Selection apparatus and vending machine including the same

Abstract

To provide a selection apparatus which can suppress manufacturing cost and easily change the layout of items for exhibition, and a vending machine including the selection apparatus.SOLUTION: A selection apparatus 1 schematically includes: a plurality of operation targets 14 provided in correspondence with a plurality of display articles 7 accommodated in an accommodation space 85 between a main body 80 and a panel 83 attached to the main body 80, the plurality of operation targets 14 serving as targets of operation by a user 9 when the user 9 selects a desired display article 7 from the plurality of display articles 7; an operation-target member 10 arranged in the accommodation space 85 and having the plurality of operation targets 14 on a surface 100 visible to the user 9 through the panel 83; and a plurality of detection units arranged apart from one another in the operation-target member 10, the detection units detecting a change in a physical quantity generated in the operation-target member 10 on the basis of an operation performed through the panel 83 on the operation target 14 of a desired display article 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a selection device and a vending machine equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] As a prior art, a vending machine is known that has an exhibition section including a structure in which multiple product samples are arranged horizontally on the inside of the front panel of the front door, and multiple rows of product samples are arranged vertically at intervals, and selection instruction buttons for product selection that are installed on the front panel for each product sample between the rows of product samples (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-021697 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional vending machines, the selection instruction buttons are located on the outside of the front panel, which requires processing of the front panel, resulting in increased manufacturing costs and the inability to change the layout after processing.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a selection device that can reduce manufacturing costs and easily change the layout of display items, and a vending machine equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a selection device that is provided to correspond to a plurality of display items stored in a storage space between a housing and a panel attached to the housing, and that includes a plurality of operation targets that serve as targets for a user's operation when selecting a desired display item from the plurality of display items; an operation target member that is arranged in the storage space and has a plurality of operation targets on a surface that is visible to the user through the panel; and a plurality of detection units that are arranged apart from each other on the operation target member and that detect changes in physical quantities that occur in the operation target member based on operations performed on the operation targets of the desired display item through the panel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs and easily change the layout of exhibit items. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a vending machine equipped with a plurality of selection devices according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram of a vending machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a selection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of vibration propagating to the selection device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of selection of an exhibit item in the selection device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of output values ​​output by the first sensor and the second sensor of the selection device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Summary of the embodiment) The selection device of the embodiment is provided to correspond to a plurality of exhibit items stored in a storage space between a housing and a panel attached to the housing, and is generally configured to include a plurality of operation targets that serve as targets for a user's operation when selecting a desired exhibit item from the plurality of exhibit items, an operation target member that is arranged in the storage space and has a plurality of operation targets on a surface that is visible to the user through the panel, and a plurality of detection units that are arranged at a distance from each other on the operation target member and detect changes in physical quantities that occur in the operation target member based on operations performed on the operation targets of the desired exhibit item through the panel.

[0010] This selection device does not require processing of the panel, so compared to processing the panel and arranging the exhibit items and buttons for selecting the exhibit items, it reduces manufacturing costs and makes it easy to change the layout of the exhibit items.

[0011] [Embodiment Mode] (Outline of selection device 1 and vending machine 8) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a vending machine equipped with a plurality of selection devices according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram of a vending machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a selection device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of vibrations propagating to a selection device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of selection of an exhibit item in a selection device according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating an example of output values ​​output by a first sensor and a second sensor of a selection device according to an embodiment. In FIG. 4, a push operation is performed on surface 830 of panel 83, so exhibit item 7 and the like are indicated by dotted lines. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis represents time t and the vertical axis represents output value V. This output value V is, for example, a voltage, but is not limited to this. The graph in FIG. 6 is also an example of experimental results.

[0012] In the drawings relating to the embodiments described below, the ratios and shapes of the figures may differ from the actual ratios and shapes. 14The flow of steps is indicated by arrows. Below, an overview of a vending machine 8 in which a plurality of selection devices 1 are installed will first be described.

[0013] (Vending Machine 8 Overview) The vending machine 8 includes, as an example, a main body 80 as a rectangular parallelepiped housing that is long in the vertical direction on the plane of the paper in Fig. 1. The main body 80 includes a box body 81 that opens to the front, and a door body 82 that closes an opening 810 of the box body 81.

[0014] Box 81 contains product 70 corresponding to display item 7. This product 70 is, for example, a beverage, but it may also be food, a toy, or the like, and is not limited to these. Door 82 has a panel 83 disposed in a recess 821 provided on its front surface 820. This panel 83 is formed in the shape of a single plate from a transparent acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, or the like, so that display item 7 placed inside can be seen.

[0015] 1, door body 82 has, on its front surface 820, a bill inlet / outlet 822, a coin slot 823, a return lever 824, an amount display 825, a change return slot 826, a product outlet 827, a door lock 828, and an advertising space 829. Note that bill inlet / outlet 822, coin slot 823, return lever 824, and change return slot 826 may not be provided in a vending machine 8 that uses cashless payment and does not use bills or coins. Therefore, by providing multiple selection devices 1, vending machine 8 can make panel 83 larger, allowing for more flexible placement of display items 7.

[0016] The bill inlet / outlet 822 is where bills are inserted and ejected. The coin inlet 823 is where coins are inserted. The return lever 824 is a lever that is operated when bills and coins are returned. The amount display 825 is a display that indicates when there is no change and also displays the amounts of inserted bills and inserted coins. The change return outlet 826 is where change is returned. The product outlet 827 is where purchased products 70 are dispensed. The door lock 828 is operated to lock and unlock the door body 82. The advertising space 829 is a place where advertisements are displayed.

[0017] The door body 82 has a storage space 85 that stores a plurality of exhibit items 7 and the selection device 1. The door body 82 also has a back panel 84 that faces the panel 83 and is located at the bottom of the recess 821. The storage space 85 is a space formed between the panel 83 and the back panel 84. The back panel 84 is, for example, formed in a plate shape using a metal material.

[0018] The vending machine 8 is configured to include a selection device 1. As an example, but not limited to, the vending machine 8 of this embodiment includes seven selection devices 1 as shown in FIG. 1. As an example, but not limited to, six display items 7 are arranged on the selection device 1. As an example, but not limited to, the vending machine 8 is roughly configured to include seven selection devices 1, a memory unit 86, a plurality of item dispensing units 87, and a control unit 88 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0019] The storage unit 86 is, for example, a semiconductor memory. The storage unit 86 stores determination information 860. The item dispensing unit 87 is configured to dispense, in exchange for payment, an item 70 corresponding to the display item 7 selected by the user to the item outlet 827.

[0020] The control unit 88 is a microcomputer that includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data in accordance with stored programs, and semiconductor memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM stores, for example, programs for operating the control unit 88. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results and the like.

[0021] The control unit 88 is configured to comprehensively control the vending machine 8. The control unit 88 is electrically connected to the plurality of selection devices 1, and controls the output values ​​V1 to V 14 The control unit 88 acquires the output values ​​V1 to V2 acquired from the seven selection devices 1. 14 The display article 7 selected by the user is determined based on the determination information 860 and the product 70 is dispensed to the product outlet 827.

[0022] The selection device 1 will be outlined below.

[0023] (Overview of Selection Device 1) 1 to 3, the selection device 1 is provided corresponding to a plurality of exhibit articles 7 stored in a storage space 85 between a main body 80 and a panel 83 attached to the main body 80, and is generally configured to include a plurality of operation targets 14 that serve as operation targets for a user 9 when selecting a desired exhibit article 7 from the plurality of exhibit articles 7, an operation target member 10 that is disposed in the storage space 85 and has a surface 100 that is visible to the user 9 through the panel 83, and a plurality of detection units that are disposed apart from one another on the operation target member 10 and detect changes in physical quantities that occur in the operation target member 10 based on operations performed on the operation targets 14 of the desired exhibit article 7 through the panel 83. The operation in this embodiment is, but is not limited to, a push operation in which a surface 830 of the panel 83 is pressed.

[0024] 3 and 4, the multiple operation targets 14 are arranged in a row on the surface 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the multiple detection units are arranged at one end 10a and the other end 10b of the operation target member 10 corresponding to both ends of the multiple operation targets 14 arranged in a row.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the plurality of detectors are arranged on one end 10a and the other end 10b of the operation target member 10, on a rear surface 101 that is the surface opposite to the front surface 100.

[0026] The operation target member 10 is integrated with a base member 12 on which a plurality of exhibit articles 7 are placed. The operation target member 10 may be disposed separately from the base member 12. The base member 12 is attached to a back panel 84.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4, the detection unit detects, as a physical quantity, the amount of deformation based on vibration 6 propagated to the operation target member 10 via the panel 83 based on the push operation. As an example, the detection unit in this embodiment is a first sensor 21 and a second sensor 22, as shown in Fig. 4. Note that the detection unit may be provided with at least one additional sensor to provide redundancy.

[0028] As shown in Figure 5, the vending machine 8 is equipped with a control unit 88 as a judgment unit that determines the display item 7 selected by the user 9 based on multiple output values ​​obtained from the first sensor 21 and the second sensor 22.

[0029] As a modified example, the selection device 1 may include a control unit that determines the exhibit item 7 selected by the user 9 based on a plurality of output values ​​acquired from the first sensor 21 and the second sensor 22.

[0030] (Configuration of the operation target member 10 and the base member 12) The operation target member 10 and the base member 12 are formed using a resin material, for example, but may also be formed using a metal material. Also, as described above, the operation target member 10 is formed integrally with the base member 12, but one may be attached to the other.

[0031] The operation target member 10 and the base member 12 have a long, thin plate shape, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Furthermore, the operation target member 10 and the base member 12 have an L-shape when viewed from the side, as shown in Figure 5.

[0032] 5, the operation target member 10 is in contact with the rear surface 831 of the panel 83, but a gap may exist as long as the vibration 6 can be transmitted. The operation target member 10 has operation targets 14 on its front surface 100. The operation targets 14 in this embodiment are, by way of example, the first operation target 14a to the sixth operation target 14f, but are not limited to this.

[0033] The first to sixth operation targets 14a to 14f are provided below the exhibit 7, as shown in FIG.

[0034] 4, the first operation target 14a to the sixth operation target 14f are located on the back surface 831 side of the panel 83. In other words, the user 9 does not directly perform a push operation on the first operation target 14a to the sixth operation target 14f, but performs a push operation on the front surface 830 of the panel 83.

[0035] The first operation target 14a to the sixth operation target 14f are provided with letters or figures encouraging a push operation, and may be a film or piece of paper attached to the surface 100 of the operation target member 10, or may be formed by printing, but are not limited to these.

[0036] Furthermore, the operation target member 10 has first display 15a to sixth display 15f provided on the first operation target 14a to sixth operation target 14f as displays 15 that display the prices of the products 70 corresponding to the exhibit items 7. The first display 15a to sixth display 15f may be a film or piece of paper attached to the surface 100, or may be formed by printing, but are not limited to these.

[0037] At least one of the first operation target 14a to sixth operation target 14f and the first display 15a to sixth display 15f may be configured using a display device such as a liquid crystal display arranged on the surface 100.

[0038] The base member 12 is configured to hold a display item 7 placed on an upper surface 120 thereof.

[0039] (Configuration of the first sensor 21 and the second sensor 22) The first sensor 21 and the second sensor 22 are, by way of example only, vibration sensors using piezoelectric elements. As shown in Fig. 5, the first sensor 21 and the second sensor 22 detect a physical quantity based on a vibration 6 proportional to a pressing force F applied to the surface 830 of the panel 83 in association with a push operation. This vibration sensor has, for example, a weight, and the vibration 6 propagating to the operation target member 10 via the panel 83 is transmitted to the weight, compressing and contracting the piezoelectric element. The vibration sensor is configured to convert the charge that increases or decreases due to the compression and contraction of this piezoelectric element into a voltage and output an output value V.

[0040] The first sensor 21 and the second sensor 22 are not limited to the vibration sensors described above, and may be any sensor that detects a physical quantity that changes in accordance with an operation performed on the panel 83. The first sensor 21 and the second sensor 22 may be, for example, a displacement sensor that measures the displacement of the operation target member 10 via the panel 83, an acceleration sensor or a velocity sensor that measures the acceleration or velocity of the operation target member 10 via the panel 83, a load cell that detects a change in force applied to the operation target member 10 due to vibration 6, or a strain sensor that detects distortion due to vibration 6.

[0041] The first sensor 21 and the second sensor 22 are attached to the selection device 1 disposed in the vending machine 8, respectively.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, when the user 9 operates the second operation target 14b via the panel 83, the vibration 6 propagates leftward (in the direction of arrow A) and rightward (in the direction of arrow B) on the paper surface of FIG. 4. The first sensor 21 is closer to the second operation target 14b than the second sensor 22, and therefore detects the vibration 6 more quickly and with a larger amplitude. When the amplitude is large, the voltage outputted from the vibration sensor becomes higher. When the amplitude is small, the voltage outputted from the vibration sensor becomes lower.

[0043] (Determining the target of a push operation) 6 is a graph showing the output values ​​V output by the first sensor 21 and the second sensor 22 when a push operation is performed on the first operation target 14a to the sixth operation target 14f. The solid line represents the output value V1 of the first sensor 21, and the dotted line represents the output value V2 of the second sensor 22.

[0044] When a push operation is performed on the first operation target 14a to the third operation target 14c, the first sensor 21 outputs an output value V1 whose peak value is greater than the peak value of the output value V2 of the second sensor 22, because the distance from the first sensor 21 to the first operation target 14a to the third operation target 14c is shorter than the distance from the second sensor 22 to the first operation target 14a to the third operation target 14c.

[0045] When a push operation is performed on the fourth operation target 14d to the sixth operation target 14f, the first sensor 21 outputs an output value V1 whose peak value is smaller than the peak value of the output value V2 of the second sensor 22, because the distance from the first sensor 21 to the fourth operation target 14d to the sixth operation target 14f is longer than the distance from the second sensor 22 to the fourth operation target 14d to the sixth operation target 14f.

[0046] The peak value of the output value V increases in proportion to the pressure F of the push operation. Therefore, in order to suppress the influence of differences in pressure, the determination information 860 is configured as information on the ratio between the peak value of the output value V1 and the peak value of the output value V2 for each of the first operation target 14a to the sixth operation target 14f, for example. The control unit 88 references the determination information 860 and determines the operation target on which the push operation was performed from the ratio between the peak value of the output value V1 and the peak value of the output value V2. The control unit 88 then controls the article dispensing unit 87 to dispense the corresponding product 70 based on the determination result. Note that if the control unit 88 does not determine that a push operation has been performed, dispensing is not performed.

[0047] Although the above-mentioned determination was made based on the ratio between the peak value of the output value V1 and the peak value of the output value V2, the determination may be made by storing the peak value of the output value V1 and the peak value of the output value V2 for each of the first operation target 14a to the sixth operation target 14f as determination information 860 and determining the operation target corresponding to the peak value of the output value V1 and the peak value of the output value V2 within an allowable range. The determination may also be made by comparing the area with the horizontal axis, and is not limited to this.

[0048] (Effects of the embodiment) The selecting device 1 and vending machine 8 according to this embodiment reduce manufacturing costs and allow for easy changes to the layout of the display items 7. Specifically, the vending machine 8 uses the selecting device 1 to determine which display item 7 has been selected without requiring processing such as drilling holes in the panel 83, thereby reducing manufacturing costs compared to when drilling holes in the panel. Furthermore, the vending machine 8 allows for the selecting device 1 to be freely positioned within the storage space 85 without requiring processing such as drilling holes in the panel 83, making it easier to change the layout of the selecting device 1 and the display items 7 compared to when drilling holes is required.

[0049] Since the selection device 1 is arranged inside the panel 83, maintenance of the panel 83 is easier and the panel is more waterproof than when buttons are arranged by drilling holes in the surface of the panel.

[0050] The selection device 1 allows for the display and selection of multiple exhibit items 7 with a single device, and does not require drilling or a waterproof structure on the panel 83, allowing for greater freedom in layout compared to when such a structure is required. Furthermore, the selection device 1 can easily determine the position between the first sensor 21 and the second sensor 22 that have been pushed via the panel 83, allowing for greater freedom in the number and shape of the exhibit items 7, operation targets 14, and displays 15.

[0051] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. These novel embodiments and modifications can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in these embodiments and modifications are necessarily essential to solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1...selection device, 6...vibration, 7...exhibition item, 8...vending machine, 9...user, 10...operation target member, 10a...one end, 10b...other end, 12...base member, 14...operation target, 14a to 14f...first operation target to sixth operation target, 15...display, 15a to 15f...first display to sixth display, 21...first sensor, 22...second sensor, 70...product, 80...main body, 81...box body, 82...door body, 83...panel, 84...rear face Panel, 85...storage space, 86...storage unit, 87...article dispensing unit, 88...control unit, 100...surface, 101...rear surface, 120...top surface, 810...opening, 820...front surface, 821...recess, 822...banknote inlet / outlet, 823...coin inlet, 824...return lever, 825...amount display, 826...change return slot, 827...product outlet, 828...door lock, 829...advertising space, 830...surface, 831...rear surface, 860...determination information

Claims

1. a plurality of operation targets provided corresponding to a plurality of exhibits housed in a housing space between the housing and a panel attached to the housing, the operation targets being targets for a user's operation when selecting a desired exhibit from the plurality of exhibits; an operation target member that is disposed in the storage space and has a plurality of operation targets on a surface that can be viewed by the user through the panel; a plurality of detection units disposed at a distance from each other on the operation target member, for detecting a change in a physical quantity occurring in the operation target member based on the operation performed on the operation target of the desired exhibit item via the panel; A selection device comprising:

2. The plurality of operation targets are provided in a line on the surface, the plurality of detection units are arranged at one end and the other end of the operation target member corresponding to both ends of the plurality of operation targets arranged in a row; The selection device according to claim 1 .

3. the plurality of detection units are arranged on the one end and the other end of the operation target member, on a surface opposite to the surface; The selection device according to claim 2 .

4. The operation target member is integral with a base member on which the plurality of exhibits are placed. The selection device according to claim 3 .

5. the detection unit detects, as the physical quantity, a deformation amount based on vibration propagated to the operation target member via the panel based on the operation. The selection device according to claim 4 .

6. A vending machine equipped with the selection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. a determination unit that determines the exhibit item selected by the user based on a plurality of output values ​​acquired from a plurality of the detection units; 7. The vending machine according to claim 6.

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