention comprising a body 1, formed by a front portion 1a and a rear portion 1b joined together in a partially separable manner by hinges 24. is shown in Figures 1 to 4. The body 1 of the machine

10

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

Vending machine is supported by height adjustable legs 31.

In the upper part of said front portion is provided a communication interface 2, which in this embodiment is a touch screen and also comprises a speaker 17.

The touch screen has, in this embodiment of the invention, three distinct areas (called partitions):

a) a complementary partition of information (which shows, among others, the date, time, temperature, UV radiation value, UV solar radiation levels, solar reflection, sun height, humidity, pressure atmospheric, precipitation forecast, and / or points of tourist, cultural or sports interest, corresponding to the geographical region in which the vending machine is located);

b) a partitioning of information on cosmetic and / or sun protection products (which shows the products available in the vending machine, their properties and price); Y

c) a partition in which advertising and video games are shown.

The touch screen is also provided with some virtual buttons, located in the information partition and that allow a potential client to perform, among others, the following actions by pressing directly on that part of the touch screen on which these buttons are located: activate the cutaneous analyzer, select a product, and / or select the payment method of a product.

In the lower part of said front portion a product collection drawer 3 is provided. The product payment means 4, 5, 6 comprise in this embodiment a payment module with coins 4, a payment module with bills 5 and a payment module with card 6. The vending machine is also provided in this embodiment of the invention of a compartment of the exchange of change 8 and a closure 9 that prevents a possible malicious separation of the two sheets 34, 35 comprising front portion 1a.

The skin analyzer 16 comprises, in this embodiment of the invention, a scanner of the skin analyzer type and is also provided in the front portion 1a of the body of the vending machine.

In the front portion 1a, the emotion detection unit 12 provided with a normal digital camera is also provided, and the device 7 for checking the transmission of UV rays (also called "glasses tester").

eleven

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

In this embodiment of the invention, an additional ultraviolet digital camera 11 of UV videography is also provided in the front portion 1a, so that customers can correctly administer cosmetic and / or sun protection products.

The vending machine is provided, in this embodiment, with power supply means comprising a power supply 20 connected to a female outlet 50, to which a power cable is connected. The vending machine is also provided with a technical gate 32.

In this embodiment of the vending machine according to the invention reception / transmission unit of information 10 (also called communications module) comprises an antenna that emits and receives information wirelessly and through a GPRS connection 29. Also, the conservation set of products comprises a thermostat 28 and / or heating / cooling means provided with a closed circuit within which a gas circulates. Said closed circuit is provided with a compressor 21 that compresses the gas and evaporates it in the evaporator 22, so that heat is expelled by the external condenser 23. A drain tube 30 is also provided. The action of the compressor is controlled by the central control unit 39, said central control unit 39 being in this embodiment, a microprocessor.

In this embodiment, an external thermostat 33 is also provided which measures the temperature outside the vending machine and transmits that information to the central control unit 39 so that it is displayed on the touch screen.

In this embodiment of the invention, the cutaneous data processing unit, the means of choosing cosmetic products and / or sun protection are also integrated in the microprocessor.

In this embodiment of the invention, the cosmetic and / or sun protection products 18 are initially housed in the trays 27. According to what has been said above, when a customer wishes to purchase a product, he must select it from among all those shown on the touch screen of the communication interface by pressing the envelope on the area of the touch screen where the corresponding virtual button is located. Once the purchase is accepted, the central control unit gives you the option to select the payment method (coins / bills and / or credit card). The customer confirms the payment method by pressing the corresponding virtual button and the central control unit activates the corresponding payment methods

12

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

with coins 4, means of payment with notes 5 and / or means of payment with card 6. Once the payment is confirmed, the central control unit activates the means of transporting the product. In this embodiment, the transport means comprise stepper motors (not shown in the figures) connected to endless springs 60 associated with each cosmetic and / or sun protection product 18. The control unit sends electronic impulses to the stepper motor. step associated with product 18 that the customer has bought. The spring 60 connected to said motor rotates causing the purchased product 18 to move and fall into the cone collects products 26. The photo 25 of the product drop (or Swift cell) detects the fall of the product, and transmits an electronic signal to the control unit, which then orders the stopping of the corresponding stepper motor. The product 18 falls by gravity of the cone collects products 26 to the product collection drawer 3. The customer can then open the gate 40 and collect the product 18.

Figure 5 shows how the central control unit 39 is connected and controls the operation of the following components:

- the information reception / transmission unit 10;

- The product collection drawer 3;

- The closure 9;

- The exchange collection compartment 8;

- The additional ultraviolet digital camera 11;

- Unit 12 of emotion detection;

- The device 7 for checking the transmission of UV rays in glasses;

- The cutaneous analyzer 16;

- The communication interface 2 provided with the touch screen;

- A sound intercom 13 connected to the speaker 17;

- The payment module with 4 coins;

- The payment module with tickets 5; Y

- The payment module with card 6.

Although the present invention has been described in relation to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated from the description that various combinations of elements, variations or improvements can be made therein, and are within the scope of the invention, defined exclusively by the following set of claims.

Claims (16)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 1. Vending machine for cosmetic products and / or sun protection (18) comprising: - A body (1) formed by a front portion (1a) and a rear portion joined (1b) to each other partially separable and that delimit a closed interior space; - Trays (27) for housing cosmetic and / or sun protection products (18), said trays being arranged in the closed interior space; - Means of product payment (4, 5, 6); - A device for transporting cosmetic products and / or sun protection; - A drawer (3) for product collection; - Electric power supply means (20, 50); Characterized because it is also provided with: - A cutaneous analyzer (16) comprising: at least one cutaneous data acquisition device, and a cutaneous data processing unit, - A unit of choice of cosmetic products and / or sun protection; - A communication interface (2); Y - A central control unit (39). 2. Vending machine according to revindication 1, characterized in that the cutaneous data acquisition device comprises a conventional digital camera and / or a UV digital UV camera. 3. Vending machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device for acquiring cutaneous data comprises a scanner. 4. Vending machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutaneous data processing unit preferably comprises a digital photographic analysis device. 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 5. Vending machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central control unit, the cutaneous data processing unit, the means of choosing cosmetic products and / or sun protection are integrated in a microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP) and / or programmable logic means. 6. Vending machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication interface (2) comprises a touch screen. 7. Vending machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication interface comprises (2) at least one speaker (17). 8. Vending machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is also provided with an access to a communications network. 9. Vending machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the communications network is one is a WiFi network (wireless local area network), GPRS (29) or the Internet. 10. Vending machine according to any of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that it is provided with an information reception unit, connected to the access to the communications network. 11. Vending machine according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it is provided with an information transmission unit, connected to the access to the communications network. 12. Vending machine according to claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the information reception unit and the information transmission unit are integrated in a single information reception / transmission unit (10). 13. Vending machine according to claim 12, characterized in that it is provided with a communication interface comprising at least one speaker (17), because it is 10 fifteen provided with a microphone and because the at least one speaker (17) and the microphone are connected to the information reception / transmission unit (10). 14. Vending machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is also provided with a device (7) for checking the transmission of UV rays comprising a UV light source, a UV light receiving probe and a UV transmission estimation unit. 15. Vending machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is also provided with a set of product conservation comprising a thermostat (28) and heating and / or cooling means. 16. Vending machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with an emotion detection unit (12) provided with a conventional digital secondary camera and / or digital ultraviolet that captures detailed images of a client's facial expression and transmits them to means of emotion interpretation.