JP2003123127A - Commodity vending device for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make surely purchasable a selected commodity by bringing a non-contact medium close to a commodity vending device twice. SOLUTION: The commodity vending device is provided with control means 101 to 104 for reading out current balance information (Z-yen) from a non- contact IC card 5 when the card 5 is brought close to the device, enabling selection of only can beverages to be sold by the current balance information, and when the card 5 is brought close to the device again, subtracting the amount information (X-yen or Y-yen) of a selected can beverage from the current balance information of the card 5 and selling the selected can beverage.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product selling device for a vending machine using a non-contact medium (non-contact IC card).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a management system using a non-contact IC card has begun to spread in a wide range of fields such as finance, transportation, and physical distribution. The reason for this is that the user has the convenience of being able to read and write information on the non-contact IC card only by holding (contacting) the non-contact IC card within the effective range of the electromagnetic waves from the reader / writer.

In the field of automatic vending machines that handle products such as food and drink, products that sell products using non-contact IC cards are beginning to spread. Hereinafter, a series of processing procedures until a product is sold using a prepaid type non-contact IC card will be described. First, the user presses any one of the plurality of product selection buttons provided on the front door of the vending machine, and then, the non-contact IC near the reader / writer provided on the front door of the vending machine. Hold the card over. Next, the reader / writer reads the balance information from the non-contact IC card. Next, when the control unit in the vending machine determines that the balance information from the non-contact IC card indicates that the product can be purchased, the control unit instructs the payment of the product. From this, the sales mechanism in the vending machine carries out the product desired by the user to the exit according to the above instruction. The technique related to the above is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-268239.

[0004]

The plurality of product selection buttons described above are one that is constantly lit in a standby state where products can be sold, and one that is lit after the user operates a dedicated button (or switch). There are two types.

In the former case, however, the lit product selection button can be easily pressed, so if the user approaches the vending machine when another person presses any lit product selection button, the user can use the product selection button. Contrary to the will of the person, there is a problem in that the amount information of the selected product of another person is reduced from the remaining amount information of the non-contact IC card of the user himself. Also, in the latter case, the number of parts of the vending machine increases, so the problem of the former can be solved, but the cost required for manufacturing and selling the vending machine rises, and further, when the user purchases the product, There was a problem that the operation became complicated.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide a product selling device for a vending machine, which allows a user to purchase a selected product by bringing a non-contact medium close to each other twice.

[0007]

The present invention was created to solve the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product selling device of an automatic vending machine which reads balance information stored in a non-contact medium and sells a product. The balance information is read and only the products that can be sold with the current balance information can be selected, and when the contactless medium approaches again, the price information of the selected product is subtracted from the current balance information of the contactless medium. The control means for selling the selected product is provided. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous money amount information from being reduced from the balance information of the non-contact medium of the user, to suppress the increase in the cost required for the manufacture and sale of the vending machine, and when the user purchases the product. There are operational effects such as simplifying the operation of.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to the first aspect, wherein the control means reads the remaining amount information when the non-contact medium approaches twice to detect a match, whereby the current remaining amount of the non-contact medium is detected. The price information of the selected product is subtracted from the information, and the selected product is sold. A third aspect of the present invention relates to the first or second aspect, wherein the control means invalidates the sale of the selected product by detecting the discrepancy by reading the balance information when the non-contact medium approaches twice. Is.
Therefore, even if a contactless medium with a large amount of balance is brought close to another contactless medium with a small amount of balance again, neither the balance information is changed nor the product is sold, so the balance of the latter contactless medium increases by mischief. There is an effect that prevents the occurrence of

A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the first aspect, wherein when the non-contact medium approaches, the control means provides the confirmation information for detecting that the same non-contact medium approaches twice. The information is stored in a medium, and when the non-contact medium approaches again, the confirmation information is read to determine whether the medium is correct. A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the fourth aspect, wherein the control means determines that the confirmation information is positive, thereby subtracting the price information of the selected product from the current remaining amount information of the non-contact medium to sell the selected product. To do. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means invalidates the sale of the selected product by determining that the confirmation information is incorrect. Therefore, there is an operational effect of surely identifying the user.

A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the control means requests the proximity of the non-contact medium by detecting an abnormality in sales, and the balance of the non-contact medium. The price information of the selected product is returned to the information. Therefore, when the product is not sold, there is an effect that the product is certainly refunded.

An eighth aspect of the present invention relates to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the control means determines that the time required for a predetermined period from the proximity of the non-contact medium to the next proximity exceeds a certain time. By detecting, the processing for selling the product is prohibited. A ninth aspect of the present invention relates to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the control means is based on the output when the human body sensor no longer detects the human body from the proximity of the non-contact medium to the next proximity. , Prohibits processing for selling goods. Therefore, even if the user cancels the procedure for purchasing the product in the middle of the process, there is an effect that the next user waits for the product to be purchased.

A tenth aspect of the present invention relates to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the non-contact medium includes a storage unit for storing balance information and an information processing unit for reading or writing the balance information in the storage unit. , A non-contact IC card comprising a transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting / receiving the balance information to / from the vending machine. Therefore, the non-contact IC card is easy to carry,
It has the effect of promoting the sale of products.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a product selling device of an automatic vending machine which reads personal identification information and balance information stored in a non-contact medium and sells a product, and when the non-contact medium approaches the non-contact medium. When the personal identification information is read from the medium and it is detected that the personal identification information is valid, the product can be selected, and when the non-contact medium approaches again after the product is selected, the current state of the non-contact medium is determined. Is provided with control means for subtracting the price information of the selected product from the remaining amount information and selling the selected product. For example,
When applied to a vending machine that handles products such as cigarettes and alcoholic beverages that are prohibited from being sold to minors, a management company that manages the vending machine using the personal identification information as the date of birth information. , The place that can be properly managed is to store the date of birth information of the user who has applied for registration in the contactless medium and distribute it to the user in advance. As a result, the vending machine ensures that the user comes close to the vending machine with the non-contact medium twice to surely identify the minor and prohibit the sale of the product. It has the effect of being able to reliably settle payments as well as selling products.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The details of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an example of a front view of a vending machine using the present invention. Note that this vending machine sells, for example, canned beverages when a user holds up a non-contact IC card.

In FIG. 1, the front door 1 is opened and closed by using a left side end (or a right side end) of a vending machine as a spindle, and is unlocked when setting a column or refilling canned beverages. It should be opened and locked for normal sale. The panel 2 is a transparent resin plate and is used for confirming a plurality of types of canned beverage samples 3 displayed inside. That is, the user can select a canned beverage to purchase by looking over the plurality of types of canned beverage samples 3 through the panel 2. The product selection button 4 has a sellable lamp and a sold-out lamp built therein, and is provided on the panel 2 corresponding to each canned beverage sample 3. The available-for-sale lamp is lit only when a canned beverage is stored in a column inside the vending machine. As for the sold-out lamp, when a predetermined column inside the vending machine is emptied, a lamp corresponding to this canned beverage is constantly turned on. When the user faces the front door 1 and holds the prepaid non-contact IC card 5 (non-contact medium) that stores the remaining amount information, only when the non-contact IC card 5 has the remaining amount information that can purchase a canned beverage. The corresponding product selection button 4 lights up. After that, when the user presses any of the illuminated product selection buttons 4, the canned beverage corresponding to this canned beverage sample 3 is carried out to the product outlet 6. The reader / writer 7 is a non-contact IC
An electromagnetic wave for powering on the card 5 is constantly generated to control the reading or writing of the balance information in the non-contact IC card 5. That is, non-contact I
When the C card 5 approaches within an effective range (for example, several tens of cm) of the electromagnetic wave from the reader / writer 7, the power source is activated by the action of electromagnetic induction and the balance information is read or written. The display unit 8 reads information from the non-contact IC card 5 (for example, balance contents before purchase), predetermined logic operation information (for example, balance contents after purchase) using this read information, and further, sells and sells. Information such as cancellation is displayed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a commodity selling device for an automatic vending machine according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2, a main controller 101 controls the vending machine, and includes a ROM, a CPU, and an R.
It incorporates an AM and peripheral circuits (timer, register, etc.). More specifically, the ROM stores in advance program data for centrally controlling a plurality of slave control units, which will be described later, and table data such as column settings and price settings. The CPU integrally controls a plurality of slave control units according to the result of decoding the program data read from the ROM. The RAM is for writing or reading the calculation result of the CPU and various data from a plurality of sub-control units. In terms of hardware, ROM
Is a mask RO that prints and fixes data in the manufacturing process.
M is a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM in which data can be repeatedly written and read by erasing data with ultraviolet light, or an EEPROM (including a flash memory) in which data can be repeatedly written and read by electrically erasing data. The CPU has a built-in program counter for designating an execution address of the ROM, an instruction decoder for decoding the contents read from the ROM, an arithmetic logic unit for performing a logical operation, an accumulator for temporarily storing operation data, and the like. The RAM is a volatile memory such as SRAM, and has a backup power supply (battery) for holding the stored contents. Card processing control unit 10
2, the customer control unit 103, the sales control unit 104, and the input control unit 105 correspond to a plurality of slave control units, and in terms of hardware, the same ROM, CPU, and RA as the main control unit 101.
Built in M. The reader / writer 7 constantly generates an electromagnetic wave via the transmission / reception unit 106 to communicate with the non-contact IC card 5. The card processing control unit 102 controls the reader / writer 7, determines the type and validity of the read information from the non-contact IC card 5, and sends the read information from the non-contact IC card 5 to the main control unit 101. Or contactless I
The information written in the C card 5 is transmitted to the reader / writer 7. The customer service section 107 includes a plurality of product selection buttons 4 provided corresponding to a plurality of types of canned beverage samples 3.
And a display unit 8. Customer service control unit 103
Controls the customer service section 107. That is, the customer service control unit 10
In accordance with a customer service instruction regarding the sale of canned drinks from the main control unit 101, the display unit 3 displays on the display unit 8 that the product is on sale or is discontinued, and turns on a sellable lamp or a sold-out lamp for each of the plurality of product selection buttons 4, Further, it detects which of the plurality of product selection buttons 4 has been pressed, and transmits the detection signal at this time to the main control unit 101. Sales organization 10
Reference numeral 8 is to carry out the canned beverage corresponding to the product selection button 4 pressed by the user to the product outlet 6. The sales control unit 104 controls the sales mechanism 108. That is, when the main control unit 101 receives the read information of the non-contact IC card 5 from the card processing control unit 102 and determines that the user can purchase the canned beverage, the sales control unit 104 outputs the information from the customer service control unit 103. Main controller 1 responding to the detection signal
According to the sales instruction from 01, the canned beverage corresponding to the product selection button 4 pressed by the user is carried out to the product outlet 6. The key input unit 109 is detachably arranged on the back surface of the front door 1 and is for inputting data such as column setting and price setting. The input control unit 105 includes the key input unit 10
The interface for transmitting the setting data from 9 to the main control unit 101 is performed.

The non-contact IC card 5 has the same ROM, CPU, and RAM as the main controller 101, the coil antenna 110 for receiving electromagnetic waves from the reader / writer 7, and the transmitter / receiver 111 for communicating with the reader / writer 7. And, built in. The ROM is a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM that can rewrite data, and stores program data for controlling communication with the reader / writer 7. The RAM stores electronic money within a predetermined amount of money by bidirectionally communicating with an electronic money handling device of a bank.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the product selling apparatus for the automatic vending machine according to the present invention. The prices of canned beverages are X yen and Y (> X) yen.

First, when the user holds the non-contact IC card 5 near the reader / writer 7, the reader / writer 7 reads the balance information stored in the RAM of the non-contact IC card 5, and causes the card processing control unit 102 to read it. Send. The card processing control unit 102 transmits the balance information from the reader / writer 7 to the main control unit 101. As a result, the main control unit 101 receives the balance information from the card processing control unit 102 as an interrupt request and holds it in the RAM or the register.
The process for selling canned drinks is started (A1).

The main control unit 101 includes a card processing control unit 10
2 transmits a prohibition signal to the card processing control unit 102 so as not to receive the read information from the reader / writer 7 until step A16 described later. As a result, the card processing control unit 102, once receiving the balance information of the user, does not receive the balance information of the other users after that, so that an erroneous calculation using the balance information can be prevented (A2).

The main control unit 101 obtains the balance Z yen from the balance information held in the RAM or the register (A
3). The main control unit 101 determines whether the remaining amount Z yen is equal to or more than the price X yen of the canned beverage (A4). Main controller 10
When 1 determines that the remaining amount Z yen is less than the price X yen of the canned drink (A4: NO), the user is not qualified to purchase the canned drink, and therefore the processing after step A5 is not executed. finish. On the other hand, when the main control unit 101 determines that the remaining amount Z yen is equal to or more than the price X yen of the canned beverage (A4: YE
S) Since the user is qualified to purchase the canned drink, the confirmation information for specifying the non-contact IC card 5 used by this user is transmitted to the card processing control unit 102. The card processing control unit 102 transmits this confirmation information to the non-contact IC card 5 via the reader / writer 7. The non-contact IC card 5 writes this confirmation information at a specific address in the RAM. The main control unit 101 temporarily holds this confirmation information in the RAM or the register (A5).

That is, the main control unit 101 executes the above steps A1 to A5 within 1 to 2 seconds when the user holds up the non-contact IC card 5.

The main control unit 101 further determines whether or not the remaining amount Z yen is equal to or more than the price Y yen of the canned beverage (A6).
When the main control unit 101 determines that the remaining amount Z yen is equal to or more than the price Y yen of the canned drink (A6: YES), the sale enable lamp of the product selection button 4 corresponding to the priced yen X and Y yen canned drinks is displayed. A signal for lighting is transmitted to the customer service control unit 103.
From this, the sellable lamp of the product selection button 4 corresponding to the canned drinks of the X yen and Y yen prices excluding sold-out lights up (A
7). On the other hand, when the main control unit 101 determines that the remaining amount Z yen is less than the price Y yen of the canned drink (A6: NO), the sale enable lamp of the product selection button 4 corresponding to the canned drink of the price X yen is turned on. A signal for doing so is transmitted to the customer service control unit 103.
From this, the sellable lamp of the product selection button 4 corresponding to the canned drink of the price X yen excluding sold-out lights up (A8).

The main control unit 101 uses the above step A7,
When a signal for lighting the sale-ready lamp of the product selection button 4 of A8 is output, the timer is reset and a 1-second signal obtained by dividing the free-running or other-running oscillation clock by a predetermined frequency is supplied to start counting (A9). ).

When the timer starts counting, the main control unit 101 determines whether or not a signal for pressing the merchandise selection button 4 from the customer service control unit 103 is received (A10). Main controller 10
If 1 determines that the signal for pressing the product selection button 4 from the customer control unit 103 is not received (A10: NO),
Further, it is determined whether the timer has counted T1 (for example, 30 seconds) (A11). When the main control unit 101 determines that the timer does not count T1 (A11: N
O), the above step A10 is executed again, and the timer is set to T
When it is determined that 1 is counted (A11: YES), it is considered that the user does not have the intention to purchase the canned drink,
The timer counting is stopped, the remaining amount information in the RAM or the register is erased, and a signal for turning off the sellable lamp of the lit product selection button 4 is transmitted to the customer service control unit 103. As a result, the sale-permitted lamp of the lit product selection button 4 is turned off, and the processing is terminated without executing the processing from step A10 (S12). On the other hand, when the main control unit 101 determines that the signal for pressing the product selection button 4 from the customer service control unit 103 is received (A10: YES), the customer service control unit 10 is further activated.
It is determined whether the signal for pressing the product selection button 4 from 3 corresponds to the price of X yen or Y yen (A13). When the main control unit 101 determines that the pressing signal of the product selection button 4 from the customer control unit 103 corresponds to the price X yen (A13:
YES), the price X yen is subtracted from the balance Z yen, and (Z-
X) The balance information of the yen is transmitted to the card processing control unit 102 (A14). On the other hand, the main control unit 101 is the service control unit 10
When it is determined that the signal for pressing the product selection button 4 from 3 does not correspond to the price X yen (A13: NO), the price Y yen is subtracted from the remaining amount Z yen, and the remaining amount information of the (Z-Y) yen is stored in the card. It is transmitted to the processing control unit 102 (A15).

The main controller 101 executes the above step A1.
4. The card processing control unit 10 displays the balance information after subtraction of A15.
2, the card processing control unit 102 further transmits a permission signal for restarting reception of the read information from the reader / writer 7 (A16).

The main control unit 101 transmits a display signal for prompting the user to hold the non-contact IC card 5 to the customer service control unit 103. In response to this display signal, the customer service control unit 103 displays a guidance message such as "Where is the card open?" On the display unit 8. From this, the user confirms that the non-contact IC card 5 is held again. That is, when the user holds the non-contact IC card 5 near the reader / writer 7, the reader / writer 7 reads the confirmation information stored in the non-contact IC card 5 and transmits it to the card processing control unit 102. The card processing control unit 102 uses the reader / writer 7
From the main control unit 101 (A1)
7).

The main controller 101 executes the above step A17.
When the display signal is output, the timer is reset again and a 1 second signal is supplied to start counting (A18).

When the timer starts counting, the main control unit 101 determines whether or not confirmation information has been received from the card processing control unit 102 (A19). When the main control unit 101 determines that the confirmation information from the card processing control unit 102 is not received (A19: NO), the timer is set to T.
It is determined whether 2 (for example, 30 seconds) has been counted (A
20). When the main control unit 101 determines that the timer does not count T2 (A20: NO), the step A19 is executed again, and when the timer determines that T2 has been counted (A20: YES), the use It is considered that the person does not have the intention of purchasing the canned beverage, the counting of the timer is stopped, the remaining amount information in the RAM or the register is erased, and the remaining amount information after the subtraction included in the card processing control unit 102 is invalidated. As a result, the processing is terminated without executing the processing after step A19 (A21). On the other hand, when the main control unit 101 determines that the confirmation information has been received from the card processing control unit 102 (A19: YES), the card processing control unit 1 further
It is determined whether the confirmation information from 02 matches the original confirmation information (A22). When the main control unit 101 determines that the confirmation information from the card processing control unit 102 does not match the original confirmation information (A22: NO), the main control unit 101 regards it as holding the contactless IC card 5 different by the user, and The step A21 is re-executed, and the process after the step A22 is ended without executing. On the other hand, the main control unit 101
When it is determined that the confirmation information from the card processing control unit 102 matches the original confirmation information (A22: YES), rewriting for rewriting the balance information stored in the RAM of the contactless IC card 5 to the subtracted balance information. The signal is transmitted to the card processing control unit 102. In response to the rewrite signal, the card processing control unit 102 reads the balance information after the subtraction from the reader / writer 7.
To the non-contact IC card 5 via. The non-contact IC card 5 rewrites the balance information in the RAM to the balance information after subtraction, and transmits a rewriting end signal to the card processing control unit 102 via the reader / writer 7. Card processing control unit 102
Transmits a rewrite end signal to the main control unit 101 (A2
3).

That is, the main control unit 101 executes the above steps A19, A21, A22 and A23 within 1 to 2 seconds when the user holds the non-contact IC card 5 again.

The main control unit 101 includes a card processing control unit 10
If it is determined that the rewrite end signal from 2 has been received (A
24: YES), and transmits a sales signal corresponding to the press signal of the product selection button 4 to the sales control unit 104. Sales control unit 10
In response to the sales signal, the user 4 pays out the canned beverage desired by the user from the sales mechanism 108 and transmits a sales end signal to the main control unit 101 (A25).

The main control unit 101 determines whether or not the sales end signal is received from the sales control unit 104 (A2).
6). When the main control unit 101 determines that the sales end signal is received from the sales control unit 104 (A26: YE
S), assuming that the canned beverage desired by the user has been normally sold, and the process ends. On the other hand, when the main control unit 101 determines that the sales end signal from the sales control unit 104 has not been received (A26: NO), the sales control unit 10 further proceeds.
It is determined whether or not the sales abnormality signal from 4 has been received (A27). When the main control unit 101 determines that the sales abnormality signal is not received from the sales control unit 104 (A
27: NO), if the above step A26 is executed again and it is determined that the sales abnormality signal is received from the sales control unit 104 (A27: YES), the price of the canned drink to be sold is X yen. It is determined whether or not (A28). When the main control unit 101 determines that the price of the canned drink to be sold is X yen (A28: YES), the remaining amount (Z-X)
The price X yen is added to the yen and the balance information of Z yen is transmitted to the card processing control unit 102 (A29). On the other hand, the main controller 1
When 01 determines that the price of the canned drink to be sold is not X yen (A28: NO), the price Y is added to the balance (Z-Y) yen.
The card processing control unit 10 calculates the balance information of Z yen by adding the yen.
2 (A30).

The main control unit 101 transmits a display signal for prompting the user to hold the non-contact IC card 5 to the customer service control unit 103. In response to this display signal, the customer service control unit 103 displays a guidance message such as “Card is not available” on the display unit 8. Than this,
The user confirms that the non-contact IC card 5 is held over again. That is, when the user holds the non-contact IC card 5 near the reader / writer 7, the reader / writer 7 reads the confirmation information stored in the non-contact IC card 5 and transmits it to the card processing control unit 102. Card processing control unit 102
Sends confirmation information from the reader / writer 7 to the main control unit 101. (A31).

The main control unit 101 includes a card processing control unit 10
Confirm whether the confirmation information from 2 was received (A3
2). When the main control unit 101 determines that the confirmation information is received from the card processing control unit 102 (A32: YE
S) Further, it is determined whether the confirmation information from the card processing control unit 102 matches the original confirmation information (A3).
3). When determining that the confirmation information from the card processing control unit 102 does not match the original confirmation information (A33: NO), the main control unit 101 executes the above step A31 again. On the other hand, the main control unit 101 is the card processing control unit 1
If it is determined that the confirmation information from 02 matches the original confirmation information (A33: YES), the card processing of the rewrite signal for rewriting the balance information stored in the RAM of the non-contact IC card 5 to the added balance information. It is transmitted to the control unit 102. The card processing control unit 102 responds to the rewrite signal,
The balance information after the addition (original balance information) is transmitted to the non-contact IC card 5 via the reader / writer 7. The non-contact IC card 5 rewrites the balance information in the RAM with the balance information after addition, and transmits a rewriting end signal to the card processing control unit 102 via the reader / writer 7. The card processing control unit 102
The rewriting end signal is transmitted to the main control unit 101 (A34).
When the main control unit 101 determines that the rewrite end signal is received from the card processing control unit 102 (A35: N
O), the process ends.

Instead of the above confirmation information, the contactless I
It is also possible to read the balance information when the C card 5 approaches twice and detect the match or mismatch. Also,
Instead of the above timer, the process for selling canned drinks is prohibited based on the output when the human body sensor does not detect the human body between the proximity of the non-contact IC card 5 and the next proximity. You may

Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Some products handled by vending machines, such as cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, must be prohibited from being sold to minors. You must be sure to determine whether you are a minor, for example, by importing a driver's license and optically reading the date of birth information in it to determine whether you are a minor. There is. However, even if the vending machine is provided with an optical reading means, it cannot be surely discriminated from the forged driver's license.
Also, even if the driver's license is formal, the date of birth cannot be read reliably if it is dirty, and there is a problem with reliability in determining the age of the user from the date of birth information. Is the fact. In addition, the date of birth information of the user is magnetic data or electronic data (binary data).
A technique is also considered in which a card stored in advance in the form of is distributed to the user in advance, and the vending machine takes in the card and determines the age of the user. However, even in this case, the card must be once taken into the vending machine, and when the user purchases the product, there is a risk that the user forgets to take the card and eventually loses it.
In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to display a message on the display or warn with a buzzer as a preventive measure for forgetting to remove the card, but this is not preferable because it increases the cost after all. Further, the operation of inserting the card into the vending machine or removing the card after that has a problem that a smooth purchase operation cannot be performed because the card once leaves the user's hand.

From this point of view, in order to make the purchase operation of the user smooth and to surely determine whether or not the user is a minor, the user can use the contactless IC card as a medium in the vending machine. Considered a preferred embodiment for discriminating the age of. To be more specific, a management company that can properly manage vending machines prepares vending machines that have the function of determining the age of the user and installs them at each required location. In accordance with a registration application, a contactless IC card in which the date of birth information (personal identification information) of each user is stored in the internal memory is created for each user and distributed in advance by mail or the like. The internal memory of this contactless IC card contains electronic value information (remaining amount information) in addition to date of birth information.
It has an area for storing information, and requires electronic value information in the internal memory of the contactless IC card up to the balance of the deposit by using a dedicated machine installed in the bank etc. that the user himself / herself uses. It shall be remembered each time.

First, the user faces the vending machine, and the contactless I in which the date of birth information and the electronic value information are stored.
Place the C card close to the vending machine. As a result, the main control unit 101 of the vending machine calculates the age of the user from the difference between the birth date information read from the reader / writer 7 and the current date and time information, and determines whether the user is a minor. Determine. At this time, when the main control unit 101 determines that the user is a minor, all the information acquired by the reader / writer at this time is deleted without executing the subsequent sales processing, and the series of processing is terminated. . On the other hand, when the main control unit 101 determines that the user is not a minor and is over 20 years old, a product corresponding to a product such as a cigarette or an alcoholic drink having a salable price according to the monetary value information captured at the same time. A signal for illuminating the selection button 4 is transmitted to the customer service control unit 103, and thereby the corresponding product selection button 4 is illuminated. After that, when the user presses the desired product selection button 4 to bring the non-contact IC card closer to the vending machine again, the amount of the sold product is reduced from the monetary value information calculated by the main control unit 101. The new monetary value information is transmitted to the contactless IC card via the card processing control unit 102 and the reader / writer 7, and the monetary value information in the internal memory is updated to the new monetary value information after reduction. The main controller 10
The control sequence after the user 1 has determined that the user is not a minor is similar to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As a vending machine, a management company that legally manages the vending machine distributes the contactless IC card. Therefore, the user is a minor based on the date of birth information of the user. Whether or not the product is for adults can be surely prevented from being sold to minors. Further, as the user realizes the minor discriminating function by a non-contact IC card, a series of processes from minor identification to product sale can be smoothly performed while holding the card in his hand.
You can lose the card or solve the problem.

[0043]

The present invention has the following advantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product selling device of an automatic vending machine which reads balance information stored in a non-contact medium and sells a product. The balance information is read and only the products that can be sold with the current balance information can be selected, and when the contactless medium approaches again, the price information of the selected product is subtracted from the current balance information of the contactless medium. The control means for selling the selected product is provided. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous money amount information from being reduced from the balance information of the non-contact medium of the user, to suppress the increase in the cost required for the manufacture and sale of the vending machine, and when the user purchases the product. The operation of can be simplified.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to the first aspect, wherein the control means reads the balance information when the non-contact medium approaches twice to detect a match, thereby detecting the current balance of the non-contact medium. The price information of the selected product is subtracted from the information, and the selected product is sold. A third aspect of the present invention relates to the first or second aspect, wherein the control means invalidates the sale of the selected product by detecting the discrepancy by reading the balance information when the non-contact medium approaches twice. Is.
Therefore, even if a contactless medium with a large amount of balance is brought close to another contactless medium with a small amount of balance again, neither the balance information is changed nor the product is sold, so the balance of the latter contactless medium increases by mischief. Can be prevented.

A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the first aspect, wherein when the non-contact medium approaches, the control means sends the confirmation information for detecting that the same non-contact medium approaches twice. The information is stored in a medium, and when the non-contact medium approaches again, the confirmation information is read to determine whether the medium is correct. A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the fourth aspect, wherein the control means determines that the confirmation information is positive, thereby subtracting the price information of the selected product from the current remaining amount information of the non-contact medium to sell the selected product. To do. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means invalidates the sale of the selected product by determining that the confirmation information is incorrect. Therefore, the user can be reliably identified.

A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the control means requests the proximity of the non-contact medium by detecting an abnormal sale, and the balance of the non-contact medium. The price information of the selected product is returned to the information. Therefore, when the product is not sold, it can be surely refunded.

An eighth aspect of the present invention relates to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the control means determines that the time required for a predetermined period from the proximity of the non-contact medium to the next proximity exceeds a certain time. By detecting, the processing for selling the product is prohibited. A ninth aspect of the present invention relates to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the control means is based on the output when the human body sensor no longer detects the human body from the proximity of the non-contact medium to the next proximity. , Prohibits processing for selling goods. Therefore, even if the user cancels the procedure for purchasing the product on the way, the next user can be in a standby state for purchasing the product.

A tenth aspect of the present invention relates to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the non-contact medium includes a storage section for storing balance information and an information processing section for reading or writing the balance information in the storage section. , A non-contact IC card comprising a transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting / receiving the balance information to / from the vending machine. Therefore, the non-contact IC card is easy to carry,
The sale of goods can be promoted.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention is a merchandise selling device of an automatic vending machine which reads personal identification information and balance information stored in a non-contact medium and sells a merchandise, wherein when the non-contact medium approaches the non-contact medium. When the personal identification information is read from the medium and it is detected that the personal identification information is valid, the product can be selected, and when the non-contact medium approaches again after the product is selected, the current state of the non-contact medium is determined. Is provided with control means for subtracting the price information of the selected product from the remaining amount information and selling the selected product. For example,
When applied to a vending machine that handles products such as cigarettes and alcoholic beverages that are prohibited from being sold to minors, a management company that manages the vending machine using the personal identification information as the date of birth information. , The place that can be properly managed is to store the date of birth information of the user who has applied for registration in the contactless medium and distribute it to the user in advance. As a result, the vending machine ensures that the user comes close to the vending machine with the non-contact medium twice to surely identify the minor and prohibit the sale of the product. It is possible to secure the payment together with the sale of the product.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an example of a front view of a vending machine using the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a product selling device for an automatic vending machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the first half of the operation of the product selling device for an automatic vending machine of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the second half of the operation of the product selling device for an automatic vending machine of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 Non-contact IC card 7 Reader / Writer 101 main control unit 102 Card processing control unit 103 Customer service control unit 104 Sales Control Department 107 Customer Service Department 108 Sales Organization

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Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A product sales device of an automatic vending machine, which reads balance information stored in a non-contact medium and sells a product, wherein when the non-contact medium approaches, current balance information is displayed from the non-contact medium. Only the commodities that can be read by the current balance information can be selected, and when the contactless medium approaches again, the price information of the selected commodity is subtracted from the current balance information of the contactless medium, and the selected commodity is selected. A vending machine merchandise selling device, which is equipped with a control means for selling. 2. The control means subtracts the amount information of the selected product from the current remaining amount information of the non-contact medium by reading the remaining amount information when the non-contact medium approaches twice and detecting a match. Then, the product selling apparatus for the vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the selected product is sold. 3. The control means invalidates the sale of the selected product by reading the remaining amount information when the non-contact medium comes close twice and detecting a mismatch. Item vending machine of the vending machine described in 2. 4. The non-contact medium, wherein the control means stores confirmation information for detecting that the same non-contact medium has approached twice when the non-contact medium approaches. 2. The vending machine merchandise selling device according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation information is read to determine whether the item is right or wrong. 5. The control means subtracts the price information of the selected product from the current remaining amount information of the non-contact medium by determining that the confirmation information is positive, and sells the selected product. The product selling device for an automatic vending machine according to claim 4. 6. The product vending apparatus for an automatic vending machine according to claim 4, wherein the control unit invalidates the sale of the selected product by determining that the confirmation information is incorrect. 7. The control means requests the proximity of the non-contact medium by detecting an abnormal sale, and returns the amount information of the selected product to the balance information of the non-contact medium. A product selling device for an automatic vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 8. The control means prohibits processing for selling a product by detecting that a time required for a predetermined period from the proximity of the non-contact medium to the next proximity exceeds a certain time. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein
Item vending machine of the vending machine according to any one of 1. 9. The control means prohibits processing for selling a product based on an output when the human body sensor no longer detects the human body between the proximity of the non-contact medium and the next proximity. The product selling device for an automatic vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: 10. The non-contact medium transmits / receives balance information between a storage unit for storing balance information, an information processing unit for reading or writing balance information in the storage unit, and a vending machine. Non-contact IC consisting of
The vending machine product selling device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is a card. 11. A merchandise selling device of an automatic vending machine, which sells merchandise by reading personal identification information and balance information stored in a non-contact medium, wherein the non-contact medium is used to sell an individual when the non-contact medium approaches. When the identification information is read and it is detected that this personal identification information is valid, the product can be selected, and further,
When the non-contact medium approaches again after the product is selected, the control means for subtracting the price information of the selected product from the current balance information of the non-contact medium and selling the selected product is provided. Product sales device for vending machines.