JP2010092096A - Selling system and automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a selling system for managing customers who have a purchased product, the product sold to the customers, and a lot of the product, even after sale. <P>SOLUTION: The selling system is configured of: a card issuing device 1 which issues a member's card C in which a member code and prescriptions are stored; a vending machine 2 for accepting the member's card C, and for extracting available products based on the prescriptions read from the member's card C, and for selling the products selected from among the available products and for storing a product code and a lot number of the sold product and a member's code read from the member's card C in association with each other; and a server 8 for storing the sales data of the vending machine in which the product code of the sold product and the lot number are associated with each other based on the member's code. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sales system and a vending machine, for example, a sales system that sells disposable contact lenses and a vending machine that constitutes the sales system.

  Contact lens vending systems and contact lens vending machines that sell contact lenses have been proposed. A contact lens vending system that sells contact lenses includes a contact lens vending machine and a host computer system. The contact lens vending machine is capable of inserting a portable storage medium in which inspection information data and personal verification data are stored, and when the portable storage medium is inserted from the medium insertion slot, an external storage medium reading device Reads inspection data and personal information stored in a portable storage medium and transmits these data to a host computer system via a network.

  The examination information data and personal verification data stored and held in the portable storage medium are data obtained by the user's examination by a doctor such as an ophthalmologist at a predetermined medical institution, and are also stored in the host computer system. It is stored and held as judgment data. The examination information data is examination data such as eyesight and eyeballs, and the personal verification data is data including a user identification number and an update deadline.

  The host computer system reads personal determination data stored and held from an identification number based on inspection information data and personal information data received from a contact lens vending machine, and performs collation and confirmation. If there is no problem in the received inspection information data and personal verification data, the contact lens type is selected, and the lens selection information obtained thereby is transmitted to the contact lens vending machine through the network. Yes.

  The contact lens vending machine that has received the lens selection information can select a contact lens that can be sold suitable for the user based on this information. Then, when the user selects a desired contact lens and the vending machine receives the price, the contact lens is taken out, and the user receives the contact lens.

  The contact vending machine stores the sales data including the sales date and time and the lens type by selling such contact lenses in its own storage device, and transmits it to the host computer system together with the inventory data. The host computer stores and holds the sales data and inventory data in its own storage device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-268020 A

  However, products that are classified as highly managed medical devices such as disposable contact lenses are required to manage lots, and are required to manage customers, products sold to customers, and lots of such products even after sales.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a sales system and a vending machine capable of managing a customer, a product sold to the customer, and a lot of the product after the sale.

  In order to achieve the above object, a sales system according to claim 1 of the present invention is a storage medium issuing device that issues a storage medium storing a member code and an instruction sheet, and receives the storage medium and reads it from the storage medium. The product that can be sold is extracted based on the ordered instructions, the product selected from the products that can be sold is sold, and the product code and lot number of the sold product are stored in association with the member code read from the storage medium. And a server for storing the sales data of the vending machine in which the product code and lot number of the sold product are associated with the member code.

  The vending machine according to claim 2 of the present invention comprises an inventory information storage means for storing a product code and a lot number attached to a product stored in a column in association with a column number of a column storing the product. A product extracting unit that extracts a product that can be sold based on the instruction data stored in the storage medium, a product selecting unit that selects a product from the extracted products, and the selected product are stored. Product delivery means for delivering the product from the column, and sales data storage means for storing the product code and lot number attached to the product delivered in association with the member code stored in the storage medium To do.

  The vending machine according to claim 3 of the present invention specifies a reading means for reading a product code and a lot number attached to a product to be stored, and a column for storing the product based on the read product code. A column specifying means, a specific column indicating means provided for each column and indicating a specified column; a column button provided for each column; and when the column button is pressed, associated with the specified column Inventory information storage means for storing the read product code and lot number is provided.

  The sales system according to the present invention stores the product code and lot number of the product sold by the vending machine in association with the member code, and associates the product code and lot number of the product sold by the server with the member code. Since vending machine sales data is accumulated, customers, products sold to customers, and lots of such products can be managed even after sales.

  Since the vending machine according to the present invention stores the product code and lot number attached to the product carried out in association with the member code stored in the storage medium, the product sold to the customer and the customer after the sale, Manage product lots.

  Further, the vending machine according to the present invention reads the product code and the lot number attached to the product to be stored, specifies the column for storing the product, and indicates the specified column. The column to be stored can be easily specified. When the column button is pressed, the product code and lot number read in association with the specified column are stored, so the vending machine manages the product code and lot number of the stored product. Can do.

  Exemplary embodiments of a sales system and a vending machine according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  First, the system configuration of the sales system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a sales system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a sales system for selling disposable contact lenses will be described as an example. Disposable contact lenses are classified as highly managed medical devices, and restrictions are imposed on sales.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the disposable contact lens sales system is installed in an ophthalmic clinic or the like, and issues a membership card (non-contact IC card) C required for purchasing disposable contact lenses. The vending machine 2 is installed in a doctor's office or a contact lens store and sells disposable contact lenses, and a server managed by an operator who operates the disposable contact lens sales system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the card issuing device 1 is a personal computer 11 that manages patient (customer) information, and a non-contact IC card reader / writer that is connected to the personal computer 11 and issues a membership card (non-contact IC card) C. 12.

  The membership card issued by the card issuing device 1 stores an ophthalmic clinic code, a customer membership number, instruction data, the remaining number of purchases, an instruction issue date, a card expiration date, and a last access time. ing. Note that the remaining purchaseable number is stored because it is possible to purchase a plurality of disposable contact lenses in a single examination, and the instruction sheet data and the remaining purchaseable number together with the left eye and the right eye It has come to be remembered.

  Next, the configuration of the vending machine constituting the sales system will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 is a front view of the vending machine shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vending machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 4 is a column loading display section shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining these.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an image device 31 is disposed on the upper right side of the front surface of the outer door 3 constituting the front surface of the vending machine 2. The image device 31 is for displaying the usage procedure of the vending machine 2 and is constituted by a fluorescent display tube (VFD). Three selection buttons 32 are arranged below the image device 31. These selection buttons 32 are for selecting a product (disposable contact lens) (for example, left eye, right eye, and both eyes), and have a selection button switch 32a, a sellable lamp 32b, and a sold-out lamp 32c. (See FIG. 3), the sellable lamp 32b is turned on when the product can be selected, and the sold-out lamp 32c is turned on when the product cannot be selected.

  A member card insertion slot 33 and a credit card insertion slot 34 are arranged side by side at a portion below the selection button 32. The member card insertion slot 33 is an opening for inserting the above-described member card, and an LED lamp 33a is disposed above the opening. For example, the LED lamp 33a is turned on when a card can be inserted, and blinks when the card can be removed. The credit card insertion slot 34 is an opening for inserting a magnetic card such as a credit card, and an LED lamp 34a is disposed above the opening. For example, the LED lamp 34a is turned on when a card can be inserted, and blinks when the card can be removed.

  An integrated display 35 is disposed below the member card insertion slot 33. The integrated display 35 has a digital display 35a, a sale lamp 35b, a change-out lamp 35c, and a bill stop display 35d (see FIG. 3). A message indicating that there is no money, a message indicating that the insertion of the banknote has been stopped, and a display of the amount of money to be inserted are displayed.

  A coin insertion slot 36 and a return lever 37 are arranged side by side at a portion below the integrated display 35. The coin insertion slot 36 is an opening for inserting coins, and the return lever 37 is an input means for inputting the cancellation of the transaction.

  A bill insertion slot 38 is disposed on the left side of the return lever 37. The bill insertion slot 38 is an opening for inserting bills.

  A receipt issuing port 39 is disposed at a position below the bill insertion port 38. The receipt issuing port is an opening for receiving issued receipts, and an LED lamp 39a is disposed on the upper part of the opening. For example, the LED lamp 39a is turned on during receipt issuance, and blinks until a predetermined time elapses after the receipt is issued.

  A return port 40 is disposed in the lower right portion of the outer door 3 below the coin insertion port 36 and the return lever 37. The return port 40 is an opening for returning change.

  A take-out port 41 is disposed at a lower part of the outer door 3 and a part slightly to the left and a part to the right. The take-out port 41 is an opening for taking out a product, and an LED lamp 41a is disposed on the side of the opening. The LED lamp 41a indicates to which exit 41 the sold product has been carried out. For example, the LED lamp 41a is lit for a predetermined time after carrying out.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a non-contact IC card reader / writer 43 is disposed on the back surface of the outer door 3 and corresponding to the member card insertion slot 33 described above. The non-contact IC card reader / writer 43 is for reading the necessary information from the membership card C and writing the necessary information by taking in the membership card C inserted from the membership card insertion slot 33.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a magnetic card reader 44 is disposed on the back surface of the outer door 3 and corresponding to the credit card insertion slot 34 described above. The magnetic card reader 44 is for taking in a magnetic card such as a credit card inserted from the credit card insertion slot 34 and reading necessary information from the member card C.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a coin mechanism (coin processing device) 46 is arranged on the back surface of the outer door 3 and corresponding to the coin insertion slot 36 and the return lever 37 described above. The coin mechanism 46 identifies whether or not the coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 36 is an acceptable coin. When the coin mechanism 46 identifies that the coin is acceptable, the coin mechanism 46 accepts each coin type while accepting it. When it is identified as an impossible coin, it is returned to the return port 40. Further, the coin mechanism 46 stops the transaction in accordance with the cancellation of the transaction input from the return lever 37, returns the accepted coin from the return port 40, and outputs a transaction stop signal to the control box 7 described later. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a high-value bill bill burr (banknote processing device) 48 is disposed on the back surface of the outer door 3 and corresponding to the above-described bill insertion slot 38. The high-value bill bill burr 48 identifies whether or not the bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 38 is a bill that can be accepted. When the banknote is identified as unacceptable, it is returned from the banknote insertion slot 38. Further, the high-value bill bill burr 48 stops the transaction according to the transaction stop signal from the control box 7 and returns the accepted bill from the bill insertion slot 38.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 49 is disposed on the rear surface of the outer door 3 and at a portion corresponding to the above-described receipt issuing port 39. The printer 49 issues a receipt, and the issued receipt is issued from the receipt issue port 39.

  These selection button 32, integrated display 35, non-contact IC card reader / writer 43, magnetic card reader 44, coin mechanism 46, large bill bill burr 48, and printer 49 are connected to the control box 7 as shown in FIG. To be controlled.

  Further, in addition to the carry-out control unit 50 (see FIG. 3), the remote control 63 (see FIG. 3), the barcode reader 64, the column loading display unit 6, the communication device 80 is connected to the control box 7.

  The carry-out control unit 50 is connected to a product carry-out device 51 provided for each column of the product storage rack 5 built in the vending machine 2. By controlling the product carry-out device 51, an arbitrary product storage rack is provided. The goods stored in the arbitrary column of 5 are carried out one by one. Note that the vending machine 2 according to the present embodiment has at least 99 columns and can sell 99 types of products.

  The remote controller 63 is used for a setting operation and a setting confirmation operation. In addition to a monitor (liquid crystal character display) (not shown), a “product replenishment” button (not shown) and an “end button” (not shown). ) And other various operation buttons. Setting data set from the remote control 63 is transmitted to the control box 7, and confirmation data requested from the remote control 63 is transmitted from the control box 7. In addition, when a “product replenishment” button (not shown) is pressed, the column loading display unit 6 and the barcode reader 64 are interlocked to enable product replenishment.

  The barcode reader 64 is for reading a product barcode and a lot number barcode attached to a product to be replenished, and the read product code and lot number are transmitted to the control box 7.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the column loading display unit 6 includes a column button 61 and an LED lamp 62 for each column of the product storage rack 5 built in the vending machine. Then, the LED lamp 62 of the column transmitted from the control box 7 is turned on to notify the operator of the column for replenishing the product. The LED lamp 62 is turned off when the column button 61 is pressed after the operator replenishes the column with products. Information indicating that the column button 61 has been pressed is transmitted to the control box 7.

  The communication device 80 is for transmitting and receiving information, and is connected to a network 81 as shown in FIG. A server 8 is connected to the network 81.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control box 7 includes a control unit 71, a setting storage unit 72, and a storage unit 73. Based on the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 72 and the operation information of various devices (for example, the selection button 32, the remote controller 63), the control unit 71 performs various devices (for example, the carry-out control unit 50, the printer 49, etc.). Is to control. The setting storage unit 72 stores setting information input from the remote controller 63 in addition to setting information stored in advance. In addition, the vending machine according to the present embodiment is further provided with a USB terminal (not shown) so that setting information can be transferred from the USB memory M to the setting storage unit 72. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the setting information stored in the USB memory M and transferred from the USB memory M to the setting storage unit 72 is an ophthalmic clinic code, a handling product code, and vending machine column information (column number-product code). In the information by column of the vending machine according to the present embodiment, 99 columns (column numbers) and product codes are associated with each other.

  The storage unit 73 stores the product code and lot number attached to the product stored in the column in association with the column number of the column storing the product, and stores the sales data of the sold product. . The sales data to be stored are the ophthalmic clinic code that issued the membership card C, the vending machine number, the purchaser member number (customer member number), the purchased product (sales product) and lot number, the number of purchases (sales number), the sales price, the sales Year, month, day, time. Note that sales data of products classified as highly managed medical devices such as disposable contact lenses is characterized by storing not only sales products but also lot numbers of sales products.

  Sales data stored in the storage unit 73 can be transferred from the storage unit 73 to the USB memory M.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the sales data stored in the storage unit 73 can be stored in the server 8 via the communication device 80 and the network 81 when the vending machine calls.

  In the above-described sales system for used contact lenses, when purchasing disposable contact lenses, first of all, a member card (non-contact IC card) C required for purchasing disposable contact lenses is examined at an ophthalmic clinic. Must be issued. The issued membership card C stores an ophthalmology clinic code, customer membership code, instruction data, remaining number of purchases, order issue date, card expiration date, and last access time, and the number of purchases is zero. Until the card expires or until the card expires, it can be used to purchase disposable contact lenses.

  Next, the operation procedure of the disposable contact lens in the vending machine will be described based on FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the vending machine 2 shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when selling a disposable contact lens in the vending machine 2, the membership card C is inserted from the membership card insertion slot 33 in which the LED lamp 33a is lit. When the membership card C is inserted from the membership card insertion slot 33, the vending machine 2 proceeds from the standby step S1 to the card hold and determination step S2. Then, the non-contact IC card reader / writer 43 reads information from the member card C, and the control unit 71 determines whether the disposable contact lens can be sold. When the determination is completed, the process proceeds to determination result display step S3.

  In the determination result display step S <b> 3, the determination result is displayed on the image device 31. If the determination result is NG, that is, if the disposable contact lens cannot be sold, the process proceeds to the membership card return step S11. If the determination result is OK, that is, if the disposable contact lens can be sold, Move to purchase number selection step S4.

  In the product / purchase number selection step S4, a product is selected from the selection button 32. However, in the case of a disposable contact lens, disposable contact lenses that can be sold based on the instruction data read from the member card C are limited. , Will be selected from these. Further, for example, the disposable contact lens may be selected from the left eye, the right eye, and both eyes without selling the left eye and the right eye as a set. When a product is selected in the product / purchase number selection step S4, the process proceeds to the reconfirmation step S5.

  In the reconfirmation step S5, the product to be sold is displayed on the image device 31, and confirmation is made whether the product sold by the vending machine 2 is the same as the product to be purchased. If it is confirmed that the products are the same (for example, the selection button 32 that is a confirmation button is pressed), the process proceeds to the product / purchase number selection step S4, and the purchase number is selected. When the purchase number is selected in the product / purchase number selection step S4, the process proceeds to the reconfirmation step S5.

  In the reconfirmation step S5, the product to be sold and the number of purchases are displayed on the image device 31, and confirmation of whether the product sold by the vending machine 2, the product to be purchased is the same as the product to be purchased, or the purchase number is requested. It is done. If it is confirmed that the product and the number of purchases are the same (for example, the selection button 32 that is a confirmation button is pressed), the process proceeds to a settlement method confirmation step S6.

  In the settlement method confirmation step S6, a settlement method is selected. The vending machine 2 according to the present embodiment is capable of cash settlement and credit settlement. When the cash settlement is selected (for example, when the selection button 32 that is a cash settlement button is pressed), the cash input is performed. The process proceeds to the waiting step S7, and when the credit card payment is selected (for example, the selection button 32 that is a credit card payment button is pressed), the process proceeds to the credit card insertion waiting step S8. Note that the payment method can be limited to the cash payment method, and in this case, the process proceeds to the cash insertion waiting step S7 without selecting the payment method.

  In the cash input waiting step S7, it waits for the input of cash. When a bill or coin (cash) is inserted into the large bill bill burr 48 or coin mechanism 46 from the bill insertion slot 38 or the coin insertion slot 36, the process proceeds to a settlement / receipt issuing step S9.

  In the credit card insertion waiting step S8, the LED lamp 34a is turned on to wait for the insertion of a credit card. When a credit card is inserted into the magnetic card reader 44 from the credit card insertion slot 34, the process proceeds to a settlement / receipt issuing step S9.

  In the settlement / receipt issuing step S <b> 9, the consideration for the disposable contact lens is received, the disposable contact lens is taken out, and the sales data is stored in the storage unit 73. The printer 49 issues a receipt to the receipt issuing port 39, and the LED lamp 39a is turned on until a predetermined time has elapsed. And it transfers to remaining number display step S10.

  In the remaining number display step S10, the sold product and the remaining purchaseable number are displayed, and the process proceeds to the member card return step S11 on condition that a predetermined time has passed.

  In the membership card return step S11, the membership card is returned from the contactless IC card reader / writer 43 to the membership card insertion slot, and the LED lamp 33a is blinked until a predetermined time has elapsed. In addition, when a return lever is operated in each step, transaction is interrupted and it transfers to member card return step S11.

  Next, a procedure for replenishing the disposable contact lens to the vending machine will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a process diagram showing the replenishment procedure of the disposable contact lens to the vending machine.

  When the outer door 3 of the vending machine 2 is opened and a product (disposable contact lens) is to be replenished, first, a “product replenishment” button (not shown) of the remote controller 63 is pressed. Then, the vending machine 2 shifts to a product replenishment mode, and a product replenishment mode screen is displayed on the monitor of the remote controller 63 (step 1).

  Next, the product barcode attached to the product (disposable contact lens) to be replenished to the barcode reader 64 is read. Then, based on the product code obtained from the read bar code, the column loading display unit 6 lights the LED lamp 62 of the column that stores the corresponding product (disposable contact lens). On the other hand, the remote control 63 displays on the monitor the product names of the products stored in the column and the lot numbers of the three products last added to the column (step 2).

  Subsequently, the barcode reader 64 is caused to read the lot number barcode attached to the product to be replenished. When the bar code reader 64 reads the lot number bar code, the column loading display unit 6 blinks the LED lamp 62 of the column that stores the corresponding product (disposable contact lens). On the other hand, the remote control 63 blinks and displays the lot number obtained from the lot number barcode on the monitor (step 3).

  Then, a product to be replenished is filled in the column where the LED lamp 62 is blinking (step 4).

  When the column button 61 of the column filled with the product is pressed, the column loading display unit 6 turns on the LED lamp 62 of the column filled with the product, and the control unit 71 associates the column number with the column number in the storage unit 73. The product code and lot number attached to the stored product are stored. On the other hand, the remote controller 63 determines the lot number and displays the lot number on the monitor (step 5).

  When the same product is replenished, the process returns to step 3 and the barcode reader 64 reads the lot number barcode attached to the product to be replenished (step 6).

  On the other hand, when another product is replenished, the process returns to step 2 and the barcode reader 64 reads the product barcode attached to the product to be supplemented (step 7).

  When the replenishment of the product is completed, the “end” button (not shown) of the remote controller 63 is pressed, and the return lever 37 is operated to end the product replenishment mode (step 8).

  According to the contact lens sales system described above, the product code and lot number of the product sold by the vending machine 2 are stored in the storage unit 73 in association with the member code, and the product code and lot number of the sold product are stored. Since the server 8 stores the sales data of the vending machine in which the member code is associated with the member code, the customer, the product sold to the customer, and the lot of the product can be managed even after the sale.

  According to the vending machine described above, the operation procedure of the vending machine is displayed on the image device, and the LED lamp 33a disposed on the upper part of the membership card insertion slot 33 and the sale button lamp of the selection button 32 according to the operation procedure. 32b, the LED lamp 39a disposed at the upper part of the receipt issuing port 39, and the LED lamp 41a indicating the outlet 41 from which the product has been carried out are lit, so even the first user can easily purchase the product. Can do.

  Further, since the product code and the lot number attached to the product carried out in association with the member code stored in the member card C are stored in the storage unit 73, the product sold to the customer and the customer after the sale, the product Lots can be managed.

  Further, the product code and lot number attached to the product stored by the barcode reader 64 are read, and the column loading display unit 6 specifies the column storing the product, and turns on the LED lamp 62 of the specified column. Therefore, the operator can easily specify the column for storing the product. When the column button 61 is pressed, the product code and the lot number read in association with the specified column are stored in the storage unit 73, so that the vending machine 2 stores the product code and lot of the stored product. Numbers can be managed.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a sales system for a disposable contact lens according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the vending machine shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the vending machine shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining the column loading display part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the vending machine shown in FIGS. It is process drawing which showed the replenishment procedure of the disposable contact lens to a vending machine.

Explanation of symbols

1 Card issuing device (storage medium issuing device)
11 PC 12 Card reader / writer 2 Vending machine 3 Outer door 31 Image device 32 Selection button (product selection means)
32a Selection button switch 32b Sellable lamp 32c Sold out lamp 33 Member card insertion slot 33a LED lamp 34 Credit card insertion slot 34a LED lamp 35 Integrated display 35a Digital display 35b Sale lamp 35c Change change lamp 35d Bill cancellation display 36 Coin slot 37 Return lever 38 Bill insertion slot 39 Receipt issuing port 39a LED lamp 40 Return slot 41 Exit 41a LED lamp 43 Card reader / writer 44 Magnetic card reader 46 Coin mechanism 48 High-priced bill bill validator 49 Printer 5 Commodity storage rack 50 Unloading control Part 51 Product unloading device (Product unloading means)
6 Column loading display (column identification means)
61 Column button 62 LED lamp (specific column instruction means)
63 Remote control 64 Bar code reader (reading means)
7 Control Box 71 Control Unit 72 Setting Storage Unit 73 Sales Data Storage Unit (Inventory Information Storage Unit, Sales Data Storage Unit)
8 Server 80 Communication device 81 Network C Membership card (storage medium)
M USB memory

Claims (3)

A storage medium issuing device for issuing a storage medium storing a membership code and instructions;
Accepts a storage medium, extracts products that can be sold based on instructions read from the storage medium, sells products selected from the products that can be sold, and stores the product code and lot number of the sold products A vending machine that stores information associated with the member code read from
A sales system comprising a server for storing sales data of vending machines in which product codes and lot numbers of sold products are associated with member codes. Inventory information storage means for storing a product code and a lot number attached to the product stored in the column in association with the column number of the column storing the product;
A product extracting means for extracting a product that can be sold based on the instruction data stored in the storage medium;
Product selection means for selecting products from the extracted products;
Product unloading means for unloading the product from the column in which the selected product is stored;
A vending machine comprising: sales data storage means for storing a product code and a lot number attached to a product carried out in association with a member code stored in a storage medium. Reading means for reading a product code and a lot number attached to a product to be stored;
Column specifying means for specifying a column for storing the product based on the read product code;
Specific column indicating means provided for each column and indicating the specified column;
A column button provided for each column;
A vending machine comprising stock information storage means for storing a product code and a lot number read in association with a specified column when a column button is pressed.

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