JP2006099252A - Panel for automatic ticket vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a panel structure for enabling a user to discriminate the location of a target switch at a glance, and for making the operation display part itself of an automatic ticket vending machine operate as a poster function. <P>SOLUTION: A display area 12 for displaying a menu and a sum or an account selection switch 5 are arranged in a segmented area 11 segmented for each menu of an operation/display area 4 of an automatic vending machine, and the panel of this automatic ticket vending machine is provided with a poster/menu display sheet 20 covering an operation/display area, a transparent board 30 for attachably/detachably securing the poster/menu sheet to the panel by a securing means 40 and a magnet 45 fixed to the transparent board so as to be absorbed to the metallic portion of the panel for preventing the paster/menu sheet from floating from the operation/display area. The poster/menu display sheet is provided with a display means for showing each menu contents or a display means for showing a price in an area corresponding to the display area of each segmented area and a hole or notch for exposing the account selection switch. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of an automatic ticket vending machine installed in a canteen or the like, and in particular, eliminates the troubles of switch operation and waste of time in the operation unit of a conventional automatic ticket vending machine, and the location of the target switch at a glance. It relates to the panel structure of an automatic ticket vending machine that can be identified.

Conventionally, products such as food and drink have been sold using vending machines, and users can easily purchase desired products at any time. Vending machines are also used as ticket vending machines for station ticket sales and cafeteria ticket sales. Opportunities to use vending machines in our social life are expected to increase further in the future.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing an external configuration of a conventional food vending machine, and a front panel 101 is disposed on the front surface of the housing 100. A large-area mounting opening 102 is formed in the front panel 101, and a large number of account selection switches 110 are detachably mounted on a support member passed through the mounting opening 102. Reference numeral 103 is a coin slot, and 104 is a bill slot.
Each account selection switch 110 includes a menu display unit 110a and an LED unit 110b in a narrow display space. The menu display unit 110a displays the name, pattern, and amount of the menu (dish), and the LED unit 110b Although it is always turned off, it is turned on when an amount commensurate with the displayed amount is inserted to indicate to the user that it can be purchased (for example, JP-A-10-188050).
However, such a conventional account selection switch 110 has a small area (less than 5 cm in length and width) for displaying menus and amounts, and a large number of them are arranged close to each other in the vertical and horizontal directions. It takes time and labor to determine whether there is a switch, and it takes time to purchase a meal ticket, which causes the user to form a queue in front of the automatic ticket vending machine and prolong the waiting time.
In addition, the maintenance staff operating the automatic ticket vending machine displays a card-like display stored in the switch cover in order to change the display of the name of the menu display section 110a of each switch every time the menu is changed. The troublesome work to replace the board was required.

In order to solve such a problem, as shown in the figure, the menu number (each assigned to each account selection switch 110) is placed above the automatic ticket vending machine casing 100 or in the store space close to the automatic ticket vending machine. Alternatively, a contrivance is made to arrange a poster 120 on which a menu (item) to be purchased is displayed by a photograph, a picture, or a character together with a number n corresponding to the symbol N). That is, while the menu number N is displayed in advance in a predetermined order in each display space 110a of each account selection switch 110, the number n corresponding to each menu number N and the pictures and pictures of the corresponding menus. The characters are individually displayed in each section 121 of the poster 120. The user decides the menu by looking at the pictures, characters, etc. in each section from the poster 120, stores the number n written in the section related to the determined menu, and then looks at the front panel of the automatic ticket vending machine The menu number N corresponding to the number n is searched from a number of account selection switches 110, and the switch is turned on.
However, in this conventional example, since the target menu number n is stored from the display content on the poster 120, the eyes are turned to the automatic ticket vending machine to search for the same number. For elderly people with weak memory and those with poor vision, there is always a risk of misoperation. In particular, when one person purchases multiple types of meal tickets, the user needs to memorize a number of numbers n confirmed by looking at the poster, and it is necessary to operate the account switch using this memory. There is a problem in that the purchase time is prolonged because the food ticket that has not been purchased is mistakenly purchased or the number on the poster is confirmed again in order to prevent the wrong purchase.
In addition, when changing the menu, it is necessary to replace the poster 120 as a whole or paste a sticker displaying a new menu only on the changed menu portion on the poster. For the account selection switch 110 relating to the menu to be changed, an operation of individually replacing the display board is required.
In addition, this conventional example is inconvenient in that it is necessary to secure a space for placing posters in the store. Especially for automatic ticket vending machines installed in restaurants, it is necessary to change the poster according to the monthly menu, daily menu, seasonal menu, etc. There was a problem that the display of must correspond.
JP 10-188050 A

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in the operation section of a conventional automatic ticket vending machine, a user finds a target switch from among a large number of small-area menu selection switches arranged adjacently on the front panel. In addition to eliminating the troubles of switch operation and waste of time, the location of the target switch can be determined at a glance, and there is no special poster affixing space in the store. The purpose is to provide a panel structure of an automatic ticket vending machine that can have a poster function.
In addition, when the menu is partially changed, there is no need for complicated work to replace the individual menu display board mounted on the switch surface displaying the menu to be changed. To provide a panel structure of an automatic ticket vending machine that can change the display for each switch and can change the menu display for all switches at once when a significant menu change is made. For other purposes.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is provided with an operation / display area on a panel of an apparatus main body, and an automatic ticket vending machine that issues a ticket corresponding to a menu selected by operating the operation / display area. In the operation / display area, a partition area divided for each menu is provided, and in each partition area, at least a menu to be purchased, a display area for displaying the amount of money, or an account selection switch is arranged. In the above, the poster / menu display sheet attached to the front of the operation / display area and covering the operation / display area and the poster / menu sheet attached to the front of the operation / display area are detachable by a locking means. A transparent plate fixed to the panel, and a metal plate of the panel to prevent the poster / menu sheet from being lifted from the operation / display area. The poster / menu display sheet has display means for indicating the contents of each menu or display means for indicating the price in an area corresponding to the display area of each partition area, and the account It has a hole or a notch for exposing the selection switch.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a plurality of the account selection switches are arranged in one partition area, and a character indicating a price provided on the poster / menu display sheet is the account number. It is arranged at a position corresponding to the selection switch.
The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in claim 2, the plurality of account selection switches arranged in the one partition area are switches for selecting an additional selection element for the menu.

According to the present invention, on the front panel of the ticket vending machine, a partition area having a sufficiently large area for easy visual recognition is provided, and at least a menu to be purchased and a display area for displaying the amount of money are arranged in the partition area. Therefore, it is easy to search for the target menu using photos, designs, characters, etc., and you can check the location of the switch at a glance. Further, since the switch corresponding to the target menu display corresponds to the nearest position, the operation is easy and the switch is not erroneously pressed. Therefore, it takes time to operate, so that time is not wasted and subsequent users are not kept waiting. Since there is no need to search for the corresponding switch from the front panel of the ticket vending machine after storing the switch number confirmed by a poster or the like at a distant position, erroneous operation is eliminated even when selecting a plurality of menus. In addition, the poster function can be used together with the operation display unit itself of the automatic ticket vending machine without securing a special poster affixing space in the store.
Furthermore, when the menu is partially changed, there is no need for a complicated operation for replacing the menu display board mounted on the switch surface displaying the menu to be changed. The display for each switch can be changed by a simple sticking operation. Further, when a large menu change is performed, the menu display corresponding to all the switches can be changed at once.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.
1A is a front view showing a configuration of an automatic ticket vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a configuration diagram of a poster / menu display sheet alone, and FIG. 1C is an enlarged view of a front panel. is there.
The automatic ticket vending machine shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, a meal ticket vending machine 1 in a cafeteria. A front panel 3 is disposed at the upper front of a housing 2, and the front panel 3 includes an operation / display area 4. A ticket corresponding to the menu selected by operating the account selection switch 5 on the area 4 is issued. Below the operation / display area 4, a bill insertion portion 6, a coin insertion portion 7, a change dispensing portion 8, a ticket issuing portion 9 and the like are arranged.
The operation / display area 4 is provided with a partition area 11 divided for each menu. In each partition area 11, at least a menu to be purchased, a display area 12 for displaying the amount of money, and an account selection switch 5 are arranged. .
In the present invention, a poster / menu display sheet 20 on which a predetermined pattern, character, amount, etc. are printed in a predetermined arrangement on a recording medium such as paper is attached to the front of the operation / display area 4 to operate / display the area. 4, and the poster / menu sheet 20 attached to the front of the operation / display area is detachably fastened by the locking means 40 while being pressed by the transparent plate (pressing plate) 30. The locking means 40 is constituted by, for example, a fastener such as a screw that can be attached and detached manually, and is attached to a mounting hole provided in the panel surface through a hole provided in the transparent plate 30.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the transparent plate. As shown in FIGS. 2 (a), (b), (c) and (d), the transparent plate (presser plate) 30 made of polycarbonate resin or the like is placed at an appropriate position in order to prevent floating from the operation / display area. A magnet 45 that is attracted to the metal portion of the panel is fixed. Even when the peripheral portion of the transparent plate 30 is fixed to the panel 3 by the locking means 40, the central portion of the transparent plate 30 may be lifted by the reaction force of the poster / menu sheet. It may also float when multiple menu sheets are stacked. Therefore, by disposing the magnets 45 in the central part of the transparent plate 30, the poster / menu display sheet 20 can be pressed down by being attracted to the metal portion of the panel 3 via the poster / menu display sheet 20. As the magnet 45, for example, a material having a strong attractive force such as neodymium is used.
As shown in FIG. 2, holes 31 for attaching fasteners such as screws are formed at the four corners of the transparent plate 30, and recesses 32 for fitting a magnet 45 and fixing them with an adhesive are formed on the back surface. . For example, when the thickness of the transparent plate 30 is 2 mm, the magnet 45 protrudes 0.5 mm from the back surface of the transparent plate 30 by setting the depth of the recess 32 to 1.5 mm and the thickness of the magnet 45 to 2 mm. It will be. The 0.5 mm protrusion of the magnet secures a space between the back surface of the transparent plate and the panel 3, and this space is pasted on the poster / menu sheet 20 as the menu changes as will be described later. It becomes a space for the thickness of the seal when attached.

Further, since the magnet 45 is easily rusted, it is plated to give, for example, a silver color, and the magnet is inconspicuous in appearance.
Further, since the recess 32 is formed by NC processing, the inner surface of the recess 32 is roughened and becomes clouded, but the transparency is restored by applying an adhesive for fixing the magnet. Therefore, there is no sense of discomfort in appearance.
Of the plate surface of the transparent plate 30, the portion corresponding to the pattern display area 21 of the poster / display sheet 20 is configured to be transparent so that the pattern display area 21 can be easily seen from the outside. A hole (or notch) 35 having a shape matching with each switch is formed through the portion corresponding to the switch 5. Therefore, each switch 5 can protrude outside from the hole 35 and is easy to operate.
The poster / menu display sheet 20 is approximately the same size (slightly smaller) as the transparent plate 30, and is displayed on a display area 21 such as a pattern corresponding to the display area 12 of each partition area 11 on the operation / display area 4. There is a hole for exposing the switch 5 at a position corresponding to the account selection switch 5 having a photograph, a figure and a character (display means) indicating the contents of each menu, or a character indicating the price (display means). (Or a notch) 22. Each hole 22 has a positional relationship and shape that matches each hole 35 formed in the transparent plate 30.

One or a plurality of the account selection switches 5 are arranged in one partition area 11, and the characters indicating the price provided on the poster / menu display sheet 20 are arranged in the vicinity corresponding to each account selection switch 5. Has been. When there is one account selection switch 5 in one division area 11, the menu shown in the display area 12 of the division area 1 is selected and issued from the ticket issuing unit 9 by pressing the switch. It becomes. In addition, when there are a plurality of account selection switches 5 in one partition area 11, by pressing any one of the switches, a desired one of the menu options shown in the display area 12 of the partition area 1 is selected. Can be selected.
That is, the plurality of account selection switches 5 arranged in one partition area 11 are switches for selecting an additional selection element (small classification) for the menu. Here, the switch for selecting an additional selection element is, for example, for selecting the difference in the serving size such as side-by-side or large-sided for the same menu (dish), or for selecting salad, miso soup, pickles, etc. Switch.
Needless to say, the size of the partition area can be arbitrarily set according to the number of assigned account selection switches 5.
Next, in the present invention, a case where a part or most of the menu is changed will be described. First, when a part of the menu is changed, without changing the poster / menu display sheet 20, the menu content to be changed is changed to the corresponding portion of the poster / menu display sheet 20 exposed by removing the transparent plate. It is only necessary to affix a sticker displaying “”. At this time, since the space is formed between the transparent plate and the front panel 3 by the amount that the magnet 45 protrudes from the back surface of the transparent plate by a predetermined length, this space can be used to accommodate the thickness of the seal, There is no risk of the transparent plate floating.

Next, when most of the menu is changed significantly, it is more convenient to change the poster / menu display sheet 2 itself to a new one rather than responding with the sticker displaying the change contents. After removing the existing poster / menu display sheet 2 and positioning the new poster / menu display sheet in front of the operation / display area 4, the transparent plate 30 may be assembled.
As described above, according to the present invention, at least the menu to be purchased and the display area 12 for displaying the amount of money are arranged in the partition area 11 having a sufficiently large area. As a clue, the location of the switch can be confirmed at a glance, and the switch corresponding to the target menu display corresponds to the nearest position, so that the operation is easy and the switch is not erroneously pressed. Therefore, it takes time to operate, so that time is not wasted and subsequent users are not kept waiting. Since there is no need to search for the corresponding switch from the front panel of the ticket vending machine after storing the switch number confirmed by a poster or the like at a distant position, erroneous operation is eliminated even when selecting a plurality of menus. In addition, the poster function can be used together with the operation display unit itself of the automatic ticket vending machine without securing a special poster affixing space in the store.
Furthermore, when the menu is partially changed, there is no need for a complicated operation for replacing the menu display board mounted on the switch surface displaying the menu to be changed. The display for each switch can be changed by a simple sticking operation. Further, when a large menu change is performed, the menu display corresponding to all the switches can be changed at once.
The automatic ticket vending machine of the present invention can be applied not only to a ticket vending machine that is equipped in a canteen or the like and sells meal tickets, but also to any type of ticket vending machine.

(A) is a front view which shows the structure of the automatic ticket vending machine concerning one Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a block diagram of a poster and menu display sheet single-piece | unit, (c) is an enlarged view of a front panel. (A) thru | or (d) are structure explanatory drawings of a transparent plate. Explanatory drawing of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

1 ticket vending machine, 2 housing, 3 front panel, 4 operation / display area, 5 account selection switch, 6 bill insertion part, 7 coin insertion part, 8 change dispensing part, 9 ticketing part, 11 compartment area, 12 display area , 20 Poster and menu display sheet, 21, 30 Transparent plate (press plate), 31 holes, 32 recesses, 35 notches, 40 locking means, 45 magnets

Claims (3)

An automatic ticket vending machine that has an operation / display area on the panel of the device body and issues a ticket corresponding to a menu selected by operating the operation / display area. In each of the partitioned areas, at least a menu to be purchased, a display area for displaying the amount of money, or an account selection switch is arranged in each partitioned area.
A poster / menu display sheet attached to the front of the operation / display area and covering the operation / display area, and the poster / menu sheet attached to the front of the operation / display area are detachable by a locking means. A transparent plate that is fixed to the transparent plate, and a magnet that is fixed to the transparent plate and adsorbs to a metal portion of the panel to prevent floating from the operation / display area of the poster / menu sheet,
The poster / menu display sheet has a display means for indicating the contents of each menu in a region corresponding to the display area of each partition area, or a display means for indicating a price, and a hole for exposing the account selection switch, or A panel of an automatic ticket machine characterized by having a notch.   A plurality of the account selection switches are arranged in one partition area, and the characters indicating the price provided on the poster / menu display sheet are arranged at positions corresponding to the account selection switches. The panel of the automatic ticket vending machine according to claim 1. The panel of the automatic ticket vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of account selection switches arranged in the one partition area are switches for selecting an additional selection element for the menu.

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