CN110689665B

CN110689665B - Article supply device

Info

Publication number: CN110689665B
Application number: CN201910875201.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 村上严洋; 近藤创; 五十岚达志; 小林祐树; 皆川健一
Original assignee: Bandai Co Ltd
Current assignee: Bandai Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-09-21
Filing date: 2019-09-17
Publication date: 2022-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-17
Also published as: JP6550181B1; WO2020059328A1; JP2020047149A; CN110689665A; CN115223294A

Abstract

The invention provides an article supply device which presents the accommodating condition of articles to a demander so as to smoothly supply expected articles. The article providing device is provided with a providing unit (10) and a guide unit (20), wherein the providing unit (10) is provided with an article accommodating part (12) for accommodating an Article (AR) and an article providing part (13) for providing the article accommodated in the article accommodating part (12), and the guide unit (20) is provided with an accommodating condition management part (25) for managing the accommodating condition of the Article (AR) accommodated in the article accommodating part (12) and an information presentation part (22) for presenting article accommodating information based on a management signal from the accommodating condition management part (25).

Description

Article supply device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an article supply device capable of supplying an article in accordance with a request of a customer.

Background

Patent document 1 described later discloses an apparatus including: when the handle is rotated after the coins are inserted, the articles such as the small containers stored in the cartridge can be supplied to the take-out port by the operation of the supply mechanism caused by the rotation of the handle.

Since the number of articles that can be stored in the cassette of the apparatus is limited, it is desirable that the customer himself or herself should check the storage state of the articles by looking into the cassette in advance in the state where the articles can be supplied, but if the articles stored in the cassette are in a dark place, if the cassette is translucent, or the like, the above-mentioned prior check cannot be performed sufficiently, and as a result, the supply of the desired articles may be hindered.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. H09-326081

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention provides an article supply device that presents a condition of accommodating an article to a customer and can smoothly supply a desired article.

Means for solving the problems

The article providing device according to the present invention is capable of providing an article in accordance with a request of a customer, and comprises a providing unit having an article storage section for storing the article and an article providing section for providing the article stored in the article storage section, and a guide unit having a storage status management section for managing a storage status of the article stored in the article storage section and an information presentation section for presenting article storage information based on a management signal from the storage status management section.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the article providing device of the present invention, the storage status of the article can be presented to the customer, and the desired article can be smoothly provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 (a) is a front view of a providing unit according to the present invention, fig. 1 (B) is a side view of the providing unit, and fig. 1 (C) is a block diagram of a control system of the providing unit.

Fig. 2 (a) is a front view of the guide unit according to the present invention, fig. 2 (B) is a side view of the guide unit, and fig. 2 (C) is a block diagram of a control system of the guide unit.

Fig. 3 is a front view of an article supply device (one example of a structure) constructed by combining the supply unit shown in fig. 1 and the guide unit shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 4 (a) to 4 (D) are explanatory views of the operation of the article supply device shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 5 (a) and 5 (B) are explanatory views of the operation of the article supply device shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 6 (a) and 6 (B) are explanatory views of the operation of the article supply device shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 7 (a) to 7 (D) are explanatory views of the operation of the article supply device shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 8 (a) and 8 (B) are explanatory views of the operation of the article supply device shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 9 (a) and 9 (B) are explanatory views of the operation of the article supply device shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 10 (a) to 10 (C) are front views of article supply devices (other structure examples) having different arrangement modes from the article supply device (one structure example) shown in fig. 3.

Description of the reference numerals

10: a providing unit; 12: an article storage part; AR: an article; 13: an article supply section; 14: a handle (operation section); 15: a light emitting section; 16: a control unit; 20: a guide unit; 22: an image display unit (information presentation unit); 23 a: an electronic money reading and writing section; 23 b: a two-dimensional code display unit; 23 c: a two-dimensional code reading section; 24: a control unit; 25: a housing state management unit; 26: a settlement management unit; 27: a sound emitting portion; 28: a storage unit; s1: a standby screen; s2: an item selection screen; ia 1-Ia 5: a first image; ia 3': a second image; s3: an item determination screen; id: a third image; s4: a settlement selection screen; im 1-Im 3: fourth to sixth images; S5-S6: a settlement instruction screen; ip1 to Ip 3: seventh to ninth images; it: a tenth image; s8: an operation instruction screen; s9: a finish screen is provided.

Detailed Description

The article supply device according to the present invention is a device configured by combining a plurality of or one supply unit 10 (see fig. 1) and one guide unit 20 (see fig. 2) (see fig. 3 and 10) to supply an article in accordance with a request of a customer.

First, the structure and control system of the supply unit 10 will be described with reference to fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 1 (a) and 1 (B), the supply unit 10 includes an article storage portion 12 at an upper portion of a housing 11, an article supply portion 13 at a lower surface of the article storage portion 12, and a rotatable handle 14 as an operation portion at a front surface of the housing 11.

A large number of articles AR, for example, articles such as toys are put in small spherical containers that can be divided, are stored in the article storage portion 12. The article storage portion 12 may be transparent, translucent, or opaque, and a printed matter mounting portion 12a to which printed matter (not shown) such as an advertisement corresponding to the stored article AR can be mounted is provided on a front surface, preferably an inner side of the front surface, of the article storage portion 12. Further, by releasing the lock on the article storage portion 12 and pulling out the article storage portion 12 toward the front, the article AR can be stored in the article storage portion 12.

As disclosed in patent document 1, the article supply unit 13 includes a rotating plate having a supply hole and a gear mechanism for rotating the rotating plate based on a rotating operation of the handle 14, and the article supply unit 13 has the following functions: one of the articles AR stored in the article storage portion 12 can be supplied to the take-out port 11a by rotating the handle 14 by a predetermined angle and passing the article AR through the supply hole of the rotating plate.

In the present invention, since the article supply unit 13 needs to be changed from the state in which articles cannot be supplied to the state in which articles can be supplied based on a settlement completion signal from the later-described settlement managing unit 26, a supply control unit (not shown) including a mechanism for switching states such as the following is added to the article supply unit 13: the rotating plate or handle 14 is made to be in a non-rotatable state by a lock mechanism using a solenoid, and the rotating plate or handle 14 is made to be in a rotatable state by releasing the lock by energizing the solenoid. Further, by providing a price acceptance unit for accepting payment of a price (payment by coin), the following configuration may be adopted: the handle 14 or the rotatable plate is set in a rotatable state by unlocking the handle 14 or the rotatable plate on the condition that the price is accepted by the price acceptance unit. In addition, the guidance means 20 may be configured to include only the price settlement unit, only the price reception unit, or both the price settlement unit and the price reception unit for payment of the price.

As shown in fig. 1 (C), the supply unit 10 shown in fig. 1 (a) and 1 (B) includes, as a control system, in addition to the control unit 16 formed of a microcomputer: an article supply unit 13 capable of switching the above-described states based on a signal from the control unit 16; a light emitting unit 15 or a sound emitting unit 27, the light emitting unit 15 using an LED or the like for visually indicating the providing unit 10 to be provided (the providing unit 10 selected according to the request of the demander) based on the signal from the control unit 16, the sound emitting unit 27 being a speaker or the like for aurally indicating the providing unit 10 to be provided based on the signal from the control unit 16; a supply detection sensor 17 using a photoelectric switch or the like for detecting the presence or absence of the article AR stored in the supply article storage portion 12; and a communication interface 18 for communication with the lead unit 20.

Next, the structure and control system of the guide unit 20 will be described with reference to fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 2a and 2B, the guide unit 20 includes an image display unit (touch panel type color display) 22 as an information presentation unit on the upper part of the front surface of the housing 21, and an electronic money reading and writing unit 23a, a two-dimensional code display unit 23B, and a two-dimensional code reading unit 23c as a price settlement unit on the lower surface of the image display unit 22. The dimension in the left-right direction and the dimension in the up-down direction of the guide unit 20 are the same as or substantially the same as those of the supply unit 10 described above. Further, at least one of the electronic money reading and writing unit 23a, the two-dimensional code display unit 23b, and the two-dimensional code reading unit 23c may be provided as the price settlement unit. The price receiving unit may be provided in addition to or instead of the price settlement unit.

When the electronic money reading/writing unit 23a is used to pay the price related to the supply of the article AR by the electronic money settlement, the customer brings an electronic money card, a smartphone supporting the electronic money, or the like close to or into contact with the electronic money reading/writing unit 23a, thereby performing the price settlement in the settlement managing unit 26 described later.

The two-dimensional code display unit 23b is used to pay the price related to the supply of the item AR by the read payment in the two-dimensional code settlement, and the demander reads the two-dimensional code displayed on the two-dimensional code display unit 23b with a smartphone or the like to perform the price settlement in the settlement management unit 26 described later.

The two-dimensional code reading unit 23c is used to pay the price related to the supply of the item AR by the code payment in the two-dimensional code settlement, and the two-dimensional code displayed on the smartphone or the like of the customer is read by the two-dimensional code reading unit 23c, whereby the settlement is performed in the settlement management unit 26 described later.

As shown in fig. 2 (C), the guidance unit 20 shown in fig. 2 (a) and 2 (B) includes, as a control system, in addition to the control unit 24 formed of a microcomputer: the image display unit 22 for displaying an image for guidance of operation or the like based on a signal from the control unit 24; the electronic money reading and writing unit 23a, the two-dimensional code display unit 23b, and the two-dimensional code reading unit 23 c; an accommodation state management unit 25 for managing the remaining number of articles AR accommodated in the article accommodation unit 12 of the supply unit 10; a settlement management unit 26 for managing settlement of the price (including payment management of electronic money, display of two-dimensional code, reading of two-dimensional code, and the like) by the electronic money reading and writing unit 23a, the two-dimensional code display unit 23b, and the two-dimensional code reading unit 23 c; a sound generating unit 27 such as a speaker for outputting sound or the like simultaneously with the display by the image display unit 22; a storage unit 28 that stores a screen and an image displayed on the image display unit 22, and a sound, an effect sound, and the like that are output simultaneously with the display; and a communication interface 29 for communication with the providing unit 10.

Next, the structure of an article supply device (one example of the structure) constructed by combining the supply unit 10 and the guide unit 20 will be described with reference to fig. 3.

The article supply device shown in fig. 3 is configured by combining 5 supply units 10 and 1 guide unit 20, and has the following arrangement: 3 supply units 10 are arranged in the lower layer, 2 supply units 10 and 1 guide unit 20 are arranged in the upper layer, and the guide unit 20 is sandwiched between the supply units 10. As described above, since the supply unit 10 and the guide unit 20 have the same or substantially the same lateral dimension and the same vertical dimension, the outline of the article supply device in front view is rectangular.

The article supply device shown in fig. 3 may be constructed on the floor surface, but if taking into account the loading, movement, and the like of the article supply device, it is preferable to construct a wheeled base and connect the units to each other using an appropriate connecting tool, or to connect each unit to a rear wall if the base has the rear wall. After the construction, the communication interface 18 of each providing unit 10 and the communication interface 29 of the guide unit 20 are connected by a dedicated cable, and labels or the like indicating the arrangement numbers 1 to 5 of each providing unit 10 are attached to the front surface of each providing unit.

When the article supply device shown in fig. 3 is installed in or before a store, an article AR, for example, an article in which a toy or the like is put in a small detachable spherical container, is stored in the article storage portion 12 of each supply unit 10 for each system before and after installation. Incidentally, the "system" here refers to a category to which the item AR belongs, and for example, in the case where the item AR is associated with a character or the like which is present in a specific animation, the specific animation is the "system". After the article AR is accommodated in the article accommodating portion 12 of each supply unit 10, a printed matter (not shown) corresponding to the accommodated article AR is attached to the printed matter attaching portion 12a of each article accommodating portion 12.

When the article AR is first stored in the article storage portion 12 of each providing unit 10, the storage number, information on the article AR, and the like are input to the guide unit 20 for each providing unit 10. As an input method of input information and the like, the following method and the like can be suitably employed: (1) a dedicated terminal (not shown) is connected to the communication interface 29 of the guide unit 20, and the number of articles AR stored in the article storage unit 12 of each supply unit 10, for example, 50 articles AR, is input through the dedicated terminal (not shown), and information of the articles AR is input and stored in the storage status management unit 25; or (2) a tablet (not shown) is provided on the rear surface of the guide unit 20, and the number of articles AR stored in the article storage portion 12 of each supply unit 10, for example, 50 articles are input via the tablet (not shown), and information on the articles AR is input and stored in the storage status management portion 25. The methods (1) and (2) can also be used in the case where the article storage sections 12 of the respective supply units 10 are replenished with the articles AR after the article supply device shown in fig. 3 is installed.

Next, the operation of the article supply device shown in fig. 3 will be described with reference to fig. 4 to 9, in conjunction with the operational effects.

When the article supply apparatus shown in fig. 3 is started, the image display unit (touch panel color display) 22 of the guide unit 20 displays the standby screen S1 shown in fig. 4B (step ST1 in fig. 4 a). The standby screen S1 may include a message "touch screen" indicating an operation procedure, as well as text, images (still images, moving images), and the like for introducing the article providing apparatus and the housed article AR. Incidentally, during the display of the standby screen S1, a sound, an effect sound, or the like corresponding to the message, the text, the image may be output from the sound emitting section 27.

When the waiting screen S1 is touched by the demander, the storage status of the articles AR stored in the article storage sections 12 of the respective supply units 10 is checked based on the management signal from the storage status management section 25 (steps ST2 to ST3 in fig. 4 a).

By this check, when all the articles AR are present in the article storage sections 12 of the 5 supply units 10, the management signal is a management signal regarding "all can be supplied". In this case, the image display unit 22 of the guide unit 20 displays the item selection screen S2 shown in fig. 4 (C), that is, displays a message "touch desired item" showing the operation procedure, and also displays 5 color images (text for item introduction and the like may be included) Ia1 to Ia5, which are first images showing items that can be provided, together with the arrangement numbers 1 to 5 in a layout corresponding to the arrangement positions of the 5 providing units 10 (step ST4 in fig. 4 (a)). Incidentally, in the display process of the item selection screen S2, a sound, an effect sound, or the like corresponding to the message may be output from the sound emitting section 27.

On the other hand, by the above-described inspection, when there is no article AR in a part of the article storage sections 12 of the 5 supply units 10, the management signal is a management signal regarding "a part of the storage sections can supply". For example, when there is no article AR in the article storage section 12 of the third providing unit 10, the image display section 22 of the guide unit 20 displays the article selection screen S2 shown in (D) of fig. 4, that is, in addition to displaying the message "touch desired article" indicating the operation step, displays one black-and-white image Ia 3' as the second image indicating that the article cannot be provided and four color images Ia1, Ia2, Ia4, and Ia5 as the first images indicating that the article can be provided, together with the arrangement numbers 1 to 5 in a layout corresponding to the arrangement positions of the 5 providing units 10 (step ST4 of fig. 4 a). The black-and-white image Ia 3' is preferably a black-and-white version capable of using the color image Ia3, but may be a dedicated black-and-white image indicating that the article cannot be provided. Incidentally, in the display process of the item selection screen S2, a sound, an effect sound, or the like corresponding to the message may be output from the sound emitting section 27.

That is, in the article selection screen S2 shown in fig. 4C and 4D, out of the 5 images corresponding to the providing units displayed on the article selection screen S2, a color image is used as the first image indicating that an article can be provided, and a monochrome image is used as the second image indicating that an article cannot be provided, whereby article accommodation information (whether an article can be provided) of 5 providing units 10 can be accurately presented to a customer. In addition, since the 5 images corresponding to the providing units are displayed together with the arrangement numbers 1 to 5 in a layout corresponding to the arrangement positions of the 5 providing units 10, the article storage information (whether or not the article can be provided) of the 5 providing units 10 can be accurately presented to the customer. When an article AR that is not assumed is stored in the article storage unit 12, information about the article AR, for example, image information (the article AR is not allowed to be provided) is not prepared, and therefore, information about the article AR cannot be input to the guide unit 20. In this case, the image corresponding to the supply unit in which the article AR is stored may be a monochrome image indicating that the second image of the article cannot be supplied, and the article AR may be controlled so as not to be supplied from the supply unit in which the article AR is stored. That is, the control may be such that only the article AR allowed to be provided is provided from the article providing apparatus.

With regard to the item selection by the customer (selection of the providing unit in which the item desired by the customer is accommodated), in the case of the item selection screen S2 shown in fig. 4 (C), by touching any one of the 5 color images Ia1 to Ia5 (which also function as item selection buttons), and, in the case of the item selection screen S2 shown in fig. 4D, by touching any one of the 4 color images Ia1, Ia2, Ia4, and Ia5 (which also functions as an item selection button), when no article selection is made within a predetermined time, for example, within 30 seconds from the display of the article selection screen S2 shown in fig. 4 (C) or 4 (D) on the image display unit 22 of the guide means 20, the process returns to step ST1, the image display unit 22 of the guide unit 20 displays the standby screen S1 (steps ST5 to ST6 in fig. 5 a). Further, the light emitting portion 15 of the providing unit 10 in which the corresponding article AR is accommodated may be blinked or lighted up according to the article selection by the demander.

When the item selection is performed within the predetermined time, when the item specification screen S3 shown in (B) of fig. 5, that is, for example, when the item selection is performed by touching the color image Ia1 on the item selection screen S2 shown in (C) of fig. 4 or (D) of fig. 4, is displayed on the image display unit 22 of the guide unit 20, in addition to the message "if the item is selected, touch determination" showing the operation step, an enlarged image (band arrangement number) of the color image Ia1 relating to the selected item AR and the color or monochrome image Id as the third image showing the determination are displayed (step ST7 of (a) of fig. 5). Incidentally, it is also possible to output a sound, an effect sound, or the like corresponding to the message from the sound emitting section 27 during the display of the article determination screen S3.

With regard to the item identification by the customer, in the case of the item identification screen S3 shown in fig. 5B, the third image Id (also used as an item provision identification button) is touched to perform the item identification, and when the item identification is not performed within a predetermined time, for example, within 30 seconds from the display of the item identification screen S3 shown in fig. 5B on the image display unit 22 of the guide unit 20, the process returns to step ST1, and the standby screen S1 described above is displayed on the image display unit 22 of the guide unit 20 (steps ST8 to ST9 in fig. 6 a).

When the item identification is performed within the predetermined time, the settlement selection screen S4 shown in (B) of fig. 6, that is, the message "touch settlement method" showing the operation procedure, and the color or black-and-white image Im1 as the fourth image showing the electronic money settlement, the color or black-and-white image Im2 as the fifth image showing the two-dimensional code settlement 1 (read payment), and the color or black-and-white image Im3 as the sixth image showing the two-dimensional code settlement 2 (code payment) are displayed on the image display unit 22 of the guide unit 20 (step ST10 of fig. 6 (a)). Incidentally, in the display process of the settlement selection screen S4, a sound, an effect sound, or the like corresponding to the message may be output from the sound emitting section 27.

The settlement selection by the customer is performed by touching any one of the fourth image Im1 to the sixth image Im3 (also serving as a settlement method selection button) of the settlement selection screen S4 shown in fig. 6B, and when the settlement selection is not performed within a predetermined time, for example, within 30 seconds from the display of the settlement selection screen S4 shown in fig. 6B on the image display unit 22 of the guide unit 20, the process returns to step ST1, and the standby screen S1 is displayed on the image display unit 22 of the guide unit 20 (steps ST11 to ST12 of fig. 7 a).

When the settlement selection is made within the predetermined time, the image display unit 22 of the guidance unit 20 displays the settlement instruction screen S5, S6, or S7 shown in fig. 7 (B) to 7 (D) according to the selected settlement method. That is, on the settlement explanation screen S5 when electronic money settlement is selected, as shown in FIG. 7B, a color or monochrome image Ip1 as the seventh image showing the electronic money reading/writing unit 23a and a message "please bring electronic money closer. · · ·" showing the operation procedure are displayed, and a color or monochrome image It as the tenth image showing the remaining time until the settlement is completed is displayed (step ST13 of FIG. 7A). Incidentally, in the display of the settlement explanation screen S5, a sound, an effect sound, or the like corresponding to the message may be output from the sound emitting section 27.

As shown in fig. 7C, the settlement instruction screen S6 when the two-dimensional code settlement 1 (read payment) is selected displays a color or black-and-white image Ip2 as the eighth image showing the two-dimensional code display unit 23b and a message "please read and display the two-dimensional code" showing the operation procedure, and also displays a color or black-and-white image It as the tenth image showing the remaining time until the settlement is completed (step ST13 of fig. 7 a). Incidentally, in the display of the settlement explanation screen S6, a sound, an effect sound, or the like corresponding to the message may be output from the sound emitting section 27.

In addition, as shown in fig. 7D, the settlement instruction screen S7 when the two-dimensional code settlement 2 (code payment) is selected displays a color or black-and-white image Ip3 as the ninth image showing the two-dimensional code reading unit 23c and a message "please bring the two-dimensional code closer · · ·" showing the operation procedure, and also displays a color or black-and-white image It as the tenth image showing the remaining time until the settlement is completed (step ST13 of fig. 7 a). Incidentally, in the display of the settlement explanation screen S7, a sound, an effect sound, or the like corresponding to the message may be output from the sound emitting section 27.

That is, since the requester can select any one of the three cashless settlement methods on the settlement selection screen S4 shown in fig. 6 (B) and the settlement method selected by the requester is described on the settlement description screens S5 to S7 shown in fig. 7 (B) to 7 (D), the requester can select a preferred settlement method and can smoothly perform a desired cashless settlement. Further, a method of using coin payment may be selected in addition to cashless settlement.

The settlement of the price by the customer is performed in accordance with the settlement explanation screens S5 to S7 shown in fig. 7 (B) to 7 (D), and when the settlement of the price is not completed within a predetermined time, for example, within 30 seconds or less from the display of the settlement explanation screens S5 to S7 shown in fig. 7 (B) to 7 (D), the process returns to step ST1, and the standby screen S1 is displayed on the image display unit 22 of the guide unit 20 (steps ST14 to ST15 in fig. 8 (a)).

When the price settlement is completed within the predetermined time (based on the settlement completion signal from the settlement management unit 26), the operation explanation screen S8 shown in (B) of fig. 8, that is, for example, when the item identification is performed by touching the third image Id on the item identification screen S3 shown in (B) of fig. 5 is displayed on the image display unit 22 of the guide unit 20, in addition to the color image Ia1 related to the identified item AR and the message "please rotate the handle number 1 in which the item is stored" indicating the operation procedure, the color or monochrome image It which is the tenth image showing the remaining time until the operation is completed is displayed (step ST16 of (a) of fig. 8). Incidentally, in the display of the operation explanation screen S8, a sound, an effect sound, or the like corresponding to the message may be output from the sound emitting section 27.

When the price settlement is completed within the predetermined time, for example, the item is specified by touching the third image Id on the item specifying screen S3 shown in fig. 5B, and when the price settlement is completed, a control signal for changing the state in which the item supply unit 13 of the No. 1 supply unit 10 accommodating the corresponding item AR from the state in which the item cannot be supplied to the state in which the item can be supplied is transmitted from the control unit 24 of the guide unit 20 to the control unit 16 of the supply unit 10 (step ST17 of fig. 8 a). Thus, the article supply unit 13 of the No. 1 supply unit 10 changes from a state in which articles cannot be supplied to a state in which articles can be supplied by the operation of the supply control unit (not shown). In addition, along with the state change, the light emitting portion 15 of the No. 1 providing unit 10 accommodating the corresponding article AR blinks or lights up (step illustration is omitted).

In the case of the operation explanation screen S8 shown in fig. 8B, the operation of providing an article by the customer is performed by turning the handle 14 of the No. 1 providing unit 10, and when the article is not provided within a predetermined time, for example, within 30 seconds (when the article is not detected by the provision detection sensor 17) from the display of the operation explanation screen S8 shown in fig. 8B on the image display unit 22 of the guide unit 20, the light emitting unit 15 is turned off, the process returns to step ST1, and the standby screen S1 described above is displayed on the image display unit 22 of the guide unit 20 (steps ST18 to ST19 in fig. 9 a).

When the item is provided within the predetermined time, it is determined whether or not a free offer drawing is being performed in association with the provision of the item, and when a drawing is not yet performed, a free offer drawing is performed, and when the drawing is being performed, the process proceeds to step ST16, and free offer is performed based on the operation instruction screen S8 (steps ST20 to ST22 in fig. 9). Incidentally, the decimation of step ST21 is a decimation using a random number.

When the article supply is performed within the predetermined time and when the article supply is performed based on the free supply, the article supply amount is subtracted from the corresponding remaining storage amount among the remaining storage amounts of the respective supply units 10 stored in the storage status management unit 25 based on the detection signal of the supply detection sensor 17, and the subtracted remaining storage amount is stored in the storage status management unit 25 (step ST23 of fig. 9 a).

When it is determined in step ST20 that the drawing has been performed, the image display unit 22 of the guide unit 20 displays a providing completion screen S9 shown in fig. 9B (step ST24 in fig. 9 a). The provision completion screen S9 may include a message "thank you" indicating completion of provision, as well as text, images (still images, moving images), and the like for introducing the article providing device and storing the articles AR. Incidentally, in the display of the providing completion screen S9, a sound, an effect sound, or the like corresponding to the message, the text, the image may also be output from the sound emitting section 27.

After the provision completion screen S9 is displayed, when a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds, has elapsed since the start of display, the process returns to step ST1, and the standby screen S1 described above is displayed on the image display unit 22 of the guide unit 20 (steps ST24 to ST25 in fig. 9 a).

Next, another configuration example in which the arrangement is different from that of the article supply device shown in fig. 3 will be described.

Although fig. 3 shows an article supply apparatus constructed by combining 5 supply units 10 and 1 guide unit 20 in two stages, the number of upper supply units 10 may be 3 or more and the number of lower supply units 10 may be 4 or more. In addition, the article supply device of the upper and lower three levels may be constructed by further stacking the same number of supply units 10 as the 3 supply units 10 of the lower level on the upper surface of the upper level shown in fig. 3, and in this case, the number of supply units 10 of the upper level may be set to 4 or more, the number of supply units 10 of the middle level may be set to 3 or more, and the number of supply units 10 of the lower level may be set to 4 or more.

Although fig. 3 shows an arrangement in which the article supply device has the guide units 20 sandwiched between the supply units 10, when the number of supply units 10 is small, when the installation space is small, or the like, an arrangement may be adopted in which the guide units 20 are positioned at the end portions of the upper layer as shown in fig. 10 (a), or an arrangement in which the guide units 20 are positioned at the end portions of the one-layer arrangement as shown in fig. 10 (B) and 10 (C).

Next, a modified example of the operation and the like described using the article supply device shown in fig. 3 will be described.

In the above description, the messages in chinese are shown on the respective screens S1 to S9, but messages in other languages such as english, japanese, and korean may be displayed at the same time. Further, an image serving as a language selection button for selecting japanese and a language other than japanese may be displayed on the standby screen S1, and the messages and texts displayed on the subsequent screens S2 to S9 and the sounds output in association with the messages and texts may be switched based on the touch of the language selection button.

In the above description, although the flow of returning to step ST1 (steps ST14 to ST15) is shown when article supply is not performed within a predetermined time, for example, within 30 seconds (when article supply is not detected by the supply detection sensor 17) from the time when the operation instruction screen S8 shown in fig. 8 (B) is displayed on the image display unit 22 of the guide unit 20, refund processing may be performed without returning to step ST 1. In this case, as the refund processing, it is preferable that the refund processing is performed by displaying a refund selection screen (such as a message "touch refund method") similar to the settlement selection screen S4 shown in fig. 6B on the image display unit 22, and after selecting the refund method, displaying a refund explanation screen similar to the settlement explanation screen S5, S6, or S7 shown in fig. 7B to 7D on the image display unit 22, thereby requesting the customer to perform the refund operation.

In the above description, the images serving as the buttons for returning to the previous screen are not displayed on the screens S2 to S9 displayed next to the standby screen S1, but the images may be displayed on the screens S2 to S9 and returned to the previous screen based on a touch on the returned button.

In the above description, the settlement selection screen S4 shown in fig. 6 (B), that is, the screen on which the demander can select any of the three cashless settlement methods is displayed on the image display unit 22 of the guidance unit 20 in step ST10, or one or two of the electronic money settlement, the two-dimensional code settlement 1 (read payment), and the two-dimensional code settlement 2 (code payment) may be displayed on the settlement selection screen S4, and the usable settlement instruction screen (one or two of S5, S6, and S7) may be displayed on the image display unit 22 of the guidance unit 20 in step ST 13. In this case, one or both of the electronic money reading and writing unit 23a, the two-dimensional code display unit 23b, and the two-dimensional code reading unit 23c, which are unusable price settlement units, can be removed from the guidance unit 20 to avoid the misunderstanding of the demander.

Further, the selectable providing units 10 may be configured to differ according to a payment method selected from among the three types of cashless settlement methods and the method of payment using coins (the configuration of the providing unit 10 that can provide an article may be determined according to the payment method). Specifically, for example, the following structure is adopted: in the case of selecting the electronic money settlement, the article can be provided only by a first providing unit, and in the case of selecting the coin payment, the article can be provided only by a second providing unit different from the first providing unit; alternatively, when the electronic money settlement is selected, the article can be supplied only from the first supply unit, and when the two-dimensional code settlement is selected, the article can be supplied only from the second supply unit different from the first supply unit.

Further, the following configuration may be adopted: in an article providing apparatus constructed by combining a plurality of providing units 10 (for example, a first providing unit, a second providing unit, a third providing unit, and a fourth providing unit) with one guide unit 20, it is possible to provide an article from the fourth providing unit only to a demander who has received the provision of the article from the first providing unit to the third providing unit, for example. In this case, the supply of the item from the fourth supply unit can be made paid or free. Here, it is conceivable that the requester who has selected the cashless settlement method as the payment method can recognize that the requester has received the provision of the item in the predetermined providing means because the information of the requester can be included in the settlement method, and the requester who has selected the payment using the coin cannot recognize that the requester has received the provision of the item in the predetermined providing means, and in this case, the requester receives the provision of the item after recognizing a card or the like including the information indicating the requester.

Further, since the article supply device can be installed at any place, for example, when installed at the first to fourth places, the article supply device may be configured as follows: the article from the article supply device provided at the fourth location is supplied only to the demander who has received the supply of the article from the article supply device provided at the first to third locations. In this case, the supply of the article from the article supply device provided at the fourth location can be made paid or free. Here, it is considered that, in the case where the demander who has selected the cashless settlement method as the payment method can recognize that the demander has received the supply of the article in the predetermined article providing apparatus because the information of the demander can be included in the settlement method, and the demander who has selected the payment using the coin cannot recognize that the demander has received the supply of the article in the predetermined article providing apparatus, the demander receives the supply of the article after recognizing a card or the like including the information indicating the demander.

Claims

1. An article supply device capable of supplying an article in accordance with a request of a customer,

the article supply device is provided with:

a plurality of providing units; and

a guide unit having a lateral dimension that is the same as a lateral dimension of the supply unit, and a vertical dimension that is the same as a vertical dimension of the supply unit,

the supply unit includes an article storage section for storing an article and an article supply section for supplying the article stored in the article storage section, wherein the article storage section is capable of storing the article from the near front,

the guide unit includes a housing condition management section for managing a housing condition of the article housed in the article housing section and an information presentation section for presenting article housing information based on a management signal from the housing condition management section,

the information presentation unit is configured to: the article storage device includes an image display unit configured to display a first image as the article storage information on the image display unit when the management signal is a management signal that can be provided, and to display a second image different from the first image as the article storage information on the image display unit when the management signal is a management signal that cannot be provided, the first image and the second image displayed on the image display unit having a layout corresponding to an arrangement position of the providing unit, the first image serving also as a selection button of the providing unit,

wherein the guide unit receives information of the article accommodated in the providing unit,

the information on the stored article is not input to the providing unit of the guide unit, the image display section displays the second image indicating that the article cannot be provided as an image corresponding to the providing unit, and the guide unit controls so that the article stored therein cannot be provided from the providing unit.

2. The article providing device according to claim 1,

the guide unit further includes:

a price acceptance unit for accepting payment of a price related to provision of the item; and

and a supply control unit configured to change the article supply unit from a state in which the article cannot be supplied to a state in which the article can be supplied, on the condition that the price is accepted by the price acceptance unit.

3. The article providing device according to claim 2,

the guide unit further includes:

a price settlement unit for paying a price related to the provision of the item;

a settlement management unit that manages settlement of the price by the price settlement unit; and

and a provision control unit for changing the article providing unit from a state in which the article cannot be provided to a state in which the article can be provided, based on a settlement completion signal from the settlement management unit.

4. The article providing device according to claim 2,

the supply unit further includes an operation portion for operating the article supply portion to supply the article when the article supply portion is changed from a state in which the article cannot be supplied to a state in which the article can be supplied.

5. The article providing device according to claim 4,

the operating part is a rotatable handle.

6. The article providing device according to claim 3,

the guide unit further includes a selection unit for selecting any one of the plurality of supply units,

the offer control unit changes the article offering unit of the offering unit selected by the selection unit from a state in which the article cannot be offered to a state in which the article can be offered, on the condition that the price is accepted by the acceptance unit or the price is settled by the price settlement unit.

7. The article providing device according to claim 1,

the article supply device has a configuration in which the guide unit is sandwiched between the supply units.

8. The article providing device according to claim 1,

the article supply device has a configuration in which the guide unit is located at an end portion.

9. The article supply apparatus according to claim 1,

the image display section is a touch panel type color display,

the first image is a color image including an image associated with the item,

the second image is a black and white image of the first image.

10. The article providing device according to claim 9,

the information presentation unit is configured to display an enlarged image of the first image on the image display unit when the first image is selected.

11. The article providing device according to claim 9 or 10,

the information presentation unit is configured to display a third image for specifying an article provision on the image display unit when the first image is selected,

the third image doubles as an item-providing determination button.

12. The article providing device according to claim 3,

the price settlement unit of the guide means is an electronic money settlement unit,

the electronic money settlement unit has an electronic money reading/writing unit.

13. The article providing device according to claim 3,

the price settlement unit of the guide means is a two-dimensional code settlement unit,

the two-dimensional code settlement unit has a two-dimensional code display unit.

14. The article supply apparatus according to claim 3,

the two-dimensional code settlement unit has a two-dimensional code reading unit.

15. The article providing device according to claim 1 or 2,

the guidance unit further includes a free offer lottery section that performs a free offer lottery based on the offer of the article.

16. The article providing device according to claim 3,

the guidance means further includes a price refund unit that monitors whether or not there is a subsequent operation within a predetermined time based on a settlement completion signal from the price settlement unit, and performs refund processing when there is no subsequent operation within the predetermined time.

17. The article providing device according to claim 1 or 2,

the supply unit is provided with a printed matter mounting portion capable of mounting a printed matter including information related to the article accommodated in the article accommodating portion.

18. The article providing device according to claim 1 or 2,

the supply unit is provided with at least one of a light-emitting unit that emits light and a sound-emitting unit that emits sound until the supply of the article is completed.

19. The article providing device according to claim 6,

the supply unit is provided with at least one of a light emitting section that emits light and a sound emitting section that emits sound in the process until the supply of the article is completed,

at least one of the light emission from the light emitting unit and the sound emission from the sound emitting unit is performed by the providing unit selected by the selecting unit.