JP2007058371A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To markedly enhance customer-appeal effects of an article, using an article selection button. <P>SOLUTION: This vending machine is provided with the plurality of article selection buttons 514, arranged on a front face of a vending machine body to form a display part for displaying information about the article, and the each article selection button 514 has the first display area for displaying brand information of the article and the second display area for displaying the attribute information of the article which is other than the brand, and is provided with a light-emitting part 522 provided in the each article selection button 514 to light-emit, independently the first display area and the second display area, and a control part for controlling the each light-emitting part 522 to light-emit the second display area in the same manner, so as to the articles having the common attribute information out of the respective articles. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine in which a plurality of product selection buttons for selecting a product are arranged on the front surface of a vending machine body.

  In general, vending machines for cigarettes, beverages and the like are provided with a plurality of product storage columns in the main body of the vending machine and sell products of a plurality of brands. In addition, products of a plurality of types of brands with the same brand and the same mark may be sold. Taking cigarettes as an example, products with different tar and nicotine values and products containing menthol components are often sold as the same brand and different brands.

  Such promotional activities for products and new products are effective when carried out using the front face of the vending machine body. Here, on the front surface of the vending machine main body, an exhibition section for displaying dummy products of each brand and a product selection button corresponding to each dummy product are arranged (for example, see Patent Document 1). Normally, the exhibition section is arranged around the eye level (eyeline) of the user, and all brand-name dummy products stored in the vending machine main body are displayed. The dummy products are generally arranged in one row or a plurality of rows in the horizontal direction, and product selection buttons are arranged below all the dummy products. And when money is thrown in by the user and a product can be sold, a predetermined portion of each product selection button generally emits light. A light-emitting body such as an LED is disposed on the back side of each product selection button and lights up when a predetermined sales condition is satisfied.

As a vending machine that conducts marketing activities using the front face, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. In the vending machine described in Patent Document 1, a specific product display section for displaying a specific dummy product is formed near the eyeline, and a specific product selection button for selecting a dummy product of the specific product display section below this Is arranged. And the display part surrounding the specific goods display part and the specific goods selection button is provided, and, thereby, specific goods stand out compared with normal goods.
JP 2002-74481 A

  However, the vending machine described in Patent Document 1 is effective in promoting sales of specific products, but does not improve the customer appeal effect for other products. Here, apart from the sales operation, there is also known a vending machine that emits a light emitter disposed on the back side of the product selection button for the purpose of attracting the eyes of a passerby. According to this, marketing activity etc. can be performed using each goods selection button, without providing a display part like the thing of patent documents 1.

  However, since each light emitter indicates that the product can be sold at the time of sales operation, the amount of light is much smaller than the display part of the product dummy, and even if each light emitter is turned on, the display part is better. It is not enough to stand out and attract the passersby's eyes. Further, it is difficult for passers-by to recognize the characteristics of the product from the light emission state of the lamps that can be sold, and it is difficult to say that the marketing activities are efficient. Furthermore, each illuminator displays information related to sales in the first place, and is not suitable for displaying information related to products, and it is not possible to carry out product promotion activities accurately.

  As described above, in the current vending machine, the product selection button only functions as a product selection tool for the user, and it must be said that the customer appeal effect by the button itself is low. As a result, there is a problem in that efficient marketing activities cannot be performed using the product selection button.

  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 capable of significantly improving the customer appeal effect of a product using a product selection button. .

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, in a vending machine,
It is arranged on the front of the vending machine body and has a plurality of product selection buttons that form a display section that displays information about the product.
Each of the product selection buttons has a first display area that displays brand information of the product, and a second display area that displays attribute information other than the brand of the product,
A light emitting unit that is provided for each of the product selection buttons and that independently emits light from the first display area and the second display area;
A control unit that controls each of the light emitting units so as to cause the second display area to emit light in the same manner for the products having the common attribute information among the respective products.

According to the vending machine of the present invention, each product selection button itself forms a display unit, and the brand information is displayed in the first display area. Therefore, a space for displaying dummy products and the like is provided on the vending machine body. There is no need to secure it on the front. In addition, since attribute information other than brands is displayed in the second display area, information other than brands can be recognized by the user.
And since a 2nd display area light-emits similarly about the goods which have common attribute information among each goods, the user can recognize visually the group of goods which has predetermined | prescribed attribute information. At this time, since the second display area of each product selection button emits light, predetermined portions of each product selection button are issued intensively, and it is easy to draw attention of users, passers-by, etc., and efficient marketing activities It becomes possible.
Accordingly, it is possible to perform a promotion activity using the front face by using each product selection button, which has conventionally been simply a product selection tool, and to significantly improve the customer appeal effect.
Here, the light emission of the second display area of each product selection button by the control unit may be triggered by a predetermined operation in the vending machine or may be performed constantly. Further, the light emission control may be performed for only one attribute information, or the light emission control may be performed for a plurality of attribute information.

In the vending machine,
The second display area may be formed to extend in the circumferential direction outside the periphery of the first display area.

  According to this vending machine, the brand is recognized by the first display area formed on the center side, and the attribute information other than the brand information is recognized by the second display area formed outside the brand information. As well as recognizing the brand, the person can understand the attribute information of the product of the brand sensuously.

In the vending machine,
Each of the light emitting units irradiates light from the back side of the product selection button toward the first display region, and irradiates light from the back side of the product selection button toward the second display region. And a second light emitter.

  According to this vending machine, since the first display area emits light by the first light emitter and the second display area emits light by the second light emitter, the light emission control of each display area can be performed easily and easily.

In the vending machine,
The first display area and the second display area may be configured to be formed on a film member having light transparency and detachable with respect to a button body of the product selection button.

  According to this vending machine, the product selection button can be thinly formed by using the film member. Further, since the dummy film has transparency, when each light emitter disposed on the back side of the dummy film irradiates light, this light is transmitted through the dummy film and each display area emits light. Light emission in the display area is realized. In addition, since the dummy film is detachable from the button body, it is possible to immediately respond to changes in sales products and the like, which is extremely advantageous in practical use.

In the vending machine,
The product selection button includes a partition plate provided on a back side of a boundary portion between the first display area and the second display area, and partitioning an optical path between the first light emitter and the second light emitter. it can.

  According to this vending machine, since the optical path of each light emitter is partitioned by the partition plate, the light from the first light emitter enters the second display area and the light from the second light emitter enters the first display area. Can be suppressed, and the light emission state can be accurately divided at the boundary portion of each display region.

In the vending machine,
The first display area may be formed to imitate the product.

  According to this vending machine, the user can accurately recognize which brand the product selection button corresponds to by visually recognizing the first display area.

In the vending machine,
The product is tobacco,
The first display area may be configured to have a substantially rectangular shape imitating the product.

  According to this vending machine, the user can accurately recognize which tobacco brand the product selection button corresponds to by visually recognizing the first display area.

In the vending machine,
Each of the product selection buttons may be configured to have a sales display area that is formed below the first display area and displays information related to sales of the product.

  According to this vending machine, for example, by displaying information related to sales such as sold out, available for sale, etc. in the sales display area, the user can change the sales status of the brand displayed in the first display area. Can be recognized.

In the vending machine,
The product selection buttons may be arranged in a matrix.

  According to this vending machine, since the product selection buttons are arranged in a matrix, the new vending machine has a new appearance not found in conventional vending machines. That is, the front face has a unique appearance, and each product selection button, which was a point in the past, can be shown on the screen.

In the vending machine,
The attribute information may be configured to include information on the characteristics of the product.

  According to this vending machine, the display of the second display area allows the user to recognize the characteristics of the product and to select a product having a desired characteristic.

  The attribute information may be configured to include information related to the product components.

  According to this vending machine, the display of the second display area allows the user to recognize a product having a common component, for example, a product having a small number of predetermined components or a component of his / her preference. The goods etc. which can be selected can be selected.

In the vending machine,
The attribute information may include information related to brands for sales promotion.

According to this vending machine, the display in the second display area allows the user to naturally recognize the brand corresponding to the sales promotion, that is, the brand such as a minor change or new brand, and the brand change. Can be considered.
Further, from the point of view of the seller, it is possible to automatically promote the promotion of sales promotion by encouraging the user or the like to shift to a brand corresponding to the sales promotion, thereby enabling efficient marketing activities.

In the vending machine,
The attribute information may be configured to include information on a brand to be upselled for a predetermined brand.

According to this vending machine, the display of the second display area allows the user to recognize the upsell target brand in the predetermined brand, and to consider the change of the brand for the predetermined brand.
Further, from the point of view of the seller, when there is a brand product to be upselled for a predetermined brand, the user of the predetermined brand can be urged to transfer to the brand to be upselled. That is, for example, an upsell brand can be promoted without using personal information of the customer to a customer who has purchased a predetermined brand, and efficient marketing activities are possible.

  As described above, according to the vending machine of the present invention, since it is not necessary to secure a space for displaying dummy goods or the like on the front surface of the vending machine main body, it is possible to give a clean impression to the user. It is possible to use the front of the vending machine body efficiently. In addition, it is possible to make the user recognize information other than the brand using the second display area, and the promotion activities using the front face by using each product selection button, which was conventionally simply a product selection tool. Etc., the customer appeal effect can be remarkably improved.

1 to 14 show an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine 100 includes a substantially box-shaped vending machine main body 502, and the front portion of the vending machine main body 502 forms a front door. A plurality of product storage columns are arranged inside the vending machine main body 502, and a product outlet 504 through which the products are discharged is formed on the front surface of the vending machine main body 502. In addition, on the front surface of the vending machine main body 502, a plurality of product selection buttons 514 for selecting a product together with the bill insertion slot 506, the coin insertion slot 508, the return lever 510, and the coin return slot 512 are arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each product selection button 514 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with four sides extending vertically and horizontally when viewed from the front, and arranged in a matrix along the vertical and horizontal directions. In the present embodiment, each product selection button 514 is formed vertically long. Each product selection button 514 is arranged on the upper side of the vending machine main body 502, and is arranged in 8 rows and 11 columns lacking 4 rows and 3 columns in the lower center. An information recognizing unit 516 is arranged in the lower center portion of the vending machine main body 502 where the product selection button 514 is missing. A bill insertion slot 506, a coin insertion slot 508, and a return lever 510 are integrally provided below the information recognition unit 516.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the product selection button.
As shown in FIG. 2, each product selection button 514 forms a display unit that displays one product. In the present embodiment, the display unit includes a dummy film 518 of a product that is detachable from the button main body 520 of the product selection button 514. The button main body 520 is made of a transparent plastic material having a thickness in the front and rear, and a dummy film 518 inserted therein can be visually recognized from the outside. Here, the dummy film 518 has optical transparency. On the back side of each product selection button 514, white LEDs 522 and LEDs 524 are both arranged to cause the dummy film 518 to emit light.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory front view of the film dummy.
As shown in FIG. 3, each product selection button 514 includes a first display area 600 that displays brand information of a product and a second display area 602 that displays attribute information other than the brand of the product in a front view. Have Note that the “attribute information” here does not include information related to sales of products unique to the vending machine 100, such as whether the product is sold out, that the product can be sold, or the like. Further, in the present embodiment, each product selection button 514 displays a third display region 604 formed immediately below the first display region 600 and information related to the sale of products formed below the first display region 600. A sales display area 606. The colors, patterns, characters, figures, and the like of the display areas 600, 602, 604, and 606 are printed on the dummy film 518.

  In the present embodiment, the product is a cigarette, and the first display area 600 is formed in a substantially square shape to imitate the product, and has the same design as the cigarette box 300. Thereby, the brand corresponding to each product selection button 514 is uniquely specified.

  The second display area 602 is formed to extend in the circumferential direction outside the periphery of the first display area 600. Specifically, the second display area 602 is formed with the same width along the left and right edges and the upper peripheral edge of the first display area 600. As shown in FIG. 3, the second display area 602 is formed so as to occupy the peripheral side of the product selection button 514. In the present embodiment, the attribute information displayed in the second display area 602 includes information on tobacco components and information on brands for sales promotion. How to display such information will be described later.

  Here, the portion corresponding to the second display area 602 of the dummy film 518 as a film member is colored green for menthol tobacco and blue for tobacco with a predetermined tar value. That is, the left side, the upper side, and the right side of the first display area 600 are surrounded by a green or blue line. When the brand corresponds to both “menthol” and “predetermined tar value”, the left side, the upper side, and the right side of the first display area 600 are surrounded by two color lines. In the case of displaying three or more product components, the first display area 600 may be surrounded by three or more color lines.

  The third display area 604 is formed below the first display area 600 and is formed in a quadrangular shape sandwiched between the left and right sides of the second display area 602. Specifically, the third display area 604 displays the cigarette brand and the amount and price of tar of the brand.

  The sales display area 606 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape below the third display area 604 and the second display area 602. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sales display area 606 is formed so as to occupy the lower end side of the product selection button 514. Specifically, in the sales display area 606, the characters “sold out” and the round shape on the left side thereof are displayed in red, and except for these, black is colored. In FIG. 2, the characters “sold out” and the round shape on the left side thereof are illustrated in white, but this white portion is printed in red.

  The LEDs 522 are disposed on the back sides of the first display area 600, the second display area 602, and the third display area 604, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the LEDs 522 are arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and the LEDs 522 arranged directly behind the first display area 600 emit light toward the first display area 600. An LED 522 that forms one light emitter and is disposed directly behind the second display area 602 forms a second light emitter that emits light toward the second display area 602, and the LED 522 disposed directly behind the third display area 604. Forms a third light emitter that emits light toward the third display region 604. In the present embodiment, the first light emitter and the third light emitter are controlled to emit light similarly. The first display area 600, the second display area 602, and the third display area 604 are colored, and each area 600, 602, and 604 is applied to the dummy film 518 by the white LED 522 emitting light. Emits color.

  The LED 524 is disposed on the back side of the sales display area 606. In the present embodiment, the LEDs 524 are respectively arranged on the back of the character “sold out” and the round shape on the left side thereof, and these two LEDs 524 form sales light emitters. As described above, since these are red, when the LED 524 emits light, the characters and the shape emit red.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a partition plate 530 is provided on the back side of the boundary portion of each display area 600, 602, 604, 606 in the product selection button 514 and partitions the optical path of each light emitter. In the present embodiment, the partition plate 530 extends substantially front and rear, and is formed so as to overlap with the boundary portions of the display areas 600, 602, 604, and 606 in front view. Each partition plate 530 is subjected to a surface treatment so as to reflect light emitted from each light emitter. In the present embodiment, the reflection function is realized by depositing silver on the surface of each partition plate 530. The surface treatment may be mirror finishing or the like.

  Here, a plurality of brands of products (cigarettes) are stored in the vending machine main body 502, and the first display area 600 of each product selection button 514 displays products of any brand. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the brand distribution of each product selection button 514. As shown in FIG. 6, the product selection buttons 514 are unevenly distributed for each product brand to be displayed to form the same brand region NP. In the present embodiment, 17 types of cigarettes are sold, and 17 identical brand areas NP are formed.

  The 17 brands are classified into 9 brand groups. Here, nine brands are assumed to be “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “E”, “F”, “G”, “H”, and “I”. The brand of “A” consists of 6 brands, and these brands are assumed to be “A1”, “A2”, “A3”, “A4”, “A5” and “A6”. Further, the brand “B” consists of two brands, and these brands are assumed to be “B1” and “B2”. The brand “C” consists of two brands, and these brands are temporarily set as “C1” and “C2”. The brand “D” consists of two brands, and these brands are temporarily set as “D1” and “D2”. For brands other than “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D”, one brand is sold for one brand. Here, the brands corresponding to the respective brands “E”, “F”, “G”, “H” and “I” are assumed to be “E1”, “F1”, “G1”, “H1” and “I1”. Keep it as The arrangement state of each brand is as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information recognition unit 516 includes a card information reading unit 526 that can read adult information from an information storage unit attached to an IC card 200 owned by a tobacco purchaser, and a cigarette A cigarette information reading unit 528 that reads cigarette brand information and the like from the information storage unit attached to the box 300 and sends the cigarette brand information to the control unit 114 described later. The information storage unit attached to the IC card 200 stores attribute information such as the cardholder's date of birth and the amount information of the electronic money stored in the card. The information storage unit attached to the cigarette box 300 is a so-called “bar code”, and stores information on brands and brands.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of the vending machine shown in FIG.
Each component shown in FIG. 7 is, in terms of hardware components, a CPU, a memory of any computer, a program that realizes the components shown in the figure loaded in the memory, and a storage unit such as a hard disk that stores the program However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications in the implementation method and apparatus. FIG. 7 shows functional unit blocks instead of hardware units.

  In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine 100 includes a product selection receiving unit 102, an IC card receiving unit 104, a cash receiving unit 106, a lever rotation receiving unit 108, a brand information receiving unit 110, an input detecting unit 112, Control unit 114, card information extraction unit 116, authentication processing unit 118, checkout processing unit 120, card recording unit 122, payout unit 124, brand information extraction unit 126, input storage unit 128, processing procedure storage unit 130, medium connection unit 132 , A light emitting unit 140, a table storage unit 142, a payout instruction unit 160, and a cash return unit 166. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the product selection receiving unit 102 receives an electrical signal from a product selection button 514 pressed by the user, and receives a product selection. The IC card receiving unit 104 detects that the IC card 200 is presented to the card information reading unit 526. When cash is inserted from the bill insertion slot 506 or the coin insertion slot 508, the cash reception unit 106 detects that the cash has been inserted and receives information regarding the amount of money that has been inserted. The lever rotation receiving unit 108 receives an electrical signal from the refund lever when the refund lever of the coin slot 508 is rotated. The brand information receiving unit 110 detects that the cigarette box 300 is held over the tobacco information reading unit 528 so that the barcode can be read.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the input detection unit 112 receives signals from the product selection reception unit 102, the IC card reception unit 104, the cash reception unit 106, the lever rotation reception unit 108, the brand information reception unit 110, and the medium connection unit 132. Detect input from users. The input storage unit 128 stores the user input detected by the input detection unit 112. The input storage unit 128 holds an input made by the user to the vending machine 100 as “input”. Here, examples of user input include “product selection button press”, “IC card presentation”, “cigarette presentation”, “cash insertion”, and “refund lever rotation”. When the input detection unit 112 detects a user input, the input detection unit 112 flags the corresponding input.

  When the input detection unit 112 detects a user input, the input detection unit 112 refers to the input storage unit 128 to detect whether another input is performed before the input. When the input detection unit 112 refers to the input storage unit 128 and no input flag is set, the input detection unit 112 detects that the input detected at that time is the first input.

  The processing procedure storage unit 130 stores the processing procedure of the vending machine body 502. The processing procedure storage unit 130 stores a procedure in which the product selection receiving unit 102 receives selection of a product, and the IC card receiving unit 104 receives presentation of the IC card 200 after selection of the product. In addition to this, the processing procedure storage unit 130 stores a processing procedure corresponding to the operation detected by the input detection unit 112 as the first operation. For example, in the present embodiment, as a first operation, the processing procedure storage unit 130 performs a procedure for processing the first display area 600 of the predetermined product selection button 514 to emit light when the cigarette box 300 is presented. I remember it.

  The card information extraction unit 116 extracts user information and money amount information stored in the IC card 200 presented to the card information reading unit 526 via the IC card reception unit 104, respectively.

  When the card information extraction unit 116 extracts user information from the IC card 200, the authentication processing unit 118 performs adult authentication by determining whether the user is an adult based on the user information.

  The checkout processing unit 120 determines whether the amount of money that can be purchased is the amount of money that the user has inserted or the amount of money stored in the IC card 200. Further, the settlement processing unit 120 performs settlement for deducting the price of the product from the cash inserted by the user or the amount information stored in the IC card 200. The settlement processing unit 120 performs settlement when the user charges the amount information to the IC card 200.

  When the payment processing unit 120 performs payment from the amount information stored in the IC card 200, or when the user charges the amount information to the IC card 200, the card recording unit 122 Rewrite the information to the amount information after settlement.

  The payout instructing unit 160 refers to the processing procedure storage unit 130, and instructs the payout of the product after the product selection, the adult authentication, and the price settlement are all performed. The payout unit 124 pays out the product selected by the user from the column to the product outlet 504 based on an instruction from the payout instruction unit 160.

  The control unit 114 controls each component of the vending machine 100 so that the processing of the vending machine body 502 is performed according to the processing procedure stored in the processing procedure storage unit 130. The control unit 114 controls the light emitting unit 140 so that the display areas 600, 602, 604, and 606 of the product selection buttons 514 arranged in a matrix form light during a predetermined operation of the vending machine body 502. In the present embodiment, the control unit 114 controls the light emitting unit 140 so that the second display area 602 emits light in the same manner for products having common attribute information among the products. Here, the light emitting unit 140 includes the LED 522 as the first light emitter and the LED 522 as the second light emitter, and causes the first display area 600 and the second display area 602 to emit light independently. .

  In addition, the vending machine 100 includes a medium connection unit 132 and can be connected to an external storage medium 400 such as an SD card or a stick memory. From the external storage medium 400, the control unit 114 stores information on brands and brands corresponding to sales, information on upsells in brands of brands, information on brands for sales promotion, information on tar values of each brand, Information on whether or not it is a menthol cigarette, information on the light emission state of each display area 600, 602, 604, 606 corresponding to each brand, setting information on a product storage column corresponding to each brand, and the like are received. Specifically, the information includes a brand table (see FIG. 8) and a light emission table (see FIG. 9) in which each brand, each product selection button 514, and each product storage column are associated with each other. 142. In this embodiment, when the external storage medium 400 is connected to the medium connection unit 132, the brand table in the table storage unit 142 is automatically rewritten.

Here, the brand table will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, in this table, a product selection button 514 and a product storage column number are associated with a predetermined cigarette brand code. The brand code is stored in the barcode of the cigarette box 300 as information of a number of a predetermined number of digits. Then, one or more product selection buttons 514 are assigned to one brand, and one or more product storage columns are assigned. That is, the association between the product selection button 514 and the product storage column is arbitrarily set.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when a brand subject to upsell exists in each brand, the brand code of the target brand is associated. In the present embodiment, the upsell is divided into two types: a brand directly targeted for upsell and a brand indirectly targeted for upsell. For brands directly upselled, for example, brands whose tar value does not change much or whose price increase rate is 10% or less are expected to be transferred. Indirect upsell brands, for example, brands that can be expected to transfer a little because they are the same brand, although tar values change significantly or price increases exceed 10%. .

  Also, as shown in FIG. 8, each brand is associated with information on whether or not it is a menthol cigarette. In this embodiment, the fact that it is a menthol cigarette is indicated by a circle in the “Menthol” column of FIG. Is displayed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, tar value information is associated with each brand. Specifically, the tar value is stored in units of 1 mg. As the tar value, the same value as that displayed in the cigarette box 300 is stored.

  Further, each brand is associated with information on whether or not it is a promotion target, and in this embodiment, it is indicated by a circle as shown in the column of “sales promotion” in FIG. Has been. In the present embodiment, in addition to designating the sales promotion target only by the brand, it is possible to designate by brand unit.

The light emission table will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the first display area 600 and the second display area 602 are associated with light emission patterns in a predetermined operation. The third display area 604 is controlled in the same manner as the first display area 600, and the sales display area 606 is a single light emission control, so no table or the like is set, but the third display area 604 and It is also possible to set a light emission pattern in the sales display area 606 using a light emission table. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, for each of the display areas 600 and 602, the emission patterns are “brand name display”, “upsell display”, “sales promotion display”, “menthol”, and “predetermined tar value”. Are associated with each other. Further, “upsell display” is divided into “direct” and “indirect”, and “promotion display” is divided into “recommended brands” and “recommended brands”. Here, the “recommended brand” is intended to promote sales only for a specific brand, and the “recommended brand” is intended to promote sales for all brands of a specific brand.

  “01” in each column of FIG. 9 indicates a lighting pattern with a large amount of light, “02” indicates a lighting pattern with a medium amount of light, “03” indicates a lighting pattern with a small amount of light, and “−” indicates an unlit state. . In the present embodiment, the “brand name display” in the first display area 600 is a large light amount, the “upsell display” is “direct” is a medium light amount, “indirect” is a small light amount, and “sales promotion display” is “ The “recommended brand” is lit with a medium amount of light and the “recommended brand” is lit with a small amount of light. In addition, “menthol” in the second display area 602 lights up with a large amount of light, “predetermined tar value” with a medium amount of light, and “sales promotion display” with a “recommended brand” with a small amount of light and a “recommended brand” with a medium amount Will be. By rewriting the light emission pattern, the manner in which each product selection button 514 emits light can be appropriately changed.

  In the present embodiment, the predetermined operation for causing the control unit 114 to emit each product selection button 514 includes “brand information reading operation”, “user product selection guiding operation”, and “product sales promotion operation”. . These operations will be described in order.

  First, “brand information reading operation” will be described. When the brand information of the product is read by the tobacco information reading unit 528, the control unit 114 causes the first display area 600 of each product selection button 514 of the same brand area NP corresponding to the read product to emit light. When the upsell target brand of the read product is sold, the first display area 600 of each product selection button 514 of the same brand area NP corresponding to the upsell target brand that is a non-read product is also caused to emit light. At this time, the control unit 114 causes the light emitting unit 140 so that the light emission state of each first display area 600 corresponding to the read product is different from the light emission state of each first display area 600 corresponding to the brand to be upselled. To control.

The operation of the control unit in this “brand information reading operation” will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, it is determined whether or not the barcode portion of the cigarette box 300 is held over the cigarette information reading unit 528 by a user or the like (step S102). If it is determined that the barcode portion is held over the cigarette information reading unit 528, is there a product selection button 514 that displays the same brand as the read brand information with reference to the brand table in the table storage unit 142? It is determined whether or not (step S104). If it is determined in step S104 that there is a product selection button 514 for displaying a brand, the first display area 600 of the product selection button 514 is referred to by referring to the “brand display” field of “first display area” in the light emission table. Is turned on (step S106). If it is determined in step S102 that the barcode portion is not held, and if there is no product selection button 514 for displaying the brand information read in step S104, the process proceeds to step S102 and enters a standby state. .

  After step S106, referring to the “upsell” field in the brand table, it is determined whether or not there is a product selection button 514 for displaying the brand to be upselled of the brand that has been read (step S108). If it is determined in step S108 that there is a brand to be upselled, the first display area 600 of the brand to be upselled is referred to by referring to the “upsell” field of “first display area” in the light emission table. Is turned on (step S110). That is, the direct upsell target brand is caused to emit light with a medium amount of light, and the indirect upsell subject brand is caused to emit with a small amount of light.

  When it is determined in step S108 that there is no brand to be upselled and after step S110, it is determined whether or not the read brand is a menthol cigarette with reference to the brand table (step S112). If it is determined in step S112 that the cigarette is a menthol cigarette, the second display area 602 of the menthol brand is turned on with reference to the “menthol” field of the “second display area” in the light emission table (step S114). .

  If it is determined in step S112 that the cigarette is not a menthol cigarette, it is determined by referring to the brand table whether the tar value of the read brand is a predetermined value (step S116). If it is determined in step S116 that the cigarette has a predetermined tar value, the second display area 602 of the brand is turned on with reference to the “predetermined tar value” field of the “second display area” in the light emission table ( Step S118). If it is determined in step S116 that the cigarette does not have a predetermined tar value, the second display area 602 of each product selection button 514 is not turned on (step S124).

  As described above, in the light emission state of the second display area 602, “menthol” has a large light amount and “predetermined tar value” has a medium light amount. If the reading brand corresponds to any of these, the second display area 602 is caused to emit a large amount of light in step S114.

  After step S114, step S118, and step S124, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the first display area 600 of the product selection button 514 was turned on in step S106 (step S126). If not, the process proceeds to step S126, and the light emission state of each product selection button 514 is maintained until a predetermined time has elapsed. If it is determined in step S126 that the predetermined time has elapsed, all product selection buttons 514 are turned off (step S128), and the process returns to step S102.

The light emission state in the “brand information reading operation” will be specifically described.
For example, for the brand “A”, the brand “A2” is a direct upsell target of the brand “A4”, and the brand “A1” is an indirect upsell target of the brand “A4”. Furthermore, it is assumed that the brand “A4” is neither “menthol” nor “predetermined tar value”. In this case, when a passerby or a prospective purchaser holds the cigarette box 300 of the brand “A4” over the cigarette information reading unit 528, as shown in FIG. 11, the item selection buttons 514 of the “A4” are displayed. The first display area 600 emits light with a large amount of light, the first display area 600 of each product selection button 514 “A2” emits light with a medium amount of light, and the first display area 600 of each product selection button 514 “A1” Light up with a small amount of light. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the product selection button 514 of the brand over which the barcode is placed and the product selection button 514 to be upselled of this brand are lit. Since the brand “A4” is neither “menthol” nor “predetermined tar value”, the product selection button 514 that emits light in the second display area 602 does not exist. When a predetermined time elapses after each product selection button 514 emits light, the product selection button 514 that has emitted light is turned off and the original standby state is set.

  Also, for example, for brand “B”, brand “B2” is a direct upsell target of brand “B1”. Furthermore, it is assumed that the brand “B2” has “menthol” and “predetermined tar value”. At this time, if a passerby or a prospective purchaser holds the cigarette box 300 of the brand “B2” over the cigarette information reading unit 528, as shown in FIG. 12, the first display of each product selection button 514 of “B2” is displayed. The region 600 emits light with a large amount of light, and the first display region 600 of each product selection button 514 for “B1” emits light with a medium amount of light.

  In addition, the second display area 602 of each product selection button 514 emits light with a large amount of light for all brands of menthol tobacco. Specifically, the second display area 602 of each of the product selection buttons 514 “B1”, “B2”, “E1”, and “I1” is caused to emit light with a large amount of light (see FIG. 12).

  Further, the second display area 602 of each product selection button 514 is caused to emit light with a medium amount of light for all brands of tobacco with a predetermined tar value except for menthol tobacco. Specifically, the second display area 602 of each of the product selection buttons 514 “A2” and “F1” is caused to emit light with a medium amount of light (see FIG. 12).

  Next, the “guidance operation for user product selection” will be described. On the condition that the purchaser is an adult, the control unit 114 puts an amount exceeding the selling price for each brand into the banknote insertion slot 506 or the coin insertion slot 508 or accumulates it in the electronic money of the IC card 200. In this case, the first display area 600 of each product selection button 514 of a product of a brand that can be selected by the user is caused to emit light. Then, when the user selects any of the product selection buttons 514 that emit light, the corresponding product is discharged to the product outlet 504.

The operation of the control unit in the “guide operation for user product selection” will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13. The flag X relates to whether the adult has been authenticated, and the flag Y relates to whether the amount exceeds the selling price.
First, as an initial state, the flag X and the flag Y are set to 0 (step S202). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the information on the IC card 200 has been read by the card information reading unit 526 (step S204). When the information of the IC card 200 is read in step S204, it is determined whether or not the card holder is an adult from the attribute information of the IC card 200 by communicating with a server on the network (step S206). If it is determined in step S206 that the cardholder is an adult, the flag X is set to 1 (step S208). If it is determined in step S206 that the cardholder is not an adult, the flag X is set to 0 ( Step S210). After step S208 and step S210, it is determined whether the amount of money put into the vending machine main body 502 or the electronic money accumulated in the IC card 200 exceeds the selling price of a predetermined brand (step S212). If it is determined in step S204 that the information on the IC card 200 has not been read, the process proceeds to step S212 without changing the flag X.

  If it is determined in step S212 that the input amount or electronic money exceeds the selling price, the flag Y is set to 1 (step S214). If it is determined in step S212 that the selling price does not exceed the selling price, the flag Y is set. Is set to 0 (step S216). After step S214 and step S216, it is determined whether both the flag X and the flag Y are 1 (step S218). If it is determined in step S218 that at least one of the flag X and the flag Y is 0, the process returns to S204. That is, until both the flag X and the flag Y become 1, the operation from step 204 to step S218 is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S218 that each flag is “1”, the product selection button 514 of the brand that can be sold with reference to the “brand name display” field of the “first display area” of the light emission pattern in the light emission table is displayed. One display area 600 is turned on (step S220). Then, the second display area 602 of the product selection button 514 of the menthol cigarette and the cigarette with a predetermined tar value is turned on (step S222).

  At this time, referring to the “menthol” and “predetermined tar value” fields of the “second display area” in the light emission table, the second display area 602 is caused to emit light with the light emission amount of the corresponding field. In the case where the brand corresponds to the menthol and the predetermined tar value, the light is emitted with the light amount of the content with the largest light amount among the overlapping content.

  Further, when the number of brands that can be sold increases, such as when coins and banknotes are inserted into the vending machine main body 502, the first display area 600 of the product selection button 514 of the brand is additionally lit. . Thereafter, it is determined whether or not any of the lit product selection buttons 514 has been pressed (step S224). If none of the lit product selection buttons 514 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S220 and enters a standby state. When one of the product selection buttons 514 lit in step S220 is pressed, the delivery unit 124 corresponding to the product storage column of the brand of the product selection button 514 is activated to pay out one product (step S226), and payment is made. Processing is performed (step S228).

  Next, “product sales promotion operation” will be described. The control unit 114 does not perform operations such as sales, and when a predetermined time elapses after input from each unit or the like, the control unit 114 advertises a specific brand toward a passerby or the like. Specifically, the control unit 114 causes each product selection button 514 corresponding to the product of the brand for sales promotion to emit light. This light emission state can be arbitrarily set by changing the light emission table, and is appropriately changed depending on the installation location of the vending machine 100, the time zone of the advertisement, the target customer segment, and the like.

The operation of the control unit in the “product sales promotion operation” will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the input detection unit 112 determines whether or not there is an input for a predetermined time (step S302). If it is determined that there is any input from the user or the like within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S302 and is in a standby state. It becomes. If it is determined in step S302 that there is no input within the predetermined time, information on the brand corresponding to the sales promotion is obtained by referring to the “sales promotion” field in the brand table, and the “first display” in the light emission table is obtained. Each product selection button 514 corresponding to the sales promotion is caused to emit light by referring to the “sales promotion display” field of “region” and “second display region” (step S304).

  At this time, for the “recommended brand”, the first display area 600 is caused to emit light with a medium amount of light, and the second display area 602 is caused to emit light with a small amount of light. For “recommended brand”, the first display area 600 emits light with a small amount of light, and the second display area 602 emits light with a medium amount of light. As described above, when there are a plurality of brands corresponding to the sales promotion, the brands may emit light at the same time or alternately at predetermined intervals. Furthermore, the brand or brand that was advertised last time may be stored, and the brand or brand for sales promotion may be changed every time the operation proceeds to the advertisement operation of the product in step S302. After step S304, the input detection unit 112 determines whether or not there is an input (step S306). If there is an input, each product selection button 514 of the brand corresponding to the sales promotion is turned off (step S308), and sales are performed. End the promotion process. Here, if there is no input in step S306, the process returns to step S304, and each product selection button 514 of the brand for sales promotion is made to emit light.

Thus, according to the vending machine 100 of the present embodiment, each product selection button 514 itself forms a display unit, and the brand information is displayed in the first display area 600, so that dummy products and the like are displayed. It is not necessary to secure a space for the front of the vending machine main body 502. In addition, since attribute information other than the brand is displayed in the second display area 602, information other than the brand can be recognized by the user.
And since the 2nd display area 602 light-emits similarly about the goods which have common attribute information among each goods, the user can recognize visually the group of goods which has predetermined | prescribed attribute information. At this time, since the second display area 602 of each product selection button 514 emits light, predetermined portions of each product selection button 514 are issued intensively, and it is easy to attract the attention of users, passers-by, etc., and it is efficient. Marketing activities are possible.
Accordingly, it is possible to perform a promotion activity using the front face by using each product selection button 514, which has conventionally been merely a product selection tool, and to significantly improve the customer appeal effect.

  Further, according to the vending machine 100 of the present embodiment, the brand is recognized by the first display area 600 formed on the center side of each product selection button 514, and the second display area 602 formed outside the brand information. Thus, the attribute information other than the brand information is recognized, and the user can recognize the brand information and at the same time understand the attribute information of the product of the brand.

  Further, according to the vending machine 100 of the present embodiment, the first display area 600 emits light by the LED 522, and the second display area 602 emits light by the light emission of the LED 524, so that the light emission control of each display area 600, 602 is simple. It can be done easily.

  Further, according to the vending machine 100 of the present embodiment, the product selection button 514 can be formed thin by using the dummy film 518. Further, since the dummy film 518 has transparency, when the LEDs 522 and 524 arranged on the back side of the dummy film 518 emit light, the light is transmitted through the dummy film 518 and the display areas 600 602 604 are transmitted. , 606 emit light, and light emission of each display area 600, 602, 604, 606 is realized with a simple configuration. Further, since the dummy film 518 is detachable from the button main body 520, it is possible to immediately respond to changes in sales products and the like, which is extremely advantageous in practical use.

  Further, according to the vending machine 100 of the present embodiment, the optical path between the LED 522 arranged directly behind the first display area 600 and the LED 522 arranged directly behind the second display area 602 is partitioned by the partition plate 530. The LED 522 directly behind the first display area 600 can be prevented from entering the second display area 602 and the LED 522 directly behind the second display area 602 can be prevented from entering the first display area 600. The light emission state can be accurately divided at the boundary portion between the first display area 600 and the second display area 602. In addition, since the optical path is also partitioned by the partition plate 530 at the boundary portion between the other display areas 600, 602, 604, and 606, the light emission state is accurately divided at the boundary portion.

  Further, according to the vending machine 100 of the present embodiment, since the first display area 600 is formed to imitate a product, the user can visually check the first display area 600 to select a product selection button. It is possible to accurately recognize which brand 514 corresponds to. Furthermore, by displaying in the sales display area 606 that it is sold out and available for sale, the user can recognize the sales status of the brand displayed in the first display area 600.

  In addition, according to the vending machine 100 of the present embodiment, since the product selection buttons 514 are arranged in a matrix, the new vender has a new appearance that is not found in conventional vending machines. That is, the front face has a unique appearance, and each product selection button 514, which has been a point in the past, can be shown on the screen.

  In addition, according to the vending machine 100 of the present embodiment, the information about the component of the product is included as the attribute information of the second display area 602, and the user is a menthol cigarette by the display of the second display area 602. Or a cigarette with a predetermined tar value can be selected, and the user's favorite cigarette can be selected. These can also be referred to as information on the characteristics of the product.

Further, according to the vending machine 100 of the present embodiment, information related to the brand of the sales promotion is included as the attribute information of the second display area 602, and the user can promote sales by displaying the second display area 602. Corresponding brands, that is, brands such as products with minor changes and new products can be recognized naturally, and can be considered for changing brands.
Further, from the point of view of the seller, it is possible to automatically promote the promotion of sales promotion by encouraging the user or the like to shift to a brand corresponding to the sales promotion, thereby enabling efficient marketing activities.

Further, according to the vending machine 100 of the present embodiment, since the upsell target brand is displayed using the first display area 600, the user recognizes the upsell target brand in the predetermined brand. It is possible to consider the change of the brand for a given brand.
Further, from the point of view of the seller, when there is a brand product to be upselled for a predetermined brand, the user of the predetermined brand can be urged to transfer to the brand to be upselled. That is, for example, an upsell brand can be promoted without using personal information of the customer to a customer who has purchased a predetermined brand, and efficient marketing activities are possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cigarette vending machine 100 is illustrated, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to vending machines that sell other products such as beverage vending machines. Yes. In addition, it is possible to provide a fixture that displays brand information and attribute information in a plurality of display areas by using the configuration of the product selection button 514 of the embodiment.

  In the embodiment, the second display area 602 is formed so as to extend in the circumferential direction outside the peripheral edge of the first display area 600. However, the positions of the first display area 600 and the second display area 602 are shown. The relationship is not limited to this, and for example, the first display area 600 and the second display area 602 may be formed substantially symmetrically vertically or horizontally. In addition, the first display area 600 may not be a model of a product.

  In the above embodiment, each product selection button 514 is formed in a quadrilateral shape whose four sides are vertically or horizontally extending in a front view and arranged in a matrix in the top, bottom, left, and right. May be formed in a circular shape when viewed from the front, or each product selection button 514 may be arranged in a matrix in a pair of diagonal directions on the front surface of the vending machine body 502. Furthermore, the product selection buttons 514 may not be arranged in a matrix but may be arranged only in the vertical or horizontal direction, for example.

  In the embodiment, the attribute information includes information on menthol and tar value. However, the attribute information may be information on nicotine value, information on a specific tobacco leaf, If it is related to the component, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above embodiment. Further, if the product is a beverage, the attribute information can be information such as calories, carbonic acid, and alcohol level.

  Further, although the attribute information includes information on the components of the product and information on the brand of the sales promotion, the attribute information is not limited to the information including these. That is, the attribute information may include, for example, information related to characteristics of other products such as information related to popular brands for each age and gender, and may be information other than brands of goods. Further, in the embodiment, the upsell target brand in the predetermined brand displayed using the first display area 600 may be displayed using the second display area 602 by rewriting the light emission table. .

  In addition, regarding the emission color of the dummy film 518 in the above embodiment, the LED 522 as the first to third light emitters emits white light, and the LED 524 as the sales light emitter also emits white light. It can be arbitrarily selected by changing the color. Further, the light emitter is not limited to the LEDs 522 and 524, and other light emitters such as a fluorescent lamp, a halogen lamp, and a black light may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the partition plate 530 extended substantially back and front and was formed so that it might overlap with the boundary part of each display area 600,602,604,606, it showed the partition plate 530. May be inclined with respect to the front and rear. That is, when the location of each light emitter is not directly behind each display area 600, 602, 604, 606, the light from the light emitter is slanted to each display area 600, 602, 604, 606 by the partition plate 530. The optical path may be partitioned while guiding the light. Further, the partition plate 530 is omitted when the light emitter can be brought close to the display areas 600, 602, 604, and 606, or when light leakage to the adjacent display areas 600, 602, 604, and 606 can be allowed. It is good also as composition to do.

  In the above embodiment, the first display area 600 and the second display area 602 are formed on the dummy film 518 that is detachable from the button main body 520. 600 and the second display area 602 may be directly formed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although what used the barcode as an information storage part attached | subjected to goods was shown, even if the information storage part was not printed, it was recorded magnetically and optically. There may be. Moreover, although the reading part 528 for cigarette information showed what reads brand information from a barcode, you may make it identify a brand from the image of a cigarette box, for example. Further, the reading unit 528 for cigarette information may not be provided.

  Further, the above-mentioned “predetermined operation” is not limited to “brand information reading operation”, “user product selection inducing operation”, and “product sales promotion operation”. It may be an operation of emitting light aiming at a design effect. That is, the “predetermined operation” can be arbitrarily set.

  In the above embodiment, the brand table and the light emission table are stored in the table storage unit 142 when the worker connects the external storage medium 400 to the medium connection unit 132. However, infrared light or the like is used. Alternatively, the brand table may be transmitted from a network such as the Internet.

  Moreover, the setting method of a brand table and a light emission table is also arbitrary. For example, in the light emission table, the first display area 600 and the second display area 602 are emitted for brands for sales promotion, but only the second display area 602 may be emitted. In addition, although the display areas 600 and 602 emit light with three levels of light, they may be emitted with two levels or with four or more levels. Further, although the display areas 600 and 602 are shown to be turned on, a blinking pattern may be included, and other specific detailed structures can be changed as appropriate. .

It is a front view of the vending machine which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of a goods selection button. It is front explanatory drawing of a film dummy. It is front explanatory drawing of a film dummy. It is sectional drawing of a goods selection button. It is explanatory drawing which shows the brand distribution of each goods selection button. It is a functional block diagram which shows the internal structure of a vending machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows a brand table. It is explanatory drawing which shows a light emission table. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part in "reading operation | movement of brand information". It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which has light-emitted the 1st display area of the goods selection button of the brand over which the barcode was held, and the 1st display area of the goods selection button of the upsell object of this brand. The first display area of the product selection button of the brand over which the barcode is held and the first display area of the product selection button to be upselled of this brand emit light, and the second display area of the product selection button of the menthol cigarette And a second display area of a product selection button for cigarettes having a predetermined tar value is an explanatory view showing a state where light is emitted. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part in "guide operation | movement of a user's goods selection". It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control part in "product sales promotion operation".

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Vending machine 102 Commodity selection reception part 104 Card reception part 106 Cash reception part 108 Lever rotation reception part 110 Brand information reception part 112 Input detection part 114 Control part 116 Card information extraction part 118 Authentication processing part 120 Checkout processing part 122 Card recording Unit 124 payout unit 126 brand information extraction unit 128 input storage unit 130 processing procedure storage unit 132 medium connection unit 140 light emitting unit 142 table storage unit 160 instruction unit 166 cash return unit 200 IC card 300 cigarette box 400 external storage medium 502 vending machine Main body 504 Product outlet 506 Bill slot 508 Coin slot 510 Return lever 512 Coin slot 514 Product selection button 516 Information recognition unit 518 Dummy film 520 Button body 522 Light emitting unit 526 Card information reading unit 528 Tobacco information reading unit 530 Partition plate 600 First display area 602 Second display area 604 Third display area 606 Sales display area

Claims (13)

It is arranged on the front of the vending machine body and has a plurality of product selection buttons that form a display section that displays information about the product.
Each of the product selection buttons has a first display area that displays brand information of the product, and a second display area that displays attribute information other than the brand of the product,
A light emitting unit that is provided for each of the product selection buttons and that independently emits light from the first display area and the second display area;
A vending machine comprising: a control unit that controls each of the light emitting units so as to cause the second display area to similarly emit light for the products having the common attribute information among the products.   The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the second display area is formed to extend in a circumferential direction outside a peripheral edge of the first display area.   Each of the light emitting units irradiates light from the back side of the product selection button toward the first display region, and irradiates light from the back side of the product selection button toward the second display region. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a second light emitter.   The automatic display according to claim 3, wherein the first display area and the second display area are formed on a film member having light permeability and detachable from a button body of the product selection button. Vending machine.   A partition plate is provided on a back side of a boundary portion between the first display area and the second display area in the product selection button, and partitions a light path between the first light emitter and the second light emitter. The vending machine according to claim 3 or 4.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first display area is formed to imitate the product. The product is tobacco,
The vending machine according to claim 6, wherein the first display area is formed in a substantially square shape to imitate the product.   8. The vending machine according to claim 7, wherein each of the product selection buttons has a sales display area that is formed below the first display area and displays information related to sales of the product.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the product selection buttons are arranged in a matrix.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the attribute information includes information related to characteristics of the product.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the attribute information includes information on a component of the product.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the attribute information includes information related to a brand of sales promotion. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the attribute information includes information on a brand to be upselled in a predetermined brand.

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