CN118196969A - Article supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an article supply device capable of supporting various supply methods. The article supply device is provided with: an information display body including identification information for identifying the article supply device; a housing section capable of housing an article; a supply unit configured to be able to supply the article stored in the storage unit; a locking portion capable of locking such that the article cannot be supplied from the supply portion; and a control unit capable of controlling the locking unit from the locked state to the unlocked state on the condition that the identification information is acquired from the information display body. The information display device is configured to be able to adopt a first mode in which the information display body is made invisible and a second mode in which the information display body is made visible.

Description

Article supply device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an article supply device.

Background

Conventionally, there are the following article supply devices: the object stored in the device main body as a capsule toy is acquired by operating a handle or the like on the condition that the cost is paid (for example, patent document 1).

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 62-078998

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Such an article supply device is often installed outdoors or the like, and cannot be constructed in a complicated manner. On the other hand, it is demanded to support the provision of articles based on electronic settlement and the like. In addition, it is necessary to maintain the conventional cash-based settlement.

Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide an article supply device capable of supporting various supply methods.

Solution for solving the problem

An aspect of the present invention is an article supply device capable of supplying articles, comprising: an information display body including identification information for identifying the article supply device; a housing section capable of housing an article; a supply unit configured to be able to supply the article stored in the storage unit; a locking portion capable of locking such that the article cannot be supplied from the supply portion; and a control unit configured to control the lock unit from the locked state to the unlocked state on the condition that the identification information is acquired from the information display unit, wherein the article supply device is configured to be capable of adopting a first mode in which the information display unit is made invisible and a second mode in which the information display unit is made visible.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

The present invention can provide an article supply device capable of supporting various supply methods.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an article supply system according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the article supply system according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of a smart phone as an example of the terminal 3.

Fig. 4 is a front view of an example of the article supply device 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an example of the article supply device 1.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the information display body 10 and the cover 11.

Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram of the article supply device 1.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the management server 4.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the article supply device database D1.

Fig. 10 is a timing chart of the article supply system according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining a series of screens displayed in the terminal 3 of the user.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart of the supply control process.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart of the supply process of the article supply device 1.

Detailed Description

The following article supply devices exist: coins are paid out and a handle or the like is operated to acquire an article as a capsule toy housed in the device body. Meanwhile, in recent years, electronic settlement has been widespread, and it is desired to use electronic settlement for the above-mentioned article supply device.

However, these article supply devices are installed in various indoor and outdoor environments, and therefore cannot be configured to be electrically complicated due to durability and other problems, and it is difficult to provide the devices with a function of directly communicating with a terminal such as a smart phone to perform electronic settlement. In addition, there are a large number of article supply devices at the installation site, from which it is necessary to identify the article supply device that supplies the article to the user.

Accordingly, the identification information for identifying the article supply device is provided to one article supply device, and the user terminal is allowed to acquire the identification information, whereby the user can identify the article supply device for which supply is desired. An example of electronic settlement of the article supply device will be described below.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an article supply system according to the present embodiment. In fig. 1, 1 denotes an article supply device, 2 denotes an article supplied by the article supply device 1, 3 denotes a terminal of a user, and 4 denotes a management server.

The article supply device 1 is a device for supplying articles 2 to a user. The article supply device 1 is installed indoors or outdoors, and a plurality of article supply devices 1 for supplying different articles are generally installed. An information display 10 is displayed on the article supply device 1 that supplies the articles 2, and the information display 10 includes unique article supply device identification information that can identify the article supply device. The information display 10 may include link information (for example, URL) to a website for electronic settlement, in addition to the article supply device identification information.

In view of convenience of the user, it is desirable that the information display 10 is an information display that can be read by the terminal 3. For example, the information display body is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar code (QR code: registered trademark) or the like.

The terminal 3 has a reader function of an information display body and a communication function with other devices. The terminal 3 is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a mobile phone, or the like.

The management server 4 is a server that manages the article supply device 1 and the purchase of the article by the user.

The user goes to the installation place of the article supply device 1. In order for the user to acquire the article 2, it is necessary to identify the article supply device 1 capable of supplying the article 2 at a location where a plurality of article supply devices 1 are provided. Accordingly, the present embodiment identifies an article supply device for supplying an article desired by a user by the following method, settles the cost of the article by electronic settlement, and supplies the article from the article supply device to the user.

(1) The information display 10 is attached to the article supply device 1 capable of supplying articles.

(2) At a place where the article supply device 1 is provided, the information display 10 of the article supply device 1 is read by the terminal 3 of the user.

(3) The terminal 3 acquires the article supply device identification information and the link information to the website for electronic settlement based on the read information display 10. Then, the terminal 3 accesses the management server 4 based on the link information, and transmits the acquired article supply device identification information.

(4) The management server 4 identifies the article supply device 1 based on the article supply device identification information from the terminal 3, and identifies the articles 2 that can be supplied by the article supply device. Then, the management server 4 presents the terminal 3 with a purchase screen including the contents of the articles 2 that can be supplied and the settlement method of the articles 2.

(4) The user confirms the articles 2 that can be supplied displayed on the terminal 3, and selects a settlement method to settle the purchase of the articles 2.

(5) When the settlement of the article 2 is completed, the management server 4 releases the lock of the article supply device 1 so that the article 2 can be supplied from the article supply device 1. As release of the lock of the article supply in the article supply device 1, a lock release signal for releasing the lock of the supply unit is transmitted to the article supply device 1 specified based on the article supply device identification information. Then, the supply unit of the article supply device 1 that has received the lock release signal releases the lock, and the article 2 can be supplied to the user.

In this way, the user can acquire the article 2 from the article supply device 1.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments will be described.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the article supply system according to the present embodiment. In fig. 2, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the structure of fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 2, the article supply device 1, the user terminal 3, and the management server 4 are connected to a communication network 5, and can communicate with each other. The communication network 5 is a communication path through which data can be communicated. That is, the communication network 5 includes a LAN including a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for connection, an ethernet (registered trademark), and the like, and also includes a communication network such as a telephone communication network, a cable network, and the internet, and the communication method may be wired or wireless.

The article supply device 1 is a device for supplying articles 2 to a user.

The terminal 3 is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a mobile phone, or the like.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of a smart phone as an example of the terminal 3. As shown in fig. 3, the terminal 3 includes a display 31, a touch panel 32 integrally formed with the display 31, a built-in speaker 33, and a camera 34. The terminal 3 is provided with a control board, a built-in battery, a power button, a volume control button, and the like, which are not shown. Various microprocessors such as CPU, GPU, DSP, various IC memories such as ASIC, VRAM, RAM, ROM, a wireless communication module for performing wireless communication with a mobile phone base station, and the like are mounted on the control board. In addition, a so-called I/F circuit (interface circuit) such as a driving circuit of the touch panel 32 is mounted on the control board. The elements mounted on the control board are electrically connected to each other via a bus circuit or the like, and are connected to enable data reading and writing and signal transmission and reception.

The management server 4 is a server system configured to include a single or a plurality of server devices, storage devices, and the like. The management server 4 performs processes such as selling of the right to purchase the article, settlement based on the right to purchase the article, determination of the article supply device 1 that supplies the article, and unlocking of the article supply device 1.

Fig. 4 is a front view of an example of the article supply device 1, and fig. 5 is a perspective view of an example of the article supply device 1.

The article supply device 1 is a device for supplying articles 2.

The article 2 includes, for example, an article in which a toy or the like is housed in a spherical separable capsule, and an article in which the toy and the capsule are integrated. The article 2 is not limited to one kind of article, and a plurality of kinds of articles may be present. In this case, a plurality of types of articles are mixedly stored in the article storage portion 20 of the article supply device 1 described later as articles belonging to one series (category).

A display 13 for displaying the contents of the article 2, a coin inlet 14 for paying out coins as a cost of the article 2, a handle 15 as an operation unit, a discharge port 16 to which the article 2 is supplied, and a coin return port 17 are provided on the front surface of the article supply device 1. The user can know the articles that can be supplied by the article supply device 1 through the visual confirmation display 13.

An information display 10 is attached to the article supply device 1. The information display 10 is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) or the like. The information display 10 includes at least article supply device identification information for identifying the article supply device 1 and URL (Uniform Resource Locator: uniform resource locator) as link information to the management server 4 for specifying an article that the article supply device 1 can supply. The article supply device identification information 10 may include other information than the above, for example, information for identifying the location where the article supply device 1 is installed, information such as a store name and a price of the article, and management information required for managing the article supply device 1. In this example, although a method of attaching a QR code as the information display body 10 to the article supply apparatus 1 and displaying the QR code is adopted as the display method of the article supply apparatus identification information 10, the present invention is not limited to this.

As shown in fig. 5, for example, the attachment position of the information display 10 may be displayed near the return port 17 at a position where the bottom surface of the return port 17 can be visually confirmed well. The user in the present embodiment can acquire the article 2 without paying money such as coins, and the information display 10 is attached to such a position, thereby having the following effects: in the case where the coin erroneously thrown in by the user is returned to the return port 17, the user easily notices the returned coin.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the information display body 10 and the cover 11. In order to facilitate understanding of the relationship between the information display body 10 and the cover 11, fig. 6 shows a view of the article supply device 1 viewed from the lateral direction and a view of the article supply device 1 viewed from the upper direction.

The lower face 19 of the front face wall 18 of the article supply device 1 is directed upward or obliquely upward for easy visual confirmation by the user, and the information display body 10 is mounted in the vicinity of the return opening 17 of the lower face 19 of the front face wall 18 so that information of the information display body 10 can be easily acquired. The color of the surroundings of the information display body 10 is colored in a color (for example, white) different from the color (for example, black) of the lower face 19. This is to make it easy for the user to visually confirm the information display 10.

When the article supply device 1 is installed, the information display body 10 is covered with the covering portion 11. The cover 11 is, for example, a removable seal. Preferably, the surface color of the cover 11 is the same as the color of the lower face 19 (e.g., black). When the article supply device 1 starts to be used, the information display 10 appears and becomes visible by peeling the cover 11 from the lower surface 19, and the information display 10 can be read by the terminal 3. The covering unit 11 may not cover only the information display 10. For example, when an "arrow" or the like functioning as a guide for guiding information acquired from the information display 10, a sentence such as "read with a smartphone", or the like is displayed on the front surface wall 18 including the lower surface 19 so as to approach the information display 10, the cover 11 covers the "arrow" and the sentence such as "read with a smartphone" inclusive. By doing so, the following effects are obtained: the operation of acquiring the information of the information display 10 can be performed without any error by simply removing the one cover 11. Further, since there is no need to provide another cover 11 for covering the words such as "arrow" and "read by smart phone", there is an effect that an error does not occur in the operation of attaching and detaching the cover 11.

It is considered that the article supply device 1 is not necessarily installed in an environment where electronic settlement is possible, and there are many cases where only cash settlement by coins is possible. In such a case, the information display 10 required for electronic settlement is sometimes confused by the user. Therefore, it is preferable that the cover 11 be attachable and detachable repeatedly, and that the information display 10 be attached to the information display 10 of the article supply device 1 again to cover the information display 10. Such a covering portion 11 can be formed of a conventional material.

Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram of the article supply device 1.

The article supply device 1 includes an article storage unit 20, an article supply unit 21, a lock unit 22, an operation unit 23, a control unit 24, and a communication unit 25.

The article storage portion 20 stores a large number of articles 2. The article storage is configured so that the article can be easily stored by pulling the article storage unit 20 to the front and putting the article 2 in front of the article supply device 1. An article supply unit 21 is provided at a lower portion in the article storage unit 20, and the article supply unit 21 includes a rotating disk having a hole of a size allowing one article 2 to pass therethrough.

The operation section 23 conducts the operation of the handle 15 to the rotating disk of the article supply section 21. The operation portion 23 is locked by the locking portion 22, and the handle 15 can be rotated by the user's operation by releasing the locking. As the unlocking mechanism, for example, a unlocking mechanism using a solenoid lock (solenoid lock) is used. In this case, the handle 15 is put into a state (locked state) in which it is not rotatable by using a solenoid lock, and the handle 15 is put into a state in which it is rotatable by releasing the lock by energizing the solenoid. The lock release mechanism is not limited to the one using a solenoid lock, and other lock release mechanisms may be used. When the lock portion 22 is in the unlocked state, the handle 15 is rotated by a predetermined angle, and the rotating disk is rotated in conjunction with the rotation, and when the hole of the rotating disk is opposed to the drop port provided at the bottom of the article storage portion 20, one article 2 is supplied from the drop port to the take-out port 16 through the passage communicating with the take-out port 16.

The control unit 24 controls the locking of the locking unit 22 and the release of the locking. The unlocking of the lock unit 22 by the control unit 24 is performed based on an unlocking signal which is externally controlled based on settlement performed by cash input to the input port 14. The control unit 24 also locks the locking unit 22 after detecting that the article 2 is discharged to the take-out port 16 or after a predetermined time has elapsed after the unlocking. The control unit 24 may lock the lock unit 22 according to a lock signal controlled from the outside.

The communication unit 25 can communicate with the management server 4 via the communication network 5.

Next, the management server 4 will be described.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the management server 4. The management server 4 includes a storage unit 61, a processing unit 62, and a communication unit 63.

The storage unit 61 is implemented by, for example, an IC memory such as a RAM, a ROM, or a flash memory, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, or an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or a DVD, and stores a system program and a functional program. The system program is a program for realizing a basic function as a computer. The function program is a program for causing the processing unit 62 to function as an article supply device determination unit 621, a settlement unit 622, and an article supply control unit 623, which will be described later. The databases described later are stored. The stored databases are described.

The article supply device database D1 stores article supply device identification Information (ID) of the article supply device 1 capable of supplying the article 2, the type (trade name) of the article 2 supplied from the article supply device 1, and the stock number thereof in association with each other. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the article supply device database D1. As shown in fig. 9, the article supply device database D1 stores article supply device identification information of the article supply device 1 capable of supplying the articles 2, the type (trade name) of the articles 2, and the stock number thereof in association with each other.

The processing unit 62 controls the operation of the management server 4 in a lump based on the program and data stored in the storage unit 61. The functions of the processing unit 62 can be realized by, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU and a GPU, and an electronic component such as an ASIC and an IC memory. The processing unit 62 includes an article supply device determination unit 621, a settlement unit 622, and an article supply control unit 623 as main functional units.

The article supply device determining unit 621 receives a request for providing an article from the terminal 3, acquires article supply device identification information included in the request, and determines whether the acquired article supply device identification information is included in the article supply device database D1. The article feeder determination unit 621 confirms the number of articles fed from the article feeder 1 and the stock of articles, and notifies the settlement unit 622 of the article feeder identification information when the stock exists, when the article feeder identification information is included in the article feeder database D1. On the other hand, when the article feeder identification information is not included in the article feeder database D1 or when the article feeder database D1 is not in stock, the article feeder determination unit 621 transmits an error screen for guiding that the article 2 cannot be fed to the terminal 3.

The settlement unit 622 receives the article supply device identification information and the user ID from the article supply device determination unit 621, and transmits an article purchase screen to the user's terminal 3. The settlement unit 622 reads out the product name and price of the product supplied from the product supply device 1 of the product supply device identification information from the product supply device database D1, generates a product purchase screen including the product name, the price, and the settlement method of the product, and transmits the generated product purchase screen to the terminal 3 of the user. The settlement unit 622 receives settlement information from the user terminal 3 and notifies the item supply control unit 623 that settlement for purchase of the item is completed.

Upon receiving the settlement completion from the settlement unit 622, the article supply control unit 623 transmits a lock release signal of the article supply device 1 so that the articles can be supplied from the article supply device 1. The destination of the unlock signal to the article supply device 1 is the article supply device 1 specified based on the article supply device identification information included in the request for article supply from the terminal 3.

The operation of the system of the present embodiment will be described.

Fig. 10 is a timing chart of the article supply system according to the present embodiment, and fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining a series of screens displayed on the terminal 3 of the user.

The user goes to a place where the article supply device 1 capable of supplying the article 2 is provided, and reads the information display 10 displayed in the article supply device 1. In response to the user's operation, the acquisition of the information display 10 is performed using the photographing function of the terminal 3 (step 1). Fig. 11 (a) is a diagram showing an example of photographing of the information display 10 of the article supply device 1 by the terminal 3. The user stands in front of the article supply device 1, operates the terminal 3 so that the information display body 10 is displayed in the display of the terminal 3, and photographs the information display body 10.

The terminal 3 acquires the article supply device identification information from the photographed information display 10. In this example, the article supply device identification information and the link destination information (for example, URL) linked to the article purchase screen are acquired from the information display 10 (step 2). In this example, the acquired article supply apparatus identification information is "EQ1001". The terminal 3 transmits a request for an item purchase screen to the management server 4 based on the acquired item supply apparatus identification information of the item supply apparatus 1 and the link destination.

The management server 4 receives the request from the terminal 3 and performs supply control processing (step 3). Fig. 12 is a flowchart of the supply control process.

When receiving a request from the terminal 3 (step 100), the article supply device determining unit 621 acquires the device ID included in the request (step 101). In this example, the acquired article supply apparatus identification information is "EQ1001".

The article supply device determining unit 621 determines article supply device identification information using the article supply device database D1 (step 102). Determining the article supply device identification information refers to determining whether the acquired article supply device identification information is included in the article supply device database D1. When the acquired article supply apparatus identification information is included in the article supply apparatus database D1 (step 103), it is determined that the article supply apparatus 1 for which the user acquired article supply apparatus identification information is the article supply apparatus 1 capable of supplying the article 2. On the other hand, when the acquired article supply apparatus identification information is not included in the article supply apparatus database D1 (step 103), it is determined that the article supply apparatus 1 capable of supplying the article 2 is not available, and guidance information indicating an error is transmitted to the terminal 3 (step 110). In this example, the acquired article supply apparatus identification information is "EQ1001", and is included in the article supply apparatus database D1, so that the article supply apparatus 1 determined to be the user to receive the supply of the article is the article supply apparatus 1 whose article supply apparatus identification information is "EQ 1001".

The article supply device determining unit 621 confirms the inventory of the articles 2 of the article supply device 1 of the acquired article supply device identification information (step 104). When the stock number of the acquired article feeder identification information in the article feeder database D1 is not "0", the article feeder determination unit 621 determines that the article feeder 1 of the acquired article feeder identification information is capable of feeding the article 2, determines the article feeder 1 as the transmission destination of the lock release signal, and notifies the settlement unit 622 of the article feeder identification information and the user ID. On the other hand, when the number of the acquired article supply device identification information in the article supply device database D1 is "0", the article supply device determination unit 621 transmits guidance information indicating an error to the terminal 3 (step 110).

The settlement unit 622 receives the article supply device identification information from the article supply device determination unit 621, and generates an article purchase screen (step 105). The settlement unit 622 reads the type and price of the item supplied by the item supply device 1 of the acquired item supply device identification information, and generates an item purchase screen including the item name, price, and settlement method for purchasing the item. Then, the settlement unit 622 transmits an item purchase screen to the terminal 3 (step 106). In this example, the article that can be supplied by the article supply apparatus 1 whose article supply apparatus identification information is "EQ1001" is "commodity X" and the price is "500 yen".

The terminal 3 displays an item purchase screen (step 4). An example of the item purchase screen displayed on the terminal 3 is shown in fig. 11 (b). In the example of fig. 11 (b), there are shown a commodity X, its price, and three settlement methods.

When the user selects the presented settlement method and selects the settlement button, the terminal 3 transmits settlement information. The settlement information includes a price and a settlement method.

When the settlement unit 622 receives the settlement information (step 107), it performs settlement processing (step 108). The settlement processing can be electronic settlement such as credit card settlement which has been conventionally performed. When the settlement is completed, the settlement unit 622 notifies the article supply control unit 623 of the completion of the settlement and the article supply device identification information.

The settlement unit 622 transmits a guide screen including notification of completion of settlement and provision of the article to the terminal 3 (step 109).

The article supply control unit 623 transmits a lock release signal to the article supply device 1 specified based on the article supply device identification information (step 111). In this example, the article supply control unit 623 transmits a lock release signal to the article supply apparatus 1 whose article supply apparatus identification information is "EQ 1001".

The terminal 3 that received the guidance screen displays the guidance screen. An example of the guidance screen displayed on the terminal 3 is shown in fig. 11 (c). In the example of fig. 11 (c), the handle 15 of the article supply device 1 is operated to pick up the article after the settlement is completed, and the handle 15 is locked after 1 minute.

The user operates the article supply device 1 according to the guide information.

The article supply device 1 receives the lock release signal and performs the supply process (step 5). Then, the article supply device 1 transmits a supply report to the management server 4. Further, the management server 4 accepts the supply report and updates the stock number.

Here, the supply process (step 3) of the article supply device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of fig. 13.

When receiving the lock release signal (step 200), the control unit 24 of the article supply device 1 releases the lock of the lock unit 22 (step 201).

The control unit 24 of the article supply device 1 determines the supply of the article 2 (step 202). First, the control unit 24 determines whether or not the handle 15 of the operation unit 23 is operated (for example, rotated 1 turn) (step 203). When the handle 15 is operated (for example, rotated 1 turn), one article 2 is supplied from the article supply portion 21 to the take-out port 16 (step 204). Then, the control unit 24 locks the locking unit 22 (step 205).

On the other hand, when there is no operation on the handle 15 (step 203), the control unit 24 determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed from the lock release (step 207). When there is no operation on the handle 15 (step 203) and a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed since the lock is released (step 207), the control unit 24 locks the lock unit 22 (step 205).

Finally, the control unit 24 performs a supply report indicating that the article 2 is normally supplied when the article 2 is normally supplied, and performs a supply report indicating that the article 2 is not supplied when the article 2 is not supplied (step 206).

As the control from the lock release of the lock unit 22 to the lock, the above example has been described in which the control unit 24 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the lock release, and sets the lock unit 22 to the locked state when the predetermined time has elapsed. This is just an example, and for example, the control unit 24 may be configured to transmit the lock signal to the control unit 24 of the article supply device 1 when the supply report indicating that the article 2 is normally supplied is not received until a predetermined time elapses since the article supply control unit 623 of the management server 4 transmits the lock release signal. In this case, the control unit 24 sets the lock unit 22 to the locked state when receiving the lock signal.

The description of the supply process (step 5) of the article supply device 1 ends

In the present embodiment, an information display including identification information for identifying the article supply device is attached to the article supply device, and electronic settlement of the article is enabled by causing the terminal 3 to read the information display. On the other hand, by covering the information display body with the covering portion, the user is prevented from feeling confused when the article supply device is allowed to settle accounts only with cash.

That is, by attaching and detaching the cover to and from the information display body, a system in which the information display body is visible and electronic settlement is possible, and a system in which the information display body is invisible and only cash settlement is possible can be realized.

Some or all of the above embodiments are also described as follows, but are not limited to the following.

[ Additional note 1]

An article supply device capable of supplying articles, comprising:

An information display body including identification information for identifying the article supply device;

a housing section capable of housing an article;

a supply unit configured to be able to supply the article stored in the storage unit;

a locking portion capable of locking such that articles cannot be supplied from the supply portion; and

A control unit configured to control the lock unit from a locked state to an unlocked state on the condition that the identification information is acquired from the information display unit,

The article supply device is configured to be able to adopt a first mode in which the information display body is not visible and a second mode in which the information display body is visible.

[ Additionally noted 2]

The article supply device according to supplementary note 1, wherein,

The information display is configured such that the identification information cannot be acquired in the first mode and the identification information can be acquired in the second mode.

[ Additionally recorded 3]

The article supply device according to supplementary note 1 or supplementary note 2, wherein,

Further comprises a covering part capable of covering the information display body,

The article supply device is configured to adopt a first mode by attaching the cover to the information display body, and to adopt a second mode by not attaching the cover.

[ Additional note 4]

The article supply device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 3, wherein,

The cover is configured to be detachable from the information display body.

[ Additional note 5]

The article supply device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 4, wherein,

The control unit controls the lock unit from the locked state to the unlocked state on the condition that completion of electronic settlement is performed based on the acquired identification information.

[ Additional note 6]

The article supply device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 5, wherein,

The identification information contains information enabling electronic settlement.

[ Additionally noted 7]

The article supply device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 6, wherein,

Further comprises an operation part for operating to enable the supply of the articles from the supply part,

The operation unit is configured to be operable on condition that the lock unit is in an unlocked state.

[ Additionally recorded 8]

The article supply device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 7, wherein,

Further comprises a coin inlet and a coin return inlet,

The information display is disposed in the vicinity of the return opening.

[ Additional note 9]

The article supply device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 8, wherein,

Further comprises a take-out port capable of taking out the articles supplied from the supply part,

The input port, the return port and the take-out port are provided on a front surface wall of the article supply device,

The lower portion of the front surface wall is configured to face upward or obliquely upward,

The information display is disposed at a lower portion of the front surface wall.

[ Additional note 10]

The article supply device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 9, wherein,

The surroundings of the information display body are colored in a color different from that of the lower portion of the front surface wall.

[ Additional note 11]

The article supply device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 10, wherein,

And a guide portion which is provided near the information display body and guides the acquisition of information of the information display body,

The covering section is configured to cover the guide section together with the information display body.

The present invention has been described above by way of example of preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiments, and can be variously modified and implemented within the scope of the technical idea thereof.

Description of the reference numerals

1: An article supply device; 2: an article; 3: a terminal; 4: a management server; 5: a communication network; 10: an information display body; 11: and a cover part.

Claims (11)

1. An article supply device capable of supplying articles, comprising:

An information display body including identification information for identifying the article supply device;

a housing section capable of housing an article;

a supply unit configured to be able to supply the article stored in the storage unit;

a locking portion capable of locking such that articles cannot be supplied from the supply portion; and

A control unit configured to control the lock unit from a locked state to an unlocked state on the condition that the identification information is acquired from the information display unit,

The article supply device is configured to be able to adopt a first mode in which the information display body is not visible and a second mode in which the information display body is visible.

2. The article supply device according to claim 1, wherein,

The information display is configured such that the identification information cannot be acquired in the first mode and the identification information can be acquired in the second mode.

3. The article supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

Further comprises a covering part capable of covering the information display body,

The article supply device is configured to adopt a first mode by attaching the cover to the information display body, and to adopt a second mode by not attaching the cover.

4. The article supply device according to claim 3, wherein,

The cover is configured to be detachable from the information display body.

5. The article supply device according to claim 4, wherein,

The control unit controls the lock unit from the locked state to the unlocked state on the condition that completion of electronic settlement is performed based on the acquired identification information.

6. The article supply device according to claim 5, wherein,

The identification information contains information enabling electronic settlement.

7. The article supply device according to claim 6, wherein,

Further comprises an operation part for operating to enable the supply of the articles from the supply part,

The operation unit is configured to be operable on condition that the lock unit is in an unlocked state.

8. The article supply device according to claim 4, wherein,

Further comprises a coin inlet and a coin return inlet,

The information display is disposed in the vicinity of the return opening.

9. The article supply device according to claim 8, wherein,

Further comprises a take-out port capable of taking out the articles supplied from the supply part,

The input port, the return port and the take-out port are provided on a front surface wall of the article supply device,

The lower portion of the front surface wall is configured to face upward or obliquely upward,

The information display is disposed at a lower portion of the front surface wall.

10. The article supply device according to claim 9, wherein,

The surroundings of the information display body are colored in a color different from that of the lower portion of the front surface wall.

11. The article supply device according to claim 3, wherein,

And a guide portion which is provided near the information display body and guides the acquisition of information of the information display body,

The covering section is configured to cover the guide section together with the information display body.