JP2013016126A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic vending machine for setting an item to be displayed by a display unit when a recording medium is used.SOLUTION: An automatic vending machine for purchasing merchandise by a recording medium owned by a user includes: a center device for storing information on the recording medium; setting means for setting the information on the recording medium and display information to be displayed by a display unit when selling merchandise to the center device; storage means arranged in the center device for storing the display information set by the setting means as well as recording medium information; and control means for, when the merchandise is purchased by the recording medium, and the display information corresponding to the recording medium information is stored by the storage means of the center device, reading and displaying the display information at the display unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine capable of displaying information corresponding to a recording medium on a display when purchasing a product using a recording medium such as a card.

  Conventionally, as a recording medium, an insertion-type card or a touch-type card (including a portable terminal) is known (hereinafter also simply referred to as a card), and the card is used when used in a vending machine. A structure is known in which the remaining amount information of the card is read by inserting the card into a predetermined insertion slot or touching a predetermined position, and the remaining amount information is displayed on a display.

  Moreover, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is known a device that can display an estimated usage count on a display in addition to the remaining amount information.

JP 9-270052 A

  In this way, the items displayed on the display when using the card can be displayed only for items whose specifications have been determined in advance for each device, and the items displayed on the display when using the card are fixed display. For example, the current situation is that the location of the vending machine, the desire of the user, and the type of card cannot be supported.

  In other words, in the case of a corporate card for purchasing drinks for visitors at work, if there is an expense target amount and you want to display the amount used up to now, you can also purchase a card that can be purchased as a customer or as a gift There are various requests depending on the card to be used, such as when there is no need to display the remaining amount because the usage pattern is distributed.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine that can change items displayed on a display when a card is used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a setting for setting display information to be displayed on a display unit at the time of sale using the recording medium in a vending machine capable of purchasing a product on a recording medium possessed by a user. Means, storage means for storing the display information set by the setting means together with the recording medium information, and when the product is purchased by the recording medium, the display information corresponding to the recording medium information is stored in the storage means. And a control means for reading out and displaying on the display.

  In a vending machine capable of purchasing merchandise on a recording medium possessed by a user, setting means for setting display information to be displayed on a display device at the time of sale in a storage area of the recording medium; When the display information is stored in the storage area of the recording medium, the display information is read out and displayed on the display unit.

  In a vending machine capable of purchasing a product on a recording medium possessed by a user, a center device for storing information on the recording medium, and information on the recording medium and display information to be displayed on a display unit at the time of sales are stored in the center. Setting means for setting in the apparatus, storage means provided in the center apparatus for storing the display information set by the setting means together with the recording medium information, and storage means for the center apparatus at the time of purchasing a product by the recording medium Control means for reading out and displaying on the display when the display information corresponding to the recording medium information is stored.

  According to the present invention, since the items to be displayed on the display unit can be set for each vending machine, the recording medium, and the center device according to the recording medium, it becomes possible to display according to the recording medium when the recording medium is used. Display that is useful to the manager or administrator.

It is a schematic front view of the vending machine used as the object of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram showing a control device for a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows one embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the control apparatus of the vending machine which is other embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a description will be given based on the drawings illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. A vending machine 1 that sells products such as canned beverages and beverages in plastic bottles has a rectangular heat-insulated housing whose front is open. Is formed. Inside the vending machine 1, although not shown, a plurality of columns are arranged side by side on the left and right and front and rear. Each column stores products of the same type along the vertical direction. A product carry-out device is provided in the lower part of the column. The product carry-out device carries out the products at the lowest level among the product groups stored in the corresponding column one by one when a carry-out command is given. The product that has been carried out rolls the product shooter and is then carried out to a product outlet 9 described later.

  The vending machine 1 is provided with an outer door 2 at one side edge of the main body cabinet, and the outer door 2 opens and closes the front opening of the main body cabinet.

  The outer door 2 has a product sample display room 3, a coin insertion slot 4, a bill insertion slot 5, a digital display 6, a return lever 7, a coin return slot 8, a product outlet 9, a product selection button 10, on the front side. A settlement processing device 11 and a handle 2a with a cylinder lock are provided.

  The payment processing apparatus 11 includes an antenna unit 12 and a display unit 13 on the front surface, and an electronic money card 30 is used as a recording medium.

  The antenna unit 12 enables payment when the user holds the electronic money card 30 on which electronic money payment service information is recorded in a predetermined access area (communication available area).

  The display unit 13 displays a user response or the like by using the electronic money card 30.

  The product sample display room 3 is composed of a transparent panel, and a product sample 3a is provided inside.

  The coin slot 4 is an opening through which a user inserts coins. The coins inserted through the coin insertion slot 4 are identified by the coin processing device 21 (see FIG. 2), and then stored in a coin collection box (not shown).

  The bill insertion slot 5 is an opening for a user to insert a bill. The banknote inserted through the banknote insertion slot 5 is identified by the banknote identification device 22 (see FIG. 2). The bill insertion slot 5 also has a function for returning bills that could not be identified by the bill recognition device 22.

  The digital display 6 is for displaying the sale price of goods, the amount of money inserted, the settlement amount of the electronic money card 30, the balance, the set display items to be described later, and the like.

  The return lever 7 is a return lever for forcibly returning the coins after deposit or the balance after the sale of goods to the coin return slot 8.

  The coin return port 8 is an opening for returning to the user a coin that could not be identified by the coin identifying device 21 or a coin that would become a change.

  The product outlet 9 is an opening through which a user takes out the product in the column carried out by the product carry-out device.

  The product selection button 10 is a pushbutton switch for the user to select a purchased product, and corresponds to the product sample 3a on a one-to-one basis in the illustrated example.

  Next, FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the control device of the vending machine, and shows the control system of the vending machine main control unit 20 of the vending machine 1 and the payment control unit 14 of the payment processing device 11. Yes, the configuration will be described below.

  First, the vending machine main control unit 20 that controls the unique functions of the vending machine includes a program memory 20a in which an operation program is stored in advance, and a memory 20b that stores setting data and sales data. It performs overall control of operations such as product selection, money processing, product delivery, and setting and counting functions.

  The vending machine main control unit 20 includes a coin control device 21, a bill recognition device 22, a sub-control unit 23 for controlling a cooling / heating device and a product carry-out device, a digital display 6, a product selection unit including a sellable lamp and a sold-out lamp. The button 10, the remote controller 24, the payment control unit 14 of the payment processing apparatus 11, etc. are connected.

  The settlement control unit 14 performs overall control of electronic money settlement processing according to programs and data recorded in advance in a memory (not shown) and instructions and information given from the vending machine main control unit 20.

  The settlement control unit 14 performs an authentication process regarding opening / closing with the electronic money management server 40 which is a higher-order center via the communication terminal 15. The payment service can be used.

  The settlement control unit 14 is connected to an antenna unit 12, a display unit 13, and the like.

  The user's personal computer 50 can access the electronic money management server 40.

  In this configuration, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, first, the user accesses the electronic money management server 40 using the personal computer 50, inputs the ID information of the electronic money card 30 owned, and automatically sells By selecting and setting items to be displayed on the digital display 6 when the machine is used, the items are stored in a predetermined area of the electronic money management server 40 (step S01).

  For items to be displayed, multiple items can be displayed in advance so that the user will not be confused, and multiple items can be selected using a check box or drop-down method to simplify the setting. Can be achieved.

  Next, when the user uses the vending machine and presses the desired product selection button 10 of the vending machine 1 (step S02, Yes), the sale possible lamp of the selected product selection button 10 blinks. Then, the vending machine main control unit 20 transmits the selected product data including the selected product column and the withdrawal amount to the electronic money settlement control unit 14 (step S03), and the digital display 6 displays the selected product data. The sales price is displayed (step S04).

  Next, when the electronic money card 30 is held over the antenna unit 12 (step S05, Yes) and the product is settled, the saleable lamp is switched from blinking to lighting, and the slave control unit 23 drives the product carry-out device. Then, the selected commodity is carried out to the commodity outlet 9 (step S06).

  On the other hand, when the payment is made, the payment control unit 14 transmits the payment information together with the ID information of the electronic money card 30 used via the communication terminal 15 to the electronic money management server 40 (step S07).

  In the electronic money management server 40, based on the received ID information and settlement information of the electronic money card 30, the sales history such as the remaining card amount, the number of points, the amount of money used for one month, the number of times of use for one week, etc. is stored in a predetermined area. At the same time (step S08), display item data corresponding to the ID information of the electronic money card 30 is transmitted to the payment processing apparatus 11 (step S09).

  The settlement processing apparatus 11 transmits the received display information to the vending machine main control unit 20 of the vending machine, displays the display item data set by the user on the digital display 6 for a certain period of time, and ends the process (step S10). ).

  As described above, when the display information of the electronic money card 30 is set by the user, preset items are displayed. When the display information is not set, standard display data is displayed on the digital display 6. Is displayed.

  In addition, regarding the display, the display at the time of sale has been described, but when the electronic money card 30 is held over the antenna unit 12 without pressing the product selection button 10, the settlement control unit 14 is used via the communication terminal 15. The ID information of the electronic money card 30 is transmitted to the electronic money management server 40.

  The electronic money management server 40 transmits a display item based on the received ID information of the electronic money card 30 to the payment processing apparatus 11.

  The settlement processing apparatus 11 transmits the received display information to the vending machine main control unit 20 of the vending machine, displays the display information set by the user on the digital display 6 for a certain period of time, and ends the processing.

  Next, a case where electronic money programmed as an application in the mobile phone 31 is used instead of the electronic money card 30 will be described.

  In the case of the mobile phone 31, a method of registering from a personal computer as in the above embodiment is possible, but in addition to the above, the following method is also possible.

  The display information may be displayed on the mobile phone 31 by making it possible to select display items for the electronic money application of the mobile phone 31 and having a sales history in a predetermined area of the mobile phone 31.

  Items that you want to display on the digital display 6 when using the vending machine by using the e-mail address and password, pasting the two-dimensional code on the vending machine, reading it with a mobile phone, connecting to the electronic money management site May be selected and set, and stored in a predetermined area of the electronic money management server 40.

  In the case of the electronic money card 30 and the mobile phone 31, the display items can be displayed by accessing the electronic money management server 40 from a personal computer or the mobile phone 31 without using a vending machine. It is.

  Next, as another embodiment, a case where a recording medium in a vending machine that is not networked is used will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the vending machine main control unit 20 that controls the unique functions of the vending machine includes a program memory 20a in which an operation program is stored in advance, and a memory 20b in which setting data and sales data are stored. The basic operations, such as merchandise selection, money processing, merchandise carry-out, and setting tabulation functions, are collectively controlled.

  The vending machine main control unit 20 includes a coin control device 21, a bill recognition device 22, a sub-control unit 23 that controls the cooling / heating device and the product carry-out device, a digital display 6, a product selection that includes a sellable lamp and a sold-out lamp. A button 10, a remote controller 24, a card reader / writer 16, and the like are connected.

  The remote controller 24 is used for inputting and confirming various setting data, and display information can also be set.

  The card reader / writer 16 is an insertion type card reader / writer, and reads and writes information on the IC card 32 as a recording medium.

  Although not shown, an IC card 32 insertion slot is provided in place of the antenna unit 12 of the settlement processing apparatus 11 provided on the front surface of the vending machine in FIG.

  In this configuration, the administrator operates the remote controller 24 to register display information corresponding to the location of the vending machine in the memory 20b of the vending machine main control unit 20.

  For example, in the case of a recording medium for an occupation paid at a workplace in a company or the like, the usage record for one month can be displayed, and the IC card 32 ID information of the vending machine is displayed when the product is purchased with the IC card 32. The ID information and sales information of the IC card 32 read by the card reader / writer 16 are stored in the memory 20b via the vending machine main control unit 20, and the usage record for one month is displayed on the digital display 6.

  As described above, in the case of a vending machine installed in a limited area such as a workplace, the necessary information registered in the memory 20b by the administrator in advance is displayed without setting display information on the user side. it can.

  When a plurality of vending machines are connected to the network, a management server is provided in the center, and each time the IC card 32 is used, ID information and sales information are transmitted to the management server. By storing the ID information and sales information of the IC card 32, the usage record for one month can be displayed regardless of which vending machine in the network is used.

  Further, since a one-time free card or the like is collected as it is, it is not particularly necessary to display it on the digital display 6, and a predetermined code may be written in advance on the card itself so as not to be displayed.

  Further, although a digital display is used as the display, the display unit 13 of the payment processing apparatus 11 may be used.

  As described above, according to the recording medium, the items to be displayed on the display unit can be set for each vending machine, the recording medium, and the center device, so that the display according to the recording medium can be performed when the recording medium is used. For the user or administrator, the display can be useful according to the location of the vending machine, the desire of the user, and the type of card.

1 Vending Machine 6 Digital Display 10 Product Selection Button 11 Payment Processing Device 20 Vending Machine Main Control Unit 20b Memory 24 Remote Control 30 Electronic Money Card 31 Mobile Phone 32 IC Card 40 Electronic Money Management Server 50 Personal Computer

Claims (3)

  In a vending machine capable of purchasing a product on a recording medium possessed by a user, setting means for setting display information to be displayed on a display at the time of sale by the recording medium, and the display information set by the setting means Storage means for storing together with the recording medium information, and when the display information corresponding to the recording medium information is stored in the storage means at the time of product purchase by the recording medium, it is read and displayed on the display A vending machine comprising a control means.   In a vending machine capable of purchasing merchandise on a recording medium possessed by a user, setting means for setting display information to be displayed on a display device at the time of sale in a storage area of the recording medium; A vending machine comprising control means for reading and displaying the display information on the display when the display information is stored in the storage area of the recording medium.   In a vending machine capable of purchasing a product on a recording medium possessed by a user, a center device for storing information on the recording medium, and information on the recording medium and display information to be displayed on a display unit at the time of sales are stored in the center. Setting means for setting in the apparatus, storage means provided in the center apparatus for storing the display information set by the setting means together with the recording medium information, and storage means for the center apparatus at the time of purchasing a product by the recording medium And a control means for reading and displaying the information on the display when the display information corresponding to the recording medium information is stored.

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