KR100294762B1 - Vending system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: Provided is a vending system which can be remote-controlled to give a purchaser bonus points when he/or she buy a commodity and to allow him/her to buy other commodity using the given bonus points. CONSTITUTION: A controlling unit(20) sets a sale condition according to an order from a purchaser or a controlling system(29) and refers a purchaser's choice and an arranged payment. The controlling unit(20) also controls a displaying unit(25) to display information related to a sale, records a purchaser's bonus point on the payment, and orders a receipt outputting unit(26) to output a receipt with details. A payment managing unit(22) reads details written on the payment and supplies to the controlling unit(20) through a system bus(21). A key inputting unit(23) receives a purchaser's request for payment or necessary goods and sends to the controlling unit(20) through the system bus(21). A goods supplying unit(24) connected with the system bus(21) supplies goods according to a control of the controlling unit(20). A communicating unit(28) connected with the system bus(21) offers a communication interface between a vending system and the controlling system(29).

Description

Auto sales system

The present invention relates to an automatic vending system equipped with one or more card (or tag) terminals. The present invention relates to a remote control automatic sales system that provides a bonus score to a user when a user purchases a predetermined product and supports the purchase of another product using the provided bonus score.

In general, the automatic sales system is equipment for receiving and selling goods and providing goods without human intervention, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the automatic sales system includes a control unit 10 which controls to supply a selected product when cash or a card is input, a coin counter 11 that receives and counts coins or bills, and a payment means such as a credit card. A credit card terminal unit 12 for receiving a product, a key input unit 13 for selecting an item of a customer, a display unit 14 of a FND type informing whether a current sales system is sold or operating state, and a product supply unit for providing a product 15, a power supply unit 16 for supplying power to the peripheral devices, and a system bus 17 for connecting the peripheral devices. If a payment means such as cash or a card is input and a desired item is selected, the controller 10 determines whether the payment amount corresponding to the item can be settled by the payment means, and if possible, provides the goods and gives the remaining change or The entire sales process is carried out by controlling the remaining balance to be recorded on the card. The automatic sales system sells a variety of goods, and the range of use thereof is used to sell various goods and tickets, such as foodstuffs, household goods, transportation / playing facilities / cultural facilities use rights, parking tickets, gas tickets, alcoholic beverages, oils, etc. .

As such, the conventional automatic recognition system equipped with a cash recognizer or a credit card terminal performs only a simple sales function. There was a problem that is broken.

On the other hand, as prepaid cards, debit cards and company cards (e.g., electronic money) are becoming more common, customers tend to prefer the form of consumption using cards rather than cash. It is necessary to provide a convenient service, an automatic sales system for this is required.

In addition, there is a problem that a system provider or a manager has a considerable burden in terms of manpower or time for managing the failure of the automatic sales system scattered in each region, prevention of theft, and the improvement of goods.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems and to meet the needs, the user can be controlled by a remote management system, as well as a user using a vending system equipped with one or more terminals that recognize a variety of card media The present invention provides a remote control automatic sales system that provides a bonus score to a user when purchasing a product and supports the purchase of another product using the provided bonus score.

The present invention for achieving the above object is to change the sales environment in accordance with the instructions of the customer or the control system, to display the information recorded on the input payment medium to perform the sale according to the customer's choice and display the relevant information The system bus connected to the control means, the system bus connected to the control means and the contents of one or more payment media processing means provided to the control means by reading the contents recorded on the payment medium and the customer's requirements are inputted to the system bus. A product supply means connected to the key input means provided to the control means and the system bus to provide a corresponding product under the control of the control means, and connected to the system bus to sell information and a customer according to the control of the control means. Display means for displaying management information and the system A plurality of vending machines including a communication means connected to the control system and a communication means for providing a communication interface between the control means and the control system, and the plurality of vending machines connected to a wired or wireless communication network for sales data, sales management and system operation. In the automatic sales system consisting of a control system that is controlled remotely, in the case of providing additional services by accumulating the customer's bonus score according to the sales performance through the cooperation of a plurality of vendors and payment media issuer, the control means is a bonus of the customer Control to record a score on the payment medium; The one or more payment medium processing means is provided with the bonus score and characterized in that recorded on the payment medium.

1 is a block diagram of a conventional automatic vending system.

2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a remote control vending system according to the present invention.

3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a remote control vending system according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

20, 30: control unit 21, 31: system bus

22: payment medium processing unit 23, 36: key input unit

24, 40: product supply part 25, 38: display part

26, 39: receipt output unit 27, 41: power supply unit

28, 42: communication unit 29, 44: control system

32: coin counter 33: M / S terminal

34: IC terminal unit 35: RF terminal unit

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a remote control vending system according to the present invention. The vending system includes a control unit 20, a payment medium processing unit 22, a key input unit 23, a product supply unit 24, and a display unit. 25, a receipt output unit 26 and a power supply unit 27. The automatic sales system, which is managed and controlled by a remote control system 29, further includes a communication unit 28 for connecting to the control system via a public telephone network (PSTN), the Internet network or a dedicated line network. Such a sales system can also query the Internet information, especially through the Internet network.

Each of the above components is connected by the system bus 21 and is provided with system setting values for the sale of the customer or the control system and performs each function under the control of the controller 20. The system setpoints are changeable elements, such as article type (name), article price, and the like.

The control unit 20 changes and sets the sales environment according to the instruction of the customer or the control system 29, and inquires the contents recorded in the payment medium selected and input by the customer. If the customer is a legitimate customer based on the result of the inquiry, control is performed to display the related information on the display unit 25 by performing the sale, control to record the customer's bonus score according to the sales history on the payment medium (card or tag), and receive a receipt. The output unit 26 is controlled to issue the details as a receipt. Here, the control unit is allocated an area for temporarily storing various pieces of information including a bonus score of the customer.

If the inquiry result is not a legitimate customer (bad card, less than the minimum balance, less than the minimum credit limit), the display service 25 displays a message of no service available for sale and controls the card to be returned.

The payment medium processing unit 22 reads the contents recorded in the payment medium and provides them to the control unit 20 through the system bus 21. The customer bonus score is received and accumulated in the payment medium. Payment media may use cards (or tags), such as so-called electronic money, such as credit cards, prepaid cards, debit cards or company cards. As the information recording medium of the payment medium, magnetic stripe (MS), chip (IC), radio frequency (RF) and the like can be used. In this case, the implementation of the payment medium processing unit 22 may vary depending on the recording medium. That is, a recognition unit and a recording unit for processing an MS card or an MS tag are provided, a recognition unit and a recording unit for processing an IC card or an IC tag are provided, and a recognition unit and a recording unit for processing an RF card or an RF tag. Each may be provided. In addition, only some of the MS card / tag, IC card / tag, and RF card / tag may be selectively provided according to the system optional.

The key input unit 23 receives a request such as a type of payment medium used by a customer, a desired product, etc., and provides the key input unit 23 to the control unit 20 through the system bus 21. You can also add the option to accumulate customer bonus scores through the payment media used.

The product supply unit 24 is connected to the system bus 21 and provides the product requested by the customer under the control of the control unit 20.

The display unit 25 is connected to the system bus 21 and displays sales information and customer management information under the control of the control unit 20. The display unit 25 may be, for example, a liquid crystal screen, a CRT monitor, or a plasma display device that provides corresponding information in text and graphics, and may be implemented as a low-cost LED or FND. In addition, the display unit 25 may be implemented as a touch screen. The touch screen not only displays information by the control unit 20 but also transmits a customer's intention to the control unit 20 by touching a specific part of the screen. For example, it may be a touch screen having a function. This will allow the customer to enter the bonus score on the touch screen.

The receipt output unit 26 is connected to the system bus 21 and issues sales information and customer management information as a receipt under the control of the control unit 20.

The communication unit 28 is connected to the system bus 21 to provide a communication interface between the vending system and the control system 29, and may be implemented as a conventional modem, LAN card, serial interface, or the like. The communication unit 28 connects the automatic sales system and the control system, for example, via a wired or wireless communication network such as a public telephone network (PSTN), the Internet network, or a private line network. When the communication unit is connected to the Internet network, it is possible to provide various services to customers by receiving the Internet information service and displaying it on the display unit 25 in text or graphics.

The control system 29 collects various sales processing information of the automatic sales system through the communication unit 28, and is responsible for the control of the management of the automatic sales system. For example, the control system 29 includes a change management function such as a sale item or a price, a monitoring management function such as inventory of a sale item, a failure monitoring management function of an automatic sales system, a sale price monitoring and collection management function, and various payment media. Perform sales data collection and management according to the use of In addition, by performing a bonus score management function of the customer according to the sale, it can be controlled to provide an additional service according to the bonus score or to display the score on the display unit 25. In addition, it is possible to control to display a variety of information for customer management, company advertisements and the like on the display unit 25.

In addition, voice information processing means for transmitting a guide broadcast under the control of the control unit or the control system may be added.

3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a remote control vending system according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the control unit 30, the system bus 31, the coin counter 32, the M / S terminal 33, the IC terminal 34, the RF terminal 35, the key input unit 36 And a voice information processing unit 37, a display unit 38, a receipt output unit 39, a product supply unit 40, a power supply unit 41 and a communication unit 42. 3 is similar to the configuration of FIG. 2 compared with the embodiment of FIG. 2, but instead of the payment medium processing unit 22 of FIG. 2, the coin counter 32, the M / S terminal 33, and the IC terminal ( 34) The RF terminal unit 35 is adopted, and the difference is that the voice information processing unit 37, which is not configured in FIG. 2, is additionally provided. Each component of FIG. 3 may perform the function described with reference to FIG. 2 and will not be described repeatedly, and only the prominent differences will be described.

Referring to FIG. 3, the coin counting unit 32 recognizes cash such as coins or banknotes and transfers the recognized amount to the controller 30 through the system bus. The M / S terminal unit 33 reads the magnetic recording medium of the inserted M / S card or M / S tag and transmits the information (customer identifier, usable solution, issuer) to the controller 30 through the system bus. . Similarly, the IC terminal unit 34 and the RF terminal unit 35 read respective recording media and transmit the information to the control unit 30, respectively.

The control unit 30 obtains the read information about the payment means through the system bus, and then determines and temporarily records the payment means and credit limit (or prepaid amount) currently used by the customer according to the read information. Subsequently, the customer request information input through the key input unit 36 is received, the recorded credit limit is inquired, and the peripheral devices are controlled according to the result.

In the case of a customer who has the ability to pay according to the inquiry result, the corresponding product is provided through the product supply unit 40, and the guidance broadcast is transmitted to the customer through the voice information processing unit 37 and displayed on the display unit 38. . Then, the card is returned, and the receipt is issued through the receipt output unit.

If the customer does not have the ability to pay according to the result of the inquiry, the voice information processing unit 37 guides and broadcasts that the service cannot be provided because the desired item price exceeds the input cash or card balance or credit limit. It is displayed on the display part 38.

On the other hand, the communication unit 42 is connected to the remote control system 44 via a wired or wireless network 43, the product sales information or system usage provided by the connected control system 44 or various for customers The service information may be guided and broadcast through the voice information processing unit 37. In addition, various types of information provided by the control system 44 may be displayed through the display unit 38 in text or graphics.

The control system further performs management functions such as broadcasting and changing voice information in addition to the functions described in the description of FIG.

As another embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium (eg, nonvolatile memory, RF module, IC module, etc.) for storing and storing various data such as sales data, customer bonus score management data, etc. may be additionally provided in the automatic sales system. Can be. The storage medium may also store its own operation information of the sales system. In this way, the storage medium can be separated and transported, thereby providing convenience for the operator to collect data using the storage medium.

As described in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sales system is provided with a separate device for the recording medium of the payment means, so as to process various kinds of payment means (cards or tags). In addition, the customer's bonus score for the sale of the goods may be recorded on the recording medium of the payment means, and the bonus score may be used to provide the sales service of the sales system. This bonus score can be transmitted to the control system through the communication network if necessary, and it is natural that other points of sale within the area managed by the control system can purchase goods using the bonus score. In this way, the bonus score recorded on the customer card or tag can be operated by the operator of the automatic sales system and other distributors (discount stores, department stores), etc., so that the bonus score can be mutually used / exchanged by the contract. And sales promotion.

As described above, the present invention enables the control system to manage and control a plurality of automatic sales systems installed in each region by using a telecommunication network, thereby reducing the cost burden on manpower or time.

In addition, the present invention provides an automatic sales system having a payment media processing unit such as a card or a tag using various recording media, thereby preventing sales interruption due to lack of change when using cash, and further expanding the convenience of customers. Can be.

In addition, the present invention can be operated in conjunction with other companies by operating as a new payment medium means using the customer bonus score system, thereby increasing the customer's convenience and can maximize the sales promotion effect in goods sales.

Claims (17)

Control means for controlling the display environment and changing the sales environment according to the instructions of the customer or the control system to display the relevant information while conducting sales according to the customer's selection by querying the contents recorded in the input payment medium and the system connected with the control means. One or more payment media processing means for reading the contents recorded in the bus and the payment medium and providing them to the control means through the system bus, and a key input for receiving the customer's requirements and providing them to the control means through the system bus Display means connected to the means and the system bus to provide a corresponding product under the control of the control means, and display means connected to the system bus to display the sales information and the customer management information under the control of the control means. The control means and the Automated system consisting of a plurality of vending machines including a communication means for providing a communication interface between the control systems and a control system connected to the plurality of vending machines with a wired or wireless communication network to remotely control sales data, sales management and system operation. In the sales system, when the customer's bonus scores are accumulated according to the sales result through affiliation of a plurality of sellers and payment carriers, and the additional service corresponding to the bonus scores is provided, the control means stores the bonus scores of the customers. Control to write to the payment medium; And said at least one payment medium processing means receives the bonus score and records it on a payment medium. 2. The automatic vending system according to claim 1, wherein said payment medium processing means uses a magnetic strip (MS) as a recording medium. 3. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein said payment medium processing means uses an IC chip as a recording medium. 4. The automatic vending system according to claim 3, wherein said payment medium processing means uses a radio frequency (RF) chip as a recording medium. The automatic vending system according to claim 1, wherein the display means is implemented by a liquid crystal element for displaying a character or a graphic. 2. The vending system according to claim 1, wherein the display means is implemented by a FND or a dot light emitting diode. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display means is implemented as a touch input attached liquid crystal element; The automatic sales system, characterized by transferring the selection information by the contact of the customer to the control means. The automatic sales system according to claim 1, further comprising a receipt output means connected to the system bus for outputting sales information and customer management information to a receipt under control of the control means. The automatic sales system according to claim 1, further comprising a coin counter which reads the inserted banknote or cash and provides the read information to the control means via the system bus. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein voice information processing means for receiving the voice information of the control unit and / or the control system through the communication means and guide broadcasting is added. The automatic vending system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the automatic vending system provides Internet information by connecting to an internet communication network. Change the sales environment according to the instructions of the customer or the control system, control to perform the sales by searching the contents recorded in the inputted payment balance, and manage the customer information, sales data and operation information of the system itself according to the sales performance. A control means for controlling, a system bus connected to the control means, storage means for receiving the customer information, sales data, and operation information through the system bus and temporarily storing the information; At least one payment medium processing means for recording the customer information and a communication means connected to the system bus to provide a communication interface between the control means and the control system, while providing the control means to the control means. Key input means to be input and the number of product supply to provide the product And a vending machine including a display means for displaying sales information and a control system for remotely controlling sales data and sales management through the vending machine and the communication network, wherein the storage means is detachable. Automatic sales system, characterized in that to collect the recorded data collected by. 13. The automatic sales system according to claim 12, wherein said payment medium processing means uses a magnetic strip (MS) as a recording medium. The automatic sales system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said payment medium processing means uses an IC chip as a recording medium. 15. The automatic vending system according to claim 14, wherein said payment medium processing means uses a radio frequency (RF) chip as a recording medium. 16. The vending machine according to claim 12 or 15, wherein said payment medium processing means uses a radio frequency (RF) chip as a recording medium. 13. The vending machine according to claim 12, wherein voice information processing means is provided for guiding and receiving voice information of the controller and / or the control system through the communication means.