JP2002083343A - Change handling device, dispenser, change interest calculating device, change handling system, change handling method, and computer-readable storage medium recording execution program of the method on computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dispenser capable of relieving users from holding changes without losing the selling chances of commodities and the offering chances of services due to the exhaustion of changes. SOLUTION: This change handling device is provided with a commodity selling section 503 selling a commodity or offering a service, an input section 501 accepting the payment money paid for the commodity or the service sold or offered by the commodity selling section 503, a change amount calculating section 504 calculating the change amount subtracted with the price amount of the commodity or the service from the amount of the payment money inputted by the input section 501, a user information input section 507 inputting the user information specifying the user of the change handling device, and a transmitting section 509 paying the change amount calculated by the change amount calculating section 504 to a server 102 which is the prescribed depository based on the user information inputted by the user information input section 507.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a change processing device,
The present invention relates to a vending machine, a change interest calculating device, a change processing system, a change processing method, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the change method. Change processing device, vending machine, change processing system, change processing method, and change interest calculation device for calculating interest from deposited change, change processing system, change processing method, and computer The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium storing a program to be executed by a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a change processing apparatus typified by a vending machine which sells a product and dispenses a change corresponding to a difference between a payment paid by a user and the price of the product. Vending machines are smaller in number of products handled than supermarkets and convenience stores, but they are space-saving, have relatively few installation locations, have low labor costs, and can be sold 24 hours a day. It has advantages such as

[0003] Also, with respect to the fact that the types of commodities are small, so-called top-selling commodities are determined, and by selling such commodities with a good turnover rate, it is possible to achieve a high profit margin. That is, the convenience of a conventional vending machine is very high, and in fact, vending machines including ticket vending machines and coin lockers have been sold in Japan in 199 years.
5.5 million units have been installed by the end of 1997 (JVMA: Japan Vending Machine Industry Survey).

[0004]

However, the conventional change processing apparatus has the following problems. First, it is necessary to refund the change to the user. However, in the case where the change is out, even if the product can be sold, the sales must be stopped. Therefore, there is a problem that the user may not be able to purchase the product even though the product is in stock. on the other hand,
For the product supplier, there is a problem that the opportunity to sell the product is missed because the change has run out.

[0005] For example, when two coins, one 100-yen coin and one 50-yen coin, are inserted in order to purchase a can juice of 120 yen, a 10-yen coin is used as change.
The card is dispensed. Therefore, there has been a problem that the number of coins is larger when dispensing than when depositing, the wallet is swollen with coins, and the user feels troublesome.

[0006] In addition, from the viewpoint of prevention of complicated payment control,
A low-value currency, specifically, a one-yen coin or a five-yen coin is not set as a commodity price, and there is a problem that a user cannot always purchase a commodity at an appropriate price.

[0007] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and a change processing device, a vending machine, a change processing system, a change processing method, and a change processing method that do not miss a sales opportunity of a product or a service offer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the method is recorded.

[0008] Further, a change interest calculating device, a change processing system, a change processing method, and a change processing method capable of effectively operating change.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the method is recorded.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the change processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention provides a change processing apparatus for paying for goods sold or services provided. Depositing means for depositing money, calculating means for calculating a change amount obtained by subtracting the price of the product or service from the amount of payment received by the depositing means, and purchasing or providing the service. User information input means for inputting user information for specifying a user, and the change amount calculated by the calculation means based on the user information input by the user information input means to a predetermined depository Change receiving means for receiving money.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since it is not necessary to pay out change, it is possible to prevent the discontinuation of sales or the provision of the change due to running out of change.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the change processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the user information input means specifies a user of the change processing apparatus, The user information is input using a portable information terminal device owned by the user or a fingerprint or iris of the user.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the user can be easily specified, the user can deposit change with ease.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a change processing device according to the first or second aspect.
The change depositing means deposits the change amount into an account of a financial institution contracted by the user.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the user can deposit change with ease.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a change processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect.
The change depositing means deposits the change amount into a financial institution managed by a provider of the change processing device or a financial institution affiliated with the provider.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the change is deposited at one place without being dispersed, so that the user can deposit the change with ease.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a change processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect.
The change deposit means deposits the change amount into a financial institution managed by a supplier of the product or a service provider, or a financial institution affiliated with the supplier or the provider.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the change is deposited at one place without being dispersed, the user can deposit the change with ease.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the change processing apparatus of the second aspect, the change deposit means deposits the change amount into the card.

According to the invention described in claim 6, the change can be stored in the card at hand, and the user can deposit the change with ease.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the change processing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the change amount calculated by the calculation means is entirely or partially included. Withdrawal means for dispensing equivalent change,
And a deposit / withdrawal selecting means for selecting whether to dispense the change by the dispensing means or to deposit the change amount to the predetermined depository by the change depositing means.

According to the invention described in claim 7, not only a user who wants to deposit change but also a user who wants to deposit change at hand can be handled.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine, comprising: the change processing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects; and a sales providing means for selling the goods or providing a service. , Is provided.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a vending machine provided with the change processing device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the eighth aspect, a plurality of types of goods or services provided by the sales providing means are provided, and A product / service selection means for selecting either a product or a service is provided.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since sound price competition is promoted by a plurality of products and services, the use of vending machines can be promoted.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a change interest calculating apparatus for transmitting, via a network, information on a change amount for a purchased product or a provided service and information on a payer of the price. Receiving means for receiving, and storage means for storing the change amount received together with the information in an account provided for each payer based on the information on the payer received by the receiving means. Based on the change amount stored by the storage unit, a principal amount determining unit that determines a principal amount for each of the accounts to be interest, and a principal amount determined by the principal amount determining unit. And interest determining means for determining interest on the principal based on the amount of money.

According to the tenth aspect, interest can be generated on the change amount collected from the user.

The change interest calculating apparatus according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention provides the change interest calculating apparatus according to the tenth aspect,
The present invention is characterized by further comprising an adding means for adding the amount of interest determined by the interest determining means to the change amount stored in the storage means.

According to the eleventh aspect, the amount of the principal can be increased.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the change interest calculating apparatus according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, all or a part of the money corresponding to the change amount stored in the storage means is stored. A refund means is provided.

According to the twelfth aspect, the change stored and stored can be returned.

A change processing system according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a change processing system in which a plurality of change processing devices for processing change and a management terminal device for managing the change amount are connected to a network. The change processing device includes a depositing unit that deposits a payment paid for a sold product or a provided service; and a payment amount of the product or service based on the payment amount deposited by the depositing unit. Calculating means for calculating a change amount by subtracting the above, user information input means for inputting user information for specifying a user of the change processing device, a change amount calculated by the calculating means, and the user information Transmitting means for transmitting the user information input by the input means to the management terminal device via the network, However, receiving means for receiving the change amount and the user information transmitted by the transmitting means, based on the user information received by the receiving means, based on the account provided for each user, Storage means for storing the change amount received together with the user information.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to pay out the change, so that it is possible to prevent the discontinuation of the sale and the provision due to the change of the change, and the change is managed in a specific account. Therefore, the user can deposit change with ease.

The change processing system according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the change processing system according to the thirteenth aspect,
Based on the change amount stored by the storage unit, a principal amount determination unit that determines the amount of the principal to be interest, based on the amount of the principal determined by the principal amount determination unit, And interest determining means for determining interest on the principal.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, interest can be generated on the change amount collected from the user.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the change processing system according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, the amount of interest determined by the interest determining means is stored in the storage means. It is characterized by comprising an adding means for adding to the change amount.

According to the fifteenth aspect, the amount of the principal can be increased.

A change processing system according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the change processing system according to the thirteenth, fourteenth, or fifteenth aspect, wherein all or part of the money corresponding to the change amount stored by the storage means. Repayment means for refund is provided.

According to the present invention, the change stored and stored can be returned.

The change processing method according to the invention of claim 17 includes a depositing step of depositing a payment paid for a product to be sold or a provided service,
A calculation step of calculating a change amount by subtracting the price of the product or service from the amount of the payment received in the payment step, and a user identifying the user who purchased the product or received the service A user information inputting step of inputting information, and a change depositing step of depositing the change amount calculated in the calculating step to a predetermined depository based on the user information input in the user information inputting step, It is characterized by including.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to pay out change, so that it is possible to prevent the discontinuation of sales or provision due to running out of change.

In the change processing method according to the present invention, in the change receiving step, the change amount may be stored in an account of a financial institution contracted by the user. Is deposited.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the user can deposit change with ease.

A change processing method according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention provides the change processing method according to the seventeenth aspect, wherein in the change deposit step, a financial institution that manages a supplier of the product or a provider of a service is provided. Alternatively, the change amount is paid to a financial institution affiliated with the supplier or the provider.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the change is deposited at one place without being dispersed, so that the user can deposit the change with ease.

The change processing method according to the present invention is connected to a plurality of vending machines via a network and relates to a change amount stored in the vending machine without being paid out from the vending machine. A receiving step of receiving information and user information on the user of the vending machine related to the change amount, and an account provided for each user based on the user information received in the receiving step. A principal amount determination for determining an amount of the principal to be interest based on the amount of the account retrieved in the retrieval step and the information on the change amount received in the receiving step. And an interest determining step of determining the interest with respect to the principal amount determined in the principal amount determining step.

According to the twentieth aspect, interest can be generated on the change amount collected from the user.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the change processing method according to the twentieth aspect, the change amount received in the receiving step and the amount of the interest determined in the interest determining step. Is added to the amount of money in the account provided for each user.

According to the twenty-first aspect, the principal amount can be increased.

The change processing method according to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention is the change processing method according to the twentieth or twenty-first aspect, wherein all or part of the money corresponding to the amount of the account provided for each user is provided. A refund process for refund.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 22, the change accumulated and stored can be returned.

The change processing method according to the invention of claim 23 includes a plurality of change processing devices for processing change,
A change processing method applied to a change processing system in which a management terminal device that manages the change amount is connected to a network, wherein the sales and sale step is to sell goods or provide a service, and the sales and sale step is performed. A depositing step of depositing a payment paid for a product or a provided service, and a calculating step of calculating a change amount obtained by subtracting a price of the product or service from the amount of the payment received in the depositing step. A user information inputting step of inputting user information for specifying a user of the change processing system; and an account provided for each user based on the user information input in the user information inputting step. And a change depositing step of depositing the change amount calculated in the calculation step, and a change amount deposited in the change depositing step. A principal amount determining step of determining an amount of the principal to be paid, and an interest amount determining step of determining an interest on the principal based on the principal amount determined in the principal amount determining step. And characterized in that:

According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, since it is not necessary to pay out change, it is possible to prevent discontinuation of sales or provision due to running out of change, and to pay interest on the change amount collected from the user. Can be generated.

A change processing method according to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention provides the change processing method according to the twenty-third aspect, wherein the amount of interest determined in the interest determining step is provided for each user. And an adding step of adding to the amount of money.

According to the twenty-fourth aspect, the amount of the principal can be increased.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the change processing method according to the twenty-third or twenty-fourth aspect, all or part of the money corresponding to the amount of the account provided for each user is provided. A refund process for refund.

According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, the change stored and stored can be returned.

A recording medium according to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention stores a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of the seventeenth to twenty-fifth aspects. Accordingly, the operations of claims 17 to 25 can be realized by a computer.

[0060]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the accompanying drawings, a change processing device, a vending machine, a change interest calculating device, a change processing system, a change processing method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method will be described below. A preferred embodiment of a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded is described in detail.

[Embodiment 1] In Embodiment 1, a change processing system will be described in which sales are not stopped due to running out of change. Here, a change processing system using a vending machine as a change processing device will be described for simplicity of description.

(Schematic Configuration of Change Processing System) FIG.
It is an explanatory view showing an example of a system configuration of a change processing system of the present invention. The change processing system 100 includes a vending machine 101 that sells a plurality of types of products, a server 102 that receives a change amount, a vending machine 101, and a server 102.
Is connected to the network 103.
Reference numeral 104 denotes a center where the server 102 is installed.

The vending machine 101 has a plurality of product samples 11
1 (product sample 111a to product sample 111h), a sale price display and product selection button 112 (product selection buttons 112a to 112h) of the product corresponding to the product sample 111, a bill depositing port 113a for depositing bills, and coins. A coin depositing port 113b for depositing, a return lever 114, a card inserting slot 115 for inserting a card identifying a user of the vending machine 101, a numeric keypad 116 used for authenticating a card inserting person, and a change Deposit / withdrawal selection button 11 for selecting whether to refund (withdraw) or deposit to a predetermined depository
7, a change dispensing port 118 for dispensing change, and an outlet 119 for taking out products. Also, 105
Indicates a PHS antenna used when communicating with the server 102 via the network 103.

The server 102 receives, from the vending machine 101 via the network 103, the change amount and information for specifying the user (user) who has purchased the change product, and uses the received change amount as a balance. Integrate and store.
The detailed configuration, operation, and processing procedure of the server 102 will be described later. Center 104 where server 102 is installed
Although various organizations and organizations can be considered, typical examples are a bank to which the user of the change processing system 100 contracts, a provider of the vending machine 101 (a manufacturer of the vending machine 101 or a vending machine). 101) or a financial institution affiliated with the provider, a product supplier of the product sample 111 (manufacturer or merchandise seller) or a financial institution affiliated with the supplier.

The network 103 is not particularly limited in its form and medium. That is, the network 103 is an Internet network, a mobile phone network, a PHS network, a LAN, a CAT
Various networks, such as a V network, regardless of whether they are wired or wireless, are shown. In this system,
It is assumed that the vending machine 101 communicates with the server 102 by PHS. This makes it possible to transmit the change amount easily and at low cost.

(Internal Configuration of Vending Machine) Next, the internal configuration of the vending machine 101 will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the vending machine 101.
The vending machine 101 includes a product sample unit 161 storing a product sample 111, a product selection unit 162 having a product selection button 112, a card reading unit 163 for reading a card inserted from the card insertion slot 115, and a selling price. And deposit port 1
The vending machine 101 including the cash processing unit 164 for calculating the change amount from the payment amount received from the server 13, the communication unit 165 connected to the server 102 via the network 103, and these units. And a main control unit 166 that performs overall control.

When the card inserted from the card insertion slot 115 is a specific ID card (for example, a cash card), the card reading section 163 specifies the user or owner of the card from the card. I
When the card inserted through the D card reader 167 and the card insertion slot 115 is a driver's license, information for identifying the individual (name, date of birth and driver's license number)
And a driver's license identification unit 168 that reads the license. The ID card reader 167 is connected to a personal identification number input unit 169 for authenticating the owner of the card or the owner. The personal identification number input unit receives the personal identification number input from the numeric keypad 116 (see FIG. 1). It is determined whether the password is the same as the password included in the inserted ID card. Note that the server 102 may be connected via the communication unit 165 depending on the mode of use.
The authentication may be performed on the side.

(Hardware Configuration of Vending Machine 101)
Next, the hardware configuration of the vending machine 101 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the vending machine 101. Vending machine 101
Is a hardware configuration of the CPU 301 and the memory 3
02, I / F (interface) 303, numeric keypad 116, product selection button 112, display 30
4 are connected by a bus 300.

The CPU 301 is a processor for controlling the entire vending machine 101, and includes a main controller 1 shown in FIG.
66, which are main components of a ROM 312 described later.
The predetermined processing is performed according to the program stored in.

The memory 302 is a non-volatile memory such as a RAM 311 used as a work area of the CPU 301, a ROM 312 storing basic programs and the like, and a flash memory 313 storing various data including a change amount and user information described later. Etc.

A vending machine control program 312a for controlling basic operations (transportation of goods and calculation of change amount) of the vending machine 101 and a network 10
Communication program 31 that communicates with server 102 via
2b, an authentication program 312c for reading the inserted card and obtaining information for identifying an individual. In the following, information specifying an individual will be referred to as user information or personal information as necessary.

The I / F 303 controls an interface between the inside of the vending machine 101 and an external device, particularly, the server 102. Specifically, it is composed of a connection control driver for RC232C and the like.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the display 304 displays various information. For example, it displays the total amount of currency (banknotes or coins) received from the depositing port 113, displays the calculated change amount, displays a card insertion instruction, a password input instruction, and the like. As the display 304, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like can be used.

The hardware structure of the vending machine 101 naturally includes a mechanism for storing and transporting commodities and a mechanism for storing a price. For this, a conventional technique can be applied. A detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Example of Display of Sales Price) Next, a display example of the sales price (price) displayed on the product selection button 112 will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of the sales price displayed on the product selection button 112. As is clear from the figure, the price of the product is not "10 yen" but "
It is set in units. Conventionally, both the user of the vending machine 101 and the provider of the vending machine 101
Due to the complexity of putting in and taking out coins, the selling price of the product is 1
It was set in units of 0 yen.

However, the vending machine 101 in the present embodiment transmits the change amount to the server 102 via the network 103 and does not pay out change in principle. It becomes possible.
As a result, first, there is no need to stop selling due to running out of change. Next, the user is released from the trouble of putting in and out of the change, and the provider of the vending machine 101 is released from the complexity of the change dispensing control. Further, the vending machine 101 can sell a product even at a selling price having a "fraction", and a proper and sound price competition is induced, and as a result, a user can purchase a product at a proper price.

(Functional Configuration of Vending Machine 101) Next, the functional configuration of the vending machine 101 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the vending machine 101. As described above, the vending machine 101 enables “sale of goods at a fractional price” because the user can deposit change without loss.
Here, the “deposit” will be described with reference to FIG.

The vending machine 101 has a functional configuration as a depositing unit 501, a product selecting unit 502, a product selling unit 503,
Change amount calculation unit 504, deposit / withdrawal selection unit 505, withdrawal unit 506, user information input unit 507, and authentication unit 508.
And a transmission unit 509.

(Functional Configuration of Vending Machine 101: Contents of Payment Unit 501) The payment unit 501 includes
That is, payment is paid. Here, the payment means money to be put into a vending machine by a user for a product to be purchased. Hereinafter, the amount of the payment is referred to as a payment amount. The depositing unit 501 includes, for example, a depositing port 113 (a bill receiving port 113a, a coin receiving port 113).
b: see FIG. 1), the money processor 164 (see FIG. 2), and the vending machine control program 312a (see FIG. 3) to realize the function.

(Functional Configuration of Vending Machine 101: Contents of Commodity Selection Section 502 and Commodity Sales Section 503) Next, the contents of the commodity selection section 502 and the commodity sales section 503 will be described. The product selection unit 502 selects the product shown in the product sample 111 as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 or FIG. By enabling a plurality of products to be selected in the vending machine 101, appropriate price competition is induced, and in relation to the user, an appropriate balance between supply and demand for each product can be achieved. The product selection unit 502 includes, for example, a product selection button 112 (see FIG. 1), a product selection unit 162 (see FIG. 2),
The function can be realized by the vending machine control program 312a (see FIG. 3).

On the other hand, the merchandise sales section 503
The product selected in step 02 is conveyed and its selling price is sent to a change amount calculating unit 504 described later. The sales price of the product is specifically “108.00” as shown in FIG.
Yen "," 112.08 yen ", and" 74.92 yen ".
The product sales unit 503 occupies most of the physical mechanism of the vending machine 101. The merchandise selling unit 503 is operated by a merchandise transporting unit, an outlet 119 (see FIG. 1), a main control unit 166 (see FIG. 2), a vending machine control program 312a (see FIG. 3), etc., to which the prior art is applied. That function can be realized.

(Functional Configuration of Vending Machine 101: Contents of Change Amount Calculation Unit 504) Next, the change amount calculation unit 504 will be described.
Will be described. The change amount calculation unit 504 includes the payment unit 5
The change amount is calculated by subtracting the selling price (price) of the product sold by the product sales unit 503 from the payment amount received from 01. Here, when calculating the change amount, a subtraction process may be performed, but an addition process or a subtraction process may be performed by shifting using a counter as appropriate. The function of the change amount calculating unit 504 can be realized by the money processing unit 164 (see FIG. 2) and the vending machine control program 312a (see FIG. 3).

(Functional Configuration of Vending Machine 101: Contents of Deposit / Payment Selection Unit 505) Next, the contents of the deposit / payment selection unit 505 will be described. The deposit / withdrawal selection unit 505 withdraws change (coins / banknotes) corresponding to the change amount calculated by the change amount calculation unit 504 from the change dispensing port 118 or deposits the change into the server 102 via the network 103. Make a selection. When the withdrawal is selected, the change is dispensed from the change dispensing port 118 under the control of the vending machine control program 312a (see FIG. 3), and when the deposit is selected, the change is transmitted from the transmitting unit 509 described later. The change amount is sent to the server 102. The deposit / withdrawal selection unit 505 includes a deposit / withdrawal selection button 1
17 (see FIG. 1), vending machine control program 312a
Can realize the function.

Note that, without providing the deposit / withdrawal selection button 117 as shown in FIG. 1, for example, when an ID card or the like is inserted from the card insertion slot 115 before selecting a product, the server 102 is automatically sent to the server 102. May be determined to have been selected. In addition, when there is an operation of rotating the return lever 114 before depositing from the depositing port 113, it may be determined that the dispensing process to the change dispensing port 118 is selected.

The vending machine 101 also generates a change amount in yen and monetary units as described above. Therefore,
If the change is in yen or in monetary units, and the withdrawal from the change withdrawal port 118 is selected by the deposit / withdrawal selection button 117, the change of less than 1 yen or less than 10 yen is discarded. It may be controlled so that only change of 10 yen unit is dispensed. In addition, only change less than 10 yen
It is also possible to use a control for distributing and paying to 02.

(Functional Configuration of Vending Machine 101: Contents of Payment Unit 506) Next, contents of the payment unit 506 will be described. The dispensing unit 506 dispenses change corresponding to the change amount calculated by the change amount calculating unit 504 when the change-out unit 505 selects change dispensing. As for the change of “sen” less than 1 yen which does not exist as the current circulation currency, the change is cut off as described above, and the change of yen unit (10 yen change if necessary) is dispensed. Withdrawal unit 506
Is a change dispensing port 118 (see FIG. 1), a money processing unit 164,
(See FIG. 2), the function can be realized by the vending machine control program 312a (see FIG. 3).

(Functional Configuration of Vending Machine 101: Contents of User Information Input Unit 507 and Authentication Unit 508) Next, the contents of the user information input unit 507 will be described. The user information input unit 507 identifies the user who purchased the product at the vending machine 101, and extracts or inputs information (user information) necessary for depositing change into the user's account. By obtaining the user information, the storage location of the change is specified, and the user can transmit his / her own change to the server 102 without being confused with another person's change. The function of the user information input unit 507 can be realized by, for example, the card insertion slot 115 (see FIG. 1), the card reading unit 163 (see FIG. 2), and the authentication program 312c (see FIG. 3).

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views showing an example of a card inserted from the card insertion slot 115. FIG. FIG.
FIG. 7 shows a driver's license and a deposit card. As information to be extracted from the user information input unit 507, in the case of a driver's license, a name entry column 601 and a date of birth entry column 6
02, a driver's license number entry column 603 can be mentioned. Further, the photograph column 604 may be used depending on the mode of use. As a method for extracting information, OCR (Optica
l Character Reader) to optically read characters. When a deposit card is used, a method of embedding user information in the magnetic surface 701 is the same as that of a cash card.

The authentication unit 508 includes a user information input unit 507
Authenticates whether the information entered from is correct.
For example, the user is caused to input a personal identification number using the numeric keypad 116 to authenticate whether the card inserter is the card holder. By performing the authentication in this manner, security is enhanced, and the user can safely change the server 1.
02 can be paid.

As for the authentication, the magnetic information of the card and the information from the numeric keypad 116 may be authenticated inside the vending machine 101, or the information may be exchanged with the information stored in the server 102 via the network 103. It is good also as composition which mutually authenticates. The authentication unit 508 includes, for example,
Numeric keys 116 (see FIG. 1), password input section 169
(See FIG. 2), the function can be realized by the authentication program 312c (see FIG. 3).

Here, the card (driver's license, I
Although the method of identifying an individual using a (D card) has been described, the user information may be input using, for example, a portable terminal device such as a PHS owned by the user. In addition, the identification of an individual may be performed using a fingerprint or an iris.

(Functional Configuration of Vending Machine 101: Content of Transmission Unit 509) Finally, the content of the transmission unit 509 will be described. The transmission unit 509 transmits the change amount calculated by the change amount calculation unit 504 and the user information authenticated by the authentication unit 508 to the server 102 via the network 103. The transmission unit 509 may transmit the information to the server 102 each time the user purchases a product, or may transmit the information to a certain number of cases, for example, at the time of use by ten people.
It may be transmitted to the server 102. Alternatively, the data may be transmitted to the server 102 at a predetermined time interval or a predetermined time. The transmission unit 509 can realize its function by, for example, the PHS antenna 105 (see FIG. 1), the communication unit 165 (see FIG. 2), the communication program 312b, and the I / F 303 (see FIG. 3).

Next, the server 102 of the change processing system 100 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external configuration of the server 102. In the figure, only one server 102 is shown,
The present invention is not limited to this, and may be composed of a plurality of units.
The server 102 is connected to a network 103, and the connection means may be a dedicated line such as an optical fiber cable.

(Hardware Configuration of Server 102) Next, the hardware configuration of the server 102 will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the server 102. In FIG. 9, the server 102
Are a CPU 901, a ROM 902, and a RAM 903
, HDD (hard disk drive) 904, and HD
(Hard disk) 905, FDD (floppy disk drive) 906, FD (floppy disk) 907 as an example of a removable recording medium, display 908, KB (keyboard) 909, and mouse 9
10, a scanner 911, a printer 912, an I / F
(Interface) 913. The components are connected by a bus 914.

Here, the CPU 901 controls the entire server 102. The ROM 902 includes an OS 902a that controls the basic operation of the server 102 and a communication program 902b that communicates with the vending machine 101 via the network 103.
And a personal storage program 902c for storing the change amount received from the vending machine 101 for each user. The RAM 903 is used as a work area of the CPU 901.

The HDD 904 controls reading / writing of data from / to the HD 905 under the control of the CPU 901. The HD 905 stores data written under the control of the HDD 904. Specifically, the vending machine 10
Based on the user information transmitted from 1, the change amount is stored in a database including accounts provided for each user.

The FDD 906 controls reading / writing of data from / to the FDD 907 under the control of the CPU 901. The FD 907 stores data written under the control of the FDD 906. As a removable recording medium, in addition to the FD907, a CD-ROM (CD-RW),
MO, DVD and the like may be used. Display 908
Displays data such as change amount information, images, and function information for each user. For example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, etc.

The KB 909 has keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, etc., and performs data input. The mouse 910 is used to move a cursor, select a range, move a window, change a size, and the like. A trackball, a joystick, or the like may be used as long as the pointing device has a similar function.

The scanner 911 optically reads an image. The printer 912 prints data on recording paper. For example, a laser printer, an inkjet printer, or the like is used. For example, a service for notifying the user by printing out the amount of change accumulated for the user every month may be provided. An I / F (interface) 913 is connected to an external device or the network 103 via an input / output terminal, and controls an interface for inputting and outputting data.

(Functional Configuration of Server 102) Next, the functional configuration of the server 102 will be described. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server 102. The server 102 includes a receiving unit 1001, a storage destination determining unit 1002, an adding unit 1003, a storage unit 1004,
And a payout unit 1005.

(Functional Configuration of Server: Receiving Unit 1001
The content of the storage destination determining unit 1002) The receiving unit 1001 receives the user information and the change amount sent from the vending machine 101. Further, the sales time of the product is also received as necessary. Receiving section 1001 is, for example, an I / F shown in FIG.
913 and the communication program 902b can realize the function.

Next, the contents of the storage destination determining unit 1002 will be described. The storage location determining unit 1002 searches for and determines a storage location where the change amount should be stored, based on the user information received by the receiving unit 1001. The storage destination is the hard disk 905
, The number of users of the vending machine 101 is particularly large, so it is necessary to efficiently search for the storage destination.

For example, the card inserted into the vending machine 101 may be a driver's license or an ID card as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. That is,
As the user information, the driver's license number of the driver's license may be received, or the magnetic information of the ID card may be received. Therefore, we can connect both information efficiently,
Regardless of which information is received, it is necessary to quickly find the corresponding account.

The storage location determination unit 1002 separately provides a database for associating the driver's license number with the magnetic information of the ID card, and refers to this database to improve the efficiency in searching for the storage location of change information. A configuration that is useful for the conversion may be provided. The storage destination determination unit 1002
For example, the functions can be realized by the CPU 901, the individual storage program 902c, and the HD 905 shown in FIG.

(Functional component of server: adder 1003)
Next, the contents of the adding unit 1003 will be described. The addition unit 1003 reads the total amount of change currently stored, that is, the balance, from the account determined by the storage destination determination unit 1002, in other words, the account for each user stored in the storage unit 1004 described below. Adder 1003
Also, the change amount received by the receiving unit 1001 is added to the read balance, and a new balance is stored in the storage unit 1004.
To be stored again.

The addition unit 1003 also stores the reception time when the change amount is received by the reception unit 1001 in the storage unit 1004.
Stored together. By storing the reception time, it is possible to contribute to utilization in interest calculation as described later. Adding section 1003 is, for example, a CPU shown in FIG.
901, OS 902a and personal storage program 90
The function can be realized by 2c.

(Functional Configuration of Vending Machine: Storage Unit 100)
Next, the contents of the storage unit 1004 will be described. The storage unit 1004 stores the user information and the addition unit 100
In step 3, the balance to which the change amount has been added is stored. Also, information that makes it easy to determine the storage destination in the storage destination determination unit 1002,
For example, management information for managing the user by a serial number, the reception time at the reception unit 1001, the sale time of the product, and the storage time in the storage unit 1004 are also stored. The storage unit 1004 stores, for example, HD905, HD
D904 and the individual storage program 902c can realize the function.

(Functional Configuration of Vending Machine: Refund Unit 100)
Next, the contents of the payout unit 1005 will be described. The refund unit 1005 refunds the required amount from the balance stored in the storage unit 1004 at the request of the user or according to preset refund conditions.
Here, the preset refund condition includes, for example, a condition that the refund is automatically refunded when the change reaches 10,000 yen.

Various methods of refund are conceivable. For example, the center 104 (see FIG. 1)
In the case where the user is a provider or a product supplier, the user may make a transfer to a bank account which the user has contracted in advance and which is usually used by the user. Further, instead of such an aspect, the ID card itself may be a cash card, and may be withdrawn from the vending machine 101. That is, in this case, it can be said that the provider of the vending machine 101 or the supplier of the product is a so-called “bank”.

As a method of refund, when the user inserts a card from the card insertion slot 115, the vending machine 101 performs communication processing with the server 102, checks the user's account, and sells the product. If the total change amount equal to or higher than the price is stored in the HD 905, the mode in which the sale is permitted may be adopted.

(Processing Flow of Change Processing System 100) Next, the overall processing flow of the change processing system 100 will be described with reference to a flowchart. 11 and 1
2 and 13 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of the change processing system 100. The vending machine 101 first specifies an individual (step S1101). Specifically, as shown in FIG.
The user inserts a card (driver's license or ID card) from the card insertion slot 115 (step S1201).

The card reading section 163 (see FIG. 2) determines a card (step S1202). Specifically, it is determined whether the inserted card is a driver's license or an ID card. This determination is made based on the magnetic surface 701 (FIG. 7).
) Is determined based on whether or not there is magnetic information in the portion corresponding to the above. If there is no magnetic information, it is determined that the driver's license has been obtained.
If so, it is determined to be an ID card.

In the case of an ID card, the vending machine 10
"Please input a password" is displayed on the first display 304, and the user inputs a password according to the display (step S1203). Subsequently, the authentication program 312c of the vending machine 101 determines whether the input number matches the password stored in the ID card or stored in the server 102 (step S120).
4).

If the input numbers match (Yes at step S1204), the process proceeds to step S1205, and if they do not match (No at step S1204), "Please re-enter" is displayed on the display 304.
It returns to step S1203. If it fails three times in a row, control to stop the transaction may be performed. Note that if the card inserted in step S1202 is a driver's license, authentication is not necessary, and therefore, step S120
Move to 4.

The card to be used may be a card that can be commonly used by family members, such as a family card. By doing so, the whole family can deposit the change amount, and the convenience is improved.

In step S1205, user information is obtained. As described above, in the case of a driver's license, the user information includes a driver's license number and the like.
If it is a card, it is an account number or the like. Subsequently, the flow shifts to a processing flow of selling the product (step S1).
102: See FIG. 11).

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the user inputs money (payment) (step S1301). Here, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the selling price is 112.0.
In order to purchase apple juice of 8 yen (112.88 yen), a case is considered in which the user inserts one 50-yen coin after the 100-yen coin from the coin deposit slot 113b. The vending machine control program 312a (see FIG. 3) determines whether or not the amount of money for selling the commodity has been reached with the initially inserted coin (100 yen coin) (step S1302). In this case, since the product price has not yet been reached, the process returns to step S1301 and waits for further coins to be inserted.

Next, when the user enters 50 yen, the merchandise can be sold. Therefore, the vending machine control program 312a uses the arrow mark of the merchandise selection button 112b (FIG. 4).
LED) is turned on. Next, vending machine 1
01 judges whether or not the product selection button 112 has been pressed (step S1303). If the button has been pressed (step S1303: YES), the corresponding product is carried out (step S1304). In this case, apple juice is carried out.

Subsequently, the vending machine 101 calculates a change amount from the deposit amount (payment amount) and the selling price of the selected product (step S1305). This calculation is performed by the CPU 3 according to the vending machine control program 312a.
01 does. In the above example, 150 yen-112.0
8 = 37.92 yen is the change amount.

The vending machine 101 determines in step S1205
The user information acquired in step S1305 and the change amount calculated in step S1305 are transmitted to the server 102 via the network 103 (step S1103). This transmission control is performed by the communication program 312b of the vending machine 101.

The server 102 of the center 104 receives the information transmitted in step S1103 (step S1).
104). Then, based on the received user information, a search is made for the HD 905, which is a database of the server 102,
The balance of the corresponding user is read (step S110)
5). The change amount received in step S1104 is added to the read balance, and is stored again as a new balance in the original account (step S1106). At this time, as described above, the reception time in step S1104 may be stored at the same time. Finally, if necessary, the server 102 refunds money corresponding to the balance to the user (step S1107).

As described above, the change processing system 1
00 has the effect that the sale is not stopped due to change of change. In addition, since it is not necessary to store the change in advance, a change reserve is not required, and the preparation burden is reduced by that amount, and there is an effect that the dead money is eliminated. Further, a change processing mechanism is not required, so that control can be facilitated and cost can be reduced. In addition, since no change is dispensed, the user does not have to worry about handling change. Furthermore, since the selling price can be realized in yen and monetary units, there is an effect that the degree of freedom in setting the price is increased, appropriate price competition is induced, and ultimately the profit of the user is obtained.

[Second Embodiment] In a second embodiment, a change processing system for generating interest on change will be described.

(Schematic Configuration of Change Processing System) FIG.
Is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a change processing system 1400 according to the present embodiment. Change processing system 140
0 indicates a number of change processing devices 1401 (vending machine 140
1a, vending machine 1401b, ticket vending machine 1401c ...
A game machine 1401n), a change interest calculation device 1402 serving as a host allocated to the center 1404, and a network 1
403.

The change processing device 1401 includes a vending machine 101 according to the first embodiment as a portion related to the processing of the change.
Since the configuration is the same as that described above, the description is omitted. In addition,
The change processing device 1401 is not limited to a vending machine,
There is no limitation on the format or mode as long as bills and coins are inserted, goods are sold or services are provided, and the change amount is calculated. For example, as shown
Ticket machines 1401c and game machines 14 such as game centers
01n, a parking fee adjustment device for a parking lot, a toll adjustment device for a highway, and the like.

The change interest calculation device 1402 corresponds to the server 102 of the first embodiment. The change interest calculation device 1402 includes a number of change processing devices 1 as illustrated.
401. Therefore, from the viewpoint of the change interest calculation device 1402, even if the amount of change at each time is small, considering the number of users per change processing device × the total number of change processing devices, the amount is large. Will be deposited. Therefore, various operations can be performed with interest added to this amount. Hereinafter, the change interest calculation device 1402 will be mainly described in detail. At the end of the present embodiment, a trial calculation example of the deposit amount per day accumulated by the change interest calculating device 1402 is shown.

(Hardware Configuration of Change Interest Calculation Apparatus)
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the change interest calculation device 1402. Change interest calculation device 1402
Are a CPU 1501, a ROM 1502, and a RAM 15
03, the HDD 1504, the HD 1505, and the FDD1
506, FD 1507, display 1508,
KB 1509, mouse 1510, scanner 1511
, Printer 1512, I / F 1513, bus 15
14 is provided.

In the ROM 1502, the change interest calculating device 1
OS15 which is a basic program for controlling the operation of 402
02a, and a communication program 150 for communicating with a plurality of change processing devices 1401 via a network 1403.
2b and an individual storage program 1502c for storing the change amount from the change processing device 1401 in an account for each user.
And a principal determination program 1502d for determining a principal for generating interest, and an interest determination program 1502e for calculating and determining interest based on the principal. The principal determination program 1502d and the interest determination program 1502e
Will be described later in detail.

The hardware configuration other than the ROM 1502 can adopt the same configuration as the hardware configuration of the server shown in FIG. 9, and the description is omitted here.

(Functional Configuration of Change Interest Calculation Device) Next, the functional configuration of the change interest calculation device 1402 will be described. FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the change interest calculation device 1402. The change interest calculating device 1402 includes a receiving unit 1601 and a storage destination determining unit 160.
2, addition section 1603, storage section 1604, payout section 160
5, a principal determination unit 1606, a timer 1607, and an interest determination unit 1608.

It should be noted that the receiving unit 1601 changes to the payout unit 1605.
10 correspond to each of the receiving unit 1001 to the payout unit 1005 shown in FIG. 10, the description thereof will be omitted, and the principal determination unit 1606, timer 1607, and interest determination unit 1608 will be described hereinafter. Will be described.

(Functional Configuration of Change Interest Calculation Apparatus: Content of Principal Determination Unit 1606) The principal determination unit 1606
From the balance for each user read from 604 to the addition unit 1603, the principal to be interest is determined. This principal is
The balance itself may be used, or an amount obtained by cutting off less than one yen. If the balance is less than 1000 yen, the principal to be interest is set at 0 yen and the balance is set at 10 yen.
Interest may be generated in the case of 00 yen or more. The principal determination unit 1606 can realize its function by, for example, a principal determination program 1502d (see FIG. 15).

As described above, by limiting the balance for generating interest to a case where the balance is equal to or more than a certain amount, the user is always conscious of leaving the balance equal to or more than the certain amount on the change interest calculating device 1402 side. Try to purchase products or receive services at With this setting, from the center 1404 side, at least a certain amount or more of balance is expected for each user, so that stable fund management can be performed. Principal determination unit 1606
Can realize its function by the principal determination program 1502d, for example.

(Functional Configuration of Change Interest Calculation Apparatus: Contents of Timer 1607 and Interest Determination Unit 1608) Next, the contents of the timer 1607 and the interest determination unit 1608 will be described. The interest determination unit 1608 determines interest on the principal determined by the principal determination unit 1606. Although various methods for determining the amount of interest can be considered, for example, the receiving unit 1
Determine the amount of the principal for each irregular reception in 601;
A method of determining interest based on the time when the determined principal and change amount are received may be considered. Further, the principal may be determined each time the change processing device 1401 periodically transmits the change.

When the interest is determined, the amount of interest changes due to a change in the interest rate, a distinction between simple interest and compound interest, and the like. For example, the interest rate may be changed depending on the principal amount, or the interest rate may be changed depending on the purchased product.
For example, a method is conceivable in which the interest rate is set to a low value when a popular product is purchased, and the interest rate is set to a high rate when a product with poor sales is purchased. In addition, the family card described in the first embodiment may have a mode in which the interest rate is higher than that of a normal card. An example of actual interest calculation will be described later.

The function of the interest determining unit 1608 can be realized by, for example, an interest determining program 1502e (see FIG. 15). Note that the timer 1607 records and measures the reception time and the like, and its function can be realized by, for example, an internal clock (not shown) built in the motherboard of the change interest calculation device 1402.

(Process Flow of Interest Calculation: Part 1)
The processing flow of interest calculation by the change interest calculation device 1402 will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of interest calculation by the change interest calculation device 1402. Here, for the sake of simplicity, a case will be described where the balance of each individual stored in the HD 1505 is used as the principal.

First, the change interest calculating device 1402 receives the change amount and the user information via the network 1403 (step S1701). Subsequently, the storage destination determining unit 1602 determines whether or not the user is the first user (step S1702). If the user is the first user, a hard disk area is secured, an account is newly established, and the received change amount is stored as a balance (step S170).
3).

[0139] Regarding the establishment of an account, for example, the change processing device 1401 is caused to insert a card, such as a driver's license, for identification, and the information (user information) on the driver's license number, name, date of birth, and address is entered. By extracting, there is a method in which an individual is specified and an account is newly established. In addition, since the individual can be specified, a notification of new establishment and an ID card may be mailed from the center 1404 at a later date.

The time at which the balance was stored in step S1703 is recorded. By recording the time, a time to be an interest target (hereinafter referred to as an interest target time) can be calculated.

If it is determined in step S1702 that the user already has an account (step S17).
02: No), the principal of the user is determined from the corresponding account based on the balance of the user (step S170).
5). There are various ways of determining the principal, but here it is assumed that all the balances are principal as described above.

Subsequently, the change interest calculating device 1402
The latest storage time is read (step S1706), and the interest target time is calculated (step S1707). The interest target time is calculated by calculating the elapsed time based on the latest storage time (ta) read in step S1706 and the reception time (tb) at which change information was received in step S1701. Specifically, t
a is “May 21, 8:30:15” and tb is “May 2
If the date is 9:31:42 on the second day, the interest time is “2
5 hours 87 seconds = 90087 seconds. " The interest time may be in seconds, minutes, or hours.

Next, the principal amount of interest determined in step S1705 is calculated (step S1708). That is, the interest amount is determined by multiplying the principal amount determined in step S1705 by the interest rate per unit time and the interest target time calculated in step S1707. Specifically, the principal amount is “8759 yen”, the interest rate per second is “0.00000000003”, and the interest target time is “900
87 seconds, the interest amount is “2.3672609
9 yen ". Then, the calculated interest amount and step S
The change amount received in 1701 is added to the balance and stored as a new balance (step S1709).

Finally, the storage time is recorded for calculating the next interest target time (step S1710), and thereafter, steps S1701 to S1710 are repeatedly executed.

Step S1704 or S171
Instead of recording the storage time at 0, a timer may be used to measure the elapsed time from when the change amount is received until the interest determination time, and the elapsed time may be used as the interest target time. In this case, the step of calculating the interest target time (steps S1706 and S1707) becomes unnecessary.

(Example of interest calculation processing flow: part 2) FIG.
The processing flow described using FIG. 7 describes a mode in which the change processing device 1401 transmits a change amount and user information each time a user purchases a product with the change processing device 1401 or pays a service fee. It was done. However, in such transmission every time, it is assumed that the change processing load of the change processing device 1401 and the change interest calculation device 1402 increases. Therefore,
Here, a processing flow in which the change processing device 1401 transmits information collectively will be described.

FIG. 18 shows the change processing device 14 at a predetermined time.
11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in which 01 transmits change information and user information, and a change interest calculation device 1402 calculates interest. Now, a plurality of users A, B,.
Consider a case where a product is purchased using a. Each user purchases a product as described with reference to FIG. 11 (user A performs steps S1801A and S1
802A, the user B goes through steps S1801B and S1802B, and the user C goes through the steps S1801B and S1802B.
1801C and purchase through step S1802C).

Step S1802A, Step S180
2B or the change processing device 14 in step S1802C.
01 (for example, vending machine 1401a), the vending machine control program 312a (FIG. 3)
) In the flash memory 313 for each user.
The user information of the user, the change amount, and the selling time are stored (step S1803A, step S180).
3B, Step S1803C).

Subsequently, the change processing device 1401 determines whether or not a predetermined time set in advance has come (step S1804). If it is determined that the predetermined time has arrived (Yes at step S1804), under the control of the communication program 312b,
The change amount information for each user stored in the flash memory 313 is collectively transmitted to the change interest calculation device 1402 (step S1805).

The change interest calculating device 1402 receives the change amount, the user information, and the selling time for each user transmitted from the change processing device 1401 (step S190).
1: see FIG. 19). Subsequently, the storage destination determining unit 1602
Determines whether each individual user is the first user (step S1902). If the user is a first time user, a hard disk area is secured, an account is newly established, and the received change amount is stored as a balance (step S1903). Change interest calculation device 1402
Records the sales time received in step S1901 (step S1904).

If it is determined in step S1902 that the user already has an account (step S19)
02 negative), the principal of the user is determined from the corresponding account based on the balance of the user (step S190).
5).

Subsequently, the change interest calculation device 1402
The latest selling time is read (step S1906), and the interest target time is calculated (step S1907). The interest target time is calculated by calculating the elapsed time based on the latest sales time (ta) read in step S1906 and the sales time (tb) received in step S1901.

Next, the principal amount of interest determined in step S1905 is calculated (step S1908). The interest rate per unit time and the step S190
The interest amount is determined by multiplying the interest target time calculated in 7. The calculated interest amount is added to the balance and stored as a new balance (step S1909). Thereafter, steps S1901 to S1909 are repeatedly executed.

As described above, the change processing system 1400 according to the present embodiment can provide interest on change. Conventionally, change has been complicated as small change, but the change processing system 1400 of the present embodiment not only relieves the user of the complexity of change, but also changes the change. To
In other words, deposits can be used as a source of interest.

On the other hand, from the viewpoint of the change interest calculation device 1402, it can be said that the change processing system 1400 has a very high collection ability. According to statistics at the end of 1999, the number of vending machines for beverages that have spread in Japan is about 2.6 million (JVMA: Japan Vending Machine Industry Survey). 30 per day per vending machine
Let's try to calculate the deposit amount when a person uses and deposits 6 yen change per person.

Then, the daily deposit amount per vehicle is 18
It is 0 yen, and 468 million yen will be deposited for 2.6 million units. In addition to beverages, vending machines include tobaccos, foods, and tickets, and the total number of vending machines is 5.5 million units (JVMA research). If you perform the same calculation as above, the deposit amount per day is 900 million
It is possible to collect cash of ¥ 100,000, that is, about 1 billion yen per day.

(Example of Interest Calculation Processing Flow: Part 3) In the above description, the change interest calculation device 1402 mainly
It is regarded as a device for calculating interest paid, integrated, or returned from the provider of the change processing device 1401 or the supplier of the product / service to the customer (user). However, the change interest calculation device 1402 may be used as a device by which a financial institution calculates interest on the provider / seller.

That is, the payment amount stored in the change processing device 1401 or the change amount calculated by the change processing device 1401 is the deposit amount from the provider / seller to the financial institution as it is, and It can also be considered as a device that calculates the interest to be returned to the original and distributor.

In other words, the banknote storage unit or the coin storage unit of the change processing device 1401 is considered to be a bank safe, and the change processing device 1401 can be regarded as a deposit assisting unit owned by the provider / seller. . Here, a description will be given of a processing flow in which the financial institution calculates interest on the deposit of the provider / seller based on the payment or change collected by the plurality of change processing devices 1401.

The method of determining the amount of interest is, for example,
As shown in FIG. 17, the change amount received irregularly and the time when the change amount is received (step S1701)
, The method of determining interest based on the respective reception times received at the same time, or the reception time (step S1804) of receiving at a predetermined time or at a predetermined time interval, as shown in FIG. To determine interest.

The interest determining unit 1608 generates interest based on the received change amount. Since the calculation procedure is the same as that described in step S1708 of FIG. 17 or step S1908 of FIG. 19, the description is omitted here. Note that FIG. 17, FIG. 18 and FIG.
Unlike this, the change interest calculation device 1402 does not need to calculate the change amount for each user for calculating the interest.

The change interest calculating device 1402 may be configured to calculate both the interest returned by the financial institution to the provider / seller and the interest returned by the supplier / seller to each user. . As a result, the provider / seller can obtain interest himself while returning interest to the user. As a specific example of the interest rate, the interest rate that the financial institution returns to the supplier / distributor is “0.0000000004”, and the interest rate to be returned to the provider / distributor is “0.00000000002
5 ".

As described above, the change interest calculating device 1
The reference numeral 402 not only accumulates and stores the change amount from the change processing device 1401, but also generates interest based on the change amount. This interest is returned to the provider of the change processing device 1401 or the seller of the product, and also to the user who purchases the product. Because interest is reduced,
The user is willing to use it, and the provider can accumulate more change (funds). By effectively using the funds, the provider can reduce the selling price, and from this point, it can return the profit to the user.

[Embodiment 3] In this embodiment, a change processing apparatus that returns interest to a user will be described. In the first and second embodiments, it has been described that the change processing device does not dispense the change, but deposits the change amount into the server or the change interest calculating device. In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a refund of the deposited change amount (balance).

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the change processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. Here, for the sake of simplicity, a case where the change processing apparatus is applied to a vending machine will be described. Vending machine 2000
Has a functional configuration similar to that shown in FIG.
Payment unit 2001, product selection unit 2002, product sales unit 20
03, the change amount calculating unit 2004, and the deposit / withdrawal selecting unit 20
05, withdrawal unit 2006, and user information input unit 2007
And an authentication unit 2008.

The vending machine 2000 further has a balance reference section 2010 and a lending section 2011. The vending machine 2000 includes a balance reference unit 2010 and a lending unit 2011.
And the transmission unit 2009, it is possible to purchase a product even if the user does not have a product price. Next, the processing contents of the balance reference unit 2010 and the loan unit 2011 will be described.

(Functional Configuration of Change Processing Device: Contents of Balance Reference Unit 2010 and Lending Unit 2011) Balance Reference Unit 2010
Sends the user information to the change interest calculating device 1402 and requests the balance to be calculated. For example, a description will be given of a method of purchasing a product for purchasing a product of 104.12 yen in a case where the user has only one 100-yen coin and the payment price is insufficient. There are various methods of notifying the vending machine 2000 that the user requests replenishment of the shortage amount. For example, there is a method of inserting an ID card after inserting a 100 yen coin.

At this time, the vending machine 2000 automatically detects that the payment is insufficient, and requests the change interest calculation device 1402 for a balance inquiry as to whether the balance to be lent remains. If the loan can be made based on the balance, the lending unit 20 is informed of that fact through the network.
11, the change amount calculating unit 2004 transmits the change amount to the change interest calculating device 1402 with the change amount being minus.

In the above case, the change amount calculation unit 2004
Is calculated to be -4.12 yen, and this amount is transmitted from the transmitting unit 2009. The balance reference unit 2010 and the lending unit 2011 include, for example, a vending machine control program 312a, a communication program 312b, a CPU 301,
The function can be realized by the I / F 303. As described above, the change processing system according to the third embodiment can substantially refund the change even if the user does not have the money on hand, and can avoid missing a sales opportunity.

[0170] Regarding the refund, the transmitting unit 2009
However, for example, the change amount may be stored in the ID card inserted from the card insertion slot 115 (see FIG. 1) as it is. As a result, the change amount is accumulated on the card without physically increasing coins, thereby improving the convenience for the user.

As described above, the vending machine 2000 according to the present embodiment allows the purchase of a product even when the user's money is insufficient, and also misses the opportunity for product sales from this point. Is lost. Further, as a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of payments accumulated inside, so that there is an advantage in crime prevention. Further, it is possible to reduce the storage space for the payment.

Note that the change processing method described in the above embodiment is realized by executing a prepared program on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program includes HD (hard disk), FD (floppy (registered trademark) disk), CD-ROM, MO, DVD
The program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a computer, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. Further, the program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0173]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the depositing means deposits the payment paid for the sold product or the provided service,
The calculating means calculates a change amount obtained by subtracting the price of the product or service from the amount of the payment received by the depositing means, and the user information inputting means calculates user information for specifying the user of the change processing device. The change payment means inputs the change amount calculated by the calculation means to a predetermined deposit destination based on the user information input by the user information input means, so that it is not necessary to pay out the change. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the suspension of sales and the suspension of the supply due to running out of change, thereby providing an effect of obtaining a change processing device that does not miss a sales opportunity of a product or an opportunity to provide a service.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the user information input means includes a card for identifying a user of the change processing device, and a possession of the user. Since the user information is input by using a portable information terminal device or a fingerprint or an iris of the user, the user can be easily identified because the user can be easily specified, thereby enabling the user to deposit change with ease. It is possible to obtain a change processing device that does not miss a sales opportunity or a service providing opportunity of the present invention.

According to the invention described in claim 3, in the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the change deposit means transfers the change amount to an account of a financial institution contracted by the user. Since the deposit is made, the user can deposit the change with peace of mind, thereby providing an effect of obtaining a change processing device that does not miss an opportunity to sell a product or an opportunity to provide a service.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the change deposit means is affiliated with a financial institution managed by the provider of the change processing apparatus or the provider. Since the change amount is deposited in a financial institution, the change is deposited in one place without being dispersed, so that the user can deposit the change with confidence, thereby losing the opportunity to sell products or provide services. There is an effect that a change processing device without any change can be obtained.

According to the invention described in claim 5, in the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the change deposit means is a financial institution which manages a supplier of the product or a provider of service, or Since the change amount is deposited into a financial institution affiliated with the supplier or the provider, the change is deposited in one place without being dispersed, so that the user can deposit the change with peace of mind. There is an effect that a change processing device can be obtained that does not miss an opportunity or a service providing opportunity.

According to the invention described in claim 6, in the invention described in claim 2, the change depositing means deposits the change amount into the card, so that the change is stored on the card at hand. This allows the user to deposit change with a sense of security, thereby providing an effect of obtaining a change processing device that does not miss an opportunity to sell a product or an opportunity to provide a service.

[0179] According to the invention described in claim 7, in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6, the dispensing means includes all or a part of the change amount calculated by the calculation means. And the deposit and withdrawal selecting means selects whether to dispense the change by the dispensing means or to deposit the change amount by the change depositing means to the predetermined depository. It is possible to cope with not only a user who wants to deposit change but also a user who wants to make a change at hand, thereby obtaining a change processing device that does not miss an opportunity to sell goods or provide a service. This has the effect.

The vending machine according to the invention of claim 8 is a change processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and a sales providing means for selling the goods or providing a service. , It is possible to provide a vending machine having the functions and effects of the first to seventh aspects.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eighth aspect, a plurality of types of products or services provided by the sales providing means are provided, and Since multiple products or services are selected, sound price competition is promoted by multiple products and services, so that usage can be promoted, thereby missing product sales opportunities and service provision opportunities. This has the effect of providing a vending machine without any problem.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention,
Receiving means receives, via a network, information on a change amount for the price of the purchased product or provided service and information on a payer of the payment, and a storage means for the payer received by the receiving means. Based on the information, the account provided for each payer,
The change amount received together with the information is stored, and the principal amount determination unit determines the amount of the principal amount for each of the accounts subject to interest based on the change amount stored by the storage unit. Since the interest determining means determines the interest on the principal based on the principal amount determined by the principal amount determining means, it is possible to generate interest on the change amount collected from the user, As a result, there is an effect that a change interest calculation device capable of effectively operating change is obtained.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 10, since the addition means adds the amount of interest determined by the interest determination means to the change amount stored in the storage means, the amount of the principal can be increased, As a result, there is an effect that a change interest calculating device capable of effectively operating the change can be obtained.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 10 or 11, since the refund means refunds all or a part of the money corresponding to the change amount stored in the storage means, the change stored and stored can be returned. As a result, there is an effect that a change interest calculation device that allows the user to effectively use the change can be obtained.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention,
In a change processing system in which a plurality of change processing devices that process change and a management terminal device that manages the change amount are connected to a network, the change processing device includes a depositing unit, a calculating unit, and a user information input unit. And a transmitting unit, wherein the depositing unit deposits a payment paid for the product to be sold or the provided service, and the calculating unit calculates the product or the product from the amount of the payment deposited by the depositing unit. The change amount calculated by subtracting the service charge is calculated, the user information input unit inputs user information specifying the user of the change processing device, and the transmission unit calculates the change amount calculated by the calculation unit. Transmitting the user information input by the user information input means to the management terminal device via the network; and And storage means, wherein the reception means receives the change amount and the user information transmitted by the transmission means, and the storage means based on the user information received by the reception means, Since the change amount received together with the user information is stored in an account provided for each user, there is no need to pay out the change, so that it is not necessary to stop selling or offering due to running out of change. And the change is managed in a specific account, so that the user can deposit the change with a sense of security, thereby providing a change processing system that does not miss an opportunity to sell products or provide services. To play.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention,
14. The invention according to claim 13, wherein the principal amount determining means determines the amount of the principal to be interest based on the change amount stored by the storage means, and the interest determining means determines the principal amount. Since the interest on the principal is determined based on the amount of the principal determined by the means, it is possible to generate interest on the change amount collected from the user, and thereby, it is possible to effectively operate the change. There is an effect that a possible change processing system can be obtained.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 13 or 14, since the addition means adds the amount of interest determined by the interest determination means to the change amount stored in the storage means,
This makes it possible to increase the amount of the principal, thereby providing an effect that a change processing system capable of effectively operating the change can be obtained.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 13, 14, or 15, the refund means refunds all or a part of money corresponding to the change amount stored by the storage means, so that the change stored and stored can be returned. Thereby, there is an effect that a change processing system in which the user can effectively use the change can be obtained.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention,
In the depositing step, a payment to be paid for goods to be sold or services to be provided is deposited, and in the calculating step, a change obtained by subtracting the price of the goods or services from the amount of payment paid in the depositing step. In the user information input step, user information for identifying the user who purchased the product or provided the service was input, and in the change deposit step, the user information was input in the user information input step. Based on the user information, the change amount calculated in the calculation step is deposited to a predetermined depository, so that it is not necessary to pay out the change, so that it is possible to prevent the discontinuation of sales or provision due to running out of change. ,
As a result, there is an effect that a change processing method can be obtained that does not miss an opportunity to sell a product or an opportunity to provide a service.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 17, in the change depositing step, the change amount is deposited into an account of a financial institution with which the user has contracted, so that the user can deposit change with ease, and It is possible to obtain a change processing method that does not miss a sales opportunity or a service providing opportunity.

Further, according to the nineteenth aspect,
In the invention according to claim 17, in the change depositing step, the change amount is paid to a financial institution managed by a supplier of the product or a service provider or a financial institution affiliated with the supplier or provider. Therefore, the change can be deposited in one place without dispersing the change, so that the user can deposit the change with a sense of security, thereby providing an effect of obtaining a change processing method that does not miss an opportunity to sell products or provide services. Play.

According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention,
In the receiving step, the vending machine is connected via a network to a plurality of vending machines, and information relating to the change amount stored in the vending machine without being paid out from the vending machine and use of the vending machine related to the change amount by the user of the vending machine. In the search step, an account provided for each user is searched based on the user information received in the receiving step, and the principal amount determination step is searched in the search step. The amount of the principal which is the object of interest is determined based on the amount of the account and the information on the change amount received in the receiving step, and in the interest determining step, the principal determined in the principal amount determining step is determined. Since the interest is determined for the amount of money, it is possible to generate interest on the change amount collected from the user, thereby enabling the change to be effectively operated and processed. Change processing method an effect that can be obtained.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 20, in the adding step, the change amount received in the receiving step and the amount of the interest determined in the interest determining step are added to the amount of the account provided for each user. Thus, it is possible to increase the amount of the principal, thereby providing an effect of obtaining a change processing method capable of effectively operating the change.

According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 20 or 21, in the refund step, all or part of the money corresponding to the amount of the account provided for each user is refunded, so that the change stored and stored can be returned. Thereby, there is an effect that a change processing method that allows the user to effectively use the change can be obtained.

According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention,
In a system in which a plurality of change processing devices that process change and a management terminal device that manages the change amount are connected to a network, in a depositing process, a payment paid for a product to be sold or a provided service is deposited. In the calculating step, a change amount is calculated by subtracting the price of the product or service from the amount of the payment received in the depositing step, and in the user information inputting step, a user identifying the user of the change processing system is used. User information, and in the change payment step, based on the user information input in the user information input step, deposit the change amount calculated in the calculation step into an account provided for each user, In the principal amount determination step, the amount of the principal to be paid is determined based on the change amount deposited in the change deposit step, and the interest amount determination step is performed. In the above, the interest on the principal is determined based on the amount of the principal determined in the principal amount determination step, so that there is no need to pay out change, so that sales stoppage and supply stop due to running out of change do not occur. Interest can be generated from the change amount collected from the user, so that opportunities for selling products and providing services can be kept, and change can be effectively used. This provides an effect that a simple change processing method can be obtained.

Further, according to the invention of claim 24,
In the invention according to claim 23, in the adding step, the amount of the interest determined in the interest determining step is added to the amount of the account provided for each user, so that the amount of the principal can be increased. Thus, there is an effect that a change processing method capable of effectively operating the change can be obtained.

According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to claim 23 or 24, in the refund step, all or part of the money corresponding to the amount of the account provided for each user is refunded, so that the change stored and stored can be returned. Thereby, there is an effect that a change processing method that allows the user to effectively use the change can be obtained.

A recording medium according to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention records a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of the seventeenth to twenty-fifth aspects. This makes it possible to obtain a recording medium capable of realizing the operations of claims 17 to 25 by a computer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a change processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the vending machine according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the vending machine according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a selling price displayed on a product selection button of the vending machine according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the vending machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a card inserted into the vending machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a card inserted into the vending machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external configuration of the server according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the server according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an overall processing flow of the change processing system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow of the change processing system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow of the change processing system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a change processing system according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a change interest calculation device according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the change interest calculation device according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an interest calculation process of the change interest calculation device according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in which the change processing device transmits change information and user information at a predetermined time and the change interest calculation device calculates interest in the change processing system according to the second embodiment; It is.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in which the change processing device transmits change information and user information at a predetermined time and the change interest calculation device calculates interest in the change processing system according to the second embodiment. It is.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a change processing device according to a third embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Change Processing System 101 Vending Machine 102 Server 103 Network 104 Center 105 PHS Antenna 111 (111a-111h) Product Sample 112 (112a-112h) Product Selection Button 113a Bill Deposit Port 113b Coin Deposit Port 114 Return Lever 115 Card Insert Port 116 Numeric keypad 117 Deposit / withdrawal selection button 118 Change dispensing port 119 Outlet 161 Product sample section 162 Product selection section 163 Card reading section 164 Money processing section 165 Communication section 166 Main control section 167 ID card reader section 168 Driver license identification section 169 Password Number input section 300 Bus 301 CPU 302 Memory 304 Display 312 ROM 313 Flash memory 501 Deposit section 502 Product selection section 503 Product sales section 504 Change amount calculation section 505 Deposit / withdrawal selection unit 506 Withdrawal unit 507 User information input unit 508 Authentication unit 509 Transmission unit 601 Name entry field 602 Date of birth entry field 603 Driver license number entry field 604 Photograph field 701 Magnetic surface 902 ROM 905 Hard disk 1001 Reception Unit 1002 storage destination determination unit 1003 addition unit 1004 storage unit 1005 payout unit 1400 change processing system 1401 change processing device 1402 change interest calculation device 1403 network 1404 center 1601 reception unit 1602 storage destination determination unit 1603 addition unit 1604 storage unit 1605 payback unit Principal determination section 1607 Timer 1608 Interest determination section 2000 Vending machine 2001 Deposit section 2002 Product selection section 2003 Product sales section 2004 Change amount calculation section 2005 Deposit and withdrawal selection section 2006 Outgoing Kinbe 2007 User information input part 2008 Authentication part 2009 Transmission part 2010 Balance reference part 2011 Lending part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3E044 AA01 BA01 BA02 BA04 CA02 CA03 DA04 DA05 DC01 DC05 DE01 DE02 FA02 FA12 FB17 5B049 BB11 BB46 CC09 CC36 CC37 GG00 5B055 BB10 CB09 CC03 EE27

Claims (26)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A depositing means for depositing a payment paid for a sold product or a provided service, and subtracting a price of the product or service from an amount of the payment received by the depositing means. Calculation means for calculating a change amount; user information input means for inputting user information for specifying a user who purchases the product or receives a service; and a user input by the user information input means And a change depositing means for depositing the change amount calculated by the calculating means based on the information into a predetermined depository. 2. The user information input means according to claim 1, wherein said user specifies a user of said change processing apparatus, a portable information terminal device owned by said user, or a fingerprint or iris of said user. The change processing device according to claim 1, wherein information is input. 3. The change processing device according to claim 1, wherein the change depositing unit deposits the change amount into an account of a financial institution contracted by the user. 4. The change payment device according to claim 1, wherein the change deposit unit deposits the change amount into a financial institution managed by a provider of the change processing device or a financial institution affiliated with the provider. Change processing equipment. 5. The change deposit means deposits the change amount to a financial institution managed by a supplier or service provider of the product or a financial institution affiliated with the supplier or provider. The change processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 6. The change processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the change deposit unit deposits the change amount into the card. 7. A dispensing unit for dispensing change corresponding to all or a part of the change amount calculated by the calculating unit, and dispensing the change by the dispensing unit or by the change receiving unit. The change processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a deposit and withdrawal selecting unit that selects whether to deposit the change amount to the predetermined depository. 8. A vending machine comprising: the change processing device according to claim 1; and sales providing means for selling the goods or providing a service. 9. A product service selecting means for providing a plurality of types of goods or services to be sold by the sales providing means and selecting one of the plurality of goods or services. 8. The vending machine according to 8. 10. Receiving means for receiving, via a network, information on a change amount for a price of a purchased product or provided service and information on a payer of the price, and the payment received by the receiving means. Storage means for storing the change amount received together with the information in an account provided for each payer based on the information about the payer, and an interest based on the change amount stored by the storage means. Principal amount determining means for determining the principal amount for each of the accounts to be processed, and interest determination for determining interest on the principal based on the principal amount determined by the principal amount determining means. And a means for calculating change interest. 11. An addition means for adding an amount of interest determined by said interest determination means to said change amount stored in said storage means.
The change interest calculation device according to 1. 12. The change interest calculating apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a payout means for paying out all or a part of money corresponding to the change amount stored in said storage means. 13. A change processing system in which a plurality of change processing devices for processing change and a management terminal device for managing the change amount are connected to a network, wherein the change processing device is a product to be sold or provided. Depositing means for depositing a payment paid for a service to be provided, calculating means for calculating a change amount obtained by subtracting the price of the product or service from the amount of the payment received by the depositing means, and the change User information input means for inputting user information for specifying a user of the processing device; change amount calculated by the calculation means; and user information input by the user information input means, Transmitting means for transmitting to the terminal device via the network, the management terminal device comprising: the change amount transmitted by the transmitting means; Receiving means for receiving the serial user information, based on the received user information by said receiving means,
Storage means for storing, in an account provided for each user, the change amount received together with the user information, a change processing system. 14. A principal amount deciding unit for deciding an amount of a principal subject to interest based on the change amount stored by said storage unit; The change processing system according to claim 13, further comprising: an interest determination unit configured to determine interest on the principal based on the amount of money. 15. An addition means for adding an amount of interest determined by said interest determination means to said change amount stored in said storage means.
Or the change processing system according to 14. 16. A refund unit for refunding all or a part of money corresponding to the change amount stored in the storage unit.
5. The change processing system according to 5. 17. A depositing step of depositing a payment paid for a sold product or a provided service, and subtracting a price of the product or service from an amount of the payment received in the depositing step. A calculating step of calculating a change amount; a user information inputting step of inputting user information for specifying a user who has purchased the product or provided a service; and a use input in the user information inputting step. And a change depositing step of depositing the change amount calculated in the calculating step to a predetermined depositor based on person information. 18. The change processing method according to claim 17, wherein in the change depositing step, the change amount is deposited into an account of a financial institution contracted by the user. 19. The change depositing step includes depositing the change amount into a financial institution managed by a supplier or service provider of the product or a financial institution affiliated with the supplier or provider. The change processing method according to claim 17, wherein 20. A vending machine connected to a plurality of vending machines via a network, information relating to the change amount stored in the vending machine without being paid out from the vending machine, and a user of the vending machine related to the change amount. A receiving step of receiving user information about, and based on the user information received in the receiving step,
A search step of searching for an account provided for each user; an amount of the account searched by the search step; and a principal subject to interest based on the information on the change amount received in the reception step. A principal amount determining step of determining the amount of the interest amount; and an interest determining step of determining the interest amount with respect to the amount of the principal amount determined in the principal amount determining step. Method. 21. An adding step of adding the change amount received in the receiving step and the amount of interest determined in the interest determining step to the amount of an account provided for each user. The change processing method according to claim 20, wherein: 22. The change processing method according to claim 20, further comprising a refund step of refunding all or a part of money corresponding to the amount of an account provided for each user. 23. A change processing method applied to a change processing system connected to a network, wherein a plurality of change processing devices for processing change and a management terminal device for managing the change amount are provided. A depositing step of depositing a payment paid for the provided service; and a calculating step of calculating a change amount obtained by subtracting a price of the product or service from the amount of the payment received in the depositing step, A user information inputting step of inputting user information for specifying a user of the change processing system; and, based on the user information input in the user information inputting step, to an account provided for each user. A change depositing step of depositing the change amount calculated in the calculating step; and an object of interest based on the change amount deposited in the change depositing step. A principal amount determining step of determining the amount of the book, and an interest amount determining step of determining interest on the principal based on the amount of the principal determined in the principal amount determining step. Characterized change processing method. 24. The change processing according to claim 23, further comprising an adding step of adding an amount of interest determined in the interest determining step to an amount of an account provided for each user. Method. 25. The change processing method according to claim 23, further comprising a refund step of refunding all or a part of money corresponding to the amount of an account provided for each user. 26. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 17 is recorded.