JP2003162760A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic vending machine capable of quickly and easily transmitting information related with the failure of the automatic vending machine or a request for the automatic vending machine to a manager side. <P>SOLUTION: Information related with the failure of an automatic vending machine 1 or a request for the automatic vending machine 1 is transmitted to a control center 12 according to an input to the screen of a display monitor 7 set on the front face of the automatic vending machine main body 1. Thus, it is possible to quickly and easily transmit the contents of the failure of the automatic vending machine or the contact destination of a user or the like to the control center 12 when the automatic vending machine breaks down, and to accurately repair the automatic vending machine or compensate for the user. Also, the request for the automatic vending machine is transmitted to the control center 12 so that the request of the user can be reflected on the management of the automatic vending machine, and that the improvement of the user can be improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine for selling products such as beverages in cans, bottles or PET bottles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an automatic vending machine of this kind, an automatic vending machine body having a product sample, a commercial product selection switch, a cash slot, a commercial product outlet, etc. on the front side is provided in the automatic vending machine body. It is known that a product storage is provided and drinks in cans, bottles or plastic bottles are sold as products. For example, a serpentine type product column is installed in the product storage, and when an arbitrary product is selected by the product selection switch, the product stored in the product column is carried out to the product outlet.

[0003]

By the way, in the above-mentioned vending machine, there may be a failure such as the inability to deposit money, the goods not being carried out, and the change being not returned. In such a case, the vending machine is in trouble. It is necessary to promptly deal with the administrator side of. However, since the vending machine is usually unmanned, if the administrator is not standing by near the vending machine, it is not possible to promptly deal with the breakdown and the service for the user is lacking. There was a point.

In addition, if there is a defect in the vending machine's sales system, for example, the product to be purchased is sold out, the type of product being sold is not satisfactory, the temperature of the product being sold is not favorable, etc. However, since it is not possible to directly file a complaint with the vending machine, there is a problem that the convenience of the user is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to quickly and easily provide information about a failure of an automatic vending machine, a request for the automatic vending machine, etc. To provide a vending machine that can be communicated to.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides, in claim 1, an image display means provided on the front surface of a vending machine body, and a sample of a sale product on the screen of the image display means. Sample display means for displaying an image of the product, product selection means for selecting a purchased product by touching the image of the product sample displayed on the screen of the image display means, and a predetermined information input screen on the screen of the image display means. Is displayed on the screen of the image display means, the information input means capable of inputting arbitrary information by touching the information input screen displayed on the screen of the image display means, and the information input by the information input means of the vending machine. And a transmitting means for transmitting to the outside.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the first aspect, the information input means is configured to be able to input information regarding a failure of the vending machine.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the first or second aspect, the information input means is configured to be able to input information regarding a request to the vending machine.

That is, according to the vending machine of claim 1, 2 or 3, any information from the user side can be transmitted to the vending machine by inputting to the image display means provided on the front surface of the vending machine body. Since the information is transmitted to the administrator or the like, information about, for example, a failure of the vending machine or a request for the vending machine can be quickly and easily transmitted to the administrator or the like.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic vending machine according to the first aspect, the information input means is configured to be able to input information regarding a failure of the automatic vending machine and a request to the automatic vending machine, and the input. The screen display means is a screen for selecting the shift to the input screen of the information related to the failure or the shift to the input screen of the information related to the request, and the information related to the request after the input of the information related to the failure is selected. It is configured to display a screen in which the transition to the input screen of can be selected and is displayed.

Thus, in addition to the operation of claim 1, when the input of the information regarding the failure is selected, a screen from which the shift to the input screen of the information regarding the request can be selected is displayed after the input is completed. From this, it is possible to prompt the user to input information regarding a request upon input of information regarding a failure.

[0012]

1 to 17 show one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a vending machine, FIG. 2 is a front sectional view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view thereof. 4, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system, FIGS. 5 to 15 are diagrams showing a screen of a display monitor, and FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation of the control unit.

This vending machine has an automatic vending machine body 1 with an open front, first and second product storage boxes 2 and 3 provided in the vending machine body 1, and respective product storage boxes 2 and 3. 3, a plurality of product columns 4 respectively provided in each of the product storage boxes 3, a cooling device 5 for cooling the inside of each product storage case 2, 3, a heater 6 as a heating means for heating the inside of the first product storage case 2, A display monitor 7 that displays a sample of a product and a control unit 8 that controls the display of the display monitor 7 are provided.

The vending machine body 1 has an outer door 1a for opening and closing the front surface thereof, and a display monitor 7 is arranged on the front surface of the outer door 1a. In this case, the display monitor 7
Is attached to the center of the decorative panel 1b that covers almost the upper half of the outer door 1a, and the advertisement display section 1c is provided on the upper part of the decorative panel 1b.
Is provided. Further, a coin slot 1d, a bill slot 1e, an effect return slot 1f, and a product outlet 1g are provided on the front surface of the outer door 1a.

Each of the product storages 2 and 3 is surrounded by a heat insulating wall 10 whose front surface is open, and the front surface thereof is a heat insulating inner door 10a.
It is designed to open and close. Each product storage 2,
3 are separated from each other in the width direction by a heat insulating partition wall 10b, and a total of two width-direction product columns 3 are accommodated in the first product storage 2 and the second product storage 3 is stored in the second product storage 3. Stores a total of three product columns 3 in the width direction. In addition, the inside temperature sensors 2a, 2a, 3
3a is provided.

Each product column 4 comprises a so-called serpentine type well-known product storage device, and each product storage 2,
Two rows in the front-rear direction are provided in each of the three. That is, in these product columns 4, the products 11 loaded from the product insertion port 4a on the upper end side are vertically stacked and stored in the meandering product passage 4b, and the product unloading mechanism 4c on the lower end side lowers the products. It is designed to drop out one by one in order from 11.

The cooling device 5 has a cooler 5a arranged in the lower portion of each of the product storages 2 and 3, and each cooler 5a.
Is connected to a refrigeration circuit (not shown). Blowers 2b and 3b are provided in the lower portion of each product storage 2, and the air cooled by the cooler 5a is circulated in the product storages 2 and 3 by the blowers 2b and 3b.

The heater 6 is composed of an electrothermal heating element,
It is arranged near the cooler 5a in the product storage 2. In this case, the air heated by the heater 6 is circulated in the product storage 2 by the blower 2b.

The display monitor 7 is composed of a so-called touch panel, and has a well-known structure that outputs a signal corresponding to the pressed portion when a predetermined portion of the liquid crystal display screen is pressed with a fingertip. The display monitor 7 is adapted to display a plurality of types of product samples A to H, and each product sample A to H is composed of, for example, an image similar to the actual product of a canned beverage. In this case, some product samples A to E are products that are sold only as cold products such as soft drinks, and other product samples F to H are cold products such as coffee drinks, black tea, and Japanese tea. Or it is a product sold as a hot product. Also, this display monitor 7
Has a function as a product selection unit, and when any of the product samples A to H on the screen is pressed, the product corresponding to the output signal is carried out from the product column 4. Further, the display monitor 7 includes the first to third sample display parts 7 arranged in three rows, as shown in FIG.
It consists of a, 7b and 7c. Each sample display section 7a, 7
An arbitrary product sample and a cold temperature display portion 7d are displayed on b and 7c, respectively.
“D” displays either “COLD” indicating a cooled product or “HOT” indicating a heated product. Further, on the screen of the display monitor 7, there is displayed a screen switching unit 7e for shifting to a screen for inputting and transmitting a failure or a request described later.

The control unit 8 is composed of a microcomputer and is connected to each commodity column 4 and the display monitor 7. Further, the control unit 8 includes a communication control unit 8a that transmits the information input by the display monitor 7 to the outside of the vending machine, and the communication control unit 8a connects a management center 12 that manages the vending machine to a telephone line or the like. Communication line 12
It is connected via a.

In the vending machine configured as described above, the first product storage 2 stores products corresponding to the product samples F to H, that is, products such as coffee drinks, and the like. Are cooled by the cooler 5a to sell these products as cold products, and by heating the inside of the product storage 2 with the heater 6, they are sold as hot products. The second product storage 3 stores products corresponding to the product samples A to E,
That is, products such as soft drinks are stored, and by cooling the inside of the product storage 3 with the cooler 5a, these products are always sold as cold products.

That is, in the vending machine, when the user puts money and presses one of the product samples A to H displayed on the screen of the display monitor 7, the product 11 corresponding to the product sample is displayed. It is delivered to the product outlet 1g.

Further, in the vending machine, the user can directly input the information about the failure or the request of the vending machine and send it to the management center 12.

That is, the control unit 8 operates as follows according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the screen switching unit 7e of the display monitor 7 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG.
The display is switched to the initial selection screen 13 shown in (S1), and the selection units 13a, 13b, and 13c for "failure", "request", and "other" are displayed on the initial selection screen 13. Here, when the selection unit 13a is pressed to select "fault" (S2), the screen is switched to the selection screen 14 shown in FIG. 7 (S3), and the selection screen 1 is displayed.
The selection units 14a, 14b, 14 of "No product" and "Others" as failure related to shipping of goods, "No payment of money" as failure related to change of goods or return of money.
c is displayed. Here, for example, when the selection unit 14a is pressed to select a failure related to the delivery of the product (S4), FIG.
Switch to the input screen 15 shown in (S5), and the input screen 15
The product name input section 15a and the character input section 15b are displayed on the screen. Here, the corresponding product name is input to the product name input unit 15a by the character input unit 15b. The character input unit 15b has a well-known character input function of inputting Japanese by using a Japanese hiragana Japanese syllabary input key and a conversion key for kanji or the like. Next, when the information of the failure content is completed by inputting the product name or the like (S6), the screen is switched to the input screen 16 shown in FIG. 9 (S7), and the selection screen 16 has a name input section for inputting the user's name. 16a, a contact input unit 16b for inputting the contact information of the user, and a character input unit 16c similar to the above are displayed. When the input of the user name and the like is completed (S8), the screen is switched to the selection screen 17 shown in FIG. 10 (S8).
9) On the selection screen 17, a message section 17a of "Do you answer the questionnaire?" (Input of request items) that prompts a transition to a "request" input screen described later, and "YES" to select the possibility The selection parts 17b and 17c of "NO" are displayed. Here, if "NO" is selected by pressing the selection unit 17c (S10), the screen is switched to the selection screen 18 shown in FIG. 11 (S11), and the selection screen 18 is urged to transmit the input information. Message part 18a, and "YES" and "NO" selection parts 18b and 18 for selecting the possibility.
c is displayed. Here, when "YES" is selected by pressing the selection unit 18b (S12), the input information is transmitted to the management center 12 (S13), and the end screen 2 shown in FIG.
After displaying 0 (S14), the screen of the display monitor 7 is switched to the product sample display screen shown in FIG. 5 (S1).
5). If "NO" is selected by pressing the selection unit 18c, the input information is canceled and the step S1 is executed.
Move to 5 and switch to the product sample display screen.

In step S4, that is, in the failure content selection screen 14 shown in FIG.
When is pressed and "Other" is selected, the screen is switched to the input screen 21 shown in FIG. 13, and the failure content input section 21a and the same character input section 21b as described above are displayed on the input screen 21. Here, an arbitrary failure content is input to the failure content input section 21a by the character input section 21b. The subsequent operation is the same as that described above.

On the other hand, in the step S2, that is, in the initial selection screen 13 shown in FIG. 6, when "failure" is not selected and the selection portion 13b is pressed to select "request" (S1)
6) or in the step S10, that is, in the selection screen 17 of "Do you want to answer the questionnaire?" Shown in FIG. 10, when "YES" is selected by pressing the selection unit 17b, the selection screen 22 shown in FIG. Switch to (S1
7) On the selection screen 22, selection items 22a, 22b, and 22c for "commodity" as a request regarding a product and "vending machine" and "other" as a failure regarding the vending machine itself are displayed. Here, for example, the selection unit 22a or 22b
When is pressed to select a request regarding "commodity" or "vending machine" (S18), the screen is switched to the input screen 23 shown in FIG. 15 (S19), and the request screen is displayed on the input screen 23 in the same manner as the request content input section 23a and the above. The character input portion 23b of is displayed. Here, any desired content is input to the desired content input section 23a by the character input section 23b. In addition, the selection unit 2
If 2c is pressed and "Other" is selected,
The input screen 24 is switched to the input screen 24, and the input screen 24 displays a desired object input section 24a for inputting an arbitrary desired object and a character input section 24b similar to the above. Here, an arbitrary desired object is input to the desired object input unit 24a by the character input unit 24b, and after the input, the process proceeds to step 19, that is, the input screen 23 shown in FIG. Then, when the input of the request contents is completed (S20), the steps S11 to S11
The process proceeds to S15, and input information is transmitted.

As described above, according to the vending machine of the present embodiment, the management center 12 is provided with information regarding a failure or a request of the vending machine by inputting on the screen of the display monitor 7 provided on the front surface of the vending machine body 1. Since it is transmitted to the management center 12, the details of the failure and the contact information of the user can be promptly and easily transmitted to the management center 12 at the time of failure, and the vending machine can be repaired and the user can be compensated accurately. it can. Further, by transmitting the request for the vending machine to the management center 12, the request of the user can be reflected in the operation of the vending machine, and the convenience can be improved.

Further, in the above embodiment, the product sample display means is constituted by displaying the product sample on the display monitor 7, and the product selection means is selected by touching the product sample displayed on the display monitor 7. Further, the information input screen for the failure or the like is switched to the product sample display and displayed on the common display monitor 7, and the input operation is performed by touching the input screen displayed on the display monitor 7 with the information input means. Since it is configured as described above, it is not necessary to exclusively configure the information inputting means and the input screen displaying means for a failure or the like, and the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.
In this case, when the information such as the failure is not input, the display monitor 7 becomes the display screen of the product sample. Therefore, the information input screen such as the failure is not displayed during the normal sale, and It also has the advantage of not impairing the appearance.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the selection screen 13 for selecting the shift to the input screen for the information regarding the failure or the shift to the input screen for the information for the request, and the input of the information regarding the failure are selected. After the input is completed, the selection screen 17 that allows the user to select the shift to the information input screen is displayed.
The input of information regarding a request can be prompted by the input of information regarding a failure, and the information regarding a request can be efficiently collected.

In the above embodiment, the information about the failure or the request of the vending machine is input, but other information may be input.

[0031]

As described above, according to the vending machine of claim 1, 2 or 3, for example, when the vending machine is out of order, details of the failure and contact information of the user can be promptly and easily provided to the manager. Etc., so that the vending machine can be repaired and the user can be compensated accurately. Further, for example, by transmitting a request for the vending machine to the administrator side or the like, the user's request can be reflected in the operation of the vending machine, and the convenience can be improved.

Further, according to the vending machine of claim 4, since the user can be prompted to input the information on the request upon the input of the information on the failure of the vending machine, Information regarding requests can be efficiently collected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a vending machine showing an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Front sectional view of a vending machine

[Fig. 3] Side sectional view of a vending machine

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen of a display monitor.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen of a display monitor.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen of a display monitor.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen of a display monitor.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen of a display monitor.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen of a display monitor.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen of a display monitor.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen of a display monitor.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen of a display monitor.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen of a display monitor.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a screen of a display monitor.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a screen of a display monitor.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Vending machine body, 7 ... Display monitor, 7a,
7b, 7c ... Product sample display section, 8 ... Control section, 13-
24 ... Display screen, AH ... Product sample.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image display means provided on the front surface of the main body of the vending machine, a product sample display means for displaying an image of a sample of a sale product on the screen of the image display means, and an image display means for displaying the image. Product selection means capable of selecting a purchased product by touching an image of a product sample, input screen display means for displaying a predetermined information input screen on the screen of the image display means, and information input displayed on the screen of the image display means An automatic vending machine comprising: an information inputting unit that can input arbitrary information by touching a screen; and a transmitting unit that transmits the information input by the information inputting unit to the outside of the vending machine. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the information input means is configured to be able to input information regarding a failure of the vending machine. 3. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the information input means is configured to be able to input information regarding a request to the vending machine. 4. The information input means is configured to be able to input information relating to a failure of the vending machine and a request to the vending machine, and the input screen display means is moved to an input screen of information related to the failure. Alternatively, a screen for selecting the shift to the input screen of the request information and a screen for selecting the shift to the input screen of the request information when the input of the failure information is selected are displayed. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine is configured as described above.