JP2002042223A - Display method and system for vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To freely change the display position of merchandise without going to an automatic vending machine, regardless of the layout position of merchan dise inside the automatic vending machine, without changing the layout position of the merchandise inside the vending machine. SOLUTION: The vending machine 10 is provided with an electronic display function and a communication function and connected to a data center 60 through a network 30. Merchandise display information is distributed to the vending machine 10 through the network 30, and the automatic vending machine 10 displays the merchandise according to the merchandise display information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine display method and a vending machine display system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a vending machine displays a sample of all products to be sold, and asks a user (consumer) to select a product from the samples.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional apparatus, the arrangement position of the commodity sample and the arrangement position of the commodity in the vending machine fixedly correspond one-to-one. For example, even if you want to place a sample of high-selling products in the most prominent position, it is not enough to change the arrangement position of the product samples, it is necessary to change the arrangement position of the products inside the vending machine at the same time, However, there is a problem that the arrangement position of the product sample can be changed only when the patrol worker of the vending machine operator who manages the vending machine patrols.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to freely change the display position of commodities without changing the arrangement position of commodities in a vending machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine display method and a vending machine display system that can be changed without going to a vending machine.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and an invention according to claim 1 is a method of displaying goods on a vending machine using a network, the method comprising the steps of: With an electronic display function and a communication function, connected to a data center via a network, and distributes product display information from the data center to the vending machine via the network, and the vending machine automatically displays products according to the product display information. This is a display method of a vending machine.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the merchandise display information obtained by rearranging the merchandise based on the sales ranking of the vending machine is transmitted from the data center to the vending machine via a network. This is a vending machine display method in which the vending machine distributes and sorts products according to the product display information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of displaying goods on a vending machine using a network, wherein a number of vending machines managed by a vending machine operator are provided with an electronic display function and a communication function. Vending machine, vending machine operator and data center are connected by a network, and the vending machine operator selects a specific vending machine group and transmits their product display information and / or price display information to the data center via the network, A data center specifies the vending machine group and registers the product display information and / or price display information, and transmits the product display information and / or price from the data center to the vending machine group via a network at the timing of batch change. Or, collectively distribute the price display information, and the vending machine group displays those products and / or price list. Which is a display method for an automatic vending machine to be updated according to the merchandise display information and / or price display information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the third aspect, instead of the vending machine operator, a maker of commodities to be sold by a vending machine selects a specific vending machine group and selects those commodities. This is a display method of a vending machine that transmits display information and / or price display information to a data center via a network.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of displaying goods on a vending machine using a network, wherein a number of vending machines managed by a vending machine operator are provided with an electronic display function and a communication function. Vending machine, vending machine operator and data center are connected via a network, and the vending machine operator selects a specific vending machine group and sends the items of online distribution content or the contents of batch distribution content to the data center via the network. Transmitting, the data center specifies the vending machine group, registers the items of the online distribution content or the contents of the batch distribution content, and, for the online distribution content, By distributing online to the vending machine group, the vending machine group By sequentially displaying and collectively distributing the contents for the batch distribution from the data center to the vending machine group via a network, the vending machine group accumulates for a certain period of time and continuously stores during the period. This is a display method of the vending machine to be displayed.

The invention according to claim 6 is a system for displaying goods on a vending machine using a network, wherein the vending machine has an electronic display function and a communication function and is connected to a data center via a network. A vending machine display system for distributing product display information to a vending machine via a network, wherein the vending machine displays products according to the product display information distributed from the server. is there.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing one embodiment of a vending machine network system including a vending machine display system according to the present invention. This vending machine network system 1 includes a large number of vending machines installed all over the country. The vending machine 10 is connected to a network 30, and a vending machine operator 40 operating the vending machine 10, a beverage / raw material maker 50 manufacturing products handled by the vending machine 10, and manufacturing and selling the vending machine 10 to the network 30. Vending machine maker 55 (including parts suppliers) and data center 60 are connected, and the data exchanged in the vending industry as a whole is centralized and integrated in data center 60, so that all connected automatic Vending machine 10
Will bring innovative efficiency to the operation of

The network 30 includes a security company 8
0, CTI (computer telephony integration) center 82, vending machine installation company 84, joint distribution center 86, advertising agency 88, content distribution company 9
And an electronic settlement institution 92 such as a bank / card company or a communication carrier, and the vending machine network system 1 is configured including these.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a vending machine display system according to the present invention. In the vending machine display system 5, a vending machine 10 is shown.
Are provided with a communication modem 11, a display control program 12, a vending machine display device 13, a camera 14, a microphone 15, and a speaker 16.

As shown in FIG. 11, a vending machine display device 13 is a touch-panel type display device which is provided in place of a window for displaying a product sample (eg, a sample can) on the front of the vending machine 10. And therefore,
The product sample can be displayed as an image, and the product can be selected by simply touching the displayed product sample, and various other images can be displayed without being limited to the product sample. It has become.

The vending machine 10 is provided with a vending machine memory 20, a sales / operation record file 21, a data transfer control program 22, and a card reader 23.

Further, the vending machine 10 is provided with a controller 25, an impact sensor 26, and a door opening sensor 27.

The display system 5 of the vending machine
The server 61 is installed in the data center 60, and the server 61 has a main program 62, a vending machine file 6
4. Sales history / inventory transition file 65, failure history file 66, failure countermeasure file 67, inventory parts file 6
8 and an electronic map file 69 are provided, and a control unit 78 connecting these to the network 30 is provided.

The server 61 is provided with a customer information file 71, a product image information file 72, a sales ranking file 73, a prize information file 74, a mileage file 75, a game content file 76, and a local weather forecast file 77, These are also connected to the network 30 by the control unit 78.

Among them, the vending machine file 64 includes a vending machine ID, an installation location, a power capacity of the installation location, a shape of an outlet, presence or absence of a water pipe, a loading restriction condition (elevator, stairs, etc.), an installation telephone number, a business type, Stores data on customer class, model, number of people, target number of users, gender ratio, shelf layout configuration, and other vending machine installation status.

In the customer information file 71, the customer I
D, gender, name, address, telephone number, card ID, mobile number, mileage points, merchandise purchase history, and other data related to customer information are stored.

In the vending machine display system 5, a client 42 is provided for a vending machine operator 40, and a patrol navigation 46 is provided for a patrol vehicle 44 owned by the vending machine operator 40.

In the vending machine display system 5, clients 51 and 56 are provided at a beverage / raw material maker 50 and a vending machine maker (including a parts supplier) 55, respectively, and a security company 80, a CTI center 82 and The vending machine installation company 84 also has clients 81, 83,
85 are provided.

Further, the display system 5 of the vending machine includes:
The game content 91 is distributed from the advertising agency 88 or the content distribution company 90 via the network 30 and is stored in the game content file 76 of the server 61 installed in the data center 60, and the local weather forecast information 95 is Network 30 from weather stations 94 in various places
And stored in the local weather forecast file 77 of the server 61. Further, the customer account information 93 is distributed from the server 61 to an electronic settlement agency 92 such as a bank / card company or a communication carrier via the network 30. It is supposed to be.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
This will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

<Commodity Display Change Operation> First, the "commodity display change operation" when the vending machine operator 40 changes the product display and price display of the vending machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, a vending machine operator 40
Inputs a user ID using the client 42 and accesses the server 61 of the data center 60 (step S1), the data center 60 authenticates the user ID and prompts data transmission (step S2).

Then, the vending machine operator 40 selects the vending machine 10 as a target, inputs the vending machine ID and transmits it (step S3).

Then, the data center 60 searches the product image information file 72 of the server 61 on the basis of the received vending machine ID, distributes the product display information and the set price of the vending machine 10, and stores the sales ranking file. 73, and the sales ranking of the vending machine 10 is distributed (step S4).
Receives the product display information, the set price, and the sales ranking of the vending machine 10 to be displayed, and displays them on the client 42 (step S5).

If the vending machine operator 40 selects the automatic arrangement by looking at the display contents of the client 42 (YES in step S6), the vending machine operator 40 transmits an automatic arrangement selection signal to the data center 60 (step S7). In response, the server 61 automatically rearranges the product display array in the order of the sales ranking and registers it in the product image information file 72 (step S8).

When the vending machine operator 40 does not select the automatic arrangement (NO in step S6), if the merchandise display is manually adjusted (step S9), the merchandise display is rearranged and the information is transmitted from the vending machine operator 40 to the data. If the price is manually adjusted (step S9), the price is changed and the information is transmitted from the vending machine operator 40 to the data center 6 (step S10).
0 (step S11).
1 registers the sorted product display and the changed price display in the product image information file 72 (step S12).

The rearranged product display and the changed price display registered in the product image information file 72 are distributed from the data center 60 to the vending machine 10, and the vending machine 10 displays the vending machine display device. 13 (step S13).

<Product Display Batch Change Operation> Next, when the vending machine operator 40 or the beverage / raw material maker 50 collectively changes the product display and price display of a specific vending machine group 10... The operation will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, a vending machine operator 40
Alternatively, when the beverage / raw material maker 50 inputs a user ID using the client 42 or the client 51 and accesses the server 61 of the data center 60 (step S21), the data center 60 authenticates the user ID and transmits data. (Step S22).

Then, the vending machine operator 40 or the beverage / raw material maker 50 selects a specific vending machine group 10..., Inputs their new product display and price display, and transmits them together with their vending machine ID (step). S2
3).

Then, the data center 60 sets the vending machine ID
From the vending machine group 10..., And the product display and the price display are collectively changed to display the product image information file 72.
(Step S24).

When it is time to perform the batch change (step S25), the data center 60 distributes the product display and the price display after the batch change (step S2).
6), the specific vending machine group 10 updates the display of the goods and the price to the distributed contents and displays the updated contents on the display 13 of the vending machine (step S27).

<Shelter Layout / Display Change Registration Operation> Next, the "shelf layout / display change registration operation" when the patrol worker of the vending machine operator 40 changes the shelf layout or display will be described with reference to FIG. I do.

As shown in FIG. 5, a vending machine operator 40
Traveling operator operates the vending machine 10 and checks the vending machine ID.
Is entered and the server 61 of the data center 60 is accessed (step S31), the data center 60 authenticates the vending machine ID and prompts data transmission (step S3).
2).

Then, the traveling operator of the vending machine operator 40 operates the vending machine 10 to input the changed shelf allocation information or product display information and transmit it to the data center 60 (step S33).

Then, the data center 60 receives the changed shelf layout information or product display information, and sends it to the server 6.
1 in the product image information file 72 (step S
34).

<Product Display Sales Ranking Order Changing Operation> Next, the "product display sales ranking order changing operation" for automatically changing the product display of the vending machine 10 in the sales ranking order will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the data center 60
The sales history / stock transition file 65 of the server 61 is referred to, and the sales history of the vending machine 10 is checked (step S41), and the sales ranking of the vending machine 10 is periodically checked (step S41). S42).

If there is a change in the sales ranking (step S43), the data center 60 automatically rearranges the product displays in the order of the latest sales ranking and registers it in the product image information file 72 (step S44). The sorted product display is delivered to the vending machine 10 as the target (step S45).

Thus, the target vending machine 10
Updates the merchandise display on the vending machine display device 13 to the rearranged merchandise display (step S46).

<Content distribution destination / item setting operation> Next, the vending machine operator 40 operates the specific vending machine group 10 ...
The "content distribution destination / item setting operation" when setting content to be distributed online in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, a vending machine operator 40
Inputs a user ID using the client 42 and accesses the server 61 of the data center 60 (step S51), the data center 60 authenticates the user ID and prompts data transmission (step S52).

Then, the vending machine operator 40 selects a specific vending machine group 10 to which the contents are to be distributed, sets the items of the contents to be distributed online, and transmits them together with the vending machine IDs (step S).
53). As the content in this case, content whose information content changes every moment, such as news or weather forecast, is suitable.

Then, the data center 60 sets the vending machine ID
, The vending machine group 10... Are specified, the content item is received, and it is set and registered in the server 61 (step S54).

<Content Distribution Destination / Content Registration Operation> Next, the vending machine operator 40 operates the specific vending machine group 10.
The "content distribution destination / content registration operation" when registering the content of the content desired to be used for a certain period will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the vending machine operator 40
Inputs the user ID using the client 42 and accesses the server 61 of the data center 60 (step S61), the data center 60 authenticates the user ID and prompts data transmission (step S62).

Then, the vending machine operator 40 selects a specific vending machine group 10 to which the contents are to be distributed, and transmits the contents of the contents to be used for a certain period together with the vending machine ID (step S63). Examples of the content in this case include a product image, a prize image, an advertisement,
A quiz, questionnaire, movie or music promotion video that is updated for a certain period of time and then updated with new content is suitable.

Then, the data center 60 sets the vending machine ID
, The vending machine group 10... Are specified, the contents of the contents are received, and they are registered in the server 61 in a lump (step S 64). The registered content is then distributed to the selected specific vending machine group 10 and stored in the image / voice memory of the vending machine group 10 for a certain period of time.

<Content Distribution Operation> Next, the data center 60 automatically distributes the content designated by the vending machine operator 40 to a specific vending machine group 10 in accordance with the designated date, time, and other conditions. The “content distribution operation” will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the vending machine operator 40
When the conditions such as the date and time specified by arrive, the server 61 of the data center 60
Vending machine I of a specific vending machine group 10 designated by
D is acquired (step S71).

In the case of online distribution (step S72), the data center 60 distributes the contents of the registered items online (step S73), while in the case of batch distribution (step S72), the data center 60 Then, the contents of the registered contents are distributed collectively (step S74).

Then, the vending machine group 10 sequentially displays the contents distributed online on the vending machine display device 13 (step S75), while the contents distributed collectively are stored in the image / audio memory in a fixed manner. While the period is stored, the display is continued on the vending machine display device 13 during the period (step S76).

<Content Use Operation> Finally, the “content use operation” when the consumer uses the content displayed on the vending machine display device 13 of the vending machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, when a consumer purchases a product of the vending machine 10 (step S81), the vending machine 10 displays the content on the vending machine display device 13 at the timing of the purchase of the product (step S81). Step S82). Assume that the content in this case is a quiz, for example.

Then, the consumer can answer the quiz simultaneously with the purchase of the product (step S83).

When the answer of the consumer is correct (step S84), if the vending machine 10 is off-line with the data center 60, the vending machine 10 performs a lottery and wins (step S85). If a prize is selected, a prize (for example, a product) is presented to the consumer (step S86), and if cash is selected, cash is returned to the consumer (step S87).

On the other hand, when the consumer answers correctly, if the vending machine 10 is connected online to the server 61 of the data center 60, the vending machine 10 transmits the answer information together with the vending machine ID to the data center 60. (Step S91).

When the data center 60 receives the answer information and confirms that the answer is correct, the data center 60 performs a lottery (step S92). When the winner is won (step S93), the correct answerer is given a gift, cash, or mileage. Any one from inside
The user is prompted to select one (step S94).

On the other hand, if the correct answerer selects a prize (step S95), the correct answerer gives the prize (for example, a product).
(Step S86), and if cash is selected (Step S95), the cash is returned to the correct answerer (Step S87). If mileage is selected (Step S95), the correct answerer is selected. Vending machine 10 prompts the customer to enter customer information into data center 60.
(Step S96).

Then, the data center 60 receives the customer information of the correct answerer, registers that the customer has answered the quiz correctly, and adds a predetermined mileage point (step S97).

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention, a vending machine has an electronic display function and a communication function, is connected to a data center via a network, and distributes product display information from the data center to the vending machine via the network. Since the vending machine is configured to display the product according to the product display information, without changing the arrangement position of the product inside the vending machine, independently of that, the display position of the product freely, and The change can be made without going to the vending machine, so that, for example, the display position of a good-selling product can be changed to the most conspicuous position, which has the effect of promoting sales.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing one embodiment of a vending machine network system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a display system of a vending machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a product display change operation.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a commodity display batch change operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a shelf allocation / display change registration operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation for changing the order of the product display sales ranking.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a content online distribution destination / item setting operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a content batch distribution destination / content registration operation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a content distribution operation.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a content use operation.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing an example of a vending machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine network system 5 Vending machine display system 10 Vending machine 11 Communication modem 12 Display control program 13 Vending machine display device 14 Camera 15 Microphone 16 Speaker 20 Vending machine memory 21 Sales / operation record file 22 Data transfer control program 23 Card Reader 25 Controller 26 Impact sensor 27 Door opening sensor 30 Network 40 Vending machine operator 42 Client 44 Patrol vehicle 46 Patrol navigation 50 Beverage / raw material maker 51 Client 55 Vending machine maker (including parts supplier) 56 Client 60 Data center 61 Server 62 Main program 64 Vending machine file 65 Sales history / stock transition file 66 Failure history file 67 Failure countermeasure file 68 Inventory parts file 6 Electronic map file 70 Control unit 71 Customer information file 72 Product image information file 73 Sales ranking file 74 Premium information file 75 Mileage file 76 Game content file 77 Local weather forecast file 80 Security company 81 Client 82 CTI (computer telephony integration) center 83 Client 84 Vending machine installation company 85 Client 86 Joint distribution center 88 Advertising agency 90 Content distribution company 91 Game content 92 Electronic settlement agency 93 Customer account information 94 Meteorological observatory 95 Local weather forecast information

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Yano 7-24, Akiha-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture (72) Inventor Yoshiaki Shiba 1-5-1 Ka, Nagareyama-shi, Chiba Prefecture F-term (reference) 3E044 AA01 DE01 DE02 EA03 EA12 5B087 AE00 CC01 DD02 DE03 5E501 AA30 AC08 BA05 CA02 CB05 EA02 EB05 FA05 FA23

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method of displaying goods on a vending machine using a network, the vending machine having an electronic display function and a communication function, being connected to a data center via a network, and being automatically connected from the data center via the network. A display method for a vending machine, comprising: distributing product display information to a vending machine; and the vending machine displaying a product according to the product display information. 2. Distributing merchandise display information obtained by rearranging merchandise based on the sales ranking of the vending machine from a data center to the vending machine via a network, wherein the vending machine has a merchandise according to the merchandise display information. 2. The display method for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the display is performed by rearranging. 3. A method of displaying goods on a vending machine using a network, wherein a plurality of vending machines managed by a vending machine operator are provided with an electronic display function and a communication function. A vending machine operator selects a specific vending machine group and transmits the product display information and / or price display information to the data center via the network, and the vending machine operator connects the operator and the data center via the network. A machine group is specified and the product display information and / or price display information is registered. At the time of batch change, the product display information and / or price information is sent from the data center to the vending machine group via a network.
Or distributing price display information collectively, wherein the vending machine group updates their product display and / or price display according to the product display information and / or price display information. Method. 4. In place of the vending machine operator, a maker of a product to be sold at a vending machine selects a specific group of vending machines and transmits the product display information and / or price display information via a network. The display method for a vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the display is transmitted to a center. 5. A method for displaying goods on a vending machine using a network, wherein a plurality of vending machines managed by a vending machine operator are provided with an electronic display function and a communication function, and these vending machines and vending machines are provided. The vending machine operator selects a specific vending machine group and transmits the items of online distribution contents or the contents of batch distribution contents to the data center via the network, and the data center connects the operator and the data center. The vending machine group is specified, and the item of the online distribution content or the content of the batch distribution content is registered. For the online distribution content, the data center sends the vending machine group online via a network. By distributing, the vending machine group sequentially displays, By collectively distributing the contents for batch distribution from the data center to the vending machine group via the network, the vending machine group accumulates for a certain period of time and displays it continuously during the period. Characteristic display method of vending machine. 6. A system for displaying goods on a vending machine using a network, the vending machine having an electronic display function and a communication function, being connected to a data center via a network, and being connected to the data center via the network. A display system for a vending machine, comprising: a server for distributing product display information to a vending machine, wherein the vending machine displays a product according to the product display information distributed from the server.