JPH10297698A - Vending machine for article and oil-feeding system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transaction dealing device and an oil-feeding system, which can discriminate a shop from other shops by realizing a new type of service and promote sales of articles. SOLUTION: An oil-feeding device 2 transmits a figure of supplied oil quantity measured by a measuring instrument 23 to a transaction dealing device 1 after oil has been supplied to a car. The dealing device 1 determines whether the received figure of oil gratuity coincides with a lucky number stored in a RAM 13 or not. If the figure does not coincide with the number, a regular change (supplied oil quantity × unit price of fuel) is requested to a customer and if the figure coincides with the lucky number, a special charge that an amount based on a discount ratio stored in a RAM 13 is subtracted from the regular charge is requested to him. In this way, such a new type of service that an oil or article charge is discounded when a figure of sales quantity of oil or articles coincides with a preset number, can be provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article sales apparatus for processing the sale of articles at stores and the like, and more particularly, to an article sales apparatus for processing the sale of fuel such as gasoline at a gas station, and to the article sales apparatus. Refueling system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gas station has provided a service for giving a certain value to a customer whose refueling amount exceeds a certain amount in order to promote sales. For example, for a customer whose refueling amount exceeds 30 liters, the billing amount is reduced by a few percent from the regular billing amount (refueling amount x fuel unit price).
A service has been implemented in which the price is reduced by 10 to 10%. In addition to the discount on the amount of the bill, a service of presenting a towel, a handkerchief, or the like to the customer as a prize is also being implemented.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned services are the same in content, except for the value to be given to the customer (reduction of billing amount, towel, handkerchief, etc.). Recently, most gas stations also have this type of service. For this reason, even if this type of service is implemented, differentiation from other gas stations cannot be performed, and a sales promotion effect cannot be obtained. In the case of mopeds and motorcycles, since the capacity of the gas tank is small, even if a service such as "10% discount for refueling more than 30 liters" is implemented, the service could not be received.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new type of service to a customer, and an article sales apparatus capable of promoting the sale of articles by differentiating from other stores, and an article sales apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a refueling system to which the device is applied.

[0005]

An article sales apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a transaction processing apparatus for processing a transaction relating to the sale of an article in a store.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article sales apparatus, comprising: a sales amount input unit for inputting a sales amount of an article; and a sales amount input by the sales amount input unit and a predetermined specific numerical value. And value providing means for providing a value when the sales amount matches the specific numerical value.

[0007] In this configuration, when the input sales amount of the article matches a specific numerical value set in advance, a value is assigned by the value assigning means. In other words, a new type of service, which has not been conventionally performed, can be performed, in which a value is given to a customer whose quantity of the article to be purchased matches a specific numerical value that has been set. By implementing this service, differentiation from other stores (stores not implementing this service) can be performed, and sales of goods in the own store can be promoted.

[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the value assigning means includes means for changing the magnitude of the value to be assigned based on the number of digits in which the sales amount matches the specific numerical value. I do.

With this configuration, a value can be given not only when the sales amount completely matches the specific numerical value, but also when some digits match. In addition, the magnitude of the value to be provided can be changed depending on the number of matching digits. As a result, not only customers whose purchase amount completely matches a specific numerical value, but also those customers whose purchase amount partially coincides with each other, value is added, customer service is improved, and sales of goods at the own store are improved. Can be further promoted.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sales amount input means for inputting a sales amount of an article, a numerical table in which a plurality of numerical values are set, and a plurality of numerical values set in the numerical value table. Determining means for determining whether there is a numerical value that matches the input sales amount; and value providing means for adding a value when the numerical value table has a numerical value that matches the sales amount. It is characterized by.

In this configuration, when a numerical value that matches the sales amount of the input article is set in the numerical value table,
Value is assigned by a value assigning means. In other words, a new type of service, which has not been performed conventionally, can be performed in which a value is given to a customer whose quantity of purchased articles matches the numerical value set in the numerical value table. By implementing this service, differentiation from other stores (stores not implementing this service) can be performed, and sales of goods in the own store can be promoted.

[0012] The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that, in the numerical value table, the magnitude of the value to be provided by the value providing means is set for each set numerical value.

In this configuration, the magnitude of the value to be given can be set for each numerical value set in the numerical value table.
Changing the magnitude of the value added to the sales amount of the article, or changing the value to be added when the sales amount of the article is a so-called slotted pattern, such as 111 or 222, and when it is not. Can be. As a result, various services can be provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the value assigning means is means for reducing the amount charged for the sales amount of the article by an amount corresponding to the value to be added from the regular amount charged. It is characterized by.

In this configuration, the amount charged to the customer is
The price is reduced by the amount of the value to be added from the regular billing amount. It should be noted that the discount amount referred to here is a predetermined ratio (for example, 0.
8 or 0.9), or a predetermined amount (for example, 1000 yen or 500
Yen) may be subtracted.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the article comprises:
It is a fuel for refueling a vehicle.

In this configuration, the article is used as fuel for the vehicle, and a new type of service that has not been conventionally provided at the gasoline station can be provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article sales apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the fuel supply to the vehicle is stopped when it is detected that the fuel tank of the vehicle has been almost completely filled. A refueling device comprising: a control unit; and a refueling amount input unit that inputs a refueling amount at the time when the refueling control unit stops refueling to the article sales apparatus as the sales amount. .

With this configuration, the refueling device inputs the refueling amount at the time when refueling of the vehicle is stopped by the refueling control means as a sales amount to the article sales device. As a result, those who are refueling the vehicle cannot consciously adjust the refueling amount (sales amount of articles). Therefore, it is not possible to consciously give a value to a refueling amount or to give a value to a large refueling amount. For this reason, a uniform service can be provided to each customer.

[0020]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refueling system to which a transaction processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The article processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the transaction processing apparatus of this embodiment. In the refueling system of this embodiment, a transaction processing device 1 that processes a transaction based on an input fuel refueling amount and a refueling device 2 that refuels a vehicle are connected.

First, the configuration of the transaction processing apparatus 1 will be described. 11 is a CPU, 12 is a ROM, 13
Is a RAM. Reference numeral 14 denotes a card reader for reading information recorded on the inserted card. Reference numeral 15 denotes an input unit for performing input by key operation. Reference numeral 16 denotes a display unit for displaying input information and the like. Reference numeral 17 denotes a printer for issuing a transaction slip on which transaction contents are printed. 1
Reference numeral 8 denotes a communication processing unit that communicates with the refueling device 2. 1
9 is a lucky number table 31 shown in FIG.
(A)) and a table management unit that stores the discount rate table 32 (FIG. 2B). In the lucky number table 31, three digits (including one digit after the decimal point) (33.3 in the figure) are set as lucky numbers (specific numerical values in claim 1 of the present invention). In the discount rate table 32, the first discount rate (30.0% in the figure) used when the refueling amount matches the lucky number and the upper two digits (10 and 1 digits) are one. Thus, a second discount rate (10.0% in the figure) used when the least significant digit does not match is set. The set values of the lucky number, the first discount rate, and the second discount rate can be changed by key operation of the input unit 15. The process of changing these set values will be described later.

Next, returning to FIG. 1, the configuration of the fueling device 2 will be described. Reference numeral 21 denotes a pump for discharging fuel (for example, gasoline) from a fueling nozzle (not shown). Reference numeral 22 denotes a control unit that controls the operation of the pump 21. Reference numeral 23 denotes a measuring unit that measures the amount of fuel released from the refueling nozzle. Reference numeral 24 denotes a communication processing unit that communicates with the transaction processing device 1.

The operation of the fueling system according to this embodiment will be described below. First, the process of changing the lucky number will be described with reference to FIG. To change the lucky number setting, the operator must
5 is operated by a lucky number change key (not shown). When the lucky number change key is operated (n1), the transaction processing device 1 reads the current lucky number set in the lucky number table 31 and displays it on the display unit 16 (n2). When the current lucky number is displayed on the display unit 16, the operator operates the numeric keypad provided on the input unit 15 to input a lucky number whose setting is to be changed. When the input of the lucky number is completed, a setting key (not shown) is operated. The transaction processing device 1 accepts a change input of the lucky number using the numeric keypad until the setting key is operated (n3, n4). Then, when the setting key is operated, the lucky number set in the lucky number table 31 is updated based on the input received in n3, and this processing is completed (n5).

Next, a process for changing the first discount rate and the second discount rate will be described with reference to FIG. The operator operates a discount rate change key (not shown) provided on the input unit 15. When the discount rate change key is operated (n11), the transaction processing apparatus 1 reads the first discount rate and the second discount rate set in the discount rate table 32 and displays them on the display unit 16. (N
12). When the first discount rate and the second discount rate are displayed on the display unit 16, the operator moves the cursor, selects the first discount rate or the second discount rate, and operates the numeric keypad. Enter the value of the discount rate to be changed. At the time when the first discount rate and the second discount rate are displayed on the display unit 16 at n12, the cursor is located at the position where the first discount rate is changed. At this time, by operating the numeric keypad without moving the cursor, the first discount rate can be changed. After the first discount rate is input, the cursor is moved to a position where the second discount rate is changed, and the second discount rate is input, whereby the first discount rate and the second discount rate are input. Can be changed and input. Here, the operator operates a setting key (not shown) when completing the change input of one or both of the first discount rate and the second discount rate. Transaction processing device 1 accepts a change input of the set value of the first discount rate and / or the second discount rate until the setting key is operated (n13, n14). When the setting key is operated, based on the input received in n13,
This processing is completed by updating the set values of the first discount rate and the second discount rate in the discount rate table 32 (n1
5).

As described above, the lucky number, the first discount rate, and the second discount rate can be set to arbitrary values. Note that the discount rate change processing may be automatically executed after the lucky number change processing is executed. Further, the change processing of the lucky number table 31 and the discount rate table 32 may be performed simultaneously.

Next, transaction processing in the refueling system of the present invention will be described. Refueling of the vehicle by the refueling device 2 is performed by a known method. Hereinafter, refueling of the vehicle will be briefly described. After inserting the tip of the fueling nozzle into the fueling port of the fuel tank provided in the vehicle, the operation of the pump 21 is started (the fuel is discharged from the fueling nozzle). Thereby, refueling of the vehicle is started. A sensor is provided at the tip of the fueling nozzle to detect that the fuel tank of the vehicle is full. Then, when this sensor detects that the fuel tank is full, the control unit 22 stops the operation of the pump 21 and stops refueling to the vehicle. The measuring unit 23 measures the amount of fuel supplied to the vehicle from the start of refueling to the stop of refueling. Then, the measured refueling amount is transmitted from the communication processing unit 24 to the transaction processing device 1. The refueling amount at the time of full refueling referred to in this embodiment is the refueling amount from the start of refueling until the sensor detects that the sensor is full and stops refueling the vehicle. is there.

Next, the operation of the transaction processing apparatus 1 during transaction processing will be described with reference to FIG. When the refueling device 2 performs the above-described full tank refueling and receives the refueling amount transmitted from the refueling device 2 (n21), the transaction processing device 1 calculates a regular billing amount (n22). Note that whether or not the vehicle has been fully refueled is input to the transaction processing apparatus 1 by operating a predetermined key or the like. The regular billing amount is calculated by the following equation. Regular charge amount = fuel amount × fuel unit price When the regular charge amount is calculated by n22, it is determined whether or not the received fuel amount and the upper two digits of the lucky number stored in the lucky number table 31 match. n23). Here, if the upper two digits do not match, the printer 17 issues a transaction slip on which the refueling amount, the regular billing amount calculated in n22, and the like are printed, and ends this processing (n24). On the other hand, if the upper two digits match, it is determined whether the refueling amount matches the least significant digit of the lucky number (n25). Here, if the least significant digits do not match, the second discount rate stored in the discount rate table 32 is read, and the discount rate is applied to the regular charge amount using this discount rate, and the charge amount is reduced. It is calculated (n26). On the other hand, if the least significant digits match, the first discount rate stored in the discount rate table 32 is read out, and the discount rate is calculated using the discount rate with respect to the regular billing amount to calculate the billing amount. Yes (n2
7). In n26 and n27, the billing amount is calculated from the following equation. Invoice amount = Regular invoice amount × (100−discount rate) / 1
The discount rate is the first discount rate when the least significant digits match, and is the second discount rate when the least significant digits do not match. Then, the transaction processing device 1
At 7, a voucher in which the refueling amount and the billed amount discounted at n26 or n27 are printed is issued, and the process is terminated (n24).

As described above, in the refueling system according to the present embodiment, the amount of billing is reduced to a customer whose refueling amount at the time of full refueling matches the lucky number or a customer whose upper two digits match. A new type of service that can be performed (a service that has not been performed conventionally) can be performed. For example, the first discount rate is 30%, and the second discount rate is 10%.
, The customer whose refueling amount matches the lucky number will be charged 30% off the regular charge. In addition, a customer who matches only the upper two digits will be charged 10% less than the regular charge. For customers whose upper two digits do not match, unfortunately, the regular billing amount becomes the billing amount as it is (not discounted). By implementing this new service, it is possible to differentiate from other stores and promote sales.

It is assumed that a full tank refueling is performed during the change of the lucky number and the discount rate. Is controlled so that it cannot be accessed. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the discount is made by the set ratio (discount rate) with respect to the regular billing amount. A discount may be made for the set amount.

In the above-described embodiment, one lucky number is stored in the lucky number storage area 31. However, a plurality of lucky numbers are stored, and when the refueling amount matches one of the lucky numbers. In addition, when the billing amount is reduced to the amount by using the set first discount rate, and the upper two digits of the refueling amount match the upper two digits of any lucky number,
The billing amount may be set to the amount that has been discounted using the set second discount rate. In addition, the third discount rate, the fourth discount rate,...
When the last two digits of the refueling amount and the last two digits of the lucky number match (when only the most significant digit does not match), the billing amount is discounted using the third discount rate. When the refueling amount and the lucky number match only in the most significant digit, the billing amount may be reduced by using the fourth discount rate.
By doing so, it is possible to increase the percentage of customers who are discounted by this service.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the transaction processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the table management unit 19 replaces the lucky number table 31 and the discount rate table 32 with a discount quantity value table 41 shown in FIG. 6A and a discount quantity table 41 shown in FIG. It differs from the above-described embodiment in that the message table 42 is stored. As shown in the figure, the discount quantity value table 41 stores a plurality of pieces of information in which a lucky number, a discount rate, and a message number are associated with each other. * In the figure is
This means that all the numerical values from 0 to 9 match. At the end of the discount quantity value table 41, information for setting the lucky number to 00.0 is stored.
This information indicates the end of the information in the discount quantity value file 41. Further, the message table 42 stores messages in correspondence with message numbers as shown in the figure. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

Next, a process for changing the discount rate table 31 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of changing the discount quantity value table. An operator operates a discount quantity value table change key (not shown) provided on the input unit 15. When the discount quantity value table change key is operated (n31), the transaction processing apparatus 1 stores the discount quantity value table 4 stored in the table management unit 19.
1 is read and displayed on the display unit 16 (n3
2). The operator performs a change input by moving the cursor to the position of the rack number, discount rate, and message number to be changed and operating the numeric keypad. Further, by moving the cursor to any lucky number position and operating the delete key, the information of the lucky number, the discount rate corresponding thereto, and the message number can be deleted. Also, by moving the cursor to the position of the lucky number 00.0 and operating the numeric keypad to input the lucky number and inputting the corresponding discount rate and message number, the lucky number is displayed below the input information. .0 is automatically created. That is, the lucky number is added by this operation. Further, by repeating this operation, a plurality of lucky numbers can be added.

When the operator completes the change input to the discount quantity value table 41, the operator operates a setting key provided on the input unit 15. Transaction processing apparatus 1 accepts a change input to discount quantity value table 41 until the setting key is operated (n33, n34). When the setting key is operated, the changed discount quantity value table 41 is stored in the table management unit 19, and this processing is completed (n3).
5).

Next, a process for changing the message table 42 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing this processing. The operator operates a message table change key (not shown) provided on the input unit 15. When the message table change key is operated (n41), transaction processor 1 reads message table 42 and displays it on display unit 16 (n42). The operator moves the cursor to the position of the message to be changed and operates the character keys provided on the input unit 15 to input the message. The operator operates the message table 42
When the change input of the message for is completed, the setting key is operated. Transaction processing device 1 accepts a change input to message table 42 until the setting key is operated (n43, n44). When the operation of the setting key is detected, the changed message table 42 is stored in the table management unit 19, and the process is completed (n45).

As described above, the discount quantity value table 41
And the message table 42 can be changed. Therefore, the lucky number and the rate of discount can be set freely.

Next, the processing during the transaction processing will be described. The refueling process in the refueling device 2 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and thus the description is omitted here. In this embodiment, the following processing is executed regardless of whether or not the refueling of the vehicle is full. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the transaction processing of the transaction processing apparatus according to this embodiment. When the transaction processing device 1 receives the refueling amount of the vehicle from the refueling device 2 (n51), the transaction processing device 1 calculates a regular billing amount in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment (n5).
2). Then, it is determined whether or not a lucky number corresponding to the refueling amount is set in the discount quantity value table 41 (n53). If it is determined in step n53 that a lucky number corresponding to the refueling amount is not set, a transaction slip in which the refueling amount and the normal billing amount calculated in n52 are printed is issued by the printer 17, and this processing is completed (n5).
4). On the other hand, if a lucky number corresponding to the refueling amount is set, a discount rate and a message number corresponding to the lucky number are read (n55). Then, a discount processing is performed on the regular billing amount using the read-out discount rate to calculate the billing amount (n5).
6). This billing amount is also the same as in the above embodiment, billing amount = regular billing amount × (100−discount rate) / 1.
Calculated from Equation 00. The discount rate is the discount rate read at n55. Then, based on the message number read in n55, the corresponding message is read from the message table 42 (n57). The printer 17 issues a transaction slip in which the refueling amount, the billing amount, and the message read out in n57 are printed, and ends this processing (n5).
8).

As described above, in this embodiment, since a plurality of lucky numbers can be set, a lucky number for a motorcycle having a small fuel tank capacity and a lucky number for a vehicle having a large fuel tank capacity as compared with the motorcycle are provided. Can be set. Therefore, substantially uniform services can be provided regardless of whether the vehicle to be refueled is a motorcycle or an automobile. In addition, since a new service can be provided in which the billing amount is discounted by matching the refueling amount with the lucky number, the service can be differentiated from other gas stations and sales can be promoted. Further, since the message is printed on the transaction slip, the customer can easily know whether or not the discount processing has been performed in this refueling. In addition, the transaction slip when the discount processing was not performed is also described in, for example, “This time was disappointing. Apply at the next refueling. May be printed.

It is assumed that refueling or the like is performed during the change of the lucky number, the discount rate, and the message. When the discount rate table 41 and the message table 42 are changed, the discount rate table 41 and the message table 42 are changed. 41 and the message table 42 are controlled so that they cannot be accessed. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the discount is made by the set ratio (discount rate) from the regular billing amount. However, the amount is set in place of the discount rate, and this setting is made from the regular billing amount. The discount may be applied only for the amount of money.

Further, the article sales apparatus of the present invention can be applied to a transaction processing apparatus which deals with a fuel other than fuel supplied to a vehicle. For example, the present invention may be applied to a transaction processing apparatus that processes transactions of articles (for example, meat and the like) sold by weight. In this case, when the weight of the article to be sold coincides with the lucky number, an amount obtained by performing a discount processing at a predetermined discount rate on a regular amount charged may be used as the amount charged. Further, in the above-described embodiment, a service in which a discount is made from a regular billing amount is described as an example. However, for example, a conversion rate of points given to a customer may be changed according to a transaction amount.
For example, if the billed amount is 1000 yen, the customer is usually given 10 points, but at this time, if the customer matches the lucky number, a service of giving 30 points (the point giving rate is tripled) is given. It may be performed.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, a new type of service can be provided in which a value is added when the sales amount of an article matches a preset numerical value or the like. Differentiate with stores. Therefore, sales at the own store can be promoted. Further, customer service can be further improved by this new service.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refueling system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a lucky number table and a discount rate table.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a lucky number table change process.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of changing a discount rate table.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a transaction process.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a discount rate file and a message file according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process of changing a discount quantity value table.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a message table changing process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a transaction process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-Transaction processing device 2-Refueling device 15-Input unit 16-Display unit 17-Printer 18-Communication processing unit 21-Pump 22-Control unit 23-Measurement unit 24-Communication processing unit 31-Lucky number table 32-Discount rate Table 41-Discount Quantity Value Table 42-Message Table

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A sales quantity input means for inputting a sales quantity of an article, a comparison means for comparing the sales quantity input by the sales quantity input means with a predetermined specific numerical value,
An article sales apparatus, comprising: value providing means for adding value to sales when the sales amount matches the specific numerical value. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said value assigning means includes means for changing the magnitude of the value to be assigned according to the number of digits in which said sales amount matches said specific numerical value.
Article selling device according to the above. 3. A sales amount input means for inputting a sales amount of an article, a numerical table in which a plurality of numerical values are set, and the sales amount input in the plurality of numerical values set in the numerical value table. Determining means for determining whether there is a matching numerical value; and value providing means for adding a value to the sale when the numerical value table has a numerical value matching the sales amount. To sell goods. 4. The article selling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the value table further sets the magnitude of the value to be provided by the value providing means for each set numerical value. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the value providing means is means for reducing a bill amount for the sales amount of the article by a discount amount from a regular bill amount by a value to be provided. The article sales apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The article selling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the article is fuel for refueling a vehicle. 7. An article selling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when it is detected that the fuel tank of the vehicle is almost completely filled, refueling control means for stopping refueling of the vehicle, and the refueling control. A refueling system comprising: a refueling amount input unit configured to input the refueling amount at the time when the unit stops refueling to the article sales apparatus as the sales amount.