Operating method of vending machine

Abstract

To provide a method for operating a vending machine enabling a user to determine the presence or absence of a food product to be avoided before purchasing a product.SOLUTION: The method uses a two-dimensional code 4 indicating a specific URL associated with unique identification information of a vending machine 1 and a Web server 5. The Web server 5 is provided with an input form 11 for checking a plurality of food names to be avoided and a standard explanation form 13 for displaying product names and food components sold in the vending machine 1, collates food data to be avoided corresponding to checked indication 12 with food component data corresponding to each of the product names in the standard explanation form 13, and when it is determined that a specific product name has the food component data matching the food data to be avoided, generates an individual explanation form 14 in which indication of the food to be avoided is added to the specific product name, transmits the generated individual explanation form 14 to an external portable information terminal 21, and transmits the standard explanation form 13 to the external portable information terminal 21 when it is determined that the specific product name is not included in the product name.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a vending machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Vending machines allow customers to purchase food and drink at any time, an advantage that face-to-face sales do not offer.

[0003] In recent years, a wide variety of vending machines have been installed due to the spread of electronic money and the shortening of store business hours. On the other hand, there is a certain number of users who have food allergies due to the intake of specific foods and beverages, and the number is on the rise. Conventionally, an interactive vending machine has been proposed in relation to food allergies (Patent Document 1: JP Patent Publication No. 2023-531946). In addition, a system has been proposed that uses the patient's medical data to prevent the vending machine from selling food when a processor determines that the safety level is low (Patent Document 2: JP Patent Publication No. 2021-168154). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2023-531946 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-168154 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, it is difficult to say that the product display in known vending machines is sufficient to allow users with food allergies to know the product before purchasing it. There are many cases where users only realize after purchasing the product that they have purchased a product that contains avoidant foods such as foods that cause food allergies. The conventional technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 require large-scale capital investment and system construction, and are limited to users who prefer to talk and patients who can provide medical data to the system in advance. Considering the high penetration rate of vending machines, it is desirable to have an operation method that uses a simple system to allow users to know whether or not a product contains avoidant foods before purchasing it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a method for operating a vending machine that uses a simple system to enable a user to know whether or not a product contains a repulsive food before purchasing the product.

[0007] In one embodiment, the above problem is solved by the solution disclosed below.

[0008] The method of operating a vending machine according to the present invention is a method of operating a vending machine for a user, the method comprising: a vending machine which sells a plurality of types of food and beverages to a user; a two-dimensional code which is arranged on the vending machine and indicates a specific URL which is linked to unique identification information of the vending machine; and a method of operating a vending machine for a user having an external mobile information terminal which can read the two-dimensional code and access the specific URL by using a Web server, the method comprising: the Web server having an input form which has a plurality of avoided food names and check boxes for entering a check; and a standard explanation form which displays the product names and food ingredients of each of the foods and beverages sold by the vending machine which correspond to the unique identification information; the input form is set in a state which can be read by the external mobile information terminal which has accessed the specific URL; the Web server When a reply form in which the check box of the input form has been checked by the user's operation is received from the external mobile information terminal, the Web server compares the avoided food data corresponding to the checked check box in the received reply form with the food ingredient data corresponding to each of the product names in the standard explanation form, and if the Web server determines that a specific product name among the product names has the food ingredient data that matches the avoided food data, it generates an individual explanation form in which an avoided food indication is added to the specific product name, and transmits the generated individual explanation form to the external mobile information terminal, and if it determines that the specific product name does not exist among the product names, it transmits the standard explanation form to the external mobile information terminal.

[0009] According to this configuration, useful information for users with food allergies can be obtained directly through the simple procedure of reading the two-dimensional code attached to the vending machine, preventing them from accidentally purchasing specific products that contain food allergens from the vending machine. In other words, users can know whether or not a product contains food allergens before purchasing it. Furthermore, the simple system can be used to provide the necessary information directly to users at the point of purchase at the vending machine.

[0010] As an example, when the Web server transmits the individual explanation form to the external mobile information terminal, it transmits a sales stop signal corresponding to the specific product name with the repellent food indication added in the individual explanation form to the vending machine, and causes the vending machine to stop operation of the specific product selection button corresponding to the sales stop signal received as data among a plurality of product selection buttons. With this configuration, even if a user knows whether or not a repellent food is present before purchasing a product, but mistakenly presses the specific product selection button, it is possible to prevent the user from mistakenly purchasing a specific product containing a repellent food. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, a user can know whether or not a product contains avoidable foods before purchasing it. Furthermore, a simple system can be used to provide the user with the necessary information at the point of purchase at the vending machine. In the vending machine, the user can be prevented from mistakenly purchasing avoidable foods such as foods for food allergies, gastrointestinal diseases, and halal foods. In addition, the vending machine can provide a full range of necessary information such as food ingredients in the product. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an operation method of a first example of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a second example of an operation method of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] Fig. 3A is a diagram showing an example of an input form according to this embodiment, and Fig. 3B is a diagram showing an example of a reply form corresponding to Fig. 3A. [Figure 4] Fig. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a standard explanation form according to this embodiment, and Fig. 4B is a diagram showing an example of an individual explanation form corresponding to Fig. 4A. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of control of a vending machine by a Web server. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart showing the operation procedure of the vending machine by the Web server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an operating method of a vending machine 1 installed outside or inside a building 9. The building 9 is a store, a shop, a restaurant, an inn, a hotel, a commercial facility, a pharmacy, a hospital, a city hall, a government building, a house, an apartment, a condominium, a factory, an office, a station building, an airport, or any other building in which a vending machine can be installed. The vending machine 1 is configured to be able to sell a plurality of types of food and drink as products. The beverages among the products include coffee, cocoa, juice, soup, nutritional drinks, alcoholic beverages, carbonated water, drinking water, and the like. The beverages are sold in cans, bottles, bottles, pouches, or other known containers. The foods among the products include bread, confectionery, ice cream, frozen foods, chilled foods, retort foods, instant foods, salads, nutritional supplements, and the like. The foods are sold in boxes, bags, pouches, or other known containers. In addition to the above, seasonings and dressings also fall under the category of products in this specification.

[0014] The vending machine 1 is provided with a vending machine unique name display 2a and a two-dimensional code 4. The vending machine unique name display 2a may be a combination of alphanumeric characters such as "A001", a combination of a product name and alphanumeric characters such as "Bread A001", a combination of a vending machine model name, product name and alphanumeric characters such as "Communication type_Bread A001", or other known unique name or unique identification symbol. The two-dimensional code 4 may be a QR code (registered trademark), a matrix type two-dimensional code, or other known two-dimensional code.

[0015] In this embodiment, a Web server 5 that can access the Internet 6 is used. The Web server 5 has HTTP server software that performs HTTP communication. The Web server 5 has, as Web content, an input form 11 having a plurality of avoided food names and a check box 11a for checking, a standard explanation form 13 that displays the product name and food ingredients of each food and drink sold in the vending machine 1 corresponding to the unique identification information, and an individual explanation form generation program that generates an individual explanation form 14, and has Web content including these, and a Web content generation program. A commercially available personal computer can be applied to the Web server 5. In all drawings for explaining the embodiment, members having the same functions are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof may be omitted.

[0016] The Web server 5 has a computer, an input form generation program that runs on the computer, and an explanation form generation program. A CPU and a database are built into the computer. If necessary, input means such as a keyboard and a mouse, and output means such as a display device and a printer are connected to the computer. As the Web application, Java (registered trademark), PHP, and other known Web applications can be applied. As the Web application, a commercially available product, free software, or a custom-made product can be applied.

[0017] The user has an external mobile information terminal 21 that can access a specific URL by reading the two-dimensional code 4. The external mobile information terminal 21 may be a smartphone, a tablet personal computer, a laptop personal computer, a personal data assistant, a mobile phone with a camera, or any other known external mobile information terminal.

[0018] [Example 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an operation method of a first example of a vending machine 1A. As an example, the vending machine 1A is placed in front of a building 9 such as a store, has a display unit 3 arranged in a matrix to display individual products, and is a stand-alone type vending machine 1A without wireless communication capabilities. The display unit 3 corresponds to the products built into the vending machine 1A. The products sold by the vending machine 1A are multiple types of food and beverages, for example 4 to 16 types of food and beverages, and for example 6 to 12 types of food and beverages.

[0019] A sticker, seal or nameplate showing vending machine unique name display 2a is provided on the front of vending machine 1A, and a sticker, seal or nameplate showing two-dimensional code 4 showing a specific URL linked to the unique identification information of vending machine 1A is also provided. Web server 5 is provided inside building 9. A user has an external mobile information terminal 21 that can read two-dimensional code 4 with a built-in camera and access said specific URL, and by self-declaring avoidable foods using external mobile information terminal 21, the user can find out whether or not a specific product contains avoidable foods before purchasing the product.

[0020] As in the example of Figure 1, when vending machine 1A is placed within a few meters of Web server 5 in front of a building 9 such as a store or inside building 9 such as a store, the control board attached to Web server 5 can be connected to a controller built into vending machine 1A or an external programmable logic controller (PLC) using a signal line, parallel cable, coaxial cable, control cable, LAN cable, or other known signal line, thereby enabling simple control of vending machine 1A using Web server 5.

[0021] [Example 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a method of operating a vending machine 1B of a second example. As an example, the vending machine 1B is arranged at a location away from a building 9 such as a store, has a display unit 3 arranged in a matrix to display individual products, and is a network-type vending machine 1B with wireless communication capabilities. On the front of the vending machine 1B, a sticker, seal, or nameplate showing the vending machine's unique name display 2a is arranged, and a sticker, seal, or nameplate showing a two-dimensional code 4 showing a specific URL linked to the unique identification information of the vending machine 1B is arranged. The web server 5 is arranged inside the building 9. A user has an external mobile information terminal 21 that can read the two-dimensional code 4 with a built-in camera and access the specific URL, and by self-declaring the avoided food using the external mobile information terminal 21, the user can know whether or not a specific product containing an avoided food is available before purchasing the product.

[0022] As in the example of Figure 2, when vending machine 1B is placed in a location 10 m or more away from Web server 5 in front of a building 9 such as a store or inside building 9 such as a store, a communication board attached to Web server 5 can communicate with communication unit 7 placed in vending machine 1B using radio waves to control control unit 8 built into vending machine 1B, thereby enabling simple control of vending machine 1B using Web server 5.

[0023] The wireless communication standard used by the communication unit 7 is a standard that allows access to the Internet 6, and may be compliant with wireless LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), SIGFOX (registered trademark), LoRa (registered trademark), NB-IoT, LPWA, or other known wireless communication standards. The control unit 8 is a control board, a controller, or a programmable logic controller (PLC).

[0024] Fig. 3A is a diagram showing an example of an input form 11 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3B is a diagram showing an example of a reply form 12 corresponding to the input form 11. Fig. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a standard explanation form 13 according to this embodiment. Fig. 4B is a diagram showing an example of an individual explanation form 14 corresponding to the standard explanation form 13. Fig. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of control of the vending machine 1 by the Web server 5.

[0025] 6 is a schematic flow chart showing the operation procedure of the vending machine 1 by the Web server 5. The operation procedure of the vending machine 1 will now be described.

[0026] [Operational Procedures] In step S1, the Web server 5 prepares an input form 11 and a standard explanation form 13 for the product sold by the vending machine 1 bearing the vending machine specific name display 2a. Note that the operator of the vending machine 1 or a contractor of the operator may prepare the input form 11 and the standard explanation form 13. Once the input form 11 and the standard explanation form 13 are prepared, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0027] In step S2, the Web server 5 uploads the input form 11 to the Internet 6. In addition to the above, a standard explanation form 13 may be uploaded to the Internet 6.

[0028] In step S2A, the user uses the external mobile information terminal 21 to read the two-dimensional code 4 attached to the vending machine 1 in front of them with the built-in camera of the external mobile information terminal 21 and accesses the specific URL. Then, the user checks the input form 11 displayed on the screen of the external mobile information terminal 21, and replies by checking the check box 11a in order to declare the avoided food. It is also possible for the user not to declare the avoided food, and when not declaring the avoided food, the user replies by leaving the check box 11a unchecked.

[0029] FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of an input form 11 when the product sold by the vending machine 1 is bread. As an example, a vending machine specific name display 2a is displayed at the top of the input form 11. This allows the user to recognize that this is the input form 11 for avoided foods related to the vending machine 1 in front of them. As an example, an announcement is displayed below the vending machine specific name display 2a saying "Please check the foods you cannot eat and press the send button." As an example, a send button 11b is displayed at the bottom of the input form 11.

[0030] As an example, check box 11a indicates specific ingredients that are allergens, such as eggs, milk, wheat, peanuts, shrimp, buckwheat, crab, salmon roe, kiwi fruit, walnuts, soybeans, bananas, yams, cashew nuts, peaches, sesame seeds, mackerel, salmon, squid, chicken, apples, matsutake mushrooms, abalone, oranges, beef, gelatin, pork, almonds, and other known allergenic foods.

[0031] 3B is a diagram showing an example of the reply form 12. When the reply form 12 is returned, the reply form 12 is displayed on the screen of the external mobile information terminal 21. As an example, the vending machine's unique name display 2a is displayed at the top of the reply form 12. This allows the user to recognize that they have returned the reply form 12 that corresponds to the avoided food input form 11 for the vending machine 1 in front of them.

[0032] For example, if the food to be avoided by the user is "sesame," the user checks "sesame" to display checked 12a, and when the user presses the send button 11b to reply, the send button 11b changes to a sent display 12b. The checked display 12a may be one, two or more, or zero.

[0033] In step S3, when the Web server 5 receives the reply form 12, it checks the avoided food data corresponding to the checked boxes with the checked indicators 12a in the received reply form 12 against the food ingredient data corresponding to each product name in the already created standard explanation form 13. When the checking process is complete, the process proceeds to step S4. The avoided food data checked by the Web server 5 may be one, two or more, or zero.

[0034] In step S4, the Web server 5 judges whether a specific product name among the product names has food ingredient data that matches the avoided food data of the checked display 12a. If the Web server 5 judges that the specific product name has an avoided food, it transitions to step S6. On the other hand, if the Web server 5 judges that the specific product name does not have an avoided food, it transitions to step S5.

[0035] When the Web server 5 determines that none of the product names in the vending machine 1 include any repellent foods, the Web server 5 transmits the standard explanation form 13 to the external portable information terminal 21 in step S5.

[0036] When the Web server 5 determines that the specific product name of the vending machine 1 includes an avoidant food, in step S6, the Web server 5 generates an individual explanation form 14 and transmits the generated individual explanation form 14 to the external mobile information terminal 21.

[0037] 4A is a diagram showing an example of the standard explanation form 13 when the product sold by the vending machine 1 is bread. As an example, the vending machine specific name display 2a is displayed at the top of the standard explanation form 13. This allows the user to recognize that this is the standard explanation form 13 for the product sold by the vending machine 1 in front of them.

[0038] As an example, the standard explanation form 13 is divided into sections for each product name, and from the top, a product name display 13a, a product appearance display 13b, and a product ingredient display 13c are displayed. The standard explanation form 13 corresponds to the display of products sold by the vending machine 1, and is displayed on the screen of the external mobile information terminal 21.

[0039] 4B is a diagram showing an example of the individual explanation form 14. As an example, the vending machine specific name display 2a is displayed at the top of the individual explanation form 14. This allows the user to recognize that this is the individual explanation form 14 for the product sold by the vending machine 1 in front of them.

[0040] As an example, if the name of a specific product having a repellent food is "anpan" (bean paste bread) and the repellent food is "sesame," the repellent food display 14a is displayed by overwriting the product appearance display 13b. As an example, the repellent food display 14a displays an announcement saying "Contains sesame." As an example, the repellent food display 14a is displayed by overwriting the product name display 13a with one or more of the following: a strikethrough of text, a shaded display of text, or a red display of text. This allows the user to visually recognize the repellent food display 14a. The processing to add the repellent food display 14a can be performed using known software technology or known image processing technology.

[0041] In step S6A, the external mobile information terminal 21 receives the individual explanation form 14 or the standard explanation form 13. This configuration allows the user to know whether or not a product contains a repulsive food before purchasing it. The user then presses the product selection button 3a of the product selected by the user, except for the specific product marked with the repulsive food label 14a, selects a known payment method (electronic money, credit, prepaid card, or cash), and purchases the product. This configuration allows the vending machine 1 to provide the user with the necessary information at the product purchase site using a simple system. This configuration prevents the user from mistakenly purchasing specific products that contain repulsive foods.

[0042] If the product selection button 3a is not pressed for a certain period of time, the vending machine 1 returns to its initial state. This allows the vending machine 1 to sell the product to another user if the user does not purchase the product.

[0043] Step S7 may be provided following step S6. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of control of the vending machine 1 by the Web server 5. The Web server 5 uses the signal line described in the first example above to transmit a sale stop signal 15 as data to the vending machine 1, and controls the vending machine 1. Alternatively, the Web server 5 uses wireless communication described in the second example above to transmit a sale stop signal 15 as data to the vending machine 1, and controls the vending machine 1.

[0044] In step S7, the Web server 5 stops the operation of the specific product selection button 3b on the display unit 3 of the vending machine 1, and displays a sales suspension display 3c for the specific product on the display unit 3 of the vending machine 1. An existing sales suspension processing circuit can be used to stop the operation of the specific product selection button 3b. As an example, it is possible to use the same processing circuit for both stopping the operation of the specific product selection button 3b and displaying a sold-out product. This allows for easy control. As an example, the sales suspension display 3c is displayed on the display unit 3 by overwriting one or more of a strikethrough display, a hatched display, and a red display. As an example, it is possible to display the sales suspension display 3c and a sold-out product display by using the same processing circuit. With this configuration, even if a user knows whether or not there is a repulsive food before purchasing the product, but mistakenly presses the specific product selection button 3b, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally purchasing a specific product including the repulsive food.

[0045] Step S7 is optional and can be provided as necessary. For example, it may be provided specifically in a specific location related to a medical institution, such as a building 9 of a hospital or pharmacy. For example, the discontinued sales display 3c on the vending machine 1 can be configured to also display a sold-out product, resulting in a simpler system configuration, making it easier to balance convenience with protection of personal information. For example, the vending machine 1 can be configured so that it is not directly controlled by the Web server 5, resulting in the simplest system configuration.

[0046] In addition to the above-mentioned embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which, when a user uses an external mobile information terminal 21 to read the two-dimensional code 4 affixed to the vending machine 1 and access a specific URL, a banner linking to the website of the building 9 of a store or shop is displayed. Also, a dedicated application program showing the installation locations of the vending machines 1 and the standard explanation form 13 for each vending machine 1 can be pre-installed in the external mobile information terminal 21 as necessary, allowing a configuration in which the user can check in advance the location of the vending machine 1 and the ingredient display of the product being sold.

[0047] The avoided foods mentioned above are, by way of example, foods that cause food allergies. However, the avoided foods are not limited to foods that cause food allergies. It is also possible to accommodate cases in which each user of the vending machine 1 has religious reasons, illnesses, tastes, and the like in addition to food allergies. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1, 1A, 1B Vending Machine 2a Vending machine specific name display 3 display section, 3a product selection button, 3b specific product selection button, 3c discontinued product display 4. 2D Code 5. Web Server 6. Internet 7. Communications Department 8. Control Unit 9. Building 11 Input form, 11a check box, 11b submit button 12 Reply form, 12a Checked, 12b Sent 13 Standard description form, 13a Product name display, 13b Product appearance display, 13c Product ingredient display 14 Individual Explanation Form, 14a Food Repellent Labeling 15 Stop selling signal 21 External mobile information terminal

Claims

1. A method of operating a vending machine for a user, the method comprising: a vending machine which sells a plurality of types of food and beverages to a user; a two-dimensional code which is arranged in the vending machine and indicates a specific URL which is linked to unique identification information of the vending machine; and a method of operating a vending machine for a user having an external mobile information terminal which can read the two-dimensional code and access the specific URL using a web server, the method comprising: the web server having an input form which has a plurality of avoided food names and check boxes to be checked, and a standard explanation form which displays the product names and food ingredients of each of the foods and beverages sold by the vending machine which correspond to the unique identification information; and the input form is set in a state which can be read by the external mobile information terminal which has accessed the specific URL; When the Web server receives a reply form in which the check boxes of the input form have been checked by the user's operation from the external portable information terminal, the Web server compares the avoided food data corresponding to the checked boxes in the received reply form with the food ingredient data corresponding to each of the product names in the standard explanation form; When the Web server determines that a specific product name among the product names has the food ingredient data that matches the avoided food data, it generates an individual explanation form in which the specific product name is added with an avoided food indication, and transmits the generated individual explanation form to the external portable information terminal as data, and when it determines that the specific product name does not exist among the product names, it transmits the standard explanation form to the external portable information terminal as data. A method for operating a vending machine, comprising:

2. When transmitting the individual explanation form to the external portable information terminal, the Web server transmits to the vending machine a sales stop signal corresponding to the specific product name to which the repellent food indication has been added in the individual explanation form, and causes the vending machine to stop operation of a specific product selection button corresponding to the sales stop signal received as data among a plurality of product selection buttons. The method for operating a vending machine according to claim 1 .

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