Vending machine, vending system, method of operating vending machine, and program

Abstract

To provide a vending machine that supports payment with coins.SOLUTION: A vending machine includes: a coin-placing platform on which coins held by a user are placed; a coin-recognizing unit that recognizes the types of coins placed on the coin-placing platform and the number of coins of each type; a coin insertion determination unit that determines a combination of the types of coins and the number of coins to be inserted that minimizes change based on the price of articles selected by the user, the types of coins recognized by the coin-recognizing unit, and the number of coins of each type; and a display control unit that sequentially displays the number of each type of coin to be inserted, as determined by the coin insertion determination unit, on a display unit provided in the machine, by using a pattern for each type of coin.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vending machine, a vending system, an operation method of a vending machine, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, vending machines compatible with cashless payments have been increasingly used, but vending machines that only support cash payments are still in use. Here, people who have difficulty with calculations, such as those with autism, and those who are not familiar with Japanese coins tend to pay large amounts that always result in change when purchasing goods because they cannot use small change properly.

[0003] In this way, users of vending machines often accumulate a large amount of small change in their wallets because change is generated every time they purchase something. On the other hand, when purchasing goods, users want to use that small change and have a desire not to increase the small change as much as possible even when change is generated.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-143158 (Citation Document 1) describes displaying the amount of a transaction on a display by denomination with a denomination pattern and the corresponding number of bills or coins.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Generally, pictures are easier to understand than letters and numbers, and procedures can be carried out more smoothly when shown in detailed steps. Therefore, it has been desired to support small change payments to vending machines by using pictures and showing procedures in detailed steps while taking into account the types and numbers of coins held by users.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The vending machine according to the present disclosure includes a coin placement table on which coins held by a user are placed, a coin type recognition unit that recognizes the types of coins placed on the coin placement table and the number of coins for each type, a price of a product selected by the user, and an inserted coin determination unit that determines a combination of coin types and numbers such that the change is minimized based on the types of coins recognized by the holding coin recognition unit and the number of coins for each type, and a display control unit that sequentially displays the number of coins for each type of coin to be inserted determined by the inserted coin determination unit on a display unit provided in the machine with a pattern corresponding to each type of coin.

[0008] The vending system according to the present disclosure includes a coin placement table on which coins held by a user are placed, a coin type recognition unit that recognizes the types of coins placed on the coin placement table and the number of coins for each type, a price of a product selected by the user, and an inserted coin determination unit that determines a combination of coin types and numbers such that the change is minimized based on the types of coins recognized by the holding coin recognition unit and the number of coins for each type, and a display control unit that sequentially displays the number of coins for each type of coin to be inserted determined by the inserted coin determination unit on a display unit with a pattern corresponding to each type of coin.

[0009] Further, an operation method of a vending machine according to the present disclosure includes a step of recognizing the types of coins placed on a coin placement table and the number of coins for each type, a step of determining a combination of coin types and numbers such that the change is minimized based on the price of a product selected by the user and the recognized types of coins and the number of coins for each type, and a step of sequentially displaying the number of coins for each type of coin to be inserted determined in the determining step on a display unit with a pattern corresponding to each type of coin.

[0010] In addition, the program according to the present disclosure includes steps of recognizing the types of coins placed on the coin placement table and the number of coins for each type, the price of the product selected by the user, the recognized types of coins and the number of coins for each type, and based on these, determining a combination of the types and numbers of coins that minimizes the change as much as possible, and sequentially displaying on the display unit the number of coins for each determined type of coin to be inserted, using the pattern for each corresponding type of coin.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] Thereby, a vending machine that supports payment with small change can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a configuration example of a vending machine will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vending machine according to the present disclosure.

[0014] The vending machine 100 includes a coin placement unit 2, a held coin recognition unit 3, a inserted coin determination unit 4, and a display control unit 5.

[0015] The coin placement unit 2 is the part where the user places the coins they possess. That is, the user can place a plurality of types and a plurality of coins they have on the coin placement unit 2. Hereinafter, the plurality of types of coins shall be 500 - yen coins, 100 - yen coins, 50 - yen coins, and 10 - yen coins.

[0016] The possessed - coin recognition unit 3 recognizes the number of coins for each type placed on the coin placement unit 2. For example, the possessed - coin recognition unit 3 is provided with a camera that acquires an image of the coin, and an arithmetic unit that recognizes the type of the coin and the number of coins for each type from the acquired image.

[0017] The inserted - coin determination unit 4 determines a combination of the types and numbers of coins such that the change is minimized based on the price of the product selected by the user and the number of coins for each type recognized by the possessed - coin recognition unit 3.

[0018] The display control unit 5 controls the display on the display unit provided in the vending machine 100. Specifically, the display control unit 5 sequentially displays the number of coins for each type determined by the inserted - coin determination unit 4 on the display unit provided in the vending machine 100 using the corresponding pattern for each type. Thereby, through the display on the display unit, the display control unit 5 guides the user to perform the coin - insertion operation.

[0019] Thereby, while taking into account the types and numbers of coins the user possesses, the display unit provided in the vending machine uses pictures to display the procedure in detailed steps, and can support the payment of change for the vending machine.

[0020] Embodiment 2 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vending machine. Here, the vending machine 200 according to Embodiment 2 will explain a more detailed configuration regarding the vending machine 100 shown in Embodiment 1.

[0021] The vending machine 200 includes a coin number recognition unit 10, product selection buttons 20, a coin insertion slot 30, a bill insertion slot 40, a change return slot 50, a product outlet 60, a return lever 70, and a currency insertion support unit 80.

[0022] The coin number recognition unit 10 is a recessed part inside the vending machine 200, and has a coin placement table for placing coins, a camera 10a for photographing the coins on the coin placement table, and an arithmetic unit 10b for recognizing the coins. More specifically, on the ceiling surface of the coin number recognition unit 10, the camera 10a is installed downward so as to be able to photograph the coins placed on the coin placement table, and the arithmetic unit acquires information on the types and numbers of the placed coins from the photographed image obtained by the camera 10a.

[0023] In other words, the coin number recognition unit 10 can be said to correspond to the coin placement unit 2 and the held coin recognition unit 3 of the vending machine 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0024] Regarding the camera 10a and the coin placement table, as a more specific arrangement configuration, the camera 10a is provided on the ceiling above the coin placement table, and can be in a state where the optical axis of the camera 10a coincides with the normal direction of the upper surface of the horizontally provided coin placement table.

[0025] The product selection buttons 20 are buttons for the user to press to select products.

[0026] The coin insertion slot 30 and the bill insertion slot 40 are insertion slots for the user to insert currency so that the amount required for purchasing products is obtained.

[0027] The change return slot 50 is a cash return slot where change is discharged for the amount by which the amount inserted from the coin insertion slot 30 and the bill insertion slot 40 is more than the price of the product when the product is purchased by the user.

[0028] Also, when the user inserts unnecessary coins through the coin insertion slot 30 without following the instructions displayed by the coin insertion support unit 80 described later, the change return slot 50 is used to return the coins to the user. This corresponds to the case where, in the first embodiment, the user inserts unnecessary coins without following the instructions displayed in accordance with the control of the display control unit 5. In the vending machine 200, when the coins instructed to be inserted by the user do not match the coins actually inserted, the coins can be automatically returned to the user.

[0029] The product outlet 60 is an outlet that provides a product when the user selects a product using the product selection button 20 and inserts cash equal to or more than the price of the product through the coin insertion slot 30 and the bill insertion slot 40.

[0030] The return lever 70 is an operation lever that executes a process of returning cash according to the operation of the user when the user stops selecting a product after inserting cash through the coin insertion slot 30 and the bill insertion slot 40, or when the amount corresponding to the change is held in the vending machine 200 after the product is normally purchased.

[0031] The coin insertion support unit 80 includes a inserted coin number display unit 81, a remaining balance display unit 82, a planned purchase product display unit 83, and an arithmetic unit 84.

[0032] The inserted coin number display unit 81 indicates the coins and the number of coins that should be inserted now. The user can insert coins according to the display of the inserted coin number display unit 81 so that no change is generated, or so that the change is reduced even if it is generated.

[0033] The remaining balance display unit 82 can indicate the remaining amount that should be inserted according to the cash insertion by the user.

[0034] The planned purchase product display unit 83 can display the product selected by the user using the product selection button 20.

[0035] The calculation unit 84 can perform calculations on the amount to be displayed in the currency input support unit 80. More specifically, the calculation unit 84 calculates the content to be displayed on the inserted coin number display unit 81 and the inserted balance display unit 82 according to the identification result of the currency number recognition unit 10, the price of the product selected by the product selection button 20, the type and number of bills inserted from the coin insertion slot 30 and the bill insertion slot 40, etc. Also, for example, the calculation unit 84 can control the displays of the inserted coin number display unit 81, the inserted balance display unit 82, and the planned purchase product display unit 83.

[0036] Also, in the following, it will be described that the calculation unit 84 performs calculations for optimizing the coins for purchasing products and other necessary calculations.

[0037] That is, the currency input support unit 80 can operate as the inserted coin determination unit 4 and the display control unit 5 in the vending machine 100 according to the first embodiment. As an example, when the calculation unit 84 performs calculations as the inserted coin determination unit 4 and operates as the display control unit 5, it can perform display control for each of the inserted coin number display unit 81, the inserted balance display unit 82, and the planned purchase product display unit 83, which are display units.

[0038] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the vending machine. For the sake of easy understanding of the description, some processes such as calculations and controls for causing the calculation unit 84 to display on the inserted coin number display unit 81, the inserted balance display unit 82, and the planned purchase product display unit 83 are omitted from the description.

[0039] First, the user presses the product selection button 20 to select a product (step S1). At this time, the currency input support unit 80 displays the amount to be inserted on the inserted balance display unit 82 and displays the product on the planned purchase product display unit 83 (step S2).

[0040] Next, the user places the coins they own on the coin number recognition unit 10. Then, the coin number recognition unit 10 takes a picture of the placed coins with the camera 10a, and the arithmetic unit 10b recognizes the types and the respective numbers of the coins (step S3). As a result, the vending machine 200 is in a state where it knows the types and the numbers of the coins the user owns.

[0041] Note that the recognition of the types and numbers of the coins by the arithmetic unit 10b only needs to be based on the acquired images by the camera 10a for the recognizable part. For the part that cannot be recognized due to coin overlap or the like, the coins are regarded as non-existent and processed accordingly.

[0042] In the vending machine 200, if the total of the owned coins does not exceed the price of the product based on the types and numbers of the coins determined by the arithmetic unit 10b (NO in step S4), the user is notified to take actions such as adding more coins. When the user places the coins again on the coin number recognition unit 10, it returns to step S3, and the camera 10a takes pictures of the coins, and the arithmetic unit 10b recognizes the types and the respective numbers of the coins.

[0043] On the other hand, when the total of the owned coins grasped by taking pictures with the camera 10a by the arithmetic unit 10b exceeds the price of the product, the arithmetic unit 10b optimizes the types and the numbers of the coins to be inserted so that the inserted coins increase while preventing change from occurring, or so that the change decreases even if it occurs (step S5). The method of optimizing the types and numbers of the coins will be described later, but here it will be described as if the optimization has been performed.

[0044] Next, the vending machine 200 displays the types and numbers of the coins to be inserted on the inserted coin number display unit 81 of the coin insertion support unit 80 according to the result of the optimization (step S6). Here, the order of the coin types displayed by the inserted coin number display unit 81 is from the coins with the smallest amount.

[0045] The user inserts coins into the coin insertion slot 30 according to the display on the inserted coin number display unit 81 (step S7). Here, when the user inserts a coin other than the one displayed on the inserted coin number display unit 81 (NO in step S8), the coin insertion support unit 80 discharges the coin from the change slot 50 (step S9).

[0046] On the other hand, when the user inserts the coin displayed on the inserted coin number display unit 81 (YES in step S8), the coin insertion support unit 80 calculates the shortage amount by the arithmetic unit 84 and changes the amount displayed on the remaining insertion amount display unit 82 by the amount of the inserted coin (step S10). Further, the coin insertion support unit 80 changes the amount displayed on the inserted coin number display unit 81 (step S11).

[0047] Here, when the user has not inserted coins until the amount is the same as the display of the coin displayed on the inserted coin number display 81 (step S12), for example, when only one coin is inserted although an instruction to insert two 10 - yen coins is displayed and there is still a display of the coin to be inserted, the process returns to step S7, waits for the user to insert new coins, and repeats steps S7 to S11.

[0048] On the other hand, when the user inserts coins until the amount is the same as the display of the coin displayed on the inserted coin number display 81 (not step S12), the coin insertion support unit 80 checks whether there is a remaining balance displayed on the remaining insertion amount display unit 82 (step S13).

[0049] Here, when there is a remaining balance to be inserted on the remaining insertion amount display unit 82 (greater than 0 yen in step S13), since the coins have not been inserted until they reach the price of the product yet, among the coin types to be inserted, the coin type with a smaller amount and the number after the coins inserted in steps S7 to S9 are displayed on the inserted coin number display 81 (step S14), and the process returns to step S7.

[0050] On the other hand, when the user repeatedly performs the operation of inserting coins into the coin insertion slot 30 according to the display of the inserted coin number display unit 81, and as a result, when the display of the remaining balance display unit 82 becomes 0 yen (0 yen in step S13), since the price of the product is equal to the inserted amount, the product is provided from the product outlet 60.

[0051] In addition, when the user repeatedly performs the operation of inserting coins into the coin insertion slot 30 according to the display of the inserted coin number display unit 81, and as a result, when the display of the remaining balance display unit 82 becomes 0 yen or more (less than 0 yen in step S13), since the inserted amount is excessive compared to the price of the product, change is discharged from the change outlet 50 (step S15), and at the same time, the product is provided from the product outlet 60.

[0052] Here, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an example of the relationship between the change in the display of each display unit of the specific coin insertion support unit 80 and the inserted amount is shown. FIG. 4 is an example when it is possible to purchase a product without change with the coins the user has.

[0053] Here, it is assumed that the user selects a product with a price of 460 yen. Further, it is assumed that the user's owned coins are 1 500-yen coin, 4 100-yen coins, 1 50-yen coin, and 8 10-yen coins as a result of being grasped by the vending machine 200. In this case, the result of optimizing the type and number of coins to be inserted is 4 100-yen coins and 6 10-yen coins.

[0054] As shown in Display 1 of FIG. 4, the vending machine 200 displays 460 yen on the remaining balance display unit 82, and on the inserted coin number display unit 81, first displays 6 10-yen coins, which are the coin types with a smaller amount.

[0055] Next, as shown in Display 2, after inserting 1 10-yen coin from the state of Display 1, the vending machine 200 changes the display of the remaining balance display unit 82 to 450 yen and changes the display of the inserted coin number display unit 81 to 5 10-yen coins.

[0056] Next, as shown in Display 3, after the vending machine 200 inserts five 10-yen coins from the state of Display 2 and the insertion of the 10-yen coins is completed, the display of the remaining inserted amount display section 82 is changed to 400 yen, and the inserted coin number display section 81 displays four 100-yen coins, which is the coin type with the next smallest amount among the coin types to be inserted.

[0057] Next, as shown in Display 4, after the vending machine 200 inserts one 100-yen coin from the state of Display 3, the display of the remaining inserted amount display section 82 is changed to 300 yen, and the display of the inserted coin number display section 81 is changed to three 100-yen coins.

[0058] Next, as shown in Display 5, after the vending machine 200 inserts two 100-yen coins from the state of Display 4, the display of the remaining inserted amount display section 82 is changed to 100 yen, the display of the inserted coin number display section 81 is changed to one 100-yen coin, and an arrow indicating that the product to be purchased will be provided from the product outlet 60 with the next 100-yen coin insertion is displayed below the product-to-be-purchased display section 83.

[0059] Next, as shown in Display 6, after the vending machine 200 inserts one 100-yen coin from the state of Display 5, the display of the remaining inserted amount display section 82 is changed to 0 yen, the display of the inserted coin number display section 81 disappears, and the purchased product is provided from the product outlet 60.

[0060] Figure 5 is an example of a case where a product is purchased in a state where change is generated with the coins the user has.

[0061] Here, it is assumed that the user selects a product with a price of 460 yen. Furthermore, as a result of grasping the coins the user owns in the vending machine 200, it is assumed that there is one 500-yen coin, three 100-yen coins, one 50-yen coin, and eight 10-yen coins. In this case, the result of optimizing the coin type and number to be inserted is one 500-yen coin, six 10-yen coins, and 100 yen in change.

[0062] As shown in Display 1, the vending machine 200 displays 460 yen on the inserted balance display section 82, and on the inserted coin number display section 81, first displays six 10-yen coins, which are coins of the smallest denomination.

[0063] Next, as shown in Display 2, after inserting one 10-yen coin from the state of Display 1, the vending machine 200 changes the display on the inserted balance display section 82 to 450 yen and changes the display on the inserted coin number display section 81 to five 10-yen coins.

[0064] Next, as shown in Display 3, after inserting five 10-yen coins from the state of Display 2 and completing the insertion of 10-yen coins, the vending machine 200 changes the display on the inserted balance display section 82 to 400 yen. Also, the vending machine 200 displays one 500-yen coin, which is the next coin denomination with a smaller value among the coin denominations to be inserted, on the inserted coin number display section 81. Furthermore, in the vending machine 200, an arrow indicating that the planned purchase item will be provided from the product outlet 60 with the next insertion of a 500-yen coin is displayed below the planned purchase item display section 83, and an arrow indicating that 100 yen of change will be discharged from the change outlet 50 is displayed.

[0065] Next, as shown in Display 4, after inserting one 500-yen coin from Display 3, the inserted balance display section 82 changes its display to 0 yen. At this time, in the vending machine 200, the display on the inserted coin number display section 81 disappears, the product is provided from the product outlet 60, and 100 yen of change is discharged from the change outlet 50.

[0066] Next, referring to FIG. 6, an example of a method for optimizing the types and numbers of coins inserted in a vending machine will be described using a flowchart. Here, although optimization calculations can be performed using each component such as the calculation unit 10b of the coin number recognition unit 10 in the vending machine 200, for simplicity of explanation, in the following, it will be described as if the vending machine 200 performs these calculation processes and the like.

[0067] Also, in the flow shown in FIG. 6, in terms of execution priority from the highest, there are the no-change flow (F1), the flow without 10-yen and 50-yen coins in the change (F2), the flow without 10-yen coins in the change (F3), and the flow with 10-yen coins in the change (F4). In other words, in the vending machine 200, the processing when no change occurs is set as the highest priority. Next to this processing when no change occurs, the processing when low-denomination coins are not included in the change is preferentially executed, and the processing for optimizing the inserted coins is performed.

[0068] Furthermore, hereinafter, regarding the number of coins, the number of 10-yen coins may be described as C10 or C10', the number of 50-yen coins as C50 or C50', the number of 100-yen coins as C100, and the number of 500-yen coins as C500, with their initial values all being 0. Also, the initial values of the number of 10-yen change coins, the number of 50-yen change coins, and the number of 100-yen change coins are 0.

[0069] First, the vending machine 200 calculates whether the 10-yen portion of the price can be exactly paid with the number of 10-yen and 50-yen coins (step S101). At this time, there may be coins that are not used.

[0070] The vending machine 200 determines whether there is a combination that can exactly pay in step S101 (step S102). If there is a combination that can exactly pay (YES in step S102), it proceeds to step S103. If there is no combination that can exactly pay (NO in step S102), it proceeds to step S301.

[0071] Starting from the case where there is a combination that can exactly pay (YES in step S102), the vending machine 200 gives priority to 10-yen coins and sets the number of 10-yen coins as C10 and the number of 50-yen coins as C50 when it can exactly pay (step S103).

[0072] Note that the vending machine 200 gives priority to the case where payment can be made only with 10 - yen coins, and let C10 be the number of digits of the 10 - yen part of the price. On the other hand, when the vending machine 200 cannot be paid only with 10 - yen coins and can be paid with 10 - yen coins and 50 - yen coins, let C50 = 1, and C10 = the number of digits of the 10 - yen part of the price - 5.

[0073] The vending machine 200 sets the remaining number of 10 - yen coins as the current number of 10 - yen coins - C10, and the remaining number of 50 - yen coins as the current number of 50 - yen coins - C50 (step S104).

[0074] The vending machine 200 calculates whether the 100 - yen part of the price can be exactly paid with the remaining number of 10 - yen coins, the remaining number of 50 - yen coins, the number of 10 - yen coins, and the number of 500 - yen coins (step S105). Note that there may be coins not used.

[0075] The vending machine 200 determines whether there is a combination that can exactly pay in step S105 (step S106). If there is a combination that can exactly pay (YES in step S106), it proceeds to step S107. If there is no combination that can exactly pay (NO in step S106), it proceeds to step S201.

[0076] Starting from the case where there is a combination that can exactly pay (YES in step S106), the vending machine 200 sets the priority order as 10 - yen coins, 50 - yen coins, 100 - yen coins, 500 - yen coins in that order, that is, the priority of lower - denomination coins is higher. Here, when the vending machine 200 can exactly pay, let the number of 10 - yen coins be C10’, the number of 50 - yen coins be C50’, the number of 100 - yen coins be C100, and the number of 500 - yen coins be C500 (step S107).

[0077] The vending machine 200 calculates the optimal number of coins to be inserted. That is, based on the numbers calculated in step S103 and step S107, the vending machine 200 sets the number of 10 - yen coins = C10 + C10’, the number of 50 - yen coins = C50 + C50’, the number of 100 - yen coins = C100, and the number of 500 - yen coins = C500 (step S108).

[0078] In this way, by executing from step S101 to step S108, the vending machine 200 can optimize the number of inserted coins according to the change-free flow (F1).

[0079] Next, a flow (F2) that does not include 10-yen coins and 50-yen coins in the change will be described. That is, in step S106 described above, when there is no combination that can exactly pay the 100-yen range of the price (NO in step S106) and the process proceeds to step S201, it will be described.

[0080] The vending machine 200 performs processing assuming that the 100-yen range of the price of the product is paid with 500-yen coins (step S201). Note that the vending machine 200 sets the number of 500-yen coins as C500.

[0081] The vending machine 200 calculates the change amount (step S202). That is, in the vending machine 200, the change amount is change amount = (C10 × 10 yen + C50 × 50 yen + C100 × 100 yen + C500 × 500 yen) - price is calculated by.

[0082] The vending machine 200 converts the change amount calculated in step S202 into the number of coins (step S203). Here, the vending machine 200 sets the priority order such that the priority of higher-denomination coins is higher, like 100-yen coins, 50-yen coins, and 10-yen coins. Thereby, the vending machine 200 determines the number of 100-yen change coins, the number of 50-yen change coins, and the number of 10-yen change coins from the converted result.

[0083] More specifically, the vending machine 200 determines the number of 100-yen change coins = the number of digits in the 100-yen place of the change amount. Also, when the 10-yen place of the change amount is 50 yen or more, the vending machine 200 determines the number of 50-yen change coins = 1, and the number of 10-yen change coins = the number of digits in the 10-yen place of the change amount - 5. Also, when the 10-yen place of the change amount is less than 50 yen, the vending machine 200 determines the number of 10-yen change coins = the number of digits in the 10-yen place of the change amount.

[0084] After step S203, proceed to step S108. That is, the vending machine 200 calculates the optimal number of coins to be inserted, in the same way as step S108 of the no-change flow (F1).

[0085] Next, the flow (F3) where the change does not include 10-yen coins will be described. That is, in step S102 described above, when there is no combination that can exactly pay the 10-yen portion of the price (NO in step S102) and the process proceeds to step S301, this will be explained.

[0086] The vending machine 200 calculates whether inserting a 10-yen coin will result in the 10-yen portion of the change being a single 50-yen coin (step S301).

[0087] The vending machine 200 determines whether there is a number of 10-yen coins such that the 10-yen portion of the change is a single 50-yen coin (step S302). In other words, the vending machine 200 determines whether the change will include a single 50-yen coin. For example, if the change is exactly 50 yen, or if by using a 10-yen coin, the change can be discharged as a single 50-yen coin (YES in step S302), proceed to step S303. If the change includes not only a single 50-yen coin but also 10-yen coins (NO in step S302), proceed to step S304.

[0088] Let the number of 10-yen coins when the 10-yen portion of the change can be paid to be a single 50-yen coin be C10 (step S303).

[0089] Here, the flow that executes step S303 from step S302 and then proceeds to step S304 is defined as the flow (F3) where the change does not include 10-yen coins, and the flow that proceeds to step S304 without executing step S303 from step S302 is defined as the flow (F4) where the change includes 10-yen coins. Since the part from step S304 is common to both flows (F3, F4), they will be described together.

[0090] The vending machine 200 calculates the combination that results in the smallest amount of change (step S304). Specifically, the vending machine 200 assigns a higher priority to lower-denomination coins, that is, in descending order of priority, 50-yen coins, 100-yen coins, and 500-yen coins, and calculates the combination that results in the smallest amount of change. Here, in the vending machine 200, let C50 be the number of 50-yen coins, C100 be the number of 100-yen coins, and C500 be the number of 500-yen coins. Then, it proceeds to step S202 described above.

[0091] In other words, after step S304, the vending machine 200 calculates the change amount (step S202), converts the calculated change amount into the number of coins (step S203), calculates the optimal number of coins to be inserted (step S108), and can optimize the number of coins to be inserted.

[0092] In this way, the vending machine 200 can optimize the number of coins to be inserted according to the price of the product to be purchased and the number of each coin the user has. More specifically, based on the result of grasping the types and numbers of the coins the user has, the coin number recognition unit 10 of the vending machine 200 optimizes the types and numbers of the coins to be inserted so that the inserted coins increase while avoiding the generation of change, and in a situation where change occurs, the change amount is small and the number of coins discharged as change is reduced.

[0093] Therefore, the vending machine 200 grasps the types and numbers of the coins the user has, optimizes the coins to be inserted, and can prompt the user to insert coins according to the optimized content. Also at this time, since the vending machine 200 can display the types and numbers of the coins to be inserted using pictures at each step of inserting coins on a display unit visible to the user, it can support payment with small change in a state that is easy for the user to understand.

[0094] The present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. And each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0095] In Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, although the arithmetic units 10b and 84 are described as being used, the content calculated by these arithmetic units is not limited. For example, in the vending machines 100 and 200, arithmetic units other than these may be provided to distribute the arithmetic processing, or only one arithmetic unit may be used to execute a plurality of processes and controls, and arbitrary changes are possible.

[0096] Also, for example, various controls and calculations described as being performed within the above-described vending machine 200 can also be performed outside the vending machine 200. In this case, a server or the like provided outside can be used.

[0097] Also, each drawing is merely an example for explaining one or more embodiments. Each drawing is not associated with only one specific embodiment, but may be associated with one or more other embodiments. As can be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with the features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly illustrated or described. Not all of the features or steps shown in any one drawing for explaining exemplary embodiments are necessarily essential, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of the steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0098] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Typically, it can be realized by using a computer (information processing device) having an arithmetic means (CPU: Central Processing Unit) and a storage means such as a memory, and causing the computer to execute a program.

[0099] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions such as instructions included in program modules, and is executed on a device on a target physical processor or virtual processor to execute the processes or methods of the present disclosure. Program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. The functions of program modules may be combined or divided among program modules as desired in various embodiments. The machine-executable instructions of program modules can be executed within local or distributed devices. In a distributed device, program modules can be located on both local and remote storage media.

[0100] The program code for executing the method of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes are provided to a processor or a controller of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or other programmable data processing devices. When the program code is executed by the processor or the controller, the functions / operations in the flowchart and / or the block diagram to be implemented are executed. The program code may be executed entirely on the machine, partly on the machine as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0101] The program can be stored using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media and supplied to a computer. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible recording media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media, magneto-optical recording media, optical disk media, semiconductor memories, etc. Magnetic recording media include, for example, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives, etc. Magneto-optical recording media include, for example, magneto-optical disks, etc. Optical disk media include, for example, Blu-ray disks, CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R (Recordable), CD-RW (ReWritable), etc. Semiconductor memories include, for example, solid state drives, mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, RAM (random access memory), etc. Also, the program may be supplied to the computer by various types of temporary computer-readable media. Examples of temporary computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable media can supply the program to the computer via wired communication paths such as electric wires and optical fibers, or wireless communication paths.

[0102] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as follows in the appended claims, but are not limited thereto. (Appendix 1) A coin placement table on which coins held by the user are placed, A held coin recognition unit that recognizes the types of coins placed on the coin placement table and the number of coins for each type, Based on the price of the product selected by the user and the types and numbers of coins for each type recognized by the held coin recognition unit, an inserted coin determination unit that determines a combination of coin types and numbers such that the change is minimized, A display control unit that sequentially displays, on a display unit provided in the own machine, the number of coins for each type of inserted coin determined by the inserted coin determination unit, in the pattern for each type of corresponding coin, Vending machine. (Appendix 2) The held coin recognition unit A camera that acquires an image of the coins placed on the coin placement table, An arithmetic unit that acquires information on the types of coins and the number of coins for each type by processing the image acquired by the camera, The vending machine according to Appendix 1. (Appendix 3) The camera Is provided on the ceiling above the coin placement table and is arranged in a state where the optical axis coincides with the normal direction of the upper surface of the horizontally provided coin placement table, The vending machine according to Appendix 2. (Appendix 4) The inserted coin determination unit Among the coins recognized by the held coin recognition unit, for the coins used for payment, the priority of low-denomination coins is increased to optimize the inserted coins, The vending machine according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. (Appendix 5) The inserted coin determination unit Following the processing when no change is generated, the processing when the change does not include low-denomination coins is preferentially executed, and the processing for optimizing the inserted coins is performed, The vending machine according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. (Appendix 6) The display control unit has an inserted coin number display unit that displays the coins to be inserted and the number of coins, has an inserted balance display unit that indicates the remaining amount to be inserted in response to the insertion of cash by the user, and controls the display of a planned purchase item display unit that displays the item selected by the user. The vending machine according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. (Appendix 7) When a coin is inserted regardless of the type of coin to be inserted as displayed according to the control of the display control unit, the inserted coin is automatically returned. The vending machine according to Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. (Appendix 8) has a coin placement table on which the coins held by the user are placed, has an owned coin recognition unit that recognizes the types of coins placed on the coin placement table and the number of coins for each type, has an inserted coin determination unit that determines a combination of coin types and the number of coins that minimizes the change based on the price of the item selected by the user and the types of coins and the number of coins for each type recognized by the owned coin recognition unit, and has a display control unit that sequentially displays on the display unit the number of coins for each type of coin to be inserted as determined by the inserted coin determination unit, using the pattern for each type of corresponding coin. An automatic vending system. (Appendix 9) recognizing the types of coins placed on the coin placement table and the number of coins for each type; determining a combination of coin types and the number of coins that minimizes the change based on the price of the item selected by the user and the types of coins and the number of coins for each type recognized; sequentially displaying on the display unit the number of coins for each type of coin to be inserted as determined, using the pattern for each type of corresponding coin. A method of operating a vending machine. (Appendix 10) recognizing the types of coins placed on the coin placement table and the number of coins for each type; Based on the price of the product selected by the user and the type and number of each type of the recognized coins, determining a combination of the type and number of coins that minimizes the change as much as possible; causing the information processing device to sequentially display, on a display unit, the number of each type of the determined coins to be inserted, with the pattern corresponding to each type of the coins; Program.

[0103] Some or all of the elements described in Appendices 2 to 7 subordinate to Appendix 1 may be subordinate to Appendices 8, 9, and 10 in the same subordinate relationship as Appendices 2 to 7. Some or all of the elements described in any appendix may be applied to various hardware, software, recording means for recording software, systems, and methods.

Explanation of Signs

[0104] 100, 200 Vending Machine 2 Coin Placement Unit 3 Held Coin Recognition Unit 4 Inserted Coin Determination Unit 5 Display Control Unit 10 Coin Number Recognition Unit 10a Camera 10b Arithmetic Unit 20 Product Selection Button 30 Coin Insertion Slot 40 Bill Insertion Slot 50 Change Outlet 60 Product Outlet 70 Return Lever 80 Currency Insertion Support Unit 81 Inserted Coin Number Display Unit 82 Inserted Balance Display Unit 83 Scheduled Purchase Product Display Unit 84 Arithmetic Unit

Claims

1. A coin placement table on which coins held by a user are placed, a held coin recognition unit that recognizes the types of coins placed on the coin placement table and the number of coins for each type, an inserted coin determination unit that determines a combination of coin types and numbers such that the change is minimized based on the price of the product selected by the user and the types of coins and the number of coins for each type recognized by the held coin recognition unit, a display control unit that sequentially displays, on a display unit provided in the own machine, the number of coins for each type of coin to be inserted in accordance with the pattern for each type of coin corresponding to the number of coins for each type of coin to be inserted determined by the inserted coin determination unit, A vending machine.

2. The held coin recognition unit, a camera that acquires an image of the coins placed on the coin placement table, an arithmetic unit that acquires information on the types of coins and the number of coins for each type by processing the image acquired by the camera, The vending machine according to claim 1.

3. The camera, is provided on the ceiling above the coin placement table and is arranged such that the optical axis coincides with the normal direction of the upper surface of the horizontally provided coin placement table, The vending machine according to claim 2.

4. The inserted coin determination unit, optimizes the inserted coins by giving a higher priority to lower-denomination coins among the coins recognized by the held coin recognition unit for use in payment, The vending machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The inserted coin determination unit, subsequent to the processing in the case where no change is generated, preferentially executes the processing in the case where the change does not include lower-denomination coins, and performs the processing for optimizing the inserted coins, The vending machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. The display control unit, an inserted coin number display unit that displays the coins to be inserted and the number thereof, an inserted balance display unit that indicates the remaining amount to be inserted in response to the insertion of cash by the user, controls the display of a planned purchase product display unit that displays the product selected by the user, The vending machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. When a coin is inserted regardless of the type of coin to be inserted displayed in accordance with the control of the display control unit, the automatically inserted coin is returned, The vending machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

8. A coin placement table on which coins held by a user are placed, a held coin recognition unit that recognizes the types of coins placed on the coin placement table and the number of coins for each type, An inserted coin determination unit that determines a combination of coin types and the number of coins for each type such that the change is minimized based on the price of the product selected by the user and the types of coins recognized by the above-mentioned held coin recognition unit and the number of coins for each type; A display control unit that sequentially displays on the display unit the number of coins for each type of coin to be inserted determined by the inserted coin determination unit, using the pattern for each type of corresponding coin; An automatic vending system.

9. A step of recognizing the types of coins placed on the coin placement table and the number of coins for each type; A step of determining a combination of coin types and the number of coins for each type such that the change is minimized based on the price of the product selected by the user and the types of coins recognized and the number of coins for each type; A step of sequentially displaying on the display unit the number of coins for each type of coin to be inserted determined, using the pattern for each type of corresponding coin; An operation method of an automatic vending machine.

10. A step of recognizing the types of coins placed on the coin placement table and the number of coins for each type; A step of determining a combination of coin types and the number of coins for each type such that the change is minimized based on the price of the product selected by the user and the types of coins recognized and the number of coins for each type; A step of causing an information processing device to sequentially display on the display unit the number of coins for each type of coin to be inserted determined, using the pattern for each type of corresponding coin; A program.

Images