JPH11175830A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending machine that can improve an advertising func tion. SOLUTION: When a purchaser goes out from an article purchase area, a purchaser detection means 3, detects that purchaser and a changeover means 42 switches a display screen 20 to an advertising picture. Thus, the advertising picture can show a large advertisement by thoroughly using a display space on the front side of a body 11 of an automatic vending machine and an advertising function of the automatic vending machine can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine for paying out a product selected from a sum of money input.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional vending machine, a display section for various products is provided on the front of a main body, a selection switch is provided for each product to be displayed, and a display section and a selection switch are provided. In general, an advertisement is drawn on the front other than the part. Also, the product display column,
The part where the advertisement is drawn is separated from the beginning of the vending machine, and the contents of the advertisement cannot be changed without redrawing.

A vending machine is installed in a place where many people gather, such as a theater, a game arcade, or a train station. If they do, they will have a sufficient advertising function.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional vending machine, the front space is preferentially used for exhibiting a product to be sold, so that various types of products are sold. If the vending machine has a high function, the exhibition space for the vending machine must be large because many types of products will be exhibited. Because it is not possible to increase the size of the exhibition space, the advertising space for drawing advertisements becomes narrower, and it is not possible to draw large advertisements, so there are many vending machines Even if the vending machine is installed in a place where people gather under favorable conditions, there is a problem that the advertising function of the vending machine cannot be sufficiently exhibited.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, so that it is possible to sell a wide variety of products and to sufficiently exhibit an advertisement function. The purpose is to provide a vending machine that has been developed.

[0006]

The gist of the present invention to achieve the above object lies in the following inventions. [1] In a vending machine for paying out a product selected from the input amount, the vending machine displays a display screen (2
0), purchaser detecting means (30) and switching means (4)
2), the display screen (20) constitutes a part of the front surface of the main body (11) of the vending machine, and the purchaser detecting means (30) is provided in front of the vending machine. The switching means (42) switches the display screen (20) to a commodity display screen when the purchaser enters the commodity purchase area. On the other hand, a vending machine characterized by switching the display screen (20) to an advertisement screen when a purchaser leaves the product purchase area.

[2] In a vending machine for paying out a commodity selected from the input amount, the vending machine includes:
The vending machine has a liquid crystal screen (20), a data driving unit (21), a purchaser detecting means (30), and a display control unit (41). The data driver (21), which forms a part of the front surface;
Applies pixel data to the liquid crystal screen (20), and the purchaser detecting means (30) is configured to be able to detect a purchaser who has entered a product purchase area in front of a vending machine, The display control unit (41) has display information switching means (42), and the display information switching means (42) converts the pixel data into product display data when a purchaser enters the product purchase area. A vending machine that switches the pixel data to advertisement data when a buyer leaves the product purchase area.

[3] The vending machine is a communication means (50).
Wherein the communication means (50) transmits the sales status information of the vending machine to the user terminal when the user terminal requests transmission of sales status information through a communication line. The vending machine according to [1] or [2].

[4] The automatic apparatus according to [1], [2] or [3], wherein the purchaser detecting means (30) has an imaging device for acquiring an image of the purchaser as an electric signal. Vending machine.

[5] The display screen (20) or the liquid crystal screen (20) can be switched to a game screen before and after payout of a selected product [1],
The vending machine according to [2], [3] or [4].

Next, the operation of the invention described in each of the above items will be described. In one configuration of the present invention, when the purchaser has left the product purchase area, the display screen (20) of the vending machine is switched from the product display screen to the advertisement screen, and the vending machine is displayed. A large advertisement can be displayed by making full use of the display space in front of the main body (11). Thereby, the advertising function of the vending machine can be enhanced. Also, when the display screen (20) of the vending machine is switched to the advertisement screen, it is in a state in which it is not possible to select a product and the product cannot be purchased. Just go in front of you, and those people will not feel inconvenienced.

Further, even when the display screen (20) of the vending machine is switched to the advertisement screen, if the display screen (20) is switched to the commodity display screen periodically and temporarily, the display of the vending machine is changed. The sales target is clarified, and the original sales function of the vending machine is not impaired.

When the purchaser enters the commodity purchase area, the purchaser detecting means (30) detects the purchaser who has entered the commodity purchase area, and the switching means (42) switches the display screen (20) of the vending machine. ) From the advertising screen to the product display screen. The display space on the front of the main body (11) of the vending machine can be sufficiently secured as a product display screen, and various types of products to be sold can be displayed.

When the display screen (20) of the vending machine is switched to the product display screen, and the vending machine is in a product selectable state, if the buyer selects a desired product from the amount of money put in, the selected product is selected. The product is paid out from the vending machine. If the purchaser leaves the commodity purchase area after the commodity is paid out, the purchaser detection means (30) detects the purchaser who has left the commodity purchase area, and the switching means (42)
The display screen (20) is switched to the advertisement screen.

In another configuration of the present invention, when the purchaser has left the product purchase area, the liquid crystal screen (20) of the vending machine is switched from the product display screen to the advertisement screen. Thus, the advertising function of the vending machine can be enhanced.

When the purchaser enters the commodity purchase area, the purchaser detection means (30) detects the purchaser who has entered the commodity purchase area, and the display information switching means (42) displays the pixel data for advertisement. Switch from data to product display data,
The switched pixel data is displayed on the LCD screen of the vending machine (2
0). As a result, the main body of the vending machine (1
The display space in front of 1) can be sufficiently secured as a product display screen, and various types of products to be sold can be displayed.

[0017] When the purchaser selects a desired product from the entered amount, the selected product is paid out from the vending machine. If the purchaser leaves the commodity purchase area after the commodity is paid out, the purchaser detection means (30) detects the purchaser who has left the commodity purchase area, and the display information switching means (42) The pixel data is switched from the product display data to the advertisement data, and the switched pixel data is applied to the liquid crystal screen (20) of the vending machine.

Further, in another configuration of the present invention, the vending machine exhibits its original selling function and advertising function. When the user terminal requests transmission of sales status information through a communication line while performing such a function, the request signal is transmitted to the communication means (5) of the vending machine.
0) receives, for example, the communication means (50) transmits the sales status information calculated by the sales data processing means to the user terminal via the communication line.

Thus, the user can grasp the sales situation of the vending machine while staying there, and does not need to go to the installation location to check the stock of the vending machine. Management becomes easier.

Further, in another configuration of the present invention, the imaging device acquires an image of an entering object entering the product purchase area as an electric signal. The data processing means of the vending machine converts the obtained electric signal into entry data, compares the entry data with pre-recorded purchaser data, and determines whether the entry is a purchaser. Is determined. If the entry is a purchaser, a purchaser entry signal is generated and switching means (4
2) Alternatively, the display information switching means (42) switches the display screen (20) or the liquid crystal screen (20) from the advertisement screen to the product display screen. The acquisition of the electric signal of the entering object by the imaging device is performed periodically.

If the intruder is not the purchaser based on the obtained electric signal, a purchaser exit signal is generated, and the switching means (42) or the display information switching means (42) is operated by the display screen (20) or the liquid crystal display. The screen (20) is switched from the product display screen to the advertisement screen.

Further, according to another configuration of the present invention, when the vending machine is in a state where a product can be purchased, the purchaser selects the product within the input amount, and when the selected product is paid out, the payout of the product is started. Before or after, the display screen (20) or the liquid crystal screen (20) is switched to the game screen.

Thus, the purchaser can play a game on the game screen, and can receive a prize according to the game result. It is possible to play a game on a wide game screen by sufficiently utilizing the front space of the main body (11) of the vending machine, thereby improving the gaming performance of the vending machine, and improving the gaming performance of the vending machine by its high gaming performance. The ability to attract customers is improved, and the original sales function can be enhanced.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Each drawing shows an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vending machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the circuit configuration of the vending machine. FIG. 4 is a layout diagram of a vending machine on a communication line. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the situation data of the vending machine. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the same vending machine. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vending machine according to the present embodiment pays out a product selected from the inserted amount.

The vending machine has a liquid crystal screen 2 as a display screen.
0, a data drive unit 21, a purchaser detection unit 30, and a display control unit 41. The liquid crystal screen 20 forms the upper half of the front surface of the main body 11 of the vending machine.

A message display section 12, a bill slot 13, a coin slot 14, a return lever 15, a commodity selection switch 16, a coin return slot are provided on a part of the lower half and the upper half of the front face of the main body 11 of the vending machine. 17 and a product outlet 18 are provided.

The lower half of the main body 11 has a CCD (ch).
There is provided a purchaser detection unit 30 which is an imaging device typified by an “arranged coupled device”. A speaker 35 is provided in a lower half of the main body 11. The purchaser detecting means 30 is configured to form an image of the purchaser who has entered the product purchase area in front of the vending machine on the CCD and acquire the image as an electrical change.

The display of the liquid crystal screen 20 is controlled by a data driver 21, a scan driver and a drive controller. The drive control unit includes a scan drive unit for sequentially selecting rows of a matrix of the liquid crystal screen 20 based on a clock signal and a synchronization signal, and a drive unit for applying the pixel data to the selected rows in a synchronous and parallel manner. A control signal is output to the control unit 21.

The pixel data is output to the data driver 21 after signal processing of data for displaying merchandise, data for advertising, or data for games. The merchandise display data, the advertising data and the game data are stored in an ultraviolet erasable and rewritable EPROM (erasable and pro
Grammable ROM) or EEPROM
It is recorded in.

The data processing unit 40 is a CPU that processes data relating to merchandise sales. The CPU controls the display control unit 4
1, and the display control unit 41 has a display information switching unit 42. The display control unit 41 is a CPU separate from the CPU.
It may be.

Based on the electric signal from the purchaser detecting means 30, the display control section 41 provides a purchaser entry signal (the purchaser is present in the commodity purchase area) or a purchaser exit signal (the purchaser has the commodity purchase area). Does not exist), the display information switching means 42 switches the pixel data to the product display data when the purchaser entry signal is generated, and advertises the pixel data when the purchaser exit signal is generated. Switch to promotional data.

Further, the display information switching means 42 temporarily switches the pixel data to the game data before and after the payout of the commodity selected by the player (generation of the payout signal). The CPU executes the game program, and confirms the generation of the purchaser entry signal or the purchaser exit signal after the game program ends. Also, prizes are paid out according to the result (hit) of the game.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a communication means 50 is provided in the main body 11 of the vending machine. The communication means 50 is connected to the user terminal via a communication line. As the communication line, wired (including copper cable and optical fiber cable) or wireless is used.
Digital transmission is given priority as a transmission method, but analog transmission may be used.

The communication means 50 includes a transmission / reception device (including an encoder and a decoder) and a modulation / demodulation means (for example, a modem)
have. When the user terminal requests the sales status information through the communication line, the communication means 50 checks whether the request signal is for the vending machine by the CPU of the vending machine, and transmits the request signal to the vending machine. If this is the case, the sales status information (the number of items sold, the number of items in stock, and the sales amount) calculated by the CPU is transmitted to the user terminal. The sales management list shown in FIG. 5 is output to the user terminal based on the transmitted sales status information.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described. The imaging device of the vending machine acquires an entering object that enters the product purchase area as an electric signal. The data processing means of the vending machine converts the obtained electric signal into entry data, compares the entry data with pre-recorded purchaser data, and determines whether the entry is a purchaser. Is determined. If the entry is a purchaser, a purchaser entry signal is generated, and the display information switching unit 42 switches the liquid crystal screen 20 from the advertisement screen to the product display screen. The acquisition of the electric signal of the entering object by the imaging device is performed periodically.

If the intruder is not the purchaser based on the obtained electric signal, a purchaser exit signal is generated, and the display information switching means 42 switches the liquid crystal screen 20 from the product display screen to the advertisement screen.

When the purchaser has left the product purchase area, the liquid crystal screen 20 of the vending machine has been switched from the product display screen to the advertisement screen (step S1).
0) It is possible to display a large advertisement using the display space on the front surface of the main body 11 of the vending machine sufficiently.
Thereby, the advertising function of the vending machine can be enhanced. As shown in FIG. 1, the content of the advertisement may be service information such as an invitation message for the advertisement or a weather forecast.

Further, when the liquid crystal screen 20 of the vending machine is switched to the advertisement screen, it is in a state where it is impossible to select a product and cannot purchase a product. They just move in front of the plane and they don't feel inconvenienced.

When the liquid crystal screen 20 of the vending machine is switched to the advertisement screen, the display information switching means 42 periodically and temporarily switches to the product display screen. Thereby, the sales target of the vending machine is clarified, and the original selling function of the vending machine is not impaired.

When the purchaser enters the commodity purchase area, the purchaser detection means 30 detects the purchaser who has entered the commodity purchase area (step S20 in FIG. 6), and the display information switching means 42 converts the pixel data. The data is switched from the advertising data to the product display data, and the switched pixel data is applied to the liquid crystal screen 20 of the vending machine. Thereby, the liquid crystal screen 20 becomes the prize display screen (step S30),
The display space on the front of the main body 11 of the vending machine can be sufficiently secured as a product display screen, and various types of products to be sold can be displayed.

If the purchaser selects a desired product from the entered amount, the selected product is paid out from the vending machine (steps S40 to S120). The voice synthesizer also generates voice information of "Welcome!", Outputs the voice from the speaker 35, generates the voice information of "Thank you." When dispensing the product, and outputs the voice from the speaker 35. Output (Step S70). Further, the input amount and the product amount are compared, change is present, or the change is returned by a return operation, and the process ends (steps S130 to S160).

The display information switching means 42 temporarily switches the pixel data to game data before and after the payout of the product (generation of the payout signal). The CPU executes a game program.

After the commodities are paid out and the game is completed, a prize is paid out according to the result (hit) of the game. After the game program ends, the generation of the purchaser entry signal or purchaser exit signal is confirmed.

If the purchaser leaves the product purchase area, the purchaser detecting means 30 detects the purchaser who has left the product purchase area, and the display information switching means 42 converts the pixel data from the product display data into an advertisement. Switch to promotional data,
The switched pixel data is displayed on the LCD screen 20 of the vending machine.
Is applied to

When the user terminal makes a request for sales status information through a communication line while the vending machine is operating, the communication means 50 of the vending machine receives a request signal.
The communication means 50 transmits the sales status information calculated by the sales data processing means to the user terminal via the communication line.

When the vending machine is in a state where the commodity can be purchased, the purchaser selects the commodity within the input amount, and when the selected commodity is paid out, before and after the payment of the commodity (generation of the commodity payout signal). Then, the display screen 20 or the liquid crystal screen 20 is switched to the game screen. As a result, the purchaser can play a game such as a sugoroku game or a picture matching game on the game screen, and obtain a game result (go up in the sugoroku game or
According to the picture matching game, three pictures are prepared), a prize (a right to select a new can juice in a can juice vending machine) can be received. As a result, it is possible to play a game on a wide game screen by sufficiently utilizing the front space of the main body 11 of the vending machine, and to improve the gaming characteristics of the vending machine, and to enhance the gaming characteristics of the vending machine by its high gaming characteristics. Of customers can be improved, and the original sales function can be enhanced.

[0047]

As will be understood from the embodiments of the present invention described above, in one configuration of the present invention, if the purchaser leaves the product purchase area, the purchaser detecting means leaves the product purchase area. Since the purchaser is detected and the switching means switches the display screen to the advertisement screen, the advertisement screen can display a large advertisement by fully utilizing the display space on the front of the vending machine body. This can enhance the advertising function of the vending machine.

In another configuration of the present invention, if the purchaser leaves the product purchase area, the purchaser detecting means detects the purchaser who has left the product purchase area, and the display information switching means sets the pixel information. The data is switched from the product display data to the advertising data, and the switched pixel data is applied to the liquid crystal screen of the vending machine.
You can make full use of the display space on the front of the vending machine body to display large promotions,
The advertising function of the vending machine can be enhanced.

Further, in another configuration of the present invention, the sales status information of the vending machine is transmitted to the user terminal through the communication line, so that the user can grasp the sales status of the vending machine while staying there. It is not necessary to go to the installation location to check the stock of the vending machine and the like, and the vending machine can be easily managed.

Further, according to another configuration of the present invention, it is determined whether or not the intruder is a purchaser based on the electric signal acquired by the imaging device. The screen can be switched from the advertisement screen to the product display screen, and the switching between the product display screen and the advertisement screen can be reliably performed.

Further, in another configuration of the present invention, when the vending machine is in a state where a product can be purchased, the purchaser selects the product within the input amount, and when the selected product is paid out, the payout of the product is performed. Before and after, the display screen or LCD screen can be switched to the game screen, so if the buyer can receive prizes according to the game result, the gaming ability of the vending machine can be enhanced At the same time, the high gaming ability can improve the customer attractability of the vending machine and enhance the original selling function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a circuit configuration of the vending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a layout diagram on a communication line of a vending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of status data of a vending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a vending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Main body 12 ... Message display part 13 ... Bill insertion slot 14 ... Coin insertion slot 15 ... Return lever 16 ... Merchandise selection switch 17 ... Coin return slot 18 ... Merchandise exit 20 ... Liquid crystal screen 21 ... Data drive part 30 ... Purchaser Detection means 35 Speaker 40 Data processing unit 41 Display control unit 42 Display information switching means 50 Communication means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A vending machine for paying out a commodity selected from an inserted amount of money, the vending machine comprises a display screen, a purchaser detecting means,
Switching means, the display screen constitutes a part of the front surface of the main body of the vending machine, the purchaser detecting means, the buyer who entered the product purchase area in front of the vending machine It is configured to be detectable, the switching means, when the buyer enters the product purchase area, while switching the display screen to the product display screen, when the purchaser exits the product purchase area, A vending machine wherein the display screen is switched to an advertisement screen. 2. A vending machine for paying out a product selected from the input amount, wherein the vending machine has a liquid crystal screen, a data driving unit, a purchaser detecting unit, and a display control unit. The liquid crystal screen constitutes a part of a front surface of the main body of the vending machine, the data driver applies pixel data to the liquid crystal screen, and the purchaser detecting unit includes a vending machine. The display control unit has a display information switching unit, the display information switching unit, the display information switching unit, the purchaser has entered the product purchase area A vending machine that switches the pixel data to advertisement data when the purchaser leaves the product purchase area while the pixel data is switched to product display data. 3. The vending machine has communication means, and the communication means uses the sales status information of the vending machine when the user terminal requests transmission of sales status information through a communication line. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine transmits the vending machine to a vending machine terminal. 4. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein said purchaser detecting means has an image pickup device for acquiring an image of the purchaser as an electric signal. 5. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the display screen or the liquid crystal screen is switched to a game screen before and after payout of a selected product.