KR20170085222A - Vending machine and method for product sales of vendign machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vending machine, wherein a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a token identification unit for recognizing a token input from a user and identifying the number of inserted tokens; A main body for storing a plurality of commodities for each type and having a plurality of buttons on one side and for outputting a commodity connected to the selected button when the user selects an activated button among the plurality of buttons; A display unit for outputting a guidance message to the user; And controlling the main body unit to activate a button of a product differentially selectable by the user according to the number of tokens identified in the token identifying unit, and when the user selects the activated button, And controlling the display unit to inform the user of an error when the user selects the disabled button, wherein the plurality of buttons of the main body unit include a random product Button.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine and a vending machine,

The present invention relates to a vending machine and a method for selling the same, and more particularly, to a vending machine related technology that identifies the number of inserted tokens and different kinds of products to be dispensed.

A vending machine is a unmanned vending machine in which tea, coffee, cans, toilet paper, cigarettes, and confectionery are stored, and a coin or a bill is inserted and then the selected item is automatically discharged. These vending machines have been continuously installed due to their ease of use and efficiency of installation and sales management.

In addition, such a vending machine is spreading its concept in a comprehensive meaning that it goes beyond the function of a traditional vending machine which sells only a simple product unattended to a service, for example, a complex vending machine handling coffee, a can, a lottery ticket, , A ramen vending machine, an egg frying machine, and a snack vending machine have been developed.

The present invention provides a vending machine having a multimedia function for outputting multimedia including video and audio through a screen provided on a front surface of a vending machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine provided with an amusement function for allowing a user to select a desired item to be displayed when a user selects a desired item.

Further, the present invention provides a compound vending machine in which a product type to be selected is changed according to the number of tokens inputted by a user, a specific number of tokens are input, and a user can enjoy a kind of game called 'mystery box' do.

A vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a token identification unit for recognizing a token input from a user and identifying the number of the input tokens; A main body for storing a plurality of commodities for each type and having a plurality of buttons on one side and for outputting a commodity connected to the selected button when the user selects an activated button among the plurality of buttons; A display unit for outputting a guidance message to the user; And controlling the main body unit to activate a button of a product differentially selectable by the user according to the number of tokens identified in the token identifying unit, and when the user selects the activated button, And controlling the display unit to inform the user of an error when the user selects the disabled button, wherein the plurality of buttons of the main body unit include a random product Button.

The control unit controls the main body unit to selectively activate a button of a product that can be discriminated by the user according to the number of tokens identified in the token identifying unit, and simultaneously outputs a message instructing the user to select the button of the activated product The display unit can be controlled.

The controller may control the display unit to output a message informing the user that the disabled button is selected when the user selects the disabled button.

The control unit may control the display unit to output a message instructing the user to select a button of the activated product when the display unit notifies the user of the error.

The controller may control the display unit to output a message explaining the random product button when the user selects the random product button among the activated buttons.

The control unit may control the main unit to activate the buttons other than the random product button and the random product button when the display unit outputs a message explaining the random product button.

A method of selling a product of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a token identification step of recognizing a token input from a user and identifying the number of the token; A first button activation step of activating a button of a product that can be discriminated by the user according to the number of tokens identified in the token identification step; When the user selects an activated button in the button activation step, a product linked with the selected button is projected; And an error notifying step of informing an error when the user selects a disabled button in the button activating step, wherein among the buttons of the activated goods in the button activating step, random goods are arbitrarily introduced Button.

The button activating step may output a message for prompting the user to select a button of the activated product while activating a button of the product that the user can select.

The error notification step may output a message informing the user that the disabled button has been selected.

In the error notification step, if the user is informed of the error, the message for guiding the user to select the button of the activated product can be output again.

And an explanation step of outputting a message explaining the random product button when the user selects the random product button among the buttons activated in the button activation step.

And a second button activation step of re-activating the buttons other than the random product button and the random product button after the description step.

The present invention provides a vending machine having a multimedia function for outputting multimedia including video and audio through a screen provided on a front surface of a vending machine, thereby exposing various messages and advertisements to a user.

In addition, the present invention provides a vending machine having an amusement function for providing a commodity of a vending machine so that when a user selects a commendable commodity, a certain commodity is discharged, thereby maximizing the attractiveness of the user.

1 is a block diagram of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of selling a product of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of selling a commodity when one token is input to a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of selling a commodity when two tokens are inserted into a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, descriptions of techniques which are well known in the technical field of the present invention and are not directly related to the present invention will be omitted. This is for the sake of clarity of the present invention without omitting the unnecessary explanation.

For the same reason, some of the components in the drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated. Also, the size of each component does not entirely reflect the actual size. In the drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Hereinafter, a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

1 is a block diagram of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vending machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a token identification unit 10, a main body unit 20, a display unit 30, and a control unit 40.

The token identification unit 10 recognizes a token input from the user. The token identification unit 10 may include a detection sensor. When a token input is recognized in the token identification unit 10, a sound representing the token input can be reproduced. In addition, the token identification unit 10 can inform the user of the token input in various ways. At this time, the token refers to a thing that a user uses to purchase an article included in the vending machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, it may mean coins other than coins that include all the coin means such as coins or banknotes, and which are offered as gifts or purchased separately.

The token identifying unit 10 identifies the number of the inserted tokens. For example, the token identification unit 10 identifies whether the number of tokens input from the user is one or more. The operation of the automatic vending machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention changes depending on the number of tokens identified in the token identification unit 10, and this will be described in detail together with the control unit 40. [

The main body 20 stores a plurality of commodities for each type. The plurality of goods includes all the goods that can be sold in the vending machine. At this time, the product may mean a cosmetic sample.

The main body 20 has a plurality of buttons on one side. The plurality of buttons are connected to each of the plurality of products.

When the user selects an activated button among the plurality of buttons, the main body unit 20 projects the goods connected to the selected button. The plurality of buttons are connected to each of the plurality of products. Therefore, when a part of the plurality of activated buttons is selected, a product connected to the activated part of the buttons is output. At this time, the portion of the main body 20 where the goods are projected is illuminated to inform the user that the goods have been projected.

At this time, among the plurality of buttons of the main body part 20, a random (commodity) commodity button in which an arbitrary commodity is randomly outputted is included. This will be described concretely with the control unit 40.

The display unit 30 outputs a guidance message to the user. The guide message may be a message that prompts a user to select a button of the activated product. For example, "Please press the activated product button." And the like may be output. Or a message indicating that the disabled button is selected. For example, "The selected item requires two tokens." And the like may be output.

The display unit 30 outputs an advertisement image. The display unit 30 may output the advertisement image when the user does not operate the automatic vending machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The control unit 40 controls the main body unit 20 to activate a button of a product that can be discriminated by the user according to the number of tokens identified in the token identifying unit 10. [ For example, if the number of tokens identified in the token identification unit 10 is 1, the user activates a button of a commodity that the user can purchase with one token. As another example, if the number of tokens identified in the token identification unit 10 is two, the user activates the button of the commodity that the user can purchase with two tokens. On the other hand, a button of a commodity that the user can purchase with two tokens may include the random commodity button. However, the number of tokens in which the random (commissioned) commodity button is activated is not limited to two, but may be less or more.

At this time, the control unit 40 controls the display unit 30 to output a message for instructing the user to select the activated product button. For example, in the display section 30, "Please press the activated commodity button." And the like may be output.

When the user selects the activated button, the control unit 40 controls the main body unit 20 so that the product connected to the selected button is ejected. For example, if the activated button is a button of a commodity that the user can purchase with one token, if the user selects the commodity, the commodity that the user can purchase with one token is output. As another example, when the activated button is a button of a product that can be purchased by the user with two tokens, when the user selects the item, a product that the user can purchase with two tokens is output. As another example, if the activated button is the random (commission) item button, when the user selects the arbitrary item, the arbitrary article is randomly output. This may mean a kind of game called 'mystery box' provided in the vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. At this time, the product that is randomly output may be all products that can be purchased by the user, or may be a separate product stored in the main body 20. Or no goods may be released. If all the goods that the user can purchase are projected, the celebration sound can be reproduced. In addition, a congratulatory message can be output to the display section 30. [

The control unit 40 may control the display unit 30 to output a message explaining the random goods button when the randomly selected item button is selected among the activated buttons. For example, in the display unit 30, "randomly selected goods may receive better goods depending on the probability, and there may be no goods. If you wish to proceed, select one randomly selected item button again, Please select another product. " And the like may be output.

When the display unit 30 outputs a message explaining the random goods item button, the control unit 40 causes the buttons other than the random goods item button and the random goods item button to be activated again Thereby controlling the main body 20.

The control unit 40 controls the display unit 30 to notify an error when the user selects the disabled button. This may mean that the control unit 40 controls the display unit 30 to output a message informing the user that the disabled button is selected. For example, in the display unit 30, "The selected item requires two tokens." And the like can be outputted.

If the display unit 30 informs the user of the error, the control unit 40 controls the display unit 30 to output a message prompting the user to select the activated product button. For example, in the display section 30, "Please press the activated commodity button." And the like can be output again.

On the other hand, when the user selects the button of the main body unit 20 without inputting the token, the control unit 40 can control the display unit 30 to output a message informing the user of the button. For example, a message such as "the corresponding commodity needs one coin" may be output to the display unit 30. [

In addition, the control unit 40 can check the quantity of the products that have been output through the main body unit 20. [ Accordingly, the control unit 40 can recognize the quantity of goods stored in the main body unit 20. [

At this time, when there is no article stored in the main body 20, the controller 40 can control the main body 20 to disable the button of the corresponding article. For example, the LED included in the corresponding product button can be turned off.

Hereinafter, a method of selling a product of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of selling a product of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the token identifying unit 10 recognizes the token input by the user and identifies the number of the input token (S101). When a token input is recognized in the token identification unit 10, a sound representing the token input can be reproduced. In addition, the token identification unit 10 can inform the user of the token input in various ways. At this time, the token identification unit 10 identifies whether the number of tokens inputted from the user is one or more. At this time, the token refers to a thing that a user uses to purchase an article included in the vending machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, it may mean all the money means such as coins or banknotes, and other things that are bought and used in money.

Thereafter, the control unit 40 activates a button of a product that can be discriminated by the user according to the number of tokens identified in step S101 (S103). For example, if the number of tokens identified in the token identification unit 10 is 1, the user activates a button of a commodity that the user can purchase with one token. As another example, if the number of tokens identified in the token identification unit 10 is two, the user activates the button of the commodity that the user can purchase with two tokens. On the other hand, a button of a commodity that the user can purchase with two tokens may include the random commodity button. However, the number of tokens in which the random (commissioned) commodity button is activated is not limited to two, but may be less or more. At this time, the control unit 40 controls the display unit 30 to output a message for instructing the user to select the activated product button. For example, in the display section 30, "Please press the activated commodity button." And the like may be output.

Thereafter, the control unit 40 determines whether the user selects the activated button in step S103 (S105).

Thereafter, when the user selects the activated button, the product connected to the selected button is ejected from the main body 20 (S107). For example, if the activated button is a button of a commodity that the user can purchase with one token, if the user selects the commodity, the commodity that the user can purchase with one token is output. As another example, when the activated button is a button of a product that can be purchased by the user with two tokens, when the user selects the item, a product that the user can purchase with two tokens is output. As another example, if the activated button is the random (commission) item button, when the user selects the arbitrary item, the arbitrary article is randomly output. At this time, the product that is randomly output may be all products that can be purchased by the user, or may be a separate product stored in the main body 20. Or no goods may be released. If all the goods that the user can purchase are projected, the celebration sound can be reproduced. In addition, a congratulatory message can be output to the display section 30. [

On the other hand, if the user selects the disabled button, the display unit 30 notifies the user of the error (S109). This may mean that the control unit 40 controls the display unit 30 to output a message informing the user that the disabled button is selected. For example, in the display unit 30, "The selected item requires two tokens." And the like can be outputted. When the display unit 30 informs the user of the error, the control unit 40 controls the display unit 30 to output a message prompting the user to select the activated product button. For example, in the display section 30, "Please press the activated commodity button." And the like can be output again.

3 and 4, a method of selling a product of a vending machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the number of tokens.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of selling a commodity when one token is input to a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the token identification unit 10 identifies one token input by the user (S201). When a token input is recognized in the token identification unit 10, a sound representing the token input can be reproduced. In addition, the token identification unit 10 can inform the user of the token input in various ways.

Thereafter, the control unit 40 activates the button of the commodity which can be purchased with one token (S203). At this time, the control unit 40 controls the display unit 30 to output a message for instructing the user to select the activated product button. For example, in the display section 30, "Please press the activated commodity button." And the like may be output.

Thereafter, the control unit 40 determines whether the user selects the activated button in step S203 (S205).

Thereafter, when the user selects the activated button, the product connected to the selected button is ejected from the main body 20 (S207). In other words, a product that can be purchased by the user with one token is output.

On the other hand, if the user selects the disabled button, the display unit 30 notifies the user of the error (S209). This may mean that the control unit 40 controls the display unit 30 to output a message informing the user that the disabled button is selected. For example, in the display unit 30, "The selected item requires two tokens." And the like can be outputted. When the display unit 30 informs the user of the error, the control unit 40 controls the display unit 30 to output a message prompting the user to select the activated product button. For example, in the display section 30, "Please press the activated commodity button." And the like can be output again.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of selling a commodity when two tokens are inserted into a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the token identification unit 10 identifies two tokens input by the user (S301). When a token input is recognized in the token identification unit 10, a sound representing the token input can be reproduced. In addition, the token identification unit 10 can inform the user of the token input in various ways.

Thereafter, the control unit 40 activates the button of the commodity that can be purchased with two tokens (S303). At this time, the control unit 40 controls the display unit 30 to output a message for instructing the user to select the activated product button. For example, in the display section 30, "Please press the activated commodity button." And the like may be output.

Thereafter, the control unit 40 determines whether the user selects the activated button in step S303 (S305).

Thereafter, the control unit 40 confirms whether the user selects a button of a commodity which can be purchased with two tokens among the activated buttons (S307).

Thereafter, when the user selects a button of a commodity which can be purchased with two tokens, the commodity connected to the selected button is discharged from the main body 20 (S309).

Meanwhile, the control unit 40 determines whether the user selects a random (repetitive) product button among the activated buttons (S311).

Thereafter, when the user selects the random (itemized) item button, a message explaining the randomized item button is displayed on the display unit 30 (S313). For example, in the display unit 30, "randomly selected goods may receive better goods depending on the probability, and there may be no goods. If you wish to proceed, select one randomly selected item button again, Please select another product. " And the like may be output. At this time, the controller 40 re-activates the buttons other than the random goods item button and the random goods item button.

Thereafter, the control unit 40 confirms whether the user again selects the random button of the activated button (S315).

Thereafter, when the user selects the random (recycled) commodity button, a random (recycled) commodity is discharged (S317). At this time, the product that is randomly output may be all products that can be purchased by the user, or may be a separate product stored in the main body 20. Or no goods may be released. If all the goods that the user can purchase are projected, the celebration sound can be reproduced. In addition, a congratulatory message can be output to the display section 30. [ However, when the user selects a button of a commodity that can be purchased with two tokens, the commodity connected to the selected button is ejected from the main body unit 20. [

On the other hand, if the user selects the disabled button, the display unit 30 notifies the user of the error (S319). This may mean that the control unit 40 controls the display unit 30 to output a message informing the user that the disabled button is selected. For example, in the display section 30, "the selected item is a token item." And the like can be outputted. When the display unit 30 informs the user of the error, the control unit 40 controls the display unit 30 to output a message prompting the user to select the activated product button. For example, in the display section 30, "Please press the activated commodity button." And the like can be output again. However, if the user again selects the deactivated button (a button of a commodity that can be purchased with one coin), a commodity that can be purchased with one coin may be ejected.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and the equivalents thereof are included in the scope of the present invention Should be interpreted.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, And is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that other modifications based on the technical idea of the present invention are possible in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein.

100: Vending machine 10: Token identification part
20: main body 30: display
40:

Claims (12)

A token identification unit for recognizing a token input from a user and identifying the number of the inserted tokens;
A main body for storing a plurality of commodities for each type and having a plurality of buttons on one side and for outputting a commodity connected to the selected button when the user selects an activated button among the plurality of buttons;
A display unit for outputting a guidance message to the user; And
The control unit controls the main body unit to activate a button of a product differentiable according to the number of tokens identified by the token identification unit, so that when the user selects the activated button, And a control unit for controlling the main unit and controlling the display unit to notify an error when the user selects a disabled button,
Wherein the plurality of buttons of the main body portion include a random goods button in which a random product is randomly output when selected. The method according to claim 1,
The control unit controls the main body unit to selectively activate a button of a product that can be discriminated by the user according to the number of tokens identified in the token identifying unit, and simultaneously outputs a message instructing the user to select the button of the activated product And controls the display unit. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit controls the display unit to output a message informing the user that the disabled button is selected when the user selects the disabled button. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the control unit controls the display unit to output a message prompting the user to select a button of the activated product when the display unit notifies the user of the error. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit controls the display unit to output a message explaining the random product button when the user selects the random product button among the activated buttons. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the control unit controls the main unit to reactivate buttons other than the random product button and the random product button when the display unit displays a message explaining the random product button. A token identification step of recognizing a token input from a user and identifying the number of the input tokens;
A first button activation step of activating a button of a product that can be discriminated by the user according to the number of tokens identified in the token identification step;
When the user selects an activated button in the button activation step, a product linked with the selected button is projected; And
And an error notification step of informing an error when the user selects the disabled button in the button activation step,
Wherein the button of the activated product in the button activation step includes a random product button in which a random product is randomly output when selected. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the step of activating the button further comprises the step of outputting a message together with a message instructing the user to select a button of the activated product while activating a button of the product that the user can select. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the error notifying step outputs a message informing the user that the disabled button has been selected. 9. The method of claim 8,
And when the error is notified to the user in the error notification step, a message for guiding the user to select the activated product button is output again. 8. The method of claim 7,
Further comprising the step of outputting a message explaining the random product button when the user selects the random product button among the buttons activated in the button activation step. 12. The method of claim 11,
Further comprising a second button activation step of re-activating buttons other than the random product button and the random product button after the description step.

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