JP2023056960A - Automatic vending machine with cash dispensing function - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an automatic vending machine with a cash dispensing function, which offers improved user convenience by enhancing capability to deal with cash withdrawal requests.SOLUTION: A cash dispensing unit 2e dispenses cash taken out of a cash stocking mechanism 2b to a cash outlet according to a cash dispensing instruction from an external system providing a net banking service. When cash in the cash stocking mechanism 2b is not enough to dispense an amount instructed by the dispensing instruction, the cash dispensing unit 2e allows an amount of different from the instructed amount to be dispensed and notifies the external system of the amount of cash actually dispensed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a vending machine with a cash dispensing function, and more particularly to an extension of the cash dispensing function.

Generally, a user who needs cash goes to an automatic teller machine (CD), an automated teller machine (ATM), or the like to withdraw money. However, it is not always the case that there is a CD nearby, and the number of CDs is decreasing due to consolidation. Therefore, focusing on the fact that many vending machines for beverages and the like are installed in the city, a technique for adding a cash dispensing function to the vending machine itself has been proposed.

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a cash conversion system that cashes deposits and savings using a mobile terminal and a vending machine (cash conversion device) having a cash deposit/withdrawal function. Specifically, a financial institution that provides Internet banking services performs predetermined withdrawal processing based on a withdrawal request from a mobile terminal in which a bank application is installed. When the withdrawal process is successful, the financial institution transmits cash data indicating the withdrawal amount to the mobile terminal, which is stored in the mobile terminal. A unique identification code is attached to this cashing data to distinguish it from other cashing data. The user uses near field communication to transmit cash data stored in the mobile terminal to the vending machine, and receives cash equivalent to the amount of money to be dispensed from the vending machine.

Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a simple cash dispensing system that allows cash to be obtained at a familiar place through simple procedures when there is a sudden demand for cash. Specifically, a CDS (Cash Dispensing Service) server generates a code for permitting the payment of an amount of cash specified by a user operating a mobile phone, and stores the code in the mobile phone. The user then uses contactless communication to send the code stored on the mobile phone to a nearby vending machine. Non-contact communication is performed by a two-dimensional code reader that reads a two-dimensional code displayed on the display of the mobile terminal. As a result, the user receives cash payment corresponding to the specified amount from the vending machine. Cash is dispensed in the amount used for sale in the vending machine. In addition, this patent document 2 includes a mechanism for measuring the current amount of banknotes and coins stored inside the vending machine, and a mechanism for measuring the amount of banknotes and coins currently stored inside the vending machine. and when an error is detected during the dispensing process of the vending machine, such as full or partial payment not being made, or when the vending machine cannot detect the completion of the dispensing process. It states that the function will be temporarily suspended.

JP 2017-120602 A JP 2006-48252 A

However, while vending machines are expected to be used as contact points to dispense relatively small amounts of cash, their resources (that is, the amount and denomination of stock cash) are limited compared to CDs and ATMs. there is Therefore, even if the user goes to the vending machine, there may be a case where there is a shortage of cash or a shortage of a particular denomination. In such a case, if the use of the cash dispensing function is uniformly suspended as in Patent Literature 2 mentioned above, the user has to search for another vending machine in the city. convenience is lost. On the other hand, there may be cases where the user does not necessarily need the requested amount of cash, such as a 1,000-yen bill even if he or she needs 600 yen as emergency cash.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its object is to improve the convenience for the user by improving the responsiveness to requests for cash dispensing in a vending machine with a cash dispensing function. is.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a vending machine that performs settlement for products or services to be sold and has a cash dispensing function linked to Internet banking. This vending machine has a cash stock mechanism, a cash outlet, and a cash dispenser. The cash stock mechanism stocks cash. The cash ejection port ejects cash. The cash dispensing unit dispenses cash taken out from the cash stock mechanism through the cash outlet based on a withdrawal instruction from the external system. This external system is a system that provides or cooperates with a net banking service. Here, when the cash in the cash stock mechanism cannot correspond to the payment of the instructed amount instructed by the withdrawal instruction, the cash dispensing section permits the dispensing of cash different from the instructed amount, and the cash actually dispensed. Notify the external system of the amount of

In the present invention, it is preferable that the amount of cash permitted to be paid out is less than the indicated amount. Also, a cash counting section may be provided for counting stock cash stocked in the cash stock mechanism. In this case, it is preferable that the cash dispensing unit determines whether or not it is possible to pay out the instructed amount instructed by the dispensing instruction based on the stock cash. Further, the cash dispensing unit may determine a payable amount that can be paid out as cash according to stock cash. Further, it is preferable that the cash dispensing unit changes the amount of money that can be dispensed according to the denomination of cash.

In the present invention, a display section for displaying information may be provided. In this case, it is preferable that the cash dispensing unit causes the display unit to display the amount of money that can be paid out, and that the amount of money that can be paid out is paid out when the user approves the vending machine.

In the present invention, a unique identification code may be provided on the outer surface of each vending machine to identify each individual vending machine. This identification code is read by a camera provided in the mobile terminal of the user subscribing to the Internet banking service, and is transmitted from the mobile terminal to the external system. identified.

According to the present invention, when the cash stocked in the cash stock mechanism cannot correspond to the payment of the instructed amount, the payment of the cash is not uniformly refused, but the instructed amount is within the range of the stocked cash. Allow different cash payments. As a result, it is possible to flexibly respond to payout requests for various amounts of money, thereby enhancing convenience for the user.

Configuration diagram of cash dispensing network system Block diagram of a vending machine Flowchart showing procedure for cash withdrawal

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a cash dispensing network system according to this embodiment. This cash withdrawal network system 1 is mainly composed of a plurality of vending machines 2 installed in the city, a financial institution server 3, an intermediary server 4, and a mobile terminal 5, which are connected to a network such as the Internet. can be connected to

The vending machine 2 automatically sells beverages (commodities) to be sold, and performs settlement. In addition, the vending machine 2 also serves as a contact point (cash dispenser) for dispensing relatively small amounts of cash. The vending machine 2 has a coin slot 6a, a banknote slot 6b, a coin slot 6c, and a commodity outlet 6d. I have. Information such as the amount of money inserted is displayed on the display unit 7 as necessary. Also, the wireless communication unit 8 connects to a network such as the Internet and transmits and receives data to and from an external system.

A matrix-type two-dimensional code is attached to the outer surface of the vending machine 2 as an example of a unique identification code 9 for identifying each vending machine 2 . As a form of giving the identification code 6, it is typically assumed that a sticker on which the identification code 6 is printed is pasted, but if it is possible to specify the identification code 6, it may be attached side by side, embedded, or on a board. , can be of any form. The identification code 6 is used by the financial institution server 3 and the mediation server 4 as external systems to specify and identify the vending machine 2 to which cash is to be paid.

The financial institution server 3 is operated by a financial institution and provides various services such as deposits and withdrawals to and from bank accounts to users subscribing to Internet banking services. On the other hand, the mediation server 4 is operated by a mediator, and acts as an intermediary between the vending machine 2, the financial institution server 3, and the portable terminal 5 when cash is dispensed using the vending machine 2 as a contact point. The portable terminal 5 is possessed by a user subscribing to the Internet banking service, and when paying out cash, reads the identification code 9 given to the vending machine 2, specifies the desired amount that the user wishes to pay out, and so on. used for

A user who wishes to withdraw cash performs a predetermined operation on an application (software) installed on his mobile terminal 5 and accesses an external system (financial institution server 3 that provides Internet banking services, or Internet banking services request the withdrawal of the desired amount from the mediation server 4) linked with the In response to this, the external system instructs the vending machine 2 specified by the portable terminal 5 as the payee of cash to pay out. Thereby, the user can receive cash payment from the vending machine 2 in front of the user. In this embodiment, an example in which the intermediation server 4 intervenes between the vending machine 2 and the financial institution server 3 and between the portable terminal 5 and the financial institution server 3 will be described. A form in which both parties directly exchange information without intervening may be used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the vending machine 2. As shown in FIG. A large number of various beverages to be sold are stocked in the merchandise stock mechanism 2a. The cash stock mechanism 2b stocks cash of denominations such as 10-yen coins, 50-yen coins, 100-yen coins, and 1,000-yen bills. The cash counting unit 2c counts the cash stocked in the cash stock mechanism 2b, and specifies the amount of cash currently stocked (stock cash) including the denomination. This stock cash, for example, increases the amount of cash inserted from the cash input ports 6a and 6b, or subtracts the amount of cash ejected from the cash output ports 6b and 6c from the initially set cash. identified by Alternatively, it may be specified by measuring the weight of the cash stocked in the cash stock mechanism 2b. The stock cash may be the total amount of the cash stocked in the cash stock mechanism 2b, but after reserving a certain amount of change for payment of the product, the remainder is allocated as stock cash. may

The settlement processing unit 2d performs settlement accompanying the sale of the product. Specifically, when a user selects a product to purchase by operating a button and cash is inserted from the cash insertion slots 6a and 6b, the payment processing unit 2d determines whether or not there is a shortage of cash. Then, the corresponding product in the product stock mechanism 2a is taken out and discharged from the product discharge port 6d. At the same time, when change is required for the inserted cash, the settlement processing unit 2d takes out the cash equivalent to the change from the cash stock mechanism 2b and discharges it from the cash discharge ports 6b and 6c.

When receiving a payment instruction from an external system via the wireless communication unit 8, the cash dispensing unit 2e takes out cash equivalent to the amount instructed by the payment instruction (instructed amount) from the stock mechanism 2b and stores the cash. Dispensed from outlets 6b and 6c. A feature of the present embodiment is that if the current cash in the cash stock mechanism 2b cannot handle the payment of the instructed amount, the disbursement of "cash different from the instructed amount" is permitted according to the amount of cash in the cash stock mechanism 2b. at the point. Here, "cash different from the instructed amount" is generally assumed to be an amount smaller than the instructed amount, but may be an amount larger than the instructed amount, as will be described later. The cash dispensing unit 2e transmits a dispensing notice to the external system via the wireless communication unit 8. FIG. This payout notice includes amount information about the cash actually paid out.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the procedure for cash withdrawal in the network system 1 will be described in detail. First, in step 1, the user enters the identification code 9 (two-dimensional code) attached to the vending machine 2 in front of the user into the mobile terminal 5 according to the instructions of the application on the mobile terminal 5. read by camera. The read identification code 9 is transmitted to the mediation server 4, whereby the vending machine 2 from which cash is to be paid is specified and identified on the mediation server 4 side.

In step 2 , the mediation server 4 generates an action selection screen and transmits it to the mobile terminal 5 . On this action selection screen, the user is prompted to select an action such as product purchase, withdrawal, or deposit. Next, in step 3 , the user selects “withdrawal action” and “two-dimensional code payment application” on the action selection screen displayed on the mobile terminal 5 . Then, in step 4, the user performs credit (payment) procedures on the "two-dimensional code payment application". When this procedure is completed, the information input in the payment procedure (including the designation of the desired amount for cash withdrawal) is sent to the financial institution server 3. Further, the desired amount is also notified to the mediation server 4 as an instruction amount after steps 5 and 6 are performed. If there is concern about the dispensing capacity of the vending machine 2 (the amount of cash in the cash stock mechanism 2b), an upper limit may be set on the desired amount as a specification of the system.

At step 5, the financial institution server 3 executes predetermined authentication processing in the net banking service based on the information received from the mobile terminal 5. FIG. The authentication performed here includes user authentication using a user ID and password, and checking the balance of a deposit account (that is, checking that the balance is equal to or greater than the desired amount).

At step 6, it is determined whether the authentication was successful. If the authentication succeeds, go to step 7; if the authentication fails, go back to step 4. In step 7, the intermediation server 4 receives the specific vending machine 2 (user ) to withdraw the specified amount. Note that actual withdrawal processing by the financial institution server 3 is not performed at this stage, but will be performed in step 14, which will be described later.

At step 8, the vending machine 2, which has received the withdrawal instruction from the mediation server 4, identifies the current cash stocked in the cash stock mechanism 2b. As described above, stock cash is counted by the cash counting unit 2c. Then, in step 9, the cash dispensing unit 2e determines whether it is possible to pay out the instructed amount based on the stock cash specified in step 8. If the determination in step 8 is affirmative, that is, if the instructed amount can be dispensed, the cash dispensing unit 2e dispenses the entire amount of the instructed amount as cash (step 10). In this case, a payout notice to the effect that the entire instructed amount has been paid out is sent to the mediation server 4 .

On the other hand, if the determination in step 8 is negative, that is, if it is not possible to pay out the instructed amount, the cash dispensing unit 2e pays an amount different from the instructed amount (typically, a portion of the instructed amount). is paid out as cash (step 11). In this case, a payout notice to the effect that the full amount different from the instructed amount has been paid is sent to the mediation server 4 . The amount of cash that can be paid out is determined according to the total amount of stock cash counted by the cash counting unit 2c, and the amount varies according to the denomination. For example, if the instructed amount is 2000 yen, there is no stock cash equivalent to that amount, but if there are 3 500-yen coins, 1 100-yen coin, and 4 10-yen coins, 1640 yen will be paid out, If there are three 500-yen coins, three 100-yen coins, and six 10-yen coins, 1860 yen will be paid out.

Here, as a specification of the system, it is also possible to allow the payout of an amount larger than the instructed amount. For example, if the instructed amount is 2180 yen, the stock of 10-yen coins is insufficient, but there are enough 100-yen and 500-yen coins, so 2200-yen coins are paid out. As a matter of course, it is preferable that the amount to be paid out is an amount that does not deviate significantly from the instructed amount within the range of the stocked cash. If the cash to be paid out greatly deviates from the indicated amount, or if the cash to be paid out does not exist as stock cash, the cash payment is refused. If the withdrawal of an amount larger than the instructed amount is permitted, the financial institution server 3 notifies the intermediary server 4 of the maximum withdrawal amount (account balance, etc.) separately from the instructed amount. is preferred (step 6).

Moreover, when paying out cash different from the instructed amount, it is preferable to present the amount to the user in advance via the display unit 7 of the vending machine 2 . If the user approves the payable amount displayed on the display unit 7, the user performs a predetermined operation on the vending machine 2 to approve the payable amount. This approval operation is determined in advance or instructed on the screen of the user's mobile terminal 5 (the same applies to the following denial operation). As a result, cash corresponding to the payable amount is paid out. The amount of cash actually paid out (withdrawal amount) is sent to the mediation server 4 as a payout notice in order to be reflected in the deposit account of net banking. On the other hand, if the user does not agree with the payable amount displayed on the display unit 7, the user performs a predetermined disapproval operation to the vending machine 2 to reject the payable amount. As a result, the current cash withdrawal request is cancelled, and a cancellation notice to that effect is sent to the mediation server 4 .

In addition to the method of specifying the payable amount before executing the payout as described above, it is also possible to adopt a method of sequentially paying out cash and subsequently specifying the paid out amount. This method is particularly effective when only the discrimination information as to whether or not change has been issued for each type of banknote and coin is available. As an example, let us consider a case where 1250 yen is withdrawn in order from the largest amount. In this case, the 1,000-yen bill ran out of change, so when two 500-yen coins were put out, the change ran out with only one. Suppose each coin runs out of change. Since the amount of cash paid out is 500 yen×1+100 yen×6+50 yen×1+10 yen×4, 1190 yen is specified as the payout amount after the fact.

When cash is dispensed, if the amount of cash to be dispensed is large, the cash may overflow from the cash ejection units 6b and 6c. In order to deal with this, it is preferable, for example, to divide withdrawals into smaller portions or adjust the speed at which cash is dispensed so that the user can easily receive cash. Alternatively, cash may be received part by part by operating an application on the mobile terminal 5 . Furthermore, while the application and the vending machine 2 are connected by one operation, multiple receipts may be made possible by multiple button taps.

In addition, as a problem related to the payment of cash, there is concern that a malicious person who is not in front of the user may read the identification code 9 and steal the cash. In order to prevent this, an additional action may be instructed by the application of the mobile terminal 5 in the form of two-step authentication, and the user's operation on the vending machine 2 may be executed. Specifically, the button for a specific product (including a combination of multiple buttons) is pushed down, the change lever is lowered, the button for a specific product is illuminated, and the illuminated product is selected on the app.

The mediation server 4, which has received the notice of cash payment, determines the amount of money to be paid as originally when the full amount is paid in step 10, and stores it in the storage device (step 12). On the other hand, if a partial payout (or a larger amount than the instructed amount) is made in step 11, the payout amount is corrected and the corrected amount is stored in the storage device (step 13). Then, in step 14, the financial institution server 3 performs payment settlement processing with the amount of money of step 12 or the corrected amount of money of step 13. A series of processes are completed by the above.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the cash stocked in the cash stock mechanism 2b cannot handle the payment of the instructed amount, the payment of cash is not uniformly refused, but the range of stocked cash is determined. Allows disbursement of cash different from the designated amount (typically, less cash than the designated amount). The amount to be paid out as cash is determined according to the stock cash in the cash stock mechanism 2b. As a result, it is possible to flexibly respond to payout requests of various amounts, and convenience for the user can be enhanced. In particular, if the denomination of stock cash is taken into consideration when determining the payable amount, various payout requests can be dealt with more flexibly. As a result, it can be utilized as a contact point for dispensing small amounts of cash while compensating for the vending machine 2's weakness in that resources (that is, the amount and denomination of stock cash) are limited compared to CDs and ATMs. You can expect an improvement in performance.

Further, according to this embodiment, the amount of cash actually dispensed from the vending machine 2 is notified to the financial institution server 3 directly or indirectly via the mediation server 4 . By making such a notification, the withdrawal amount corresponding to the cash actually dispensed can be properly reflected in the net banking deposit account.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the identification code 9 attached to the vending machine 2 is used to specify the vending machine 2 to which cash is to be paid, and a proximity communication unit such as RFID or infrared communication is required. and not. Therefore, even with the existing vending machine 2, the above-described cash dispensing function can be realized without investing in large additional equipment.

In the above-described embodiment, the automatic vending machine 2 is an automatic vending machine for beverages, but the products to be sold are not limited to this. For example, it may be a ticket vending machine for railroad tickets. In addition, the sale target is not limited to products, and may be a payment machine for services (excluding bank services), such as a coin-operated parking lot. In this specification, the term "vending machine" is used in a broad sense to include devices for making payments for commodities or services to be sold (excluding dedicated bank terminals such as CDs and ATMs).

1 cash withdrawal network system 2 automatic vending machine 2a merchandise stock mechanism 2b cash stock mechanism 2c cash counting unit 2d settlement processing unit 2e cash withdrawal unit 3 financial institution server 4 intermediary server 5 mobile terminal 6a coin slot 6b banknote insertion/ejection slot 6c Coin outlet 6d Merchandise outlet 7 Display unit 8 Wireless communication unit 9 Identification code

Claims (7)

In a vending machine that performs payment for products or services to be sold and has a cash dispensing function linked to online banking,
a cash stock mechanism for stocking cash;
a cash ejection port for ejecting cash;
a cash dispensing unit that dispenses cash taken out from the cash stock mechanism from the cash outlet based on a withdrawal instruction from an external system that provides an internet banking service or is linked thereto;
The cash dispensing unit
When the cash in the cash stock mechanism cannot cope with the disbursement of the instructed amount instructed by the disbursement instruction, disbursement of cash different from the instructed amount is allowed, and the amount of the actually dispensed cash is A vending machine with a cash dispensing function characterized by notifying an external system. 2. A vending machine with a cash dispensing function according to claim 1, wherein the amount of cash permitted to be dispensed is less than the instructed amount. further comprising a cash counting unit for counting stock cash stocked in the cash stock mechanism;
3. The cash disbursement according to claim 1, wherein the cash disbursement unit determines whether or not it is possible to disburse the instructed amount instructed by the disbursement instruction based on the stock cash. Product vending machine with function. 4. A vending machine with a cash dispensing function according to claim 3, wherein said cash dispensing unit determines a dispensable amount of cash that can be dispensed according to said stock cash. 5. A vending machine with a cash dispensing function according to claim 4, wherein said cash dispensing unit changes said dispensable amount according to the denomination of said cash. further having a display for displaying information;
4. The cash dispensing unit displays the dispensable amount on the display unit, and dispenses the dispensable amount when the user performs an approval operation on the vending machine. 5. A vending machine with a cash dispensing function described in any one of 5. further comprising a unique identification code provided on the outer surface of the vending machine to identify each individual vending machine;
The identification code is read by a camera provided in a mobile terminal of a user who has subscribed to the Internet banking service, and is transmitted from the mobile terminal to the external system, whereby the external system becomes an automatic payment destination for cash. 7. A vending machine with a cash dispensing function according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the vending machine is specified.

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