JPH0689385A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the automatic vending machine which distinctively displays vendable articles and is equipped with an article selecting device in a simple structure. CONSTITUTION:At a monitor part 1 provided at the upper part on the front of a main body, article images 6a-6p of vendable articles are displayed vertically in plural arrays; and only one article image 6a is displayed large in the bottom array and the article images 6b-6p are displayed in the upper arrays while reduced in size toward the top array, thereby giving a far and near feeling to the displayed article images 6a-6p. When one of the article image 6a-6p is pressed to select an article, a touch panel arranged behind the article images 6a-6p outputs article information regarding the selected article to a display control part. Then, the display control part displays the image of the selected article large in the bottom array at the monitor part according to the article information. Further, the display control part in a vending stand-by state displays the image 6a of the most sold article large in the bottom array on the basis of the vending quantity data on the articles stored in a data storage part and also displays images of articles in stock on the basis of stock data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine which displays products for sale.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In conventional vending machines, the
As shown in JP-A-70684, while displaying products to be sold by displaying a plurality of product samples in a product exhibition room, a sellable lamp, a sold-out lamp, and a sales switch are provided immediately below or above these product samples. There is one in which the equipped product selection device is arranged.

In such an automatic vending machine, the customer looks at the sample of the product, confirms that the sold-out lamp is not lit next, and then presses the sales switch of the product to be purchased. .

[0004]

However, in such a conventional vending machine, the product sample is still displayed in the product display room even after the product is sold out, and the sold-out lamp is turned on. However, there is a problem in that the customer may not notice this due to the direction of the sun, etc., and thus the customer pushes the sales switch.

Further, when replenishing products, it is not possible to visually confirm whether or not the sold-out lamp is lit depending on the direction of the sun, etc., and it is impossible to confirm the sold-out of the product unless the vending machine is approached. There was also.

Further, it is necessary to dispose a sellable lamp, a sold-out lamp, and a sales switch directly below or above the product sample, which requires time and effort for assembling the product selection device and increases the number of parts. It was

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic vending machine equipped with a product selection device which can clearly display the products that can be sold and which has a simple structure.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is provided on an upper front portion of a main body, and displays product images of commodities that can be sold side by side in a plurality of rows in the vertical direction, while one product image is displayed in the bottom row. Is displayed in a large size, and the upper part of the product image is displayed in a smaller size as it goes upward to display the product image with a sense of perspective, and the product image displayed on the monitor part. When one of the product images is selected in front and the part corresponding to the product image is pressed, the touch panel that outputs the position information of this part, the sales number data and the remaining amount data of the product are displayed. The selected product is determined based on the data storage unit to be recorded and the position information from the touch panel, the image of the product is displayed on the lowest row of the monitor unit, and the number of sales in the data storage unit is on standby for sale. Day And a display control unit for displaying only the image of the product with the remaining amount based on the remaining amount data while displaying the image of the product with the highest number of sales in the lowest row. .

[0009]

With this configuration, the monitor image provided on the front upper part of the main body displays a plurality of vertically arranged product images of commodities that can be sold, and only one product image is enlarged in the bottom row. It is possible to display the product images in the upper row so that the product images are displayed smaller toward the upper side, and the displayed product images can have a sense of perspective.

When one of the product images is pressed and a product is selected, the touch panel arranged in front of the product image can output position information regarding the selected product to the display controller. Then, the display control unit can judge the selected product based on the position information, and can display the product image in a large size in the lowest row of the monitor unit.

Further, during standby for sale, the display control unit
The image of the product with the highest number of sales is displayed large in the lowest row based on the sales number data of the product stored in the data storage unit, and the image of the product with the remaining amount is displayed based on the remaining amount data. Can be displayed.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an automatic vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a monitor unit provided on the front upper part of the vending machine body 2, 3 is a sellable lamp provided only under the monitor unit 1, and 4 is one on the front surface of the body 2. The sales switches 5 provided only are product sales outlets for taking out the sold products.

Here, the monitor unit 1 sells products in a so-called perspective method in which product images of various kinds of products are arranged in a plurality of rows in the vertical direction, and the products at the top are displayed smaller to give a sense of perspective. It displays the product.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a product image 6a of a so-called hot-selling product, which has the largest sales amount, is displayed one size larger in the lowermost column, and the second column from the bottom is displayed. 4 product images 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e of the next best-selling product
In addition to displaying the product images 6a of the products in the lowest row, the product images 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j, 6k, 6l of the other products are displayed in the third row from the bottom.
11 pieces of 6m, 6n, 6o, 6p are arranged and 2 from the bottom
The display is made slightly smaller than the product images 6b to 6e of the products in the row.

Further, the product images 6a of these plurality of products.
As shown in FIG. 3, a touch panel 7 having 16 designated areas 7a to 7p is attached to the front monitor surface 1a of the to 6p. Here, these designated areas 7
The range of a to 7p is the product image 6a to 6p of the monitor unit 1.
Is specified by XY coordinates, for example.

When the customer presses the touch panel 7 to press the predetermined product images 6a to 6p on the monitor unit 1,
Touch panel 7 corresponding to the pressed product images 6a-6p
The XY coordinates of the designated areas 7a to 7p are input as position information to the CPU 9 which is the display control unit via the I / O unit 8 as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the CPU 9 judges the selected product according to the position information from the touch panel 7 and displays the image of the selected product in the bottom row in a large size, as described later. Further, when a coin or the like of an amount commensurate with the selling price is inserted, the salable lamp is turned on, and when the selling switch 4 is pushed thereafter, the 16 product storage columns 10 out of the 16 product storage columns 10 via the I / O unit 8 A sale command is issued to the product storage column 10 that stores the selected product, and the selected product is carried out to the product sales port 5.

Note that the CPU 9 designates the designation recorded in the "array" column of the 16 columns 12a to 12p of the data table 12 provided in the RAM 11 as shown in FIG. 5 according to the input position information. The symbols a to p indicating the areas 7a to 7p are examined, and it is determined that the product image displayed in the corresponding designated area 7a to 7p is the selected product.

Then, the product name and price of the selected product recorded in the predetermined column are displayed in the uppermost column 12a.
The product name or the like recorded in the uppermost column 12a until then is moved to the position where the selected product is recorded.

By the way, the CPU 9 controls each of the columns 12a.about.
The product names and prices recorded in 12p are designated areas 7a to 7p according to the symbols ap recorded in the "array" column.
It is designed to be displayed as a product image on the monitor unit 1 below.

Therefore, the selected product and its selling price are displayed in the lowest column of the monitor unit 1 (hereinafter referred to as an enlarged display position), and the other products are displayed in the second and third columns of the monitor unit 1. It is supposed to be displayed. In addition, the product image 6 that was displayed in the enlarged display position until then
“A” is displayed at the position where the product image of the selected product was displayed.

As a result, the product image of the product selected by the customer pressing the product image displayed on the monitor unit 1 is displayed at the enlarged display position on the monitor unit 1, and the customer can select the product and price to be purchased. You can check it.

By the way, the product name recorded in the uppermost column 12a of the data table 12 is stored in the database 13, which is a data storage unit in which the sales quantity data and the remaining amount data are recorded when a sales command is issued, for example. It is supposed to be entered.

Then, after the selected product is sold,
When a predetermined time elapses, the CPU 9 checks the number of sold products recorded in the database 13 and writes them in the data table 12 of the RAM 11 in order from the best-selling products as shown in FIG. The product image is displayed at the enlarged display position.

At this time, if the product is sold out, the sold product is moved to the lowest column 12p of the data table 12 and a flag (not shown) indicating the sold out is set in the data table 12.
The product image of this product is not displayed on the monitor unit 1. As a result, the product image is not displayed at the one end of the third row from the bottom of the monitor unit 1.

When the product is sold out next time, the product is moved to the lowest column 12p and a flag is set. Therefore, the product that has been sold out first moves to the second column 12o from the bottom, so that the product image is not displayed at both ends of the third row from the bottom of the monitor unit 1.

As described above, each time the product is sold out, the product image disappears from the one near both ends of the third row from the bottom of the monitor unit 1, and after all the product images in the third row have disappeared, from the bottom. The product image disappears from both ends of the second row.

Therefore, only the product images that can be sold can be displayed on the monitor unit 1, and the customer can select only the displayed products, not the sold-out products. There is. Reference numeral 14 is a ROM in which programs for controlling the sales and product display operations of the CPU 9 are recorded. In addition, CP
The U9 can display only the product image of the flagged product on the monitor unit 1, so that the sold-out product can be visually recognized.

Next, the product display operation of the vending machine thus configured will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS.

Until the customer presses the product image of the product desired to be purchased from the product images displayed on the monitor unit 1, C
The PU 9 is displaying the product image 6a of the hot-selling product at the enlarged display position of the monitor unit 1 as shown in FIG. 2 (Process 5).
0). It should be noted that the product images of other products are displayed in the second and third columns in descending order of the number of products sold, and become smaller toward the top.

In this state, the customer selects the product by pushing the product image 6d at the left end of the second row from the bottom of the figure (decision 51).
Y), the touch panel 7 on the front of this product image 6d
The position information is input from the CPU 9.

Based on this position information, the CPU 9 moves the product name and price of the selected product to the uppermost column 12a of the data table 12 in the RAM 11 as shown in FIG. Upper column 1
The product recorded in 2a is moved to the fourth column 12d from the top where the selected product has been recorded until then.

As a result, the CPU 9 displays the product image 6d of the product selected by the customer at the enlarged display position of the monitor unit 1 (process 52), and the customer can confirm the product to be purchased and the price. it can. The product image 6a of the product that has been displayed at the enlarged display position is displayed small at the left end of the second column from the bottom.

Thereafter, coins or the like having an amount corresponding to the commodity price displayed on the monitor unit 1 are inserted (Y in judgment 53),
When the sales switch 4 is turned on (Y in judgment 54), CP
U9 issues a sales command to one of the 16 product storage columns 10 in which the selected product is stored, whereby the selected product is sold (process 55), and the product is taken out from the product selling port 5. .

It should be noted that, after selecting a product, if a coin or the like having an amount corresponding to the product price is not inserted even if a predetermined time has elapsed (N in decision 53), or if the sales switch 4 is not turned on (decision 54). In N), the CPU 9 displays the product image 6a of the hot-selling product at the enlarged display position of the monitor unit 1 (process 50).

Further, when a predetermined time has passed after the selected product was sold (Y in decision 56), the CPU 9 checks the sales number data and the remaining amount data of the product recorded in the database 13 and sells the best product. RAM1
No. 1 is written in the data table 12 (process 57).

At this time, when a sold-out product is generated (Y in judgment 58), the sold-out product is moved to the lowest column 12p of the data table 12 and a flag indicating the sold-out is set in the data table 12 ( Process 5
9).

As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the product image 6p is not displayed on the right end of the third row from the bottom of the monitor unit 1, and only the sellable product is displayed on the monitor unit 1. .

When the product is sold out next time, the product image 6o is no longer displayed at the left end of the third column from the bottom of the monitor unit 1, and the product unit 6 is under the monitor unit 1 every time the product is sold out. The product image disappears from the side closer to both ends of the third row, and after all the product images in the third row disappear, the product image disappears from one end of the second row from the bottom.

In this way, by displaying the product images that can be sold on the monitor unit 1 and displaying the product image 6a of the hot selling product at the enlarged display position, the hot selling product can be appealed. Further, when the product is selected, the customer can confirm the selected product name and price by displaying the selected product in the enlarged display position.

Further, since the sold-out products are not displayed on the monitor unit 1, it is possible to prevent the sold-out products from being selected by mistake. Furthermore, even if any of the products 6a to 6p stored in the product storage column 10 is selected, the product can be sold by pressing the single sale switch 4.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, only the commodities that can be sold can be displayed on the monitor unit, so that the commodities that can be sold can be clarified and the customer can be prevented from selecting the sold-out products. it can. Further, since the product selection device can be configured with only one sale switch and one sellable lamp, the number of assembling steps and the number of parts can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of the vending machine.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a touch panel of the vending machine.

FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram of a product display control unit of the vending machine.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data table provided in a RAM of a product display control unit.

FIG. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing a product display operation of the vending machine.

FIG. 7 is another part of the flowchart showing the product display operation of the vending machine.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the data in the data table is exchanged.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state where sold-out products are no longer displayed on the monitor unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Monitor Section 4 Sales Switch 6a-6p Product Image 7 Touch Panel 9 CPU 11 RAM 13 Database

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI Technical display location G07F 9/00 F 9256-3E

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of product images of products that can be sold, which are provided on the upper front surface of the main body, are displayed side by side in a vertical direction, while only one product image is displayed large in the bottom line.
In the upper row, the product image is displayed in a smaller size as it goes upward, and a monitor unit that displays the product image with a perspective is provided, and the monitor unit is arranged in front of the product image displayed on the monitor unit. When one of the product images is selected and the part corresponding to the product image is pressed, a touch panel that outputs position information of this part, and a data storage unit that records the sales number data and the remaining amount data of the product. , The selected product is determined based on the position information from the touch panel, the image of the product is displayed in the lowest row of the monitor unit, and the number of sales is based on the sales number data in the data storage unit when waiting for sales. And a display control unit for displaying only the images of the products with the remaining amount based on the remaining amount data, while displaying the images of the products with the most number of items in the lowest row. Machine.