JPH1021457A - Display device, and automatic vending machine using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device capable of widening the view angle by realizing a large screen, moreover, capable of improving the advertisement effect by alternately switching and displaying commodity information and advertisement information on the same display part. SOLUTION: Plural commodity pictures I and advertisement pictures II are stored in a control part 30, and by the operation of the control part 30, one commodity picture I is displayed on the display part 1 which uses ferroelectric liquid crystal and has a memory function in its display elements. Since this display part 1 itself has the memory function, even if the power supply is stopped, the commodity picture I is going to be displayed on the display part 1 as it is. Then, after a fixed time has passed, the power is turned on and other information stored in the control part 30, i.e., on of other commodity pictures, is displayed on the display part 1 after switching or the advertisement picture II is displayed on the display part 1 after switching.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device for soft drinks, tobacco and the like, and more particularly, to a display device having a display unit having a storage function and a vending machine using the display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional vending machines for soft drinks, tobacco and the like are roughly classified into the following two types. That is, a vending machine having only an unmanned sales function, and a vending machine having a built-in display device for advertising, news, event information, and the like.

The display on the front of the former vending machine includes a display unit 51 provided on the front of a vending machine main body 50 as shown in FIG.
A plurality of real samples 52 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction over two stages, and a price display unit 53 is provided below these real samples 52, and the price display unit 53 is provided on the front of the latter vending machine. The display is as shown in FIG.
A plurality of real samples 52 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction over two stages on a display unit 51 provided on the front part of
In addition to providing the price display section 53 below these real samples 52, an advertisement display 54 of an LED type or a poster switching type is provided.

[0004]

However, in the latter conventional vending machine, the size of the former vending machine is larger than that of the former vending machine in order to incorporate a display device for advertising, news, event information and the like. However, there is a problem that the installation place is restricted and other objects cannot be installed. The display method of the advertisement display 54 is as follows.
Due to the LED system or the poster switching system, the screen size and the amount of information are limited, and there is a problem that the display effect cannot be sufficiently obtained. Further, in the above-described two types of conventional vending machines, it is necessary to replace the actual sample 52 each time a product is changed, which requires labor and time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. The first object of the present invention is to make it possible to increase the size of a screen and increase the viewing angle. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a display device that can alternately display and display product information and advertisement information on the same display unit, thereby improving the advertisement effect.

A second object of the present invention is to reduce the size of the vending machine itself, and to solve the problems that the installation place is limited and other objects cannot be installed. It is possible to increase the viewing angle by increasing the screen size, and to display the product information and the advertising information alternately on the same display unit, thereby improving the advertising effect. It is to provide a vending machine.

[0007]

In order to achieve the first object, a display device according to the first aspect of the present invention uses a ferroelectric liquid crystal having a storage function in a display element and receives input information. A display unit formed of a thin film having a function of processing and displaying a signal, and control for storing information displayed on the display unit and selectively displaying a plurality of product information or advertisement information on the display unit. And a unit.

[0008] With this configuration, a plurality of product information or advertisement information is stored in the control unit, and one product information is displayed on the display unit by the operation of the control unit. The display unit itself has a storage function. Therefore, even if the supply of power is stopped, the product information continues to be displayed on the display unit. Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the power is turned on, and other information stored in the control unit, that is, other product information is switched and displayed on the display unit, or the advertisement information is switched and displayed on the display unit. Or, in a state where the product information is displayed on the display section, after a certain time has passed,
The other information stored in the control unit, that is, the advertisement information is automatically switched and displayed on the display unit.

In this way, by switching and displaying other product information on the display unit, it is possible to eliminate the need for manual labor and to reduce the time required for replacement, as compared with a conventional display device in which a real sample is replaced each time a product is changed. it can.

Further, by alternately displaying and displaying the product information and the advertisement information on the same display section, not only the advertisement function can be improved, but also the display sections for the advertisement, news, event information, etc. are separately provided. There is no need to provide them.

Further, since the display section is made of a thin film having a function of processing and displaying an input information signal using a ferroelectric liquid crystal having a storage function in the display element, a large screen is provided. The viewing angle can be widened and the advertising effect can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein a sensing sensor that operates when a person approaches is provided to the control unit. When connected, the control unit is operated according to the operation signal of the sensing sensor to fix the product information or the advertisement information on the display unit.

According to this configuration, not only can the same operation as the above-described invention of claim 1 be achieved, but when a person approaches the display section, a sensing sensor operates to activate the control section, and the display section displays the product. Information or advertising information can be fixed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein a plurality of selection touch panels are provided on the display unit. An information image is displayed by operating the information selection touch panel.

According to this configuration, not only can the same operation as the above-described invention of claim 1 be achieved, but also the touch panel for information selection can be operated without disturbing the product information, the advertisement information and the quantity information. Become.

In order to achieve the second object, a vending machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes any one of the display devices according to the first to third aspects.

With this configuration, a plurality of product information and advertisement information are stored in the control unit, and one product information is displayed on the display unit by the operation of the control unit. The display unit itself has a storage function. Therefore, even if the supply of power is stopped, the product information continues to be displayed on the display unit. Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the power is turned on, and other information stored in the control unit, that is, other product information is switched and displayed on the display unit, or the advertisement information is switched and displayed on the display unit. Alternatively, in a state where the product information is displayed on the display unit, after a lapse of a predetermined time, other information stored in the control unit, that is, the advertisement information is automatically switched and displayed on the display unit.

As described above, by switching and displaying other product information on the display unit, it is possible to eliminate the need for manual labor and to reduce the replacement time as compared with a conventional display device in which a real sample is replaced each time a product is changed. it can.

Further, by alternately displaying and displaying the product information and the advertisement information on the same display portion, not only the advertisement function can be improved, but also the display portions for the advertisement, news, event information, etc. are separately provided. This eliminates the necessity of providing the vending machine, and makes it possible to reduce the size of the vending machine main body, thereby solving the problems that the installation place is limited and other objects cannot be installed.

Further, since the display unit is formed of a thin film having a function of processing and displaying an input information signal using a ferroelectric liquid crystal having a storage function in a display element, a large screen is provided. The viewing angle can be widened and the advertising effect can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein an adjusting button is connected to the control unit. The controller is operated by pressing the adjustment button, and the amount information stored in the controller is displayed on the display.

With this configuration, not only can the same operation as the above-mentioned invention of claim 4 be achieved, but also by pressing the adjustment button, the control unit is operated by this operation signal,
It is possible to display on the display unit the amount information indicating the amount that matches the taste of the customer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine according to the fifth aspect, wherein the quantity information comprises an image of a spoon and a milk container. An image of the spoon is displayed with a sugar image of the selected amount in the image of the spoon and a milk image of the selected amount in the milk container image.

According to this structure, not only can the same operation as the above-mentioned invention of claim 5 be achieved, but also by pressing the adjustment button, the control unit is operated by this operation signal,
It is possible to display on the display unit the amount display information indicating the amount that matches the taste of the customer.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine provided with a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a display (advertising advertisement information) on a display unit of the display device, and FIG.
Is an explanatory diagram of another display (quantity information) of the display unit of the display device, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of the display unit of the display device. FIG. 6 and FIG. 6 are explanatory diagrams of the configuration of an information transfer / communication terminal device of the display device.

Front portion B of vending machine body B1 of vending machine B
2, a display unit 1 of the display device A according to the present invention, a coin slot 40, a change takeout port 41, and a product takeout port 42 are provided. The display unit 1 includes a vending machine main body B1.
Is a rectangle large enough to cover substantially the upper half of the front portion B2.

The display device A itself has the above-described display unit 1 having a storage function (display memory function), and an information creation device for command-controlling information switching of information such as images and characters on the display unit 1. 2 and an information transfer / communication terminal device 3 for transferring information and the like created by the information creation device 2 to the display unit 1. The information creation device 2 and the information transfer / communication terminal device 3 The display unit 1 is completely separated from the control unit 30.

The display unit 1 is provided with a plurality of product selection touch panels 4 at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction over two upper and lower stages. Adjustment buttons 4-1 and 4-2 of a touch panel type are provided so that the information can be switched and the information can be fixed.

The display section 1 is in the form of a thin film (film) using ferroelectric liquid crystal (ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal) and has a thickness of about 0.5 mm. Ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal
A rod-shaped ferroelectric liquid crystal is a side-chain type polymer liquid crystal hanging in an interdigital shape, and a display unit 1 using this ferroelectric liquid crystal is used.
No. does not require an alignment film and can display various images by laminating color filters. The ferroelectric liquid crystal is excellent in high-speed response, has memory properties, and has a wide viewing angle. The display unit 1 using the ferroelectric liquid crystal itself has a storage function (display). Memory).

As shown in FIG. 5, the display unit 1 using ferroelectric liquid crystal is connected to a drive circuit unit. The driving circuit unit includes X and Y drivers 21 and 22 for driving information elements of the display unit 1, an address selection attribute recognizing unit 23 for sending an information signal to the X driver 21, and an address selection unit for sending an information signal to the Y driver 22. And an input side of the address selection attribute recognizing sections 23 and 24 is a connector 2
5 is connected.

As the information creating device 2, a personal computer or the like is used. In addition, the use of the dedicated controller 5 as the information transfer / communication terminal device 3 makes it possible to enhance its functionality.

As shown in FIG. 6, the dedicated controller 5 has a programmable controller (hereinafter, referred to as PC) 10.
And line saving terminal devices 12A and 12B. The PC 10 includes a CPU 12 and the CPU 12
And an output unit 15 located on the output side of the CPU 11. The input unit 14 includes a connector 14A and an output unit 1.
5 has a connector 15A.

Each of the line saving terminal devices 12A and 12B includes a link terminal 16 with a built-in connector on the transmitting side and a link terminal 17 with a built-in connector on the receiving side.
The transmitting-side built-in connector type link terminal 16 has a parallel-serial converter (not shown) for converting a plurality of parallel signals input to the built-in connector type link terminal 16 into a serial signal. The link terminal 17 with a built-in connector on the receiving side has a parallel / serial converter (not shown) for converting a serial signal taken into the link terminal 17 with a built-in connector into a plurality of parallel signals. The signal line connection terminals of the built-in connector type link terminals 16 and 17 on the receiving side are connected by signal lines 18 and the connection terminals for plus and minus power are connected by power lines 19A and 19B. .

Then, one line saving terminal device 12A
Is a link terminal 17 with a built-in connector on the receiving side.
The connector of the link terminal 16 with a built-in connector on the transmitting side is connected to the connector section 14A of the input unit 14 of the PC 10. Also, the other line saving terminal device 12B
Is a link terminal 17 with a built-in connector on the receiving side.
Is connected to the connector section 15A of the output unit 15 of the PC 10, and the connector of the link terminal 16 with a built-in connector on the transmission side is connected to the connector 25 of the drive circuit section of the display section 1.

Accordingly, the information created by the information creating device 2 is taken into the link terminal 16 with a built-in connector on the transmitting side of one of the line saving terminal devices 12A as a parallel signal, and the parallel signal is converted by a parallel / serial converter. The signal is converted to a serial signal,
After that, the signal enters the receiving-side connector built-in type link terminal 17, is converted into a parallel signal by the parallel / serial converter, and is taken into the input unit 14 of the PC 10. In this way, in the PC 10, a plurality of pieces of information created by the information creating apparatus 2 are taken in and stored.

One of a plurality of pieces of information stored in the PC 10 is fetched from the output unit 15 of the PC 10 as a parallel signal into the link terminal 16 with a built-in connector on the transmitting side of the other line saving terminal apparatus 12B. The signal is converted into a serial signal by a parallel-serial converter, enters a receiving-side built-in connector type link terminal 17 via a signal line 18, and is converted into a parallel signal by the parallel-serial converter to drive the display unit 1. It is taken into the input side of the circuit unit, and is displayed as information on the display unit 1 after signal processing.

Since the display unit 1 itself has a storage function (display memory function), even if a signal from the information transfer / communication terminal device 3 is stopped (supply of power is stopped). Even), the information received once is displayed as it is. After a certain period of time, the power is turned on and another one of the plurality of pieces of information stored in the information transfer / communication terminal device 3 is input to the input side of the display unit 1 in the same manner as described above. Then, after the signal processing, other information is displayed on the display unit 1.

That is, in the information creating apparatus 2, for example, in order to display the image 31 of the real sample on the display unit 1 above the product selection touch panel 4, the image 31 of the real sample, , Create multiple different product screens (product information)
The one product screen a is input to the information transfer / communication terminal device 3. Then, the product screen A is input from the information transfer / communication terminal device 3 to the drive circuit unit of the display unit 1 and displayed on the display unit 1 as shown in FIG. The information creating device 2 creates, for example, an advertisement screen (advertisement information) as shown in FIG. 2 as information, and inputs this advertisement screen to the information transfer / communication terminal device 3. .

The display section 1 displays a product screen A. Since the display section 1 itself has a storage function (display memory function), supply of power is stopped. Even if this is done, the product screen a is kept displayed on the display unit 1 as it is. Then, after a certain period of time,
When the power is turned on, other information stored in the information transfer / communication terminal device 3, that is, the advertisement screen B is switched and displayed on the display unit 1. Alternatively, after a certain time elapses while the product screen A is being displayed on the display unit 1, other information stored in the information transfer / communication terminal device 3, that is, the advertisement screen B is automatically displayed. Is switched and displayed on the display unit 1. In this manner, the product screen A and the advertisement screen B are alternately switched and displayed after a predetermined time.

Further, by storing a quantity display screen (quantity information) c as shown in FIG. 3 in the information transfer / communication terminal device 3 and pressing the adjustment buttons 4-1 and 4-2, By operating the information transfer / communication terminal device 3 by the operation signal, one quantity display screen c can be displayed on the display unit 1. The quantity display screen c has a spoon image 33 and a milk filling image 34, and displays the selected amount of the sugar image 35 in the spoon image 33 and the selected amount of the milk image 36 in the milk filling image 34. Each is shown.

The display unit 1 is provided with a sensing sensor 31 which operates when a person approaches.
Can be connected to the information transfer / communication terminal device 3, and the information transfer / communication terminal device 3 can be operated by the operation signal of the sensing sensor 31 to fix the product screen A on the display unit 1.

According to the above-described embodiment, a plurality of product screens A and an advertisement screen B are stored in the control unit 30, and one of the product screens A is displayed on the display unit 1 by the operation of the control unit 30. Since the display unit 1 itself has a storage function, even if the supply of power is stopped, the display unit 1 keeps displaying the product screen A as it is. After a certain period of time, the power is turned on and the control unit 30
Can be switched and displayed on the display unit 1, or the advertisement screen B can be switched and displayed on the display unit 1. Alternatively, after a certain time elapses while the product screen A is being displayed on the display unit 1, other information stored in the information transfer / communication terminal device 3, that is, the advertisement screen B is automatically displayed. Is switched and displayed on the display unit 1.

As described above, by switching and displaying another product screen a on the display unit 1, each time a product is changed, labor is not required as compared with a conventional display device in which a real sample is replaced, and replacement time is reduced. Can be eliminated.

By alternately switching and displaying the product screen A and the advertisement screen B on the same display unit 1, not only the advertisement function can be improved, but also display of advertisement, news, event information and the like. There is no need to provide a separate unit, and the vending machine body B1 can be reduced in size, and the problems that the installation place is limited and other objects cannot be installed can be solved.

Since the display unit 1 is formed of a thin film having a function of processing and displaying an input information signal using a ferroelectric liquid crystal having a storage function in the display element, the display unit 1 has a large size. The screen can be displayed, the viewing angle can be widened, and the advertising effect can be improved.

In the above-described embodiment, as the dedicated controller, a controller generally constituted by a programmable controller (hereinafter, referred to as PC) 10 and line-saving terminal devices 12A and 12B is used as shown in FIG. However, according to the present invention, a control device having a control unit that stores information displayed on the display unit 1 and selectively displays a plurality of product information and advertisement information as information on the display unit 1. Then, the programmable controller (hereinafter,
PC) 10 and line saving terminal devices 12A and 12
A controller that does not use B may be used.

[0048]

As described above, according to the display device of the first aspect of the present invention, a function of using a ferroelectric liquid crystal having a storage function for a display element and processing and displaying an input information signal is provided. And a control unit configured to store and display information displayed on the display unit and selectively display a plurality of product information or advertising information on the display unit. A plurality of product information or advertising information is stored in the control unit, one product information is displayed on the display unit by the operation of the control unit, because the display unit itself has a storage function, Even if the supply of power is stopped, the display unit keeps displaying the product information as it is.
Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the power is turned on, and other information stored in the control unit, that is, other product information is switched and displayed on the display unit, or the advertisement information is switched and displayed on the display unit. Alternatively, in a state where the product information is displayed on the display unit, after a lapse of a predetermined time, other information stored in the control unit, that is, the advertisement information is automatically switched and displayed on the display unit.

In this way, by switching and displaying other product information on the display unit, it is possible to eliminate the need for manual labor and to reduce the time required for replacement, as compared with a conventional display device in which a real sample is replaced each time a product is changed. it can.

Further, by alternately displaying and displaying the product information and the advertisement information on the same display section, not only the advertisement function can be improved, but also the display sections for the advertisement, news, event information, etc. are separately provided. There is no need to provide them.

Further, since the display section is formed of a thin film having a function of processing and displaying an input information signal using a ferroelectric liquid crystal having a storage function in a display element, a large screen is provided. The viewing angle can be widened and the advertising effect can be improved.

According to the display device of the second aspect of the present invention, in the display device according to the first aspect, a sensing sensor that operates when a person approaches is connected to the control unit, and an operation signal of the sensing sensor is provided. By operating the control unit to fix the product information or the advertisement information on the display unit, not only the same effect as the effect of the invention of claim 1 described above can be obtained, but also the display unit When a person approaches, the sensing sensor operates and the control unit operates to fix the product information or the advertisement information on the display unit.

According to the display device of the third aspect of the present invention, in the display device of the first aspect, a plurality of selection touch panels are provided on the display unit, and information is operated by operating the information selection touch panel. By displaying the image, not only the same effect as the above-mentioned effect of claim 1 can be exerted, but also the touch panel for information selection can be operated without disturbing the product information, the advertisement information and the quantity information. Become.

According to the vending machine according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by providing any one of the display devices according to the first to third aspects, it is possible to control a plurality of product information and advertisement information. The display unit displays one product information by the operation of the control unit, and the display unit has a storage function. , The product information is displayed as it is.
Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the power is turned on, and other information stored in the control unit, that is, other product information is switched and displayed on the display unit, or the advertisement information is switched and displayed on the display unit. Alternatively, in a state where the product information is displayed on the display unit, after a lapse of a predetermined time, other information stored in the control unit, that is, the advertisement information is automatically switched and displayed on the display unit.

As described above, by switching and displaying other product information on the display unit, it is possible to eliminate the need for manual labor and to reduce the time required for replacement, as compared with a conventional display device in which a real sample is replaced each time a product is changed. it can.

Further, by alternately displaying and displaying the product information and the advertisement information on the same display section, not only the advertisement function can be improved, but also the display sections for the advertisement, news, event information and the like are separately provided. This eliminates the necessity of providing the vending machine, and makes it possible to reduce the size of the vending machine main body, thereby solving the problems that the installation place is limited and other objects cannot be installed.

Further, since the display section is made of a thin film having a function of processing an input information signal and displaying it by using a ferroelectric liquid crystal having a storage function in the display element, The viewing angle can be widened and the advertising effect can be improved.

According to the vending machine according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the fourth aspect, an adjustment button is connected to the control unit, and the control unit is pressed by pressing the adjustment button. Is operated to display the quantity information stored in the control unit on the display unit, so that not only the same effect as the above-described invention of claim 4 can be achieved, but also the adjustment button can be pressed. Accordingly, the control unit can be operated by the operation signal, and the display unit can display the amount information indicating the amount according to the customer's preference.

According to the vending machine according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the fifth aspect, the quantity information includes an image of a spoon and an image of a milk spoon. With the configuration in which the selected amount of the sugar image is displayed on the milk container image and the selected amount of the milk image, respectively, not only the same effect as the above-described invention of claim 5 can be obtained, but also the adjustment button. By pressing
By operating the control unit in response to the operation signal, the display unit can display the amount display information indicating the amount that matches the taste of the customer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine provided with a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a display on a display unit of the display device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of another display of the display unit of the display device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a display unit of the display device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an information transfer / communication terminal device of the display device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a vending machine provided with a conventional display device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a vending machine provided with another conventional display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 display unit 30 control unit b. Product screen (product information) b. Advertising screen (promotional information)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Nishi Inside Omron Co., Ltd. 10 Hanazono Todocho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A display unit using a ferroelectric liquid crystal having a storage function as a display element and a thin film body having a function of processing and displaying an input information signal, and displaying on the display unit. A display device, comprising: a control unit that stores information and selectively displays a plurality of product information or advertisement information on the display unit. 2. A sensor, which is activated when a person approaches, is connected to the control unit, and the control unit is activated by an activation signal of the sensor to fix the product information or the advertisement information on the display unit. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of selection touch panels are provided on the display unit, and an information image is displayed by operating the information selection touch panel. 4. A vending machine provided with any one of the display devices according to claim 1. 5. An adjustment button is connected to the control section, and the control section is operated by pressing the adjustment button, so that the quantity information stored in the control section is displayed on the display section. The vending machine according to claim 4. 6. The amount information includes a spoon image and a milk container image, and displays the selected amount of sugar image in the spoon image and the selected amount of milk image in the milk container image, respectively. The display device according to claim 5, which has a configuration.