JP2015049590A - Commodity information display device for automatic vending machine, and commodity information display method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power-saving and inexpensive commodity information display device for an automatic vending machine which is capable of urging a commodity replacement worker to correct a display error by informing the worker of mismatch between cooling and heating setting of columns and cold/hot information display contents in price and cold/hot information display of an automatic vending machine, and has satisfactory visibility even in bright environment in daytime.SOLUTION: A commodity information display device has a communication unit, a storage unit, a control unit, a first commodity information display unit 20, a second commodity information display unit 21, a sensor unit, and a power supply unit, in which the first commodity information display unit 20 is a reflection type display body having image holding property and displays arbitrary information, and the second commodity information display unit 21 displays a display surface selected from a plurality of display surfaces. In the case where a display content of the second commodity information display unit 21 discriminated by the sensor unit is wrong, display change in the content of second commodity information is displayed on the first commodity information display unit 20.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine product information display device, and more particularly, to a vending machine product information display device and a product information display method that achieve improved visibility, space saving, and cost reduction.

  Currently, many vending machines that sell products such as drinking water in cans, bottles, PET bottles and the like are installed and operated indoors and outdoors. These vending machines generally display a sample simulating the appearance of the product on the front of the vending machine body, and below each sample there is a price and a cold temperature display such as “I want to squeeze” or “Welcome”. It has a configuration in which a purchase button that functions only when an amount exceeding the price is put into a vending machine is arranged. In particular, in the cold temperature display, it is possible to improve the visibility by printing “warm” in the cool color and “warm” in the warm color, so that the product can be immediately delivered in a cooled state. It is devised so that it can be determined whether it is provided in the state.

Prices and cold temperature changes often occur at the time of product replacement at seasonal changes.
(1) Removal of products left in the vending machine column (2) Replenishment of new products (3) Switching of cooling / heating settings (4) Replacement of samples (5) Change of price display card (6) Cooling / heating There are many changes to the display card. Especially, the price display card and the cold / warm display card are very complicated, for example, the price is different by 10 yen for each product, and the same product is cooled and heated. It is easy to make mistakes.

  For the purpose of improving the efficiency of these operations and preventing mistakes in display contents, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a transparent film printed with a price and a temperature indication is connected endlessly and held by two rollers. Thus, a display device capable of changing display contents by rotating a roller and feeding a film is disclosed. In Patent Document 2, the price and cold temperature display are printed on the surface of the cylindrical rotating body, the cooling / heating state is judged by the temperature sensor provided in the column, and the display contents are automatically displayed by the power of the motor or the like. A display device that can be changed is disclosed.

  By adopting such a display device, the price and cold / warm display card can be changed in a short time when the product is replaced while maintaining high visibility by printed display. However, these display devices also have problems. Changes in the cooling / heating state of the product can be done at a limited time, such as at the turn of the season, and the display content can be several types of preparations to some extent, other than “clawed” and “warm”. Regarding price display, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of different prices in units of 10 yen, and the timing of the change may be scheduled several times a day depending on the sales of the product. Therefore, in order to meet this requirement, it is necessary to prepare a large number of preprinted display units, which increases the size of the display device and further complicates it. In addition, these display devices with a mechanical working part may be burdened with the working part when the number of display switching increases, and a new work load such as regular maintenance may occur for stable operation. Can be considered.

  In view of these problems, a display device using a liquid crystal shutter (Patent Document 3) or an electrophoretic display (Patent Document 4) is disclosed. In these display devices, an image can be electrically rewritten, and even if the display content increases, the size of the display device does not increase and the structure is not complicated. However, these display devices also have problems. In a display device using a liquid crystal shutter (Patent Document 3), a display screen is divided into three areas, and display is performed by transmitting / blocking illumination light installed on the back surface in each area. The upper row is printed with a cool color display of cold colors and the middle row is printed with a warm color display of “warm” and the liquid crystal shutter transmits illumination light to only one of the areas. By doing so, the cooling / warming state is displayed. In the lower row, a 3-digit 7-segment display is configured to display the price.

  In the case of a display device having such a configuration, there is a problem that the display becomes difficult to see due to the influence of external light in a vending machine installed in a place that is bright during the daytime such as outdoors. On the other hand, the visibility can be improved by strengthening the illumination, but it is not preferable in terms of energy consumption. Further, since the liquid crystal has no image retention, electric power is required to maintain the display, and it is not preferable in terms of energy consumption to use it for a cold temperature display in which the display contents are rarely changed.

  On the other hand, in the case where an electrophoretic display is used for the display screen (Patent Document 4), since it is a reflection type display and has an image retention property that remains as it is even when the power is turned off, the visibility in a bright environment is high. And energy saving. In Patent Document 4, as an electrophoretic display, any of pigments (black, red, blue, green, yellow, brown, etc.) mainly composed of white electrophoretic particles made of titanium oxide and an acrylic copolymer in a colorless or dye-dispersed dispersion medium Using colored migrating particles containing one color, an image can be displayed in each color of the pigment on the white background color. Therefore, in the case of the product information display of the vending machine, the display screen is divided into three areas in the screen configuration for displaying the cold temperature and the price, and the cooling display area is displayed with blue electrophoretic particles and white electrophoretic particles. In the heating display area, it is possible to display with red migrating particles and white migrating particles, and in the price display area, display with black migrating particles and white migrating particles, so that the display has good visibility and image retention. .

  However, when the display colors are different, there is a problem that a separate display area is required as described above and the display screen becomes large. Further, in order to display a plurality of colors in the same display area, a method using a color filter is conceivable. However, a configuration in which a color filter is combined with an electrophoretic display has not been put into practical use. .

Japanese Patent No. 399876 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-245235 JP 2010-218134 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-9110

  In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the present invention intends to solve this problem, and in the price / cold temperature information display of the vending machine, the product exchange work is performed to display the discrepancy between the cooling / warming setting of the column and the content of the cold / warm information display. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine product information display device that can prompt correction of a display error by providing information to a person, has good visibility even in a bright daylight environment, and is low in power consumption and inexpensive.

Therefore, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention is
A product information display device for vending machines,
A communication unit, a storage unit, a control unit, a first product information display unit, a second product information display unit, a sensor unit, and a power supply unit,
The communication unit sends and receives product information to and from external devices.
The storage unit stores the received product information.
The control unit controls the display of the first product information display unit,
The first product information display unit is electrically rewritable and displays arbitrary information.
The second product information display unit displays a display surface selected from a plurality of display surfaces.
The sensor part determines the display content of the second product information display part.
The power supply unit supplies power to each component described above,
The control unit compares the product information stored in the storage unit with the display content of the second product information display unit determined by the sensor unit, and if the information does not match, the first product information display unit The product information display device for vending machines is characterized by displaying a display change of the display content of the second product information display unit and alerting the user.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention is
2. The vending machine product information display device according to claim 1, wherein the first product information display unit is an electrophoretic display. 3.

The invention according to claim 3 of the present invention is
The second product information display section has a display surface on which a plurality of different information is printed, the display surface is formed of a removable ferromagnetic material, and the ferromagnetic material is held by magnetic force. 3. The product information display device for a vending machine according to claim 1 or 2.

The invention according to claim 4 of the present invention is
The second product information display unit has a display surface on which a plurality of different information is printed, the display surface is formed of an endless strip material that can be bent, and the endless strip material is rotatably supported. The product information display device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the product information display device is supported by the product.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present invention is
The second product information display unit is supported by a support member whose display surface is a cylindrical surface or a polygonal column surface, a plurality of different information is printed in the circumferential direction, and the display surface is rotatably supported. 3. The product information display device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the product information display device is for vending machines.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present invention provides
The first product information display unit selects and displays any of the prices, product names, quantity in stock, sales history, alerts to workers, and current storehouse temperature for frequently updated information. The product information display device for a vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

The invention according to claim 7 of the present invention provides
The automatic display according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of display surfaces of the second product information display unit include a display surface that displays temperature information of products at room temperature. This is a product information display device for a vending machine.

The invention according to claim 8 of the present invention provides
8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of display surfaces of the second product information display unit include a display surface that displays product PR information of recommendation, special price, price reduction, and SALE. This is a product information display device for vending machines.

The invention according to claim 9 of the present invention provides
The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the power supply unit is made of at least one selected from a dry cell, a lithium cell, a button cell, a small secondary cell, a fuel cell, and a solar cell. This is a machine product information display device.

The invention according to claim 10 of the present invention provides
The vending machine product information display according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the communication unit transmits and receives product information by at least one of infrared communication, radio wave communication, and acoustic communication. Device.

The invention according to claim 11 of the present invention provides
The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the sensor unit is composed of at least one selected from a sensor that detects whether light is blocked or a sensor that detects contact of a conductor. This is a product information display device.

The invention according to claim 12 of the present invention provides
A product information display method for displaying product information using the vending machine product information display device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

  According to the present invention, in the vending machine price / cooling / temperature information display machine, it is possible to prompt the correction of a display error by informing the product exchange operator of the mismatch between the cooling / heating setting of the column and the cooling / heating information display content, Provided is a display device that has good visibility even in a bright daytime environment, and that is also power-saving and inexpensive.

  According to claim 1, at least a communication unit that transmits / receives product information, a storage unit that stores product information, a control unit that controls display of product information, and a reflective display body having image retention properties. One product information display unit, a second product information display unit that selects and displays a display surface selected from a plurality of display surfaces, a sensor unit that detects a display state of the second product information display unit, A power supply unit for supplying power. Thereby, arbitrary information can be displayed on the reflective display body which is the first product information display unit, the display state of the second product information display unit is determined by the sensor unit, and the product received by the communication unit The content to be displayed is compared with the content displayed on the second product information display part of the information to determine whether the display state matches the display state. By displaying a change in the display of the second product information content and calling attention, it is possible to inform the product exchange operator. Moreover, since the display bodies of the first product information display unit and the second product information display unit have the above-described configuration, it is possible to reduce the amount of work when changing the display contents.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the commodity information display device for a vending machine according to the first aspect, since the image-holding reflective display body is an electrophoretic display body, the reflectance varies depending on the application of voltage. By changing the position of the electrophoretic particles and changing the reflectance of external light in units of pixels, the image is displayed, and even if the application of voltage is stopped, the electrophoretic particles remain in place and the image is retained. It is possible to display product information with good visibility and power saving even in a bright environment.

  According to the third aspect, the second product information display unit uses a display surface on which a plurality of different information is printed as a ferromagnetic material, and the ferromagnetic material is held by a magnetic force, so power is used to hold the display surface. It is not necessary, and a reflective display with good visibility can be displayed, and the front and back of the display member can be discriminated by a sensor.

  According to claim 4, since the second product information display portion is formed in an endless belt shape with a bendable material and supported by a rotatable support body, a plurality of print information printed by rotating is provided. You can select the print you want to see.

  According to claim 5, since the display surface of the second product information display unit is a cylindrical surface or a polygonal column surface supported by a support member that is rotatably supported, a plurality of pieces of information different in the surface circumferential direction are printed. By rotating the rotating body in the circumferential direction, it is possible to change the information at a position that can be viewed from the outside, so that electric power is not required for holding the display, and a reflective display with good visibility can be achieved.

  According to claim 6, the first product information display unit updates the information such as the price of the product, the product name, the quantity in stock, the sales history, the alert to the worker, the temperature of the current storehouse, and the like. Display frequent product information. By displaying the information that needs to be updated frequently on the first electrically rewritable product information display unit that does not have a mechanical operating unit, this reduces power consumption and reduces the The product information display device for a vending machine can be provided with less fear of deterioration.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the second product information display unit displays temperature information of the product such as “clawed”, “warm”, “room temperature”, and the like. In this way, by displaying the storage temperature information of the product whose information is updated several times a year on the second product information display part of an inexpensive configuration without requiring any power to change and maintain the information, A product information display device for vending machines with good visibility and low cost can be obtained.

  According to claim 8, the second product information display unit displays product PR information such as “recommendation”, “special price”, “price reduction”, “SALE”, and the like. Thereby, it can be set as the merchandise information display apparatus for vending machines which raises willingness to purchase by displaying in red with high saturation.

  According to claim 9, the power supply unit is configured of at least one selected from a dry battery, a lithium battery, a button battery, a small secondary battery, a fuel cell, and a solar cell, thereby enabling an external power source. A product information display device for a vending machine that can be attached at an arbitrary position without requiring wiring.

  According to the tenth aspect, transmission / reception of the product information is performed by at least one selected from infrared communication, radio wave communication, and acoustic communication. Accordingly, the product information can be transmitted and received by wireless communication, and the product information display device for a vending machine that can be attached at an arbitrary position without requiring a communication line for information transmission can be obtained.

  According to the eleventh aspect, the sensor unit is composed of at least one selected from a sensor that detects whether light is blocked or a sensor that detects contact of a conductor. This enables vending machine product information to be determined by the presence or absence of a plate or conductive plate that blocks the optical path of the optical sensor provided at the end of the display member or the shaft of the rotary member. It can be set as a display device.

  According to the twelfth aspect, the information indicating the setting state of the heat insulation chamber for storing the product is compared with the information indicating the display state of the second product information display unit. By displaying the alert information that prompts the user to change the display content of the second product information display unit on the product information display unit, it is possible to inform the operator, and it is possible to prevent the product information from being erroneously displayed due to a work mistake.

The perspective view of the vending machine which applies the merchandise information display apparatus for vending machines of this invention. The front view which expanded the inside of the display surface of a vending machine. The perspective view which shows the cabinet inside of a vending machine. (A) And (b) shows an example of the Example of the merchandise information display apparatus for vending machines of this invention, (a) is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the merchandise information display apparatus for vending machines, (B) is the schematic which shows an internal structure. (A) And (b) shows the structure of an electrophoretic display part, (a) is a figure which shows the longitudinal cross-section of an electrophoretic display part, (b) comprises an electrophoretic layer. The figure which shows the cross section of electronic ink. (A) And (b) shows 1st embodiment of the 2nd display part of the merchandise information display apparatus for vending machines of this invention, (a) is the perspective view, (b) is The perspective view which shows the display part which can be removed. (A)-(c) shows 2nd embodiment of the 2nd display part of the merchandise information display apparatus for vending machines of this invention, (a) is the figure which shows the side cross section, FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a cross-sectional top view, and FIG. 4C is a perspective view showing an endless belt-shaped display member. (A) And (b) shows 3rd embodiment of the 2nd display part of the merchandise information display apparatus for vending machines of this invention, (a) is the figure which shows the side cross section, b) is a perspective view showing a cylindrical rotating body.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine to which the vending machine product information display device of the present invention is applied. The vending machine 1 includes a main body cabinet 2 whose front surface is open, and a front door 4 that is installed at the opening of the main body cabinet 2 so as to be opened and closed by, for example, a hinge 3.

  A display surface 6 is formed on the upper side of the front door 4 so that a purchaser who purchases a product 5 such as a can drink faces directly at the time of purchase. The display surface 6 is made of glass or plastic with a transparent front surface, and the inside is visible. A sample 7 corresponding to each product 5 is displayed inside the display surface 6, a product information display device 8 corresponding to each sample 7 is displayed below the sample 7, and a product selection button 9 is further provided below. Is provided. FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of a part of the display surface of the vending machine. Further, inside the display surface 6 is illumination (not shown) for illuminating the sample 7 and the product information display device 8, and communication for sending and receiving information to and from the handy terminal of the product information display device 8 and the product exchange operator. Part (not shown). The product information display device 8 includes a first product information display unit 20 and a second product information display unit 21.

  Further, in the middle part of the front door 4, a coin insertion slot 10 for inputting the charge of the product, an input amount display machine 11 for displaying the amount of money inserted, a refund lever 12 for returning the charge, and a change Alternatively, a coin return port 13 through which inserted coins are paid out is provided. In addition, at the lower part of the front door 4, there is a product outlet 14 through which purchased products are discharged.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the front door 4 of the vending machine 1 is opened. The main body cabinet 2 includes a plurality of columns 15 that can store a predetermined number of products 5. There are a temperature control unit (not shown) that heats or cools a product stored in a column to a desired temperature for each column or block, and a temperature sensor (not shown) that measures the temperature of each column. On the back surface of the front door 4, an input setting unit 18 including a display unit 16 for performing various settings of the vending machine 1 and displaying the setting state and an input key 17 is provided. In addition, the vending machine 1 has a control unit for operating the vending machine, such as controlling the cold / hot state of the product and recording the number of stocks and the number of sales for each product. Information handled by the control unit is transmitted from the communication unit to the product information display device 8 and the handy terminal of the product exchange operator or an external server as necessary.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the product information display device 8, and FIG. 4B is a schematic view showing the internal structure.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the product information display device 8 of the present embodiment is an electricity for displaying product information with a high information update frequency on the surface portion of the synthetic resin product information display device main body 19. A first product information display unit 20 using an electrophoretic display body, a second product information display unit 21 for selecting and displaying from a display body in which a high-saturation color display is printed as a plurality of fixed phrases, and product information There is a communication unit 22 that transmits and receives. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, a power supply unit 23 for supplying power for driving an electrophoretic display body and the like are supplied from the power supply unit 23 to the inside of the product information display device main body 19. A booster 24 that increases the voltage of the generated power, a controller 25 that controls display of an electrophoretic display, a storage unit 26 that stores product information, a communication unit 22 that transmits and receives product information, It has a configuration including a sensor unit 27 that detects the display state of the second product information display unit 21.

  The first merchandise information display unit 20 using an electrophoretic display is an electrically rewritable display unit that consumes power only when the display is switched. The display contents on the first product information display unit 20 include, for example, update of information such as product price, product name, quantity in stock, sales history, warning to workers, current temperature of the storehouse, etc. However, in this embodiment, 120 yen is displayed. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the first product information display unit 20 composed of the electrophoretic display is formed on a transparent resin film such as a PET film or a light-transmitting substrate 28 such as glass. A transparent plate in which electrophoretic particles and a transparent dispersion medium are enclosed between a front plate 30 on which an electrode 29 having optical transparency such as ITO is formed and a back plate 31 on which an active element such as TFT is formed as an electrode. The electrophoretic layer 32 includes a plurality of microcapsules 33 arranged therein.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the electrophoretic particles used were titanium oxide 34, which is white particles charged with a positive charge, and carbon black 35, which is black particles charged with a negative charge. Silicone oil 36 was used as a transparent dispersion medium. By applying a voltage according to an image to the back plate 31 on which an active element such as a TFT is formed, the white particles and black particles migrate and migrate to the transparent electrode 29 side serving as an observation side. Will display the image. At this time, even if the application of voltage is stopped, the migrated particles remain in place to hold the image.

  FIGS. 6A and 6B show a first embodiment of the second product information display unit 21 of the product information display device, and FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the product information display device. (B) is a perspective view which shows the display member which the 2nd goods information display part 21 can remove. In the first embodiment of the product information display device, the second product information display unit 21 is connected to the display member holding unit 50 of the resin product information display device main body 19 as shown in FIG. A magnet 39 such as a magnet, a ferrite magnet, or a neodymium magnet is embedded, and a removable display member 38 formed of a ferromagnetic material including at least one of iron, cobalt, and nickel can be fixed by a magnetic force. Yes. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the removable display member 38 has different contents printed on the front and back, such as “warm” on the front and “wish” on the back, and either side is on the observation side. It can be attached to the display member holding portion 50 of the resin product information display device main body 19. At this time, the shape of the detachable display member 38 is different between the front side and the back side, and when attached in the front side, the projection 40 provided on the removable display member 38 is provided on the display member holding unit 50. The optical path of the optical sensor 27 that detects the presence or absence of incident infrared rays or the like installed inside is cut off. On the other hand, when mounted face down, the projection 40 provided on the removable display member 38 does not enter the groove 41 provided on the display member holding unit 50, and an optical sensor that detects the presence or absence of incident infrared rays or the like installed therein. 27 light paths are not blocked. Thus, the front and back of the removable display member 38 can be determined. For example, the heating / cooling setting of the column 15 of the vending machine 1 and the product information display device 8 corresponding to the product 5 of the column 15 can be identified. When the display of the second product information display section is different from the display of “pinch” or “warm”, the first product information display section 20 displays warning information explaining that there is an error in the display Or by displaying the alert information on the handy terminal of the product exchange operator, and prompting the user to correct the display on the second product information display unit 21.

  7A, 7B, and 7C show a second embodiment of the second product information display unit 21 of the product information display device, and FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a second embodiment of the second product information display unit 21, FIG. 7 (b) is an upper sectional view, and FIG. 7 (c) is an endless strip-shaped display member. As shown in FIG. 7 (c), the second product information display unit 21 of the second embodiment of the product information display device is configured such that the display member of the second product information display unit is “clawed” on the surface and It has an endless belt-like structure made of a bendable material such as resin film, paper, and metal foil printed as “warm”. In order for the optical sensor 27 to discriminate which side of the endless belt-like display member 42 “to claw” or “warm” is facing the observation surface side, a projection 43 that blocks the optical path of the optical sensor 27 is provided. . As shown in FIG. 7B, the endless strip-shaped display member 42 is transferred to a roller 44 provided in the resin product information display device main body 19 and moved in the circumferential direction so that the end face is displayed on the observation surface side. ”Or“ Welcome ”is displayed.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B show a third embodiment of the second product information display unit 21 of the product information display device. FIG. 8A is a side sectional view, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a rotating body. The product information display device of the third embodiment of the second product information display unit 21 of the product information display device has a display member of the second product information display unit 21 as shown in FIG. The cylindrical rotating body 45 is printed with the words “I want to nail” and “Wait”. A projection that blocks the optical path of the optical sensor 27 on the axis of the rotating body in order to determine with the optical sensor 27 which surface of the cylindrical rotating body 45 is “pinch” or “warm” facing the observation surface. 48 is provided. As shown in FIG. 8A, the cylindrical rotating body 45 is fixed to a bearing 46 provided inside the resin product information display device main body 19 and rotated in the circumferential direction so that “ One of the print areas of “I want to squeeze” or “I want to be warm” appears.

  Next, as the power source unit 23 for supplying power for driving the electrophoretic display body and the communication unit, the sensor unit, etc. in the product information display device main body 19, for example, a manganese battery, an alkali (manganese) Primary batteries such as batteries, nickel-based primary batteries, dry batteries, alkaline button batteries, silver oxide batteries, air (zinc) batteries, or lithium batteries can be used. A secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery (including a polymer battery) can also be used. Furthermore, a fuel cell or a solar cell can also be used.

  As described above, the electrophoretic display unit 20 according to the present invention is an image-holding display device that consumes power only when switching between displays, and the second display unit has a low information update frequency. 21 is configured to select and display from a printed display body, and by detecting and discriminating display contents with the sensor 27, the above-described small power source unit 23 can be used. The device can be reduced in size, and it becomes easy to replace the existing product information display in the existing vending machine.

The communication unit 22 that transmits and receives product information can be performed by wired communication using a conductive wire such as an electric wire or an optical cable, but is not easily restricted by the installation location of the product information display device for the vending machine, Wireless communication is preferable. As wireless communication, optical wireless communication using infrared rays, visible light (laser, LED, etc.), radio wave communication using electromagnetic waves of 300 to 3000 MHz, and sound using non-audible sounds such as audible sounds and ultrasonic waves. Communication can be mentioned. In the present embodiment, optical wireless communication using infrared rays is performed, and an infrared light receiving portion is provided on the surface portion of the product information display device 8.

  The sensor 27 for determining the display content of the second product information display unit includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit for light rays such as infrared rays, and the ON / OFF signal indicates whether or not the optical path between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is blocked. It is preferable to use an optical sensor for detection, but a so-called switch that detects ON / OFF by utilizing the formation of a current flow path by contact of an electric conductor may be used.

  It is preferable to use a dot matrix type electrophoretic display using an active substrate such as a TFT as a back plate as the display of the first product information display unit, but the information to be displayed is determined in advance, such as an amount of money or a fixed sentence. In other words, it is possible to use segment type electrodes for the back plate.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the price / cold temperature information display of the vending machine, it is possible to prompt the correction of the display error by informing the product exchange operator of the discrepancy between the column cooling / heating setting and the cold / cold information display content. it can. Further, it is possible to provide a product information display device for a vending machine that can reduce the load on the operator associated with the display change, has good visibility even in a bright daytime environment, and is low in power consumption and inexpensive.

8 ... Product information display device 20 ... 1st product information display part (electrophoretic display body)
21 ... Second product information display unit 22 ... Communication unit 23 ... Power supply unit 24 ... Booster unit 25 ... Control unit 26 ... Storage unit 27 ... Sensor unit 38 ... Detachable display body 39 ... Magnet 42 ... Endless belt-like display body 45 ... Rotating body 49 ... Pixel electrode 50 ... Display member holding part

Claims (12)

A product information display device for vending machines,
A communication unit, a storage unit, a control unit, a first product information display unit, a second product information display unit, a sensor unit, and a power supply unit,
The communication unit sends and receives product information to and from external devices.
The storage unit stores the received product information.
The control unit controls the display of the first product information display unit,
The first product information display unit is electrically rewritable and displays arbitrary information.
The second product information display unit displays a display surface selected from a plurality of display surfaces.
The sensor part determines the display content of the second product information display part.
The power supply unit supplies power to each component described above,
The control unit compares the product information stored in the storage unit with the display content of the second product information display unit determined by the sensor unit, and if the information does not match, the first product information display unit A product information display device for a vending machine which displays a display change of the display content of the second product information display unit and alerts the customer.   The vending machine product information display device according to claim 1, wherein the first product information display unit is an electrophoretic display.   The second product information display section has a display surface on which a plurality of different information is printed, the display surface is formed of a removable ferromagnetic material, and the ferromagnetic material is held by magnetic force. The product information display device for a vending machine according to claim 1 or 2.   The second product information display unit has a display surface on which a plurality of different information is printed, the display surface is formed of an endless strip material that can be bent, and the endless strip material is rotatably supported. The vending machine product information display device according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine product information display device is supported by the vending machine.   The second product information display unit is supported by a support member whose display surface is a cylindrical surface or a polygonal column surface, a plurality of different information is printed in the circumferential direction, and the display surface is rotatably supported. The product information display device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the product information display device is a vending machine.   The first product information display unit selects and displays any of the prices, product names, quantity in stock, sales history, alerts to workers, and current storehouse temperature for frequently updated information. The product information display device for vending machines according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:   The automatic display according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of display surfaces of the second product information display unit include a display surface that displays temperature information of products at room temperature. Product information display device for vending machines.   8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of display surfaces of the second product information display unit include a display surface that displays product PR information of recommendation, special price, price reduction, and SALE. Product information display device for vending machines.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the power supply unit is made of at least one selected from a dry cell, a lithium cell, a button cell, a small secondary cell, a fuel cell, and a solar cell. Product information display device for machine.   The vending machine product information display according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the communication unit transmits and receives product information by at least one of infrared communication, radio wave communication, and acoustic communication. apparatus.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the sensor unit is composed of at least one selected from a sensor that detects whether light is blocked or a sensor that detects contact of a conductor. Product information display device.   A merchandise information display method using the merchandise information display device for a vending machine according to claim 1 to display merchandise information.

Images