JP5696472B2 - vending machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine capable of purchasing products using electronic money recorded on a non-contact IC chip mounted on a storage medium such as a non-contact IC card or a mobile phone.

  A vending machine that enables purchase of goods using electronic money recorded on a non-contact IC chip mounted on a storage medium is a vending machine that is well-known and includes a payment terminal. When the payment is completed and the vending machine main body receives the notification that the payment is completed from the payment terminal, the vending machine main body carries out the product. If the communication is interrupted, such as when the storage medium is out of the communication area of the payment terminal during the payment process between the payment terminal and the storage medium, the payment is not completed. The payment process can be resumed by holding the storage medium or the like within the time from the product selection until the product selection becomes invalid in the main body. When the vending machine main body receives a payment processing state informing that the payment processing has been resumed from the payment terminal, the vending machine main body prohibits selection of other products and maintains the selected state of the products. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-164234 A

  By the way, when the communication is interrupted, the vending machine is not settled, but when the vending machine main body receives a payment processing state informing that the payment processing has been resumed from the payment terminal, However, when the payment is not completed, the storage medium is mistakenly considered unusable, and the case where money is inserted when the payment is not completed is not considered. There is a risk of inviting.

  Also, with regard to the insertion of money, even if it is performed almost simultaneously with the holding action of the storage medium, it is difficult to know from which side the settlement is made, which may cause confusion for the user.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine that does not cause confusion when using a storage medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vending machine main body comprising a product selection means for selecting a product, and a product unloading means for unloading the product when the settlement of the selected product is completed; An antenna provided in the vending machine main body, and when a product is selected from the product selection means, selection information of the product is transmitted from the vending machine main body, and then a storage medium on which electronic money is recorded is the antenna. The payment status indicating that the payment of the product with the electronic money recorded in the storage medium has started, the payment result is sent to the vending machine body when the payment of the product is completed, A payment terminal that sends a message to the vending machine that the payment has not been completed when the payment is interrupted, and the vending machine when the vending machine receives a notification that the payment has not been completed. Deal In the vending machine that is suspended and does not complete the payment within a predetermined time and receives a transaction cancellation and enters into a sales standby state, the vending machine has not completed the payment from the payment terminal. When money is inserted in a state in which the payment is received, the inserted money is held, and the payment from the payment terminal is given priority.

In addition, the vending machine according to the present invention holds the inserted money when the storage medium is held over the antenna after the merchandise destination is selected, and when the money is inserted at the same time, the settlement by the storage medium is continued. It is characterized by doing.

The vending machine according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, when the settlement by the storage medium is completed, the held money is returned.

  In the above invention, the vending machine according to the present invention returns the held money when the predetermined time has elapsed in a state in which the payment has not been completed from the payment terminal. It is characterized by.

  Further, the vending machine according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, enters the sales mode with a pending currency when the predetermined time has elapsed in a state in which the payment terminal has received an incomplete payment. When the reserved money is equal to or higher than the sales price of the selected product, the product is taken out by driving the product delivery stage, and the reserved money is selected. When it is less than the selling price of the product, it is in a state of waiting for money deposit.

The vending machine according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, when the settlement by the storage medium is completed , the vending machine shifts to a sales mode using a reserved currency.

  The vending machine according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the operation of a return lever for returning money is invalidated while the money is on hold and the predetermined time has elapsed.

  In the vending machine according to the present invention, after a product destination is selected, if a coin is inserted when payment with the storage medium is not completed, the inserted money is held, and priority is given to payment from the payment terminal. There is an effect that the user will not be confused by inserting coins when using the storage medium.

  In addition, after the settlement with the storage medium is completed or the transaction is canceled, the vending machine shifts to the automatic return or cash sale for the pending money depending on the state. However, there is an effect that the user will not be confused by the input of money.

It is a front view of the vending machine which is an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows typically the control system of the vending machine shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of control of the vending machine shown in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of control of the vending machine shown in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of control of the vending machine shown in the third embodiment.

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

  1 is a front view of a vending machine according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the vending machine shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams of control of the vending machine. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of control of the vending machine.

The vending machine shown in FIG. 1 is configured such that a product can be purchased with electronic money charged in a non-contact IC chip mounted on a storage medium such as a non-contact IC card or a mobile phone. A payment terminal 2 (see FIG. 2) is provided.
The vending machine main body 1 exemplified here is for selling products such as canned beverages and plastic bottled beverages.

  The vending machine main body 1 is formed as a rectangular parallelepiped heat insulating casing having an open front surface. Inside this, although not shown, a plurality of independent commodity storages are arranged side by side. These merchandise containers are for accommodating merchandise such as canned drinks and plastic bottled drinks at a desired temperature. The product storage box is provided with a product storage rack, a carry-out mechanism, and a carry-out shooter. The commodity storage rack is for storing commodities in a form that is lined up in the vertical direction. The carry-out mechanism is provided at the lower part of the product storage rack, and is used to carry out the products at the bottom of the product group stored in the product storage rack one by one. The carry-out shooter is for guiding the product carried out from the carry-out mechanism to the product take-out port 19.

  An inner door and an outer door 11 (not shown) can be opened and closed by hinges or the like provided at one side edge of the vending machine main body 1. The inner door is a heat insulating door having a size sufficient to cover the front surface of the commodity storage.

The outer door 11 has a size large enough to cover the front opening of the vending machine main body 1, and when the front opening of the vending machine main body 1 is closed, the front of the vending machine main body 1. It constitutes. The outer door 11 has a product sample display room 12, a product selection button 13, a coin insertion slot 14, a bill insertion slot 15, a digital display 16, a return lever 17, a coin return slot 18, and a product outlet 19 on the front side. The antenna unit 22 (antenna) of the payment terminal 2 is provided.

  In the product sample display room 12, a product sample 12a of a product sold through a transparent panel is visible.

  The product selection button 13 is a push button switch for the user to select a purchased product, and is provided corresponding to the product sample 12 a visually recognized through the product sample display room 12.

  The coin insertion slot 14 is an opening for a user to insert coins, and the banknote insertion slot 15 is an opening for a user to insert a banknote.

  The digital display 16 is a display for displaying various types of information to the user, such as the amount of money inserted, whether the money is being sold, whether there is change, or the like.

  The return lever 17 is a lever for returning coins and bills inserted by the user.

  The coin return port 18 is an opening for returning to the user a coin that could not be identified by the coin identification device 14a described later, or a coin that will be changed.

  The product outlet 19 is an opening through which a user receives a product dispensed from the inside of the vending machine main body 1.

  The antenna unit 22 is for a user to hold the storage medium 4 (see FIG. 2) such as an IC card or a mobile phone charged with electronic money in a predetermined access area (communication available area).

  Next, the block diagram schematically showing the control system of the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 2 will be described. The vending machine main control unit 10 includes a program stored in the storage unit 10a and a storage unit 10b. The entire vending machine is controlled in accordance with the data stored in.

  The vending machine main control unit 10 is inserted from the main body control unit 20 for controlling the product carry-out device 30 and the cooling / heating device 40, the coin identification device 14 a for identifying coins inserted from the coin insertion port 14, and the bill insertion port 15. A bill recognition device 15a for identifying a bill, a remote controller 50 for performing various setting / confirming operations, a product selection button 13, a digital display 16 for displaying various information, and a settlement terminal 2 are connected.

  The settlement terminal 2 includes a settlement control unit 21, an antenna unit 22, and a communication terminal 23. The antenna unit 22 and the communication terminal 23 are connected to the settlement control unit 21, and are contactless IC cards or mobile phones that are held over the antenna unit 22. The product can be settled by electronic money charged in the storage medium 4 such as a telephone.

  The settlement control unit 21 comprehensively controls the operation of the settlement terminal 2 according to the program stored in the storage unit 21a and the data stored in the storage unit 21b, and until the storage medium 4 is held over. A timer 21c for measuring the elapsed time is provided.

  The settlement control unit 21 performs processing related to the opening, closing and closing management with the electronic money management server 3 via the communication terminal 23, and the settlement by electronic money can be used in the opening processing. .

  The antenna unit 22 can read and write information in the storage medium 4 when the storage medium 4 charged with electronic money is held over a predetermined access area (communication available area).

  The storage medium 4 is a type of electronic money that stores (charges) a monetary value as data in a storage medium such as a non-contact IC card or a mobile phone, and is used for payment.

  In addition to the above-mentioned type of electronic money, it can also be applied to a postpayment type in which the amount used is generally withdrawn on a monthly basis in cooperation with a credit card or bank account.

  Further, the settlement control unit 21 receives the product settlement information from the vending machine main control unit 10, and thereafter, when the storage medium 4 charged with electronic money is held over the antenna unit 22, the settlement control unit 21 communicates with the storage medium 4. The settlement is started, and the settlement is composed of a detection process, an authentication process, a reading process, and a settlement process. When the settlement process is completed, the settlement is completed from the antenna unit 22 to the settlement control unit 21. The settlement control unit 21 transmits a settlement result indicating that settlement has been completed to the vending machine main control unit 10. On the other hand, when the storage medium 4 is out of the access area of the antenna unit 22 during the settlement, the antenna unit 22 interrupts the settlement process, and the settlement from the antenna unit 22 to the settlement control unit 21 is incomplete. Is transmitted, and the settlement control unit 21 transmits to the vending machine main control unit 10 that the settlement has not been completed.

  When the payment has not been completed, the vending machine main control unit 10 receives a transaction cancellation after the retry time, which is a preset payment reprocessing time, has elapsed from the payment control unit 21, or the payment result of the payment completed. The selected product is held until information is received.

  In the vending machine, since the merchandise destination is selected, the merchandise selection is canceled when a certain period of time elapses after the merchandise is selected so that the merchandise selection state does not remain valid.

In such a configuration, the processing will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4 and the sequence diagram of FIG.
(Embodiment 1)
In the flowchart of FIG. 3, when the user operates the product selection button 13 to select a product (step S301), the vending machine main control unit 10 transmits product selection information to the settlement control unit 21 (step S302).

  Next, when the storage medium 4 is held over the antenna unit 22 (step S303), the storage medium 4 is sequentially detected, authenticated, read, and settled. The settlement control unit 21 performs settlement indicating that the settlement is in progress. The state is transmitted to the vending machine main control unit (step S304).

Next, the storage medium 4 is held over the antenna unit 22 , but if the payment is interrupted without reaching the payment process (step S305, Yes), the payment control unit 21 has not completed the payment to the vending machine main control unit 10. An incomplete signal is transmitted (step S306).

  If the user inserts a coin into the coin slot 14 at the time when the settlement is not completed (step S307), the vending machine main control unit 10 has started the settlement by the storage medium 4, and therefore identifies the inserted coin as a coin. The device 14a is temporarily held (step S308).

  On the other hand, when the settlement is interrupted without reaching the settlement process, the settlement control unit 21 transmits the incomplete signal and starts the timer 21c to start timing (step S309). Until the payment reprocessing time set in advance by the timer 21c elapses, the antenna unit 22 of the payment terminal 2 waits for the storage medium 4 to be held again.

Next, until the preset settlement reprocessing time elapses (step S309, No), the storage medium 4 is again held over the antenna unit 22 (step S310, Yes), the settlement process is resumed and settlement is performed. When completed (step S311, Yes), the settlement control unit 21 transmits a settlement result notification to the vending machine main control unit 10 (step S312).

  The vending machine main control unit 10 that has received this settlement result notification transmits a command for taking out the selected product to the main body control unit 20, and the main body control unit 20 drives the carry-out device 30 to carry out the product to the product take-out port 19. At the same time (step S313), a return command is transmitted to the coin identifying device 14a, the put-in coins are returned to the coin return slot 18 (step S316), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the settlement is not completed before the preset settlement reprocessing time elapses (step S309, Yes), the settlement control unit 21 transmits a transaction cancellation to the vending machine main control unit 10 (step S314).

  Upon receiving this transaction cancellation, the vending machine main control unit 10 cancels the product selection (step S315), transmits a return command to the coin identification device 14a, and automatically puts the put-in coins into the coin return slot 18. It returns (step S316), and a process is complete | finished.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when a coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 14 while the settlement is not completed, it is automatically returned to the coin return slot 18 after the settlement is completed or after the transaction is canceled. , To prevent user confusion.

  In step S305, the payment is not interrupted (No in step S305). When the payment is completed, the payment processing in the normal storage medium 4 is performed, and the payment control unit 21 transmits a payment result notification to the vending machine main control unit 10. (Step S317).

  Upon receiving this settlement result, the vending machine main control unit 10 transmits a command for taking out the selected product to the main body control unit 20, and the main body control unit 20 drives the carry-out device 30 to carry out the product to the product outlet 19. (Step S318).

Further, even if the return lever 17 is operated within the preset settlement reprocessing time, it is invalidated, and after the settlement reprocessing time has elapsed, the operation of the return lever 17 is validated.
(Embodiment 2)
In the flowchart of FIG. 4, when a user operates the product selection button 13 to select a product (step S401), the vending machine main control unit 10 transmits product selection information to the settlement control unit 21 (step S402).

  Next, when the storage medium 4 is held over the antenna unit 22 (step S403), the storage medium 4 is sequentially detected, authenticated, read, and settled. The settlement control unit 21 performs settlement indicating that the settlement is in progress. The state is transmitted to the vending machine main control unit (step S404).

  Next, the storage medium 4 is held over the antenna unit 22, but if the payment is interrupted without reaching the payment process (step S405, Yes), the payment control unit 21 is in the vending machine main control unit 10 and the payment has not been completed. A certain incomplete signal is transmitted (step S406).

  If the user inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot 14 at the time when the settlement is not completed (step S407), the vending machine main control unit 10 has started the settlement by the storage medium 4, and therefore identifies the inserted coin as a coin. The device 14a is temporarily suspended (step S408).

  On the other hand, when the settlement is interrupted without reaching the settlement process, the settlement control unit 21 transmits the incomplete signal and starts the timer 21c to start measuring time (step S409). Until the payment reprocessing time set in advance by the timer 21c elapses, the antenna unit 22 of the payment terminal 2 waits for the storage medium 4 to be held again.

  Next, if the settlement by re-holding the storage medium 4 is not completed before the preset settlement reprocessing time elapses (step S409, Yes), the settlement control unit 21 cancels the transaction to the vending machine main control unit 10. Transmit (step S412). The vending machine main control unit 10 that has received the transaction cancellation by the storage medium 4 determines whether or not the previously selected product can be sold with the reserved coins (step S413).

  That is, if the reserved coin is equal to or higher than the selling price (step S413, Yes), the vending machine main control unit 10 transmits a carry-out command to the main body control unit 20, and the main body control unit 20 drives the carry-out device 30. The previously selected product is carried out to the product outlet 19 (step S414), and if there is a change (step S415, Yes), it is returned to the coin return port 18 (step S416), and the process is terminated. .

  On the other hand, when the reserved coin is less than the selling price (step S413, No), it waits for the coin deposit (step S417), and at this time, the coin is additionally inserted into the coin insertion slot 14, and the price exceeds the selling price. If it becomes (step S417, Yes), the vending machine main control part 10 will transmit a carrying-out command to the main body control part 20, and the main body control part 20 will drive the carrying-out apparatus 30 and will carry out the goods selected previously. 19 (step S414), if there is a change (step S415, Yes), it is returned to the coin return slot 18 (step S416), and the process is terminated.

  If the return lever 17 is operated (step S418, Yes) while waiting for coins to be deposited (step S417, No), a return command is transmitted to the coin identification device 14a, and the input coins that have been put on hold are returned to the coin return slot. 18 (step S419), and the process is terminated.

  Note that the storage medium 4 is held again (step S410, Yes) until the preset settlement reprocessing time elapses (step S409, Yes), and the settlement process is resumed to complete the settlement (step S411). , Yes), the settlement control unit 21 transmits a settlement result notification to the vending machine main control unit 10 (step S420).

  The vending machine main control unit 10 that has received this settlement result notification transmits a command for taking out the selected product to the main body control unit 20, and the main body control unit 20 drives the carry-out device 30 to carry out the product to the product take-out port 19. At the same time (step S421), a return command is transmitted to the coin identifying device 14a, the put-in coins put on hold are returned to the coin return slot 18 (step S422), and the process is terminated.

  In step S405, the payment is not interrupted (step S405, No). When the payment is completed, the payment processing in the normal storage medium 4 is performed, and the payment control unit 21 transmits a payment result notification to the vending machine main control unit 10. (Step S423).

  Upon receiving this settlement result, the vending machine main control unit 10 transmits a command for taking out the selected product to the main body control unit 20, and the main body control unit 20 drives the carry-out device 30 to carry out the product to the product outlet 19. (Step S424).

  In addition, even if the coins that were inserted before the settlement was completed are more than the selling price of the selected product, the vending machine will not be settled in cash, After the settlement reprocessing time has elapsed, the vending machine main control unit 4 has received a transaction cancellation with the storage medium 4.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, when the preset transaction reprocessing time elapses and the transaction with the storage medium 4 is canceled, the vending machine uses the input coins that are put on hold as it is. Since it is possible to shift to cash sales, a user who gives priority to purchase can purchase a product with either the storage medium 4 or cash.

Further, even if the return lever 17 is operated within the preset settlement reprocessing time, it is invalidated, and after the settlement reprocessing time has elapsed, the operation of the return lever 17 is validated.
(Embodiment 3)
In the first and second embodiments, the case where a coin is inserted while payment is not completed has been described. In the third embodiment, after selecting a product, the operation of holding the storage medium 4 over the antenna unit 22 and the coin insertion slot are performed. The case where the coin insertion into 14 is performed almost simultaneously will be described.

  In the sequence diagram of FIG. 5, when the user operates the product selection button 13 to select a product (SQ01), the vending machine main control unit 10 transmits product selection information to the settlement control unit 21 (SQ02).

  As described above, when the merchandise destination is selected, the antenna unit 22 waits for the storage medium 4 to be held in order to transmit the merchandise selection information to the settlement control unit 21.

  In this state, when the operation of holding the storage medium 4 over the antenna unit 22 (SQ03) and the coin insertion into the coin insertion slot 14 (SQ03a) are performed almost simultaneously, the vending machine main control unit 10 Until the settlement result or the transaction cancel signal is received from the storage medium 4 from 21, the inserted coins are temporarily held in the coin identifying device 14a (SQ04).

  Next, when the vending machine main control unit 10 receives the payment result or transaction cancellation after the payment is completed from the payment control unit 21 (SQ05), the vending machine main control unit 10 shifts to the automatic return of reserved coins or the cash sales mode. (SQ06).

  As described above, when the operation of holding the storage medium 4 over the antenna unit 22 and the insertion of the coin into the coin insertion slot 14 are performed almost simultaneously, the inserted coin is recognized until the processing by the storage medium 4 is completed. Therefore, the processing in the storage medium 4 is prioritized, and based on the processing result with the storage medium 4, it is possible to automatically return the stored coins or set the cash sales mode.

If the product is selected, even if the coin insertion into the coin insertion slot 14 is performed slightly earlier than the action of holding the storage medium 4 over the antenna unit 22, the inserted coin is temporarily held in the coin identification device 14a and stored. Priority is given to processing in the medium 4.
(Modification)
In the first embodiment, when payment is completed in the storage medium 4 at the time of holding the coin, the input coin that has been held is automatically returned to the coin return port 18. You can change to cash sales mode without returning coins, display the total amount of pending coins on the digital display 16, and if the retained coins are equal to or higher than the sale price of the product, you can purchase at the pending amount Both the storage medium 4 and the cash are displayed by prompting the user to select a product by lighting a saleable lamp (not shown) built in the product selection button 13 and, if the price is less than the sales price, waiting for additional coins to be inserted. You may be able to purchase goods at

  It should be noted that the operation of the return lever 17 is valid when the cash sales mode is entered.

  As described above, in the present invention, it is possible to set what kind of processing is to be performed for a pending coin after completion of settlement or after cancellation of a transaction, taking into account the convenience of the vending machine installation location or the user. Thus, by setting and controlling any one of the above processes, the user's confusion is to be suppressed.

  In the present invention, coin insertion has been described, but the same applies to a bill.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine main body 2 Settlement terminal 4 Storage medium 13 Goods selection button 14 Coin insertion slot 15 Banknote insertion slot 16 Digital display 18 Coin return slot 19 Merchandise outlet 10 Vending machine main control part 20 Main body control part 14a Coin identification apparatus 15a Banknote Identification device 21 Settlement control unit 22 Antenna unit

Claims (8)

  A vending machine body provided with a product selection means for selecting a product and a product unloading means for carrying out the product when the settlement of the selected product is completed, and provided in the vending machine body When a product is selected from the antenna and the product selection means, the product selection information is transmitted from the vending machine main body, and then the storage medium in which electronic money is recorded is held over the antenna. Settlement status that indicates that the payment of the product with electronic money recorded on the medium has started. When the payment of the product is completed, the payment result is sent to the vending machine, while the payment of the product is interrupted. A payment terminal that transmits to the vending machine main body that the payment has not been completed, and the vending machine main body interrupts the transaction when the vending machine main body receives the fact that the payment has not been completed. If the payment is not completed within a short time, the vending machine that receives the transaction cancellation and enters the standby state for sale, the vending machine receives the fact that payment has not been completed from the payment terminal, When the is entered, the vending machine holds the inserted money and gives priority to the settlement from the settlement terminal. A vending machine body provided with a product selection means for selecting a product and a product unloading means for carrying out the product when the settlement of the selected product is completed, and provided in the vending machine body When a product is selected from the antenna and the product selection means, the product selection information is transmitted from the vending machine main body, and then the storage medium in which electronic money is recorded is held over the antenna. Settlement status that indicates that the payment of the product with electronic money recorded on the medium has started. When the payment of the product is completed, the payment result is sent to the vending machine, while the payment of the product is interrupted. A payment terminal that transmits to the vending machine main body that the payment has not been completed, and the vending machine main body interrupts the transaction when the vending machine main body receives the fact that the payment has not been completed. If the payment is not completed within between the vending machine to be sold standby state receives a transaction cancellation, after the commodity destination selection, the storage medium is held over the antenna, when substantially simultaneously money is turned on, A vending machine characterized in that the inserted money is held and settlement by the storage medium is continued. 3. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein when the settlement by the storage medium is completed, the held money is returned.   3. The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the predetermined time has elapsed in a state where payment has not been completed from the payment terminal, the pending money is returned. And vending machine.   3. The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the predetermined time has passed in a state in which payment has not been completed from the payment terminal, a transition is made to a sales mode using pending money. Vending machine characterized by that.   6. The vending machine according to claim 5, wherein when the reserved currency is equal to or higher than a sales price of the selected product, the product unloading stage is driven to carry out the product, and the reserved currency A vending machine characterized by waiting for a money deposit if the item is less than the selling price of the selected item. In the automatic vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, when the settlement by pre Symbol storage medium is completed, an automatic vending machine, characterized in that the transition to selling mode with money being held.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the operation of a return lever for returning money is invalidated while the money is on hold and the predetermined time has elapsed. And vending machine.

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