Beverage supply system

Abstract

To provide a beverage corresponding to a container by utilizing information recorded in an electronic tag read by a reader.SOLUTION: A beverage supply device transmits container information on a container read by a read unit to a server when the container is set on the beverage supply device, the server receives the container information transmitted from the beverage supply device, specifies article information recorded while linked to the container information in a storage unit, and transmits the specified article information to the beverage supply device, and the beverage supply device receives the article information transmitted from the server, and supplies the article corresponding to the article information to the container corresponding to the container information that the read unit reads.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage supply system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a beverage supply device that supplies beverages and includes a reading device for reading information recorded on an electronic tag as a recording medium is known. In this beverage supply device, the reading device reads the information recorded on the electronic tag provided on the container, and based on the information, when the selected beverage and the dispensed amount can be purchased according to the charging amount and the container size recorded on the recording medium, the container is supplied with the beverage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional beverage supply device, electromagnetic waves, radio waves, etc. used by the transmission / reception unit to read the information of the recording medium are transmitted while spreading. Therefore, even when the container is placed at a position different from the predetermined position, there is a possibility that the transmission / reception unit reads the recording medium of the container.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage supply system that can provide a beverage corresponding to a container by using information recorded on an electronic tag read by a reading device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a server having a recording unit for associating and recording ordered product information, container information, and user information of a user who is the owner of the container of the container information, and a reading unit for reading container information from a recording medium of the container, and a beverage supply device for supplying a beverage to the container. When the container is set in the beverage supply device, the beverage supply device transmits the container information of the container read by the reading unit to the server. The server receives the container information transmitted from the beverage supply device, specifies the product information recorded in association with the container information from the storage unit, and transmits the specified product information to the beverage supply device. The beverage supply device receives the product information transmitted from the server and supplies a product corresponding to the product information to a container corresponding to the container information read by the reading unit, which is a beverage supply system.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the transmission and reception unit from reading the recording medium of the container arranged at a position different from the position where the beverage can be supplied, and it is possible to supply a predetermined beverage to the container simply by installing the container.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The first invention is a beverage supply system comprising a beverage supply device that supplies a beverage to a container provided with a communicable recording medium, and a server that transmits beverage information to be supplied to the container to the beverage supply device. The beverage supply device includes a transceiver that transmits and receives information with the recording medium of the container, and a communication unit that transmits information from the recording medium of the container received by the transceiver and information regarding the beverage supply device to the server and receives beverage information from the server. The server includes a storage unit that stores beverage information to be supplied to the container, and a control unit that detects beverage information to be supplied to a container corresponding to the information from the recording medium of the container received from the beverage supply device and transmits the beverage information to the beverage supply device.

[0010] According to this beverage supply system, it is possible to receive the provision of products of a pre-registered menu from the beverage supply device on which the container is placed.

[0011] Therefore, there is no need to take the order procedure for products at a store where the beverage supply device is located, and it is possible to easily receive the provision of products.

[0012] The second invention is a beverage supply system composed of a beverage supply device having a device ID for supplying a beverage to a container and a server connected to the beverage supply device via a network. The beverage supply device includes means for reading a container ID from a communicable storage medium provided in the container and transmitting the container ID and the device ID to the server. The server includes means for detecting order information corresponding to the container ID and transmitting the detected order information to the beverage supply device corresponding to the device ID. The beverage supply device includes means for providing a product corresponding to the received order information to the container.

[0013] According to this beverage supply system, it is possible to receive the provision of products of a pre-registered menu from the beverage supply device on which the container is placed.

[0014] The third invention is a beverage supply device that supplies a beverage to a container provided with a communicable recording medium used in the first invention and the second invention, the beverage supply device comprising: an installation part where the container is installed; a transmission / reception part provided below the installation part for transmitting and receiving information to and from the recording medium; and a shielding part disposed at a position deviated from the installation part for shielding communication between the recording medium and the transmission / reception part. According to this, when the container is disposed at a position deviated from the position where the beverage is supplied, the shielding member can block radio waves or electromagnetic waves radiated from the reading device and shield the container side from radio waves or electromagnetic waves.

[0015] For this reason, the beverage supply device can suppress the information on the recording medium from being read when the container is disposed at a position deviated from a predetermined position.

[0016] The fourth invention is a beverage supply method for supplying a beverage to a container provided with a communicable recording medium, the beverage supply method comprising: a step in which the beverage supply device reads a container ID from a communicable storage medium provided in the container; a step in which the beverage supply device transmits the container ID and a device ID to a server; a step in which the server detects order information corresponding to the container ID; a step in which the server transmits the detected order information to the beverage supply device corresponding to the device ID; and a step in which the beverage supply device provides the container with a product according to the received order information.

[0017] According to this method, just by installing the container in the beverage supply device, the beverage supply device can provide the container with the products of the pre-registered menu.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of a beverage supply device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The beverage supply device 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called beverage dispenser installed in stores such as convenience stores, restaurants, or drink bars. Specifically, it is a device that extracts coffee beverages and pours them into a predetermined container such as a cup. In the beverage supply device 1 of the present embodiment, a beverage container 70 is used as a dedicated container for pouring beverages.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the beverage supply device 1 includes a device main body 2 and a tray unit 10.

[0022] The device main body 2 is a box-shaped housing that houses various mechanisms for supplying beverages inside and communication devices for communicating with an external network. Inside the device main body 2 of the present embodiment, there are various extraction mechanisms for extracting coffee beverages and the like, such as a drive motor, a mill, a filter, a cylinder, a hot water tank, etc., and various supply mechanisms for supplying the extracted coffee beverages and the like, such as a pump and a supply pipe. A control device 11 (FIG. 6) that controls these extraction mechanisms and supply mechanisms and communicates with an external server is also housed.

[0023] These extraction mechanisms and supply mechanisms are substantially the same as the well-known coffee beverage extraction mechanisms and supply mechanisms as beverage dispensers.

[0024] A beverage supply nozzle 3 is provided substantially at the center of the front (front face) of the device main body 2. The beverage supply nozzle 3 is a nozzle that functions as a beverage discharge part for discharging the beverage extracted inside the device main body 2. A supply pipe of the supply mechanism housed inside the device main body 2 is connected to the beverage supply nozzle 3. A discharge port 4 is formed at the lower end of the beverage supply nozzle 3. In the beverage supply device 1, the extracted beverage is discharged downward through the discharge port 4 of the beverage supply nozzle 3 along the vertical direction of the device main body 2.

[0025] On the front face of the device main body 2, above the beverage supply nozzle 3, a discharge button 5 is provided. When this discharge button 5 is pressed, the beverage extracted by the extraction mechanism is discharged downward through the discharge port 4 of the beverage supply nozzle 3.

[0026] On the front surface of the apparatus main body 2, above the discharge button 5, a display panel 6 is provided. This display panel 6 functions as a display unit on which information regarding the state of the beverage supply apparatus 1, the menu available from the beverage supply apparatus 1, information read from the beverage container 70, etc. are displayed.

[0027] Note that this display panel 6 may be a touch panel. In this case, the display panel 6 may be configured to enable a touch operation for discharging the extracted beverage from the beverage supply nozzle 3. Also in this case, it is not necessarily required that the discharge button 5 be physically provided.

[0028] Also, for example, instead of the display panel 6, a communication terminal capable of communicating with the beverage supply apparatus 1 may be used. In this case, physical buttons such as the discharge button 5 and the display panel 6 are omitted, and the beverage supply apparatus 1 is operated via the communication terminal.

[0029] Also, this display panel 6 functions as a display unit for displaying an image sent from a server connected via an external network, and as an operation unit for transmitting a control signal to the server.

[0030] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the beverage supply apparatus 1.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, on the front surface of the apparatus main body 2, below the beverage supply nozzle 3, a reader housing portion 7 is provided. The reader housing portion 7 is formed in a box shape with an open top surface, and is provided so that its longitudinal direction extends forward from the front surface of the apparatus main body 2 along the front-rear direction of the apparatus main body 2. This reader housing portion 7 is disposed substantially at the center in the width direction of the front surface of the apparatus main body 2.

[0032] The reader housing portion 7 of the present embodiment is provided at the lower end of the front surface of the apparatus main body 2, and its bottom surface is continuously formed with the bottom surface of the apparatus main body 2. That is, the bottom surface of the reader housing portion 7 is in contact with the placement surface on which the apparatus main body 2 is placed. Further, the reader housing portion 7 is located directly below the beverage supply nozzle 3.

[0033] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the reading device 40.

[0034] The reading device housing 7 houses the reading device 40.

[0035] The reading device 40 is a device provided with a non-contact reading mechanism for reading information recorded on a recording medium that records predetermined information such as an NFC tag, an RFID tag, or an electronic tag also called an IC tag. This reading device 40 performs short-range wireless communication with the recording medium according to a predetermined standard and reads information from the recording medium. The reading device 40 transmits the read information to a control device 11 housed inside the device main body 2. That is, the reading device 40 functions as a transmission / reception unit.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the reading device 40 of the present embodiment has a reading device main body 41 formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape and a cover member 49 that covers the reading device main body 41.

[0037] Inside the reading device main body 41, a processor 44 composed of a CPU, an MPU, etc. is housed. The processor 44 functions as a control unit that performs various controls of the reading device 40.

[0038] Each reading device 40 is provided with a device antenna 42 which is a planar antenna formed flat along one upper surface. The device antenna 42 radiates radio waves or electromagnetic waves for communication (for reading information). Note that the device antenna 42 is not limited to a planar antenna and may be a coil.

[0039] A conducting wire 46 extends from an end of the reading device main body 41, and this conducting wire 46 is connected to the control device 11.

[0040] Note that the reading device 40 may not include the cover member 49. In this case, the reading device main body 41 will be directly housed in the reading device housing 7.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the tray unit 10.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the tray unit 10 is attached to the front surface of the apparatus main body 2 and is arranged to be positioned below the beverage supply nozzle 3. As shown in FIG. 5, this tray unit 10 includes a drip tray 20 formed in a substantially trough shape, a flat mounting plate 30 covering the upper surface of the drip tray 20, and a shielding member 50 covering the upper surface of the mounting plate 30 and the front surface of the drip tray 20, and is formed as a box body as a whole.

[0043] In this embodiment, both the drip tray 20 and the mounting plate 30 are formed of resin, and the shielding member 50 is formed of a metal material.

[0044] The mounting plate 30 is a flat plate member formed such that the length dimension in the longitudinal direction is substantially the same as the dimension in the width direction of the front surface of the apparatus main body 2 and covers the entire upper surface of the drip tray 20. A drain hole 32 is provided at substantially the center of the mounting plate 30, and a mesh-shaped draining portion 34 is provided around the drain hole 32. This draining portion 34 is located directly below the beverage supply nozzle 3. Also, in this embodiment, the drain hole 32 is located directly below the discharge port 4.

[0045] In a state where the tray unit 10 is attached to the front surface of the apparatus main body 2, the drain hole 32 and the draining portion 34 are arranged directly below the discharge port 4 of the beverage supply nozzle 3.

[0046] In this embodiment, when the beverage is poured from the beverage supply device 1, the beverage container 70 is placed on the upper surface of the draining portion 34.

[0047] The drip tray 20 is a member for receiving and storing the beverage flowing out from the beverage container 70 and the splashed beverage when the beverage is poured from the beverage supply device 1 into the beverage container 70. This drip tray 20 is provided with a storage space V1 inside and is formed in a trough shape with an open upper surface.

[0048] The drip tray 20 is formed such that the longitudinal length dimension is substantially the same as the width dimension of the front surface of the apparatus main body 2, similar to the placement plate 30. The drip tray 20 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 such that one side wall 21 formed along the longitudinal direction of the drip tray 20 contacts the lower end of the front surface of the apparatus main body 2.

[0049] The drip tray 20 is provided with a covering portion 26 formed by protruding at a predetermined height dimension toward the storage space V1 side at substantially the center in the longitudinal direction.

[0050] The covering portion 26 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. One end in the longitudinal direction of the covering portion 26 is connected to the side wall 21, and the other end is disposed at a position close to the side wall 25 disposed opposite to the side wall 21.

[0051] On the upper surface of the covering portion 26, a pair of inclined surfaces 28 that incline toward the bottom 24 are provided on both sides along the longitudinal direction of the drip tray 20 from a top portion 27 that is located substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction of the drip tray 20 and is provided over the entire longitudinal direction. These inclined surfaces 28 incline downward along the vertical direction (depth direction of the storage space V1) of the drip tray 20 from the top portion 27. These inclined surfaces 28 are formed over the entire longitudinal direction of the covering portion 26.

[0052] That is, the upper surface of the covering portion 26 is formed in a so-called gabled roof shape where a pair of inclined surfaces 28 are connected at the top portion 27.

[0053] It is desirable that a water-repellent coating or water-repellent processing is applied to the upper surface of the covering portion 26 composed of these top portion 27 and the pair of inclined surfaces 28.

[0054] Also, the covering portion 26 is formed such that the height dimension is such that the top portion 27 does not contact the placement plate 30 within the storage space V1.

[0055] Since the bottom 24 protrudes upward to form the covering portion 26, a storage space V2 is formed below the covering portion 26. This storage space V2 is covered by the covering portion 26 above and is open below.

[0056] The side wall 21 is provided with an opening 23 having substantially the same shape as the cross section of the storage space V2. As described above, one end of the covering portion 26 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the side wall 21, whereby one side in the longitudinal direction of the storage space V2 communicates with the opening 23. For this reason, the storage space V2 communicates with the outside of the apparatus main body 2 side through the opening 23.

[0057] As described above, the tray unit 10 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 2 such that one side wall 21 formed along the longitudinal direction of the drip tray 20 contacts the lower end of the front surface of the apparatus main body 2. The bottom surface of the drip tray 20 attached to the apparatus main body 2 is provided so as to contact the mounting surface on which the apparatus main body 2 is mounted.

[0058] At this time, both the reading device housing portion 7 and the reading device 40 are stored in the storage space V2 with their upper surfaces covered by the covering portion 26. Also at this time, the device antenna 42 provided in the reading device 40 is arranged to be parallel to the mounting plate 30.

[0059] The reading device housing portion 7 and the reading device 40 are stored in the storage space V2 by being inserted through the opening 23. The reading device housing portion 7 and the reading device 40 can be detached from the storage space V2 by passing through the opening 23.

[0060] In this way, since the reading device housing portion 7 and the reading device 40 can be moved in and out of the storage space V2 through the opening 23, the tray unit 10 can be removed from the apparatus main body 2 by being pulled out along the front-rear direction of the apparatus main body 2.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5, the shielding member 50 is formed by bending a metal plate into a substantially L shape in a side view, and is a member that functions as a shielding portion.

[0062] As described above, this shielding member 50 has a flat upper plate portion 52 that covers the upper surface of the mounting plate 30, and a flat front plate portion 54 that covers the entire side wall 25 that constitutes the front surface of the drip tray 20.

[0063] Therefore, in a state where the shielding member 50 is attached to the apparatus main body 2, it constitutes the upper surface and the front surface of the tray unit 10.

[0064] An opening 56 is provided substantially at the center of the upper plate portion 52.

[0065] This opening 56 is located directly below the beverage supply nozzle 3. Further, in the present embodiment, the center of the opening 56 is located directly below the discharge port 4. For this reason, when the shielding member 50 covers the mounting plate 30, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a predetermined portion of the upper surface of the draining portion 34 is exposed from the opening 56. Hereinafter, a predetermined portion of the upper surface of the draining portion 34 exposed from this opening 56 is referred to as an installation portion 36. This installation portion 36 is located directly below the beverage supply nozzle 3.

[0066] The opening 56 of the present embodiment is formed in a substantially circular shape having a predetermined inner diameter in a top view. The inner diameter of the opening 56 is dimensioned such that the size of the opening 56 is larger than or substantially the same as the bottom surface 74 of the beverage container 70. For this reason, when the beverage is poured from the beverage supply device 1 into the beverage container 70, the bottom of the beverage container 70 is inserted through the opening 56 and is placed on the installation portion 36 of the mounting plate 30.

[0067] The beverage container 70 is a predetermined container into which the beverage is poured from the beverage supply device 1. This beverage container 70 is, for example, a tumbler, a portable mug, a water bottle, a disposable cup, a pot, or the like. In the present embodiment, the beverage container 70 is configured as a so-called tumbler as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, an information tag 72 is provided at the bottom of the beverage container 70. This information tag 72 is an electronic tag such as an NFC tag or an RFID tag, or a recording medium that records predetermined information called an IC tag. In the present embodiment, this information tag 72 constitutes the bottom surface 74 of the beverage container 70. The bottom surface 74 of the present embodiment is formed in a substantially circular shape in plan view, and the dimension of the diameter of the bottom surface 74 is formed smaller than the dimension of the inner diameter of the opening 56.

[0069] The information tag 72 includes a planar antenna 76. This planar antenna 76 is formed in a flat plate shape and functions as a communication unit that receives or radiates radio waves, electromagnetic waves, etc. This planar antenna 76 is arranged so as to be parallel to the bottom surface of the beverage container 70.

[0070] As described above, the device antenna 42 provided in the reading device 40 is arranged so as to be parallel to the mounting plate 30.

[0071] Therefore, when the beverage container 70 is placed on the installation portion 36, the planar antenna 76 provided in the information tag 72 is arranged substantially parallel to the device antenna 42 provided in the reading device 40.

[0072] The size of the upper surface of this planar antenna 76 is formed smaller than the size of the bottom surface 74. Note that the information tag 72 may include, as a communication unit, not only the planar antenna 76 but also, for example, a coil or the like.

[0073] In the beverage container 70 of the present embodiment, for example, a serial number corresponding to the information tag 72 is described on the peripheral surface or the like. Note that it is not limited to the serial number, and for example, a two-dimensional code may be used.

[0074] The beverage container 70 of the present embodiment is a resin tumbler. Note that it is not limited to this, and the beverage container 70 may be formed of various materials such as paper, ceramic, glass, metal, etc.

[0075] When the beverage container 70 is formed of metal, it is desirable that the information tag 72 be provided at the bottom of the beverage container 70 at a distance of about several millimeters (mm) from the metal surface of the beverage container 70 with a rubber material or the like. Alternatively, a metal-compatible tag may be used for the information tag 72.

[0076] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a beverage supply system 100 which is a part of the configuration of the beverage supply apparatus of the present embodiment.

[0077] Next, as an example of a system in which the beverage supply apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is used, a beverage supply system 100 will be described.

[0078] The beverage supply system 100 of the present embodiment is a system that can appropriately provide beverages to the user U. As shown in FIG. 6, the beverage supply system 100 includes a beverage supply apparatus 1, a server 60, a beverage container 70, and an information terminal 80. In the present embodiment, a case where one beverage supply apparatus 1, server 60, etc. are provided respectively will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any of the devices included in the beverage supply system 100 may be provided in plural. For example, FIG. 7 is an example of another beverage supply system, and shows a beverage supply system 200 in which the beverage supply apparatuses 1, 1A, and 1B of the present embodiment are connected to the same network.

[0079] As described above, the beverage supply apparatus 1 includes a control device 11. The control device 11 includes a computer having a processor such as a CPU or MPU and a memory device such as a ROM or RAM. Further, the control device 11 includes a device control unit 8 and an overall control unit 9.

[0080] The device control unit 8 controls the driving of various device mechanisms such as an extraction mechanism and a supply mechanism housed in the apparatus main body 2.

[0081] The overall control unit 9 performs acquisition of information read by the reading device 40, transmission and reception of various information with the server 60 via the communication network 90, display control of the display panel 6, control of the device control unit 8, etc.

[0082] The server 60 stores a database for identifying the beverage container 70, and transmits and receives information related to the database to and from the beverage supply device 1 and the information terminal 80 via the communication network 90.

[0083] Note that the server 60 may be provided integrally with the beverage supply device 1.

[0084] The information terminal 80 is a portable terminal possessed by the user U that can communicate with the server 60 to transmit and receive predetermined information. The information terminal 80 is, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like. A predetermined application program related to the beverage supply system 100 can be executed on this information terminal 80.

[0085] The communication network 90 connects each device included in the beverage supply system 100, such as the beverage supply device 1, the server 60, and the information terminal 80, so that they can communicate with each other. The communication network 90 is a communication line including a dedicated line, a public switched telephone network, a mobile wireless communication network, a LAN (Local Area Network) line, etc., and may include devices such as a router and a wireless communication access point. The connection between each device included in the beverage supply system 100 and the communication network 90 may be wireless or wired.

[0086] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0087] In the beverage supply system 100 of this embodiment, first, the user U prepares the beverage container 70, operates a predetermined application program executed on the information terminal 80, and accesses the server 60. Then, the user U registers the user U's information together with the serial number described on the beverage container 70. Next, the user U operates the application program to order a desired beverage from the menu. This order content is transmitted to the server 60 and stored in the server 60.

[0088] After that, the user U sets the beverage container 70 on the beverage supply device 1 at the location where the beverage supply device 1 is installed. Specifically, the beverage container 70 is placed on the installation portion 36 of the mounting plate 30. At this time, the bottom of the beverage container 70 is inserted inside the opening 56.

[0089] As a result, the beverage container 70 is disposed below the discharge port 4 of the beverage supply nozzle 3.

[0090] As described above, when the beverage container 70 is placed on the installation portion 36, the planar antenna 76 provided in the information tag 72 is disposed substantially parallel to the device antenna 42 provided in the reading device 40. For this reason, the user U can place the beverage container 70 on the installation portion 36 without defining the position in the circumferential direction of the beverage container 70. That is, the user U can place the beverage container 70 on the installation portion 36 without being conscious of the orientation of the side surface of the beverage container 70 and without performing an extra operation.

[0091] Further, the opening 56 functions as a mark that facilitates the user U to place the beverage container 70 directly below the discharge port 4 of the beverage supply nozzle 3.

[0092] As described above, when the beverage container 70 is placed on the installation portion 36, the reading device 40 positioned substantially directly below the beverage container 70 communicates with the information tag 72 and reads the information recorded in the information tag 72. The read information is acquired by the overall control unit 9, and the overall control unit 9 transmits the information to the server 60.

[0093] The server 60 associates the information with the serial number from the database and transmits the order details to the beverage supply device 1.

[0094] Upon receiving the order content, the overall control unit 9 causes the order content to be displayed on the display panel 6. The user U checks the order content on the display panel 6 and, if it is the same as the content ordered from the information terminal 80, presses the discharge button 5. When this discharge button 5 is pressed, the device control unit 8 drives the extraction mechanism and the supply mechanism, whereby the beverage is discharged from the discharge port 4 of the beverage supply nozzle 3 and poured into the beverage container 70.

[0095] However, in this control flow, it is also possible to omit the step of the user U pressing the discharge button 5. That is, control may be performed such that the beverage is discharged when the overall control unit 9 receives the order content from the server 60. Also, in this control flow, automatic settlement of beverage sales may be performed.

[0096] In this case, since communication between the reading device 40 and the information tag 72 is established, the beverage container 70 is surely placed below the beverage supply nozzle 3. Therefore, even if the beverage is discharged without waiting for the user U to press the discharge button 5, the beverage will surely be poured into the beverage container 70 and will not stain the tray unit 10 or its surroundings.

[0097] In this way, in the beverage supply system 100, it is possible to easily receive beverage supply by performing the operation of placing the beverage container 70 on the beverage supply device 1 without the user U performing various operations related to ordering and payment in the store.

[0098] As described above, in the beverage supply system 100, it is possible to omit the step of pressing the discharge button 5. In this case, the user U can perform only the operation of placing the beverage container 70 on the beverage supply device 1 and receive beverage supply without touching the beverage supply device 1. That is, in the beverage supply system 100, the user U can instruct the beverage supply device 1 for touchless beverage supply.

[0099] When the beverage is poured from the beverage supply device 1 into the beverage container 70, the beverage discharged from the discharge port 4 of the beverage supply nozzle 3 may flow out of the beverage container 70. The spilled beverage flows into the storage space V1 of the drip tray 20 through the drain hole 32 and the drainage part 34.

[0100] As described above, the reading device 40 is stored in the accommodation space V2 below the drip tray 20. The reading device 40 reads the information of the information tag 72 by short-range wireless communication. Therefore, when there is a liquid such as a beverage between the information tag 72 and the reading device 40, the radio wave or electromagnetic wave of the short-range wireless communication may be attenuated between the reading device 40 and the information tag 72 by the liquid, and there is a possibility that the reading device 40 cannot acquire predetermined information.

[0101] In the present embodiment, the covering portion 26 covering the reading device 40 has an upper surface formed in a so-called gable roof shape in which a pair of inclined surfaces 28 are connected at the top portion 27.

[0102] As a result, the liquid such as the beverage flowing into the upper surface of the covering portion 26 flows along the inclined surface 28 to the bottom portion 24 of the drip tray 20. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the retention of the liquid such as the beverage between the information tag 72 and the reading device 40. And it is possible to suppress the reading of the information of the information tag 72 by the reading device 40 from being hindered.

[0103] In the present embodiment, the liquid such as the beverage that may exist between the information tag 72 and the reading device 40 includes, in addition to the beverage itself, the liquid (mainly the rinse liquid) used when cleaning each part of the beverage supply device 1, particularly the beverage supply nozzle 3, etc., and the rinsing water remaining after removing and washing the drip tray 20.

[0104] As described above, the reading device 40 is stored in the accommodation space V2 below the drip tray 20 and reads the information of the information tag 72 by short-range wireless communication.

[0105] The reading device 40 radiates radio waves or electromagnetic waves for communication (for reading information) upward from the device antenna 42. These radio waves or electromagnetic waves are transmitted upward while diffusing from the device antenna 42 which is the radiation point. Therefore, even when the beverage container 70 is placed at a position deviated from below the discharge port 4 of the beverage supply nozzle 3, there is a possibility that it may be read.

[0106] In the present embodiment, since the upper surface of the mounting plate 30 is covered by the upper plate portion 52 of the shielding member 50, the radio waves or electromagnetic waves radiated from the reading device 40 are blocked by the shielding member 50. That is, the shielding member 50 shields the upper surface side of the mounting plate 30 from the radio waves or electromagnetic waves radiated from the reading device 40.

[0107] As described above, the upper plate portion 52 is provided with an opening 56. It is desirable that the opening 56 be formed such that the size of the opening 56 is equal to or larger than the size of the bottom surface 74 of the beverage container 70. That is, it is desirable that the opening 56 be formed to be larger than the planar antenna 76 of the information tag 72. Thereby, the opening 56 can surely transmit radio waves or electromagnetic waves of a strength that allows the reading device 40 to read the information of the information tag 72 from the upper surface side of the upper plate portion 52 to the reading device 40 side.

[0108] In this way, the radio waves or electromagnetic waves radiated from the reading device 40 are transmitted from the reading device 40 side to the upper surface side of the upper plate portion 52 by passing through this opening 56. And the reading device 40 can read the information of the information tag 72 by short-range wireless communication via the opening 56. That is, the reading device 40 can read the information of the information tag 72 when the bottom surface 74 of the beverage container 70, more specifically, the planar antenna 76 of the information tag 72 is disposed inside the opening 56.

[0109] Thereby, the reading device 40 can read the information of the information tag 72 only when the beverage container 70 is disposed directly below the beverage supply nozzle 3.

[0110] Therefore, when the beverage container 70 is disposed at a position deviated from directly below the beverage supply nozzle 3, the beverage supply device 1 is suppressed from supplying the beverage. That is, the beverage supply device 1 can more reliably inject the beverage into the beverage container 70.

[0111] Further, the front surface of the drip tray 20 is covered by the front plate portion 54 of the shielding member 50. Thereby, radio waves or electromagnetic waves radiated from the reading device 40 and directed toward the front surface side of the drip tray 20 are blocked. For this reason, when the beverage container 70 is positioned in front of the drip tray 20 and the tray unit 10, the information of the information tag 72 is suppressed from being read by the reading device 40.

[0112] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the beverage supply device 1 includes a device main body 2 and a reading device 40 that is provided below the position where the beverage container 70 is disposed when the beverage is supplied and reads the information recorded on the information tag 72. And the beverage supply device 1 is disposed between the position where the beverage container 70 is disposed when the beverage is supplied and the reading device 40, and is provided with an opening 56 that communicates the beverage container 70 side and the reading device 40 side, and includes a shielding member 50 that shields communication between the information tag 72 and the reading device 40.

[0113] According to this, the radio waves or electromagnetic waves radiated from the reading device 40 are blocked by the shielding member 50, and the upper surface side of the mounting plate 30 can be shielded from the radio waves or electromagnetic waves. Further, the opening 56 of the shielding member 50 can transmit radio waves or electromagnetic waves having an intensity that allows the reading device 40 to read the information of the information tag 72 from the upper surface side of the upper plate portion 52 to the reading device 40 side.

[0114] For this reason, the beverage supply device 1 can read the information of the information tag 72 by short-range wireless communication when the beverage container 70 is disposed at a predetermined position.

[0115] Further, according to the present embodiment, the apparatus main body 2 includes a beverage supply nozzle 3 that discharges a beverage into the beverage container 70, and the opening 56 is provided at a position directly below the beverage supply nozzle 3 of the shielding member 50.

[0116] According to this, when the beverage container 70 is disposed directly below the beverage supply nozzle 3, the beverage supply apparatus 1 can read the information of the information tag 72 by short-range wireless communication. Further, when pressing of the discharge button 5 is omitted, the beverage supply apparatus 1 can discharge the beverage by reading the information of the information tag 72 by short-range wireless communication without the user U touching it. The beverage supply apparatus 1 can inject the beverage into the beverage container 70 without the user U touching it.

[0117] Therefore, the beverage supply apparatus 1 can more reliably and touchlessly provide the beverage to the user U.

[0118] Further, according to the present embodiment, the information tag 72 includes a planar antenna 76 that transmits and receives information with the reader 40 of the information tag 72, and the planar antenna 76 is provided at the bottom of the beverage container 70.

[0119] According to this, when the beverage container 70 is placed on the draining portion 34, the planar antenna 76 included in the information tag 72 is disposed inside the opening 56. Therefore, when the beverage container 70 is disposed at a predetermined position, the reader 40 can read the information of the information tag 72 by short-range wireless communication without the radio wave or electromagnetic wave radiated from the reader 40 being blocked.

[0120] Further, according to the present embodiment, the size of the opening 56 is formed to be at least as large as the size of the planar antenna 76.

[0121] According to this, the reader 40 can more reliably transmit a radio wave or electromagnetic wave having an intensity capable of reading the information of the information tag 72 from the upper surface side of the upper plate portion 52 through the opening 56 to the reader 40 side.

[0122] Therefore, when the beverage container 70 is placed at a predetermined position, the reading device 40 can more reliably read the information of the information tag 72 by short-range wireless communication without the radio waves or electromagnetic waves radiated from the reading device 40 being blocked.

[0123] Further, according to the present embodiment, the shielding member 50 is configured to be formed of a metal material.

[0124] According to this, the shielding member 50 can surely shield the radio waves or electromagnetic waves radiated from the reading device 40.

[0125] Therefore, the shielding member 50 can shield the upper surface side of the mounting plate 30 from the radio waves or electromagnetic waves radiated from the reading device 40.

[0126] Further, according to the present embodiment, the drip tray 20 is provided with a covering portion 26 that covers the reading device 40 and in which the bottom portion 24 protrudes upward, and an inclined surface 28 is provided on the upper surface of the covering portion 26.

[0127] According to this, the liquid such as the beverage dripped onto the upper surface of the covering portion 26 flows toward the bottom portion 24 of the drip tray 20 along the inclination of the inclined surface 28. For this reason, it is suppressed that the liquid such as the beverage stays between the information tag 72 and the reading device 40 and the reading of the information tag 72 by the reading device 40 is hindered.

[0128] Next, a modified example of the beverage supply device of the present embodiment will be described.

[0129] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a shielding member 150 according to a modified example of the present embodiment.

[0130] The beverage supply device 1 of the present embodiment may include a shielding member 150 as shown in FIG. 8 instead of the shielding member 50 described above. The shielding member 150 has substantially the same shape as the shielding member 50 described above. This shielding member 150 is a plate-like member made of a metal material, and has a flat upper plate portion 152 that covers the entire upper surface of the mounting plate 30, and a flat front plate portion 154 that covers the entire side wall 25 that constitutes the front surface of the drip tray 20.

[0131] A draining portion 159 is provided substantially at the center of the upper plate portion 52 of the shielding member 150. This draining portion 159 is formed by providing a mesh member 158 made of a large number of metal wires in a through-hole 155 formed in substantially the same size and substantially the same shape as the opening 56. A plurality of openings 156 are provided in this draining portion 159.

[0132] The draining portion 159 is located directly below the beverage supply nozzle 3. Also, in the present embodiment, the center of the opening 56 is located directly below the discharge port 4.

[0133] This draining portion 159 has a strength sufficient to support the beverage container 70 placed on the upper surface.

[0134] When the beverage is poured from the beverage supply device 1 into the beverage container 70, the beverage container 70 is placed on the upper surface of the draining portion 159 of the shielding member 50.

[0135] The radio waves or electromagnetic waves radiated from the reading device 40 are transmitted from the side of the reading device 40 to the upper surface side of the upper plate portion 52 by passing through the plurality of openings 156. The reading device 40 can read the information of the information tag 72 by short-range wireless communication via the plurality of openings 156.

[0136] That is, in this modification, the draining portion 159 functions as an installation portion, and the portion outside the draining portion 159 of the shielding member 150 functions as a shielding portion.

[0137] Thereby, the beverage supply device 1 can supply the beverage to the beverage container 70.

[0138] In this way, when the beverage container 70 is disposed directly below the beverage supply nozzle 3, the reading device 40 can read the information of the information tag 72, and when the beverage container 70 is disposed at a position deviated from directly below the beverage supply nozzle 3, the beverage supply of the beverage supply device 1 is suppressed. That is, the beverage supply device 1 can more reliably inject the beverage into the beverage container 70.

[0139] Note that when the beverage supply device 1 includes the shielding member 150, it does not necessarily need to include the mounting plate 30.

[0140] Although the draining portion 159 is formed by providing a metal mesh or a wire mesh like the mesh member 158, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be formed by densely providing a plurality of openings formed by punching. In this case, it is desirable that the plurality of openings are formed in a slit shape that easily passes radio waves or electromagnetic waves that are plane waves.

[0141] The above-described embodiments illustrate one aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0142] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the shielding member 50 is described as having the upper plate portion 52 and the front plate portion 54, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be configured by only the upper plate portion 52. In this case, the shielding member 50 may be configured to be attached to the lower surface side of the mounting plate 30.

[0143] In this case, the shielding member 50 may be provided by being housed inside the mounting plate 30. That is, the mounting plate 30 may be formed by insert molding with the shielding member 50 sandwiched inside.

[0144] Also, for example, the shielding member 50 may be formed by coating the surface of a resin material or the like with a metal.

[0145] For another example, the shielding member 50 is not limited to the front plate portion 54 that covers the front surface of the drip tray 20, and may include plate portions that cover each of the other side surfaces of the drip tray 20.

[0146] For another example, the inner diameter of the opening 56 may be formed slightly smaller than that of the beverage container 70, and the upper surface of the shielding member 50 around the opening 56 may be configured to support the beverage container 70. In this case, the region directly below the beverage supply nozzle 3 of the shielding member 50 functions as an installation portion. Further, in this case, the mounting plate 30 may be omitted.

[0147] For another example, the inner diameter of the opening 56 may be formed slightly larger than that of the beverage container 70, and the opening 56 and the side surface of the beverage container 70 may be configured to fit together. In this case, the opening 56 functions as an installation portion.

[0148] For another example, in the above-described embodiment, the shielding member 50 is made of a metal material, but it is not limited thereto, and it may be formed of a plate-like member in which a gel-like liquid is enclosed inside.

[0149] For another example, in the above-described embodiment, the information tag 72 is provided at the bottom of the beverage container 70, but it is not limited thereto, and it may be provided on the side surface.

[0150] For another example, in the above-described embodiment, the mounting plate 30 is provided with a drain hole 32 and a draining portion 34, but it is not limited thereto, and as long as the liquid such as the beverage flowing out on the upper surface of the mounting plate 30 can move to the drip tray 20, it may be formed in any shape.

[0151] For another example, in the above-described embodiment, the beverage supply device 1 is a device that supplies coffee beverages, but it is not limited thereto, and for example, it may be a device that supplies beverages such as juice, ice cream, shaved ice, sherbet, shake, mineral water, or foods similar thereto. Also, in this case, the mechanism housed in the device main body 2 is adapted to the beverage or food to be supplied.

[0152] Next, an operation example of a beverage supply system using the beverage supply device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, in the beverage supply system 100 shown in FIG. 6 in which one beverage supply device is connected to a network, the operations of selecting a product, paying for the product, and supplying the product will be described.

[0153] First, the user U registers his / her beverage container 70 with the server 60 using an app for controlling the beverage supply device 1. The user U has previously installed this app on his / her information terminal. FIG. 10(a) shows the startup screen of the app. The user U logs in to this app (step S001). The user U moves to the "Beverage Container Registration Page" of the app (step S002) and inputs the code of the recording medium attached to the beverage container 70 according to the instructions on the displayed screens, FIGS. 10(b) and 10(c). Alternatively, the user U reads the code (container ID) of the recording medium of the beverage container 70 using the reader function of the information terminal (step S003).

[0154] The input code is transmitted from the information terminal to the server 60 (step S004). The server 60 checks whether the received code is valid or invalid (step S005). For example, the server 60 checks whether the code has already been settled or has already been registered by someone else. If the server 60 determines that the code is invalid, a caution screen such as "The code is invalid" or "It has already been registered" is displayed on the information terminal, and then the user is given the option to input another code.

[0155] When the server 60 determines that the code is valid, the server 60 stores the beverage container 70 as a "my beverage container" in a storage unit (not shown) by associating this code (container ID) with the ID of the user U (step S006), and transmits the result to the information terminal (step S007). The information terminal displays on a display unit (not shown) that the beverage container 70 has been registered with the server 60 and notifies the user U (step S008). In addition, on the "Beverage Container Registration Page", it may be possible to register "photos and registration names of beverage containers" in association with their respective codes (container IDs).

[0156] If user U has no other beverage containers 70 to register (step S009), user U closes the "Beverage Container Registration Page" and ends the operation.

[0157] If user U continues to register other beverage containers 70, user U returns to the "Beverage Container Registration Page" of the application (step S002) and performs the operation of registering beverage container information again. When user U registers the container ID of beverage container 70 with server 60, user U can select the products to purchase. Since the selection of products is procedured using the application from information terminal 80 owned by user U, the product purchase procedure can be performed in advance from anywhere and at any time without having to go to the store where beverage supply device 1 is installed.

[0158] Next, the flow of the product purchase procedure will be described. User U starts the application on information terminal 80, logs in, and displays the "Menu Registration Page". Fig. 12(a) shows the top screen of the "Menu Registration Page" of the application. On the top screen, areas for opening the menu selection screen such as "HOT" and "ICE", an area for informing the presence or absence of the currently registered menu (order), and an area for displaying the names of the registered beverage containers are displayed.

[0159] Here, when user U has multiple beverage containers registered with server 60, user U performs the procedure of selecting a beverage container. When user U selects the area for displaying the name of the beverage container on the top screen, server 60 calls the code (container ID) of the beverage container registered in association with user U's ID and transmits it to information terminal 80. When information terminal 80 receives the code (container ID) of the beverage container, information terminal 80 displays the photo and registration name of the beverage container corresponding to the code (container ID) on the screen of information terminal 80. User U selects the photo and registration name of the beverage container displayed on the screen to determine the beverage container to be used for the product to be purchased.

[0160] On the "Menu Registration Page" of the app, the beverage container 70 to be used is displayed, and various other services can also be displayed. For example, by displaying the promotion of an event such as "Buy 5 cups and get 1 free!" or a coupon for a discount when purchasing a combination of products, the purchasing desire of the user U can also be increased. These events can be realized by recording the product purchase records of the user U on the server 60 using the app.

[0161] The user U selects the "HOT" or "ICE" area from the top screen of the "Menu Registration Page" displayed on the information terminal 80, and selects the product to be purchased from the newly displayed menu screen. The menu screen is displayed for each hot product and each ice product. Fig. 12(b) is a screen for selecting a hot menu, and Fig. 12(c) is a screen for selecting an ice menu. Each screen is provided with a button that can be easily switched to another screen. On each menu screen, the "Product Name" and "Price" are displayed. When the "Order" area of the product to be selected is selected, the "Product Screen" of each product is displayed.

[0162] In each of the "Product Screens" of Fig. 13(a) and Fig. 13(b), the size (quantity) of the product to be purchased is selected. In this embodiment, the dispenser on the screen can select sizes divided into 6 levels. By selecting each screen, the preferred size can be selected, and the price corresponding to each size is displayed. After the user U confirms the selected menu, size, and price on the "Product Screen" and then selects the "Order Confirmation" area, the app sends the input information such as the selected product and size from the information terminal 80 to the server 60.

[0163] When the server 60 conducts a settlement procedure before selling a product, that is, before providing the product from the product providing device to the beverage container 70, it displays a settlement procedure screen on the information terminal 80. The user U uses the information terminal 80 to conduct the settlement procedure. When the settlement procedure is successfully completed by the server 60, it associates and registers (records) the user ID or the code of the beverage container 70 (container ID) with the ordered input information (order information). When the server 60 registers the order information, it sends a signal notifying the information terminal 80 that the procedure has ended, and causes the information terminal 80 to display an image notifying on the screen that the order procedure has ended (Fig. 13(c)).

[0164] Although the procedure of selecting a menu was explained in Figs. 12 and 13, when selecting a fixed menu whose menu is determined on the top screen of Fig. 12(a), the subsequent operation of selecting a menu by the application is unnecessary, and only by installing the beverage container in the beverage supply means, a fixed beverage is always provided to the beverage container.

[0165] Next, the flow of providing the beverage, which is a product, from the beverage supply device 1 to the beverage container 70 will be described with reference to Figs. 14 to 20. Figs. 14, 15, and 16 show flowcharts for providing the beverage, and Figs. 17, 18, and 19 are the screens displayed on the display unit 6 of the beverage supply device 1 for providing the beverage.

[0166] The user U visits a store where the beverage supply device 1 is installed, and installs the brought beverage container 70 at a specific position of the beverage supply device 1 that displays the screen of Fig. 17(a) on the display unit 6. In the present embodiment shown in Fig. 6, there is one beverage supply device 1 constituting the beverage supply system 100. However, in the beverage supply system 200 constituted by a plurality of beverage supply devices 1 shown in Fig. 7, the user U can receive the supply of the beverage to the beverage container 70 no matter which store where the beverage supply devices 1, 1A, and 1B are installed respectively he visits. Note that the user U can also purchase a beverage container at the store, and after performing the registration procedure of the purchased beverage container, it can be used in the beverage providing device.

[0167] The beverage supply device 1 reads container information including a code (container ID) from a storage medium of the beverage container 70, for example, an RFID (step S022), and transmits it to the server 60 together with the device information (such as device ID) of the beverage supply device 1. The container information includes information regarding the beverage container 70 of the user U, for example, the container ID, the material of the container, the size (capacity), the shape, the manufacturing information, and the like. The device information includes information of the beverage supply device 1 where the container is installed, for example, the device ID, the installation location of the device (such as GPS information), the name of the store where it is installed, the manufacturing date of the device, the sales product information of the device, and the like.

[0168] At the server 60, the container ID of the received container information is collated with the information stored in the storage unit (step S024). When it is determined that the container ID is registered in the storage unit (determined as "yes" in step S025), the process proceeds to the flow (a) of FIG. 15. On the other hand, when the container ID does not match the one registered in the storage unit of the server 60, the server 60 transmits a signal (image) notifying the beverage supply device 1 that the container ID is not registered (step S026). The beverage supply device 1 receives the information (image) notifying that it is not registered, displays the information (image) on the display unit 6, and notifies the user U as shown in FIG. 17(b) (step S027).

[0169] Next, the server 60 searches the storage unit for order information associated with the user ID or the container ID (step S028). When the server 60 cannot find the order information associated with the user ID or the container ID, it transmits information (image) notifying the beverage supply device 1 that the order information is not registered, and the beverage supply device 1 displays the information (image) on the display unit and notifies the user U as shown in FIG. 17(c) (step S030). Then, the beverage supply device 1 displays the display screen of FIG. 17(a) on the display unit 6 again according to the flow (c).

[0170] On the other hand, when the server 60 finds the order information associated with the user ID or the container ID, it transmits the order information to the beverage supply device 1 having the device ID (step S031). The beverage supply device 1 displays the order information received from the server 60 on the display unit 6 and notifies the user U (step S032). FIG. 18 shows an example of the display screen of the order information. For example, for bean-based products made by extracting from coffee beans, as shown in FIG. 18(a), and for powder-based products made from powder, as shown in FIG. 18(b), the type of product, product name, size, price, etc. are configured in a design where each item can be easily recognized at a glance.

[0171] Furthermore, the beverage supply device 1 prompts the user U to press the discharge button 5 by blinking the lower part of each display screen in FIG. 18 for a certain period (step S033). When the user U checks the display screen of the order information in FIG. 18, the user U presses the discharge button 5 of the beverage supply device 1 (step S034). When the discharge button 5 is pressed, the beverage supply device 1 starts the operation of supplying the product and transmits information indicating the start of the operation of supplying the product to the server 60 (continuing to the flow (b) in FIG. 16).

[0172] On the other hand, if the discharge button 5 is not pressed within a certain period after the lower part of the screen in FIG. 18 blinks, the beverage supply device 1 stops the blinking of the screen in FIG. 18 and enters a state of waiting for the operation of the user U (step S034).

[0173] FIG. 16 is a flow chart of the beverage supply device 1 supplying the product of the order information to the beverage container 70. When the beverage supply device 1 receives information indicating the start of the operation of supplying the product when the discharge button 5 is pressed, the beverage supply device 1 starts the operation of manufacturing and supplying the beverage (step S041). Also, the server 60 transmits an image suitable for the product supply operation to 1, and the beverage supply device 1 appropriately displays the received image on the display unit 6 according to the product supply operation. FIG. 19 shows an example of the image received and displayed by the beverage supply device 1. When providing a bean-based product, images of the process of grinding the beans (FIG. 19(a)) and the process of extraction (FIG. 19(b)) are displayed, and when providing a powder-based product, the process of pouring out (FIG. 19(c)) is displayed. By viewing the display unit 6 of the display screen representing the state of FIG. 19, the user U can know the product supply process of the beverage supply device 1.

[0174] The screen of FIG. 19 is also designed so that the user U can immediately grasp the product supply process at a glance. When the beverage supply device 1 finishes supplying the beverage to the beverage container 70, it transmits supply end information to the server 60 (step S042). When the server 60 receives the supply end information, it transmits an image notifying the supply end shown in FIG. 19(d) to the beverage supply device 1, and the beverage supply device 1 displays it on the display unit 6 (step S043). When FIG. 19(d) is displayed on the display unit 6, the user U can take out the beverage container 70 from the beverage supply device 1.

[0175] The supply end information includes supply end time information, the size (supply amount) to be supplied, and the container ID and device ID. The server 60 associates the container ID and device ID and records them as product sales information (step S044). By recording the supply end information in the server 60, the sales history of the product and the relationship with the container ID and device ID can be aggregated, which can be used as data for future product sales strategies.

[0176] Also, the server 60 can utilize the recorded supply end information to suppress the unauthorized use of the beverage container 70. For example, for the purpose of restricting a plurality of users from using the same beverage container 70, the use of the beverage container 70 is prohibited for a certain period from the use time. The server 60 detects the latest supply end time information of the same container ID in the menu information registration flow, and does not accept the registration of menu information for which a certain period has not elapsed from the supply end time information, thereby prohibiting the use of the same beverage container 70 in a short period. In this embodiment, an example of using the discharge button 5 of the beverage supply device 1 is shown, but it is not necessarily required. For example, the beverage supply device 1 may display the order information of FIG. 18 and start supplying the beverage after a certain period has elapsed.

[0177] In addition, in this embodiment, an example (step S019 in FIG. 11) of performing a settlement procedure when selecting selection menu information has been described. However, it may also be performed immediately before the beverage supply device 1 performs a beverage supply operation or after the beverage supply. In any case, upon receiving a signal from the beverage supply device 1, the server 60 executes a settlement process. Note that the cost for the service may be added in a form based on the number of cups consumed, or it may be an all-you-can-drink fixed fee for a specific period.

[0178] Also, the user U can use the information terminal 80 to stop using the registered beverage container. By selecting the "My Tumbler" area on the top page of FIG. 12(a) from the "Menu Registration Page" of the app, it is possible to delete the registration along with the selection of the beverage container. Also, from the "Tumbler Stop Page" of the app, the registered beverage container can be stopped by entering or selecting the container ID of the container to be stopped.

[0179] In addition, in this embodiment, in the "Menu Registration Page", the procedures from menu registration to beverage provision for one registered beverage container have been described. However, it is not necessary to limit the selection of the beverage container to one, and multiple selections are also possible. By doing so, the user U can associate order information with each container ID and select the beverage container to be used according to the situation at the time of beverage provision.

[0180] FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram of the beverage supply system 100. It shows the operational relationship among the information terminal 80, the server 60, and the beverage supply device 1 in chronological order.

[0181] First, the information terminal 80 starts the app and logs in, and transmits the information of the recording medium of the beverage container 70 to the server 60. The server 60 registers the information of the recording medium. Here, the information of the recording medium of the beverage container 70, that is, the container ID of the beverage container 70 is registered in the server 60. When the beverage container 70 is registered, the information terminal 80 selects a product to purchase from the menu and transmits it to the server 60. The server 60 executes a payment procedure for the selected menu. When it confirms that the payment is possible, it registers the selected menu as order information.

[0182] The server 60 transmits to the information terminal that the order information has been registered, and the user U confirms at the information terminal that the order information has been registered.

[0183] Next, when the user U installs the beverage container 70 in the beverage dispenser 1, the beverage dispenser 1 reads information such as the container ID from the recording medium of the beverage container 70 and transmits it to the server 60 together with the information of the beverage dispenser 1 (such as the device ID). The server 60 collates the information of the container ID and checks whether it is recorded. If the beverage container has not been registered in advance, an image indicating that it has not been registered is transmitted to the beverage dispenser 1 and displayed on the display unit 6. If it is a previously registered beverage container, it searches for the registered menu, which is the order information related to the container ID.

[0184] The server 60 transmits the found registered menu to the beverage dispenser 1 with the device ID. The beverage dispenser 1 displays the registered menu on the display unit 6. When the user U confirms the displayed registered menu and presses the discharge button 5 of the beverage dispenser 1, the beverage dispenser 1 provides (sells) the product of the registered menu to the beverage container 70. When the beverage dispenser 1 finishes providing the beverage of the registered menu to the beverage container 70, it transmits sales end information to the server 60. The server 60 registers the sales end information linked to the container ID.

[0185] As described above, in the beverage supply system of the present embodiment, by registering the container ID that identifies the beverage container with the server and registering the menu of the product to be purchased associated with the container ID as order information, it is possible to receive the supply of beverages simply by installing the beverage container in the beverage supply device that constitutes this beverage supply system. Further, since the beverage supply device that constitutes this beverage supply system transmits its own device ID to the server together with the container ID, even if a plurality of beverage supply devices are connected to the beverage supply system, it is possible to provide the registered menu without misidentifying the beverage supply device having the beverage container.

[0186] In addition, the server 60 can provide various services to the user U by associating and managing the user U with the beverage container. FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining an example of such a service. By recording the number of beverages supplied to the beverage container, when a specific quantity is reached, it is also possible to notify the information terminal of the user U associated with the beverage container of the event information. FIG. 21(a) is a display screen of the event information sent from the server 60 when the user U purchases the 100th cup of a specific product. When the user U who has seen this display screen selects the display screen, the user U can subsequently receive coupon information as shown in FIG. 21(b).

Industrial Applicability

[0187] As described above, the beverage supply device according to the present invention is preferably applicable to a beverage supply device that includes a reading device for reading information recorded on a recording medium and supplies beverages to a container provided with a recording medium on which predetermined information is recorded.

[0188] In addition, the beverage supply system according to the present invention is not limited to beverages for its products, and may be food products or articles. The effects of the present invention can also be achieved in cases where the article has a function of holding articles such as a case, a basket, or a bag that includes a recording medium instead of a beverage container.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0189] 1 Beverage supply device 2 Apparatus main body (main body) 3 Beverage supply nozzle (beverage discharge part) 4 Discharge port 30 Mounting plate 34, 159 Drainage part (installation part) 36 Installation part 40 Reading device (transmission / reception part) 50, 150 Shielding member 56, 156 Opening 70 Beverage container (container) 72 Information tag (recording medium) 76 Planar antenna 80 Information terminal 90 Communication network 100, 200 Beverage supply system

Claims

1. A server having a recording unit that records by associating the ordered product information, container information, and user information of a user who is the owner of the container of the container information; A beverage supply device having a reading unit that reads container information from a recording medium of the container and supplying a beverage to the container; The beverage supply device is When the container is set in the beverage supply device, the container information of the container read by the reading unit is transmitted to the server, The server is Receiving the container information transmitted from the beverage supply device, specifying the product information recorded in association with the container information from the storage unit, and transmitting the specified product information to the beverage supply device, The beverage supply device is Receiving the product information transmitted from the server, and supplying the product corresponding to the product information to the container corresponding to the container information read by the reading unit, A beverage supply system.

2. The beverage supply device has device information, When the container is set in the beverage supply device, the container information of the container read by the reading unit and the device information are transmitted to the server, The beverage supply system according to claim 1.

3. Comprising an information terminal, The information terminal transmits user information and container information to the server, and the server records the user information and the container information in association with each other in the recording unit, The beverage supply system according to claim 1.

4. The beverage supply device includes a display unit that displays an image representing a product supply process, The beverage supply system according to claim 1.

5. Comprising an information terminal, The information terminal transmits the product information and user information to the server, and the server records the product information in association with the container information in the recording unit, The beverage supply system according to claim 1.

6. The beverage supply device includes a discharge button, and when the container is set in the beverage supply device and the discharge button is pressed, the desired beverage is supplied to the container, The beverage supply system according to claim 1.

7. The beverage supply device includes a display unit, The server checks whether the information of the recording medium transmitted from the reading device is pre-registered, and if it is not pre-registered, notifies the display unit of the beverage supply device that the information of the recording medium is not pre-registered, The beverage supply system according to claim 1.

8. The server records the beverage supply end information, and prohibits the supply of beverages to the same container as the information of the recording medium of the container included in the supply end information within a certain period of time from the supply end time among the supply end information. The beverage supply system according to claim 1.

Images