Automatic vending machine system

Abstract

To facilitate the work of changing configuration information.SOLUTION: A vending machine system 1 comprises a vending machine 10 that sells articles and a management server 20 that is a higher-level device of the vending machine 10. The vending machine 10 includes a vending machine control unit 10a that controls operations of each part of the vending machine 10, and an information terminal 14 communicable with both the vending machine control unit 10a and the management server 20. When receiving setting information including changed data from the management server 20, the information terminal 14 transmits each piece of data of the setting information to the vending machine control unit 10a in a sending order determined by model information of the vending machine 10. If the information terminal 14 has other changed data in addition to the changed data, on the condition that the changed setting information is input from the vending machine control unit 10a, it is preferable to output the other changed data to the management server 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vending machine system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vending machine system that remotely operates various settings of a vending machine has been proposed in Patent Document 1. In this vending machine system, setting information in which some data has been changed is sent from a terminal installed at a location away from the vending machine to the vending machine, and a setting operation based on the setting information is performed at the vending machine.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the vending machine that constitutes the above vending machine system, when some data of the setting information is changed, depending on the type of data, the settings of other data may be changed. Specifically, when cash price data, electronic money price data, and grouping with other columns are set for a certain column, for example, when the cash price data is changed, the electronic money price data and the grouping are also released and changed.

[0005] Therefore, when changing some data of the setting information, the administrator who is the changer needs to change not only the target data but also related other data, and the changing work has been complicated.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine system capable of facilitating the change work of setting information in view of the above situation.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a vending machine system according to the present invention is a vending machine system including a vending machine that sells products and a management server that is a host device of the vending machine, wherein the vending machine includes a vending machine control unit that controls the operations of each part of the vending machine, and an information terminal that can communicate with the vending machine control unit and the management server, and when the information terminal inputs setting information including change data from the management server, each data of the setting information is sent to the vending machine control unit according to the sending order determined by the model information of the vending machine.

[0008] Further, in the present invention, in the above vending machine system, when the information terminal inputs the changed setting information from the vending machine control unit, if there is other changed data changed in addition to the change data, the other changed data is output to the management server and displayed.

[0009] Further, a vending machine system according to the present invention is a vending machine system including a vending machine that sells products and a management server that is a host device of the vending machine, wherein the vending machine includes a vending machine control unit that controls the operations of each part of the vending machine, and an information terminal that can communicate with the vending machine control unit and the management server, and when the information terminal inputs a change command to change some data of the setting information from the management server, some data is sent to the vending machine control unit, and if there is other changed data changed in addition to the some data in the changed setting information input from the vending machine control unit, the other changed data is output to the management server and displayed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, when an information terminal provided in a vending machine together with a vending machine control unit inputs setting information including change data from a management server, each data of the setting information is sent to the vending machine control unit according to the transmission order determined by the model information of the vending machine. Therefore, the administrator can remotely change only the data to be changed without considering the degree of influence for each model of the vending machine, and the effect of facilitating the change operation of the setting information can be achieved.

[0011] Also according to the present invention, when an information terminal provided in a vending machine together with a vending machine control unit inputs a change command to change some data of the setting information from a management server, some change data is sent to the vending machine control unit. On the condition that there is other changed data other than the change data in the changed setting information input from the vending machine control unit, the other changed data is output to the management server for display. Therefore, the administrator can confirm the change of the data not intended and perform the change of the data thereafter, and the effect of facilitating the change operation of the setting information can be achieved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of a vending machine system according to the present invention will be described.

[0014] <Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of a vending machine system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0015] The vending machine system 1 illustrated here is configured by connecting a vending machine 10 and a management server 20 via a network N such as the Internet.

[0016] The vending machine 10 sells beverages contained in containers such as cans and plastic bottles as products. Although not shown in the figure, it includes a main body cabinet and a front door. The main body cabinet is a rectangular heat-insulating housing having an opening in the front. Inside it, a plurality of product storage racks are provided, and columns are set in these product storage racks. A column is a storage unit in which the same type of product is stored, and one or a plurality of product storage racks are provided according to the products to be sold.

[0017] The front door is a heat-insulating door swingably provided on the main body cabinet in a manner of opening and closing the opening on the front of the main body cabinet. On this front door, product selection buttons, a money insertion slot, and a product outlet are provided. The product selection buttons are selection means for selecting products and are provided corresponding to product samples. The money insertion slot is an insertion slot for money such as coins. The product outlet is an opening for taking out the product carried out from the inside of the main body cabinet and can be opened and closed by a product take-out door.

[0018] The above vending machine 10 has a vending machine control unit 10a, and a cooling and heating device 11, a carry-out device 12, a money processing device 13, and an information terminal 14 are connected to this vending machine control unit 10a.

[0019] The vending machine control unit 10a comprehensively controls the operations of each part of the vending machine 10 according to programs and data stored in a storage unit (not shown).

[0020] The cooling and heating device 11 is for managing the products stored in the product storage rack in a set temperature state. The cooling and heating device 11 cools the products in the product storage rack set for cooling while heating the products in the product storage rack set for heating.

[0021] The unloading device 12 is provided for each column in the product storage rack. When an unloading command is given from the vending machine control unit 10a, this unloading device 12 unloads the product at the most downstream position of the corresponding column, and enables the unloaded product to be taken out through the product outlet.

[0022] The money processing device 13 is, for example, what is called a coin mech or a building validator, and performs deposit processing and withdrawal processing of the money inserted from the money insertion slot.

[0023] The information terminal 14 includes a communication unit 141, an information sending processing unit 142, and an information comparison processing unit 143. The communication unit 141 includes an internal communication processing unit 141a and an external communication processing unit 141b. The internal communication processing unit 141a is a communication interface that performs communication such as data transmission and reception with the vending machine control unit 10a. The external communication processing unit 141b is a communication interface that connects to the management server 20 via the network N by a communication method such as LTE (registered trademark).

[0024] When the information sending processing unit 142 inputs setting information including change data (hereinafter, also referred to as setting information after the change operation) from the management server 20, according to the sending order determined by the model information of the vending machine 10, each data of the setting information is sent to the vending machine control unit 10a.

[0025] Here, an example of the setting information will be given for a simple explanation. The setting information includes the cash price data and the electronic money price data for each column (of the products), and also includes the grouping data with other columns in order to realize the cross-selling of the same type of products stored in multiple columns. More specifically, in column No. 1, the cash price is "110 yen" and the electronic money price is "210 yen", and in columns No. 2 and No. 3, the cash price is "120 yen" and the electronic money price is "220 yen", and it is assumed that columns No. 2 and 3 are grouped together.

[0026] Next, the sending order will be explained. This sending order is determined by the model information of the vending machine 10 and changes depending on the degree of influence of the settings in the vending machine control unit 10a. An example of this degree of influence is as follows. In the vending machine control unit 10a, when the cash price data of an arbitrary column (for example, column No. 2) is changed (for example, "120 yen" → "150 yen"), the electronic money price data (for example, "220 yen") and the grouping data (grouping with column No. 3) of that column are released and changed. When the electronic money price data of the above arbitrary column (column No. 2) is changed (for example, "220 yen" → "300 yen"), the cash price data (for example, "120 yen") is not changed, but the grouping data (grouping with column No. 3) is released and changed. Furthermore, when the grouping data of the above arbitrary column (column No. 2) is changed (for example, the grouping with column No. 3 is released), the cash price data (for example, "120 yen") and the electronic money price data (for example, "220 yen") are not changed. This is the degree of influence on other data. In the above example, the cash price data had the greatest degree of influence, the electronic money price data had the second greatest degree of influence, and the grouping data had the smallest degree of influence. However, such a degree of influence varies depending on the model of the vending machine 10.

[0027] Also, in the first embodiment, as in the above-described example, the vending machine 10 will be described, where the cash price data has the greatest influence, the electronic money price data has the second greatest influence, and the grouped data has the least influence.

[0028] Therefore, when the information transmission processing unit 142 inputs the setting information after the change operation from the management server 20, it transmits the cash price data, the electronic money price data, and the grouped data to the vending machine control unit 10a in this order.

[0029] The information comparison processing unit 143 compares the setting information before the change operation (hereinafter also referred to as the pre-change setting information) input from the management server 20 with the setting information after the change (hereinafter also referred to as the post-change setting information) input from the vending machine control unit 10a. As a result of the comparison, it determines the presence or absence of other changed data other than the data changed by the setting information after the change operation. The management server 20 manages and operates the vending machine 10.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure for changing the setting information in the vending machine system 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0031] When the setting information after the change operation (setting information after the change operation) is generated in the management server 20 (step S101), when the information terminal 14 inputs the setting information after the change operation transmitted from the management server 20 through the external communication processing unit 141b (step S102), it transmits a request for setting information to the vending machine control unit 10a through the internal communication processing unit 141a (step S103).

[0032] Then, the information terminal 14 inputs the setting information (pre-change setting information) sent from the vending machine control unit 10a through the internal communication processing unit 141a (step S104). Here, as in the above example, in the column numbered 1, the cash price is "110 yen" and the electronic money price is "210 yen", and in the columns numbered 2 and 3, the cash price is "120 yen" and the electronic money price is "220 yen", and it is assumed that the columns numbered 2 and 3 are grouped.

[0033] Also, in the change operation that causes step S101, it is assumed that the electronic money price in the column numbered 2 has been changed from "220 yen" to "300 yen", and the post-change setting information is the same as the pre-change setting information except that the electronic money price data in the column numbered 2 has been changed to "300 yen".

[0034] After that, the information terminal 14 sends the cash price data, the electronic money price data, and the grouped data to the vending machine control unit 10a in this order according to the sending order determined by the model information of the vending machine 10 by the information sending processing unit 142 (steps S105, S106, S107).

[0035] In the vending machine control unit 10a where the post-change setting information is sent from the information terminal 14 in the order of the cash price data, the electronic money price data, and the grouped data, the settings are made in the order of the cash price data, the electronic money price data, and the grouped data (step S108).

[0036] Then, the information terminal 14 sends a request for the post-change setting information (post-change setting information) to the vending machine control unit 10a through the internal communication processing unit 141a (step S109). When the post-change setting information sent from the vending machine control unit 10a is input through the internal communication processing unit 141a (step S110), the information comparison processing unit 143 compares the pre-change setting information with the post-change setting information (step S111), and determines whether there is any other changed data other than the changed data (the electronic money price data in the column numbered 2 changes from "220 yen" to "300 yen") (step S112).

[0037] If there is other changed data (step S112: Yes), the information terminal 14 sends the other changed data to the management server 20 through the external communication processing unit 141b (step S113). Thereby, the management server 20 displays the other changed data (step S114).

[0038] On the other hand, if there is no other changed data in step S112 (step S112: No), the information terminal 14 sends a setting completion notice to the management server 20 through the external communication processing unit 141b (step S115), and ends this process.

[0039] As described above, in the vending machine system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the information terminal 14 inputs the set information after the change operation from the management server 20, according to the transmission order determined by the model information of the vending machine 10, each data of the set information after the change operation is sent to the vending machine control unit 10a. Therefore, the administrator can remotely change only the data to be changed without considering the influence degree for each model of the vending machine 10. Therefore, according to the vending machine system 1, it is possible to facilitate the change work of the set information.

[0040] According to the vending machine system 1, on the condition that the information terminal 14 inputs the set information after the change from the vending machine control unit 10a, the set information before the change is compared with the set information after the change. If there is other changed data other than the changed data, the other changed data is sent to the management server 20 for display. Therefore, the administrator can confirm the change of the data not intended.

[0041] <Embodiment 2> FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of a vending machine system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in the vending machine system 1 according to the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0042] The vending machine system 2 illustrated herein is configured by connecting a vending machine 10' and a management server 20 via a network N such as the Internet.

[0043] The vending machine 10' sells beverages contained in containers such as cans and plastic bottles as products. Although not shown in the figure, it includes a main body cabinet and a front door. The main body cabinet is a rectangular heat-insulating housing having an opening on the front surface. Inside it, a plurality of product storage racks are provided, and columns are set in these product storage racks. A column is a storage unit in which the same type of product is stored, and one or a plurality of product storage racks are provided according to the products to be sold.

[0044] The front door is a heat-insulating door swingably provided on the main body cabinet in a manner of opening and closing the opening on the front surface of the main body cabinet. On this front door, product selection buttons, a money insertion slot, and a product outlet are provided. The product selection buttons are selection means for selecting products and are provided corresponding to product samples. The money insertion slot is an insertion slot for money such as coins. The product outlet is an opening for taking out the product carried out from the inside of the main body cabinet and can be opened and closed by a product take-out door.

[0045] The above vending machine 10' has a vending machine control unit 10a, and a cooling and heating device 11, a carry-out device 12, a money processing device 13, and an information terminal 14' are connected to this vending machine control unit 10a. The information terminal 14' includes a communication unit 141 and an information comparison processing unit 144.

[0046] The information comparison processing unit 144 compares the setting information before the change with the setting information after the change (hereinafter also referred to as the changed setting information) input from the vending machine control unit 10a, and determines the presence or absence of other changed data changed other than the change data sent from the management server 20 as a result of the comparison.

[0047] Here, the setting information includes the cash price data and the electronic money price data for each column (product). More specifically, in column number 1, the cash price is "140 yen" and the electronic money price is "100 yen", and in columns number 2 and number 3, the cash price is "140 yen" and the electronic money price is "100 yen".

[0048] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure for changing the setting information in the vending machine system 2 shown in Figure 3.

[0049] When a change operation is performed and the management server 20 sends the change data to the information terminal 14' (step S201), the information terminal 14' sends a request for the setting information to the vending machine control unit 10a through the internal communication processing unit 141a (step S202).

[0050] The information terminal 14' inputs the setting information (hereinafter also referred to as the pre-change setting information) sent from the vending machine control unit 10a (step S203). Here, the pre-change setting information is, as in the above example, in column number 1, the cash price is "110 yen" and the electronic money price is "210 yen", and in columns number 2 and number 3, the cash price is "120 yen" and the electronic money price is "220 yen".

[0051] Thereafter, the information terminal 14' sends the change data to the vending machine control unit 10a through the internal communication processing unit 141a (step S204). In the above change operation, it is assumed that the cash price of column number 2 is changed from "140 yen" to "200 yen".

[0052] In the vending machine control unit 10a that has received the change data from the information terminal 14′ in this way, setting information for changing the part of the change data is set (step S205). In this vending machine control unit 10a, when the cash price data is changed, it is determined that the electronic money price data in the column with the same number is also changed to the same price, and when the electronic money price data is changed, it is determined that the cash price data is not changed. For example, if the electronic money price data in column number 2 is automatically changed from, for example, "100 yen" to "200 yen".

[0053] Then, the information terminal 14′ sends a request for the changed setting information (hereinafter also referred to as the changed setting information) to the vending machine control unit 10a through the internal communication processing unit 141a (step S206). When the changed setting information sent from the vending machine control unit 10a is input through the internal communication processing unit 141a (step S207), the information comparison processing unit 144 compares the setting information before the change and the setting information after the change (step S208), and determines whether there is any other changed data other than the change data (the cash price data in column number 2 is "140 yen" → "200 yen") (step S209).

[0054] If there is other changed data (step S209: Yes), the information terminal 14′ sends the other changed data (for example, the electronic money price data in column number 2 is "200 yen") to the management server 20 through the external communication processing unit 141b (step S210). As a result, the management server 20 displays the other changed data (step S211).

[0055] On the other hand, if there is no other changed data in step S209 (step S209: No), the information terminal 14′ sends a setting completion notification to the management server 20 through the external communication processing unit 141b (step S212), and ends this process.

[0056] As described above, in the vending machine system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the information terminal 14' inputs (inputs the transmitted changed data) a change command for changing a part of the setting information from the management server 20, it sends the changed data to the vending machine control unit 10a, and on the condition that there is other changed data that has been changed other than the changed data in the changed setting information input from the vending machine control unit 10a, the other changed data is sent to the management server 20, so that the administrator can confirm the change of data that is not intended. Therefore, according to the vending machine system 2 described above, the administrator only needs to confirm the change of data that is not intended and then make the change. Even if the administrator does not understand the setting procedure of the vending machine control unit 10a, the change operation can be performed, and the change operation of the setting information can be facilitated.

[0057] As described above, the preferred first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various changes can be made.

[0058] In the vending machine system 1 according to the first embodiment described above, in the information comparison processing unit 143, the setting information before the change and the setting information after the change are compared to determine the presence or absence of other changed data. However, in the vending machine system 1 of the present invention, the management server 20 may compare the setting information before the change and the setting information after the change to determine the presence or absence of other changed data. In the present invention, it is not necessary to compare the setting information before the change and the setting information after the change. In this case, in steps S103 and S104, the information terminal 14 inputs the setting information before the change, but such processing is also unnecessary.

[0059] Each configuration illustrated in the above-described first and second embodiments is functionally schematic, and it is not necessarily physically configured as illustrated. That is, the form of distribution and integration of each device and configuration data is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various usage situations and the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0060] 1…Vending machine system, 10…Vending machine, 10a…Vending machine control unit, 11…Heating and cooling device, 12…Delivery device, 13…Money processing device, 14…Information terminal, 141…Communication unit, 141a…Internal communication processing unit, 141b…External communication processing unit, 142…Information sending processing unit, 143…Information comparison processing unit, 20…Management server, N…Network.

Claims

1. A vending machine system comprising a vending machine for selling products and a management server which is a higher-level device of the vending machine, wherein the vending machine includes a vending machine control unit for controlling the operations of each part of the vending machine and an information terminal capable of communicating with the vending machine control unit and the management server, and when the information terminal inputs setting information including change data from the management server, the information terminal sends each data of the setting information to the vending machine control unit according to the transmission order determined by the model information of the vending machine. The vending machine system is characterized by this.

2. The information terminal, on the condition that the information terminal has input the changed setting information from the vending machine control unit, when there is other changed data changed in addition to the change data, outputs the other changed data to the management server for display. The vending machine system according to claim 1 is characterized by this.

3. A vending machine system comprising a vending machine for selling products and a management server which is a higher-level device of the vending machine, wherein the vending machine includes a vending machine control unit for controlling the operations of each part of the vending machine and an information terminal capable of communicating with the vending machine control unit and the management server, and when the information terminal inputs a change command for changing some data of the setting information from the management server, the information terminal sends the some data to the vending machine control unit, and on the condition that there is other changed data changed in addition to the some data in the changed setting information input from the vending machine control unit, outputs the other changed data to the management server for display. The vending machine system is characterized by this.

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