JP2023081484A - Vending machine, server, commodity ejection method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To solve a problem that conventional vending machines have no appropriate function to promote the use of the vending machines.SOLUTION: A vending machine 1 includes: an acceptance unit 12 that accepts a commodity identifier identifying a commodity to be ejected; an ejection unit 132 that ejects the commodity identified by the commodity identifier accepted by the acceptance unit 12; and a specific information acquisition unit 131 that acquires specific information from a card in which specific information specifying the card is stored. The ejection unit 132 further includes a control unit 422 that performs sales processing to eject a first commodity for fee in response to the fact that the acceptance unit 12 has accepted a first commodity identifier identifying the first commodity, and performs control processing to cause the ejection unit 132 to eject a second commodity for free in response to the fact that the acceptance unit 12 has accepted a second commodity identifier identifying the second commodity after the acceptance unit 12 has accepted the first commodity identifier and after the specific information acquisition unit 131 has obtained the specific information. The ejection unit 132 can promote the use of vending machines by the vending machine 1 that ejects the second commodity in response to the control processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to vending machines and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a free bend control system that controls a free bend function provided in a vending machine for products such as beverage cans from the outside through a communication line according to various purposes (see Patent Document 1).

More specifically, the prior art includes a short-range wireless transmission/reception unit provided on the side of a vending machine, and a mobile terminal storing a dedicated application. A free-bend control function is realized that uses reading of activation permission information as a trigger to create an activation command for the free-bend function of the vending machine, and creates a release command when a release condition is satisfied. Bend control system.

JP 2016-212569 A

However, conventional vending machines do not have appropriate functions for promoting the use of vending machines.

A vending machine according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a receiving section for receiving a commodity identifier for identifying a commodity to be discharged; a discharging section for discharging a commodity identified by the commodity identifier received by the receiving section; and specific information for specifying a card. and a specific information obtaining unit for obtaining specific information from the card in which the first product after the reception unit receives the first product identifier, and after the specific information acquisition unit acquires the specific information, the reception unit acquires the second product identifier that identifies the second product. The vending machine further comprises a control unit for performing control processing for the discharge unit to discharge the second product free of charge in response to the acceptance, and the discharge unit discharges the second product according to the control processing. machine.

With such a configuration, the second product can be discharged free of charge by performing the sales process of discharging the first product for a fee, thereby promoting the use of the vending machine.

Further, in the vending machine of the second invention, in contrast to the first invention, the control unit, after the specific information acquisition unit acquires the specific information, within the threshold time or within a time shorter than the threshold time, A vending machine that performs control processing when a sale is processed.

Such a configuration can promote the use of vending machines.

Further, in the vending machine of the third invention, in contrast to the second invention, the specific information acquisition unit acquires the first specific information corresponding to the first product identifier received by the reception unit, and the control unit Before performing the control process, the second identification information corresponding to the second product identifier received by the reception unit is acquired, and the control unit performs control when the first identification information and the second identification information match the permission conditions. It is a vending machine that does the processing.

Such a configuration can promote the use of vending machines.

Further, the vending machine of the fourth invention is a vending machine in which, in contrast to the third invention, the permission condition is that the first specific information and the second specific information are the same information.

Such a configuration can promote the use of vending machines.

Further, in the vending machine of the fifth invention, in contrast to the third invention, the permission condition is that the first specific information and the second specific information are different information and have a predetermined relationship Being a vending machine.

With such a configuration, it is possible to support communication between users using the vending machine.

In addition, in the vending machine of the sixth invention, in contrast to the first invention, the controller controls the specific information The vending machine performs control processing when an acquisition unit acquires specific information.

Such a configuration can promote the use of vending machines.

Further, in the vending machine of the seventh invention, for any one of the first to sixth inventions, the control unit performs control processing only when the first product identifier matches the first condition, It's a vending machine.

With such a configuration, it is possible to promote sales of specific products using vending machines.

Further, in the vending machine of the eighth invention, for any one of the first to seventh inventions, the control unit performs control processing only when the second product identifier matches the second condition, It's a vending machine.

With such a configuration, it is possible to promote the provision of specific products using the vending machine.

Further, in the vending machine of the ninth invention, in contrast to any one of the first to eighth inventions, the specific information has a card identifier for identifying the card, and the control unit has a This vending machine performs control processing only when a card identifier possessed by specific information is not included in a block list storing one or more card identifiers that are not specified.

With such a configuration, use of the vending machine can be promoted only to appropriate users.

Further, in the vending machine of the tenth invention, in any one of the first to ninth inventions, the specific information has a group identifier for identifying a group of cards, and the control unit performs control processing. A vending machine that performs control processing only when a group management unit storing one or more group identifiers for identifying a group to be processed includes a group identifier possessed by specific information.

With such a configuration, use of the vending machine can be promoted only to appropriate users.

Further, in the vending machine of the eleventh invention, in contrast to any one of the first to tenth inventions, the specific information has a card identifier for identifying the card, and the control unit performs control processing. This vending machine performs control processing only when a card identifier possessed by specific information is included in a safe list storing one or more target card identifiers.

With such a configuration, use of the vending machine can be promoted only to appropriate users.

Further, in the vending machine of the twelfth invention, in contrast to any one of the first to eleventh inventions, the specific information has a card identifier for identifying the card, and based on the control processing, the second The apparatus further comprises a history accumulation unit that performs accumulation processing for acquiring and accumulating history information, which is information relating to the history of use of control processing when the product is discharged free of charge and is information associated with the card identifier. , the control unit is a vending machine that performs control processing only when the history information corresponding to the card identifier of the specific information acquired by the specific information acquisition unit satisfies the usage condition.

With this configuration, it is possible to promote the use of vending machines under appropriate usage conditions.

Further, in the vending machine of the thirteenth invention, in any one of the first to the twelfth inventions, the control unit transmits the specific information acquired by the specific information acquisition unit to the server. means, determination result receiving means for receiving a determination result as to whether or not the free discharge condition is satisfied from the server in response to transmission of the specific information, and only when the determination result is information indicating that the free discharge condition is satisfied, and control processing means for performing control processing.

With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing load for the free discharge of products in the vending machine.

Further, the server of the fourteenth aspect of the invention uses the specific information receiving section that receives the specific information from the vending machine and the specific information received by the specific information receiving section to determine whether or not the condition for free discharge is satisfied. and a determination unit that acquires the determination result; and a determination result transmission unit that transmits the determination result acquired by the determination unit to the vending machine.

With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing load for the free discharge of products in the vending machine.

The vending machine according to the present invention facilitates the use of vending machines.

Conceptual diagram of vending machine system A according to Embodiment 1 Block diagram of vending machine system A Flowchart explaining the first operation example of the same vending machine 1 Flowchart explaining a second operation example of the vending machine 1 Flowchart for explaining an example of the determination result acquisition process Flowchart explaining an operation example of the same server 2 Block diagram of vending machine system B in Embodiment 2 Flowchart for explaining an example of determination result acquisition processing performed by the vending machine 4

Embodiments of a vending machine or the like will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that, since components denoted by the same reference numerals in the embodiments perform similar operations, repetitive description may be omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
In this embodiment, a vending machine that acquires information from a card and dispenses a second product free of charge in accordance with the purchase processing of the first product will be described.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the case of the advance process of ejecting the second product free of charge after detecting the purchase of the first product after acquiring the information from the card, information is acquired, and the second product is discharged free of charge according to the acquisition of the information.

Further, in this embodiment, a vending machine that discharges the second product free of charge when one or more free discharge conditions are met will be described.

Further, in the present embodiment, a vending machine that manages the card usage history and discharges the second product free of charge only when the usage condition based on the usage history is satisfied will be described. The terms of use are an example of free discharge terms.

Further, in the present embodiment, a vending machine that transmits information from a card to a server and discharges the second product free of charge if the server determines that the second product may be discharged free of charge. will be explained.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, regarding a server that receives information from one or more vending machines, determines whether or not the second product can be discharged free of charge, and transmits the determination result to the vending machine explain.

In this embodiment, the fact that the information A is associated with the information B means that the information B can be obtained from the information A or the information A can be obtained from the information B, and the method of the correspondence does not matter. . Information A and information B may be linked, may exist in the same buffer, information A may be included in information B, and information B may be included in information A. etc. is fine.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a vending machine system A according to this embodiment. The vending machine system A includes one or more vending machines 1, a server 2, and one or more cards.

The vending machine 1 is a device for discharging one or more kinds of products stored in the vending machine 1 . The products discharged from the vending machine 1 are, for example, various beverages. However, the type of product does not matter. The vending machine 1 is a machine that can sell stored products. The vending machine 1 here can discharge products for a fee by the user using one or more means. The means are used to cause the vending machine 1 to dispense the product. The means are, for example, cash, electronic money, and credit cards. Also, the type of the vending machine 1 does not matter.

The server 2 is capable of communicating with one or more vending machines 1, and performs determination processing to be described later. The server 2 is, for example, a so-called cloud server or an ASP server, but its type and installation location do not matter.

The card 3 is an object from which specific information can be obtained. The specific information is information used for using the free discharge process, which will be described later. The specific information may be an identifier of the card 3, or may be information indicating that the card 3 is a card that can use the free ejection process. Information indicating that the card 3 is a card that can use the free discharge process is, for example, a card identifier, a group identifier, a flag, an organization identifier, and the like. The group identifier is information that identifies the group to which the user who is the card holder belongs. A group identifier may be an organization identifier. The organization identifier is information identifying the organization to which the user belongs. The organization may be a company, a division, a department, a section, etc., and its unit does not matter. The card identifier is information for identifying the card 3, such as a user ID, e-mail address, telephone number, and the like. The card identifier may be a user identifier.

The card 3 is, for example, a card that can acquire information from the vending machine 1, a card that can communicate with the vending machine 1, or a terminal that can communicate with the vending machine 1, but any type of card can be used. In other words, the card 3 may be considered to include mobile terminals such as smartphones, tablet terminals, and mobile phones. The card 3 may serve as a national ID card, employee ID card, student ID card, health insurance card, driver's license, or the like. That is, the card 3 may have a role other than the role of causing the vending machine 1 to discharge the product. The card is, for example, an IC card or a magnetic card. The card 3 is capable of transmitting specific information to the vending machine 1 by short-range wireless communication such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The card 3 is, for example, an IC card. The IC card is preferably a non-contact IC card having a short-range wireless communication function such as FeliCa (registered trademark), but a contact IC card may also be used. A card is, for example, a medium on which a code is expressed. The medium is resin, paper, or the like, and the material of the medium does not matter. Moreover, the type of the card 3 does not matter. The definition of Card 3 should be understood broadly. Specific information is embedded in the code. In such case, the vending machine 1 can read the code. The code may be, for example, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a color code, or a one-dimensional code such as a bar code. It is sufficient that the specific information is passed from the card 3 to the vending machine 1, and the method of passing the specific information and the route for passing the specific information do not matter.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the vending machine system A according to this embodiment. A vending machine 1 that constitutes the vending machine system A includes a storage unit 11 , a reception unit 12 , and a processing unit 13 .

The processing unit 13 includes a specific information acquisition unit 131 , a discharge unit 132 , a control unit 133 and a history accumulation unit 134 . The control unit 133 includes specific information transmitting means 1231 , determination result receiving means 1232 and control processing means 1233 .

The server 2 includes a server storage section 21 , a server reception section 22 , a server processing section 23 and a server transmission section 24 . The server storage unit 21 has a condition storage unit 211 and a history information storage unit 212 . The condition storage unit 211 includes a first condition storage unit 2111 , a second condition storage unit 2112 , a block list storage unit 2113 , a safe list storage unit 2114 , a group management unit 2115 and a usage condition storage unit 2116 . The server reception section 22 has a specific information reception section 221 . The server processing unit 23 has a determination unit 231 . The server transmission unit 24 includes a judgment result transmission unit 241 .

Various types of information are stored in the storage unit 11 that constitutes the vending machine 1 . Various types of information are, for example, permission conditions to be described later. Further, the storage unit 11 stores one or more of the first condition storage unit 2111, the second condition storage unit 2112, the block list storage unit 2113, the safe list storage unit 2114, the group management unit 2115, and the usage condition storage unit 2116. You may have a part. In such a case, at least a part of the condition is determined as to whether or not the vending machine 1 satisfies the free discharge condition.

The reception unit 12 receives various types of information. Various types of information are, for example, product identifiers that identify products to be discharged. The product identifiers are, for example, column identifiers for identifying columns of the vending machine 1 and button identifiers for identifying buttons of the vending machine 1 . The product identifier may be any information that identifies the product. A product identifier is information corresponding to one type of product. In other words, the product identifier may be any information that can identify the product to be discharged.

The product identifiers are, for example, a first product identifier and a second product identifier. The first product identifier is information identifying a product that the user purchases for a fee. The second product identifier is information identifying the product that the user obtains for free.

The product identifier is accepted, for example, by pressing a button of the vending machine 1 by the user. Note that the buttons may be physical buttons or virtual buttons displayed on the display. The button may be any object that can be selected. The acceptance of the product identifier is, for example, reception of the product identifier from the user's terminal (not shown) to the vending machine 1 . It does not matter how the receiving unit 12 receives various types of information.

The processing unit 13 performs various types of processing. Various types of processing are, for example, processing performed by the specific information acquisition unit 131, the ejection unit 132, the control unit 133, and the history accumulation unit 134. FIG.

The specific information acquisition unit 131 acquires specific information from the card 3 storing the specific information. The specific information acquisition unit 131 receives the specific information from the card 3 by, for example, near field communication. The specific information acquisition unit 131 receives the specific information from the card 3, which is Felica, by NFC, for example.

The specific information acquisition unit 131 reads, for example, a code displayed on the card 3, in which specific information is embedded, and acquires the specific information. In such a case, the specific information acquisition unit 131 has a code reader function. Code readers are, for example, QR code readers and bar code readers.

The discharge unit 132 discharges the product identified by the product identifier received by the reception unit 12 .

The discharge unit 132 performs sales processing in response to the receiving unit 12 receiving the first product identifier that identifies the first product. The selling process is a process of discharging the first product identified by the first product identifier accepted by the accepting unit 12 for a fee. Sales processing is processing for selling known products in the vending machine 1 . Dispensing the first product for a fee includes when it is detected that the cash required to purchase the first product is inserted, and when it is detected that the amount of money required for the purchase of the first product is paid with electronic money. , regardless of the conditions for discharging the first product for a fee.

The discharge unit 132 discharges the second product in accordance with control processing to be described later. The discharging unit 132 discharges the second product identified by the second product identifier received by the receiving unit 12 free of charge according to control processing described later. Note that the control processing is processing performed by the control unit 133 .

After the reception unit 12 has received the first product identifier and after the specific information acquisition unit 131 has acquired the specific information, the control unit 133 controls in response to the reception unit 12 accepting the second product identifier. process. The control process is a process for the discharge unit 132 to discharge the second product identified by the second product identifier free of charge. The control process is, for example, to pass an instruction to discharge the second product free of charge to the discharge unit 132 . The control process is, for example, calling software that enables the discharge unit 132 to discharge the second product free of charge. As a result of the control process, the discharge unit 132 may discharge the second product identified by the second product identifier free of charge, and the method of realizing the free discharge of the second product does not matter. Here, the second product identifier and the first product identifier may be different identifiers, or may be the same identifier.

After the receiving unit 12 has received the first product identifier and after the specific information acquiring unit 131 has acquired the specific information, the control unit 133 described above responds to the receiving unit 12 receiving the second product identifier. and perform control processing” includes the following processing. That is, for example, after the specific information acquisition unit 131 has acquired the specific information, the control unit 133 determines that the reception unit 12 has two or more first product identifiers for the sales process of discharging two or more products for a fee. , the control process may be performed in response to the reception of the second product identifier by the reception unit 12 . In this case, for example, if two items are purchased within X hours (for example, within 30 seconds), the user can obtain one item for free. That is, since the control process is performed, the number of first product identifiers accepted by the accepting unit 12 does not matter. Also, in one control process, the number of second commodities discharged free of charge is usually one, but may be two or more. Further, the control unit 133, for example, after the discharge unit 132 has performed the sales process of discharging the first product for a fee in response to the acceptance of the first product identifier by the reception unit 12, sets the game conditions. Control processing may be performed when the condition is satisfied. In such a case, for example, when the user purchases N (N is a natural number equal to or greater than 1) for a fee, the control unit 133 executes a roulette game, and only when the roulette game is won, Control processing may be performed. In other words, the game condition is, for example, winning in a roulette game. However, the game conditions may be conditions in other games, such as inputting a hand that the user can win in rock-paper-scissors output by the control unit 133, for example. The game condition may be that the vending machine 1 wins a game internally, or that the user wins a game using information input by the user. Note that the information input by the user is, for example, an input by a button, an image of the user (for example, an image of a rock-paper-scissors game in which the user's hand is photographed), or the like. However, the input means of the information input by the user does not matter.

It is preferable that the control unit 133 performs the control process when the sales process is performed within the threshold time or during the time shorter than the threshold time after the specific information acquisition unit 131 acquires the specific information.

It is preferable for the control unit 133 to perform the control process only within a threshold time from the time corresponding to the sales process performed by the discharge unit 132 or for a time shorter than the threshold time. Time points corresponding to sales processing performed by the discharge unit 132 are, for example, when the first product is discharged, when the specific information acquisition unit 131 acquires the first specific information, and when the specific information acquisition unit 131 acquires the second specific information. It's time to get it. That is, the point of time may be any point of time as long as it relates to the sales process performed by the discharge unit 132, and the point of time from which the threshold time is calculated does not matter.

It is preferable that the control unit 133 performs control processing when the first specific information and the second specific information match the permission conditions. The first specific information is specific information corresponding to the first product identifier received by the receiving unit 12 . The second specific information is specific information corresponding to the second product identifier received by the reception unit 12 before the control unit 133 performs control processing. Note that the receiving unit 12 may not receive the second specific information in some cases.

Permit conditions are an example of free discharge conditions. A free discharge condition is a condition for discharging goods free of charge. The permission condition is a condition regarding the relationship between the first specific information and the second specific information. The permission condition is, for example, that the first specific information and the second specific information are the same. In such a case, the second product is provided free of charge to the user who purchased the first product. The permission condition is, for example, that the first specific information and the second specific information are different information and have a predetermined relationship. Note that the predetermined relationship is, for example, that the group identifier of the first specific information matches the group identifier of the second specific information. In such a case, a second user who has a predetermined relationship with the first user who purchased the first product can receive the second product free of charge. Further, the predetermined relationship is, for example, a relationship belonging to the same organization, or a superior-subordinate relationship.

It is preferable that the control unit 133 performs control processing only when the first product identifier matches the first condition. In such a case, the control unit 133 does not perform control processing when a product that does not meet the first condition is sold for a fee.

The first condition is a condition for using control processing. The first condition is a condition regarding the first product identifier. The first condition has, for example, one or more product identifiers. The first condition has, for example, one or more product type identifiers. A product type identifier is information that identifies the type of product, and is, for example, "coffee", "tea", and "water". In such a case, if a specific first product that meets the first condition is purchased, the second product will be discharged free of charge. Also, product type identifiers are usually managed in pairs with product identifiers.

It is preferable that the control unit 133 performs control processing only when the second product identifier matches the second condition. In such a case, the control unit 133 does not perform control processing for providing free of charge products that do not meet the second condition.

The second condition is a condition regarding the second product identifier. The second condition has, for example, one or more product identifiers. The second condition has, for example, one or more product type identifiers. In such a case, when the first product is purchased, the specific second product that meets the second condition will be discharged free of charge.

The control unit 133 may perform control processing only when the first product identifier matches the first condition and when the second product identifier matches the second condition.

It is preferable that the control unit 133 performs control processing only when the block list does not include the card identifier of the specific information. The block list stores one or more card identifiers that are not subject to control processing. The block list is preferably stored in the server 2, but may be stored in the storage unit 11 as well. The block list is information for managing cards 3 that cannot be used to discharge products from the vending machine 1 for free.

It is preferable that the control unit 133 performs control processing only when the group identifier of the specific information acquired by the specific information acquisition unit 131 is included in the group management unit. One or more group identifiers are stored in the group management section. A group identifier is information that identifies a group that is a target of control processing. The group management section is preferably stored in the server 2, but may be stored in the storage section 11 as well.

It is preferable that the control unit 133 performs control processing only when the safe list includes the card identifier of the specific information. The safe list stores one or more card identifiers for which control processing is to be performed. The safe list is preferably stored in the server 2, but may be stored in the storage unit 11 as well. The safe list is information for managing the cards 3 that can be used to discharge products from the vending machine 1 for free.

It is preferable that the control unit 133 performs control processing only when the history information corresponding to the card identifier included in the specific information acquired by the specific information acquiring unit 131 satisfies the usage conditions.

Note that the history information is information relating to the history of use of the control process. The history information is information that specifies the history of the user's acquisition of the second product for free. History information is information associated with a card identifier. History information has, for example, a card identifier and a date. The history information has, for example, a card identifier and date and time. The history information has, for example, vending machine identifiers. The vending machine identifier is information for identifying the vending machine 1 that has discharged the second product for free, and is, for example, the ID of the vending machine 1 .

The terms of use are conditions for using the free mode. The terms of use are usually terms relating to the frequency of use of the free mode. The usage condition is, for example, up to N times (N is a natural number equal to or greater than 1) per person per unit period. The usage condition is, for example, once per person per day. Also, the free mode is a case where the second product is obtained for free. Note that the free mode is a mode in which the second product can be discharged free of charge. The free mode is, for example, information that can be stored in the variable "mode", but it does not have to be information as it may be a case where the control is shifted to a control that allows the second product to be discharged free of charge.

It is preferable for the control unit 133 to perform control processing only when receiving from the server 2 a determination result indicating that the free discharge condition is satisfied. If the condition for free discharge is satisfied, for example, the judgment result is "OK", and if the condition for free discharge is not satisfied, for example, the judgment result is "NG".

The specific information transmitting means 1231 constituting the control section 133 transmits the specific information acquired by the specific information acquiring section 131 to the server 2 .

The determination result receiving means 1232 receives the determination result as to whether or not the free discharge condition is satisfied from the server 2 in response to the transmission of the specific information.

The control processing means 1233 performs control processing only when the judgment result received by the judgment result receiving means 1232 is information indicating that the free discharge condition is satisfied.

The history accumulation unit 134 acquires history information and performs accumulation processing when the second product is discharged free of charge based on the control processing. Accumulation processing is processing for accumulating history information. The accumulation destination of the history information is, for example, the server 2, but may be the storage unit 11 as well. The accumulation process is, for example, a process of transmitting history information to the server 2 . The accumulation process is, for example, a process of accumulating history information in the storage unit 11 .

For example, the history accumulation unit 134 acquires the date and time from a clock (not shown) when the second product is discharged free of charge based on the control process. Also, the history accumulation unit 134 acquires the card identifier included in the specific information acquired by the specific information acquisition unit 131 . Then, the history storage unit 134 acquires the vending machine identifier from the storage unit 11 . Then, the history storage unit 134 configures history information having, for example, a card identifier, a vending machine identifier, and date and time. Next, the history accumulation unit 134 performs accumulation processing using the configured history information. Note that the history information does not have to include the vending machine identifier.

Various kinds of information are stored in the server storage unit 21 that constitutes the server 2 . Various types of information are, for example, various types of conditions in the condition storage unit 211 and history information.

The condition storage unit 211 stores one or more free discharge conditions. The free discharge conditions are, for example, a permission condition, a first condition, a second condition, a block list, a safe list, one or more group identifiers, and a usage condition.

The first condition storage unit 2111 stores one or more first conditions. Preferably, the first condition is associated with the vending machine identifier. That is, the first condition may differ depending on the vending machine 1 .

The second condition storage unit 2112 stores one or more second conditions. The second condition is preferably associated with the vending machine identifier. That is, the second condition may differ depending on the vending machine 1 .

A block list is stored in the block list storage unit 2113 . A safe list is stored in the safe list storage unit 2114 . Note that the use of blocklists and safelists is usually one or the other. The block list is preferably associated with vending machine identifiers. That is, each vending machine 1 may have a different block list.

The group management unit 2115 stores one or more group identifiers that identify groups that are targets of control processing. The group identifier is preferably associated with the vending machine identifier. That is, each vending machine 1 may have a different group identifier.

The usage rule storage unit 2116 stores one or more usage rules. The terms of use are preferably associated with the vending machine identifier. That is, the usage conditions may differ depending on the vending machine 1 .

The history information storage unit 212 stores one or more pieces of history information. History information is usually associated with a card identifier. The history information may be associated with the first card identifier and the second card identifier. When the first card identifier and the second card identifier are associated with the history information, the terms of use are the terms of use for the pair of the person who purchases the product and the person who receives the product free of charge. The card is used once a day.” Also, history information may be associated with a vending machine identifier. In other words, the usage conditions may be determined for each vending machine 1 . In such a case, the usage condition is "per person, per vending machine, up to once a day".

The server reception unit 22 receives various information from the vending machine 1 . Various types of information are, for example, specific information, a first product identifier, a second product identifier, and a vending machine identifier.

The specific information receiving section 221 receives specific information from the vending machine 1 . The specific information receiving section 221 receives the first specific information from the vending machine 1, for example. The specific information receiving unit 221 receives the second specific information from the vending machine 1, for example.

The server processing unit 23 performs various types of processing. Various types of processing are, for example, determination processing performed by the determination unit 231 . The server processing unit 23 accumulates the specific information received by the specific information receiving unit 221 in the history information storage unit 212 .

Using the specific information received by the specific information receiving unit 221, the judging unit 231 judges whether or not the free discharge condition is satisfied, and acquires the judgment result. The determination result is information specifying whether or not the free discharge condition is satisfied. The determination process of the determination unit 231 will be described below for each free discharge condition.
(1) When free discharge conditions include permission conditions

The determination unit 231 determines, for example, whether the first specific information received by the specific information receiving unit 221 and the second specific information received by the specific information receiving unit 221 match the permission condition, and acquires the determination result. do. The permission condition is, for example, that the first specific information and the second specific information are the same information. The permission condition is, for example, that the first specific information and the second specific information are different information and have a predetermined relationship.

For example, the determination unit 231 determines that the first specification information and the second specification information received by the specification information reception unit 221 match the permission condition paired with the vending machine identifier corresponding to the first specification information or the second specification information. Determine whether or not, and acquire the determination result. Note that here, for example, when the permission condition is met, the determination unit 231 acquires the determination result “OK”.
(2) When free discharge conditions include the first condition

For example, the determination unit 231 determines whether the first product identifier received by the reception unit 22 matches the first condition, and acquires the determination result.

For example, the determination unit 231 determines whether the first product identifier matches the first condition paired with the vending machine identifier corresponding to the first product identifier received by the reception unit 22, and acquires the determination result. do. Note that here, for example, when the first condition is met, the determination unit 231 acquires the determination result “OK”.
(3) When the free discharge condition includes the second condition

For example, the determination unit 231 determines whether the second product identifier received by the reception unit 22 matches the second condition, and acquires the determination result.

For example, the determination unit 231 determines whether the second product identifier matches the second condition paired with the vending machine identifier corresponding to the second product identifier received by the reception unit 22, and acquires the determination result. do. Note that here, for example, when the second condition is met, the determination unit 231 acquires the determination result “OK”.
(4) When free discharge conditions include block list conditions

The block list condition is that the card identifier of card 3 using the free mode is not included in the block list.

Judging section 231 judges whether or not the card identifier included in the specific information received by specific information receiving section 221 is included in the block list of block list storage section 2113, and acquires the judgment result.

The determining unit 231 determines, for example, whether the card identifier of the specific information received by the specific information receiving unit 221 is included in the block list paired with the vending machine identifier corresponding to the specific information, and outputs the determination result. get. It should be noted that here, for example, when the block list is not included, the determination unit 231 acquires the determination result “OK”.
(5) When free discharge conditions include safe list conditions

The safelist condition is that the card identifier of the card 3 using the free mode is included in the safelist.

Judging section 231 judges whether or not the card identifier included in the specific information received by specific information receiving section 221 is included in the safe list of safe list storage section 2114, and obtains the judgment result.

The determining unit 231 determines, for example, whether the card identifier of the specific information received by the specific information receiving unit 221 is included in the safe list paired with the vending machine identifier corresponding to the specific information, and outputs the determination result. get. It should be noted that here, for example, when included in the safe list, the determination unit 231 acquires the determination result “OK”.
(6) When free emission conditions include group conditions

The group condition is that the group management section 2115 includes the group identifier included in the specific information of the card 3 that uses the free mode.

Determining section 231 determines whether the group identifier included in the specific information received by specific information receiving section 221 is included in group management section 2115, and obtains the result of the determination.

The determination unit 231 determines whether or not a group identifier possessed by the specific information is included in one or more group identifiers paired with the vending machine identifier corresponding to the specific information received by the specific information receiving unit 221, Get the judgment result. Note that here, for example, when a group identifier is included, the determination unit 231 acquires the determination result “OK”.
(7) When free discharge conditions include usage conditions

The determination unit 231 acquires from the history information storage unit 212 the history information corresponding to the card identifier included in the specific information received by the specific information reception unit 221, determines whether the history information satisfies the usage conditions, and determines whether the history information satisfies the usage conditions. Get results.

The determination unit 231 is, for example, history information paired with the vending machine identifier corresponding to the specific information received by the specific information receiving unit 221, and retrieves the history information corresponding to the card identifier included in the specific information from the history information storage unit 212. It determines whether or not the history information satisfies the usage conditions, and acquires the determination result. Note that here, for example, when the usage condition is satisfied, the determination unit 231 acquires the determination result “OK”.

Note that the free discharge condition may include two or more of conditions (1) to (7). In other words, the determination unit 231 may acquire the determination result using a free discharge condition in which two or more of the conditions (1) to (7) are combined.

The server transmission unit 24 transmits various types of information to the vending machine 1 . Various kinds of information are, for example, judgment results.

The determination result transmission unit 241 transmits the determination result acquired by the determination unit 231 to the vending machine 1 .

Storage unit 11, server storage unit 21, condition storage unit 211, history information storage unit 212, first condition storage unit 2111, second condition storage unit 2112, block list storage unit 2113, safe list storage unit 2114, group management unit 2115 , and usage rule storage unit 2116 are preferably non-volatile recording media, but can also be realized with volatile recording media.

It does not matter how the information is stored in the storage unit 11 or the like. For example, information may be stored in the storage unit 11 or the like via a recording medium, or information transmitted via a communication line or the like may be stored in the storage unit 11 or the like. Alternatively, information input via an input device may be stored in the storage unit 11 or the like.

The reception unit 12 is implemented by, for example, software or the like that acquires product identifiers for identifying buttons of the vending machine 1 and pressed buttons.

The processing unit 13, the specific information acquiring unit 131, the ejecting unit 132, the control unit 133, the history accumulation unit 134, the control processing means 1233, the server processing unit 23, and the determination unit 231 can usually be implemented by a processor, memory, or the like. The processing procedure of the processing unit 13 and the like is normally realized by software, and the software is recorded in a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit). Note that the processor may be a CPU, MPU, GPU, or the like, and may be of any type.

The specific information transmitting means 1231, the server transmitting section 24, and the judgment result transmitting section 241 are usually realized by wireless or wired communication means.

The judgment result receiving means 1232, the server receiving section 22, and the specific information receiving section 221 are usually realized by wireless or wired communication means.

Next, an operation example of the vending machine system A will be described. First, a first operation example of the vending machine 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. A first operation example is the case of so-called pre-attachment processing.

(Step S<b>301 ) The specific information acquisition unit 131 determines whether or not the specific information is acquired from the card 3 . If the specific information is acquired, the process goes to step S302, and if the specific information is not acquired, the process goes to step S310.

(Step S302) The control unit 133 acquires a determination result that is a result of determination processing using the specific information acquired in step S301. An example of such determination result acquisition processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S303) The control unit 133 determines whether the determination result acquired in step S302 is "OK" or "NG". If "OK", go to step S304, and if "NG", go to step S309.

(Step S304) The reception unit 12 determines whether or not the first product identifier and the like have been received. If the first product identifier or the like has been received, the process goes to step S305, and if the first product identifier or the like has not been received, the process goes to step S308. The first product identifier and the like are, for example, the first product identifier and the cash for the first product, and the first product identifier and information indicating that the payment for the first product has been completed.

(Step S305) The discharge unit 132 discharges the first product identified by the first product identifier accepted in step S304. At this point, the sales processing is completed.

(Step S306) The control unit 133 acquires a determination result as to whether or not the first product identifier accepted in step S304 satisfies the first condition. If the first condition is satisfied, the process goes to step S307, and if the first condition is not satisfied, the process returns to step S301. This determination may be made by the control unit 133 using the first condition in the storage unit 11 or by the server 2 .

(Step S307) The control unit 133 substitutes the value "free mode" for the variable "mode". Return to step S301. The initial value of the variable "mode" is "normal mode". The normal mode is a mode in which products are sold for a fee.

(Step S308) The control unit 133 determines whether or not only the time within the threshold time has passed since the specific information acquisition unit 131 acquired the specific information in step S301. If the time is within the threshold time, the process returns to step S304, and if the time exceeds the threshold time, the process returns to step S301. If more time than the threshold time has passed, it is timed out, and in step S301, it means that the specific information was not acquired.

(Step S309) The control unit 133 acquires an error message indicating that the free mode cannot be used, and outputs the error message. Return to step S301. The content of the error message is irrelevant.

(Step S310) The reception unit 12 determines whether or not the second product identifier or the like has been received. If the second product identifier or the like has been received, the process goes to step S311, and if the second product identifier or the like has not been received, the process returns to step S301. The second product identifier, etc. can be, for example, only the second product identifier, the second product identifier and the second specific information, the second product identifier and the cash for the second product, or the second product identifier and the second product is information to the effect that the payment has been completed.

(Step S311) The control unit 133 determines whether or not the value of the variable "mode" is "free mode". If it is the "free mode", go to step S313, and if it is the "normal mode", go to step S312.

(Step S312) The discharge unit 132 discharges the second product identified by the second product identifier accepted in step S310. Return to step S301. In this case, the second product is sold for a fee.

(Step S313) The control unit 133 acquires the determination result as to whether or not the second product identifier accepted in step S310 satisfies the second condition. If the second condition is satisfied, the process goes to step S314, and if the second condition is not satisfied, the process goes to step S318. This determination may be made by the control unit 133 using the second condition of the storage unit 11 or by the server 2 . Here, the control unit 133 determines whether or not the first specific information acquired in step S301 and the second specific information acquired in step S310 satisfy the permission condition, and if the permission condition is satisfied, the control unit 133 determines whether the permission condition is satisfied. You may go to S314 and go to step S318 if the condition is not satisfied.

(Step S314) The discharge unit 132 discharges the second product identified by the second product identifier accepted in step S310.

(Step S315) The control unit 133 substitutes the value "normal mode" for the variable "mode".

(Step S316) The history accumulation unit 134 configures history information including the specific information acquired in step S301.

(Step S317) The history accumulation unit 134 performs accumulation processing using the history information configured in step S316. Return to step S301.

(Step S318) The control unit 133 acquires an error message indicating that the free mode cannot be used, and outputs the error message. Return to step S301.

Note that in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the process ends when the power is turned off or an interrupt for ending the process occurs.

Next, a second operation example of the vending machine 1 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. In the flow chart of FIG. 4, description of the same steps as those of the flow chart of FIG. 3 will be omitted. A second example of operation is the case of retrofitting.

(Step S401) The specific information acquisition unit 131 determines whether or not specific information has been acquired. If the specific information is acquired, the process goes to step S402, and if the specific information is not acquired, the process returns to step S304. Here, the specific information acquisition unit 131 acquires valid specific information after the purchase process of the first product is performed.

(Step S402) The control unit 133 determines whether or not the value of the variable "mode" is "free mode". If it is the "free mode", go to step S403, and if it is the "normal mode", go to step S409.

(Step S403) The reception unit 12 determines whether or not the second product identifier or the like has been received. If the second product identifier or the like is received, the process goes to step S404, and if the second product identifier or the like is not received, the process returns to step S403. The second product identifier and the like are, for example, only the second product identifier, or the second product identifier and the second specific information. The second specific information is specific information different from the specific information accepted in step S401. Further, the specific information received in step S401 is the first specific information.

(Step S404) The control unit 133 acquires a determination result as to whether or not the second product identifier accepted in step S403 satisfies the second condition. If the second condition is satisfied, the process goes to step S405, and if the second condition is not satisfied, the process goes to step S408. This determination may be made by the control unit 133 using the second condition of the storage unit 11 or by the server 2 . Here, the control unit 133 determines whether or not the first specific information acquired in step S401 and the second specific information acquired in step S403 satisfy the permission condition, and if the permission condition is satisfied, the control unit 133 determines whether the permission condition is satisfied. You may go to S405 and go to step S408 if the condition is not satisfied.

(Step S405) The control unit 133 acquires a determination result that is a result of determination processing using the specific information acquired in step S401. An example of such determination result acquisition processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the control unit 133 may acquire a determination result that is a result of determination processing using the first specific information acquired in step S401 and the second specific information acquired in step S403.

(Step S406) The control unit 133 determines whether the determination result obtained in step S405 is "OK" or "NG". If "OK", go to step S314, and if "NG", go to step S407.

(Step S407) The control unit 133 acquires an error message indicating that the free mode cannot be used, and outputs the error message. Return to step S304.

(Step S408) The control unit 133 acquires an error message indicating that the free mode cannot be used, and outputs the error message. Return to step S304.

(Step S409) The control unit 133 acquires an error message indicating that the mode is not the free mode, and outputs the error message. Return to step S304.

In S304 of the flowchart of FIG. 4, the first product identifier and the like received by the reception unit 12 are, for example, the first product identifier and the first product fee in cash, or the first product identifier and the payment for the first product are completed. This is information to the effect that

In addition, in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the processing ends when the power is turned off or an interrupt for processing end occurs.

Next, an example of the determination result acquisition process in step S302 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S501) The specific information transmitting means 1231 configures transmission information including the acquired specific information. The transmission information is information to be transmitted to the server 2 for determination processing. The transmission information includes the acquired specific information. The transmission information includes, for example, first specific information and second specific information. The transmission information includes, for example, only the first specific information.

(Step S502) The specific information transmitting means 1231 transmits the transmission information configured in step S501.

(Step S503) The determination result receiving means 1232 determines whether or not the determination result has been received from the server 2 in response to the transmission of the transmission information. When the determination result is received, the process returns to the upper process, and when the determination result is not received, the process returns to step S503.

Next, an operation example of the server 2 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S<b>601 ) The specific information receiving section 221 determines whether information including specific information has been received from the vending machine 1 . If the information has been received, the process goes to step S602, and if the information has not been received, the process goes to step S610. The received information is information used for determination processing. Further, the received specific information is the first specific information and the second specific information, or the first specific information.

(Step S602) The determination unit 231 acquires a card identifier from the specific information received in step S601. The card identifiers to be acquired are the first card identifier and the second card identifier, or the first card identifier.

(Step S603) The determination unit 231 determines whether or not the two card identifiers acquired in step S602 satisfy the permission condition. If the permission conditions are satisfied, the process goes to step S604, and if the permission conditions are not satisfied, the process goes to step S609. It should be noted that this determination is made when the first card identifier and the second card identifier have been acquired in step S602.

(Step S604) The determination unit 231 acquires from the history information storage unit 212 history information paired with one or two card identifiers acquired in step S602. It should be noted that it may not be possible to acquire the history information here.

(Step S605) Using the history information acquired in step S604, the determination unit 231 determines whether or not the usage condition is satisfied. If the usage conditions are met, the process goes to step S606, and if the usage conditions are not met, the process goes to step S609.

(Step S606) The determination unit 231 refers to the safelist storage unit 2114 using one or two card identifiers acquired in step S602, and determines whether or not the safelist conditions are satisfied. If the safelist conditions are met, the process goes to step S607, and if the safelist conditions are not met, the process goes to step S609.

(Step S607) The judgment unit 231 substitutes "OK" for the variable "judgment result".

(Step S608) The determination result transmission unit 241 transmits the acquired determination result to the vending machine 1 that transmitted the information. Return to upper process.

(Step S609) The judgment unit 231 substitutes "NG" for the variable "judgment result". Go to step S608.

(Step S610) The server reception unit 22 determines whether history information has been received from the vending machine 1 or not. If the history information has been received, the process goes to step S611, and if the history information has not been received, the process returns to step S601.

(Step S611) The server processing unit 23 accumulates the history information received in step S610 in the history information storage unit 212. FIG. Return to upper process.

In addition, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, determination processing using a block list may be performed.

In addition, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the processing ends when the power is turned off or an interrupt for processing end occurs.

A specific operation example of the vending machine system A according to the present embodiment will be described below.

It is assumed here that the condition storage unit 211 of the server 2 does not include the first condition storage unit 2111, the second condition storage unit 2112, the block list storage unit 2113, and the safe list storage unit 2114.

It is assumed that the group management unit 2115 of the server 2 stores group identifiers “group A” and “group B”. It is also assumed that the permission condition is that the group identifier "group A" or "group B" is included in the received specific information. It is assumed that the group identifier "group A" is associated with the vending machine identifier "V01" and the group identifier "group B" is associated with the vending machine identifier "V02".

It is also assumed that the usage condition in the usage condition storage unit 2116 is "once per person/day". In other words, it is assumed that one card 3 is allowed to use the free mode only once a day. Also, assume that the card 3 here is, for example, an IC card (for example, Felica).

Under such circumstances, the following two specific examples will be described. Specific example 1 is a case where the vending machine 1 performs the first operation example (see FIG. 3). Specific example 2 is a case where the vending machine 1 performs the operation of the second operation example (see FIG. 4).

(Specific example 1)
Assume now that user X has moved in front of the vending machine 1 together with user Y, who is a subordinate of user X. FIG. Then, it is assumed that the user X held his or her own card 3 over the IC card reader of the vending machine 1 . It is assumed that user X's card 3 stores specific information including a card identifier including a group identifier "group A" and a user identifier "XXX".

Then, the specific information acquisition unit 131 of the vending machine 1 acquires the specific information (<group identifier> group A <user identifier> XXX).

Next, the control unit 133 acquires a determination result that is a result of determination processing using the specific information (<group identifier>group A <user identifier>XXX). That is, the specific information transmitting means 1231 configures the transmission information (<group identifier> group A <user identifier> XXX <vending machine identifier> V01) including the acquired specific information. It is assumed that the specific information transmission means 1231 reads out the vending machine identifier "V01" from the storage unit 11 and configures transmission information. Next, the specific information transmission means 1231 transmits the transmission information to the server 2 .

Next, the specific information receiving unit 221 of the server 2 receives the transmission information (<group identifier> group A <user identifier> XXX <vending machine identifier> V01) from the vending machine 1 . Here, it is assumed that the operation of a timer (not shown) is started.

Next, the determination unit 231 acquires the group identifier “group A” from the received information. Next, the determination unit 231 acquires from the group management unit 2115 the group identifier “group A” paired with the vending machine identifier “V01”. Then, determination section 231 determines that the group condition is satisfied because the group identifier “group A” of the received transmission information matches the group identifier “group A” of group management section 2115 .

Next, it is assumed that determination unit 231 determines that history information paired with the acquired user identifier “XXX” and today's date does not exist in history information storage unit 212 . Then, since the history information could not be acquired, the determination unit 231 determines that the usage condition "once per person/day" is satisfied.

Then, the judgment unit 231 substitutes "OK" for the variable "judgment result". Next, the determination result transmission unit 241 transmits the determination result “OK” to the vending machine 1 .

Next, the judgment result receiving means 1232 of the vending machine 1 receives the judgment result "OK" from the server 2 in response to the transmission of the transmission information.

Next, it is assumed that the user X inserts coins of the fixed price of the first product he wishes to purchase into the vending machine 1 and presses the button for the first product.

Then, the reception unit 12 of the vending machine 1 receives the first product identifier (pressing the button) and the coin. Also, the control unit 133 determines that the time counted by a timer (not shown) is within the threshold time. Then, the discharge unit 132 discharges the first product corresponding to the button.

Next, control unit 133 determines that the received first product identifier satisfies the first condition. Here, it is assumed that the first condition is stored in the storage unit 11, for example.

Next, the control unit 133 substitutes the value “free mode” for the variable “mode”.

Next, it is assumed that user Y or user X instructs the button corresponding to the second product of the vending machine 1 after the sales processing of the first product.

Then, the reception unit 12 of the vending machine 1 receives the second product identifier. Next, it is assumed that the control unit 133 determines that only the time within the threshold time has passed since the specific information acquisition unit 131 acquired the specific information. Note that it is not necessary to judge timeout here.

Next, the control unit 133 reads the variable "mode" and determines that the value of the variable "mode" is "free mode".

Next, the discharge unit 132 discharges the second product identified by the accepted second product identifier free of charge.

Next, the control unit 133 substitutes the value “normal mode” for the variable “mode”.

Next, the history accumulation unit 134 configures history information (<group identifier> group A <user identifier> XXX <vending machine identifier> V01 <date and time> 15:34 on November 8, 2021) including the acquired specific information. do. It is assumed that the history accumulation unit 134 acquires the date and time “November 8, 2021, 15:34” from a clock (not shown). Next, the history accumulation unit 134 transmits to the server 2 using the configured history information.

Next, the server reception unit 22 of the server 2 receives the history information from the vending machine 1 . Next, the server processing unit 23 stores the received history information in the history information storage unit 212 .

As described above, in this specific example, user Y, who is a subordinate of user X, can obtain the second product free of charge as a result of user X purchasing the first product. As a result, it can be expected that the communication between the user X and the user Y will become active.

(Specific example 2)
Assume now that user X has moved in front of the vending machine 1 together with user Y, who is a subordinate of user X. FIG. Then, it is assumed that the user X purchased the first product from the vending machine 1 at a fixed price using electronic money. Assume that the discharge unit 132 of the vending machine 1 has discharged the first product. It should be noted that the purchase process here is the process of purchasing a known product for the vending machine 1 .

Next, the control unit 133 of the vending machine 1 substitutes the value "free mode" for the variable "mode". Here, it is assumed that the operation of a timer (not shown) is started.

Next, it is assumed that user X held his or her own card 3 over the IC card reader of vending machine 1 . It is assumed that user X's card 3 stores specific information including a card identifier including a group identifier "group A" and a user identifier "XXX".

Then, the specific information acquisition unit 131 of the vending machine 1 acquires the specific information (<group identifier> group A <user identifier> XXX).

Next, the control unit 133 reads the variable "mode" and determines that the value is "free mode".

Next, it is assumed that user Y or user X indicates the button corresponding to the second product of vending machine 1 .

Then, the receiving unit 12 receives the second product identifier corresponding to the designated button. Also, here, it is assumed that the control unit 133 determines that the time counted by the timer (not shown) is within the threshold time.

Next, it is assumed that the control unit 133 determines that the accepted second product identifier satisfies the second condition. Here, it is assumed that the second condition is stored in the storage unit 11, for example.

Next, the control unit 133 acquires a determination result that is a result of determination processing using the specific information (<group identifier>group A <user identifier>XXX). That is, the specific information transmitting means 1231 configures the transmission information (<group identifier>group A <user identifier>XXX) including the acquired specific information. Next, the specific information transmission means 1231 transmits the transmission information to the server 2 .

Next, the specific information receiving unit 221 of the server 2 receives the transmission information (<group identifier> group A <user identifier> XXX) from the vending machine 1 .

Next, the specific information receiving unit 221 of the server 2 receives the transmission information (<group identifier> group A <user identifier> XXX <vending machine identifier> V01) from the vending machine 1 .

Next, the determination unit 231 acquires the group identifier “group A” from the received information. Next, the determination unit 231 determines that the group identifier “group A” satisfies the group condition.

Next, it is assumed that determination unit 231 determines that history information paired with the acquired user identifier “XXX” and today's date does not exist in history information storage unit 212 . Then, since the history information could not be acquired, the determination unit 231 determines that the usage condition "once per person/day" is satisfied.

Then, the judgment unit 231 substitutes "OK" for the variable "judgment result". Next, the determination result transmission unit 241 transmits the determination result “OK” to the vending machine 1 .

Next, the judgment result receiving means 1232 of the vending machine 1 receives the judgment result "OK" from the server 2 in response to the transmission of the transmission information.

Next, the discharge unit 132 of the vending machine 1 discharges the second product identified by the accepted second product identifier.

Next, the control unit 133 substitutes the value “normal mode” for the variable “mode”.

Next, the history accumulation unit 134 configures history information (<group identifier> group A <user identifier> XXX <date and time> 15:34 on November 8, 2021) including the acquired specific information. It is assumed that the history accumulation unit 134 acquires the date and time “November 8, 2021, 15:34” from a clock (not shown). Next, the history accumulation unit 134 transmits to the server 2 using the configured history information.

Next, the server reception unit 22 of the server 2 receives the history information from the vending machine 1 . Next, the server processing unit 23 stores the received history information in the history information storage unit 212 .

As described above, in this specific example, user Y, who is a subordinate of user X, can obtain the second product free of charge as a result of user X purchasing the first product. As a result, it can be expected that the communication between the user X and the user Y will become active.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by performing the sales process of discharging the first product for a fee, the second product can be discharged free of charge, thereby promoting the use of the vending machine.

Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the vending machine 1 capable of supporting communication between users by recognizing the cards 3 of two users having a predetermined relationship.

Further, according to the present embodiment, by performing determination processing using the first condition, it is possible to promote sales of specific products using vending machines.

Moreover, according to the present embodiment, by performing the determination process using the second condition, it is possible to promote the provision of specific products using the vending machine.

Further, according to the present embodiment, by performing determination processing using a block list or a safe list, it is possible to encourage only appropriate users to use vending machines.

Further, according to the present embodiment, by performing the determination process using the group condition, it is possible to promote the use of the vending machine only to appropriate users.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the use of the vending machine can be promoted under appropriate usage conditions by performing determination processing using usage conditions.

Note that the processing in this embodiment may be realized by software. Then, this software may be distributed by software download or the like. Also, this software may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed. Note that this also applies to other embodiments in this specification. The software that implements the vending machine 1 in this embodiment is the following program. In other words, this program specifies a vending machine, a receiving unit that receives a product identifier that identifies a product to be discharged, a discharge unit that discharges the product identified by the product identifier received by the receiving unit, and a card. A program for functioning as a specific information acquisition unit that acquires the specific information from the card storing the specific information, wherein the discharge unit receives a first product identifier that identifies the first product from the reception unit. In response to the acceptance, performing sales processing for discharging the first product for a fee, after the reception unit has received the first product identifier, and the specific information acquisition unit has acquired the specific information. Later, the vending unit as a control unit that performs control processing for the discharge unit to discharge the second product free of charge in response to the reception unit receiving the second product identifier that identifies the second product. The vending machine is further functioned, and the discharge unit is a program for causing the vending machine to function as one that discharges the second product according to the control process.

Also, the software that implements the server 2 is the following program. That is, this program uses a specific information receiving section that receives specific information from the vending machine 1, and the specific information received by the specific information receiving section to determine whether or not the free discharge condition is satisfied. and a determination unit that acquires a determination result, and a determination result transmission unit that transmits the determination result acquired by the determination unit to the vending machine.

(Embodiment 2)
This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the vending machine operates standalone. In other words, the server 2 is unnecessary in this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of vending machine system B in this embodiment. Vending machine system B has a vending machine 4 and one or more cards 3 .

The vending machine 4 includes a storage section 41 , a reception section 12 and a processing section 42 . Storage unit 41 includes condition storage unit 211 and history information storage unit 212 . The processing unit 42 includes a specific information acquisition unit 131 , a discharge unit 132 , a determination unit 421 , a control unit 422 and a history storage unit 134 .

Various types of information are stored in the storage unit 41 . Various types of information are, for example, various conditions and history information. Various conditions are, for example, a permission condition, a first condition, a second condition, a block list, a safe list, one or more group identifiers, and a usage condition.

The processing unit 42 performs various types of processing. Various types of processing are, for example, processing performed by the specific information acquisition unit 131, the ejection unit 132, the determination unit 421, the control unit 422, and the history accumulation unit 134. FIG.

The determination unit 421 performs determination processing using the specific information acquired by the specific information acquisition unit 131 . Note that the determination process is the same as the process performed by the determination unit 231 .

After the reception unit 12 has received the first product identifier and after the specific information acquisition unit 131 has acquired the specific information, the control unit 422 performs control in response to the reception unit 12 accepting the second product identifier. process. The control process is a process for the discharge unit 132 to discharge the second product identified by the second product identifier free of charge. Details of the control process have been described above.

It is preferable that the control unit 422 performs the control process when the sales process is performed within the threshold time or during the time shorter than the threshold time after the specific information acquisition unit 131 acquires the specific information.

It is preferable for the control unit 422 to perform the control process only within a threshold time from the time corresponding to the sales process performed by the discharge unit 132 or for a time shorter than the threshold time.

It is preferable that the control unit 422 performs control processing when the first specific information and the second specific information match the permission conditions.

It is preferable that the control unit 422 performs control processing only when the first product identifier matches the first condition.

It is preferable that the control unit 422 performs control processing only when the second product identifier matches the second condition.

The control unit 422 may perform control processing only when the first product identifier matches the first condition and when the second product identifier matches the second condition.

It is preferable that the control unit 422 performs control processing only when the block list does not include the card identifier of the specific information.

It is preferable that the control unit 422 performs control processing only when the group identifier of the specific information acquired by the specific information acquisition unit 131 is included in the group management unit.

It is preferable that the control unit 422 performs control processing only when the safe list includes the card identifier of the specific information.

It is preferable that the control unit 422 performs control processing only when the history information corresponding to the card identifier included in the specific information acquired by the specific information acquisition unit 131 satisfies the usage conditions.

It is preferable that the control unit 422 performs control processing only when the judgment unit 421 receives the judgment result indicating that the free discharge condition is satisfied.

The storage unit 41, the condition storage unit 211, and the history information storage unit 212 are preferably non-volatile recording media, but can also be realized with volatile recording media.

It does not matter how the information is stored in the storage unit 41 or the like. For example, information may be stored in the storage unit 41 or the like via a recording medium, or information transmitted via a communication line or the like may be stored in the storage unit 41 or the like. Alternatively, information input via an input device may be stored in the storage unit 41 or the like.

The processing unit 42, the specific information acquiring unit 131, the ejecting unit 132, the determining unit 421, the control unit 422, and the history accumulation unit 134 can usually be implemented by a processor, memory, or the like. The processing procedure of the processing unit 42 and the like is normally realized by software, and the software is recorded in a recording medium such as a ROM. However, it may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit). Note that the processor may be a CPU, MPU, GPU, or the like, and may be of any type.

Next, an operation example of the vending machine 4 will be described. An operation example of the vending machine 4 is the same as that of FIGS. 3 and 4 except for the determination result acquisition process. An example of determination result acquisition processing performed by the vending machine 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S<b>801 ) The determination unit 421 acquires a card identifier from the specific information acquired from the card 3 . The card identifier is the first card identifier and the second card identifier, or the first card identifier.

(Step S802) The determination unit 421 determines whether or not the two card identifiers acquired in step S801 satisfy the permission condition. If the permission conditions are satisfied, the process goes to step S803, and if the permission conditions are not satisfied, the process goes to step S808. It should be noted that there may be a case where the determination using the permission condition is not performed here.

(Step S803) The determination unit 421 acquires from the history information storage unit 212 history information paired with one or two card identifiers acquired in step S801. It should be noted that it may not be possible to acquire the history information here.

(Step S804) Using the history information acquired in step S803, the determination unit 421 determines whether or not the usage condition is satisfied. If the usage conditions are met, the process goes to step S805, and if the usage conditions are not met, the process goes to step S807.

(Step S805) The determination unit 421 refers to the safelist storage unit 2114 using one or two card identifiers acquired in step S801, and determines whether or not the safelist conditions are satisfied. If the safelist conditions are met, the process goes to step S806, and if the safelist conditions are not met, the process goes to step S807.

(Step S806) The judgment unit 421 substitutes "OK" for the variable "judgment result". Return to upper process.

(Step S807) The judgment unit 421 substitutes "NG" for the variable "judgment result". Return to upper process.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by performing the sales process of discharging the first product for a fee, the second product can be discharged free of charge, thereby promoting the use of the vending machine.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the vending machine 1 operates stand-alone, there is no need to prepare the server 2, and a simple system configuration can realize a function that promotes the use of the vending machine.

The software that implements the vending machine 4 in this embodiment is the following program. In other words, this program specifies a vending machine, a receiving unit that receives a product identifier that identifies a product to be discharged, a discharge unit that discharges the product identified by the product identifier received by the receiving unit, and a card. A program for functioning as a specific information acquisition unit that acquires the specific information from the card storing the specific information, wherein the discharge unit receives a first product identifier that identifies the first product from the reception unit. In response to the acceptance, performing sales processing for discharging the first product for a fee, after the reception unit has received the first product identifier, and the specific information acquisition unit has acquired the specific information. Later, the vending unit as a control unit that performs control processing for the discharge unit to discharge the second product free of charge in response to the reception unit receiving the second product identifier that identifies the second product. The vending machine is further functioned, and the discharge unit is a program for causing the vending machine to function as one that discharges the second product according to the control process.

The number of computers that execute the above programs may be singular or plural. That is, centralized processing may be performed, or distributed processing may be performed.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, it goes without saying that two or more communication means existing in one device may be physically realized by one medium.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, each process may be implemented by centralized processing by a single device, or may be implemented by distributed processing by a plurality of devices. That is, for example, the vending machine and the server 2 may arbitrarily share the judgment processing described above.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that various modifications are possible and are also included within the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the vending machine according to the present invention has the effect of promoting the use of vending machines, and is useful as a vending machine or the like.

Reference Signs List 1, 4 vending machine 2 server 3 card 11, 41 storage unit 12 reception unit 13, 42 processing unit 21 server storage unit 22 server reception unit 22 reception unit 23 server processing unit 24 server transmission unit 131 specific information acquisition unit 132 discharge unit 133, 422 control unit 134 history accumulation unit 211 condition storage unit 212 history information storage unit 221 specific information reception unit 231, 421 judgment unit 241 judgment result transmission unit 1231 specific information transmission means 1232 judgment result reception means 1233 control processing means 2111 first Condition storage unit 2112 Second condition storage unit 2113 Block list storage unit 2114 Safe list storage unit 2115 Group management unit 2116 Usage condition storage unit

Claims (16)

a reception unit that receives a product identifier that identifies a product to be discharged;
a discharge unit that discharges the product identified by the product identifier received by the reception unit;
a specific information acquiring unit that acquires the specific information from the card that stores the specific information that specifies the card,
The discharge unit is
performing sales processing for discharging the first product for a fee in response to the receipt of the first product identifier for identifying the first product by the reception unit;
After the receiving unit has received the first product identifier and after the specific information obtaining unit has obtained the specific information, the receiving unit has received a second product identifier that identifies the second product and further comprising a control unit that performs a control process for the discharge unit to discharge the second product free of charge,
The discharge unit is
A vending machine that discharges the second product according to the control process. The control unit
2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein said control processing is performed when said sales processing is performed within a threshold time or within a time shorter than a threshold time after said specific information obtaining unit obtains said specific information. . The specific information acquisition unit
Acquiring first identification information corresponding to the first product identifier accepted by the reception unit, and obtaining a second identification corresponding to the second product identifier received by the reception unit before the control unit performs the control processing get information,
The control unit
3. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein said control processing is performed when said first specific information and said second specific information match a permission condition. The permission conditions are:
4. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein said first specific information and said second specific information are the same information. The permission conditions are:
4. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein said first specific information and said second specific information are different information and have a predetermined relationship. The control unit
2. The control process according to claim 1, wherein the control process is performed when the specific information obtaining part obtains the specific information within a threshold time period or a period of time shorter than the threshold time period after the discharge part performs the sales process. vending machine. The control unit
7. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said control processing is performed only when said first product identifier matches a first condition. The control unit
8. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said control processing is performed only when said second product identifier matches a second condition. The specific information has a card identifier that identifies the card,
The control unit
The control process is performed only when the card identifier included in the specific information is not included in a block list storing one or more card identifiers that are not subject to the control process. 8. The vending machine according to any one of items 8. The specific information has a group identifier that identifies a group of the cards,
The control unit
performing the control process only when the group identifier included in the specific information is included in a group management unit that stores one or more group identifiers for identifying groups to be subjected to the control process; A vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The specific information has a card identifier that identifies the card,
The control unit
The control process is performed only when the card identifier included in the specific information is included in a safe list storing one or more card identifiers to be subjected to the control process. 10. The vending machine according to any one of clauses 10-11. The specific information has a card identifier that identifies the card,
for acquiring and accumulating history information, which is information related to the history of use of the control process and associated with the card identifier when the second product is discharged free of charge based on the control process; further comprising a history accumulation unit that performs accumulation processing,
The control unit
12. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said control processing is performed only when history information corresponding to a card identifier included in said specific information acquired by said specific information acquisition unit satisfies a use condition. machine. The control unit
a specific information transmission means for transmitting the specific information acquired by the specific information acquisition unit to a server;
determination result receiving means for receiving, from the server, a determination result as to whether or not the free discharge condition is satisfied in response to the transmission of the specific information;
13. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising control processing means for performing said control processing only when said determination result is information indicating that said free discharge condition is satisfied. a specific information receiving unit that receives specific information from the vending machine according to claim 13;
a judging unit that judges whether or not a free discharge condition is satisfied using the specific information received by the specific information receiving unit, and obtains a judgment result;
and a determination result transmission unit configured to transmit the determination result acquired by the determination unit to the vending machine. A product discharge method in a vending machine realized by a reception unit, a discharge unit, a specific information acquisition unit, and a control unit, comprising:
a receiving step in which the receiving unit receives a product identifier that identifies a product to be discharged;
a discharge step in which the discharge unit discharges the product identified by the product identifier received in the reception step;
a specific information obtaining step in which the specific information obtaining unit obtains the specific information from the card in which the specific information for identifying the card is stored;
a step in which the discharging unit performs sales processing to discharge the first product for a fee in response to the reception of the first product identifier that identifies the first product by the receiving unit;
After the receiving unit receives the first product identifier and after the specific information obtaining unit obtains the specific information, the control unit obtains the second product identifier for identifying the second product by the receiving unit. a control step of performing a control process for the discharge unit to discharge the second product free of charge in response to the acceptance;
and a step in which the discharge unit discharges the second product according to the control process. a vending machine,
a reception unit that receives a product identifier that identifies a product to be discharged;
a discharge unit that discharges the product identified by the product identifier received by the reception unit;
A program for functioning as a specific information acquisition unit that acquires the specific information from the card that stores the specific information that specifies the card,
The discharge unit is
performing sales processing for discharging the first product for a fee in response to the receipt of the first product identifier for identifying the first product by the reception unit;
After the receiving unit has received the first product identifier and after the specific information obtaining unit has obtained the specific information, the receiving unit has received a second product identifier that identifies the second product further functioning the vending machine as a control unit that performs control processing for the discharge unit to discharge the second product free of charge,
The discharge unit is
A program for causing the vending machine to function as one that dispenses the second product according to the control process.

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