JP2008040538A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic vending machine which reduces burden of time-consuming maintenance management operation to check a preparation status of changes, while avoiding inconvenience such as stopping of sales by lack of the changes. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic vending machine is provided with change exchange sheet output means 59, 40 which output, when paying out of changes is unable due to lack of preparation of changes, a change exchange sheet which contains at least a change amount calculated by a change processing section 22, and change preparation status information of a denomination recognized that change preparation is insufficient by a change management section 23a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine having a billing management unit that performs billing settlement for a service type provided based on a selection by a user, and a service execution unit that executes a service type for which the billing settlement has been completed.

  The service types provided by such vending machines include not only goods sales services such as drinking water, but also print services that output photographic prints or the like based on a predetermined output form from input photographed frame images. It is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In any case, even if the service provided by the vending machine can be sold for 24 hours, there is a problem that if the change is insufficient, the product cannot be sold. In order to avoid this problem, it is necessary to go to the installation location of the vending machine frequently, check the change preparation state, and replenish if the change is not ready, replenishment and costly maintenance management is necessary. .

  In order to solve the change-related problem, input means for inputting the desired product name of the customer, comparison means for comparing the amount of money input with the price of the desired product set in the price file, and the amount of money input is the above desired product There has been proposed a vending machine provided with a control means for calculating the difference when the price is larger than the price and writing the difference on a change card (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The vending machine is configured to discharge the desired product when the amount recorded on the change card is equal to or larger than the price of the desired product. Can be purchased. In this vending machine, since the change is recorded on the change card for the user who brings the change card, the use of the change is reduced, but the sale is stopped for the user who does not bring the change card due to the change of change. Such an inconvenience may occur. In addition, the inconvenience for the user remains because the amount recorded on the change card has a product exchange value only for the vending machine that can handle the change card.

  Instead of refunding change money in money in a self-copying service equipped with a print section, it is also possible to output a paper form as a change ticket from the print section, and the user can send the change ticket to an employee such as a cash register. There has been proposed a vending copier that can be exchanged for money by taking it to a predetermined place (see, for example, Patent Document 3). Even with such a vending machine, even if the inconvenience such as the suspension of sales due to lack of change is resolved, in order to meet the demands of users who want to get change on the spot, they frequently go to the place where the vending machine is installed. Therefore, it is indispensable to perform maintenance management to check the change ready state.

JP 2000-006490 A (paragraph numbers 0020-0033, 0051-0058, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5) JP 2002-170149 A (paragraph numbers 0006, 0010, FIG. 1) JP 2006-058566 A (paragraph number 0072, FIGS. 7 and 10)

  In view of the above situation, the problem of the present invention is to avoid inconvenience such as sales stoppage due to a change shortage, and to reduce the troublesome maintenance management work of frequently visiting the vending machine installation location and checking the change ready state Is to provide a vending machine incorporating

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem in a vending machine having a billing management unit that performs billing settlement for a service type provided based on a selection by a user and a service execution unit that executes a service type for which the billing settlement has been completed, The invention includes a change processing unit that calculates a change amount with respect to an excessive input amount compared to a fee set for the provided service type, and a change management unit that manages a change reserve of each denomination. In addition, when the change cannot be paid out due to the lack of change preparation, change change including at least the change amount calculated by the change processing section and the change preparation status information of the denomination recognized as insufficient change change by the change management section Change change sheet output means for outputting a sheet is provided.

  In this configuration, if the change in cash cannot be paid out due to insufficient change in the change, a change sheet that can be exchanged at a place different from the vending machine is output as an alternative. The change amount calculated by the processing unit and at least the change preparation state information of the denomination recognized as insufficient change preparation by the change management unit are included. Therefore, the person of the store or cash exchange place can know the state of the denomination that is lacking as change from the change exchange sheet presented by the user who visited the store or cash exchange for cash change, and maintenance of change replenishment Inspection work can be started. As a result, the store managing the vending machine can quickly grasp the lack of change preparation without frequently visiting the vending machine.

  The change exchange sheet can be output in a recording format suitable for each by a magnetic recorder or a printer. However, in order to allow the user to check the change amount by himself / herself, change can be made on a sheet of paper or the like by a printer or the like. It is convenient to record the amount. Moreover, if the information of the change reserve insufficient denomination is also recorded in a form that can be visually understood, the store side can grasp the change ready state at a glance.

  In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the output change change sheet includes change preparation status information of denominations other than denominations recognized as insufficient change preparation. Thereby, even if the salesclerk who received the change sheet from the user has not reached the shortage of change, it can grasp the reduction degree over all denominations and can make a maintenance check plan for appropriate change replenishment. .

  A vending machine that is a subject of the present invention as a so-called self-photo printing device, comprising a printer unit that outputs a photo print based on a service type selected by a user from a photographed frame image input by the service execution unit The change exchange sheet can be output by a printer unit that outputs a photographic print, and the change exchange sheet and the photographic print output system can be used in combination. Provides structural benefits.

  Since the change sheet has value as a cash voucher, attention must be paid to the appearance of counterfeits. In order to prevent such counterfeits, when the present invention is configured as the above-described self-photo printing apparatus, the change exchange sheet includes at least one frame of the photographed frame image used for the output photo print. In this way, it is possible to prove whether the person who has output the photo print with the self-photo printing device and the person who cashes on the change sheet has the same or sufficient connection. However, an excellent anti-counterfeit effect can be obtained.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a print kiosk terminal as one embodiment of a self-photo printing apparatus as an embodiment of a vending machine according to the present invention. A print kiosk terminal is installed in a store such as a DP store or a convenience store, and shot frame image data (hereinafter simply referred to as a shot frame) acquired by using the still shooting function of a digital still camera, a mobile phone with a camera, or a digital movie camera. Although the image is abbreviated as an image, the image itself visualized by the photographed frame image data is also referred to as a photographed frame image within a range that does not cause confusion.) It has an electronic photo print output function for converting an image into an electronic album and storing it in a storage medium such as a DVD-R or CD-R, and various operations are performed by a user's self-service.

  This print kiosk terminal is provided with a photo processing service accepting part A in the upper part, and a billing settlement part B and a print processing part C in the lower box-shaped console. The photo processing service reception part A is shaped by an upper housing and a liquid crystal display 1 attached thereto. The liquid crystal display 1 is provided with a touch panel 2 for performing an operation input on a graphic operation screen. On the front surface of the upper housing, there are a plurality of types of media drives 3 for acquiring captured frame images from a memory card Ma such as a flash memory such as CompactFlash (trademark), SD card (trademark), and Memory Stick (trademark), and a CD- Captured frame images and CG images from disc-type recording media Mb such as R and DVD-R (in this specification, CG images are also considered as artificial captured frame images, and CG images are included in the captured frame images) And the like, and a receipt printer 5 for issuing a receipt are mounted. On the upper surface of the upper housing, there is provided a data transmission connector 6 such as a USB that enables direct transfer of a shot frame image from a camera-equipped mobile phone or a digital camera. Inside the upper housing is provided a main control unit 50 for realizing various processing functions in a photo processing service used in the print kiosk terminal.

  The billing settlement unit B includes a billing settlement panel 10 exposed on the surface of the box-shaped console. A coin slot 11 for inserting coins into the billing settlement panel 10 and a bill insertion slot 12 for bills are formed. Has been. The change payment outlet 13 is arranged at the lower part of the box-shaped console together with the photo print outlet 41. Although not confirmed from FIG. 1, a coin processor is linked to the coin insertion slot 11, a bill processor is linked to the banknote insertion slot 12, and a change processor is linked to the change payment outlet 13. These coin processor, banknote processor, and change processor are controlled by the billing settlement control unit 20.

In this embodiment, the print processing unit C is composed of two sublimation type printer units 40, and the photographic prints discharged from each printer unit 40 are common photographic print outlets exposed on the surface of the box-shaped console. 41. By loading each printer unit 40 with a different type of print medium, for example, with a different sheet width or material, it is possible to output photographic prints of different sizes and different surface finishes without changing the print medium. Other printing methods employed in the printer unit 40 include a thermal transfer method and an inkjet method, but the present invention does not limit a specific printing method.
Note that only one printer unit 40 or three or more printer units 40 may be configured.

  The control system of this print kiosk terminal is shown in FIG. The main control unit 50 for managing the entire apparatus including the photo print processing includes a microprocessor (CPU) and a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and a general-purpose OS unit for easily realizing a graphic interface. An application unit that builds various function programs using a program set supplied from the OS unit is mounted. An input / output interface for inputting / outputting information according to a command from the microprocessor includes a display 1, a touch panel 2, a media drive 3, a disk drive 4, a receipt printer 5, a data transmission connector 6, and two printer units 40. It is connected. The billing settlement control unit 20 can be constituted by a one-chip microcomputer, and a coin processor 16a, a bill processor 16b, and a change processor 16c are connected to its input / output interface. The main control unit 50 and the billing settlement control unit 20 are connected so as to be able to transmit information via their respective communication interfaces, and the billing settlement control unit 20 receives the print fee information from the main control unit 50, and the billing settlement control unit 20 As a result of the determination, change calculation, and change change information indicating the storage state of change cash can be returned.

  Various processing functions that are mainly created by the application units of the main control unit 50 and the billing settlement control unit 20 and particularly related to the present invention will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

  First, as a functional unit constructed in the billing settlement control unit 20, a deposit determination unit 21 that determines in cooperation with the coin processor 16a or the bill processor 16b whether or not an amount reaching the presented fee has been inserted, A change processing unit 22 that pays out change required for an excessive input amount compared to the presented fee in cooperation with the change processor 16c, each denomination (10 yen coin, 50 yen coin, 100 yen coin , 500 yen coins, 1000 yen banknotes, 5000 yen banknotes) and the like.

  The main control unit 50 includes an image input processing unit 52 that develops the captured frame image sent through the media drive 3, the disk drive 4, and the data transmission connector 6 in the memory 51 based on the image data format. An image processing unit 53 that performs necessary image processing on the developed photographed frame image and a print data generation unit 54 that generates print data suitable for the printer unit 40 from the image data that has undergone image processing are prepared. Yes. In addition, a GUI unit 55 for creating a graphic interface for realizing a simple operation input using the touch panel 2 (in some cases, an input device such as a keyboard) with respect to a graphic operation screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 1; A print management unit 56 that manages a process for outputting a desired photo print by controlling the image processing unit 53 or the print data generation unit 54 in accordance with a command instructed through the GUI unit 55, or when cash change cannot be paid out. As an alternative to this, a change sheet creation unit 59 for creating data for outputting a change sheet that can be exchanged at a place different from the print kiosk terminal is also constructed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the change exchange sheet output means includes the change exchange sheet creation unit 59, the print data generation unit 54, and the printer unit 40.

  The print management unit 56 includes a fee calculation unit 56a for calculating the fee of the service type ordered through the GUI unit 55. The fee calculated here is displayed on the display 1 through the GUI unit 55 and data. It is transferred to the billing settlement control unit 20 by transmission. The accounting settlement control unit 20 performs accounting settlement with the user based on the received fee data.

  When the change exchange sheet creating unit 59 delivers change to the user as a change exchange sheet instead of cash, the change exchange sheet as a voucher for the change amount received from the billing settlement control unit 20 is displayed on the print data generation unit 54 and the printer. Data to be output through the unit 40 is created. In this embodiment, an example of the change change sheet that is output is shown in FIG. 4, and the change change sheet includes the change amount, change date and time, type of service performed, and the ID code of the print kiosk terminal used. , The name of the store as the issuer, the map showing the place to exchange for cash, the change preparation status information at the used print kiosk terminal, and the shot frame image used in the implementation of the service type in which this change occurred Yes.

  The change sheet creation unit 59 prepares a template for creating a change sheet as described above. In this template, character data and image data are introduced each time along with characters and images laid out in advance. The introduction frame to be set is set. As such an introduction frame, the change preparation information frame X for displaying change preparation information for each denomination managed by the change management unit 23a of the print kiosk terminal, reserved in the memory 51 for photo print output The photographed frame image frame Y for displaying one of the photographed photographed frame images, and the billing settlement information such as the change amount calculated by the change processing unit 22, the change occurrence date and time, the type of service performed, and the order number are displayed. A billing settlement information frame Z is exemplified. In other words, when the change exchange sheet creation unit 59 cannot pay out the change in cash due to a change shortage, the change exchange sheet creation unit 59 outputs the change exchange sheet as a cash voucher for the change amount to the change preparation information frame X of the read template. The change change preparation data to be introduced, the photographed frame image to be introduced into the photographed frame image frame Y, and the billing settlement information to be introduced into the billing settlement information frame Z are acquired, and change exchange sheet data is created. In the example of FIG. 4, as the change preparation information, 60% of the full amount of 1000 yen is currently prepared, 500 yen is 20%, 100 yen is 20%, 10 yen is 0%, and change is out of stock. It is displayed. The display form of the change preparation information is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4, but it is convenient that it is expressed by some hidden symbol or code so that it cannot be understood by the user. In any case, from the change sheet, the store has 10 yen out of change in the print kiosk terminal whose terminal ID code is “105340”, and 500 yen and 100 yen are not ready for change. Therefore, appropriate change replenishment can be performed.

In this print kiosk terminal, the number of print services that pay a fee calculated according to the number of prints by print size, the fixed amount print service that prints a predetermined range of sheets at a fixed fee, the number set by fee Multiple service types are available, such as a multi-print service that combines multiple shot frame images into a single print, and a special editing print service that combines characters and backgrounds separately prepared for shot frame images. There are some seeds whose fee is determined at the first selected stage and those whose fee cannot be determined until the number of prints is finally finalized. Examples of such service types are shown below.
(1) Number of prints L
The user sets the number of prints with a service of 30 yen per L-size output photo print.
(2) Number of prints 2L
The user sets the number of prints with a service of 60 yen per 2L size (double size of L size) output photo print.
(3) Four-sheet print L
This is a flat-rate service of 100 yen that is limited in advance to L size photo prints of up to 4 sheets.
(4) 4 prints 2L
This is a 200 yen flat-rate service limited to 4L or less 2L size photo print output in advance.
(5) 25-sheet print L
This is a flat-rate service of 500 yen that is limited to L size photo print output of 25 sheets or less in advance.
(6) 25 sheets of print 2L
This is a flat-rate service of 1000 yen that is limited in advance to 2L size photo print output of 25 sheets or less.
(7) 10-frame multi-print This is a flat-rate service of 250 yen that combines 10 photographed frame images selected by the user so that they can be listed and outputs them as one large format (for example, 2L size or A4 size) photo print. is there.
(8) 20-frame multi-print This is a flat-rate service of 500 yen that combines 20 photographed frame images selected by the user so that they can be listed and outputs them as one photo print.
(9) 30-frame multi-print This is a flat-rate service of 750 yen that combines 30 photographed frame images selected by the user so that they can be listed and outputs as a single photo print.
(10) 40-frame multi-print This is a flat-rate service of 1000 yen that combines 40 photographed frame images selected by the user so that they can be listed and outputs as a single photo print.
In any of the above service types, there is a service type with a discounted amount as a time service.

  Information about such service types is registered in the photo service management table 57 using data content items as exemplified in FIG. The data content items include a service ID that is a code for identifying the service type, the name of the service type, the output print size, the number of prints to be output, the number of photographed frame images assigned to one photo print, and for time service In the case of a service type, a day of the week, a time zone, a charge, an icon address storing an icon representing the service type, and the like. The photo service management table 57 is referred to by the presentation service type determination unit 58, and an icon is displayed on the provided service display screen of the display 1 as a service type that can be provided to the user only by the service type selected by the presentation service type determination unit 58. Will be displayed.

  The conditions for determining the presentation service type in the presentation service type determination unit 58 include the presence of a service type assigned as a time service for each day of the week or each time zone, the loading state of paper of a paper size necessary for the corresponding service type, and the like. Yes, it is possible to change the service type presented to the user each time according to the day of the week, the time zone, and the size of the loaded paper.

The process of the photo print service in the print kiosk terminal configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, when the start of the photo service is instructed (# 01), as a pre-process, the presentation service type determination unit 58 accesses the photo service management table 57, and from the registered service types, including the time service, The service type to be presented to the user is determined (# 02).

  When the icon address data of the presentation service type determined by the presentation service type determination unit 58 is passed to the GUI unit 55, the available service type presentation screen listing the presentation service types is a photo print service selection screen for the user. And displayed on the display 1 (# 03). An example of this photo print service selection screen is shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, as a time service, a print L of 20 yen per sheet discounted from a normal charge of 30 yen per sheet is displayed.

  The user selects a desired service type by looking at the photo print service selection screen displayed on the display 1 (# 04). When the service type is determined, the user selects an image recording medium (memory card Ma or disk type recording medium Mb) brought as a print source by using the input medium selection screen displayed on the display 1, and the corresponding drive. It is attached to (media drive 3 or disk drive 4) (# 05). The shot frame image is read from the loaded image recording medium and developed in the memory 51 by the image input processing unit 52 (# 06). At this time, the image input processing unit 52 stores the thumbnail image in the memory 51 separately from the main data of the photographed frame image to be used for the purpose of displaying a list on the display 1 if the read photographed frame image includes a thumbnail image. If the thumbnail image is not included or is not appropriate, the image processing unit 53 is instructed to develop the reduced image created from this data in the memory 51 as a thumbnail image. The link relationship between the main data of the shot frame image and the thumbnail image is managed by the print management unit 56.

  Next, using the thumbnail images, as shown in FIG. 8, a pre-judge (PJ) screen listing the photographed frame images is displayed on the display 1 (# 07). Through this pre-judge screen, the user can select a photographed frame image to be processed by the print service process, set the number of prints, and in some cases, set color correction (# 08). For example, in the pre-judge print screen of FIG. 8, a photographed frame image display column 71 for displaying a list of six photographed frame images (thumbnail images) in the left region, and buttons for color density correction and number setting in the right column region. An arrangement column 72 is arranged. In order to set the number of prints, since the number of prints is set to “0” by default, a captured frame image to be processed is selected and the increase / decrease button 73 for setting the number of copies is operated. The set number is displayed below each shot frame image. In order to perform color correction, a photographed frame image to be corrected is selected, and the “Yellow”, “Magenta”, “Cyan”, and “Density” increase / decrease buttons 74 are operated. An “N (neutral)” button 75 between the increase / decrease buttons 74 has a function of setting “no correction”.

  When the setting for the shot frame image to be processed is completed while operating the “return” button and the “next” button, the pre-judgment work is ended by operating the “OK” button (# 08 Yes branch). When the type “25-sheet print L” is selected and there are only 20 shot frames to be processed, 25 prints can be set by setting the number of prints for a plurality of desired images. Services can be used effectively. Similarly, even when “20-frame multi-print” is selected, a plurality of prints can be set for the same shot frame image (in multi-print, this means the number of frames formed in one photo print) For example, it is possible to set the number of prints of 20 sheets for one photographed frame image and to output a single photographic print in which the same photographed frame images such as sticker prints are listed. As a result, unlike a photo print in which the captured frame images read as index prints are listed, a single photo composed of user-preferred captured frame images corresponding to the number of frames specified by the fee. You can create a print, for example, you can use it as a collage-like photo print, or you can cut each image yourself and use it as a normal photo print, and you can use the photo print a new way Become.

  When the pre-judgment work is completed, the fee calculation unit 56a calculates a fee (# 09). In the case of “25-sheet print L” or “20-frame multi-print”, since it is a fixed-rate print, the charge can be obtained immediately. Charges are calculated according to the number of prints. The calculated fee is displayed on the display 1, and when the data is transferred to the billing management unit 23, billing settlement processing is performed by the billing settlement control unit 20 (# 10). When the billing settlement is completed, the photographed frame image is processed according to the order set through the pre-judge screen, and is finally converted into print data by the print data generation unit 54. The printer unit 40 is driven by this print data, and the desired data is obtained. The photographic print is discharged to the photographic print outlet 41 (# 100).

The accounting settlement process will be described below using the flowchart of FIG.
When the charge calculated by the charge calculation unit 56a is displayed on the display 1 and the user is prompted to pay the charge, the money amount inserted by the deposit determination unit 21 through the coin insertion slot 11 or the bill insertion slot 12 or both. Is determined (# 11). The determination of the input amount is performed until the input amount reaches the charge. When the input amount reaches the charge (# 12 Yes branch), it is further determined whether or not the input amount exceeds the charge (# 13). If the input amount does not exceed the charge (# 13 No branch), the input amount and the charge are the same and it is considered that no change will occur, so at this point the billing settlement processing routine ends and the print of step # 100 is completed. The processing is executed, and a photographic print based on the selected service type is output to the photographic print take-out port 41. When the input amount exceeds the charge (# 13 Yes branch), change is generated, so the change processing unit 22 calculates the change amount (# 14). Next, it is checked whether the denomination preparation for paying out the requested change amount is sufficient or whether the change is insufficient (# 15). If no change has occurred and the predetermined change can be paid out (# 15 No branch), the change processing unit 22 controls to change the change from the change payout exit 13 (# 16). The billing settlement processing routine is terminated by the change payout, and then the printing process of step # 100 is executed.

  When the change is insufficient and the predetermined change cannot be paid out (# 15 Yes branch), in order to ask whether or not the user can consent to issue the change sheet instead of the change in cash, FIG. A change request screen for a change sheet as exemplified in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display 1 (# 17). On the change request sheet approval request screen, a “change change sheet approval” button, a “service type reselection” button, and a “print cancel” button are displayed. If the “Cancel print” button is operated, the change sheet will not be accepted (# 18 No branch), and another service type that does not generate change will not be selected for photo printing (# 19 No branch). The photo print output process is canceled. If the “service type reselection” button is operated, the change sheet is not accepted (# 18 No branch), but another service type that does not generate change is selected to perform photo printing (# 19 Yes branch). Once this accounting settlement processing routine is exited, the process returns to the above-described step # 03 to display the service type presentation screen on the display 1 again. At that time, the process returns to step # 02, and only the service type in which the change is not easily generated in the presentation service type determination unit 58, for example, the service type which is charged in units of 100 yen when there is no change of 10 yen coins. It is even more convenient if the user is determined as the presentation service type. When the “change change sheet acceptance” button is operated, the change change sheet is accepted (# 18 Yes branch), and therefore the change amount is sent from the change processing part 22 to the change change sheet creation part 59, and the change management part. The change preparation status information for each denomination is sent from 23a, and the change exchange sheet creation unit 59 designates a photographed frame image to be printed on the change exchange sheet, so that the change exchange sheet as illustrated in FIG. Image data is created and transferred to the print data generation unit 54 (# 20). As a result, the change sheet is output by the printer unit 40 and discharged to the photo print outlet 41 (# 21).

  In the above-described embodiment, the change sheet is output by the printer unit 40 that outputs a photographic print. Alternatively, the change sheet may be output by another printer. A functional block diagram of an example of such an embodiment is shown in FIG. Here, the change sheet creation unit 59 transfers the data for the created change sheet to the receipt printer 5 through the driver, and the receipt printer 5 outputs the change sheet. Therefore, in this embodiment, the change exchange sheet output means includes the change exchange sheet creation unit 59, the driver, and the receipt printer 5. In this embodiment, forgery prevention is achieved by printing some encryption key, for example, a numerical value derived using a date, a terminal ID, or a change amount as a parameter, instead of introducing a photographed frame image on the change sheet.

  Further, in the above description of the embodiment, the description has been given of the form of the print kiosk terminal that outputs the photo print by self-service as the vending machine, but the present invention is not limited to this form, and the selection of the service type is performed. In this mode, the actual photo print output process is performed at a location different from the location where the process until the payment is settled and the selected photo frame image to be processed is handed over separately. That is, the print processing unit C may be configured as an apparatus independent of the photo processing service receiving unit A and the billing settlement unit B.

1 is an external view of a print kiosk terminal that is an embodiment of a vending machine according to the present invention. Block diagram showing the control system of a print kiosk terminal Functional block diagram showing functions of main controller and billing settlement controller Plan view showing an example of a change sheet Explanatory drawing explaining the data structure of the service type registered in the photo service management table Flow chart showing the sequence of self-print service Screen diagram showing an example of the available service type presentation screen Screen diagram showing an example of the pre-judge screen Flowchart showing a series of flow of accounting settlement processing routine Screen for inquiring about change sheet acceptance Functional block diagram showing functions of a main controller and a billing settlement controller in another embodiment

Explanation of symbols

20: Charge settlement control unit 21: Payment determination unit 22: Change processing unit 23: Charge management unit 23a: Change management unit 40: Printer unit 50: Main control unit 52: Image input processing unit 56: Print management unit 56a: Charge calculation Unit 57: Photo service management table 58: Presentation service type determination unit 59: Change exchange sheet creation unit

Claims (4)

A vending machine having a billing management unit that performs billing settlement for a service type provided based on selection by a user, and a service execution unit that executes a service type for which the billing settlement has been completed. In what is provided with a change processing unit that calculates the amount of change for an excessive input amount compared to the fee set for the seed, and a change management unit that manages the change reserve of each denomination,
When change cannot be paid out due to insufficient change preparation, change change sheet including at least change amount calculated by the change processing unit and change preparation status information of a denomination recognized as change insufficient by the change management unit is output. A vending machine comprising a change exchange sheet output means. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the output change change sheet includes change ready state information of denominations other than denominations recognized as insufficient change preparation. The service execution unit includes a printer unit that outputs a photographic print based on a service type selected by a user from the captured frame image input, and the change sheet is output by the printer unit. The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the change sheet includes at least one frame of a photographed frame image used for the outputted photographic print.

Images