Article supply device and article supply system

Abstract

To provide an article supply device and an article supply system, each enabling improvement of interest of a user.SOLUTION: An article supply device 1 is provided, comprising: a main body portion 2; a housing portion 10 attachable to the main body portion 2 and capable of housing a first article P1; a supply portion 30 capable of supplying the first article P1 housed in the housing portion 10; and an acquisition portion (scanning portion 61) which is different from the main body portion 2 and can acquire information related to a second article P2. The supply portion 30 can supply the first article P1 on condition that information related to the second article P2 is acquired by the acquisition portion. An article supply system 100 is also provided, comprising: the article supply device 1 which can supply the first article P1; second articles P2 installed in a plurality of locations (Lo1, Lo2, Lo3, Lo4, Lo5); and a user terminal 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article supply device and an article supply system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are digital stamp rally systems for collecting additional information stored in IC media. For example, in Patent Document 1, a signboard has a built-in non-contact IC medium and is arranged at a plurality of predetermined points. The non-contact IC medium stores additional information including first position information about the signboard, question information and correct answer information for a game, and second position information about other signboards having question information to be visited or answered next. When an electronic device having a reader / writer unit that reads the additional information stored in the non-contact IC medium via an antenna is brought close to the non-contact IC medium, the non-contact IC medium transmits the stored additional information. The electronic device also receives and stores the transmitted additional information. A configuration is disclosed in which the electronic device audibly and / or visually displays at least the question information and the second position information in the additional information, and makes the gamed person go around and answer the questions in sequence. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-35434 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, it is possible to provide a digital stamp rally system that provides information such as questions drawn on a signboard as digital data and allows participants to check their results via the Internet, etc. However, in this case, no device that supplies items is used, and it is not a system that enhances the interest of participants (users).

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an item supply device and an item supply system that can increase the interest of users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention is an item supplying device that includes a main body unit, a storage unit that can be attached to the main body unit and can store a first item, a supply unit that can supply the first item stored in the storage unit, and an acquisition unit that can acquire information regarding at least one second item that is separate from the main body unit, and the supply unit is capable of supplying the first item on the condition that information is acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is an item supply system that includes an item supply device capable of supplying a first item, a second item installed at a first location, a second item installed at a location different from the first location, and a user terminal, wherein the item supply device includes a main body unit, a storage unit that can be attached to the main body unit and can store items, a supply unit capable of supplying the first item stored in the storage unit, and an acquisition unit that can acquire information regarding the second item, wherein the user terminal is capable of acquiring information based on at least first information regarding the second item installed at the first location and other information regarding the second item installed at the other location, and the supply unit is capable of supplying the first item on the condition that the acquisition unit has acquired information from the user terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an item supply device and an item supply system that can increase the interest of users. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an item supply system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an item supply device in an item supply system. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the article supplying device shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a supply flow of a first item in the item supply system. [Diagram 5] 1 is a front view showing an example of an article supplying device when there are multiple types of first articles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An article supplying device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an item supply system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] 1 is a system including an item supply device 1 capable of supplying a first item P1, first to fifth locations (Lo1, Lo2, Lo3, Lo4, Lo5) having a second item P2 such as a poster, a user terminal 60, a server 80 having specific data, and a communication line 90 such as the Internet connecting the server 80, the item supply device 1, and the user terminal 60. Specifically, this item supply system 100 is a system in which, for example, as part of a specific event project, the first item P1, such as character goods, can be acquired (obtained) without the need to pay for it.

[0012] The second object P2 is, for example, a poster made of a soft material (such as paper or a film sheet) on which specific character information is written. The first location Lo1, the second location Lo2, the third location Lo3, the fourth location Lo4, and the fifth location Lo5 are different locations that are far apart. For example, each location is a different station on a certain railway line, and five locations are set. In the first to fourth locations (Lo1, Lo2, Lo3, Lo4), only the second object P2 is installed. Therefore, the first to fourth locations (Lo1, Lo2, Lo3, Lo4) are locations where posters are attached, for example, on walls or signs. The contents of the second object P2 are the same or of the same type. On the other hand, in the fifth location Lo5, the second object 2 installed has the same contents, but is installed in a different manner from those in the other four locations, and is installed in the object supply device 1 as described later (see FIG. 2).

[0013] The user terminal 60 is capable of Internet communication and has an image capture function and a non-contact communication function (hereinafter, NFC (near field communication)) function. Each second item 2 (poster) is provided with, for example, an NFC tag T (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5), and different information for each location (hereinafter, referred to as "stamp information") is set. The user terminal 60 can then acquire the stamp information specific to each location of the second item P2. For example, the stamp information is acquired by bringing the scanning unit 61 of the NFC reader of the user terminal 60, as an acquisition unit, close to the tag T as shown in the figure.

[0014] As described above, the stamp information includes stamp information for each location, and further includes, in addition to the stamp information itself, information on the acquisition date and time of the stamp information.

[0015] On the second item P2, the information written on the tag T is not visible on the second item P2. The tag T is attached, for example, on the second item P2, but is provided so as to be covered with an attachment member so that the tag surface is not visible. Furthermore, the position where the tag T is provided is indicated, for example, by an arrow 71 or an explanation 72 written close to the arrow 71. Therefore, the user can obtain stamp information related to the second item P2 by bringing the scan unit 61 close to the indicated portion using the user terminal 60.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the article supplying apparatus 1, and FIG. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the item supply device 1 comprises a main body 2, a storage section 10 that can be attached to the main body 2 and can store items, a supply section 30 that can supply a first item P1 stored in the internal space SP1 of the storage section 10, a locking section 25 that locks the operation of the supply section 30, an operation section 4 that can be operated to unlock the locking section 25 and operate the supply section 30 when certain conditions are met, and a passage section 9a that rolls and passes the first item P1 from the storage section 10 to the supply port 9.

[0017] The supply unit 30 includes a turntable 31 rotatably disposed on the bottom 10b of the storage unit 10, and includes a plurality of holding holes 31h capable of holding the first article P1. The turntable 31 randomly selects the first articles P1 one by one from the storage unit 10 via through holes 10bh formed in the bottom 10b as it rotates, and supplies the first articles P1 from the holding holes 31h to the passage unit 9a.

[0018] The first object P1 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin and has a generally spherical shape that is appropriately rigid and easy to roll. The first object P1, which may be wrapped in a wrapping film as necessary, is delivered to the user while avoiding separation or damage during delivery from the object delivery device 1.

[0019] The article supply device 1 includes a control unit 40 capable of communicating with the outside. The article supply device 1 includes a camera 24 capable of acquiring image information, and a light-emitting unit 27 and a sound generating unit 26 functioning as notification units provided on the front surface 2f side of the main body 2, which are connected to the control unit 40. The control unit 40 is also connected to a lock unit 25 that locks the operation of the operation unit 4, and can release the lock unit 25 when a specific condition is met.

[0020] The turntable 31 of the supply unit 30 is provided with a rack gear 31g at its lower end, and the gear train 4b is engaged with the rack gear 31g. The rotating shaft 4a of the operation unit 4 is provided to drive the gear train 4b. The lock unit 25 is engaged with the gear train 4b to lock the rotation of the gear train 4b.

[0021] In this embodiment, a holding plate 15 having an L-shape in a side view is provided at the upper end 2u of the main body 2, and a poster, which is the second item P2, is provided in front of this holding plate 15. This poster is not essential and may be omitted.

[0022] The server 80 manages the stamp information of the second item P2 and the acquisition date and time information thereof from the user terminal 60. For example, the server 80 manages a plurality of pieces of stamp information acquired by the user terminal 60 from four locations and transmitted to the server 80, and the respective acquisition date and time information. The server 80 accumulates the stamp information and the acquisition date and time information transmitted from the user terminal 60 for each user terminal 60, and transmits a bonus code that allows the supply of the first item P1 to the user terminal 60 when a predetermined number of pieces of stamp information (at least one, preferably multiple pieces) are accumulated and the acquisition dates and times of the respective pieces of stamp information are within a predetermined period. This allows the user of the user terminal 60 to receive the supply of the first item P1 as a bonus using the bonus code. The bonus code is information generated based on the stamp information acquired by the user terminal 60 for each location and the acquisition date and time information thereof, and constitutes information regarding a plurality of second items P2 installed at different locations.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a supply flow of the first item P1 in the item supply system 100. The actual operation of the article supply system 100 and the flow of article supply will be described below. First, when using the article supply system 100, for example, registration for "Digital Stamp Rally" is performed on the user terminal 60. At this time, a predetermined application is installed in the user terminal 60 (step 1).

[0024] The NFC function of the user terminal 60 is turned on, and the scanning unit 61 is touched (non-contact) to the tag T of the poster (second item P2). As a result, the stamp information of the tag T is transmitted to the registered application (step 2).

[0025] Next, the application on the user terminal 60 transmits the stamp information and its acquisition date and time information to the server 80 (step 3).

[0026] The server 80 manages the stamp information and acquisition date and time information, and when a predetermined number of stamps are collected within a predetermined period, transmits a bonus code (e.g., a two-dimensional code) that can supply the first item P1 to the user terminal 60 (step 4).

[0027] Next, the user displays the bonus code transmitted to the user terminal 60 on the screen of the application of the user terminal 60, and holds the bonus code over the camera 24 of the item supply device 1 to have the image read (step 5).

[0028] When the control unit 40 reads the special code, the lock unit 25 is unlocked and the notification unit (sound generating unit 26, light emitting unit 27) is driven, making it possible to operate the operation unit 4 (step 6).

[0029] Next, the user rotates the operation unit 4. This causes the supply unit 30 to rotate and supply the first article P1 to the supply port 9 (step 7).

[0030] FIG. 5 is a front view showing an example of the article supplying device 1 when there are multiple types of first articles P1. When there are many first objects P1 that can be supplied, the object supplying device 1 is configured to have a plurality of main body sections 2, as shown in Fig. 5. That is, there are a plurality of storage sections 10, and each storage section 10 can store a first object P1 of a different character. In the case of the configuration shown in Fig. 5, five types (A, B, C, D, E) of first objects P1 are prepared. In this case, for example, an operation panel 20 is installed, on which a camera 24 and a touch panel 18 that displays, for example, an LCD screen are provided.

[0031] The user selects the storage unit 10 that contains the first item P1 that the user wishes to receive on the touch panel 18. At this time, the item supply device 1 performs control so that only storage units 10 that contain one or more first items P1 can be selected. When a storage unit 10 is selected by the user and the privilege code is held up to the camera 24, the first item P1 becomes available for supply from the selected storage unit 10, and the user can obtain the desired first item P1. In addition, in the article supplying device 1 shown in Fig. 5, a holding plate 15 is provided to indicate that the entire device is a device for "digital stamp rally". In addition, this article supplying device 1 is not provided with a tag T, and is a device that only supplies articles.

[0032] There may be cases where the server 80 shown in Fig. 1 is not used. In this case, stamp information is stored in the application of the user terminal 60. Then, when a predetermined amount of stamp information is accumulated in the application within a predetermined period, a bonus code is displayed on the user terminal 60. As a result, the user can obtain the first item P1 by performing the operations from step 5 onwards.

[0033] The goods supply device 1 functions as a device of the goods supply system 100 as described above, but may also be configured to supply goods upon payment of a price separately from the goods supply system 100. In this case, the goods supply device 1 is provided with a coin insertion slot 5 for inserting the price, a coin return slot 6, and a coin return button 7 (see FIG. 2). Then, when the required coins are inserted, the control unit 40 releases the lock unit 25, allowing the operation unit 4 to be rotated.

[0034] As described above, in this embodiment, the first object P1 is supplied from the main body part 2 on the condition that stamp information on the second object P2, which is separate from the main body part 2, is acquired by an acquiring unit (scanning unit 61) capable of acquiring the stamp information, so that the user needs to move between the main body part 2 and the second object P2. In particular, when the second object P2 is placed in a plurality of distant locations (Lo1, Lo2, Lo3, Lo4, Lo5) and the stamp information of a plurality of second objects P2 is an acquisition condition for acquiring the first object P1, the user is provided with the opportunity to enjoy moving a predetermined distance.

[0035] In this embodiment, the posters (second item P2) placed in multiple locations (Lo1, Lo2, Lo3, Lo4, Lo5) are configured as the same or nearly the same type of item, making it easy for users to recognize them and easy to obtain the stamp information of the second item P2.

[0036] In this embodiment, when acquiring the necessary number of pieces of information on the second item P2, the stamp information can be acquired only one at a time. This allows the acquisition period and travel distance to be set as necessary conditions, allowing for fun travel play.

[0037] In this embodiment, the acquisition of the first item P1 does not require payment of a price, but is conditional on the acquisition of stamp information for the second item P2, which has the effect of providing an incentive by treating the first item P1 as a prize, and provides motivation to move between multiple locations (Lo1, Lo2, Lo3, Lo4, Lo5).

[0038] In addition, in this embodiment, when obtaining stamp information for the second item P2, the first item P1 can be supplied without taking into consideration the chronological order of the first date and time information and the second date and time information, so that collection of stamp information can start from any location (Lo1, Lo2, Lo3, Lo4, Lo5), making it easier to play while moving around.

[0039] In addition, in this embodiment, most users can easily participate because the stamp information regarding the second item P2 can be obtained via the user terminal 60. Moreover, the stamp information can be obtained in a non-contact manner, so it can be obtained easily and quickly.

[0040] In this embodiment, the stamp information on the second object P2 cannot be visually recognized from its appearance, which increases the enjoyment of acquiring the stamp information. In addition, by providing an arrow 71 or an explanation 72 indicating the information acquisition position (formation position) for the position where the stamp information is acquired, the operation of the user terminal 60 can be made easier.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first object P1 is made of a hard material and is rollable, so it can be easily supplied by the object supplying device 1. On the other hand, the second object P2 is made of a soft material and is a sheet such as a poster, so it can be placed in a wide range of locations without being picky about where to place it, and further, character information can be easily provided.

[0042] In this embodiment, the operation unit of the item supply device 1 is configured so that, when operated, the notification unit can be operated to emit at least one of sound and light, provided that information about the second item P2 has been acquired, thereby making the acquisition of the first item P1 a spectacular event.

[0043] In this embodiment, when the main body 2 is provided with a plurality of storage sections 10, the main body 2 is configured to enable selection of any one of the plurality of storage sections 10, so that, for example, different characters can be acquired according to preference.

[0044] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of its technical concept. For example, in the above embodiment, the system is provided with the article supply device 1 in the fifth location Lo5, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the article supply device 1 may be provided in multiple locations or all locations.

[0045] In addition, in the above embodiment, the bonus code is read by the camera 24, but this is not limited to this. For example, the item supply device 1 may be provided with an NFC for reading, and the bonus code stored in the tag T of the user terminal 60 may be transmitted to the item supply device 1 via contactless communication.

[0046] In addition, in the above embodiment, the second item P2 of the fifth location Lo5 is configured to be provided on the holding plate 15, but this is not limited to this and may be provided, for example, on the side surface 2s of the main body 2 or the front surface 10f of the storage section 10.

[0047] The server 80 is configured to issue a bonus code when multiple stamp information is accumulated within a specified period, but may also be configured to issue a bonus code when a single stamp information is received from the user terminal 60.

[0048] As described above, the present specification discloses the following:

[0049] (1) An article supplying device, A main body portion, A storage section that can be attached to the main body section and can store a first item; a supply section capable of supplying the first article contained in the storage section; and an acquisition unit capable of acquiring information about at least one second item separate from the main body unit, The item supplying device, wherein the supplying unit is capable of supplying the first item on condition that the information is acquired by the acquiring unit.

[0050] (2) The article supply device according to (1), The information is information relating to a plurality of the second items.

[0051] (3) The article supply device according to (2), An item supply device, wherein the information regarding the multiple second items is based on at least first information possessed by the second items installed at a first location and other information other than the first information possessed by the second items installed at locations other than the first location.

[0052] (4) The article supply device according to (3), An item supplying device, wherein the second item placed at the first location and the second item placed at the other location are the same or the same type of item.

[0053] (5) The article supply device according to (3) or (4), The item supply device, wherein the supply unit is capable of supplying the first item on condition that information based on at least the first information and the other information is acquired within a predetermined period of time.

[0054] (6) The article supply device according to (5), The supply unit is capable of supplying the first item under the conditions without requiring payment of a price, the item supply device.

[0055] (7) An article supply device according to any one of (3) to (6), The information regarding the plurality of second items includes information in which the first information is based on first date and time information acquired by a terminal from the second items and the other information is based on second date and time information acquired by the terminal from the second items, The item supply device, wherein the supply unit is capable of supplying the first item without taking into consideration a time sequence of the first date and time information and the second date and time information.

[0056] (8) An article supply device according to any one of (3) to (7), An item supplying device, wherein the acquisition unit is unable to acquire information regarding the second item directly from the second item.

[0057] (9) The article supply device according to (8), The item supply device, wherein the acquisition unit is capable of acquiring information regarding the second item via a user terminal.

[0058] (10) The article supply device according to (9), The item supply device, wherein the acquisition unit is capable of contactlessly acquiring information regarding the second item from the user terminal.

[0059] (11) The article supply device according to (9) or (10), An item supplying device, wherein the first information and the other information are information that cannot be simultaneously acquired by the user terminal.

[0060] (12) An article supply device according to any one of (9) to (11), An article supplying device, wherein the first information and the other information are formed so as not to be visible on the second article.

[0061] (13) An article supplying device according to any one of (9) to (12), An article supplying device, wherein the first information and the other information clearly indicate the formation positions on the second article.

[0062] (14) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (13), The article supplying device, wherein the first article is configured to be rollable and the second article is configured to be non-rollable.

[0063] (15) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (14), The article supplying device, wherein the first article is made of a hard material and the second article is made of a soft material.

[0064] (16) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (15), The second item is an item supplying device, and character information is provided on a portion of the second item.

[0065] (17) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (16), Further comprising an operating unit operable to supply articles from the supply unit, The supply unit is capable of supplying the first item on condition that the operating unit is operated.

[0066] (18) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (17), The storage section includes at least a first storage section and a second storage section, The main body further includes a selection unit capable of selecting either the first storage unit or the second storage unit, An item supplying device, wherein the selection unit is capable of selecting either the first storage unit or the second storage unit, provided that both the first storage unit and the second storage unit are capable of supplying items.

[0067] (19) An article supply device according to any one of (1) to (18), The main body further includes a notification unit that notifies the user that information about the second article has been acquired, The item supplying device, wherein the notification unit emits at least one of a sound and a light on condition that information about the second item is acquired.

[0068] (20) An article supply system, comprising: An item supplying device capable of supplying a first item, a second item installed at a first location, the second item installed at a location different from the first location, and a user terminal; The item supply device includes a main body, a storage section that can be attached to the main body and can store items, a supply section that can supply the first item stored in the storage section, and an acquisition section that can acquire information about the second item, The user terminal is capable of obtaining information based on at least first information about the second item installed at the first location and other information about the second item installed at the other location; The supply unit is capable of supplying the first item on condition that the acquisition unit acquires the information from the user terminal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1 Goods supply device 2 Main unit 4 Control section 10 Storage section 26 Voice generation unit (notification unit) 27 Light-emitting section (notification section) 30 Supply section 40 Control section Lo1 1st location Lo2 2nd location Lo3 3rd location Lo4 4th location Lo5 5th location P1 1st article P2 2nd article T(T1~T5) NFC tags 60 user terminals 61 Scanning section (acquisition section) 80 Servers 90 Communication Lines

Claims

1. An article supplying device, A main body portion, A storage section that can be attached to the main body section and can store a first item; a supply section capable of supplying the first article contained in the storage section; and an acquisition unit capable of acquiring information about at least one second item separate from the main body unit, The supply unit is capable of supplying the first item on condition that the information is acquired by the acquisition unit.

2. The article supply device according to claim 1, The information is information regarding a plurality of the second items.

3. The article supply device according to claim 2, An item supply device, wherein the information regarding the multiple second items is based on at least first information possessed by the second items installed at a first location and other information other than the first information possessed by the second items installed at locations other than the first location.

4. The article supply device according to claim 3, An item supplying device, wherein the second item installed at the first location and the second item installed at the other location are the same or the same type of item.

5. The article supply device according to claim 4, The supply unit is capable of supplying the first item on condition that information based on at least the first information and the other information is acquired within a predetermined period of time.

6. The article supply device according to claim 5, An item supplying device, wherein the supply unit is capable of supplying the first item according to the conditions without requiring payment of a price.

7. 7. The article supplying device according to claim 6, The information regarding the plurality of second items includes information based on first date and time information, in which the first information is based on a first date and time information acquired by a terminal from the second items, and the other information is based on second date and time information, in which the other information is based on a second date and time information acquired by the terminal from the second items, An item supplying device, wherein the supply unit is capable of supplying the first item without taking into consideration the time sequence of the first date and time information and the second date and time information.

8. The article supply device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, An item supplying device, wherein the acquisition unit is unable to acquire information about the second item directly from the second item.

9. The article supply device according to claim 8, The acquisition unit is capable of acquiring information regarding the second item via a user terminal.

10. The article supplying device according to claim 9, The acquisition unit is capable of contactlessly acquiring information regarding the second item from the user terminal.

11. The article supplying device according to claim 10, An item supply device, wherein the first information and the other information are information that cannot be acquired simultaneously by the user terminal.

12. The article supplying device according to claim 11, An item supplying device, wherein the first information and the other information are formed so as not to be visible on the second item.

13. 13. The article supplying device according to claim 12, An article supplying device, wherein the first information and the other information explicitly indicate the formation position of the second article.

14. The article supplying device according to claim 13, An article supplying device, wherein the first article is configured to be rollable and the second article is configured to be non-rollable.

15. 15. The article supplying apparatus according to claim 14, An article supplying device, wherein the first article is made of a hard material and the second article is made of a soft material.

16. 16. The article supplying apparatus according to claim 15, An item supplying device, wherein the second item has character information provided on a portion thereof.

17. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Further comprising an operating unit operable to supply items from the supply unit, An item supplying device, wherein the supplying unit is capable of supplying the first item upon operation of the operating unit.

18. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The storage section includes at least a first storage section and a second storage section, The main body further includes a selection unit capable of selecting either the first storage unit or the second storage unit, An item supplying device, wherein the selection unit is capable of selecting either the first storage unit or the second storage unit, provided that both the first storage unit and the second storage unit are capable of supplying items.

19. The article supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The main body further includes a notification unit that notifies the user that information about the second item has been acquired, An item supplying device, wherein the notification unit emits at least one of sound and light on the condition that information regarding the second item is acquired.

20. An article supply system, comprising: The system includes an item supplying device capable of supplying a first item, a second item installed at a first location, the second item installed at a location different from the first location, and a user terminal; The item supply device includes a main body, a storage unit that can be attached to the main body and can store items, a supply unit that can supply the first item stored in the storage unit, and an acquisition unit that can acquire information about the second item, the user terminal is capable of obtaining information based on at least first information about the second item installed at the first location and other information about the second item installed at the other location; The supply unit is capable of supplying the first item on the condition that the acquisition unit acquires the information from the user terminal.

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