JP2005234696A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic vending machine for easily recognizing whether or not it is possible to purchase merchandise even from a far distance. <P>SOLUTION: A button unit 10 is provided with a lamp 12 constituted of a single color or multi-color light emitting LED and a cover 14 which is constituted of transparent or translucent materials and whose surface the light of the lamp 12 is transmitted. In a sales standby status, the lamp 12 corresponding to merchandise which has not been sold out is made to turn on, and the lamp 12 corresponding to merchandise which has been sold out is made to turn on with lower luminance than the luminance of the lamp 12 corresponding to the merchandise which has not been sold out, or to turn off. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure of a product selection button of a vending machine and a control method thereof.

  A product selection button in a conventional vending machine includes a saleable lamp and a sold-out lamp on a printed wiring board, a product selection switch, and a cover that covers the printed wiring board. Inside the cover, a film in which characters such as “push” and a translucent part are formed is interposed (see Patent Document 1). In addition, a lamp for sale indicating that the product is currently being sold is provided.

In such a vending machine, the lamp for sale is turned on because it is being sold when power is supplied and there is no abnormality. In addition, the sales display lamp is turned on when the product can be sold individually due to the insertion of cash or the like, and the sold-out lamp is turned on when the product cannot be sold due to sold out. The light from these lamps passes through the light transmitting part of the film and reaches the eyes of the user.
JP-A-8-273034

  However, in the above vending machines, there is a situation that the presence of lamps for sale is not well recognized by users, and it is said that it is difficult for users to recognize whether vending machines are on sale from a distance. There was a problem. In addition, since the sold-out lamp is relatively small, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to recognize whether or not the product desired to be purchased is sold out from a distance.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine that can easily recognize whether a product can be purchased even from a long distance.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present application, a product selection button provided corresponding to a sales product, a product carry-out device for carrying out stored products, and pressing of the product selection button are detected to correspond to the product selection button. In a vending machine provided with a control device for controlling a product carry-out device to carry out stored goods, the product selection button is made of a light emitting element and a transparent or translucent material, and the light of the light emitting element covers the entire surface. A transparent lid, and in a standby state, the control device turns on the light emitting elements of all the product selection buttons corresponding to the sellable products, and the light emitting elements of the buttons corresponding to the unsaleable products. The present invention proposes a device that is controlled to emit light or extinguish in a light emitting form different from a light emitting element of a button corresponding to a saleable product.

  According to the present invention, the product selection button corresponding to a product that can be sold emits light even in the sales standby state, and the product selection button that corresponds to a product that cannot be sold is different from the product selection button that can be sold. Since it emits light or extinguishes in the form of light emission, the user can be made aware that it is being sold even from a long distance. Further, since the product selection button emits light on the entire surface of the lid, it has excellent visibility even from a distance. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a lamp for sale like a conventional vending machine. Here, the light emission form of the light emitting element means, for example, color development, luminance, blinking, blinking speed, a combination thereof, or the like of the light emitting element. The same applies hereinafter.

  Moreover, in this application, it is further provided with the cash identification apparatus which identifies a coin or a banknote, and the said control apparatus will detect all the articles | goods which can be sold with an insertion amount, if a cash identification apparatus detects the insertion of cash in a standby state. The light emitting element of the product selection button is turned on, and the light emitting element of the button corresponding to the unsaleable product is controlled to emit light or turn off in a light emission form different from the light emitting element of the button corresponding to the sellable product. Suggest what to do.

  According to the present invention, a product selection button for a product that cannot be sold with input cash is turned on or off in a light emission form different from a product selection button for a product that can be sold with input cash, so it is possible to use which product can be sold. Can be clearly presented to the person.

  In addition, the present application further includes a non-contact IC chip interface that reads and writes data from and to a non-contact IC chip that functions as an electronic wallet, and the control device is ready to communicate with the non-contact IC chip. The light emitting elements of all the product selection buttons corresponding to the products that can be sold with the electronic money balance of the non-contact IC chip are turned on, and the light emitting elements of the buttons corresponding to the unsaleable products are turned on. A light-emitting element that is controlled so as to emit light or extinguish in a light emission form different from that of the light-emitting element is proposed.

  According to the present invention, the product selection button of the product that cannot be sold with the electronic money balance of the non-contact IC chip is turned on or off in a light emission form different from the product selection button of the product that can be sold with the electronic money balance. It is possible to clearly present to the user which products can be sold using the IC chip. Therefore, the user can easily confirm whether or not the electronic money balance of the non-contact IC chip is equal to or more than the minimum amount of the sold products.

  Further, in the present application, the control device further controls a light emission form of a light emitting element of a product selection button corresponding to each sellable product at the time of sale based on product information such as a temperature and a type of the sellable product. We propose what is characterized by

  According to the present invention, since the light emitting element of the product selection button corresponding to the product can be controlled based on the product information such as the temperature and type of the product that can be sold, various displays according to the product are possible. For example, in the case of a warmed product, light can be emitted in red, and in the case of a cooled product, light can be emitted in blue.

  Further, the present application further includes an outer door that opens and closes the product storage unit, an outer door opening / closing detection unit that detects opening and closing of the outer door, and a sales availability detection unit that detects whether the stored product is sold or not for each product. When the door opening / closing detection means detects the opening of the outer door, the control device is configured to select the light emitting element of the product selection button corresponding to the product detected as unsaleable by the sale availability detection means and the product selection button corresponding to the saleable product. A light-emitting element that is controlled to emit light with a light emission mode different from that of the light-emitting element is proposed.

  According to the present invention, when the outer door of the vending machine is opened, the light emitting element of the product selection button corresponding to the unsaleable product emits light in a light emitting form different from the light emitting element of the product selection button corresponding to the sellable product. Therefore, the administrator of the vending machine can easily recognize which products can be sold. Therefore, it is highly convenient. The state in which the product cannot be sold includes, for example, when the product is sold out, when the product has not reached a predetermined sales temperature, when the expiration date of the product has passed, and the like.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the product selection button corresponding to a product that can be sold emits light and the product selection button that corresponds to a product that cannot be sold can be sold even in a standby state. Since the light is emitted or extinguished in a light emission form different from that of the selection button, it is possible to make the user recognize that the product is being sold even from a distance. Further, since the product selection button emits light on the entire surface of the lid, it has excellent visibility even from a distance. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a lamp for sale like a conventional vending machine.

  A vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a button unit, and FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the vending machine.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of sets of product samples 2 and product selection button units 10 provided in the vicinity of each product sample 2 are installed on the front surface of the vending machine 1. In addition, on the front surface of the vending machine 1, a coin mechanism 3, a bill validator 4, a display unit 5 including a 7-segment LED for displaying the number of items sold, the total amount of goods, and the like, and communication with the non-contact IC card 100 A product outlet 7 is formed at the lower part of the front surface.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the button unit 10 includes a substrate 13 (see FIG. 2A) on which a product selection switch 11 and a lamp 12 are provided, and a transparent or translucent material such as plastic, for example. And a cover 14 (see FIG. 2B). The lamp 12 is composed of a light emitting element such as an LED capable of emitting single color or multiple colors. Here, the installation position and size of the lamp 12 and the material of the cover 14 are designed so that the light emitted from the lamp 12 diffuses inside the cover 14 and in the cover 14 itself so that the entire surface of the cover 14 is lit. preferable. In addition, characters indicating product characteristics and the like are printed on the inner side of the cover 14 such as “clawed”.

  The coin mechanism 3 identifies the type of coin (coin) inserted from the insertion slot, notifies the control device 30 described later, and stores the inserted coin in the inserted coin storage unit. When the coin mechanism 3 transports the inserted coin to the purchase storage unit, first, the coin mechanism 3 holds the coin at a temporary holding position in the coin mechanism. And if there is a storage instruction from the control device 30, the coins are stored in the inserted coin storage part. On the other hand, when there is a discharge instruction from the control device 30, the coin is discharged to the coin return port. The coin mechanism 3 stores coins for change in a change storage unit, and discharges a predetermined amount of change based on an instruction from the control device 30.

  The bill burr 4 identifies the type of bill (bill) inserted from the insertion slot, notifies the control device 30 described later, and stores the inserted bill in the bill storage unit. When the bill burr 4 conveys the inserted bill to the bill storage unit, the bill burr 4 first holds the bill at a temporary holding position in the bill burr. And if there exists a storage instruction | indication from the control apparatus 30, a banknote will be accommodated in the said banknote accommodating part. On the other hand, when there is a discharge instruction from the control device 30, the banknote is discharged from the insertion slot.

  The antenna 6 constitutes a part of a non-contact IC card reader / writer 8 that reads and writes data without contact with the non-contact IC card 100. The non-contact IC card reader / writer 8 emits radio waves from the antenna 6 and waits for a response from the non-contact IC card 100 when communication is enabled under the control of the control device 30 described later. The non-contact IC card 100 operates by supplying radio waves from the non-contact IC card reader / writer 8. Therefore, in the communication between the non-contact IC card reader / writer 8 and the non-contact IC card 100, when the non-contact IC card reader / writer 8 is in a communicable state, the user connects the non-contact IC card 100 to the vicinity of the antenna 6. It is done when arranged. This user's action is called “holding”.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the vending machine 1 is provided with a plurality of serpentine columns 21 for storing products. Below the serpentine column 21 is provided a merchandise carry-out device 22 for carrying merchandise in the serpentine column 21 to the merchandise take-out port 7. A sold-out detection switch 23 (not shown in FIG. 3), which is a sensor for detecting whether or not a product remains in the column, is provided below each serpentine column 21.

  FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of a control system of the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 30 includes a coin mechanism 3, a bill validator 4, a non-contact card reader / writer 8, and a plurality of buttons (only one is shown in the figure for simplicity of explanation). A unit 10, a display 5, a product carry-out device 22 for carrying out stored goods to the product take-out port 7, and a sold-out detection switch 23 are connected. The control device 30 includes a so-called one-chip microcomputer and an interface with each device (both not shown). In FIG. 3, only the devices related to the gist of the present invention are described for the sake of simplicity, and a cooling system such as a compressor is omitted.

  Next, the flowchart of FIG. 5 is referred with respect to the operation of the vending machine according to the present embodiment. The vending machine 1 is characterized by operation in a state in which no merchandise sales process is performed, that is, in a sales standby state. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, in the sales standby state, the control device 30 determines whether or not each of the serpentine columns 21 is sold out using the product sold-out switch 23 (step S1). As a result of this determination, the lamp 12 of the button unit 10 corresponding to the product accommodated in the serpentine column 21 in which the product remains is turned on (step S2). On the other hand, the lamp 12 of the button unit 10 corresponding to the product accommodated in the serpentine column 21 where the product is sold out is turned off (step S2). While the vending machine 1 is in the sales standby state, devices such as the product selection switch 11, the coin mechanism 3, and the bill validator 4 are monitored while maintaining the light emission state of the lamp 12 (step S3).

  When the control device 30 detects the insertion of cash into the coin mechanism 3 or the bill validator 4 in the sales standby state, the control device 30 starts merchandise sales processing by cash settlement (step S4). This merchandise sales process is also referred to as a post-commodity selection method because merchandise selection is performed after cash-in. At this time, the control device 30 turns on the lamps 12 of the button units 10 corresponding to the commodities that can be purchased with the inserted cash and is not sold out, and turns off the lamps 12 of the other button units 10. In addition, since the sales process by the after-product selection method is the same as the conventional one, the description is omitted here.

  On the other hand, when the control device 30 detects that the product selection switch 11 of the button unit 10 corresponding to the unsold product, that is, the sellable product, is pressed in the standby state, the settlement is performed by the cash settlement or the non-contact IC card 100. The merchandise sales process for implementing the above is started (step S5). This merchandise sales process is also referred to as a merchandise destination selection method because merchandise selection is performed before cash or electronic money is inserted. Note that the sales process by the merchandise destination selection method is the same as that of the conventional one, so the description is omitted here.

  When the merchandise sales process (steps S4 and S5) by each method is completed, the vending machine 1 is again in a standby state.

  According to such a vending machine, since the button unit 10 of the product that has not been sold out in the standby state is still lit, the user can recognize that the product is currently being sold even from a long distance. it can. In particular, the button unit 10 has good visibility because the entire surface is recognized by light emission. In addition, since the button unit 10 of the sold item is turned off, the user can check whether the item is sold out even from a long distance.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the above embodiment, the lamp 12 of the button unit 10 of the sold item is turned off, and the lamp 12 of the button lamp 10 of the item not sold is turned on, so that the two can be distinguished from each other. However, other light emission forms may be used as long as both light emission forms are different. Examples of the elements of the light emission form include color development, luminance, and blinking speed (including lighting and extinguishing states).

  Specifically, the lamp 12 of the button unit 10 of the product sold out in the standby state may be lit with a lower brightness than the lamp 12 of the button unit 10 of the product not sold out. Further, when a lamp capable of emitting multiple colors is used as the lamp 12, the lamp 12 may be colored in different colors depending on whether it is sold out or not. Moreover, you may make it blink the lamp | ramp of the button unit 10 of the goods sold out.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the lamp | ramp 12 of the button unit 10 of the goods which are not sold out in the sales stand-by state is only made to light, you may make it set it as the light emission form according to the goods. Examples of the elements of the light emission form include color development, luminance, and blinking speed (including lighting and extinguishing states). For example, it is possible to color the heated product in red and the cooled product in blue. In this case, it is also conceivable to further measure the temperature of the product stored in each column 21 and adjust the brightness and color according to the product temperature.

  Further, when it is detected that the contactless IC card 100 is held over in the sales standby state, the button unit 10 of the commodity that can be purchased with the electronic money balance of the contactless IC card 100 may be turned on. The operation of the vending machine in this case will be described with reference to FIG. When the non-contact IC card reader / writer 8 detects the non-contact IC card 100 in the sales standby state, the control device 30 reads the electronic money balance from the non-contact IC card 100 (step S11). Next, the lamp 12 of the button unit 10 of the product that can be sold with the remaining electronic money and is not sold out is turned on, and the lamps 12 of the other button units 10 are turned off (step S12). When a predetermined time has elapsed, the process is returned to the sales standby state (step S13). Thereby, prior to purchasing a product with the non-contact IC card 100, it is possible to confirm a product that can be purchased with the non-contact IC card 100. That is, it can be confirmed whether the electronic money balance of the non-contact IC card is equal to or higher than the lowest product price among the sold products. Therefore, it is highly convenient for the user.

  Further, an outer door opening detection sensor for detecting opening / closing of the outer door of the vending machine 1 is provided, and when the outer door opening detection sensor detects the opening of the outer door, the lamp 12 of the button unit 10 of the sold item is turned on. You may make it make it. As a result, the administrator of the vending machine can easily check out the sold-out products, thereby improving convenience.

  In the above description, as an example of whether or not a product can be sold, whether or not a product is sold out is exemplified. However, another criterion may be added. For example, the light emission form of the lamp 12 of the button unit 10 may be controlled based on whether the expiration date of the product has passed or whether the product has reached a predetermined temperature.

  Further, the vending machine 1 is provided with a clock or a light sensor for detecting brightness in the control device 30, and the button unit is selected according to the time information that can be acquired by these and the brightness information around the vending machine 1. You may make it control the light emission form of the 10 lamps 12. For example, when the time measured by the clock is in the nighttime, the brightness of the lamp 12 is controlled to be lower than in the daytime, or when the illuminance measured by the optical sensor is smaller than a predetermined value, it is larger than the predetermined value. For example, a method of controlling the brightness of the lamp 12 to be lower than the case may be used.

  Moreover, although the vending machine provided with the serpentine column 21 has been described in detail in the above embodiment, the present invention can be applied to vending machines of other forms. For example, a beverage extraction type vending machine may be used.

Front view of vending machine Diagram explaining the structure of the button unit Side view of vending machine Schematic block diagram of vending machine control system Flow chart explaining operation of vending machine Flowchart explaining operation of vending machine according to another example

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vending machine, 2 ... Product sample, 3 ... Coin mechanism, 4 ... Bill burr, 5 ... Display, 6 ... Antenna, 7 ... Product outlet, 8 ... Non-contact IC card reader / driver, 10 ... Button unit, 11 ... Product selection switch, 12 ... Lamp, 13 ... Substrate, 14 ... Cover, 21 ... Serpentine column, 22 ... Product carry-out device, 23 ... Sold out detection switch, 30 ... Control device

Claims (8)

A product selection button provided corresponding to the sales product, a product carry-out device for carrying out the stored product, and a control of the product carry-out device so as to carry out the stored product corresponding to the product selection button by detecting the pressing of the product selection button In a vending machine equipped with a control device
The product selection button includes a light emitting element, and a lid made of a transparent or translucent material and transmitting light from the light emitting element over the entire surface.
In the stand-by state, the control device turns on the light emitting elements of all the product selection buttons corresponding to the sellable products, and sets the light emitting elements of the buttons corresponding to the unsaleable products to the buttons corresponding to the sellable products. A vending machine controlled to emit light or extinguish in a light emitting form different from that of the light emitting element. A cash identification device for identifying coins or banknotes;
The control device turns on the light emitting elements of all the product selection buttons corresponding to the products that can be sold with the amount of money when the cash identification device detects the insertion of cash in the sales standby state, and corresponds to the products that cannot be sold. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element of the button is controlled to emit light or extinguish in a light emitting form different from the light emitting element of the button corresponding to the saleable product. Equipped with a non-contact IC chip interface that reads and writes data to a non-contact IC chip that functions as an electronic wallet,
When the control device is ready to communicate with the non-contact IC chip, the control device turns on the light-emitting elements of all the product selection buttons corresponding to the products that can be sold with the electronic money balance of the non-contact IC chip. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element of the button corresponding to the possible product is controlled to emit light or extinguish in a light emitting form different from the light emitting element of the button corresponding to the sellable product. The control device controls a light emission form of a light emitting element of a product selection button corresponding to each saleable product at the time of sale based on product information such as a temperature and a type of the saleable product. Item 1. A vending machine according to item 1. An outer door that opens and closes the product storage unit, an outer door opening / closing detection unit that detects opening and closing of the outer door, and a sale availability detection unit that detects whether the sale of the stored product is available for each product,
When the door opening / closing detection means detects the opening of the outer door, the control device detects the light emitting element of the product selection button corresponding to the product detected as unsaleable by the sale availability detection means and the product selection button corresponding to the saleable product. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine is controlled to emit light in a light emission form different from that of the light emitting element. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the control device causes a light emitting element of a button corresponding to an unsaleable product to emit light at a lower brightness than a light emitting element of a button corresponding to a saleable product. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the control device blinks a light emitting element of a button corresponding to an unsaleable product. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the control device causes a light emitting element of a button corresponding to an unsaleable product to emit light in a color different from that of a button light emitting element corresponding to a saleable product.

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