JPS62272387A - Currency/gift card combination type vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] 3. Detailed Description of the Invention [Object of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a product vending machine that can be used with coins and gift cards, This invention relates to a control device that allows products such as cigarettes to be sold or exchanged using cards.

(Prior Art) Generally, product vending machines and the like employ a method of selling products using coins and banknotes.

In addition, gift cards that can be exchanged for products as gifts have become popular in recent years, and these gift cards can be exchanged for products at stores or sales floors. This was inconvenient for users as they could not be exchanged.

Therefore, there is a demand for the development of a vending machine that can be exchanged using a gift card without using currency, whereas the vending machine has conventionally been available only with specific currencies.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) Therefore, as a vending machine that allows you to exchange products with a gift card, if the use is limited to one gift card, it is necessary to insert each gift card one by one. This requires an operation to exchange the gift card, which is inconvenient for the user and reduces the usability of the gift card. Therefore, by developing a vending machine that can use a plurality of gift cards in one exchange operation, it is possible to promote the use of gift cards. However, even in vending machines where multiple gift cards can be used, there is no problem if the price of the inserted multiple gift cards matches the price of the product being exchanged, but if the price of one or more gift cards is If you cancel the exchange for the product while there is still money left, returning the change in cash is problematic due to the nature of gift cards that cannot be exchanged for cash. It is preferable to return the remaining amount as change in the return operation, but if you return the gift card, the gift card will not be used, and there will be a problem that it will be difficult for those who use the vending machine to use the gift card. Ta.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and when a gift card inserted in exchange for a product is returned, if the value of the gift card exceeds the price of one gift card, the gift card will be returned. In the following cases, the remaining amount of the inserted money will be returned and the value of the gift card will not be refunded, but we will promote sales by encouraging you to insert additional money as much as possible, and collect as much gift cards as possible. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a product vending machine that can use both coins and gift cards to reduce the shortage of change.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for solving the problem) The coin and gift card combined product vending machine of the present invention has the following features:
a reading means for reading the price value of a gift card inserted for product exchange; and a reading means for storing the monetary value of the money inserted into the pool for purchasing the product, and inputting the price value of the gift card read by the reading means as the monetary value. A storage means for storing each of the loan amount value and the gift card price value, a temporary holding means for sequentially temporarily holding the gift cards read by the reading means, and an instruction to return the inserted money and the inserted gift card. and a temporary holding means, if the value of the gift card stored in the storage means is greater than or equal to the price of the inserted gift card due to the return instruction by the return instruction means. and a control means for returning the gift card held in the storage means and returning the monetary value of the money stored in the storage means in money if the value is less than the price of the gift card. It is something.

(Function) The coin and gift card combined product vending machine of the present invention has the following features:
The price value of the gift card inserted for product exchange is read by the reading means, and when money is inserted to purchase the product, the price value of the inserted money and the value of the gift card read by the reading means are The price value is stored as a monetary value in the storage means. The gift cards read by the reading means are sequentially temporarily held by the temporary holding means, and the return instruction of the return instruction means instructs the return of the inserted money and the inserted gift card. If the value of the gift card stored in the storage means is greater than or equal to the value of the inserted gift card, the gift card held by the temporary holding means is returned and the gift card is returned. If the value is less than the price value, the amount of money stored in the storage means is returned in money, and especially when money and gift cards are used together, it is possible to return multiple gift cards. If the remaining price is greater than or equal to the gift card price, the gift card and the inserted money will be returned according to the return instruction, and if the remaining price is less than the gift card price, the inserted money will be returned. Only the remaining amount will be paid.

(Real fIIA example) The configuration of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The vending machine main body 10 shown in FIG. 1 is designed so that products can be exchanged or purchased with gift cards or currency, and in addition to products such as cigarettes, telephone cards, beer, etc.
It is possible to sell different types of products such as juices,
This vending machine main body 10 has a control means 11, and this
+Gift card reading means 12, currency identification means 13, operating means 14 controlled by or controlled by the control means 11
, money dispensing means 15, product dispensing means 16, display means 17
, storage means 18, management operation means 19, IC card recording means 20, and gift card temporary holding means 21. The gift card reading means 12 is configured to read the price value, code unique to the gift card, etc. stored magnetically in the gift card inserted by the user for product exchange. Note that if an inappropriate gift cart such as a counterfeit gift card is inserted, the gift card will of course be returned. The gift cards read by the gift card reading means 12 are sequentially stacked and temporarily held in the gift card temporary holding means 21, and are returned one by one when return is necessary. Further, the gift cards held in the gift card temporary holding means 21 are collected all at once when there is no need to return them after the sale ends.

The money identification means 13 identifies coins or banknotes inserted by the user to purchase a product, determines authenticity, denomination, etc., and outputs a denomination signal to the control means 11 if the coins or banknotes are genuine, and rejects unsuitable coins or banknotes. Returns the inserted money if it is currency. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation means 14 includes at least a group of product selection buttons 22 as product selection means for selecting products for purchase or exchange, and a return button 23 as return instruction means. If you cancel the purchase after returning the inserted money or inserting the gift card, you can operate the return instruction. The money dispensing means 15 discharges the inserted and temporarily reserved money or the money stored in the vending machine main body 10 as change. Further, the product dispensing means 16 dispenses the product selected by the product selection button 22 of the operating means 14. The display means 17 displays the amount of money inserted by the user, displays the price value stored in the gift card, or displays various guidance displays and warnings. Further, the storage means 18 is a sixth
As shown in the figure, there is a money memory (K!1K) that stores the amount of money inserted to purchase a product based on the denomination signal from the money identification means 13, and a gift card memory (K! A gift card memory (S11K) that stores price values as monetary values, and a product specification memory (S11K) that stores products that can be sold with gift cards.
This product specification memory ()iKs) is a memory (31 in ■) (HKS2) (HKS2) corresponding to, for example, cigarettes, telephone cards, beer, juice, etc.
S3) (HKS4) (HKS5), and temporarily stores the sales data of money or gift cards, and also stores the price value and stored product code of each product. It also stores 70 grams for various sales controls or data, flags, etc. necessary for various controls. The management operation means 19 is operated by the administrator of the vending machine main body 10, and is installed inside or on the back side of the vending machine main body 10, and is used to separate products for each product storage column in the product storage section of the vending machine main body 10. It is possible to memorize codes or unit prices, display the sales amount or number of units sold by product on the vending machine main body 10, and print it on a journal, various mode keys, numeric keypad display,
There are printers etc.

The IC card recording means 20 is provided in the vending machine main body 10 and is usually loaded with an IC card, and stores exchange and sales information temporarily stored in the storage means 18 in the storage section of the IC card. .

Note that the date, time, and information are stored in advance in the storage section of this IC card. This IC card has ROM, RAM, CP
The IC card has a built-in program that stores sales data in the ROM and outputs the sales data to the outside of the IC card in response to an external read command. Further, the RAM stores sales data, the IO code of the IC card, the administrator code, the store where the vending machine is installed, a code unique to the vending machine, date and time, and information. Furthermore, the C
The PU executes various calculation controls on the IC card according to programs in the ROM. Furthermore, this IC card is
It has terminals for inputting and outputting various data to the card, and power may be supplied from the vending machine main body 10 side or the IC card payment device side, and the IC card itself may have a built-in battery or may be used together with the battery. You can also.

The control means 11 also operates a return button 23 of the return instruction means.
If the amount stored in the gift card memory (SHKi) of the storage means 18 is greater than or equal to the price of the inserted gift card, the gift card memory (SHKi) of the storage means 18 is returned to the gift card stored in the temporary reservation means 21. Returns only the quotient of the amount value in the gift card memory (S11K) and the price value of the gift card, and also
), the amount stored in the money memory (in H) of the storage means 18 is controlled to be returned in money, and the money stored in the storage means 18 is returned in the form of money. The product selection with the product selection button 22 as the product selection means is enabled within the range of the total value of the monetary value and the monetary value of the gift card, and the monetary value of the selected product is stored in the gift card memory (811K). The total value of the input currency amount and the gift card price value stored in the money memory (in) of the storage means 18 is subtracted preferentially from the amount value stored in the storage means 18. If there is a selection operation using the product selection button 22 of the product selection means for a product that is within the range and is stored in the storage means 18 as a product that is allowed to be sold with a gift card, the product is controlled to be available for sale.

Furthermore, this vending machine main body 10 is provided with a gift card insertion slot 24 for the operating means 14, and is also provided with a coin insertion slot 25 and a bill insertion slot 26. The currency identified by the currency identification means 1
It is determined in step 3. Further, a product display section 27 is provided above the operating means 14 in correspondence with the product selection button 22, and a receiving slot 28 for the product dispensed by the product dispensing means 1G and a coin deposit slot are provided at the bottom. A receiving opening 29 for receiving the coins dispensed by the dispensing means 15 is formed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG.

A gift card is inserted into the gift card insertion slot 24 of the vending machine main body 10. When it is determined that a gift card has been inserted into the gift card insertion slot 24 (step ■),
The inserted gift card is read by the reading means 12 for the price value, code unique to the gift card, etc. recorded on the gift card (step 2). The inserted gift card is checked for authenticity by the reading means 12 to determine the authenticity of the gift card (step (2)). If the gift card is genuine, its monetary value is stored in the gift card memory (SH) provided in the storage means 18 (step 2). If there is a gift card inserted earlier, the sum of the amount value of the gift card inserted first and read by the reading means 12 and the price value of the gift card inserted later is stored in the gift card memory. (SHK). Also, if the amount of money inserted into the money memory (11K) is stored, the gift card memory (S)
The total value of the monetary value of IIK) and the monetary value of the inserted money is stored in the total memory (TTL) (step ■). The gift card is then temporarily held by the temporary holding means 21 (step 2). Further, the display means 17 displays each monetary value and the total monetary value of the gift card memory (311K), money memory (K11K), and total memory (TTL). Note that if an inappropriate gift card is inserted, it will be returned (step ■).

Further, when money is inserted into the coin insertion slot 25 and the bill insertion slot 2G of the vending machine main body 10, the money identification means 13 determines that the money has been inserted (step ■), and the inserted money is The currency identification means 13 identifies the denomination, etc. (
Step ■), the inserted currency is the currency identification means 1
In step 3, the authenticity is checked and the authenticity of the money is determined (step [stock]). If the money is genuine, its monetary value is stored in the money memory provided in the storage means 18 (
Step ■) If there is a coin inserted earlier, the sum of the monetary value of the coin inserted first and identified by the 0-bill identification means 13 and the monetary value of the coin inserted later is the currency. Stored in memory (in IIK). Also, the price value of the gift card inserted earlier is displayed in the gift card memory (8
11) and gift card memory (31).
The sum of the price value of 1K) and the monetary value of the money memory is stored in the total memory (TTL) (step 0). The display means 11 displays each monetary value and the total monetary value of the gift card memory (311K), money memory (KH), and total memory (TTL). If an incorrect coin is inserted, it is returned (step 0). When the product selection button 22 of the product selection means of the operating means 14 is operated after inserting or inserting either a gift card or money or both, the operation of the product selection button 22 is determined (step ]), and storage means 1
It is determined whether the amount stored in the total memory (TTL) of No. 8 is higher or lower than the minimum price of the product set in the vending machine main body 10 (step 2).

Next, FIG. 4 will be explained.

Then, the control means 11 controls the total memory of the storage means 18 (
TTL) is determined to be higher than the lowest price of the product set in the vending machine body 10.
At step ■), the gift card insertion slot 24, coin insertion slot 25, and bill insertion slot 2G of the vending machine main body 10 are closed (step ■), and the control means 11 stores it in the total memory ('rTL) of the storage means 18. Determine whether the displayed amount is equal to or lower than the price of the selected product (step o
), and if the monetary value in the total memory (T1L) is equal to or higher than the price of the selected product, the control means 11 determines whether the monetary value in the gift card memory (S11K) is higher than the price of the selected product, i.e. Determine whether or not it can be sold with a gift card (step ■). Next, when it is determined that the monetary value in the gift card memory (SHK) is higher than the price of the selected product and that it can be sold as a gift card, the control means 11 further stores the product specification memory (H3) in the storage means 18.
It is determined whether or not the product is of a type that can be sold with a gift card stored in the memory card (step 0), and if it is determined that the product is a type of product that can be sold with a gift card, the product dispensing means 16 throws the selected product. Served (step @). In addition, the control means 11 determines that the price of the selected product is higher than the monetary value stored in the gift card memory (in SH) (step ■), and the monetary value in the money memory (in H) is determined to be higher than that of the selected product. If it is determined that the price is higher than the price (step 0), the selected product is dispensed by the operation of the product dispensing means 16 under the control of the control means 11 without determining whether it is of a type that can be sold with a gift card. . Furthermore, if it is determined that the selected product is a type of product that cannot be sold with a gift card (step 0), a guidance message such as "Cannot be sold. Please select again." is displayed on the display means 17 (step 0). step 0). Also, it is determined that the price of the selected product is higher than the monetary value stored in the gift card memory (SIIK) (step ■), and it is determined that the monetary value of the money memory (KIIK) is lower than the price of the selected product. (Step 0), the guidance display is performed (Step 0).

After dispensing the product, the control means 11 performs arithmetic processing, and if it is determined that the remaining amount in the gift card memory (311K) of the storage means 18 is not zero (step), the gift card memory (SIIK) is further stored in the gift card memory (SIIK). It is determined whether the monetary value is lower than the price of the selected product (step [phase]). When it is determined that the amount stored in the gift card memory (S11K) is higher than the price of the selected product, the control means 11 controls the amount stored in the gift i-card memory (S11K). An operation is performed to subtract the price of the selected product from the value (step ■).

Then, the remaining amounts of the gift card memory (SH) and the money memory (KIIK) are calculated and stored in the total memory (TTL) of the storage means 18 (step 2). Furthermore, when the amount stored in the gift card memory (StlK) is determined to be lower than the selected product price (step [phase]), all gift cards that have been temporarily held in the temporary holding unit 21 are collected. (Step 0). And storage means 1
The memory value of the gift card memo E (Sll) of 8 is cleared to zero, and the product price selected from the memory value is stored in the money memory (KIIK) and the gift card memory (SHK).
The sum with the amount value stored in is subtracted and the remaining amount is stored (in step). Then, the gift card memory (S11K) is stored in the total memory (TTL) of the storage means 18.
and the remaining amount value in the money memory (in H) is memorized (step [phase]). Also gift card memory (811K)
The amount value stored in is determined to be zero (step ■
), and the money memory (to KH) is the money memory (to KH).
The price of the selected product is subtracted from the monetary value stored in , and stored (step [phase]), and the gift card memory (
The balance value of SHK) and money memory (11K) is calculated and stored (step 2). Next, sales information such as the type of product sold or exchanged is stored in the IC card recording means 20 installed in the vending machine main body 10 (step @).
. Next, it is determined whether the monetary value recorded in the total memory (TTL) of the storage means 18 is greater than zero and lower than the price set in the vending machine body 10 (step ■).
If the amount recorded in the total memory (TTL) is greater than zero and not lower than the price set in the vending machine main body 10, it is determined whether there is a further product selection operation ( If there is a further product selection operation, it is again determined whether the stored value of the total number of items (TTL) is equal to or greater than the price of the selected product (step 2). If it is determined that there is no product selection operation (step ■), it is further determined whether or not the return button 23 of the return instruction means is operated (step [stock]). When it is determined that there is no return operation, it is determined again whether there is a selection operation (step @).

When it is determined that there is a return operation, it is determined whether the amount stored in the gift card memory (SHK) is higher than the price of the gift card (step @l
). It is also determined that the amount recorded in the total memory (TTL) is within the range of greater than zero and lower than the price set in the vending machine body 10 (step [phase]).
Then, it is determined whether the monetary amount stored in the gift card memory (S11K) is higher than the price of one gift card (in step). Then, it is determined that the amount value stored in the gift card memory (in the SH) is higher than the price value of the gift card (step @
) and the shutter of the gift card insertion slot 24 is closed (■), among the temporarily reserved gift cards, the number of gift cards equal to the quotient of the amount value in the gift card memory (in the SH) and the price value of the gift card is gifted. Card insertion slot 24
(Step [shares]). and monetary memory (
It is determined whether the monetary value stored in KllK) is greater than zero (step 0). You can also use gift card memory (
The monetary value stored in the money memory (SH) is determined to be lower than the gift card price (step [phase]), and similarly the monetary value stored in the money memory (in ■) is determined to be lower than the gift card price. It is determined whether there are many or not (step ■). Judging that the amount value in the money memory (in ■) is greater than zero (step [F
]), the remaining amount of money will be returned (step ■).

Then, it is determined whether there are any temporarily reserved gift cards (step [phase]). Then, it is determined whether or not there is a temporarily reserved gift card (step @). If it is determined that there is a gift card, the temporarily held gift card is collected (step 0). Also, when the gift card is collected (step @) or it is determined that there are no temporarily reserved gift cards (step 0), the gift card memory (in SH), the money memory (in 11K), and the total memory (TTL) are cleared. (Step ◎)

And the coin slot 25 and bill slot 26 were closed.
The sales operation ends when the gift card insertion slot 24 is released (step O).

Further, referring to FIG. 5, the control means 11 determines that the monetary value stored in the total memory (TTL) of the storage means 18 is higher than the price of the selected product (
In step ■), it is further determined whether the price value stored in the total memory (TTL) is higher than the lowest price product set in the vending machine body 1G (step 0).
. and the amount 1 stored in the total memory (TTL)
When it is determined that the price of the product is lower than the lowest price set on the vending machine body 10 (step 0), the display means 17 displays, for example, "The selected product cannot be sold within the remaining price".
.

guidance is displayed (step o), and it is determined whether the return operation has been performed again (step o). Also, if the amount stored in the total memory (TTL) is determined to be higher than the lowest price item set in the vending machine body 10 (step O), the gift card memory (SH)
It is determined whether or not the amount value BM stored in the gift card memory (in step 0) is zero. If it is determined that the value stored in the gift card memory (in Since the item is not available, the remaining amount will be refunded.

A guidance display such as 1 is performed (step @).

Then, it is determined again whether the value stored in the money memory (11K) is greater than zero (step l@).

There is also the remaining amount of the gift card, and the gift card memory (
When it is determined that the monetary value stored in SH (in SH) is not zero (step @), the display means 17 will display, for example, "The remaining amount of the gift card is insufficient. Please insert money." A guidance display is performed (step O), and the shutters of the coin slot 25 and bill insertion slot 026 are released (step La). Further, when it is determined that money has been inserted (step 0), the inserted money is identified by the currency identification means 13 for its denomination, etc. (step @), and the inserted money is further recognized by the money identification means 13. The authenticity of the banknotes is checked and the authenticity of the banknotes is determined (step ■). If the money is genuine, its monetary value is summed with the monetary value of the previously inserted coin and stored in the monetary memory (K11K) provided in the storage means 18 (step 2).

Also, if the price value of the gift card inserted earlier is stored in the gift card memory (SLL), the price value in the gift card memory memory (811K) and the money memory (K
The total value of the monetary values of HK) is stored in the total memory (TTL) (step ■). Then, it is determined whether a return operation has been performed again (step 2). If it is determined that no money has been inserted (step 0), it is determined whether a return operation has been performed (step 19), and if there is a return operation, the amount value in the money memory (in K11) will be changed from zero to zero. Judge whether it is large (step [stock]) and store the money memory (
The remaining amount of money stored in the KH (step [shares]) is deposited (step [shares]), and the money is released into the change receiving slot 29. Also, this coin is thrown out (step @) or the money memory (K1
1K) is determined to be zero (Step [shares]), the gift card money (SIIK) and the money memory (
) and the total memory (Ding TL) is cleared (
Step ■), the temporarily reserved gift card is collected (step [phase]), the gift card insertion slot 24 is released (step @), and the sale ends. Furthermore, if it is determined that a predetermined period of time has elapsed without a return operation being determined (in step), the display means 17 will display, for example, [Sales will be canceled. ” is displayed (Step 0).It is also determined whether or not money is inserted within a predetermined time (Step 0).

Further, if it is determined that the product selection button 22 of the product selection means of the operation means 14 is not operated after one or both of the gift card and money is inserted or inserted (step ■), a return operation is performed. It is up to you to decide (Step ■).

If the return operation is not performed, it is determined whether the gift card has been inserted again (step ■). When the return operation is performed, it is again determined whether the amount stored in the gift card memory (Stl) is higher than the price of the gift card (step @).

In addition, it is determined that the selected product is a type of product that cannot be sold as a gift card (step I9), and the display means 17
When the guidance is displayed (step 0), it is determined whether the return operation has been performed again (step 2).

Next, in order to settle the price of the gift card sold at the vending machine main body 10, the IC card recording means 20 takes out the IC card with the sales information stored in the recording section, and transfers this IC card to the card issuer or bank. This is done at the checkout station H located at the store. This precision σ device reads sales information stored in the IC card and pays out 0 coins based on the sales information stored in the IC card.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, a gift card can be sold or exchanged in addition to money, and a gift card inserted in exchange for a product can be returned in exchange for more change than the price of the gift card after the product is disposed of. In this case, the gift card will be returned, and if it is less than the face value, the gift card will be returned, and if it is less than the face value, the gift card will be returned, and if the gift card is not refunded, the customer will be asked to insert as much additional money as possible to promote sales, and as much as possible, the gift card will be collected and the gift card will be collected, thereby reducing the lack of change. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the coin and gift card type product vending machine of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same vending machine, and FIGS. 3 to 5 are flow charts of the same vending machine. FIG. 6 is a memory map diagram of the storage means same as above. 11: Control means, 12: Reading means, 18: Storage means, 21: Temporary holding means, 23: Return button as return instruction means. J construction

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A reading means for reading the price value of a gift card inserted for product exchange, and a reading means for storing the amount of money inserted for purchasing the product and reading the price value of the gift card read by the reading means. a storage means for storing the inserted money amount value and the gift card price value respectively as monetary values; a temporary holding means for sequentially temporarily holding the gift cards read by the reading means; and a temporary holding means for sequentially holding the gift cards read by the reading means; If the value of the gift card stored in the storage means is greater than or equal to the price of the inserted gift card due to the return instruction by the return instruction means, the above-mentioned and control means for returning the gift card held by the temporary holding means and returning the amount of money stored in the storage means in money if the price is less than the price of the gift card. Features: A product vending machine that accepts coins and gift cards.