The invention relates to a security product vending machine comprising an identification unit, a control unit for controlling the machine based on input from a user. The input from the user is identity, task and type of product. The machine comprises a product identifier for identifying the product stored in the vending machine and a product transporting means for transporting the product. The invention also relates to a method for such a vending machine.

BACKGROUND ART When selling certain types of products, it is requested that the user is known and that the product is identified and correct. For example, pharmaceuticals are today handled by certified pharmacists at specially adapted and acknowledged stores. The pharmaceutical can either be prescription free or be bound by a prescription. In both cases the pharmacist checks the pharmaceutical to see that it is the correct pharmaceutical and in the latter case the pharmacist checks whether the identity of the customer matches the identity in the prescription.

There are other types of "security products" that demands a thorough identity control and a robust product identification. For example, in USA it is governed by law that the identity of a seller is known in trade with electronically driven games, e.g. so called video or computer games.

The handling of such "security products" is thus limited to certified stores that have educated personnel and an approved code of conduct. These high demands have proven to limit the number of stores because of handling costs and thus limiting the possibilities for a customer. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

With regard to background art, there exists a need for a cheap and easy handling of security products that gives a consumer increased access to trade, sell or purchase spots with maintained high identity control and product safety.

The invention solves this by use of a security product vending machine comprising an identification unit, a control unit for controlling the machine based on input from a user. The input from the user is at least identity, task and type of product. The machine comprises a product identifier for identifying the product stored in the vending machine and a product transporting means for transporting the product. The identification unit is arranged to confirm the identity the user by use of a first identity means for collecting first identity information about the user and a second identity means for collecting second identity information. The identification unit is arranged to compare the first identity information to the second identity information for confirmation of the identity of the user. The identification unit is arranged to send information to the control unit regarding whether if the identity of the user has been confirmed or not, wherein the control unit is arranged to deny the user service if the identity has not been confirmed, but if the identity of the user has been confirmed the control unit is arranged to control the product identifier to identify the product. The product identifier is arranged to give information to the control unit whether if the identity of the product has been confirmed or not, wherein the control unit is arranged to deny the user service if the identity of the product has not been confirmed, but if the identity of the product has been confirmed the control unit is arranged to control the product transporting means to transport the product according to the task input from the user.

One advantage of the invention is that a vending machine can be used in public places for performing tasks that previously have been restricted to certain shops, stores or the like. According to one example of the invention, the first identity means comprises a first camera for face identification of the user, wherein the face of the user is the first identity information. The first camera can be a still camera that takes a first photo of the user or the first camera may be a camera for moving pictures that captures the face of the user.

The first identity means may comprise a first face identification software for creating a first image of the user, wherein the face on the first image is the first identity information.

The second identity means advantageously comprises a second image of the user, wherein the face on the second image is the second identity information. The matching of the first and second identity information can then be controlled either automatically or by a human being. The second identity means may collect the second image from a bank of images or the second identity means may comprise a second camera for face identification of an identification card comprising a picture of the user, wherein the face of the user and identity card information, if available, is the second identity information.

The second camera may be a still camera that takes a second photo of the user or the second camera is a camera for moving pictures that captures the face of the user.

The second identity means may comprise a second face identification software for creating a second image of the user, wherein the face on the second image and the identity card information is the first identity information.

The identification unit may comprise means for automatically comparing the first identity information to the second identity information and/or the identification unit may comprise a human being comparing the first identity information to the second identity information. In another example of the invention, the first identity means may comprise a card reader for reading card identification information being the first identity information and wherein the second identification unit comprises a code reader for reading a code being the second identity information. The invention also refers to a method for a security product vending machine comprising an identification unit, a control unit for controlling the machine based on input from a user. The input from the user is, at least, identity, task and type of product. The machine comprises a product identifier for identifying the product stored in the vending machine and a product transporting means for transporting the product. The identification unit confirms the identity the user by use of a first identity means for collecting first identity information about the user and a second identity means for collecting second identity information, wherein the identification unit compares the first identity information to the second identity information for confirmation of the identity of the user, wherein the identification unit is arranged to send information to the control unit regarding whether if the identity of the user has been confirmed or not. The control unit denies the user service if the identity has not been confirmed, but if the identity of the user has been confirmed the control unit controls the product identifier to identify the product, wherein the product identifier gives information to the control unit whether if the identity of the product has been confirmed or not, wherein the control unit denies the user service if the identity of the product has not been confirmed, but if the identity of the product has been confirmed the control unit controls the product transporting means to transport the product according to the task input from the user.

The above describe examples regarding identification unit and product identifier is valid also for the above described method.

The invention gives the possibility for a remote and/or automatic identification of a user which gives the possibility to use a vending machine instead of the previously used manned shops/centrals for delivery or reception of security products. The possibility to use vending machines gives the advantage of decentralization of handling with security products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will below be described in connection to a number of drawings, where:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of a security product vending machine according to a first example of the invention;

Fig. 2 schematically shows a side view of a security product vending machine according to a second example of the invention; Fig. 3 schematically shows a side view of a security product vending machine according to a third example of the invention, and where;

Fig. 4 schematically shows a flow chart of the method according to the invention.

EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a security product vending machine 1 comprising an identification unit 2, a control unit 3 for controlling the machine 1 based on input from a user 4. The input from the user 4 is identity, task and type of product (5). The machine 1 comprises a product identifier 6 for identifying the product 5 stored in the vending machine 1 and a product transporting means 7 for transporting the product 5.

The identification unit 2 is arranged to confirm the identity of the user 4 by use of a first identity means 8 for collecting first identity information about the user and a second identity means 9 for collecting second identity information. The identification unit 2 is arranged to compare the first identity information to the second identity information for confirmation of the identity of the user 4. The identification unit 2 is arranged to send information to the control unit 3 regarding whether if the identity of the user 4 has been confirmed or not, wherein the control unit is arranged to deny the user 4 service if the identity has not been confirmed, but if the identity of the user 4 has been confirmed, the control unit 3 is arranged to control the product identifier 6 to identify the product 5. The product identifier 6 is arranged to give information to the control unit 3 whether if the identity of the product 5 has been confirmed or not, wherein the control unit 3 is arranged to deny the user 4 service if the identity of the product 5 has not been confirmed, but if the identity of the product 5 has been confirmed the control unit is arranged to control the product transporting means 7 to transport the product 5 according to the task input from the user 4.

The machine may be arranged to execute a task to deliver products, to receive products or may be arranged to be able to perform both tasks. If the task is to deliver a product, the product may be a security product in the sense that it would be a violation against rules and regulations to deliver the product to the wrong person. For example, a prescription drug should not be allowed to be delivered to the wrong person. If the task is for the machine to receive a product, the product may be a security product in the sense that it would be a violation against rules and regulations to deliver the product to the wrong person. For example, if a person I selling the product it is of the utmost importance to identify the seller, i.e. the user, in order to avoid receiving stolen gods.

Figure 1 shows that the first identity means 8 comprises a first camera 10 for face identification of the user 4. The face of the user then becomes the first identity information. The first camera 10 could be a still camera that takes a first photo of the user or a camera for moving pictures that captures the face of the user.

According to one example of the invention, the first identity means 8 may comprise a first face identification software for creating a first image of the user, wherein the face on the first image is the first identity information. The second identity means 9 comprises a second image of the user, wherein the face on the second image is the second identity information. The second image may be created by use of a second camera 1 1 and a second face identification software or (not shown) the second identity means 9 may be connected to a bank of images where the second identity means collects the second image. The connection may utilize wireless technique, land line technique, computer technique, or any other suitable medium for intercommunication between two units or more.

Figure 1 shows that the second identity means 9 comprises a second camera 1 1 for face identification of an identification card 12 comprising a picture of the user 4, wherein the face of the user (4) and the identity card information is the second identity information.

The second camera 1 1 may be a still camera that takes a second photo of the user or may be a camera for moving pictures that captures the face of the user 4.

The second identity means 9 may comprise a second face identification software for creating a second image of the user, wherein the face on the second image and the identity card information is the first identity information.

Figure 1 shows that the identification unit 2 comprises means for automatically comparing the first identity information to the second identity information, but the identification unit 2 may comprise a human being comparing the first identity information to the second identity information, see figure 2 .

Fig. 2 schematically shows a side view of a security product vending machine according to a second example of the invention. Figure 2 shows a secure product vending machine 1 according to figure 1 , but with the difference that the identification unit 2 may comprise a controller 13 in the form of a human being comparing the first identity information to the second identity information. The machine 1 may comprise additional communication means for communication between the controller and the user. The controller 13 can instruct the user 4 to perform various tasks, for example to turn the face towards the first camera in a proper way or how to mount the identity card in connection to the second identity means. The controller may also instruct the user to give additional information that could be used for controlling the identity.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a side view of a security product vending machine according to a third example of the invention. Figure 3 shows a secure product vending machine 1 according to any one of figures 1 and 2, but with the difference that the first identity means 8 comprises a card reader for reading card identification information being the first identity information and wherein the second identification unit 2 comprises a code reader for reading a code being the second identity information. The card identification information can be a certificate for electronically identifying the person. The certificate can be provided by a government body, a bank or any other trustworthy organization.

Common for all examples described in connection to figures 1 -3 is that the product identifier 6 is arranged to give information to the control unit 3 whether if the identity of the product 5 has been confirmed or not. The product identifier 6 for identifying the product comprises a product identifying means that could be a third camera, or a magnetic reader, or a bar code reader using a light source, or any other suitable means for identifying the product being marked accordingly with a readable label. The identifying means may also be triggered by the product position within the vending machine.

The control unit 3 is arranged to deny the user 4 service if the identity of the product 5 has not been confirmed, but if the identity of the product 5 has been confirmed the control unit is arranged to control the product transporting means 7 to transport the product 5 according to the task input from the user 4. Fig. 4 schematically shows flow chart of the method according to the invention. Reference is also made to figures 1 -3.

Box 401 schematically shows that the method relates to a method for a security product vending machine 1 comprising an identification unit 2, a control unit 3 for controlling the machine 1 based on input from a user 4, the input from the user (4) being identity, task and type of product.

Box 402 schematically shows that the identification unit 2 confirms the identity the user 4 by use of a first identity means 8 for collecting first identity information about the user and a second identity means 9 for collecting second identity information. The identification unit 2 compares the first identity information to the second identity information for confirmation of the identity of the user 4, wherein the identification unit 2 is arranged to send information to the control unit 3 regarding whether if the identity of the user 4 has been confirmed or not. If the identity of the user 4 has been confirmed goto Box 403.

If the identity of the user 4 has not been confirmed goto Box 405.

Box 403 schematically shows that the control unit controls the product identifier to identify the product and that the product identifier analyses a product stored at a certain position in the vending machine in order to establish the product identity. Since the vending machine can be used for various tasks such as deliver or receive a product the position of the product in the vending machine may vary.

If the product has been identified goto Box 404.

If the product has not been identified goto Box 405. Box 404 schematically shows that, if the identity of the user and the product has been established, the task input will be executed. The product identifier and the identification unit give information to the control unit that the identities of the product and user have been confirmed. The control unit then controls the product transporting means to transport the product according to the task input from the user, i.e. either to receive or deliver the product.

Box 405 schematically shows that the control unit denies the user service if the identity has not been confirmed or if the product has not been identified.