KR100993833B1 - Automatic vending machine for selling restriction and discount handling and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

By restricting the amount of goods and the amount of sale for each user, it prevents adolescents and children from drinking too much of certain products (e.g., carbonated drinks), and allows vending machines to carry out events (e.g., discounts, product information). A sales restriction and discount processing apparatus and method are disclosed in a vending machine.

In the disclosed vending machine, the sale restriction and discount processing device communicates with a server remotely through a communication network to receive event information and user information, and transmits the user's change information according to the use of the vending machine to the server. A communication unit; A card reader which reads a card provided by the user, changes the price information according to the used amount, and writes it on the card; A control unit controlling registration of event information and user information transmitted through the communication unit, and extracting usage restriction information included in the user information to limit product sales; And a user information registration unit connected to the control unit to register the user information in a storage device.

Vending Machines, Sales Restrictions, Discount Processing, Events, Carbonated Drinks

Description

Automatic vending machine for selling restriction and discount handling and method

The present invention relates to a vending machine, and more particularly, to limit the amount of goods sold and the amount of money for each user, to prevent adolescents and children from drinking too much of a certain product (eg, carbonated beverages), and even from vending machines. For example, the present invention relates to a sale restriction and a discount processing device and a method in a vending machine that enables an event.

In general, a vending machine that sells canned beverages, coffee, etc., when a user (consumer) selects a desired product after inputting a certain amount of money or more, the product and change are discharged.

That is, a coin inlet on the front of the main body of the vending machine, a selection button which is installed at a predetermined position of the main body and selects a desired product, and a product ejection outlet installed below the main body so that the product selected by the selection button is taken out. It consists of a coin return slot that is set up to return the difference between the price of the coin and the commodity taken out.

The vending machine configured as described above turns on the product selection unit when the user inputs more than a predetermined amount of money into the coin input port, and when the user presses a selection button of the desired product, the product is ejected through the product outlet. Drain the difference through the coin return.

However, such a general vending machine does not limit users to randomly use carbonated beverages, which are not good for growing children, because the products are discharged only according to the input amount without distinguishing users.

In particular, parents want children to drink carbonated drinks properly, but the vending machine will not be able to perform such restrictive actions.

In addition, the general vending machine can only sell the product according to the input amount, there is also the simplicity that can not carry out the event events (for example, discounts, sweepstakes) that the company proceeds.

The present invention is proposed to solve the simplicity of the general vending machine as described above,

The problem to be solved by the present invention, the sale restriction and discount processing apparatus in the vending machine to limit the sale of goods and the amount of money for each user to prevent adolescents or children from drinking too much of a certain product (for example, carbonated drinks) To provide a way.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for processing sales and discounts in a vending machine in which an event (for example, a discount, an event product guide) can be exercised in a vending machine.

According to the present invention for solving the above problems "sales restrictions and discount processing apparatus in the vending machine",

A communication unit configured to communicate with a server remotely through a communication network to receive event information and user information, and to transmit change information of the user according to the use of the vending machine to the server;

A card reader which reads a card provided by the user, changes the price information according to the used amount, and writes it on the card;

A control unit controlling registration of event information and user information transmitted through the communication unit, and extracting usage restriction information included in the user information to limit product sales; And

It is connected to the control unit, and includes a user information registration unit for registering the user information in the storage device.

In the "sale limit and discount processing apparatus in the vending machine",

The control unit may further include a function of storing event information provided from a server through the communication unit in the storage device and guiding discount information if a product selected by a user is an event product.

The "sale limit and discount processing device in the vending machine",

The storage device stores user information and event product information, and stores information on the selected product.

A discount information guide unit for guiding discount information on an event product under the control of the controller;

The display unit may further include a display unit configured to display sale information on a screen in the case of discount information or sale restriction product on the event product under the control of the controller.

In addition, "sales restrictions and discount processing method in the vending machine" according to the present invention for solving the above problems,

A first step of storing and registering the user information in a storage device when a user information registration is requested from a remote server;

A second step of performing user authentication through the registered user information when the card information is read, and extracting information on the selected product from the storage device when the product is selected by the user;

A third step of comparing whether the extracted selected product information and the use restriction information included in the user information to determine whether the product is available for sale;

A fourth step of guiding information not available for sale if the product cannot be sold as a result of the determination, and confirming whether the product is an event applicable product if the product is available for sale;

If the check result is not an event-applied product, the selected product is sent out and the usage restriction information is changed.If the check result is an event-applied product, the discount information is guided, and the fifth step of changing the usage restriction information after the selected product is released. Include.

In the above, the use restriction information is information for limiting the use amount of a product such as a carbonated beverage, the information on the selected product is characterized in that the information is classified by analyzing the bar code information attached to the product.

In addition, "the sales restrictions and discount processing method in the vending machine" according to the present invention,

And a sixth step of changing the usage restriction information of the fifth step and transmitting the changed usage restriction information to the remote server through the communication.

According to the present invention, it is possible to limit the sale products and the amount of money for each user, there is an advantage that can prevent adolescents and children from drinking a certain product (for example, carbonated drinks).

In addition, an event (for example, a discount, an event product guide) can be exercised in the vending machine, thereby improving the function of the vending machine.

Hereinafter, described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. In the present invention, the user means a consumer who uses a vending machine.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sales restriction and discount processing apparatus in the vending machine according to the present invention, the display unit 110, product selection unit 120, product discharge unit 130, control unit 140, money mechanism 150, a storage device 160, a user information registration unit 170, a discount information guide unit 180, a card reader 190, and a communication unit 200.

Under the control of the controller 140, the display unit 110 performs a function of displaying non-saleable information on a screen in the case of discount information or limited sale product for an event product, and is preferably implemented by a liquid crystal display (LCD). Do.

The product selection unit 120 includes a plurality of product selection buttons, and functions to provide a control unit 140 with a product selection signal corresponding to a button operated by a user, and the product discharge unit 130 supplies the selected product. Perform the function of dispensing.

The controller 140 controls the registration of the event information and the user information transmitted through the communication unit 200, extracts the usage restriction information included in the user information, and restricts the sale of the product, and through the communication unit 200. Stores the event information provided from the server in the storage device 160, and if the product selected by the user is an event product, it controls to guide the discount information. The controller 140 may be implemented as a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a central processing unit, a controller, or the like.

The monetary mechanism 150 detects the input of coins, and the storage device 160 stores user information and event product information, and stores information on selected products. Digital storage device, such as (EEPROM).

The user information registration unit 140 is connected to the control unit 140 to perform the function of registering the user information in the storage device 160, and the discount information guide unit 180 is controlled by the control unit 140. Therefore, it performs a function to guide the discount information on the event product.

The card reader 190 reads the card provided by the user, changes the amount information according to the used amount, and writes the recorded information on the card. The communication unit 200 communicates with a server remotely through a communication network. And receiving event information and user information, and transmitting the user's change information according to the use of the vending machine to the server.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing sales restrictions and discounts in a vending machine according to the present invention. When a user information registration is requested through communication from a remote server, the user information is stored and registered in a storage device. Steps S101 to S103; A second step (S105 to S113) of performing user authentication through the registered user information when the card information is read, and extracting information on the selected product from the storage device when the product is selected by the user; A third step (S115 to S117) of comparing the extracted selected product information and the use restriction information included in the user information to determine whether the product can be sold; A fourth step (S119 to S123) of guiding information not available for sale if the product is not available for sale as a result of the determination and confirming whether the event is a product applicable to the saleable product; If the check result is not an event-applied product, the selected product is sent out and the usage restriction information is changed. If the check result is an event-applied product, the discount information is guided. S125 to S129); After changing the usage restriction information, a sixth step (S131) of accessing the remote server through the communication and transmitting the changed usage restriction information is performed.

Referring to the operation of the "limiting sale and discount processing device and method in the vending machine" according to the present invention as described above are as follows.

In the present invention, after inserting a coin and selecting a product, the operation of discharging the product and the change change is the same as the operation of a general vending machine, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

First, assume that a particular user is a child, and that parent can assume that the child can use it in the vending machine (assuming that it is an RFID card, which can be used as a student ID, or a credit or transportation card) Register with the server and get a card. Here, card issuance can be issued in the same way as a normal card issuance, there is a method of accessing the server from a remote online and receiving a card by visiting a company that operates the server directly on the offline.

When the card is issued, the server requests registration of user information to all vending machines through a communication network (S101), and the communication unit 200 provided in each vending machine receives the user information transmitted from the server to the controller 140. To pass.

The user information registration unit 170 is connected to the control unit 140 and registers user information by storing user registration information transmitted from the server in the storage device 160 (S103). Here, the user information includes general information such as a card unique number and usage restriction information. The use restriction information is information for limiting the use amount of a product such as a carbonated beverage, and when a parent initially issues a card, a certain amount of money is registered as the use restriction information with respect to the total amount. For example, when a parent issues a card that can be used at a vending machine to a child, if the total amount (this is the charge amount, can be charged as needed) is 10,000 won, the amount of the use of the product, such as a soda, can be used. This information is limited to 2,000 won.

When the user puts the user information in the registered position of the vending machine in order to use the card (although it may be used in a non-contact manner, it will be described as a contact method for convenience), the card reader 190 will display the card. The recorded information is read and transmitted to the control unit 140 (S105).

When the card information is read, the controller 140 compares the user information registered in the storage device 160 with the card information to confirm whether the user is a registered user, and performs user authentication. In this case, the storage device 160 If the user is not registered in the card, the card will be judged as a normal card use and will be processed according to the prescribed procedure. Here, the detailed description of the case of using a general card is the same as a known card use method, and thus the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

On the contrary, if the user is registered as a result of checking the card information, user authentication is performed (S107), and the product selection unit 120 guides the product selection (S109). Thereafter, when a product is selected by the user (S111), the controller 140 extracts information on the selected product that has been registered in advance in the storage device 160 (S113). Here, the information on the selected product is information that classifies the types of beverages by analyzing bar code information attached to the products, and it is preferable to register the product information corresponding to each beverage in the storage device before shipping the vending machine.

The selected product information is compared with the usage restriction information included in the registered user information (S115), and it is checked whether the product is sellable (S117). That is, if the product selected by the user is a carbonated beverage and the usage limit information assumes that the carbonated beverage amount is 2,000 won, this is a sellable product. This becomes an unsellable commodity. In this case, the usage restriction information is preferably changed according to the amount of money the user uses to purchase the carbonated beverage, and will be described later.

In the case of a product that is not for sale, the display unit 110 guides the information that is not for sale, so that the user knows why the product is not available for sale (S119). In addition, the information is not available for sale, and if the amount is sufficient, otherwise it is checked whether the event information exists for the product (S121 ~ S123). The shortage here means that the initial charge was 10,000 won, and the amount of carbonated beverages was 2,000 won, but if you spent all of 10,000 won to buy other beverages (ionized drinks, bottled water, coffee, etc.) There is not enough money to use the drink.

The event information is information for performing a discount event on a specific product or analyzing the user's use history in a server to give a discount when using some products or a card, and means discount information.

If the target of the discount is to inform the discount information (S125), and after the product is discharged, the user information, in particular, the use restriction information is changed (S127 to S129).

Here, the change of the usage restriction information is for checking the usage restriction information when the user uses the card again later, and changes the amount information of the card and records it on the card. In this case, when the discount is due to the purchase of goods, it is preferable to reduce the amount without deducting the corresponding discount amount.

Finally, the control unit 140 transmits the changed user information to the remote server through the communication unit 200 (S131). This will change the user information in all vending machines.

On the other hand, since the above method needs to store all user information in the storage device 160, a large capacity storage device may be required, which may act as a disadvantage of increasing the cost of the vending machine. Therefore, as another embodiment of the present invention, all the user information is stored only in the server, it is also possible to check the user information through the communication in real time. In this case, since a large capacity storage device is not required, the cost of the vending machine can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described specific preferred embodiments, and various modifications can be made by any person having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims. Of course, such changes will fall within the scope of the claims.

1 is a block diagram of a sale restriction and discount processing apparatus in a vending machine according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a flow chart showing a sale restriction and discount processing method in a vending machine according to the present invention.

Claims (6)

In the vending machine selling coffee and beverages, A communication unit configured to communicate with a server remotely through a communication network to receive event information and user information, and to transmit change information of the user according to the use of the vending machine to the server; A card reader which reads a card provided by the user, changes the price information according to the used amount, and writes it on the card; A control unit controlling registration of event information and user information transmitted through the communication unit, and extracting usage restriction information included in the user information to limit product sales; And And a user information registration unit connected to the control unit to register the user information in a storage device. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to store event information provided from a server through the communication unit in the storage device, and to control discount information if the product selected by the user is an event product. Sales restrictions and discount processing equipment. The storage apparatus of claim 2, wherein the storage device stores user information and event product information, and stores information on the selected product. A discount information guide unit for guiding discount information on an event product under the control of the controller; In the vending machine, the sale restriction and discount processing apparatus further comprises a display unit for displaying the sale information on the screen in the case of the discount information or the sale restriction product for the event product under the control of the controller. In the sales restriction and discount processing method in the automatic vending machine that sells drinks and coffee automatically, A first step of storing and registering the user information in a storage device when a user information registration is requested from a remote server; A second step of performing user authentication through the registered user information when the card information is read, and extracting information on the selected product from the storage device when the product is selected by the user; A third step of comparing whether the extracted selected product information and the use restriction information included in the user information to determine whether the product is available for sale; A fourth step of guiding information not available for sale if the product cannot be sold as a result of the determination, and confirming whether the product is an event applicable product if the product is available for sale; If the check result is not an event-applied product, the selected product is sent out and the usage restriction information is changed.If the check result is an event-applied product, the discount information is guided, and the fifth step of changing the usage restriction information after the selected product is released. Sale restriction and discount processing method in a vending machine comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein the usage restriction information is information for limiting an amount of use of a product such as a carbonated beverage, and the information on the selected product is information for classifying a beverage type by analyzing barcode information attached to the product. How to handle sales restrictions and discounts at vending machines. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: a sixth step of changing the usage restriction information of the fifth step and transmitting the changed usage restriction information to the remote server through the communication. 6. How to deal with sales restrictions and discounts at vending machines.

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