JPH0387993A - Automatic vending machine system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate necessity for the inefficient routing of an operator by exchanging information through a communication line network between each automatic vending machine and a computer. CONSTITUTION:Plural automatic vending machines 11-16, computer 2 and communication line network 3 are provided. The automatic vending machines 11-16 sell prescribed commodities and the computer 2 totally controls the respective automatic vending machines 11-16. Further, the communication line network 3 is a public line network, for example, and links the respective automatic vending machines 11-16 with the computer 2 so that the information can be exchanged through the communication line network 3 between the respective automatic vending machines 11-16 and the computer 2. Thus, for the operator, the inefficient routine or the loss of a sales chance is improved and the increase of sale and the reduction of cost can be realized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a vending machine system in which a vending machine is equipped with an information service function.

[Prior Art] Vending machines that sell various products such as cigarettes, juice, beer, telephone cards, and books have been widely used in the past. In this vending machine, after inserting the specified coins into the coin slot, you simply touch the button for the desired product on the panel, and if there is change, the product will be ejected along with the change to the product outlet. , products can be easily purchased regardless of time, place, etc. From the above convenience point of view, this type of vending machine is suitable for indoor use.

They are installed in all sorts of places where they can catch people's attention, even outdoors.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] By the way, in such conventional vending machines (POS), operators have to go directly to the vending machine installation location to check the remaining quantity of products, the amount of change, etc. based on their intuition and experience. As we have confirmed, there have been problems where products are sometimes out of stock or change is missing. Furthermore, if a vending machine malfunctions, it cannot be detected immediately, and there is a problem in that sales opportunities are lost until the malfunction is repaired. On the other hand, with conventional vending machines (POPs), appeals to consumers are made only on the front panel of the vending machine, and because they can be used several times a year, the newness of the vending machine has been reduced. There was a problem in that not only was the cost high due to the high cost of manufacturing new panels for the purpose of the product, but the sales effect was also low. In addition, conventional vending machines are located in relatively favorable locations (attractive locations,
Although they are installed in areas with high land prices, etc., they have the problem of being a waste because they only have the function of selling products.

The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to improve the inefficient routes and loss of sales opportunities by operators, increase sales and reduce costs, and moreover, it is possible to automatically The purpose of the present invention is to provide a vending machine system capable of providing wide and narrow area information services by taking advantage of the favorable location conditions of the vending machines.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a plurality of vending machines that sell predetermined products, a computer that centrally manages each vending machine, and each vending machine. and a communication line network connecting each vending machine and the computer, so that information is sent and received between each vending machine and the computer via the communication line network, and furthermore, each vending machine transmits information to the computer. It is equipped with various sensors that detect information such as remaining quantity of products, malfunctions, sales amount, amount of change, etc., as well as display devices and audio generators that display and output arbitrary information from the computer in text, images, or audio. .

[Function] Therefore, in the vending machine system of the present invention, by transmitting information such as the remaining quantity of products, malfunctions, sales amount, change amount, etc. from the sensor provided for each vending machine to the computer, It is possible to improve operators' inefficient routes and loss of sales opportunities. In addition, promotional information for product introductions, weather forecasts, news, and other vehicle information are sent from the computer to the display device and audio generator installed in each vending machine, and are displayed and output as text, images, or audio. This makes it possible to increase sales by attracting consumers' attention and increasing their desire to purchase, as well as reducing the cost of vending machines. moreover,
By transmitting arbitrary information from a computer to the display device and sound generator installed in each vending machine and displaying and outputting it, we can provide wide and narrow area information services that take advantage of the vending machine's favorable location. It becomes possible to do so.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a vending machine system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the vending machine (POS) system of this embodiment is composed of a plurality of vending machines 11 to 16 (six in the figure), a computer 2, and a communication line network 3. . Here, vending machine 11
-16 sell predetermined products. The computer 2 also supervises and manages each of the vending machines 11 to 16. Further, the communication line network 3 is, for example, a public line network, and connects each vending machine 11 to 16 and the computer 2. Information is sent and received via 3.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example of the configuration of each of the vending machines 11 to 16 (here, only the vending machine 11 is representative). In FIG. 2, the vending machine 11 includes a product name display panel 11A, various sensors 11B to 11E, a character display panel 11F as a display device, a speaker 11G as a voice generator, and a network function. A section 11H is provided. Here, the product name display panel 11A displays the names of products that can be sold in the vending machine 11 and their prices. Further, the sensor 11B is, for example, a sensor for the remaining quantity of a product, the sensor 11C is, for example, a failure sensor for a vending machine, the sensor 11D is, for example, a product sales counter, and the sensor 11E is, for example, a change counter. On the other hand, the character display panel 11F displays information from the computer 2 in characters. Also, speaker 1
1G is for outputting information from the computer 2 as audio. Furthermore, the network function section 11H is for transmitting and receiving information between the vending machine 11 and the computer 2 via the communication line network 3.

Next, in the vending machine system configured as described above, the sensor 11 provided for each vending machine 11 to 16 is
Information on the remaining quantity of products, sales amount, and change amount is transmitted from B, IID, and IIE to the computer 2 via the communication line 3 at regular intervals.
The current day's sales, the current month's cumulative total, the current day's sales by product, the current month's sales by product, the remaining quantity by product, the remaining amount by change type, etc. are managed in an integrated manner.

Furthermore, if any of the vending machines 11 to 16 malfunctions, information about the vending machine malfunction is transmitted from the sensor 11C provided in the vending machine to the computer 2 via the communication line 3. As a result, the computer 2 outputs a failure alarm.

Furthermore, when the computer 2 determines that there is almost no remaining quantity of products or change, an out-of-product or out-of-change alarm is output.

On the other hand, promotional information for product introductions and current event information such as weather forecasts and news are sent from the computer 2 via the communication network 3.
By transmitting the information to the vending machine specified by the computer 2, the information is displayed in text on the text display panel 11F provided in the vending machine, or displayed on the speaker 1.
Audio is output using 1G. Further, when the vending machine system is used at an exposition venue, for example, arbitrary information such as lost child information, pavilion waiting time information, road congestion information on the way home, etc. is transmitted from the computer 2 via the communication line 3. By transmitting the information to the vending machine specified by the computer 2, the information is displayed in characters on the character display panel 11F provided in the vending machine.
Alternatively, the audio is outputted by the speaker 11G. Note that the output of information in each case is dynamically switched by the computer 2.

As described above, in the vending machine system of this embodiment, information such as the remaining quantity of products, malfunctions, sales amount, amount of change, etc. is transmitted to the sensor 1 provided in each vending machine 11 to 16.
1B to 11E to the computer 2 via the communication line 3.
Since the status of the vending machine can be centrally managed by the computer 2 installed in a remote location, the situation of the vending machine can be centrally managed by the computer 2 installed in a remote location, which eliminates the inefficient route of the operator and the reduction of sales opportunities. It becomes possible to improve loss. In addition, promotional information for product introductions and current events information such as weather forecasts and news are sent from the computer 2 to each vending machine 11 to
Character display panel 11F1 Speaker 1 compared every 16
Since it is sent to 1G and displayed/output as text, images, or audio, it is possible to attract the attention of consumers and increase their desire to purchase, thereby increasing sales and eliminating the need to create new panels. It becomes possible to reduce the cost of the vending machine. Furthermore, arbitrary information is transmitted from the computer 2 to the character display panel 11F1 speaker 11G provided for each vending machine 11 to 16 and displayed.
Since the information is outputted, it is possible to perform wide and narrow area information services (outputting arbitrary information to vending machines at arbitrary locations) by taking advantage of the favorable location conditions of vending machines.

Note that the vending machine system is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment, but can also be configured as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, for example.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where there are six vending machines has been explained, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be similarly applied to cases where there are two to five vending machines, or a plurality of vending machines of seven or more. Is possible.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, a plurality of vending machines that sell predetermined products and a computer that centrally manages each vending machine are connected through a communication line network, and each vending machine Since information is sent and received between the machine and the computer via a communication network, it is possible to improve the operator's inefficient routes and loss of sales opportunities, as well as increase sales and reduce costs. In addition, a vending machine system can be provided which is capable of providing wide-area and narrow-area information services by taking advantage of the vending machine's favorable location.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a vending machine system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing details of the vending machine in the same embodiment, and FIGS. 3 to 5 are diagrams according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram showing other embodiments of the vending machine system according to the present invention. 11-16... Vending machine, 2... Computer,
3...Communication line network, 11A...Product name display panel,
11B to 11E...Sensor 11F...Character display panel, 11G...Speaker, 11H...Network function section.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Equipped with a plurality of vending machines that sell predetermined products, a computer that centrally manages each of the vending machines, and a communication line network that connects each of the vending machines and the computer, A vending machine system characterized in that information is sent and received between the vending machine and the computer via the communication line network. (2) Claim (1) characterized in that each of the vending machines is provided with various sensors for detecting information such as the remaining quantity of products, malfunctions, sales amount, change amount, etc., which is transmitted to the computer.
The vending machine system described in section. (3) Each of the vending machines is provided with a display device and a sound generator for displaying and outputting arbitrary information from a computer in the form of characters, images, or sounds. vending machine system.