JP2006174100A - Ip communication connecting service system for automatic vending machine, and ip communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inexpensively provide an IP communication connecting service system on the street. <P>SOLUTION: The CPU 2 of an IP communication terminal T is arranged in an automatic vending machine V so as to perform remote maintenance by the Internet via a network N, monitors charge information among monitor information to be collected by a monitor 11, starts a timer 4 after the charge is thrown in, and turns on switches s1, s2. An IP communication connecting service is provided between the IP telephone terminal 7 of the IP communication terminal T to be connected to the switches s1, s2 and an information terminal P through a wireless LAN access point 8, at no charge for a fixed time via the network N. Accordingly, a customer attracting ability is raised in the automatic vending machine V. Besides, the remote maintenance, an IP communication connecting service apparatus, and a place for installing the apparatus are shared, so that the IP communication connecting service system and the IP communication terminal are inexpensively provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an IP communication connection service system and an IP communication apparatus for a vending machine.

  In recent years, vending machines for beverages and the like are provided on street corners and facility buildings. In this vending machine, maintenance work such as collection of money, change of money, replenishment of goods, and cleaning are performed regularly by a staff member or by contact from a customer as needed.

  Recently, an operation monitor device has been installed inside the vending machine for the purpose of countermeasures for labor costs related to maintenance personnel and quick failure detection, and the monitor data of the vending machine can be serviced by dialing up from the monitor device using PHS etc. There are cases where remote maintenance is transmitted to a center server or the like, but there is a problem that communication equipment costs and maintenance equipment costs are required.

On the other hand, there is a service that establishes a wireless LAN access point in a public facility such as a coffee shop or a station building, which is recently called a hot spot, and connects to the Internet. Thus, there is a problem that the expansion of the Internet communication service business by wireless LAN does not proceed. There is also a proposal to install a wireless LAN access point in a vending machine (for example, Patent Document 1). Even if it can be installed, the cost of collecting the cost of installing the access point etc. with a communication fee via the access point. There is a problem with poor effectiveness.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-133872 (page 5, FIG. 1)

  Internet communication services with wireless LAN hotspots on street corners are not cost effective for securing communication device installation locations and communication device installations as wireless LAN access points, and the expansion of the Internet communication service business is not progressing. there were.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a street corner IP (Internet Protocol) communication service and an IP communication device at low cost.

  To achieve the above object, the IP communication connection service of the present invention is an IP communication connection service system that transmits remote maintenance data of a vending machine to a host by IP (Internet Protocol) communication. , A network that communicates with the vending machine by IP (Internet Protocol), a server and a host connected to the network, and the vending machine, which is attached to the vending machine and collects remote maintenance information of the vending machine An IP communication apparatus comprising: a monitor unit; a control unit that edits the collected remote maintenance information to generate monitor data; at least one of an IP telephone terminal and a wireless LAN access point; and a router; Provide wireless LAN client The IP communication device inputs and outputs the monitor data transmitted to the host, at least the IP telephone terminal signal, and the wireless LAN access point. Any one of the signals is transmitted / received to / from the network via the router, the IP telephone terminal makes a call with a second IP telephone terminal connected via the network, and the information terminal is Communicating with a second information terminal or device connected via the network.

  The IP communication apparatus according to the present invention is an IP communication apparatus that transmits remote maintenance data of a vending machine to the host via the network to a host connected to the IP communication network. A monitor unit that collects remote maintenance information of the vending machine, a control unit that edits the collected remote maintenance information to generate monitor data, a router, at least an IP telephone terminal, and a wireless LAN access point And the monitor data transmitted to the host, and an information terminal provided with a wireless LAN client when the wireless LAN access point is provided, via the wireless LAN access point When there is a signal input, the signal between the information terminal and the I And wherein the transmitted and received between the network through the router and a signal of the IP telephone terminal when there comprises a telephone terminal.

  According to the present invention, remote maintenance of a vending machine is performed by Internet communication means, and at least one of a wireless LAN access point and an IP telephone terminal using the Internet communication means is provided, thereby reducing the cost. Can provide an IP communication connection service system and an IP communication device.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire IP (Internet Protocol) communication connection service system of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
1, an IP communication connection service system of a vending machine includes a vending machine V, a network N that communicates with IP (Internet Protocol), a server S that is connected to the network N, and an IP communication device (hereinafter referred to as IP communication). A terminal T) and a host H are provided, and an information terminal (PDA: personal information terminal, PC: personal computer, etc.) P is connected to the host H via the IP communication terminal T and the network N. The IP communication terminal T is installed in or near the vending machine V and includes a control unit 1, a router 6, a monitor unit 11, an IP telephone terminal 7, a wireless LAN access point 8, and switches s1 to s2.

  The control unit 1 includes a CPU 2, a TCP / IP interface 3, a timer 4, and a display unit 5 that are connected to each other by an internal bus or the like. The configuration of the CPU 2 to the display unit 5 of the control unit 1 may be a configuration of an independent functional circuit or the like, or the control unit 1 executes functions of each configuration by an information terminal such as a personal computer. May be.

An outline of the operation of each component of the IP communication connection service system will be described next.
The server S is a Web server that performs management control (access control) of IP communication of devices and terminals that perform IP communication connected via the network N, in this case, the IP communication terminal T and the host H.

  The IP communication terminal T and the network N are connected via the router 6 via an ADSL line or an optical fiber line.

  In the vending machine V, various information for sales and remote maintenance such as the inventory of goods stored in the vending machine V are collected by the monitor 11 of the IP communication terminal T and output to the control unit 1 of the IP communication terminal T. . Each information input to the control unit 1 is edited into monitor data by the CPU 2 and transmitted from the router 6 to the host H via the network N.

  The monitor data is sent from the control unit 1 with an address to the host H in an e-mail or push format by the UDP procedure, or the control unit 1 earthquake has a URL. Any one that accesses and downloads data may be used.

  The host H grasps the operation status of each vending machine V based on the monitor data received via the network N, and monitors the monitor data such as sales and the inventory of goods stored in the vending machine V in an internal memory (not shown). It is an information processing device that stores and displays a required form in a form or display.

  The monitor unit 11 of the IP communication terminal T collects the toll collector attached to the vending machine V, each sensor such as the product storage unit, or the operation information output by the vending machine V and sends it to the control unit 1. Output. The monitor unit 11 may collect information from not only one vending machine V but also a plurality of vending machines V and output the information to the control unit 1.

  The CPU 2 of the control unit 1 converts each information input from the monitor 11 into edited monitor data and outputs it to the host H via the network N by outputting it from the TCP / IP interface 3 to the router 6. The CPU 2 monitors the charge information for confirming that the fee has been paid correctly, and starts the timer 4 when the information for which the fee processing has been correctly performed is confirmed.

  For example, the vending machine V may use a drive signal of an output mechanism (not shown) that outputs the product to the product outlet after collecting the fee, for confirming that the fee has been paid correctly. If the fee collector (not shown) of the vending machine V outputs the fee collection information, the fee collection information is used.

  The timer 4 outputs a control signal for turning on the switches s1 and s2 to correspond to the product purchase of the vending machine V, for example, the IP telephone terminal 7 attached to the IP communication terminal T for 10 minutes, or The information terminal P accessing the wireless LAN access point is allowed to perform IP communication.

  The display unit 5 is a display that displays a guide necessary for communication using the IP communication terminal T, authentication information described later, and the like.

  The IP telephone terminal 7 accommodated in the IP communication terminal T is connected to the router 6 via the switch s1 while the switch s1 is ON, and further communicates with the external IP telephone terminal 77 via the network N. Similarly, in the IP communication terminal T, a wireless LAN access point 8 is accommodated, and a signal transmitted and received by the information terminal P accessing the wireless LAN access point 8 is connected to the router 6 while the switch s2 is ON, and further the network. Communicate with an external information terminal p via N.

  As described above, in the IP communication terminal T, the first communication in which the remote maintenance monitor data is transmitted from the control unit 1 to the host H, the second in which the IP telephone terminal 7 makes a call with the external IP telephone terminal 77. Communication, third communication in which the information terminal P accessing the wireless LAN access point 8 communicates with an external information terminal p (which may be a server, a host, or the like) and three communications are possible. It is.

  The control unit 1, the IP telephone terminal 7, and the wireless LAN access point 8 are set with IP addresses A 1, A 7, and A 8 by DHCP control with the fixed address or router 6, respectively, and access is managed by the server S .

  Next, the operation of the IP communication connection service system that integrally manages the above three communications will be described.

(Business forms implemented by telecommunications carriers)
In FIG. 1, the telecommunications carrier that manages the IP communication terminal T and the server S installed in the vending machine V may be integrated with the vending machine operating company. The company installs the vending machine V, and lends or provides the communication company with the vending machine V for installing the IP communication terminal or the installation location of the IP communication terminal.

  On the other hand, a telecommunications carrier provides an IP communication connection service using the network N and the server S. Then, the IP communication terminal T is lent or provided to the vending machine operating company, and the communication carrier manages and manages the host H on behalf of the vending machine operating company and monitors the operation of the vending machine V.

  That is, the telecommunications carrier originally provides the remote maintenance performed by the vending machine operating company, that is, the first communication service described above. Then, the IP communication terminal T monitors the operation and inventory status of the vending machine V as described above, and sends the current status of the vending machine V to the host H every 5 minutes, for example, or purchase of a product has occurred. Occasionally conducts a remote maintenance business to notify the host H.

  By the way, the IP communication terminal T and the host H are always connected via the router 6 and the network N 6, but the monitor data for remote maintenance can be little data that is intermittently transmitted. The traffic of the channel with which the IP communication terminal T on N communicates is low.

  Therefore, if the communication carrier uses this free time to provide the second and third communication services, in other words, the third party's IP communication connection service, the use efficiency of the channel increases. You can get fee income from IP communication connection service.

  That is, by sharing the equipment and installation location necessary for the IP communication connection service with the remote maintenance using the Internet of the vending machine V, the cost required for the IP communication connection service and the remote maintenance can be reduced.

  Next, each device that performs the IP communication connection service and its service function operation will be described below.

(IP communication connection service)
There are roughly two types of IP communication connection services provided by communication carriers: a free mode and an additional service mode.

  The free mode is a service that allows a subscriber of an IP communication connection service (hereinafter referred to as a provider service) provided by a communication carrier to a general user to freely access the Internet from an IP communication terminal.

  That is, the telecommunications carrier accesses the IP telephone terminal 7 or the wireless LAN access point 8 with the user ID and, if necessary, the password of the user who contracts the provider service (hereinafter referred to as “contracted user”). By inputting the information to the information terminal, the IP telephone terminal 7 can be accessed or the wireless LAN access point 8 can be accessed. In this free mode, unlike the additional service mode, which will be described later, in order for the contract user to be able to communicate regardless of whether or not the product has been purchased, the timer 4 of the control unit 1 is set to always turn on the switches s1 and s2. The

  If the IP communication terminal provides only the free mode, the timer 4 of the control unit 1 and the switches s1 and s2 may be omitted.

  In the free mode, the server S performs user authentication based on the contract user's ID and password input from a key button (not shown) of the IP telephone terminal 7 and then the IP telephone via the server S by a predetermined dial and connection procedure. Communication between the terminal 7 and the desired IP telephone terminal 77 is performed.

  In the wireless LAN access point 8, for example, the wireless LAN access point 8 performs user authentication to determine whether access is possible by inputting an ESSID and a password known to the contract user from a keyboard (not shown) of the information terminal P. After that, communication with the external information terminal p connected to the network N is performed.

  The additional service mode is a mode in which, when a product is purchased from the vending machine V, the Internet can be accessed from the IP communication terminal T for a certain period of time as a service for the product purchaser.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the operation of each component of the vending machine V, the monitor unit 11, the control unit 1, and the switches s1 and s2.
Hereinafter, the operation of the IP communication terminal T in the additional service mode will be described with reference to FIG.

  The monitor 11 unit attached to the vending machine V collects information such as fee information, change information, sales information, inventory information, alarms, etc. from the vending machine V, and is controlled by an internal bus or a dedicated input / output line. Output to part 1. The CPU 2 of the control unit 1 converts the information input from the monitor 11 unit into edit monitor data and outputs it to the router 6 from the TCP / IP interface 3. The monitor data is transmitted to the host H via the network 3.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure by which the IP communication terminal T provides an Internet connection.
When the charge information is input from the monitor unit 11 (step s1), the CPU 2 confirms that the deposit, change process, and product output are normally executed and “normal deposit” is processed normally (Yes in step s2). ), Provisional authentication information is displayed on the display unit 5 (step s3), the timer 4 is started (step s4), and the switches s1 and s2 are turned on for 10 minutes (step s5), for example.

  This temporary authentication information is authentication information for allowing the server S to temporarily use the information terminal for accessing the IP telephone terminal 7 and the wireless LAN access point, like a one-time password. When the IP telephone terminal 7 is used, the display unit 11 displays, for example, a provisional ID “0123” and a provisional password “5789”. As described above, the authentication information input from the key button (not shown) of the IP telephone terminal 7 by the user is received by the server S via the switch s1, the router 6, and the network N.

  The server S collates with a one-time password list stored in advance in its own internal memory (not shown) and confirms that “0123” and “5789” match. Then, the IP telephone terminal 7 is connected (logged in) to the network N so that it can communicate with the external IP telephone terminal 77 (step s6). If the recognition information does not match, the IP telephone terminal 7 cannot log in to the network N.

  In addition, the display unit 11 has, for example, the temporary ESSID “234M” and the temporary access password “678W” as authentication information that is input to the information terminal P that accesses the wireless LAN access point 8 at the same time as the temporary ID and the temporary password. It is displayed. When these 234M ”and provisional access password“ 678W ”are input from the keyboard (not shown) of the information terminal P, the wireless LAN access point 8 stores the provisional ESSID stored in the internal memory (not shown). , And the provisional access password "list, the information terminal P is connected to the network N if it matches (step s6).

  The information terminal P connected to the network N continues normal connection (login) processing with the server S and starts communication with the information terminal p via the network N.

  When 10 minutes elapse, the timer 4 times out (Yes in step s7), the switches s1 and s2 are turned off (step s8), and the communication is disconnected.

  In this additional service mode, by setting a roaming service with the Internet communication service provided by another communication carrier in the server S, if a product is purchased using the vending machine V, the above-mentioned contracted users other than the contracted user can be obtained. The information terminal P may use the IP communication connection service using the IP communication terminal T.

  In addition, if the additional service enables the contract communication user only to use the IP communication terminal T, authentication using the provisional authentication information is performed by turning on the switches s1 and s2 for a predetermined time. The procedure may be omitted. In this case, step s3 in FIG. 3 is omitted. And the display part 5 of FIG. 1 may be abbreviate | omitted.

  In the above example, the IP telephone terminal 7 and the wireless LAN access point 8 are included in the configuration of the IP communication terminal T, but either one may be omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second example of the IP communication connection service system of the vending machine. In FIG. 4, the output of the TCP / IP interface 3 of the control unit 1 is connected to the wireless LAN client 81, and the monitor data collected by the monitor unit 11 is transmitted to the host 8 via the wireless LAN access point 8. May be. In FIG. 4, a case where the free mode is executed is taken as an example, and unnecessary switches S1, s2, timer 4, and display unit 5 are omitted in that case.

  When the wireless LAN client 81 is used in this way, the monitor unit 11, the control unit 1, and the wireless LAN client 81 are installed inside the vending machine V or attached to the vending machine, and the remaining wireless LAN of the IP communication terminal T is used. By placing the access point 8, the IP phone terminal 7 and the router 6 in one corner of the vending machine V installation area, the vending machine V is installed in a place where it is difficult to install communication lines such as optical fibers and telephone lines. It can be installed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the vending machine V itself is not a target for depositing the IP communication connection service with the vending machine V, and is associated with the purchase of a product sold by the vending machine V. It is provided as a value-added service. Even in this case, for the vending machine operating company, there is an effect of attracting customers by using an IP terminal phone that can be communicated free of charge and an IP communication connection service by using a wireless LAN access point. The burden of maintenance work can be reduced.

  On the other hand, for a telecommunications company, hotspot service requires many wireless LAN access points to be installed. By receiving vending machines, many hotspot access points can be installed at street corners. Since the opportunity to use the wireless LAN increases, it can be expected that the number of contract users with the communication carrier will increase. In addition, it is possible to save costs for access points and routers, infrastructure costs such as installation locations, and obtain remote maintenance business revenue.

  The present invention provides a service similar to that in the additional service mode by selling communication for remote maintenance and a time use right for providing an IP communication connection service in a unit of time by the vending machine V. It goes without saying that it may be.

The block diagram which shows the whole IP communication connection service system which concerns on the Example of this invention. The functional block diagram explaining operation | movement of a vending machine, a monitor part, a control part, and a switch. The flowchart explaining the procedure in which an IP communication terminal provides an internet connection. The 2nd block diagram of the IP communication connection service system which concerns on the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

H Host N Network S Server T IP communication terminal V Vending machine P, p Information terminal 1 Control unit 2 CPU
3 TCP / IP interface 4 Timer 5 Display unit 6 Router 7 and 77 IP telephone terminal 8 Wireless LAN access point

Claims (6)

In an IP communication connection service system that transmits remote maintenance data of a vending machine to a host by IP (Internet Protocol) communication,
The IP communication connection service system includes:
Vending machines,
A network communicating by IP (Internet Protocol);
A server and a host connected to the network;
A monitor unit that is attached to the vending machine and collects remote maintenance information of the vending machine; a control unit that edits the collected remote maintenance information to generate monitor data; and at least an IP telephone terminal; An IP communication device including any one of wireless LAN access points and a router;
An information terminal including a wireless LAN client, and the IP communication device includes:
The monitor data transmitted to the host, at least the signal of the IP telephone terminal, and any one of the signals input / output by the information terminal via the access point of the wireless LAN via the router Send to and receive from the network,
The IP telephone terminal communicates with a second IP telephone terminal connected via the network, and the information terminal communicates with a second information terminal or apparatus connected via the network. An IP communication connection service system characterized by communication between the two. The remote maintenance information includes fee information of the vending machine,
The IP communication apparatus includes a timer, a first switch between the IP telephone terminal controlled by the timer and the router, and a second switch between the access point of the wireless LAN and the router. In addition,
The control unit of the IP communication device monitors the fee information and activates the timer when the vending machine deposits a product price, and the first, until a predetermined time elapses and the timer times out The signal from the IP telephone terminal and the wireless LAN access point can be transmitted / received to / from the network via the router to enable the communication by turning on a second switch. The IP communication connection service system described. The IP communication apparatus further includes a display unit,
The control unit starts the timer and displays authentication information on the display unit,
The IP telephone terminal and the information terminal including the wireless LAN client input the displayed recognition information from respective input means, and the server or the access point performs verification check of the recognition information. The IP communication connection service system according to claim 2, wherein the communication is possible when the two match.   The monitor unit is connected to a second wireless LAN client, and the remote maintenance information is input to the control unit via the second client, the wireless LAN access point, and the router. The IP communication connection service system according to claim 1. In an IP communication apparatus for transmitting remote maintenance data of a vending machine to a host connected to an IP communication network via the network,
A monitor unit that is attached to the vending machine and collects remote maintenance information of the vending machine, a control unit that edits the collected remote maintenance information to generate monitor data, a router, and at least an IP One of a telephone terminal and a wireless LAN access point,
The monitor data transmitted to the host;
When there is a signal input from an information terminal equipped with a wireless LAN client when the wireless LAN access point is provided via the wireless LAN access point, a signal between the information terminal and
An IP communication apparatus characterized by transmitting and receiving a signal of the IP telephone terminal to and from the network via the router when the IP telephone terminal is provided. The remote maintenance information includes fee information of the vending machine,
The IP communication apparatus includes a timer, a first switch between the IP telephone terminal controlled by the timer and the router, and a second switch between the access point of the wireless LAN and the router. In addition,
The control unit of the IP communication device monitors the fee information and activates the timer when the vending machine deposits a product price, and the first, until a predetermined time elapses and the timer times out The signal from the IP telephone terminal and the wireless LAN access point can be transmitted / received to / from the network via the router to enable the communication by turning on a second switch. The IP communication device described.

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