JP5518577B2 - Thermal storage agent information presentation device, thermal storage agent provision system, and thermal storage agent information presentation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cash register, a dry ice providing device, and a dry ice providing system including them.

  At retail stores such as supermarkets, there are stores that provide dry ice to customers when customers purchase frozen foods or frozen items such as ice cream. When cashiers distribute dry ice, work takes time, and cashier processing cannot be performed quickly. Also, handling dry ice by store staff requires safety precautions. Therefore, in recent years, a predetermined amount of dry ice has been provided to customers by a dry ice providing device.

  Patent Document 1 describes a dry ice vending machine that can take out a small amount of dry ice when a coin is inserted. When a coin is inserted into the main body of the dry ice vending machine, an internal controller sends a signal to the pressure reducing valve, and the pressure reducing valve connected to the carbon dioxide cylinder is opened. Carbon dioxide gas flows into the cylinder from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder through the pressure reducing valve, and the carbon dioxide gas solidifies into snowy dry ice. When a certain amount of dry ice is produced, the pressure reducing valve is closed. Next, a piston installed in the cylinder presses and solidifies the snow-like dry ice in the cylinder to form solid dry ice, and the solid dry ice is cut into a lump by cutting teeth disposed on the end face of the cylinder. Then, the bottom plate at the bottom of the cylinder opens, and the dry ice is discharged to the outlet. The user can take out the block of dry ice from the outlet.

  Patent Documents 2 to 4 describe dry ice providing devices that provide a predetermined amount of dry ice when a user inserts coin-shaped medals. According to this, a customer receives a medal for providing dry ice from a cashier, and inserts a medal into a dry ice providing device installed separately to obtain a predetermined amount of dry ice according to the amount of medal. be able to.

JP 58-14294 A (published January 27, 1983) JP 2002-29579 A (published January 29, 2002) JP 2002-321778 A (published on November 5, 2002) International Publication No. 2006/095601 Pamphlet (published September 14, 2006)

  However, the above conventional configuration causes the following problems.

  In a store that has a dry ice supply device that provides dry ice using a medal for providing dry ice, if the cashier gives the customer a dry ice supply medal at the cash register, the customer The cashier needs to confirm with the customer whether he or she wants the offer, or the customer needs to ask the cashier to request the provision of dry ice. In addition, it is necessary for the cashier to adjust the number of medals handed over to the customer according to the amount of the frozen products that are purchased.

  In addition, in a store where a medal-type dry ice providing device is installed, a customer who receives a medal for providing dry ice may eventually take the medal without receiving the dry ice. Due to these actions, the number of medals in the store is insufficient, and the operation of the dry ice providing device may be hindered.

  On the other hand, in the case of a dry ice providing device other than the medal method, for example, in the case of a device that provides dry ice in the amount desired by the customer without requiring a medal or fee for providing dry ice, the customer has an amount more than necessary. You may take home your dry ice. Such an action causes a problem that the amount of dry ice in the store is insufficient and the customer who needs dry ice cannot be properly provided with dry ice.

  There is also a dry ice providing device that provides a predetermined amount of dry ice by inserting a 10-yen coin instead of a medal, but the provision of dry ice is no longer a free service. Then, it is impossible to realize a service (a service that provides dry ice for free).

  This invention is made | formed in view of said problem, The objective is the heat storage agent information which presents the information for performing provision of heat storage agents, such as dry ice, appropriately according to the goods purchased. It is to realize a presentation device.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the heat storage agent information presentation device according to the present invention should provide an article information input unit that receives input of information indicating an article and an article indicated by the information to provide the user with a heat storage agent. A provision determining unit that determines whether or not the provision of the heat storage agent is to be provided on the recording material when the provision determination unit determines that the heat storage agent should be provided. And an information forming unit.

  Moreover, the thermal storage agent information presentation method according to the present invention includes an article information input process for receiving input of information indicating an article, and whether the article indicated by the input information should provide a thermal storage agent to a user. A provision determining step for determining whether or not the thermal storage agent should be provided in the provision determination step, and a provision information forming step for writing provision information indicating that the thermal storage agent is provided on the recording material; It is characterized by including.

  According to said structure, a thermal storage agent information presentation apparatus judges whether a thermal storage agent is provided to a user according to goods. The user can receive the recording material on which the provision information indicating that the heat storage agent is provided is written according to the article. Therefore, the user can appropriately receive the heat storage agent by presenting the recording material. Further, since a medal or the like is not required to receive the provision of the heat storage agent, it is freed from the problem of the prior art that the medal is insufficient due to loss of the medal or take-out of the medal.

  Further, the heat storage agent information presentation device functions as a cash register for settlement of the transaction of the article, the recording material is a receipt of the transaction of the article, and the provision information forming unit has traded the article If the transaction determination information is written on the receipt and the provision determining unit determines that the heat storage agent should be provided, the provision information may be further written on the receipt.

  According to said structure, it is judged whether a thermal storage agent information presentation apparatus provides a thermal storage agent to a customer (user) according to the goods traded (purchased), and a customer responds to the goods traded. Receipt of the provided information can be received. Thus, for example, there is no need for the cashier to determine whether to provide the customer with the heat storage agent according to the goods to be traded, or to hand over the medal for receiving the heat storage agent to the customer. There is no need to request. Therefore, the cashier can perform the checkout process quickly.

  Moreover, the structure which produces | generates the said unique provision information which does not overlap with each provision information already produced | generated when the said provision determination part judges that the said thermal storage agent should be provided may be sufficient.

  According to said structure, by providing the storage information once used in order to receive provision of a thermal storage agent, provision of a thermal storage agent is performed twice or more using the recording material in which the same provision information was written. Can be prevented.

  Moreover, the provision information may include information on the amount of heat storage agent provided to the user.

  According to said structure, the user can receive provision of a thermal storage agent according to the provision amount of the thermal storage agent contained in the provision information written in the recording material.

  In addition, the provision determining unit integrates the provision amount of the heat storage agent set in advance for each of the plurality of articles for which the heat storage agent is to be provided to the user, and according to the accumulated provision amount of the heat storage agent. The amount of heat storage agent provided to the user may be determined.

  According to said structure, the user can receive provision of the suitable quantity of thermal storage agent according to several articles | goods.

  In addition, when the accumulated amount of provided heat storage agent exceeds a predetermined maximum value, the provision determination unit may determine the amount of heat storage agent provided to the user as the maximum value.

  According to said structure, when providing dry ice as a thermal storage agent, for example for several articles | goods which require freezing, it can prevent providing dry ice more than necessary.

  Further, the provision information forming unit is configured to write the provision information on the recording material as an optically readable pattern when the provision determination unit determines that the heat storage agent should be provided. Also good.

  According to said structure, the thermal storage agent provision apparatus installed separately can optically read the provision information written in the recording material, and can provide a thermal storage agent to a user.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the heat storage agent providing system according to the present invention includes the heat storage agent information presentation device and the heat storage agent providing device, and the heat storage agent providing device is written on the recording material. A provision information reading unit that reads provision information, and a provision unit that provides the heat storage agent to the user when the provision information reading unit reads the provision information indicating that the heat storage agent is provided. It is said.

  According to the above configuration, the user receives the recording material on which the provision information is written from the heat storage agent information presentation device, and presents the recording material to the heat storage agent provision device, thereby providing the provision information written on the recording material. The heat storage agent can be received from the heat storage agent providing device that has read Therefore, for example, the cashier does not need to work on the provision of the heat storage agent, and the heat storage agent can be appropriately provided to the user.

  In addition, when the provision determination unit determines that the heat storage agent should be provided, the provision determination unit generates unique provision information that does not overlap with each provision information generated in a predetermined period in the past, and provides the heat storage agent The apparatus includes a provision information reading unit that reads the provision information written on the recording material, and a provision information determination unit that determines whether or not the provision information indicating that the heat storage agent is provided is appropriate. When the provision information is determined to be appropriate, the provision unit for providing the heat storage agent to the user, and a provision information storage unit for storing the provision information read in the past, When the provision information read by the provision information reading unit does not overlap with the provision information stored in the provision information storage unit, the provision information determination unit determines that the provision information read by the provision information reading unit is appropriate. Ah The provision information storage unit stores the provision information read by the provision information reading unit, and the provision information read by the provision information reading unit is stored in the provision information storage unit. In the case of duplication, the provision information determination unit may determine that the provision information read by the provision information reading unit is not appropriate.

  According to said structure, the provision information written in the recording material which a user receives is unique, and the provision information once used by the user in order to receive provision of a thermal storage agent is memorize | stored in a provision information storage part. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the heat storage agent from being provided more than once using the recording material in which the same provision information is written.

  A heat storage agent providing system according to the present invention comprises a heat storage agent information presentation device, a heat storage agent provision device, and an information processing device communicably connected to the heat storage agent information presentation device and the heat storage agent provision device. In order to solve the above-described problem, the heat storage agent information presentation device includes an article information input unit that receives input of information indicating an article, and an article indicated by the information provides a thermal storage agent to a user. Providing information indicating that the heat storage agent is provided to the recording material when the provision determining unit that determines whether or not the heat storage agent should be provided and the provision determining unit determines that the heat storage agent should be provided The information processing device includes a provision information generation unit that generates unique provision information that does not overlap with each provision information that has already been generated, and a provision that stores the provision information that has been generated An information storage unit, wherein the heat storage agent providing device is configured to provide a provision information reading unit that reads the provision information written on the recording material, and a provision information determination that determines whether or not the provision information is appropriate. And a provision unit that provides the heat storage agent to the user when the provision information is determined to be appropriate, and the provision determination unit determines that the heat storage agent should be provided. In this case, the provision information generation unit generates the provision information, outputs the generated provision information to the provision determination unit, and stores the provision information read by the provision information reading unit in the provision information storage unit. The provision information determining unit determines that the provision information read by the provision information reading unit is appropriate, and the provision information read by the provision information reading unit is stored in the provision information storage unit. Remembered If no, the advertisement determining section is characterized by determining with the provided information provided above information reading unit has read is not intended proper.

  According to said structure, a provision information determination part judges whether the read provision information is appropriate by whether the read provision information is memorize | stored in the provision information storage part. Can do. Therefore, it is not necessary to include information indicating the date of issue or the expiration date in the provided information itself, and for example, a discrete and unique arbitrary code such as a serial code can be used as the provided information. For this reason, even when the provided information is expressed by a simple pattern (for example, a one-dimensional barcode) with a small amount of information, it is difficult to forge the provided information, so that the provided information reading unit can have a simple configuration.

  The heat storage agent information presentation device according to the present invention provides an article information input unit that receives input of information indicating an article, and determines whether or not the article indicated by the information should provide a heat storage agent to a user And a provision information forming unit that writes provision information indicating that the heat storage agent is provided on the recording material when the provision determination unit determines that the heat storage agent should be provided. It is said.

  The heat storage agent provision system according to the present invention includes the heat storage agent information presentation device and the heat storage agent provision device, and the heat storage agent provision device reads the provision information written on the recording material; The provision information reading unit includes a provision unit that provides the heat storage agent to the user when the provision information indicating that the heat storage agent is provided is read.

  According to said structure, a thermal storage agent information presentation apparatus judges whether a thermal storage agent is provided to a user according to goods. The user can receive the recording material on which the provision information indicating that the heat storage agent is provided is written according to the article. Therefore, the user can appropriately receive the heat storage agent by presenting the recording material.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the dry ice provision system of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the cash register and server of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the receipt which the printing part printed. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the dry ice provision apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the cash register and server of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in the dry ice provision apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the receipt on which the one-dimensional barcode which shows the code for provision was printed. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the dry ice provision system of other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the cash register of other embodiment of this invention, a server, and the dry ice provision apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the cash register and server of other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the dry ice provision apparatus and server of other embodiment of this invention.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Configuration of dry ice supply system>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dry ice providing system 1 of the present embodiment. The dry ice providing system (heat storage agent providing system) 1 includes a plurality of cash registers (heat storage agent information presentation devices) 2, a server (information processing device) 3, and a dry ice providing device (heat storage agent providing device) 4. . Each cash register 2 is a POS (Point of Sale) register, and is connected to the server 3 so as to be communicable.

  The server 3 has a database that stores information on products requiring refrigeration. The cash register 2 inquires of the server 3 whether or not the product (article) purchased by the customer (user) is a frozen product. Code indicating that cash register 2 provides dry ice (heat storage agent) for issued receipts when the product (article) purchased by the customer contains frozen products when the payment for the product is completed (A pattern that can be optically read by the dry ice providing device 4 such as a two-dimensional code or a barcode) is printed. The customer receives a receipt printed with a code. The customer causes the dry ice providing device 4 installed at a location different from the cash register 2 to read the code printed on the receipt. The dry ice providing device 4 provides a predetermined amount of dry ice to the customer when the information indicated by the read code is appropriate.

  In the dry ice providing system 1 of the present embodiment, a customer can receive a receipt on which a code is written and can receive dry ice using the receipt. Below, the structure of the cash register 2, the server 3, and the dry ice provision apparatus 4 is demonstrated.

<Configuration of cash register and server>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cash register 2 and the server 3. The cash register 2 includes an article information input unit 11, an article information acquisition unit 12, an amount calculation unit 13, a provision determination unit 14, a display unit 15, and a printing unit (provided information formation unit) 16. Each block of the cash register 2, particularly the functions of the article information acquisition unit 12, the amount calculation unit 13, and the provision determination unit 14, includes an arithmetic device (not shown), a storage device (not shown), and communication included in the cash register 2. Implemented by a device (not shown).

  The article information input unit 11 includes a barcode scanner 11a and a plurality of keys 11b as input devices. The barcode scanner 11a accepts input of a numeric string indicated by the barcode as information indicating the product (product identification information: product code) by reading the barcode printed on the traded product or price tag. The plurality of keys 11b are associated in advance with some products for which barcodes such as vegetables cannot be printed, and are registered in advance as information indicating corresponding products by pressing a predetermined key 11b. A predetermined numeric string is input. In this way, the article information input unit 11 receives input of information indicating a product from the barcode scanner 11a and the key 11b. The product information input unit 11 outputs the input product identification information to the product information acquisition unit 12. In the present embodiment, the product identification information is a numeric string, but may be a character string.

  Note that the cash register 2 includes a key indicating completion of input of information on a commodity to be traded (start of settlement), a key for inputting an amount received from a customer, a key for starting receipt issuance, and the like. The article information input unit may include an input device such as a touch panel instead of the keys.

  When the product identification information is input from the product information input unit 11, the product information acquisition unit 12 receives the details of the product (transaction product) indicated by the product identification information from the external server 3 that is communicably connected to the cash register 2. Information is obtained. Specifically, when the product identification information is input from the product information input unit 11, the product information acquisition unit 12 transmits the product identification information to the server 3. "XX ice cream"), the price of the transaction product, and information indicating whether the transaction product is a product for which dry ice should be provided (dry ice provision availability information). When the transaction product is a product for which dry ice is to be provided, the article information acquisition unit 12 sends information indicating the amount of dry ice to be provided to the transaction product (dry ice provision amount information) from the server 3. get. The article information acquisition unit 12 may acquire the number and the discount information corresponding to the number (information such as discount when purchasing two) from the server 3. The article information acquisition unit 12 outputs the product identification information, the name of the transaction product, and the amount of the transaction product to the amount calculation unit 13. Further, the article information acquisition unit 12 outputs the product identification information, the dry ice provision availability information, and the dry ice provision amount information to the provision determination unit 14.

  The amount calculation unit 13 integrates the amounts of the plurality of transaction products input from the article information acquisition unit 12, calculates a discount, and calculates the total amount of the plurality of transaction products. The amount calculation unit 13 outputs the product identification information, name, and amount of each transaction product, and the total amount of the plurality of transaction products to the display unit 15. In addition, when the input of information on all products is completed and a transaction end declaration indicating that payment has been completed (receipt issuance start) is input to the cash register 2 input device by the cashier, the amount is calculated. The unit 13 outputs the name and amount of each transaction product and the total amount of the plurality of transaction products to the printing unit 16.

  The provision determining unit 14 determines whether or not the transaction product is a product for which dry ice is to be provided based on the dry ice provision availability information input from the article information acquisition unit 12. If there is one or more products that should provide dry ice among the transaction products (transaction products purchased by the customer) indicated by the product identification information input from the article information acquisition unit 12, the provision determining unit 14 Decided to provide dry ice to customers who do. Moreover, the provision determination part 14 integrates the dry ice provision amount of each transaction product as the dry ice provision amount to the customer, and obtains the total dry ice provision amount. The provision determination unit 14 outputs the amount of dry ice provided to the customer on the display unit 15. When the input of information on all the products is completed and a transaction end declaration is input by the cashier to the input device of the cash register 2, the provision determining unit 14 provides the provision code (provided to provide dry ice) Offer information). In the present embodiment, the providing code is a character string, but may be a numeric string. The provision code includes a receipt issuance date and time, a store name (or store number) indicating a store, a cash register number indicating a transaction register, a receipt number, and information indicating the amount of dry ice provided to a customer. . The provision determining unit 14 outputs the provision code to the printing unit 16.

  The display unit 15 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an electronic bulletin board. The display unit 15 displays the name and amount of each transaction product input from the amount calculation unit 13, the total amount of the plurality of transaction products, and the amount of dry ice provided to the customer input from the provision determination unit 14. To do.

  The printing unit 16 prints on a recording sheet such as thermal paper and creates a receipt (recording material). The printing unit 16 prints transaction information (information indicating that the transaction product has been traded) such as the store name, transaction date and time, store number, cash register number, name and amount of each transaction product, and total amount on the upper side of the receipt. Then, a providing code indicating that dry ice is provided is printed at the end of the receipt as a matrix type two-dimensional code (for example, QR code (registered trademark)).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the receipt 20 printed by the printing unit 16. On the upper side of the receipt 20, similarly to the conventional receipt, transaction information such as a store name, transaction date and time, store number, cash register number, name and amount of each transaction product, and total amount are described. A matrix type two-dimensional code 21 is formed below the receipt 20 as a “dry ice service ticket” that allows customers to receive dry ice. The matrix-type two-dimensional code 21 has a receipt 20 issue date and time of “2010 Feb 09, 16:50:28”, a store name “XX Super Store”, and the cash The information includes “002” as the register number indicating the register, “00001” as the receipt number, and “100 g” as the dry ice offer amount to the customer. The customer can receive a service of providing dry ice by the matrix type two-dimensional code 21 formed on the receipt 20.

  The server 3 (see FIG. 2) includes a response unit 17 and a product database 18. The function of each block of the server 3 is realized by an arithmetic device, a storage device, and a communication device provided in the server 3 (not shown).

  The merchandise database 18 is a database that stores a pre-registered amount of money and information on whether or not dry ice can be provided for merchandise handled by the store. The product database 18 includes, for each product handled by the store, product identification information, product name, product price, and information indicating whether the product is a product for which dry ice should be provided (whether dry ice can be provided) Information) in association with each other. In addition, the product database 18 stores a dry ice provision amount set in advance in association with a product for which dry ice is to be provided. Moreover, the dry ice offer amount registered in advance in the product database 18 may vary in amount (grams) depending on the product.

  When the response unit 17 receives the product identification information from the product information acquisition unit 12 of the cash register 2, the response unit 17 refers to the product database 18, the product name and price indicated by the product identification information, the dry ice provision availability information, Get dry ice offer. Then, as a response to the cash register 2, the product name and price indicated by the product identification information, dry ice provision availability information, and dry ice provision amount are transmitted to the article information acquisition unit 12.

<Configuration of dry ice providing device>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the dry ice providing device 4. The dry ice providing device 4 includes a code reading unit (providing information reading unit) 31, a providing determining unit (providing information determining unit) 32, a code storage unit (providing information storage unit) 33, and a dry ice providing unit (providing unit). 34). The function of each block of the dry ice providing device 4, in particular, the function of the provision determining unit 32 and the code storage unit 33 is realized by an arithmetic device and a storage device provided in the dry ice providing device 4, although not shown.

  The code reading unit 31 includes an optical reading device that can read a printed code such as a matrix type two-dimensional code or a barcode. The code reading unit 31 reads the matrix type two-dimensional code 21 formed on the receipt 20, decodes the matrix type two-dimensional code 21, and obtains the providing code indicated by the matrix type two-dimensional code 21. The code reading unit 31 outputs the acquired providing code to the providing determining unit 32.

  The provision determination unit 32 determines whether or not the acquired provision code is appropriate as a code for providing dry ice. The method will be described later. In addition, the provision determining unit 32 refers to the code storage unit 33 to determine whether or not the acquired provision code is already used, and the provision code is stored in the code storage unit 33. Check if it is. If the providing code is not stored in the code storage unit 33, it is determined that the providing code is unused, and it is determined to provide dry ice to the customer. Further, the provision determination unit 32 stores the provision code in the code storage unit 33. When it is determined to provide the customer with dry ice, the provision determining unit 32 outputs to the dry ice providing unit 34 an instruction to provide dry ice and information on the amount of dry ice provided in the provision code. .

  The code storage unit 33 stores a providing code for which dry ice has already been provided (used once) by the dry ice providing device 4. This prevents the customer from receiving dry ice twice or more (predetermined number of times) using the same receipt.

  When the dry ice providing unit 34 receives an instruction to provide dry ice and information on the amount of dry ice provided from the provision determining unit 32, the dry ice providing unit 34 extracts the amount of dry ice indicated by the information on the amount of dry ice provided by the dry ice providing device 4. To supply. The customer can take out the dry ice from the outlet.

<Flow of cash register and server processing>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the cash register 2 and the server 3 of this embodiment.

  Before starting the transaction, the cash register 2 initializes the transaction product list, and initializes the transaction amount and the variables such as the dry ice supply amount A to the customer to zero.

  When the cashier reads the barcode printed on the product using the barcode scanner 11a or presses the key 11b corresponding to the product for the product purchased by the customer, the article information input unit 11 displays the barcode. The product identification information is input from the scanner 11a or the key 11b (S1).

  When the product identification information is input, the product information acquisition unit 12 transmits the product identification information to the server 3 (S2).

  When the response unit 17 of the server 3 receives the product identification information from the product information acquisition unit 12 of the cash register 2, it refers to the product database 18 and the name and price of the product (transaction product) indicated by the product identification information, The dry ice provision availability information and the dry ice provision amount are acquired (S3). The response unit 17 transmits the name and price of the acquired transaction product, dry ice provision availability information, and dry ice provision amount to the cash register 2 (S4).

  The amount calculation unit 13 accumulates the amount of the transaction product (S5). At this time, the money amount calculation unit 13 may perform a calculation such as a discount. Further, the product identification information of the transaction product is added to the transaction product list indicating the product to be traded with the current customer.

  When the dry ice provision availability information of the transaction product indicates that the product should provide dry ice (Yes in S6), the provision determining unit 14 determines to provide the customer with dry ice. The amount of dry ice provided for the transaction product is added to the amount A of dry ice provided to the customer (S7).

  When the dry ice provision availability information of the transaction product indicates that the product is not a product for which dry ice is to be provided (No in S6), or after S7, it is determined whether or not the input of all the products has been completed (S8). ).

  If the input of all the products has not been completed and the product identification information of the next product has been input (No in S8), the process returns to S1.

  When the input of all the products is completed, that is, when a transaction end declaration is input to the cash register 2 input device by the cashier (Yes in S8), the printing unit 16 prints predetermined items on the receipt sheet. (S9). That is, the printing unit 16 prints information such as the store name, transaction date and time, store number, cash register number, the name and amount of each transaction product shown in the transaction product list, and the total amount on the receipt sheet.

  When there is one or more products to be provided with dry ice among all the products shown in the transaction product list (Yes in S10), that is, when it is determined to provide dry ice to the customer in S7 ( When the dry ice provision amount A> 0 to the customer), the provision determination unit 14 generates a provision code indicating that the dry ice is to be provided (S11). The providing code includes receipt issuance date and time, a store name indicating a store, a cash register number indicating a transaction register, a receipt number, and information indicating a dry ice provision amount A to a customer. The provision determining unit 14 performs a predetermined encryption that can be decrypted on the code including the character string or the numeric string including the information to obtain the provision code.

  Following the matter printed in S9, the printing unit 16 prints a providing code indicating that dry ice is provided on the receipt paper as the matrix type two-dimensional code 21 (S12).

  The cash register 2 cuts off the printed portion of the receipt from the paper, and the cashier gives it to the customer as a receipt 20 (S13).

<Processing flow of dry ice supply equipment>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the dry ice providing apparatus 4 of the present embodiment.

  In order to receive the provision of dry ice, the customer causes the code reading unit 31 of the dry ice providing device 4 to read the matrix type two-dimensional code 21 printed on the receipt 20.

  The code reading unit 31 reads the matrix type two-dimensional code 21 printed on the receipt 20, and obtains the providing code indicated by the matrix type two-dimensional code 21 (S21).

  The provision determination unit 32 decrypts the encrypted provision code by a predetermined method, and indicates the issue date and time of the receipt included in the provision code, the store name indicating the store, and the cash register performing the transaction. Information on the cash register number, receipt number, and dry ice provision amount A to the customer is acquired (S22). In order to decrypt the providing code encrypted by the cash register 2 by the dry ice providing device 4, the decryption method or the decryption key is preliminarily determined by the provision determining unit of the dry ice providing device 4. 32.

  The provision determination unit 32 determines whether or not the acquired provision code is appropriate as a code for providing dry ice (S23). In order to determine whether or not the provision code is appropriate, the provision determination unit 32 indicates the issue date and time of the receipt included in the provision code and the current date and time indicated by the clock of the dry ice provision device 4. In comparison, if it is not the same day, it is determined that the dry ice providing service has expired and the providing code is invalid (not appropriate). Furthermore, when the current date and time has passed a predetermined time (for example, 2 hours) from the issue date and time, the provision determining unit 32 determines that the dry ice provision service has expired and the provision code is Judged as invalid. In addition, if the store name included in the provision code does not match the store name of the store registered in the dry ice providing device 4 in advance, it is considered that the receipt is issued at another store. The unit 32 determines that the providing code is invalid. Further, if the register number included in the provided code is not among the plurality of register numbers registered in the dry ice providing device 4 in advance, it is considered that the read matrix-type two-dimensional code has been illegally created. Therefore, the provision determination unit 32 determines that the provision code is invalid. In other cases, the provision determination unit 32 determines that the provision code is proper indicating that dry ice is to be provided.

  When it is determined that the providing code is not appropriate (No in S23), the dry ice providing device 4 ends the process.

  When it is determined that the provision code is appropriate (Yes in S23), the provision determination unit 32 refers to the code storage unit 33 and confirms whether or not the provision code is stored in the code storage unit 33. (S24).

  When the providing code is stored in the code storage unit 33 (Yes in S24), it is considered that the providing code has already been used. In this case, in order to prevent the customer from receiving the provision of dry ice multiple times with the same receipt, the provision determination unit 32 determines that the provision code is invalid, and the dry ice provision device 4 ends the processing. To do.

  When the provision code is not stored in the code storage unit 33 (No in S24), the provision code is considered to be used for the first time. In this case, the provision determination unit 32 determines that the provision code is appropriate, and determines to provide the customer with dry ice (S25). Further, the provision determining unit 32 stores the provision code in the code storage unit 33 to prevent the second and subsequent use (S26).

  When the dry ice provision amount A for the customer included in the provision code exceeds the predetermined value Amax (No in S27), the provision determination unit 32 sets the dry ice provision amount A for the customer to Amax (S28). For example, when a customer purchases a plurality of products requiring refrigeration, dry ice is not required in proportion to the number, and if there is a certain amount of dry ice, the product requiring refrigeration can be properly kept cold. it is conceivable that. Therefore, provision of useless dry ice can be omitted by providing the maximum value of dry ice provision per purchase for each customer. This process of limiting the supply amount of dry ice to the maximum value may be performed on the cash register side, and the cash register prints a supply code indicating the supply amount of dry ice below the maximum value on the receipt. It may be.

  When the dry ice provision amount A to the customer included in the provision code is equal to or less than the predetermined value Amax (Yes in S27), or after S27, the dry ice provision unit 34 performs the dry ice provision amount A to the customer. Ice is taken out to the outlet (S29). Thus, the dry ice providing device 4 ends the process.

  It should be noted that the code storage unit 33 stores the provided code that has expired (ie, the provided code that has passed a predetermined time (for example, 2 hours) from the date of issue). Delete information. Since the provision code that has expired is determined to be invalid without being inquired of the code storage unit 33, even if the provision code that has expired is deleted, it is duplicated with the same receipt. We do not provide dry ice. Also, by deleting unnecessary information and reducing the number of providing codes stored in the code storage unit 33, it is possible to shorten the search time for providing codes for checking whether or not a certain providing code has been used. it can.

  Further, by including the cash register number and the issue date / time or the receipt number in the provision code, a unique provision code can be generated for each transaction in a store where a plurality of cash registers 2 are arranged. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a plurality of customers from being provided with receipts having the same provision code.

  According to the dry ice providing system 1 of the present embodiment, the cash register 2 automatically determines the amount of dry ice provided when the product purchased by the customer includes a product that needs to be provided with dry ice. Then, a matrix type two-dimensional code 21 is formed on the receipt 20 for the customer to receive the dry ice providing service. The customer can receive an appropriate amount of dry ice according to the purchased product by causing the dry ice providing device to read the matrix type two-dimensional code 21 of the receipt 20. Therefore, according to the dry ice providing system 1 of the present embodiment, it is not necessary for the cashier to check whether there is a frozen product as in the prior art, and it is not necessary to hand over a medal to the customer, and the work of the cashier can be reduced. . In addition, the customer can also save the trouble of receiving a medal separately from the receipt and requesting a medal from the cashier to receive the provision of dry ice. Therefore, the time required for transaction processing at the cash register can be shortened. Also, by not using medals, it is freed from the problem that medals are insufficient due to loss of medals or take-out of medals. In addition, since customers do not receive medals, if they think that dry ice is unnecessary due to reasons such as short return time, they can expect that they will not receive dry ice even if they can receive services. Can be omitted, and waste can be reduced. In addition, in the self-checkout where the customer operates the cash register by himself and registers and settles the product, the cash register of the present embodiment provides the customer with a receipt indicating an appropriate amount of dry ice, and the customer An amount of dry ice can be obtained. Therefore, excessive supply of dry ice can be prevented.

<Modification>
In the above description, the code printed on the receipt is a two-dimensional code, but it may be a one-dimensional barcode.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a receipt 40 on which a one-dimensional bar code 41 indicating a provision code is printed. A one-dimensional barcode 41 is printed on the lower side of the receipt 40 as a dry ice service ticket. The bar code 41 represents a 13-digit number string “1002091650002”. Of these, the 10-digit portion “10020991650” from the front represents the issue date and time, and “’10 Feb. 09, 16:50”. The remaining three digits “002” represent the register number assigned to the cash register. Thus, the providing code may be printed on the receipt 40 using the one-dimensional barcode 41. However, in general-purpose barcodes that can represent 13-digit numbers, there is little information that can be recorded, so in order to prevent multiple uses of the same receipt, or illegal counterfeiting of barcodes It is preferable to use a bar code having a large number of digits.

  For example, a case where a barcode capable of recording 18-digit numbers is used will be described. The providing code includes a 12-digit issue date and time, a 2-digit registration number, and a 4-digit receipt number. For example, if the issuance date is “(20) '04 / 04/14 11:45:30”, the registration number is “01”, and the receipt number is “0001”, the number “10041411445300001” indicating the above information By adding each digit of the 18-digit encryption key “14556312894254234155” to each digit of the column (however, carry is ignored), an encrypted digit string “2450453939554244156” is obtained. The cash register prints a bar code indicating the providing code on the receipt using the encrypted number string as the providing code. On the dry ice providing apparatus side that has read the barcode, the encryption key is subtracted from the encrypted providing code (ignoring the carry-down) to obtain the digit string before encryption. . Since the dry ice providing apparatus checks that the issuance date and time indicated by the bar code is within the valid period and that the cash register number is appropriate, it is possible to prevent illegal forgery of the bar code. Furthermore, by adding information for checking (for example, a digit for checking the addition of digits in other digits (ignore carry) or a predetermined password determined in advance) to the code before encryption, Further, it is possible to prevent unauthorized forgery of the barcode.

  Also, in order to make it more difficult to forge the bar code (decryption of the code), it is possible not to print the HRI characters (characters indicating the number indicated by the bar code, which are human-readable) usually attached to the bar code. Good.

  Moreover, when providing a some dry ice provision apparatus in a shop, a some dry ice provision apparatus may be connected so that communication is possible, and the information of a code memory | storage part may be shared. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the customer from receiving the provision of dry ice multiple times with the provision code of one receipt. In addition, a separate server may include a code storage unit, and a plurality of dry ice providing devices may be connected to the server so as to be able to communicate with each other to share information on used providing codes.

  In addition, each cash register may be individually provided with a product database without being connected to the server.

  Further, the printing unit may include a printing device capable of duplex printing. For example, the amount of money as a receipt may be printed on the front surface, and the providing code may be printed on the back surface.

  Moreover, the dry ice provision apparatus 4 or the provision determination part 14 may determine the dry ice provision amount A with respect to a customer in steps from the integrated value of the dry ice provision amount about each product. For example, when the integrated value is 1 to 199 g, the dry ice provision amount A to the customer is 100 g, when the integrated value is 200 g to 299 g, the dry ice provision amount A to the customer is 200 g, and the integrated value is 300 g or more. The amount of dry ice provided A to the customer may be 300 g.

  In addition, when the customer's address information can be obtained from information such as a membership card, point card, or credit card issued by the store to the customer, the cash register provision determining unit determines the store and customer address. Depending on the distance, the dry ice provision amount A to the customer may be increased or decreased. Thereby, a more appropriate amount of dry ice can be provided according to the customer.

  Further, the cash register may be provided with a magnetic memory writing device or an electric memory writing device, and the providing code may be written by a magnetic or electric signal on a recording material such as a membership card, a point card, or a credit card presented by the customer. . A customer who has a membership card in which the provision code is written causes the dry ice providing apparatus to read information such as the membership card. The dry ice providing device reads the providing code stored in the member card or the like and deletes the providing code from the member card or the like. The dry ice providing device provides the customer with dry ice according to the read providing code. In this case, dry ice can be provided only to customers who have a membership card or the like, and the customer can be encouraged to join the member.

  In addition, the dry ice providing device cuts or prints at least a part of the bar code to indicate that the bar code has been used after reading the bar code indicating the code for providing the presented receipt. A device for painting may be provided. Accordingly, the customer can provide the dry ice multiple times with one receipt providing code without providing the dry ice providing device with the code storage unit or connecting the dry ice providing device to the code storage unit provided outside. Can be prevented.

  In addition, the thermal storage agent provided to customers is not limited to dry ice, but may provide cold insulation according to refrigerated products or refrigerated products purchased by customers, and keep warm according to warm products purchased by customers. Agents may be provided. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the provision amount of a thermal storage agent can be determined from the information of the goods purchased, and the thermal storage agent from which a required quantity changes variously with a customer can be provided appropriately.

[Embodiment 2]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, members / configurations having the same functions as those in the drawings described in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. This embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Configuration of dry ice supply system>
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the dry ice providing system 51 of the present embodiment. The dry ice providing system 51 includes a plurality of cash registers 52, a server 53, and a dry ice providing device 54. Each cash register 52 is a POS register, and is communicably connected to the server 53. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the dry ice providing device 54 is connected to the server 53 so as to be communicable.

  In the dry ice providing system 51 of the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the customer can receive a receipt on which a code is written and can receive dry ice using the receipt. Below, the structure of the cash register 52, the server 53, and the dry ice provision apparatus 54 is demonstrated.

<Configuration of cash register, server, and dry ice providing device>
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cash register 52, the server 53, and the dry ice providing device 54. The cash register 52 includes an article information input unit 11, an article information acquisition unit 12, an amount calculation unit 13, a provision determination unit 61, a display unit 15, and a printing unit 16. Each block of the cash register 52, in particular, the functions of the article information acquisition unit 12, the amount calculation unit 13, and the provision determination unit 61 is realized by an arithmetic device, a storage device, and a communication device provided in the cash register 52, although not shown.

  Since the configuration of the article information input unit 11, the article information acquisition unit 12, the amount calculation unit 13, and the display unit 15 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the provision determining unit 61 determines whether or not the transaction product is a product to be provided with dry ice based on the dry ice provision availability information input from the article information acquisition unit 12. As the amount of dry ice provided, the total amount of dry ice provided is calculated by integrating the amount of dry ice provided for each transaction product. The provision determining unit 61 outputs the amount of dry ice provided to the customer on the display unit 15. In addition, when the input of all the product information is completed and the transaction end declaration is input to the cash register 52 input device by the cashier, the provision determining unit 61 requests the provision code and the amount of dry ice provided to the customer. And a provision code indicating that the customer is provided with dry ice is acquired from the server 53. In the present embodiment, the providing code is a serial number made up of a numeric string, and is a unique numeric string given to each dry ice service ticket (each receipt that can be provided with dry ice). The provision determining unit 61 outputs the provision code to the printing unit 16.

  The printing unit 16 prints on a recording sheet such as thermal paper and creates a receipt. The printing unit 16 prints information such as the store name, transaction date and time, store number, cash register number, name and amount of each transaction product, and total amount on the upper side of the receipt, and provides dry ice at the end of the receipt. A providing code indicating this is printed as a one-dimensional bar code.

  The server 53 includes a response unit 17, a product database 18, a code generation unit (provided information generation unit) 62, and a code storage unit (provided information storage unit) 63. The function of each block of the server 53 is realized by an arithmetic device, a storage device, and a communication device provided in the server 53, although not shown.

  Since the configuration of the response unit 17 and the product database 18 is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In response to a request from the provision determination unit 61 of the cash register 52, the code generation unit 62 generates a provision code indicating that dry ice is to be provided, and transmits the code to the provision determination unit 61. Specifically, when the code generation unit 62 receives the request for the provision code and the information on the dry ice provision amount from the provision determination unit 61, the code generation unit 62 generates a provision code for printing on a receipt issued in the transaction. To do. Here, the code generation unit 62 generates a new provision code so as not to overlap with the provision code already generated on that day (or a predetermined period). This providing code functions as a temporary password.

  For example, the code generation unit 62 combines the number string “100414” indicating the date “(20) 'April 14, 2010” and the number “0000123” sequentially given in the order of generation, the number “1004140000123”. A numeric string obtained by applying predetermined encryption to the string may be used as the providing code. At this time, the encryption may not necessarily be decryptable. However, if a receipt printed with the same provision code is distributed to different customers, it will not be possible to provide dry ice to one of the customers, so the provision code that is obtained as a result of encryption will be generated first. It is desirable not to overlap. For example, if a hash value is obtained by applying a hash function to a unique number sequence and used as a provision code, if the number sequence is larger than the number of customers visiting the store in a day (if there are 13 digits) It is considered that the provided code to be generated does not substantially overlap. Again, forgery of the providing code is prevented by encrypting the providing code.

  The code generation unit 62 causes the generated code for provision to be stored in the code storage unit 63 in association with information on the generated date and time (or the current date and time). The code generation unit 62 transmits the generated provision code to the provision determination unit 61 of the cash register 52.

  The code storage unit 63 stores the generated providing code in association with date / time information. In the code storage unit 63, a provision code that is generated on the day and is unused (the customer is not provided with dry ice by a receipt printed with the provision code), and the date and time of the generation Information is stored in association with each other. When dry ice is provided by the providing code, the code storage unit 63 deletes the providing code or adds information (flag) indicating that the providing code has been used.

  The dry ice providing device 54 includes a code reading unit 31, a provision determining unit 64, and a dry ice providing unit 34. Although not shown, the function of each block of the dry ice providing device 54, particularly the function of the provision determining unit 64, is realized by an arithmetic device and a storage device provided in the dry ice providing device 54.

  Since the functions of the code reading unit 31 and the dry ice providing unit 34 are the same as those in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted. The code reading unit 31 reads a barcode indicating the providing code formed on the receipt, and outputs the providing code indicated by the barcode to the providing determining unit 64.

  The provision determination unit 64 refers to the code storage unit 63 and determines whether or not the received provision code is appropriate as a code for providing dry ice. Specifically, the provision determination unit 64 transmits the received provision code to the code storage unit 63 of the server 53, and inquires whether the provision code is appropriate as a code for providing dry ice. . When the code storage unit 63 stores the corresponding providing code, it can be determined that the providing code is appropriate. Therefore, the providing determining unit 64 provides the customer with dry ice. decide. When the provision code is appropriate, the provision determination unit 64 acquires information on the dry ice provision amount (for the customer) corresponding to the provision code from the code storage unit 63. If the provision code is appropriate, the provision determination unit 64 instructs the code storage unit 63 to delete the provision code stored in the code storage unit 63, or the provision code is Information indicating that it has been used is stored in the code storage unit 63. This prevents the second and subsequent use. When it is determined to provide the customer with dry ice, the provision determining unit 64 outputs to the dry ice providing unit 34 an instruction to provide dry ice and information on the acquired dry ice provision amount.

  Upon receiving the instruction to provide dry ice and the information on the amount of dry ice provided from the provision determining unit 64, the dry ice providing unit 34 dries the amount of dry ice indicated by the information on the amount of dry ice provided, as in the first embodiment. The ice supply device 4 is supplied to the outlet. The customer can take out the dry ice from the outlet.

<Flow of cash register and server processing>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the cash register 52 and the server 53 of this embodiment. A process similar to that of the first embodiment will be described briefly.

  The processing from S41 to S49 is the same as the processing from S1 to S9 shown in FIG.

  When there is one or more products that should provide dry ice among all the products shown in the transaction product list (Yes in S50), that is, when it is determined to provide dry ice to the customer in S47 ( When the dry ice provision amount A> 0 for the customer), the provision determining unit 61 transmits the request for the provision code and the information on the dry ice provision amount A for the customer to the code generating unit 62 of the server 53 (S51).

  The code generation unit 62 of the server 53 generates a providing code indicating that dry ice is provided (S52). The providing code is encrypted. The code generation unit 62 stores the providing code in the code storage unit 63 in association with the generated date and time information (S53). The generated date and time information is used to determine the expiration date of the provision code. Further, the code generation unit 62 transmits the providing code to the provision determining unit 61 of the cash register 52 (S54).

  The provision determining unit 61 of the cash register 52 outputs the received provision code to the printing unit 16, and the printing unit 16 prints the provision code indicating that dry ice is provided on the receipt paper as a barcode. (S55).

  The cash register 52 separates the printed portion of the receipt from the paper, and the cashier gives it to the customer as a receipt (S56).

<Processing flow of dry ice supply equipment>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the dry ice providing apparatus 54 and the server 53 of this embodiment. A process similar to that of the first embodiment will be described briefly.

  In order to receive the provision of dry ice, the customer causes the code reading unit 31 of the dry ice providing device 54 to read the barcode printed on the receipt.

  The code reading unit 31 reads the barcode printed on the receipt, and obtains the providing code indicated by the barcode (S61).

  The provision determination unit 64 transmits the provision code to the code storage unit 63 of the server 53 (S62).

  When the code storage unit 63 of the server 53 receives the provision code from the provision determination unit 64 of the dry ice provision device 54, the code storage unit 63 confirms in the code storage unit 63 whether or not the provision code is appropriate. First, the code storage unit 63 determines whether or not the providing code is stored in the code storage unit 63 (S63).

  When the code for providing is stored in the code storage unit 63 (Yes in S63), the date and time when the code for providing is generated is compared with the current date and time to determine whether the code is within the expiration date ( S64). For example, if the current date is the same date as the date when the provision code is generated and the current time is within a predetermined time (for example, within two hours) from the time when the provision code is generated, The provision code is assumed to be valid.

  When the provision code is within the validity period (Yes in S64), the code storage unit 63 includes information indicating that the provision code is appropriate (valid) and the provision code. The corresponding dry ice provision amount information (for the customer) is transmitted to the provision determination unit 64 of the dry ice provision device 54 (S65).

  When the provision code is not stored in the code storage unit 63 (No in S63), or the provision code is stored in the code storage unit 63, but the provision code is not within the expiration date. In the case (Yes in S63 and No in S64), the code storage unit 63 provides information indicating that the provision code is not appropriate (invalid) and provides the determination unit 64 of the dry ice providing device 54. (S66).

  If the providing code is proper after S65 or S66 (Yes in S67), the providing determination unit 64 of the dry ice providing device 54 determines to provide dry ice, and the dry ice providing unit 34 Then, an instruction to provide dry ice and information on the amount of dry ice provided received from the code storage unit 63 are output (S68). Further, the provision determining unit 64 instructs the code storage unit 63 to delete the provision code stored in the code storage unit 63, or stores information indicating that the provision code has been used. Store in the unit 63. The code storage unit 63 deletes the provision code or stores information indicating that the provision code has been used in association with the provision code.

  After S68, the amount of dry ice A provided to the customer is supplied to the outlet (S69). Thus, the dry ice providing device 54 ends the process.

  If the providing code is not appropriate after S65 or S66 (No in S67), the providing determination unit 64 determines not to provide dry ice, and the dry ice providing apparatus 54 ends the process.

  According to the dry ice providing system 51 of the present embodiment, the providing code for receiving the provision of dry ice is printed on the receipt as a one-dimensional barcode. In the dry ice providing system 51, the dry ice providing device 54 is communicably connected to the server 53, and information such as date and time for determining the expiration date may be stored in the code storage unit 63 of the server 53. it can. Therefore, the dry ice providing device 54 can confirm by inquiring the server 53 whether or not the providing code indicated by the barcode printed on the receipt is appropriate. Therefore, it is not necessary to include date and time information for determining the expiration date in the provision code. Therefore, any codes that do not overlap each other can be used as the providing codes printed on the receipt. Therefore, even if a simple barcode with a small number of digits is used for the code printed on the receipt, it is difficult for a third party to forge the provision code determined to be valid.

  The server functions (code generation unit and code storage unit) may be included in the cash register or the dry ice providing device.

  Finally, each block of the cash register 2, 52, the servers 3, 53, and the dry ice providing devices 4, 54, in particular, the article information acquisition unit 12, the amount calculation unit 13, the provision determination unit 14, 61, the response unit 17, the product The database 18, the provision determination units 32 and 64, the code storage units 33 and 63, and the code generation unit 62 may be configured by hardware logic, or by software using a CPU (central processing unit) as follows. It may be realized.

  That is, the cash registers 2 and 52, the servers 3 and 53, and the dry ice providing devices 4 and 54 include a CPU that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, A RAM (random access memory) for expanding the program, a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data, and the like are provided. An object of the present invention is to provide program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program) for control programs of the cash registers 2 and 52, the servers 3 and 53, and the dry ice providing devices 4 and 54, which are software for realizing the functions described above. , A source program) recorded in a computer-readable manner is supplied to the cash registers 2 and 52, the servers 3 and 53, and the dry ice providing devices 4 and 54, and the computer (or CPU or MPU (microprocessor unit) )) Can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium.

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, a CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) / MO (magneto-optical) / Disk systems including optical disks such as MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (digital versatile disk) / CD-R (CD Recordable), card systems such as IC cards (including memory cards) / optical cards, or mask ROM / EPROM ( An erasable programmable read-only memory) / EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory) / semiconductor memory system such as a flash ROM can be used.

  Further, the cash registers 2 and 52, the servers 3 and 53, and the dry ice providing devices 4 and 54 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN (local area network), ISDN (integrated services digital network), VAN (value-added network), CATV (community antenna television) communication. A network, a virtual private network, a telephone line network, a mobile communication network, a satellite communication network, etc. can be used. In addition, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, IEEE (institute of electrical and electronic engineers) 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL (asynchronous digital subscriber loop) line Wireless such as IrDA (infrared data association) and remote control such as remote control, Bluetooth (registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR (high data rate), mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, etc. But it is available.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be used in a cash register, a dry ice providing device, and a dry ice providing system including them.

1, 51 Dry ice supply system (thermal storage agent supply system)
2,52 Cash register (heat storage agent information presentation device)
3, 53 server (information processing device)
4, 54 Dry ice supply device (heat storage agent supply device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Article information input part 11a Barcode scanner 11b Key 12 Article information acquisition part 13 Amount calculation part 14, 61 Provision determination part 15 Display part 16 Printing part (provided information formation part)
17 Response unit 18 Product database 20, 40 Receipt (recording material)
21 Matrix type two-dimensional code 31 Code reading unit (provided information reading unit)
32, 64 provision judgment part (provision information judgment part)
33, 63 Code storage (provided information storage)
34 Dry Ice Supply Department (Provision Department)
41 Barcode 62 Code generator (provided information generator)

Claims (11)

An article information input unit that receives input of information indicating an article;
A provision determining unit that determines whether or not the article indicated by the information is to provide a heat storage agent to the user;
A heat storage agent comprising: a provision information forming unit that writes provision information indicating that the heat storage agent is provided on the recording material when the provision determination unit determines that the heat storage agent should be provided. Information presentation device. The recording material is a receipt for the transaction of the article,
The provision information forming unit writes transaction information indicating that the article has been traded on the receipt, and when the provision determination unit determines that the heat storage agent should be provided, the provision information is further added to the receipt. writing,
The heat storage agent information presentation device according to claim 1, wherein the heat storage agent information presentation device functions as a cash register that performs settlement of the transaction of the article.   The said provision determination part produces | generates the said unique provision information which does not overlap with each provision information already produced | generated, when it judges that the said thermal storage agent should be provided, The said provision information is characterized by the above-mentioned. Heat storage agent information presentation device.   The said storage information contains the information of the provision amount of the thermal storage agent with respect to a user, The thermal storage agent information presentation apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 to 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The provision determining unit integrates the provision amount of the heat storage agent set in advance for each of the articles for the plurality of the articles to be provided with the heat storage agent to the user, and adds the heat storage agent according to the accumulated provision amount of the heat storage agent. The heat storage agent information presentation device according to claim 4, wherein an amount of the heat storage agent provided to the user is determined.   The said provision determination part determines the provision amount of the thermal storage agent with respect to the said user to the said maximum value, when the provision amount of the accumulated said thermal storage agent exceeds the predetermined maximum value. The heat storage agent information presentation device according to 1.   The provision information forming unit writes the provision information into the recording material as an optically readable pattern when the provision determination unit determines that the heat storage agent should be provided. Item 7. The heat storage agent information presentation device according to any one of Items 1 to 6. A heat storage agent providing system comprising the heat storage agent information presentation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a heat storage agent providing device,
The heat storage agent providing device is
A provision information reading unit that reads the provision information written on the recording material;
A heat storage agent provision system comprising: a provision unit that provides the heat storage agent to the user when the provision information reading unit reads the provision information indicating that the heat storage agent is provided. A heat storage agent providing system comprising the heat storage agent information presentation device according to claim 3 and a heat storage agent providing device,
The heat storage agent providing device is
A provision information reading unit that reads the provision information written on the recording material;
A provision information determination unit for determining whether or not the provision information indicating that the heat storage agent is provided is appropriate;
When it is determined that the provision information is appropriate, a provision unit that provides the heat storage agent to the user;
A provision information storage unit for storing the provision information read in the past,
When the provision information read by the provision information reading unit does not overlap with the provision information stored in the provision information storage unit, the provision information determination unit determines that the provision information read by the provision information reading unit is appropriate. The provision information storage unit stores the provision information read by the provision information reading unit,
When the provision information read by the provision information reading unit overlaps with the provision information stored in the provision information storage unit, the provision information determination unit determines that the provision information read by the provision information reading unit is appropriate. It is judged that the heat storage agent is provided. A heat storage agent provision system comprising: a heat storage agent information presentation device; a heat storage agent provision device; and an information processing device communicatively connected to the heat storage agent information presentation device and the heat storage agent provision device,
The heat storage agent information presentation device
An article information input unit that receives input of information indicating an article;
A provision determining unit that determines whether or not the article indicated by the information is to provide a heat storage agent to the user;
When the provision determining unit determines that the thermal storage agent should be provided, the recording material includes a provision information forming unit that writes provision information indicating that the thermal storage agent is provided,
The information processing apparatus
A provision information generation unit that generates unique provision information that does not overlap with each provision information that has already been generated;
A provision information storage unit that stores the generated provision information,
The heat storage agent providing device is
A provision information reading unit that reads the provision information written on the recording material;
A provision information judging section for judging whether or not the provision information is appropriate;
When the provision information is determined to be appropriate, the provision unit provides the heat storage agent to the user,
When the provision determining unit determines that the heat storage agent should be provided, the provision information generating unit generates the provision information, and outputs the generated provision information to the provision determining unit.
When the provision information read by the provision information reading unit is stored in the provision information storage unit, the provision information determination unit determines that the provision information read by the provision information reading unit is appropriate. ,
When the provision information read by the provision information reading unit is not stored in the provision information storage unit, the provision information determination unit determines that the provision information read by the provision information reading unit is not appropriate. A heat storage agent providing system characterized by that. An article information input step for receiving input of information indicating an article;
A provision determining step of determining whether or not the article indicated by the input information is to provide a heat storage agent to the user;
A heat storage agent comprising a provision information forming step of writing provision information indicating that the heat storage agent is provided on the recording material when it is determined that the heat storage agent should be provided in the provision determination step. Information presentation method.

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