Sales device and system for writing implements

Abstract

To provide a sales device for writing implements that assists in stimulating communication.SOLUTION: A sales device 20 for selling writing implements includes: a reception unit for receiving two or more purchaser identifiers; an authentication result acquisition unit for acquiring authentication information based on biometric information recognizing two or more respective purchasers, using purchasers 40, 41, 42, and 43, which are the two or more purchaser identifiers received by the reception unit; and a discharging unit that performs a discharging process to discharge two or more writing implements when the authentication result is an authentication permission.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sales device for promoting sales of writing implements and a system for supporting the same. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a vending machine for selling writing implements as shown in Patent Document 1 has been disclosed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 9-153180 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the vending machine of Patent Document 1 allows purchases to be made simply by inserting money, and is not capable of stimulating interpersonal communication. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a writing implement vending device and an associated system that can stimulate communication through various vending machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention is characterized by the following configuration. The vending device for selling writing instruments includes a reception unit that receives two or more purchaser identifiers, an authentication result acquisition unit that uses the two or more purchaser identifiers received by the reception unit to acquire authentication information based on information recognizing each of the two or more purchasers, and an ejection unit that performs an ejection process to eject two or more writing instruments if the authentication result is authentication approval. The two or more pieces of authentication information are different pieces of information, and the vending device is for selling writing implements, and a specific writing implement is designated and dispensed based on the information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, a writing implement vending device can be provided that can only be purchased by two or more people, and that can help stimulate communication by purchasing together. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a writing implement vending device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a system of a writing implement vending device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the writing implement vending device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the writing implement vending device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of a writing implement vending device and the like will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that components with the same reference numerals in the embodiments perform similar operations and functions, and therefore their description may be omitted.

[0009] Fig. 1 shows a vending machine for selling writing instruments (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "vending machine") in this embodiment. In Fig. 1, a purchaser presses button A11 or button B12 corresponding to the purchase of a writing instrument, inserts cash into payment port 10 for the price of the writing instrument corresponding to button A11 or button B12, or inserts electronic money or the like into an IC card reader, and inputs biometric information such as the purchaser's facial expression, palm print, and fingerprint into camera 13, which serves as an authentication result acquisition unit, whereby a calculation process is performed within the vending machine and a writing instrument corresponding to the processing result is dispensed from discharge port 14. The writing instruments dispensed from discharge port 14 are known writing instruments, and at least the same number of writing instruments as the number of purchasers are dispensed, although it is preferable to provide them in separate can-shaped containers.

[0010] The payment slot 10 is a cash slot or a non-cash compatible IC card reader or two-dimensional code reader, and allows the purchaser to pay a specified amount.

[0011] The vending device has multiple buttons A11 arranged horizontally on the upper row, and multiple buttons B arranged horizontally on the lower row. The buttons A11 and B12 can be different depending on the amount of the writing instrument to be purchased, or they can all be the same, so the installer can specify this as they like. The writing instrument dispensed varies depending on the purchase amount, and is not affected by buttons of the same amount.

[0012] Camera 13 includes a reception unit that receives a purchaser identifier. The vending device also includes an authentication result acquisition unit that uses the two or more purchaser identifiers received by the reception unit through photographing by camera 13 to acquire authentication information based on information recognizing each of the two or more purchasers. Camera 13 is preferably capable of easily reading biometric information, which is a purchaser identifier, from images that vary depending on the person, such as facial expression, palm lines, and fingerprints of the purchaser. The reading distance between camera 13 and the purchaser is preferably 30 to 50 cm from the reception unit.

[0013] A discharge port 14 is provided at the bottom of the vending device, and discharges the purchased writing implement so that the purchaser can take it out.

[0014] 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a system for managing vending machines for selling writing instruments in an embodiment. The vending machine management system for selling writing instruments comprises two or more vending machines 20 for selling writing instruments, a server device 30, and two or more optional purchasers 40, 41, 42, and 43.

[0015] The server device 30 is a device that mainly manages information related to purchasers 40, 41, 42, and 43 for the vending device 20 that sells writing instruments. The server device 30 may be, for example, a cloud server, an ASP server, or the like, and the type of server device is not important. Note that the functions that require the server device 30 may be incorporated into the vending device 20.

[0016] Purchasers 40, 41, 42, and 43 are consumers who purchase the respective writing instruments. Purchasers 40, 41, 42, and 43 are people who make payments to vending machine 20 for writing instruments for the desired products. Payment can be made by cash, card, mobile terminal, or the like. Cards include, for example, IC cards, magnetic cards, and cards with short-range wireless communication capabilities. IC cards can be either contact-type or contactless-type IC cards. In addition, in the case of mobile terminals, a payment method using a two-dimensional code can also be used.

[0017] Purchasers 40, 41, 42, and 43 are provided with any writing implement related to the biometric information entered into vending machine 20 for selling writing implements by vending machine 20. For example, a writing implement matching the compatibility of purchasers 40 and 41 may be provided through a certain algorithm, or a writing implement may be provided for purchasers 42 and 43. Communication occurs from the act of purchasing between the two purchasers, and providing a writing implement that matches this communication can further stimulate communication. The vending machine management system for selling writing implements is used to stimulate communication between purchasers, triggered by the provision of a writing implement based on biometric information.

[0018] 3 illustrates an example of the operation of the management system for the vending machine 20 for selling writing implements. First, an example of the operation of the vending machine 20 for selling writing implements will be explained using the flowchart in FIG.

[0019] As a first step, at least one purchaser presses button A11 or button B12 corresponding to the writing implement of the amount they desire to purchase.

[0020] In the second step, money is inserted into the payment slot 10 of the vending device 20 corresponding to the button A11 or B12 pressed in the first step.

[0021] As a third step, camera 13, which is a reception unit installed in vending device 20, captures biometric information, such as the face, which is the purchaser identifier of purchaser 40 and purchaser 41. Purchaser 40 and purchaser 41 can be photographed simultaneously if two cameras 13 are installed in vending device 20, or an image of purchaser 40 is photographed once and then an image of purchaser 41 is photographed if one camera is installed. To encourage communication and facilitate conversation, it is preferable that the distance between the cameras be within 50 cm when two cameras are installed, and that the time between photographs be within 10 seconds when one camera is installed.

[0022] In a fourth step, images of at least two purchasers are recognized as biometric information. The authentication result acquisition unit that acquires the authentication information is provided in either vending device 20 or server device 30.

[0023] In the fifth step, it is confirmed whether or not the biometric information recognized in the fourth step does not match. If it does not match and it is the same person, an instruction to request another photo shoot is processed as N. If it does not match, it is recognized as a different person and the result is Y. Note that this step may be omitted if you wish to include cases where twins or impersonators are purchased.

[0024] In the sixth step, differences in biometric information, which are at least two or more purchaser identifiers, are recognized. Pre-set processing is performed based on the comparison difference between the images processed by the authentication result acquisition unit. A corresponding writing instrument is selected based on the results of the management system processing. The management system is installed either within the vending device 20 or the server device 30, but since the communication environment between the vending device 20 and the server device 30 may not be excellent, it is preferable to install the management system within the vending device 20.

[0025] The management system processes input biometric information and is outlined in FIG. 4 . The management system includes a storage unit 51, a communication unit 52, and a processing unit 53. The storage unit 51 is configured to store programs and data and includes a semiconductor memory or the like. The storage unit 51 stores programs, such as an operating system program, a driver program, and an application program, used for processing by the processing unit 53. The programs are installed in the storage unit 51 via an external storage medium or the like. The communication unit 52 is a necessary component for communication between the vending device 20 and the server device 30 and includes a communication interface circuit. The communication interface circuit is a communication interface circuit for a wired local area network (LAN) or a wireless LAN. The communication unit 52 receives data from other devices and provides it to the processing unit 53, and transmits data provided by the processing unit 53 to other devices. The processing unit 53 is configured to comprehensively control the operation of the management system and includes one or more processors and their peripheral circuits. The processing unit 53 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The processing unit 53 may include a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. The processing unit 53 controls the operation of each component so that various processes related to biometric information are executed in an appropriate order based on the programs stored in the storage unit 51, and also executes various processes. The processing unit 53 includes an acquisition unit 54, a setting unit 55, a calculation unit 56, and an output unit 57. Each of these units is a functional module realized by the processing unit 53 executing the program.

[0026] In the seventh step, the writing implements set in the sixth step are supplied from the outlet 14 of the vending device 20 in the same number as the purchaser. [Industrial Applicability]

[0027] The writing implement sales device of the present invention can prevent communication in the souvenir shops and airport shops. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 10 Payment Port 11 Button A 12 Button B 13 Camera 14 Outlet 20 Vending Machine 30 Server device 40 buyers 41 buyers 42 buyers 43 buyers 51 Storage section 52 Communications Department 53 Processing section 54 Acquisition Department 55 Setting section 56 Arithmetic section 57 Output section

Claims

1. This vending device for selling writing instruments includes a reception unit that receives two or more purchaser identifiers, an authentication result acquisition unit that uses the two or more purchaser identifiers received by the reception unit to acquire authentication information based on information recognizing each of the two or more purchasers, and an ejection unit that performs an ejection process to eject two or more writing instruments if the authentication result is authentication permitted.

2. 2. A vending device for selling writing implements according to claim 1, wherein the two or more pieces of authentication information are different pieces of information, and a specific writing implement is designated and discharged from the pieces of authentication information.

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