Article supply device, article supply system, and management device

Abstract

To provide an article supply device, an article supply system, and a management device capable of responding to a consumer desiring supply of articles in various forms.SOLUTION: The article supply device comprises a storage component for storing an article, a supply component for supplying the article stored in the storage component, and a controller that performs control so that the article can be supplied at a regular price when a lottery is not executed or when a lottery is lost, and so that the article can be supplied at an irregular price or for free when a lottery is won.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 25

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article supply device, an article supply system, and a management device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is an article supplying device in which capsule toy articles stored in the device main body are obtained by operating a handle or the like on the condition that a price is paid (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-334911 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such an article supply device, there is an increasing number of consumers who desire to receive articles in other ways than just payment of a price as a condition for receiving the article. Therefore, the present invention provides an article supply device, an article supply system, and a management device that can meet the demands of consumers who want to receive articles in various forms. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is an item supply device capable of supplying items, comprising: a display unit that displays lottery information for conducting a lottery for supplying the items; a storage unit that stores the items; a supply unit that supplies the items stored in the storage unit; and a control unit that controls the supply unit to supply items, at least on the condition that the lottery information has been acquired and that a lottery has been conducted as a result of the acquisition of the lottery information.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a goods supply system capable of supplying goods, comprising a goods supply device and a terminal, wherein the goods supply device comprises a display unit that displays at least lottery information for conducting a lottery for the goods supply, a storage unit that stores goods, a supply unit that supplies the goods stored in the storage unit, and a control unit that controls the supply of goods by the supply unit, and the terminal comprises an acquisition unit that can acquire lottery information from the display unit, and a transmission unit that transmits a request to conduct a lottery based on the acquired lottery information, and the control unit of the goods supply device enables the supply unit to supply goods, on the condition that at least the lottery information has been acquired and the lottery has been conducted.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a management device that manages the supply of goods in a goods supply device, and includes: a lottery unit that executes the lottery for goods supply on the condition that a request to execute a lottery for goods supply, which is sent when lottery information displayed on the goods supply device is obtained, a determination unit that identifies a goods supply device that will enable the supply of the goods by winning the lottery, and a supply control unit that controls the control unit of the identified goods supply device to enable the supply of the goods on the condition that the lottery for goods supply executed by the lottery unit is won and a goods supply device that will supply the goods is identified. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an item supply device, an item supply system, and a management device that can meet the needs of consumers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an article supply system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the item supply system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the device configuration of a smartphone, which is an example of a terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of an example of an article supplying device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example of an article supply device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the article supply device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the management device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the item supply device data D1. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of the item supply system in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a photograph of an information display body of trigger information. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows an example of a rejection notification screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows an example of a device ID input screen displayed on a terminal. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 shows an example of a supply guide screen displayed on the terminal. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the lottery process of the management device in the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an example of the lottery process start screen. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the supply determination process of the management device in the first embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the error notification screen. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the article supply device in the first embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an item supply device according to a first modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram of the item supply system according to the first modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 22]FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram of the item supply system in the second embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the winning notification screen. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a terminal according to the third embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a front view of an example of an article supplying apparatus according to the third embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an item supply device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 76 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a management apparatus according to the third embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of the discount data D2. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram of the item supply system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 shows an example of a device ID input screen displayed on a terminal in the third embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 shows an example of guidance information displayed on a terminal in the third embodiment. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is a flowchart of the lottery process of the management device in the third embodiment. [Figure 33] FIG. 33 is a flowchart of the supply determination process of the management apparatus according to the third embodiment. [Figure 34] FIG. 34 is a flowchart of the supply process of the item supply device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 35] FIG. 35 is a flowchart of the supply process of the item supply device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 36] FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the terminal 3 in the first modification of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a management device according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 38]FIG. 38 is an example of the user management data D3. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 shows an example of a payment input screen displayed on a terminal in the first modification of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 40] FIG. 40 is a sequence diagram of an item supply system according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 41] FIG. 41 is a flowchart of the payment process in the first modification of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 42] FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram of an item supply system according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 43] FIG. 43 is an example of the item supply device data D1 according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 44] FIG. 44 is an example of the winning level data D4. [Figure 45] FIG. 45 is a sequence diagram of the item supply system according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 46] FIG. 46 shows an example of a supply guidance screen in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 47] FIG. 47 is a flowchart of the supply process in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 48] FIG. 48 is a flowchart of the supply determination process in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 49] FIG. 49 is a flowchart of the supply process in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 50] FIG. 50 is a schematic diagram of an item supply system according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 51] FIG. 51 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a terminal according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 52] FIG. 52 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a management device according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 53] FIG. 53 is a diagram showing an example of the serial code data D5. [Figure 54] FIG. 54 shows an example of a serial code input screen displayed on a terminal in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 55] FIG. 55 is a diagram showing an example of error guidance information. [Figure 56] FIG. 56 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the item supply system according to the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <Outline of the embodiment of the present invention> An outline of an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, if a user wins a lottery to receive a product, the product is supplied to the winning user. The right that a user can receive as a reward for winning a lottery to receive a product is at least one of the following: a right to acquire the product free of charge (product acquisition right), a right to purchase the product at a discounted price (discount purchase right), and a right to purchase the product (limited purchase right).

[0011] If a user wins the lottery, the company supplying the goods will notify the user that they have won the lottery and will then supply the goods to the user. Here, it is desirable that the goods be supplied to the user from a goods supply device rather than by mail or the like. This is because having the user visit a location where a goods supply device is installed allows the user to become aware of the goods supply device and, further, to learn that a goods supply device that supplies a wide variety of goods is installed. This is beneficial for the company supplying the goods and also provides the user with an opportunity to learn about a wide variety of goods.

[0012] In order to have users go to the location where the item supply device is installed, it is desirable for the item supply device to supply the item. However, there are many item supply devices at the location where the item supply devices are installed. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the item supply device that will supply the item to the user from among the many item supply devices. Furthermore, even if the item supply device that will supply the item can be identified, the item cannot be supplied unless it is known whether the user who will receive the item has won the lottery. Therefore, by notifying the user that the item has been won in the lottery and identifying the supply device that will supply the item near the supply device that will supply the item, it is possible to supply the item to the user who has won the lottery. Therefore, the present embodiment is configured as follows.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an article supply system according to the present embodiment, in which 1 is an article supply device of a company, 2 is an article supplied by article supply device 1, and 3 is a user terminal.

[0014] The item supply device 1 is a device that supplies an item 2 to a user. The item supply device 1 is installed indoors or outdoors, and typically, multiple item supply devices 1 that supply different items are installed. Among these installed item supply devices 1, there is an item supply device 1 that can supply an item 2 to a user who wins a lottery. The item supply device 1 displays lottery information for conducting a lottery to supply the item 2 to a user. This lottery information is information that serves as the starting point (start) of a series of lottery processes and will hereinafter be referred to as trigger information 11. This trigger information 11 includes at least request information that requests the start of the lottery process and triggers the lottery. The request information is, for example, information that indicates the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a server that requests the transmission of a lottery process start screen. For user convenience, it is desirable that the trigger information 11 be an information display that can be read by the terminal 3. For example, the information display is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode (QR code: registered trademark), etc.

[0015] The terminal 3 has a function of reading the information display and a function of communicating with other devices. The terminal 3 is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a mobile phone, or the like.

[0016] This embodiment has the following features. (1) Trigger information 11 for the user to start the lottery process is displayed on the item supply device 1. (2) At the location where the item supply device 1 is installed, the user's terminal 3 acquires the trigger information 11 of the item supply device 1, thereby transmitting request information for starting the lottery process. (3) Identify the item supply device installed in the location where the user is located. (4) On the condition that at least trigger information displayed on the item supply device 1 is acquired and a lottery process is executed, an item is supplied from the item supply device 1.

[0017] The winning probability of the lottery process in (4) can be a predetermined constant probability or a variable probability. A predetermined constant probability means that the winning is determined with a constant probability regardless of the circumstances. For example, if the probability is 50%, the winning rate is 1 in 2. In addition, a variable probability means that the probability changes depending on the environmental information at the time the lottery process is executed, the user information registered on the server, etc.

[0018] For example, environmental information includes time, weather, the user's current location, i.e., the location of the place where the item supply device 1 is installed. In the case of time, the probability of winning may be increased during times when the number of items supplied is low, taking into account past supply time performance. In the case of weather, the probability of winning may be increased on rainy days. In the case of the user's current location (the location of the installation location of the item supply device 1), the probability of winning may be increased for item supply devices 1 with low supply performance, taking into account past supply performance. Note that these methods are merely examples and are not limited to these. Furthermore, these conditions may be combined to create a fluctuating probability. Note that at least one of these conditions for the winning probability may be present, and may be combined.

[0019] To supply goods to the selected user, the management device 4 identifies the goods supply device 1 installed at the location where the selected user is located, and then transmits a supply permission signal to the identified goods supply device 1. Upon receiving the supply permission signal, the supply unit of the goods supply device 1 unlocks the goods supply lock, enabling the supply of goods 2 to the user. The management device 4 may be on a network capable of communicating with the goods supply device 1, or may be provided in the goods supply device 1 itself. If the goods supply device 1 and terminal 3 can communicate via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or the like, the terminal 3 may receive the supply permission signal from the management device, and then transmit an unlock signal to the goods supply device 1. Specific embodiments will be described below.

[0020] <First embodiment of the present invention> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The merit of the item supply system in the first embodiment is that companies that supply products to users can have users visit locations where item supply devices are installed, thereby making users aware of the item supply devices and encouraging them to purchase other items. To achieve this, it is desirable that a lottery be held at locations (including nearby locations) where item supply devices that supply a wide variety of items are installed, and that items be supplied at those locations. Therefore, the first embodiment is configured as follows. In this embodiment, the reward for winning the lottery is the right to acquire an item free of charge (item acquisition right), and the probability of winning the lottery process is set to a fixed probability. In the following description, it is assumed that there are multiple item supply devices that supply items if the user wins the lottery, and that the item supply device that supplies the item to the user who wins the lottery is identified using device ID information that uniquely identifies the item supply device. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the article supply system according to the first embodiment. In Fig. 2, the same components as those in Fig. 1 are denoted by the same numbers.

[0021] 2, the item supply device 1, the user terminal 3, and the management device 4 are connected to a communication network 5 and can communicate with each other. The communication 5 refers to a communication path that allows data communication. In other words, the communication network 5 includes a LAN such as a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for connection or Ethernet (registered trademark), as well as a communication network such as a telephone communication network, a cable network, or the Internet, and the communication method can be either wired or wireless.

[0022] The product supply device 1 is a device that supplies the product 2, and supplies the product 2 to users who win the lottery. The terminal 3 may be, for example, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or a mobile phone. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of a smartphone, which is an example of the terminal 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal 3 includes a display 31, a touch operation panel 32 integral with the display 31, and a built-in speaker 33 and camera 34. The terminal 3 also includes a control board, a built-in battery, a power button, a volume control button, and the like, which are not shown. The control board is equipped with various microprocessors such as a CPU, GPU, and DSP, various IC memories such as an ASIC, VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and a wireless communication module for wireless communication with a mobile phone base station. The control board is also equipped with a so-called I / F circuit (interface circuit), such as a driver circuit for the touch operation panel 32. These elements mounted on the control board are electrically connected to each other via a bus circuit or the like, and are connected to enable data reading and writing and signal transmission and reception. The management device 4 is a server system configured to include one or more server devices, storage devices, etc. The management device 4 performs processes such as lottery processing, identification of the item supply device 1 that supplies the item, and payment processing.

[0023] Next, the configuration of each device will be described. Fig. 4 is a front view of an example of the article supply device 1, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the example of the article supply device 1, and Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram of the article supply device 1. The article supply device 1 is a device that supplies articles 2.

[0024] Item 2 is an item to be supplied to a user. By winning a lottery, a user can obtain the right to receive item 2 from item supply device 1. Item 2 includes, for example, a toy or the like contained in a divisible spherical capsule, or a toy and capsule combined together. Item 2 is not limited to one type of item, and there may be multiple types of items. In this case, the multiple types of items are stored together in item storage section 20 of item supply device 1, which will be described later, as items belonging to one series (type).

[0025] The front of the item supply device 1 is provided with a display 13 that displays the contents of the item 2, an insertion slot 14 for coins to be paid in exchange for the item 2, a handle 15 as an operation unit, an outlet 16 through which the item 2 is supplied, and a coin return slot 17. By visually checking the display 13, the user can know that the item supply device 1 is an item supply device 1 that can supply the item 2 that can be supplied if the user wins the lottery.

[0026] Trigger information 11 (information display: for example, a two-dimensional code) and device ID information 12 (information display: for example, a one-dimensional code) are displayed on the front surface of the item supply device 1. The trigger information 11 is request information that serves as a starting point for executing the lottery process. For example, the request information 11 is link information to a request destination that requests the transmission of a lottery process start screen for executing the lottery process, such as a uniform resource locator (URL) of the management device 4. The device ID information 12 is information that uniquely identifies the item supply device 1. Note that, regarding a method of displaying the trigger information 11 and the device ID information 12, in this example, a method is described in which a QR code (two-dimensional code) is attached to the front surface of the item supply device 1 as the information display for the trigger information and a barcode (one-dimensional code) is attached to the front surface of the item supply device 1 and displayed, but this is not limited thereto. For example, if the item supply device 1 has a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, the information display unit for the trigger information 11 and the information display unit for the device ID information 12 may be displayed on the display unit. Furthermore, the position where the trigger information 11 and the device ID information 12 are displayed is not limited to the front of the item supply device 1. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, they may be displayed in a position near the return slot 17 where the bottom of the return slot 17 can be clearly seen.

[0027] The article supply device 1 includes an article storage unit 20, an article supply unit 21, a lock unit 22, an operation unit 23, a control unit 24, and a communication unit 25. The article storage section 20 stores a large number of articles 2. The article storage section 20 is configured to easily store articles by pulling the article storage section 20 toward you and inserting the article 2 from in front of the article supply device 1. At the bottom of the article storage section 20, an article supply section 21 is installed, which has a turntable with a hole large enough for one article 2 to pass through.

[0028] The operating unit 23 transmits the operation of the handle 15 to the turntable of the article supply unit 21. The operating unit 23 is locked by the locking unit 22, and when the lock is released, the handle 15 becomes rotatable by the user's operation. As a mechanism for releasing the lock, for example, an unlocking mechanism using a solenoid lock is used. In this case, the solenoid lock is used to put the handle 15 into an unrotatable state (locked state), and the lock is released by energizing the solenoid, making the handle 15 rotatable. Note that the unlocking mechanism is not limited to a solenoid locking mechanism, and other unlocking mechanisms may be used. Then, when the locking unit 22 is in the unlocked state, rotating the handle 15 a predetermined angle causes the turntable to rotate in conjunction with the operation. When the hole in the turntable faces the drop opening provided at the bottom of the article storage unit 20, one article 2 is supplied from the drop opening to the outlet 16 through a passage communicating with the outlet 16.

[0029] The control unit 24 controls the locking and unlocking of the lock unit 22. The control unit 24 unlocks the lock unit 22 via the communication unit 25 upon receiving a supply permission signal from the management device 4. The control unit 24 also locks the lock unit 22 after detecting that an item 2 has been discharged to the outlet 16, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the lock was released. The communication unit 25 is capable of communicating with the management device 4 via the communication network 5 .

[0030] Next, the configuration of the terminal 3 will be described. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of terminal 3. As shown in Fig. 6, terminal 3 includes an operation input unit 301, an image capturing unit 302, a processing unit 303, an image display unit 304, a sound output unit 305, a communication unit 306, and a storage unit 307.

[0031] The operation input unit 301 is used to input various operations by the user, and outputs an operation input signal corresponding to the operation input to the processing unit 303. The functions of the operation input unit 301 can be realized by, for example, elements that are directly operated by the user's fingers, such as a touch operation pad, a home button, a button switch, a joystick, or a trackball, as well as elements that detect movement or posture, such as an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a tilt sensor, or a geomagnetic sensor. In FIG. 3, this corresponds to the touch operation panel 32.

[0032] The photographing unit 302 photographs the information display (QR code) of the trigger information 11, the information display (barcode) of the device ID, etc., and outputs the photographed image to the processing unit 303. The photographing unit 302 includes a lens, an image sensor, and a controller for controlling these. In FIG. 3, this corresponds to the camera 34.

[0033] The processing unit 303 comprehensively controls the operation of the terminal 3 based on programs and data stored in the memory unit 307, operation input signals from the operation input unit 301, etc. The functions of the processing unit 303 can be realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, an ASIC, an IC memory, etc. The processing unit 303 includes a calculation unit 51, an image generation unit 52, a sound generation unit 53, and a communication control unit 54 as its main functional units.

[0034] The calculation unit 51 outputs to the image generation unit 52, the sound generation unit 53, and the communication control unit 54. The calculation unit 51 includes an information display acquisition unit 510 and an information guidance unit 511.

[0035] The information display acquisition unit 510 reads the information display of the article supply device 1 photographed by the photographing unit 302, and acquires trigger information 11 or device ID information. Based on the acquired trigger information 11, the information display acquisition unit 510 requests the management device 4 to transmit a lottery process start screen, which indicates a lottery process start trigger. In this embodiment, the request to transmit the lottery process start screen is a URL that serves as a request destination (link destination) for transmission of the lottery process start screen, and the destination of this transmission request is described as the management device 4. Then, the information display acquisition unit 510 receives the lottery process start screen and displays the lottery process start screen on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52. The information display acquisition unit 510 also transmits the acquired device ID.

[0036] The information guidance unit 511 displays the lottery process start screen, lottery result information (device ID input screen, unsuccessful selection notification screen), and guidance information regarding the supply of goods (supply guidance screen, error (supply impossible) screen) from the management device 4 on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52.

[0037] The functions of the information display acquisition unit 510 and the information presentation unit 511 can be realized by a web browser installed in the terminal 3, or can also be realized by a dedicated application.

[0038] The image generation unit 52 generates one image per frame time (for example, 1 / 60 seconds) based on the processing result of the calculation unit 51, and outputs the generated image signal to the image display unit 304. The function of the image generation unit 52 can be realized by, for example, a processor such as a GPU or a digital signal processor (DSP), a video signal IC, a program such as a video codec, an IC memory for drawing frames such as a frame buffer, an IC memory used for expanding texture data, etc.

[0039] The sound generation unit 53 generates sound signals such as sound effects and various operation sounds based on the processing results of the calculation unit 51, and outputs them to the sound output unit 305. The function of the sound generation unit 53 can be realized by, for example, a processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP) or a voice synthesis IC, or an audio codec capable of reproducing audio files. The communication control unit 54 performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with the management device 4 and the like.

[0040] Image display unit 304 displays a screen based on the image signal input from image generation unit 52. The function of image display unit 304 can be realized by a display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head-mounted display. In FIG. 2, image display unit 304 corresponds to display 31.

[0041] The sound output unit 305 outputs sound effects and the like based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 53. In FIG.

[0042] The communication unit 306 realizes communication by connecting to the communication line N. The function of the communication unit 306 can be realized by, for example, a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, or the like.

[0043] The storage unit 307 stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the terminal 3 and realizing various functions of the terminal 3, as well as data used during execution of these programs. The storage unit 307 can be realized by, for example, RAM, ROM, IC memory such as flash memory, magnetic disks such as hard disks, or optical disks such as CD-ROMs and DVDs. Specifically, the storage unit 307 stores a system program and a control program. The system program is a program for realizing the basic functions of the terminal 3 as a computer. The control program is a program for causing the processing unit 31 to function as the calculation unit 51 (information display acquisition unit 510, information presentation unit 511).

[0044] Next, the management device 4 will be described. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management device 4. The management device 4 includes a storage unit 61, a processing unit 62, and a communication unit 63. The storage unit 61 is realized by, for example, RAM, ROM, IC memory such as flash memory, magnetic disk such as hard disk, optical disk such as CD-ROM or DVD, etc., and stores system programs and function programs. The system programs are programs for realizing the basic functions of a computer. The function programs are programs for causing the processing unit 62 to function as a lottery processing unit 621, an item supply device determination unit 622, and a supply control unit 623, which will be described later. Also stored in the storage unit 61 is item supply device data D1, which will be described later.

[0045] The item supply device data D1 is a list of item supply devices for lottery use that supply items 2 to users who win the lottery. The item supply device D1 stores the device ID and inventory quantity of the item supply device 1. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the item supply device data D1. As shown in Figure 9, the item supply device data D1 stores the device ID of the item supply device 1 and the inventory quantity of the item 2 that will be supplied by the item supply device 1 of that device ID in association with each other.

[0046] The processing unit 62 comprehensively controls the operation of the management device 4 based on the programs and data stored in the memory unit 61. The functions of the processing unit 62 can be realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, an ASIC, or an IC memory. The processing unit 62 includes a lottery processing unit 621, an item supply device determination unit 622, and a supply control unit 623 as its main functional units.

[0047] When a transmission request that triggers the start of the lottery process is sent from terminal 3, lottery processing unit 621 sends a lottery process start screen to terminal 3. When a user requests the execution of the lottery process using the lottery process start screen displayed on terminal 3, lottery processing unit 621 executes the lottery and sends lottery result information to terminal 3. If the result of the lottery process is "winning," lottery processing unit 621 sends a device ID input screen. On the other hand, if the result of the lottery process is "losing," lottery processing unit 621 sends a loss notification screen. The device ID input screen is a screen that is displayed on the item supply device 1 and allows the user to input the device ID of the item supply device 1. The device ID input screen includes result information indicating that the result of the lottery has been confirmed as "winning." The loss notification screen includes result information indicating that the user did not win the lottery (confirmation of loss).

[0048] The item supply device determination unit 622 determines whether the device ID received from the terminal 3 is included in the item supply device data D1. If the device ID is included in the item supply device data D1, the item supply device determination unit 622 checks the inventory of the item supply device 1 with the acquired device ID, and if there is inventory, determines that the item supply device 1 is capable of supplying item 2. The item supply device determination unit 622 then identifies the item supply device 1 to which the supply permission signal is to be sent. Once the identification is complete, the item supply device determination unit 622 transmits a supply guidance screen to the terminal 3 that provides guidance on the supply of the item. On the other hand, if the item is not included in the item supply device data D1, or is included in the item supply device data D1 but is out of stock, the item supply device determination unit 622 transmits an error guidance screen to the terminal 3 that notifies the terminal 3 that item 2 cannot be supplied.

[0049] When the item supply device determination unit 622 determines that the item supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user is able to supply item 2, the supply control unit 623 transmits a supply permission signal to the item supply device 1. The supply control unit 623 receives a supply report from the terminal 3, and if the supply report is a report that the item has been supplied successfully, it subtracts one from the inventory quantity of the corresponding device ID in the item supply device data D1.

[0050] <Operation> The operation of the item supply system of this embodiment will be described. 10 is a sequence diagram of the item supply system of this embodiment. In the following description, the item supply device data D1 is assumed to be that shown in FIG. First, the overall flow of the goods supply system will be described using the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0051] The user goes to the location where the goods supply device 1 is installed and acquires the information display of the trigger information 11 displayed on the goods supply device 1. The acquisition of the information display is performed using the photographing function of the photographing unit 302 of the terminal 3 in response to the user's operation (Step 1). FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of photographing the information display of the trigger information 11 of the goods supply device 1 by the photographing unit 302 of the terminal 3. The user stands in front of the goods supply device 1 and operates the terminal 3 so that the information display of the trigger information 11 is displayed on the display 31 of the terminal 3, and acquires a photograph of the information display.

[0052] The information display acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 acquires request information from the photographed information display of the trigger information 11 (Step 2). In this example, the acquired request information is the URL of the management device 4, which is the request destination for requesting transmission of the lottery process start screen. The information display acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 requests the management device 4, which is the link destination (URL) indicated by the acquired request information, to transmit a lottery processing start screen, and the information presentation unit 511 displays the lottery processing start screen transmitted in response to this request on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 (Step 3). The lottery processing start screen displayed on the image display unit 304 at this time is shown in Fig. 12. When the operation input unit 301 detects that the user has tapped the start button in the lottery process start screen displayed on the image display unit 304, the information presentation unit 511 transmits a lottery process start request to the management device 4, and the lottery process is executed in the management device 4 (Step 4). The lottery process will be described in detail later.

[0053] The communication unit 306 of the terminal 3 receives the device ID input screen or the loss notification screen transmitted from the management device 4 as lottery result information resulting from the execution of the lottery process, and the information presentation unit 511 displays it on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 (Step 5). At this time, if the loss notification screen indicating confirmation of "loss" is received as the lottery result information (Step 6: No), the information presentation unit 511 displays the loss notification screen on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 (Step 14). Figure 13 shows an example of the loss notification screen.

[0054] On the other hand, when a device ID input screen indicating the confirmation of the "win" is received from the management device 4 as lottery result information (Step 6: Yes), the information presentation unit 511 displays the device ID input screen on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 (Step 7). Figure 14 shows an example of the device ID input screen displayed on the terminal 3.

[0055] The user stands in front of the article supply device 1 and uses the terminal 3 to acquire the information display of the device ID information (Step 8). Here, the user operates the terminal 3 so that the information display (barcode) of the device ID is captured within the reading frame of the device ID input screen displayed on the display 31, and photographs the barcode.

[0056] The information acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 acquires the device ID information from the photographed information display and transmits it to the management device 4 (Step 9). In this example, it is assumed that the acquired device ID information is "7832". The management device 4 receives the device ID and performs a supply determination process (Step 10). The supply determination process will be described in detail later.

[0057] When the terminal 3 receives the guidance information from the management device 4, it displays a supply guidance screen or an error guidance screen (Step 11). Fig. 15 is an example of the supply guidance screen displayed on the terminal 3. The supply guidance screen in Fig. 15 advises the user to operate the handle 15 of the item supply device 1 to receive the item, and that the handle 15 will lock in one minute. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an error notification screen.

[0058] Meanwhile, the goods supply device 1 receives a supply permission signal from the management device 4 and executes a supply process to supply goods (Step 12). The user operates the goods supply device 1 in accordance with the supply guide screen displayed on the terminal 3 to receive the goods. Then, the goods supply device 1 transmits a supply report to the management device 4. Details of the supply process (Step 12) will be described later.

[0059] The supply control unit 623 of the management device 4 receives the supply report, and if the supply report indicates that the item has been supplied normally, subtracts one from the stock quantity of the corresponding device ID in the item supply device data D1 (Step 13). This concludes the description of the overall operation.

[0060] Next, a description will be given of the lottery process (Step 4) of the management device 4. FIG.

[0061] When the management device 4 receives a request to send a lottery process start screen from the terminal 3 (Step 31), the management device 4 sends the lottery process start screen to the terminal 3 (Step 32). When the management device 4 receives a lottery process start request from the terminal 3 (Step 33), the lottery processing unit 622 performs a lottery based on a predetermined lottery probability (Step 34).

[0062] If the lottery result is "winning" (Step 35: Yes), the lottery processing unit 622 determines that the "winning" has been confirmed and determines to transmit a device ID input screen (Step 36). Fig. 14 is an example of the device ID input screen.

[0063] On the other hand, if the lottery result is "losing" (Step 35: No), the lottery processing unit 622 determines that the "losing" has been confirmed and determines to transmit a losing notification screen to the terminal 3 (Step 37). Fig. 13 is an example of the losing notification screen. The lottery processing unit 622 transmits the device ID input screen or the unsuccessful notification screen to the terminal 3 as lottery result information (Step 38). This concludes the explanation of the lottery process (Step 4) of the management device 4.

[0064] Next, a description will be given of the supply determination process (Step 10) of the management device 4. Fig. 18 is a flowchart of the supply determination process (Step 10) of the management device 4. The item supply device determination unit 621 of the management device 4 acquires the device ID transmitted from the terminal 3 (Step 101). In this example, the acquired device ID is "7832".

[0065] The item supply device determination unit 622 determines the device ID using the item supply device data D1 (Step 102). The device ID determination is performed by determining whether the acquired device ID is included in the item supply device data D1. If the acquired device ID is included in the item supply device data D1, it is determined that the item supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user is the item supply device 1 that will supply item 2 to the user who won the lottery, and the item supply device 1 that will send the supply permission signal is identified (Step 103: Yes). In this example, since the acquired device ID "7832" exists in the item supply device data D1 of FIG. 9, the item supply device that will send the supply permission signal is identified as the item supply device 1 with the device ID "7832".

[0066] Furthermore, the item supply device determination unit 622 checks the inventory quantity associated with the received device ID (Step 104). If the inventory quantity is not 0, the item supply device determination unit 622 determines that the item supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user can supply item 2 (Step 104: Yes). In this example, since the inventory quantity associated with device ID "7832" in the item supply device data D1 of Figure 9 is "50", it is determined that item 2 can be supplied.

[0067] When the goods supply device determination unit 622 determines that the goods supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user can supply the goods 2 (Step 103: Yes), it transmits a supply guidance screen to the terminal 3 (Step 105). When the item supply device determination unit 622 determines that the item supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user is able to supply item 2, the supply control unit 623 transmits a supply permission signal to the item supply device 1 (Step 106). In this example, the supply permission signal is transmitted to the item supply device 1 with the device ID of "7832".

[0068] On the other hand, if the item supply device determination unit 622 determines that the acquired device ID is not included in the item supply device data D1 (Step 103: No), or if it determines that the inventory quantity associated with the acquired device ID is 0 (Step 104: Yes), it sends an error notification screen to terminal 3 (Step 107). This concludes the explanation of the supply determination process (Step 10) of the management device 4.

[0069] Next, a description will be given of the supply process (Step 12) of the item supply device 3. Fig. 19 is a flowchart of the supply process (Step 12) of the item supply device 3.

[0070] When the control unit 24 of the article supply device 3 receives the supply permission signal (Step 1201), it unlocks the lock unit 22 (Step 1202), thereby enabling the handle 15 to be operated. The control unit 24 determines whether the handle 15 of the operation unit 23 has been operated (e.g., rotated once) (Step 1203). If the handle 15 has been operated (e.g., rotated once) (Step 1203: Yes), one item 2 is supplied from the item supply unit 21 to the outlet 16 (Step 1204). Then, the control unit 24 locks the lock unit 22 (Step 1206).

[0071] On the other hand, if the handle 15 is not operated (Step 1203: No), the control unit 24 determines whether a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) has passed since the lock was released (Step 1205). If the handle 15 is not operated (Step 1203: No) and the predetermined time (e.g., one minute) has passed since the lock was released (Step 1205: No), the control unit 24 locks the lock unit 22 (Step 1206).

[0072] Finally, if item 2 is supplied normally, the control unit 24 issues a supply report stating that item 2 has been supplied normally, and if item 2 is not supplied, it issues a supply report stating that item 2 has not been supplied (Step 1207). This concludes the explanation of the supply process (Step 12) of the article supply device 1.

[0073] In this embodiment, trigger information 11, which triggers the execution of the lottery process, is displayed on the item supply device 1, so that the user goes to the location where the item supply device 1 is installed to enter the lottery. As a result, the user is guided to the location where the item supply device 1 is installed, and becomes aware of item supply devices that supply other items. The user can also learn that various items are supplied in addition to the item being supplied.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the item supply device that will provide the item to the user who wins the lottery is identified by the item ID information displayed on the item supply device, but if there is only one item supply device to supply the item, the step of identifying the item supply device can be omitted. Specifically, Steps 101 to 103 in the supply determination process flow in Figure 18 can be omitted.

[0075] In the above description, the device ID information display is a barcode, but the information display may be a QR code. Also, the device ID itself may be displayed as a character string, and the user may manually enter it.

[0076] <Modification 1 of the First Embodiment> In the above embodiment, the item supply device 1 has been described as being configured to supply items when a win has been confirmed. In the first variation of the first embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the item supply device 1 supplies items even when a win has not been confirmed, as long as payment is made at the retail price of the item. Needless to say, users who have not been confirmed as winners include users who have been confirmed as unsuccessful.

[0077] The item supply device 1 is a device that supplies an item 2. Normally, a user can receive the item 2 from the item supply device 1 by inserting cash, but a user who wins a lottery can receive the item 2 from the item supply device 1 free of charge as a reward.

[0078] 20 shows an article supplying device according to the present modification 1. Compared to the article supplying device 1 in FIG. The item supply device 1 has a cash acceptance unit 26 and accepts cash. When the cash acceptance unit 26 receives a supply permission signal from the management device 4, it switches the function of a coin sorting unit (not shown), which sorts inserted coins, from an initial active state (on state) to an inactive state (off state). The path of coins inserted through the coin slot 14 passes through an internal coin sorting unit (not shown) and is divided into two paths: one leading to the return slot 17 and the other leading to a storage unit (not shown) where the coins are stored. When the coin sorting unit is in an inactive state, the inserted coin passes directly through the coin sorting unit and is discharged from the return slot 17. When the coin sorting unit is in an active state, the coin sorting unit sorts the coins, sending coins that can be used for payment to the storage unit (not shown) and discharging inappropriate coins from the return slot 17. The coin sorting unit also separates coins that can be used for payment by type. The cash accepting unit 26 counts the number of coins of each type sorted by the coin sorting unit using a sensor and obtains the amount of money inserted. When the amount of money inserted reaches the set price of the item 2, the cash accepting unit 26 sends an unlock signal to the control unit 24. The price (amount) of the item is set in the cash accepting unit 26 by the management device 4 or manually. The control unit 24 unlocks the lock unit 22 in response to an unlock signal from the cash acceptance unit 26. The control unit 24 also locks the lock unit 22 after detecting that an item 2 has been discharged into the outlet 16, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the lock was released. Furthermore, the control unit 24 may lock the lock unit 22 in response to a lock signal controlled externally.

[0079] Next, the operation of the goods supply system of this modified example 1 will be described. Since the operation is the same as the above embodiment except for the supply process (Step 12), the supply process (Step 12) will be described using the flow diagram of Figure 21. In the following explanation, the function of the coin sorting unit of the goods supply device 3 is turned on, and normally, a user can receive a supply of goods 2 from the goods supply device 3 by inserting cash.

[0080] The control unit 24 of the item supply device 3 monitors whether a supply permission signal is received (Step 1201). If cash is inserted without receiving a supply permission signal (Step 1201: No), the cash acceptance unit 26 checks whether the amount inserted reaches the set price of the item 2 (Step 1209). If the amount inserted reaches the set price of the item 2 (Step 1209: Yes), the cash acceptance unit 26 sends an unlock signal to the control unit 24.

[0081] When the control unit 24 receives the unlock signal, it unlocks the lock unit 22 (Step 1202). This allows the handle 15 to be operated. The control unit 24 determines whether the handle 15 of the operation unit 23 has been operated (e.g., rotated once) (Step 1203). If the handle 15 has been operated (e.g., rotated once) (Step 1203: Yes), one item 2 is supplied from the item supply unit 21 to the outlet 16 (Step 1204). Then, the control unit 24 locks the lock unit 22 (Step 1206).

[0082] On the other hand, if the handle 15 is not operated (Step 1203: No), the control unit 24 determines whether a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) has passed since the lock was released (Step 1205). If the handle 15 is not operated (Step 1203: No) and the predetermined time (e.g., one minute) has passed since the lock was released (Step 1205: Yes), the control unit 24 locks the lock unit 22 (Step 1206).

[0083] If item 2 is supplied normally, the control unit 24 issues a supply report stating that item 2 has been supplied normally, and if item 2 is not supplied, the control unit 24 issues a supply report stating that item 2 has not been supplied (Step 1207).

[0084] When the control unit 24 of the article supply device 3 receives the supply permission signal (Step 1201: Yes), it sends an unlock signal to the control unit 24. The control unit 24 switches the function of the coin sorting unit that sorts inserted coins from the ON state to the OFF state (Step 1210). The subsequent Steps 1202 to 1207 are the same as those in the above embodiment. This concludes the explanation of the supply process (Step 12) of the item supply device 1 of the first modified example.

[0085] The supply process described in the first modification may be executed without going through the lottery process (the product may be purchased directly without drawing lots for the product), or may be executed after the unsuccessful selection notification screen in the first embodiment is displayed on the terminal 3 (Step 14 in FIG. 10, i.e., after the product has been unsuccessful in the lottery). If executed after the unsuccessful selection screen is displayed in Step 14, it is preferable to display on the unsuccessful selection notification screen that the product 2 can be purchased at the regular price.

[0086] In this variant example 1, the item supply device 1 supplies item 2 to users who win the lottery without them having to insert cash, and can supply item 2 to users who do not win the lottery by paying a price.

[0087] <Second embodiment> A second embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, the trigger information includes only request information. In this embodiment, the trigger information includes the request information as well as the device ID of the item supply device 1. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same numbers and will not be described in detail.

[0088] Trigger information 11 is displayed on the front of the item supply device 1 of this embodiment. The trigger information 11 includes request information and a device ID. The device ID is a device ID that uniquely identifies the item supply device 1.

[0089] <Operation> The operation of the item supply system of this embodiment will be described. First, the overall flow of the goods supply system will be described using the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0090] The user goes to a location where the article supplying device 1 is installed and acquires the information display of the trigger information 11 displayed on the article supplying device 1 (Step 1).

[0091] The information display acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 acquires request information and a device ID from the photographed information display of the trigger information 11 (Step 2). In this example, the acquired request information includes the URL and device ID of the management device 4, which is the destination of the request to send the lottery process start screen. The device ID is assumed to be "7832". The information display acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 requests the management device 4, which is the link destination (URL) indicated by the acquired request information, to send a lottery processing start screen, and the information guidance unit 511 displays the lottery processing start screen sent in response to this request on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 (Step 3). When the operation input unit 301 detects that the user has tapped the start button in the lottery process start screen displayed on the image display unit 304, the information presentation unit 511 transmits a lottery process start request to the management device 4, and the management device 4 performs the lottery process and the supply determination process (Step 15). The details of the lottery process and the supply determination process will be described later.

[0092] The communication unit 306 of the terminal 3 receives a winning notification screen or a losing notification screen transmitted from the management device 4 as lottery result information resulting from the execution of the lottery process, and the information presentation unit 511 displays it on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 (Step 5). At this time, if a losing notification screen indicating a confirmed "losing" is received as lottery result information (Step 6: No), the information presentation unit 511 displays the losing notification screen on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 (Step 14).

[0093] On the other hand, when a winning notification screen indicating that the user has been "won" is received from the management device 4 as the lottery result information (Step 6: Yes), the information presentation unit 511 displays the winning notification screen on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 (Step 11). Fig. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the winning notification screen.

[0094] The goods supply device 1 receives a supply permission signal from the management device 4 and executes a supply process to supply goods (Step 12). The user operates the goods supply device 1 in accordance with the winning notification screen displayed on the terminal 3 to receive the goods. The goods supply device 1 then transmits a supply report to the management device 4. Note that the supply process (Step 12) is the same as in embodiment 1 or variant 1 of embodiment 1, and therefore a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0095] The supply control unit 623 of the management device 4 receives the supply report, and if the supply report indicates that the item has been supplied normally, subtracts one from the stock quantity of the corresponding device ID in the item supply device data D1 (Step 13). This concludes the description of the overall operation.

[0096] The lottery process and supply determination process (Step 15) of the management device 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the management device 4 receives the request information for executing the lottery process and the device ID information from the terminal 3 (Step 231), the lottery processing unit 622 performs a lottery based on a predetermined lottery probability (Step 232). If the lottery result is a "win" (Step 233: Yes), the goods supply device determination unit 621 determines that the "win" has been confirmed and acquires the device ID received in Step 231 (Step 234).

[0097] The goods supply device determination unit 621 determines the device ID using the goods supply device data D1 (Step 235). The determination of the device ID is a determination as to whether the acquired device ID is included in the goods supply device data D1. If the acquired device ID is included in the goods supply device data D1, it determines that the goods supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user is the goods supply device 1 that will supply goods 2 to the user who won the lottery, and identifies the goods supply device 1 that will send a supply permission signal (Step 236: Yes).

[0098] Furthermore, the item supply device determination unit 622 checks the inventory quantity associated with the received device ID (Step 237). If the inventory quantity is not 0, the item supply device determination unit 622 determines that the item supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user can supply the item 2 (Step 237: Yes). When the goods supply device determination unit 622 determines that the goods supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user is capable of supplying the goods 2 (Step 237: Yes), it transmits a winning notification screen to the terminal 3 (Step 238). When the item supply device determination unit 622 determines that the item supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user is able to supply the item 2, the supply control unit 623 transmits a supply permission signal to the item supply device 1 (Step 239). In this example, the supply permission signal is transmitted to the item supply device 1 with the device ID "7832".

[0099] If the result of the lottery in Step 232 is "losing" (Step 233: No), the item supply device determination unit 622 determines that the user has been "losing" and sends a "losing" notification screen to the terminal 3 (Step 240). Furthermore, if the acquired device ID is not included in the item supply device data D1 in determining the device ID in Step 235 (Step 236: No), the item supply device determination unit 622 sends an error notification screen to the terminal 3 (Step 241). Similarly, if the inventory quantity is 0 in checking the inventory quantity in Step 237 (Step 237: No), the item supply device determination unit 621 sends an error notification screen to the terminal 3 (Step 241). This concludes the explanation of the lottery process and supply determination process (Step 15) of the management device 4.

[0100] In this embodiment, trigger information 11, which triggers the execution of the lottery process, is displayed on the item supply device 1, so that the user goes to the location where the item supply device 1 is installed to enter the lottery. As a result, the user is guided to the location where the item supply device 1 is installed, and becomes aware of item supply devices that supply other items. The user can also learn that various items are supplied in addition to the item being supplied.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the trigger information includes the request information and the device ID information, the information display displayed on the item providing device 1 only needs to be read once to read the trigger information. This reduces the user's workload. Furthermore, since the request information and the device ID are transmitted to the management device 4 after the trigger information is read, the number of communications between the terminal 3 and the management device 4 can be reduced.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the item supply device 1 has been described as being configured to supply items when a win is confirmed. In this embodiment, as in the first modification of the first embodiment, the item supply device 1 may be configured to supply items to a user who has not yet been confirmed as a winner when payment is made at the regular price of the item.

[0103] <Third embodiment> A third embodiment will be described. In the first and second embodiments, the reward for winning the lottery was the right to acquire an item (item acquisition right). In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the right a user obtains through the lottery is the right to purchase an item at a discount (discount purchase right). Note that, as in the first embodiment, the trigger information that is the trigger for executing the lottery process in this embodiment will be described in which request information is included. Furthermore, the item supply device 1 in this embodiment has the same configuration as the first variation of the first embodiment, and will be described as supplying an item if payment is made at the item's regular price, even if the win has not been confirmed.

[0104] 25 is a front view of an example of an item supply device 1 in this embodiment. The difference from the item supply device 1 in the above embodiment is that it has a first price display unit that displays the retail price (first price) of the item 2. 26 is a block diagram of the goods supply device 1 in this embodiment. The control unit 24 of the goods supply device 1 includes a payment price setting control unit 241, a payment price setting unit 242, a cash detection unit 243, a lock control unit 244, and a supply reporting unit 245.

[0105] The payment price setting unit 242 sets the purchase price of the item 2, that is, the payment price of the item 2 (third price). The payment price setting control unit 241 receives payment price change information from the management device 4 and sets the payment price in the payment price setting unit 242. The payment price change information is information that includes the payment price that is set in the payment price setting unit 242. For example, if the payment price change information is information to change from the retail price to a discounted price (second price), the discounted price is set in the payment price setting unit 242. If the payment price change information is information to change from the discounted price to the retail price, the retail price is set in the payment price setting unit 242. In this embodiment, the retail price of item 2 will be set to 300 yen for explanation.

[0106] The cash detection unit 243 separates cash (coins) that can be used for payment by type, counts the number of coins of each type separated by a sensor, and detects the amount of money inserted. Then, when the amount of money inserted reaches the payment price of the item 2 set in the payment price setting unit 242, the cash detection unit 243 transmits a payment completion notice to the unlock control unit 244.

[0107] The lock control unit 244 controls the locking and unlocking of the lock unit 22. The lock unit 22 is unlocked in response to a payment completion notification from the cash detection unit 243. The lock control unit 244 also locks the lock unit 22 after detecting that an item 2 has been discharged into the outlet 17, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the lock was released. Furthermore, the lock control unit 244 may also lock or unlock the lock unit 22 in response to an unlock signal or lock signal controlled externally.

[0108] The supply reporting unit 245 transmits the supply completion report described in the above embodiment to the management device 4. It is a means for monitoring the supply status of the item 2 in the control unit 24 described in the above embodiment, and performing the operation of issuing a supply completion report if the item is dispensed normally, and issuing a supply incompletion report if the item is not dispensed normally after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0109] Next, a description will be given of the management device 4. Fig. 27 is a block diagram of the management device 4 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the lottery processing unit 621 determines the lottery level by lottery. The memory unit 61 stores discount data D2, which corresponds to the discounted price corresponding to the lottery level. FIG. 28 is an example of the discount data D2. In the example of FIG. 28, the lottery level indicates the discount amount, and the higher the lottery level, the higher the discount amount and the lower the payment amount. The probability of winning each lottery level may be a predetermined constant probability, or the probability may be varied depending on the environmental information described in embodiment 1 and the user information registered on the server.

[0110] The payment price determination unit 624 determines the payment amount by reading the payment amount from the discount data D2 based on the lottery level, which is the lottery result of the lottery processing unit 621. Then, the payment price determination unit 624 transmits the determined discount price to the supply control unit 623. The supply control unit 623 receives the discounted price and transmits first payment price change information to the item supply device 1 identified by the acquired device ID, which changes the payment price of the item supply device 1 identified by the acquired device ID. This first payment price change information includes the payment price and is information that changes the payment price of the item supply device 1 from the retail price to the discounted price. Meanwhile, when the supply (dispensing) of the item 2 from the item supply device 1 is completed, the supply control unit 623 transmits second payment price change information to the item supply device 1, which changes the payment price. This second payment price change information includes the payment price and is information that changes the payment price of the item supply device 1 from the discounted price to the retail price.

[0111] Next, the operation of the item supply system in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 29, which is a sequence diagram of this embodiment.

[0112] The user goes to a location where the item supply device 1 is installed and acquires an information display of the trigger information 11 displayed on the item supply device 1. The acquisition of the information display is performed using the photographing function of the photographing unit 302 of the terminal 3 in response to a user operation (Step 1). The information display acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 acquires request information from the photographed information display of the trigger information 11 (Step 2). The information display acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 requests the management device 4, which is the link destination (URL) indicated by the acquired request information, to transmit a lottery processing start screen. In response to this request, the information presentation unit 511 displays the transmitted lottery processing start screen on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 (Step 3). When the operation input unit 301 detects that the user has tapped the start button on the lottery processing start screen displayed on the image display unit 304, the information presentation unit 511 transmits a lottery processing start request to the management device 4, and the management device 4 executes the lottery processing (Step 4). Details of the lottery processing will be described later.

[0113] The communication unit 306 of the terminal 3 receives the device ID input screen transmitted from the management device 4 as lottery result information that is the result of the lottery process execution, and the information presentation unit 511 displays it on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 (Step 5). Fig. 30 is an example of the device ID input screen displayed on the terminal 3. It differs from the device ID input screen of the first embodiment in that the discount amount is displayed.

[0114] The user stands in front of the item supply device 1 and acquires the device ID information display on the display 31 of the terminal 3 (Step 8). Here, the user operates the terminal 3 so that the device ID information display (barcode) is captured within the reading frame of the device ID input screen displayed on the display 31, and photographs the barcode.

[0115] The information acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 acquires the device ID information from the photographed information display and transmits it to the management device 4 (Step 9). In this example, it is assumed that the acquired device ID information is "7832". The management device 4 receives the device ID and performs a supply determination process (Step 10). The supply determination process will be described in detail later.

[0116] If the terminal 3 does not receive the error information screen from the management device 4 but receives the supply information screen from the management device 4, it displays the supply information screen (Step 11). Figure 31 is an example of the supply information screen displayed on the terminal 3. It differs from the supply information screen in Figure 14 in that it displays the payment price after the discount.

[0117] Meanwhile, the goods supply device 1 receives the supply permission signal and the first payment price change information from the management device 4, and executes a supply process to supply goods (Step 12). The user follows the supply guide screen displayed on the terminal 3 to insert cash for the payment amount, and then operates the goods supply device 1 to receive the goods. The goods supply device 1 then transmits a supply report to the management device 4. Details of the supply process (Step 12) will be described later.

[0118] The supply control unit 623 of the management device 4 receives the supply report, and if the supply report indicates that the item has been supplied normally, subtracts one from the stock quantity of the corresponding device ID in the item supply device data D1 (Step 13). This concludes the description of the overall operation.

[0119] Next, the lottery process (Step 4) of the management device 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0120] When the management device 4 receives a lottery process start request from the terminal 3 (Step 301), the lottery processing unit 622 performs a lottery based on a predetermined probability and determines the lottery level (Step 302).

[0121] The lottery processing unit 622 determines to transmit a device ID input screen including a discount amount according to the lottery level, which is the lottery result, to the terminal 3 as lottery result information (Step 303), and transmits the device ID input screen to the terminal 3 (Step 304). Furthermore, the lottery processing unit 622 transmits the lottery level to the settlement price determination unit 624 (Step 306). This concludes the explanation of the lottery process (Step 4) of the management device 4.

[0122] Next, the supply determination process (Step 10) of the management device 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The item supply device determination unit 621 of the management device 4 acquires the device ID transmitted from the terminal 3 (Step 101). In this example, the acquired device ID is "7832".

[0123] The item supply device determination unit 622 determines the device ID using the item supply device data D1 (Step 102). The device ID determination is performed by determining whether the acquired device ID is included in the item supply device data D1. If the acquired device ID is included in the item supply device data D1, it is determined that the item supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user is the item supply device 1 that will supply item 2 to the user who won the lottery, and the item supply device 1 that will send the supply permission signal is identified (Step 103: Yes). In this example, since the acquired device ID in the item supply device data D1 is "7832", the item supply device that will send the supply permission signal is identified as the item supply device 1 with the device ID of "7832".

[0124] Furthermore, the item supply device determination unit 622 checks the inventory quantity associated with the received device ID (Step 104). If the item supply device determination unit 622 determines that the acquired device ID is not included in the item supply device data D1 (Step 103: No), or if it determines that the inventory quantity associated with the acquired device ID is 0 (Step 104: Yes), it sends an error notification screen to the terminal 3 (Step 107). The steps up to this point are the same as the flow in Fig. 18 described in the above embodiment.

[0125] If it is determined that the item supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user is capable of supplying item 2 (Step 104: No), the payment price determination unit 623 determines the payment amount by reading the payment amount from the discount data D2 based on the lottery level received from the lottery processing unit 621, and transmits it to the supply control unit 6624 (Step 108). The supply control unit 624 sends a supply guidance screen including the received payment amount to the goods supply device 1 identified by the acquired device ID (Step 105). In this example, the supply guidance screen is sent to the goods supply device 1 with the device ID "7832". Furthermore, the supply control unit 624 transmits first payment price change information for changing the payment price of the item supply device 1 identified by the acquired device ID and a supply permission signal to the item supply device 1 identified by the acquired device ID (Step 109). In this example, the first payment price change information and the supply permission signal are transmitted to the item supply device 1 having the device ID "7832". This concludes the explanation of the supply determination process (Step 10) of the management device 4.

[0126] Next, the supply process (Step 12) of the article supply device 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0127] When the control unit 24 of the item supply device 3 receives the first payment price change information and the supply permission signal (Step 1211), it notifies the cash acceptance unit 26 of this, and the cash acceptance unit 26 switches the function of the coin sorting unit, which sorts the inserted coins, from an off state to an on state (Step 1208). The payment price setting control unit 241 sets the discount price as the payment price in the payment price setting unit 241 based on the first payment price change information, and changes the payment price (Step 1212).

[0128] The cash detection unit 243 detects the amount of money (coins) inserted from the cash acceptance unit 26 and detects whether the inserted amount reaches the set payment price (Step 1209). If the inserted amount reaches the payment price of the item, the cash detection unit 243 sends a payment completion notification to the lock control unit 244, and the lock control unit 244 unlocks the lock unit 22 (Step 1202). This allows the handle 16 to be operated. The lock control unit 244 determines whether the handle 16 of the operation unit 23 has been operated (e.g., one rotation) (Step 1203). When the handle 16 has been operated (e.g., one rotation), one item 2 is supplied from the item supply unit 21 to the outlet 17 (Step 1204). The lock control unit 244 then locks the lock unit 22 (Step 1206).

[0129] On the other hand, if the handle 15 is not operated (Step 1203: No), the control unit 24 determines whether a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) has passed since the lock was released (Step 1205). If the handle 15 is not operated (Step 1203: No) and the predetermined time (e.g., one minute) has passed since the lock was released (Step 1205: Yes), the control unit 24 locks the lock unit 22 (Step 1206).

[0130] If the item 2 is supplied normally, the control unit 24 issues a supply report to the effect that the item 2 has been supplied normally, and if the item 2 is not supplied, the control unit 24 issues a supply report to the effect that the item 2 has not been supplied (Step 1207).Furthermore, the function of the coin sorting unit that sorts the inserted coins is switched from an off state to an on state (Step 1210).

[0131] When the payment price setting control unit 241 receives the second payment price change information (Step 1213: Yes), it sets the regular price as the payment price in the payment price setting unit 241 and changes the payment price (Step 1214). This concludes the explanation of the supply process (Step 12) of the item supply device 1 of the first modified example.

[0132] The item supply device 1 of this embodiment is capable of changing the payment price of the item 2, and has the excellent effect of being able to supply the item 2 to users who have the right to purchase at a discount and pay at the discounted price, and to supply the item 2 to users who do not have the right to purchase at a discount and pay at the retail price.

[0133] In this embodiment, if the discount amount is set to the regular price (retail price), it goes without saying that this is the same as if the user had obtained the right to acquire the item.

[0134] <Fourth embodiment> A fourth embodiment will now be described. In the first and second embodiments, the reward for winning the lottery is the right to acquire an item (item acquisition right), and in the third embodiment, the reward for winning the lottery is the right to acquire an item at a discounted price (item acquisition right). In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the reward for winning the lottery is the right to purchase an item (limited purchase right). Note that, like in the first embodiment, the trigger information in this embodiment includes request information. Furthermore, the item supply device 1 will be described using the configuration shown in FIG. 20.

[0135] The operation of the goods supply system in this embodiment will be described. Since the operation is the same as the above embodiment except for the supply process (Step 12), the supply process (Step 12) will be described using Figure 35. In the following description, the function of the coin sorting unit of the goods supply device 3 is normally turned off.

[0136] When the control unit 24 of the item supply device 3 receives the supply permission signal (Step 1201), it notifies the cash acceptance unit 26 of that fact, and the cash acceptance unit 26 switches the function of the coin selection unit that selects inserted coins from an OFF state to an ON state (Step 1208). Then, the cash acceptance unit 26 checks whether the amount of money inserted reaches the set price of the item 2 (Step 1209). If the amount of money inserted reaches the set price of the item 2 (Step 1209: Yes), the cash acceptance unit 26 sends an unlock signal to the control unit 24.

[0137] When the control unit 24 receives the unlock signal, it unlocks the lock unit 22 (Step 1202). This allows the handle 15 to be operated. The control unit 24 determines whether the handle 15 of the operation unit 23 has been operated (e.g., rotated once) (Step 1203). If the handle 15 has been operated (e.g., rotated once) (Step 1203: Yes), one item 2 is supplied from the item supply unit 21 to the outlet 16 (Step 1204). Then, the control unit 24 locks the lock unit 22 (Step 1206).

[0138] On the other hand, if the handle 15 is not operated (Step 1203: No), the control unit 24 determines whether a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) has passed since the lock was released (Step 1205). If the handle 15 is not operated (Step 1203: No) and the predetermined time (e.g., one minute) has passed since the lock was released (Step 1205: Yes), the control unit 24 locks the lock unit 22 (Step 1206).

[0139] If the item 2 is supplied normally, the control unit 24 issues a supply report to the effect that the item 2 has been supplied normally, and if the item 2 is not supplied, the control unit 24 issues a supply report to the effect that the item 2 has not been supplied (Step 1207).Furthermore, the function of the coin sorting unit that sorts the inserted coins is switched from an on state to an off state (Step 1210). This concludes the explanation of the supply process (Step 12) of the item supply device 1 of this embodiment.

[0140] According to this embodiment, only users who win the lottery can purchase the item 2, and therefore the users can perceive the item 2 as being worth more than its purchase price.

[0141] <Modification 1 of the Fourth Embodiment> In the above embodiment, a cash payment configuration has been described, but in Modification 1, a configuration for electronic payment will be described. 36 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 3 in this embodiment. The calculation unit 51 further includes a payment unit 512. The payment unit 512 performs processing related to payment for the item 2 through communication with the management device 4.

[0142] Fig. 37 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the management device 4 in Variation 1 of Embodiment 4. The processing unit 62 further includes a payment management unit 624. The payment management unit 624 performs processing related to payment for the item 2 through communication with the terminal 3. The storage unit 61 further stores user management data D3, which is payment data for each user. The user management data D3 stores user identification information (user ID), a password, and an electronic money balance in association with each other, as shown in Fig. 38, for example.

[0143] In the first embodiment, when the goods supply device determination unit 622 of the management device 4 determines that the goods supply device 1 having the device ID transmitted from the terminal 3 is capable of supplying the goods 2, the goods supply device determination unit 622 transmits a supply guidance screen to the terminal 3. In this embodiment, the goods supply device determination unit 622 transmits a payment input screen instead of the supply guidance screen. An example of the payment input screen is shown in FIG.

[0144] <Operation> The operation of the item supply system of this embodiment will be explained using the sequence diagram of Fig. 40. Note that the process up to Step 9, where the device ID is transmitted, is the same as that up to Step 9 in Fig. 10, which is the sequence diagram for the first embodiment, and therefore will be omitted.

[0145] In the supply determination process of Step 10, when a payment input screen is sent from the supply device determination unit 623 of the management device 4, the information guidance unit 511 of the terminal 3 displays the payment input screen on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 (Step 16).

[0146] The user enters the user ID and password on the displayed input screen (Step 17). The payment settlement unit 513 of the terminal 3 transmits the entered user ID and password to the management device 4 (Step 18).

[0147] The management device 4 receives the user ID and password and performs payment processing (Step 19). Details of the payment processing will be described later. Here, payment is made using the received user ID and password. Then, once payment is completed, a supply guidance screen is sent to the terminal 3. If the payment result is appropriate, a supply permission signal is sent to the item supply device 1.

[0148] The payment process in this embodiment will be described using the flow diagram in Figure 41. In the following description, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the regular price of the item 2 is determined in advance and stored in the payment management unit 624 of the management device 4. When the payment management unit 624 receives the user ID and password entered by the user on the payment input screen (Step 2701), it settles the price using the received user ID and password and the information on the regular price of the item 2 (Step 2702). In the payment process, it first determines whether the user ID and password are valid using the user management data D3, and if they are valid, it updates the balance corresponding to the received user ID in the user management data D3 by the amount obtained by deducting the regular price of the item 2.

[0149] If the payment is completed successfully (Step 2703: Yes), the payment management unit 624 sends a guide screen corresponding to the successful result to the terminal 3 (Step 2704). Here, the user is informed that the payment has been completed, that the user should operate the handle 15 of the item supply device 1 to receive the item, and that the handle 15 will lock in one minute. Then, the supply control unit 623 sends a supply permission signal to the terminal 3 (Step 2705).

[0150] In addition, if an error occurs during payment, the payment management unit 624 sends an error information screen to terminal 3 informing the user that payment could not be made along with the details of the error (user ID and password not registered, insufficient balance, etc.) (Step 2706). This concludes the explanation of the supply determination process.

[0151] The supply process in this modified example will be described. In this modified example, the control unit 24 is the same as in the above embodiment, except for the case where the handle 15 of the item supply device 1 is not operated. If the handle 15 is not operated for a predetermined time after the lock is released, the control unit 24 performs a predetermined error process and then locks the lock unit 22. The error process includes a refund process for refunding the paid amount. In the refund process, for example, the control unit 24 sends a request (including, for example, the device ID) to the management device 4 to refund the paid amount. The management device 4 may identify the most recent payment from those for which the payment process has been completed using the device ID as a key and cancel that payment (a process for restoring the electronic money balance of the user ID to the amount before the payment was deducted). Another refund process may be, for example, discharging coins equivalent to the price of the item 2 from the outlet to refund the user. The process other than the above differences is the same as the supply process in the above embodiment.

[0152] The electronic payment process described in the above modification can be applied to any of the first to third embodiments. According to the goods supply system of the modified example of this embodiment, since it is configured to execute electronic payment, a user who has acquired exclusive purchase rights through a lottery can acquire goods through electronic payment.

[0153] <Fifth embodiment> A fifth embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, an example will be described in which the type of item provided to the user as a reward varies depending on the winning level. Note that the same components as those in the above embodiments will be assigned the same numbers, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0154] 42 is a schematic diagram of an article supply system according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the article supply devices 1 according to the first to fourth embodiments function as a single unit, and one article supply device 1 is made up of multiple units 70 and one display unit 71.

[0155] The unit 70 is similar to the article supply device 1 described in the above embodiment, but differs in the following respects. Each unit 70 does not display (install) trigger information. Each unit 70 is provided with a light-emitting element 72, such as an LED, that is visible to the user. Upon receiving the supply permission signal, the control unit 24 causes the light-emitting element 72 to blink (or light up) to notify the user that the unit 70 is able to supply the item 2. Each unit 70 supplies different items 2.

[0156] The display unit 71 is installed at the top of the multiple units 70, and displays the trigger information 11 and the group ID. Here, the group ID is not the device ID of each item supply device (unit 70), but a group ID that uniquely identifies a group of multiple item supply devices (units 70). The display unit 71 also displays that, among the multiple units 70, the unit 70 whose light-emitting element 72 is flashing is capable of supplying the item 2.

[0157] The management device 5 differs in the configuration of the item supply device data D1 and the configuration of the item supply device determination unit 621. It also differs in that it has winning level data D4. The item supply device data D1 stores the device ID of the unit 70, the item ID that uniquely identifies the item 2 in that unit 70, and the inventory quantity of the item 2 in that unit 70, all of which are associated with one another, and these are associated with a group ID, which is the ID of a group that groups multiple units 70 together. This group ID is the group ID displayed on the display unit 71. Figure 43 is an example of the item supply device data D1 of the fifth embodiment. In the example of Figure 43, the device IDs of multiple units 70 are associated with one group ID "101." In other words, multiple units 70 with device IDs that belong to the group ID "101" constitute one item supply device 1 (group ID "101"). The item supply device data D1 in this embodiment is prepared for each group. The winning level data D4 is stored with the winning level and the item ID associated with each other. Figure 44 is an example of the winning level data D4. Figure 44 shows an example in which there are four winning levels, from 0 to 3. The item ID is identification information that uniquely identifies the item 2 that is the reward for winning. In the example shown in Figure 44, winning level 0 is associated with the item ID "Null," meaning that no item 2 is provided, i.e., the player has lost the lottery. At winning level 1, an item 2 assigned with an item ID of "G001" is provided as the lottery reward; at winning level 2, an item 2 assigned with an item ID of "G002" is provided; and at winning level 3, an item 2 assigned with an item ID of "G003" is provided as the lottery reward.

[0158] The lottery processing unit 621 of this embodiment executes the lottery processing when a transmission request that triggers the execution of the lottery processing is transmitted from the terminal 3. The lottery processing unit 621 selects one of the winning levels of the winning level data D4 based on a predetermined lottery probability. The lottery processing unit 621 reads out the item ID associated with the winning level selected by the lottery and notifies the item supply device determination unit 622. If the read item ID is not "Null", the lottery processing unit 621 sends a group ID input screen to the terminal 3. On the other hand, if the read item ID is "Null", the lottery processing unit 621 sends a losing notification screen to the terminal 3. When the lottery processing unit 621 receives a notification of a re-lottery from the item supply device determination unit 622, it performs the lottery processing again.

[0159] The item supply device determination unit 621 acquires the group ID transmitted from the terminal 3. When the item supply device determination unit 622 receives the item ID from the lottery processing unit 621, it searches for the item ID from the item supply device data D1 of the acquired group ID and checks the stock quantity of the item associated with the searched item ID. If there is stock, the item supply device determination unit 622 specifies the destination of the supply permission signal as the unit 70 having the device ID associated with the item ID. Once the specification is complete, the item supply device determination unit 622 transmits a supply guidance screen to the terminal 3, which provides guidance on the supply of items. On the other hand, if the stock quantity associated with the item ID searched from the item supply device data D1 is 0, the item supply device determination unit 622 notifies the lottery processing unit 621 to draw a new lottery.

[0160] When the control unit 24 of the article supply device 1 receives a supply permission signal from the management device 4, it causes the light emitting element to blink. The user operates the handle of the item supply device 1 whose light emitting element is flashing to receive the supply of items.

[0161] The operation of the product supply system in this embodiment will be described below. Figure 45 is a sequence diagram of the product supply system in this embodiment.

[0162] The user goes to the location where the item supply device 1 is installed and acquires the information display of the trigger information 11 displayed on the display unit 71 (Step 1). The information display acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 acquires request information from the photographed information display of the trigger information 11 (Step 2). In this example, the acquired request information is the URL of the management device 4, which is the request destination for requesting transmission of a lottery process start screen. The information display acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 requests the management device 4, which is the link destination (URL) indicated by the acquired request information, to send a lottery processing start screen, and the information guidance unit 511 displays the lottery processing start screen sent in response to this request on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 (Step 3). When the operation input unit 301 detects that the user has tapped the start button in the lottery process start screen displayed on the image display unit 304, the information presentation unit 511 transmits a lottery process start request to the management device 4, and the lottery process is executed in the management device 4 (Step 20). The lottery process will be described in detail later.

[0163] The communication unit 306 of the terminal 3 receives the group ID input screen or the loss notification screen transmitted from the management device 4 as lottery result information resulting from the execution of the lottery process, and the information presentation unit 511 displays it on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 (Step 5). At this time, if the loss notification screen indicating confirmation of "loss" is received as lottery result information (Step 6: No), the information presentation unit 511 displays the loss notification screen on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 (Step 14).

[0164] On the other hand, when a group ID input screen indicating confirmation of "winning" is received from the management device 4 (Step 6: Yes), the information presentation unit 511 displays the group ID input screen on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 (Step 21). The user stands in front of the display unit 71 at the location where the item supply device 1 is installed and acquires the information display of the group ID information using the terminal 3 (Step 8). The information acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 acquires the group ID information from the photographed information display and transmits it to the management device 4 (Step 22). In this example, it is assumed that the acquired device ID information is "101".

[0165] The management device 4 receives the group ID information and performs a supply determination process (Step 23). The supply determination process will be described in detail later. When the terminal 3 receives the supply guidance screen from the management device 4, it displays the supply guidance screen (Step 11). Fig. 46 is an example of the supply guidance screen displayed on the terminal 3. In the example of Fig. 46, the user is prompted to operate the handle 15 of the unit 70 whose light-emitting element is flashing to receive the item, and that the handle 15 will lock in one minute.

[0166] Meanwhile, the unit 70 that has received the supply permission signal from the management device 4 executes a supply process to supply the item (Step 24). The user operates the item supply device 1 whose light-emitting element is flashing in accordance with the supply guide screen displayed on the terminal 3 to receive the supply of the item. The unit 70 then transmits a supply report to the management device 4. Details of the supply process (Step 24) will be described later.

[0167] The supply control unit 623 of the management device 4 receives the supply report, and if the supply report indicates that the item has been supplied normally, subtracts one from the stock quantity of the corresponding device ID in the item supply device data D1 (Step 13). The above is a description of the overall operation of this embodiment.

[0168] Next, a description will be given of the lottery process (Step 20) of the management device 4. Fig. 47 is a flowchart of the lottery process (Step 20) of the management device 4. Note that the process up to reception of a lottery process start request in Step 33 is the same as the flow diagram shown in Fig. 11, and therefore will be omitted.

[0169] When the management device 4 receives a request to start the lottery process from the terminal 3 (Step 33), the lottery processing unit 621 selects a winning level from the winning level data D4 based on a predetermined lottery probability, and reads out the item ID associated with the selected winning level (Step 39). If the read item ID is other than "Null" (Step 40: Yes), the lottery processing unit 622 notifies the item supply device determination unit 622 of the read item ID (Step 41). Furthermore, the lottery processing unit 622 determines that the item ID is a "winner" and determines to send a group ID input screen to the terminal 3 (Step 42).

[0170] On the other hand, if the read item ID is "Null" (Step 40: No), the lottery processing unit 622 determines that the "losing" has been confirmed and decides to send a losing notification screen to the terminal 3 (Step 37). The lottery processing unit 622 transmits the group ID input screen or the unsuccessful selection notification screen to the terminal 3 as lottery result information (Step 38). This concludes the explanation of the lottery process (Step 20) of the management device 4.

[0171] Next, a description will be given of the supply determination process (Step 23) of the management device 4. FIG. The item supply device determination unit 621 of the management device 4 receives the item ID from the lottery processing unit 621 (Step 1009). Furthermore, the item supply device determination unit 621 acquires the group ID transmitted from the terminal 3 (Step 1010).

[0172] The item supply device determination unit 622 checks the inventory quantity associated with the received item ID from the item supply device data D1 of the acquired group ID (Step 1011). If the inventory quantity is not 0 (Step 1011: No), a supply guide screen is sent to the terminal 3 (Step 1012). At this time, a supply guide screen such as that shown in FIG. 46 is displayed on the terminal 3. Furthermore, the item supply device determination unit 622 identifies the unit 70 assigned the device ID associated with the received item ID as the unit 70 that will send a supply permission signal (Step 1013). The supply control unit 623 sends a supply permission signal to the unit 70 identified by the item supply device determination unit 622 (Step 1014).

[0173] On the other hand, if the inventory quantity is 0 (Step 1011: Yes), the item supply device determination unit 622 notifies the lottery processing unit 621 to re-run the lottery (Step 1015). Upon being notified to re-run the lottery, the lottery processing unit 621 starts processing from Step 39 in FIG. This concludes the explanation of the supply determination process (Step 23) of the management device 4.

[0174] Next, the supply process (Step 24) of the unit 70 that has received the supply permission signal will be described. Figure 49 is a flowchart of the supply process (Step 24) of the unit 70.

[0175] When the control unit 24 of the unit 70 receives the supply permission signal (Step 1201), it causes the light emitting element to blink (Step 1215). The operations thereafter are the same as Step 1202 to Step 1207 in Fig. 19, and therefore will not be described further. This concludes the description of the supply process (Step 24) of unit 70.

[0176] Typically, the item supply device 1 may store one type of item 2 or multiple types of items 2. When one type of item 2 is stored, the item supply device 1 can reliably supply that type of item 2 to the user. On the other hand, when multiple types of items 2 are stored, due to the structure of the item supply device 1, the item supply device 1 randomly supplies one type of item from the multiple types of items stored to the user. Therefore, when the type of item supplied to the user varies depending on the winning level, as in this embodiment, a single item supply device 1 cannot reliably supply the type of item corresponding to the winning level to the user. In this embodiment, one item supply device 1 is made up of multiple item supply devices (units 70), and each unit 70 stores one type of item 2, so that one type of item can be reliably supplied to a user from among multiple types of items. As a result, a lottery can be held in which the type of item supplied to a user varies depending on the winning level, increasing the user's interest in the lottery.

[0177] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the trigger information 11 and the group ID are displayed on separate information displays. However, the trigger information 11 and the group ID may be configured on a single information display, and the management device 4 may acquire both the trigger information 11 and the group ID at once by reading the information display once. In this case, there is no need to read the group ID after winning, as in the above embodiment.

[0178] Sixth Embodiment In the above first to fifth embodiments, all users who read the display 11 of the trigger information displayed on the item supply device 1, i.e., all users who acquired the trigger information, were able to enter the lottery, but it is also possible to limit the users who can enter the lottery by granting each user the right to enter the lottery.

[0179] In such a configuration, the lottery ticket may be awarded by, but not limited to, purchasing a product other than the product 2 supplied to the user, participating in an event by the user, or entering a lottery. That is, the lottery ticket may be awarded to the user if some action of the user satisfies a predetermined condition. Here, the lottery ticket acquired when the user's action satisfies the predetermined condition must be authenticated in some form. A typical example is identification information that proves that the lottery ticket has been acquired. Examples of identification information that proves that the lottery ticket has been acquired include identification information that is awarded when the user purchases a product other than the product 2, identification information that is awarded when the user participates in an event, and identification information that is awarded when the user wins a lottery. In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which a lottery ticket acquired by a user purchasing a product other than the product 2 is authenticated.

[0180] FIG. 50 is a schematic diagram of an item supply system according to this embodiment. Product 4 is a product supplied to a user by company Y, which is different from company X that supplies item 2. The type of product is not important. Examples of products include books such as magazines, food items such as drinking water, and stationery. In this embodiment, the product is described as a magazine. When a user purchases a magazine (product 4), they can obtain a lottery ticket. A serial code 13 is displayed on the magazine (product 4). This serial code 13 is information for authenticating the user's lottery ticket in order to grant the lottery ticket to a user who purchases the magazine (product 4). For example, the serial code 13 is a unique serial code that differs for each magazine. Such a serial code can be generated using a check digit or the like.

[0181] Fig. 51 is a block diagram of terminal 3 in this embodiment. Terminal 3 differs from terminal 3 shown in Fig. 7 described in the first embodiment in that it has serial code acquisition unit 513. The serial code acquisition unit 513 requests the management device 4 to transmit a serial code input screen based on the trigger information 11 acquired by the information display acquisition unit 510. Then, the serial code input screen is received, and the serial code input screen is displayed on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52. The serial code input on the serial code input screen is also transmitted to the management device 4. The information presentation unit 512 displays the result of authentication of the serial code from the management device 4 on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52 .

[0182] Fig. 52 is a block diagram of the management device 4 in this embodiment. The terminal 4 differs from the management device 4 shown in Fig. 8 described in the first embodiment in that it has a lottery right authentication unit 625. The memory unit 61 stores serial code data D4. The serial code data D4 is a stored serial code printed on a magazine 4 sold by company Y. A unique serial code is assigned to each magazine 4, and the serial code is a unique code number. Such a serial code can be generated using a check digit or the like. Figure 53 is a diagram showing an example of serial code data D6. As shown in Figure 53, the serial code data D6 is stored in association with a unique serial code and an authentication flag. As will be described later, when the lottery right authentication unit 625 authenticates the user's lottery right using the serial code and the lottery processing unit 621 completes the lottery processing, an authenticated flag indicating that authentication has been completed is assigned to the authentication flag field of the serial code.

[0183] Upon receiving a request from terminal 3 to transmit a serial code input screen, the lottery right authentication unit 625 transmits the serial code input screen to terminal 3 so that a serial code input screen such as that shown in FIG. 54 is displayed on terminal 3. The lottery right authentication unit 625 compares the serial code input on the input screen with the serial code in serial code data D4. If the serial code input on the input screen is included in serial code data D4 and the authentication flag for that serial code is not set, the lottery right authentication unit 625 authenticates the serial code input on the input screen and the user's lottery right. The lottery right authentication unit 625 then notifies the lottery processing unit 621 that the user's lottery right has been authenticated. Note that, if an expiration date is set for the serial code, the lottery right authentication unit 625 also authenticates the expiration date of the serial code input on the input screen. If the lottery right authentication unit 625 cannot authenticate the serial code (including the case where the expiration date has expired and authentication is not possible), it transmits an error screen to terminal 3 informing the user that the serial code (lottery right) could not be authenticated. FIG. 55 is an example of an error screen informing the user that the serial code (lottery ticket) could not be authenticated.

[0184] Fig. 56 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of the item supply system in this embodiment. Compared to the flow diagram in Fig. 10 explained in the first embodiment, it differs in that Step 20 and Step 21 are added between Step 2 and Step 3. Step 20 is a process for authenticating the serial code. Step 21 is a step for transmitting the serial code entered on the serial code entry screen to the management device 4. In this example, it is assumed that the entered serial code is "1VB3588". The authentication process in Step 20 will be described. When the lottery right authentication unit 625 receives the serial code entered on the input screen (Step 106), it performs authentication processing for the acquired serial code (Step 107). In this example, since the entered serial code is "1VB3588", the serial code "1VB3588" becomes the object of authentication.

[0185] The lottery right authentication unit 625 compares the input serial code with the serial code in the serial code data D4, and if the input serial code is included in the serial code data D4 and the authenticated flag is not set for that serial code, it authenticates the acquired serial code and determines that the user's lottery right has been authenticated (Step 108). Note that if an expiration date is set for the serial code, the lottery right authentication unit 625 also authenticates the expiration date of the serial code entered on the input screen. If the expiration date of the serial code is valid and the serial code is authenticated, the lottery right authentication unit 625 sends a supply guidance screen regarding the supply of goods (Step 109).

[0186] On the other hand, the lottery right authentication unit 625 compares the input serial code with the serial code in the serial code data D4, and if the acquired serial code is not included in the serial code data D4, or if the acquired serial code is included in the serial code data D4 but has an authenticated flag attached to it, or if an expiration date has been set for the serial code and the expiration date has expired, it determines the acquired serial code to be inappropriate and does not authenticate it. If the lottery right authentication unit 625 cannot authenticate the serial code (including if the expiration date has expired and authentication is not possible), it sends an error screen to the terminal 3 informing the user that the serial code (lottery right) could not be authenticated (Step 110).

[0187] In this example, the input serial code is "1VB3588", which is included in the serial code data D4 and has not been assigned an authenticated flag. Furthermore, no expiration date is set for the serial code. Therefore, the lottery right authentication unit 625 determines that the acquired serial code "1VB3588" has been authenticated, and that the user's right to acquire item 2 has been authenticated, and notifies the lottery processing unit 621 that the lottery right has been authenticated. This concludes the description of the authentication process. Steps other than those described above are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore details will be omitted.

[0188] For companies that provide products such as magazines, giving away gifts can also increase users' desire to purchase the products. Therefore, this embodiment can realize a collaboration (joint project) that is beneficial not only for the user who receives the goods, but also for the company that supplies the goods to the user and the company that supplies the product to the user. As a result, this embodiment can meet the needs of various consumers, including not only the user who receives the goods, but also the companies that intend to use the goods supply device.

[0189] The present invention has been described above by way of preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented by various modifications and combinations within the scope of its technical concept. [Explanation of symbols]

[0190] 1 Goods supply device 2 Goods 3. Terminal 4 Management device 5. Communication Network

Claims

1. An article supply device capable of supplying articles, a storage section for storing an item; a supply unit that supplies the items stored in the storage unit; a control unit that controls the supply of the goods at the regular price when the lottery is not held or when the lottery is held and the customer is unsuccessful, and controls the supply of the goods at the irregular price or free of charge when the lottery is held and the customer is successful; An article supply device comprising:

2. The non-regular price is a discounted price obtained by subtracting a predetermined discount amount from the regular price. The article supply device according to claim 1 .

3. The discount amount includes a plurality of types of discount amounts. The article supply device according to claim 2 .

4. a first display unit that displays lottery information for executing a lottery; a second display unit that displays specific information that identifies the item supply device; a receiving unit that receives supply control information for supplying goods at an irregular price or free of charge on the condition that the lottery is won; Equipped with The control unit supplies the product at a non-regular price or free of charge based on the supply control information. The article supply device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. An item supply system capable of supplying items, An article supply device and a terminal, The article supply device is a first display unit that displays lottery information for executing a lottery; a storage section for storing an item; a supply unit that supplies the items stored in the storage unit; a control unit that controls the supply of articles by the supply unit; Equipped with The terminal an acquisition unit capable of acquiring lottery information; a transmitting unit that transmits a request to execute a lottery based on the acquired lottery information; Equipped with a control unit of the item supply device that controls the device to supply the item at a regular price when the lottery is not held or when the lottery is held and the customer is unsuccessful, and to supply the item at a non-regular price or free of charge when the customer is successful; Goods supply system.

6. Further comprising a management device, The management device a lottery unit that executes a lottery on the condition that the request is received and transmits winning or losing information of the lottery to the terminal; The article supply system according to claim 5 .

7. the item supply device includes a second display unit that displays specific information that identifies the item supply device; the terminal includes a specific information acquisition unit that acquires the specific information and transmits it to the management device; the management device includes a supply control unit that controls the item supply device identified from the identification information to supply the item at an irregular price or free of charge, on condition that the lottery is won. The article supply system according to claim 6.

8. The non-regular price is a discounted price obtained by subtracting a predetermined discount amount from the regular price.

8. The article supply system according to claim 6 or claim 7.

9. The discount amount includes a plurality of types of discount amounts. The article supply system according to claim 8.

10. A management device that manages the supply of goods in an goods supply device, a lottery unit that executes a lottery on the condition that a request for executing a lottery, which is transmitted when lottery information displayed on the item supply device is acquired, is received; a supply control unit that controls the item supply device to supply items at an irregular price or free of charge on condition that the lottery is won; A management device comprising:

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