JP4770299B2 - vending machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine, and more particularly to a vending machine that enables electronic payment.

  Infrared communication adapters are installed inside, and maintenance terminals such as handy terminals equipped with communication adapters (hereinafter referred to as handy terminals) are used to provide maintenance information such as product sales information and vending machine setting information. Vending machines capable of transmitting and receiving are known. According to such a vending machine, maintenance information can be acquired and managed by a management device installed at a sales office or the like when an operator replenishes merchandise (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  There is also known a vending machine in which a communication adapter such as an infrared ray is provided on the outer surface, and a payment terminal such as a mobile phone equipped with the communication adapter (hereinafter referred to as a mobile phone) is used for electronic payment. . According to such a vending machine, a product can be purchased without relying on cash, and the user does not need to carry coins (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 11-296726 A JP 2003-331344 A

  By the way, when sending and receiving maintenance information with the communication adapter provided inside the vending machine via the handy terminal, the communication adapter provided inside the vending machine is used as a server (secondary station) and the communication adapter of the handy terminal is used. Must be a client (primary station).

  On the other hand, when electronic payment is made with a communication adapter provided on the outer surface of the vending machine using a mobile phone, the communication adapter provided on the outer surface of the vending machine is used as a client (primary station), and the communication adapter of the mobile phone is used as a server. (Secondary station).

  For this reason, in order to enable both transmission / reception of maintenance information using a handy terminal and electronic payment using a mobile phone, it is necessary to provide communication adapters inside and outside the vending machine. Either information transmission / reception or electronic payment was realized.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine that enables both transmission / reception of maintenance information and electronic payment.

In order to achieve the above object, a vending machine according to claim 1 of the present invention enables transmission / reception of maintenance information to / from a maintenance terminal using the same communication adapter, and electronic communication with a settlement terminal. A vending machine that enables payment, an electronic payment request input means for inputting a request for electronic payment, and after a request for electronic payment is input from the electronic payment request input means, it is determined that a sales operation is in progress, Electronic payment determination means for determining that the product is on standby after the electronic payment is completed; and when the electronic payment determination unit determines that the communication is on standby, the communication adapter is set in a state in which maintenance information can be transmitted and received, And switching means for making the communication adapter ready for electronic payment when judged .

The vending machine according to claim 2 of the present invention, a money handling means for collection fraud and mitigating risk money to the claim 1, after the money has been inserted into the money processing means determines that the sale operation, Currency processing determining means for determining that the electronic payment is completed or the product is waiting for sale after the electronic payment has been carried out, and the switching means determines that the communication adapter is in maintenance information when the money processing determining means determines that the product is on standby for sale. The communication adapter is in a state in which electronic communication can be performed when it is determined that the communication adapter is ready for transmission and reception and it is determined that the sales operation is in progress .

The vending machine according to claim 3 of the present invention is the vending machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the detecting means for detecting the open / closed state of the outer door closing the front opening of the vending machine, and the detecting means are outside. maintenance information the communication adapter open state when it detects the door is capable of transmitting and receiving state, and a second switching means for the communication adapter to the electronic payment that is ready when it is detected the closed state of the outer door It is characterized by having.

A vending machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the vending machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein a main control unit that performs overall control, a vending machine-communication adapter connected to the main control unit, and The maintenance information can be transmitted and received between the main control unit and the maintenance terminal equipped with the maintenance-communication adapter via the vending machine-communication adapter, and settlement with the main control unit via the vending machine-communication adapter. -Electronic payment is possible with a payment terminal equipped with a communication adapter .

Vending machine according to the present invention, a communication adapter, the sale waiting a maintenance information transmission and reception ready, since the sale operation with a switching means for the electronic payment of possible states, the vending machine, Maintenance information can be sent to and received from the maintenance terminal, and electronic payment can be made to a payment terminal having a payment-communication adapter. Therefore, the vending machine can transmit / receive maintenance information and electronic payment.

  The vending machine according to the present invention determines an electronic payment request input means for inputting an electronic payment request, and that the electronic payment request is input from the electronic payment request input means. After that, since the electronic payment determination means for determining that it is in the standby state is provided, it is determined that the sales operation is in progress until the electronic payment is completed after the request for electronic payment is input.

  The vending machine according to the present invention is configured to accept money processing means for receiving money, and determines that the sales operation is in progress after the money is inserted into the money processing means, and waits for sales after the electronic settlement is completed or the product is taken out. Therefore, it is determined that the sales operation is in progress until the electronic settlement is completed or the product is sold after the money is inserted into the money processing means.

The vending machine according to the present invention can detect electronically when the detecting means detects the open / closed state of the outer door that closes the front opening of the vending machine, and the detecting means detects the open state of the outer door. state switching communications maintenance information transmission and reception ready adapter from, when the detection means detects the closed state of the outer door, switching means for switching the communication adapter maintenance information from the transceiver ready to electronic payment which is ready Therefore, the vending machine can transmit and receive maintenance information to and from the maintenance terminal, and can perform electronic payment with the payment terminal. Therefore, the vending machine can transmit / receive maintenance information and electronic payment.

  The vending machine according to the present invention includes a main control unit that performs overall control, and a vending machine-communication adapter connected to the main control unit, and the main control unit, maintenance-communication via the vending machine-communication adapter. Maintenance information can be sent to and received from a maintenance terminal equipped with an adapter, and electronic payment can be made between a main control unit and a payment terminal equipped with a payment-communication adapter via a vending machine-communication adapter. Therefore, if the vending machine includes the vending machine-communication adapter, maintenance information can be transmitted and received and electronic payment can be performed without providing another communication adapter.

  Exemplary embodiments of a vending machine according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the structure of the vending machine concerning Example 1 of this invention is demonstrated. 1 is a front view of the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the vending machine according to the embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The vending machine illustrated here is for selling commodities such as canned drinks, bottled drinks, and plastic bottled drinks, and includes a main body cabinet 1 and an outer door 2.

  The main body cabinet 1 is configured by appropriately combining a plurality of steel plates, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open front surface. A plurality of product storage boxes (not shown) are accommodated inside the main body cabinet 1, and each of these product storage boxes has a product storage rack 11 (see FIG. 2). The product storage rack 11 stores products such as canned beverages, bottled beverages, plastic bottled beverages, etc. in a horizontal position, and is arranged in a line up and down direction. A product can be laid down and taken out one by one in a posture.

  The outer door 2 is supported on one side edge of the main body cabinet 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer door 2 has a size sufficient to cover the front opening of the main body cabinet 1, and is made of a solid steel material. On the outer surface side of the outer door 2, a display room 21, a selection button 22, a coin slot 23, a bill slot 24, a display 25, a return lever 26, a return slot 27, a product outlet 28, and an electronic payment button 29 A communication adapter 30 is provided, and an inner door (not shown), a coin mechanism 31 (see FIG. 2), and a bill validator 32 (see FIG. 2) are arranged on the inner surface side of the outer door 2. It is.

  The display room 21 is for making a user visually recognize a product sample disposed on the inner door. The selection button 22 is a push button switch for the user to select a purchased product, and is prepared for each product sample arranged in the display room 21. The selection button 22 has a light source inside, and is configured to be lit when the selection button 22 is effectively pressed. The coin slot 23 is an opening through which a user inserts coins. The coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 23 are identified in the coin mechanism 31 and then stored inside. The bill insertion slot 24 is an opening through which a user inserts bills. The bills inserted through the bill insertion slot 24 are identified in the bill validator 32. The bill insertion slot 24 also has a function for returning bills that could not be identified in the bill validator 32. The display device 25 is a display means for displaying various information to the user, such as the amount of money inserted, whether or not it is being sold, and whether or not there is change. The return lever 26 is used to give an instruction to return the money inserted from the coin insertion slot 23 or the bill insertion slot 24 or to change the coin. The return port 27 is an opening for returning coins that could not be identified in the coin mechanism 31 or coins to be changed to the user. The product outlet 28 is an opening for delivering the sold product to the user.

  The electronic payment button 29 is an electronic payment request input means for inputting an electronic payment request, and is constituted by a push button switch. When the electronic payment button 29 is pressed, it becomes possible to communicate with a payment terminal such as a mobile phone equipped with a communication adapter (hereinafter referred to as “mobile phone”) via the communication adapter 30.

  In addition to the mobile phone described above, the communication adapter 30 can communicate with a maintenance terminal (hereinafter referred to as “handy terminal”) such as a handy terminal provided with the communication adapter. Specifically, the communication adapter 30 enables infrared communication, and can communicate with a mobile phone having an infrared communication function and a handy terminal having an infrared communication function.

  These selection button 22, coin mechanism 31, bill validator 32, display unit 25, electronic payment button 29, and communication adapter 30 are connected to a main control unit 40 that controls the whole as shown in FIG. It is directly controlled by the main control unit 40. The product storage rack 11 is connected to the main control unit 40 via the carry-out control unit 33, and the main control unit 40 indirectly controls the product storage rack 11 through the carry-out control unit 33.

  The main control unit 40 stores maintenance information, a program necessary for electronic payment, and the like. The maintenance information is product sales information, vending machine setting information, etc., and the product sales information can be transmitted from the main control unit 40 of the vending machine to the handy terminal. The vending machine setting information is the handy terminal. To the main control unit 40 of the vending machine.

  There are two types of electronic payments: a method that enables payment based on monetary value information recorded on a mobile phone (IC card type) and a method that enables payment based on unique information recorded on a mobile phone (network type). There are two types. In the method (IC card type) in which payment is performed using monetary value information recorded on a mobile phone, after a product is selected using the selection button 22, the main control unit 40 of the vending machine records the money recorded on the mobile phone. When the value information is read, the remaining value information obtained by subtracting the consideration information of the selected product from the read money value information is recorded on the mobile phone as new money value information. This electronic settlement ends when the main control unit 40 receives a recording completion signal from the mobile phone and the product storage rack 11 carries out the product. Furthermore, in this system, it is possible to increase (charge) the monetary value information recorded on the mobile phone by inserting coins or bills from the coin slot 23 or the bill slot 24 provided in the vending machine. is there. In this case, when the main control unit 40 receives the recording completion signal from the mobile phone, the electronic payment is completed.

  In the method (network type) that enables settlement by specific information recorded on the mobile phone, after selecting a product using the selection button 22 of the vending machine, the main control unit 40 of the vending machine sends the mobile phone to the mobile phone. When the recorded unique information is read, the main control unit 40 of the vending machine records the consideration information of the product in association with the unique information, and receives the consideration of the product from the user specified by the unique number at a later date. become. This electronic settlement is terminated when the main control unit 40 of the vending machine records the unique information and the consideration information of the product in association with each other and the product storage rack 11 carries out the product. In the following description, it is assumed that electronic payment is based on a method (IC card type) that enables payment based on monetary value information recorded in a mobile phone.

  The main control unit 40 includes a determination unit 41, a switching unit 42, and a time measuring unit 43. The determination means 41 determines whether the vending machine is on standby for sale or is in a sales operation. The determination means 41 determines that the device is in a standby state in the initial state and presses the electronic settlement button 29 or after a coin or a bill is inserted from the coin insertion slot 23 or the bill insertion slot 24, to decide. Then, when the electronic settlement is completed or the product is carried out from the product storage rack 11, the state is shifted to the initial state, and the determination unit 41 determines that the product is on standby for sale.

  The switching unit 42 switches the communication adapter 30 to a state in which maintenance information can be transmitted and received when the determining unit 41 determines that the product is on standby. When the determining unit 41 determines that the sales operation is in progress, electronic payment is possible. It switches to a state. The state in which maintenance information can be transmitted and received means a state in which the communication adapter 30 functions as a server (secondary station) and can transmit and receive maintenance information in response to a request from a handy terminal that is a client (primary station). The state in which electronic payment is possible means a state in which the communication adapter 30 functions as a client (primary station) and payment information can be transmitted and received in response to a request from a mobile phone that is a server (secondary station). At this time, the communication adapter 30 outputs a polling signal.

  The timing means 43 starts timing when the electronic settlement button 29 is pressed, and when the electronic settlement is not started between the main control unit 40 and the mobile phone within a predetermined time ( In the time-out state, the vending machine shifts from the sales operation state to the sales standby state without performing electronic settlement. And the judgment means 41 judges that it is on sale standby. At this time, the communication adapter 30 stops outputting the polling signal.

  The operation of the vending machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vending machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the timing of switching between the standby state and the sales operation.

  In the vending machine according to the first embodiment described above, the sales standby state is the initial state. Therefore, the determination unit 41 determines that the product is on sale standby.

  If a coin or banknote is inserted from the coin slot 23 or the banknote slot 24 of the vending machine (step S2: Yes) without pressing the electronic settlement button 29 (step S1: No), the vending machine Then, the state is shifted from the sales standby state to the sales operation state, and cash settlement processing is performed (step S3). Specifically, when a coin or coin equal to or more than the price of the product is inserted from the coin insertion slot 23 or the bill insertion slot 24, the main control unit 40 selects the selection button 22 corresponding to the saleable product. Lights up and enables the selection button 22 to be pressed. Here, when the selection button 22 is pressed, the commodity corresponding to the selection button 22 is carried out from the commodity storage rack 11 to the commodity outlet 28, and when there is a change, the change is returned to the return port 27. . And if goods are carried out from the goods storage rack 11, a vending machine will complete | finish a cash payment process, and will transfer to a sales standby state from a sales operation state.

  On the other hand, when the electronic settlement button 29 of the vending machine is pressed (step S1: Yes), the vending machine shifts from the sales standby state to the sales operation state, and the determination unit 41 determines that the sales operation is in progress. The switching means 42 switches to a state where electronic payment is possible. That is, the communication adapter is switched to function as a client (primary station), and the payment information can be transmitted / received in response to a request from the mobile phone as the server (secondary station) (step S4, mode 1). Then, the communication adapter 30 outputs a polling signal, and the main control unit 40 lights the selection button 22 and validates the pressing of the selection button 22.

  Here, when the selection button 22 is pressed, the product to be sold is fixed and the amount of money for electronic payment is fixed. Thereafter, when the communication adapter of the mobile phone receives the polling signal output from the communication adapter 30 of the vending machine, electronic payment is started (step S5: Yes). Specifically, if the main control unit 40 determines that electronic payment is possible using the mobile phone, after performing the electronic payment, the product corresponding to the selection button 22 is removed from the product storage rack 11 to the product outlet 28. It will be carried out to. When the merchandise is unloaded from the merchandise storage rack 11, the vending machine ends the electronic payment (step S6: Yes), and shifts from the sales operation state to the sales standby state. That is, the determination means 41 determines that the product is on standby from the time when the product is carried out (mode 2). And the communication adapter 30 stops the output of a polling signal (step S8).

  In a state where electronic payment is possible, that is, after the electronic payment button 29 is pressed, a coin or bill is inserted from the coin insertion slot 23 or the bill insertion slot 24, and the communication adapter of the mobile phone is changed from the communication adapter 30 of the vending machine. Electronic payment is also started when the output polling signal is received (step S5: Yes). This electronic payment is to increase (charge) the monetary value information recorded on the mobile phone. When the increase of the monetary value information is completed, the vending machine ends the electronic payment (step S6: Yes), The vending machine shifts from the sales operation state to the sales standby state. That is, the determination means 41 determines that it is waiting for sale from the time when the electronic payment is completed (mode 2). And the communication adapter 30 stops the output of a polling signal (step S8).

  On the other hand, if electronic payment is not started within a predetermined time in a state where electronic payment is possible (step S7: Yes), the vending machine shifts from the sales operation state to the sales standby state without performing electronic payment. Will do. That is, from the point in time when the time measuring means 43 measures a predetermined time, the determination means 41 determines that it is on standby for sale (mode 2). And the communication adapter 30 stops the output of a polling signal (step S8).

  Then, when the determination unit 41 determines that it is on standby for sales, the switching unit 42 switches to a state in which maintenance information can be transmitted and received. That is, the communication adapter 30 is switched so as to function as a server (secondary station) (step S8), and maintenance information can be transmitted and received in response to a request from a handy terminal that is a client (primary station).

  When the communication adapter 30 of the vending machine receives a polling signal from the communication adapter of the handy terminal, transmission / reception of maintenance information is started. That is, in response to a request from the handy terminal, merchandise sales information is transmitted from the main control unit 40 of the vending machine to the handy terminal, and setting information of the vending machine is transmitted from the handy terminal to the main control unit 40 of the vending machine. Will be.

  According to the above-described vending machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the determination unit 41 determines that it is waiting for sales, the communication adapter 30 is switched to a state in which maintenance information can be transmitted and received, and it is determined that the sales operation is in progress. In this case, the communication adapter 30 can be switched to a state where electronic payment is possible. That is, the communication adapter 30 functions as a server during sales standby, and the communication adapter 30 functions as a client during sales operations. When the communication adapter 30 functions as a client, the communication adapter 30 outputs a polling signal. As a result, the vending machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention can perform transmission / reception of maintenance information and electronic payment by one communication adapter 30. In addition, the operator can always send and receive maintenance information during standby.

  The vending machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above is an electronic settlement that increases monetary value information when a coin or a bill is inserted from the coin slot 23 or the bill slot 24 after the electronic settlement button 29 is pressed. (Charge) is possible, but electronic payment (charge) that increases monetary value information is possible when the coin is inserted from the coin slot 23 or the bill slot 24 without pressing the electronic settlement button 29. It may be. In this case, the cash settlement is executed by pressing the selection button 22, and the electronic settlement (charging) is executed when the communication adapter of the mobile phone receives the polling signal output from the communication adapter 30 of the vending machine. Will be.

  Further, the vending machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described with respect to the case where the mobile phone is an electronic payment terminal. However, the vending machine is not limited to the mobile phone, and is not limited to a mobile device or a contactless card. It is also possible to apply cards.

  The configuration of the vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention is provided with the outer door switch 34 in the vending machine according to the first embodiment described above, and there is no difference except for the outer door switch 34 and the main control unit 50. Therefore, about the same structure as the vending machine concerning Example 1 of this invention, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted, and the outer door switch 34 and the main-control part 50 are demonstrated.

  The outer door switch 34 is detection means for detecting the open / closed state of the outer door 2 and is configured by a switch such as a limit switch or a proximity switch.

  The main control unit 50 according to the second embodiment stores maintenance information, a program necessary for electronic payment, and the like, similar to the vending machine according to the first embodiment. The maintenance information includes product sales information, vending machine setting information, etc., and the product sales information can be transmitted from the main control unit 50 of the vending machine to the handy terminal. The vending machine setting information is the handy terminal. To the main controller 50 of the vending machine.

  Further, the main control unit 50 includes a determination unit 51, a switching unit 52, and a time measuring unit 53. The determination means 51 determines whether the outer door 2 of the vending machine is in an open state or a closed state.

  The switching unit 52 switches the communication adapter 30 to a state in which maintenance information can be transmitted and received when the determining unit 51 determines that it is in an open state. It is to switch. The state in which maintenance information can be transmitted and received is the same as in the first embodiment, in which the communication adapter 30 functions as a server (secondary station) and can transmit and receive maintenance information in response to a request from a handy terminal that is a client (primary station). Means a state. The state where electronic payment is possible means a state where the communication adapter 30 functions as a client (primary station). When the electronic payment button 29 is pressed in a state where this electronic payment is possible, the communication adapter 30 outputs a polling signal.

  Similar to the time measuring means according to the first embodiment, the time measuring means 53 starts time measurement when the electronic settlement button 29 is pressed. The time measuring means 53 is connected to the main controller 50 and the mobile phone within a predetermined time. If the electronic payment is not started during this period (timeout), the communication adapter 30 stops outputting the polling signal.

  The operation of the vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the timing when the door closed state and the door open state are switched.

  In the vending machine according to the second embodiment described above, the state where the outer door 2 is closed is the initial state. Therefore, the determination means 51 determines that the closed state. In this initial state, cash settlement and electronic settlement are possible (mode 1).

  Therefore, when a coin or banknote is inserted from the coin slot 23 or the banknote slot 24 of the vending machine, the vending machine shifts from the sales standby state to the sales operation state and performs cash settlement processing. Specifically, when a coin or coin equal to or more than the price of the product is inserted from the coin insertion slot 23 or the bill insertion slot 24, the main control unit 50 sets the selection button 22 corresponding to the saleable product. Lights up and enables the selection button 22 to be pressed. Here, when the selection button 22 is pressed, the commodity corresponding to the selection button 22 is carried out from the commodity storage rack 11 to the commodity outlet 28, and when there is a change, the change is returned to the return port 27. .

  On the other hand, when the electronic payment button 29 of the vending machine is pressed, the vending machine shifts from the sales standby state to the sales operation state, the communication adapter 30 outputs a polling signal, and the main control unit 50 selects the selection button 22. And the selection button 22 is enabled to be pressed.

  When the selection button 22 is pressed here, the product to be sold is fixed, and the amount of money for electronic payment is fixed. Thereafter, when the communication adapter of the mobile phone receives the polling signal output from the communication adapter 30 of the vending machine, electronic payment is started. Specifically, when the main control unit 50 determines that electronic payment is possible using the mobile phone, after performing electronic payment, the product corresponding to the selection button 22 is sent from the product storage rack 11 to the product outlet. It will be carried out. When the merchandise is taken out from the merchandise storage rack 11, the vending machine ends the electronic settlement and shifts from the sales operation state to the sales standby state.

  In a state where electronic payment is possible, that is, after the electronic payment button 29 is pressed, a coin or bill is inserted from the coin insertion slot 23 or the bill insertion slot 24, and the communication adapter of the mobile phone is changed from the communication adapter 30 of the vending machine. Electronic payment is also started when the output polling signal is received. In this electronic payment, the monetary value information recorded on the mobile phone is increased (charged). When the increase of the monetary value information is completed, the vending machine ends the electronic payment, and the vending machine The operation state is shifted to the sales standby state.

  On the other hand, when electronic payment is not started within a predetermined time in a state where electronic payment is possible, the vending machine shifts from the sales operation state to the sales standby state without performing electronic payment.

  When the outer door 2 of the vending machine is opened, the vending machine shifts from the closed state to the opened state, and as shown in FIG. 6, the determining means 51 determines that the opened state (step S11: Yes). The switching means 52 switches to a state where maintenance information can be transmitted and received (step S12, mode 2). That is, the communication adapter 30 is switched so as to function as a server (secondary station), and maintenance information can be transmitted and received in response to a request from a handy terminal as a client (primary station).

  When the communication adapter 30 of the vending machine receives a polling signal from the communication adapter of the handy terminal, transmission / reception of maintenance information is started. That is, in response to a request from the handy terminal, merchandise sales information is transmitted from the main control unit 50 of the vending machine to the handy terminal, and setting information of the vending machine is transmitted from the handy terminal to the main control unit 50 of the vending machine. Will be.

  On the other hand, when the outer door 2 of the vending machine is closed, the vending machine shifts from the open state to the closed state, the determination means 51 determines that it is closed (step S13: Yes), and the switching means 52 is The state is switched to a state where electronic payment is possible, that is, the initial state (step S14, mode 1). That is, the communication adapter 30 is switched so as to function as a client (primary station).

  According to the above-described vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the determination unit 51 determines that the communication adapter 30 is in an open state, the communication adapter 30 is switched to a state in which maintenance information can be transmitted and received. The communication adapter 30 can be switched to a state where electronic payment is possible. That is, the communication adapter 30 functions as a server in the open state, and the communication adapter 30 functions as a client in the closed state. When the communication adapter 30 functions as a client, the communication adapter 30 outputs a polling signal. As a result, the vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention can transmit and receive maintenance information and perform electronic payment with one communication adapter 30. In addition, unlike the vending machine according to the first embodiment, the electronic payment can be quickly started because the communication adapter 30 functions as a client without pressing the electronic payment button. Furthermore, since only a specific person such as an operator can open the outer door 2, it is possible to prevent unauthorized setting of the vending machine and unauthorized acquisition of information.

  The vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above is an electronic settlement that increases monetary value information when a coin or bill is inserted from the coin slot 23 or the bill slot 24 after the electronic settlement button 29 is pressed. (Charge) is possible, but electronic payment (charge) that increases monetary value information is possible when the coin is inserted from the coin slot 23 or the bill slot 24 without pressing the electronic settlement button 29. It may be. In this case, the cash settlement is executed by pressing the selection button 22, and the electronic settlement (charging) is executed when the communication adapter of the mobile phone receives the polling signal output from the communication adapter 30 of the vending machine. Will be.

  In addition, the vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention has been described with respect to the case where the mobile phone is an electronic payment terminal, but is not limited to the mobile phone, such as a mobile device or a contactless card. It is also possible to apply cards.

  With reference to FIG. 8, the structure of the vending machine concerning Example 3 of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a vending machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the vending machine according to the second embodiment except for the main control unit 60. Therefore, the same components as those in the vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As with the vending machines according to the first and second embodiments, the main control unit 60 according to the third embodiment stores maintenance information, a program necessary for electronic payment, and the like. The maintenance information is product sales information, vending machine setting information, etc., and the product sales information can be transmitted from the main control unit 60 of the vending machine to the handy terminal. The vending machine setting information is the handy terminal. To the main control unit 60 of the vending machine.

  In addition, the main control unit includes a determination unit 61, a first switching unit 62, a second switching unit 63, and a time measuring unit 64. The determination means 61 determines whether the outer door 2 of the vending machine is in an open state or a closed state, and determines whether the vending machine is on standby for sale or in sale operation. It is.

  The first switching unit 62 switches the maintenance information to a state in which it can be transmitted and received when the determination unit 61 determines that it is in the open state. The state in which maintenance information can be transmitted and received means a state in which the communication adapter 30 functions as a server (secondary station) and can transmit and receive maintenance information in response to a request from a handy terminal that is a client (primary station).

  The second switching unit 63 switches to a state in which electronic payment is possible when the determining unit 61 determines that it is in a closed state and is in a sales operation. The state in which electronic payment is possible means a state in which the communication adapter 30 functions as a client (primary station) and payment information can be transmitted and received in response to a request from a mobile phone that is a server (secondary station). At this time, the communication adapter 30 outputs a polling signal.

  The timing means 64 starts timing when the electronic settlement button 29 is pressed, and when the electronic settlement is not started between the main control unit 60 and the mobile phone within a predetermined time ( During timeout, the communication adapter 30 stops outputting the polling signal.

  The operation of the vending machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vending machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the timing when the communication state is switched.

  In the vending machine according to the third embodiment described above, the state where the outer door 2 is closed is the initial state. Therefore, the determination unit 61 determines that the closed state. In this state, cash settlement is possible (mode 0).

  Therefore, when a coin or banknote is inserted from the coin slot 23 or the banknote slot 24 of the vending machine, the vending machine shifts from the sales standby state to the sales operation state and performs cash settlement processing. Specifically, when a coin or coin equal to or more than the price of the product is inserted from the coin insertion slot 23 or the bill insertion slot 24, the main control unit 60 selects the selection button 22 corresponding to the saleable product. Lights up and enables the selection button 22 to be pressed. Here, when the selection button 22 is pressed, the commodity corresponding to the selection button 22 is carried out from the commodity storage rack 11 to the commodity outlet 28, and when there is a change, the change is returned to the return port 27. .

  On the other hand, when the outer door 2 of the vending machine is opened, the vending machine shifts from the closed state to the opened state, and as shown in FIG. 9, the determining means 61 determines that the opened state (step S21: Yes), the first switching means 62 switches to a state in which maintenance information can be transmitted and received. That is, the communication adapter 30 is switched so as to function as a server (secondary station), and infrared communication is started (step S22, mode 0). Then, maintenance information can be transmitted and received in response to a request from a handy terminal as a client (primary station).

  When the communication adapter 30 of the vending machine receives a polling signal from the communication adapter of the handy terminal, transmission / reception of maintenance information is started. That is, in response to a request from the handy terminal, merchandise sales information is transmitted from the main control unit 60 of the vending machine to the handy terminal, and setting information of the vending machine is transmitted from the handy terminal to the main control unit 60 of the vending machine. Will be.

  When the outer door 2 of the vending machine is closed, the vending machine shifts from the open state to the closed state, and the determination unit 51 determines that it is in the closed state (step S23: Yes) and stops infrared communication. (Step S24, mode 0).

  On the other hand, when the electronic payment button 29 of the vending machine is pressed without opening the outer door 2 (step S21: No), the vending machine shifts from the sales standby state to the sales operation state, and the determination means. 61 determines that the sales operation is in progress (step S25: Yes), and the second switching means 63 switches to a state where electronic payment is possible. That is, the communication adapter 30 is switched to function as a client (primary station), and infrared communication is started (step S26, mode 1). Then, the communication adapter 30 outputs a polling signal, and the main control unit 60 lights the selection button 22 and validates the pressing of the selection button 22.

  Here, when the selection button 22 is pressed, the product to be sold is fixed, and the amount of money for electronic payment is fixed. Thereafter, when the communication adapter of the mobile phone receives the polling signal output from the communication adapter 30 of the vending machine, electronic payment is started (step S27: Yes). Specifically, if the main control unit 60 determines that electronic payment is possible using the mobile phone, after performing electronic payment, the product corresponding to the selection button 22 is sent from the product storage rack 11 to the product outlet. It will be carried out. When the merchandise is taken out from the merchandise storage rack 11, the vending machine ends the electronic payment (step S28: Yes, mode 0), and shifts from the sales operation state to the sales standby state.

  In a state where electronic payment is possible (mode 1), that is, after the electronic payment button 29 is pressed, a coin or bill is inserted from the coin insertion slot 23 or the bill insertion slot 24, and the communication adapter of the mobile phone is connected to the vending machine. Electronic payment is also started when a polling signal output from the communication adapter 30 is received. In this electronic payment, the monetary value information recorded on the mobile phone is increased (charged). When the increase of the monetary value information is completed, the vending machine ends the electronic payment, and the vending machine The operation state is shifted to the sales standby state (mode 0). Then, when the vending machine shifts from the sales operation state to the sales standby state, the infrared communication is stopped (step S29).

  If electronic payment is not started within a predetermined time in a state where electronic payment is possible (step S30: Yes), the vending machine transitions from the sales operation state to the sales standby state without performing electronic payment. Then, the infrared communication is stopped (step S29, mode 0).

  According to the above-described vending machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when the determination unit 61 determines to be in the open state, the communication adapter 30 is switched to a state in which maintenance information can be transmitted and received. That is, the communication adapter 30 functions as a server in the open state. Further, when the determination unit 61 determines that the sales operation is being performed, the communication adapter 30 is switched to a state where electronic payment is possible. That is, the communication adapter 30 functions as a client during the sales operation. When the communication adapter 30 functions as a client, a polling signal is output from the communication adapter 30. As a result, the vending machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention can perform transmission / reception of maintenance information and electronic payment by one communication adapter 30. In addition, since only a specific person such as an operator can open the outer door 2, it is possible to prevent unauthorized setting of the vending machine and unauthorized acquisition of information.

  The vending machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention described above is an electronic settlement that increases monetary value information when a coin or a bill is inserted from the coin slot 23 or the bill slot 24 after the electronic settlement button 29 is pressed. (Charge) is possible, but electronic payment (charge) that increases monetary value information is possible when the coin is inserted from the coin slot 23 or the bill slot 24 without pressing the electronic settlement button 29. It may be. In this case, the cash settlement is executed by pressing the selection button 22, and the electronic settlement (charging) is executed when the communication adapter of the mobile phone receives the polling signal output from the communication adapter 30 of the vending machine. Will be.

  In addition, the vending machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention has been described with respect to the case where the mobile phone is an electronic payment terminal. However, the vending machine is not limited to the mobile phone, and is not limited to a mobile device or a contactless card. It is also possible to apply cards.

  As described above, the vending machine according to the present invention is useful for a vending machine that enables transmission / reception of maintenance information or electronic payment between a handy terminal and a mobile phone. It is suitable for vending machines that can send / receive maintenance information to / from the terminal and that can be used with mobile phones and electronic payments.

It is a front view which shows the vending machine concerning the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram of the vending machine concerning Example 1 of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the effect | action of the vending machine concerning Example 1 of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the timing which switches during a sales standby and during sales operation. It is a block diagram of the vending machine concerning Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the effect | action of the vending machine concerning Example 2 of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the timing which a door closed state and a door open state switch. It is a block diagram of the vending machine concerning Example 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the effect | action of the vending machine concerning Example 3 of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the timing which a communication state switches.

Explanation of symbols

2 Outer door 11 Commodity storage rack 29 Electronic settlement button 30 Communication adapter 31 Coin mechanism 32 Bill validator 33 Unloading control unit 34 Outer door switch 40 Main control unit 41 Judgment means 42 Switching means 43 Timing means 50 Main control section 51 Judgment means 52 Switching Means 53 Timekeeping means 60 Main controller 61 Judging means 62 First switching means 63 Second switching means 64 Timekeeping means

Claims (4)

A vending machine that enables transmission and reception of maintenance information to and from a maintenance terminal using the same communication adapter, and enables electronic payment with a payment terminal,
An electronic payment request input means for inputting an electronic payment request;
An electronic payment determination unit that determines that a sales operation is in progress after an electronic payment request is input from the electronic payment request input unit;
Switching means for setting the communication adapter in a state in which maintenance information can be transmitted and received when the electronic payment determining means determines that it is on standby for sales, and for setting the communication adapter in a state in which electronic payment can be performed when it is determined that sales are being performed ; Vending machine characterized by comprising Money handling means for receiving money;
A currency processing judging means for judging that the sales operation is in progress after the money is inserted into the money handling means, and for judging that the product is in a standby state after carrying out the goods;
The switching means sets the communication adapter in a state in which maintenance information can be transmitted / received when the money processing determining means determines that it is in a standby state for sales, and enables the electronic payment to the communication adapter when it is determined that the sales operation is in progress. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein: Detection means for detecting the open / closed state of the outer door closing the front opening of the vending machine;
When the detection means detects the open state of the outer door, the communication means adapter is set in a state where maintenance information can be transmitted and received, and when the closed state of the outer door is detected, the communication adapter is set in a state where electronic payment is possible. Second switching means and
The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: A main control unit that controls the entire system,
Vending machine connected to main control unit-communication adapter
With
Maintenance information can be transmitted and received between the main control unit and the maintenance terminal equipped with the communication adapter through the vending machine-communication adapter.
The automatic payment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein electronic payment is enabled between a main control unit and a payment terminal having a payment-communication adapter via a vending machine-communication adapter. Vending machine.

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