Article housing device

Abstract

To provide an article housing device that can efficiently deliver an article.SOLUTION: An article housing device 1 comprises a housing part 11 for an article, a reception port 12 for receiving the article housed in the housing part 11, an insertion port 13 for inserting the article into the housing part 11, a door 14 for opening / closing the reception port 12, and an operation part 142 for operating the door 14 from the side of the insertion port 13. The door 14 opens and closes by rotating around a shaft 15 provided between the housing part 11 and itself. The operation part 142 is provided near the shaft 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article storage device that stores articles. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, restaurants have started offering services that allow customers outside the restaurant to make reservations using a dedicated application or the like, and then when they arrive at the restaurant at the reserved time, they can pick up the completed reserved item without having to wait for it to be cooked.

[0003] In this regard, from the viewpoint of delivery of goods, Patent Document 1 proposes a lockable parcel storage locker for storing parcels. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 3354666 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] On the other hand, in restaurants and other establishments, it is inefficient to have to deal with both customers who visit the restaurant in person and customers who have made reservations when operating a reservation order system.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an article storage device that can efficiently deliver articles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the item storage device of the present invention has an item storage section, an outlet for retrieving items stored in the storage section, an insertion port for inserting items into the storage section, an opening / closing section for opening and closing the outlet, and an operating section for operating the opening / closing section from the insertion port side. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of an article storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the take-out opening side; [Diagram 2] 1 is an external perspective view of an article storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the insertion opening side; [Diagram 3] 1 is an external perspective view of a storage unit of an article storage apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a door is open. [Figure 4] 1 is an external perspective view of a storage unit of an article storage apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a door is open. [Diagram 5] 2 is a plan view showing the inside of a storage unit of an article storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a door provided in an item storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 2 is a functional block diagram showing functions of an article storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a functional block diagram showing functions of an article storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an order receiving device that cooperates with the article storage device. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a setting information storage unit in an article storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in an order information storage unit in an order receiving device that cooperates with an article storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] 1 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of a service provided using an item storage device and an order receiving device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a flow of a process executed in accordance with the flow of the service. [Figure 12] A figure showing an example of a screen when a store clerk places an item in an item storage device and inputs setting information in a service provided using an item storage device and an order reception device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13]13 is an external perspective view of an article storage device according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the take-out port side. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is an external perspective view of an article storage device according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the take-out port side. FIG. [Figure 15] 11 is an external perspective view showing another example of a door provided in an item storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Overview Hereinafter, an article storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show an article storage device 1 according to this embodiment. The article storage device 1 is a device that stores predetermined articles that have been pre-ordered by customers at a predetermined store or the like, and allows the customers who visit the store to take out the predetermined articles themselves.

[0010] In the following description of the article storage device 1 according to this embodiment, an example will be described in which a store clerk in a store such as a restaurant that provides takeaway food and beverages inserts a specific item into the article storage device 1 and a customer picks up the item. However, the use of the article storage device 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to this example, and the device can be used when transferring any kind of item between two parties.

[0011] Moreover, when the article storage device 1 is installed in a store, it is assumed that it is installed at a counter where a store clerk accepts orders from customers. In this case, the article storage device 1 on the counter is installed with the article insertion opening 13 side facing the inside of the counter where the store clerk is located, and the article collection opening 12 side facing the outside of the counter where the customer is located. This allows the customer to receive the product near the counter in the same manner as when the customer normally visits the store. Also, since the insertion opening 13 side is on the inside of the counter, the store clerk can insert the product M into the article storage device 1 while remaining inside the counter. In many cases, a kitchen or the like is provided inside the counter, so the store clerk can access the cooked product M in the article storage device 1 via the optimal route without going around the counter. On the other hand, if the insertion opening 13 is not provided, the store clerk cannot access the article storage device 1 from inside the counter, and must go around to the outside of the counter and insert the product M through the collection opening 12. The following explanation assumes that the item storage device 1 is installed in this manner, but it can also be installed integrally to a counter, freestanding on the floor, or installed somewhere other than a counter, such as embedded in a wall.

[0012] Configuration of the item storage device 1 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an article storage device 1 according to this embodiment includes six storage units 1a and an information processing unit 10 that are integrally arranged vertically and horizontally.

[0013] The storage unit 1a has a door 14 to which a storage section 11 and an operating section 142 are attached, and the side on which the door 14 is provided forms a pickup opening 12 through which a customer picks up the product M, and the opposite side of the pickup opening 12 forms an insertion opening 13 through which a store clerk inserts the product M. Although the storage device according to this embodiment is made up of six storage units 1a, it may be made up of one or more storage units 1a as shown in other embodiments described later. For ease of explanation, when the respective accommodation units 1a are to be distinguished from one another, they may be referred to as accommodation units 1a-1, 1a-2, 1a-3, 1a-4, 1a-5, and 1a-6, as shown in FIGS.

[0014] In using these storage units 1a, one storage unit 1a is not necessarily used for one order, and multiple storage units 1a may be used simultaneously for one order. That is, multiple storage units 1a are used when providing a customer with a quantity or size of product M that cannot fit into one storage unit 1a for one order, or when storing hot and cold products M separately. Even when one storage unit 1a is used for one order, the product M itself stored in the one storage unit 1a may be divided into multiple bags depending on the amount of product M or to separate hot and cold products.

[0015] 3 and 4, the storage section 11 is a space capable of storing the product M, and has at least a placement surface 111 on which an article can be placed. In this embodiment, the storage section 11 has a cylindrical shape with both ends in a rectangular shape in a plan view in the longitudinal direction, and an opening at one end constituting the collection port 12 is opened and closed by a door 14, while an opening at the other end constituting the insertion port 13 is open.

[0016] In addition, the storage section 11 in the figure has an opening with a shape of a substantially square in front view, but it is not limited to this, and can be a shape such as a horizontally or vertically long rectangle or a circle, which is a shape that stably stores the products. For example, when storing pizza, sushi plates, etc., a low height is sufficient, and a horizontally long shape is preferable because a corresponding area is required. Also, in a business that mainly handles drinks, a vertically long shape is preferable to match the drinks. In this way, the shape of the storage section 11 is determined according to the product M to be stored, and further, the number and arrangement of the storage sections 11 are determined based on the shape of the storage section 11. The shape of the entire article storage device 1 also corresponds to the shape of the storage section 11, and the product M can be efficiently stored in the storage section 11 without wasting space, and the article storage device 1 itself can be made space-saving.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 5, a light 17 for illuminating the inside of the storage section 11 is provided on the upper surface of the inside of the storage section 11. In this embodiment, the lighting 17 is composed of a plurality of LED lighting arranged in the width direction, and is provided at a position biased toward the take-in opening 12 side. The reason for placing the light 17 in such an offset position is to prevent the problem that if the light 17 is located halfway between the collection opening 12 and the insertion opening 13, and product M is a tall product that reaches the top of the storage section 11 when it is stored, the light from the light 17 will be difficult to see from the collection opening 12 side due to the product M. In addition, since the lighting 17 is provided in a position biased toward the collection opening 12, when the lighting 17 is turned on while the product M is stored in the storage section 11, the lighting can be directed at the front of the product M when viewed from the collection opening 12 side, which also has the effect of improving the appearance of the product M.

[0018] Furthermore, the advantage of using the lighting 17 is that it can prevent customers from missing their parcels even when the doors 14 of multiple storage units 1a are open at the same time. Similarly, when the doors 14 of multiple storage units 1a are open, specifically when storage units 1a-1 and 1a-2 are open, a customer who is likely standing on the input / output unit 18 or the reading unit 19 side can recognize the open state of the storage unit 1a-2 in front, but may be distracted by the storage unit 1a-2, or may be hidden in the shadow of the door 14 of the storage unit 1a-2 and not be able to recognize the open state of the storage unit 1a-1. Even in such a case, the lighting 17 flashing together with the open state of the door 14 can draw attention to the open state of the storage unit 1a-1. Furthermore, it is preferable that the placement surface 111 is made of a material with high reflectivity. Whether or not an object has been left behind on the placement surface 111 can be easily identified based on the manner in which the light is reflected by the placement surface 111 in response to the blinking of the light 17. This is because when a portion with a different reflectivity is visually recognized, it can be recognized that an object other than the placement surface 111 has been placed there.

[0019] As described later, the light 17 is turned on, blinks, or off under the control of the control unit 104, but it can be turned on all the time, or turned on or blinks only when the door 14 is open, and the illumination by the light 17 can be changed appropriately according to the situation of the storage unit 1a. For example, when a customer proves by means of authentication information that he or she is authorized to take back a specific product M from the storage unit 1a in which the product M is stored, the light 17 of the storage unit 1a can be changed from an off state to a light or blinks. Also, the illumination of the light 17 can be changed for each storage unit 1a. For example, the light 17 of the storage unit 1a-2, which is easily visible to customers who are likely standing near the input / output unit 18 or the reading unit 19, can be turned on, while the light 17 of the storage unit 1a-1, which is easily hidden behind the door 14 of the storage unit 1a-2, can be turned on and off. In this way, by controlling the illumination of the lighting 17 according to the position and usage status of the storage unit 1a, or the opening and closing status of the door 14, etc., the customer can easily understand which storage unit 1a his / her product M is stored in. Regardless of this embodiment, the lighting 17 may be provided on the side surface of the storage section 11 or may be another type of lighting 17 such as a fluorescent lamp.

[0020] The door 14 constitutes an opening / closing portion for opening and closing the receiving opening 12, as shown in FIG. The door 14 opens and closes by rotating about a shaft 15 provided between the door 14 and the storage section 11 . The shaft 15 is configured by a so-called damper hinge or the like, and biases the door 14 to an open state by a biasing portion (not shown) such as a spring provided inside. When the door 14 is not locked by the locking / unlocking portion 16, the door 14 receives a biasing force from the biasing portion and maintains the open state. In this embodiment, the door 14 rotates about the axis 15 from a closed state to open at approximately 90 degrees, and unless subjected to an external force, remains stationary in the open state approximately 90 degrees about the axis 15. Because the door 14 opens and remains stationary at such an angle, the customer can remove the product M from the storage section 11 without touching the door 14, and the open door 14 does not interfere with the opening and closing of the door 14 of the adjacent storage unit 1a.

[0021] The locking / unlocking unit 16 locks and unlocks the door 14 . This locking / unlocking section 16 is composed of an engaging section 161 provided on the door 14 and an engaged section 162 provided at a corresponding position in the storage section 11. When the door 14 is closed and the engaging section 161 engages with the engaged section 162, the door 14 is locked, and when the engaging section 161 and the engaged section 162 are disengaged, the door 14 is unlocked. As described later, the locking / unlocking unit 16 executes the unlocking operation under the control of the control unit 104, and as shown in Fig. 5, an unlocking lever 163 for manual unlocking is provided on the inside surface of the storage unit 11. The unlocking lever 163 has a mechanism for physically releasing the engagement between the engaging portion 161 and the engaged portion 162, and the store clerk can release the engagement by operating the unlocking lever 163, thereby unlocking the door 14.

[0022] The door 14 is provided with a transparent or semi-transparent window 141 through which the inside of the storage section 11 can be seen from the outside. This allows the customer to see the product M in the storage section 11 through the window 141. In addition, because the window 141 is transparent or semi-transparent, the light from the lighting 17 also passes through, and for example, by turning on the lighting 17 only for the storage unit 1a in which the product M is stored, it is possible to identify the storage unit 1a in which the product M is stored from the outside.

[0023] In addition, since the article storage device 1 according to this embodiment does not require the customer to open and close the door 14, no handle or knob is provided on the outside of the door 14. Therefore, when the door 14 is closed, the door 14 and the surface of the storage section 11 on the side of the collection opening 12 are configured to be approximately flush with each other. This prevents the customer's clothes from getting caught on the door 14 of the article storage device 1 when the door 14 is closed, and also provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 6, an operating section 142 is provided on the inside of door 14 or on the side of insertion slot 13 so that a store clerk can operate door 14 from the insertion slot 13 side. In this embodiment, the operating portion 142 is claw-shaped and comprises a mounting piece 1421 that is attached to the door 14, a protruding piece 1422 that is bent at a predetermined angle and extends from the end of the mounting piece 1421, and a pair of extending pieces 1423 that extend slightly parallel to each other from the upper and lower ends of the mounting piece 1421 and the protruding piece 1422. This operating portion 142 is attached to the inside of the door 14 so that the protruding piece 1422 is provided on the side farther from the insertion opening 13 when the door 14 is in an open state.

[0025] The protruding piece 1422 is the part that a store clerk grasps or hooks his / her fingers on when closing the open door 14, and protrudes away from the surface of the door 14 when the operating unit 142 is attached to the inside of the door 14. The extension piece 1423 reinforces the operating part 142 so that it can maintain its shape against the force exerted by the store clerk when pulling the operating part 142 from the insertion opening 13 side, and also prevents the store clerk from injuring his / her fingers on the edge of the protruding piece 1422 when he / she pinches the operating part 142 or hooks his / her fingers on it. It is advisable to chamfer the corners of parts that the store clerk touches with his / her fingers, such as protruding piece 1422 and extending piece 1423, as appropriate, to prevent the store clerk from injuring his / her fingers.

[0026] When the store clerk closes the open door 14, the store clerk puts his / her hand into the storage section 11 from the insertion opening 13, reaches out toward the door 14, and pulls the door 14 toward the insertion opening 13 by pinching the protruding piece 1422 or hooking his / her finger on the protruding piece 1422. This causes the door 14 to rotate around the shaft 15 and close.

[0027] The operating unit 142 is provided near the shaft 15. As a result, whether the door 14 is open or closed, the operating unit 142 is close to the store clerk on the side of the insertion opening 13, and the store clerk can easily reach out and operate the operating unit 142, reducing the burden on the store clerk when closing the door 14. In contrast, if the operating unit 142 is provided near the engagement portion 161, the door 14 rotates about the shaft 15 as a fulcrum, and therefore, when the door 14 is in the open state, the position of the operating unit 142 is farther from the insertion opening 13 than when the door 14 is in the closed state. This makes it difficult for the store clerk to close the door 14, which is inconvenient. Also, unlike a case where the operating unit 142 is provided at a position away from the axis 15, when the door 14 is in an open state, the operating unit 142 is less likely to get in the way of a customer attempting to pick up the product M in the storage unit 11.

[0028] Furthermore, the operation unit 142 is provided at a certain height above the placement surface 111. This height is determined in consideration of the size of the product M stored in the storage unit 11, and by providing the operation unit 142 at a height higher than the size of the most commonly distributed product M, the operation unit 142 is prevented from hitting the stored product M. In particular, when the article storage device 1 is set up in a cafe or the like, by providing the operation unit 142 at a height higher than the stored drink containers, it is possible to prevent the drink containers from coming into direct contact with the operation unit 142 when the door 14 is closed.

[0029] The input / output unit 18 is a functional unit for inputting and outputting information, and is configured with a touch panel display or the like. Using this input / output unit 18, the customer can also input authentication information from the input / output unit 18 instead of having the reading unit 19 read the two-dimensional code that encodes the authentication information, in which case the input / output unit constitutes an authentication information receiving unit that receives the authentication information from the customer. Also, even if the authentication information is not provided to the customer as a two-dimensional code but an order number or password is received, the order number and password can be received from this input / output unit 18. Furthermore, the input / output unit 18 may be configured to input and output information for performing maintenance on the item storage device 1.

[0030] As described below, when using the article storage device 1, a clerk terminal 1A consisting of a tablet terminal or the like that cooperates with the article storage device 1 and the order receiving device 2 and allows the clerk to input and output information is appropriately used in addition to the input / output unit 18. When the clerk sets the product M in the storage section 11, the clerk uses the clerk terminal 1A to associate information that can identify the storage unit 1a that stores the product M with the order information.

[0031] The reading unit 19 constitutes an authentication information receiving unit that receives authentication information capable of authenticating a customer from the customer, and can read a two-dimensional code that encodes the authentication information. The reading unit 19 is composed of a camera that captures the two-dimensional code and a means for decoding the two-dimensional code. When a customer picks up a product M from the storage unit 11, the reading unit 19 reads the two-dimensional code displayed on the customer terminal 3 or the like carried by the customer, and can obtain coded authentication information.

[0032] In this embodiment, the article storage device 1 is provided with a recess recessed from the front side of the article storage device 1 configured together with the door 14 in a closed state to the rear side, and the reading unit 19 is provided in this recess. The reading unit 19 is provided in this manner for the following reason. That is, the reading unit 19 is a scanner that reads customer authentication information, mainly a two-dimensional code displayed on the customer terminal 3, so the display surface of the customer terminal 3 and the scanner surface need to be parallel to some extent. If the reading unit 19 is not provided in a position recessed from the front side of the article storage device 1, for example, if the reading unit 19 is provided on the front side of the article storage device 1 so as to be flush with the closed door 14, as in the case of the input / output unit 18, the reading light by the reading unit 19 has a strong horizontal component, so that the customer terminal 3 cannot be read properly unless it is in an upright state and parallel to the front side of the article storage device 1. However, the posture of holding the customer terminal 3 upright and over the reading unit 19 in this manner is likely to put strain on the arms and wrists, which imposes a burden on the customer. In contrast, in this embodiment, the reading unit 19 is provided at a position recessed from the front surface of the article storage device 1, and the reading surface is provided at an angle to both the vertical and horizontal directions, so that the reading light can have a strong vertical component. Accordingly, when reading the screen of the customer terminal 3, the customer terminal 3 can be laid down, and the customer terminal 3 can be held over the reading unit 19 in a natural position, which reduces the burden on the customer when performing the reading operation.

[0033] Incidentally, while the reading unit 19 is provided in this manner, the input / output unit 18 is provided on the front surface of the article storage device 1. From the functional aspect of the display unit, the input / output unit 18 is easily visible when it is at a certain height, and visibility decreases at a recessed position, so it is provided at a certain height on the front surface different from the recessed position where the reading unit 19 is disposed.

[0034] In addition, additional functions may be appropriately provided to the article storage device 1. For example, a refrigeration function or a heat retention function may be provided, and antibacterial treatment may be performed.

[0035] ● Functional section Next, an example of a functional configuration required for accepting a reservation order for the product M from a customer and for the item storage device 1 to deliver the reserved product M will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the item storage device 1 has, as hardware resources, an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for executing information processing, and memory devices such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and is connected to a locking / unlocking unit 16, a light 17, an input / output unit 18, and a reading unit 19 via an interface circuit.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 8, the article storage device 1 includes at least a setting processing unit 101, a setting information storage unit 102, an authentication processing unit 103, a control unit 104, and a communication processing unit 105 as software resources. The article storage device 1 is communicatively connected via a communication network such as a LAN to a store clerk terminal 1A for the store clerk to input and output information, and an order receiving device 2 for receiving advance orders from customers and executing processing based on the advance orders. Furthermore, the article storage device 1 is also connected to a network NW such as the Internet, and can communicate with terminals and devices connected to the network NW. In addition, communication between the item storage device 1, the store clerk terminal 1A, and the order reception device 2 may be either wired or wireless, and the means for connecting the item storage device 1 to the network NW may also be either wired or wireless.

[0037] A store terminal 1B is also connected to the network NW. The store terminal 1B is mainly a POS terminal that can register products and make payments for customers and is operated by a store clerk. This store terminal 1B has the same functions as the store clerk terminal 1A, and can also manage the item storage device 1 and give instructions to store products M.

[0038] Further, a store terminal 1C is connected to the network NW. The store terminal 1C is mainly a ticket vending machine, and customers can register products and make payments by using the store terminal 1C. Basically, the payment for the product M stored in the item storage device 1 is completed in advance, but it is also possible to accept reservations without payment, cook the product M, and store it in the item storage device 1. In this case, when a customer who has reserved the product M but has not yet paid visits the store, the customer activates the payment screen by having the store terminal 1C read the reservation number of the product M that the customer reserved or a predetermined two-dimensional code issued at the time of reservation, and pays for the reserved product. When the payment is completed, the store terminal 1C issues a paper on which an identification number or a two-dimensional code is printed, and the customer can pick up the reserved product by having the reading unit 19 of the item storage device 1 read the number or the two-dimensional code.

[0039] When a store clerk inserts product M into a storage unit 1a of the item storage device 1, the setting processing unit 101 executes a process of associating information about the storage unit 1a into which the product M has been inserted, order information for product M, and authentication information generated according to the order information as setting information.

[0040] The setting information storage unit 102 stores the setting information set by the setting processing unit 101. In a specific example, as shown in Fig. 9, information capable of identifying the storage unit 1a into which the product M associated by the setting processing unit 101 has been inserted, order information for the product M, and authentication information are stored. By referring to this setting information, it is possible to identify the accommodation unit 1a whose door 14 should be opened when coded authentication information is received from a customer.

[0041] The authentication processing unit 103 authenticates whether or not the customer has the authority to take back the product M stored in the storage unit 11, based on the authentication information acquired from the customer as a two-dimensional code by the reading unit 19. If the authentication is successful, the door 14 of the storage unit 1a in which the product M that the customer has pre-ordered is stored is opened.

[0042] The control unit 104 controls the locking / unlocking unit 16, the lighting 17, the input / output unit 18, and the reading unit 19, and causes them to perform predetermined operations. For example, when authentication information is received by the reading unit 19, the locking / unlocking unit 16 is controlled accordingly to unlock the door 14, and the door 14 is opened.

[0043] Regardless of this embodiment, the setting processing unit 101, the setting information storage unit 102, the authentication processing unit 103, and the control unit 104 provided in the article storage device 1 shown in FIG. 8 may be provided in a higher-level device of the article storage device 1, such as the order receiving device 2. In this case, the article storage device 1 operates based on commands from a higher-level device such as the order receiving device 2. However, even in this configuration, the article storage device 1 controls the operation of the hardware provided in the article storage device 1 and executes processes associated therewith. For example, in response to commands from the higher-level device, the article storage device 1 unlocks the door 14 of a specific storage unit 1a, and transmits information on a two-dimensional code read by the reading unit 19 to the higher-level device.

[0044] The clerk terminal 1A is a terminal used by a clerk. This clerk terminal 1A is realized by a terminal capable of inputting and outputting data, and a portable terminal such as a tablet terminal is preferably used as the clerk terminal 1A. When storing the product M in a predetermined storing unit 1a, the store clerk uses the store clerk terminal 1A to check the input setting information and input new setting information.

[0045] The order receiving device 2 is configured to be able to communicate with the article storage device 1 and the store clerk terminal 1A via a network such as a LAN, and is also configured to be able to communicate with a customer terminal 3 used by a customer via a network NW such as the Internet. The order receiving device 2 is realized by a so-called server computer or the like, and has an order processing unit 201, an order information storage unit 202, an authentication information generation unit 203, a code generation unit 204, and a communication processing unit 205 as software resources.

[0046] The order processing unit 201 accepts a reservation order for the product M from the customer terminal 3, and executes necessary processing in response to the acceptance of the reservation order. This processing includes, for example, a settlement process for the reservation order, a process for registering information related to the contents of the reservation order in the order information storage unit 202, and the like.

[0047] The order information storage unit 202 is a storage unit that stores order information related to the contents of a reservation order accepted from the customer terminal 3. In a specific example, as shown in Fig. 10, information such as the contents of product M reserved by the customer and the reserved visit time related to the time when the customer will visit the store to pick up product M is stored in association with an order number that identifies the customer's order. The store clerk refers to the order information storage unit 202 and prepares the product M according to the time the customer arrives at the store.

[0048] When a customer receives the product M that he or she has pre-ordered, the authentication information generating unit 203 generates authentication information that can certify that the customer is the one who has pre-ordered and has the authority to receive the product M that he or she has pre-ordered. The authentication information is, for example, unique identification information consisting of a combination of random alphanumeric characters, etc., and is notified to the customer who has placed the advance order. The customer enters this authentication information into the item storage device 1 when visiting the store, thereby indicating the authority to receive the pre-ordered product M.

[0049] The code generating unit 204 converts the authentication information into a code in a predetermined format. The code is, for example, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) that can be read by the reading unit 19, and is provided to the customer via the customer terminal 3 when the advance order is completed.

[0050] The communication processing unit 205 is a functional unit for executing transmission and reception of data with the customer terminal 3 via a network NW such as the Internet. Using this communication processing unit 205, the order receiving device 2 can receive advance orders from a customer terminal 3, such as a smart device used by a customer, and provide a two-dimensional code that encodes authentication information to the customer terminal 3.

[0051] In addition, the software resources possessed by the above-mentioned item storage device 1 and order reception device 2 can be distributed or consolidated into any of the hardware resources by appropriate design, and the hardware resources can also be configured as a physically integrated device or as separate devices.

[0052] ●Processing flow Next, an example of the flow of a service using the item storage device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, a customer uses the customer terminal 3 to access a specific website where advance orders for product M can be made, and places an advance order (S101).

[0053] When the order receiving device 2 receives a reservation order for product M from a customer on a specified website, the order processing unit 201 executes payment processing etc. based on the order details, and registers order information relating to the details of the reservation order in the order information storage unit 202 (S102).

[0054] In addition, the order receiving device 2 generates authentication information for receiving the product M that the customer has pre-ordered using the authentication information generation unit 203, and encodes the authentication information using the code generation unit 204, and provides the thus generated two-dimensional code to the customer terminal 3 (S103).

[0055] Meanwhile, at the store where the advance order has been placed, a store clerk refers to the order information, prepares the ordered food, etc., and prepares the product M according to the contents of the advance order at the specified time, and inserts the prepared product M into the item storage device 1 (S104). When inserting the product M into the article storage device 1, the store clerk specifies, from among available storage units 1a, a storage unit 1a that will store the prepared product M, in association with the order information corresponding to the prepared product M, via the input / output unit 18 or the store clerk terminal 1A linked to the article storage device 1 and the order receiving device 2. Then, the prepared product M is inserted into the storage section 11 of the specified storage unit 1a.

[0056] FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen displayed on the clerk terminal 1A when the clerk uses the clerk terminal 1A to specify the storage unit 1a into which the product M is to be inserted. On the screen, the status of each storage unit 1a is displayed so that it can be grasped based on the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 102. In the order status display field G11, information such as the storage status, reservation time of visit, storage period, and number of orders for the ordered product M is displayed in association with the order number. In addition, in the storage unit information display field G12, the current status of each storage unit 1a is displayed, and by referring to this, order information is displayed so that it is possible to understand whether each storage unit 1a is being used, and if so, the order contents.

[0057] When the store clerk stores the product M in the article storage device 1, the store clerk refers to the storage unit information display field G12 to identify an available storage unit 1a. For example, the display of each storage unit 1a in the storage unit information display field G12 can be pressed, and when the store clerk presses the display of an available storage unit 1a, the pressed storage unit 1a is specified, and the store clerk inputs an order number to be associated with the specified storage unit 1a. This associates the order information with the specified storage unit 1a.

[0058] At this time, if the door 14 of the specified storage unit 1a is open, the store clerk closes it. Furthermore, when the store clerk designates the storage unit 1a into which the product M is to be inserted, the control unit 104 may turn on the light 17 of the designated storage unit 1a. This makes it possible to prevent the store clerk from inserting the product M into the wrong storage unit 1a.

[0059] When a customer who has placed a reservation order visits the store at a specified time, the customer displays a two-dimensional code encoding authentication information on the display of the customer terminal 3, and the two-dimensional code is read by the reading unit 19 (S105). In response, the item storage device 1 authenticates the customer using authentication information obtained by decoding the two-dimensional code (S106), and if the authentication is successful, causes the control unit 104 to unlock the door 14 of the corresponding storage unit 1a (S107). The door 14, which has been unlocked under the control of the control unit 104, rotates approximately 90 degrees around the shaft 15 to open to an extent that allows the customer to easily remove the product M from the storage unit 11, and is further maintained in the open state by a biasing unit such as a spring provided inside the shaft 15. This allows the customer to easily remove the product M from the storage unit 11 without touching the door 14 (S108).

[0060] At an appropriate timing, the store clerk closes the door 14, which remains open, of the storage unit 1a from which the customer has removed the product M (S109). When closing door 14, the store clerk puts his / her hand into storage section 11 through insertion opening 13, and reaches out to door 14 to grab operating part 142. Then, he / she pulls operating part 142 toward insertion opening 13. This closes door 14, and engaging part 161 engages with engaged part 162, locking door 14.

[0061] In relation to the above embodiment, in restaurants, it is becoming common to provide delivery services by the restaurant itself or by an external delivery company that the restaurant contracts with. In light of this, the item storage device 1 can be used to store items for the delivery service. In particular, when the delivery company picks up the reserved item, it is inefficient for the delivery company to wait in line with the customer who has come to the restaurant in person to receive the item M. For this reason, it is preferable to store the item M reserved by the customer in the item storage device 1, and have the delivery company pick it up and deliver it to the customer's home. The delivery company has the item storage device 1 read the number of items placed under the order number based on the reserved item and the two-dimensional code displayed on the delivery company's terminal that the delivery company uses, and then picks up the item M from the corresponding storage unit 1a and delivers it to the customer. In this case, in order to perform the delivery service more efficiently, it is advisable to install the article storage device 1 in a place other than around a counter or table so as not to get in the way of the storefront or customers who come to the store in person. This allows the delivery company to smoothly pick up the product M.

[0062] Modification of the item storage device 1 FIG. 13 shows an item storage device 4A according to another embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the above-mentioned article storage device 1, this article storage device 4A is configured by two storage units 1a arranged vertically and horizontally. As described above, in implementing the present invention, the number of storage units 1a is not particularly limited, but unlike the item storage device 1 consisting of six storage units 1a, the item storage device 4 consisting of two storage units 1a does not take up space and can be installed even on a narrow counter.

[0063] FIG. 14 shows an article storage device 4B according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the above-mentioned article storage apparatus 1 and article storage apparatus 4A, this article storage apparatus 4B is configured with a total of eight storage units 1a arranged in four rows vertically and two rows horizontally. This article storage device 4B is a free-standing type, and is installed directly on the floor. In the case of a free-standing type, in order to save space and ensure stable installation, the back side where the insertion opening 13 is located may be placed against a wall and used with the insertion opening 13 blocked. In this case, the receipt opening 12 also functions as the insertion opening 13, and the product M is inserted and retrieved through the receipt opening 12. Such a free-standing article storage device 4B is useful when installed in a store with limited counter space, as well as when installed in front of or outside a store, and can store a large number of products M. Regardless of this example, the above-mentioned item storage device 1 and item storage device 4A can also be freestanding or installed with their backs against a wall.

[0064] Modifications of the operation unit 142 The operating unit 142 constituting the item storage device 1 of this embodiment described above may adopt other shapes as long as the store clerk can reach in from the insertion opening 13 side and grab it or hook his / her fingers to close the door 14.

[0065] FIG. 15 shows a door 54 equipped with an operating section 542 which is a modified example of the operating section 142 described above. The operating portion 542 is claw-shaped and comprises a mounting piece 5421 that is attached to the door 54, a protruding piece 5422 that is bent at a predetermined angle and extends from the end of the mounting piece 5421, and an extending piece 5423 that is further bent at a predetermined angle from the end of the protruding piece 5422 and extends approximately parallel to the mounting piece 5421. Like the operating unit 142, the operating unit 542 is attached to the inside of the door 54 so that the protruding piece 5422 is located on the side farther from the insertion opening 13 when the door 54 is in the open state.

[0066] The protruding piece 5422 and the extending piece 5423 are integrally formed as a part that the store clerk grasps or hooks his / her finger when closing the open door 54, so that the store clerk can more reliably grasp the operating part 542 or hook his / her finger to close the door 54.

[0067] In addition, the above-mentioned operating units 142, 542 are directly held by or hooked by the store clerk when closing the doors 14, 54, but, for example, one end of a string-like member may be attached to the position where the operating units 142, 542 are attached, and the other end of the string-like member may be provided at the insertion opening 13. This allows the store clerk to close the doors 14, 54 by pulling the other end of the string-like member.

[0068] It should be noted that in the above-described embodiments of the item storage devices 1 and 4 of the present invention, other shapes and structures of the door 14 itself can be adopted, and it can be said that the scope of the present invention is at least that which can regulate or allow the removal of product M from the storage section 11 for each storage unit 1a, assuming rational customer behavior. Therefore, for example, it may be configured by a lift-up bar that partially blocks the withdrawal port 12.

[0069] Summary of the implementation form The present invention relates to an article storage device that stores articles.

[0070] Recently, restaurants have started offering services that allow customers outside the restaurant to make reservations using a dedicated application or the like, and then when they arrive at the restaurant at the reserved time, they can pick up the completed reserved item without having to wait for it to be cooked.

[0071] In this regard, from the viewpoint of the delivery of goods, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3354666 proposes a lockable parcel storage locker for storing parcels, which comprises a bottom plate attached within a main case so that its inclination changes depending on the weight of the parcel, a locking mechanism connected to the bottom plate and receiving the force of the change in inclination of the bottom plate to lock the door to the main case, and an extraction door that allows only the recipient to remove the stored parcel, wherein the locking mechanism has a locking member that is rotatable vertically within the main case and is attached to the bottom plate so that its tip protrudes toward the door, and a notch formed on the door side that engages with the locking member when the bottom plate is displaced to a predetermined angle.

[0072] On the other hand, in restaurants and other establishments, it is inefficient to have to deal with both customers who come to the restaurant in person and customers who have made reservations when taking reservations. For example, if there is only one waiter to take orders and there are customers waiting in line to order at the restaurant and a customer who has made a reservation arrives, the waiter must temporarily stop serving the customers who are waiting in line and serve the customer who has made a reservation and is not in line. This leaves a bad impression on the customers who were waiting in line, and on the other hand, if the customer who made the reservation has to wait in line, it can cause a problem where the customer is unable to receive their order at the reserved time, even though they arrived at the restaurant at that time.

[0073] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an article storage device that can efficiently deliver articles.

[0074] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the item storage device of the present invention has an item storage section, an outlet for retrieving items stored in the storage section, an insertion port for inserting items into the storage section, an opening / closing section for opening and closing the outlet, and an operating section for operating the opening / closing section from the insertion port side.

[0075] The opening / closing section may be configured by a door that rotates around an axis provided between the opening / closing section and the storage section to open and close.

[0076] The operation unit may be provided in the vicinity of the shaft.

[0077] The operation unit may be provided on the inside of the opening / closing unit.

[0078] The opening / closing section and the storage section may be configured so that the surfaces on the withdrawal port side are substantially flush with each other when the opening / closing section is closed.

[0079] In addition, the device may include a plurality of storage units each of which is composed of the storage section, the withdrawal port, the insertion port, the opening / closing section, and the operation section.

[0080] The locking / unlocking unit may further include a locking / unlocking unit that locks and unlocks the opening / closing unit, and a biasing unit that biases the opening / closing unit to an open state when the opening / closing unit is unlocked.

[0081] The lock may further include an authentication information receiving unit that receives authentication information for opening the opening / closing section, and a control unit that, upon receiving the authentication information, controls the locking / unlocking unit to unlock the opening / closing section.

[0082] According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently deliver items pre-ordered by customers without the need for a store clerk to assist them. In particular, customers can take out items from the storage device without touching the door, and store clerks can close the door without having to go around to the item collection opening. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1. Item storage device 1a Containment Unit 10. Information Processing Unit 101 Setting processing unit 102 Setting information storage unit 103 Authentication processing unit 104 Control section 105 Communication processing unit 11 Storage unit 111 Placement surface 12 Collection point 13 Insertion Hole 14 Doors 141 Window 142 Operation section 1421 Mounting piece 1422 Projecting piece 15-axis 16 Locking / unlocking section 161 Engagement part 162 Engaged part 163 Unlocking lever 17 Lighting 18 Input / output section 19 Reading unit 1A Store clerk terminal 2. Order reception device 201 Order Processing Unit 202 Order information storage unit 203 Authentication Information Generation Unit 204 Code Generation 205 Communication processing unit 3. Customer terminal 4A Item storage device 4B Item storage device 54 Door 542 Operation section 5421 Mounting piece 5422 Projecting piece 5423 Extension piece M product NW Network

Claims

1. An article storage section; A receiving port for receiving the items stored in the storage section; An insertion port for inserting an item into the storage section; An opening / closing unit that opens and closes the take-out port; An operation unit that receives an operation for unlocking the opening and closing unit; an illumination unit that illuminates the inside of the storage unit; having The illumination unit includes: When an operation for unlocking is received by the operation unit, a light is turned on in the storage unit having the opening and closing unit to be unlocked. Item storage device.

2. The illumination unit is composed of a plurality of LEDs on the top surface of the storage unit, The article storage device according to claim 1.

3. The opening and closing part does not have a part on which a user places his or her hand, 3. An article storage device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A shaft portion supporting the opening / closing portion, The shaft portion biases the opening / closing portion to an open state in an unlocked state.

3. An article storage device according to claim 1 or 2.

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