JP2003099844A - Control system for touch panel operation type age- identifying vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To constitute a control system for a touch panel operation type vending machine. SOLUTION: A display device 12 displays article type images, and when a customer touches either one of the article type images, it displays article images including descriptions of names, external appearances, and contents of articles pertaining to the article type. When there is a limit in a purchase qualification such as the age in a specific article in the article type, it displays a specific article image containing a message requiring a qualification alone, and when the customer touches an ordinary article image, and when the customer touches the specific article image after he/she shows the qualification card, which is identified to have the purchase qualification, or after the customer calls an interphone master machine 38 or an operation center 44 and an operator determines that he/she has the purchase qualification, this system controls with a computer 23 that the respective steps displaying the descriptions of the names, etc., of the article selected by touching, sales prices, and a purchase button frame are included therein.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention makes it possible for a customer to purchase a selected product by operating a touch panel, and in the case of a specific product, a product vending machine which detects the age of the customer or whether the customer is eligible for purchase or makes a decision by an operator's judgment. And a system configuration of such a commodity vending machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, vending machines using a display device with a touch panel function have been on the market. These are the pushbuttons for selecting products of a normal pushbutton selection type vending machine, along with a description of those products. Since it can be displayed on the screen, it has the convenience of being able to advise customers on product selection and apply it to various products. Also, using the touch selection function, it is possible to obtain an answer to the questionnaire presentation and execute some other interactive operation.

On the other hand, push-button type vending machines are the most popular vending machines handling alcoholic beverages, videos for adults, etc., for which the purchase of minors is prohibited. Purchasing qualifications through presentation or dialogue with the operator on the intercom side via intercom, product selection by cash injection and push button) are only instructed by a relatively small display and voice guidance as necessary. Since there are no customers, customers often get confused and waste time, and the operating efficiency of vending machines is not good.

Therefore, if such a specific product is handled in the touch-panel type product vending machine, the purchase operation procedure can be displayed on the display screen in a form that is easy to see and understand. It is possible to sell a wide variety of products, including products that do not matter.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to sell a wide variety of products including age-restricted products, and to fully utilize the interactive function of the touch panel type product vending machine control method.
And an apparatus configuration.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a front plate provided with a display device with a touch panel function, a money insertion / return unit, a certification card insertion unit, and a merchandise outlet. A method for controlling a touch-panel-operated age-identifying product vending machine having a sales operation unit, comprising the steps of: a) displaying at least one product type image as a sales operation start screen on the display device; Touches any of the product type images, the step of displaying a product image including a description of the product name, appearance, content, etc. of at least one brand of product belonging to that product type, If the entire product or a specific product in the product category has a purchase eligibility restriction due to age etc., insert a qualification card instead of the product image. A step of displaying as a specific product mask image including a message to be sought, and c) when the customer touches a product image of a product without a purchase qualification restriction, or when the customer inserts a qualification certificate card into the certification card insertion part. , If it is determined that there is a purchase qualification through the card identification machine, the card request instruction and the mask are released from the specific product mask image by the vending machine control function, and the product image of the specific product is disclosed. A frame in which a product image of the touch-selected product is enlarged on the display device when the customer touches the product image, the selling price and purchase button frame of the product,
And displaying a product display screen including a preview request button frame when the product is a video work such as a video tape, and d) when the customer touches the purchase button frame, the product is displayed on the display device. The step of displaying the sales price, the input amount, the change amount, and the confirmation button frame, e) When the customer touches the inside of the confirmation button frame while the displayed input amount is equal to or higher than the sales price. ,
After the product discharge waiting state including a screen display indicating the completion of the purchase operation is completed, the purchased product is discharged to the product outlet, and the change to be returned is discharged to the money return section. A method for controlling a touch panel-operated age identification type product vending machine is configured.

According to the first control method of the present invention, it is possible to narrow down the purchased products according to the needs of various customers by the touch panel / display system, and the procedure for the purchase qualification certificate required for a specific product. Can be displayed so that the customer can easily understand. Then, in connection with this control method, the series of sequences described above is started by the operation of a human sensor, and the "specific product image" does not include an image related to the product except for an instruction for purchase qualification. Doing so, enabling preview playback of visual or audio recording media such as video cassette tapes, questionnaire screen configuration,
It is possible to apply ancillary or limited elements such as roulette screen configuration, totalization and analysis of sales results and questionnaire results, and change of product arrangement on the screen according to sales results.

The present invention further includes a display device with a touch panel function on the front plate, a money insertion and return unit, a certification card insertion unit, a master unit provided at an operator position in the store, or an intercom slave unit with a camera capable of communicating with the operation center. , And a method for controlling a touch-panel-operated age-identification-type product vending machine having a sales operation unit configured to have a product etc. take-out port, the method comprising: a) displaying at least one type of sales operation start screen on the display device. A step of displaying a product type image, and b) when the customer touches one of the product type images, a product including a description such as a product name, an external appearance, and a content amount of at least one brand product belonging to the product type. The step of displaying an image, in which the entire product type or a specific product in the product type is purchased by age, etc. If there is a restriction, the step of displaying as a specific product mask image including a message requesting the insertion of a qualification card instead of the product image, and c) displaying the product image of the product for which the customer has no purchase qualification restriction When touched, or when the customer inserts a qualification certificate card into the certification card insertion part and it is determined that there is a qualification for purchase through the card identification machine, the vending machine control function requests the card from the specific product mask image. When the customer touches the product image after disclosing the instruction and mask and disclosing the product image of the specific product, or when the customer calls the base unit or operation center with the intercom handset and calls the operator, If it is determined that you are eligible for purchase, the vending machine control function will display the card request instruction and mask from the specific product mask image. Then, when the customer touches the product image, the product image of the touch-selected product is enlarged on the display device, and the selling price and purchase button frame of the product and the product are A step of displaying a product display screen including a preview request button frame in the case of a video work such as a video tape, and d) when the customer touches the purchase button frame, the selling price of the product on the display device, The step of displaying the input amount of money, the amount of change, and the confirmation button frame, e) When the customer touches the inside of the confirmation button frame in the state where the displayed input amount of money is equal to or more than the selling price,
After the product discharge waiting state including a screen display indicating the completion of the purchase operation is completed, the purchased product is discharged to the product outlet, and the change to be returned is discharged to the money return section. A method for controlling a touch panel-operated age-identifying product vending machine is configured.

The second control method of the present invention, in addition to performing the same sales operation steps as the first control method, drives a vehicle for the qualification of purchase required by a customer for a specific product. When the user does not have a qualification card such as a driver's license, it has a subroutine for calling an intercom base unit or a center by an intercom handset and determining whether or not the particular product can be sold based on the operator's judgment in response to the call. Also in this second control method,
Additional or limiting elements of can be applied.

The present invention further provides a keyboard or a switch means installed inside the commodity vending machine so that a specific person can operate from outside the machine, and in response to the operation, the display device displays sales information and questionnaire information. , And displays other vending machine information that can be collected and analyzed by the control computer. This vending machine information also includes information indicating a detectable failure portion.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A preferred apparatus configuration example for executing the vending machine control of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a front plate structure of an automatic vending machine body (sales operation unit) adopted in the first vending machine control system of the present invention. Sales operation unit 1
A display device with a touch panel function (hereinafter abbreviated as "display device") 12 is fitted to the front plate 11a of No. 1 at a position slightly lower than the average line-of-sight level of an adult, and the upper end of the unit 11 above it is A certification card for certifying purchase qualifications such as age restrictions for a specific product, typically a card identification machine 13 for identifying the recorded contents of a driver's license is arranged. Reference numeral 14 is the card insertion slot.

Immediately below the display device 12 is a human sensor for detecting that the customer stands in front of the sales operation unit 11 by detecting far infrared rays emitted by the human body and fluctuations in the electrostatic field due to the approach of the human body. 15 is installed inconspicuously, a money insertion slot 16 and a return lever 17 are arranged on the left side slightly below the sensor 15, and a bill insertion / return opening 18 is arranged on the right side, and a space is provided under the same. A money return port 19 is arranged. At the lower end of the unit 11 which is slightly lower than the money return port 19, a product outlet 20 is provided.
Are placed. A push-open type cover is conventionally attached to the outlet 20.

FIG. 2 shows the sales operation unit 1 shown in FIG.
The functional block array of 1 and the functional block array of the product storage and discharge unit 21 for transporting and discharging the product selected according to the operation of the sales operation unit 11 from the storage location to the product outlet 20 of the unit 11. Shows.

The sales operation unit 11 includes the motion sensor 1
5, a signal connection device 22, a control computer 23, and a command / control system including a series circuit of the display device 12, and the control computer 23 is connected to an operator input keyboard 24 and an external storage device 25. (In FIG. 1, the keyboard 24 is the front plate 1
It is shown by a broken line as being located inside 1a, and when the operator uses it, the front plate 11a which is a door type is opened or a partial door is provided on the front plate 11a so that the keyboard 24 can be pulled out. I am doing it. )

The signal connection device 22 includes a computer 23,
It relays signals exchanged with all other functional elements except the display device 12, and the unit 1
In the first embodiment, the card validator 13, the money holding mechanism 26 connected to the money insertion slot 16 and the money return opening 19, and the bill holding mechanism 28 connected to the bill insertion opening and the return opening 18.
Signal lines 27a, 27b, and 27c to the product storage and discharge unit 21 outside the unit 11.

The product storage and discharge unit 21 is arranged as close as possible to the sales operation unit 11, and stores a product storage unit 30 in which a large number of types of products are sorted and stored so that they can be extracted one by one, and this storage unit. A selected product delivery mechanism 31 for extracting the selected product from 30 and a product transfer device 32 that transfers the extracted product to the product outlet 20 of the sales operation unit 11. Selected product payout mechanism 31
Is connected to the signal line 29 and further relays and transmits the control signal transmitted by the signal line 29 to the product storage unit 30 and the carrier device 31, whereby the three parties 30, 31, 32 are connected.
Are interrelated.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a front plate structure of a vending machine body (sales operation unit) adopted in the second vending machine control system of the present invention. In the sales operation unit 11 ′ in this example, the parts having the same reference numerals as the sales operation unit 11 in the first system shown in FIG. 1 perform the same functions as those of the unit 11, The description is omitted. Unit 11 '
In the configuration of the front plate 11a ′, the newly added element is the intercom subunit 33. The intercom slave 33 has a call button switch 34 and a microphone 3 on a conventional basis.
5, a speaker 36, and a camera 37 are provided so that a customer can talk with an operator in a store or an operation center.

FIG. 4 shows the sales operation unit 1 shown in FIG.
1'function block array and product storage and discharge unit 21
Of the function block arrangement of the control unit 2 and the intercom slave unit 33 in the sales operation unit 11 'and the control computer 2
In-store intercom base unit 3 for giving a specific command to 3
8 and the functional block arrangement of the operation center. In this case as well, the functional block arrangement of the first system shown in FIG. 2 and the parts having the same reference numerals as those of the sales operation unit 11 ′ in the second system shown in FIG. Since it has the same function as the above, the description thereof is omitted, and here, only the functional block arrangement of the in-store intercom master unit and the operation center will be described.

The intercom master unit 38 in the store in which the sales operation unit 11 'and the product storage and discharge unit 21 are installed is equipped with an in-store monitor screen 39, an in-store microphone 40, and an in-store speaker 41, and the operator can talk / call.
A sale-allowable switch 42 and a sale-disabled switch 43, which are push-button type or other forms, for notifying the result that the observed customer determines that he is an adult, or is qualified to purchase, or not, is connected. The intercom master unit 38 is further connected with a changeover switch 45 for switching and connecting a call from the intercom slave unit to the operation center 44 when the operator in the store leaves the seat.

The changeover switch 45 includes a connection control device 46.
Are connected. The connection control device 46 sends to the sales operation unit 11 'a command from the in-store operator indicating whether the sale is possible or not via the switches 42, 43 of the intercom master unit 38, or calls the intercom slave unit 33 to the operation center 44. It is a switch circuit that performs relay connection control for switching connection and further sending a command from the operation center 44 to the sales operation unit 11 ′. Transmission / reception from the connection control device 46 to the operation center 44 is performed via the transceiver 47 and the terminal adapter 48, for example, via an INS (registered trademark) 64 line 49.

The operation center 44 has an INS6
A call circuit including a terminal adapter 50 connected to the terminal adapter 48 via four lines, a host computer 51, a monitor screen 52 having a four-screen configuration, an operator microphone 53, and a speaker 54 is provided. A sale-possible switch 55 and a sale-not-possible switch 56 which are configured by a keyboard function or are push button type are provided.

[0023]

[Embodiment] In the two implementation structures as described above, the common selling operation which does not require the operator's judgment will be described with reference to FIG.
7 to 7 and the display image (still image) relating to the sales operation shown in FIGS. 8 to 15 will be described.

FIG. 5 shows a flow of the sales operation, in which the sales operation unit 11 or 11 'is activated (power ON) and the customer selects a desired product (touch input) in these operation units. For the selected product, the product and the change discharge mechanism are activated by inserting a predetermined amount of money or more, and the questionnaire presentation screen appears, and the flow until the customer answers the questionnaire or wishes to omit it is shown in FIG. In addition, the respondents of the questionnaire are given a roulette opportunity, and the prize winners are also discharged to the winners of the roulette participants. FIG. 7 shows a flow of time until it is confirmed that the discharged change is taken out and the processing is ended.

In FIG. 5, until the customer arrives in front of the sales operation unit 11 or 11 'which has been activated and is in the start state,
The motion sensor 15 attached to these units does not operate, and the display 12 displays a moving image output 5 for the products handled by this unit, services in stores, and other advertisements.
7 is displayed. This state is a standby state of the sales operation unit, and when the human sensor 15 detects the arrival of a customer, at least one kind of product or product shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display 12 as a sales operation start screen. The group image (still image output 1) is displayed. In the example shown in FIG.
Six types of "toys", "drinks", "videos", "confectionery", "books / books", and "tobacco" are shown. In the corners of the screens other than these, "new product information",
There are corners such as "hit products" and "bargain prices",
It is also possible to display a product button for so-called featured products.

When the customer touches one of the product type frames in the product group image 1 as described above, as shown in FIG.
The product name of at least one brand product belonging to the product type,
Product list including appearance, contents, etc. (still image output 2)
Moves to step (58) for displaying. If there is only one brand belonging to the selected merchandise category and it does not matter what the purchase qualification is, or if it is the above-mentioned featured merchandise, this merchandise list (still image output 2) is displayed. The step (58) for displaying is jumped to the step (61) described later, where the product name, selling price, product image,
And, if possible, a description indicating the quality, etc., or a still image output 3 consisting of a preview request button frame and a purchase button frame when the product is a video work such as a video tape.
(FIG. 10) is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 9A, in the product list (still image output 2), when a certain product type or a specific product in the product type has a purchase qualification restriction due to age or the like,
The relevant product frame in the screen is shaded here by the shaded frames 2a, 2b,
As shown by 2c, the product name, the appearance, the content, etc. are not displayed as a substantially black screen, and within the frame, for example, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 9B, “This product is under 20 years old. Please insert the credential card into the attached identification machine if you are purchasing. "Etc., and display a message requesting you to insert the credential card.

As described above, at the stage where the product list (still image output 2) including the specific product is displayed, unless the customer presses the "return" button display for the general (non-specific) product that does not require the qualification. The control computer 23 commands (59) to validate the customer's product selection touch.
On the other hand, for a specific product, the customer inserts the qualification certificate card into the certification card insertion portion 14 of the identification machine 13 and the customer is judged to be eligible for purchase through the card identification machine until the customer operates the control function of the computer 23. A command (60) is made to enable the specific product selection touch of, and the substantial black screen and the card request instruction are deleted from the specific product mask image to disclose the product display as in the lower part of the screen of FIG. 9C. .

Then, when the customer touches one of the product images (flow node A in FIGS. 5 and 6), the product name of the touch-selected product is displayed on the display device.
A still image output 3 including a sale price, a product image, and a description indicating the quality thereof if possible, or a preview request button frame and a purchase button frame when the product is a video work such as a video tape (see FIG. 10). ) Is displayed (step: 61).

In FIG. 6, when the customer touches the purchase button frame of the still image output 3, the process proceeds to step 62,
The display screen changes to still image output 4 (Fig. 11),
The product name, selling price, input amount, change amount, and confirmation button frame are displayed. When the customer touches the inside of the confirmation button frame in a state where the input amount of money displayed by the customer is equal to or higher than the selling price, the selected product is discharged to the product outlet 20 by computer control, and
If there is a change, an instruction is issued to the change outlet 19 to discharge the change, and the display device 12 notifies the customer of the discharge waiting state as a start screen of the product discharge waiting state and whether to respond to the questionnaire. Display still image output 5 (FIG. 12) having selectable response (YES) and non-response (NO) button frames (step:
63).

When the customer touches within the YES button frame, the question items (questionnaire) and the row of the alternative answer button frame for the question item, and the roulette selection (enabled / disabled) that is activated when all the questionnaires have been answered. A still image output 6 (FIG. 13) consisting of a (No) button is displayed on the display screen. In this case, the control computer 23 sequentially reads the customer's entries and answer results during the questionnaire, collects and analyzes them, and stores them in the external storage device 25. When the questionnaire is completed (node E), the control shifts to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The roulette selection screen as described above is effectively displayed on the display device 12 as a step of interrupting the product discharge waiting state after the questionnaire is completed, and the customer selects the roulette as shown in the flow chart of FIG. When you do, you can run roulette on the display screen. Here, FIG. 14A is a roulette start screen (still image output 7), B is a roulette-per-screen (still image output 8), and C is a roulette out-of-routing screen (still image output 9). When the roulette hits, the computer issues an instruction to eject a predetermined prize at the product outlet (step: 64).

When the customer purchases a product (selects a valid product and completes the payment by inserting money) and does not participate in the questionnaire or finishes the questionnaire or roulette, FIG.
As shown in, for example, a product receipt guide (still image output 10) is displayed with a message saying "Ended. Please take your product and change." (Step: 6)
5). However, after the product discharge command (step: 63) issued before this guidance, there is a slight wait until the product is discharged from the product storage unit 30 separately from the sales operation unit to the product outlet 20. It will take time, but if the customer participates in the survey and the subsequent roulette, this waiting time will have already ended.

On the other hand, if the customer does not participate in the questionnaire,
The selected product may not be discharged to the product outlet 20 only after the screen 10 is displayed. However, in this case as well, the product is soon discharged, and the customer recognizes from the falling sound that the product can be taken out. Therefore, as a preferable configuration example, a product etc. receipt guide (still image output 1
0) is displayed and the product outlet 2 of the sales operation unit 2
0 and a detector for discriminating whether or not the customer has taken out the change items and the change item from the change change outlet 19, and a timer 66 (FIG. 7) for counting the elapsed time when the customer has not taken them out. ) Is provided. However,
As for the take-out detector for the product etc., it is assumed that the take-out detector is not provided, but it is assumed that the take-out cover is opened for a certain period of time, or that the take-out detector is not provided. it can.

When the product or the like is taken out or when the timer 66 times out, the system flow ends and returns to the starting state of FIG. 5, and the system again performs the above-mentioned visitor response operation. However, the system described above is the first sales operation that requires the purchase qualification card such as a driver's license to be inserted into the identification machine in order for the customer to purchase a specific product. For a customer who does not have a call, this is not the second sales operation including the call / judgment mode in which the operator decides whether to sell or not. Such a subsystem flow is shown in FIG. 16 and is implemented by the apparatus and circuitry of FIGS. 3 and 4.

In FIG. 16, a call / judgment mode for a customer who does not have a certification card is shown in a broken line frame. In this mode, when the customer touch-selects one of the product types or the product group displayed in the product group (still image output 1) in the first sales operation, the product list (still image output 2) is displayed. (Step: 58), and non-specific products can be touch-selected (Step: 5).
9) A certification card is required for a specific product, and in that case, the customer does not insert the card, and the intercom slave unit 33 allows the intercom master unit 38 or the operation center 4 to operate.
It is started by calling 4.

If there is a call from the intercom slave unit (judgment: 67), the in-store changeover switch 45 sends the call to the in-store intercom master unit 34 and the operation center 44.
Of the in-store operator uses the in-store monitor 39 (step: 69) or the center operator uses the four-screen monitor 52 (step: 70), depending on which of the two is connected (decision: 68). ) Observe the customer's appearance and talk to the customer to see if they are eligible to purchase the product (Judgment: 7
Determine 1).

The operator who judges that he / she has the purchase qualification turns on the sale enable switch 42 or 55, thereby issuing the specific product selectable command (step: 60) explained in the flow of FIG. 5, and the customer receives the specific product. The disclosure screen is selectively touch-inputted, and the process proceeds to the product discharge and the questionnaire / roulette selection / execution process of FIG.

When the operator judges that he / she is not qualified to purchase, he / she turns on the sale prohibition switch 43 or 56, and the control flow returns to step (58) again, so that the display of the specific product in the product list (still image output 2) is performed. The mask state will not change, and customers will only be able to purchase display products regardless of their purchase qualifications.

The flow of all product sales operations in the system of the present invention has been described above.
The control computer 23 in 1 or 11 'collects and analyzes questionnaires related to sales operations, and also collects and analyzes the sales results of products. This is, for example, the number of purchases of customers for each product type handled by the product vending machine, the number of customers purchased for each product brand in each product type, and the sales amount are counted and totaled, and the result of the questionnaire totalization and analysis is calculated. It also includes comparison with or evaluation of correlation.

The result of totaling sales results as described above can be reflected in, for example, the configuration of a product display image in the product sales operation of the present invention. First, in the first mode, when a human sensor detects the arrival of a customer, when a plurality of product type images (still image output 1) are displayed on the display device, the control computer 23 counts by that time. In order from the product type with the highest number of purchases by the customer, from the left end to the right end of the uppermost stage of the display screen, and further from the left end to the right end of the lower stage, each position is displaced in a raster scanning manner. You can edit the screen so that the product types are displayed at the same time.

In the step of displaying a plurality of product brands in the selected product type, the control computer 23 further displays the products in the order from the product with the largest number of sales or the total sales amount up to that time, to the product with the smallest sales amount. It is possible to edit the screen so that the respective products are displayed simultaneously at the respective positions displaced in a raster scanning manner from the left end to the right end of the uppermost part of the screen, and further from the left end to the right end of the lower part.

The control computer 23 is connected to a keyboard or switch means installed in the sales operation unit 11 or 11 'so that a specific person such as an operator can operate from outside the machine. In response, the display device can display sales information, questionnaire information, and other vending machine information that can be collected and analyzed by the control computer. This vending machine information includes vending machine failure information that can be collected by the control computer together with its generation position, and when the operator instructs the display by operating the keyboard, the display screen shows an array diagram of vending machine components. It is also possible to display color-coded or flashing light emission indicating the fault location together.

[0044]

As described above, the present invention handles a wide variety of products including age-restricted products by displaying the purchase operation procedure on the display screen in a manner that is easy to see and understand, and has sufficient interactive functions. It is intended to provide a control method and a device configuration of a touch panel type product vending machine which is fully utilized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a sales operation unit in a first system structure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of devices in the first system structure of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a sales operation unit in the second system structure of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a device arrangement in the second system structure of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow, which is common to the first and second system structures of the present invention, until a customer selects a product to be purchased (touch input) after starting a sales operation unit (power ON).

[FIG. 6] The customer and the change discharging mechanism are activated when the customer puts money of a predetermined amount or more for the selected commodity, and the questionnaire presentation screen appears, until the customer answers the questionnaire or desires to omit it. It is a flowchart which shows a flow.

[Fig. 7] A roulette opportunity was given to the respondents of the questionnaire, and the product discharged to the product outlet (and the prize for the person who hit the roulette wheel) and the change dispensed to the change outlet were taken out by the customer. It is a flowchart which shows the flow until it confirms that it is timely and ends.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first still image output displayed on the display screen in the system control flow of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a second still image output displayed on the display screen in the system control flow of the present invention, and for a specific product, a product list displaying only a message requesting insertion of a purchase qualification card on a mask background. (A)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an enlarged view (B) of the specific product section and a product list (C) in which the mask background of the specific product is removed and the product description is disclosed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third still image output displayed on the display screen in the system control flow of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fourth still image output displayed on the display screen in the system control flow of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a fifth still image output displayed on the display screen in the system control flow of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a sixth still image output displayed on the display screen in the system control flow of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a roulette start screen (A) as a seventh still image output displayed on the display screen in the system control flow of the present invention, a roulette per-screen (B) as an eighth still image output, It is a figure which shows the roulette removal screen (C) as still image output of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a tenth (final stage) still image output displayed on the display screen in the system control flow of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of a purchase qualification determination routine by an in-store or center operator that can be implemented only in the second system structure of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-10 Still image output 11, 11 'Sales operation unit 12 Display device with touch panel function 13 card identification machine 14 Card slot 15 Human sensor 16 money insertion slot 17 Return lever 18 Banknote insertion and return slot 19 money return 20 Product outlet 21 Product storage and discharge unit 22 Signal connection device 23 Control computer 24 Operator input keyboard 25 external storage 26 Money Retention Mechanism 28 Banknote holding mechanism 30 Product Storage Department 31 Selected Product Delivery Mechanism 32 Product Conveyor 33 Intercom handset 38 Intercom base unit 42, 55 Available for sale switch 43,56 Not for sale switch 44 Operations Center 45 Changeover switch 46 Connection control device 47 transceiver 48, 50 terminal adapter 51 Host computer 52 four-screen monitor

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Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A touch-panel-operated age-identified product vending machine having a sales operation unit having a display device with a touch panel function, a money input / return unit, a certification card insertion unit, and a product outlet on the front plate. A) a step of displaying at least one kind of merchandise type image on the display device as a sales operation start screen, and b) when the customer touches one of the merchandise type images, A step of displaying a product image including a description of a product name, an appearance, a content, etc. of at least one brand product belonging to a product type, wherein the entire product type or a specific product in the product type depends on age or the like. If there is a purchase qualification restriction, a specific product mask image containing a message requesting insertion of a qualification card instead of the product image And c) when the customer touches a product image of a product for which there is no purchase qualification restriction, or when the customer inserts a qualification certificate card into the certification card insertion section and purchases qualification through the card identification machine. If determined, the card request instruction and mask is released from the specific product mask image by the vending machine control function to disclose the product image of the specific product, and when the customer subsequently touches the product image, the A frame obtained by enlarging a product image of the touch-selected product on a display device, the selling price and the purchase button frame of the product,
And displaying a product display screen including a preview request button frame when the product is a video work such as a video tape, and d) when the customer touches the purchase button frame, the product is displayed on the display device. The step of displaying the sales price, the input amount, the change amount, and the confirmation button frame, e) When the customer touches the inside of the confirmation button frame while the displayed input amount is equal to or higher than the sales price. ,
After the product discharge waiting state including a screen display indicating the completion of the purchase operation is completed, the purchased product is discharged to the product outlet, and the change to be returned is discharged to the money return section. Control method for touch panel-operated age-identified product vending machines. 2. A display device with a touch panel function on a front plate, a money input / return unit, a certification card insertion unit, a base unit provided at an operator position in a store or an intercom handset with a camera capable of communicating with an operation center, and a product. A method for controlling a touch-panel-operated age-identification product vending machine having a sales operation unit configured to have such outlets: a) At least one product type image as a sales operation start screen on the display device. B) When the customer touches one of the product type images, a product image containing a description such as the product name, appearance, and content of at least one brand product belonging to the product type is displayed. The step of making the product category, or the specific product in the product category, has a purchase qualification restriction due to age, etc. In that case, the step of displaying as a specific product mask image including a message requesting insertion of a qualification card instead of the product image, and c) when the customer touches the product image of a product without a purchase qualification restriction Or, when the customer inserts a qualification certificate card into the certification card insertion part and it is judged that there is a purchase qualification through a card identification machine, the vending machine control function causes the card request instruction and the mask from the specific product mask image. To release the product image of the specific product and then when the customer touches the product image, or when the customer calls the base unit or operation center with the intercom handset and calls the operator, there is a purchase qualification. If it is determined that the card request instruction from the specific product mask image is deleted by the vending machine control function, A frame in which the product image of the touch-selected product is enlarged on the display device when the product image is touched, and the selling price and the purchase button frame of the product, and the product is a video work such as a video tape. In the case where a product display screen including a preview request button frame is displayed, d) When the customer touches the inside of the purchase button frame, the selling price, the input amount, and the change amount of the product on the display device, A step of displaying a confirmation button frame, and e) when the customer touches the inside of the confirmation button frame while the displayed amount of money entered is equal to or higher than the selling price,
After the product discharge waiting state including a screen display indicating the completion of the purchase operation is completed, the purchased product is discharged to the product outlet, and the change to be returned is discharged to the money return section. Control method for touch panel-operated age-identified product vending machines. 3. The sales operation unit of the commodity sales machine,
In the case where the motion sensor is attached to or placed in proximity to the motion sensor, the display device is used as a pre-stage of the start screen display step until a customer arrives in front of the sales operation unit. The standby state for displaying an image of advertisement information or the like on the display, and when the human sensor detects the arrival of a customer, the process shifts to the start screen display step. Control method of product vending machine. 4. The specific product mask image does not display an image related to the specific product except for a message requesting insertion of a purchase qualification card. The method of controlling the product vending machine described in the item. 5. The display device, when the inside of the preview request button frame is touched, previews the video work.
4. The method for controlling a product vending machine according to any one of 4 above. 6. The display device displays a questionnaire presenting screen having a response acceptable button frame and a non-response button frame for allowing the customer to select whether or not to respond to the questionnaire, as the start screen of the product discharge waiting state. , When the customer touches in the answerable button frame, the row of question items and alternative answer button frame for that is displayed, and when the answers to all the questionnaires are completed, the answer result of the questionnaire is stored, The method of controlling a commodity vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by totalizing and analyzing. 7. The display device displays a button frame for selecting whether or not to perform roulette after the end of the questionnaire, and when roulette is selected, the roulette is executed on the display screen and when a win occurs. 7. The method for controlling a product vending machine according to claim 6, wherein a predetermined prize is discharged to a product outlet. 8. The number of customer purchases for each product type handled by the product vending machine, the number of customer purchases for each product brand in each product type,
8. The method for controlling a commodity vending machine according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the sales amount is counted and totaled, and the result is compared with the totalized / analyzed result of the questionnaire or evaluated for correlation. 9. When the motion sensor operates, in the step of displaying a plurality of types of product type images on the display device, the display is performed in the order of the product type having the largest number of purchases by the customer up to that time. Simultaneously display each product type at each position that is displaced in a raster scan from the left end to the right end of the top of the screen, and further from the left end to the right end of the lower part, and select multiple product brands from the selected product types. In the step of displaying the product image of
In order from the product with the largest number of sales or sales up to the smallest product up to that time, from the left end to the right end of the uppermost stage of the display screen, and further from the left end to the right end of the lower stage to each position sequentially displaced in raster scan form, The method for controlling a product vending machine according to claim 7, wherein each product is displayed at the same time. 10. A display device with a touch panel function for selectively displaying, on a front plate, at least a product name related to a merchandise brand that can be sold, a product image mainly consisting of an appearance, a cover, etc. and a questionnaire, a money insertion and A return computer, a certificate card inserter, and a product outlet, etc. are placed inside, and a control computer that performs basic sequence control of the vending machine, display and touch panel control, totaling and processing of questionnaire data, and a coin holding mechanism, A sales operation unit equipped with a banknote holding mechanism and a card identification machine, a product storage unit for classifying and storing various products, and a product instructed by the control unit of the sales operation unit, extracted from the product storage unit. , A selected product delivery mechanism for bringing the product to a predetermined carry-out preparation position, and the selected product brought to the carry-out preparation position. By providing a product storage / delivery unit in which a product transport device for transporting a product etc. to the take-out port of the sales operation unit is provided, among the products displayed on the display device with a touch panel function, the customer A touch-panel-operated age-discriminating product vending machine, which allows you to purchase touch-selected products. 11. A display device with a touch panel function for selectively displaying, on a front plate, at least a product name related to a product brand that can be sold, a product image mainly composed of appearance, a cover, etc., and a money insertion, A return unit, a certificate card insertion unit, a main unit with a sales permission switch installed at the operator's position or an intercom handset with a camera that can talk to the operation center, and an outlet for taking out products etc. are arranged, and the basic sequence of the vending machine is inside. Control, display and touch panel control, control computer for totaling and processing questionnaire data, coin holding mechanism, banknote holding mechanism, card identification machine, and communication connection between the control computer and operation center or switch attached to parent machine A sales operation unit equipped with a device for A product storage unit for classifying and storing seed products, a selected product delivery mechanism for extracting products instructed by the control unit of the sales operation unit from the product storage unit, and bringing them to a predetermined delivery preparation position, and the delivery The display with a touch panel function by including a product storage / delivery unit in which a product transport device for transporting the selected product brought to the preparation position to the product etc. outlet of the sales operation unit is arranged. A touch-panel-operated age-identifying product vending machine, which allows a customer to purchase a product that is touch-selected from the products displayed on the device. 12. A human sensor is attached to or placed close to the front plate, and when the human sensor operates,
2. The control computer starts the basic sequence of the vending machine.
The product vending machine described in 0 or 11. 13. The product vending machine is provided with a keyboard or a switch means installed inside the commodity vending machine so that a specific person can operate it from outside the machine, and in response to the operation, sales information, questionnaire information, 13. The product vending machine according to claim 10, wherein the control computer displays vending machine information that can be collected and analyzed.