JP2003242554A - Article sales method of automatic vending machine, article sales system and automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article sales method, an article sales system and an automatic vending machine at a bus stop, which achieve labor saving not to take trouble and time for manual operation by automatically performing data taking and accumulation of inventory information on sales goods, and an automatic vending machine improved in service given to a user by providing the automatic vending machine with an information notice function for running bus related information and an announcing function by voice. <P>SOLUTION: This automatic sales system is provided with an automatic vending machine 12 installed at a position indicated to be a specified place and having a sign showing information such as advertisement, a third transmitter/receiver 29 for transmitting an inventory information data signal f through a packet communication network 15 to an automatic vending machine management center 14, and a fourth data transmitter/receiver 16 disposed on the automatic vending machine management center 14 to receive an inventory information data signal f transmitted from the third data transmitter/receiver 29. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides an automatic vending machine with a function of displaying information such as providing a bus stop sign for a bus route, for example, to sell an automatic vending machine by utilizing the gathering of bus users. The present invention relates to a vending machine article selling method, an article selling system, and a vending machine that are promoted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, there is a vending machine which is installed at a bus stop on a bus line and uses the vending machine to promote sales.

For example, as a conventional article sales system using an automatic vending machine, there is one as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

That is, FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B) show a work situation in which the inventory of vending articles in the vending machine is checked and a replenishing article is transported.

Further, FIG. 5 shows a PDA (Persona) used to confirm the inventory of articles sold by the vending machine.
l Digital Assistant) terminal.

A description will be given below with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5.

A vending machine 2 is installed in an open space 1 such as a roadside or a storefront.

On the vending machine 2, bottled beverages 3, 3 such as juice and coffee are displayed on the article display window 4.

The vending machine 2 is provided with an article detector 5 for detecting the stock of bottled beverages 3 in the vending machine 2, and the detected stock information is sent to the antenna 6 of the transceiver 6.
It can be transmitted from a as the inventory information data signal a.

On the other hand, the operator h of the bottled beverages 3, 3 can exchange the inventory information data signal a by mutual communication in the peripheral area of the vending machine 2 in order to obtain the inventory information data signal a. It has become.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a PDA terminal possessed by a handler h of the bottled beverages 3 and 3. The operator h operates the PDA terminal 7 to carry out a short range communication to carry out inventory information data signal a.
Can be obtained.

The PDA terminal 7, as shown in FIG.
Depending on the type of bottled beverages 3 and 3, for example, "juice"
Various operation buttons such as 7a, "coffee" 7b, and "tea" 7c are prepared, and the stock information data call signal d is transmitted by pressing each operation button. From the machine 2, the stocks of the bottled beverages 3 and 3 are transmitted as the stock information data signal a.

The operator h receives the inventory information data signal a by the PDA terminal 7 and confirms the inventory status.

The operator h confirms the stock status and judges the sale item which needs to be replenished, and conveys the sale item P which needs to be replenished and stores it in the automatic vending machine 2.

[0015]

According to the above-mentioned vending machine, it is not necessary to check the inside of the vending machine one by one when checking the inventory of articles for sale, and an appropriate inventory can be maintained. Then, it does not hinder the sale of the goods for sale.

[0016] However, in order to check the inventory, the operator h himself has to go to the place where the vending machine 2 is installed each time and carry out the work while obtaining the inventory information data, which is inconvenient and many It took a lot of time and effort to collect the inventory information of the sold articles P in the vending machine 2.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is capable of automatically collecting and summarizing the inventory information of articles for sale, thereby saving labor and time for manual work. A main object of the present invention is to provide an article vending method, an article vending system, and an automatic vending machine for an automatic vending machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the vending machine itself with a function as an information bulletin board so that users of the vending machine can be gathered and sales can be promoted. To provide a selling method, an article selling system, and a vending machine.

Still another object of the present invention is to use an operating bus for collecting and collecting data on inventory information of articles for sale, thereby saving labor so that labor and time are not required for manual work. (EN) Provided are an article sales method, an article sales system, and a vending machine.

Still another object of the present invention is to use the vending machine itself as a sign for a bus stop or an information bulletin board to improve the service to users. To provide a vending machine.

Still another object of the present invention is to automatically perform data collection and totalization of inventory information of articles for sale, thereby saving labor so that labor and time are not required for manual work. An object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine article sales method, an article sales system, and an automatic vending machine, which are provided with a voice transmission function to further improve the service to users.

[0022]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 1, the inventory information of the article for sale of the vending machine can be obtained by the inventory information data signal. In the selling method of replenishing the above-mentioned vending machine with the sale item that needs to be replenished based on the inventory information, the step of detecting the inventory state of the sale item of the vending machine with the article detector, Based on the inventory information data signal, the inventory status data signal is transmitted from the vending machine, the vending machine management center receives the transmitted inventory information data signal, and the inventory is insufficient based on the inventory information data signal. And a step of replenishing the vending machine with a shortage of the article for sale at a vending machine management center. To provide an article marketing methods of the machine.

Therefore, a method of selling goods of an automatic vending machine which automatically collects and collects the inventory information of the sold articles and saves labor so as to save the labor and time of manual work is provided. Can be provided.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 2, the inventory information of the article for sale of the vending machine can be obtained from the inventory information data signal, and based on the obtained inventory information. In the selling method for replenishing the above-mentioned vending machine with the sales article that needs to be replenished, a step of detecting the inventory state of the article sold by the vending machine with an article detector, and the detected inventory state are inventory information. As a data signal, a step of transmitting from the vending machine, a step of receiving the transmitted inventory information data signal by a vending machine management center, and based on the inventory information data signal, when inventory is insufficient, At the vending machine management center, a step of replenishing the vending machine with the shortage of the sold goods, and information such as official gazettes and advertisements from the vending machine management center A vending machine comprising: a step of transmitting a specific information signal and a step of receiving the specific information signal by the vending machine and posting the information on an information bulletin board of the vending machine. The method of selling goods is provided.

Therefore, by providing the vending machine itself with a function as an information bulletin board, it is possible to provide an article vending method of the vending machine which can attract users of the vending machine and promote sales.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 3, the inventory information of the article for sale of the vending machine can be obtained by the inventory information data signal, and based on the obtained inventory information. In the selling method for replenishing the above-mentioned vending machine with the above-mentioned vending machine, the step of detecting the inventory state of the article sold by the vending machine with the article detector, and the inventory information data indicating the detected inventory state. As a signal, the step of transmitting from the vending machine, the step of receiving the transmitted inventory information data signal in the peripheral area of the vending machine, and the inventory information data signal received by the operating bus , The step of transmitting to the vending machine management center via the packet communication network by the operation bus, and when inventory is insufficient based on the inventory information data, An article sales method of a vending machine, characterized by comprising the steps of a shortage of the sales article by dynamic vending machine management center so as to replenish to the vending machine.

Therefore, it is possible to provide an article vending method for an automatic vending machine which uses labor buses to collect and collect inventory information of articles to be sold so as to save labor so as to save labor and time for manual work. .

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 4, the inventory information of the article sold by the vending machine can be obtained from the inventory information data signal, and based on the obtained inventory information. In the selling method for replenishing the vending machine with a sales item that needs to be replenished, a step of installing the vending machine in a peripheral area of a bus stop, and a step of posting information on the operating bus to the vending machine, The step of transmitting the inventory information of the article sold by the vending machine by the inventory information data signal from the vending machine to the operating bus running on the bus route, and the transmitted inventory information data signal in the peripheral area of the bus stop. The steps received by the running bus and the received inventory information data signal are transmitted to the vending machine management center via the packet communication network, and the automatic sales An article sales method for an automatic vending machine in the bus station, characterized by comprising the steps of adapted to replenish the shortage of the sales article into the vending machine at the management center.

Therefore, it is possible to provide an article vending method for an automatic vending machine, which uses labor buses for collecting and collecting data on inventory information of articles for sale, and which saves labor so as to save labor and time for manual work. .

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 6, the inventory information of the article for sale of the vending machine can be obtained from the inventory information data signal, and based on the obtained inventory information. In the selling method of replenishing the vending machine with items that need to be replenished, the vending machine also serves as a bus stop sign for the bus route, and an information bulletin board is provided on the vending machine so that buses can arrive and depart on this information bulletin board. Provided is a method of selling goods for an automatic vending machine, which is capable of displaying operating bus information such as time and current traveling position.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a method of selling goods for an automatic vending machine, which makes the automatic vending machine itself used as a sign for a bus stop or an information bulletin board to improve service to users.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 7, the inventory information of the article for sale of the vending machine can be obtained by the inventory information data signal, and based on the obtained inventory information. In the selling method of replenishing the vending machine with sales items that need to be replenished, the vending machine also serves as a bus stop sign for the bus route, and an information bulletin board is provided on the vending machine, and an advertisement is posted on this information bulletin board. (EN) Provided is a method of selling goods for an automatic vending machine, which is characterized by being displayed.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a method of selling goods for an automatic vending machine, which makes the automatic vending machine itself used as a sign at a bus stop or an information bulletin board to improve service to users.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 8, the inventory information of the article for sale of the vending machine can be obtained by the inventory information data signal, and based on the obtained inventory information. In the selling method of replenishing sales items that need to be replenished to the vending machine, let the vending machine also serve as a bus stop sign for the bus route and announce the bus operation information such as the departure and arrival time of the operating bus by voice. There is provided a method of selling an article for an automatic vending machine, which is characterized by being obtained.

Therefore, data collection and summation of inventory information of articles to be sold can be automatically performed to save labor and time, and at the same time, a voice transmission function can be provided to the vending machine. It is possible to provide a method of selling goods for an automatic vending machine, which is provided to further improve the service to users.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 9, the inventory information of the article for sale of the vending machine can be obtained from the inventory information data signal, and based on the obtained inventory information. In the sales system for replenishing the vending machine with a sales item that needs to be replenished, the vending machine is provided at a position indicating that it is a specific place, and is provided with a sign indicating information such as advertisement, An article detector provided in the vending machine for detecting inventory of articles for sale, and a first data transceiver for transmitting inventory information of articles for sale detected by the article detector as an inventory information data signal to the outside. And a third data transmission device for receiving the inventory information data signal transmitted from the first data transceiver and transmitting the inventory information data signal to the vending machine management center via the packet communication network. And a fourth data transceiver provided in the vending machine management center for receiving the inventory information data signal transmitted from the third data transceiver. Provide a goods sales system.

Therefore, an article sales system for an automatic vending machine which automatically collects and aggregates the stock information of the articles for sale and saves labor so as to save the labor and time of manual work is provided. Can be provided.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 10, the inventory information of the article sold by the vending machine can be obtained from the inventory information data signal, and based on the obtained inventory information. In a sales system for replenishing the vending machine with a sales item requiring replenishment,
An automatic vending machine equipped with an information bulletin board for displaying information such as advertisements, an article detector installed in the automatic vending machine to detect the inventory of articles for sale, and an inventory of articles for sale detected by the article detector. A first data transmitter / receiver for transmitting information to the outside by an inventory information data signal, an operating bus traveling on a bus route, and receiving the inventory information data signal mounted on the operating bus and transmitted from a vending machine. And a third data transmitter / receiver for transmitting the inventory information data signal to the vending machine management center via the packet communication network, and the inventory information data signal transmitted from the operation bus provided in the vending machine management center. Fourth, which can receive inventory information and obtain inventory information
And a data transmitter / receiver of the present invention.

Therefore, by providing the vending machine itself with a function as an information bulletin board, it is possible to provide an article vending system for the vending machine which can attract users of the vending machine and promote sales.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the invention of claim 11, the inventory information of the article sold by the vending machine can be obtained by the inventory information data signal, and based on the obtained inventory information. In an article sales system for replenishing the vending machine with a sales item that needs to be replenished, an vending machine installed at a bus stop on a bus line and provided with a bus stop sign, and the vending machine provided with the vending machine. Article detector for detecting the inventory of the item, a first data transmitter / receiver for transmitting the inventory information of the article for sale detected by the article detector to the outside as an inventory information data signal, and the inventory information data signal is automatically sold. A packet communication network capable of packet communication to the machine management center, an operation bus running on a bus route,
Third data transmission / reception that is mounted on the operation bus and receives the inventory information data signal transmitted from the vending machine, and transmits the inventory information data signal to the vending machine management center via the packet communication network Vending machine equipped with a vending machine management center, and a fourth data transmitter / receiver provided in the vending machine management center and capable of receiving the stock information data signal transmitted from the operation bus and obtaining the stock information. To provide the goods sales system.

Therefore, it is possible to provide an article vending system for an automatic vending machine, in which the vending machine itself is used as a sign at a bus stop or an information bulletin board to improve the service to users.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the invention of claim 12, the inventory information of the article sold by the vending machine is obtained by the inventory information data signal, and based on the obtained inventory information. In the vending machine that stores items that need to be replenished, a vending machine is installed in a specific place, and this vending machine has an information bulletin board that can display information such as arrival and departure times of buses and advertisements. There is provided an automatic vending machine provided with this information bulletin board, which is provided with an electronic display screen capable of displaying information such as departure and arrival times of the operating bus and advertisements.

Therefore, by providing the vending machine itself with a function as an information bulletin board, it is possible to provide an vending machine which can attract users of the vending machine and promote sales.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the invention of claim 13, the inventory information of the article sold by the vending machine is obtained by the inventory information data signal, and based on the obtained inventory information. In the vending machine that stores items that need to be replenished, a vending machine is installed in a specific place, and this vending machine has an information bulletin board that can display information such as arrival and departure times of buses and advertisements. This information bulletin board is provided with an electronic display screen capable of receiving the operating bus information signal transmitted from the vending machine management center and displaying the operating bus information based on the operating bus information signal on the screen. To provide a vending machine.

Therefore, by providing the vending machine itself with a function as an information bulletin board, it is possible to provide an vending machine which can attract users of the vending machine and promote sales.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the invention of claim 14, the inventory information of the article sold by the vending machine is obtained by the inventory information data signal, and based on the obtained inventory information. A vending machine used at a bus stop where items for sale that require replenishment are stored, the vending machine installed at the bus stop on the bus line and equipped with a bus stop sign. (EN) Provided is a vending machine, which is provided with a speaker so that information can be announced by voice.

Therefore, it is possible to automatically perform data collection and totalization of inventory information of sold articles so as to save labor so as to save labor and time for manual work, and at the same time, to provide a voice transmission function to the vending machine. It is possible to provide a vending machine that has the service and further improves the service to users.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the invention of claim 15, the inventory information of the article sold by the vending machine is obtained by the inventory information data signal, and based on the obtained inventory information. In an automatic vending machine that stores items that need to be replenished, an automatic vending machine is installed in a specific place, and the information board that can display information such as departure and arrival times of buses and advertisements on the automatic vending machine itself The information bulletin board is provided with an electronic display screen capable of receiving the operating bus information signal transmitted from the vending machine management center and displaying the operating bus information based on the operating bus information signal on the screen. Provided is a vending machine, which is provided with a speaker so that the operating bus information based on the operating bus information signal can be announced by voice.

Therefore, it is possible to automatically perform data collection and totalization of inventory information of articles to be sold so as to save labor and time for manual work, and at the same time to provide a voice transmission function to the vending machine. It is possible to provide a vending machine that has the service and further improves the service to users.

[0050]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an article selling method, an article selling system, and an automatic vending machine for an automatic vending machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an article sales system for an automatic vending machine according to the present invention.

In the article sales system of the vending machine, for example, in the middle of the bus route 11, the bus stop A, B set in advance by a bus operating organization such as a bus company is used.
A vending machine 12 having a bus stop sign x indicating the location of B is installed.

An operating bus 13 is operating on the bus route 11, and the operating bus 13 stops at each bus stop A, B so that passengers can get on and off.

Reference numeral 14 is, for example, a bus operation management center installed in the bus terminals of these operation buses 13 in order to collectively manage the operation of these operation buses 13.

The bus operation management center 14 includes a fourth data transceiver 16 having an antenna 16a, and a telephone line is provided between the fourth data transceiver 16 and the operation bus 13 running on the bus route 11. The packet communication network 15 is constructed as a communication line for the above.

Due to the construction of this packet communication network 15, the operation data signal b of the operation bus 13 is transmitted from the operation bus 13.
Can be transmitted to the bus operation management center 14, and the operation command signal c for operation can be transmitted from the bus operation management center 14 to the operation bus 13.

The bus operation management center 14 also serves as an automatic vending machine management center for managing the sales status of the articles P for sale of the automatic vending machine 12 and the shortage status of the articles P for sale.

The automatic vending machine 12 is an automatic vending machine that automatically sells products to be sold automatically such as canned beverages and bottled beverages, and an article display window 21 provided on the front side of the vending machine body 12a.
In the area, a sale article P which is a target article for automatic sale, for example, a bottle of juice, coffee or tea is displayed.

The operator of this vending machine 12 (not shown)
Sees the inventory of the sale item P and conveys the sale item P that needs to be replenished and stores it in the vending machine 12.

The vending machine 12 includes the vending machine body 12
The article detector 23 for detecting the inventory of the sale article P in a is provided, and the article detector 23 outputs the inventory information data of the sale article P as an inventory information data signal f.

That is, in the vending machine body 12a,
A first data transceiver 24 having an antenna 24a for outputting the inventory information data as an inventory information data signal f via the packet communication network 15 is provided.

The first data transmitter / receiver 24 is a stock information data call signal e transmitted from the antenna 28a of the second data transmitter / receiver 28 mounted on the operation bus 13.
And the inventory information data calling signal e is input to the article detector 23 via the communication line 31 to transmit the inventory information data to the first data transceiver 24 as the inventory information raw data signal f1. It is like this.

First data transmitter / receiver 2 of the vending machine 12
4 receives the inventory information raw data signal f1, converts the inventory information raw data signal f1 into an inventory information data signal f having a specific frequency, and uses the antenna 24a to operate the bus 1
To the second data transmitter / receiver 28 mounted on the antenna 3
It is designed to be transmitted via 8a.

Further, the stock information data signal f is adapted to be transmitted to the fourth data transceiver 16 having the antenna 16a of the bus operation management center 14.

Further, on the front of the vending machine main body 12a, there is provided an information bulletin board 25 and a speaker 26 which are composed of an electronic display screen using liquid crystal, for example.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the information bulletin board 25 electronically posts information relating to the operating bus such as the estimated arrival time of the bus next to the operating bus 13 and the current traveling position information. , Is provided as part of passenger service.

As for the information regarding the operating bus displayed by the lightning, the operating bus information showing the operating status based on the operating data signal b received from the operating bus 13 by the bus operation management center 14 is displayed moment by moment.

That is, by superimposing the operation command signal c transmitted to the operation bus 13 on the operation bus information signal c1 including the operation bus information and transmitting the signal, it is possible to display the notice on the electronic bulletin board 25.

The speaker 26 tries to provide the passengers with information about the bus operation information such as the estimated arrival time of the next bus of the operation bus 13 according to the content posted on the information bulletin board 25 by voice announcement. To do.

Although the information providing service by the speaker 26 is normally performed by using the information bulletin board 25, it is intended to improve the service for the visually impaired. A selection switch 27 having a "screen" button 27a and a "voice" button 27b for the passengers to select appropriately so that the information can be posted or this information can be heard by the voice from the speaker 26 is provided.

On the information bulletin board 25, for example, "32 systems:
I left Hamamatsucho for Tokyo. Estimated arrival time 13:20
(5 minutes later) "is displayed.

The speaker 26 announces by voice, for example, "The 32nd bus to Tokyo has just left Hamamatsucho. The estimated arrival time is 13:20. It will be 5 minutes from now." .

This announcement can be transmitted by an electronic sound stored in an electronic generator (not shown).

When the user is informed by the sound from the electronic generator or the like, the information on the display screen of the information bulletin board 25 is included by including the sound signal c2 in the operation bus information signal c1. It can be explained by voice synchronously with the bulletin board.

The second data transmitter / receiver 28 provided on the operation bus 13 is an inventory information data signal including the inventory information data of the sold article P transmitted from the first data transmitter / receiver 24 of the vending machine 12. It is a transceiver for narrow-range communication, which has an antenna 28a for narrow-range communication that receives f.

When the second data transmitter / receiver 28 is for short range communication, for example, Bluetooth communication means can be adopted.

This Bluetooth communication means has a large data transmission capacity and a communication speed of 1 to 2 Mbps, and is suitable for mobile communication.

Also, this Bluetooth communication means has a radius of about 10 m when approaching due to the radio wave characteristics.
Two-way communication is possible.

Therefore, when the operating bus 13 approaches the bus stop A or when the bus stops, bidirectional communication is performed, and the inventory information data signal f can be transmitted from the vending machine 12 side to the operating bus 13 side.

In addition, the operation data signal b of the operation bus 13 itself is transmitted to the operation bus 13 via the packet communication network 15 to the bus operation management center 14 while being transmitted to the operation buses 13 and 13. Bus operation management center 1
A third data transmitter / receiver 29 having an antenna 29a for receiving the operation command signal c from the No. 4 is provided.

The transceivers 28 and 29 are connected by a communication line 30 so that the inventory information data signal f received by the second data transceiver 28 can be transmitted to the third data transceiver 29. ing.

The operation of the above-described embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

First, the signal system from the detection by the article detector 23 of the vending machine 12 to the transmission of the inventory information data signal f to the bus operation management center 14 will be described.

When the operation bus 13 running on the bus route 11 approaches or stops at the bus stop A and the second data transmitter / receiver 28 of the operation bus 13 transmits the inventory information data call signal e to the vending machine 12 side, the operation is started. A wireless link is established between the second data transceiver 28 of the Bluetooth communication system mounted on the bus 13 and the first data transceiver 24 of the vending machine 12.

At the same time when this wireless link is established, the inventory information raw data signal f1 is first obtained by detecting the stored article by the article detector 23.

This inventory information raw data signal f1 is transmitted to the first data transceiver 24 via the communication line 31,
The inventory information data signal f is transmitted by the first data transceiver 24.

Then, the inventory information data signal f is transmitted from the vending machine 12 side to the operation bus 13 side.

The supplemental article is transmitted from the first data transmitter / receiver 24 as an inventory information data signal f based on the inventory status detected by the article detector 23 of the vending machine 12.

The second data transmitter / receiver 28 of the vending machine 12 which has received the inventory information data signal f is the communication line 3
0 to the third data transmitter / receiver 29, and from the third data transmitter / receiver 29 to the bus operation management center 14 via the packet communication network 15.

Based on the stock information data signal f, the bus operation management center 14 requests the bus operation management center 14 itself to replenish the article P for sale, or requests the company or organization handling the article P for sale.

As described above, the packet communication network 15
When using the bus as a means for transmitting and receiving data, the operation data signal b of the operation bus 13 itself is used.
It is also possible to collectively transmit to the bus operation management center 14 from 3 together with the inventory information data signal f by packet communication.

Next, the procedure for replenishing the articles for sale P to be stored in the vending machine 12 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

<Step 1> Assuming, for example, a vending machine 12 installed at the bus stop A in the bus stop of the entire bus route 11, the vending machine 12 has a shortage of articles P for sale such as bottled drinks. At the stage when the operation bus 13 is operated, the stock information data call signal e is issued from the operation bus 13.
To the vending machine 12.

<Step 2> The operation bus 13 acquires the inventory information data of the article P for sale by the inventory information data signal f.

<Step 3> Articles for sale P to be stored in the vending machine 12 at the bus stop A acquired on the operation bus 13
The vending machine 12 receives the stock information from the vending machine 12 as the stock information data signal f, and the bus operation management center 14 receives the stock information data signal f via the packet communication network 15.

The bus operation management center 14 totalizes the inventory information data based on the received inventory information data signal f.

<Step 4> As a result of accumulating this inventory information data, the shortage is calculated for each type of the sold goods P, for example, for each item of juice or coffee on display, and the bus operation management center 14 itself or the outside handling Request to an organization such as a trader.

In this tabulation, it is possible to calculate the type and quantity of the replenishment item while taking into consideration the sales promotion effect of the hot selling item and the like in addition to the data acquisition of the insufficient item.

<Step 5> The bus operation management center 14 itself or an outside handling agency such as an institution handles the vending machine 12
We will replenish the sales items calculated as shortage.

<Step 6> Bus Operation Management Center 14
Confirms the replenished sales item.

This confirmation can be carried out at the same time as the "acquisition of inventory information of articles for sale" in <Step 1> described above.

The second data transmitter / receiver 28 mounted on the operation bus 13 according to the present invention adopts the narrow area wireless communication system based on the Bluetooth system with respect to the vending machine 12, but as another system, for example, A LAN profile method can be adopted.

However, when adopting this LAN profile method, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) is provided on the roadside along the route of the operating bus 13.
Need to be laid.

The second transmitter / receiver 28 and the third transmitter / receiver 29 provided on the service bus 13 of the present invention.
Need not be provided separately, but the third transceiver 2
It can be provided integrally with 9.

Further, the bus stop sign x provided in the vending machine 12 is not limited to one indicating only the bus stop, but may be a rest place, a smoking place or the like that identifies a place where people gather. .

Further, the information bulletin board 25 provided in the vending machine 12 according to the present invention can post not only the information relating to the bus 13 but also the map information and event information of the surrounding area, as well as the official gazette and company announcement. It is also possible to

In this case, the vending machine 12 can be installed not only at the bus stop but also at a place where people gather to provide user service.

Further, according to the automatic vending machine 12, the bottled beverage is handled as the target article of the automatic vending machine, but it is also possible to handle food such as instant food, and the so-called non-store selling function is added. It is also possible to do so.

According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the vending machine is installed at the bus stop of the operating bus. However, the vending machine is installed at a monorail station or a train station, and It is also possible to obtain the same purpose and effect.

[0110]

As described above, according to the present invention, inventory information data of articles for sale can be automatically obtained and totaled, and labor can be saved so that labor and time are not required. The vending machine is provided with a function for displaying information such as bus related information and an announcement function by voice, and provides bus operation information such as bus departure and arrival times to users.
It is possible to provide an article vending method and a vending system for an automatic vending machine, which can further improve the service, and an automatic vending machine.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a vending machine used for a bus stop in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart from the state where the vending machine is short of articles for sale to the confirmation of the articles for sale for which the shortage is replenished in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a work situation in which a vending machine in a conventional vending machine checks the inventory of vending articles in the vending machine and transports replenishing articles.

5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of use of the PDA terminal shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Open space 2 Vending machine 3 Bottled beverage 4 Article display window 5 Article detector 6 Transceiver 7 PDA (Personal Digital As)
terminal 11 Bus route 12 Vending machine 13 Service bus 14 Bus operation management center (vending machine management center) 15 Packet communication network 16 Fourth data transceiver 21 Article display window 23 Article detector 24 First data transmission / reception Machine 25 Information bulletin board 26 Speaker 27 Selection switch 27a "Screen" button 27b "Voice" button 28 Second data transmitter / receiver 29 Third data transmitter / receiver 30, 31 Communication line A, B Bus stop a Inventory information data signal b Operation data Signal c Operation command signal c1 Operation bus information signal c2 Voice signal d, e Inventory information data calling signal f Inventory information data signal f1 Inventory information raw data signal h Operator P Sale item x Bus stop sign

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shinichiro Nakazawa             1-1 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd.             Toshiba headquarters office (72) Inventor Kaiichi             1-1 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd.             Toshiba headquarters office (72) Inventor Masahiro Kimura             1-1 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd.             Toshiba headquarters office (72) Inventor Takanori Kisanuki             1-1 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd.             Toshiba headquarters office (72) Inventor Masatoshi Toshimitsu             1-1 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd.             Toshiba headquarters office F term (reference) 3E044 AA01 CB06 CC04 DB14 DE01                       DE02 DE10 EA11 EA20 EB03                       EB08 FB20

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. The inventory information of a vending machine sold article is obtained by an inventory information data signal, and the vending machine is replenished with a selling article which needs to be replenished based on the obtained inventory information. In the selling method, the step of detecting the inventory status of the article sold by the vending machine with the article detector, the step of transmitting the detected inventory state as an inventory information data signal from the vending machine, The vending machine management center receives the inventory information data signal, and when the inventory is insufficient based on the inventory information data signal, the vending machine management center automatically detects the shortage of the sold article. And a step of replenishing the vending machine. 2. The inventory information of a vending machine sold article is obtained by an inventory information data signal, and the vending machine is replenished with a selling article that needs to be replenished based on the obtained inventory information. In the selling method, the step of detecting the inventory status of the article sold by the vending machine by the article detector, the step of transmitting the detected inventory status as an inventory information data signal from the vending machine, The vending machine management center receives the transmitted inventory information data signal, and, based on the inventory information data signal, when the inventory is insufficient, the vending machine management center determines the shortage of the sold article. The steps of replenishing the vending machine, transmitting the information such as the official gazette and advertisement from the vending machine management center by a specific information signal, The vending machine receives a predetermined information signal and displays the information on the information bulletin board of the vending machine. 3. The vending machine is made to replenish the vending machine with inventory information of the vending machine sold article by a stock information data signal, and the vending machine needs to be restocked based on the obtained inventory information. In the selling method, the step of detecting the inventory status of the article sold by the vending machine with the article detector, the step of transmitting the detected inventory state as an inventory information data signal from the vending machine, The step of receiving the stored inventory information data signal by the operating bus in the peripheral area of the vending machine, and the inventory information data signal received by this operating bus by the operating bus via the packet communication network. Based on the step of transmitting to the management center and the inventory information data, if the inventory is insufficient, the vending machine management center will report the shortage of the sold item. Article sales method for an automatic vending machine, characterized by comprising the steps so as to replenish the serial vending machine. 4. An inventory information data signal is used to obtain inventory information of articles for sale from a vending machine, and the articles for sale that need to be replenished based on the obtained inventory information are replenished to the vending machine. In the selling method, the steps of installing a vending machine in the area around the bus stop, posting information about the operating bus on the vending machine, and A step of transmitting inventory information of the article sold by the vending machine by an inventory information data signal; a step of receiving the transmitted inventory information data signal by an operating bus running in an area around the bus stop; and the received inventory information The data signal is transmitted to the vending machine management center via the packet communication network, and the vending machine management center automatically detects the shortage of the sold goods. Article sales method for an automatic vending machine in the bus station, characterized by comprising the steps of adapted to replenish the sales unit. 5. The article selling method for an automatic vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the inventory information data signal is transmitted by a short-range wireless system such as Bluetooth. 6. An inventory information data signal is used to obtain inventory information of articles for sale from the vending machine, and the article for sale that needs to be replenished based on the obtained inventory information is replenished to the vending machine. In the selling method, the vending machine also serves as a bus stop sign for the bus route, and an information bulletin board is provided on the vending machine so that the bus information such as bus departure / arrival time and current driving position can be displayed on the information bulletin board. A method of selling goods for a vending machine, comprising: 7. An inventory information data signal is used to obtain inventory information of an article for sale of a vending machine, and the article for sale which needs to be replenished is replenished to the vending machine based on the obtained inventory information. In the vending machine, the vending machine is also used as a bus stop sign for a bus route, and an information bulletin board is provided on the vending machine so that an advertisement can be displayed on the information bulletin board. How to sell goods. 8. An inventory information data signal is used to obtain inventory information of an article sold by a vending machine, and the article sold to be replenished based on the obtained inventory information is replenished to the vending machine. In the sales method described above, the vending machine also serves as a bus stop sign for the bus route, and the bus operation information such as the departure and arrival time of the operating bus can be announced by voice. Method. 9. An inventory information data signal is used to obtain inventory information of an article sold by a vending machine, and the article sold to be replenished based on the obtained inventory information is supplied to the vending machine. In the sales system, the vending machine installed at a position indicating that it is a specific place and provided with a sign indicating information such as advertisement, and the vending machine provided in the vending machine to detect the inventory of articles for sale An article detector, a first data transceiver for transmitting inventory information of a sale article detected by the article detector to the outside as an inventory information data signal, and inventory information transmitted from the first data transceiver Third, receiving a data signal and transmitting this inventory information data signal to the vending machine management center via the packet communication network
No. 4 of the data transmitter / receiver and the vending machine management center for receiving the inventory information data signal transmitted from the third data transmitter / receiver.
Vending machine article sales system, comprising: 10. An inventory information data signal is used to obtain inventory information of an article for sale of a vending machine, and the article for sale which needs to be replenished based on the obtained inventory information is replenished to the vending machine. In this sales system, an automatic vending machine equipped with an information bulletin board for displaying information such as advertisements, an article detector installed in the automatic vending machine to detect the inventory of articles for sale, and an article detector to detect A first data transmitter / receiver for transmitting the inventory information of the sold goods to the outside by an inventory information data signal, an operation bus traveling on a bus route, the inventory mounted on the operation bus and transmitted from the vending machine A third data transceiver for receiving the information data signal and transmitting the inventory information data signal to the vending machine management center via the packet communication network, and the vending machine management center. And a fourth data transmitter / receiver capable of receiving inventory information data signals transmitted from the operation bus and obtaining inventory information. 11. An inventory information data signal is used to obtain inventory information of an article for sale of a vending machine, and the article for sale that needs to be replenished is replenished to the vending machine based on the obtained inventory information. In the article sales system, an automatic vending machine installed at a bus stop of a bus route and provided with a bus stop sign, an article detector installed in the automatic vending machine to detect inventory of articles for sale, and an article detector A first data transmitter / receiver for transmitting the inventory information of the sold article detected as an inventory information data signal to the outside; a packet communication network capable of packet communication of the inventory information data signal to the vending machine management center; The bus running on the bus, and the inventory information data signal transmitted from the vending machine which is mounted on the bus and receives the inventory information data signal. The third data transmitter / receiver for transmitting to the vending machine management center via the communication network and the inventory information data signal transmitted from the operation bus provided in the vending machine management center to receive the inventory information. An article sales system for an automatic vending machine, comprising: 12. The inventory information of the articles for sale in the vending machine is
In the vending machine that is made to be obtained by the inventory information data signal, and in which the sale item that needs to be replenished based on the obtained inventory information is stored, install the vending machine at a specific place and Is provided with an information bulletin board that can display information such as departure and arrival times and advertisements of operating buses, and this information bulletin board has an electronic display screen that can display information such as departure and arrival times and advertisements of the operating bus. Vending machine characterized by. 13. Inventory information of articles for sale in a vending machine,
In the vending machine that is made to be obtained by the inventory information data signal, and in which the sale item that needs to be replenished based on the obtained inventory information is stored, install the vending machine at a specific place and Is equipped with an information bulletin board that can display information such as departure and arrival times of the operating bus and advertisements. This information bulletin board receives the operating bus information signal transmitted from the vending machine management center and A vending machine characterized by having an electric display screen capable of displaying operating bus information based on the above. 14. Inventory information of articles for sale in a vending machine,
An automatic vending machine, which is designed to be obtained by an inventory information data signal and is used at a bus stop where items for sale requiring replenishment are stored based on the obtained inventory information, is installed at a bus stop on a bus line and provided with a bus stop sign. An automatic vending machine, wherein the automatic vending machine is provided with a speaker so that information about the operating bus of the operating bus can be announced by voice. 15. Inventory information of articles for sale in a vending machine,
In the vending machine that is made to be obtained by the inventory information data signal and in which the selling goods that need to be replenished based on the obtained inventory information are stored, the vending machine is installed in a specific place, and the vending machine body is installed. Is equipped with an information bulletin board that can display information such as departure and arrival times of the operating bus and advertisements. This information bulletin board receives the operating bus information signal transmitted from the vending machine management center and An automatic vending machine, comprising: an electronic display screen capable of displaying operating bus information based on a signal, and a speaker provided to announce the operating bus information based on the operating bus information signal by voice. 16. The speaker is provided with an audio button for operating a speaker provided in a vending machine, and the speaker is operated by pressing the audio button. Vending machine according to any one of.