JP2024117111A - Vending machine, product dispensing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To address such a problem that there is no such vending machine that gives users a sense of excitement and a sense of thumping regarding product discharge.SOLUTION: A vending machine 1 includes: a determination part 141 for acquiring a determination result of whether or not to match an automatic selection condition, the condition for automatically selecting one or more products to be dispensed; a selection part 142 for selecting one or more products from the two or more products as discharge candidates when the determination result is information of matching the automatic selection condition; and a discharge part 15 for discharging the one or more products selected by the selection part 142, the vending machine thus selects the product to be discharged without a user selecting the product, so that this configuration provides the user with a sense of excitement and a sense of thumping regarding the product discharge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a vending machine that dispenses one or more products selected by the vending machine from among two or more products.

Conventionally, there have been vending machines that support free bends (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such vending machines, the free bend control unit transmits a free bend request signal to the main control unit when an external signal is input to the external signal input section by an operation other than the operation of the free bend keyhole, and the main control unit switches from normal mode to free mode when the free bend request signal is transmitted. The free bend control unit continues to output the free bend request signal until a signal indicating that the dispensing of the product free of charge has been completed is output from the free bend completion signal output section, and ends output of the free bend request signal when the free bend completion signal is output.

In addition, in the past, there were vending machines with prizes that held a lottery after a product was purchased, and if the winner was selected, a free vending mode was activated and the consumer could receive the product as a prize by selecting the product again (see non-patent document 1).

Patent No. 6061169

"How many prizes can you get from a vending machine with a prize?", [online], [searched on February 2, 2023], Internet [URL: https://www.dydo.co.jp/corporate/3min/jihanki02/]

However, until now, there have been no vending machines that adequately provide users with a sense of excitement or thrill when it comes to dispensing products.

The vending machine of the first invention is a vending machine that includes a determination unit that obtains the result of a determination as to whether or not an automatic selection condition, which is a condition for automatically selecting one or more products to be dispensed, a selection unit that selects one or more products from two or more products that are candidates for dispensing when the determination result indicates that the automatic selection condition is met, and a dispensing unit that dispenses the one or more products selected by the selection unit.

With this configuration, the user does not have to select the product, but instead selects the product that the vending machine dispenses, which gives the user an appropriate sense of excitement and thrill regarding the product being dispensed.

The second aspect of the invention differs from the first aspect of the invention in that the automatic selection conditions include conditions related to input information based on input from a user, the reception unit receives input from a user and acquires the input information based on the input, and the judgment unit acquires a judgment result as to whether or not the input information acquired by the reception unit matches the automatic selection conditions.

With this configuration, the user does not have to select the product, but instead selects the product that the vending machine dispenses, which gives the user an appropriate sense of excitement and thrill regarding the product being dispensed.

The vending machine of the third invention is a vending machine according to the second invention, which is equipped with a product selection button for selecting a product and a lottery button, the automatic selection condition being that the lottery button is pressed, the reception unit obtains input information which is pressing information indicating that the lottery button has been pressed when the lottery button is pressed, and the judgment unit obtains a judgment result indicating that the automatic selection condition is met when the reception unit obtains the pressing information.

With this configuration, a vending machine can be provided that allows a user to select and dispense a product by pressing a lottery button without selecting a product.

The vending machine of the fourth invention further includes a storage unit for storing discharge information, which is information about the product to be discharged, corresponding to each of two or more automatic selection conditions for any one of the first to third inventions, and the determination unit obtains a determination result as to whether or not any of the two or more automatic selection conditions are met, and the selection unit, when the determination result indicates that the condition is met, obtains the discharge information corresponding to the automatic selection condition and selects one or more products corresponding to the discharge information.

With this configuration, the user does not have to select the product, but instead selects the product that the vending machine dispenses, which appropriately gives the user a sense of excitement and thrill regarding the product being dispensed.

The vending machine of the fifth invention is a vending machine according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, in which the selection unit selects one or more products by lottery from two or more products that are candidates for discharge when the information indicates that the judgment result matches the automatic selection conditions.

With this configuration, the user does not have to select the product, but instead selects the product that the vending machine dispenses, which gives the user an appropriate sense of excitement and thrill regarding the product being dispensed.

The vending machine of the sixth invention is a vending machine according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, in which the selection unit acquires one or more dynamic attribute values that change dynamically with respect to the vending machine, and selects one or more products from two or more products that are candidates for discharge based on the one or more dynamic attribute values.

This configuration allows the vending machine to appropriately select and dispense the products it wants to dispense without the user having to select the products.

The seventh aspect of the present invention is a vending machine according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, in which the automatic selection conditions include a first condition and a second condition paired with time information indicating the time after the first condition is satisfied, and the determination unit obtains a determination result that the automatic selection conditions are satisfied only if, after it has been determined that the first condition is met, the state in which the second condition is satisfied is reached during the time indicated by the time information paired with the second condition.

With this configuration, the user does not have to select the product, but instead selects the product that the vending machine dispenses, which appropriately gives the user a sense of excitement and thrill regarding the product being dispensed.

The vending machine of the eighth invention is a vending machine according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, further comprising a product management unit that acquires a product identifier that identifies each of the one or more products dispensed by the dispensing unit, and outputs information that specifies the one or more product identifiers.

This configuration makes it possible to manage the products in the vending machine even after the vending machine has selected and dispensed the products.

With the vending machine of the present invention, the user does not have to select the product, but instead selects the product that the vending machine dispenses, which gives the user a sense of excitement and thrill regarding the dispense of the product.

Block diagram of vending machine 1 according to embodiment 1 A flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the vending machine 1. A flowchart illustrating an example of the determination result acquisition process. A flowchart for explaining an example of the product determination process Image of the vending machine 1 A diagram showing the condition management table A diagram showing the user management table Image of the process FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of a vending machine system A according to a second embodiment. Block diagram of vending machine system A of the vending machine 1 A flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the server 2 A flowchart illustrating an example of the determination process A flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the vending machine 3. A flowchart illustrating an example of the determination result acquisition process. A flowchart for explaining an example of the product determination process

Below, an embodiment of a vending machine or the like will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that components with the same reference numerals in the embodiments perform similar operations, so repeated explanations may be omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
In this embodiment, a vending machine will be described in which, when automatic selection conditions are met, the vending machine 1 dispenses one or more products selected from two or more selectable products. The product is an object to be provided to a user. The product is preferably a beverage, but may be food, a toy, a service ticket, or the like, and the type of product is not important. The beverage may be, for example, tea, water, coffee, or beer, but the type is not important.

In this embodiment, a vending machine is described that has a product selection button that allows the user (which may be called a consumer) to select a product, and a lottery button that allows the vending machine to automatically select a product. In other words, in this embodiment, a vending machine is described that allows the user to select and purchase a product that they wish to purchase, and also allows the user to select an automatic selection function that does not require the user to select a product. The automatic selection function may also be called a lottery function.

In addition, in this embodiment, discharge information regarding the product to be discharged is managed for each of two or more automatic selection conditions, and a vending machine is described that discharges products according to the discharge information that is paired with the matched automatic selection condition.

In addition, in this embodiment, we will describe a vending machine that selects and dispenses one or more products by lottery when automatic selection conditions are met.

In addition, in this embodiment, a vending machine is described that determines and dispenses one or more products based on one or more dynamic attribute values when an automatic selection condition is met.

In this embodiment, the automatic selection conditions include at least a first condition and a second condition, and the second condition corresponds to time information. A vending machine is described that determines that the automatic selection conditions are met only if the second condition is met within the period of time indicated by the time information after the first condition is met.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, we will explain a vending machine that can manage the products that the vending machine selects and dispenses.

In this specification, information X being associated with information Y means that information Y can be obtained from information X, or information X can be obtained from information Y, and the method of association is not important. Information X and information Y may be linked, may exist in the same buffer, information X may be included in information Y, or information Y may be included in information X, etc.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a vending machine 1 in this embodiment. The vending machine 1 includes an operation unit 11, a storage unit 12, a reception unit 13, a processing unit 14, a discharge unit 15, and a transmission unit 16.

The operation unit 11 includes one or more product selection buttons 111 and one or more lottery buttons 112. The processing unit 14 includes a judgment unit 141, a selection unit 142, and a product management unit 143.

The operation unit 11 is an object that is operated by the user. The object to be operated is, for example, a button. The operation unit 11 has, for example, two or more buttons. The buttons may be physical buttons or virtual buttons on a display.

It is preferable that the operation unit 11 has one or more product selection buttons 111 and one or more lottery buttons 112. However, the operation unit 11 does not have to have the lottery button 112.

The product selection button 111 is a button for selecting a product. The product selection button 111 is usually a button for selecting one product. The product selection button 111 is usually associated with a product identifier that identifies the product. The product identifier may be a column identifier that identifies a column. That is, the product selection button 111 is associated with, for example, a column identifier that identifies a column. The product selection button 111 is a well-known button for product selection in a vending machine.

The lottery button 112 is a button for implementing the automatic selection function of the vending machine 1. Pressing the lottery button 112, for example, matches the automatic selection conditions described below. Note that if the vending machine 1 has two or more lottery buttons 112, it is preferable that the automatic selection conditions or the discharge information differ depending on the lottery button 112 that is pressed.

The storage unit 12 stores various types of information. The various types of information include, for example, one or more automatic selection conditions, the number of remaining products for each product or column, the number of products dispensed for each product or column, a product identifier or column identifier corresponding to one or more product selection buttons 111, one or more product attribute values corresponding to the product identifier or column identifier, one or more dynamic attribute values, a vending machine identifier, and one or more pieces of user information.

The automatic selection condition is a condition for the vending machine 1 to automatically select one or more products to be dispensed. The automatic selection condition is a condition for the vending machine 1 to perform the automatic selection function. The automatic selection condition does not usually include winning a lottery after purchasing a product. In other words, it is preferable that the automatic selection condition is not a condition that is triggered by the purchase of a product. It is preferable that the automatic selection condition includes a condition related to input information based on input from a user. For example, the automatic selection condition is that the lottery button 112 is pressed. For example, the automatic selection condition is that the reception unit 13 has received one or more user identifiers. For example, the automatic selection condition is that the reception unit 13 has received one or more predetermined user identifiers. The automatic selection condition has, for example, two or more sub-conditions. The sub-conditions are, for example, the first condition and the second condition described below. When an automatic selection condition has two or more sub-conditions, the automatic selection condition is usually a condition in which the two or more sub-conditions are combined with AND, but may also be a condition in which the sub-conditions are combined with OR or NOT. Examples of automatic selection conditions are "receiving one or more predetermined user identifiers" and "the lottery button 112 is pressed."

It is preferable that the automatic selection condition has a first condition and a second condition. It is also preferable that the second condition is a condition that is paired with time information. The first condition is, for example, that the reception unit 13 has received one or more predetermined user identifiers, and the second condition is that the lottery button 112 has been pressed. The time information is information that indicates the time after the first condition is satisfied. The time information is information that specifies the time until the second condition is satisfied in order to satisfy the automatic selection condition. The time information is, for example, "30 seconds" or "45 seconds."

When two or more automatic selection conditions are stored in the storage unit 12, it is preferable that each automatic selection condition is associated with discharge information.

The discharge information is information about the products to be discharged. The discharge information includes, for example, the number of products to be discharged (e.g., "1" or "2") and method information. The discharge information includes, for example, the discharge product conditions.

The method information is information that indicates the method for selecting the product to be dispensed. For example, the method information can be the "random method" described below, or the "selection method based on attribute values" described below.

The product discharge conditions are conditions for the products to be discharged. The product discharge conditions are conditions based on, for example, one or more dynamic attribute values. The dynamic attribute values are information that changes dynamically. The dynamic attribute values are, for example, the number of sales or number of discharged products for one or more products, the number of remaining products for one or more products, and environmental information. The environmental information is information about the environment in which the vending machine 1 is installed. The environmental information is the temperature of the place or region in which the vending machine 1 is installed, the humidity of the place or region in which the vending machine 1 is installed, the current time, today's date, and today's season. The product discharge conditions are, for example, discharging the least sold product, discharging the product with the largest number of remaining products, discharging a cold drink (a product corresponding to the attribute value "cold") when the temperature is 28 degrees or higher, and discharging a hot drink (a product corresponding to the attribute value "hot") when the temperature is 15 degrees or lower. It goes without saying that the automatic selection conditions, discharge information, and product discharge conditions of the storage unit 12 may be embedded in the program.

The number of remaining products or the number of products discharged is information that corresponds to a product identifier or a column identifier. The number of remaining products is the number of products remaining for each product or column. The number of products discharged is the number of products that have been discharged for each product or column.

Product attribute values are attribute values of a product. Product attribute values are, for example, type information, product temperature information, and capacity. Type information is information that identifies the type of product. Type information is, for example, "tea," "water," "coffee," or "beer." Product temperature information is, for example, "hot" or "cold."

The vending machine identifier is information that identifies the vending machine 1. The vending machine identifier is, for example, the ID of the vending machine 1.

User information is information about a user. User information usually includes a user identifier. For example, user information includes a user's name, company name, department, job title, and a special flag (described later).

The reception unit 13 receives various instructions and information. The reception unit 13 may also receive cash. The various instructions and information are, for example, input information and user identifiers, which will be described later. The number of user identifiers received by the reception unit 13 may or may not be determined in advance. Even if the number is not determined in advance, it is preferable that the number of user identifiers received by the reception unit 13 is two or more, but it may be one.

The reception unit 13, for example, receives input from a user and acquires input information. The input information is information based on the input from the user. The input information is, for example, a product identifier of the product corresponding to the selected product selection button 111, a column identifier corresponding to the selected product selection button 111, press information described below, and a user identifier described below.

The input from the user may be information based on the user's instructions, information that can be obtained from the user, or information that can be obtained from a user terminal (not shown) held by the user. Information based on the user's instructions is, for example, an identifier for the button pressed by the user (e.g., a product identifier, a column identifier). Information that can be obtained from the user is, for example, an image of the user and biometric information of the user. The biometric information of the user is, for example, a fingerprint, an iris image, or an image of the finger vein. Note that an image of the user and the biometric information of the user are also information that identifies the user, and therefore may be considered to be a user identifier. Information that can be obtained from a user terminal held by the user is, for example, a user identifier that can be obtained from the terminal held by the user. The user identifier may be a terminal identifier that identifies the user terminal.

The user terminal may be, for example, a mobile terminal or a card, but it does not matter. The mobile terminal may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, or a mobile phone. The IC card may be either a contact type IC card or a contactless type IC card. The IC card may be, for example, FeliCA (registered trademark). The IC card may be, for example, an IC card with a communication function via an NFC card.

The user identifier may be any information that identifies a user. For example, the user identifier is a user ID or an email address. For example, the user ID is an employee ID, a personal number, or SNS ID information. For example, the SNS ID information is a LINE (registered trademark) ID. The user identifier may also be an identifier of a user terminal held by the user. In other words, the user identifier is, for example, an ID recorded in a user terminal, or a user terminal ID (MAC address, IP address, telephone number, etc.). For example, the employee ID is an employee number or an employee ID number.

For example, when the lottery button 112 is pressed, the reception unit 13 acquires input information that is pressing information indicating that the lottery button 112 has been pressed. The pressing information may be an identifier of the lottery button 112.

The reception unit 13, for example, receives a user identifier from one or more user terminals (not shown). The reception unit 13, for example, receives a user identifier from one or more user terminals.

The reception unit 13 may, for example, receive cash or electronic money. It is preferable to consider the reception of cash or electronic money as not being the reception of input information.

Here, acceptance typically refers to the receipt of information transmitted via a wired or wireless communication line, but it may also be a concept that includes the acceptance of a user pressing a button, or the acceptance of information entered from an input device such as a touch panel, etc.

The means for inputting various instructions and information can be anything, such as short-range wireless communication means, buttons, a touch panel, or a menu screen.

The processing unit 14 performs various types of processing. The various types of processing are, for example, processing performed by the judgment unit 141, the selection unit 142, and the product management unit 143.

The judgment unit 141 obtains the judgment result as to whether or not the automatic selection conditions are met. It is preferable for the judgment unit 141 to actually judge whether or not the automatic selection conditions are met, but the server 2 described below, which receives information from the vending machine 1, may actually judge whether or not the automatic selection conditions are met and transmit the judgment result to the vending machine 1, which in turn may receive the judgment result. In such a case, the judgment unit 141 may be a receiving means.

The judgment unit 141, for example, acquires a judgment result as to whether or not the input information acquired by the reception unit 13 matches the automatic selection conditions. The judgment unit 141, for example, judges whether or not the input information acquired by the reception unit 13 matches the automatic selection conditions and acquires the judgment result. The judgment unit 141 may, for example, transmit the input information acquired by the reception unit 13 to the server 2 and receive the judgment result from the server 2.

The judgment unit 141, for example, acquires the judgment result received from the server 2. The judgment unit 141 may, for example, judge whether the judgment result received from the server 2 matches the automatic selection conditions. In other words, when the judgment result is received from the server 2, the actual judgment of whether the automatic selection conditions are matched is made by the server 2. The judgment unit 141 may, for example, receive from the vending machine 1 the judgment result of whether some sub-conditions of the automatic selection conditions are satisfied, and judge whether other sub-conditions are satisfied. In other words, the division of roles in judging the automatic selection conditions between the vending machine 1 and the server 2 may be in any manner.

For example, when the reception unit 13 acquires pressing information, the judgment unit 141 acquires a judgment result indicating that the automatic selection conditions are met.

The judgment unit 141 obtains the judgment result as to whether or not any of two or more automatic selection conditions are met, for example.

The judgment unit 141 obtains a judgment result that the automatic selection condition is satisfied only if, for example, after it is determined that the first condition is satisfied, the second condition is satisfied during the time indicated by the time information paired with the second condition. The judgment unit 141 judges whether the second condition is satisfied only during the time indicated by the time information paired with the second condition after it is determined that the first condition is satisfied. The first condition is, for example, that one or more user identifiers have been obtained. The first condition is, for example, that one or more predetermined user identifiers have been obtained. The second condition is, for example, that the lottery button 112 has been pressed. The time information is, for example, "30 seconds" or "60 seconds".

When the determination result acquired by the determination unit 141 indicates that the automatic selection conditions are met, the selection unit 142 selects one or more products from the two or more products that are candidates for discharge. Note that it is preferable that the two or more products that are candidates for discharge are all the products that the vending machine 1 can discharge, but they may be a portion of the products that the vending machine 1 can discharge.

When the selection unit 142 selects a product to be dispensed, the user does not select a product to be dispensed.

For example, when the information indicates that the automatic selection conditions are met, the selection unit 142 obtains from the storage unit 12 the emission information corresponding to the automatic selection conditions to be judged, and selects one or more products corresponding to the emission information.

For example, when the information indicates that the automatic selection conditions are met, the selection unit 142 selects one or more products according to predetermined discharge information.

The selection unit 142 determines the product to be selected, for example, by one of the following methods (1) and (2).
(1) Random method

When the determination result indicates that the automatic selection conditions are met, the selection unit 142 selects one or more products by lottery from two or more products that are candidates for release. A method of determining products by lottery is, for example, a method of generating a random number, setting the remainder of the calculation of "value of the random number/number of candidate products" as a column identifier, and determining a product corresponding to the column identifier. A method of determining products by lottery is, for example, a method of obtaining the current time from a clock (not shown), substituting the current time into an arithmetic expression that returns a column identifier, and substituting the arithmetic expression to obtain the column identifier. Note that any algorithm may be used to select one or more products by lottery.
(2) Selection method based on attribute values

The selection unit 142 acquires one or more dynamic attribute values, and selects one or more products from two or more products that are candidates for release based on the one or more dynamic attribute values. Note that selecting a product means, for example, acquiring a product identifier or a column identifier.

The selection unit 142, for example, obtains the number of remaining items for each of two or more products, and selects the product with the largest number of remaining items. The selection unit 142, for example, obtains the number of items released for each of two or more products, and selects the product with the smallest number of items released.

The selection unit 142, for example, acquires environmental information and determines a product that corresponds to the environmental information. For example, the selection unit 142 acquires the temperature in the area where the vending machine 1 is installed from a server (not shown) or a temperature sensor included in the vending machine 1, and acquires a product identifier that pairs with a product attribute value (e.g., product type, product temperature information) that corresponds to the temperature. In such a case, the storage unit 12 stores product types, product temperature information, or product identifiers in association with one or more temperature ranges.

The selection unit 142, for example, obtains the current time from a clock (not shown), and obtains a product identifier corresponding to the current time. The selection unit 142 also obtains the current time from a clock (not shown), and obtains two or more product identifiers corresponding to the current time, and determines one product from the two or more product identifiers by the selection method described above (for example, lottery, the product with the smallest number of items dispensed, the product with the largest number of remaining items, etc.), and obtains the product identifier of the product. In this case, it is assumed that the storage unit 12 stores one or more product types or one or more product identifiers in association with information on one or more time periods. In this case, for example, a time sale button using the lottery button 112 can be realized. That is, for example, a list of products for time sales such as "morning discount" and "lunch discount" can be displayed on the vending machine 1, and while the normal price of a product is, for example, 150 yen, the lottery button 112 (time sale button) can display, for example, 100 yen, and the target product dispensed for a specific time period can be changed for example, canned coffee during a specific time period in the morning and a different product after noon. In this way, this vending machine 1 can be operated in such a way that the target products dispensed can be changed for each time period. The product management unit 143 obtains a product identifier that identifies each of the one or more products dispensed by the dispenser 15, and outputs information that identifies the one or more product identifiers. Here, "output" may mean sending to the server 2 or a device not shown, storing in the storage unit 12, or passing to another module.

The ejection unit 15 ejects one or more products selected by the selection unit 142. The ejection unit 15 ejects, for example, products identified by one or more product identifiers acquired by the selection unit 142. When a product selection button 111 is selected by the user, it is preferable that the ejection unit 15 ejects the product corresponding to the product selection button 111.

The transmission unit 16 transmits various information. The various information is, for example, the product identifier of the discharged product, the column identifier of the column containing the discharged product, the remaining number of products, the number of products discharged, sales information, and the price of the sold product. The transmission unit 16 transmits various information, for example, to the server 2 described below, or a server not shown. Note that sales information is information related to the discharged product. The sales information includes, for example, the product identifier and the price. The sales information may include, for example, information indicating that the product was discharged by an automatic selection function.

The storage unit 12 is preferably a non-volatile recording medium, but can also be a volatile recording medium.

The process by which information is stored in the storage unit 12 is not important. For example, information may be stored in the storage unit 12 via a recording medium, information transmitted via a communication line or the like may be stored in the storage unit 12, or information inputted via an input device may be stored in the storage unit 12.

The reception unit 13 is preferably realized by a wireless or wired communication means, but may also be realized by a device driver for an input means such as a touch panel, or control software for a menu screen, etc.

The processing unit 14, the judgment unit 141, the selection unit 142, and the product management unit 143 can usually be realized by a processor, memory, etc. The processing procedures of the processing unit 14, etc. are usually realized by software, and the software is recorded in a recording medium such as a ROM. However, they may also be realized by hardware (dedicated circuitry). The processor may be a CPU, MPU, GPU, etc., and the type is not important.

The transmitter 16 is typically implemented using wireless or wired communication means, but may also be implemented using broadcasting means.

Next, an example of the operation of the vending machine 1 will be described using the flowchart in Figure 2.

(Step S201) The reception unit 13 judges whether or not input from the user has been received. If input information has been received, the process proceeds to step S202, and if not, the process returns to step S201. Note that reception of input from the user includes, for example, reception of one or more user identifiers, or reception of button instructions such as the lottery button 112 or the product selection button 111.

(Step S202) The judgment unit 141 acquires the information received in step S201.

(Step S203) The judgment unit 141 judges whether the information acquired in step S202 is information indicating an instruction to the product selection button 111. If the information indicates the instruction, the process proceeds to step S204, and if the information does not indicate the instruction, the process proceeds to step S210.

(Step S204) The judgment unit 141 judges whether or not the purchase condition is met, that is, the price of the product specified by the instruction using the product selection button 111 must be paid for in an amount equal to or greater than the price. If the purchase condition is met, the process proceeds to step S205, and if the purchase condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S209.

(Step S205) The ejection unit 15 ejects the product in the column with the column identifier corresponding to the information acquired in step S202.

(Step S206) The product management unit 143 creates sales information including a product identifier or column identifier corresponding to the information acquired in step S202 and a vending machine identifier.

(Step S207) The product management unit 143 transmits the sales information constructed in step S206 to the server 2 described below or a server not shown.

(Step S208) The product management unit 143 updates the management information in the storage unit 12 of the vending machine 1.

(Step S209) The processing unit 14 judges whether or not to end the process. If the process is to be ended, the process returns to step S201. If the process is not to be ended, the process returns to step S204. The process is ended, for example, when the deposited money return bar is operated, when a timeout occurs, etc.

(Step S210) The judgment unit 141 uses the information acquired in step S202 to acquire a judgment result as to whether or not the automatic selection conditions are met. An example of the judgment result acquisition process will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 3. Note that the information used when judging whether or not the automatic selection conditions are met is usually one or more pieces of input information.

(Step S211) If the determination result obtained in step S210 is that the automatic selection conditions are met, proceed to step S212; if the determination result obtained is that the conditions are not met, return to step S201.

(Step S212) The selection unit 142 determines one or more products to be discharged and obtains one or more product identifiers. An example of such a product determination process is described using the flowchart in FIG. 4.

(Step S213) The ejection unit 15 assigns 1 to counter i.

(Step S214) The ejection unit 15 determines whether the i-th product identifier is present among the product identifiers acquired in step S212. If the i-th product identifier is present, the process proceeds to step S215; if not, the process returns to step S201.

(Step S215) The ejection unit 15 ejects the product in the column identified by the i-th product identifier.

(Step S216) The product management unit 143 creates sales information including the i-th product identifier and the vending machine identifier.

(Step S217) The product management unit 143 transmits the sales information constructed in step S216 to the server 2 described below or a server not shown.

(Step S218) The product management unit 143 updates the management information in the storage unit 12 of the vending machine 1.

(Step S219) The ejection unit 15 increments the counter i by 1. Return to step S214.

In the flowchart in Figure 2, processing ends when the power is turned off or an interrupt occurs to end processing.

Next, an example of the judgment result acquisition process in step S210 will be described using the flowchart in FIG.

(Step S301) The judgment unit 141 assigns 1 to the counter i.

(Step S302) The judgment unit 141 judges whether or not the i-th automatic selection condition exists in the storage unit 12. If the i-th automatic selection condition exists, the process proceeds to step S303; if not, the process proceeds to step S315.

(Step S303) The judgment unit 141 obtains the i-th automatic selection condition from the storage unit 12.

(Step S304) The judgment unit 141 assigns 1 to counter j.

(Step S305) The judgment unit 141 judges whether or not the jth sub-condition exists in the ith automatic selection condition. If the jth sub-condition exists, the process proceeds to step S306; if not, the process proceeds to step S314.

(Step S306) The judgment unit 141 obtains the jth sub-condition of the ith automatic selection condition.

(Step S307) The judgment unit 141 judges whether or not time information is associated with the j-th sub-condition. If time information is associated, the process proceeds to step S308, and if time information is not associated, the process proceeds to step S311.

(Step S308) The determination unit 141 acquires the elapsed time from a specific point in time. Note that the specific point in time is, for example, the point in time when an input from the user is accepted or the point in time when it is determined that the (j-1)th sub-condition is satisfied.

(Step S309) The judgment unit 141 judges whether the elapsed time acquired in step S308 is within the time indicated by the time information associated with the j-th sub-condition. If it is within the time, the process proceeds to step S311, and if it exceeds the time, the process proceeds to step S310.

(Step S310) The judgment unit 141 increments the counter i by 1. Return to step S302.

(Step S311) The judgment unit 141 acquires one or more pieces of information to be used for judging the j-th sub-condition. Note that if the automatic selection condition has only one condition, the first sub-condition is the automatic selection condition.

(Step S312) The judgment unit 141 uses one or more pieces of information acquired in step S311 to judge whether or not the conditions are met. If the conditions are met, the process proceeds to step S313, and if the conditions are not met, the process proceeds to step S310. Note that the condition here is the j-th sub-condition. If the automatic selection condition has only one condition, the first sub-condition is the automatic selection condition.

(Step S313) The judgment unit 141 increments the counter j by 1. Return to step S305.

(Step S314) The judgment unit 141 assigns "match" to the variable "judgment result" corresponding to the i-th automatic selection condition. Then it returns to the upper process.

(Step S315) The judgment unit 141 assigns "mismatch" to the variable "judgment result". It then returns to the upper-level process.

Next, an example of the product selection process in step S212 will be described using the flowchart in FIG.

(Step S401) The selection unit 142 determines whether or not there is discharge information paired with the matched automatic selection condition in the storage unit 12. If there is discharge information, the process proceeds to step S402; if there is no discharge information, the process proceeds to step S403.

(Step S402) The selection unit 142 obtains the emission information that pairs with the matched automatic selection condition from the storage unit 12.

(Step S403) The selection unit 142 acquires default discharge information from the storage unit 12. Note that this discharge information may be embedded in the program.

(Step S404) The selection unit 142 acquires the number contained in the release information. Note that the number is the number of products to be released.

(Step S405) The selection unit 142 determines whether the method information included in the discharge information is a "random method" or an "attribute value selection method." If it is a "random method," the process proceeds to step S406, and if it is an "attribute value selection method," the process proceeds to step S410. Note that if the discharge information does not include method information, the selection unit 142 adopts a predetermined method.

(Step S406) The selection unit 142 assigns 1 to the counter i.

(Step S407) The selection unit 142 judges whether or not to determine the i-th product. If the i-th product is to be determined, the process proceeds to step S408, and if the i-th product is not to be determined, the process returns to the upper level process. Note that the judgment as to whether or not to determine the i-th product is based on whether or not "i > the number of products obtained in step S404".

(Step S408) The selection unit 142 randomly acquires the i-th product identifier from among the two or more product identifiers to be selected. Note that in the process of S212 in FIG. 2, it is preferable that the selection unit 142 does not acquire a product identifier that it has already acquired again. In other words, it is preferable that the same product is not output more than twice.

(Step S409) The selection unit 142 increments the counter i by 1. Return to step S407.

(Step S410) The selection unit 142 acquires one or more pieces of information for determining the product. The one or more pieces of information are, for example, environmental information such as temperature, and the number of remaining products or the number of products to be discarded for each of the two or more products that are candidates for discard. Furthermore, the information specifying the information to be acquired may be included in the discard information, or may be determined in advance.

(Step S411) The selection unit 142 assigns 1 to the counter i.

(Step S412) The selection unit 142 determines whether or not to determine the i-th product. If the i-th product is to be determined, the process proceeds to step S413. If the i-th product is not to be determined, the process returns to the upper process.

(Step S413) The selection unit 142 uses one or more pieces of information acquired in step S410 to acquire the i-th product identifier that matches the conditions.

(Step S414) The selection unit 142 increments the counter i by 1. Return to step S410.

A specific example of the operation of the vending machine 1 in this embodiment will be described below. FIG. 5 shows an example of an image of the vending machine 1. In FIG. 5, the vending machine 1 has eleven product selection buttons 111 and one lottery button 112. The vending machine 1 also has an IC card reader 501 with a short-range wireless communication function. Furthermore, in FIG. 5, 502 is a user terminal used by the user.

The storage unit 12 of the vending machine 1 also stores a condition management table as shown in FIG. 6. The condition management table is a table that manages automatic selection conditions and discharge information. The condition management table manages one or more records that have an "ID," "automatic selection conditions," and "discharge information." The "discharge information" includes the number of products and method information.

In FIG. 6, the automatic selection condition for "ID=1" is that "both a first condition that the two accepted user identifiers are user identifiers managed in the user management table and a second condition that the lottery button 112 is pressed are satisfied, and the lottery button 112 is pressed within 60 seconds indicated by the time information after the first condition is satisfied." The discharge information for "ID=1" indicates that "two products are randomly selected and discharged."

The automatic selection condition for "ID=2" in FIG. 6 is "a deposit of 100 yen or more is made and the lottery button 112 is pressed." The discharge information for "ID=2" indicates that "the one product with the greatest number of remaining products is selected and discharged." The discharge information for "ID=2" has a discharge product condition that uses a dynamic attribute value called the number of remaining products.

The automatic selection condition for "ID=3" in Figure 6 is that "the special flag managed in pair with the accepted user identifier is '1'." The emission information for "ID=3" is NULL, which indicates that default emission information will be used. Note that the default emission information here is "select and emit one product at random." Also, a "special flag" is information that is given to special users who may be able to use the automatic selection function free of charge. A user corresponding to a special flag of "1" is a special user. A user corresponding to a special flag of "0" is an ordinary user, and the automatic selection function cannot be used free of charge.

Furthermore, it is assumed that the user management table shown in FIG. 7 is stored. The user management table is managed, for example, in the storage unit 12, but may also be managed in the server 2 described below. The user management table is a table that manages users who can use the automatic selection function free of charge. The user management table manages one or more records having an "ID", "user identifier", "name", and "special flag".

In the above situation, the following three specific examples will be explained. Each of the three specific examples corresponds to each record in Figure 6.

(Specific Example 1)
Assume now that Yamada A and Inoue B, who belong to the same department in the same company, bring user terminal 502, in which their respective user identifiers are stored, close to IC card reader 501 of vending machine 1 (FIG. 8(a)).

Then, the reception unit 13 including the IC card reader 501 of the vending machine 1 receives the user identifiers "U001" and "U002". In other words, the reception unit 13 acquires the input information "U001" and "U002".

Next, the judgment unit 141 refers to the condition management table in FIG. 6 and the user management table in FIG. 7 and judges that the input information "U001" and "U002" satisfy the first condition of "ID=1" in the condition management table. However, the judgment unit 141 judges from the condition management table in FIG. 6 that at the current stage, none of the automatic selection conditions are met. Then, after it is judged that the first condition is met, the processing unit 14 obtains the time information "60 seconds" corresponding to the second condition of "ID=1", and outputs information (e.g., produces a sound) for 60 seconds after the first condition is met until the second condition is met, prompting the user to press the lottery button 112.

Next, assume that either Yamada A or Inoue B presses the lottery button 112 on the vending machine 1 (Figure 8 (b)).

Next, the reception unit 13 of the vending machine 1 acquires the input information "lottery button = ON". The judgment unit 141 then determines from the condition management table in FIG. 6 that the automatic selection condition for "ID = 1" is met, and acquires the judgment result "matched".

Next, the selection unit 142 acquires the emission information for "ID=1." Next, the selection unit 142 randomly acquires two product identifiers (for example, "5" and "2").

Next, the ejection unit 15 ejects one product from column 5, which corresponds to product identifier "5". The ejection unit 15 also ejects one product from column 2, which corresponds to product identifier "2".

Next, the product management unit 143 composes sales information including the product identifiers "2" and "5" and the vending machine identifier. Next, the transmission unit 16 transmits the sales information to the server 2 described below or a server not shown. Next, the product management unit 143 updates the management information in the storage unit 12 of the vending machine 1. Note that the management information is the number of remaining products that are paired with a column identifier (here, the product identifier). Then, the processing unit 14 decrements the number of remaining products that are paired with the column identifiers "2" and "5" by 1.

Next, Yamada A and Inoue B each take a product (a drink in this case) from vending machine 1 and toast together (Figure 8(c)).

In this way, the vending machine 1 can help two people to have lively conversation and build a good relationship. Furthermore, when the product selected by the vending machine 1 is dispensed, it is expected that the topics of conversation between the two people will expand, further encouraging lively conversation.

(Specific Example 2)
Now, suppose that a user who is not managed in the user management table inserts 100 yen into the insertion slot of vending machine 1 and then presses lottery button 112 on vending machine 1. It should be noted that all products in vending machine 1 are priced at 150 yen.

Next, the reception unit 13 of the vending machine 1 receives the information that 100 yen has been inserted and that the input information is "lottery button = ON."

Next, the judgment unit 141 judges from the condition management table in FIG. 6 that the automatic selection condition for "ID=2" is met, and obtains the judgment result "Matched."

Next, the selection unit 142 acquires the discharge information for "ID=2". Next, the selection unit 142 acquires the number of remaining products that are paired with each product identifier. Next, the selection unit 142 acquires the product identifier "4" that is paired with the maximum number of remaining products based on the "max number of remaining products" included in the discharge information.

Next, the ejection unit 15 ejects one product from column 4, which corresponds to product identifier "4".

Next, the product management unit 143 composes sales information including the product identifier "4" and the vending machine identifier. Next, the transmission unit 16 transmits the sales information to the server 2 described below or a server not shown. Next, the product management unit 143 updates the management information in the storage unit 12 of the vending machine 1. In other words, the product management unit 143 decrements the number of remaining products that are paired with the column identifier "4" by 1.

As a result, the vending machine 1 can sell the most unsold products at a lower price than usual, which contributes to improving profitability.

(Specific Example 3)
Assume now that Kato Eko brings user terminal 502, in which user identifier “U005” is stored, close to IC card reader 501 of vending machine 1.

Then, the reception unit 13 including the IC card reader 501 of the vending machine 1 receives the user identifier "U005". In other words, the reception unit 13 acquires the input information "U005".

Next, the judgment unit 141 refers to the condition management table in FIG. 6 and the user management table in FIG. 7, and judges that the input information "U005" satisfies the automatic selection condition for "ID=3".

Next, since the ejection information for "ID=3" is not defined, the selection unit 142 obtains the default ejection information "<Number of products> 1 <Method> Random method" from the storage unit 12.

Next, the selection unit 142 randomly obtains one product identifier (e.g., "7").

Next, the ejection unit 15 ejects one product from column 7, which corresponds to product identifier "7".

Next, the product management unit 143 composes sales information including the product identifier "7" and the vending machine identifier. Next, the transmission unit 16 transmits the sales information to the server 2 described below or a server not shown. Next, the product management unit 143 updates the management information in the storage unit 12 of the vending machine 1. In other words, the product management unit 143 decrements the number of remaining products that are paired with the column identifier "7" by 1.

As a result, vending machine 1 can provide special users with appropriate products free of charge.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the user does not select a product, but instead selects the product that the vending machine 1 dispenses, which appropriately gives the user a sense of excitement and thrill regarding the product being dispensed.

In addition, according to this embodiment, a vending machine can be provided in which the user does not select a product, but instead presses a lottery button, allowing the vending machine 1 to select and dispense the product.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the vending machine 1 selects and dispenses a product, it is possible to manage the products in the vending machine.

The processing in this embodiment may be realized by software. This software may be distributed by software download or the like. This software may also be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed. This also applies to the other embodiments in this specification. The software that realizes the vending machine 1 in this embodiment is a program as described below. In other words, this program is a program that causes a computer to function as a determination unit that obtains a determination result as to whether or not an automatic selection condition, which is a condition for automatically selecting one or more products to be dispensed, is met, a selection unit that selects one or more products from two or more products that are candidates for dispensing when the determination result indicates that the automatic selection condition is met, and a dispensing unit that instructs the dispensing of the one or more products selected by the selection unit.

(Embodiment 2)
The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the server judges whether or not at least some of the automatic selection conditions are met.

Figure 9 is a conceptual diagram of a vending machine system A in this embodiment. The vending machine system A includes a server 2 and one or more vending machines 3.

Figure 10 is a block diagram of vending machine system A in this embodiment.

The server 2 includes a server storage unit 21, a server receiving unit 22, a server processing unit 23, and a server transmitting unit 24. The server processing unit 23 includes a server determination unit 231.

The vending machine 3 includes an operation unit 11, a storage unit 12, a reception unit 13, a processing unit 44, a discharge unit 15, and a transmission unit 46. The processing unit 44 includes a determination unit 141, a selection unit 142, and a product management unit 143. The transmission unit 46 includes an input information transmission unit 461.

Various types of information are stored in the server storage unit 21 that constitutes the server 2. The various types of information are, for example, one or more automatic selection conditions, one or more pieces of user information, and one or more pieces of discharge information. It is preferable that the discharge information corresponds to the automatic selection conditions. Note that the automatic selection conditions here may be sub-conditions that constitute the automatic selection conditions. The sub-conditions are, for example, the first conditions.

The server receiving unit 22 receives various information from the vending machine 1. The various information includes, for example, input information and sales information.

The server processing unit 23 performs various types of processing. For example, the various types of processing are performed by the server determination unit 231.

The server determination unit 231 obtains the result of the determination as to whether or not the automatic selection conditions are met. The server determination unit 231 typically determines whether or not one or more pieces of received input information meet the automatic selection conditions, and obtains the result of the determination.

The server transmission unit 24 transmits various information to the vending machine 3. The various information includes, for example, the judgment result and the discharge information.

The server transmission unit 24, for example, obtains from the server storage unit 21 the discharge conditions that are determined to match or that are paired with the automatic selection conditions, and transmits them to the vending machine 3 that sent the input information.

The processing unit 44 that constitutes the vending machine 3 performs various types of processing. The various types of processing are, for example, processing performed by the judgment unit 141, the selection unit 142, and the product management unit 143.

The determination unit 141 of the processing unit 44 receives the determination result transmitted from the server 2. In such a case, the determination unit 141 may be realized by a wireless or wired communication means.

The selection unit 142 of the processing unit 44 receives, for example, the discharge information from the server 2, and uses the discharge information to determine one or more products to be discharged. The selection unit 142 of the processing unit 44 may perform the same processing as the selection unit 142 in the first embodiment.

The transmitting unit 46 transmits various types of information to the server 2. The various types of information are, for example, the input information and sales information acquired by the receiving unit 13. The various types of information are, for example, the input information and vending machine identifier acquired by the receiving unit 13. The various types of information are, for example, the acquired sales information and vending machine identifier.

The input information sending unit 461 sends one or more pieces of input information acquired by the reception unit 13 to the server 2. It is preferable that the input information sending unit 461 sends the input information to the server 2 in pairs with the vending machine identifier.

The server storage unit 21 is preferably a non-volatile recording medium, but can also be realized as a volatile recording medium.

The process by which information is stored in the server storage unit 21 is not important. For example, information may be stored in the server storage unit 21 via a recording medium, information transmitted via a communication line or the like may be stored in the server storage unit 21, or information inputted via an input device may be stored in the server storage unit 21.

The server receiving unit 22 is typically implemented using wireless or wired communication means, but may also be implemented using a means for receiving broadcasts.

The server processing unit 23, server determination unit 231, and processing unit 44 can usually be realized by a processor, memory, etc. The processing procedures of the server processing unit 23, etc. are usually realized by software, and the software is recorded in a recording medium such as a ROM. However, they may also be realized by hardware (dedicated circuitry). The processor may be a CPU, MPU, GPU, etc., and the type is not important.

The server transmission unit 24, the transmission unit 46, and the input information transmission unit 461 are typically implemented using wireless or wired communication means, but may also be implemented using broadcasting means.

Next, an example of the operation of vending machine system A will be described. First, an example of the operation of server 2 will be described using the flowchart in FIG. 11.

(Step S1101) The server receiving unit 22 determines whether or not judgment information including input information has been received from the vending machine 3. If judgment information has been received, the process proceeds to step S1102; if not, the process proceeds to step S1107. Note that the judgment information is, for example, one or more pieces of input information and a vending machine identifier.

(Step S1102) The server determination unit 231 uses the input information included in the determination information to determine whether the automatic selection conditions are met and obtains the determination result. An example of such a determination process is described using the flowchart in FIG. 12.

(Step S1103) The server processing unit 23 judges whether the judgment result in step S1102 is "match" and whether or not there is emission information paired with the matched automatic selection condition in the server storage unit 21. If there is a "match" and emission information exists, the process proceeds to step S1104, and if the conditions are not met, the process proceeds to step S1105.

(Step S1104) The server processing unit 23 obtains the emission information that is paired with the matched automatic selection conditions from the server storage unit 21.

(Step S1105) The server processing unit 23 composes information including the judgment result. Note that such information is, for example, the judgment result, or the judgment result and discharge information.

(Step S1106) The server transmission unit 24 transmits the information constructed in step S1105 to the vending machine 3 that transmitted the judgment information. Return to step S1101.

(Step S1107) The server receiving unit 22 determines whether sales information has been received from the vending machine 3. If sales information has been received, the process proceeds to step S1108; if not, the process returns to step S1101. The received sales information is associated with the vending machine identifier.

(Step S1108) The server processing unit 23 stores the received sales information in association with the vending machine identifier. Return to step S1101.

In the flowchart in Figure 11, processing ends when the power is turned off or an interrupt occurs to end processing.

Next, an example of the determination process in step S1102 will be described using the flowchart in FIG. 12.

(Step S1201) The server determination unit 231 acquires one or more pieces of received input information.

(Step S1202) The server determination unit 231 assigns 1 to counter i.

(Step S1203) The server determination unit 231 determines whether the i-th automatic selection condition exists in the server storage unit 21. If the i-th automatic selection condition exists, the process proceeds to step S1204; if it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S1208.

(Step S1204) The server determination unit 231 obtains the i-th automatic selection condition from the server storage unit 21.

(Step S1205) The server determination unit 231 determines whether or not the one or more pieces of input information acquired in step S1201 match the i-th automatic selection condition. If the automatic selection condition is met, the process proceeds to step S1206; if the automatic selection condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S1207.

(Step S1206) The server determination unit 231 assigns "match" to the variable "determination result". It then returns to the upper-level process.

(Step S1207) The server determination unit 231 increments the counter i by 1. Return to step S1203.

(Step S1208) The server determination unit 231 assigns "Mismatch" to the variable "Determination result". Returns to the upper-level process.

Next, an example of the operation of the vending machine 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2. The explanation of the steps in the flowchart of FIG. 13 that are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG. 2 will be omitted.

(Step S1301) The judgment unit 141 acquires the judgment result as to whether or not the automatic selection conditions are met. An example of the judgment result acquisition process will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 14.

(Step S1302) The selection unit 142 determines one or more products to be discharged. An example of such a product determination process is described using the flowchart in FIG. 15.

In the flowchart in Figure 13, processing ends when the power is turned off or an interrupt occurs to end processing.

Next, an example of the judgment result acquisition process in step S1301 will be described using the flowchart in FIG. 14.

(Step S1401) The processing unit 44 constructs judgment information that includes one or more pieces of input information.

(Step S1402) The input information sending unit 461 sends the judgment information constructed in step S1401 to the server 2.

(Step S1403) The judgment unit 141 judges whether or not a judgment result or the like has been received from the server 2. If a judgment result or the like has been received, the process proceeds to step S1404, and if a judgment result or the like has not been received, the process returns to step S1403. Note that the judgment result or the like is, for example, a judgment result, or a judgment result and discharge information.

(Step S1404) The judgment unit 141 judges whether the received judgment result is "match" and whether the second condition exists in the storage unit 12. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S1405, and if the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S1411.

(Step S1405) The judgment unit 141 judges whether or not time information corresponds to the second condition. If time information corresponds, the process proceeds to step S1406, and if time information does not correspond, the process proceeds to step S1408.

(Step S1406) The judgment unit 141 obtains time information associated with the second condition from the storage unit 12.

(Step S1407) The judgment unit 141 acquires the elapsed time. Next, the judgment unit 141 judges whether or not the acquired elapsed time is within the time indicated by the time information. If it is within the time, the process proceeds to step S1408, and if it exceeds the time, the process proceeds to step S1410. Note that the elapsed time is the time elapsed from a specific point in time. The specific point in time may be, for example, the point in time when the input information is accepted or the point in time when the judgment result indicating a "match" is received, but it does not matter.

(Step S1408) The judgment unit 141 judges whether or not the second condition is satisfied. If the second condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S1409, and if the second condition is not satisfied, the process returns to step S1406. Note that the reception unit 13 is assumed to be constantly receiving input from the user, such as pressing the lottery button 112.

(Step S1409) The judgment unit 141 assigns "match" to the variable "judgment result". It then returns to the upper-level process.

(Step S1410) The judgment unit 141 assigns "mismatch" to the variable "judgment result". The process returns to the upper level process.

(Step S1411) The judgment unit 141 acquires the received judgment result. It returns to the upper-level processing.

Next, an example of the product selection process in step S1302 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 15. In the flowchart in FIG. 15, the description of the same steps as in the flowchart in FIG. 4 will be omitted.

(Step S1501) The selection unit 142 determines whether or not discharge information is present in the information received from the server 2. If discharge information is present, the process proceeds to step S1502; if discharge information is not present, the process proceeds to step S403.

(Step S1502) The selection unit 142 acquires the discharge information from the information received from the server 2. The process proceeds to step S404.

Below, a specific example of the operation of vending machine system A in this embodiment will be described. A conceptual diagram of vending machine system A is shown in Figure 9.

The server storage unit 21 of the server 2 stores the automatic selection condition "two user identifiers ∈ user management table." The server storage unit 21 also stores the user management table shown in FIG. 7. The server storage unit 21 stores a user management table for each company or department.

The second condition "<Second condition Time information = 30 seconds> Lottery button = ON" is stored in the storage unit 12 of the vending machine 3. The dispense information "<Number of products> 2 <Method> Random method" is also stored in the storage unit 12.

In the above situation, we will explain the following specific examples.

(Specific example)
Assume now that Yamada A and Inoue B, who belong to the same department in the same company, bring user terminal 502, in which their respective user identifiers are stored, close to IC card reader 501 of vending machine 1 (FIG. 8(a)).

Then, the reception unit 13 including the IC card reader 501 of the vending machine 1 receives the user identifiers "U001" and "U002". In other words, the reception unit 13 acquires the input information "U001" and "U002".

Next, the processing unit 44 constructs judgment information including the input information "U001" and "U002" and the vending machine identifier. Next, the input information sending unit 461 sends the judgment information to the server 2.

Next, the server receiving unit 22 of the server 2 receives the judgment information from the vending machine 3. Next, the server judgment unit 231 uses the input information "U001" and "U002" included in the judgment information to judge whether or not the automatic selection conditions are met, and obtains the judgment result. That is, the server judgment unit 231 judges whether or not the user identifiers "U001" and "U002" included in the input information both exist in the user management table (FIG. 7). Here, since the user identifiers "U001" and "U002" both exist in the user management table (FIG. 7), the server judgment unit 231 obtains the judgment result "match". Next, the server processing unit 23 composes information including the judgment result "match". Next, the server transmission unit 24 transmits the information to the vending machine 3 that transmitted the judgment information.

Next, the judgment unit 141 of the vending machine 3 receives the judgment result "match" from the server 2. Next, the judgment unit 141 judges that the received judgment result is "match" and that the second condition exists in the storage unit 12. Next, the judgment unit 141 judges that time information corresponds to the second condition from the second condition in the storage unit 12. Next, the judgment unit 141 acquires the time information "30 seconds" associated with the second condition from the storage unit 12. Next, when the judgment unit 141 acquires the elapsed time "18 seconds", it is assumed that the acceptance unit 13 acquires "lottery button = ON". In other words, it is assumed that the user pressed the lottery button 112 18 seconds after the user identifiers "U001" and "U002" were accepted. Next, it is assumed that the judgment unit 141 judges that the second condition has been satisfied. Then, the judgment unit 141 assigns "match" to the variable "judgment result".

Next, the selection unit 142 determines which products to eject as follows. That is, the selection unit 142 determines that there is no ejection information in the information received from the server 2. Next, the selection unit 142 acquires the default ejection information "<Number of products> 2 <Method> Random method" from the storage unit 12. Next, it is assumed that the selection unit 142 randomly acquires two product identifiers, "5" and "2".

Next, the ejection unit 15 ejects one product from column 5, which corresponds to product identifier "5". The ejection unit 15 also ejects one product from column 2, which corresponds to product identifier "2".

Next, the product management unit 143 composes sales information including the product identifiers "2" and "5" and the vending machine identifier. Next, the transmission unit 16 transmits the sales information to the server 2 described below or a server not shown. Next, the product management unit 143 updates the management information in the storage unit 12 of the vending machine 1. Note that the management information is the number of remaining products that are paired with a column identifier (here, the product identifier). Then, the processing unit 14 decrements the number of remaining products that are paired with the column identifiers "2" and "5" by 1.

Next, Yamada A and Inoue B each take a product (a drink in this case) from vending machine 1 and toast together.

In this way, the vending machine 1 can help two people to have lively conversation and build a good relationship. Furthermore, when the product selected by the vending machine 1 is dispensed, it is expected that the topics of conversation between the two people will expand, further invigorating the conversation.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the user does not select the product, but instead selects the product that the vending machine dispenses, which gives the user a sense of excitement and thrill regarding the product being dispensed.

In addition, according to this embodiment, a vending machine can be provided in which a user can press a lottery button without selecting a product, and the vending machine can select and dispense the product that it will dispense.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the vending machine can appropriately select and dispense the products to be dispensed without the user having to select the products.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to manage the products in the vending machine even after the vending machine has selected and dispensed the products.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the user management table managed by the server 2 is used to determine whether the automatic selection conditions are met. This eliminates the need to store and maintain a user management table at each vending machine.

The software that realizes the server 2 of the vending machine system A in this embodiment is the following program. In other words, this program causes a computer to function as a server receiving unit that receives input information sent from a vending machine, a server determining unit that uses the input information to determine whether it matches the automatic selection conditions and obtains the determination result, and a server transmitting unit that transmits the determination result to the vending machine that sent the input information.

The software that realizes the vending machine 3 is the following program. In other words, this program causes the computer to function as a judgment unit that obtains the judgment result of whether or not automatic selection conditions, which are conditions for automatically selecting one or more products to be dispensed, a selection unit that selects one or more products from two or more products that are candidates for dispense when the judgment result indicates that the automatic selection conditions are met, and a dispensing unit that instructs the dispenser to dispense the one or more products selected by the selection unit.

In the above program, the steps of transmitting information and receiving information do not include processing performed by hardware, such as processing performed by a modem or interface card in the transmission step (processing that is performed only by hardware).

The computer that executes the above program may be a single computer or multiple computers. In other words, it may perform centralized processing or distributed processing.

It goes without saying that in each of the above embodiments, two or more communication means present in one device may be physically realized by a single medium.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, each process may be realized by centralized processing in a single device, or may be realized by distributed processing in multiple devices.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these are also included within the scope of the present invention.

As described above, the vending machine 1 of the present invention has the effect of providing the user with a sense of excitement and thrill regarding the dispensing of products by allowing the user to select the products to be dispensed by the vending machine without having to select the products, making it useful, for example, as a vending machine for beverages.

Reference Signs List 1, 3 Vending machine 2 Server 11 Operation unit 12 Storage unit 13 Reception unit 14, 44 Processing unit 15 Discharge unit 16, 46 Transmission unit 21 Server storage unit 22 Server reception unit 23 Server processing unit 24 Server transmission unit 111 Product selection button 112 Lottery button 141 Determination unit 142 Selection unit 143 Product management unit 231 Server determination unit 461 Input information transmission unit

Claims (10)

A determination unit that obtains a determination result of whether or not an automatic selection condition, which is a condition for automatically selecting one or more products to be discharged, is met;
a selection unit that selects one or more products from two or more products that are candidates for release when the determination result indicates that the automatic selection condition is met;
a discharge unit that discharges the one or more products selected by the selection unit. the automatic selection condition includes a condition regarding input information based on an input from a user;
A reception unit that receives an input from a user and acquires input information based on the input;
The determination unit is
The vending machine according to claim 1 , wherein the reception unit obtains a determination result as to whether the input information acquired matches the automatic selection condition. A product selection button for selecting a product and a lottery button are provided,
the automatic selection condition is that the lottery button is pressed,
The reception unit is
When the lottery button is pressed, input information is acquired as pressing information indicating that the lottery button has been pressed;
The determination unit is
The vending machine according to claim 2 , wherein when the reception unit acquires the pressing information, the reception unit acquires a determination result indicating that the automatic selection condition is met. a storage unit for storing ejection information, which is information on the product to be ejected, in association with each of the two or more automatic selection conditions;
The determination unit is
Obtaining a determination result as to whether or not any one of two or more automatic selection conditions is met;
The selection unit is
4. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein when the judgment result indicates a match, output information corresponding to the automatic selection condition is obtained, and one or more products corresponding to the output information are selected. The selection unit is
5. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein when the determination result indicates that the automatic selection condition is met, one or more products are selected by lottery from the two or more products that are candidates for release. The selection unit is
A vending machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, which acquires one or more dynamic attribute values that change dynamically, and selects one or more products from two or more products that are candidates for discharge based on the one or more dynamic attribute values. the automatic selection condition includes a first condition and a second condition paired with time information indicating a time after the first condition is satisfied,
The determination unit is
7. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a determination result that the automatic selection condition is met is obtained only if, after it is determined that the first condition is met, the second condition is met during the time indicated by the time information that is paired with the second condition. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a product management unit that acquires a product identifier that identifies each of the one or more products discharged by the discharge unit, and outputs information that identifies the one or more product identifiers. A method for dispensing a commodity in a vending machine, which is realized by a determination unit, a selection unit, and a dispensing unit,
a determination step of obtaining a determination result of whether or not an automatic selection condition, which is a condition for automatically selecting one or more products to be discharged, is met by the determination unit;
a selection step of selecting, by the selection unit, one or more products from two or more products that are candidates for removal when the determination result indicates that the automatic selection condition is satisfied;
The method for discharging a commodity, comprising: a step of discharging the one or more commodities selected by the selection unit. Computer,
A determination unit that obtains a determination result of whether or not an automatic selection condition, which is a condition for automatically selecting one or more products to be discharged, is met;
a selection unit that selects one or more products from two or more products that are candidates for release when the determination result indicates that the automatic selection condition is met;
A program for causing the program to function as a discharge unit that instructs the discharge of the one or more products selected by the selection unit.

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