JP2008197793A - Display control system and display method of vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide natural display fused into the surrounding environment of an installation site, and to prevent display making a restriction target person have a purchasing incentive vainly when a specific article such as alcohol or cigarettes is to be sold with an age limit is handled. <P>SOLUTION: A front panel 15 capable of setting an article model 11 to a visible or invisible state from the outside of the vending machine 100 is put into the invisible state and is arranged in front of the display side of the article model 11 inside the vending machine. When a user inputs the identification information of the user into the vending machine 100, the front panel 15 is switched to the visible state and the article model 11 is displayed when the input identification information establishes a predetermined condition, or the front panel 15 is kept in the invisible state when it does not establish it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display control system and a display method for a vending machine, and more particularly to a display control technique for selectively setting display contents.

  Conventionally, in order to improve the sales promotion effect, the vending machine generally paints the outer appearance of the main body and displays the product model with high visibility. And the goods are always displayed on the vending machine, and advertisements etc. are displayed so that the person who sees this can incentivize purchase. In such vending machines, when selling specific products that are age-restricted, such as cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, even so-called minors who have not reached the qualifying age for purchase can freely purchase them. There was a problem that underage drinking and smoking were induced by minors.

So recently, for certain age-restricted products, the vending machine allows the user to present an age-identifiable driver's license, identification card, etc., and the user has reached an age for which they are eligible for purchase. A vending machine having an age identification function has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-8-185563

However, when selling a specific product with age restrictions, the technology described in Patent Document 1 always displays the specific product on a vending machine, and a person who sees this product may be motivated to purchase. As a result, minors who have a willingness to purchase by looking at vending machines may try to obtain this specific product elsewhere, and the effect of suppressing drinking and smoking by adults is not necessarily effective. .
In addition, vending machines may be installed in many places facing pedestrian passages on streets or installed in stores that display and sell products indoors. However, there are cases where the cityscape is maintained with a unified keynote (color, etc.), or the inside of the store is unified with a specific coloring based on the brand image. If a vending machine is installed in such a unique atmosphere, the vending machine may not match the image of the street or store. In other words, the presence of vending machines in order to increase sales efficiency, and vending machines that strongly promote the contents of their products (appearance, paint, advertisements, etc.) have a rather excessive presence in the surroundings. Can be a factor to disturb.
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and can perform a natural display fused with the surrounding environment in which it is installed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display control system for a vending machine and a display control method for a vending machine that do not perform display that is unnecessarily motivated to purchase.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following configuration.
(1) A display control system for a vending machine,
A front panel that is disposed in front of the display side of the product model inside the vending machine, and is capable of setting the product model to be visible or invisible from the outside of the vending machine;
Identification information input means for inputting identification information of a user of the vending machine;
Authentication means for determining whether or not the input identification information satisfies a predetermined condition when the identification information is input to the identification information input means;
While the front panel is set to the invisible state, when the authentication unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the front panel is switched to the visible state to display the product model, and is determined not to be satisfied. Control means for maintaining the front panel in the invisible state when
Vending machine display control system characterized by comprising:

  According to the display control system of this vending machine, while setting the front panel in an invisible state, when the authentication means determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the front panel is switched to the visible state to display the product model, By maintaining the front panel invisible when it is determined that it does not meet the requirements, it is possible to display a natural display that is integrated with the surrounding environment where it is installed. It is possible to prevent the restriction target person from making a display that is unnecessarily motivated to purchase.

(2) A display control system for a vending machine according to (1),
A display control system for a vending machine, wherein the front panel has a first display plate that can be selectively set to either light emission or non-light emission over substantially the entire panel display surface.

  According to the display control system of this vending machine, the visible state and the invisible state can be formed by the first display plate that is in the light emitting / non-light emitting state.

(3) A display control system for a vending machine according to (2),
The front panel includes a second display plate that is provided with an information display portion on at least a part of a panel display surface, and the information display portion can be selectively set to either a light emitting or non-light emitting state. Vending machine display control system.

  According to the display control system of this vending machine, the second display plate can set the information display portion provided on at least a part of the panel display surface to either the light emitting state or the non-light emitting state. Can be selectively displayed.

(4) A display control system for a vending machine according to (2) or (3),
The display plate is formed with a reflective portion composed of a large number of narrow grooves on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the light emitting portion of the display plate, and displays light by the reflective portion when light is introduced from the side of the plate. A translucent light guide plate that irradiates the front side and light is not introduced from the side of the plate, and the light source that introduces light from at least one end of the translucent light guide plate. Vending machine display control system.

  According to the display control system of this vending machine, the light emitted from the light source is incident on the translucent light guide plate, and the diffused light is irradiated in front of the display surface at the position of the reflecting portion in the translucent light guide plate. When there is no light emitted from the light transmitting plate, the translucent light guide plate is in a transparent state.

(5) A display control system for a vending machine according to (4),
A display control system for a vending machine, wherein the light source includes a plurality of light emitting elements having different emission colors.

  According to the display control system of this vending machine, display can be performed with an arbitrary color and brightness by dimming control of light emitting elements having different emission colors such as red, green, and blue.

(6) The display control system for a vending machine according to any one of (3) to (5),
A display control system for a vending machine, wherein the light source uses a light emitting diode as a light emitting element.

  According to the display control system of this vending machine, display can be performed while maintaining necessary and sufficient luminance with low power consumption.

(7) The display control system for a vending machine according to any one of (1) to (6),
The display control system for a vending machine, wherein the identification information input means reads, by wireless communication, a wireless communication medium in which the user identification information stored by the user of the vending machine is stored.

  According to the display control system of the vending machine, by inputting identification information using a wireless communication medium, the user can easily perform an authentication procedure, and the sales promotion effect of the product is improved.

(8) The display control system for a vending machine according to any one of (1) to (7),
A human detection sensor for detecting a person around the vending machine;
A display control system for a vending machine, wherein the display content of the display panel is changed based on position information of the user output from the human detection sensor.

  According to the display control system of this vending machine, the display content of the hand display panel can be changed according to the position of the user, so that a series of procedures until product sales can be facilitated automatically, and the display screen can be switched. It attracts attention from passers-by and increases the sales promotion effect.

(9) A display control method for a vending machine,
A front panel that can set the product model to be visible or invisible from the outside of the vending machine is disposed in front of the display side of the product model inside the vending machine in the invisible state, and the vending When the user inputs identification information to the machine, the front panel is switched to a visible state when the input identification information satisfies a predetermined condition, and the product model is A display control method for a vending machine, characterized by displaying and maintaining the front panel in an invisible state when it is not satisfied.

  According to the display control method of this vending machine, while setting the front panel to an invisible state, when the authentication means determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the front panel is switched to the visible state to display the product model, By maintaining the front panel invisible when it is determined that it does not meet the requirements, it is possible to display a natural display that is integrated with the surrounding environment where it is installed. It is possible to prevent the restriction target person from making a display that will unnecessarily motivate purchase.

(10) The display control method for a vending machine according to (9),
When the user approaches the vending machine within a first distance, the product type information of the product for sale is displayed with the front panel in an invisible state,
When the user approaches a second distance that is closer than the first distance, inputs the identification information to the vending machine, and satisfies the predetermined condition, the front panel is made visible. A display control method for a vending machine, wherein the product model is displayed.

  According to this vending machine display control method, when the user approaches the first distance, the outline information of the merchandise is displayed, the merchandise type of the vending machine is recognized, and the user moves to the second distance. Since the product model is displayed for the first time when the identification information authentication is completed, it is possible to make the sales method less affected by the restriction target person compared to the case where the product model is displayed from the beginning. .

(11) A display control system for a vending machine according to (10),
A display control method for a vending machine, wherein a message prompting input of identification information is displayed on the front panel when the user approaches within the second distance.

  According to the display control method of the vending machine, the authentication process can be smoothly performed by displaying a message prompting the input of identification information on the front panel.

(12) A display control system for a vending machine according to (10) or (11),
The display control method for a vending machine, wherein the product type information of the sales product includes a logo mark that identifies the sales product.

  According to the display control method of this vending machine, by showing the logo mark to the user, it is possible to recognize the general sales product without displaying the product model.

(13) The display control method for a vending machine according to any one of (9) to (12),
The identification information includes age information of the user;
The display control method for a vending machine, wherein the predetermined condition is whether or not the user is over a predetermined age.

  According to the display control method of this vending machine, only users over a predetermined age can be allowed to sell.

(14) The display control method for a vending machine according to any one of (9) to (12),
The identification information input means reads the user identification information as biometric information, compares the biometric information database registered in advance with the read biometric information of the user, and the biometric information read is A display control method for a vending machine, wherein the front panel is switched to the visible state when registered in a database.

  According to this vending machine display control method, by registering biometric information in advance, the vending machine can be used without having a specific identification medium, and convenience is enhanced.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform a natural display that is integrated with the surrounding environment in which the device is installed, and when a specific product that is sold with an age restriction such as liquor or cigarette is handled, the person to be restricted does not have a willingness to purchase. Can be displayed.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a display control system and a display control method for a vending machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a vending machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a front external view as an example of a vending machine.
The vending machine 100 according to the present invention includes a product model 11 of a product to be sold arranged inside the vending machine 100, a backlight 13 that illuminates the product model 11, and a product arranged in front of the display side of the product model 11. A front panel 15 that can set the model 11 to be visible or invisible from the outside, and a control unit (control means) 17 that controls display timing and display contents of the front panel 15 are provided.

  The vending machine 100 also includes a human detection sensor 19 that detects a user of the vending machine 100 that is a product purchaser, an input operation unit 21 for the user to select a product, and payment by the user. It includes a deposit processing unit 23 that accepts, a settlement processing unit 25 that performs a settlement process, a product transport mechanism 27 that transports a designated product for which payment has been confirmed, and a product unloading unit 29 that provides a product to the user.

  Here, in addition to the above basic configuration, the vending machine 100 according to the present invention includes identification information input means for reading identification information in which the age of the user is recorded, and whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied. The authentication part 31 as an authentication means which judges whether it is not, the memory | storage part 33 in which various predetermined conditions are memorize | stored, and the communication part 35 are provided.

  The product model is described here as a mockup of the product, but is not limited to this, it is a plate on which a photograph, an illustration, a character, etc. of the product is drawn, a product product, or a display device that displays the product. In the present specification, all of these are included in the “product model”.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the peripheral structure of the front panel 15.
The backlight 13 uses, for example, an illumination unit that uses a light emitting diode (LED) described in Japanese Patent No. 3694310 as a light source, thereby obtaining illumination light with a configuration with low luminance and high luminance and easy maintenance. Can do. In addition, not only an LED light source but arbitrary illumination lights, such as a cold cathode ray tube, EL light emitting element, or a fluorescent lamp, are applicable.

  The human detection sensor 19 is a sensor that detects the movement and position of a person using infrared rays, microwaves, or the like.

  The input operation unit 21 is a so-called transparent touch panel formed in a transparent sheet shape. However, the input operation unit 21 is not limited thereto, and may have a configuration in which an arbitrary mechanical key is provided at a position removed from the front panel 15.

Next, the front panel 15 of the vending machine 100 will be described in detail below.
FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the front panel 15 alone, and FIG. 5 shows an enlarged perspective view of the light source portion.
In the present embodiment, the front panel 15 includes, in order from the inside of the vending machine 100, a first display plate 41 that can be selectively set to either light emission or non-light emission over substantially the entire panel display surface, and at least the panel display surface. An information display part is provided in part, and the information display part has a second display plate 43 that can be selectively set to either light emitting or non-light emitting state, and transparent on the front side of these display plates 41, 43 A protective layer 45 is attached. The transparent protective layer protects the front panel 15 by using a high-strength transparent resin such as polycarbonate, and the touch panel as the input operation unit 21 is attached to the front surface thereof.

  The first display plate 41 and the second display plate 43 are respectively a translucent light guide plate 47 having a size corresponding to the display surface of the front panel 15, and a light source unit 49 disposed on both sides of the translucent light guide plate 47. The light source unit 49 includes a drive circuit 50 according to a command from the control unit 17. In the light source unit 49, a large number of LED light sources 51 are mounted on a substrate 53 and emit light toward the side surface of the translucent light guide plate 47.

The translucent light guide plate 47 of the first display plate 41 is formed of a transparent resin material (acrylic or the like), and at least one of the front and back surfaces as shown in the cross-sectional view of the AA cross section of FIG. 5 in FIG. A reflecting portion 55 made up of a large number of narrow grooves is formed on the back side surface in the present embodiment. The reflection portion 55 is formed over substantially the entire panel display surface. When light is introduced from the side of the plate, the translucent light guide plate 47 irradiates a part of the introduced light to the front side of the display side as scattered light by the reflecting portion 55, so that the surface emitting state is obtained. Thus, the back side (the inside of the vending machine) of the first display plate 41 is made invisible from the outside. On the other hand, when light is not introduced from the side of the plate, it is substantially transparent without being affected by the reflection portion 55 and the back side is made visible.
Such a display plate can be obtained by forming a minute groove on the surface of the transparent plate with a laser, or making the surface of the transparent plate a textured surface with minute irregularities.

  The LED light source 51 of the light source unit 49 connected to the first display plate 41 sequentially arranges LED light emitting elements having emission colors such as red (R), green (G), blue (B), and white (W). The configuration is Then, by adjusting the light emission amount of each color by the drive circuit 50, the first display plate can be surface-emitted with an arbitrary color and an arbitrary luminance. For example, the display color can be changed to a warm color such as yellow or orange, or a cold color such as blue or light blue depending on the season. In addition, the display color can be dynamically changed by the time sequence control, or the display can be performed with a color and brightness suitable for the surrounding environment.

The translucent light guide plate 47 of the second display plate 43 has the same display method as the light diffusion by the reflection unit 55 shown in FIG. 6, but the reflection is applied to at least a part of the panel display surface as shown in FIG. An information display portion 57 which is a portion 55 is provided, and the information display portion 57 is selectively set to either the non-light emitting state (a) or the light emitting state (b). That is, only the area formed as the reflecting portion 55 can emit light, and the other areas are transparent.
For example, the information display portion 57 has a logo mark, a character, a figure, a symbol, or the like for associating a product sold by the vending machine 100 (“LOGO” is displayed for explanation in FIG. 7). . For example, it can be a trademark of a manufacturing meter that manufactured the product. Alternatively, it may be a name such as “hot” or “cold” that is a characteristic of the product, “sake” or “cigarette” indicating the type of product, a sales catch phrase of the product, a character, or the like. In any case, any information that is reminiscent of the content of the product, such as information that can generally recognize the product to be sold, may be used.

  The LED light source 51 of the light source unit 49 connected to the second display plate 43 is preferably a single color LED light emitting element such as white (W). The light source color of the light source connected to the second display plate 43 becomes the emission color of the information display portion 57.

  The first display plate is not limited to the configuration of the light transmissive light guide plate 47 described above, and other elements that can be made transparent or opaque by applying a voltage, such as liquid crystal glass, are used. It doesn't matter. However, those with low power consumption are preferable.

Next, specific processing contents for performing display control using the front panel configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 8 shows the display contents of the vending machine and the procedure for purchasing the product, and FIG. 9 shows an example of the display contents of the display panel.
The vending machine 100 causes the first display plate 41 of the front panel 15 to emit light in a normal state, and turns off the second display plate 43 and the backlight 13 (S1). In this state, as shown in FIG. 9A, the panel display surface of the front panel 15 is lit and displayed with a predetermined color and a predetermined luminance throughout. As the display contents (first pattern) at this time, as described above, the display contents correspond to the season and surrounding environment, for example, pink, green reminiscent of cherry blossoms in spring, green, reminiscent of the sea in summer. The colors are based on blue, orange, brown, which is reminiscent of buds and foliage in autumn, snow, winter, white, red, black, etc., reminiscent of Christmas. Further, the brightness of the surroundings that changes depending on the time can be detected by a sensor, and accordingly, for example, the display brightness can be set low at night and set high during the day.

  By setting the normal display as described above, when the vending machine 100 is installed on a street, the vending machine 100 may be disturbed by merging with the surrounding environment without disturbing the scenery. Absent. In addition, the vending machine 100 can be made to have a more natural impression by actively acting on the surrounding environment such as changing the display contents according to the season to give a sense of the season. Furthermore, since the product content of the vending machine 100 is not normally displayed, for example, when selling a specific product having a purchase qualification, a person who does not have the purchase qualification is motivated to purchase by the presence of the vending machine 100. It will not be.

  Next, in the state where the first pattern is displayed on the front panel 15 as described above, when there is a person who approaches the vending machine 100 to purchase a product, the person detection sensor 19 detects this person (user). (S2). As shown in FIG. 10, when the person 61 enters the area of radius L2 from the vending machine 100, the human detection sensor 19 notifies the control unit 17 (see FIG. 1) of this, and FIG. ), The second pattern is displayed on the front panel 15 (S3).

  The second pattern is a pattern in which the second display plate 43 is turned on while the surface of the first display plate 41 is kept emitting light, and the product type information of the merchandise sold on the second display plate 43 is displayed. The product type information is, for example, a logo mark that identifies the type of product as described above, and the person 61 who has seen this logo mark is what the product sold by the vending machine 100 (for example, , Cigarettes, liquor, soft drinks, classification), and if there is a willingness to purchase, the vending machine 100 is further approached. That is, it is possible to recognize a specific actual product only when the person 61 approaches the range of the distance L2.

  Further, the display change of S3 changes the display on the front panel 15 immediately before the vending machine 100 (distance entering the field of view) with respect to the person 61 trying to pass in front of the vending machine 100 (FIG. 9). By switching from (a) to (b), the presence of the vending machine 100 can be noticed. By providing this opportunity, there is also an effect that products can be sold to passers-by who are willing to purchase.

  When the person 61 who is willing to purchase further approaches the vending machine 100, the person detection sensor 19 detects this (S4), and displays a message requesting input of identification information of the person (user) 61 on the front panel 15. Alternatively, it is notified by voice (S5). When this message is displayed on the front panel 15, a display plate may be incorporated in the front panel 15 in advance, and when the display unit is provided on the main body side of the vending machine 100, the display unit is turned on. That's fine. In FIG. 9 (c), as an example, a display plate (not shown) is separately provided on the front panel 15, which is turned on, the first display plate 41 is turned on, and the second display plate 43 is turned off. Showed the condition.

Upon receiving this identification information input request, the user 61 inputs identification information from the authentication unit 31 (see FIG. 2) of the vending machine 100.
As the identification information, various information sources can be considered, and a simple information medium includes a credit card and a driver's license. If it is a credit card, the vending machine 100 reads the credit card, and if the personal information of the card is inquired to the management computer of the issuing credit company via the communication unit 35 (see FIG. 1), the age authentication is performed. it can. In the case of a driver's license, since the date of birth is written on the license, the vending machine 100 reads the driver's license, and from the date of birth of the user and the current date, the user The age can be verified by calculating the current age of.

  For user identification, in addition to the credit card and driver's license described above, a dedicated usage card is issued in advance, and the user's fingerprint, palm Authentication accuracy can be improved by using or using biological information such as vein patterns and retinal capillary patterns.

  When the identification information input by the user is read, and the input identification information is a predetermined condition set in advance, for example, when selling alcoholic beverages, whether or not the age is allowed to be drunk by law Is determined (S6).

  If the user does not satisfy the predetermined condition, a sales refusal message such as “cannot sell this product” is displayed or voiced (S7), and the second pattern is displayed (S3). ) To return to the authentication procedure. If it is determined that the condition is satisfied, the display on the front panel 15 is switched to the product display as shown in FIG. 9D (S8).

  The product display means that the first display plate 41 is turned off to make the front panel 15 transparent, and the backlight 13 is turned on to illuminate the product model 11 so that the product model 11 is made visible through the front panel 15. That is. Note that the second display plate 43 may be turned off after the product is displayed, for example, when the deposit processing unit 23 (see FIG. 1) is deposited and the payment processing unit 25 confirms the payment for the price (S9). . Thereby, it can be visually recognized that the insertion of the predetermined price is completed at the time of product selection, and the product model 11 can be clearly seen.

  When the user 61 selects a desired product, the input operation unit 21 such as a touch panel is used. As shown in FIG. 9D, the touch panel touches the position of each product model 11, and the corresponding product is carried out from the product carry-out unit 29 (S10).

  For the product selection, various input methods other than the above can be adopted. A button is prepared in the vicinity of the product model 11, and the product for which the button has been pressed may be used as the selected product. A number may be given to and the number may be input.

  If the human detection sensor 19 detects that the user 61 leaves the vending machine 100 after the sale of the product (S11), the display on the front panel 15 is returned to the first pattern in the initial state (S12).

According to the vending machine described above, after reading the user identification information and performing an authentication process to determine whether the predetermined condition is satisfied, the product model to be sold is displayed only when the condition is satisfied. ing. For this reason, the product model is displayed from the beginning, and a person who sees the product model is not motivated to purchase and leads to purchase, so that it is possible to prevent drinking, smoking, and the like by minors.
In addition, the appearance of the vending machine can avoid disturbing the atmosphere of the place without making the presence of the surroundings excessive, and a natural display fused with the surrounding environment can be performed.

  In addition, although the information of goods is displayed on the information display part, it is not limited to this, for example, information indicating the store name where the vending machine 100 is installed, geographical information such as an installation address, etc. it can. In that case, display the product type information (information that is the product type of the sales product and the level that can roughly recognize the product content) on the vending machine body and its surroundings, and what the vending machine sells It is only necessary to be able to roughly recognize whether it is present.

When biometric information is used as the user identification information, the authentication unit (identification information input unit) 31 reads the identification information of the user 61 as biometric information and is registered in the storage unit 33 in advance. The first display plate 41 is in a non-light emitting state so that the front panel 15 is made visible when the read biometric information is compared with the read biometric information of the user 61 and the read biometric information is registered in the database. Switch to. If there is no registration, it is considered that the conditions are not met, and the first display plate 41 of the front panel 15 is maintained in the light emitting state.
As a result, it is possible to purchase a product without having an authentication medium such as a credit card or a driver's license.

Here, the above-described display control method of the vending machine 100 is a case where the vending machine 100 is installed on the street, but next, when the vending machine 100 is installed in a store that displays and sells products and the like. A display example will be described.
In general, in a store, the store is often unified with the store's brand image and unique coloring. When installing a vending machine in such a unique atmosphere, the appearance color of many vending machines is finished in a conspicuous hue, so the appearance of the vending machine itself is not familiar with the atmosphere of the place. , The atmosphere as a whole may be disturbed.
Therefore, in such a case, it is necessary to match the appearance of the vending machine with the color of the store, and further, the content displayed on the front panel of the vending machine during normal times when there is no user. It is necessary to adjust to.

  Therefore, a third pattern is set on the front panel of the vending machine in addition to the first and second patterns described above. This third pattern is a pattern that is displayed during normal times when there is no user. The third pattern is a display of color and brightness that fuses with the installation location of the vending machine and the atmosphere in the store. Specific examples include store logo marks and brand name characters. The display plates for displaying the third pattern are stacked and arranged in the same manner as the first and second display plates 41 and 43 described above.

As a result, in synchronization with the aforementioned user movement,
(1) Display of store logo mark, brand name, etc. (2) Display according to season, etc., color and brightness (3) Display of logo mark representing product etc. (4) Display pattern of product model display on front panel 15 can be displayed. Note that the above-described authentication request message is optionally incorporated in the front panel 15 as one display pattern.
Further, the authentication in this case is not limited to whether the user is older than the predetermined age, and may be, for example, whether or not the member is a member of the store. In that case, a judgment is given by presenting a membership card or the like.

  According to this vending machine, even if the vending machine 100 is installed in a street or in a store having a unique atmosphere, the surrounding atmosphere is not disturbed.

Next, an embodiment will be described in which an electronic money system such as Felica (registered trademark) using wireless communication is used for product purchase and identification information is authenticated by referring to registration information of the electronic money system.
The electronic money system charges electronic money to a contactless IC (Integrated Circuit) chip embedded in a credit card or a mobile phone, and uses the charged electronic money to pay for the purchase of the product. To do.

FIG. 11 shows a configuration diagram as an example of an electronic money system.
At the time of communication such as payment, the electronic money card with the IC chip 71 or the mobile phone 73 is placed near the terminal device (reader / writer) 75 installed in the vending machine 200. Distance communication is performed.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the client side of the electronic money system includes a vending machine (client device) 200 and a terminal device (reader / writer) 75. The server side includes a server device 77 and a SAM (Secure Application Module) 79. The server device 77 and the client device 200 are connected via a network 81.

  The server application 83 installed in the server device 77 communicates with the client application 85 installed in the client device 200, and commands (executed by the non-contact IC chip 71) created in response to a request from the client application 85. Command) to be output to the SAM 79. Further, when an encrypted command is supplied from the SAM 79, the server application 83 transmits the command to the client application 85 of the client device 200 via the network 81.

  The SAM 79 performs encryption processing and management of keys used in the encryption processing. The SAM 79 encrypts the command supplied from the server application 83 and outputs the encrypted command to the server application 83.

  The client application 85 of the client device 200 transmits a predetermined request to the server application 83 of the server device 77, and when a command is transmitted from the server application 83, the command is transmitted via the terminal device 75 to the non-contact IC chip 71. To send and execute.

  The non-contact IC chip 71 decrypts the encryption applied to the command transmitted from the SAM 79 via the terminal device 75 or the like, and executes it. When the content of the command is rewriting of electronic money, this command includes information on the amount of money to be rewritten.

  For example, in the electronic money system having such a configuration, the user of the electronic money card or the mobile phone 73 authenticates the identification information using the electronic money stored in the non-contact IC chip 71, and the vending machine 200 When paying for the product to be purchased, the following procedure is executed.

  The client application 85 of the client device 200 transmits an output request for user identification information to the server application 83 of the server device 77, and the server application 83 that has received the request reads the user identification information. A command (Read command) requested to the non-contact IC chip 71 is created.

The Read command created by the server application 83 is encrypted by the SAM 79, and then contactless IC via the server application 83 of the server device 77, the network 81, the client application 85 of the client device 200, and the terminal device 75. After being transmitted to the chip 71 and decoded by the non-contact IC chip 71, it is executed. The identification information read by executing the Read command is encrypted by the non-contact IC chip 71 and then transmitted to the terminal device 75 and the client device 200 as a response to the server application 83. In the SAM 79, the encryption applied to the identification information transmitted from the contactless IC chip 71 is decrypted, and the decrypted identification information is transmitted to the server application 83.
As a result, the client application 85 of the vending machine 200 can confirm the user identification information stored in the non-contact IC chip 71.

  When the user authentication process is completed and the product price is paid, the client application 85 of the client device 200 transmits a payment request for the product price to the server application 83 of the server device 77. The server application 83 that has received the request creates a command (Read command) for requesting the contactless IC chip 71 to read the balance of the electronic money.

The Read command created by the server application 83 is encrypted by the SAM 79, transmitted to the non-contact IC chip 71 in the same manner as described above, decrypted by the non-contact IC chip 71, and executed. The balance read by executing the Read command is encrypted by the non-contact IC chip 71 and then transmitted to the SAM 79 as a response to the server application 83. In the SAM 79, the encryption applied to the balance transmitted from the non-contact IC chip 71 is decrypted, and the decrypted balance is transmitted to the server application 83.
As a result, the server application 83 can check the current balance of electronic money stored in the non-contact IC chip 71.

  When the balance is confirmed, the server application 83 of the server device 77 issues a command (Write command) for requesting the contactless IC chip 71 to rewrite the balance of electronic money (rewrite to the balance reduced by the price of the product). Created.

  The Write command created by the server application 83 is transmitted to the non-contact IC chip 71 after being encrypted by the SAM 79, and decrypted by the non-contact IC chip 71, in the same manner as the Read command transmitted previously. After that, it will be executed. This Write command includes information indicating how much the balance will be. As a result, the balance of electronic money stored in the non-contact IC chip 71 is reduced by the price of the product. By such a series of processes, payment for the price of the product is realized.

From the server-client system having the above-described configuration, authentication processing and payment processing can be performed simply by holding the electronic money card or the mobile phone 73 over the terminal device 75, and the product purchase procedure is further simplified.
Note that the procedure of the electronic money system described above is merely an example, and other procedure forms may be used. This type of communication method is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-107323.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a vending machine according to the present invention. It is a front external view as an example of a vending machine. It is explanatory drawing which showed typically the surrounding structure of the front panel. It is a schematic block diagram of a single front panel. It is an expansion perspective view of a light source part. It is sectional drawing which shows the AA cross section of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the non-light-emission state (a) and light emission state (b) of a 2nd display plate. It is a flowchart which shows the display content of a vending machine, and the procedure to goods purchase. It is explanatory drawing shown to (a)-(d) of the example of the display content of a front panel. It is explanatory drawing which shows the distance of a person and a vending machine. It is a block diagram as an example of an electronic money system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Product model 13 Backlight 15 Front panel 17 Control part 19 Human detection sensor 21 Input operation part 23 Deposit processing part 25 Settlement processing part 27 Commodity conveyance mechanism 29 Commodity delivery processing part 31 Authentication part 33 Storage part 35 Communication part 41 First display Plate 43 Second display plate 45 Transparent protective layer 47 Translucent light guide plate 49 Light source unit 50 Drive circuit 51 LED light source 53 Substrate 55 Reflector 57 Information display part 61 persons (users)
63 Button 71 IC chip 73 Electronic money card, mobile phone 75 Terminal device (reader / writer)
77 Server device 79 SAM
81 Network 83 Server application 85 Client application 100, 200 Vending machine

Claims (14)

A vending machine display control system,
A front panel that is disposed in front of the display side of the product model inside the vending machine, and is capable of setting the product model to be visible or invisible from the outside of the vending machine;
Identification information input means for inputting identification information of a user of the vending machine;
Authentication means for determining whether or not the input identification information satisfies a predetermined condition when the identification information is input to the identification information input means;
While the front panel is set to the invisible state, when the authentication unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the front panel is switched to the visible state to display the product model, and is determined not to be satisfied. Control means for maintaining the front panel in the invisible state when
Vending machine display control system characterized by comprising: A display control system for a vending machine according to claim 1,
A display control system for a vending machine, wherein the front panel has a first display plate that can be selectively set to either light emission or non-light emission over substantially the entire panel display surface. A display control system for a vending machine according to claim 2,
The front panel includes a second display plate that is provided with an information display portion on at least a part of a panel display surface, and the information display portion can be selectively set to either a light emitting or non-light emitting state. Vending machine display control system. A display control system for a vending machine according to claim 2 or claim 3,
The display plate is formed with a reflective portion composed of a large number of narrow grooves on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the light emitting portion of the display plate, and displays light by the reflective portion when light is introduced from the side of the plate. A translucent light guide plate that irradiates the front side and light is not introduced from the side of the plate, and the light source that introduces light from at least one end of the translucent light guide plate. Vending machine display control system. A display control system for a vending machine according to claim 4,
A display control system for a vending machine, wherein the light source includes a plurality of light emitting elements having different emission colors. A display control system for a vending machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
A display control system for a vending machine, wherein the light source uses a light emitting diode as a light emitting element. A display control system for a vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The display control system for a vending machine, wherein the identification information input means reads, by wireless communication, a wireless communication medium in which the user identification information stored by the user of the vending machine is stored. A display control system for a vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A human detection sensor for detecting a person around the vending machine;
A display control system for a vending machine, wherein the display content of the display panel is changed based on position information of the user output from the human detection sensor. A display control method for a vending machine,
A front panel that can set the product model to be visible or invisible from the outside of the vending machine is disposed in front of the display side of the product model inside the vending machine in the invisible state, and the vending When the user inputs identification information to the machine, the front panel is switched to a visible state when the input identification information satisfies a predetermined condition, and the product model is A display control method for a vending machine, characterized by displaying and maintaining the front panel in an invisible state when it is not satisfied. A display control method for a vending machine according to claim 9,
When the user approaches the vending machine within a first distance, the product type information of the product for sale is displayed with the front panel in an invisible state,
When the user approaches a second distance that is closer than the first distance, inputs the identification information to the vending machine, and satisfies the predetermined condition, the front panel is made visible. A display control method for a vending machine, wherein the product model is displayed. A display control system for a vending machine according to claim 10,
A display control method for a vending machine, wherein a message prompting input of identification information is displayed on the front panel when the user approaches within the second distance. A display control system for a vending machine according to claim 10 or 11,
The display control method for a vending machine, wherein the product type information of the sales product includes a logo mark that identifies the sales product. A display control method for a vending machine according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
The identification information includes age information of the user;
The display control method for a vending machine, wherein the predetermined condition is whether or not the user is over a predetermined age. A display control method for a vending machine according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
The identification information input means reads the user identification information as biometric information, compares the biometric information database registered in advance with the read biometric information of the user, and the biometric information read is A display control method for a vending machine, wherein the front panel is switched to the visible state when registered in a database.

Images