JP2001143130A - Terminal vending machine and terminal vending system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal vending machine capable of ordering and selling merchandise by card settlement. SOLUTION: The terminal vending machine 2 can transfer the marking information of a credit card 24 by an emboss transferring mechanism 27 to a plurality of bound merchandise order sheets 26 set by a sheet setting part 31. Also, the transferred merchandise order sheets 26 are carried and separated into a copy for a customer and a copy for a store side by a separating mechanism 63, and the copy for the customer is returned from a sheet output port 61 to the customer who has given an order. Thus, the merchandise can be ordered and sold in an unmanned state by card settlement.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal vending machine and a terminal vending machine capable of automatically ordering and purchasing goods by using a credit card, a consumer financial card, or the like, on which information is stamped by embossing. It is about the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, the purchase of goods by credit card or other card payment is generally carried out at a store in a face-to-face manner with a clerk. That is, the product purchase applicant fills in the product purchase application form given by the store clerk with the identification information such as the ordered product number and the name, and signs the designated field. The clerk receives the credit card along with the completed and signed application form, confirms the signature, and uses the embosser to transfer the engraved information of the credit card to the product application form. Further, the record information of the credit card is read by the card reader. The read information is transmitted to the card management company, and when the management company confirms the information, a product application contract is established.

[0003] As described above, in the application for goods by card settlement, particularly when purchasing a high-priced product by installment,
It is necessary to confirm the identity of the applicant, fill out the application form by the applicant's own handwriting, and give the applicant a copy of the completed form.

[0004]

However, conventionally, no terminal vending machine has been proposed in which the procedure for applying for a product by card payment is labor-saving and unmanned.

[0005] In particular, no terminal vending machine has been proposed which can automatically return a copy of a product application form in which the engraved information of a card is embossed and transferred to an applicant as a copy of a product application form.

[0006] Further, there has not been proposed any terminal vending machine which can return a copy of an application form filled in by the applicant himself by himself as a copy of the application form to the applicant.

[0007] As described above, in the related art, it is not possible to easily apply for purchase of a product or the like by card payment using a terminal, and it is necessary to always make a face-to-face application.

[0008] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to propose a terminal vending machine that can perform purchase and order operations of goods by card settlement without relying on face-to-face operations.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a terminal vending machine capable of automatically returning a copy of a product application form on which the engraved information of a card is embossed and transferred to an applicant as a copy of a product application form.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a terminal vending machine that can return a copy of an application form filled in by the applicant himself by handwriting to the applicant as a copy of the application form.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to propose a terminal sales system capable of collectively managing a product order or the like by such a terminal vending machine at a management headquarters side via a communication line.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a terminal vending machine according to the present invention comprises a card insertion slot for inserting and discharging a card, and recording information of the card inserted from the card insertion slot. Card reading means for reading the product order sheet, a paper setting section for placing the commodity order sheet, paper reading means for reading the information of the commodity order sheet set in the paper setting section, and a card after the information has been read into the commodity order sheet. An embossing transfer unit that transfers the embossed information stamped on the card to the product order form by pressing the card, and accepts the product order by card payment based on the card information and the information entered on the product order form. Processing means for performing an operation or a product sales operation.

In the terminal vending machine of the present invention, the embossed information of the card can be transferred to the product order form, so that the product purchase or application procedure by card settlement can be saved.

[0014] In order to be able to sell goods on the spot, the terminal vending machine of the present invention comprises a product storage section in which goods are stored, a product outlet, and a product stored in the product storage section. A product conveying means for taking out and conveying the product to the product take-out port, wherein the processing means drives and controls the product conveying means based on the ordered product information read by the paper reading means and takes out the ordered product. What is necessary is just to make it the structure carried out to a mouth.

Here, as the commodity ordering sheet, a sheet consisting of a group of transferable sheets having a signature field and capable of transferring a plurality of sheets can be used.

In this case, the terminal vending machine is provided with a sheet separating means for bisecting the sheet group into first and second sheet groups at a portion of the sheet conveyance path downstream of the emboss transfer section in the sheet conveyance direction. It is desirable to have a configuration including Further, it is preferable that the apparatus further includes a sheet collection unit that collects the first group of sheets after being separated, and a sheet discharge unit that discharges the second group of sheets to the outside.

In the terminal vending machine having this configuration, the card information is emboss-transferred and a copy of the signed product order form is automatically issued. Therefore, it is possible to order and purchase goods by card settlement without relying on humans.

Next, in order to be able to centrally manage terminal vending machines installed in different locations in one place,
The terminal vending machine has, in addition to the above configuration, a receiving unit that receives an instruction signal that instructs whether or not to accept a product order from outside, and a transmitting unit that sends information to the outside, and the processing unit includes: The information of the card inserted through the transmission means and the entry information of the commodity order form are transmitted to a predetermined management headquarters, and the instruction signal supplied from the management headquarters in response to the information is received by the reception unit. What is necessary is just to comprise so that it may receive via a means and control the goods order reception or the goods sale operation | movement based on the said instruction signal.

On the other hand, the present invention relates to a terminal sales system for ordering and purchasing goods by card settlement, and the terminal sales system is connected to a terminal vending machine having the above-mentioned structure having a communication function via a communication line. A management headquarter that can be connected to the terminal vending machine, the management headquarters includes a receiving unit that receives information supplied from the terminal vending machine, and a display that displays information received via the receiving unit. Means, an instruction signal generating means for generating an instruction signal for instructing whether or not to accept a product order or to sell or not to sell a product, and a transmitting means for transmitting the instruction signal to the terminal vending machine.

With this terminal sales system, a terminal vending machine installed in an unmanned store can accept product orders by card payment and perform product sales operations.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example of a terminal sales system to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. (System Configuration and Operation) FIG. 1 shows the system configuration of the terminal sales system of this example. As shown in this figure, the terminal vending system 1 of this example is connected to terminal vending machines 2 installed at a plurality of unmanned stores, and to each of the terminal vending machines 2 via a communication line 3. And a management headquarters 4. The communication line 3 may be either a dedicated line or a general public line.

The outline of the operation for accepting an order for a product by card payment in the terminal sales system 1 of the present embodiment is as follows. (1) A product order applicant (applicant) selects an ordered product from product information such as a catalog provided in an unmanned store or the like, and records a product number or the like identifying the selected product. Alternatively, a product number or the like may be entered in a designated column of a product order form provided in the terminal vending machine 2. (2) Next, a card, for example, a credit card is inserted into the terminal vending machine 2. (3) When a credit card is inserted into the terminal vending machine 2, the card information is read and it is determined whether or not the card is usable. If the card cannot be used, the card is returned. If the card can be used, an operation procedure and a description are displayed on the screen. (4) The applicant operates in accordance with the displayed operation procedure, and sequentially inputs information on the product to be ordered (product number, dealer information, color, product shipping date, etc.) and information on division or lump sum payment. I do. When the input is completed, the consent of the applicant is obtained for each information. Such a confirmation procedure is performed, for example, in an interactive manner. (5) Thereafter, the applicant fills in the necessary information (identification information such as name, address, etc.) on the product order form and sets it in the designated place of the terminal vending machine. When it is confirmed that the commodity order form has been set, the terminal vending machine 2 prompts the applicant to input a card PIN by screen display and voice. (6) When the card PIN is entered, the terminal vending machine 2
Transmits the read card information, the card password, and the like to the management headquarters 4. (7) The management headquarters 4 collates the received card information with the card management company to determine whether or not to accept a product order. An instruction signal indicating permission or rejection of a product order is transmitted to the terminal vending machine 2. (8) If the product order cannot be placed, the terminal vending machine 2 displays a message to that effect and returns the card to the applicant. If you accept a product order, you will need to complete the order (total price,
Number of payments, interest rate, first payment date, monthly payment date,
The monthly amount, product name, quantity, etc.) are printed on the set product order form, and the applicant is prompted to confirm the print contents. (9) After confirming the print content, the applicant signs the signature field of the product order form by hand and then sets the product order form again at the designated place. (10) The terminal vending machine 2 reads the signature field of the product order form, and transmits the read image to the management headquarters 4. In the management headquarters 4, the operator confirms the signature. (11) After the signature is confirmed, the terminal vending machine 2 presses the card on the product order form and embosses the embossing information of the card onto the product order form. (12) Next, the product order form is separated, the copy sheet for the applicant is discharged, and the remaining forms are collected in a predetermined collecting section.
Make a copy for card management companies, banks, merchandise stores, etc. Also eject the card. (13) A receipt printed with the item order details and the handling terminal vending machine information may be issued. (Overall Configuration of Terminal Vending Machine) FIG. 3 shows an appearance of the terminal vending machine 2, and FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of each part inside the terminal vending machine. Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the terminal vending machine 2 according to the present embodiment includes a camera 21 for personal identification as an identification information acquisition unit for acquiring identification information of an applicant who wants to purchase a product. The image scanner 22, a magnetic card reader 25 for reading information recorded on the credit card 24 inserted from the card insertion slot 23, and the credit card 24 by pressing the credit card 24 against a product order form 26 It has an emboss transfer mechanism 27 as an emboss transfer means for transferring the imprinted embossing information to the product order form 26, and a printer 28 for printing on the product order form 26.

The image scanner 22 as the identification information acquiring means is mounted on a sheet entry table 2b which protrudes horizontally forward from a middle height position on the front surface 2a of the terminal vending machine 2, The surface of the platen glass functions as the paper setting unit 31.

The terminal vending machine 2 has a receiving means for receiving an instruction signal for instructing whether or not to accept a product order transmitted from the management headquarter 4 in order to remotely control the card issuing machine by the management headquarters 4 and an application. A modem 41 functioning as a transmitting means for transmitting the identity information of the user to the management headquarters.

The above components of the card issuing machine 2 are controlled by a control unit 42 composed of a microcomputer. The control unit 42 determines whether a product order can be accepted based on an instruction signal supplied from the management headquarters 4.

It should be noted that, with the operator on the management headquarters 4 side,
A telephone handset 43 and a speaker 44 for outputting sound from the management headquarters side are provided so that a person who wants to order the product can contact by telephone. (Configuration of Application Form) Here, the configuration of the product order form 26 used in this example will be described with reference to FIG. The commodity order sheet 26 of this example is a four-sheet spellable sheet capable of carbon copying, and the upper two sheets 26 (1) and 26 (2) are reserved for stores such as a shop where the terminal vending machine 1 is installed. The remaining two sheets 26 (3) and 26 (4) are reserved for the product orderer. The upper edges 26a of these four sheets are adhesively fixed to each other in a separable state, and a cutout line 26b such as a perforation is provided near the upper edge 26a.

The four sheets 26 (1) to 26 (26)
(4) At a position near the lower edge 26h, a rectangular carbon copy area 26c for card emboss transfer capable of carbon copy through four sheets is formed. In the upper edge portion of the first sheet 26 (1), a signature field 26 for entering the applicant's address, name, gender, date of birth, and the like is entered.
f is formed, and the signature field 26f also has 2 to 4
This is a carbon copy area where carbon copy can be performed on the second sheet 26 (2) to 26 (4). further,
Between the carbon transfer area 26c and the signature field 26f, there is formed a print area 26e for printing an order product number, a payment method (payment in a lump sum, a lump sum payment), an amount, and the like.

In addition to this, in the application form 26 of this example,
The upper two sheets 26 (1) and 26 (2) for the store copy and the lower two sheets 26 (3) and 26 (4) for the applicant copy can be separated into the upper two sheets. The lengths of the two sheets and the lower two sheets are different. In this example, the upper two sheets are elongated, and therefore, as shown in FIG.
At the lower edge of these sheets, the upper two sheets are in a state of being protruded.

The commodity order sheet 26 having this configuration is set on the sheet setting section 31 of the sales terminal 2 as follows.
Explaining with reference to FIG. 6B, first, predetermined items are entered in the signature field 26f of the first sheet 26 (1). Next, the orientation is changed by 180 degrees so that the leading end of the commodity order sheet 26 on the sheet setting section 31 on the sheet setting section 31 is the lower edge 26h of the application sheet 26. Thereafter, the sheet 26 is turned over and the sheet 26 is placed on the sheet setting section 31.

Here, the paper setting section 31 has a certificate setting area 31a located on the near side and a paper setting area 31b located on the far side. Prior to setting the product order form 26, the driver's license 26
d is set in the certificate area 31a, and then the product order form 26 is set in the paper setting area 31b in the above-described direction.

As a result, the entry on the top sheet 26 (1) and the driver's license 26
It becomes possible to read d. (Arrangement relation of each part of terminal vending machine) Next, the structure of each part in the terminal vending machine 2 having the above configuration will be described. First, the arrangement relationship of each component will be described with reference to FIGS. A platen glass (paper setting unit) 31 of the image scanner 22 is disposed on the near side of the emboss transfer mechanism 27, and a portion on the near side of the platen glass 31 is
It is exposed on the surface of the entry table 2b formed on the front surface 2a of the terminal vending machine 2. This platen glass 31
Is, as described above, the certificate set area 31a on the near side.
An openable and closable platen cover 51 is attached to a portion that includes an application form setting area 31b on the rear side and is exposed from the entry table 2b.

In this example, when the commodity order paper 26 is set in the paper setting area 31b of the platen glass 31, as shown in FIG. 5, the carbon copy area 26c for card emboss transfer of the commodity order paper 26 is just The emboss transfer mechanism 27 is set at the emboss transfer position.

Further, a printer 28 is disposed behind the emboss transfer mechanism 27. The product order form 26
The print mechanism 26 is conveyed by the conveyance mechanism so that the print area 26e is located at the print position by the printer 28. (Emboss Transfer Mechanism) Next, the configuration of the emboss transfer mechanism 27 will be described with reference to FIGS. The emboss transfer mechanism 27 includes an emboss transfer guide 351 located on the lower side,
A card guide 352 disposed immediately above the emboss transfer guide 351 and facing the guide, and a guide holder 3 supporting the card guide 352 from above.
53 and an emboss transfer guide driving mechanism 354.

The credit card 24 is guided by the card guide 352 by the card transport mechanism 52 and transported to the transfer position of the emboss transfer mechanism 27. At the transfer position, the back surface of the card guide 352 is held by the guide retainer 353, and even if transfer pressure acts, the card guide 3
The W card 23 supported by 52 does not move upward.

The product order form 2 shown in FIG.
When 6 is set, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the carbon copy area 26c of the commodity order form 26 is placed exactly at the transfer position. That is, the emboss transfer guide 3
51 and the card guide 352.

In this state, the credit card 24 supports the card guide 3 supported by the guide holder 353.
When set at the position 52, the emboss transfer guide 35
7 is driven by the emboss transfer guide drive mechanism 354, and turns upward from the position shown by the imaginary line in FIG. As a result, the transfer press surface 356 is pressed against the embossing position of the credit card 24 with a predetermined pressure across the carbon copy area 26c of the application form 26.

After the pressing state is formed, FIG.
As shown in (c), the emboss transfer guide 351 is forcibly moved in the left-right direction of the terminal vending machine by the emboss transfer guide mechanism 354. As a result, the engraved information of the credit card 24 by embossing is transferred to the product order form 26 by carbon. Thereafter, the emboss transfer guide 351 returns to the initial position (the imaginary line position in FIG. 7A).

Here, as a mechanism for detecting whether or not the product order form 26 is set on the platen glass 31 in a correct direction, for example, as shown in FIG. A photosensor 55 used as a plate can be employed. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7C, a translucent hole or a reflecting surface 56 for detection may be formed on the commodity order form 26, and this may be detected by a transmissive or reflective photosensor 57. . If a large number of photo sensors are used, it is possible to accurately detect the set state of the product order form 26. Of course, any other detection mechanism can be used. (Conveyance / Print / Separation Mechanism of Commodity Order Form) Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG.
The separation mechanism will be described.

As described above, before the stamp information of the credit card is embossed and transferred, the product order form 2
6 is slightly conveyed from the paper setting section 31 to the rear of the terminal vending machine along the horizontal conveyance path portion of the U-shaped paper conveyance path 62, and its print area 26 e matches the print position of the printer 28. In this state, the printer 28 is driven to print various information such as the order product number, the amount, and the payment method. After printing, the product order form 26 is returned to the paper setting section 31 along the transport path.

Thereafter, the marking information of the credit card 24 is carbon-transferred to the commodity order sheet 26 set again in the sheet setting section 31 by the emboss transfer mechanism 27 as described above. The product order sheet 26 on which the engraving information has been transferred is moved from the transfer position to the U-shaped sheet transport path 6.
2 is conveyed toward the paper discharge port 61.

A paper separation mechanism 63 is disposed at a position downstream of the print position of the printer 28 in the paper transport direction on the transport path 62. Paper separation mechanism 63
Is provided with transport rollers 631, 632, 633, and 634 arranged vertically along a horizontal paper transport path portion 621, and a separation cutter unit 64. The separation cutter 64 has a configuration in which a plurality of separation claws 65 are supported by a horizontal support shaft 641. Each separating claw 65 is supported substantially horizontally so that the tip of the claw faces forward. The support shaft 641 is rotatable around its axis within a predetermined angle range by a rotation mechanism (not shown). By this rotation, the separation claw 65 is moved from the initial position shown in FIG. 9A to the initial position shown in FIG. It is possible to turn between the operating positions shown.

When the product order sheet 26 after the emboss transfer is sent horizontally along the transport path 62, first, 4
The leading edges 26h of the two lower sheets 26 (1) and 26 (2) of the stacked sheets 26 enter the lower side of the separation claw 65 at the initial position. After this state, the two sheets 26 (3) and 26
At a point just before the leading edge of (4) reaches the leading end of the separation claw 65, as shown in FIG. 9B, the separation claw 65 is turned to the lower operation position.

As a result, the lower sheet 26
(1) and 26 (2) are guided in the horizontal direction between the lower surface of the separation claw 65 and the transport rollers 633 and 634, and are collected by the paper collection unit 71 located below the paper as store copy paper. You.

On the other hand, the upper sheet 2
6 (3) and 26 (4) are guided between the upper surface of the separation claw 65 and the transport rollers 631 and 632, and are guided upward along the paper guide 66 disposed downstream thereof, and finally More specifically, the paper is discharged from the paper discharge port as an applicant copy sheet. (Configuration of Management Headquarters) Next, on the management headquarters 4 side,
As shown in FIG. 2, a management computer 41 having a communication function, a printer 42, a microphone 43 for communicating with each terminal vending machine (each store side), and the like are provided. FIG. 2B shows the display screen connected to the management computer 41.
As shown in the figure, an image 26A of the product order form 26 and the identification card (driver's license), an image 21A of the applicant photographed by the camera 21, and the like are displayed. The information read from the credit card 24 and the input personal identification number are provided to the card management company, and the status of the trust is confirmed. Based on the confirmation from the card management company and the contents displayed on the screen, the operator determines the identity and accepts or accepts the order for the product, and transmits the determination result as an instruction signal to the terminal vending machine 2 via the communication line. . (Other Embodiments) In the above example, the identification is performed based on the photographed image of the applicant and the image of the driver's license. However, the identification is performed through a dialog using a microphone and a receiver. It may be.

Although the above example is for accepting an order for a product by credit card payment, it is also possible to configure so that the product is sold on the spot. In this case, in addition to the above configuration, the terminal vending machine has a product storage unit in which products are stored, a product outlet, and a product transport mechanism that takes out the product from the product storage unit and transports the product to the product outlet. May be provided.

Further, the terminal vending machine may hold information necessary for ordering and purchasing a product in a built-in memory. However, the terminal vending machine requests and provides necessary data to an external unit such as a management headquarters via a communication line. You may be asked to do it. For example, product information or the like can be requested and provided to a product sales company or the like.

Furthermore, in the above example, the management headquarters examines the product order applicant each time, but only accepts the order of the product and periodically inquires of the card management company or the like. Then, it may be determined whether merchandise can be sold with a credit card.

[0048]

As described above, the terminal vending machine and the terminal vending system of the present invention can emboss the credit card or other stamp information on the product order form. Therefore, it is possible to save labor when ordering products by card payment.

In addition, since a copy of the product order form on which the signature and card information of the product order applicant have been embossed and transferred can be issued to the product order applicant, the order acceptance of the product by card settlement and the operation of the product sales are performed. Unmanned operation can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic system configuration diagram showing an example of a terminal sales system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a hardware configuration and a screen display example of a management headquarter side in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an external view of the terminal vending machine of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of the terminal vending machine of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a planar arrangement relationship of each part inside the terminal vending machine of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a product order form.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a paper setting unit and an emboss transfer mechanism in the terminal vending machine of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an emboss transfer operation for an application sheet in the terminal vending machine of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a paper separating mechanism in the terminal vending machine of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a card transport mechanism of the terminal vending machine of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal sales system 2 Terminal vending machine 3 Communication line 4 Management headquarter 21 Identity verification camera 22 Image scanner 23 Card slot 24 Credit card 25 Card reader 26 Product order form 27 Emboss transfer mechanism 28 Printer 31 Paper set section 31b Application form Set area 31a Certificate area 41 Modem 42 Control unit 61 Paper discharge port 63 Paper separation mechanism 71 Paper collection unit

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A card insertion slot for inserting and discharging a card, card reading means for reading recording information of a card inserted from the card insertion slot, a paper setting section for placing a commodity order sheet, and a paper setting section Paper reading means for reading the information of the product order form set in the product order paper; and pressing the card after the information is read on the product order form to transfer the embossed information engraved on the card to the product order form. A terminal vending machine comprising: an embossing transfer unit for performing a product order accepting operation or a product selling operation by card payment based on the card information and the information entered in the product order form. 2. The product storage device according to claim 1, further comprising: a product storage unit in which products are stored, a product outlet, and a product transport unit that takes out the product from the product storage unit and transports the product to the product outlet. A terminal vending machine, wherein the processing means drives and controls the commodity transport means based on the ordered commodity information read by the paper reading means to carry out the ordered commodity to the commodity outlet. 3. The terminal vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the commodity order form includes a group of transferable sheets of a plurality of spelled sheets provided with a signature section. 4. The sheet separating unit according to claim 3, wherein the sheet group is divided into a first sheet group and a second sheet group at a portion of the sheet conveyance path downstream of the emboss transfer unit in the sheet conveyance direction. Terminal vending machine characterized by the fact that is arranged. 5. The sheet collecting device according to claim 4, further comprising a sheet collecting unit that collects the separated first sheet group and a sheet discharging unit that discharges the second sheet group to the outside. Terminal vending machine. 6. The receiving device according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving means for receiving an instruction signal for instructing whether or not to accept a product order from outside, and transmitting means for sending information to the outside. The processing unit transmits the information of the card inserted through the transmitting unit and the entry information of the commodity order form to a predetermined management headquarters, and is supplied from the management headquarters accordingly. A terminal vending machine which receives the instruction signal via the receiving means and controls a product order reception or a product sales operation based on the instruction signal. 7. A terminal vending machine according to claim 6, and a management headquarter connectable to the terminal vending machine via a communication line, wherein the management headquarter is supplied from the terminal vending machine. Receiving means for receiving information; display means for displaying information received via the receiving means; instruction signal generating means for generating an instruction signal for instructing whether or not to accept a product order or to sell or not; Transmitting means for transmitting an instruction signal to the terminal vending machine.