JP5516098B2 - vending machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine capable of selling a product with a predetermined amount discounted from a normal price for a certain period of time or by bulk purchase.

Conventionally, the following discount method has been known as a function for performing discount sales by changing a product sold in a vending machine from a normal product price to a product price lower than the normal product price.
First, as a first discount method, a vending machine is known in which a sales price is discounted by a predetermined amount from a total sales price obtained by integrating the sales price of a product and the number of bulk purchases (Patent Document 1).

  Next, as a second discount method, a discount period and a discount amount are set with a numeric keypad, and a product sold during the set period is sold with a discount amount lower than the display amount. A machine is known (Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-12552 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-20531

By the way, the discount function is a single discount function with discounts based on the number of bulk purchases and discounts depending on the period.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine that can make a discount function as effective as possible even when a change is made.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the vending machine according to the present invention is achieved by the following means.
The present invention provides a product selection button that lights a saleable lamp when the input amount is equal to or higher than the sales price, a digital display that is provided for each product selection button and displays at least the sales price, and a normal sales price. In addition, a discount amount and a discount target column are set, and a setting means for setting a discount time zone or a discount period is provided, and in the case of the discount target, the display on the display unit is discounted from a normal selling price. In a vending machine that switches to a price, if the change is out of time during the discount period or discount period, the difference between the input amount and the discount price in the discount target column is calculated, and the discount can be sold at the discount price. If there is a target column, the lamp that can be sold is turned on, and the display unit displays a discount price. The discount target column can be sold at the normal sales price instead of the discount price. If, with lights salable lamp, the indicator and displaying the usual price.

  Further, the present invention provides a product selection button that lights a saleable lamp when the input amount is equal to or higher than the sales price, a digital display that is provided for each product selection button and displays at least the sales price, A discount amount and discount target column are set for the sales price, and setting means is provided for setting the discount target quantity when performing a bulk purchase discount. In the vending machine that switches from the selling price to the discounted price and displays it during the bulk purchase discount, if there is no change, the difference between the remaining input and the discounted price of the discounted column is calculated when the number of discounted items is reached. If there is a discountable column that can be sold at a discount price, the lamp that can be sold is turned on, and the indicator displays the discount price, not the discount price, If there is always a sales price can be sold at a discount target column, with lights salable lamp, the indicator and displaying the usual price.

  The present invention is a vending machine equipped with a digital display that displays the sales price of a product for each product selection button, and has a discount function by time service or bulk purchase, and even when it is out of change If there is a discountable column that can be sold at a price, the lamp that can be sold is turned on, and the display unit displays it at a discounted price. If there is a discountable column that can be sold at a normal price instead of a discounted price, it can be sold. By turning on the lamp and displaying the display at a normal price and making it available for sale, the discount function can be used even when the change is out, and the sales can be improved. Is obtained.

It is a block diagram showing a control device for a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the time service discount process which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the bulk purchase discount process which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the bulk purchase discount process which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic front view of the vending machine used as the object of the present invention. It is a principal part front view of the goods sample display room of this invention. It is a block diagram of the price indicator which shows the price display form of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 5 shows an example of a schematic front view of a vending machine which is an object of the present invention. The vending machine 50 includes an outer door 51 on the front surface of the main body cabinet, and the main body cabinet includes the outer door 51. Comprises a plurality (n) of columns. This column stores a plurality of types of products individually, and by setting the correspondence between the column and the product selection button 58 in advance, when the product selection button 58 is pressed and a sales instruction is given. The product corresponding to the pressed product selection button 58 is carried out.

  A product sample display room 52 having a product sample 52a visible from the outside on the front side of the outer door 51, a coin insertion port 53, a coin return port 53a, a bill insertion port 54, a return lever 55, and a product outlet 56 , Display on sale, banknote acceptance stop display, change-out display, digital display 57 for displaying the amount of money to be received, saleable lamp, product selection button 58 with a built-in sale-out lamp, and information on the product such as sales price. A digital price indicator 58a made of LED or liquid crystal display and a handle 51a for opening the outer door 51 with a cylinder lock are provided.

  The product sample 52a represents the product stored in the column, and is provided corresponding to the product selection button 58. The price indicator 58a for displaying information on the product such as the sales price is displayed above the product selection button 58. As shown in the front view of the main part of the product sample display room 52 shown in FIG. 6, the cold / hot display that displays the refrigeration / warm state of the product sample 52a is provided above the sample sample 52a. A plate 52b is provided.

Next, FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a main control unit that controls the entire vending machine. The main control unit 1 includes a memory 1a that stores a control program, a sales price of a product, a correspondence between a column and a product selection button, other setting data, A memory 1b for storing various data such as sales data and a clock 1c are provided.

  The main control unit 1 includes a remote controller 11 for performing various settings / confirmations, a product carry-out device 12 for carrying out a product, a main body control unit 14 for controlling a cooling / heating device 13 for cooling or heating the product in the warehouse, and a coin A bill processing device 15 that sorts out the authenticity and type of coins inserted from the insertion slot 53, and counts and changes coins, and a bill identification device that identifies the truth and type of bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 54. 16, a digital display 57 that displays various information such as the amount of money to be inserted and a change-out display, a product selection button 58, and a price display 58a that is provided for each product selection button 58 and displays information about the product such as a selling price. Has been.

  The remote controller 11 includes a mode key, an up / down key, a write key, a clear key, an end key, and the like. By operating this key and the product selection button 58, a discount period (hour), a discount target number, a discount column, etc. Then, settings related to discount sales are made and stored in the memory 1b.

  In this memory 1b, “pattern 1: 10 yen, pattern 2: 20 yen, pattern 3: 30 yen” is stored in advance as a discount amount pattern, and is selected and set from this pattern when setting the discount amount.

  In this configuration, the sales price setting of the product will be described. When the product sales price setting mode is set by cash using the mode key of the remote controller 11 and the product sales price is input by operating the up / down key, the sales input to the digital display 57 is performed. When the price is displayed and the product selection button 58 is pressed, the sales price in cash of the product stored in the corresponding column is stored in the memory 1b, and the same operation is repeated for all the products. When the sales price setting is finished, the mode is ended by pressing the end key at the end.

  When the remote controller 11 is provided with a liquid crystal display, the same display is performed on the display of the remote controller 11, and a price indicator 58a is provided for each product selection button 58 as in the present vending machine. If so, the price at the time of price setting may be displayed on this display.

Next, a case where discount setting is performed will be described.
First, regarding the setting of the discount target quantity, the mode key of the remote controller 11 is operated to enter the discount target quantity setting mode, and then the discount target quantity is input by operating the up / down key of the remote control 11 to input 3 for example. In this case, “3” is displayed on the digital display 57, the data input by the write key operation of the remote controller 11 is confirmed and stored in the memory 1b, and finally the end key is pressed to end the mode.

  Next, for setting the discount amount and its target column, operate the mode key of the remote controller 11 to enter the discount amount and its target column setting mode, and then operate the up / down key to discount from the discount amount patterns 1 to 3 When the amount is selected, for example, when the discount pattern 3 is selected, “30 yen” is displayed on the digital display 57. If this discount amount is acceptable, the write key is pressed to set the discount amount data. By pressing the product selection button 58 to determine which column the discount amount is set to, the setting of the discount amount and the target column is completed, and finally the end key is pressed to end the mode.

  Next, regarding the setting of the continuous purchase quantity, the mode key of the remote controller 11 is operated to enter the continuous purchase quantity setting mode, and then when the continuous purchase quantity is input by operating the up / down key of the remote controller 11, this input is, for example, In the case of three, "3" is displayed on the digital display 57, the data input by the write key operation of the remote controller 11 is confirmed and stored in the memory 1b, and finally the end key is pressed to end the mode. .

  This continuous purchase quantity setting is for setting the quantity that can be purchased continuously for a single deposit with a vending machine in order to make the quantity eligible for discount valid. That's fine.

As described above, by setting, the discount setting at the time of bulk purchase is completed for the discount target column set above.
This bulk purchase discount is effective when a discount amount is set, a discount target column, and a discount target number is set.

  Next, the discount period and discount time zone setting by time service discount will be described. Note that the discount amount and discount target column settings are the same as the above settings, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  For setting the discount period, operate the mode key on the remote control 11 to enter the discount period setting mode. First, enter the discount start date by operating the up / down key. The date is displayed on the digital display 57. Press the write key to confirm the discount start date and then enter the discount end date by operating the up / down key. The date is displayed on the digital display 57 and written. Press the key to confirm the discount end date, and finally press the end key to end the mode.

  Next, for setting the discount time zone, the mode key of the remote controller 11 is operated to enter the discount time zone setting mode. First, when the discount start time is input by operating the up / down key, the start time is displayed on the digital display 57. , Press the write key to confirm the discount start time, and then operate the up / down key to enter the discount end time. Then, display the end time on the digital display 57 and press the write key. The discount end time is confirmed, and finally the end key is pressed to end the mode.

  As described above, by setting the time service discount, it is possible to set the discount period and discount time zone for the discount target column set above, and this discount period and / or discount time zone can be set to either or both. It may be operated on one side.

This time service discount is valid when the discount amount is set and the discount target column is present.
Next, a method for using a vending machine in the discount operation method will be described. In the following example, an example in which the time service discount and the bulk purchase discount are used separately will be described, but both discount functions are used together, such as performing a bulk purchase discount, outside the time service discount period. Also good.
1) Processing of vending machine using time service discount As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2, it is determined whether the discount start time is compared with the current time (step S201). S201, Yes), as shown in the block diagram of the price indicator 58a in FIG. 7, for example, when the discount pattern “3” is set, the discount amount is “30 yen”, so “150 yen”. In the case of the commodity, the display on the price indicator 58a is changed to “120 yen” (step S202), and the sales standby state is entered.

  Here, it is determined whether or not the change has been made (step S203). If the change has not been made (step S203, No), a coin of “150 yen” is inserted into the coin insertion slot 53 (step S204, Yes). The product which can be sold at “150 yen” including the product whose price has been changed and whether the change can be paid out with this input amount are calculated (step S205). The sellable lamp is turned on (step S206).

  Next, when the product selection button 58 corresponding to the product whose price has been changed to “120 yen” is pressed (step S207, Yes), the product carry-out device 12 is driven via the main body control unit 14 to obtain the desired product. Is taken out to the product outlet 56 (step S208), and the difference between the input amount and the discount price is calculated to determine the presence or absence of change (step S209). In this case, there is change (step S209, Yes). Then, the change “30 yen” is returned to the coin return port 53a (step S210). Next, the discount end time is judged (step SS211), and if the discount end time has not been reached (step S211, No), the time Sales are on standby with discounts on services.

  On the other hand, in the determination of the change of money in step S203, for example, when the “10 yen” coin is out of change and the “100 yen” coin is changed (step S203, Yes), “150 yen” is inserted into the coin slot 53. Then (step S212, Yes), the discount price “120 yen” cannot be sold (step S213, No), and the normal sales price “150 yen” can be sold (step S214, Yes). When the display of the container 58a is returned from the discount price “120 yen” to the normal selling price “150 yen” (step S215), the sellable lamp is turned on (step S216), and the product selection button 58 is pressed (step S217, Yes), the product carry-out device 12 is driven via the main body control unit 14, and the desired product is carried out to the product take-out port 56 (step S2). 8) After carrying out, the price display on the price indicator 58a is returned to the discounted price “120 yen” (step S219), and then the discount end time is judged (step S211), and the discount end time must be reached. If this is the case (step S211, No), the system enters a sales standby state while the time service discount is in progress.

  As described above, even when the time service is being discounted, if the change is out of stock, it is possible to sell without change by returning to the normal sales price, and the display on the price indicator 58a is also returned to the normal sales price. Therefore, it does not mislead users.

  Also, if the “10 yen” coin is out of change and a “120 yen” coin is inserted into the coin slot 53 (step SS2121, Yes), it is determined whether the discount price “120 yen” can be sold. (Step S213) Since there is no need for change, sale is possible at a discount price (Step S213, Yes), and the process returns to Step S206 to turn on the saleable lamp.

  Next, when the product selection button 58 corresponding to the product whose price has been changed to “120 yen” is pressed (step S207), the product carry-out device 12 is driven via the main body control unit 14, and the desired product is the product. In this case, since no change is required (No in step S209), the discount end time is determined (step SS211), and if the discount end time is not reached (step S211) (step S208). In step S211, No), the sales service is on standby with the time service discount being applied.

  If the “10 yen” coin is out of change (step S203, Yes), and “200 yen” is inserted into the coin slot 53 (step S212, Yes), it cannot be sold at a discounted price (step S213). No) Subsequently, since the normal selling price cannot be sold (step S214, No), the inserted coin is returned from the coin return port 53a (step S220), and then the discount end time is determined ( If it is not the discount end time (step S211, No), the sales service is on standby while the time service discount is being performed.

  On the other hand, if the discount end time is reached in step S210 (step S211, Yes), the display on the price indicator 58a is returned from the discount price “120 yen” to the normal sales price “150 yen” (step S221), and the normal sales are performed. Product sales at a price.

  In addition, when “500 yen” is inserted into the coin insertion slot 53 and there is a product with a discount price of “100 yen”, the change can be paid out with the “100 yen” coin, so that it can be sold as it is at the discount price. Become.

Although the time service discount has been described at the discount time, it may be a discount period.
If the discount start time has not been reached in step S201 (step S201, No), the normal price sale is performed in another flow.
2) Processing of vending machine using bulk purchase discount As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the bulk purchase discount is valid (Yes in step S301) and there is a change (step S302). When the discount target number is “3”, an amount of money for purchasing three or more products is inserted from the coin insertion slot 53 (step S303, Yes), and the product selection button 58 is pressed (step S304, Yes). Then, the merchandise take-out device 12 is driven via the main body control unit 14, the desired merchandise is carried out to the merchandise take-out port 56 (step S305), and then whether or not "2" merchandise in the discount target column has been sold. Judgment is made (step S306).

  When the number of sales in the discount target column is counted and the count of sales reaches “2” (Yes in step S306), “1” is added. The difference between the current remaining balance and the discount amount of the discount target column is calculated, and it is determined whether or not change can be paid out by discount sales. In this case, since there is a change (step S307), the price of the discount target column The price display on the display 58a is switched to the discount price (step S308).

  Here, when the product selection button 58 of the discount target column is pressed (step S309, Yes), the product delivery device 12 is driven via the main body control unit 14, and the desired product is delivered to the product outlet 56. At the same time (step S310), for the third product, the difference between the remaining investment amount and the discount amount is calculated, and if there is no change (No in step S311), the third product is in a sales standby state (step S313). If there is a change (step S311, Yes), the change is returned to the coin return port 53a (step S312), and then a sales standby state is entered (step S313).

Note that if the bulk purchase discount is not valid in step S301 (step S301, No), the normal price sale is performed in another flow.
Next, the change-out state when the bulk purchase discount is valid will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, as a precondition, the usual selling price of the discount target column is “100 yen” and “120 yen” products, the discount amount is “10 yen” of the discount pattern 1, “100 yen” is changed, “10 This will be described below as "yen" change.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the bulk purchase discount is enabled (step S 401, Yes), only “10 yen” is out of change (step S 402), and the discount target number is “3” in the above setting. When an amount “400 yen” that can purchase three or more products is inserted from the coin slot 53 (step S403, Yes), the product selection button 58 for the “100 yen” product is pressed (step S404, Yes), the product carry-out device 12 is driven via the main body control unit 14, the desired product is carried out to the product take-out port 56 (step S405), and then "two" products in the discount target column are sold. (Step S406).

  The number of sales in the discount target column is counted, and when the number of sales in the discount target column reaches “2” (step S406, Yes), then “1”, and when the product in the discount target column is purchased, the discount sales However, the difference between the current input remaining amount and the discount amount of the discount target column is calculated to determine whether or not change can be paid out by discount sales (step S407).

  According to this example, since the balance of “200 yen” and the discounted prices “90 yen” and “110 yen”, the change cannot be paid out when the change of “10 yen” is out (No in step S407). The sales price of the price indicator 58a is displayed as it is (step S408). When the product selection button 58 for the “100 yen” product is pressed (step S410, Yes), the main body control unit 14 is used. Then, the merchandise carry-out device 12 is driven, and the desired merchandise is carried out to the merchandise take-out port 56 (step S411), and change “100 yen” is returned to the coin return port 53a (step S412), (Step S413).

  If the sales price of the product is “20 yen” in the discount pattern 2, the “120 yen” product in the discount target column is “100 yen”. Since the payout is possible (step S407, Yes), the display on the price indicator 58a of the “120 yen” product is displayed as a discount price “100 yen” (step S409), and the product selection button 58 of this discount target column is pressed. (Step S410), the product take-out device 12 is driven via the main body control unit 14, and the desired product is carried out to the product take-out port 56 (Step S411). "Is returned (step S412), and a sales standby state is entered (step S413).

If the bulk purchase discount is not valid in step S401 (step S401, No), the normal price sale is performed in another flow.
In addition, when both the normal selling price and the discount selling price cannot be sold with the input amount, the input amount is refunded to the coin return port 53a as it is, and in other cases, 1 It is calculated whether the change can be paid out every time the product is sold, and when the discount target number is reached, it is determined whether the normal sales price or the discounted sales price is to be obtained. Based on this determination, the price indicator 58a Since the sales price is displayed, the user is sold at the sales price as displayed, and thus distrust is lost.

Further, for a user who expects sales at a discount, another display may be used, and a message such as sales at a normal sales price may be sent because the change is out.
For bulk purchase discount, if you purchase a product other than the discount target column in the middle, the number of sales will not be counted, and it will be switched to discount sales when a predetermined number of products in the discount target column are sold. Therefore, it is necessary to set the continuous purchase setting to a number larger than the discount target number.

  There are various appeals for this bulk purchase discount, time service discount, and discount target column, but simply display with stickers, stickers, etc., or using an existing display to make the display different from usual. Can be appealed, and a new display may be provided separately.

In addition, the time service discount and bulk purchase discount are explained in independent processing, but they may be used together.
Furthermore, although the discount amount is set to the three patterns set in advance, it can be changed by operating the remote controller 11. If the discount amount is erroneously set as an amount larger than the normal sales price, it is abnormal. Judge the discount setting and sell the product at the normal selling price.

  In addition, although discount sales with cash were explained, discount vending machines that can use cards can also be sold at the time of card sales. In this case, it is possible to set a discount amount different from cash.

1 Main Control Unit 1a Memory 1b Memory 11 Remote Control 50 Vending Machine 57 Digital Display 58 Product Selection Button 58a Price Display

Claims (2)

  When the input amount is equal to or higher than the sales price, a product selection button that lights the saleable lamp, a digital display that is provided for each product selection button and displays at least the sales price, and a discount for the normal sales price And a setting means for setting a discount time zone or a discount period as well as setting an amount and a discount target column, and in the case of the discount target, the display on the display unit is switched from a normal sales price to a discount price. In the vending machine to be displayed, if there is no change during the discount period or discount period, the difference between the input amount and the discount price of the discount target column is calculated, and there is a discount target column that can be sold at the discount price. For example, if a sellable lamp is turned on and the indicator displays a discount price, and there is a discount target column that can be sold at a normal sales price instead of the discount price, With lights the sale can lamp, a vending machine, wherein the indicator is displayed in the normal selling price.   When the input amount is equal to or higher than the sales price, a product selection button that lights the saleable lamp, a digital display that is provided for each product selection button and displays at least the sales price, and a discount for the normal sales price In addition to setting the amount and discount target column, there is a setting means to set the discount target quantity when performing bulk purchase discount. When the discount target quantity of the bulk purchase discount is reached, the display on the display is discounted from the normal selling price. In the vending machine that switches to, when the discount is out during the bulk purchase discount, the difference between the remaining input and the discount price in the discount column can be calculated and sold at the discount price If there is a discountable column, the lamp that can be sold is turned on, and the display unit displays the discount price, not the discount price but the normal sales price. If there is discounted column possible sale, as well as light the sellable lamp, a vending machine, wherein the indicator is displayed in the normal selling price.

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