JP2004280290A - Vending system - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to easily and reliably present a product to a recipient.
A vending machine administrator server VAS creates authentication information in response to an application (I) from a promotion executor P (II), and transmits the URL of the authentication information to the promotion executor server PS (III). . The recipient is determined from the promotion participants C1,..., Cm, and a URL indicating the position of the authentication information is transmitted to the recipient C1 (VI). The recipient C1 accesses the URL (VII), downloads the authentication information in the form of a two-dimensional barcode to the portable terminal T1 (VIII), and transmits the authentication information displayed on the display of the portable terminal T1 to the vending machine Vi. (IX). When the authentication information is valid and the vending machine Vi and the time when the authentication information is received are the vending machine and the time when the provision of the product is permitted, the product is provided to the vending machine Vi recipient C1 (XIV ).
[Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vending system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a vending system capable of selling goods from a vending machine to a buyer, in response to a request from a presenter, authentication information is attached to an e-mail and transmitted from a vending machine administrator server to a recipient portable terminal, When the receiving means provided in the vending machine receives the authentication information from the donor mobile terminal, it authenticates whether the received authentication information is valid, and determines that the authentication information is valid. There is known an automatic vending system in which a vending machine provides a gift, for example, canned juice, from a vending machine to a giver (see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-74048
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In this system, an e-mail is sent at the timing intended by the presenter, irrespective of the intention of the presenter. However, at this time, the presenter's portable terminal is not always in a communicable state, and therefore, the vending machine administrator server must keep sending e-mail until the presenter's portable terminal becomes communicable. For this reason, when the number of e-mails to be transmitted increases, the load on the system may be considerably increased.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic vending system that can easily and reliably present a product to a recipient.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending system capable of selling goods from a vending machine to a purchaser or from a vending machine manager server to a purchaser portable terminal. The position information of the authentication information in the administrator server is transmitted from the vending machine administrator server to the presenter server, the position information of the authentication information is transmitted from the presenter server to the presenter's portable terminal, and the request from the presenter's portable terminal is transmitted. The authentication information is transmitted from the vending machine administrator server to the donor portable terminal in response to the authentication information received by the receiving means provided in the vending machine. Is authenticated as to whether or not the voucher is valid, and when the received authentication information is determined to be valid, the vending machine is transmitted from the vending machine to the recipient or the vending machine administrator server transmits the received recipient information. Vending system for controlling an automatic vending machine or an automatic vending machine manager server is provided so as to provide a product at the end.
[0007]
According to the second invention, in a vending system capable of selling a product from a vending machine to a purchaser or from a vending machine manager server to a purchaser portable terminal, a provision permission status is associated in advance. Providing the given authentication information to the giver, and when receiving means provided in the vending machine receives the authentication information, authenticates whether the received authentication information is valid and Judge whether the situation at the time of receiving the authentication information matches the provision permission situation associated with the received authentication information, determine that the received authentication information is valid, and When it is determined that the vending machine coincides with the provision permission status, the vending machine or the vending machine or the vending machine is provided so as to provide the merchandise to the recipient portable terminal from the vending machine administrator server. Vending system to control the vending machine administrator server is provided.
[0008]
Further, according to the third invention, in the second invention, when the vending machine that has received the authentication information matches the provision-permitted vending machine specified by the provision permission state, It is determined that it matches the provision permission status.
[0009]
According to a fourth aspect, in the second aspect, when the time at which the vending machine receives the authentication information coincides with the provision permission time specified by the provision permission state, It is determined that it matches the provision permission status.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
1 to 7 show a case where the present invention is applied when providing a promotion, that is, a privilege or a prize for sales promotion. That is, in this case, the presenter of the product is constituted by the implementer of the promotion, and the recipient of the product is constituted by the participants of the promotion.
[0011]
Referring to FIG. 1, VA is a vending machine manager, VAS is a vending machine manager server which is a server of the vending machine manager VA, P is a promotion implementer, and PS is a promotion implementer P server. .., Vn (n = 2, 3,...) Are vending machines with communication functions, and C1,..., Cm (n = 2, 3,. .., Tm represent the promotion participant portable terminals that are the portable terminals of the corresponding promotion participants C1,. These vending machine manager server VAS, promotion executor server PS, vending machine Vi (i = 1,..., N), and promotion participant portable terminal Cj (j = 1,. Can be mutually connected via a common communication network N. Note that some of them may be connected to each other via a dedicated line.
[0012]
2 and 3 show each vending machine Vi in detail. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a vending machine Vi has a sample shelf 3 for displaying a sample 2 of a commodity product, for example, a canned soft drink (hereinafter referred to as can juice), like a general vending machine. , A can juice selection button 4 provided for each sample 2, a can juice outlet 5 and a cash processing device 6. The vending machine Vi also includes a liquid crystal display 7, a barcode reader 8, an infrared port 9, a key button 10, and a paper outlet 11 of a printer described later. The key buttons 10 include a so-called ten key of numbers 0 to 9, a “YES” button, a “NO” button, and the like. It should be noted that the can juice selection button 4 is normally disabled, and the vending machine Vi does not operate even if the button is pressed at this time.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 3 in particular, in the internal space of the vending machine Vi, a control device 14 having a CPU (central processing unit), a storage device 15, a communication device 16, a can juice conveying device 17, A printer 18 is provided. The can juice selection button 4, cash processing device 6, display 7, bar code reader 8, infrared port 9, key button 10, storage device 15, communication device 16, can juice transport device 17, and printer 18 interact with the control device 14. It is connected to the.
[0014]
A can juice rack for storing can juice is formed in the internal space of the vending machine Vi, and the can juice transport device 17 removes the can juice selected by the user pressing the can juice selection button 4. It is transported from the can juice rack to the can juice outlet 5.
[0015]
Like the vending machine Vi, the vending machine administrator server VAS, the promotion executor server PS, and each promotion participant portable terminal Cj also include a control device, a storage device, and an input / output device including a display and a communication device. Each has it.
[0016]
In the storage device 15 of the vending machine Vi or the storage device of the vending machine administrator server VAS, information products such as map data, ringtone melody data for mobile phones or standby screen data are stored.
[0017]
By putting the price of goods into the vending machine Vi in the form of cash or transferring it in the form of electronic value to the vending machine administrator server VAS, goods such as canned juice can be obtained from the vending machine Vi. Information products such as map data can be purchased from the vending machine Vi or the vending machine manager server VAS, respectively.
[0018]
The map data is printed by the printer 18 of the vending machine Vi, for example, and provided in the form of a paper medium. The same applies to tickets for movies and concerts. On the other hand, the incoming melody for the mobile phone is transmitted from the vending agency server VAS to the mobile phone of the purchaser and downloaded.
[0019]
When paying the product price in the form of an electronic value, the purchaser is provided with authentication information (described later), and the vending machine Vi can receive the product by receiving the authentication information. That is, if the purchaser acquires the authentication information, the purchaser can receive the product without paying by cash. This authentication information can take various forms, for example, in the form of a two-dimensional barcode. In the embodiment according to the present invention, the vending machine Vi can receive the authentication information by causing the bar code reader 8 of the vending machine Vi to read the two-dimensional barcode.
[0020]
Therefore, a gift giver who wishes to present a product obtains authentication information by paying the price of the product, provides the gift information to the gift giver, and receives the product using the authentication information. It is the same as giving a product to. That is, the presenter need only provide the authentication information to the recipient, and does not need to send the product itself. This is the basic idea of the present invention.
[0021]
By the way, when a promotion is carried out to increase the number of customers visiting a particular store, the number of customers does not necessarily increase as long as the gift giver can receive goods at all vending machines Vi.
[0022]
Therefore, in the embodiment according to the present invention, the vending machine Vi to which the provision of the product is permitted is associated with the authentication information in advance, and the product is provided to the recipient only by the vending machine Vi to which the provision of the product is permitted. In this case, the recipient needs to visit the vending machine Vi for which the provision of the product is permitted, that is, a specific store in order to receive the product, and therefore, the number of customers visiting the specific store can be increased.
[0023]
In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the vending machine V1 is a vending machine for which the provision of a product is permitted, and (X1) receiving the product when the donor sends authentication information to the vending machine V1. (Y). Even if the donor sends the authentication information to the other vending machines V1 and V2 (X2, X3), the gift cannot be received. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of customers visiting the store S1 where the vending machine V1 is installed.
[0024]
Further, in the embodiment according to the present invention, the time at which the provision of the product is permitted is associated with the authentication information in advance, and the time when the vending machine Vi receives the authentication information is the time at which the provision of the product is permitted. I try to offer products. In this way, the number of customers visiting the store at a specific time can be increased.
[0025]
In the example shown in FIG. 4 (B), the morning is a period or a time zone during which the provision of the product is permitted, and when the donor sends the authentication information to the vending machine Vi in the morning, (X1) Can be received (Y). (2) Even if the recipient sends authentication information in the afternoon, (2) the product cannot be received. Therefore, the number of customers visiting the store S in the morning can be increased.
[0026]
As described above, in the embodiment according to the present invention, regarding the situation in which the vending machine Vi has received the authentication information, the situation in which the product provision is permitted is associated in advance with the authentication information, and the situation in which the vending machine Vi has received the authentication information. However, the goods are provided to the recipient only when the provision of the goods is permitted. From another point of view, it can be said that authentication information is associated in advance with a location restriction and a timing restriction on product provision. These locational restrictions and timing restrictions are not necessarily required, and either one may be used.
[0027]
Location and timing restrictions can be specified in various ways. For example, the location restriction may be not only one vending machine Vi but also a plurality of vending machines Vi. On the other hand, the time limit can be defined in the form of a day of the week, a day, a week, a month, etc., in addition to the time zone.
[0028]
It should be noted that the product may be provided only once with one piece of authentication information, or may be provided multiple times.
[0029]
Next, examples according to the present invention will be described in detail.
[0030]
FIGS. 5A and 5B show a case where the promotion privilege is a product such as canned juice.
[0031]
Referring to FIG. 5A, first, the promotion executor P makes an application to the vending machine manager VA to use the present vending system (I). This application includes information on the number of pieces of authentication information to be issued, and the quality and quantity of products or benefits provided by the authentication information. That is, for example, one piece of canned juice per one piece of authentication information, that is, a total of 100 pieces of information. Further, the application also includes information on the vending machine Vi for which the provision of the product is permitted and the timing.
[0032]
In the vending machine manager server VAS, authentication information corresponding to the application is created and stored in the storage device of the vending machine manager server VAS (II). In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, each authentication information in the form of, for example, a two-dimensional barcode is associated with the quality and quantity of the product to be provided thereby, and the vending machine and time when the product is allowed to be provided. ing.
[0033]
Next, in the vending machine manager server VAS, the location where the authentication information is stored is transmitted from the vending machine manager server VAS, for example, in the form of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), and received by the promotion performer server PS. (III).
[0034]
On the other hand, the promotion executor P announces the promotion on the Web site or magazine, for example, and the promotion participant Cj who sees the notification accesses the promotion executor P's Web site (IV). Next, in the promotion executor server PS, the promotion participant Cj who can receive the product is selected from the promotion participants Cj, that is, the recipient is determined (V). In this case, a quiz or a game, for example, is performed on the website of the promotion executor P, and the promotion participant Cj who has answered the quiz correctly or succeeded in the game can be set as the recipient.
[0035]
Next, the URL of the authentication information is transmitted from the promotion executor server PS to the portable terminal Tj of the promotion participant Cj who has become the giver (VI). That is, the authentication information itself is not transmitted, and only the URL is transmitted. In this case, the URL of the authentication information can be linked to a specific Web page of the website of the promotion provider P, and only the donor can proceed to this specific Web page. Alternatively, the URL of the authentication information can be transmitted to the donor in the form of, for example, an e-mail or attached to the e-mail. In this way, the number of accesses to the Web site can be increased.
[0036]
In the example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the promotion participant C1 is the giver, and the URL of the authentication information is transmitted to the portable terminal T1. It should be noted that all of the promotion participants Cj can be set as recipients.
[0037]
Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the gift giver C1 accesses the received URL (VII) and downloads the authentication information from the vending machine administrator server VAS to the portable terminal T1 (VIII). In this way, the donor C1 can receive the authentication information at his or her convenience.
[0038]
Next, the gift giver C1 holds the authentication information in the form of a two-dimensional barcode displayed on the display of the portable terminal T1 over the barcode reader 8 of the vending machine Vi to read, that is, transmit (IX). If the mobile terminal Tj has an infrared port, the authentication information may be transmitted from the infrared port of the mobile terminal Tj to the infrared port 9 of the vending machine Vi.
[0039]
Next, the vending machine Vi transmits the received authentication information to the vending machine manager server VAS (X), and the vending machine manager server VAS authenticates whether the authentication information is valid (XI). ). That is, it is determined whether the received authentication information is genuine and whether it is within the validity period. In the embodiment according to the present invention, after the authentication information is issued, that is, after the authentication information is downloaded to the portable terminal T1 of the giver C1, it is determined that the expiration date is within a predetermined time such as 60 minutes.
[0040]
The vending machine manager server VAS further determines whether or not the vending machine Vi and the time when the authentication information is received are the vending machines and the time when the product provision is permitted (XII). Here, as described with reference to FIG. 6, the vending machine and the time when the provision of the product is permitted are stored in the vending machine manager server VAS in association with each authentication information. The authentication (XI) and the determination (XII) for the authentication information may be performed by the vending machine Vi.
[0041]
Next, the result of the authentication (XI) and the judgment (XII) on the authentication information is transmitted from the vending machine administrator server VAS to the vending machine Vi (XIII). If the authentication information is not valid or the vending machine or the time when the authentication information is received is not the vending machine or the time when the product provision is permitted, the fact is displayed on the display 7 of the vending machine Vi. (XIV '). In this case, the can juice selection button 4 continues to be invalidated, and no product is provided.
[0042]
On the other hand, when the authentication information is valid and the vending machine and the time when the authentication information is received are the vending machine and the time when the provision of the product is permitted, the can juice selection button 4 is activated and the gift is received. When the person C1 presses the can juice selection button 4, the can juice is transported to the can juice outlet 5, and is provided to the recipient C1 (XIV). In this way, the product is sent to the recipient C1.
[0043]
Next, the vending machine Vi transmits to the vending machine manager server VAS that the product has been provided (XV). The vending machine manager server VAS transmits billing information to the promotion executor server PS, for example, in order to bill according to the amount of the actually provided product (XVI). In the example shown in FIG. 5 (B), so-called post-payment is used, but it is also possible to pay in advance or charge according to the number of applied products irrespective of the actual product supply amount. it can.
[0044]
FIGS. 7A and 7B show a case where the promotion privilege is an information product, for example, ringtone melody data for a mobile phone (hereinafter called ringtone).
[0045]
Referring to FIG. 7 (A), as in the case of FIG. 5 (A), an application is made from the promotion implementer P to the vending machine manager VA (I), and authentication information corresponding to the application is created. (II).
[0046]
Next, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the authentication information itself is transmitted from the vending machine administrator server VAS to the promotion provider server PS (III).
[0047]
On the other hand, the promotion participant Cj accesses the website of the promotion participant P (IV), and the promotion participant Cj who can receive the provision of the product, that is, the recipient is determined by the promotion participant server PS (V).
[0048]
Next, the authentication information is transmitted from the promotion executor server PS to the portable terminal Tj of the promotion participant Cj who has become the giver (VI). In this case, for example, the authentication information can be printed on a paper medium such as a postcard and sent to the recipient C1. In the example shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the promotion participant C1 is the giver, and the authentication information is transmitted to the portable terminal T1.
[0049]
Next, as shown in FIG. 7 (B), the donor C1 holds the authentication information in the form of a two-dimensional barcode displayed on the display of the portable terminal T1 over the barcode reader 8 of the vending machine Vi, for example. Read or transmit (VII). The vending machine Vi transmits the received authentication information to the vending machine manager server VAS (VIII), and the vending machine manager server VAS performs authentication and judgment on the authentication information (IX, X). If the authentication information is not valid or the vending machine or the time when the authentication information is received is not the vending machine or the time when the product provision is permitted, the effect is transmitted to the vending machine Vi (XI ′), It is displayed on the display 7 of the vending machine Vi (XI ″).
[0050]
On the other hand, when the vending machine and the time when the authentication information is valid and the authentication information is received are the vending machine and the time when the provision of the goods is permitted, the vending machine administrator server VAS sends the gift to the recipient. The ringtone is transmitted to the portable terminal T1 of C1 (XI). In this way, the product is sent to the recipient C1. The bar code reader 8 of the vending machine Vi can read information for specifying the portable terminal T1 of the gift recipient C1 as the destination of the product in association with the authentication information. Further, the information product may be transmitted from the infrared port 9 of the vending machine Vi to the infrared port of the portable terminal Tj.
[0051]
Next, the billing information is transmitted from the vending machine administrator server VAS to the promotion provider server PS (XII).
[0052]
FIGS. 8A and 8B show still another example.
[0053]
Referring to FIG. 8A, first, the promotion participant Cj accesses, for example, a Web site of the vending machine manager server VAS, and requests authentication information (I). The vending machine administrator server VAS creates authentication information in response to a request from the promotion participant Cj (II) and transmits the authentication information to the portable terminal Tj of the promotion participant Cj (III).
[0054]
Next, the promotion participant Cj holds the authentication information displayed on the display of the mobile terminal T1 over the barcode reader 8 of the vending machine Vi and reads it (IV). Next, the vending machine Vi transmits the received authentication information to the vending machine manager server VAS (V), and the vending machine manager server VAS authenticates the authentication information (VI).
[0055]
The result of authentication (VI) for the authentication information is transmitted from the vending machine administrator server VAS to the vending machine Vi (VIII), and is displayed on the display 7 of the vending machine Vi (VIII).
[0056]
When the authentication information is valid, it enters a state of waiting for the input of the product price. Next, when the promotion participant Cj inputs a product price in the form of cash, for example, in order to purchase can juice (IX), the can juice selection button 4 is activated, and then, when the can juice selection button 4 is pressed, the can juice is selected. The juice is transported to the can juice outlet 5 (X). In this way, the promotion participant Cj purchases a product.
[0057]
Next, the vending machine Vi transmits that the product has been purchased to the vending machine manager server VAS (XI). In the vending machine manager server VAS, the merchandise purchase history of each promotion participant Cj, that is, the accumulated purchase amount or number of times is stored in association with each other, and this purchase history is updated (XII).
[0058]
In the example shown in FIG. 8, when the accumulated purchase amount or the number of times of the promotion participant Cj exceeds a predetermined set amount or the number of times, a privilege such as one can juice is provided to the promotion participant Cj. I have. That is, as shown in FIG. 8B, the promotion participant Cj causes the barcode reader 8 of the vending machine Vi to read the authentication information (IV), and the vending machine Vi transmits the received authentication information to the vending machine Vi. When transmitted to the administrator server VAS (V), the vending machine administrator server VAS authenticates the authentication information (VI), and checks whether the integrated purchase amount or number of times of the promotion participant Cj exceeds the set amount or number. A determination is made as to whether or not (VI).
[0059]
When it is determined that the accumulated purchase amount or number of times of the promotion participant Cj exceeds the set amount or number of times, the vending machine Vi is controlled to activate the (VII) can juice selection button 4 and the promotion participant Cj When the user presses the can juice selection button 4, the can juice is transported to the can juice outlet 5, and provided to the promotion participant Cj (X). Next, the fact that the privilege has been provided is transmitted from the vending machine Vi to the vending machine management server VAS (XI). Next, the vending machine management server VAS stores that the privilege has been provided in association with the authentication information (XII).
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
Goods can be easily and reliably presented to the recipient.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic overall view of an automatic vending system.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the vending machine.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a vending machine.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining another example.
[Explanation of symbols]
V1, Vn: Vending machine VA: Vending machine manager VAS: Vending machine manager server P: Promotion executor PS: Promotion executor server C1,..., Cm: Promotion participants T1,. Promotion participant mobile terminal N: communication network 5: can juice outlet 8: bar code reader

Claims (4)

In a vending system capable of selling goods from a vending machine to a buyer or from a vending machine manager server to a buyer's portable terminal, the vending machine management manages the position information of the authentication information in the vending machine manager server. Server sends to the presenter server, the location information of the authentication information is transmitted from the presenter server to the presenter's portable terminal, and the authentication information is transmitted from the vending machine administrator server to the presenter in response to a request from the presenter's portable terminal. The authentication information is transmitted to the mobile terminal, and when the receiving means provided in the vending machine receives the authentication information from the donor mobile terminal, the authentication is performed to determine whether the received authentication information is valid. When the authentication information is determined to be valid, the vending machine or vending machine is provided so that the vending machine provides the goods to the recipient or the vending machine administrator server provides the goods to the recipient portable terminal. Vending system to control the machine administrator server. In a vending system capable of selling a product from a vending machine to a buyer or from a vending machine administrator server to a buyer's portable terminal, a provision permission status is associated in advance with authentication information, and the authentication information is provided to the recipient. When the receiving means provided in the vending machine receives the authentication information, it authenticates whether the received authentication information is valid, and the receiving means receives the authentication information. It is determined whether to permit the provision of the product based on the situation at the time and the provision permission status associated with the received authentication information, and it is determined that the received authentication information is valid and the A vending machine or a vending machine administrator to provide goods from a vending machine to a recipient or from a vending machine administrator server to a recipient portable terminal when it is determined that the provision is permitted. Vending system to control over server. The vending system according to claim 2, wherein the vending machine that has received the authentication information is determined to permit product provision when the vending machine is a provision-permitted vending machine specified by the provision permission status. 3. The automatic vending system according to claim 2, wherein when the vending machine receives the authentication information is a provision permission time defined by the provision permission status, it is determined that the provision of the product is permitted.

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