JPH11339112A - Required replenishing amount deciding method and its system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid the deterioration of the quality of commodities due to storing for a long period and avoid giving uncomfortable feeling to a purchasing person by preventing commodities or commodity material in an automatic vending machine from being stored for a long period. SOLUTION: Commodities are not replenished to columns A to C in the automatic vending machine up to the full level of the columns A to C but replenished to the level of a reference stock quantity fixed in advance (b3). The reference stock quantity is previously set based on at least a commodity quantity replenished and the interval of replenishing work executed in the past. Since the stock quantity of commodities in each of columns A to C just before executing replenishing work mostly become very small (b2, b4), commodities are avoided from being stored for a long period in the columns A to C, regardless of the respective commodities which sell well or not.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and a system for determining a required replenishment amount of a vending machine for a product or a commodity material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When refilling a vending machine with commodities or commodities, it has been common practice to replenish as much as possible in order to reduce the frequency of replenishment work. As a technique for reducing this replenishment work, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-94581 discloses that a worker carries out automatic communication by performing wireless communication between a replenishment commodity carrier and a vending machine. There is disclosed a method of transferring goods from a transport vehicle to a vending machine after knowing the replenishment amount of the vending machine. By the way, in vending machines for canned beverages and the like, it is common that a plurality of product storage and delivery mechanisms called columns are provided in the vending machine. Refill each column with applicable products. In vending machines that manufacture products at the time of selling cup beverages, etc., product materials called flavors are stored in the vending machine. Refill the flavor into the vending machine.

[0003]

However, if vending machines, such as canned beverages, are replenished until the products are full, poorly sold products may remain in the vending machines for a long period of time. In other words, if a product sells well, even if it is refilled until the column is full, it will be almost sold by the time of the next replenishment. The merchandise will be stored in the vending machine for a long time. For products such as canned beverages, whose quality is guaranteed for a relatively long period of time, although the problem of quality deterioration due to long-term storage is not so serious, the purchaser is asked to buy old products. I'm sorry. "

[0004] In a vending machine that handles product materials whose quality tends to change due to storage of undiluted solution, powder, etc., such as a vending machine that sells cup beverages, the vending machine stores the material in the vending machine for a long time. In order to avoid stockpiling over time, it is necessary to carefully manage the stock in the vending machine, which is a burden on the manager of the vending machine.

[0005] Further, the long-term storage of commodities or commodities in a vending machine means that there is a constant uncollected cost for the manufacturer or seller of the commodities or commodities. Is the same as

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and proposes a method capable of accurately determining a replenishing amount, thereby enabling long-term storage of goods or goods in a vending machine. It is an object of the present invention to prevent inventory, to provide a buyer with new products as much as possible, and to speed up cost recovery by a manufacturer or a seller.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a method for determining a necessary replenishment amount according to the present invention is a method of determining a stock amount to be present in a vending machine immediately after a replenishment operation of commodities or commodity materials. Setting a reference stock quantity for each product or product material handled by the vending machine based on at least the past replenishment amount and intervals of replenishment work execution times; and Alternatively, the method includes a step of detecting a stock amount of each commodity material and a step of determining a necessary replenishment amount of the commodity or the commodity material by obtaining a shortage of the inventory amount with respect to the reference stock amount.

As described above, in the present invention, the required replenishment amount is determined based on the reference stock amount set for each product or each product material of each vending machine and the detected stock amount. The inside of the vending machine is not always full, and in principle, goods or goods are replenished up to a reference stock amount. Further, the reference stock amount is based on at least the past replenishment amount and the time interval of the replenishment operation,
It is determined. Therefore, it is possible to prevent products and product materials from being stored in the vending machine for a long period of time, so that quality deterioration due to long-term storage can be reliably prevented, and relatively new products can be provided to buyers. And for merchants, there is an advantage that costs can be recovered early.

Further, the system for determining the required replenishment amount according to the present invention is provided for each of the vending machines provided at the supplier of the goods or the commodities and for each of the commodities handled by the vending machines. Or a first device that is set for each commodity material prior to the replenishment operation, and a second device that is provided for each vending machine and detects the above-mentioned inventory amount for each product or each commodity material before the replenishment operation, The required replenishment amount is compared for each vending machine on the route that the vehicle must patrol by comparing the reference inventory amount of the magic and the above-mentioned inventory amount mounted on the vehicle that carries the product or the product material and patrols. And a third device for determining for each product or each product material handled by the vending machine.

As described above, the present invention can be embodied as a system for transporting merchandise or merchandise material by a patrol vehicle and refilling the vending machine with merchandise or merchandise material. In the system according to the present invention, before arriving at the vending machine, that is, prior to the replenishment work, the occupant of the patrol vehicle can know the required replenishment amount of the goods, so that the replenishment work of the goods can be made more efficient. Furthermore, in the system according to the present invention, since the vending machine is replenished up to the reference stock amount instead of being full, other effects related to the prevention of the occurrence of long-term stock in the vending machine can be obtained. It is possible to optimize and reduce the amount of goods or merchandise materials transported by the patrol vehicle, and it is also possible to effect that one vehicle can patrol a larger number of vending machines.

In practicing the system according to the present invention, means for wirelessly transmitting a command relating to the detection and transmission of the inventory amount to the second device and the detection result of the inventory amount to be compared with the reference inventory amount to the second device. It is desirable to provide a means for wirelessly receiving from the third apparatus in the third apparatus, and a means for wirelessly transmitting the result of detection to the third apparatus in response to a command from the third apparatus in the second apparatus. In this way, if the vending machine sends the detected value of the inventory amount to the patrol vehicle in response to a request from the patrol vehicle, the required replenishment amount is always maintained at the appropriate timing before the start of the replenishment work. Can be determined, and the replenishment work can be made more efficient. Further, a member for displaying the position or list of vending machines on the route on the screen, a member operated by the user to specify any of the displayed vending machines, and a member specified by this operation. If the means for setting the second device provided in the vending machine as the transmission destination of the command is provided in the third device, the occupant of the patrol vehicle can select the vending machine selected by himself / herself. , And the required replenishment amount can be known.
Alternatively, means for detecting that the vehicle to be mounted has approached any of the vending machines on the above route within a predetermined distance, and transmitting a command to the second device provided in the vending machine. If the means for setting first is provided in the third device, the required replenishment amount is automatically determined as the replenishment destination approaches the vending machine. Operation burden can be reduced.

Further, means for wirelessly transmitting the route and the set reference stock amount to the third device are provided to the first device, and the determined necessary replenishment amount or the actual replenishment amount is set in the first device immediately before and after the replenishment operation. If the third device is provided with means for wirelessly transmitting to the device, at least a part of the information that can be used for setting the reference stock amount is collected from the patrol vehicle side to the product or product material provider. The set reference stock amount can be instructed to the traveling vehicle together with the route. Thereby, the real-time property in the instruction / setting of the reference stock amount or the like is improved.

[0013] When the stock amount of any of the commodities or commodities being handled by the corresponding vending machine has reached a predetermined lower limit or less, the first device is notified by radio to that effect. Providing the second device with a means for preventing the product or the product material from running out can be prevented or dealt with promptly. As a result, it is possible to reduce the margin that can be expected when setting the reference stock amount, and thus it is possible to further reduce the long-term stock in the vending machine.

[0014]

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

FIG. 1 shows a method of replenishing merchandise or merchandise material according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention by taking a vending machine having three columns A to C for selling canned beverages and the like as an example. In the figure, (a1) to (a4) show a typical conventional replenishment method, that is, a method of always filling each column with a product when performing a product refilling operation. On the other hand, (b1)
In the technique shown in (b4), that is, the technique according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each column A to
C is not always full. That is, the product is replenished up to the reference stock amount set so that the stock amount of the product in each of the columns A to C immediately before the replenishment work is small (preferably, sold out, that is, the stock does not become zero). In the present application, the stock quantity of the product (or the product material) immediately after the replenishment operation is referred to as the reference stock quantity in the sense of the stock quantity serving as a reference for the replenishment. One of the features of the present embodiment is that the replenishment is performed based on the reference stock amount instead of the replenishment based on the fullness. More specifically, the product inventory amount of each column immediately before performing the replenishment work is described. Alternatively, a reference stock amount is set for each column or each flavor so that the stock amount of each flavor is small, thereby preventing long-term stock in a vending machine. Reduction of long-term stock prevents quality deterioration due to long-term storage, reduces or prevents discomfort to buyers, and further reduces costs for manufacturers and sellers.

FIG. 2 shows a system configuration capable of realizing replenishment by the above-described method. The system shown in FIG. 1 includes a vending machine accessory device 12 attached to a vending machine 10, a branch (including a head office, a sales office, etc., regardless of name) 14 for providing and managing commodities or commodities, and a branch. It comprises a patrol vehicle 16 that carries goods or merchandise materials under the control of 14 and patrols a predetermined area. Further, a PHS public line is used between the vending machine accessory device 12 and the branch 14, a PHS public line or transceiver communication is used between the vending machine accessory device 12 and the patrol vehicle 16, and a PHS is used between the branch 14 and the patrol vehicle 16.
They are connected by S public line, transceiver call, local area network, or the like. The vending machine accessory device 12 and the branch 14 or the patrol vehicle 16 only need to be wirelessly connected, and are not limited to the connection using the PHS. Also, for simplicity of illustration, only one vending machine 10, a corresponding vending machine accessory device 12, and a patrol vehicle 16 are illustrated, respectively, but in reality, there are generally a plurality or a large number of these. It is a target.

The vending machine accessory device 12 has a data level converter 18, a data box 20, and a PHS terminal 22. Among these, the PHS terminal 22 is a means for wireless connection with the branch 14 and the patrol vehicle 16. The data box 20 collects and arranges information such as inventory amount from the vending machine 10 via the data level converter 18 for each column or each flavor. When the PHS terminal 22 receives a transmission request from the patrol vehicle 16, the data box 20 stores the information collected from the vending machine 10 up to that point in the PHS terminal 22.
It is transmitted from the terminal 22. Also, the data box 20
When a sold-out state or a state close to the sold-out state occurs in any of the columns in the vending machine 10 or in any of the flavors, the out-of-stock notification is transmitted from the PHS terminal 22 to the branch 14. The data box 20 contains the vending machine 10
When a failure occurs in the PHS terminal 22
Sends a failure notification to the branch 14. The data level converter 18 interposed between the vending machine 10 and the data box 20 has various specifications different from each other so as to cope with the current situation that the signal form in the vending machine differs for each vending machine manufacturer. The signal can be input and processed.

The branch 14 has a branch system 24 and a PH
The S terminal 26 is arranged. The branch system 24 transmits, from the PHS terminal 26, to each patrol vehicle 16, a route to be patroled by the patrol vehicle and data (for example, reference stock amount and installation position) on the vending machine 10 on the route. . The branch system 24 also includes the vending machine 1
The PHS terminal 26 receives a report on the replenishment amount, the stock amount, the sales amount, etc. of the merchandise or merchandise materials to the P0 terminal 26 and stores it in a built-in database. The setting of the reference stock amount is also performed using this database. The branch system 24 also receives, by the PHS terminal 26, a stockout notification or a failure notification from the vending machine attachment device 12. Accordingly, the branch 14 dispatches the patrol vehicle 16 to replenish sold-out goods or product materials,
A service person can be dispatched to repair the failed vending machine 10.

The traveling vehicle 16 has a personal computer 28 and a PHS terminal 30 mounted thereon. As shown in the figure, the personal computer 28 includes a processing unit 32 composed of a microprocessor and the like, an operation unit 34 composed of a keyboard and a pointing device, and a display composed of devices such as an LCD. Unit 36, printing unit 38 as a small printer, CDRO
It has a map database 40 composed of a storage medium such as M and its driving device, and a positioning unit 42 composed of a GPS receiver and the like. The processing unit 32
When the HS terminal 30 receives data on a route and a vending machine from the branch 14, a map including at least a part of the route is read from the map database 40,
It is displayed on the screen of the display unit 36. When an occupant of the patrol vehicle 16 specifies an arbitrary vending machine 10 on the displayed map by operating the operation unit 34, the processing unit 32
A request for transmission of the stock amount or the like to the vending machine 10 is made PH
The transmission is performed from the S terminal 30. When there is a response to the transmission request from the vending machine attachment device 12 with the inventory amount per column and the like, the processing unit 32 calculates the inventory amount for each product or product material given by this response as the reference inventory amount of the product or product material. To obtain the required replenishment amount for the product or product material. The processing unit 32 causes the printing unit 38 to output a replenishment instruction describing the stock amount and the required replenishment amount for each product or product material (or for each column or flavor). When the vehicle can be regarded as being within a predetermined distance from any one of the vending machines 10 in view of the position of the vehicle output from the positioning unit 42, or when the PHS terminal 22 of the vending machine accessory device 12 calls the transceiver at a predetermined frequency. When the system has reached a short distance where the transceiver call from the PHS terminal 22 can be received by the PHS terminal 30,
Vending machine 10 applicable without waiting for designation by the vehicle occupant
A transmission request such as the amount of stock related may be transmitted.

FIG. 3 shows a reference stock amount setting procedure in this embodiment. The procedure shown in this figure is automatically executed by the branch system 24 provided in the branch 14 using information reported from the patrol vehicle 16.

As shown in FIG.
Collects data on the replenishment amount of merchandise or merchandise material from each patrol vehicle 16 (100). More specifically, the branch system 24 stores data on the amount of replenishment and the like for each column or flavor with respect to the commodities or commodities handled by each vending machine 10 on the patrol route of the patrol vehicle 16. Collected and built-in database 44
Store on top.

The branch system 24 determines the required replenishment amount per unit time by totalizing and adjusting the data collected on the database 44 (102). That is, the replenishment amount data stored in the database 44 represents the reduction amount of the inventory amount generated in the vending machine 10 between the time when the replenishment operation is performed and the time when the replenishment operation is performed next. Is divided by the execution interval of the replenishment operation, the inventory reduction amount per unit time can be obtained for each column or for each flavor. Branch system 2
4 shows statistical information indicating a change in purchase tendency due to seasonal change,
The required replenishment amount per unit time is determined for each column or for each flavor in consideration of statistical information indicating a difference in sales tendency due to a difference in the installation environment of the vending machine 10, a sales strategy for substitute products, and the like.

Subsequent to the step 102, the branch system 24 calculates the reference stock amount in the vending machine 10 for each column or flavor based on the dispatch schedule of the patrol vehicle 16 and the required replenishment amount per unit time obtained in the step 102. It is determined every time (104). In other words, the time interval between the replenishment of goods or commodities for a certain vending machine 10 and the next replenishment can be determined in advance by the dispatch schedule of the patrol vehicle 16, and this is set as the required replenishment per unit time. By multiplying the quantity, the reference stock quantity can be set for each column or for each flavor. However, when the reference stock amount exceeds a predetermined upper limit value, that is, when a certain column of the vending machine 10 becomes full or more due to replenishment based on the reference stock amount, etc. The same process is repeated after changing the column used for selling the product.

The branch system 24 sends the reference inventory amount determined in this way to the corresponding
Wireless transmission is performed via the S terminal 26 (106). At that time, a traveling route and the like are also transmitted.

FIG. 4 shows a communication procedure among the branch 14, the patrol vehicle 16 and the vending machine accessory device 12, particularly a communication procedure related to a replenishment operation of merchandise or merchandise material. As shown in this figure, when the branch 14 instructs the traveling vehicle 16 on the traveling route, the reference stock amount, and the like, the traveling vehicle 16 reads the corresponding map from the map database 40 as described above, It is displayed on the screen of the display unit 36. In addition, the position of the vending machine 10 is displayed on the display unit 36 based on data received from the branch 14 or based on data on the map database 40. When any of the vending machines displayed on the screen of the display unit 36 is manually or automatically selected by the crew of the patrol vehicle 16, the processing unit 32 responds to the selected vending machine 10. Transmission request to the vending machine attachment device 12
It is transmitted from the PHS terminal 30. The data box 20 of the corresponding vending machine accessory device 12 transmits data such as the stock amount for each product or product material from the PHS terminal 22 to the patrol vehicle 16. In the patrol vehicle 16, a replenishment instruction is issued from the printing unit 38 in response to this. The replenishment worker, who is the occupant of the patrol vehicle 16, supplies the merchandise to the vending machine 10 or the merchandise to the vending machine 10 based on the replenishment instruction issued before the replenishment work or before arrival at the vending machine 10. Refill materials. Around the end of this replenishment work, patrol vehicle 1
From 6, data on the replenishment amount and the like is transmitted to the branch 14.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the replenishment operation of the merchandise or the merchandise material into each vending machine 10 is performed based on the reference stock amount. Is not stored for a long time. Furthermore, since the amount of goods or merchandise materials loaded on each patrol vehicle 16 can be set to an appropriate amount, deterioration of fuel efficiency of the patrol vehicles 16 caused by loading a large amount of goods or merchandise materials can be prevented, and It is also possible to increase the number of vending machines 10 that can be patroled by one patrol vehicle 16. Furthermore,
Wireless connection between the vending machine attachment device 12 and the patrol vehicle 16
Since the replenishment instruction can be issued by the patrol vehicle 16 before the patrol vehicle 16 reaches the vending machine 10, the refilling operation is started immediately when the patrol vehicle 16 arrives at the vending machine 10. Can do it. Since the out-of-stock notification and the failure notification are transmitted from the vending machine attachment device 12 to the branch 14 via a wireless line, the branch 14 can promptly deal with the out-of-stock or failure. As a result, the vending machine 10
Can be reduced in the period during which the vending machine 10 is in an unsellable state.
It is possible to further suppress the stock amount of the commodities or commodities in the inside. In addition, since the data level converter 18 is provided, it is possible to collect data, etc., by coping with any of the signal forms in the vending machine 10 which generally differ for each vending machine manufacturer.

Further, as a modified example of the system shown in FIG. 2, a system configuration in which a relay device is provided between the branch 14 or the patrol vehicle 16 and the vending machine accessory device 12 can be shown. By employing such a system configuration, the range of the vending machines 10 to be managed can be expanded. For example, when a number of vending machines 10 are installed in a building having a certain size, the number of vending machines 10 that can communicate from a section where the patrol vehicle 16 can enter is limited. . In this case, if a relay device is provided in or near a section where the patrol vehicle 16 can enter, and the relay device is connected to each vending machine 10 in the building, the size of the building is relatively large. However, all of the vending machines 10 inside the vending machine 10 can be placed under management. The relay function may be provided in the vending machine attachment device 12. Further, the signal transmission path from the relay device to each vending machine 10 can employ various modes such as a PHS transceiver mode, a local area network, and the like.

[0028]

As described above, according to the method for determining the required replenishment amount according to the present invention, the reference stock amount for each commodity or commodity material is determined based on at least the past replenishment amount and the interval of the replenishment operation. Is determined, and the required replenishment amount is determined for each product or product material using the reference stock amount. Therefore, long-term storage of the product or product material in the vending machine can be prevented.

Further, according to the required replenishment amount determination system according to the present invention, the goods or the goods are transported by the patrol vehicle,
Since the above-described method for determining the required replenishment amount is performed in a system for replenishing goods or commodity materials to a vending machine, in addition to the effects obtained by the above-described method for determining the required replenishment amount, the transportation of goods or commodity materials by a traveling vehicle Effects such as a reduction in the amount can also be obtained.

Further, according to the patrol vehicle's designation or by the approach of the vending machine, the patrol vehicle transmits a transmission request such as the stock amount to the device attached to the vending machine. The side can always determine the required replenishment amount at an appropriate timing before the start of the replenishment operation, and the efficiency of the replenishment operation can be increased. In particular, when the transmission request is automatically transmitted in response to the approach to the vending machine, a more automated system is obtained, and the burden on vehicle occupants and the like is reduced.

Further, if the route or reference stock amount is wirelessly transmitted from the provider of the product or the product material to the patrol vehicle, and the patrol vehicle reports on the stock amount, the replenishment amount, etc., the replenishment operation can be performed in real time. And the real-time property of the instruction and setting of the standard stock amount is improved. Then, when the stock amount of the product or the product material becomes equal to or less than the predetermined lower limit value, by notifying the provider of the product or the product material to that effect by radio, the situation such as the out-of-stock condition can be suitably performed. In addition to this, long-term stock in the vending machine can be further reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a method of replenishing products according to an embodiment of the present invention in comparison with a conventional method, and in particular, FIG.
(A4) is a conceptual diagram showing a conventional method, and (b1) to (b4) are conceptual diagrams showing a method in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system suitable for implementing this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a reference stock amount setting procedure in this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing a communication procedure in a branch, a patrol vehicle, and a vending machine accessory device in this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vending machine, 12 Vending machine auxiliary equipment, 14 branches, 16 patrol vehicles, 18 data level converter, 20
Data box, 22, 26, 30 PHS terminal, 2
4 branch system, 28 personal computers, A
~ C column.

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 7, 1999

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

3. A product or product material provider,
The reference stock amount, which is the amount of stock that should exist in the vending machine immediately after the replenishment of goods or product materials, is calculated for each vending machine and for each product or product material handled by the vending machine, A first device to be set prior to the replenishment operation based on at least the past replenishment amount and the interval of the replenishment operation, and a product or a product provided for each vending machine and handled by the vending machine A second device for detecting the current stock amount of the material for each product or each product material prior to the replenishment operation, and mounted on a vehicle that carries the product or the product material and patrols;
By comparing the reference stock amount set by the first device with the stock amount detected by the second device, the necessary replenishment amount of the product or the product material is determined by a route to be traversed by the vehicle. A third device for determining, for each vending machine above, and for each product or product material handled by the vending machine, a required replenishment amount determination system.

4. The required replenishment amount determination system according to claim 3 , wherein said third device has means for wirelessly transmitting a command relating to detection and transmission of an inventory amount to said second device, The device has means for wirelessly transmitting the result of the detection to the third device in response to the command. The third device further detects the detection result of the inventory amount to compare with the reference inventory amount. A system for determining a required replenishment amount, comprising means for wirelessly receiving from the second device.

5. The required replenishment amount determination system according to claim 4 , wherein the third device is displayed with a member for displaying a position or a list of vending machines on the route on a screen thereof. A member operated by a user to specify one of the vending machines, a unit for setting the second device provided in the vending machine specified by the operation as a transmission destination of the command, A required replenishment amount determination system characterized by having:

6. The required replenishment amount determination system according to claim 4 , wherein the third device is configured to determine that the vehicle to be mounted has approached any of the vending machines on the route within a predetermined distance. A required replenishment amount determining system comprising: means for detecting; and means for setting the second device provided in the vending machine as a transmission destination of the command.

7. The necessary replenishing amount determination system of claim 3 wherein said first device, a reference inventory quantity that the route and setting comprises means for wireless transmission to the third device, the third The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for wirelessly transmitting the determined required replenishment amount or the actual replenishment amount to the first device immediately before or after the replenishment operation.

8. The system according to claim 3 , wherein the second device is configured to reduce a stock amount of one of the commodities or commodities handled by the corresponding vending machine to a predetermined lower limit. A system for determining a required replenishment amount, comprising: a means for wirelessly notifying the first device when the following occurs.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0007

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a method for determining a necessary replenishment amount according to the present invention is a method of determining a stock amount to be present in a vending machine immediately after a replenishment operation of commodities or commodity materials. a reference stock amount, each product being handled in the vending machine or for each product material, based on the spacing of the implementation period of the replenishment amount and replenishment operation in at least the last, the
And setting in the commodity or commodity materials provider, its own
Detecting the amount of stock items or per each commodity material at that vending machine in the dynamic vending machine, products or product material
Determining the required replenishment amount of the product or the product material by finding the shortage of the stock amount with respect to the reference stock amount in the vehicle that carries the vehicle . More preferably, base inventory is
Use statistical information to show changes in purchase trends
It shall be.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0008] Thus, in the present invention, the product or
The required replenishment amount is determined by the patrol vehicle based on the reference stock amount set for each product or each product material by each vending machine by the product material provider and the stock amount detected by the vending machine Therefore, the inside of the vending machine is not necessarily filled up, and in principle, commodities or commodities are replenished up to a reference stock amount. Further, the reference stock amount is based on at least the past replenishment amount and the time interval of the replenishment operation,
It is determined. Therefore, it is possible to prevent products and product materials from being stored in the vending machine for a long period of time, so that quality deterioration due to long-term storage can be reliably prevented, and relatively new products can be provided to buyers. And for merchants, there is an advantage that costs can be recovered early. Also,
Set the standard stock amount at the product or product material provider, and
Refer to the inventory amount detected by the vending machine
Provision of merchandise or merchandise materials since the required replenishment amount is determined
Original sales strategy, seasonal changes in purchase trends, etc.
Appropriately reflect on the standard stock amount and the required replenishment amount
Can be.

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Shigeru Saito 1-13-3 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi NHK Nagoya Broadcasting Center Building 20F Inside Toyota System International Co., Ltd. 13-3 NHK Nagoya Broadcasting Center Building 20F Inside Toyota System International Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A reference inventory amount, which is an inventory amount to be kept in a vending machine immediately after a replenishment operation of a commodity or a commodity material, is made at least for each commodity or commodity material handled by the vending machine. A setting step based on a past replenishment amount and an interval of a replenishment operation execution time; a step of detecting a stock amount for each product or product material in the vending machine; and obtaining a shortage of the stock amount with respect to the reference stock amount. Determining the required replenishment amount of the commodity or the commodity material. 2. Provided at the provider of goods or goods materials,
The reference stock amount, which is the amount of stock that should exist in the vending machine immediately after the replenishment of goods or product materials, is calculated for each vending machine and for each product or product material handled by the vending machine, A first device that is set prior to the replenishment operation based on at least a past replenishment amount and an interval of the replenishment operation, and a product or a product provided for each vending machine and handled by the vending machine A second device that detects the current stock amount of the material for each product or each product material prior to the replenishment operation, and a vehicle that transports the product or the product material and circulates, and is mounted on the first device. By comparing the set reference stock amount with the stock amount detected by the second device, the necessary replenishment amount of goods or merchandise materials can be determined for each vending machine on the route that the vehicle should patrol. And its vending machines Necessary replenishing amount determination system characterized in that it comprises for each handling as every product has or product material, and a third device for determining, a. 3. The required replenishment amount determination system according to claim 2, wherein the third device has means for wirelessly transmitting a command relating to detection and transmission of an inventory amount to the second device, and Means for wirelessly transmitting a result of the detection to the third apparatus in response to the command;
Wherein the apparatus further comprises means for wirelessly receiving a detection result of the stock amount from the second device to compare with the reference stock amount. 4. The required replenishment amount determination system according to claim 3, wherein the third device is displayed with a member for displaying a position or a list of vending machines on the route on a screen thereof. A member operated by a user to specify one of the vending machines, a unit for setting the second device provided in the vending machine specified by the operation as a transmission destination of the command, A required replenishment amount determination system characterized by having: 5. The required replenishment amount determination system according to claim 3, wherein the third device determines that the vehicle to be mounted has approached any of the vending machines on the route within a predetermined distance. A required replenishment amount determining system comprising: means for detecting; and means for setting the second device provided in the vending machine as a transmission destination of the command. 6. The required replenishment amount determination system according to claim 2, wherein the first device has a means for wirelessly transmitting the route and the set reference stock amount to the third device, and The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for wirelessly transmitting the determined required replenishment amount or the actual replenishment amount to the first device immediately before or after the replenishment operation. 7. The required replenishment amount determination system according to claim 2, wherein the second device is configured to reduce a stock amount of one of the commodities or commodities handled by the corresponding vending machine to a predetermined lower limit. A system for determining a required replenishment amount, comprising: a means for wirelessly notifying the first device when the following occurs.