JP2004133872A - System for installing wireless lan base station - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for installing a wireless LAN base station which allows a wireless LAN user to easily grasp whether the user is at a wireless LAN accessible place or similar zone and can reduce time, effort and cost needed to instal a wireless LAN base station at each place. <P>SOLUTION: An automatic vending machine 2 is provided with the wireless LAN base station 1. The automatic vending machine 2 receives the feeding of AC power supply from a commercial AC power source (AC power source) 7a, and the automatic vending machine 2 (whose controller 3) and the wireless LAN base station 1 receive power supply for operating the automatic vending machine 2 and the wireless LAN base station 1 themselves from a power source 7 included in the automatic vending machine 2. This eliminates the need for or requires only the necessary minimum of time and effort of troublesome wiring of a power supply line to the wireless LAN base station 1 to be installed. The automatic vending machine 2 may have a display device 4. In addition, the controller 3 can be structured to display information about the wireless LAN base station 1 on the display device 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for installing a wireless LAN base station.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a wireless LAN base station or a wireless LAN access point includes a telephone pole, a station, and the like, as can be seen from JP-A-2002-190808, JP-A-2002-111702, and JP-A-2001-216450. , In stores, etc.
Therefore, it is troublesome to secure a power supply for the wireless LAN base station and to arrange wiring for the power supply, and the labor and labor for installing the wireless LAN base station are large. This is because the installation staff of the wireless LAN base station has to climb on a telephone pole or on a station platform or a ceiling (back) of a store.
In addition, it is not easy for a user of a wireless LAN having a wireless LAN terminal to find out where to use the wireless LAN, that is, where is a so-called hot spot.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-190808 A [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-111702 [Patent Document 3]
JP-A-2001-216450
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
A vending machine having a wireless LAN base station according to the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology, and has as its object to solve the following problems. Provided is a wireless LAN access point or the same area, in which a wireless LAN user can easily understand, and a wireless LAN base station installation method capable of reducing the time and effort required for installing a wireless LAN base station. .
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is an installation method of a wireless LAN base station as described in claim 1, and is as follows.
This is a wireless LAN base station installation method, wherein a wireless LAN base station is provided in a vending machine.
[0006]
A second invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is a method for installing a wireless LAN base station as described in claim 2, and is as follows.
When the power supply of the control device and the wireless LAN base station of the vending machine is supplied to the vending machine, the vending machine incorporating the control device and the wireless LAN base station is operable. The wireless LAN base station is installed at a location of the wireless LAN base station.
[0007]
A third invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is a method of installing a wireless LAN base station as described in claim 3, and is as follows.
The vending machine includes a value processing device and a purchase button unit, and the control device is configured to enable the wireless LAN base station based on a signal output from the value processing device or the purchase button unit. A wireless LAN base station installation method according to claim 1 or claim 2.
[0008]
A fourth invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is an installation method of a wireless LAN base station as described in claim 4, and is as follows.
The control device, after the purchase button unit outputs a signal, sets the wireless LAN base station in a usable state from a predetermined time until a predetermined physical quantity reaches a certain amount, for example, until a predetermined time has elapsed. A wireless LAN base station installation method according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3.
[0009]
A fifth invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an installation method of a wireless LAN base station as described in claim 5, and is as follows.
The said vending machine has a display device, The said control device is a structure which displays the information regarding the said wireless LAN base station on the said display device, The claim 2, The claim 3, The claim 3, or An installation method of a wireless LAN base station according to claim 4.
[0010]
A sixth invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is an installation system of a wireless LAN base station as described in claim 6, and is as follows.
The said vending machine provided with the said wireless LAN base station is provided in the point which can communicate with the wireless LAN base station provided in another vending machine, The claim 2, The claim 3, The claim 3, The claim 4, The claim 4 A wireless LAN base station installation method according to the above or claim 5.
[0011]
A seventh invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is a method for installing a wireless LAN base station as described in claim 7, and is as follows.
The vending machine provided with the wireless LAN base station is installed at a point accessible to a communication network (for example, the Internet, an IP network, a wireless LAN, etc.). A wireless LAN base station installation method according to claim 4, claim 5, or claim 6.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a method of installing a wireless LAN base station according to the present invention.
The vending machine 2 is an apparatus that sells tangible and intangible products, services, information, and the like unattended. The tangible product is, for example, typically a food and drink, a stamp, a battery, a photograph, a magazine, and a recording medium. An intangible product is, for example, music that is not provided in the form of a recording medium (so-called music played in a jukebox), video, or power. The service is, for example, a right of use, such as a right to use a parking lot, a right to use binoculars, a right to use a television, a right to use a communication network, a right to pass on a road, and the like. The information is a kind of intangible product, and is the information itself that is not provided in the form of a recording medium or a hard copy, such as news information, weather information, and map information. In other words, the vending machine 2 may be anything that can be sold at a price.
The vending machine 2 has a purchase button unit 5 as in a normal vending machine. In addition, it is standard that one purchase button of the purchase button unit 5 is provided for each product for sale, but here, each purchase button (product selection button) is not shown.
Further, the vending machine 2 has a consideration processing device 6. The value processing device 6 is typically a coin insertion slot 6a and a processing device (so-called coin mech) for the inserted coin. Of course, a bill processing device (a so-called bill mech) is also a kind of a value processing device, and in addition, the value processing device 6 may be designed to accept and process payment means other than cash.
The consideration processing device 6 is a device that outputs to the control device 3 cash receipt information or merchandise sales consideration receipt information read from a payment terminal such as a card carrier or a mobile phone.
When the return lever 6c is operated before the purchase button unit 5 is pressed after a value such as a coin or a (magnetic) card is inserted into the value processing device 6, the return lever 6c is controlled under the control of the control device 3. , An input mechanism designed to return the input price. The location where the return lever 6c is provided is a matter of design choice for those skilled in the art.
In addition, although the vending machine 2 generally has a merchandise discharge port, a change return port, a bill insertion port, and the like, illustration thereof is omitted. The display device 4 may or may not be provided.
[0013]
The vending machine 2 can be provided with the wireless LAN base station 1 outside or inside. The wireless LAN base station 1 is an access point of the wireless LAN 8. It is a relay station between a terminal (not shown) of the wireless LAN user and the wireless LAN 8, that is, a so-called station device.
FIG. 1 shows a diagram in which a wireless LAN base station 1 is provided outside a vending machine 2. A commercially available wireless LAN base station 1 is sufficient. It is convenient for the vending machine 2 to install the wireless LAN base station 1 if the supply line of the power supply 7 of the vending machine 2 is wired in advance to a portion where the wireless LAN base station 1 is to be installed.
The power supply 7 is for generating a DC power supply from an AC power supply (not shown). Since the power supply 7 is a commercially available vending machine, it is basically provided with the vending machine 2. Since the wireless LAN base station 1 is installed at a place where power can be supplied, the wireless LAN base station 1 can also receive DC power for operating itself. The wireless LAN base station 1 may be provided with a circuit (substrate) or device for converting AC power to DC power.
As described above, if the vending machine 2 is designed and manufactured so that the power supply 7 supplies power to the control device 3 of the vending machine 2 and the wireless LAN base station 1, the vending machine 2 can be moved to a predetermined location. And if only commercial AC power is supplied, both the vending machine 2 and the wireless LAN base station 1 can be immediately used.
[0014]
The wireless LAN base station 1 is in an unusable state in the initial state, receives a predetermined command from the control device 3 and operates for a predetermined period of time (usable state). It may be configured to return to the state.
Specifically, the configuration is such that the user of the vending machine 2 inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot 6a, the control device 3 recognizes this, and issues an on command to the wireless LAN base station 1. Alternatively, the control device 3 may control the power supply 7 so that the power is supplied to the wireless LAN base station 1 from this time.
Further, as another configuration, when the user of the vending machine 2 inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot 6a and presses the purchase button section 5, the control device 3 recognizes that and turns on the wireless LAN base station 1. It is a configuration that issues a command. Alternatively, the control device 3 may control the power supply 7 so that the power is supplied to the wireless LAN base station 1 from this time. In other words, after the product is purchased, the wireless LAN base station 1 is made available for a predetermined time (or communication of a predetermined data amount is possible).
The time during which the wireless LAN base station 1 can be used may be determined not by the predetermined time but by the data traffic. When a predetermined amount of data passes through the wireless LAN base station 1, the wireless LAN base station 1 returns to an unusable initial state.
[0015]
Incidentally, FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the wireless LAN base station 1 has installed the vending machine 2 at a point accessible to the wireless LAN 8. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the vending machine including the wireless LAN base station does not always need to be installed at a point where the wireless LAN base station can access the wireless LAN. This is because the wireless LAN will evolve in the future, and the wireless LAN base station that cannot access the wireless LAN may become accessible in the near future. It is industrially significant to provide a vending machine with a wireless LAN base station for the near future.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a wireless LAN base station installation system according to the present invention.
The vending machine 2 receives supply of AC power from a commercial AC power supply (AC power supply) 7a, and the vending machine 2 (the control device 3 thereof) and the wireless LAN base station 1 receive power from the power supply 7 built in the vending machine 2. Receive the power to operate itself. Therefore, the troublesome wiring of the power supply line to the installed wireless LAN base station 1 is unnecessary or minimal.
Further, the vending machine 2 may have a display device 4. Further, the control device 3 can be configured to display information on the wireless LAN base station 1 on the display device 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the fact that the vending machine 2 is a vending machine that can use a wireless LAN is appropriately displayed on the display device 4 with characters or images.
[0017]
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of a method of installing a wireless LAN base station according to the present invention.
The vending machine 2 including the wireless LAN base station 1 described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 does not have to be installed at a point where the vending machine 2 can directly access a communication network such as the Internet 8a. . Instead, the vending machine 2 is provided at a point where it can communicate with the wireless LAN base station 1a provided in another vending machine 2a. It should be noted that there may be more than one such vending machine. FIG. 3 shows that the wireless LAN base station 1 included in the vending machine 2 is provided at a point that can communicate with the wireless LAN base station 1b included in another vending machine 2b.
Vending machines are installed everywhere and are about to be installed. The more vending machines provided with wireless LAN base stations, the more communication terminals that can access wireless LAN (eg, A person carrying a PDA (a so-called notebook computer, mobile phone, etc.) is more likely to be able to access a general-purpose communication network such as the Internet 8a from anywhere.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
Since the installation method of the wireless LAN base station according to the present invention has the configuration as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
Since a vending machine is provided with a wireless LAN base station, a person (user) trying to access a communication network such as the Internet with a wireless communication terminal can easily understand where the possible area is. All you have to do is find a vending machine. Vending machines are ubiquitous both in town and in rural areas (mainly along roads) and are convenient for wireless LAN users.
Also, by displaying on the display device of the vending machine that the vending machine is equipped with a wireless LAN base station, the presence of a wireless LAN accessible area, that is, a so-called hot spot, can be more easily made to the user. It is possible to inform.
In addition, it has become possible to easily and safely install a wireless LAN base station in various places even for a company that intends to install a wireless LAN base station. Conventionally, installing a wireless LAN base station in various places has involved climbing on a telephone pole, climbing on a roof, and labor (that is, cost and time) and danger. In addition, when a wireless LAN base station is installed in a store such as a restaurant, it is necessary to negotiate with each store and obtain the permission. When a wireless LAN base station is provided in a vending machine, it is possible to mount the wireless LAN base station on the vending machine at the stage of designing and manufacturing the vending machine. The accompanying labor and cost can be greatly reduced. Furthermore, since the vending machine is installed at a place where external (AC) power can be supplied, it is necessary to route a power supply line from somewhere to a wireless LAN base station as in the past. Absent. Also in this respect, the present invention can greatly reduce the labor and cost required for installing the wireless LAN base station as compared with the conventional system.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an installation method of a wireless LAN base station according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a wireless LAN base station installation system according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of a method of installing a wireless LAN base station according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 1 wireless LAN base station 2 vending machine 3 control device 4 display device 5 purchase button unit 6 value processing device 6a coin insertion slot 6b bill insertion slot 6c return lever 7 power supply 7a commercial AC power supply (AC power supply)
8 Wireless LAN
8a Internet

Claims (7)

A wireless LAN base station installation method, wherein a wireless LAN base station is provided in a vending machine. When the power supply for the control device and the wireless LAN base station of the vending machine is supplied to the vending machine, the vending machine incorporated so that the control device and the wireless LAN base station are operable is provided in a predetermined manner. A method for installing a wireless LAN base station, wherein the wireless LAN base station is installed at a location. The vending machine includes a price processing device and a purchase button unit,
3. The wireless LAN base station according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to enable the wireless LAN base station based on a signal output from the value processing device or the purchase button unit. 4. Installation method. 3. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the controller sets the wireless LAN base station in a usable state from a predetermined point in time until the predetermined physical quantity reaches a certain amount after the purchase button unit outputs a signal. The method for installing a wireless LAN base station according to claim 3. The vending machine has a display device,
The wireless LAN base station installation method according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to display information on the wireless LAN base station on the display device. . The said vending machine provided with the said wireless LAN base station is provided in the point which can communicate with the wireless LAN base station provided in another vending machine, The claim 2, The claim 3, The claim 4, The claim 4, The claim 4 The installation method of the wireless LAN base station according to claim or claim 5. A vending machine provided with a wireless LAN base station is installed at a point accessible to a communication network, wherein the vending machine is installed at a point accessible to a communication network. The installation method of the described wireless LAN base station.

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