JP2020021367A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an automatic vending machine capable of detecting a sold-out condition of a commodity even when payment is not made and the commodity is not selected, while reducing an increase in the number of parts and preventing complicated configuration of the device.SOLUTION: This automatic vending machine 100 includes: a plurality of sold-out determination member 2 provided near the end of a side where a commodity P is discharged (Y1 direction side) in a commodity storage rack 1 where a plurality of racks 8 on which the commodity P is placed are arranged and in each of the plurality of racks 8; a determination member detection part 3 that detects a plurality of sold-out determination members 2; and a sold-out determination part 10 that determines whether or not the commodity P is sold out for each rack part 8 on the basis of the detection result by the determination member detection part 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine, and more particularly, to a vending machine that moves a product placed on a rack to a product discharge position.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vending machine that moves a product placed on a rack to a product discharge position is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 1 discloses a vending machine including a rack on which a product is placed, a bucket for receiving the product, and a bucket moving mechanism for moving the bucket to the rack and a product discharge position. This vending machine is configured to move a selected commodity to a predetermined commodity discharge position by moving a bucket by a bucket moving mechanism.

JP 2010-124949 A

  Here, although not described in Patent Document 1, in a vending machine configured to move a product from a rack portion to a product discharge position, an optical sensor or the like is mounted on a bucket that receives the product placed on the rack portion. It is conceivable that after the purchaser has made a payment and selected a product, whether or not the product has been sold out is detected based on whether or not the product has been received by the bucket. Further, in the above configuration, it is considered that when the selected product is sold out, the received money is returned to return.

  However, in a configuration in which an optical sensor or the like is provided in a bucket to detect a sold-out product, there is an inconvenience that a sold-out determination cannot be made unless a product is selected after payment. In addition, in order to detect the sold-out of each rack unit when payment or a product is not selected, a configuration in which sold-out detection is performed for each rack unit can be considered. However, in order to perform the sold-out detection for each rack unit, it is necessary to provide a light source and a detection unit in each rack unit. Therefore, there are disadvantages that the number of components increases and the device configuration becomes complicated.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and one object of the present invention is to control the increase in the number of parts and the complexity of the apparatus configuration while selecting deposits and products. An object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine capable of detecting a sold-out product even when there is no such product.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine comprising: a product storage rack in which a plurality of racks on which goods are placed are arranged; A plurality of sold-out determining members provided, a determining member detecting unit that detects the plurality of sold-out determining members, and a sold-out determining whether or not a product is sold out for each rack unit based on a detection result by the determining member detecting unit. A determination unit. Here, “near the end” is meant to include both the end and the portion near the end.

  In the vending machine according to one aspect of the present invention, as described above, the sold-out determination for determining whether or not a product has been sold out for each rack unit based on the detection results of the plurality of sold-out determination members by the determination member detection unit. Including parts. As a result, a plurality of sold-out determination members can be detected by a common determination member detection unit, so that an increase in the number of parts is suppressed as compared with a case where a light source and a detection unit are provided for each rack unit. In addition to this, it is possible to suppress the device configuration from becoming complicated. Further, by detecting the sold-out determination member, it is possible to determine whether or not the product is placed near the end of the rack portion on the side where the product is discharged. Can be determined. Therefore, unlike the configuration in which the sold-out determination unit detects the sold-out of the product based on whether or not the product is received in the bucket provided with the optical sensor or the like, the sold-out of the product is performed even when the deposit and the product are not selected. Can be detected. In addition, even if no payment or a product is selected, it is possible to detect a sold-out product, so that it is possible to introduce electronic money that cannot be refunded after settlement. As a result, it is possible to detect an out-of-sale of a product even if payment and a product are not selected, while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and a complicated device configuration.

  In the vending machine according to the above aspect, preferably, the determination member detection unit includes an imaging unit, and is configured to acquire a detection result by imaging a plurality of sold-out determination members. With this configuration, the sold-out determination unit can detect the sold-out of the plurality of rack units by imaging the plurality of sold-out determination members using the common imaging unit. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts and a complication of the device configuration as compared with a case where a sold-out switch or the like is provided in each of the rack units to perform sold-out detection.

  In this case, preferably, the apparatus further includes a light source that irradiates light to the plurality of sold-out determination members, and the determination member detection unit is configured to detect light emitted from the light source and reflected from the plurality of sold-out determination members. Have been. According to this structure, it is possible to irradiate the light from the common light source to the plurality of sold-out determination members. The amount of light to be emitted can be increased. As a result, the detection accuracy of the light reflected from the sold-out determination member can be improved, and the accuracy of the sold-out determination can be improved.

  In the configuration in which the determination member detection unit includes the imaging unit, preferably, the plurality of sold-out determination members are configured by members having higher light reflectance than the rack unit. According to this structure, the light reflectance of the sold-out determination member can be improved more than the light reflectance of the rack portion. Therefore, the amount of light reflected from the sold-out determination member is reflected from the rack portion. Light amount can be increased. As a result, the detection accuracy of the light reflected from the sold-out determination member can be further improved, so that the accuracy of the sold-out determination can be further improved.

  In the configuration in which the determination member detection unit includes an imaging unit, preferably, the determination member detection unit is configured to detect a shape pattern of light reflected from the plurality of sold-out determination members, and the sold-out determination unit includes It is configured to determine whether or not the product is sold out for each rack based on the shape pattern of the light reflected from the plurality of sold-out determination members. With this configuration, unlike the configuration in which the determination member detection unit detects the sold-out of the product for each rack unit by directly imaging the shape of the product placed on the rack unit, the determination member detection unit is reflected from the sold-out determination member. The sold-out of the product can be determined for each rack unit based on the light shape pattern. As a result, the sold-out determination unit can accurately detect sold-out even when the product has an irregular shape. In addition, even when the shape of the product is different, such as when the product is placed in a different direction or when a different type of product is placed on one rack unit, the sold-out determination unit is configured to use the sold-out determination member. It is possible to accurately detect a sold-out product based on the shape pattern of the light reflected from the device.

  In the configuration in which the determination member detection unit includes an imaging unit, preferably, the sold-out determination unit includes a shape pattern of light reflected from the sold-out determination member when the product is sold out, and at least a part of the sold-out determination member depending on the product. It is configured to determine whether or not a product is sold out for each rack unit based on a difference from the light shape pattern at the time of being covered. With this configuration, it is possible to make a determination based on the difference between the light shape pattern detected by the determination member detection unit and the light shape pattern in the case of sold out, so that the sold-out determination member depends on the product. Even in a state in which it is not completely covered, the sold-out determination unit can accurately determine whether or not it is sold out. As a result, sold-out can be detected regardless of the shape of the product, so that the types of products that can be placed on the rack can be increased.

  In this case, preferably, the rack unit includes a product discharge member that discharges the product by being rotated around an axis in a direction in which the product is discharged, and the sold-out determination unit determines that the product is not placed on the rack unit. In addition, the configuration is such that the product is sold out based on the light shape pattern when at least a part of the sold-out determination member is covered by the product discharging member. With this configuration, the sold-out determination unit can suppress the determination that the state in which the sold-out determination member is covered only by the product discharging member is the state in which the sold-out determination member is covered by the product. Therefore, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection of sold out by the product discharging member.

  In the configuration in which the determination member detection unit includes an imaging unit, preferably, at least one imaging unit is disposed above the product storage rack on the side of the product storage rack where the product is discharged, and The judging member is arranged at a position within an imaging field of view of the imaging unit in a plurality of racks included in the product storage rack. With this configuration, even when a plurality of rack units are arranged in a plurality of stages in the product storage rack, a plurality of sold-out determination members can be imaged by one imaging unit. As a result, unlike the case where the sold-out determination member provided in each rack unit is not arranged within the imaging field of view of the imaging unit, in order to image the sold-out determination member provided in each rack unit, Since there is no need to separately provide a moving mechanism for moving the imaging unit, it is possible to prevent the apparatus configuration from becoming complicated.

  In the configuration including the light source, preferably, the light source is configured to irradiate the sold-out determination member with light having a wavelength in an invisible region as the light for sold-out determination. It is configured to be able to detect light having a wavelength in the visible region. With this configuration, it is possible to perform the sold-out determination by irradiating the wavelength in the invisible region, so that unlike the case of using the light in the visible region, the purchaser feels the dazzling light for the sold-out determination. Can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress the influence on the purchaser, so that the sold-out determination can be performed at an arbitrary timing.

  According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to detect out-of-sale of a product even when payment and a product are not selected, while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and a complicated device configuration. Vending machines can be provided.

It is a block diagram showing composition of a vending machine by one embodiment. It is a perspective view of a vending machine by one embodiment. It is the perspective view which expanded a part of product storage rack of the vending machine by one embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which showed the goods storage rack of the vending machine by one Embodiment from X1 direction. It is the schematic diagram which showed the goods storage rack of the vending machine by one Embodiment from the imaging direction of the determination member detection part. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the shape pattern of the reflected light from a sold-out determination member when goods are sold out. It is a schematic diagram for explaining the shape pattern of the reflected light from the sold-out determination member when the product is sold out and the product discharging member is shown. It is a schematic diagram in the case where the whole of each of two sold-out determination members is covered with one product. It is a schematic diagram in case one part of each of two sold-out determination members is covered with one product. It is a schematic diagram in the case where one of the two sold-out determination members is entirely covered by one product. It is a schematic diagram in case one whole sold-out determination member is covered with one product. It is a schematic diagram in case one part of one sold-out determination member is covered with one product. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the sold-out determination process performed by the sold-out determination part by one Embodiment.

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

  First, a configuration of a vending machine 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The vending machine 100 according to the present embodiment moves the bucket 13 (see FIG. 2) to the rack unit 8 on which the selected product P is placed after the purchaser selects and deposits the product P. Thus, the product P is configured to be discharged. The product P sold by the vending machine 100 includes, for example, food such as bread, articles, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine 100 includes a product storage rack 1, a determination member detection unit 3 that detects a plurality of sold-out determination members 2, a light source 4, a control unit 5, a storage unit 6, and a display. And a unit 7. In the product storage rack 1, a plurality of racks 8 on which the products P are placed are arranged.

  The light source 4 is configured to emit light toward the plurality of sold-out determination members 2 under the control of the control unit 5. In the present embodiment, the light source 4 is configured to irradiate the sold-out determination member 2 with light having a wavelength in the invisible region as the sold-out determination light JL. The light source 4 is configured to irradiate infrared light, for example, as the sold-out determination light JL. The light source 4 includes, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

  The determination member detector 3 is configured to detect a plurality of sold-out determination members 2 under the control of the controller 5. Specifically, the determination member detection unit 3 includes an imaging unit 9, and is configured to acquire a detection result by imaging a plurality of sold-out determination members 2. The imaging unit 9 (determination member detection unit 3) is configured to detect light RL emitted from the light source 4 and reflected by the plurality of sold-out determination members 2. In the present embodiment, since the light source 4 irradiates light (infrared light) having a wavelength in a non-visible region as the light JL for selling out determination, the imaging unit 9 (the determination member detection unit 3) It is configured to be able to detect light (infrared light) having a wavelength in the invisible region. Note that the imaging unit 9 is provided near the light source 4 in order to detect the reflected light RL from the sold-out determination member 2. The imaging unit 9 includes, for example, a camera having an image sensor such as a charged coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). In the present embodiment, the imaging unit 9 includes, for example, an infrared camera.

  The control unit 5 is configured to control the vending machine 100. Further, the control unit 5 is configured to control the light source 4 to irradiate the sold-out determination member 2 with light (light JL for sold-out determination). Further, the control unit 5 is configured to control the determination member detection unit 3 (imaging unit 9) to detect the sold-out determination member 2. In addition, the control unit 5 is configured to control the display unit 7 to display the sold-out of the product P. Further, the control unit 5 includes a sold-out determination unit 10. Control unit 5 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like.

  The sold-out determination unit 10 is configured to determine whether or not the product P is sold out for each rack unit 8 based on the detection result by the determination member detection unit 3. In the present embodiment, the control unit 5 is configured to execute the program stored in the storage unit 6 to function as the sold-out determination unit 10. The details of the sold-out determination process of the product P by the sold-out determination unit 10 will be described later.

  The storage unit 6 stores a program executed by the control unit 5. In addition, the storage unit 6 stores a program used for determining whether the product P is sold out. The storage unit 6 is configured to store the sold-out determination result of the product P in each rack unit 8. The storage unit 6 includes, for example, a non-volatile memory or a hard disk drive (HDD).

  Under the control of the control unit 5, the display unit 7 is configured to display the sold out when the product P is sold out. The display unit 7 includes, for example, a product selection unit provided on the door 12. In the present embodiment, when the product P selected by the purchaser is sold out, the control unit 5 performs control to display that the product P is sold out on the selection unit (display unit 7) of the product P.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the vending machine 100 according to the present embodiment includes a main body cabinet 11 and a door 12. In the main body cabinet 11, a product storage rack 1, a judging member detecting unit 3 for detecting a plurality of sold-out judging members 2, a light source 4, a bucket 13 for receiving a product P, and a bucket 13 are arranged in a vertical direction (Z direction). ), And a machine room 16 for accommodating a cooling / heating unit 15. Further, the vending machine 100 is provided with illumination (not shown) for illuminating the inside of the main body cabinet 11. In the present embodiment, the height direction of the main body cabinet 11 is defined as a Z direction. Of the Z directions, an upward direction is defined as a Z1 direction, and a downward direction is defined as a Z2 direction. The direction in which the rack portion 8 extends is defined as the Y direction, and the near side of the Y direction is defined as the Y1 direction and the far side is defined as the Y2 direction. Further, in the main body cabinet 11, the width direction is the X direction, one is the X1 direction, and the other is the X2 direction. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the side on which the bucket moving mechanism 14 is provided is defined as the X2 direction.

  The door 12 is provided with a control unit 5, a product confirmation window 12a for the purchaser to confirm the product P, and a product outlet 12b for taking out the product P. Although not shown, the door 12 is provided with a coin insertion slot, a bill insertion slot, an amount display section, a product selection section, a return lever, a coin return slot, and the like.

  The bucket 13 is configured to receive the product P discharged from the end on the product discharge side (Y1 direction side) in the rack portion 8. Further, the bucket moving mechanism 14 moves the bucket 13 in the vertical direction (Z direction) such that the bucket 13 is arranged at the position of the rack unit 8 on which the commodity P selected by the purchaser is placed. Is configured. The bucket moving mechanism 14 is configured by a linear motion mechanism including a motor and the like.

  The cooling / heating unit 15 includes a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown), an electronic expansion valve (not shown), an evaporator (not shown), and a heater (not shown) constituting a refrigeration cycle. (Not shown), and is configured to heat or cool the product P stored in the product storage rack 1.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the area EA in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, in each of the plurality of racks 8, a plurality of sold-out determination members 2 are provided near the end on the side where the product P is discharged (Y1 direction side). The plurality of sold-out determination members 2 are formed of members having higher light reflectance than the rack unit 8. The plurality of sold-out determination members 2 are configured to reflect the reflected light RL in substantially the same direction as the light (sold-out determination light JL) incident from the light source 4. That is, the sold-out determination member 2 is configured by a so-called retroreflective member.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the rack unit 8 has a side wall 80 and a placement unit 81 on which the product P is placed. In the vicinity of the end on the Y1 side of the mounting portion 81, the sold-out determination member 2 is provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the rack unit 8 includes a product discharging member 17 that discharges the product P. The product discharging member 17 is configured to move the product P by a predetermined distance by being driven by a driving unit (not shown) or the like. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the product discharge member 17 is disposed on the mounting portion 81 of the rack unit 8, and the end of the product discharge member 17 on the Y2 direction side is fixed to a driving source (not illustrated). Have been. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the product discharging member 17 is configured to discharge the product P by being rotated around an axis AR (see FIG. 7) in a direction (Y direction) for discharging the product P. ing. The commodity discharging member 17 is configured to be rotated by a predetermined number of revolutions by the control unit 5 when the purchaser selects the commodity P, and is placed along the Y direction of the rack 8. By moving the product P selected by the buyer among the plurality of products P by a predetermined distance in the Y1 direction, the products P are discharged to the bucket 13 one by one.

  The rack unit 8 shown in FIG. 3 has a drive source (not shown) on the Y2 direction side. A drive source (not shown) provided on the Y2 direction side of the rack unit 8 is configured to drive under the control of the control unit 5. The drive source (not shown) is configured to rotate the product discharge member 17 by being driven by the control unit 5.

  In the present embodiment, the rack unit 8 is provided with the product discharge member 17 and the placement unit 81 in a one-to-one relationship. Therefore, by providing the partition plate 82 according to the size (width in the X direction) of the product P to be placed, it is possible to place products P having different sizes.

  When a product P whose size (width in the X direction) is larger than the width (width in the X direction) of one mounting portion 81, the rack portion 8 shown on the uppermost side (Z1 side) in FIG. As described above, one product P is placed by the two placing portions 81. Therefore, the uppermost rack section 8 (Z1 side) discharges one product P by the two product discharge members 17. When one product P is placed by the two placement units 81, the sold-out determination unit 10 performs the sold-out determination based on the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the two sold-out determination members 2. Be composed. Note that the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 is the sold-out determination member 2 obtained when the light RL reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 is imaged by the determination member detection unit 3 (imaging unit 9). Is the shape of

  When a product P whose size (the width in the X direction) is smaller than the width (the width in the X direction) of one mounting portion 81 is placed, the partition P is divided as shown in the rack section 8 shown in the middle part of FIG. A plate 82 is provided, and one product P is placed by one placing portion 81. When the rack unit 8 includes the partition plate 82, one product P is discharged by one product discharge member 17. When one product P is placed by one placement unit 81, the sold-out determination unit 10 performs the sold-out determination based on the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the one sold-out determination member 2. Be composed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the product storage rack 1 has a plurality of rack portions 8 in one row. The product storage rack 1 has a plurality of rack portions 8. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the arrangement in which the plurality of rack units 8 are arranged in the X direction has one row of rack units 8. The arrangement in which the plurality of racks 8 are arranged in the Z direction is assumed to include a plurality of racks 8.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the arrangement of the plurality of sold-out determination members 2, the determination member detection unit 3 (the imaging unit 9), and the light source 4 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the rack units 8 are arranged in the main body cabinet 11 in a plurality of layers in the Z direction. In the example shown in FIG. 4, six rack sections 8 are arranged in an overlapping manner. The plurality of racks 8 are arranged with their ends on the side where the product P is discharged facing in the Y1 direction. The bucket 13 is arranged on the Y1 direction side of the main body cabinet 11 on the Z2 direction side. In the example shown in FIG. 4, illustration of the bucket moving mechanism 14 is omitted for convenience.

  One imaging unit 9 is arranged above the product storage rack 1 (Z1 direction side) on the side of the product storage rack 1 where the product P is discharged (Y1 direction side). Similarly to the imaging unit 9, one light source 4 is disposed above the product storage rack 1 (Z1 direction side) on the side of the product storage rack 1 where the product P is discharged (Y1 direction side). . Further, the determination member detection unit 3 (imaging unit 9) and the light source 4 are provided at a substantially central position in the X direction above the product storage rack 1 (Z1 direction side).

  In the present embodiment, since the plurality of sold-out determination members 2 are imaged (detected) by one imaging unit 9, the imaging unit 9 is fixedly arranged on the main body cabinet 11 at an angle θ.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of sold-out determination members 2 are arranged at positions within the imaging field of view FOV of the imaging unit 9 in the plurality of racks 8 included in the product storage rack 1. . Note that, since the imaging unit 9 is disposed at an angle θ with respect to the rack unit 8, in the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the rack unit 8 disposed on the upper side (Z1 direction side) is Is shown in FIG. Further, the rack portion 8 arranged on the lower side (Z2 direction side) is illustrated on the Y1 direction side.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, all the sold-out determination members 2 are arranged at positions within the imaging field of view FOV of one imaging unit 9. Therefore, all the sold-out determination members 2 can be imaged by the imaging unit 9.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12, a configuration in which the sold-out determination unit 10 in the present embodiment determines whether the product P is sold out will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the determination member detection unit 3 is configured to detect the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the plurality of sold-out determination members 2. The sold-out determination unit 10 is configured to determine whether or not the product P is sold out for each rack unit 8 based on the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the plurality of sold-out determination members 2. Specifically, the sold-out determination unit 10 determines the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 when the product P is sold out and the shape pattern of at least a part of the sold-out determination member 2 when the product P is covered. It is configured to determine whether or not the product P is sold out for each rack unit 8 based on the difference from the light shape pattern.

  The example illustrated in FIG. 6 is the rack unit 8 that is imaged by the imaging unit 9 when the product P is sold out. Since the product P is sold out, the sold-out determination member 2 is not covered by the product P. Therefore, the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 becomes the shape of the sold-out determination member 2 shown in FIG. The imaging unit 9 (determination member detection unit 3) acquires the shape of the sold-out determination member 2 of the sold-out determination member 2 as a pattern of the shape of the reflected light RL. When the controller 5 determines that the rack unit 8 that has performed the sold-out determination is sold out, the control unit 5 stores the shape of the sold-out determination member 2 in the storage unit 6 as a sold-out pattern.

  In the present embodiment, the rack unit 8 includes the product discharging member 17. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, after discharging the product P, the product discharge member 17 may cover a part of the sold-out determination member 2. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the sold-out determination unit 10 emits light when the product P is not placed on the rack unit 8 and at least a part of the sold-out determination member 2 is covered by the product discharge member 17. Is configured to determine that the product P is sold out.

  In the present embodiment, the sold-out determination unit 10 selects the rack unit 8 for performing the sold-out determination from the images in which all the sold-out determination members 2 are imaged by the imaging unit 9 (the determination member detection unit 3). The sold-out determination unit 10 determines whether or not the product P is sold out for each rack unit 8 by performing a sold-out determination by selecting the next rack unit 8 after performing a sold-out determination of the selected rack unit 8. Is determined. Note that the sold-out determination unit 10 may be configured to perform sold-out detection at any timing. For example, sold-out detection may be performed immediately after the purchaser purchases the product P, or sold-out detection may be performed at all times. In the case where the partition plate 82 is provided on the rack unit 8, the sold-out determination unit 10 performs the sold-out determination using one sold-out determination member 2. In the case where the partition plate 82 is not provided on the rack unit 8, the rack unit 8 performs the sold-out determination by the plurality of sold-out determination members 2.

  8 to 12 show an example in which the sold-out determination unit 10 determines that it is not sold out.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the two sold-out determination members 2 are entirely covered with the product P, the reflected light RL from the sold-out determination member 2 is not detected by the determination member detection unit 3. Therefore, the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 detected by the determination member detection unit 3 is different from the sold-out pattern. Therefore, the sold-out determination unit 10 determines that it is not sold out.

  The example shown in FIG. 9 is a state where a part of each of the two sold-out determination members 2 is covered with one product P. As illustrated in FIG. 9, even when a part of the sold-out determination member 2 is covered with the product P, the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 is different from the sold-out pattern. Therefore, the sold-out determination unit 10 determines that it is not sold out.

  The example shown in FIG. 10 is a state in which a part of one sold-out determination member 2 is covered by one product P. In the present embodiment, when the partition plate 82 is not provided in the rack unit 8, the sold-out determination unit 10 performs sold-out determination based on the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the two sold-out determination members 2. As shown in FIG. 10, the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 that is not covered with the product P matches the sold-out pattern. However, the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 covered by the product P is different from the sold-out pattern. Since each of the shape patterns of the light RL reflected from the two sold-out determination members 2 does not match the sold-out pattern, the sold-out determining unit 10 determines that the sold-out is not sold out.

  The example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 has a configuration in which one product P is placed on one placement portion 81 and one product P is discharged by one product discharge member 17. The example shown in FIG. 11 shows a case where the whole of the sold-out determination member 2 is covered by the product P. In this case, the sold-out determination unit 10 determines that the product P is not sold out. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, when a part of the sold-out determination unit 10 is covered by the product P, the sold-out determination unit 10 determines that the product P is not sold out.

  That is, the sold-out determination unit 10 determines whether or not the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 detected by the determination member detection unit 3 (imaging unit 9) matches the sold-out pattern. 8 is determined. More specifically, the sold-out determination unit 10 determines that the light RL reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 is sold out when the shape pattern of the light RL matches the sold-out pattern. If the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 does not match the sold-out pattern, the sold-out determination unit 10 determines that the sold-out is not sold out.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13, a process in which the control unit 5 (sold-out determination unit 10) in the present embodiment determines whether or not each rack unit 8 is sold out will be described. In the following description, the processes of the control unit 5 and the sold-out determination unit 10 are not distinguished, and are all described as processes of the control unit 5.

  In step S1, the control unit 5 controls the light source 4 to irradiate the sold-out determination member 2 with light (light JL for sold-out determination) at least after the purchase of the product P by the purchaser. Next, in step S2, the control unit 5 controls the imaging unit 9 (the determination member detection unit 3) to detect the reflected light RL from the sold-out determination member 2. Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the control unit 5 selects the rack unit 8 for which the sold-out determination is performed. Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the control unit 5 determines whether the shape pattern of the reflected light RL from the sold-out determination member 2 is different from the sold-out pattern. If the shape pattern of the reflected light RL from the sold-out determination member 2 is different from the sold-out pattern, the process proceeds to step S5. If the shape pattern of the reflected light RL from the sold-out determination member 2 matches the sold-out pattern, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S5, the control unit 5 determines that the selected rack unit 8 has not sold out the product P. Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step S7.

  In step S6, the control unit 5 determines that the selected rack unit 8 has sold out the product P, and displays on the display unit 7 that the product P is sold out. Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the control unit 5 determines whether or not all the rack units 8 have been sold out. When all the racks 8 have been sold out, the process ends. If all the rack units 8 have not been sold out, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the control unit 5 changes the rack unit 8 for performing the sold-out determination. Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step S4.

  In the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the vending machine 100 stores the product P in each of the product storage rack 1 in which the plurality of racks 8 on which the product P is placed and the plurality of racks 8 are arranged. The plurality of sold-out determination members 2 provided near the end on the discharge side (Y1 direction side), the determination member detection unit 3 that detects the plurality of sold-out determination members 2, and the detection result by the determination member detection unit 3 And a sold-out determination unit 10 that determines whether or not the product P has been sold out for each rack unit 8 based on the sold-out unit. As a result, the plurality of sold-out determination members 2 can be detected by the common determination member detection unit 3, so that the number of parts increases as compared with the case where a light source and a detection unit are provided for each rack unit 8. This can be suppressed, and the device configuration can be prevented from becoming complicated. Further, by detecting the sold-out determination member 2, it is possible to determine whether or not the product P is placed near the end of the rack portion 8 on the side where the product P is discharged (Y1 direction side). Therefore, the sold-out determination unit 10 can determine the sold-out of the product P. Therefore, unlike the configuration in which the sold-out determination unit 10 detects the sold-out of the product P depending on whether or not the product P is received by the bucket 14 provided with an optical sensor or the like, the case where the deposit and the product P are not selected is provided. Can also detect that the product P is sold out. In addition, even when the payment and the product P are not selected, the sold-out of the product P can be detected, so that it is possible to introduce electronic money that cannot be refunded after the settlement. As a result, it is possible to detect the out-of-sale of the product P even when payment and the product P are not selected, while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and an increase in the complexity of the device configuration.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the determination member detection unit 3 includes the imaging unit 9 and is configured to acquire the detection result by imaging the plurality of sold-out determination members 2. Thus, the sold-out determination unit 10 can detect the sold-out of the plurality of rack units 8 by imaging the plurality of sold-out determination members 2 by the common imaging unit 9. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts and a complication of the device configuration, as compared to a case where a sold-out switch or the like is provided in each of the rack units 8 to perform sold-out detection.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, as described above, the light source 4 that irradiates the plurality of sold-out determination members 2 with light is further included. It is configured to detect the light RL reflected from the. Thereby, it becomes possible to irradiate the light from the common light source 4 to the plurality of sold-out determination members 2, so that the sold-out determination member 2 is irradiated compared with the case where the vending machine 100 is not provided with lighting or the like. The amount of light to be emitted can be increased. As a result, the detection accuracy of the light reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 can be improved, and the accuracy of the sold-out determination can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the plurality of sold-out determination members 2 are configured by members having a higher light reflectance than the rack unit 8. Thereby, the light reflectance of the sold-out determination member 2 can be improved more than the light reflectance of the rack portion 8. Therefore, the amount of light reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 is reflected from the rack portion 8. Light amount can be increased. As a result, the detection accuracy of the light reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 can be further improved, so that the accuracy of the sold-out determination can be further improved.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the determination member detection unit 3 is configured to detect the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the plurality of sold-out determination members 2, and the sold-out determination unit 10 Based on the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the plurality of sold-out determination members 2, it is configured to determine whether or not the product P is sold out for each rack unit 8. Thus, unlike the configuration in which the determination member detection unit 3 (imaging unit 9) directly detects the sold-out of the product P for each rack unit 8 by directly imaging the shape of the product P placed on the rack unit 8, The sold-out of the product P can be determined for each rack unit 8 based on the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the determination member 2. As a result, the sold-out determination unit 10 can accurately detect sold-out even when the shape of the product P is irregular. In addition, even when the shape of the product P is different, such as when the direction in which the product P is placed is different, or when different types of product P are placed on one rack unit 8, the sold-out determination unit 10 Can accurately detect the sold-out of the product P based on the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the sold-out determination member 2.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the sold-out determination unit 10 determines at least one of the shape pattern of the light RL reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 when the product P is sold out and the sold-out determination member 2 based on the product P. It is configured to determine whether or not the product P is sold out for each rack unit 8 based on the difference from the light shape pattern when the unit is covered. This makes it possible to make a determination based on the difference between the shape pattern of the light (reflected light RL) detected by the determination member detection unit 3 (the imaging unit 9) and the shape pattern of the light when sold out. Even if the sold-out determination member 2 is not completely covered by the product P, the sold-out determination unit 10 can accurately determine whether the product is sold out. As a result, sold-out can be detected regardless of the shape of the product P, so that the types of the products P that can be placed on the rack unit 8 can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the rack unit 8 includes the product discharging member 17 that discharges the product P by being rotated around the axis of the direction in which the product P is discharged. It is determined that the product P is sold out based on the light shape pattern when the product P is not placed on the rack portion 8 and at least a part of the sold-out determination member 2 is covered by the product discharging member 17. It is configured to be. Thereby, the sold-out determination unit 10 can suppress determination of a state in which the sold-out determination member 2 is covered by only the product discharging member 17 as a state in which the sold-out determination member 2 is covered by the product P. Therefore, erroneous detection of sold out by the product discharging member 17 can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, one imaging unit 9 is disposed above the product storage rack 1 on the side of the product storage rack 1 where the product P is discharged, and a plurality of sold-out determinations are made. The member 2 is arranged at a position within the imaging field of view of the imaging unit 9 in the plurality of rack units 8 included in the product storage rack 1. Thereby, even when a plurality of rack units 8 are arranged in a plurality of stages in the product storage rack 1, a plurality of sold-out determination members 2 can be imaged by one imaging unit 9. As a result, unlike the case where the sold-out determination member 2 provided in each of the rack units 8 is not arranged in the imaging field of view FOV of the imaging unit 9, the sold-out determination member 2 provided in each of the rack units 8 is different. It is not necessary to separately provide a moving mechanism for moving the imaging unit 9 in order to image the image, so that it is possible to suppress the device configuration from becoming complicated.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the light source 4 is configured to irradiate the sold-out determination member 2 with light having a wavelength in the non-visible region as the sold-out determination light JL. The detection unit 3 is configured to be able to detect light having a wavelength in a non-visible region. This makes it possible to perform out-of-sale determination by irradiating wavelengths in the non-visible region, so that unlike the case of using light in the visible region, it is possible to suppress the purchaser from feeling dazzling the out-of-sale determination light JL. be able to. As a result, it is possible to suppress the influence on the purchaser, so that the sold-out determination can be performed at an arbitrary timing.

  It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description of the embodiments, and further includes all modifications (modifications) within the meaning and scope equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example of a configuration in which one placement determining member 2 is provided with one sold-out determination member 2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which one sold-out determination member 2 is provided on two mounting portions 81 may be employed.

  Further, in the above embodiment, an example of the configuration including the light source 4 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the illumination for illuminating the product P is provided in the main body cabinet 11, the light source 4 may not be provided. When the light source 4 emits light having a wavelength in the non-visible region, light other than infrared light may be emitted. Further, the light source 4 may be configured to irradiate light having a wavelength in the visible region as the light JL for selling out determination. For example, the light source 4 may be configured to emit white light or light of a predetermined color as light having a wavelength in the visible light region. When the light source 4 emits light having a wavelength in the visible region as the sold-out determination light JL, the purchaser may feel dazzling, so the irradiation time of the sold-out determination light JL is shortened. What is necessary is just to comprise so that it may not give a discomfort to a purchaser, for example, detecting a sold-out after predetermined time passes after a purchaser purchases goods P.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example of a configuration in which the determination member detection unit 3 (the imaging unit 9) and the light source 4 are fixedly disposed at a predetermined angle θ in the main body cabinet 11 has been described. Not limited to For example, a rotation mechanism or the like capable of changing the angle θ of the determination member detection unit 3 (imaging unit 9) and the light source 4 is provided in the main body cabinet 11, and the determination member detection unit 3 (imaging unit 9) and the light source 4 are rotated by the rotation mechanism. May be provided. With this configuration, it is possible to adjust the angle θ of the determination member detection unit 3 (imaging unit 9) and the light source 4, so that the number and the number of racks 8 provided in the product storage rack 1 increase. However, all the racks 8 can be detected (imaged) by one determination member detection unit 3 (imaging unit 9). In addition, a moving mechanism that moves the determination member detection unit 3 (the imaging unit 9) may be provided to move the determination member detection unit 3 (the imaging unit 9).

  Further, in the above embodiment, the example in which the determination member detection unit 3 (the imaging unit 9) and the light source 4 are provided in the main body cabinet 11 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the determination member detection unit 3 (the imaging unit 9) and the light source 4 may be provided on the door 12.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the product discharging member 17 is rotated around the axis AR in the direction (Y direction) of discharging the product P to discharge the product P has been described. Not limited to this. For example, the commodity discharging member 17 may include a motor and a belt, and may be configured to discharge the commodity P by rotating the belt with the motor. That is, the product discharging member 17 may be configured as a belt conveyor. When the product discharging member 17 is configured as a belt conveyor, the sold-out determination member 2 is disposed at a position near the end of the rack portion 8 on the side of discharging the product P (the Y1 direction side) so as not to contact the belt. I just need. Moreover, the sold-out determination member 2 may be arranged on a belt. In addition, when arranging the sold-out determination member 2 on the belt, the sold-out determination member 2 may be arranged not in a part of the belt but in the entire movement direction of the belt.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the sold-out determination member 2 is provided near the end of the rack portion 8 on the side where the product P is discharged (Y1 direction side) is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, if the imaging unit 9 can image, the sold-out determination member 2 may be provided at the center position of the rack unit 8 in the Y direction. With this configuration, inventory management of the product P in the rack unit 8 can be performed by detecting the light RL reflected from the sold-out determination member 2 provided at the center position of the rack unit 8 in the Y direction. it can.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the imaging unit 9 is provided as the determination member detection unit 3 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by arranging a plurality of photo sensors in an array in a direction corresponding to each sold-out determination member 2, the plurality of photo sensors may be used as the determination member detection unit 3.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which one imaging unit 9 is disposed above the product storage rack 1 on the side of the product storage rack 1 where the product P is discharged (Y1 direction side) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of imaging units 9 may be provided above the product storage rack 1 on the side of the product storage rack 1 where the products P are discharged (Y1 direction side). When a plurality of image pickup units 9 are provided, the product storage rack 1 may be disposed on one side and the other side in the X direction above the product discharge rack (Y1 direction side) and the product storage rack 1. Good. When a plurality of imaging units 9 are provided, the imaging units 9 may be provided above and below the product storage rack 1 on the side of the product storage rack 1 where the products P are discharged (Y1 direction side). Good. When the imaging unit 9 is provided below, the sold-out determination member 2 is provided on the bottom of the rack unit 8 in the upper tier near the end of the product storage rack 1 on the side where the product P is discharged (Y1 direction side). It may be provided. When a plurality of imaging units 9 are provided, a plurality of light sources 4 may be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 merchandise storage rack 2 sold-out judging member 3 judging member detecting unit 4 light source 8 rack unit 9 imaging unit 10 sold-out judging unit 17 merchandise discharging member 100 vending machine AR axis of product discharging direction FOV imaging visual field range JL Light P Commodity RL Reflected light

Claims (9)

A product storage rack in which a plurality of rack portions on which products are placed are arranged,
In each of the plurality of racks, a plurality of sold-out determination members provided near the end on the side where the product is discharged,
A determination member detection unit that detects a plurality of sold-out determination members,
A vending machine that includes a sold-out determination unit that determines whether or not the product is sold out for each of the rack units based on a detection result by the determination member detection unit. The determination member detection unit includes an imaging unit,
The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine is configured to acquire the detection result by imaging a plurality of the sold-out determination members. Further including a light source for irradiating light toward the plurality of sold-out determination member,
The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the determination member detection unit is configured to detect light emitted from the light source and reflected from the plurality of sold-out determination members.   The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of sold-out determination members are formed of members having a higher light reflectance than the rack portion. The determination member detection unit is configured to detect a shape pattern of light reflected from the plurality of sold-out determination members,
The said selling-out determination part is comprised so that it may determine whether the said goods are sold out for every said rack part based on the shape pattern of the light reflected from the said several selling-out determination member. 5. The vending machine according to any one of items 4 to 4.   The sold-out determination unit includes a light shape pattern reflected from the sold-out determination member when the product is sold out, and a light shape pattern when at least a part of the sold-out determination member is covered by the product. The vending machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the vending machine is configured to determine whether or not the product is sold out for each rack unit based on the difference. The rack unit includes a product discharging member that discharges the product by being rotated around an axis in a direction in which the product is discharged,
The sold-out determination unit is configured to change the light shape pattern when at least a part of the sold-out determination member is covered by the product discharge member in a state where the product is not placed on the rack unit, and the product 7. The vending machine according to claim 6, wherein the vending machine is configured to determine that is sold out. The image pickup unit is disposed at least one above the product storage rack on a side of the product storage rack where the product is discharged,
3. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of sold-out determination members are arranged at positions within an imaging field of view of the imaging unit in the plurality of rack units included in the product storage rack. 4. The light source is configured to irradiate light of a wavelength in a non-visible region to the sold-out determination member as light for determination of sold-out,
The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the determination member detection unit is configured to be capable of detecting light having a wavelength in a non-visible region.

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