JP2002008127A - Automatic vending machine with charging mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To install a charger for a portable electronic device in an automatic vending machine for selling articles and to charge the portable electronic device by putting a prescribed of fee therein. SOLUTION: This automatic vending machine with the charging mechanism is provided with a charge part 12 arranged in a easing front face of the automatic vending machine and having prescribed number of charge holders 14 corresponding to the portable electronic devices 28 made by different kinds of makers; a first choice execution means dispensing an article to a takeout port 20 and charging the portable electronic device 28 from the charge holder 14 by inputting the fee for the portable device in an input port and pushing an article designation button 22 of a desired article with the charge part of the portable electronic device 28 set in the charge holder 14; and a second choice execution means dispensing the article to the takeout part 20 by inputting the fee for the article in the input port 18 and pushing the article designation button 22, when the charge part of the portable electronic device 28 is not set in the charge holder 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine with a charging function, and more particularly, to a vending machine with a charging function configured to be able to charge a portable electronic device accompanying purchase of an article. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable telephones, which have become very popular as a kind of portable electronic equipment, have been dramatically extended in continuous talk time and standby time. As a battery that plays a part in this technological innovation, a lithium ion battery having a characteristic of maintaining a usable power at a constant voltage until the charged amount approaches the end is preferably used. If the storage capacity of the battery decreases with the use of this mobile phone, take it home, etc., and charge it by setting it in the desktop charging holder (or quick charging adapter) enclosed at the time of purchase. Will do.

[0003]

As described above, although the continuous talk time and the standby time are prolonged, the amount of charge stored in the battery itself is, of course, physically determined. For this reason, in a situation where the mobile phone is used beyond the talk time or the like presented as a guide for each type of mobile phone, an unexpected situation such as running out of the battery when going out may occur.
In this case, if the battery cannot be returned to the home or the like, or if a spare battery is not prepared, the subsequent use becomes impossible for the time being. Note that, in most cases of the above-described portable telephone having a built-in lithium ion battery, a holder dedicated to a spare battery is not provided in a desktop charging holder attached at the time of purchase. Therefore, even if a spare battery other than the standard accessory is purchased, it is difficult to take the conventional measures of charging the battery in advance and carrying it when going out. It is also conceivable to carry the desktop charging holder itself in case of such an unexpected situation.However, since the holder provided with the cord is bulky, it is said that there are few cases where the holder is carried every time the user goes out. May be. In addition, portable chargers using AA batteries or AAA batteries have been distributed as devices to cope with this. Although it is possible to use this charger to surpass the rush, it is necessary to connect the charger to the mobile phone for a relatively long time to charge it until a certain talk time can be secured. However, it is true that it is not always convenient. Therefore, even if a user of the mobile phone purchases the charger, it is often left after being used several times.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems inherent in the prior art, and has been proposed to solve the problem suitably. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine with a charging function that is installed in a vending machine and charges the portable electronic device by charging a predetermined fee to the vending machine.

[0005]

[MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS]
In order to appropriately achieve the intended purpose, the vending machine with a charging function according to the present invention inserts a purchase price of an article from a charge input port and presses a desired article designation button to move the article to the front of the housing. A vending machine configured to be able to pay out to a take-out port, a charging unit provided on a front surface of the housing and having a required number of charging holders corresponding to portable electronic devices of various manufacturers, In addition to charging the fee for the minute, and pressing the article designation button of the desired article in a state where the charging section of the portable electronic device is set in the charging holder, dispensing the article to the outlet, First charging of portable electronic device from charging holder
If the charging unit of the portable electronic device is not set in the charging holder and the charging unit of the portable electronic device is not set in the charging holder and the article specifying button is pressed, the article specifying button is pressed, and the And means for executing a second option for dispensing the article.

A vending machine with a charging function according to another aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems and suitably achieving the intended purpose, comprises:
In a vending machine configured so that articles can be dispensed to an outlet on the front of the housing by pressing a desired article designation button, the vending machine is arranged on the front of the housing and is used for charging corresponding to portable electronic devices of various manufacturers. A charging unit provided with a required number of holders, a charging button dedicated to charging also arranged on the front of the housing, and an article purchase fee and a charging fee are collectively inserted into the slot, and a mobile phone is mounted on the charging holder. By pressing a desired article designation button with the charging section of the electronic device being set, the first step of paying out the article to the outlet and charging the portable electronic apparatus from the charging holder is performed.
If the charging unit of the portable electronic device is not set in the charging holder and the charging unit of the portable electronic device is not set in the charging holder, the predetermined charge for only the article is input to the input port and the article specifying button is pressed, so that the collecting button is pressed. The second where goods are paid out at the exit
The portable electronic device by pressing only the charging button with the charging unit of the portable electronic device set in the charging holder while charging only the charging fee into the charging port. And execution means of a third option in which only charging is performed.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a vending machine with a charging function according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of preferred embodiments.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vending machine 10 with a charging function according to a first embodiment.
Reference numeral 0 denotes a charging unit 12 in which a required number of charging holders 14 (described later) corresponding to mobile phones of various manufacturers as mobile electronic devices are arranged on the front side of the housing.
If the basic configuration of the vending machine 10 is described, a display window 16 in which models of articles for sale are arranged and arranged on the front side of the housing,
A charge input port 18 disposed below the display window 16,
An article outlet 20 opened further below the inlet 18
It consists of Then, after the purchase fee of the article is put into the slot 18, the desired article is paid out to the take-out port 20 by pressing an article designation button 22 arranged corresponding to each article near the lower frame of the display window 16. Is to be

The charging section 12 of the vending machine 10 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the storage space 26 has a required number of openings 24 and a storage space 26 defined to have a size capable of housing the mobile phone 28 through the openings 24.
The charging holder 14 is disposed in the inside. As the charging holder 14, for example, two types each of which is compatible with a mobile phone 28 of various manufacturers are provided. Thus, even if the previous user is charging using the vending machine 10, another user can use the same type of mobile phone 2
8 can be addressed. In the opening 24, for example, a translucent plate member 30 is provided rotatably via a hinge 32. The plate member 30 is always closed, and rotates and opens in a predetermined direction when setting or removing the mobile phone 28 from the charging holder 14 as described later. In addition, a luminous body (not shown) may be provided at a position corresponding to each opening 24, and by changing the luminous state, the user can be notified of charging or completion of charging.

[0010]

Next, the operation of the vending machine with a charging function according to the above-described embodiment will be described. In the vending machine 10, as shown in FIG. 3, options are divided depending on whether or not the article designation button 22 has been pressed after the charge for the article has been inserted into the slot 18. That is, in the case of a user who wants to charge the mobile phone 28, after charging a charge for articles into the slot 18, the plate 30 of the opening 24 in which the charging holder 14 compatible with the mobile phone 28 is disposed. Is released, and the telephone set 28 is set in the holder 14. In this state, when the user presses the supply button 22 of the desired article, the article is paid out to the outlet 20 and charging of the mobile phone 28 via the charging holder 14 is started. This is the means for executing the first option. When charging is started, counting by the timer is started, and after elapse of the counting, the timer stops and charging ends. Note that the charging time is set such that it does not reach full charge in the case where the battery has run out, but can sufficiently cope with subsequent use. In addition, the corresponding article is exit 2
The change calculation is started after being supplied to zero. If there is a change, the change is paid out to the user, and if there is no change, the process directly proceeds to the end.

In the case of a user who does not want to charge the mobile phone 28, as shown in FIG. By pressing the desired item designation button 22 as it is without setting the corresponding item, the corresponding item is supplied to the take-out opening 20, and then the change calculation is started. Then, similarly to the first option, if there is a change, the change is paid out to the user, and if there is no change, the process directly proceeds to the end. This is the means for executing the second option. The vending machine 10 described above is not configured so that only the mobile phone 28 is charged.

[0012]

Second Embodiment FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a vending machine 10 with a charging function according to a second embodiment.
0, a charging button 34 is provided on the front of the housing at a position that does not interfere with the charging unit 12 and the insertion port 18. The charge button 34 is configured to be able to respond to a request that the user of the vending machine 10 does not want an article but only charges the mobile phone 28. As in the first embodiment, the vending machine 10 also has a display window 16 in which models of articles for sale are arranged and arranged, and an article designation provided below the display window 16 for each article. A button 22 and an input port 18 disposed below the display window 16
And an outlet 2 for articles opened below the inlet 18
After entering a charge for goods into the input port 18, an article designation button 22 provided corresponding to each article is pressed below each display window 16. By that
The desired article is dispensed to the outlet 20.

[0013]

Next, the operation of the vending machine with a charging function according to the second embodiment will be described. In the vending machine 10, as shown in FIG.
After charging a predetermined charge (or more) for the goods and the charge to the charging holder 14, the mobile phone 2
Set the charging unit of 8. In this state, by pressing the article designation button 22 of the desired article, the article is paid out to the outlet 20 and the mobile phone 28 is charged through the charging holder 14 for a predetermined time. This is the means for executing the first option in FIG. When the charging is started, the counting by the timer is started, and after the elapse of the counting, the timer is stopped and the charging is ended. Note that the charging time in this case is set to a length that does not lead to full charging but can sufficiently cope with subsequent use, similarly to the execution means of the first option in FIG. After the goods are supplied, the change calculation starts,
If there is a change, it is paid out to the user, and if there is no change, the process goes to the end. As for the change, the user is refunded the balance of the change after subtracting the sum of the goods and the charge.

Further, the user does not want to charge the mobile phone 28, inputs only the charge for the article into the slot 18, and sets the desired article designation button without setting the mobile phone 28 in the charging holder 14. When the user presses the button 22, the article is paid out to the take-out port 20, and then, if there is change, the article is paid out to the user. This is the means for executing the second option in FIG. As another case in this case, it is conceivable that the user presses the article designation button 22 in spite of the shortage of the predetermined charge for the charge due to the misunderstanding that the user has also inserted the charge for the charge. . In this case, the shortage charged for the charge after the article is paid out is returned to the user as change.

Further, the vending machine 10 uses the portable telephone 28
For a user who only wants to charge the battery, the charge for the charge is inserted from the slot 18 and then the holder 1 of the charging section 12 is charged.
4, the charging button 34 is pressed while the mobile phone 28 is set. As a result, as shown in the drawing, the charging is started and the counting by the timer is started, and after the counting, the timer is stopped and the charging is ended. This is the means for executing the third option in FIG. The price in this case can be given a cheap impression by making the price lower than the purchase price of the article.

In the execution means of the first option, a predetermined charge for the article and the charge is charged, but there may be a case where only the charge to the portable telephone 28 is desired. In this case, the charge button 34 is pressed while the telephone 28 is set in the charging holder 14 without pressing the article designation button 22. Thereby, the mobile phone 28 is only charged without paying out the articles, and the change is paid out. Also, when the charge for the article is input, if the user only wants to change the charge to the mobile phone 28 only, the user presses the article designation button 22 in the same manner as in the case of the execution means of the first option. Holder 1 without charging
4 and the telephone 28 is set.
By pressing, only the mobile phone 28 is charged.

[0017]

Third Embodiment FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a normal vending machine is juxtaposed with the vending machine 10 of the first embodiment. In this case, the vending machine 1 having the charging unit 12
If the mobile phone 28 is set to 0, the charging unit 12 can be used even if an article is purchased with another vending machine 10.
It is configured so that it can be charged. In addition, the fee etc.
As in the embodiment, it can be set to either the case where the charge can be performed by paying only the charge for the article or the case where the charge for the charge is paid separately from the article.

[0018]

As described above, in a vending machine with a charging function according to the present invention, a charger for a portable electronic device is integrally provided in a vending machine for purchasing an article. For this reason, the vending machine can be charged when necessary without carrying a spare battery or an accessory desktop charging holder. In addition, a vending machine has a merit that a charging time can be greatly reduced as compared with a portable charger using an AA battery or the like, so that a mobile phone can be used in a short time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a vending machine with a charging function according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a main part showing a charging unit provided in the vending machine with a charging function according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation state of the vending machine with a charging function according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view showing a vending machine with a charging function according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation state of a vending machine with a charging function according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view showing a vending machine with a charging function according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 12 Charging part 14 Charging holder 18 Slot 20 Outlet 22 Article designation button 24 Opening 26 Storage space 28 Portable electronic device 34 Charging button

Claims (3)

[Claims] Claims 1. An article purchase fee is input from a charge input port (18), and a desired article designation button (22) is pressed, whereby the article can be paid out to an outlet (20) on the front of the housing. In the vending machine, a charging unit (12) provided on the front of the housing and provided with a required number of charging holders (14) corresponding to portable electronic devices (28) of various manufacturers, and the charging port ( In addition to charging the charge for the article into (18), pressing the article designation button (22) of the desired article with the charging section of the portable electronic device (28) set in the charging holder (14). A first option executing means for paying out articles to the outlet (20) and charging the portable electronic device (28) from the charging holder (14); If the charging section of the portable electronic device (28) is not set in (14), charge the goods for the article into the slot (18) and By pressing the article designation button (22), said outlet charging function vending machine, characterized in that consisted the execution means of the second option the article is paid out (20). 2. A configuration in which an article purchase fee is input from a charge input port (18) and a desired article designation button (22) is pressed, whereby the article can be paid out to an outlet (20) on the front of the housing. A charging unit (12) provided on the front of the housing and provided with a required number of charging holders (14) corresponding to portable electronic devices (28) of various manufacturers; The dedicated charging button (3
4) and, at the same time, charging the article purchase fee and the charging fee into the input port (18), and the portable electronic device into the charging holder (14).
With the charging section of (28) set, the desired article designation button
By pressing (22), the delivery of the article to the outlet (20) and the portable electronic device (28) from the charging holder (14)
And a charging unit of the portable electronic device (28) is not set in the charging holder (14). By inputting a predetermined charge and pressing the article designating button (22), a second option executing means in which articles are paid out to the outlet (20), and only charging charge is input to the input port (18) By pressing the charging button (34) with the charging section of the portable electronic device (28) set in the charging holder (14),
A vending machine with a charging function, characterized by comprising a third option executing means for only charging the portable electronic device (28). 3. The charging section (12) includes a required number of openings (24) provided at least in front of the vending machine, and the openings (24).
The vending machine with a charging function according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a storage space (26) defined to have a size capable of storing the portable electronic device (28) through the storage space.