JP7469436B2 - PROVIDING APPARATUS, MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, PROVIDING SYSTEM, PROVIDING METHOD, AND PROVIDING PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

This application relates to a providing device, a management device, a providing system, a providing method, and a providing program.

In a vending machine that provides absorbent articles, a technology is known that allows an individual to make the correct selection from a variety of absorbent articles with different characteristics (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This technology selects one feminine hygiene product from at least two different types of feminine hygiene products based on information regarding the consumer's body size, menstrual cycle, preference for the applied product, blood loss, panty size, or thickness and length of the applied product, and provides the consumer with information regarding the selected feminine hygiene product.

JP 2002-177105 A

However, since consumers do not always carry absorbent articles with them when they go out, they may need absorbent articles at unexpected times. However, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 merely provides information on absorbent articles suitable for consumers. For this reason, consumers have desired technology that allows them to enjoy absorbent articles when they go out and do not have them with them and are in a situation where they need absorbent articles.

This application has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an absorbent article for situations in which a consumer does not have an absorbent article with them when going out and needs one.

The provision device according to the present application is a provision device capable of providing absorbent articles, and includes a discharge section capable of discharging the absorbent article to the outside from a storage section that stores at least one of the absorbent articles, an acquisition section that acquires user information that identifies a user, and a control section that, when the acquisition section acquires the user information, causes the discharge section to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles in accordance with a determination of whether to provide the absorbent article based on the user information.

The management device according to the present application includes a communication unit capable of communicating with each of a plurality of providing devices that provide absorbent articles, and a control unit that, when receiving user information identifying a user from any one of the plurality of providing devices, determines whether to provide the providing device that transmitted the user information with the absorbent article based on the user information, and, depending on the result of the determination, causes the providing device that transmitted the user information to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles.

The provision system according to the present application is a provision system including a plurality of provision devices capable of providing absorbent articles, and a management device that manages each of the plurality of provision devices, wherein the provision device includes a discharge section capable of discharging the absorbent article to the outside from a storage section that stores at least one of the absorbent articles, an acquisition section that acquires user information that identifies a user, and a first control section that, when the acquisition section acquires the user information, causes the discharge section to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles in accordance with a determination by the management device of whether to provide the absorbent article based on the user information, and the management device includes a second control section that, when the user information is received from any one of the plurality of provision devices, determines whether to provide the absorbent article based on the user information, and causes the provision device that transmitted the user information to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles in accordance with the result of the determination.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, an absorbent article can be provided to a consumer in a situation where the consumer does not have an absorbent article with him/her when going out and needs an absorbent article.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a flow of providing absorbent articles in a provision system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a provision system 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user information database. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the device information database. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process of the providing method executed by the providing device. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of the management method executed by the management device. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of a flow of providing absorbent articles in a provision system according to the second modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a provision system according to the second modification of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a flow of providing absorbent articles in a provision system according to the fourth modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a provision system according to the fourth modification of the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a provision system according to the sixth modification of the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration.

The present specification and accompanying drawings make clear at least the following:

A provision device capable of providing absorbent articles, the provision device comprising: a discharge section capable of discharging the absorbent article to the outside from a storage section that stores at least one of the absorbent articles; an acquisition section that acquires user information that identifies a user; and, when the acquisition section acquires the user information, a control section that causes the discharge section to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles in accordance with a decision based on the user information as to whether to provide the absorbent article.

When such a provision device acquires user information, it dispenses at least one absorbent article depending on whether or not to provide an absorbent article based on the user information, so that it is possible to provide an absorbent article in a situation where a consumer does not have an absorbent article with them when going out and needs one.

The provision device further includes a communication unit that transmits the user information acquired by the acquisition unit to a management device, and the control unit causes the discharge unit to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles depending on the result of the management device's determination based on the user information as to whether to provide the absorbent article to the user.

This type of provision device can provide absorbent articles to consumers in situations where they do not have any with them when they go out and need them.

The provision device described above further includes an output unit capable of outputting information, and the control unit causes the output unit to output information indicating that the absorbent article cannot be provided, depending on the result of the determination by the management device as to whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the absorbent article was last provided to the user.

With this type of provision device, the control unit causes the output unit to output information that the absorbent article cannot be provided, so the consumer can intuitively understand that they will not be able to receive the absorbent article.

In addition, in the provision device described above, the control unit outputs information indicating that the number of times the absorbent article has been provided to the user within a predetermined period of time has been reached, to the output unit, in accordance with the result of the determination by the management device as to whether the number of times the absorbent article can be provided to the user within the predetermined period of time has been reached.

With this type of provision device, the control unit causes the output unit to output information that the absorbent article cannot be provided, so the consumer can intuitively understand that they will not be able to receive the absorbent article.

The above-mentioned provision device further includes a first detection unit that detects the inventory number of the absorbent articles stored in the storage unit, and the control unit causes the communication unit to transmit the inventory number to at least one of the management device and a device in the facility where the provision device is located.

With such a provision device, the control device causes at least one of the management device and the device of the facility in which the provision device is located to transmit the inventory number of absorbent articles stored in the storage unit to the communication unit, so that the manager of at least one of the facility in which the provision device is located or the management device can know the inventory number of the provision device.

The providing device includes: a second detection unit that detects an acceleration occurring in the providing device;
The control unit determines whether the acceleration detected by the second detection unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and if the acceleration is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, causes the alarm unit to output an alarm.

With such a providing device, if the acceleration detected by the second detection unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit causes the alarm unit to output an alarm, thereby preventing the theft of the providing device.

In addition, in the above-mentioned provision device, the storage section stores different types of absorbent articles.

This type of provision device can provide absorbent articles that are suitable for multiple consumers.

The absorbent article may be any of sanitary napkins, panty liners, tampons, disposable diapers, urine pads, incontinence pads, and pet diapers.

This type of provision device can provide absorbent articles that are suitable for multiple consumers.

The providing device described above further includes a reading unit capable of reading a two-dimensional code, the user information being the two-dimensional code, and the acquiring unit acquiring the two-dimensional code read by the reading unit as the user information.

With such a provision device, it is possible to obtain user information with a simple configuration by further including a reading unit capable of reading two-dimensional codes.

The management device also includes a communication unit capable of communicating with each of a plurality of providing devices that provide absorbent articles, and a control unit that, when user information identifying a user is received from any one of the plurality of providing devices, determines whether to provide the providing device that transmitted the user information with the absorbent article based on the user information, and, depending on the result of the determination, causes the providing device that transmitted the user information to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles.

With this type of management device, the control unit causes the provision device to which the user information has been transmitted to transmit permission information to the communication unit, permitting the provision of absorbent articles. This makes it possible to provide absorbent articles when a consumer goes out and does not have any with them and needs them.

The above-mentioned management device also includes a recording unit that records user information data indicating a usage status that associates the plurality of pieces of user information with the provision time at which each of the plurality of provision devices provided the absorbent article, and a clock unit having a clock function, and the control unit determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the user received the absorbent article from any one of the plurality of provision devices based on the time at which the user information was received and the user information data, and if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, causes the provision device that transmitted the user information to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles, while if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, causes the provision device that transmitted the user information to output information indicating that the predetermined time has not elapsed.

According to this type of management device, when the control unit determines that a predetermined time has elapsed for the provision device that transmitted the user information, it causes the provision device that transmitted the user information to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles, whereas when it determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed, it causes the provision device that transmitted the user information to output information indicating that the predetermined time has not elapsed. This makes it possible to prevent the provision of absorbent articles to consumers who have not yet had a predetermined time elapsed since the last time an absorbent article was provided.

The above-mentioned management device records the user information data by further associating the number of absorbent articles provided to the user linked to the user information within a specified period with the plurality of pieces of user information, and the control unit determines whether the number of provisions is within a specified number of times that can be provided within the specified period, and if it is determined that it is within the specified number of times, causes the provision device that transmitted the user information to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles, while if it is determined that it is not within the specified number of times, causes the provision device that transmitted the user information to output information indicating that the provision of the absorbent articles has reached a specified number of times within the specified period.

According to such a management device, if the control unit determines that the number of times absorbent articles have been provided within a specified period is within a specified number of times, it causes the provision device that transmitted the user information to transmit the permission information to the communication unit, whereas if the control unit determines that the number of times absorbent articles have been provided within a specified period is not within the specified number of times, it causes the provision device that transmitted the user information to transmit to the communication unit reach information indicating that the provision of absorbent articles has reached a specified number of times within the specified period, thereby making it possible to prevent the provision of absorbent articles to consumers who have reached the maximum number of times that can be provided within the specified period.

The above-mentioned management device further includes a generation unit that generates inventory information indicating inventory information of each of the multiple provision devices based on the user information data and device information including identification information for each of the multiple provision devices and installation information indicating the installation location of each of the multiple provision devices, and the control unit transmits the inventory information generated by the generation unit to a device in the facility where the multiple provision devices are located.

In this type of management device, the control unit transmits the inventory information generated by the generation unit to a device in a facility where multiple provision devices are located, allowing users at the facility to grasp the real-time inventory status of each provision device.

In addition, in the above-mentioned management device, when the communication unit receives request information requesting the provision of the absorbent article from a terminal device used by the user and location information indicating the location of the terminal device from the terminal device, the control unit causes the communication unit to transmit map information including location information of the provision device that can provide the absorbent article at the current location of the terminal device, to the terminal device based on the location information and the inventory information.

With such a management device, the control unit causes the terminal device to transmit to the communication unit map information including location information of a provider that can provide absorbent articles at the current location of the terminal device based on location information and inventory information, so that consumers can intuitively grasp where they can receive absorbent articles.

The provision system includes a plurality of provision devices capable of providing absorbent articles, and a management device that manages each of the plurality of provision devices. The provision device includes a discharge section capable of discharging the absorbent article to the outside from a storage section that stores at least one of the absorbent articles, an acquisition section that acquires user information that identifies a user, and a first control section that, when the acquisition section acquires the user information, causes the discharge section to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles in accordance with a determination by the management device of whether to provide the absorbent article based on the user information. The management device includes a second control section that, when the user information is received from any one of the plurality of provision devices, determines whether to provide the absorbent article based on the user information, and causes the provision device that transmitted the user information to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles in accordance with the result of the determination.

This type of provision system makes it possible to provide absorbent articles to consumers in situations where they do not have any with them when they go out and need them.

The provision method is a provision method executed by a provision device capable of providing absorbent articles, which acquires user information that identifies a user, and when the user information is acquired, ejects at least one of the absorbent articles in accordance with a determination of whether to provide the absorbent article based on the user information.

This method of provision makes it possible to provide absorbent articles to consumers in situations where they do not have them with them when they go out and need them.

The provision program is executed by a computer included in a provision device capable of providing absorbent articles, and acquires user information that identifies a user, and when the user information is acquired, ejects at least one of the absorbent articles in accordance with a determination of whether to provide the absorbent article based on the user information.

This type of provision program makes it possible to provide absorbent articles to consumers in situations where they do not have any with them when they go out and need them.

Below, an example of a form for implementing the providing device, management device, providing system, providing method, and program (hereinafter, referred to as an "embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the providing device, management device, providing system, providing method, and providing program are not limited to this embodiment. Also, the same parts in the following embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[Embodiment]
[1. Flow of providing absorbent articles in the provision system]
First, an example of a flow of providing absorbent articles in a provision system according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a flow of providing absorbent articles in a provision system according to an embodiment.

The provision system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a system that provides absorbent articles to a user U1 in a situation where the user U1 does not have an absorbent article with him/her when going out and needs an absorbent article. Here, examples of absorbent articles include sanitary napkins, panty liners, tampons, disposable diapers, urine pads, incontinence pads, and diapers for pets. Furthermore, the absorbent articles include different types. For example, sanitary napkins include multiple types that differ in thickness, length, and absorption capacity.

User U1 shown in FIG. 1 is a contractor or registrant who uses an absorbent article provision service. This provision service is a service in which absorbent articles are provided from a provision device 10 installed in a public facility toilet or the like when user U1 does not have absorbent articles with him/her when he/she goes out and needs absorbent articles.

The provision system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a provision device 10 that provides absorbent articles, a terminal device 20 used by a user U1, a management device 30 that can communicate bidirectionally with the provision device 10 or the terminal device 20 via a network, and a store device 40 that can communicate bidirectionally with the provision device 10 and the management device 30 via the network.

For ease of explanation, FIG. 1 illustrates only one user U1 (one terminal device 20 used by one user U1) among multiple users U1 (multiple terminal devices 20 used by each of the multiple users U1) who use the provided service. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, FIG. 1 illustrates only one providing device 10, although the providing devices 10 are installed in multiple public facilities, such as toilets, sanitary spaces, baby rooms, and nursing rooms in schools, department stores, stations, amusement parks, and museums, for example. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, FIG. 1 illustrates only one store device 40, although the store devices 40 are installed in multiple public facilities and stores.

As shown in FIG. 1, first, user U1 launches a provided service application (hereinafter referred to as the "provided service app") that has been registered in advance in the provided service on terminal device 20 (step S1). Here, the provided service app includes personal information for identifying user U1, information related to the provided service, menstrual cycle management and menarche content, etc. Here, the personal information includes user U1's date of birth, menstrual cycle, user ID (user ID), password, etc.

Next, when user U1 does not have absorbent articles with him/her when he/she goes out and needs absorbent articles, he/she performs an operation in the service provision app displayed on the display monitor of the terminal device 20 to receive the provision of absorbent articles from the provision device 10 (step S2). For example, user U1 selects an operation icon for receiving the provision of absorbent articles on the operation screen of the service provision app displayed on the display monitor of the terminal device 20.

Then, the terminal device 20 generates user information for receiving the provision of absorbent articles from the provision device 10 (step S3), displays this user information on the display monitor (step S4), and transmits the user information on the user U1 to the management device 30 (step S5). Specifically, the terminal device 20 generates a one-dimensional code (e.g., a barcode) or a two-dimensional code (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark)) as the user information, and displays this one-dimensional code or two-dimensional code on the display monitor. In this case, the terminal device 20 transmits the user information on the user U1 to the management device 30. Here, the user information includes terminal identification information for identifying the terminal device 20, personal information for identifying the user U1 (hereinafter referred to as "user ID"), a password, and location information of the terminal device 20. Furthermore, the user information may include the number of absorbent articles purchased by the user U1, the number of years that the user U1 has continuously used absorbent articles, etc.

In FIG. 1, the terminal device 20 generates and displays the user information, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the management device 30 may generate user information based on the terminal identification information or user ID transmitted from the terminal device 20, and transmit this user information to the terminal device 20 to display it on the display monitor of the terminal device 20. In FIG. 1, the terminal device 20 generates a two-dimensional code as the user information, but the user information may be composed of numbers, letters, symbols, pictures, etc.

In addition, in FIG. 1, the terminal device 20 generates and displays the user information, but it may be, for example, a paper medium such as a student ID card, a student handbook, or a coupon with the user information attached or printed in advance. In this case, the user information does not necessarily need to be displayed, and it is sufficient if, for example, an IC chip (e.g., IC tag, RFID, contactless IC card) that records the user information is embedded in the student ID card or student handbook. Furthermore, the terminal device 20 may transmit the user information to the providing device 10 by wireless communication.

Next, user U1 causes the code reader provided in the providing device 10 to read the user information displayed on the display monitor of the terminal device 20 (step S6). In this case, the providing device 10 reads the user information displayed on the display monitor of the terminal device 20 presented by user U1.

Then, the providing device 10 transmits the user information to the management device 30 (step S7). In this case, the providing device 10 may transmit the device information of the providing device 10 together with the user information to the management device 30. Here, the device information includes at least device identification information (device ID and device IP address) that identifies the providing device 10, and time information when the providing device 10 reads the user information. Furthermore, the device information may include installation location information that indicates the installation location of the providing device 10, and type information that indicates the type of absorbent article stored in the providing device 10.

Then, based on the user information received from the provision device 10, the management device 30 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the last provision of absorbent articles (step S8), and whether it is within a predetermined number of times per month (step S9). Specifically, based on the user information received from the provision device 10, the management device 30 determines whether a predetermined time, for example, three hours or more, has passed since the provision device 10 last provided absorbent articles to user U1. Furthermore, based on the user information received from the provision device 10, the management device 30 determines whether the number of times of provision per month to user U1 has reached a predetermined number, for example, three times. This makes it possible to prevent an unlimited number of absorbent articles from being provided to user U1.

Thereafter, if a predetermined time has passed since the last time absorbent articles were provided and the number of times per month is within the predetermined number, the management device 30 transmits permission information permitting the provision device 10 to provide absorbent articles (step S10). When a predetermined time has not passed since the last time absorbent articles were provided, the management device 30 transmits to the provision device 10 information indicating that a predetermined time has not passed since the last time absorbent articles were provided to the user U1, for example, information prohibiting the provision of absorbent articles, to the provision device 10. In this case, the management device 30 may transmit to the provision device 10 or the terminal device 20 time information at which absorbent articles can be provided to the user U1. Furthermore, even if a predetermined time has passed since the last time absorbent articles were provided, when the number of times that can be provided per month has reached a predetermined number, the management device 30 transmits to the provision device 10 information indicating that the number of times that can be provided per month has reached the predetermined number. Specifically, the management device 30 transmits to the provision device 10 information indicating that the number of times that can be provided per month has been reached, for example, information prohibiting the provision of absorbent articles or reaching information indicating that the number of times that can be provided per month has been reached.

Next, when the providing device 10 receives permission information from the management device 30, it provides the absorbent article Q1 stored inside to the user U1 by discharging it to the outside (step S11). Therefore, the user U1 can obtain the absorbent article Q1 when he/she goes out and does not have the absorbent article Q1 with him/her and needs the absorbent article Q1. This can improve the user U1's loyalty to the product or brand of the company that provides the providing device 10. Furthermore, it can improve the loyalty to the facility where the providing device 10 is installed. As a result, the loyalty of the user U1 increases. In addition, the providing device 10 may display information indicating that a predetermined time has passed since the last time an absorbent article was provided to the user U1, or display information indicating that the number of times that can be provided per month has reached a predetermined number, depending on the determination of whether or not to provide an absorbent article from the management device 30. In addition, in the providing device 10, when no absorbent article is stored in the storage unit 103 (when there is no stock), the output unit 108 outputs information indicating that there is no stock of absorbent articles. Here, the timing at which the output unit 108 outputs information that there is no stock of absorbent articles may be when there are no absorbent articles stored in the storage unit 103 (for example, when a sensor arranged in the storage unit 103 determines that there are no absorbent articles, or when the storage unit 103 itself is removed, etc.), or when the discharge unit 104 discharges the absorbent articles stored in the storage unit 103 (when the provision device 10 receives a discharge instruction from the management device 30, when the discharge unit 104 is operated to discharge the absorbent articles, etc.).

Then, the providing device 10 transmits inventory information indicating the inventory status of the absorbent article and user information to the store device 40 (step S12). In this case, the providing device 10 may transmit device information to the store device 40 together with the inventory information and user information.

Next, the store device 40 generates real-time information P1 indicating the user ID, the remaining number and the number of used absorbent articles of each of the multiple provision devices 10 arranged in the store, and the degree of replenishment based on the inventory information and user information received from the provision device 10 (step S13), and displays the real-time information P1 (step S14). The real-time information P1 includes at least the location where each of the multiple provision devices 10 is installed, the device ID, the remaining number of absorbent articles, the number of absorbent articles used, information encouraging replenishment of absorbent articles, and the number of absorbent articles consumed by date and time. Of course, the real-time information P1 may also include the user ID. This allows the manager of the store device 40 to grasp the inventory status and consumption status of the multiple provision devices 10 in the store in real time. Furthermore, the manager of the store device 40 can intuitively grasp the age of the user U1.

Then, the store device 40 transmits real-time information P1 to the management device 30 (step S15).

Then, the management device 30 records the real-time information received from each of the multiple store devices 40 (step S16), and generates user analysis information P2 based on the real-time information (step S17). The user analysis information P2 includes at least the user information (user ID), age, number of absorbent articles provided, and the location of the providing device 10 where the absorbent articles were provided. In this way, by analyzing when and where the user U1 wants absorbent articles based on the multiple real-time information P1 received from each of the multiple store devices 40, it is possible to take measures at the time of an actual event and to understand the usage status of the user U1 who has registered the providing service app.

2. Configuration of the provision system
Next, a configuration of the provision system 1 will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the provision system 1 according to the embodiment. The provision system 1 shown in Fig. 2 includes a provision device 10, a terminal device 20, a management device 30, and a store device 40.

The providing device 10 stores one or more absorbent articles internally, reads user information displayed on the display monitor of the terminal device 20 of the user U1, and transmits the read user information and device information related to the providing device 10 to the management device 30. The providing device 10 is configured using hardware such as a memory and a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Furthermore, the providing device 10 is configured using a code reader or the like for reading user information, a display monitor for displaying images, a detection sensor for detecting the weight or inventory of multiple absorbent articles stored internally, a communication module for communicating bidirectionally with the management device 30, and a security sensor for preventing theft, etc. For example, the providing device 10 communicates with the management device 30 and the store device 40 via any one of various mobile communication systems such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (Generation) including LET-Advanced, which is a type of LET, and 5G, which will likely be standardized in the future, various wireless communication networks such as Wifi (registered trademark) and wireless LAN (Local Area Network), and various wired communication networks N. The detailed configuration of the providing device 10 will be described later.

The terminal device 20 is used by the user U1 and is realized by a smart device such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smart television, a smartphone, or a tablet. The terminal device 20 is a mobile terminal device capable of communicating with the management device 30 via the network N. The terminal device 20 also has a screen such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) or liquid crystal display, which has a touch panel function. The terminal device 20 has a function capable of accepting various operations on the content distributed from the management device 30 by the user U1 using a finger or a stylus, such as a tap operation, a slide operation, a scroll operation, etc. The terminal device 20 is configured using a memory and hardware such as a CPU.

The management device 30 manages the providing device 10 and the store device 40, and is realized, for example, by a server device or a cloud system. The management device 30 communicates with the providing device 10, the terminal device 20, and the store device 40 via the providing device 10 and the network N. The detailed configuration of the management device 30 will be described later.

The store device 40 manages each of the multiple provision devices 10 placed in the store, and is realized, for example, by a PC, a server device, or a cloud system. The store device 40 is configured using hardware such as a display monitor, a keyboard, a communication module, a memory, and a CPU. The store device 40 communicates with the multiple provision devices 10 placed in the store and the management device 30 via the network N.

[2-1: Functional configuration of the providing device]
Next, a detailed configuration of the providing device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The providing device 10 includes a communication unit 101, a reading unit 102, a storage unit 103, a discharge unit 104, a first detection unit 105, a second detection unit 106, an alarm unit 107, an output unit 108, a recording unit 109, and a control unit 110.

The communication unit 101 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information between the network N and the providing device 10. The communication unit 101 is realized by a communication circuit, a communication module, an antenna, and the like. In the embodiment, the communication unit 101 functions as a first communication unit.

The reading unit 102 reads the user information displayed on the display monitor of the terminal device 20 and outputs the read user information to the control unit 110. The reading unit 102 is realized using a two-dimensional code reader, for example, a QR reader, or a camera module composed of an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) and an optical system. The reading unit 102 can be changed appropriately depending on the functions of the terminal device 20. For example, when the terminal device 20 transmits user information to the terminal device 20 by wireless communication, the reading unit 102 may be realized using a communication module such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark).

The storage section 103 stores one or more absorbent articles. The storage section 103 has a tubular section that stores the absorbent articles. The storage section 103 may be separate from the provision device 10, and may be separable from the provision device 10, for example, like a cartridge, and may be freely inserted and removed from a predetermined position in the provision device 10.

The discharge unit 104 discharges the absorbent articles stored in the storage unit 103 to the outside under the control of the control unit 110. For example, the discharge unit 104 is realized using a door that can open and close the bottom of the tube portion of the storage unit 103, and a drive unit such as a motor for opening and closing the door and for operating a mechanism (for example, a guide mechanism that guides the absorbent articles to an outlet from which the absorbent articles are discharged) for making it possible to remove a predetermined number of absorbent articles stored in the tube portion of the storage unit 103 when the door is opened.

The first detection unit 105 detects the number of absorbent articles stored in the storage unit 103 and outputs this detection result to the control unit 110. The first detection unit 105 is realized using, for example, a load sensor or a pressure sensor.

The second detection unit 106 detects an external force acting on the provision device 10 and outputs the detection result to the control unit 110. Specifically, the second detection unit 106 detects the acceleration occurring in the provision device 10 and outputs the detection result to the control unit 110. The second detection unit 106 is realized using an acceleration sensor or the like. Note that the second detection unit 106 may be realized using any one of a GPS sensor, a vibration sensor, a load sensor, or the like.

The warning unit 107 outputs a warning to the outside under the control of the control unit 110. The warning unit 107 is realized using an alarm, a speaker, etc.

The output unit 108 outputs various information under the control of the control unit 110. For example, the output unit 108 displays and outputs various information, and is realized using a speaker, a liquid crystal, or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display panel. In addition, when the providing device 10 is placed in a private space such as a toilet, the output unit 108 is more suitable for outputting information by display rather than by voice. For this reason, the form of the output unit 108 is not limited to this, and for example, when it is realized using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp, it may output by light (presentation of information by the location, color, and blinking pattern of the LED lamp using the blinking of the LED, etc.). Of course, when the output unit 108 is realized by a speaker, etc., it may output by voice (including notification by a combination of volume, sound pattern, etc.). Furthermore, when the output unit 108 is realized by a vibration sensor, a small motor, etc., it may output by vibration or a vibration pattern, etc.

The recording unit 109 is realized by a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a flash memory, or a hard disk, and records various programs executed by the providing device 10 and data being processed. The recording unit 109 also has a device information recording unit 109a that records device information including device identification information (device ID) that identifies the providing device 10 and installation location information that indicates the installation location of the providing device 10. Here, the installation location information includes the name of the installation facility where the providing device 10 is installed, the installation location, the number of absorbent articles stored, and the type of absorbent article.

The control unit 110 is realized using both memory and hardware such as a CPU, and performs overall control of each unit constituting the providing device 10. The control unit 110 reads various programs recorded in the recording unit 109 into memory, and executes the various programs by using this memory as a working area. The control unit 110 may be realized using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like. In the embodiment, the control unit 110 functions as a first control unit.

The control unit 110 has an acquisition unit 111, a provision control unit 112, a determination unit 113, an output control unit 114, an alarm control unit 115, and a transmission control unit 116.

The acquisition unit 111 acquires the user information read by the reading unit 102. Specifically, the acquisition unit 111 acquires the user information contained in the two-dimensional code, for example, a QR code (registered trademark), read by the reading unit 102.

When the communication unit 101 receives permission information from the management device 30, the provision control unit 112 causes the discharge unit 104 to discharge the absorbent articles stored in the storage unit 103.

The determination unit 113 determines whether the acceleration detected by the second detection unit 106 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Specifically, the determination unit 113 determines whether the acceleration detected by the second detection unit 106 is equal to or greater than an acceleration that would cause the providing device 10 to fall over due to an external force being applied to the providing device 10, or an acceleration that would occur due to the providing device 10 being lifted by another person.

The output control unit 114 controls the output mode of the output unit 108. For example, if the output unit 108 is capable of display output, when the communication unit 101 receives prohibition information from the management device 30, the output control unit 114 causes the output unit 108 to display information indicating that absorbent articles cannot be provided to the user U1, such as "A specified time has not passed since the last provision.". In addition, when the communication unit 101 receives arrival information from the management device 30, the output control unit 114 causes the output unit 108 to display information indicating that the number of times that absorbent articles can be provided to the user U1 within a specified period has been reached, such as "The number of times that can be provided this month has been reached.".

When the determination unit 113 determines that the acceleration detected by the second detection unit 106 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the alarm control unit 115 causes the alarm unit 107 to output an alarm. That is, when the acceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the alarm control unit 115 presumes that the user U1 is attempting to steal the providing device 10, and prevents the theft of the providing device 10 by outputting an alarm such as a sound from the alarm unit 107. The alarm control unit 115 may transmit, for example, information indicating the date and time when the acceleration equal to or greater than the predetermined value was measured, the location where the providing device 10 is installed, etc., to the management device 30. In addition, the providing device 10 may transmit, for example, a report that the providing device 10 is about to be stolen or destroyed to a terminal device 20 used by a security officer guarding the facility where the providing device 10 is installed.

The transmission control unit 116 causes the communication unit 101 to transmit the user information acquired by the acquisition unit 111. The transmission control unit 116 also transmits inventory information indicating the inventory status of absorbent articles and user information to the store device 40.

2-2: Functional configuration of the management device
Next, a detailed configuration of the management device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The management device 30 includes a communication unit 31, a timer unit 32, a recording unit 33, and a control unit .

The communication unit 31 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information between the network N and the management device 30. The communication unit 31 is realized by a communication circuit, a communication module, an antenna, and the like. In the embodiment, the communication unit 31 functions as a second communication unit.

The timekeeping unit 32 is realized using a clock generator, timer, or the like that has a timekeeping function, and adds date and time information to the various information received by the communication unit 31.

The recording unit 33 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM, a ROM, or a flash memory, or a hard disk. The recording unit 33 has a user information database 331 and a device information database 332.

The user information database 331 records user information data indicating the usage status in which a plurality of pieces of user information and the provision time when each of the plurality of providing devices 10 provided an absorbent article are associated with each other. Furthermore, the user information database 331 further associates and records the number of absorbent articles provided to the user U1 linked to the user information within a predetermined period with the plurality of pieces of user information. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the user information data D1 includes a user ID, a name, an age, a previous provision time indicating the time when each of the plurality of providing devices 10 provided the absorbent article last time, the number of times this month the absorbent article was provided within a predetermined period to the user U1 (user ID) linked to the user information, and a device ID (a location indicating the location of the providing device 10). Note that the user information database 331 may record or manage the purchase history of absorbent articles of the user U1 (including product purchase history, purchase location, etc.), the usage status of the absorbent articles (including information on the product used, the amount of use, preferences regarding absorbent articles, troubles, etc.), and information (personal information) identifying the user U1 in association with each other as the user information. Furthermore, when the number of absorbent articles that can be provided differs for each user U1, the user information database 331 may record or manage not only the number of times that absorbent articles are provided, but also the number of times that the absorbent articles can be provided, which indicates the upper limit of the number of times that the absorbent articles can be provided. Of course, without being limited to the user information database 331, in another information processing device linked to the management device 30, the purchase history of absorbent articles of the user U1 (including product purchase history, purchase location, etc.), the usage status of the absorbent articles (including information on the product used, the amount of use, preferences regarding absorbent articles, problems, etc.), and information identifying the user U1 (personal information) may be recorded or managed in association with each other, and when the number of absorbent articles that can be provided differs for each user U1, the user information database 331 may record or manage not only the number of times that absorbent articles are provided, but also the number of times that the absorbent articles can be provided, which indicates the upper limit of the number of times that the absorbent articles can be provided.

The device information database 332 records device identification information (device ID) that identifies multiple provision devices 10, and device information data indicating the installation facility, installation location, last provision time, and the number of absorbent articles used and the number remaining. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the device information data D2 includes the device ID, installation facility, installation location, last provision time, and the number of absorbent articles used and the number remaining.

The control unit 34 is realized using both memory and hardware such as a CPU, and performs overall control of each unit constituting the management device 30. The control unit 34 reads the various programs recorded in the recording unit 33 into the memory, and executes the various programs by using this memory as a working area. The control unit 34 may be realized using an ASIC, FPGA, or the like. The control unit 34 has a determination unit 341, a transmission control unit 342, and a generation unit 343. In the embodiment, the control unit 34 also functions as a second communication unit.

Based on the time when the communication unit 31 received the user information and the user information data recorded in the user information database 331, the determination unit 341 determines whether a predetermined time, for example, three hours, has elapsed since the user U1 received an absorbent article from one of the multiple provision devices 10. Furthermore, the determination unit 341 determines whether the user U1 is within a predetermined period, for example, within the predetermined number of times that can be provided per month.

The transmission control unit 342 transmits the determination result of the determination unit 341. Specifically, the transmission control unit 342 causes the communication unit 31 to transmit permission information permitting the provision of absorbent articles to the providing device 10 that transmitted the user information, according to the determination result determined by the determination unit 341 according to the user information. Specifically, when the determination result of the determination unit 341 indicates that the provision of absorbent articles is possible, the transmission control unit 342 causes the communication unit 31 to transmit permission information permitting the provision of absorbent articles. In addition, when the determination unit 341 determines that a predetermined time has not elapsed, the transmission control unit 342 causes the communication unit 31 to transmit prohibition information prohibiting the provision of absorbent articles to the providing device 10 that transmitted the user information. In addition, when the determination unit 341 determines that the number of times is not within the predetermined number, the transmission control unit 342 causes the communication unit 31 to transmit arrival information indicating that the provision of absorbent articles has reached the predetermined number of times within a predetermined period to the providing device 10 that transmitted the user information.

The generation unit 343 generates inventory information indicating the inventory information of each of the multiple provision devices based on the user information data recorded in the user information database 331 and the device information of each of the multiple provision devices.

3. Processing procedure of the providing device
Next, a description will be given of the process of the providing method executed by the providing device 10. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, first, when the reading unit 102 reads user information from the information displayed on the display monitor of the terminal device 20 (step S101: Yes), the acquisition unit 111 acquires the user information read by the reading unit 102 (step S102).

Next, the transmission control unit 116 causes the communication unit 101 to transmit the user information acquired by the acquisition unit 111 (step S103).

After that, if the communication unit 101 receives permission information from the management device 30 (step S104: Yes), the provision control unit 112 causes the storage unit 103 to discharge the absorbent article (step S105).

Next, the control unit 110 causes the communication unit 101 to transmit the inventory information and user information to the store device 40 (step S106).

Then, the determination unit 113 determines whether the acceleration detected by the second detection unit 106 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S110). If the determination unit 113 determines that the acceleration detected by the second detection unit 106 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (step S110: Yes), the alarm control unit 115 causes the alarm unit 107 to output an alarm (step S111). After step S111, the providing device 10 proceeds to step S112, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the determination unit 113 determines that the acceleration detected by the second detection unit 106 is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value (step S110: No), the providing device 10 proceeds to step S112, which will be described later.

In step S112, if the providing device 10 is in a downtime (step S112: Yes), the providing device 10 ends this process. Here, the downtime refers to the business hours of the facility in which the providing device 10 is installed. If the providing device 10 is installed in a restroom in a park or the like, this process may be performed at all times without being stopped, or the above process may be performed only during the operating time according to the settings, for example, from 8:00 to 20:00 (for example, the opening hours of the facility in which the providing device 10 is installed). If the providing device 10 is not in a downtime (step S112: No), the providing device 10 returns to the above-mentioned step S101.

In step S104, if the communication unit 101 has not received permission information from the management device 30 (step S104: No), the providing device 10 proceeds to step S107, which will be described later.

If the communication unit 101 receives prohibition information from the management device 30 in step S107 (step S107: Yes), the output control unit 114 causes the output unit 108 to display information indicating that absorbent articles cannot be provided (step S108). For example, the output control unit 114 causes the output unit 108 to display information indicating that the number of items provided this month has reached the upper limit. After step S108, the providing device 10 proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, if the communication unit 101 has not received prohibition information from the management device 30 (step S107: No), the providing device 10 proceeds to the above-mentioned step S109.

In step S109, if the communication unit 101 receives arrival information from the management device 30 (step S109: Yes), the providing device 10 proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, if the communication unit 101 does not receive arrival information from the management device 30 (step S109: No), the providing device 10 proceeds to step S110.

4. Processing Procedure of Management Device
Next, a description will be given of the process of the management method executed by the management device 30. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, first, when the communication unit 31 receives user information from the providing device 10 (step S201: Yes), the management device 30 proceeds to step S202, which will be described later. On the other hand, when the communication unit 31 does not receive user information from the providing device 10 (step S201: No), the management device 30 proceeds to step S206, which will be described later.

In step S202, the determination unit 341 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since an absorbent article was provided to the user U1 included in the user information received by the communication unit 31, based on the user information received by the communication unit 31 and the user history recorded by the user information database 331. If the determination unit 341 determines that a predetermined time has passed since an absorbent article was provided to the user U1 included in the user information received by the communication unit 31 (step S202: Yes), the management device 30 proceeds to step S203, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the determination unit 341 determines that a predetermined time has not passed since an absorbent article was provided to the user U1 included in the user information received by the communication unit 31 (step S202: No), the management device 30 proceeds to step S205, which will be described later.

In step S203, the determination unit 341 determines whether the number of absorbent articles that can be provided per month to the user U1 included in the user information received by the communication unit 31 is within a predetermined number based on the user information received by the communication unit 31 and the user history recorded by the user information database 331. If the determination unit 341 determines that the number of absorbent articles that can be provided per month to the user U1 included in the user information received by the communication unit 31 is within a predetermined number (step S203: Yes), the management device 30 proceeds to step S204, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the determination unit 341 determines that the number of absorbent articles that can be provided per month to the user U1 included in the user information received by the communication unit 31 is not within a predetermined number (step S203: No), the management device 30 proceeds to step S206, which will be described later.

In step S204, the transmission control unit 342 causes the communication unit 31 to transmit permission information that permits the provision device 10 to provide absorbent articles to the provision device 10 that transmitted the user information. After step S204, the management device 30 ends this process.

In step S205, the transmission control unit 342 causes the communication unit 31 to transmit prohibition information that prohibits the provision of absorbent articles to the provision device 10 that transmitted the user information. After step S205, the management device 30 ends this process.

In step S206, the transmission control unit 342 causes the communication unit 31 to transmit, to the provision device 10 that transmitted the user information, arrival information indicating that the provision of absorbent articles has reached a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period. After step S206, the management device 30 ends this process.

In step S207, if the communication unit 31 receives real-time information from the in-store device 40 (step S207: Yes), the control unit 34 records the real-time information in the recording unit 33 (step S208).

Then, the generating unit 343 generates inventory information for each provision device 10 based on the real-time information recorded by the recording unit 33 (step S209), and generates user analysis information based on the usage history of each user recorded in the user information database 331 (step S210). After step S210, the management device 30 ends this process.

In step S207, if the communication unit 31 has not received real-time information from the store device 40 (step S207: No), the management device 30 terminates this process.

The transmission control unit 342 may cause the store device 40 to transmit the inventory information and user analysis information of each provision device 10 generated by the generation unit 343 to the communication unit 31. This allows the manager of the facility where the store device 40 is located to grasp the inventory status of the provision devices 10 in real time, and also to grasp the real user status of user U1.

5. Modification 1
In addition, when the communication unit 31 receives request information requesting the provision of absorbent articles from the terminal device 20 of the user U1 and location information indicating the location of the terminal device 20 from the terminal device 20, the transmission control unit 342 may cause the communication unit 31 to transmit map information including location information of the providing device 10 that can provide absorbent articles at the current location of the terminal device 20 to the terminal device 20 based on the location information and inventory information of the terminal device 20. In this case, the terminal device 20 displays the map information received from the management device 30 on the display monitor. Furthermore, the transmission control unit 342 may cause the communication unit 31 to transmit the type of absorbent articles that the providing device 10 can provide and the inventory number in the map information. This allows the user U1 to intuitively grasp the location of the providing device 10 where absorbent articles can be obtained nearby even if he or she is not located near the providing device 10.

In the embodiment, the user U1 can also search for the location of the providing device 10 by operating the map displayed on the terminal device 20. Therefore, the transmission control unit 342 may cause the communication unit 31 to transmit map information including the location information of the providing device 10 even if the location information is not transmitted from the terminal device 20. Furthermore, the transmission control unit 342 may transmit, for example, a list of location information of the providing device 10 instead of map information.

The management device 30 may also notify the user U1, whose user information is accepted by the providing device 10, of places where sanitary products are sold near the providing device 10 (or within the facility where the providing device 10 is installed). For example, when the information is transmitted from the providing device 10, the transmission control unit 342 may identify places where sanitary products are sold (e.g., drug stores, convenience stores, supermarkets, etc.) near the providing device 10 (e.g., within the same facility, or within a specified distance such as a radius of 1 km, etc.) and cause the communication unit 31 to transmit map information including the location information of the identified places of sale. Note that the transmission control unit 342 may transmit a list of the identified places of sale, instead of map information, as in the transmission from the providing device 10 described above.

As a result, even if user U1 is in financial difficulty and does not own any sanitary products, she will not only be able to use sanitary products, but will also be able to properly replenish her sanitary products.

6. Modification 2
In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which an output unit was provided in the providing device 10, but it is also possible not to provide an output unit in the providing device 10 and to display permission or prohibition of the discharge of absorbent articles on a display monitor of the terminal device 20, etc.

Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the flow of providing absorbent articles in a provision system according to the second modified embodiment. In the provision system 1A of Figure 7, steps S10a and S10b are executed instead of step S10 in Figure 1 described above. Therefore, steps S10a and S10b in Figure 7 will be described below. Also, in Figure 7, the provision device 10A has a different configuration from the provision device 10 according to the embodiment described above, and the output unit 108 is omitted. The detailed configuration of the provision device 10A will be described later.

In step S10a, if a predetermined time has passed since the last provision of absorbent articles and the number of times per month is within a predetermined number, the management device 30 transmits an instruction to the providing device 10A to discharge the absorbent articles. In this case, the management device 30 transmits information indicating whether the providing device 10A is permitted to supply absorbent articles to the terminal device 20 (step S10b). At this time, the terminal device 20 displays the information indicating whether the providing device 10A is permitted to supply absorbent articles transmitted from the management device 30. As a result, since the terminal device 20 displays the information indicating whether the providing device 10A is permitted to supply absorbent articles, there is no need to provide a separate output unit 108 such as a display monitor in the providing device 10A, and therefore the configuration of the providing device 10A can be simplified. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the providing device 10A can be reduced, and the installation location can be made more flexible.

7. Configuration of the provision system
Next, the configuration of the providing system 1A will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the providing system 1A according to the second modified example of the embodiment. The providing system 1A shown in FIG. 8 includes a providing device 10A instead of the providing device 10 of the providing system 1 according to the above-described embodiment. The providing device 10A omits the output unit 108 from the configuration of the providing device 10 according to the above-described embodiment. This makes it unnecessary to provide a separate output unit 108 such as a display monitor in the providing device 10A, thereby simplifying the configuration of the providing device 10A. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the providing device 10A can be reduced, and the freedom of installation location can be increased.

8. Modification 3
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which an output unit is provided in the providing device 10 has been described, but an output unit is not provided in the providing device 10, and permission or prohibition of the absorbent article is displayed on the display monitor of the terminal device 20. Furthermore, the providing device 10A determines whether or not the absorbent article can be provided according to the information displayed on the terminal device 20, and discharges the absorbent article.

Figure 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of the flow of providing absorbent articles in a provision system according to the third variation of the embodiment. In the provision system 1A of Figure 9, steps S10c, S10d, S10e, and S10f are executed instead of steps S7, S10, and S11 of Figure 1 described above. Therefore, steps S10c, Sd, S10e, and S10f of Figure 9 will be described below. Also, in Figure 9, the same components as those of the first variation of the embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

In step S10c, the management device 30 transmits information to the terminal device 20 indicating whether the supply of absorbent articles by the provision device 10A is permitted or not permitted.

Next, user U1 causes a code reader (reading unit 12) provided on providing device 10A to read the information indicating whether or not the supply of absorbent articles by providing device 10A is permitted and transmitted from management device 30 and displayed on the display monitor of terminal device 20 (step S10d). Here, the information displayed on the display monitor of terminal device 20 may be, for example, a two-dimensional code (e.g., a QR code) in which information indicating whether or not the supply of absorbent articles is permitted and not permitted is embedded, a one-dimensional code, or a code or number using a one-time pass. Of course, the information displayed on the display monitor of terminal device 20 may include user information including at least personal information identifying user U1 in the information indicating whether or not the supply of absorbent articles by providing device 10A is permitted and not permitted.

Then, the determination unit 113 of the provision device 10A determines whether or not an absorbent article can be provided to the user U1 based on the information read by the code reader (reading unit 12) (step S10e).

Next, if the determination unit 113 determines that an absorbent article can be provided to the user U1, the provision control unit 112 provides the absorbent article Q1 stored in the storage unit 103 to the outside by discharging the absorbent article Q1.

This simplifies the configuration of the providing device 10A because there is no need to provide a separate output unit 108 such as a display monitor in the providing device 10A. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the providing device 10A can be reduced, and the freedom of installation location can be increased.

9. Modification 4
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the management device 30 may predict the menstrual day of the user U1 by using information on the user U1 receiving sanitary products. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a provision system 1B according to a fourth modified embodiment. The provision system 1B shown in Fig. 10 includes a management device 30B instead of the above-described management device 30. The management device 30B includes a control unit 34B instead of the above-described control unit 34. The control unit 34B further includes a menstrual prediction unit 35 in addition to the configuration of the above-described control unit 34.

The menstruation prediction unit 35 identifies the start date of menstruation from the date and time when the user information was received from the providing device 10, and predicts the date of user U1's next menstruation. Note that, for example, the start date of menstruation may be determined as the date when the user information of the same user U1 is received again from the providing device 10 after a predetermined period (e.g., 20 days) has elapsed based on the date when the user information of user U1 was received from the providing device 10. This is because, if user U1 uses the providing device 10 after the predetermined period has elapsed, it is considered that user U1 has started her menstruation but does not have sanitary products with her.

The menstruation prediction unit 35 may predict the next menstrual day by simply adding up the number of days in a typical menstrual cycle, or may predict the next menstrual day based on information about the user U1 (past menstrual days, menstrual cycle, basal body temperature, hormonal changes, etc.) managed by the user information database 331. The transmission control unit 342 then causes the terminal device 20 to transmit the next menstrual day predicted by the menstruation prediction unit 35 to the communication unit 31. The predicted next menstrual day may be transmitted a predetermined period before the predicted next menstrual day (e.g., 7 days before).

In addition, the transmission control unit 342 may transmit not only the menstrual day prediction by the menstrual prediction unit 35, but also, for example, product information (as well as information about the product purchase site, information about the purchase store, coupon information, etc.).

This allows user U1 to know when her next period will start and prevent her from forgetting to bring sanitary products with her.

The transmission control unit 342 may also use location information where the providing device 10 is installed to suggest a destination for the next menstrual period. For example, when the management device 30B receives a plan for a destination for the next menstrual period from the terminal device 20, the transmission control unit 342 may transmit information (location information, installation facility information, etc.) of the providing device 10 located near the destination to the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 31. This allows the user U1 to immediately use the providing device 10 even if her menstrual period suddenly begins.

The user U1 may also be caused to input an evaluation of the product provided by the providing device 10 via the terminal device 20. The transmission control unit 342 transmits evaluation input information (e.g., a questionnaire form, etc.) to the terminal device 20 for inputting an evaluation of the product provided by the providing device 10. The terminal device 20 displays an input screen on the display monitor based on the evaluation input information received from the management device 30B. The terminal device 20 then transmits the information input by the user U1 to the management device 30. The transmission control unit 342 may transmit, for example, a product coupon to the terminal device 20 depending on whether or not there is a result of the input by the user U1. Of course, the management device 30B may increase the number of absorbent articles that can be provided by the providing device 10. This allows the user U1's evaluation of the product to be properly understood.

10. Modification 5
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when user U1 has reached the number of absorbent articles that can be provided per month, and user U1 purchases an absorbent article by making a payment or the like within the provided service, the management device 30 may cause the providing device 10 that has transmitted the user information of user U1 to transmit permission information to the communication unit 31, or may cause the providing device 10 to provide the absorbent article. This allows user U1 to obtain the absorbent article even if user U1 has reached the number of absorbent articles that can be provided per month.

In addition, the conditions for the provision device 10 to provide the product (absorbent article) may be, for example, one or more of the frequency of product purchase, purchase amount, and number of years of purchase. As one example, it may be set to once upon the first product purchase (or first user registration) and twice upon registration of a continuous purchase history for six months.

The absorbent article provided by the providing device 10 may be, for example, a diaper. In such a case, the providing device 10 may be a place where diapers can be changed (for example, a toilet with a diaper changing space, a baby room, etc.). Here, examples of places where the providing device 10 provides absorbent articles include toilets, sanitary spaces, baby rooms, and nursing rooms in schools, department stores, stations, amusement parks, and museums. Therefore, the providing device 10 is preferably installed in a place where the absorbent article is worn by a user U1 (a woman in the case of sanitary products, or a diaper wearer such as an infant or a person receiving care in the case of diapers). This allows the user U1 to be appropriately provided with the absorbent article in a situation where it is necessary to wear or change the absorbent article.

11. Modification 6
Also, in the above-described embodiment, the providing device 10 may be capable of providing one type of product or multiple types of products. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a providing system 1C according to a sixth modified example of the embodiment. The providing system 1C shown in Fig. 11 includes a management device 30C instead of the above-described management device 30. The management device 30C includes a control unit 34C instead of the control unit 34 of the above-described embodiment. The control unit 34C further includes a determination unit 345 in addition to the configuration of the control unit 34 described above.

When the provision device 10 can provide multiple types of products, the determination unit 345 determines the absorbent article that is most suitable for user U1 based on user information or inventory information, etc., transmitted from the provision device 10 or the terminal device 20.

The transmission control unit 342 may transmit the product type information determined by the determination unit 345 to the provision device 10, or instruct the provision device 10 on the product determined by the determination unit 345, so that the provision device 10 may provide an absorbent article of the product indicated by the product type information or the product type instructed by the management device 30C, or may provide an absorbent article of the product type according to the product type information input by the user U1 to the terminal device 20.

The transmission control unit 342 may also transmit the product type information determined by the determination unit 345 to the terminal device 20, and have the providing device 10 acquire the product type information transmitted from the management device 30C by displaying it on the terminal device 20, or transmit (or have the providing device 10 acquire) the product type information determined by the terminal device 20 to the providing device 10, so that the providing device 10 provides absorbent articles according to the product type information.

The provision device 10 may be equipped with a function for determining the product type of absorbent article, or the provision device 10 may determine the type of absorbent article by accepting an operation from the user U1 (e.g., by having the user select a button).

This allows user U1 to be provided with absorbent articles that are suitable for him or her or that he or she desires to use.

The user information acquired by the reading unit 102 of the providing device 10 may be, for example, information such as a ticket, coupon, or one-time code, and the management device 30 may manage the user information (for example, encrypted user information or ticket number) for each user U1 and information indicating whether the user information can be used (expiration date, usage history, maximum number of uses, etc.), and may transmit permission information to the providing device 10 if the user information is usable. Therefore, the user information does not necessarily have to include personal information, and may be other information that can identify the user. In other words, even if the user information acquired by the reading unit 102 does not include personal information that identifies the user U1, the management device 30 may cause the providing device 10 to supply absorbent articles if they are usable, depending on the other information included in the user information.

[12. Other]
Among the above-mentioned processes, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically may be performed manually. Also, all or part of the processes described as being performed manually may be performed automatically by a known method. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings may be changed arbitrarily unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the illustrated information.

In addition, each component of each device shown in the figure is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure. Furthermore, each component may be configured by distributing and integrating functionally or physically in any unit, in whole or in part, depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc. Furthermore, each process described above may be executed in appropriate combination to the extent that there is no contradiction.

13. Hardware Configuration
Moreover, the providing device 10 or the management device 30 according to the above-described embodiment is realized by, for example, a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration.

The computer 1000 shown in FIG. 12 is connected to an output device 1010 and an input device 1020, and a calculation device 1030, a cache 1040, a memory 1050, an output IF (Interface) 1060, an input IF 1070, and a network IF 1080 are connected by a bus 1090.

The arithmetic device 1030 operates based on programs stored in the cache 1040 or memory 1050, or programs read from the input device 1020, and executes various processes. The cache 1040 is a cache such as a RAM that temporarily stores data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations. The memory 1050 is a storage device in which data used by the arithmetic device 1030 for various calculations and various databases are registered, and is a memory realized by a ROM, HDD, flash memory, etc.

The output IF 1060 is an interface for transmitting information to be output to an output device 1010 such as a monitor or printer, which outputs various types of information, and may be realized, for example, by a connector conforming to a standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), or HDMI (registered trademark) (High Definition Multimedia Interface). On the other hand, the input IF 1070 is an interface for receiving information from various input devices 1020 such as a mouse, keyboard, scanner, etc., and may be realized, for example, by a USB.

The input device 1020 may be realized by a device that reads information from an optical recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a PD (Phase change rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. The input device 1020 may also be realized by an external storage medium such as a USB memory.

The network IF 1080 has the function of receiving data from other devices via the network N and sending it to the computing device 1030, and also transmitting data generated by the computing device 1030 to other devices via the network N.

Here, the arithmetic device 1030 controls the output device 1010 and the input device 1020 via the output IF 1060 and the input IF 1070. For example, the arithmetic device 1030 loads a program from the input device 1020 or the memory 1050 onto the cache 1040 and executes the loaded program. For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the providing device 10 or the management device 30, the arithmetic device 1030 of the computer 1000 realizes the functions of the control unit 110 or the control unit 34 by executing the program loaded onto the cache 1040.

The above describes the embodiments of the present application in detail with reference to the drawings. However, these are merely examples, and the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in other forms that incorporate various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the forms described in the Disclosure of the Invention section. In addition, the above-mentioned "section, module, unit" can be read as "means" or "circuit," etc.

Reference Signs List 1, 1A, 1B, 1C Provision system 10, 10A Provision device 11, 31 Communication unit 12 Reading unit 13 Storage unit 14 First detection unit 15 Second detection unit 16 Alarm unit 17 Display unit 18, 33 Recording unit 19, 34 Control unit 20 Terminal device 30, 30B, 30C Management device 32 Timekeeping unit 40 Store device

Claims (17)

A dispensing device capable of dispensing absorbent articles, comprising:
a discharge section capable of discharging the absorbent article from a storage section that stores at least one of the absorbent articles to the outside;
An acquisition unit that acquires user information for identifying a user;
a control unit that causes the discharge unit to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles in accordance with a determination result of whether or not to provide the absorbent article to the user based on whether or not the user indicated by the user information acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined condition; and
Equipped with
Providing device. The providing device according to claim 1 ,
a communication unit that transmits the user information acquired by the acquisition unit to a management device,
The control unit is
Discharging at least one of the absorbent articles in the discharge section in response to a determination result of whether or not to provide the absorbent article to the user, the determination being made by the management device based on the user information.
Providing device. The providing device according to claim 2,
Further comprising an output unit capable of outputting information,
The control unit is
outputting information to the output unit that the absorbent article cannot be provided, depending on a determination result of whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the absorbent article was previously provided to the user, the determination being made by the management device;
Providing device. The providing device according to claim 3,
The control unit is
outputting information indicating that the number of times the absorbent article has been provided to the user within a predetermined period of time according to a determination result of the management device as to whether the number of times the absorbent article can be provided to the user within the predetermined period of time has been reached, to the output unit;
Providing device. The providing device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
A first detection unit that detects the number of the absorbent articles stored in the storage unit,
The control unit is
causing at least one of the management device and a device in the facility where the provision device is installed to transmit the inventory quantity to a communication unit;
Providing device. The providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A second detection unit that detects an acceleration occurring in the providing device;
An alarm unit capable of outputting an alarm;
Further equipped with
The control unit is
determining whether the acceleration detected by the second detection unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
When the acceleration is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the alarm unit outputs an alarm.
Providing device. The providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The storage section includes:
The absorbent article may be of a different type.
Providing device. The providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The absorbent article comprises:
Sanitary napkins, panty liners, tampons, disposable diapers, urine pads, incontinence pads and pet diapers;
Providing device. The providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Further comprising a reading unit capable of reading the two-dimensional code,
The user information is:
The two-dimensional code,
The acquisition unit is
The two-dimensional code read by the reading unit is acquired as the user information.
Providing device. a communication unit capable of communicating with each of a plurality of providing devices that provide absorbent articles;
a control unit that, when receiving user information identifying a user from any one of the plurality of provision devices, determines whether or not to provide the absorbent article to the provision device that transmitted the user information based on whether or not the user indicated by the user information satisfies a predetermined condition , and causes the provision device that transmitted the user information to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles according to the result of the determination;
Equipped with
Management device. The management device according to claim 10,
a recording unit that records user information data indicating a usage status in which the plurality of pieces of user information are associated with a provision time when each of the plurality of provision devices provided the absorbent article;
A timing unit having a timing function;
Equipped with
The control unit is
determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the user received the absorbent article from any one of the plurality of providing devices based on the time when the user information was received and the user information data;
When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the providing device that transmitted the user information discharges at least one of the absorbent articles, while
when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, causing the providing device that transmitted the user information to output information indicating that the predetermined time has not elapsed.
Management device. The management device according to claim 11,
The user information data is
The number of absorbent articles provided to the users linked to the user information within a predetermined period is further associated with the plurality of pieces of user information and recorded;
The control unit is
determining whether the number of times the information is provided is within a predetermined number of times that the information can be provided within the predetermined period;
If it is determined that the number of times is within the predetermined number of times, at least one of the absorbent articles is discharged from the providing device that transmitted the user information, while
when it is determined that the number of times is not within the predetermined number, the providing device that transmitted the user information outputs information indicating that the number of times of providing the absorbent article within the predetermined period has reached the predetermined number.
Management device. The management device according to claim 11 or 12,
a generation unit that generates inventory information indicating an inventory of each of the plurality of provision devices based on the user information data and device information including device identification information that identifies each of the plurality of provision devices and installation information that indicates an installation location of each of the plurality of provision devices;
Further equipped with
The control unit is
transmitting the inventory information generated by the generation unit to a device in a facility where the plurality of provision devices are installed;
Management device. The management device according to claim 13,
The control unit is
when receiving a request for provision of the absorbent article from a terminal device used by the user and location information indicating the location of the terminal device from the terminal device, transmitting map information including at least location information of the provider that can provide the absorbent article at the current location of the terminal device to the terminal device based on the location information and the inventory information;
Management device. A provision system including a plurality of provision devices capable of providing absorbent articles, and a management device that manages each of the plurality of provision devices,
The providing device comprises:
a discharge section capable of discharging the absorbent article from a storage section that stores at least one of the absorbent articles to the outside;
An acquisition unit that acquires user information for identifying a user;
a first control unit that causes the discharge unit to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles in accordance with a determination result of whether or not to provide the absorbent article to the user based on whether or not the user indicated by the user information acquired by the acquisition unit and by the management device satisfies a predetermined condition ; and
Equipped with
The management device includes:
a second control unit that, when receiving the user information from any one of the plurality of provision devices, determines whether or not to provide the absorbent article to the user based on whether or not the user indicated by the user information satisfies a predetermined condition, and causes the provision device that transmitted the user information to discharge at least one of the absorbent articles according to the result of the determination;
Provision system. A method for providing absorbent articles, the method being performed by a providing device capable of providing absorbent articles,
Obtain user information that identifies the user,
Discharging at least one of the absorbent articles in accordance with a determination result of whether or not to provide the absorbent article to the user based on whether or not the user indicated by the acquired user information satisfies a predetermined condition.
How it's provided. A provision program to be executed by a computer included in a provision device capable of providing absorbent articles,
Obtain user information that identifies the user,
Discharging at least one of the absorbent articles in accordance with a result of a determination as to whether or not to provide the absorbent article to the user based on whether or not the user indicated by the acquired user information satisfies a predetermined condition.
Programs offered.

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