DESC:FIELD
The present invention relates to interactive kiosks, and more particularly to a kiosk for vending articles.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
The expression “kiosk” used hereinafter in this specification refers to, but is not limited to, is an automated vending machine by which people can automatically buy articles or associated services without standing in long lines at the concerned stores.
The expression “SIM card” used hereinafter in this specification refers to, but is not limited to, a subscriber identity module or subscriber identification module (SIM) which is an integrated circuit that is intended to securely store the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number and its related key, which are used to identify and authenticate subscribers on mobile telephony devices (such as mobile phones and computers).
The expression “article” used hereinafter in this specification refers to, but is not limited to, an item, object or service which can be bought or sold through the kiosk vending machine.
These definitions are in addition to those expressed in the art.
BACKGROUND
Interactive kiosks are a common way to distribute certain types of consumer goods such as media discs, DVD’s, foods and beverages, accessories, tickets, photos, bills etc. They are usually installed at grocery stores, fast food restaurants, gas stations, or any other locations. Conventional interactive kiosks are also used to provide services such as ticketing services, financial services at ATM’s, internet services and the like. However, such interactive kiosks cannot be used for vending articles and providing services that requires authentication of user’s identity, for example while purchasing SIM cards from a cellular provider, purchasing passbook and cheque-book from banks, opening bank accounts, buying government run insurance policies and for many more articles and services. For example, in the case of SIM cards, traditionally cellular network providers had to employ staff to physically check and verify all the documents of the user, and only after the documents are verified, the SIM cards are issued to the users. This is required to ensure that SIM cards do not fall in the hands of wrong people.
Traditionally, organizations like cellular network providers, banks or government/private agencies employ people to physically check and verify the documents of the user which typically includes identification documents, address proof document, and KYC form. In some cases, contact details of the user or a person known to the user are taken to authenticate the information provided by the user while purchasing such articles and services. Such authentication and purchasing process is tiring and taxing for the users, as they have to visit the particular organizations and stand in long queues for authentication and purchasing such articles/services. Further, such organizations are required to hire more and more employees to cater the need of the large number of users to efficiently distribute their articles and services. Even then such authentication and purchasing processes are prone to error due to excessive human intervention.
Hence, there is a need for a biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine for vending articles that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure are aimed to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative and are listed herein below.
An object of the present invention is to provide a biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine for vending articles and providing associated services.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine that reduces or eliminates human error.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine that increases the efficiency of providing services and selling articles.
Still another object of the present invention is to a biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine which reduces time consumption.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine that reduces logistic hassles and is also cost effective.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
A biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine comprising a memory, a processor, an article repository, a selection module, a user registration module, an authentication unit, a payment module, a delivery module, and a display unit.
The memory is configured to store a set of pre-defined rules and article information data. The processor is configured to cooperate with the memory to receive the set of pre-defined rules and is further configured to generate processing commands. The article repository is configured to store a plurality of articles. The selection module is configured to facilitate a user to select at least one article from the plurality of articles and generate selection data. The user registration module is configured to receive user details to facilitate registration of the user and generate user registration data. The authentication unit is configured to cooperate with the user registration module to receive the user registration data and is further configured to authenticate the user registration data to authenticate the user. The payment module is configured to facilitate the authenticated user to pay for the selected article and generate payment data. The delivery module is configured to cooperate with the article repository, the selection module, the authentication unit and the payment module and is further configured to deliver the selected article to the authenticated user on a successful payment. The display unit is configured to cooperate with the memory, the selection module, the user registration module, and the payment module and is further configured to display the article information data, the selection data, the user registration data and the payment data.
In an embodiment, the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine includes an invoice module. The invoice module is configured to cooperate with the payment module and is further configured to generate an invoice on the successful payment.
In an embodiment, the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine includes a report generation module. The report generation module is configured to cooperate with the article repository, the payment module, the authentication unit, and the user registration module, and is further configured to generate a report.
In an embodiment, the user registration module includes a QR code scanner. The QR code scanner is configured to scan QR code of a user’s identity card to fetch the user details.
In an embodiment, the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine includes a user interface unit. The user interface unit is configured to enable the user to interact with the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine. In an embodiment, the user interface unit is selected from a group of touch screens, keyboards, and touchpads.
In an embodiment, the authentication unit includes a comparator and a biometric device and a comparator. The biometric device is configured to capture biometric features of the user. The comparator is configured to compare the capture biometric features of the user with pre-stored biometric features stored in a remote database, to authenticate the user.
In an embodiment, the biometric device is selected from a group of a finger print scanner, a retina/iris scanner, and a camera.
In an embodiment, the comparator is configured to cooperate with the remote database including a third party database or a government database to fetch the pre-stored biometric features.
In an embodiment, the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine includes an alert generation module. The alert generation module is configured to generate an alert in case of any malfunction or if number of articles stored in the article repository is below a threshold number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 2 illustrates a line diagram of the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
List and details of reference numerals used in the description and drawing:
References numeral References associated with reference numeral
100 biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine
10 memory
12 processor
20 article repository
30 selection module
35 user interface unit
40 user registration module
45 QR code scanner
50 authentication unit
52 biometric device
54 finger print scanner
55 retina/iris scanner
56 camera
58 comparator
60 payment module
65 invoice module
70 delivery module
80 display unit
85 report generation module
90 alert generation module
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure has been described herein below with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2. Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram depicting biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates a line diagram of the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) is an automated vending machine by which people can automatically buy articles or associated services without standing in long lines at the concerned stores. The biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) reduces or eliminates the requirement of in-human verification of identity cards and other documents of the user.
The biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) comprising a memory (10), a processor (12), an article repository (20), a selection module (30), a user registration module (40), an authentication unit (50), a payment module (60), a delivery module (70), and a display unit (80).
The memory (10) is configured to store a set of pre-defined rules and article information data. The memory (10) may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or a non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes. In an embodiment, the set of pre-defined rules is related to user registration, authentication, payment, delivery, invoicing, report generation etc. The article information data includes the information about the articles stored in the article repository (20).
The processor (12) is configured to cooperate with the memory (10) to receive the set of pre-defined rules and is further configured to generate system processing commands. The processor (12) may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor (12) is configured to fetch and execute the predetermined set of rules stored in the memory (10).
The article repository (20) is configured to store a plurality of articles. In an embodiment, the article repository (20) stores the plurality of articles which are needs to be dispensed from the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100). In an embodiment, the article repository (20) may have multiple partitions for holding different kinds of articles.
The selection module (30) is configured to facilitate a user to select at least one article from the plurality of articles and generate selection data. In an embodiment, the information about all the articles present in the article repository (20) is displayed on the display unit (80) and the user can select at least one article from the plurality of articles to buy it. The selection data includes information about the article selected by the user.
The user registration module (40) is configured to receive user details to facilitate registration of the user and generate user registration data. In an embodiment, the user details include name, address, account number, pan card number, aadhar card number, date of birth, etc. Once the user has selected the article, the user has to provide the user details to facilitate registration. In an embodiment, the user details required may vary based on the article selected by the user. In an embodiment, the user registration module (40) includes a QR code scanner (45). The QR code scanner (45) is configured to scan QR code of a user’s identity card (for ex. aadhar card, passport) to fetch the user details from a government database. In another embodiment, the user registration module (40) may fetch the user details related to the user directly from the government approved or third party database on scanning the QR code. The user registration data includes information about the user details provided by the user.
The authentication unit (50) is configured to cooperate with the user registration module (40) to receive the user registration data and is further configured to authenticate the user registration data to authenticate the user. In an embodiment, the authentication unit (50) includes a biometric device (52) and a comparator (58). The biometric device (52) is configured to capture biometric features of the user. In an embodiment, the biometric device (52) is selected from a group of a finger print scanner (54), a retina/iris scanner (55), and a camera (56). The finger print scanner (54) is configured to scan finger prints of the user. The retina/iris scanner (55) is configured to scan retina/iris of the user. The camera (56) is configured to capture the image of the user for facial recognition.
The comparator (58) is configured to compare the captured biometric features of the user with pre-stored biometric features stored in a remote database, to authenticate the user. The pre-stored biometric features of the user are stored in a remote database including a third party database or a government database. In an embodiment, the comparator (58) is configured to cooperate with the remote database including a third party database or a government database (aadhar database or passport database) to fetch the pre-stored biometric features of the user, and compare the capture biometric features of the user with pre-stored biometric features to authenticate the user. In an embodiment, if the user authentication is unsuccessful, the user is asked to provide relevant user details for completing the authentication process.
The authentication unit (50) makes sure that the user requesting to purchase an article or an associated service is indeed who he/she is and not someone else. The authentication unit (50) uses the internet to verify the identity of users since the government/private biometric databases are being updated online continuously.
The payment module (60) is configured to facilitate the authenticated user to pay for the selected article and generate payment data. In an embodiment, the payment module (60) enables the user to pay by means of either credit card, debit card, mobile wallet, internet banking, cash or any other means as may be available at the time. In an embodiment, the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) includes an invoice module (65). The invoice module (65) is configured to cooperate with the payment module (60) and is further configured to generate invoice on the successful payment.
The delivery module (70) is configured to cooperate with the article repository (20), the selection module (30), the authentication unit (50) and the payment module (60) and is further configured to deliver the selected article to the authenticated user on a successful payment.
The display unit (80) is configured to cooperate with the memory (10), the selection module (30), the user registration module (40), and the payment module (60) and is further configured to display the article information data, the selection data, the user registration data and the payment data.
In an embodiment, the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) includes a report generation module (85). The report generation module (85) is configured to cooperate with the article repository (20), the payment module (60), the authentication unit (50), and the user registration module (40), and is further configured to generate a report. In an embodiment, the report generation module (85) generates a summary report, purchase order report or an invoice details report.
In an embodiment, the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) includes a user interface unit (35). The user interface unit (35) is configured to enable the user to interact with the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100). In an embodiment, the user interface unit (35) is selected from a group of touch screens, keyboards, and touchpads.
In an embodiment, the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) of the present disclosure has proactive maintenance capabilities. The biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) includes an alert generation module (90). The alert generation module (90) is configured to generate an alert in case of any malfunction or number of articles stored in the article repository (20) is below a threshold number. In an embodiment, the threshold number of articles is stored in the memory (10).
In a working example, the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) is configured to vend SIM cards. The article repository (20) stores the various types of SIM cards such as prepaid or postpaid with different cellular plans. The selection module (30) enables the user to select the SIM card type and associated cellular plan. The user registration module (40) receives the user details and registers the user. The user can provide their aadhar card details and provide the biometric information by means of finger prints or retina scan etc. The authentication unit (50) authenticates the user by comparing the provided biometric details with the pre-stored biometric details. The pre-stored biometric details are stored in the remote database such as the government or the third party database. The payment module (60) enables the authenticated user to pay for the selected SIM card and the associated cellular plan by means of cash, credit card, debit card or any other means. The delivery module (70) delivers the SIM card to the user. The display unit (80) displays the SIM card information data, the SIM card selection made by the user, the user registration data provided by the user and the payment made by the user.
In another working example, the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) is configured to vend passbook, cheque-book and demand draft. The article repository (20) stores the passbook, cheque-book and demand draft in various partitions. The selection module (30) enables the user select passbook, cheque-book or demand draft. The user registration module (40) receives the user details and registers the user. The user can provide bank account details and provide the biometric information by means of finger prints or retina scan etc. The authentication unit (50) authenticates the user by comparing the provided biometric details with the pre-stored biometric details. The pre-stored biometric details are stored in the government or third party database. The payment module (60) enables the authenticated user to pay for the selected passbook, cheque-book or demand draft by means of cash, credit card, debit card or any other means. The delivery module (70) delivers the selected passbook, cheque-book or demand draft to the user. The display unit (80) displays the passbook, cheque-book or demand draft information, the selection made by the user, the user registration data provided by the user and the payment made by the user.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The technical advancements of the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine envisaged by the present disclosure include the realization of:
• a biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine for vending articles and providing associated services;
• a biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine that reduces or eliminates human error;
• a biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine that increases the efficiency of providing services and selling articles;
• a biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine which reduces time consumption; and
• a biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine that reduces logistic hassles and is also cost effective.
The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein above and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification, specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) comprising:
a memory (10) configured to store a set of pre-defined rules and article information data;
a processor (12) configured to cooperate with the memory (10) to receive the set of pre-defined rules and further configured to generate processing commands;
an article repository (20) configured to store a plurality of articles;
a selection module (30) configured to facilitate a user to select at least one article from the plurality of articles and generate selection data;
a user registration module (40) configured to receive user details to facilitate registration of the user and generate user registration data;
an authentication unit (50) configured to cooperate with the user registration module (40) to receive the user registration data and further configured to authenticate the user registration data to authenticate the user;
a payment module (60) configured to facilitate the authenticated user to pay for the selected article and generate payment data;
a delivery module (70) configured to cooperate with the article repository (20), the selection module (30), the authentication unit (50) and the payment module (60) and further configured to deliver the selected article to the authenticated user on a successful payment; and
a display unit (80) configured to cooperate with the memory (10), the selection module (30), the user registration module (40), and the payment module (60) and is further configured to display the article information data, the selection data, the user registration data and the payment data.
2. The biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes an invoice module (65) configured to cooperate with the payment module (65) and further configured to generate an invoice on the successful payment.
3. The biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a report generation module (85) configured to cooperate with the article repository (20), the payment module (60), the authentication unit (50), and the user registration module (40), and further configured to generate a report.
4. The biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user registration module (40) includes a QR code scanner (45) configured to scan QR code of a user’s identity card to fetch the user details.
5. The biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a user interface unit (35) configured to enable the user to interact with the biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100).
6. The biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the authentication unit (50) includes:
a biometric device (52) configured to capture biometric features of the user; and
a comparator (58) configured to compare the capture biometric features of the user with a pre-stored biometric features stored in a remote database, to authenticate the user.
7. The biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the user interface unit (35) is selected from a group of touch screens, keyboards, and touchpads.
8. The biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the biometric device (52) is selected from a group of a finger print scanner (54), a retina/iris scanner (55), and a camera (56).
9. The biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the comparator (58) is configured to cooperate with the remote database including a third party database or a government database to fetch the pre-stored biometric features.
10. The biometric authentication based kiosk vending machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes an alert generation module (90) configured to generate an alert in case of any malfunction or if number of articles stored in the article repository (20) is below a threshold number.