JP2004246608A - Vending machines and vending machine systems - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a vending machine and a vending machine system which enable price discount in a minimum currency unit and settlement in a minimum currency unit.
A vending machine (101) includes a product storage unit for storing a plurality of types of products, a product selection unit for receiving an instruction to select a product, and a product selection unit for storing a plurality of types of products. A communication unit for receiving a price table including prices, a storage unit, an electronic price indicator 102 for displaying prices in a minimum currency unit, and payment information between an external device capable of electronic payment. A settlement information exchange unit for exchanging the payment, a settlement control unit for performing settlement of the sales processing of the product in a minimum currency unit based on the price and the settlement information in the price table corresponding to the selected product, And a product discharging unit for discharging the product selected in accordance with the above.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vending machine and a vending machine system, and more particularly to a display method and a settlement method of a vending machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a first conventional example of the display of a vending machine, as an electronic display tag that replaces a display tag of a product name, a price, etc. of a vending machine, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of replacing or rewriting a display tag accompanying a price change. The following configuration of a vending machine display system that can be used as an effective advertising medium as an electronic display background image of a vending machine using a video image is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). That is, in the first conventional example, a data server that inputs and processes product data, model data of a vending machine, and shelf code data of sample shelves, and outputs an image signal based on the product / model / shelf code data to generate a shelf code A configuration including an image signal processing terminal that selects a unique channel corresponding to data and outputs an image signal using the unique channel, an electronic image display unit as an electronic display tag of a vending machine, and an electronic image display device as a background image is disclosed. Have been.
[0003]
Further, as a second conventional example, there is a vending machine in which the display position of a product can be freely changed without changing the arrangement position of the product inside the vending machine and independently of the vending machine without going to the vending machine. A display method of a machine and a configuration of a display system of a vending machine are known (for example, see Patent Document 2). That is, in the second conventional example, a vending machine is provided with an electronic display function and a communication function, is connected to a data center via a network, and distributes product display information from the data center to the vending machine via the network, thereby enabling automatic vending. A configuration is disclosed in which a machine displays a product according to the product display information.
[0004]
On the other hand, as a third conventional example, the following configuration of a general vending machine that provides financial services and content services based on various advertisements and the Internet is known as a conventional example (for example, Patent Document 3). reference). That is, in the third conventional example, in a vending machine that sells a product, a selection unit that provides a user with a menu of a product service, a financial service, and an Internet service and has the user select the menu, and an advertising unit that displays an advertisement. , Card payment means for supporting card recognition and billing, and controlling the advertising means, transmitting card payment information received from the card payment means to a transaction organization through a communication network, requesting a settlement process, and performing settlement from the transaction organization. A control means for requesting the processing and controlling to provide the service received from the selecting means after confirming the settlement processing completion signal from the trading organization is disclosed.
[0005]
As a fourth conventional example, the following configuration is known for a card payment system of a vending machine which can deposit money into a prepaid card using a mobile phone and can keep telephone charges low. (For example, see Patent Document 4). That is, the vending machine is provided with a card reader and writer, the mobile phone is connected to a settlement institution via a network, the deposit data is stored in the mobile phone, and the mobile phone and the vending machine are wirelessly connected. A configuration is disclosed in which deposit data stored in a mobile phone is transferred to a vending machine, and the deposit is written on a card by a card reader and writer in the vending machine.
[0006]
Alternatively, as a fifth conventional example, the following configuration is known for an information processing system that solves a problem related to capital investment and collects goods and services that can be widely spread and collects the price thereof (for example, And Patent Document 5). That is, in the fifth conventional example, when a user purchases an article from a vending machine, the user makes a purchase request for the article to the vending machine using a mobile phone in which an IC card is inserted, and Makes an item selection to the vending machine, the price of the item is transmitted to the mobile phone, and when the user accepts the price, the mobile phone records the unsettled information on the IC card, and Then, the selected goods are delivered, and the transaction information is transmitted to the specified bank based on the bank information read from the IC card, and the bank performs a predetermined settlement process. Is completed, transaction completion information is transmitted to the mobile phone via the telephone network and the wireless base station, and the unsettled information already recorded on the IC card is changed to the transaction completion information. That.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-242773
[0008]
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2002-42223 A
[0009]
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2002-334370 A
[0010]
[Patent Document 4]
JP 2002-150366 A
[0011]
[Patent Document 5]
JP-A-8-87655
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-mentioned conventional technology does not disclose a technique in a vending machine that focuses on settlement in a minimum currency unit, change in price display in a minimum currency unit, and a discount service using the same. The minimum currency unit is, for example, one yen unit.
[0013]
Most of the conventional vending machines were settled in cash, so it was only possible to set prices in units larger than the minimum currency unit due to restrictions on return of change, storage of cash, mechanisms required to handle cash, costs, etc. Did not. For example, the price is set in units of 10 yen.
[0014]
Further, in the conventional vending machine, the price is not frequently changed, so that the price display is a fixed display by printing.
[0015]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an electronic money function for performing settlement by electronic data included in an external device such as an IC card, and a price display in a minimum currency unit by displaying a price in a minimum currency unit. To provide a vending machine and a vending machine system capable of discount and settlement.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A vending machine according to an aspect of the present invention includes a product storage unit for storing a plurality of types of products, a product selection unit for receiving a user's instruction to select a product, and a plurality of types of products. Communication means for receiving a price table including the price of the product; storage means for storing the price table; price display means for displaying the price in a minimum currency unit based on the price table; Payment information transfer means for transmitting and receiving payment information to and from an external device capable of performing accurate payment, and minimizing product sales processing based on prices and payment information in a price table corresponding to the selected product. The system includes a settlement control unit for performing settlement in a unit of currency and a commodity discharging unit for discharging a selected commodity in accordance with the settlement.
[0017]
Preferably, based on the update information received by the communication means, a table update control means for updating the price table stored in the storage means, and a price display of the price display means is updated based on the updated price table. Display update control means for performing the operation.
[0018]
Preferably, the table update control means updates the price of the selectively specified product in the price table based on the update information.
[0019]
Preferably, there is further provided a cash settlement means for settling a sales process of a product in a set currency unit set in advance according to cash input from the outside, and the set currency unit is a face value of a currency in circulation. And the payment control means converts the points smaller than the set currency unit of the difference between the amount of cash input and the price, and the information related to the converted points. To the external device.
[0020]
Preferably, the apparatus further includes point display means for displaying point information.
[0021]
Preferably, the display update control means updates the price display based on update date and time data having a date and time for updating the price display, received by the communication means.
[0022]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine system including a vending machine for receiving price information related to a price of a product via an external communication network, wherein the vending machine includes a plurality of vending machines. Product storage means for storing the types of products, product selection means for receiving an instruction to select a product by the user, and a product storage unit for receiving a price table including prices of the products associated with the plurality of types. (1) communication means, first storage means for storing a price table, price display means for displaying a price in a minimum currency unit based on the price table, and external equipment capable of electronic settlement And a settlement information transfer means for transferring settlement information to and from a price table in the price table corresponding to the selected product and the payment information. settlement A vending machine system for transmitting price information of the commodity to the vending machine via a communication network, the commodity vending machine including a commodity discharging means for discharging the selected commodity according to the settlement. The server further includes a second storage unit for storing the price table, and a second communication unit for transmitting the price table to the communication network.
[0023]
Preferably, the vending machine includes a table update control unit for updating the price table stored in the first storage unit based on the update information received by the first communication unit; Display update control means for updating the price display of the price display means based on the information, and the server generates update information in response to an external input.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and have the same names and functions. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.
[0025]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a vending machine system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026]
Referring to FIG. 1, in an embodiment of the present invention, a vending machine system 100 includes a vending machine 101, a communication network 200 connected to the vending machine 101, and a vending machine via the communication network 200. And a management center 300 for connecting to the management center 101. However, the communication network 200 may not be connected depending on the installation environment of the vending machine 101, so that the communication network 200 and the management center 300 may not necessarily be connected.
[0027]
The vending machine 101 includes an electronic price indicator 102 for displaying a price, an IC card insertion slot 104 for inserting an IC (Integrated Circuit) card (not shown), and a user taking out discharged products. Outlet 106, a cash slot 108 for inserting cash, and a display device 110 for displaying characters or images.
[0028]
Although not particularly limited, the display device 110 displays, for example, point information of the number of points included in the IC card.
[0029]
Here, the electronic price indicator 102 and the display device 110 are realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display device, an electroluminescence display device, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), or the like.
[0030]
The electronic price indicator 102 or the display device 110 may display the product itself as an image or the like. Alternatively, for a new product among a plurality of types of products, a display indicating that the product is a new product may be displayed.
[0031]
FIG. 2 is a control function block diagram of the vending machine system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0032]
Referring to FIG. 2, vending machine system 100 includes vending machine 101, communication network 200, and management center 300 including a server therein.
[0033]
The vending machine 101 has a product storage unit 130 for storing and storing a plurality of types of products, and a network connection with the management center 300 via a communication network 200, and includes prices of products associated with the plurality of types. A communication unit 114 for receiving a price table, etc., an electronic price display 102, a display device 110, and a product for performing storage management of the product stored in the product storage unit 130 and emission management of the product during the sales process. A management unit 124, a product selection unit 126 for receiving a product selection instruction from the user, a product discharge unit 132 for discharging the product selected in accordance with the payment, cash storage, change return and cash A cash management unit 122 including a mechanism necessary for handling cash such as a sales process by a vending machine 101; a control unit 118 for controlling the operation of the vending machine 101; IC card 112 having a function as a key card and a function as a point card, an IC card reader / writer section 120 for exchanging data of point information and payment information, and a price table and stock information of merchandise. And a storage unit 128.
[0034]
The electronic price display 102 allows the price display to be changed in the minimum currency unit (for example, one yen unit) based on the price table stored in the storage unit 128.
[0035]
Conventional vending machines have no concept or method of frequent price changes. That is, the price display is a fixed display mainly by printing. Therefore, by displaying the price by the electronic price indicator 102, for example, when the IC card is used in addition to the display of the normal price, the display is switched to a discount price, or the discount price of a specific product at a specific date and time is displayed. A plurality of types of price display, such as display switching, can be performed. Also, depending on the type of the display, it is possible to perform display for purposes other than the price.
[0036]
In addition, in some cases, even if a price change is considered, such as a price increase or a price reduction of the product itself, if the price display is a printed matter, the price change may not be completed due to factors such as the cost of the printed matter. Thus, by displaying the price using the electronic price display 102, it is possible to easily change the price.
[0037]
The communication unit 114 connects a communication port (not shown) to the communication network 200 to remotely control the price corresponding to a specific product stored in the vending machine 101 via the communication network 200. Can be changed. However, connection with the communication network 200 may not be possible due to the circumstances of the installation environment of the vending machine 101. Therefore, the communication network 200 is not necessarily required when changing the price. For example, a price change device (not shown) may be directly connected to the communication port to change the price. Alternatively, the IC card 112 including the application is stored in the storage unit 128 by inserting the IC card 112 including the price update information and the application corresponding to the selectively specified product into the IC card reader / writer unit 120. The updated price table may be updated based on the update information.
[0038]
Conventionally, as the communication network 200, a general public line such as a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) or a fixed telephone has been used because of a small amount of information such as inventory management. However, when the authentication of the IC card is considered, a high-speed line such as an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) can be used to shorten the authentication time.
[0039]
The control unit 118 is not particularly limited, but may be realized by a microprocessor or software.
[0040]
The management center 300 functions as a server that transmits update information such as a price change of a specific product to the vending machine 101. Management center 300 includes a server control unit 304 for controlling operation of management center 300 functioning as a server, and a server communication unit 302 for transmitting and receiving data to and from communication network 200.
[0041]
The server control unit 304 manages and sets the price information of the vending machine 101 via the server communication unit 302. The update information is generated in the management center 300 in response to an external input.
[0042]
Further, the server control unit 304 may receive information such as sales management and inventory management from the vending machine 101 via the server communication unit 302.
[0043]
The format for exchanging data between the IC card 112 and the IC card reader / writer unit 120 is not limited to the contact type. For example, a non-contact type such as an electromagnetic induction type or a microwave type may be used. Alternatively, wireless communication such as IrDA (Infra-red Data Association) or Bluetooth (R) is performed between the IC card 112 or the portable terminal into which the IC card 112 is inserted and an interface included in the vending machine 101. It may be a method of performing.
[0044]
In addition, it authenticates whether the used IC card 112 is unauthorized. For the authentication of the IC card, for example, the encryption function and the authentication function of the IC card 112 are used. Digital authentication can be performed between the vending machine 101 and the IC card 112. Alternatively, digital authentication may be performed with the management center 300 including the function of a certificate authority via the communication network 200. Alternatively, digital authentication may be performed between a separately provided certificate authority and the IC card 112. The authentication method is not particularly limited, but may refer to a password or a password. Alternatively, authentication can be performed using a common key cryptosystem or a public key cryptosystem.
[0045]
The vending machine 101 according to the embodiment of the present invention enables settlement in a minimum currency unit. The settlement in the minimum currency unit is, for example, the settlement in one yen unit.
[0046]
Payment information exchanged between the IC card 112 and the vending machine 101 includes electronic data corresponding to a monetary value. The control unit 118 refers to the corresponding price in the price table according to the selected product. The control unit 118 determines whether settlement of the selected product is possible based on a comparison between the electronic data included in the IC card 112 and the referred price. If the control unit 118 determines that settlement is possible, the control unit 118 causes the product discharge unit 132 to discharge the selected product.
[0047]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a process when an IC card is used according to the embodiment of the present invention and an example of display on the electronic price indicator 102 and the display device 110 corresponding to each process.
[0048]
Here, for example, a case of discount sales by the point service will be described.
[0049]
Referring to FIG. 3, first, vending machine 101 performs normal price display (step S01).
[0050]
At this time, the control unit 118 causes the electronic price display 102 to display “120 yen” (step S02).
[0051]
Next, the user uses the IC card 112 (step S03). At this time, when using the contact type IC card, the user inserts the IC card 112 into the card insertion slot 104. Alternatively, for example, when a non-contact type IC card is used, the IC card 112 is held over a card recognition device.
[0052]
Then, the control unit 118 starts the card authentication process (step S04). At this time, the control unit 118 causes the display device 110 to display "IC card has been used" (step S05).
[0053]
Here, the display of the price by the electronic price display 102 in step S02 and the display of the text by the display device 110 in step S05 are not limited to the display by separate displays. For example, the price and text may be displayed on a large electronic display.
[0054]
Subsequently, the control unit 118 checks whether the recognized IC card 112 is a legitimate IC card (step S06). Here, the check as to whether the card is a legitimate IC card may be performed by referring to the customer information. For example, when connected to the management center 300 via the communication network 200, the processing may be performed with reference to customer data stored in the management center 300.
[0055]
If it is determined in step S06 that the IC card 112 is a fraudulent IC card, the control unit 118 starts fraudulent card processing (step S07). At this time, the fraudulent card process is a process in which a product cannot be purchased. Although not particularly limited, in the processing of the fraudulent card, for example, the control unit 118 may cause the display device 110 to display a message such as “This card cannot be used”.
[0056]
Next, the control unit 118 checks the number of points recorded on the IC card 112 (step S08). The control unit 118 refers to the point information read from the IC card 112 by the IC card reader / writer unit 120. Then, the control unit 118 reads the presence / absence of points and the number of points.
[0057]
In step S08, when there is no point recorded on the IC card 112, the control unit 118 starts the process of no point (step S09). In the processing without points, the sales processing is started at the normal price without performing the discount sales.
[0058]
If there is a point in step S09, the control unit 118 causes the display device 110 to display the point information recorded on the IC card 112 (step S10).
[0059]
At this time, the control unit 118 causes the display device 110 to display the number of points, for example, "Your points are 15 points" (step S11).
[0060]
Then, the control unit 118 confirms the use of the point with the user (step S12).
[0061]
At this time, the control unit 118 causes the display device 110 to display "Do you use points?" (Step S14).
[0062]
If the user does not use the points in step S12, the control unit 118 starts the selling process at the normal price (step S13).
[0063]
Here, the button for inputting the confirmation may be provided with a dedicated button. Alternatively, it may be used also as another button.
[0064]
On the other hand, if there is an input of point use in step S12, control unit 118 causes electronic price display 102 to display a discount price obtained by discounting an amount corresponding to the number of use points (step S15).
[0065]
The number of points used may be determined by, for example, button input by the user.
[0066]
At this time, the control unit 118 causes the electronic price indicator 102 to display, for example, "105 yen" (step S16).
[0067]
In this case, the display device 110 may display a confirmation of the number of points before the purchase, a balance of the points by the purchase, and a display of the additional points by the purchase.
[0068]
Subsequently, the control unit 118 causes the display device 110 to display a message prompting selection of a product (step S17).
[0069]
Here, the control unit 118 causes the display device 110 to display "Please select a product." (Step S18).
[0070]
The control unit 118 starts the settlement process in response to an instruction from the user to select a product to the product selection unit 126.
[0071]
Then, control unit 118 causes storage unit 128 to store the result of the settlement process. Alternatively, when the settlement processing result is connected to the management center 300 via the communication network 200, for example, the control unit 118 may store the settlement processing result in the server storage unit 306 in the management center 300.
[0072]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the change of the price display of the vending machine 101 is performed by updating the price table stored in the storage unit 128 in addition to using the points described above.
[0073]
The control unit 188 updates the price table stored in the storage unit 128 based on the update information received by the communication unit 114. Communication unit 114 receives, for example, update information transmitted from management center 300 or from a device dedicated to price setting. Control unit 118 updates the price table stored in storage unit 128 based on the received update information.
[0074]
The update information may be generated in the management center 300 by an external input. Alternatively, the update information may be generated by direct input to a dedicated pricing device.
[0075]
The update information may be update information for all products included in the price table and prices corresponding to the respective products. Alternatively, the update information may be specific product included in the price table and price update information corresponding to the specific product.
[0076]
Then, the control unit 118 causes the electronic price display 102 to update the price display based on the updated price table.
[0077]
The update information includes update date and time data for updating the price. The control unit 118 causes the electronic price display unit 102 to update the price display based on the date and time for updating the price display or the update date and time data having a period, which is received by the communication unit 114.
[0078]
By making it possible to update the price corresponding to a product at a specified date and time, for example, it is possible to set a discount service period, and during that period, provide services such as selling the product at a discounted price. it can.
[0079]
Next, the operation of the vending machine 101 at the time of service for selling daily commodities at a discount price according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0080]
Here, for example, a specific product with a normal price of 120 yen is sold at a discount of 115 yen only on a specific day. At this time, the product price setting and the display on the electronic price display 102 are changed by remote control from the management center 300. That is, for example, update information is transmitted from the management center 300 to the vending machine 101. Here, the update information relates to the update date and time data at which the discount sale is performed, the name of the specific product to be discounted, and the discount price. Then, the vending machine 101 updates the commodity price table stored in the storage unit 128 based on the update information. Then, the control unit 118 changes the display of the electronic price display 102 based on the price table on the specific day set in the update date and time data.
[0081]
Further, when not connected to the management center 300, the price and display may be changed by a dedicated device for price setting. Alternatively, a sale date of the discount price and a product to be sold at the discount price may be set in advance.
[0082]
Therefore, the control unit 118 causes the price display of the set product to be 115 yen on the set date. Therefore, when the user inserts the IC card 112 and selects the set product, the product is purchased for 115 yen. At this time, the display device 110 may display a series of information such as the balance in the IC card 112 before the purchase of the product, the payment amount, and the balance after the payment.
[0083]
By using the display device 110 as described above, various displays other than the product price can be performed. However, expression may be difficult with a small display device. Therefore, when displaying a list of contents such as point information and payment information and displaying operation guidance, a large-sized display device may be used.
[0084]
Further, when the vending machine 101 is dedicated to an IC card, it can be dealt with by converting a change of less than 10 yen as a point on the IC card 112 and storing it on the day of sale at a discount price. .
[0085]
Considering the current penetration rate of conventional vending machines, it is desirable that the vending machine 101 has a cash settlement function. Therefore, the vending machine 101 including a payment function using an IC card is generally not exclusively used for an IC card, but it is desirable that both cash and an IC card can be used.
[0086]
The vending machine 101 causes the cash management unit 122 to settle the sales process of the merchandise in units of a preset currency according to the cash input from the outside. The set currency unit corresponds to the face value of the currency in circulation. Further, the set currency unit is larger than the minimum currency unit. For example, the minimum currency unit is 1 yen unit, and the set currency unit is 10 yen unit.
[0087]
In the case of a conventional cash-only vending machine, for example, it is assumed that a 200-yen coin has been inserted in order to purchase a product set at 115 yen by the above-mentioned discount price sales service. At this time, a change of 1 yen coin or 5 yen coin cannot be returned, so that a price setting of 115 yen cannot be made.
[0088]
At this time, the control unit 118 converts points smaller than the set currency unit of the difference between the amount of cash input and the price of the selected commodity as points, and outputs information related to the converted points to the IC card 112. give. That is, 5 yen returned by using the IC card 112 together can be converted into points, and the number of points can be accumulated in the IC card 112. Then, the change can be settled by storing the change in the IC card 112.
[0089]
By converting and storing a fraction of 10 yen or less in the IC card 112 as a point, the user can purchase a product at a discount price of 115 yen.
[0090]
Here, in the embodiment of the present invention, change of less than 10 yen is converted into points and accumulated in the IC card 112, but the change of less than 10 yen is not limited to conversion into points. For example, the vending machine 101 may be dedicated to banknotes by converting changes less than 1,000 yen into points and storing the points in the IC card 112.
[0091]
In addition, when the number of points is accumulated to be equal to or more than the price of the product, the user can purchase the product only with the number of points without cash.
[0092]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of setting a price of the vending machine 101 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0093]
FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a method of setting a price when the vending machine 101 is connected to the management center 300 via the communication network 200. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a method of setting a price when a dedicated device for setting a price is connected to the vending machine 101. FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a method of setting a price when an IC card including an application for updating a price is used.
[0094]
Referring to FIG. 4A, when vending machine 101 is connected to a network, price setting can be performed remotely from management center 300 via communication network 200. At this time, the vending machine 101 can transmit sales information such as inventory and sales to the management center 300. In addition, the vending machine 101 can receive, for example, date and time data of discount sales and update information such as target products and discount prices from the management center 300.
[0095]
Referring to FIG. 4B, when the vending machine 101 is not connected to the network, a dedicated price setting device is connected to the vending machine 101, and the date and time data for discount sales, the target product, the discount Updates such as price can be made.
[0096]
Referring to FIG. 4C, a storage unit in which an application for setting a price and price update information are stored in advance in IC card insertion slot 104 of vending machine 101 and a CPU for executing the application By inserting the IC card 112 including (Central Processing Unit), the price is set via the IC card reader / writer unit 120.
[0097]
Therefore, conventionally, it has been necessary for the administrator to individually set each product, but by using these methods, the price information of each product can be set collectively by a simple operation.
[0098]
As described above, since price setting, display and settlement can be performed in minimum currency units, which was difficult in conventional vending machines, discounts can be provided to users in minimum currency units (for example, 1 yen unit). A discount sales service based on a price and a point service based on conversion of change of less than a set currency unit (for example, 10 yen unit) into points can be performed.
[0099]
Therefore, by using a function that can be settled in a minimum currency unit (for example, 1 yen unit) by an IC card, it is possible to sell at a discounted price in the minimum currency unit, and thus the user is arrested. It becomes possible. As a result, the vending machine can be differentiated.
[0100]
Further, the vending machine 101 can easily set the price of a specific product and the date and time of the change when the price display needs to be changed due to the price change by connecting to the external communication network 200. Can be.
[0101]
The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.
[0102]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, based on the price table, price display means for displaying the price in the minimum currency unit, and the price in the price table corresponding to the selected product and the electronic settlement are performed. Based on payment information exchanged with a possible external device, by providing a payment control means for performing payment in a minimum currency unit for a product sales process, price setting in a minimum currency unit, display and Payment can be made. Therefore, in a vending machine, for example, it is possible to sell a product at a discounted price per one yen.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a vending machine system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control function of the vending machine system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a process when an IC card is used in the embodiment of the present invention and an example of display on the electronic price indicator 102 and the display device 110 corresponding to each process.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of setting a price of the vending machine 101 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 100 vending machine system, 101 vending machine, 102 electronic price display, 104 IC card insertion port, 106 commodity removal port, 108 cash insertion port, 110 display device, 112 IC card, 114 communication unit, 118 control unit, 120 IC Card reader / writer unit, 122 cash management unit, 124 product management unit, 126 product selection unit, 128 storage unit, 130 product storage unit, 132 product discharge unit, 200 communication network, 300 management center, 302 server communication unit, 304 server Control unit, 306 Server storage unit.

Claims (8)

Product storage means for storing a plurality of types of products;
Product selection means for receiving an instruction to select the product by a user;
Communication means for receiving a price table including a price of the product associated with the plurality of types;
Storage means for storing the price table;
Price display means for displaying the price in a minimum currency unit based on the price table;
Payment information transfer means for transferring payment information to and from an external device capable of electronic payment,
Based on the price and the payment information in the price table corresponding to the selected product, payment control means for performing the sales process of the product in the minimum currency unit,
A vending machine comprising: a commodity discharging unit for discharging the selected commodity in accordance with the settlement. Table update control means for updating the price table stored in the storage means based on the update information received by the communication means,
The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a display update control unit for updating a price display of the price display unit based on the updated price table. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the table update control means updates the price of the commodity selectively specified in the price table based on the update information. In accordance with cash input from the outside, the sales processing of the product, further comprising a cash settlement means for settlement in a set currency unit set in advance,
The set currency unit corresponds to the face value of the currency in circulation, and is larger than the minimum currency unit,
The said settlement control means converts less than the set currency unit of the difference between the amount of the inserted cash and the price as a point, and gives the information related to the converted point to the external device. Item 5. The vending machine according to Item 1. The vending machine according to claim 4, further comprising point display means for displaying said point information. 3. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the display update control unit updates the price display based on update date and time data having a date and time for updating the price display, received by the communication unit. A vending machine system,
A vending machine for receiving price information related to the price of the product via an external communication network,
The vending machine is
Merchandise storage means for storing a plurality of types of the merchandise;
Product selection means for receiving an instruction to select the product by a user;
First communication means for receiving a price table including the price of the product associated with the plurality of types;
First storage means for storing the price table;
Price display means for displaying the price in a minimum currency unit based on the price table;
Payment information transfer means for transferring payment information to and from an external device capable of electronic payment,
Based on the price and the payment information in the price table corresponding to the selected product, payment control means for performing the sales process of the product in the minimum currency unit,
A product discharging unit for discharging the selected product according to the settlement;
The vending machine system further includes a server for transmitting the price information of the product to the vending machine via the communication network,
The server comprises:
Second storage means for storing the price table;
Second communication means for transmitting the price table to the communication network. The vending machine is
Table update control means for updating the price table stored in the first storage means based on update information received by the first communication means;
Display update control means for updating the price display of the price display means based on the updated price table,
The vending machine system according to claim 7, wherein the server generates the update information in response to an external input.

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