JP2021168156A - Article supply device, article supply system, and settlement system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an article supply device that allows smooth operation of an operation unit after making a payment.SOLUTION: An article supply device 100 capable of supplying an article AR includes: a storage unit 102 that can store the article AR; an operation unit 103 that becomes operable at least subject to making a payment; a supply unit 107 that can supply the article AR housed in the storage unit 102 in response to the operation of the operation unit 103; and a status reporting unit 152 that can at least report an operable status when the operation unit 103 becomes operable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an article supply device capable of supplying articles, an article supply system using the article supply device, and a payment system using the article supply system.

Later, Patent Document 1 discloses a vending machine capable of discharging a capsule product in a box from a drum to a product discharge port by rotating a drum by turning a handle after inserting coins. This vending machine is equipped with a liquid crystal display means, and it is possible to display today's fortune-telling when the handle is turned, or to display sold out when the capsule products are exhausted. be.

By the way, this kind of device including the above-mentioned vending machine, that is, an article supply device capable of supplying the articles stored in the accommodation unit by giving a supply operation to the operation unit after payment of the price, is paid by the consumer. In order to smoothly operate the operation unit after payment, it is preferable to be able to clearly indicate to the consumer the state when the operation unit can be operated in a timely manner.

Although the above-mentioned vending machine can display the sold-out state (the state when the above-mentioned goods supply device has no goods in the accommodating part) on the liquid crystal display means, the state when the operation part can be operated is required. Since it is not explicitly stated to the person, it is difficult to understand when the consumer operates the operation unit after paying the price.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-178612

The problem to be solved by the present invention is an article supply device that enables smooth operation of the operation unit after payment of a price, an article supply system using the article supply device, and settlement using the article supply system. To provide the system.

The article supply device according to the present invention is an article supply device capable of supplying articles, and includes an accommodation unit capable of accommodating the articles, an operation unit that can be operated at least on condition of payment, and an operation of the operation unit. A supply unit capable of supplying articles stored in the storage unit based on the above, a state notification unit capable of at least notifying the operable state when the operation unit can be operated, and the storage unit. It is provided with an information possessing unit that has information corresponding to the article and is optically readable, and the payment is made by optically reading the information possessed by the information possessing unit. It is configured to.

Further, the article supply system according to the present invention is an article supply system including the above-mentioned plurality of article supply devices and a centralized communication device, and each of the plurality of article supply devices includes the centralized communication device. The integrated communication device includes an individual communication unit capable of information communication, and the integrated communication device includes a centralized communication unit that can be connected to the information communication network and can perform information communication via the information communication network.

Further, the payment system according to the present invention is capable of information communication with the above-mentioned goods supply system, a consumer terminal owned by a consumer, a payment relay, and the goods supply system and the consumer terminal. A payment system including a payment relay terminal, and each of the plurality of goods supply devices constituting the goods supply system has information corresponding to the goods housed in the storage unit. In addition, an information possession unit that can be read optically is provided, and the consumer terminal transmits information related to the purchase of the goods to the payment relay terminal by optically reading the information holding unit. The payment relay terminal confirms the payment based on the information related to the purchase of the goods, and transmits the information related to the payment completion to the consumer terminal and the goods supply system when the payment is completed. It is configured.

According to the article supply device, the article supply system, and the payment system according to the present invention, it is possible to smoothly operate the operation unit after payment of the price in the article supply device.

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view of an article supply system to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a configuration explanatory view of a payment system to which the present invention is applied. 3A and 3B are configuration explanatory views of the article supply device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (FIG. 3 (A) is a front view, FIG. 3 (B) is a side view, and FIG. 3 (C) is a vertical sectional view and a view. 3 (D) and FIG. 3 (E) are external views of the article). 4 (A) and 4 (B) are explanatory views of the configuration and operation of the supply blocking unit shown in FIG. 3 (C). FIG. 5 is a configuration explanatory view of a control system of the article supply device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 6 is a configuration explanatory diagram of the control system of the control communication device shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the processing flow of the payment system shown in FIG.

First, the configurations of the article supply device 100 used in the article supply system (reference numeral omitted) shown in FIG. 1 and the payment system (reference numeral omitted) shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

<< Explanation of configuration of article supply device 100 >>
In this description, for convenience, the front side of FIG. 3 (A) is referred to as front, the back side is referred to as rear, the left side is referred to as right, the right side is referred to as left, the upper side is referred to as upper, and the lower side is referred to as lower. (C), FIG. 4 (A) and FIG. 4 (B) also indicate the orientation in the same manner.

As shown in FIGS. 3 (A), 3 (B), and 3 (C), the article supply device 100 includes the device main body 101, the accommodating unit 102, the operation unit 103, the outlet 104, and light emission. The unit 105, the information possession unit 106, the supply unit 107, the supply passage unit 108, the supply detection sensor 109, the supply blocking unit 110, the sold-out detection sensor 111, the deterrence unit 112, and the deterrence release unit 113. I have.

The apparatus main body 101 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped appearance, and has an entrance / exit 101a for the accommodating portion 102 having an open front surface, left side surface, and right side surface (FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B)). See). That is, the accommodating portion 102 is arranged so as to be able to be pulled out to the entrance / exit 101a so that the front wall portion and the front portions of the left and right side wall portions are exposed. It can be pulled out (see FIG. 3C).

The accommodating portion 102 is composed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box having an open upper surface, and at least the front wall portion and the front portions of the left and right side wall portions are transparent or translucent (FIGS. 3 (A) to 3 (C)). See). That is, a printed matter (not shown) arranged inside the front wall portion of the accommodating portion 102 (a photograph or explanation of the article AR accommodated in the accommodating portion 102 is posted) can be visually recognized from the outside. Further, in a state where the article AR is accommodated in the accommodating portion 102, the contained article AR can be visually recognized from the outside through the front portions of the left and right side wall portions of the accommodating portion 102.

Further, the upper surface of the lower wall portion 102a of the accommodating portion 102 is flat, and an inclined portion 102b for guiding the article AR rearward is provided on the front portion of the upper surface of the lower wall portion 102a (FIG. 3 (C). ). Further, a recess 102a1 having a circular top view is provided on the rear portion of the upper surface of the lower wall portion 102a, and a supply port 102a2 having a circular top view is provided on the bottom surface of the recess 102a1. (See FIGS. 3 (C), 4 (A) and 4 (B)).

Incidentally, the article AR is not particularly limited as long as it has a spherical or spherical shape in appearance, that is, one that enables rolling. Specific examples include a toy housed inside two removable capsule components (see FIG. 3D) and a curled toy whose surface is covered with a film or the like (FIG. 3). 3 (see)) and the like. Although it depends on the size of the article AR, the maximum number of articles AR accommodated in the accommodating portion 102 is approximately 40 to 120.

The operation unit 103 has a disk-shaped front view and has a handle, and is rotatably arranged on the front surface of the front wall of the apparatus main body 101 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). Further, the front end of the shaft 103a arranged on the rear side is connected to the operation unit 103, and the rear end of the shaft 103a is rotatably supported on the front surface of the rear wall of the apparatus main body 101 (FIG. 3C). See). The operation unit 103 is a portion to which a supply operation is applied, and the supply operation is, for example, a 360-degree rotation of the operation unit 103 in front view. Further, a gear mechanism 103b including a plurality of gears capable of transmitting the rotation of the shaft 103a (operation unit 103) to the supply unit 107 is provided at the rear portion of the shaft 103a of the operation unit 103 and above the shaft 103a (FIG. 3 (FIG. 3). See C)).

The light emitting portion 105 has a transparent or translucent translucent portion 105a forming a hemisphere, and the translucent portion 105a is arranged in the vicinity of the operating portion 103 on the front surface of the front wall of the apparatus main body 101 (FIG. 3 (A) and FIG. 3 (B)). The light emitting unit 105 has a multicolor light emitting element (not shown) inside, for example, a multicolor light emitting diode, and in a state where the multicolor light emitting element emits light (lights or blinks), it passes through the translucent portion 105a. The emission color can be visually recognized from the outside. In the drawing, a hemispherical translucent portion 105a is drawn protruding from the front surface of the front wall of the apparatus main body 101 to the front side, but the translucent portion 105a is not necessarily a hemisphere if light emission can be visually recognized from the outside. It does not have to be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape protruding from the front surface of the front wall of the device main body 101 to the front side, or a circular shape or a rectangular shape not protruding from the front surface of the front wall of the device main body 101 to the front side. May be good.

The information possessing unit 106 has information (product number, price, etc. of the article AR) corresponding to the article AR stored in the accommodating unit 102, and is composed of, for example, an optically readable two-dimensional code, etc. It is arranged in the vicinity of the operation unit 103 on the front surface of the front wall of the apparatus main body 101 by a method such as pasting or inserting (see FIG. 3A). When the information possession unit 106 is composed of a two-dimensional code, a known one such as a data matrix, a QR code (registered trademark), or a veric code can be appropriately used as the two-dimensional code. Of course, it is also possible to use a one-dimensional code instead of the two-dimensional code. In this case, known one-dimensional codes such as JAN, ITF, NW-7, CODE39, and CODE128 can be used as appropriate. be.

The supply unit 107 has a disk shape when viewed from above, and has a plurality of holding holes 107a (five in the drawing) at equal angles in view from above (FIGS. 4A and 4B). reference). The top view shape of each holding hole 107a is a circle slightly larger than the outer shape of the article AR, and a part of the inner peripheral surface of each holding hole 107a is open. The supply unit 107 is rotatably arranged in the recessed portion 102a1 of the accommodating portion 102 so that the upper portion of each holding hole 108 projects upward from the upper surface of the lower wall portion 102a of the accommodating portion 102 (FIG. 3 (C). ).

Further, in the center of the upper surface of the supply unit 107, a stirring unit 107b composed of a central protrusion and a plurality of flexible parts (for example, a tension coil spring-like object) arranged around the central protrusion is provided (FIG. 3). See (C), FIG. 4 is not shown).

Further, although not shown, face gear-shaped teeth are provided around the lower surface of the supply portion 107, and a part of the teeth is located in a hole provided in the bottom surface of the recessed portion 102a1 of the accommodating portion 102. Therefore, it meshes with the uppermost gear of the gear mechanism 103b of the operation unit 103. That is, the supply unit 107 can rotate by a predetermined angle by applying a supply operation to the operation unit 103.

The supply passage portion 108 has a cylindrical shape as a whole that is curved or bent, and is rear of the outlet 104 provided on the front wall of the apparatus main body 101 from the lower end of the supply port 102a2 on the bottom surface of the recessed portion 102a1 of the accommodating portion 102. It has a supply passage 108a leading to the end (see FIG. 3C). Although a cylindrical supply passage portion 108 is drawn in the drawing, it does not necessarily have to be cylindrical as long as the article AR supplied from the supply portion 107 through the supply port 102a2 can be guided to the outlet 104, for example, the main body of the device. A curved or bent groove provided inside the 101 can be used as a substitute.

The supply detection sensor 109 is for detecting the passage of the article AR in the supply passage 108a, and includes, for example, a reflective infrared sensor attached to a light passage hole forming portion of the supply passage portion 108. When the supply detection sensor 109 is composed of a reflective infrared sensor, it is possible to detect that the article AR is normally supplied by a change in the amount of incident light when the article AR passes through the supply passage 108a.

The supply blocking portion 110 has an engaging portion 110a bent at the front end and a light shielding portion 110b at the rear end, and its substantially center can be rotated to the front portion of the upper surface of the lower wall portion 102a of the article accommodating portion 102. (See FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B)), which are arranged in the above direction and urged in the clockwise direction in a top view by a spring member such as a torsion coil spring or a compression coil spring (not shown). The engaging portion 110a of the supply blocking portion 110 is a portion capable of entering the holding hole 107a of the supply portion 107, and the light shielding portion 110b is a light passing portion provided in the front portion of the upper surface of the lower wall portion 102a of the accommodating portion 102. It is a portion where the holes 102a3 can be opened and closed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the article AR is in the accommodating portion 102 and the article AR is held in the holding hole 107a in the upper left of the figure of the supply unit 107, the supply is blocked in the holding hole 107a. Since the engaging portion 110a of the portion 110 cannot enter, the supply portion 107 is rotatable, and the light-shielding portion 110b of the supply blocking portion 110 does not block the light passing hole 102a3. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when there is no article AR in the accommodating portion 102 and the article AR is not held in the holding hole 107a in the upper left of the figure of the supply section 107, the supply is blocked in the holding hole 107a. Since the engaging portion 110a of the portion 110 enters, the supply portion 107 is prevented from rotating, and the light-shielding portion 110b of the supply blocking portion 110 closes the light passing hole 102a3.

The sold-out detection sensor 111 is for detecting that the supply blocking portion 110 is displaced to the position shown in FIG. 4B through the light passing hole 102a3 provided in the front portion of the lower wall portion 102a of the accommodating portion 102. For example, it is composed of a reflective infrared sensor or the like arranged under the light passing hole 102a3. When the sold-out detection sensor 111 is composed of a reflective infrared sensor, the amount of incident light changes when the supply blocking unit 110 is displaced to the position shown in FIG. 4B and the light shielding unit 110b closes the light passing hole 102a3. It is possible to detect that there is no article AR in the accommodating portion 102.

The restraint unit 112 is composed of rotation restraint parts provided on the shaft portion 103a of the operation unit 103, and can suppress the rotation of the shaft unit 103a (operation unit 103) in cooperation with the restraint release unit 113. Incidentally, if the rotation of the shaft portion 103a (operation unit 103) can be suppressed in cooperation with the deterrence release unit 113, there is no particular limitation on the shape of the deterrence unit 112.

The deterrence release unit 113 is for controlling the movement of the deterrence unit 112, that is, for suppressing and releasing the movement of the operation unit 103, and is composed of, for example, a solenoid having a spring-armed plunger or the like. When the deterrence release unit 113 is composed of a solenoid, the plunger is engaged with the deterrence unit 112 until the “deterrence release signal” described later is input, so that the operation unit 103 is rotated (supply operation is given). ) Is not possible. On the other hand, when the "deterrence release signal" described later is input, the plunger is disengaged from the deterrence unit 112, so that the operation unit 103 can be rotated (supplied the supply operation).

As shown in FIG. 5, the control system of the article supply device 100 includes a main control unit 151 of a microcomputer configuration, a status notification unit 152, an operation suppression unit 153, a supply detection unit 154, and a sold-out detection unit 155. And an individual communication unit 156 and a transmission / reception unit 157.

The state notification unit 152 has the above-mentioned light emitting unit 105 and a driver for causing the light emitting unit 105 to emit light in a color corresponding to each state described later. The operation deterrence unit 153 has a deterrence release unit 113 described above and a driver for releasing the operation deterrence of the operation unit 103 by the deterrence release unit 113 based on the input of the “deterrence release signal” described later.

The supply detection unit 154 has the above-mentioned supply detection sensor 111 and a driver for transmitting a "signal related to the supply of the article AR (normal supply signal or supply failure signal)" based on the detection of the supply detection sensor 109. ing. The sold-out detection unit 155 outputs a "signal (non-sold-out signal or sold-out signal) relating to the presence / absence of the article AR in the accommodating unit 102" based on the sold-out detection unit sensor 111 and the sold-out detection unit sensor 111 described above. It has a driver for sending.

The individual communication unit 156 is a wireless connection device conforming to a wireless communication standard for LAN, preferably Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and the transmission / reception unit 157 is an antenna capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals. The individual communication unit 156 enables communication with the central communication device 200, which will be described later, under the control of the main control unit 151.

That is, when the wireless communication standard for LAN is Wi-Fi (registered trademark), the individual communication unit 156 can receive the above-mentioned "deterrence release signal" from the control communication device 200 described later by Wi-Fi, and also Wi-. The above-mentioned "signal related to the supply of the article AR (normal supply signal or supply failure signal)" and the above-mentioned "signal relating to the presence or absence of the article AR in the accommodating portion 102 (non-sold-out signal or sold-out signal)" will be described later by Fi. Can be transmitted to the control communication device 200 of.

Next, the configuration of the article supply system (reference numeral omitted) shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

<< Explanation of the configuration of the goods supply system >>
In this description, for convenience, the front side of FIG. 1 is referred to as front, the back side is referred to as rear, the left side is referred to as right, the right side is referred to as left, the upper side is referred to as upper, and the lower side is referred to as lower.

As shown in FIG. 1, the article supply system includes a plurality of article supply devices 100 (10 in the drawing) and a control communication device 200. The 10 article supply devices 100 are connected to each other in an arrangement of 5 left and right x 2 upper and lower stages in a front view, and preferably an indoor floor surface (preferably indoor floor surface) via casters 100a provided on each article supply device 100 on the lower stage side. It is installed at (see the two-dot chain line in the drawing). The control communication device 200 is arranged so as not to be moved on the upper surface of the article supply device 100 on the upper rightmost side.

Incidentally, the information (product number, price, etc. of the article AR) possessed by the information possessing unit 106 provided in each article supply device 100 corresponds to the article AR accommodated in each accommodating unit 102. That is, when the article ARs having different part numbers are accommodated in the accommodating portion 102 of each article supply device 100, the information held by each information possessing unit 106 is different.

Although not shown, an AC / DC power supply unit is provided inside at least one of the plurality of article supply devices 100, for example, the upper and lower two article supply devices 100 on the far right side, and a DC power supply output is provided on the rear surface. Terminals are provided, and a DC power input terminal and a DC power output terminal are provided on the rear surface of the remaining eight article supply devices 100.

That is, the DC power output terminals of the two upper and lower article supply devices 100 on the far right side having the AC / DC power supply unit and the DC power input terminals of the two upper and lower article supply devices 100 on the left side are connected by a power supply cable. , The DC power output terminal of the article supply device 100 and the DC power input terminals of the two upper and lower article supply devices 100 to the left of the article supply device 100 are connected by a power supply cable, and the DC power output terminal of the article supply device 100 and the left side thereof. Connect the DC power input terminals of the adjacent two upper and lower article supply devices 100 with a power supply cable, and connect the DC power output terminal of the article supply device 100 and the DC power input of the two upper and lower article supply devices 100 to the left of the DC power output terminal. If the terminals are connected with a power supply cable, DC power can be supplied from the two upper and lower article supply devices 100 on the far right side having the AC / DC power supply unit to the remaining eight article supply devices 100.

Of course, even if the AC / DC power supply unit is provided only inside one of the plurality of article supply devices 100, for example, the rightmost article supply device 100 in the upper stage, the remaining 9 from the article supply device 100. It is possible to supply DC power to the article supply device 100 of the stand.

The drawing shows 10 article supply devices 100 connected in an array of 5 left and right x 2 upper and lower stages, but even if the number of article supply devices 100 is 9 or less, or 11 or more. Often, the number of stages may be one or three. In addition, the casters 100a are removed from each article supply device 100 on the lower stage side, and the article supply devices 100 in a predetermined arrangement are installed on the floor surface or the like via a common base plate with casters or a common base plate without casters. You may. Of course, regardless of the arrangement of the article supply devices 100, each article supply device 100 on the lower stage side may be installed directly on the floor surface or the like.

Further, although the drawing shows the centralized communication device 200 arranged on the upper surface of the rightmost article supply device 100 in the upper row, the centralized communication device 200 is the rear surface of the rightmost article supply device 100 in the upper row, and the like. It may be arranged on the rear surface of the article supply device 100, or inside any of the article supply devices 100.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control system of the general communication device 200 includes a main control unit 201, a central communication unit 202, and a transmission / reception unit 203 having a microcomputer configuration.

The integrated communication unit 202 is a wireless router device that conforms to two types of wireless communication standards, one for LAN and one for WAN, preferably Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and 4G / LTE, and the transmission / reception unit 203 can transmit and receive wireless signals. Antenna. Under the control of the main control unit 201, the central communication unit 202 is capable of information communication with the individual communication unit 156 of each article supply device 100, and is connected to an information communication network 300 (see FIG. 2) such as an Internet communication network. It is possible to connect and information communication via the information communication network 300 is possible.

That is, when the wireless communication standard for LAN is Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and the wireless communication standard for WAN is 4G / LTE, the central communication unit 202 will be described later via the information communication network 300 by 4G / LTE. In addition to being able to receive the "information related to the completion of payment" described later from the payment relay terminal 500 and transmit the above-mentioned "deterrence release signal" to the individual communication unit 156 of the corresponding article supply device 100 by Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi The above-mentioned "signal related to the supply of the article AR (normal supply signal or supply failure signal)" and the above-mentioned "signal relating to the presence or absence of the article AR in the accommodating unit 102" received from the individual communication unit 156 of each article supply device 100. A non-sold-out signal or a sold-out signal) ”can be transmitted to the administrator terminal 600 described later via the information communication network 300 by 4G / LTE.

Next, the configuration of the payment system (code omitted) shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

<< Explanation of payment system configuration >>
The rectangular frame of the two-point chain line in FIG. 2 is the article supply system shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 300 is an information communication network such as an Internet communication network, and reference numeral 400 is a communication base station corresponding to a wireless communication standard such as 4G / LTE. Reference numeral 500 is a payment relay terminal such as a personal computer owned by the payment relay, and reference numeral 600 is an administrator of a personal computer or the like owned by an administrator entrusted with the management of the goods supply system by the owner of the goods supply system described above. The terminal, reference numeral 700 is a supplier terminal such as a personal computer owned by the owner of the above-mentioned article supply system, and reference numeral 800 is a consumer terminal such as a smartphone owned by the consumer and compatible with a wireless communication standard such as 4G / LTE. .. Incidentally, FIG. 2 omits the illustration of connecting devices such as ONUs, modems, and wireless routers for connecting the terminals 500, 600, and 700 to the information communication network 300.

Explaining the case where the consumer terminal 800 is a smartphone compatible with 4G / LTE, the payment application software provided by the payment relay is stored in the smartphone in advance, and by activating the software, the payment application software is activated through the existing camera. The information possessed by the information possession unit 106 can be read and "information relating to the purchase of the article AR" can be transmitted to the payment relay terminal 500 via a 4G / LTE compatible information communication network (not shown).

The payment relay terminal 500 confirms the payment based on the "information related to the purchase of the goods AR" from the consumer terminal 800, and when the payment is completed, the "information related to the payment completion" is sent to the 4G / LTE compatible information communication network. It can be transmitted to the consumer terminal 800 via (not shown), and the "information related to the completion of payment" can be transmitted to the central communication device 200 of the goods supply system via the information communication network 300. Further, the payment relay terminal 500 can transmit "information related to payment" to the supplier terminal 700 via the information communication network 300 based on "information related to payment completion".

The above-mentioned settlement confirmation is, for example, collation of the balance of the amount pre-charged by the consumer on the settlement relay side with the purchase price, and in the case of pre-charging, the settlement is completed when the balance ≥ the purchase price. By the way, if the balance is less than the purchase price, the settlement is not completed, so only the consumer terminal 800 is notified that the settlement cannot be made. There are no particular restrictions on the format of the above-mentioned "deposit information" as long as it includes at least the deposit date and the deposit amount (in most cases, the deposit account is previously communicated from the supplier to the payment relay).

Supplementally, "information related to settlement completion" is information corresponding to price payment. That is, since the payment system shown in FIG. 2 is a system in which a payment relay intervenes in the price payment, "information related to payment completion" is transmitted from the payment relay terminal 500 to the central communication device 200 of the goods supply system. This means that the price has been paid.

From the article supply system to the administrator terminal 600, "a signal relating to the supply of article AR (normal supply signal or supply failure signal)" and "a signal relating to the presence or absence of article AR in the accommodating unit 102 (non-sold out signal or sold out signal)". Is transmitted as described above.

Next, the processing flow of the payment system shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

<< Explanation of payment system processing flow >>
In this description, the state notification unit 152 (see FIG. 5) of each article supply device 100 constituting the article supply system (see FIG. 1) is used.
-"Supplyable state" when it is not detected that there is no article AR in the accommodating portion 102 (when there is article AR).
-"Operatable state" when the operation unit 103 can be operated.
-"Inoperable state" when it is detected that the operation unit 103 cannot be operated (when the operation is impossible).
The three types can be notified to the consumer by causing the light emitting unit 105 to emit light (lights or blinks) in different colors (for example, yellow, green, red, etc. in order from the top). Incidentally, the "inoperable state" includes a "sold out state" when there is no article AR in the accommodating portion 102 and a "supply failure state" when a supply failure occurs.

When the article AR is accommodated in the accommodating portions 102 of all the article supply devices 100 constituting the article supply system, the sold-out detection unit 155 (see FIG. 5) of each article supply device 100 gives a “non-sold out signal”. Is transmitted, the light emitting unit 105 emits light in yellow, for example, based on the "non-sold out signal", and the consumer is in that each article supply device 100 is in the "supplyable state" by the state notification by the light emission. Specified in.

When purchasing the article AR, the consumer activates the payment application software of the consumer terminal 800 on hand and obtains the information of the information possession unit 106 (see FIG. 1) of the article supply device 100 in which the desired article AR is housed. read.

When the reading is completed, the information (product number, price, etc.) of the article AR to be purchased, the purchase decision button, etc. are displayed on the display means (for example, color liquid crystal display, etc.) of the consumer terminal 800, and the purchase decision button on the display screen is pressed. By pressing, "information relating to the purchase of the article AR" is transmitted from the consumer terminal 800 to the payment relay terminal 500.

The payment relay terminal 500 confirms the payment based on the "information related to the purchase of the article AR" from the consumer terminal 800. When the payment is completed, the payment relay terminal 500 transmits "information related to the payment completion (information corresponding to the price payment)" to the consumer terminal 800 and the centralized communication device 200 of the goods supply system.

When "information related to payment completion" is transmitted from the payment relay terminal 500 to the consumer terminal 800, the breakdown of the payment is displayed on the display means of the consumer terminal 800, and the payment is completed by the display and the breakdown thereof. Is notified to the consumer.

Further, when "information related to payment completion" is transmitted from the payment relay terminal 500 to the central communication device 200 of the goods supply system, the "information related to payment completion" is the goods supply device accommodating the corresponding goods AR. It is converted into a "deterrence release signal" to the operation deterrence unit 153 (see FIG. 5) of 100, and the deterrence release unit 113 (see FIG. 3C) suppresses the operation of the operation unit 103 by the "deterrence release signal". Is released.

Approximately at the same time as the operation restraint is released, the emission color of the light emitting unit 105 of the article supply device 100 accommodating the article AR changes from, for example, yellow to green, and the state notification due to the change in the emission color causes the article AR to change. It is clearly shown to the consumer in a timely manner that the operation unit 103 of the housed article supply device 100 is in the "operable state".

That is, the consumer knows that the operation unit 103 has become "operable" because the light emission color of the light emitting unit 105 of the article supply device 100 accommodating the corresponding article AR has changed from, for example, yellow to green. Can be recognized at the right time. After this recognition, the consumer gives the operation unit 103 a predetermined supply operation and receives the desired article AR.

After the "payment completion information" is transmitted from the payment relay terminal 500 to the consumer terminal 800 and the centralized communication device 200 of the goods supply system, the "payment information" is sent from the payment relay terminal 500 to the supplier. It is transmitted to the terminal 700.

When "information related to payment" is transmitted from the payment relay terminal 500 to the supplier terminal 700, the "information related to payment", for example, the payment date and the payment amount, etc. are displayed together with the breakdown of the payment. It is displayed on (for example, a color liquid crystal display, etc.), and the display notifies the supplier that there is a deposit and the breakdown thereof.

That is, the supplier can confirm the payment on the payment date based on the presented "information on payment".

At the stage where the consumer gives the operation unit 103 a predetermined supply operation and receives the desired article AR, the article is supplied by the supply detection unit 154 (see FIG. 5) of the article supply device 100 accommodating the article AR. When it is detected whether or not the AR is normally supplied and the article AR is normally supplied, the article AR is "normal" based on the "normal supply signal" from the supply detection unit 154. "Information related to supply", for example, the product number and number of the supplied article AR, etc. are transmitted to the administrator terminal 600.

That is, the manager can manage the article AR of each article supply device 100 constituting the article supply system, for example, the remaining number management, the reduction tendency, etc., based on the received "information related to the normal supply".

On the other hand, when the article AR is not normally supplied, for example, when the article AR is not supplied due to a failure of the supply unit 107 or the like, or when the article AR is stopped in the middle of the supply passage 108a of the supply passage portion 108, etc. Is transmitted to the administrator terminal 600 based on the "supply failure signal" from the supply detection unit 154, "information related to the supply failure", for example, the identification number of the article supply device 100 causing the supply failure.

That is, the manager goes to the inspection and repair of the article supply device 100 having the supply defect among the article supply devices 100 constituting the article supply system, based on the received "information related to the supply defect". be able to.

Further, substantially at the same time as the detection of the supply failure, the emission color of the light emitting unit 105 of the article supply device 100 that has caused the supply failure changes from, for example, yellow to red, and the corresponding article AR is accommodated by the state notification due to the change in the emission color. It is clearly shown to the consumer that the article supply device 100 is in a "poor supply state".

At the stage where the consumer gives the operation unit 103 a predetermined supply operation and receives the desired article AR, the sold-out detection unit 155 (see FIG. 5) of the article supply device 100 accommodating the article AR is used. It is detected whether or not the article AR has disappeared, and if it disappears, "information related to sold-out", for example, an article supply device that has been sold out, is based on the "sold-out signal" from the sold-out detection unit 155. The identification number of 100 and the like are transmitted to the administrator terminal 600.

That is, the manager replenishes the article AR to the article supply device 100 that is sold out among the article supply devices 100 constituting the article supply system, based on the received "information related to the sold out". You can go to.

Further, substantially at the same time as the sold-out detection, the emission color of the light emitting unit 105 of the article supply device 100 that has sold out changes from, for example, yellow to red, and the corresponding article AR is accommodated by the state notification due to the change in the emission color. It is clearly shown to the consumer that the article supply device 100 is in the "sold out state".

Next, the main effects obtained by the above-mentioned article supply device, article supply system and payment system will be described.

<< Explanation of main effects >>
Based on the above-mentioned "information related to payment completion (information corresponding to price payment)", the operation deterrence of the operation unit 103 by the operation deterrence unit 153 of the article supply device 100 is released, and the corresponding article AR is accommodated. Since the emission color of the light emitting unit 105 of the article supply device 100 can be changed, it is necessary to clearly indicate to the consumer that the operation unit 103 has become "operable" by the state notification due to the change in the emission color. This allows the consumer to smoothly operate the operation unit after payment of the price.

Further, by changing the emission color of the light emitting unit 105 of the article supply device 100, in addition to the "operable state", the "supplyable state" and the "inoperable state (supply)" are obtained by the state notification due to the change in the emission color. Since the "defective state and sold-out state)" can also be clearly indicated to the consumer, it is possible to prevent the consumer from erroneously trying to obtain the article AR by clearly indicating the "defective state".

Further, the article supply system includes a plurality of article supply devices 100 and a control communication device 200, and each article supply device 100 has an individual communication unit 156 capable of information communication with the control communication device 200, and the control communication device 200. Has a centralized communication unit 202 that can be connected to the information communication network 300 and can perform information communication via the information communication network 300, so that restrictions on the installation location of the goods supply system can be relaxed. This makes it possible to install the goods supply system in various places and to make the goods supply system completely unmanned.

Next, modifications of the above-mentioned goods supply device, goods supply system, and payment system will be described.

<< Modification example >>
As the article supply device and the article supply system, the light emitting unit 105 of the article supply device 100 is made to emit light in different colors, so that the consumer can have three types of states (“supplyable state”, “operable state”, and “inoperable state”). ”) Is illustrated, but the“ poor supply state ”and the“ sold-out state ”included in the“ inoperable state ”are emitted in different colors, and the consumer divides both states. It may be recognized separately.

In addition, as a payment system, an example corresponding to the case where the owner of the goods supply system and the manager who is entrusted with the management of the goods supply system by the owner of the goods supply system exist is illustrated, but the owner of the goods supply system is illustrated. If you manage the goods supply system yourself. The information transmitted to the administrator terminal 600 may be transmitted to the supplier terminal 700 by excluding the administrator terminal 600. On the other hand, when the administrator is also entrusted with payment management by the owner of the goods supply system, the information transmitted to the supplier terminal 700 can be transmitted to the administrator terminal 600 by excluding the supplier terminal 700. good.

100 ... Article supply device, 101 ... Device body, 102 ... Storage unit, 103 ... Operation unit, 104 ... Outlet, 105 ... Light emitting unit, 106 ... Information possession unit, 107 ... Supply unit, 109 ... Supply detection sensor, 110 ... Supply blocking unit, 111 ... Sold out detection sensor, 112 ... Suppression unit, 113 ... Suppression release unit, 151 ... Main control unit, 152 ... Status notification unit, 153 ... Operation suppression unit, 154 ... Supply detection unit, 155 ... Sold out Detection unit, 156 ... Individual communication unit, 157 ... Transmission / reception unit, 200 ... Central communication device, 201 ... Main control unit, 202 ... General communication unit, 203 ... Transmission / reception unit, 300 ... Information communication network, 400 ... Communication base station, 500 ... Payment relay terminal, 600 ... Administrator terminal, 700 ... Supplier terminal, 800 ... Consumer terminal.

Claims (18)

An article supply device capable of supplying articles
A storage unit that can store the article and
An operation unit that can be operated at least on condition of payment,
A supply unit capable of supplying articles stored in the storage unit based on the operation of the operation unit, and a supply unit.
A state notification unit capable of at least notifying the operable state when the operation unit can be operated, and a state notification unit.
It is provided with an information possessing unit that has information corresponding to the article housed in the housing unit and is optically readable.
The price payment is configured to be made by optically reading the information possessed by the information possession unit.
Goods supply device. The conditions under which the operation unit can be operated include the presence of the article in the storage unit in addition to the price payment.
The article supply device according to claim 1. An operation deterrent unit capable of deterring the operation of the operation unit is further provided.
The operation unit is configured so that it can be operated when the operation suppression by the operation suppression unit is released while satisfying the above conditions.
The article supply device according to claim 1 or 2. The state notification unit is configured to be able to notify an inoperable state when the operation unit cannot be operated, in addition to the operable state.
The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The accommodating unit is further provided with a sold-out detection unit capable of detecting that the article has disappeared.
The inoperable state includes a sold-out state when the sold-out detection unit detects that the article is not present in the accommodating unit.
The article supply device according to claim 4. The state notification unit is configured to be able to notify the supply ready state before the operable state when the sold-out detection unit has not detected that the article is not present in the storage unit before the price payment. Has been
The article supply device according to claim 5. Further provided with a supply detection unit capable of detecting that a supply failure has occurred in the supply unit is provided.
The inoperable state includes a supply failure state when the supply detection unit detects that the supply failure has occurred.
The article supply device according to any one of claims 4 to 6. The state notification unit includes a light emitting unit capable of emitting multiple colors.
The light emitting unit is configured to emit light in a different color depending on the state.
The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The light emission is either lighting or blinking.
The article supply device according to claim 8. The light emitting unit is arranged in the vicinity of the operation unit.
The article supply device according to claim 8 or 9. The information possession unit is composed of a two-dimensional code.
The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The information possessing unit is arranged in the vicinity of the operating unit.
The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. An article supply system including the plurality of article supply devices according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a centralized communication device.
Each of the plurality of article supply devices is provided with an individual communication unit capable of information communication with the general communication device.
The centralized communication device includes a centralized communication unit that can be connected to an information communication network and can perform information communication via the information and communication network.
Goods supply system. The individual communication unit is a wireless connection device, and is
The general communication unit is a wireless router device.
The information communication network is an Internet communication network.
The article supply system according to claim 13. At least one of the plurality of article supply devices is provided with an AC / DC power supply unit and a DC power output terminal.
The remaining article supply device is provided with a DC power input terminal and a DC power output terminal.
By connecting a power supply cable to the DC power output terminal and the DC power input terminal, DC power can be supplied from the at least one article supply device to the remaining article supply devices.
The article supply system according to claim 13 or 14. Information communication between the goods supply system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, the consumer terminal owned by the consumer, the goods supply system owned by the payment relay, and the consumer terminal. It is a payment system equipped with a possible payment relay terminal,
Each of the plurality of article supply devices constituting the article supply system is provided with an information possession unit that has information corresponding to the article accommodated in the accommodation unit and is optically readable. And
The consumer terminal is configured to transmit information relating to the purchase of the goods to the payment relay terminal by optically reading the information possession unit.
The payment relay terminal is configured to confirm the payment based on the information related to the purchase of the goods and transmit the information related to the payment completion to the consumer terminal and the goods supply system when the payment is completed.
Payment system. Further equipped with a supplier terminal owned by the owner of the goods supply system and capable of information communication with the payment relay terminal.
The payment relay terminal is configured to transmit information related to payment to the supplier terminal based on the information related to the completion of payment.
The payment system according to claim 16. Further equipped with an administrator terminal owned by an administrator entrusted with management by the owner of the article supply system and capable of information communication with the article supply system.
The article supply system is configured to transmit the state of each of the plurality of article supply devices constituting the article supply system to the administrator terminal.
The payment system according to claim 16 or 17.

Images