JPH07311875A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an automatic vending machine which is easy to be used for also a user hondicaped in hearing by displaying the explanation on the operating method in a finger language, etc., by video in addition to the explanation of the operating method, etc., with voice. CONSTITUTION:A CPU 21 performs a control so that at least one of a case where the voice data stored by a voice data storage device 41 is reproduced by a speaker 47 via a D/A converter 43 and an amplifier 45 when the explanation of an operating method, etc., is performed and a case where the video in which the explanation of the operating method, etc., stored in a video data storage device 25 is performed in a finger language is displayed by a display device 37 may be performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic vending machine, and more particularly to an automatic vending machine for explaining, for example, an operating method by voice.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a vending machine for explaining an operation method by voice, for example, a message such as "please press a button" is stored in advance inside the device, and for smooth operation of the device. It is said to be spoken appropriately.

[0003]

However, the explanation of the operation method by voice cannot be effective for the deaf user.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and in addition to the explanation of the operation method by voice, etc., the explanation of the operation method by sign language and the like is displayed by a video,
The aim is to provide a vending machine that is easy to use even for deaf users.

[0005]

In order to achieve this object, the vending machine of the present invention has a voice storing means for storing an explanation of an operating method and the like as voice data, and a voice for reproducing the stored voice data. A video storage unit having a reproduction unit for storing a video image in which the explanation equivalent to the description content stored in the audio storage unit is performed by sign language; and a display unit for displaying the video image stored in the video storage unit. And a control means for performing control so that at least one of reproduction of audio data by the audio reproduction means and display of video by the display means can be performed when an operation method or the like is described.

Further, the control means may be configured to perform control so that the video image stored in the video image storage means is displayed by the display means based on the information indicating that the hearing of the user is incapacitated. .

Further, an information acquisition means may be provided to obtain information on whether or not the hearing is impaired from an ID card owned by an individual.

[0008]

In the automatic vending machine of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the voice data stored in the voice storing means when the operating method and the like are described are reproduced by the voice reproducing means and the voice data is stored in the video storing means. The control means controls so as to perform at least one of the case where the video is displayed on the display means and the operation method and the like are explained by sign language.
Further, the control means controls the display means to display the video image stored in the video image storage means based on the information indicating that the hearing of the user is impaired.

Further, the information acquisition means obtains the information on whether or not the hearing is impaired from the personally owned ID card.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a case where the present invention is implemented in an automatic vending system for computer software. The vending system in this embodiment has a host computer 1 and a plurality of vending machines 5, which are connected by a communication line 3.

Here, the host computer 1
Stores all software programs, data, instruction manuals, etc., that can be purchased at the vending machine 5 as digital data. Also, the vending machine 5 is
The software is sold, and the user can purchase the software by operating this device. The communication line 3 controls communication between the host computer 1 and the vending machine 5, and one communication line 3 controls communication of a plurality of vending machines 5.

Next, a software purchasing operation using the vending machine 5 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the software purchasing operation by the user of the vending machine 5.

First, the user inserts the ID card in which his personal information is stored into the vending machine 5 (S
1 and S indicate steps. The same applies below). The personal information includes, for example, the date of birth of the user, whether or not the user has a hearing disability, and the like. Subsequently, the user performs an operation for selecting software desired to be purchased according to the explanation displayed on the display of the vending machine 5 (S2). Then, when the selection operation is completed, the charge is displayed on the display of the vending machine 5, and the user pays the charge (S3). During this time, the vending machine 5 communicates with the host computer 1 via the communication line 3, receives the data of the purchased software, and stores it in the device. Of the stored data,
The program and data files necessary for executing the program are written to a floppy disk, and the instruction manual is output from the printer. The user receives this floppy disk and the printed matter (S5). In addition, the ID card is returned before the purchase is received by the user (S4). The reason for returning the ID card before the purchase is to prevent forgetting to remove the card.

Next, the structure of the control unit of the vending machine 5 is shown in FIG.
The block diagrams shown in FIG.

The CPU 21 controls the processing operation of each component of the vending machine 5, and the data storage device 23.
Is composed of a software data storage unit 23a, a screen data storage unit 23b, a card information storage unit 23c, a menu data storage unit 23d, and the like.

Explaining each component, the software data storage unit 23a stores data of software purchased by the user. Screen data storage unit 23
Screen data displayed on the display device 37 is stored in b.

The card information storage section 23c stores personal information stored in the ID card inserted by the user. The personal information includes whether or not the user needs guidance in sign language. The menu data storage 23d stores menu information of all software that can be purchased by the vending machine 5. The menu information is also information about all software stored in the host computer 1. When software in the host computer 1 is added or deleted, new menu information is transmitted to the vending machine 5 via the communication line 3 and the menu information is updated.

A video data storage device 25 as a video storage means stores a video in which the contents equivalent to the voice message that can be output by the vending machine 5 are expressed in sign language. The communication device 27 performs data communication with the host computer 1 via the communication line 3, and as described above, the software data purchased by the user and the menu information can be received by this device. .

The printing device 29 is for printing an instruction manual of software purchased by the user, and the data writing device 31 is a program of the software purchased by the user and data files necessary for executing the program. Can be written on a floppy disk.

The card reading device 33 as information acquisition means reads the personal information stored in the ID card inserted by the user, and the personal information is the card in the data storage device 23 as described above. Information storage 23c
It is stored in. Further, the card reading device 33 is configured to eject the ID card and return it to the user when the sale of the software ends or the user stops purchasing the software.

The touch panel 35 is attached in close contact with the display of the display device 37, and the user can specify the content displayed on the display by touching it with a finger.

The display device 37 as a display means displays the software purchase procedure and displays software search, payment of fees, etc., and the deposit device 39.
Collects fees and pays out change.

A voice message that can be output by the vending machine 5 is stored as digital data in the voice data storage device 41 as voice storage means. Under the control of the CPU 21, the D / A conversion device 43 as an audio reproduction unit reads out necessary audio data from the audio data storage device 41, converts the audio data into an audio signal and outputs the audio signal to the amplifier 45. The speaker 4 is amplified by the amplifier 45.
It is output from 7.

In the vending machine 5 configured as described above, a method of switching the output of the explanation of the operating method by the user will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart about the charge collection of the vending machine 5. The vending machine 5 has a guidance function for notifying that the change is out. First, the CPU 21 determines that the screen data storage unit 23b
The price of the software purchased by the user is combined and displayed on the display device 37 on the fee input screen stored in (S10). The screen display contents at this time are shown in FIG. 5a.

Next, the CPU 21 checks the state of the depositing device 39 and determines whether or not the change is out (S).
11). If the change is out (S11;
Y), the CPU 21 checks whether or not the guidance in sign language is required from the user's personal information stored in the card information storage unit 23c (S13). If the user needs guidance in sign language (S1
3; Y), the video representing the fact that the change has run out, which is stored in the video data storage device 25, is read out and displayed on the display device 37.
(S15). The contents displayed on the screen at this time are shown in FIG.
Shown in b.

When the user does not need the guidance in sign language (S13; N), the voice message stored in the voice data storage device 41 indicating that the change is out is output (S17). After the processing of S15 or S17 is finished, and if the change is not out (S11; N), it is determined whether or not the stop key displayed on the charge input screen is pressed (S19). When the stop key is pressed (S19; Y), the CPU 21 checks whether the fee has already been paid (S21), and when the fee has already been charged (S21; Y), returns the charged fee. Then (S23), the fee collection process ends. If the fee has not been entered yet (S21; N), the fee collection process ends.

On the other hand, if the stop key has not been pressed (S19; N), the CPU 21 checks the amount of money deposited (S25). If the input amount is less than the price of the software (S25; <), the process proceeds to S19.
If the input amount exceeds the price of the software (S25;>), the change is paid out (S27), and the fee collection process is terminated. The change amount shown in FIG. 5 changes in accordance with the change out. If the entered fee is equal to the price of the software (S25; =), the fee collection process ends.

The step S13 functions as control means for controlling the display means to display the video image stored in the video image storage means based on the information indicating that the hearing of the user is impaired.

As is clear from the above description, in the vending machine 5 of the present embodiment, the explanation of the operation method by sign language is displayed on the display device 37 when the user needs it, and it is not so. In this case, since the explanation of the operation method by voice is output from the speaker 47, the operation can be easily performed even for a deaf user.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in detail above, and within the scope of the spirit of the present invention,
Various changes can be made.

For example, in the present embodiment, only one of the explanation by voice and the explanation by sign language is output with reference to the personal information of the user, but they may be output at the same time. Further, in this embodiment, the ID card stores the information as to whether or not the hearing is impaired as personal information. However, only the identification number of the user is stored in the ID card, and the host computer side The identification number and whether or not the person with that number is deaf may be stored.
In this case, the vending machine transmits the identification number of this user to the host computer, and the host computer transmits information about whether or not the person with the identification number is deaf.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is judged from the personal information stored in the ID card whether or not the hearing is impaired, and if it is judged that the hearing is impaired, the sign language is automatically performed. Although the image is controlled to be displayed, the user may be allowed to freely select the image description in sign language and the audio description on the display device 37.

[0035]

As is apparent from the above description, in the vending machine of the present invention, when the voice data stored in the voice storing means is reproduced by the voice reproducing means when the operating method is explained, Since the control means controls so as to perform at least one of the case where the operation means stored in the image storage means is explained by sign language and the image is displayed by the display means, even a user who is visually and visually impaired can easily Can be operated.

Further, since the control means automatically controls the display means to display the image stored in the image storage means on the basis of the information indicating that the hearing of the user is incapacitated, the hearing loss is impaired. Even free users can use it smoothly.

Further, since the information acquisition means obtains the information on whether or not the hearing is impaired from the ID card which is owned by the individual, it is possible to surely judge that the hearing is impaired and the hearing is impaired. It is possible to obtain an effect such as being able to use a certain thing without being noticed by surrounding people.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a case where an automatic vending machine of the present invention is implemented in an automatic vending system of computer software.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation of purchasing software by a user of the vending machine according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automatic vending machine according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a fee collection process of the vending machine according to the present embodiment.

5A and 5B are diagrams showing a screen display state of a fee collection process of the vending machine according to the present embodiment, where FIG. 5A is a case where a video image in sign language is not displayed and FIG. 5B is a video image in sign language. This is the case when it is displayed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 CPU 25 Video Data Storage Device 33 Card Reading Device 37 Display Device 39 Payment Device 41 Audio Data Storage Device 43 D / A Conversion Device 45 Amplifier 47 Speaker

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A vending machine having voice storage means for storing an explanation of an operating method and the like as voice data, and voice reproduction means for reproducing the stored voice data, wherein the explanation stored in the voice storage means. Of the contents equivalent to the contents of the above, the video storage means for storing the video, which is stored in the video storage means, the display means for displaying the video stored in the video storage means, and the audio reproduction means for explaining the operation method and the like. An automatic vending machine, comprising: a control unit for controlling at least one of reproduction of audio data by the display unit and display of an image by the display unit. 2. The control means controls the display means to display the video image stored in the video image storage means based on the information indicating that the hearing of the user is incapacitated. The automatic vending machine according to claim 1. 3. The vending machine according to claim 2, further comprising information acquisition means for obtaining information on whether or not the hearing is impaired from a personally owned ID card.