Vending machine system

Abstract

To shorten remote operation.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a vending machine system 1 that comprises a vending machine 10 which vends articles and a management server 20 as host equipment of the vending machine 10, and the vending machine 10 comprises a vending machine control part 11 which controls operations of respective parts of the vending machine 10 and an information terminal 16 which can communicate with the vending machine control part 11 and management server 20. The vending machine control part 11 informs the information terminal 16 of gathered setting data and in-matching notice in the middle of gathering of setting data on constituent equipment of the vending machine 10, the information terminal 16 informs the management server 20 of the gathered setting data and that the constituent equipment is being matched when inputting the gathered setting data and in-matching notice from the vending machine control part 11, and the management server 20 restricts only setting operations on the elements being matched when informed by the information terminal 16 of the gathered data and that the constituent equipment is being matched.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, in vending machine systems in which various settings on a vending machine are remotely controlled, when the vending machine is started up, the vending machine control unit collects setting data for each component device, such as a reader / writer, and sends the data to a management server when collection is complete.The management server then collects the setting data, making it possible to perform setting operations on various elements of each component device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-58939 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned vending machine system, setting operations for various elements of each component were only possible after the vending machine control unit had completed collecting setting data for each component device and the management server had collected the setting data. Therefore, setting operations could not be performed until the vending machine control unit had completed collecting the setting data, which resulted in a longer remote operation time.

[0005] In view of the above-described circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine system that can shorten the time required for remote operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vending machine system of the present invention is a vending machine system comprising a vending machine that sells products and a management server that is a host device of the vending machine, wherein the vending machine comprises a vending machine control unit that controls the operation of each unit of the vending machine, and an information terminal that can communicate with the vending machine control unit and the management server, wherein when the vending machine control unit is in the process of collecting setting data for components of the vending machine, the vending machine control unit sends the collected setting data and a notification that matching is in progress to the information terminal, and when the information terminal receives the collected setting data and the notification that matching is in progress from the vending machine control unit, the information terminal sends the collected setting data and a notification that the components are matching to the management server, and when the management server receives the collected data and a notification that the components are matching from the information terminal, it restricts setting operations only for elements that are matching.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned vending machine system, the vending machine control unit determines whether collection of setting data for the component devices has been completed by inputting a setting data collection instruction from the information terminal, and if collection of setting data has not been completed, sends the collected setting data and a notification that matching is in progress to the information terminal, while if collection of setting data has been completed, sends a notification that matching has been completed to the information terminal.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned vending machine system, the information terminal outputs a setting data collection instruction to the vending machine control unit again, on the condition that the notification of completion of matching is input from the vending machine control unit, and when the setting data is sent from the vending machine control unit, it sends to the management server a message that the setting data and the constituent equipment have been matched.

[0009] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above-mentioned vending machine system, when the information terminal sends a message that the setting data and the component devices have been matched, the management server allows setting operations for all elements, including the elements currently being matched.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned vending machine system, when the vending machine control unit sends the setting data to the information terminal, it determines the type of the component equipment and sends setting data corresponding to that type, and when the information terminal sends a message that the setting data and the component equipment have been matched, the management server only allows setting operations corresponding to the type of the component equipment included in the setting data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, a vending machine is equipped with a vending machine control unit that controls the operation of each part of the vending machine, and an information terminal that can communicate with the vending machine control unit and a management server; when the vending machine control unit is in the process of collecting setting data for the components of the vending machine, it sends the collected setting data and a notification that matching is in progress to the information terminal; when the information terminal inputs the collected setting data and a notification that matching is in progress from the vending machine control unit, it sends to the management server a message that the collected setting data and the components are matching; and when the management server receives a message from the information terminal that the collected data and the components are matching, it restricts only the setting operations for the elements that are matching, so that setting operations can be performed for elements other than those that are matching without waiting for the collection of setting data to be completed, thereby achieving the effect of shortening the time required for remote operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic diagram of a control system of a vending machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure for collecting setting data of the components of the vending machines in the vending machine system 1 shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display by the management server. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display by the management server. [Figure 5-1] FIG. 5-1 is an explanatory diagram showing a normal button. [Figure 5-2] FIG. 5-2 is an explanatory diagram showing a button with a price display. [Figure 5-3] FIG. 5-3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the premium button. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the product selection button determination process carried out by the vending machine control unit shown in FIG. 1 in collecting setting data. [Figure 7-1] FIG. 7-1 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example in the case of a normal button. [Figure 7-2] FIG. 7-2 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a button with a price display. [Figure 7-3] FIG. 7-3 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example in the case of the premium button. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of a vending machine system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of a vending machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vending machine system 1 shown here is configured by connecting a vending machine 10 and a management server 20 via a network N such as the Internet.

[0015] The vending machine 10 sells beverages in containers such as cans or PET bottles, and although not shown in the figures, it is equipped with a main cabinet and a front door. The main cabinet is a rectangular, insulated housing with an opening on the front. Inside the main cabinet, multiple product storage racks are provided, and columns are set up for these product storage racks. A column is a storage unit that stores the same type of product, and one or more product storage racks are provided depending on the products to be sold.

[0016] The front door is a heat-insulating door that is swingably mounted on the main cabinet to open and close the opening at the front of the main cabinet. The front door is provided with a product outlet. The product outlet is an opening for retrieving products carried out from inside the main cabinet, and can be opened and closed by the product outlet door.

[0017] The vending machine 10 has a vending machine control unit 11 to which a cooling device 12, a product selection unit 13, a payment unit 14, a delivery device 15, and an information terminal 16 are connected.

[0018] The vending machine control unit 11 comprehensively controls the operation of each part of the vending machine 10 according to programs and data stored in a memory (not shown), and includes a connection determination unit 11a and a setting data collection unit 11b.

[0019] The connection determination unit 11a determines whether or not each component device is connected. The setting data collection unit 11b collects setting data of the component devices that are determined to be connected by the connection determination unit 11a.

[0020] The cooling device 12 is used to maintain the products stored in the product storage rack at a set temperature. The cooling device 12 cools products stored in a product storage rack that has been set to cool, and heats products stored in a product storage rack that has been set to heat.

[0021] The product selection unit 13 is made up of multiple product selection buttons provided on the front door, and allows the user to select a product. When any of the product selection buttons is pressed, the product selection unit 13 sends a selection signal to the vending machine control unit 11.

[0022] Although not shown in the figure, the settlement unit 14 is configured with a money processing device and a settlement terminal. The money processing device is, for example, a coin mechanism or a bill validator, and processes deposits and withdrawals of money inserted through the money insertion slot. The settlement terminal is provided on the front door and performs settlement processing by reading and writing information (electronic money) from a recording medium, such as an electronic money card, held in a predetermined communication area.

[0023] A carry-out device 15 is provided for each column in the product storage rack. When a carry-out command is given from the vending machine control unit 11, this carry-out device 15 carries out the product at the most downstream position of the corresponding column, and makes the carried-out product available for removal through the product removal opening.

[0024] The information terminal 16 includes a communication unit 161 and a setting data acquisition unit 162. The communication unit 161 includes an internal communication processing unit 161a and an external communication processing unit 161b. The internal communication processing unit 161a is a communication interface that performs communication such as sending and receiving data with the vending machine control unit 11. The external communication processing unit 161b is a communication interface that connects to the management server 20 via the network N using a communication method such as LTE (registered trademark).

[0025] The setting data acquisition unit 162 acquires setting data for the product selection unit 13 and other components of the vending machine 10 from the vending machine control unit 11.

[0026] The management server 20 is a higher-level device than the vending machine 10, and has the functions of acquiring various information about the vending machine 10 and managing and operating the vending machine 10.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure for collecting setting data of the components of the vending machine 10 in the vending machine system 1 shown in FIG.

[0028] The vending machine control unit 11 determines whether the power of the vending machine 10 is turned on (Step S101). If the power of the vending machine 10 is turned on (Step S101: Yes), the vending machine control unit 11 determines whether each component device is connected via the connection determination unit 11a (Step S102).

[0029] If connection with each component device is determined through the connection determination unit 11a (step S102: Yes), the vending machine control unit 11 notifies the information terminal 16 that a connection has been established (step S103) and collects the setting data of each component device through the setting data collection unit 11b (step S104).

[0030] The information terminal 16, which receives the connection notification from the vending machine control unit 11 through the internal communication processing unit 161a, begins acquiring setting data through the setting data acquisition unit 162 (step S105) and instructs the vending machine control unit 11 to collect the setting data (step S106).

[0031] After receiving the instruction to collect setting data from information terminal 16, vending machine control unit 11 determines whether collection of setting data is complete (step S107). If collection of setting data for each component device has not been completed (step S107: No), that is, if collection of setting data for the component devices in vending machine 10 is still in progress, vending machine control unit 11 notifies information terminal 16 of the collected setting data and a notification that consistency is in progress (step S108).

[0032] The information terminal 16, which has received the collected setting data and notification of in-match status from the vending machine control unit 11, sends a message to the management server 20 via the external communication processing unit 161b indicating that the collected setting data and component devices are in-match status (step S109).

[0033] As a result, when the management server 20 receives a notification from the information terminal 16 that the collected setting data and component devices are in alignment, it restricts setting operations only for the elements that are in alignment ("brand price" in the example of Figure 3), as shown in Figure 3, and allows setting operations for the collected setting data (button number, etc.).

[0034] On the other hand, if collection of the setting data is completed in step S107 (step S107: Yes), the vending machine control unit 11 notifies the information terminal 16 that matching has been completed (step S110).

[0035] Information terminal 16, which has received the notification of completion of matching from vending machine control unit 11, again instructs vending machine control unit 11 to collect setting data (step S111). In response, vending machine control unit 11 sends the setting data to information terminal 16 (step S112).

[0036] In this way, information terminal 16 to which setting data has been sent from vending machine control unit 11 sends a notification to management server 20 that the setting data and constituent devices have been matched (step S113).

[0037] As a result, when the management server 20 receives a notification from the information terminal 16 that the configuration data and the component devices have been matched, it allows the configuration operation of the element that was being matched ("Brand Price" in the example of FIG. 4) as shown in FIG. 4. In this way, the current processing procedure is completed.

[0038] Incidentally, when sending setting data from the vending machine control unit 11, the vending machine control unit 11 determines the type of component device and sends setting data according to that type. In the following explanation, the component devices are described as product selection buttons that make up the product selection unit 13.

[0039] The product selection buttons installed on the vending machine 10 include a normal button 13a shown in FIG. 5-1, a price-display button 13b shown in FIG. 5-2, and a premium button 13c shown in FIG. 5-3. The normal button 13a can display "Sold Out" or "Preparing." The price-display button 13b can display a three-digit price along with "HOT," "COLD," or "Room Temperature" in comparison to the normal button 13a. The premium button 13c can display a four-digit price along with "Recommended!" or "Discount" in comparison to the price-display button 13b. The normal button 13a, price-display button 13b, and premium button 13c are installed according to the model of the vending machine 10.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the product selection button determination process carried out by the vending machine control unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 in collecting setting data.

[0041] In this product selection button determination process, the vending machine control unit 11 determines whether the price is electronically displayed on the product selection button installed on the vending machine 10 (Step S201). If the price is not electronically displayed (Step S201: No), the vending machine control unit 11 determines that the product selection button is a normal button 13a (Step S202), and then returns the procedure to end this process.

[0042] According to this, the setting data for the product selection button given from vending machine control unit 11 to information terminal 16 will be the setting data for normal button 13a, and the setting data sent from information terminal 16 to management server 20 (the setting data in step S113) will also be that for normal button 13a. As a result, management server 20 will only allow setting operations for items (button number, etc.) corresponding to normal button 13a, as shown in FIG. 7-1.

[0043] In step S201 above, if the price is displayed electronically (step S201: Yes), the vending machine control unit 11 determines whether or not a promotion display is present (step S203). If a promotion display is not present (step S203: No), the vending machine control unit 11 determines that the product selection button is a price display button 13b (step S204), and then returns the procedure to end this processing.

[0044] According to this, the setting data for the product selection button given to information terminal 16 from vending machine control unit 11 is the setting data for price-display button 13b, and the setting data sent from information terminal 16 to management server 20 (the setting data in step S113) is also that for price-display button 13b. As a result, management server 20 only allows setting operations for items (button number, discount price, etc.) corresponding to price-display button 13b, as shown in FIG. 7-2.

[0045] In step S203 above, if a promotion display is present (step S203: Yes), the vending machine control unit 11 determines that the product selection button is the premium button 13c (step S205), and then returns the procedure to end this processing.

[0046] According to this, the setting data for the product selection button given from vending machine control unit 11 to information terminal 16 will be the setting data for premium button 13c, and the setting data sent from information terminal 16 to management server 20 (the setting data in step S113) will also be that for premium button 13c. As a result, management server 20 will only allow setting operations for items corresponding to premium button 13c (button number, discount price, promotion display, etc.), as shown in FIG. 7-3.

[0047] As explained above, in the vending machine system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the vending machine control unit 11 constituting the vending machine 10 is in the middle of collecting setting data for the components of the vending machine 10, it sends the collected setting data and a notification that matching is in progress to the information terminal 16. When the information terminal 16 receives the collected setting data and a notification that matching is in progress from the vending machine control unit 11, it sends a notification to the management server 20 that the collected setting data and the components are matching. When the management server 20 receives a notification from the information terminal 16 that the collected data and the components are matching, it restricts setting operations only for the matching elements, allowing setting operations to be performed for elements other than those that are matching without waiting for the completion of setting data collection. This allows the vending machine system 1 to shorten the time required for remote operation.

[0048] According to the above vending machine system 1, when the vending machine control unit 11 sends setting data to the information terminal 16, it determines the type of product selection button, which is a component device, and sends setting data corresponding to that type. When the management server 20 receives a notification from the information terminal 16 that the setting data and component devices have been matched, it only allows setting operations corresponding to the type of product selection button included in the setting data. This means that the user does not need to check the type of product selection button for each vending machine 10, making it easier to change setting operations.

[0049] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this and various modifications can be made.

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, the type is determined using the product selection button as an example of a component device, but the present invention is also applicable to component devices other than the product selection button.

[0051] The configurations illustrated in the above embodiments are merely functional schematics and are not necessarily physically configured as shown. In other words, the distribution and integration of each device and component is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various usage situations, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1...vending machine system, 10...vending machine, 11...vending machine control unit, 11a...connection determination unit, 11b...setting data collection unit, 12...refrigeration device, 13...product selection unit, 14...payment unit, 15...discharge device, 16...information terminal, 161...communication unit, 162...setting data acquisition unit, 20...management server, N...network.

Claims

1. A vending machine system including a vending machine that sells products and a management server that is a host device of the vending machine, The vending machine includes a vending machine control unit that controls the operation of each unit of the vending machine, and an information terminal that can communicate with the vending machine control unit and the management server, When the vending machine control unit is in the middle of collecting setting data of the constituent devices of the vending machine, it notifies the information terminal of the collected setting data and a notification of consistency, When the information terminal receives the collected setting data and the notification of in-matching from the vending machine control unit, it sends the collected setting data and a message that the component devices are in matching to the management server, A vending machine system characterized in that the management server restricts only setting operations for elements that are in consistency when the information terminal sends a message that the collected data and the constituent equipment are in consistency.

2. The vending machine system described in claim 1, characterized in that the vending machine control unit determines whether collection of setting data for the component devices has been completed by inputting a setting data collection instruction from the information terminal, and if collection of setting data has not been completed, notifies the information terminal of the collected setting data and that matching is in progress, while if collection of setting data has been completed, notifies the information terminal of matching completion.

3. The vending machine system according to claim 2, characterized in that the information terminal outputs a setting data collection instruction to the vending machine control unit again on the condition that the notification of completion of matching is input from the vending machine control unit, and when the setting data is sent from the vending machine control unit, sends to the management server a message indicating that the setting data and the component devices have been matched.

4. The vending machine system according to claim 3, characterized in that the management server allows setting operations of all elements, including the elements currently being matched, when the information terminal sends a message indicating that the setting data and the component devices have been matched.

5. When sending the setting data to the information terminal, the vending machine control unit determines the type of the component device and sends setting data according to that type, The vending machine system according to claim 4, characterized in that when the information terminal sends a notification that the setting data and the component devices have been matched, the management server only allows setting operations corresponding to the type of component device included in the setting data.

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