Claims:I/We claim:

1. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) napkin vending system (102), comprising:
a vending machine (104) that comprises
a RFID card reader (202) that reads a RFID card of a user (216) to obtain a RFID number associated with the user (216);
a storage unit (204) that stores napkin information associated with the RFID number, wherein napkin information associated with the RFID number comprises (i) a threshold value comprising a number of napkins allocated for the RFID number and (ii) a number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number for a predefined time period;
a microcontroller (206) that is communicatively connected to the RFID reader (202) and the storage unit (204), wherein the microcontroller (206) receives the RFID number associated with the user (216) from the RFID card reader (202) and extracts the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number from the storage unit (204), wherein the microcontroller (206) compares the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number with the corresponding threshold value associated with the RFID number; and
a vending unit (208) that is communicatively connected to the microcontroller (206), wherein the vending unit (208) is activated by the microcontroller (206) and dispatches a napkin to the user (216) if the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number does not exceed the threshold value, wherein the microcontroller (206) updates the napkin information associated with the RFID number in the storage unit (204) for the dispatched napkin;
a server (106) that is communicatively connected to the vending machine (104), wherein server (106) comprises
a server database (210) that stores a plurality of RFID numbers associated with a plurality of users and its corresponding napkin information comprising a number of napkins allocated to the plurality of RFID numbers, a number of napkins dispatched to the plurality of RFID numbers and a number of napkins remaining for the plurality of RFID numbers, for the predefined time period; and
a processor (212) that
receives the napkin information associated with RFID number from the vending machine (104) and update the server database (210) for that RFID number in real-time; and
executes a machine learning model (214) to analyze the napkin information associated with the RFID number in the server database (210) and generate a report comprising the number of napkins allocated to the user (216) associated with the RFID number and a number of napkins used by the user (216) associated with the RFID number for the predefined time period based on the analysis.

2. The RFID napkin vending system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vending machine (104) comprises an infra-red (IR) sensor (402) that detects a presence of the napkin in the vending machine (104) and communicates IR sensor data comprising the presence of the napkin in the vending machine (104) to the server (106) through the microcontroller (206).

3. The RFID napkin vending system (102) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the vending machine (104) comprises at least one of
an electrical sensor (404) that senses a power supply to the vending machine (104); and
an open/close sensor (404) that senses opening or closing of a dispatch door of the vending machine (104), wherein the vending machine (104) communicates electrical sensor data and dispatch door data to the server (106), wherein the machine learning model (214) analyzes at least one of the IR sensor data, the electrical sensor data and the dispatch door data and detects a fault or a defect in the vending machine (104), wherein the fault or defect in the vending machine (104) comprises at least one of failure in power supply to the vending machine (104), defect in the power supply to the vending machine (104), the dispatch door not opening, or an empty vending machine (104) without a napkin.

4. The RFID napkin vending system (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the server (106) is communicatively connected to a plurality of vending machines (104A-N) that are placed in a location, wherein each of the plurality of vending machines (104A-N) comprises an infra-red (IR) sensor (402) that detects a presence of the napkin in that vending machine (104) and communicates IR sensor data comprising the presence of the napkin in the vending machine (104) to the server (106) through the microcontroller (206), wherein the machine learning model (214) analyzes the IR sensor data received from the plurality of vending machines (104A-N) and determines the vending machines (104A-N) that are empty based on the analysis, wherein the machine learning model (214) generates a route map comprising an optimized route for a refilling person to refill the vending machines (104A-N) that are empty in that location.

5. The RFID napkin vending system (102) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the machine learning model (214) is trained by providing (i) historical data associated with one or more vending machines (104A-N) and (ii) historical reports associated with one or more RFID numbers as training data for at least one of detecting the fault or defect in the RFID vending machine (104) or generating a report for a new user (216), wherein the historical data comprises historical sensor data associated with at least one of IR sensor (402), electrical sensor (404) or open/closes sensor (406) of the one or more vending machines (104A-N).

6. The RFID napkin vending system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the RFID napkin vending machine (104) includes a LCD display unit (306) to display at least one of the number of napkins allocated to the user (216), the number of napkins dispatched to the user (216) and the number of napkins remaining to be dispatched for the user (216).

7. The RFID napkin vending system (102) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the vending machine (104) includes a WIFI or a GPRS unit (310) to communicate the sensor data and the napkin information associated with the RFID number to the server (106).

8. The RFID napkin vending system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vending machine (104) comprises a power supply unit (308) that provides power to the vending machine (104).

9. The RFID napkin vending system (102) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the vending machine (104) comprises a transceiver (304) to receive the sensor data from at least one of the IR sensor (402), the electrical sensor (404) or the open/close sensor (406).

10. A method for vending a napkin from a vending machine (104) using a radio-frequency identification (RFID) napkin vending system (102), comprising:
reading, using a RFID card reader (202) of the vending machine (104), a RFID card of a user (216) to obtain a RFID number associated with the user (216);
storing, at a storage unit (204) of the vending machine (104), napkin information associated with the RFID number, wherein napkin information associated with the RFID number comprises (i) a threshold value comprising a number of napkins allocated for the RFID number and (ii) a number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number for a predefined time period;
receiving, using a microcontroller (206) of the vending machine (104), the RFID number associated with the user (216) from the RFID card reader (202) and extracts the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number from the storage unit (204), wherein the microcontroller (206) compares the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number with the corresponding threshold value associated with the RFID number, wherein the microcontroller (206) is communicatively connected to the RFID reader (202) and the storage unit (204); and
activating, the vending unit (208) of the vending machine (104), wherein the vending unit (208) is communicatively connected to the microcontroller (206), by the microcontroller (206) and dispatches a napkin to the user (216) if the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number does not exceed the threshold value, wherein the microcontroller (206) updates the napkin information associated with the RFID number in the storage unit (204) for the dispatched napkin;
storing, at a server database (210) of a server (106), a plurality of RFID numbers associated with a plurality of users and its corresponding napkin information comprising a number of napkins allocated to the plurality of RFID numbers, a number of napkins dispatched to the plurality of RFID numbers and a number of napkins remaining for the plurality of RFID numbers, for the predefined time period, wherein the server (106) is communicatively connected to the vending machine (104); and
receiving, using a processor (212) of the server (106), the napkin information associated with RFID number from the vending machine (104) and update the server database (210) for that RFID number in real-time; and
executing, a machine learning model (214) of the server (106) to analyze the napkin information associated with the RFID number in the server database (210) and generating a report comprising the number of napkins allocated to the user (216) associated with the RFID number and a number of napkins used by the user (216) associated with the RFID number for the predefined time period based on the analysis. , Description:BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0001] Embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to a napkin vending system, more particularly, to a system and method for vending a napkin from a napkin vending machine using a RFID card of a user.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] A vending machine is a machine that dispenses items such as snacks, beverages, alcohol, cigarettes, lottery tickets, cologne, consumer products, and even gold and gems to customers automatically, after the customer inserts currency or credit into the machine. Large-scale retailing is possible through vending machines by placing the machine at a convenient location such as petrol pumps, railway stations, airports etc. The buyer inserts a coin or token in the machine and receives a specific quantity of product from the machine. Older vending machines were mechanical, but most new vending machines are electronic.
[0003] The sanitary napkin vending machine has turned up as a feminine hygienic product. Working procedure of the sanitary napkin vending machine is simply designed where young girls can easily operate it. The sanitary napkin vending machine has different storage capacity where it can be utilized based upon its needs. Typically, the sanitary napkin vending machine vends a napkin when a user drops a coin inside the machine. The sanitary napkin vending machine not only accepts the coins, but also accepts special token that is exclusively designed for this machine to vend napkins. Existing automatic vending machine also accepts multiple coins at a time.
[0004] The main disadvantage of the coin vending machine is that the coin mechanism is that it has limited memory to store various dimension of the coins. For example, in India, different types of one-rupee coin are available and each has its own dimension. Sometimes, some user may use a fault token with similar dimensions of the coin instead of coins to vend a product/napkin from the vending machine. Further, some uneducated users may insert equivalent currency into the coin vending machine instead of coins, which may struck into the vending machine and may stop the operation of the coin vending machine. Services may also be challenging as the coin vending machine requires a person to come service the coin vending machine, for example, when some user insets the equivalent currency into the coin vending machine instead of coins. Logistics may also be challenging as the coin vending machine requires a person to empty the coins from the coin vending machine each day as the coin holder may fill rather quickly. In a token based vending machine, the logistical challenge of redistributing tokens to all persons (e.g. female employees or students) each day is cumbersome and managing lost tokens may be rather frustrating. Sometimes, the older coins may not easily readable by the coin mechanism of the coin vending machine. Further, dealing with money and transporting the money from one place to another is an inherent day to day risk, which requires a lot of manpower to perform this task.
[0005] Traditional napkin vending machines may work with the coin mechanism. Typically, the napkin vending machine may be installed in places like schools, colleges, offices etc. It is unlikely for a user to carry money always with her. She may not able to use the napkin vending machine during an emergency situation if she does not have money. Existing method to collect napkins from the vending machine mainly uses coins or tokens to vend napkins to the users. In the usage of tokens, if the user is paying and getting tokens beforehand, there are chances they may lose the tokens. However, some institutions may provide token for getting free napkins from their campus. But, still providing free tokens for thousands of the users is cumbersome. Some existing napkin vending machines employs biometric iris recognition scanners to scan iris biometric of a user to vend napkins. But, a biometric based napkin vending machine is very costly and the payment gateway requires a high network speed, which not work in remote areas where the network is low.
[0006] Accordingly, there remains a need for a system and method to overcome the aforementioned problems and drawbacks for vending a napkin.
SUMMARY
[0007] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a radio-frequency identification (RFID) napkin vending system. The radio-frequency identification (RFID) napkin vending system includes a vending machine and a server. The vending machine includes a RFID card reader, a storage unit, a microcontroller and a vending unit. The RFID card reader reads a RFID card of a user to obtain a RFID number associated with the user. The storage unit stores napkin information associated with the RFID number. The napkin information associated with the RFID number includes (i) a threshold value including a number of napkins allocated for the RFID number and (ii) a number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number for a predefined time period. The microcontroller is communicatively connected to the RFID reader and the storage unit. The microcontroller receives the RFID number associated with the user from the RFID card reader and extracts the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number from the storage unit. The microcontroller compares the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number with the corresponding threshold value associated with the RFID number. The vending unit is communicatively connected to the microcontroller. The vending unit is activated by the microcontroller and dispatches a napkin to the user if the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number does not exceed the threshold value. The microcontroller updates the napkin information associated with the RFID number in the storage unit for the dispatched napkin.
[0008] The server is communicatively connected to the vending machine. The server includes a server database and a processor. The server database stores a plurality of RFID numbers associated with a plurality of users and its corresponding napkin information comprising a number of napkins allocated to the plurality of RFID numbers, a number of napkins dispatched to the plurality of RFID numbers and a number of napkins remaining for the plurality of RFID numbers, for the predefined time period. The processor receives the napkin information associated with the RFID number from the vending machine and updates the server database for that RFID number in real-time. The processor executes a machine learning model to analyze the napkin information associated with the RFID number in the server database and generates a report including the number of napkins allocated to the user associated with the RFID number and a number of napkins used by the user associated with the RFID number, for the predefined time period based on the analysis.
[0009] In one embodiment, the vending machine includes an infra-red (IR) sensor that detects a presence of the napkin in the vending machine and communicates IR sensor data including the presence of the napkin in the vending machine to the server through the microcontroller.
[0010] In yet another embodiment, the vending machine includes at least one of an electrical sensor that senses a power supply to the vending machine or an open/close sensor that senses opening or closing of a dispatch door of the vending machine. The vending machine communicates electrical sensor data and dispatch door data to the server. The machine learning model analyzes at least one of the IR sensor data, the electrical sensor data and the dispatch door data and detects a fault or a defect in the vending machine. The fault or defect in the vending machine includes at least one of failure in power supply to the vending machine, defect in the power supply to the vending machine, the dispatch door not opening, or vending machines without a napkin.
[0011] In yet another embodiment, the server is communicatively connected to a plurality of vending machines that are placed in a location. Each of the plurality of vending machines comprises an infra-red (IR) sensor that detects a presence of the napkin in that vending machine and communicates IR sensor data including the presence of the napkin in the vending machine to the server through the microcontroller. The machine learning model analyzes the IR sensor data received from the plurality of vending machines and determines the vending machines that are empty based on the analysis. The machine learning model generates a route map including an optimized route for a refilling person to refill the vending machines that are empty in that location.
[0012] In yet another embodiment, the machine learning model is trained by providing (i) historical data associated with one or more vending machines and (ii) historical reports associated with one or more RFID numbers as training data for at least one of (a) detecting the fault or defect in the RFID vending machine or (b) generating a report for a new user. The historical data includes historical sensor data associated with at least one of IR sensor, electrical sensor or open/closes sensor of the one or more vending machines.
[0013] In yet another embodiment, the RFID napkin vending machine includes a LCD display unit to display at least one of the number of napkins allocated to the user, the number of napkins dispatched to the user and the number of napkins remaining to be dispatched for the user.
[0014] In yet another embodiment, the vending machine includes a WIFI or a GPRS unit to communicate the sensor data and the napkin information associated with the RFID number to the server.
[0015] In yet another embodiment, the vending machine includes a power supply unit that provides power to the vending machine.
[0016] In yet another embodiment, the vending machine includes a transceiver to receive the sensor data from at least one of the IR sensor, the electrical sensor or the open/close sensor.
[0017] In yet another embodiment, the RFID card is a non re-programmable card.
In one aspect, a method for vending a napkin from a vending machine using a radio-frequency identification (RFID) napkin vending system is provided. The method includes (a) reading, using a RFID card reader of the vending machine, a RFID card of a user to obtain a RFID number associated with the user; (b) storing, at a storage unit of the vending machine, napkin information associated with the RFID number, wherein napkin information associated with the RFID number comprises (i) a threshold value comprising a number of napkins allocated for the RFID number and (ii) a number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number for a predefined time period; (c) receiving, using a microcontroller of the vending machine, the RFID number associated with the user from the RFID card reader and extracts the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number from the storage unit, wherein the microcontroller compares the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number with the corresponding threshold value associated with the RFID number, wherein the microcontroller is communicatively connected to the RFID reader and the storage unit; (d) activating, the vending unit of the vending machine, wherein the vending unit is communicatively connected to the microcontroller, by the microcontroller and dispatches a napkin to the user if the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number does not exceed the threshold value, wherein the microcontroller updates the napkin information associated with the RFID number in the storage unit for the dispatched napkin; (e) storing, at a server database of a server, a plurality of RFID numbers associated with a plurality of users and its corresponding napkin information comprising a number of the napkins allocated to the plurality of RFID numbers, a number of napkins dispatched to the plurality of RFID numbers and a number of napkins remaining for the plurality of RFID numbers, for the predefined time period, wherein the server is communicatively connected to the vending machine; (f) receiving, using a processor of the server, the napkin information associated with RFID number from the vending machine and update the server database for that RFID number in real time; and (g) executing, a machine learning model of the server to analyze the napkin information associated with the RFID number in the server database and generating a report comprising the number of napkins allocated to the user associated with the RFID number and a number of napkin used by the user associated with the RFID number for the predefined time period based on the analysis.
[0018] The RFID napkin vending system vends napkins to the user (e.g. a female user) using a digital technology (i.e. RFID) instead of a coin-based mechanism. The RFID napkin vending machine enables female students to use the vending machine just by scanning their RFID card. This RFID card may be recharged once in a month or year by paying money beforehand. The RFID napkin vending system eliminates the hassles involved in bringing money to the school or getting tokens by paying the money as the users have the RFID card along with their ID cards. The RFID napkin vending system provides cost-effective solution for vending napkins to a group of female users (e.g. student) in a particular location (e.g. school, college). Further, the data associated with FRID numbers allocated to the vending machine is stored in the vending machine which does not require internet access to vend the napkins.
[0019] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a system view of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) napkin vending system according to an embodiment herein;
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the vending system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the vending machine of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a sensing unit of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment herein;
[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates a system view of a server that is communicatively connected to a plurality of vending machines that are placed in a location according to an embodiment herein;
[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates a table view of a server database of the server of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment herein;
[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates a table view of the server database of the server of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment herein;
[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates a table view of a storage unit of the vending machine of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment herein;
[0029] FIGS. 9A and 9B are data flow diagrams illustrating a method for vending a napkin from a vending machine using a radio-frequency identification (RFID) napkin vending system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein; and
[0030] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrates a hardware configuration of the server in accordance with the embodiments herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed 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.
[0032] As mentioned, there a need for a system and method for vending a napkin from a napkin vending machine using a RFID card of a user. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 10, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a system view of radio-frequency identification (RFID) napkin vending system 102 according to an embodiment herein. The radio-frequency identification (RFID) napkin vending system 102 includes a vending machine 104 and a server 106. The vending machine 104 includes a RFID card reader, a storage unit, a microcontroller and a vending unit. In some embodiments, the RFID card reader may attach to the vending machine 104 and communicatively connected to the vending machine 104. In some embodiments, the RFID card reader may be in-built or an integral part of the vending machine 104. In some embodiments, the storage unit stores the RFID number allocated to the vending machine 104. In some embodiments, the vending unit includes a vending motor and battery to dispatch a napkin to a user. The RFID card reader reads a RFID card of a user to obtain a RFID number associated with the user. In some embodiments, the RFID card may include a user name of the user. The storage unit stores napkin information associated with the RFID number. The napkin information associated with the RFID number includes (i) a threshold including a number of napkins allocated for the RFID number and (ii) a number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number for a predefined time period. In some embodiments, the storage unit may be an internal memory (EEPROM). In some embodiments, the storage unit stores the RFID number of the user (e.g. XXX100), the number of napkins allocated to the RFID number XXX100 (e.g. 5), the number of napkins dispatched (e.g. 3) and the number of napkins remaining (e.g. 2) for a predefined time period. The predefined time period may be one month or one year. The microcontroller is communicatively connected to the RFID reader and the storage unit. The microcontroller receives the RFID number associated with the user from the RFID card reader and extracts the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number from the storage unit. The microcontroller compares the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number with the corresponding threshold value associated with the RFID number. The vending unit is communicatively connected to the microcontroller. The vending unit is activated by the microcontroller and dispatches a napkin to the user if the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number does not exceed the threshold value. The microcontroller updates the napkin information associated with the RFID number in the storage unit for the dispatched napkin. In some embodiments, the user is a female user.
[0034] The server 106 is communicatively connected to the vending machine 104 through the microcontroller. In some embodiments, the server 106 is communicatively connected to the microcontroller through a network. The network may be wired or a wireless network. In some embodiments, the wireless network may be a Wireless Fidelity (WIFI) or a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).
[0035] The server 106 includes a server database and a processor. The server database stores a plurality of RFID numbers associated with a plurality of users and its corresponding napkin information comprising a number of napkins allocated to the plurality of RFID numbers, a number of napkins dispatched to a plurality of RFID numbers and a number of napkins remaining for the plurality of RFID numbers, for a predefined time period. The processor receives the napkin information associated with the RFID number from the vending machine 104 and updates the server database for that RFID number in real-time. The processor executes a machine learning model to analyze the napkin information associated with the RFID number in the server database and generates a report including the number of napkins allocated to the user associated with the RFID number and a number of napkins used by the user associated with the RFID number for the predefined time period based on the analysis.
[0036] In some embodiments, the vending machine 104 includes an infra-red (IR) sensor that detects a presence of the napkin in the vending machine 104 and communicates IR sensor data including the presence of the napkin in the vending machine 104 to the server 106 through the microcontroller. In some embodiments, the infra-red (IR) sensor may comprise an IR receiver. In some embodiments, the infra-red (IR) sensor detects an absence of the napkin in the vending machine 104 when an IR receiver receives an IR signal from the IR sensor and communicates IR sensor data including the absence of the napkin in the vending machine 104 to the server 106 through the microcontroller.
[0037] In some embodiments, the vending machine 104 includes at least one of an electrical sensor that senses a power supply to the vending machine 104 or an open/close sensor that senses opening or closing of a dispatch door of the vending machine 104. The vending machine 104 communicates electrical sensor data and dispatch door data to the server. In some embodiments, the electrical sensor data includes information about the voltage/electrical power that is supplied to the vending machine 104 over a period of time. In some embodiments, the server 106 processes information about the voltage/electrical power to the vending machine 104 using the machine learning model to determine failure in power supply to the vending machine 104 or any defects in the power supply to the vending machine 104. In some embodiments, the dispatch door data includes the information related to whether the dispatch door of the vending machine 104 is opened or closed. In some embodiments, the dispatch door data includes any defects in the dispatch door of the vending machine 104.
[0038] The machine learning model analyzes at least one of the IR sensor data, the electrical sensor data and the dispatch door data and detects a fault or a defect in the vending machine 104. The fault or defect in the vending machine 104 includes at least one of failure in power supply to the vending machine 104, defect in the power supply to the vending machine 104, the dispatch door not opening, or vending machine 104 without a napkin.
[0039] In some embodiments, the server 106 is communicatively connected to a plurality of vending machines that are placed in a location. In some embodiments, the plurality of vending machines is located at a school, a college, an institution or university, and a workspace. Each of the plurality of vending machines comprises an infra-red (IR) sensor that detects a presence of the napkin in that vending machine and communicates IR sensor data including the presence of the napkin in the vending machine to the server through the microcontroller. The machine learning model analyzes the IR sensor data received from the plurality of vending machines and determines the vending machines that are empty based on the analysis. The machine learning model generates a route map including an optimized route for a refilling person to refill the vending machines that are empty in that location. In some embodiments, the machine learning model analyzes the IR sensor data received from the plurality of vending machines and determines the number of napkins in the vending machines based on the analysis. In some embodiments, the infra-red (IR) sensor detects an absence of the napkin in the plurality of vending machines when an IR receiver of the plurality of vending machines receives an IR signal from the IR sensor and communicates IR sensor data including the absence of the napkin in the plurality of vending machines to the server 106 through the microcontroller.
[0040] In some embodiments, the machine learning model is trained by providing (i) historical data associated with one or more vending machines and (ii) historical reports associated with one or more RFID numbers as training data for at least one of (a) detecting the fault or defect in the RFID vending machine 104 or (b) generating a report for a new user. The historical data includes historical sensor data associated with at least one of IR sensor, electrical sensor or open/closes sensor of the one or more vending machines.
[0041] In some embodiments, the RFID napkin vending machine 104 includes a LCD display unit to display at least one of the number of napkins allocated to the user, the number of napkins dispatched to the user and the number of napkins remaining to be dispatched for the user. In some embodiments, the LCD display unit used to display at least one of failure in power supply to the vending machine 104, a defect in the power supply to the vending machine 104, the dispatch door not opening, or an empty vending machine 104 without a napkin.
[0042] In some embodiments, the vending machine 104 includes a WIFI or a GPRS unit to communicate the sensor data and the napkin information associated with the RFID number to the server 106.
[0043] In some embodiments, the vending machine 104 includes a power supply unit that provides power to the vending machine 104. In some embodiments, the power supply unit may be a battery or a Switched-Mode Power Supply (SMPS).
[0044] In some embodiments, the vending machine 104 includes a transceiver to receive the sensor data from at least one of the IR sensor, the electrical sensor or the open/close sensor. In some embodiments, the RFID card is a non re-programmable card.
[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the vending system 102 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. The radio-frequency identification (RFID) napkin vending system 102 includes a vending machine 104 and a server 106. The vending machine 104 includes a RFID card reader 202, a storage unit 204, a microcontroller 206 and a vending unit 208. The RFID card reader 202 reads a RFID card of a user 216 to obtain a RFID number associated with the user 216. The storage unit 204 stores napkin information associated with the RFID number. The napkin information associated with the RFID number includes (i) a threshold value including a number of napkins allocated for the RFID number and (ii) a number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number for a predefined time period. The microcontroller 206 is communicatively connected to the RFID reader 202 and the storage unit 204. The microcontroller 206 receives the RFID number associated with the user 216 from the RFID card reader 202 and extracts the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number from the storage unit 204. The microcontroller 206 compares the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number with the corresponding threshold value associated with the RFID number. The vending unit 208 is communicatively connected to the microcontroller 206. The vending unit 208 is activated by the microcontroller 206 and dispatches a napkin to the user 216 if the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number does not exceed the threshold value. The microcontroller 206 updates the napkin information associated with the RFID number in the storage unit 204 for the dispatched napkin.
[0046] The server 106 is communicatively connected to the vending machine 104. The server 106 includes a server database 210 and a processor 212. The server database 210 stores a plurality of RFID numbers associated with a plurality of users and its corresponding napkin information comprising a number of napkins allocated to the plurality of RFID numbers, a number of napkins dispatched to the plurality of RFID numbers and a number of napkins remaining for the plurality of RFID numbers, for a predefined time period. The processor 212 receives the napkin information associated with RFID number from the vending machine 104 and updates the server database 210 for that RFID number in real-time. The processor 212 executes a machine learning model 214 to analyze the napkin information associated with the RFID number in the server database 210 and generates a report including the number of napkins allocated to the user 216 associated with the RFID number and a number of napkins used by the user 216 associated with the RFID number for the predefined time period based on the analysis.
[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the vending machine 104 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. The radio-frequency identification (RFID) napkin vending system 102 includes a vending machine 104. The vending machine 104 includes a RFID card reader 202, a storage unit 204, a microcontroller 206 and a vending unit 208. The RFID card reader 202 reads a RFID card of a user 216 to obtain a RFID number associated with the user 216. The storage unit 204 stores napkin information associated with the RFID number. The napkin information associated with the RFID number includes (i) a threshold value including a number of napkins allocated for the RFID number and (ii) a number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number for a predefined time period. The microcontroller 206 is communicatively connected to the RFID reader 202 and the storage unit 204. The microcontroller 206 receives the RFID number associated with the user 216 from the RFID card reader 202 and extracts the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number from the storage unit 204. The microcontroller 206 compares the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number with the corresponding threshold value associated with the RFID number. The vending unit 208 is communicatively connected to the microcontroller 206. The vending unit 208 is activated by the microcontroller 206 and dispatches a napkin to the user 216 if the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number does not exceed the threshold value. The microcontroller 206 updates the napkin information associated with the RFID number in the storage unit 204 for the dispatched napkin.
[0048] In some embodiments, the vending machine 104 includes a sensing unit 302. In some embodiments, the sensing unit 302 includes an infra-red (IR) sensor, an electrical sensor, an open/close sensor. The infra-red (IR) sensor detects a presence of the napkin in the vending machine 104 and communicates IR sensor data including the presence of the napkin in the vending machine 104 to the server 106 through the microcontroller 206. In some embodiments, the infra-red (IR) sensor may comprise an IR receiver. In some embodiments, the infra-red (IR) sensor detects an absence of the napkin in the vending machine 104 when the IR receiver receives an IR signal from the IR sensor and communicates IR sensor data including the absence of the napkin in the vending machine 104 to the server 106 through the microcontroller 206.
[0049] In some embodiments, the electrical sensor senses a power supply to the vending machine 104 or the open/close sensor senses opening or closing of a dispatch door of the vending machine 104. The vending machine 104 communicates electrical sensor data and dispatch door data to the server 106. In some embodiments, the electrical sensor data includes information about the voltage/electrical power that is supplied to the vending machine 104 over a period of time. In some embodiments, the server 106 processes information about the voltage/electrical power to the vending machine 104 using the machine learning model 214 to determine a failure in power supply to the vending machine 104 or any defects in the power supply to the vending machine 104. In some embodiments, the dispatch door data includes the information related to whether the dispatch door of the vending machine 104 is opened or closed. In some embodiments, the dispatch door data includes any defects in the dispatch door of the vending machine 104.
[0050] The machine learning model 214 analyzes at least one of the IR sensor data, the electrical sensor data and the dispatch door data and detects a fault or a defect in the vending machine 104. The fault or defect in the vending machine 104 includes at least one of failure in power supply to the vending machine 104, defect in the power supply to the vending machine 104, the dispatch door not opening, or an empty vending machine 104 without a napkin.
[0051] In some embodiments, the RFID napkin vending machine 104 includes a LCD display unit 306 to display at least one of the number of napkins allocated to the user 216, the number of napkins dispatched to the user 216 and the number of napkins remaining to be dispatched for the user 216. In some embodiments, the LCD display unit 306 used to display at least one of failure in power supply to the vending machine 104, a defect in the power supply to the vending machine 104, the dispatch door not opening, or an empty vending machine 104 without a napkin.
[0052] In some embodiments, the vending machine 104 includes a WIFI or a GPRS unit 310 to communicate the sensor data and the napkin information associated with the RFID number to the server 106. In some embodiments, the vending machine 104 includes a power supply unit 308 that provides power to the vending machine 104. In some embodiments, the power supply unit 308 may be a battery or a Switched-Mode Power Supply (SMPS). In some embodiments, the vending machine 104 includes a transceiver 304 to receive the sensor data from at least one of the IR sensor, the electrical sensor or the open/close sensor.
[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a sensing unit 302 of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment herein. The vending machine 104 includes a sensing unit 302. In some embodiments, the sensing unit 302 includes an infra-red (IR) sensor 402, an electrical sensor 404 and an open / close sensor 406. The infra-red (IR) sensor 402 detects a presence of the napkin in the vending machine 104 and communicates IR sensor data including the presence of the napkin in the vending machine 104 to the server 106 through the microcontroller 206. In some embodiments, the infra-red (IR) sensor may comprise an IR receiver. In some embodiments, the infra-red (IR) sensor detects an absence of the napkin in the vending machine 104 when the IR receiver receives an IR signal from the IR sensor and communicates IR sensor data including the absence of the napkin in the vending machine 104 to the server 106 through the microcontroller 206.
[0054] In some embodiments, the electrical sensor 404 senses a power supply to the vending machine 104 or the open/close sensor 406 senses opening or closing of a dispatch door of the vending machine 104. The vending machine 104 communicates electrical sensor data and dispatch door data to the server 106. The machine learning model 214 analyzes at least one of the IR sensor data, the electrical sensor data and the dispatch door data and detects a fault or a defect in the vending machine 104. The fault or defect in the vending machine 104 includes at least one of failure in power supply to the vending machine 104, defect in the power supply to the vending machine 104, the dispatch door not opening, or an empty vending machine 104 without a napkin.
[0055] FIG. 5 illustrates a system view of a server 106 that is communicatively connected to a plurality of vending machines (104A-N) that are placed in a location according to an embodiment herein. The server 106 is communicatively connected to a plurality of vending machines (104A-N) that are placed in a location. In some embodiments, the plurality of vending machines is located at a school, a college, an institution or university, and a workspace. Each of the plurality of vending machines (104A-N) comprises an infra-red (IR) sensor 402 that detects a presence of the napkin in that vending machine 104A and communicates IR sensor data including the presence of the napkin in the vending machine 104A to the server 106 through the microcontroller 206. The server 106 comprises a machine learning model 214 that analyzes the IR sensor data received from the plurality of vending machines (104A-N) and determines the vending machines (104A-N) that are empty based on the analysis. The machine learning model 214 generates a route map including an optimized route for a refilling person to refill the vending machines (104A-N) that are empty in that location. In some embodiments, the infra-red (IR) sensor 402 detects an absence of the napkin in the plurality of vending machines (104A-N) when an IR receiver of the plurality of vending machines (104A-N) receives an IR signal from the IR sensor 402 and communicates IR sensor data including the absence of the napkin in the plurality of vending machines (104A-N) to the server 106 through the microcontroller 206.
[0056] In some embodiments, the machine learning model 214 is trained by providing (i) historical data associated with one or more vending machines (104A-N) and (ii) historical reports associated with one or more RFID numbers as training data for at least one of (a) detecting the fault or defect in the RFID vending machine 104A or (b) generating a report for a new user 216. The historical data includes historical sensor data associated with at least one of the IR sensor 402, the electrical sensor 404 or the open/closes sensor 406 of the one or more vending machines (104A-N).
[0001] FIG. 6 illustrates a table view of a server database 210 of the server 106 of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment herein. The table view includes a vending machine ID field 602, a RFID number field 604, a number of napkins allocated field 606, a number of napkins dispatched field 608, a number of napkins remaining field 610 and a predefined time period field 612. The vending machine ID field 602 includes IDs of a plurality of vending machines (104A-N). The RFID number field 604 includes RFID numbers of the users allocated to each of the plurality of vending machines (104A-N). The number of napkins allocated field 606 includes a number of napkins allocated to each RFID number in the plurality of vending machines (104A-N). The number of napkins dispatched field 608 includes a number of napkins dispatched for each RFID number in the plurality of vending machines (104A-N). The number of napkins remaining field 610 includes a number of napkins remaining for each RFID number in the plurality of vending machines (104A-N). The predefined time period field 612 includes a time period (e.g. month) for which a number of napkins allocated to each RFID number of the user 216.
[0057] FIG. 7 illustrates a table view of the server database 210 of the server 106 of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment herein. The table view includes a vending machine ID field 702, an IR sensor data field 704, an electrical sensor data field 706 and an open/close sensor data field 708. The vending machine ID field 702 includes IDs of a plurality of vending machines (104A-N). The IR sensor data field 704 includes a presence or an absence of the napkin in the plurality of vending machines (104A-N). The electrical sensor data field 706 includes information about the power supply. The information about the power supply includes power that is supplied to the plurality of vending machines (104A-N), a failure in power to the plurality of vending machines (104A-N) or any defects in the power supply to the plurality of vending machines (104A-N). The open/close sensor data field 708 includes information about a napkin dispatch door of the plurality of vending machines (104A-N). The information about the napkin dispatch door includes an opening or a closing of the dispatch door and any defects in the dispatch door of the plurality of vending machines (104A-N).
[0002] FIG. 8 illustrates a table view of a storage unit 204 of the vending machine 104 of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment herein. The table view includes a vending machine ID field 802, a RFID number field 804, a number of napkins allocated field 806, a number of napkins dispatched field 808, a number of napkins remaining field 810 and a predefined time period field 812. The vending machine ID field 802 includes an ID of the vending machine 104. The RFID number field 804 includes a RFID number associated with the user 216 allocated to the vending machine 104. The number of napkins allocated field 806 includes a number of napkins allocated to each RFID number associated with the vending machine 104. The number of napkins dispatched field 808 includes a number of napkins dispatched to each RFID number associated with the vending machine 104. The number of napkins remaining field 810 includes a number of napkins remaining for each RFID number associated with the vending machine 104. The predefined time period field 812 includes a time period (e.g. month) for which a number of napkins allocated to each RFID number associated with the vending machine 104.
[0058] FIGS. 9A and 9B are data flow diagrams illustrating a method for vending a napkin from a vending machine 104 using a radio-frequency identification (RFID) napkin vending system 102 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. At step 902, the RFID card reader 202 reads a RFID card of the user 216 to obtain a RFID number associated with the user 216. At step 904, the storage unit 204 stores napkin information associated with the RFID number. The napkin information associated with the RFID number includes (i) a threshold value including a number of napkins allocated for the RFID number and (ii) a number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number for a predefined time period. At step 906, the microcontroller 206 receives the RFID number associated with the user 216 from the RFID card reader 202 and extracts a number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number from the storage unit 204. The microcontroller 206 compares the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number with a corresponding threshold value associated with the RFID number. At step 908, the vending unit 208 is activated by the microcontroller 206 and dispatches a napkin to the user 216 if the number of napkins dispatched for the RFID number does not exceed the threshold value. The microcontroller 206 updates the napkin information associated with the RFID number in the storage unit 204 for the dispatched napkin. At step 910, the server database 210 stores a plurality of RFID numbers associated with a plurality of users and its corresponding napkin information comprising a number of napkins allocated to the plurality of RFID numbers, a number of napkins dispatched to the plurality of RFID numbers and a number of napkins remaining for the plurality of RFID numbers, for a predefined time period. At step 912, the processor 212 receives the napkin information associated with RFID number from the vending machine 104 and updates the server database 210 for that RFID number in real-time. At step 914, The processor executes a machine learning model 214 to analyze the napkin information associated with the RFID number in the server database 210 and generates a report including the number of napkins allocated to the user 216 associated with the RFID number and a number of napkins used by the user 216 associated with the RFID number for the predefined time period based on the analysis.
[0059] A representative hardware environment for practicing the embodiments herein is depicted in FIG. 10, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 9B. This schematic drawing illustrates a hardware configuration of a server/computer system/computing device in accordance with the embodiments herein. The system includes at least one processing device CPU 10 that may be interconnected via system bus 14 to various devices such as a random access memory (RAM) 12, read-only memory (ROM) 16, and an input/output (I/O) adapter 18. The I/O adapter 18 can connect to peripheral devices, such as disk units 38 and program storage devices 40 that are readable by the system. The system can read the inventive instructions on the program storage devices 40 and follow these instructions to execute the methodology of the embodiments herein. The system further includes a subject interface adapter 22 that connects a keyboard 28, mouse 30, speaker 32, microphone 34, and/or other subject interface devices such as a touch screen device (not shown) to the bus 14 to gather subject input. Additionally, a communication adapter 20 connects the bus 14 to a data processing network 42, and a display adapter 24 connects the bus 14 to a display device 26, which provides a graphical subject interface (GUI) 36 of the output data in accordance with the embodiments herein, or which may be embodied as an output device such as a monitor, printer, or transmitter, for example.
[0060] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal 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 scope of the appended claims.