JP2007317036A - Display for vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device for a vending machine capable of coping with a wide range of user tastes, and improving sales amount. <P>SOLUTION: A temperature range of product temperature is divided into a plurality of temperature ranges, a temperature color display lamp 20 for displaying a specific color set for each temperature range, made to associate with the product temperature is provided for each product selection button 12. Thus, user can select a product of temperature range which matches his taste, by looking at the color of the temperature color display lamp 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device for a vending machine having at least one of a cooling function and a heating function.

  Vending machines such as canned beverages have a cooling function or a heating function so that products can be sold after being cooled or heated. The product shelves on which the product samples are displayed are displayed with “COLD” written in blue on the place where the cooled product sample groups are arranged, and further displayed in red on the place where the heated product samples are arranged. Generally, “HOT” is displayed.

  In addition, each product selection button of such a vending machine is provided with a sold-out lamp for notifying that the product is sold out and a ready-for-sale lamp for notifying that the product is available for sale. Yes. When the vending machine installer or patrolman replenishes the product, the replenishment is performed by performing a predetermined operation for suspension of sales from the keyboard disposed on the back of the door with the front door open. The sale of the product is suspended for a predetermined time, and the sale starts when the predetermined time elapses and the supplementary product reaches an appropriate temperature. In that case, in the product selection button corresponding to the product that has been replenished and temperature controlled (preparing), as well as the product is sold out, the sale enable lamp is turned off and the sold out lamp is turned on, It is configured not to sell.

  However, in such a configuration, even when the product is replenished, only the sold-out lamp is lit until a predetermined time has elapsed, so the user recognizes that the product is sold out, Even if the product reaches a suitable temperature after a short wait and sales are started, it often gives up the purchase at the vending machine, leading to a decrease in the sales amount.

  In order to deal with this, Patent Document 1 and the like correspond to each of the product selection buttons with a preparation display section indicating that the temperature is being adjusted until the product is replenished and the sales operation is started. A vending machine provided is disclosed.

  According to this configuration, it is easy to determine whether the product is in the temperature-controlled state until the product is replenished and the sales operation is started or is sold out by looking at the preparing display unit corresponding to the product selection button. Can be determined. Therefore, some users will come again after a while to purchase the temperature-controlled product, and the sales amount can be improved.

  Moreover, in this patent document 1, what shows the display part in preparation by the display format from which a display changes with progress of time is also disclosed by FIG. Thereby, the user can roughly know whether the time until the product is sold is short or takes a long time, and the convenience for the user is improved.

  Further, as similar to this, in Patent Document 2, a lamp for indicating that the temperature has reached an appropriate temperature is provided for each product selection button, and this lamp is turned on in a state where the product reaches the “appropriate temperature”. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 discloses a display that can display “cooling” and “warming” instead of the indications “pinch” and “warm”.

Even if the techniques disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 are used, some users will try to come again after a while in order to purchase a temperature-controlled product. Thus, the sales amount can be improved.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-23016 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-85348 JP-A-6-139445

  However, in any of these configurations of Patent Documents 1 to 3, the product is not sold in the vending machine when the product does not reach the temperature called “appropriate temperature”. In other words, some users feel that the cooling temperature (or heating temperature), which is referred to as “appropriate temperature” (set) in the vending machine, is too cold (or too hot). Although it is preferable for the user to have a temperature slightly higher (or slightly lower) than the cooling temperature (or heating temperature) automatically set by the vending machine, The product could not be purchased. Eventually, it was necessary to refrain from purchasing the product or to leave it for a while at room temperature after the product was purchased and wait for it to reach the desired temperature. Therefore, if such a user refrains from purchasing the product, the sales amount will be reduced by that amount, and even if it is left at room temperature for a while to reach the desired temperature, There is a problem that it takes a lot of time and effort and is inconvenient.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a display device for a vending machine that can cope with a wide range of user preferences and can also increase the sales amount. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a display device for a vending machine that has at least one of a cooling function and a heating function, and has detection means for detecting the temperature of the product and displays information related to the product temperature. A temperature color display section that divides the temperature range of the product temperature into a plurality of temperature ranges and displays a specific color set for each temperature range corresponding to the product temperature corresponds to each product selection button. Each of which is provided.

  With this configuration, the information about the temperature of the product corresponding to each product selection button is displayed on the temperature color display unit in a state distinguished by the color corresponding to the temperature range. By looking at the color, you can select products in the temperature range that corresponds to your preference. That is, in the past, the selling temperature was limited in the vending machine, but according to the present invention, the temperature range is simply divided and the information about the product temperature is displayed as color information on the temperature color display unit. Therefore, without limiting the sales temperature on the vending machine side, each product can be sold with the information on the product temperature displayed as color information. As a result, until now the temperature setting in the vending machine has been Products that have not been sold for the reason can also be actively sold, which increases the possibility that the sales amount can be improved accordingly. In addition, since users have a wide range of product temperature options and can purchase products at their preferred temperatures as they are, after purchasing the products as before, bothers have to bother to bring them to their favorite drinking temperature. Convenience is improved because there is no need to leave the device at room temperature for a while.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that at least one of a temperature range that can be sold in a cooled state and a temperature range that can be sold in a heated state is provided so that the temperature ranges do not overlap each other.
With this configuration, for example, a product having a cooling temperature (a state where the degree of cooling is low) (or a slightly lower heating temperature (a state where the heating degree is small)) higher than the temperature set to “appropriate temperature” in the past is divided. It is possible to purchase separately, thus expanding the choices of users, as well as proactively selling products that were not sold so far because of the temperature setting in the vending machine , Increase the chances of increasing sales.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a temperature display color sample for displaying each temperature range that can be sold and each color corresponding to these temperature ranges is provided.
With this configuration, the user can easily recognize the correspondence relationship between the color indicated in the temperature display color sample and the temperature range, and can easily find a product having the desired temperature.

  Further, the present invention is configured such that when the temperature display unit is lit, the temperature color display units of the same color corresponding to the same temperature range are lit synchronously, and the temperature color of the same color corresponding to the same temperature range When the display unit is turned on, the temperature range or the approximate temperature is displayed as a number or a symbol on a separately provided display unit. Note that, as the separately provided display unit, for example, an input amount display unit is preferable.

  Thereby, the user can recognize in parallel the color of the lit temperature color display unit and the temperature range or approximate temperature information displayed on the display unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a separate display sample portion that displays the temperature range of the product and the corresponding colors corresponding to the temperature range.

  In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the temperature color display unit also serves as a sellable lamp, whereby the saleable lamp and the temperature color display unit can be used as a single component and are provided separately. In comparison, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, the temperature color display unit that divides the temperature range of the product temperature into a plurality of temperature ranges and displays a specific color set for each temperature range in correspondence with the product temperature is provided for each product selection button. By providing each correspondingly, the user can select a product in a temperature range corresponding to his / her preference. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the sales price can be improved by the increase in the choice of the temperature of the product that can be selected than before. In addition, since you can purchase products at the temperature you like, you don't have to bother to leave it at room temperature for a while after purchasing the product. Improves.

  In addition, according to the present invention, by providing a temperature display color sample that displays each temperature range that can be sold and the colors corresponding to these temperature ranges, the user can select the temperature display color sample. The correspondence between the displayed color and the temperature range can be easily recognized, and a product having a desired temperature can be easily found, thereby improving convenience.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when the temperature display unit is lit, the temperature color display unit of the same color corresponding to the same temperature range is configured to be lit synchronously, and the same color corresponding to the same temperature range is configured. When the temperature color display unit is lit, the temperature range or approximate temperature information is displayed as a number on a separately provided display unit, so that the user can select the color of the lit temperature color display unit and the display unit. The temperature range or approximate temperature information displayed on the screen can be recognized in parallel, and there is no separate display sample section that displays the temperature range of the product and each color corresponding to the temperature range. You can do it.

In addition, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed by using an input amount display unit as a separate display unit.
Further, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced by using the temperature color display portion also as a saleable lamp.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the vending machine main body 1 of the vending machine having a cooling function or a heating function has a product dispensing function for storing the same type of products 2 and delivering the products in the order of replenishment. A plurality of product storage units 3, a sold-out switch 4 that outputs sold out products 2 in each product storage unit 3, and a product temperature detection sensor 10 that detects the temperature of the product 2 in each product storage unit 3 are provided. The inner door 5 for opening and closing the opening including the product replenishing port of each product storage unit 3 and the front door 7 on which the product sample 6 corresponding to the product 2 of each product storage unit 3 is displayed on the customer service surface are attached. It has been.

  A display input setting unit 11 having a display unit 8 and an input key 9 for performing various settings and displaying the setting state is provided on the back surface of the front door 7. Is provided with a product selection button 12 corresponding to each product sample 6 below each product sample 6, a product outlet 13 from which the product 2 is paid out, a coin insertion unit 14 for inputting a fee, an input amount, etc. An input amount display unit 15 for displaying is provided.

  Each product selection button 12 indicates whether or not the product can be sold (that is, it also serves as a sellable lamp) and also displays the temperature color display lamp 20 that displays the temperature information of the product 2 in color, and whether or not the product is sold out. A sold-out lamp 16 indicating whether or not the product is built in is displayed, and a character “sold-out” is displayed at a location corresponding to the sold-out lamp 16 in each product selection button 12. On the other hand, the temperature color display lamp 20 includes, for example, three color (red, green, blue) LEDs, and displays a color corresponding to the product temperature.

  That is, in the conventional vending machine, the product shelf displaying the product sample is displayed with “COLD” written in blue on the place where the cooled product sample group is arranged, and the heated product sample group is displayed. In the red line, “HOT” is displayed and displayed on the lined area, and the sellable lamp indicating whether or not the sale is possible only turns on or off a predetermined color (for example, green display) and is good. For example, when the cooling temperature reaches 5 ° C. or less, the sale ready lamp is switched from the extinguished state to the lit state, and as a well heated temperature range, for example, the heating temperature is 55 ° C. When the above is reached, the sale enable lamps are turned on to make them available for sale, and the others are not available for sale.

  On the other hand, in the present invention, the temperature range of the product temperature is divided into a plurality of temperature ranges, and the specific color set for each temperature range is displayed corresponding to the product temperature. Each is provided corresponding to the product selection button 12. In the present embodiment, as a temperature range that can be sold in a cooled state (referred to as a cooling sales temperature range), for example, a first cooling sales temperature range (conventional cooling) in which the temperature is 1 to 5 ° C. (or 5 ° C. or less). A cooling sales temperature range substantially similar to the sales temperature range) and a second cooling sales temperature range in the so-called cold state where the temperature is 5 to 10 ° C. (over 5 ° C. and below 10 ° C.) (conventional cooling sales temperature) A plurality (two in this embodiment) of cooling sales temperature ranges are provided (with a temperature range slightly higher than the range). When the product temperature is in the first cooling sales temperature range, the temperature color display lamp 20 is lit in blue, and when the product temperature is in the second cooling sales temperature range, the temperature color display lamp is displayed. 20 is set to light up in a green display.

  In addition, as a temperature range that can be sold in a warmed state (referred to as a heated sales temperature range), for example, a first heated sales temperature range (conventional warming) in which the temperature is 55 to 58 ° C. (or 55 ° C. or higher). The second warming sales temperature range in a so-called slimy state (a warming selling temperature range substantially similar to the selling temperature range) and a temperature of 48 to 55 ° C. (a temperature of 48 ° C. or higher and lower than 55 ° C.) There are a plurality of (two in this embodiment) heating sales temperature ranges different from the conventional cooling sales temperature range), and the product temperature is the first heating sales. The temperature color display lamp 20 is lit in red when it is in the temperature range, and the temperature color display lamp 20 is lit in purple when the product temperature is in the second warming sales temperature range. Has been.

In the present embodiment, “COLD” display and “HOT” display are not performed, but a simple character display may be used.
In the present embodiment, a temperature display color sample 19 for pasting each temperature range that can be sold and each color corresponding to these temperature ranges is pasted on a part of the front door 7. It is displayed. This temperature display color sample 19 is described, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, and each display color (red, purple, green, blue) of the temperature color display lamp 20 is arranged in order along with “hot” and “clawed” display. (Note that, in FIG. 6, the corresponding color is actually painted). In addition, you may comprise so that the temperature range may be described concretely corresponding to display color (for example, it describes as 55-58 degreeC corresponding to red).

  The vending machine main body 1 is further provided with a control unit 18 having a calculation means and a comparison determination means, and by this control unit 18, the sold-out switch 4, the input key 9, the product temperature detection sensor 10, and each product selection Based on the output signals from the button 12, the coin insertion unit 14 and the like, as will be described later, the product storage unit 3 pays out or stops paying out the product 2, and displays the remaining amount on the display unit 8. At the same time, each of the temperature color display lamp 20 and the sold-out lamp 16 is turned on or off with a predetermined color. Further, as the specified value, the display color of the temperature color display lamp 20 is preset to red, purple, green, and blue as described above, but can be changed. A corresponding temperature display color sample 19 is pasted.

  The temperature color display lamp 20 is lit and displayed in a predetermined color corresponding to the product temperature as described above, but the sold-out lamp 16 indicates whether or not the product 2 in the product storage unit 3 corresponding to the product selection button 12 is present. Based on the output state of the sold-out switch 4 that is confirmed, it is simply turned on or off in a predetermined color (for example, red display). The display lamp 20 is turned off.

  In the above configuration, when a fee such as a coin is inserted by the user, the temperature color display lamp 20 that can be sold with this amount is turned on. In this case, the temperature color display lamp 20 displays information on the product temperature in the cooling sales state and the heating sales state in a state distinguished by the color corresponding to the temperature range. By looking at the color of the temperature color display lamp 20, it is possible to select a product in a temperature range corresponding to one's preference. As a result, for example, a product in the second cooling sales temperature range in which the temperature color display lamp 20 is displayed in green, which is higher than the temperature that is conventionally set to “appropriate temperature” (that is, the degree of cooling is small). It becomes possible to purchase separately, thus expanding the options, and it is possible to actively sell products that have not been sold so far due to the temperature setting in the vending machine, so the sales amount Is likely to improve. In addition, since the product at the temperature preferred by the user can be purchased as it is, it is possible to save the trouble of leaving the product at room temperature for a while after purchasing the product, thereby improving convenience.

  The temperature setting for the cooling function and warming function is set to cool or warm to the same cooling temperature (or warming temperature) as that of a conventional vending machine. The product of the second cooling sales temperature range or the second warming sales temperature range, which has not been reached and is determined to be in the middle of cooling and has not been sold, is displayed as described above. May be sold as green display or purple display.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, four heat-insulating storage spaces each provided with a plurality of product storage portions 3 are provided, and the first cooling sales temperature range and the second cooling storage space are individually provided. You may set so that it may become the cooling sales temperature range, the 1st heating sales temperature range, and the 2nd heating sales temperature range.

  Also, a temperature color display lamp of the product selection button 12 corresponding to the product storage unit 3 in which the room temperature product is stored by setting or setting a heat insulation storage space in a room temperature state in which neither cooling nor heating is performed. 20 may be displayed in other colors (for example, yellow), which further expands the options.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the temperature display color sample 19 which displays each temperature range which can be sold, and each color corresponding to these temperature ranges was displayed on a part of the front door 7. Although the case has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, blue is displayed in the cooling sales state and red is displayed in the warm sales state, while dark blue is displayed in the first cooling sales temperature range where the degree of cooling is large, and in the second cooling sales temperature range. Light blue display, dark red display in the first heating sales temperature range with a large degree of heating, and light red display in the second heating sales temperature range, in this case, Since the cooling state and the heating state can be understood intuitively, the temperature display color sample 19 can be omitted.

  Further, as another embodiment, for example, instead of providing the temperature display color sample 19, in the sales standby state (the state before the charge is charged), the temperature color display of the same color corresponding to the same sales temperature range The lamp 20 is configured to be lit in synchronization, and when the temperature color display lamp 20 of the same color corresponding to the same temperature range is lit, the approximate temperature in the temperature range is numerically indicated in the input amount display unit 15. It may be displayed.

  That is, for example, in the sales standby state, all the temperature color display lamps 20 corresponding to the products in the first cooling sales temperature range are temporarily synchronized and displayed in blue, and in this case, further synchronized “3” indicating that the approximate product temperature is 3 ° C. is displayed on the money amount display section 15 (see FIG. 7A). Next, all the temperature color display lamps 20 corresponding to the products in the second cooling sales temperature range are temporarily displayed in green, and in this case, the approximate product temperature is displayed on the input amount display unit 15 in synchronization. “8” indicating that the temperature is 8 ° C. is displayed (see FIG. 7B). Similarly, thereafter, all temperature color display lamps 20 corresponding to the products in the second warming sales temperature range are temporarily displayed in purple, and in this case, the input amount display unit 15 is schematically displayed in synchronization. “52” indicating that the typical product temperature is 52 ° C. is displayed (see FIG. 7C), and then all temperature color display lamps corresponding to the products in the first cooling sales temperature range 20 is temporarily displayed in red, and at this time, “56” indicating that the approximate commodity temperature is 56 ° C. is displayed on the input amount display unit 15 (see FIG. 7D).

  As a result, even if the temperature display color sample 19 is not provided, the user can set the color of the temperature color display lamp 20 that is lit and the information on the approximate temperature displayed on the input amount display unit 15 in parallel. As a result, the approximate temperature of the product corresponding to the product selection button 12 of the temperature color display lamp 20 displayed in blue is 3 ° C. (the product that has been cooled most), and the temperature color display lamp 20 displayed in green. The approximate temperature of the product corresponding to the product selection button 12 is 7 ° C. (the product is weakly cooled), and the approximate temperature of the product corresponding to the product selection button 12 of the temperature color display lamp 20 displayed in purple is 52 ° C. (the product is warmly warmed), and the approximate temperature of the product corresponding to the product selection button 12 of the temperature color display lamp 20 displayed in red is 56 ° C. (heated warmly) It is a product) Bets can be recognized, passengers can select the temperature of the products of their own preferences. By configuring in this way, the user can change the temperature range without providing a separate temperature display color sample 19 for displaying the product temperature range and each color corresponding to the temperature range. The relationship between the color of the color display lamp 20 and the temperature of the product can be known, and the temperature display color sample 19 need not be provided, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced accordingly.

  Further, since the temperature color display lamps 20 of various colors are sequentially turned on in the sales standby state, the temperature color display lamp 20 also exhibits an electric decoration action similar to illumination, and also has an effect of attracting customers. .

  In this embodiment, the case where the approximate temperature is displayed on the input amount display unit 15 has been described. However, the temperature range (for example, “1-5” in the first cooling sales temperature range, the second cooling sales temperature, Range ")" 6-10 "," 55-58 "in the first warm sales temperature range," 48-54 "in the second warm sales temperature range), or a symbol (e.g. And “COLD” indicating strong cooling, “MID C” indicating weak cooling, “HOT” strong heating, and “MID H” weak heating).

  Further, in this embodiment, the case where the information on the approximate temperature and the temperature range is displayed on the input amount display unit 15 is described. In this case, a separate display unit for displaying the information on the approximate temperature and the temperature range is not provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that a display unit for displaying the approximate temperature may be provided separately.

  In the above embodiment, two cooling sales temperature ranges and two warming sales temperature ranges are provided. However, three or more cooling sales temperature ranges and heating sales temperature ranges may be provided. Only one of the two may be provided. In addition, when a plurality of cooling sales temperature ranges or warming sales temperature ranges are provided, for example, the first cooling sales temperature range is 1 to 3 ° C, the second cooling sales temperature range is 6 to 10 ° C, In order to clearly differentiate the product temperature between the first cooling sales temperature range and the second cooling sales temperature range, each cooling sales temperature range does not become a continuous temperature, but a predetermined temperature difference (in the above case) 3 ° C. between 3 and 6 ° C.).

  In addition, as the product temperature detection sensor 10 that detects the temperature of the product 2, the temperature of the product 2 is detected by directly contacting the container surface of the product 2 at the lower end of the product storage unit 3 (the product 2 to be dispensed next). A thermistor or the like is suitable, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a sensor that detects the temperature of the product storage unit 3 or a sensor that detects the temperature in the heat insulating space in which the product storage unit 3 is provided may be used. Good.

1 is an overall perspective view of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the front door of the vending machine. It is side surface sectional drawing of the same vending machine. It is a block diagram of the vending machine. (A) And (b) is a front view which shows the display apparatus and goods selection button of the same vending machine. It is a front view of the temperature display color sample of the vending machine. (A)-(d) is a figure which shows the example of a display of the goods selection button and input money amount display part in the display apparatus of the vending machine which concerns on other embodiment of this invention, respectively.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine body 2 Goods 3 Goods storage part 10 Goods temperature detection sensor 11 Display input setting part 12 Goods selection button 15 Input amount display part (display part)
16 Sold out lamp 19 Temperature display color sample 20 Temperature color display lamp

Claims (6)

A display device for a vending machine having at least one of a cooling function and a heating function, and having a detection means for detecting the temperature of the product and displaying information related to the product temperature,
Divide the product temperature range into multiple temperature ranges,
A display device for a vending machine, characterized in that a temperature color display section for displaying a specific color set for each temperature range in correspondence with a product temperature is provided corresponding to each product selection button. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of temperature ranges that can be sold in a cooled state and at least one of a temperature range that can be sold in a heated state are provided so that the temperature ranges do not overlap each other. Machine display device. 3. A display device for a vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature display color sample for displaying each temperature range that can be sold and each color corresponding to each temperature range. . When the temperature color display is turned on, the temperature color display of the same color corresponding to the same temperature range is turned on synchronously, and the temperature color display of the same color corresponding to the same temperature range is turned on. 3. The display device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the temperature range or the approximate temperature is displayed by a number or a symbol on a display unit provided separately. 5. The vending machine display device according to claim 4, wherein the separately provided display unit is an input amount display unit. The display device for a vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the temperature color display portion also serves as a sellable lamp.

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