Article supply device, article supply system, management device, and article supply method

Abstract

To provide a technology related to an article supply device capable of supplying an article at a second price obtained by discounting a first price when a user satisfies a certain condition.SOLUTION: An article supply device includes a first display unit including a first type display unit that displays first type identification information for identifying the article supply device, a second display unit that displays a first price of an article, a storage unit that stores the article, a supply unit that supplies the article stored in the storage unit, and a control unit that performs control such that the article can be supplied by the supply unit on condition that a price of the article is settled. The control unit settles the price of the article at a second price lower than the first price on condition that the first type identification information acquired by the terminal from the first display unit is identified by a management device that manages the article supply device, second type identification information that is identification information for authenticating a discount purchase right of the article acquired by the terminal from a medium other than the article supply device is authenticated by the management device, and settlement price change information for instructing a change of a settlement price of the article is received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article supply device, an article supply system, a management device, and an article supply method. [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, it is desirable not only to settle the price of an article at one fixed price, but also to supply an article at a price different from the fixed price when certain conditions are met.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an item supply device, an item supply system, a management device, and an item supply method that can supply items at a second price that is discounted from the first price when a user meets certain conditions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an item supply device capable of supplying items, comprising: a first display unit that displays first identification information; a second display unit that displays a first price of the item; a storage unit that stores the item; a supply unit that supplies the item stored in the storage unit; and a control unit that controls the supply unit to supply the item on the condition that the first identification information has been acquired, second identification information has been acquired, and the price of the item has been paid at a second price that is a discount from the first price.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a product supply system capable of supplying products, comprising: a product supply device; and a terminal; wherein the product supply device comprises a first display unit that displays first identification information, a second display unit that displays a first price of the product, a storage unit that stores the product, a supply unit that supplies the product stored in the storage unit, and a control unit that controls the supply of the product by the supply unit; wherein the terminal comprises a first acquisition unit that can acquire the first identification information, and a second acquisition unit that can acquire the second identification information; and wherein the control unit of the product supply device controls the supply unit to supply the product, on the condition that the first identification information has been acquired by the terminal, the second identification information has been acquired by the terminal, and the price of the product has been paid at a second price that is a discount from the first price.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a management device that manages the supply of goods from a goods supply device, and includes: a first identification information acquisition unit that acquires first identification information displayed on the goods supply device; a goods supply device identification unit that identifies the goods supply device using the first identification information; a second identification information acquisition unit that acquires second identification information different from the first identification information; an authentication unit that authenticates the second identification information; a second price determination unit that determines a discounted second price by discounting a first price, which is the cost of the goods, using the second identification information; and a supply control unit that enables payment of the price of the goods at the second price, on the condition that a goods supply device that enables the supply of the goods is identified, the second identification information is authenticated, and the second price is determined, and controls the control unit of the identified goods supply device to enable the supply of the goods from the identified goods supply device.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a product supply method capable of supplying products, which includes obtaining first identification information from an information display displayed on a product supply device that supplies products, identifying the product supply device from the first identification information, obtaining second identification information from an information display displayed outside the product supply device, determining a second discounted price that is a discount from the first price of the product displayed on the product supply device from the second identification information, settling the price of the product at the second price, and enabling the product to be supplied from the product supply device on the condition that the price of the product has been settling. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, when a user satisfies a certain condition, the item can be supplied from the item supply device at a second price that is a discount from the first price. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an item supply system according to the present embodiment. [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 showing an example of the device configuration of a smartphone, which is an example of the terminal 3. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of an example of the article supply device 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example of the article supply device 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the article supply device 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 3. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management device 5. As shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the item supply device data D1. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the serial code data D2. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of the item supply system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the management device 5 in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the article supply device 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an image of the information display of the first identification information 11 of the goods supply device 1 captured by the image capturing unit 302 of the terminal 3. In FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an example of a serial code input screen displayed on the terminal 3. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an example of guidance information displayed on the terminal 3. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of error guidance information. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an example of an error screen informing users that the serial code could not be authenticated. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 3 in a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management device 5 in a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the user management data D3. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram of an item supply system according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is an example of a payment input screen displayed on the terminal 3. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of guidance information. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the management device 5 in a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the article supply device 1 in a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a front view of an example of the article supply device 1 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example in which a plurality of article supply devices 1 according to the second embodiment are installed. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram of the item supply system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a flowchart of the management device 5 in the second embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 shows an example of a device ID and serial code input screen displayed on the terminal 3. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of an image of the information display of the second type of first identification information 112 of the item supply device 1 captured by the image capturing unit 302 of the terminal 3. [Figure 33] FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an article supplying device according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 34] FIG. 34 is a front view of the article supply device according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] <Outline of the embodiment of the present invention> An outline of an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0013] In this embodiment, a product supply device supplies a product to a user who, by satisfying a predetermined condition, has acquired the right (discount purchase right) to purchase a product at a second price (e.g., a discount price) obtained by discounting a first price (e.g., retail price) of the product. The user acquires the right to purchase the product from the product supply device, on the condition that the user settles (pays) the price of the product at the second price. Examples of how a user can acquire the discount purchase right include, but are not limited to, purchasing a product other than the product to be supplied to the user, participating in an event, or entering a lottery. In other words, the user's action may be any action that satisfies the predetermined condition for acquiring the discount purchase right. Here, the discount purchase right acquired when the user's action satisfies the predetermined condition must be authenticated in some form. A typical example is identification information that proves the discount purchase right. For example, this is identification information that is granted when the user purchases a product other than the product, identification information that is granted when the user participates in an event, or identification information that is granted when the user wins a lottery.

[0014] On the other hand, when a company that supplies goods supplies goods to users who have discount purchase rights, it is desirable to supply the goods to users from a goods supply device rather than handing over the goods by mail, etc. This is because by having users visit a location where a goods supply device is installed, the users can become aware of the goods supply device and, further, that a goods supply device that supplies a wide variety of goods is installed. This is beneficial for the company that supplies goods and also provides users with an opportunity to learn about a wide variety of goods.

[0015] However, since there are many article supply devices at the installation location and they supply a wide variety of articles, it is necessary to identify the article supply device that supplies the article eligible for the discount from among them.

[0016] To identify an item supply device that supplies a discounted item, identification information displayed on the item supply device can be used. The identification information includes at least device identification information that identifies the item supply device. The identification information may also include item identification information that identifies the discounted item. Note that, for example, if a management device that manages the item supply device can identify the item supplied by the item supply device from the device identification information, item identification information is not required.

[0017] Furthermore, even if it is possible to identify one item supply device that supplies a discounted item to a user using the identification information displayed on the item supply device, this does not necessarily mean that the user has a legitimate discount purchase right.By linking and authenticating the identified item supply device that supplies the discounted item with the user's discount purchase right, it is possible to accept payment for the item from a user who has a legitimate discount purchase right, and the item can be supplied to the user from the item supply device at a second price that is a discount from the first price of the item, on the condition that payment for the item has been completed.

[0018] Therefore, the first important thing is to obtain identification information for the goods supply device and identification information that authenticates the user's right to purchase at a discount at the location where the goods supply device is installed, and the second important thing is to settle the price of the goods at a second price that is a discount from the first price of the goods.

[0019] Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention is configured as follows. For the sake of concrete explanation, the user's action is assumed to be the user's purchase of a product from company Y, and by purchasing the product, the user can acquire a discount purchase right for an item from company X. The following explanation will be given by taking as an example a collaborative project between company X and company Y in which the user who has acquired the discount purchase right pays for the item at a second price, which is a discount from the first price, and the item is supplied to the user.

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an item supply system according to this embodiment. In Figure 1, 1 is an item supply device of company X, 2 is an item supplied by item supply device 1, 3 is a user terminal, and 4 is a product of company Y.

[0021] 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 supplies an item 2 that is the subject of collaboration between company X and company Y.

[0022] First identification information 11 is displayed on the item supply device 1 that supplies the item 2. This first identification information 11 includes unique device identification information that can identify each item supply device 1. For example, the device identification information may be the serial number of the item supply device 1. In the following explanation, it is assumed that the item supply device 1 identified by the device identification information is predetermined to supply discounted items. However, if this assumption does not hold, the first identification information 11 may include item identification information that identifies the discounted items supplied by the item supply device 1. For user convenience, it is desirable that the first identification information 11 be an information display that can be read by the terminal 2. For example, the information display may be a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional code (QR code: registered trademark), etc.

[0023] The item supply device 1 also includes a first price display unit 14, which displays a first price of the item. The first price is the price (retail price) for a normal user who does not have a discount purchase right to purchase the item 2. The first price display unit 14 is, for example, a material on which the first price is printed, or a display capable of displaying the first price.

[0024] 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.

[0025] Product 4 is a product supplied by Company Y to the user. The type of product is not important. Examples of products include books such as magazines, food items such as drinking water, stationery, etc. In this embodiment, the product will be described as a magazine. When a user purchases Magazine 4 (Product 4), they can obtain a discount purchase right for Item 2.

[0026] Second identification information 12 is displayed on the magazine 4 (product 4). This second identification information 12 is information for authenticating the discount purchase right of a user who purchased the magazine 4 (product 4). Furthermore, the second identification information 12 may include information related to a discount. The information related to the discount is, for example, information related to the second price, information related to the difference between the first price and the second price, or information related to the discount rate of the first price. The information related to the second price is, for example, information indicating that the second price is 300 yen. The information related to the difference between the first price and the second price is information indicating that the difference is 200 yen when the first price is 500 yen and the second price is 300 yen. The information related to the discount rate of the first price is, for example, the discount rate of the first price (information indicating that the first price is discounted by 50%). The second identification information 12 is, for example, a unique serial code or the like written (displayed) on the magazine. The second identification information 12 may be displayed using letters and numbers, or may be displayed using a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional code (QR code: registered trademark).

[0027] In order for a user who has purchased magazine 4 (product 4) to obtain item 2 at a discounted price, the user must go to a location where item supply devices 1 are installed, identify an item supply device 1 that can supply the discounted item 2 in a location where multiple item supply devices 1 are installed, authenticate the user's right to purchase item 2 at a discount, and pay the discounted price (second price) of item 2. Under these conditions, item supply device 1 is made ready to supply items.

[0028] Therefore, this embodiment has the following features. (1) First identification information 11 for identifying an item supply device 1 that can supply an item 2 to a user is displayed on the item supply device 1. (2) At the location where the goods supply device 1 is installed, the goods supply device 1 from which the user is about to receive goods 2 is identified by having the user's terminal 3 obtain the first identification information 11 of the goods supply device 1. (3) The second identification information 12 is acquired from the user, and the user's right to purchase the item 2 at a discount is authenticated. If an expiration date is set in the second identification information 12, the expiration date is also authenticated. (4) From the authenticated second identification information 12, a second price, which is the price of the item and is obtained by discounting the first price, is determined. (5) Pay for item 2 at the second price.

[0029] If the conditions (2), (3), (4), and (5) are met, the terminal 3 is enabled to supply an item to the user from the item supply device 1 of the first identification information 11 acquired by the terminal 3.

[0030] Here, the order of (2), (3), and (4) does not matter, but (5) should preferably come after (2), (3), and (4). If any of the above processes (2), (3), and (4) are canceled midway, it is necessary to return to the state before the process began, but the process of canceling (5) (the process of canceling payment of the fee) is complicated because it requires refunding the fee that has already been paid, so it is better to perform it after each of the processes (2), (3), and (4) has been processed without any problems.

[0031] In order to supply the product 2 to a user who has a valid discount purchase right, it is necessary to link the first identification information 11 and the second identification information 12. The following methods can be used for linking.

[0032] In addition to the unique identification information of the item supply device 1, the first identification information 11 includes link information that links to a means for acquiring the second identification information 12 (for example, an input screen for inputting the second identification information 12). This allows the first identification information 11 read by the terminal 3 to be passed to a means for authenticating the second identification information 12, and the first identification information 11 and the second identification information 12 can be linked. If the magazine 4 (product 4) is an electronic book, the terminal 3 can function as a reader of the electronic book. In such a case, if the electronic book itself includes the second identification information 12 and is provided with a function to read the first identification information 11, the first identification information 11 and the second identification information 12 can be linked.

[0033] As for determining the conditions (2) and (3), a typical example is a method in which a management device capable of communicating with terminal 3 acquires first identification information 11 and second identification information 12, and determines whether or not item supply device 1 can supply item 2 based on first identification information 11 (including identifying item supply device 1), and authenticates second identification information 12.

[0034] (4) Regarding the determination of the second price, there are the following methods. If a second price is predetermined for the acquired second identification information 12, the predetermined second price is determined. If the acquired second identification information 12 includes information about a discount, the second price is determined by referring to the information about the discount (information about the second price, information about the difference between the first price and the second price, or information about the discount rate of the first price). This is effective when there are multiple types of second identification information and the second price differs depending on the type of second identification information. For example, the first type of second identification information may have a 50% discount rate on the first price, and the second type of second identification information may have a 30% discount rate on the first price. If there is one or more types of secondary identification information and a user has multiple types of secondary identification information, one method is to add up the discounts obtained by each type of secondary identification information. For example, if the first type of secondary identification information has a 30% discount rate on the first price and the second type of secondary identification information has a 20% discount rate on the first price, and if a user has both the first and second types of secondary identification information, the second price will be 50% off the first price. A typical example of determining such a second price is that a management device capable of communicating with the terminal 3 determines the second price in the same manner as determining whether the conditions (2) and (3) are satisfied.

[0035] The payment of the price at the second price (5) can be made by cash or electronic payment. Here, cash payment refers to paying the price of the goods with cash such as coins or banknotes. Electronic payment refers to paying the price of the goods by sending and receiving electronic monetary value data. There is no restriction on the type of electronic payment, but it can be an access type using a credit card or the like, or a stored value type such as electronic money. In the case of cash payment, a cash acceptance unit provided in the goods supply device 1 accepts cash (coins) and makes the payment. In the case of payment by electronic payment, in response to a payment operation by the user, the terminal 3 and the management device 5 communicate with each other and perform a payment process to settle and update the price using the user's credit card or electronic money.

[0036] When goods are supplied by the goods supply device 1 and payment is made in cash, the management device that judges the first identification information 11, authenticates the second identification information 12, and determines the second price transmits payment price information to the goods supply device 1 identified by the first identification information 11, notifying that the payment price for the goods is the second price. The cash acceptance unit of the goods supply device 1 that receives the payment price information activates the function of the coin sorting unit of the goods supply device 1, enabling cash payment at the second price. Then, when cash payment is completed, it enables goods to be supplied from the supply unit.

[0037] If payment is made electronically, the management device determines the first identification information 11, authenticates the second identification information 12, determines a second price which is the payment price, and makes electronic payment of the price at the second price, and transmits unlock information to the item supply device 1 identified by the first identification information 11. Upon receiving the unlock information, the supply unit of the item supply device 1 unlocks the item supply lock, making it possible to supply the item 2 to the user.

[0038] The management device may be on a network that can communicate with the item supply device 1, or may be provided in the item supply device 1 itself. Furthermore, if the item supply device 1 and the terminal 3 can communicate via Wifi or Bluetooth (registered trademark), the terminal 3 may receive information from the management device indicating completion of judgment, authentication, and determination of the payment price, and the terminal 3 may transmit payment price information and unlock information to the item supply device 1.

[0039] In this way, this embodiment can supply goods to users who have acquired discount purchase rights due to various actions of the users at a second price that is discounted from the first price, which is the retail price (list price) of the goods, and can meet the needs of various consumers, such as users who receive goods and companies that wish to use the goods supply device. Specific embodiments will be described below.

[0040] <First embodiment of the present invention> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The goods supply system in the first embodiment is a system that realizes a collaboration (joint project) that is beneficial to both company X, which supplies goods to users, and company Y, which supplies merchandise to users.

[0041] For example, a collaboration project may involve selling a specific product from Company X at a discounted price (second price) below the retail price (first price) to users who have purchased products from Company Y. The collaboration between Company X and Company Y must be beneficial to both companies.

[0042] Company Y benefits from having many users purchase its products. Therefore, if a user is attracted to an item from Company X and purchases Company Y's product in order to obtain that item, it will result in many users purchasing the company's products, which is beneficial for Company Y.

[0043] On the other hand, Company X, which sells a specific item at a discount, benefits from letting users know about not only that specific item but also other items offered by Company X, and even from encouraging them to purchase other items. To achieve this, it is necessary to guide users to locations where item supply devices that supply a wide variety of items are installed, and to make users aware of the wide variety of items that are supplied. Therefore, it is desirable that items sold to users who have purchased Company Y's products be supplied to the user by having the user come to a location where an item supply device is installed, rather than selling the items over the Internet using a method such as an online shop and delivering them to the user. Therefore, the first embodiment is configured as follows. Note that the payment method for the price in this embodiment is cash payment.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 2, the item supply device 1, the user terminal 3, and the management device 5 are connected to a communication network 6 and can communicate with each other. The communication network 6 refers to a communication path that allows data communication. In other words, the communication network 6 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.

[0046] The item supply device 1 is a device that supplies an item 2. The item 2 is an item that can be purchased by a user who has purchased a magazine 4 at a discounted price below the retail price.

[0047] 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.

[0048] Magazine 4 is a product supplied (sold) to users by company Y. Magazine 4 carries a serial code (second identification information 12) for authenticating the right (discount purchase right) to purchase item 2 at a discounted price below the retail price as a benefit to users who purchase magazine 4.

[0049] From the perspective of corporate collaboration, it is preferable that this serial code be unique for each magazine 4 and invalidate once used for a purchase. A unique serial code for each magazine 4 can be generated using a check digit or the like. Furthermore, a single serial code does not necessarily have to be written on a single magazine 4; multiple serial codes may be written on a single magazine 4. The multiple serial codes may be divided into serial codes that can be used for each type of item, or multiple serial codes that can be used for all items eligible for a discount purchase, regardless of the type of item. When multiple serial codes that can be used for all items eligible for a discount purchase are available, each serial code qualifies for a discount on one item, allowing a discount on the number of items equal to the number of serial codes. In this case, multiple copies of the same item may be purchased, or different types of items with discount purchase rights may be purchased. While the serial code example described above is invalid once used for a purchase, serial codes that remain valid regardless of multiple purchases are also acceptable, and such serial codes are not excluded.

[0050] The management device 5 is a server system configured to include one or more server devices, storage devices, etc. The management device 5 performs processes such as identifying the items eligible for discount and the item supply device 1 that supplies the items, authenticating the second identification information 12, and setting the payment price.

[0051] 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 an example of the article supply device 1, and FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the article supply device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0052] The product supply device 1 is a device that supplies the product 2. The product supply device 1 is a product supply device that can sell the product 2 at the retail price to users who do not have a discount purchase right such as a serial code, and can sell the product 2 at a discount price that is a discount from the retail price to users who have a discount purchase right such as a serial code.

[0053] Item 2 is an item that is the subject of a collaboration between Company X and Company Y. By purchasing Company Y's magazine 4, a user can obtain a discount on Item 2 supplied by Company X. Item 2 includes, for example, a toy or the like contained in a divisible spherical capsule, or a toy and capsule combined. 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 an item storage section 20 of item supply device 1, which will be described later, as items belonging to one series (type).

[0054] The front of the item supply device 1 is provided with a display 13 that displays the contents of the item 2, a first price display section 14 that displays the retail price of the item 2, an insertion slot 15 for coins or other cash to be paid for the item 2, a handle 16 that serves as an operation section, an extraction slot 17 through which the item 2 is supplied, and a coin return slot 18. 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 is the subject of a collaboration between company X and company Y.

[0055] First identification information 11 (information display: QR code) is displayed on the front of item supply device 1. First identification information 11 includes at least unique item identification information (item ID) for identifying item 2 to be purchased at a discount, unique item supply device identification information (device ID) for identifying item supply device 1, and a uniform resource locator (URL) that is link information to a page on management device 5 for authenticating second identification information 12 listed in magazine 4. Note that first identification information 11 may also include other information in addition to the above, such as location information for identifying the location where item supply device 1 is installed, store name, item price, and other information necessary for managing item supply device 1. While the present example employs a method of displaying first identification information 11 by attaching a QR code as an information display to the front of item supply device 1, this is not a limitation. For example, if item supply device 1 is equipped with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, the information display of first identification information 11 may be displayed on the display unit. Furthermore, the position where the first identification information 11 is displayed is not limited to the front surface of the item supply device 1. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, it may be displayed in a position near the return slot 18 where the bottom surface of the return slot 18 can be clearly seen.

[0056] 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, a cash acceptance unit 25, and a communication unit 26.

[0057] 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.

[0058] The operating unit 23 transmits the operation of the handle 16 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 16 becomes rotatable by the user's operation. An unlocking mechanism using a solenoid lock, for example, is used as the mechanism for unlocking the lock. In this case, the solenoid lock is used to place the handle 16 in an unrotatable state (locked state), and the lock is released by energizing the solenoid, making the handle 16 rotatable. Note that the unlocking mechanism is not limited to a solenoid locking mechanism, and other unlocking mechanisms may be used. When the locking unit 22 is in the unlocked state, rotating the handle 16 a predetermined angle rotates the turntable 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 17 through a passage communicating with the outlet 17. The article supply device 1 is configured in such a way that it is not clear which article in the article storage section 20 will be supplied until the user takes out the article 2 from the outlet 17.

[0059] The control unit 24 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.

[0060] The payment price setting unit 242 sets the purchase price of the item 2, that is, the payment price of the item 2.

[0061] The payment price setting control unit 241 receives payment price change information from the management device 5 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, 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] The supply reporting unit 245 monitors the supply status of the item 2, and if the item is dispensed normally, reports that the supply is complete, and if the item is not dispensed normally after a predetermined time has elapsed, reports that the supply is incomplete.

[0065] The cash acceptance unit 25 accepts cash. The cash acceptance unit 25 switches the function of the cash detection unit 243, which detects inserted cash (coins), from an initial inactive state (off state) to an active state (on state). The path of coins inserted from the insertion slot 15 passes through the internal cash detection unit 243 and is divided into a path leading to the return slot 18 and a path leading to a storage unit (not shown) where the coins are stored. When the cash detection unit 243 is in an inactive state, the inserted coins pass directly through the cash detection unit 243 and are discharged from the return slot 18. When the cash detection unit 243 is in an active state, the cash detection unit 243 sorts the coins and sends coins that can be used for payment to a storage unit (not shown) and discharges inappropriate coins from the return slot 18.

[0066] The communication unit 26 is capable of communicating with the management device 5 via the communication network 6 .

[0067] 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. 7, 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] The photographing unit 302 photographs the information display (QR code) of the first identification information 11 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] The calculation unit 51 includes an information display acquisition unit 510 , a serial code acquisition unit 511 , and a supply information presentation unit 512 .

[0072] The information display object acquisition unit 510 reads the information display object of the article supply device 1 photographed by the photographing unit 302 and acquires the first identification information 11.

[0073] The serial code acquisition unit 511 transmits a request including the acquired item ID and device ID based on the first identification information 11 acquired by the information display acquisition unit 510, requesting transmission of a serial code input screen. In this embodiment, the destination (link destination) of this request is the management device 5. 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 5.

[0074] The supply information notification unit 512 displays the result of serial code authentication from the management device 5, information about the supply of goods, and information about errors (supply not possible) on the image display unit 304 via the image generation unit 52.

[0075] The functions of the information display acquisition unit 510, the serial code acquisition unit 511, and the supply information guidance unit 512 can be realized by a web browser installed on the terminal 3, or can also be realized by a dedicated application.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] The communication control unit 54 performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with the management device 5 and the like.

[0079] 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. 3, image display unit 304 corresponds to display 31.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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, serial code acquisition unit 511, supply information presentation unit 512).

[0083] Next, the management device 5 will be described. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management device 5. The management device 5 includes a storage unit 61, a processing unit 62, and a communication unit 63.

[0084] 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 an identification information determination unit 621, a discount purchase right authentication unit 622, a payment price determination unit 623, and a supply control unit 624, which will be described later. Also stored in the storage unit 61 are item supply device data D1 and serial code data D2, which will be described later.

[0085] The item supply device data D1 stores the item ID of item 2, which is the subject of a collaboration between companies X and Y and for which a discount is applied to the serial code (second identification information 12) of magazine 4, the device ID of item supply device 1 that can supply the item, the retail price of item 2, the discount price of item 2, and the number of item 2 in stock. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of item supply device data D1. As shown in FIG. 9, the item supply device data D1 stores the device ID of item supply device 1, the item ID of item 2 (the subject of a collaboration between companies X and Y) that can be supplied by item supply device 1, the retail price of item 2, the discount price of item 2, and the number of item 2 in stock, all associated with each other.

[0086] The serial code data D2 stores the serial code printed on the magazine 4 sold by company Y. The serial code is a unique code number assigned to each magazine 4 and does not overlap with other magazines. Such a serial code can be generated using a check digit or the like. Furthermore, if there are multiple types of product 2 eligible for discount, the serial codes that can be used may be limited for each type of product. 10 is a diagram showing an example of serial code data D2, illustrating examples of serial codes corresponding to different types of goods. As shown in FIG. 10, the serial code data D2 is stored in association with a unique serial code and an authentication flag. As will be described later, when the discount purchase right authentication unit 622 authenticates the user's discount purchase right using the serial code, payment for the goods is completed, and the supply of goods 2 from the goods supply device 1 is completed, an authenticated flag indicating that authentication has been completed is added to the authentication flag field of the serial code.

[0087] The processing unit 62 performs overall control of the operation of the management device 5 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 has, as its main functional units, an identification information determination unit 621, a discount purchase right authentication unit 622, a payment price determination unit 623, and a supply control unit 624.

[0088] The identification information determination unit 621 receives a request for a serial code input screen from the terminal 3, acquires the device ID and item ID included in the request, and determines whether the correspondence between the acquired device ID and item ID is appropriate using the item supply device data D1. If the correspondence between the device ID and item ID is correct by referring to the item supply device data D1, the identification information determination unit 621 checks the inventory of item 2 in the item supply device 1 with that device ID. If there is inventory, the identification information determination unit 621 determines that the item supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user is an item supply device 1 that can supply item 2 that is the subject of collaboration with the magazine 4. The identification information determination unit 621 then identifies the item supply device 1 to which the payment price change information is to be sent. Upon completion of the determination and identification, the identification information determination unit 621 transmits a serial code input screen to the terminal 3. On the other hand, if the correspondence between the device ID and item ID is incorrect, or if the correspondence between the device ID and item ID is correct but item 2 is out of stock, the identification information determination unit 621 transmits an error screen to the terminal 3 informing the user that item 2 cannot be supplied. Furthermore, a supply period during which the item supply device 1 can supply the item 2 is determined in advance, and even if a request for a serial code input screen is received from the terminal 3 after the supply period has elapsed, an error screen is sent to the terminal 3 informing the user that the item 2 cannot be supplied.

[0089] The discount purchase right authentication unit 622 compares the serial code entered on the input screen with the serial code in the serial code data D2, and if the serial code entered on the input screen is included in the serial code data D2 and the authentication flag for that serial code is not set, it authenticates the serial code entered on the input screen and the user's discount purchase right. It then notifies the payment price determination unit 623 of the item ID corresponding to the authenticated serial code. If an expiration date is set for the serial code, the discount purchase right authentication unit 622 also authenticates the expiration date of the serial code entered on the input screen. On the other hand, if the discount purchase right authentication unit 622 cannot authenticate the serial code (including when 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 (discount purchase right) could not be authenticated.

[0090] The payment price determination unit 623 receives the item ID from the discount purchase right authentication unit 622, and determines the discount price of the item identified by the item ID by referring to the item supply device data D1. The payment price determination unit 623 then transmits the determined discount price to the supply control unit 624. The settlement price determination unit 623 may determine the settlement price in the following ways. If the serial code does not contain information about the discount amount, the discount price of the item listed in the item supply device data D1 will be used as the payment price. If the serial code includes a discount price, the discount price of the serial code will be the payment price of the item. If the serial code contains the difference between the retail price and the discount price (discount amount), the discount price will be the retail price of the item listed in the item supply device data D1 minus the discount amount, which will be the discount price used to pay the item. If the serial code contains a discount rate, the discount amount is calculated based on the discount rate of the retail price of the item listed in the item supply device data D1, and the amount obtained by subtracting this amount from the retail price is used as the discount price and the payment price of the item. In principle, only one serial code can be used, but this does not exclude the possibility of combining discount amounts.

[0091] The supply control unit 624 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 624 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.

[0092] The operation of the item supply system of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram of the goods supply system of this embodiment, Fig. 12 is a flowchart of the management device 5 in this embodiment, and Fig. 13 is a flowchart of the goods supply device 1 in this embodiment. In the following description, the goods supply device data D1 is assumed to be that shown in Fig. 9, and the serial code data D2 is assumed to be that shown in Fig. 10. Furthermore, the goods supply device 1 normally supplies goods 2 to the user at retail price, and when the serial code is used, supplies goods 2 to the user at a discounted price.

[0093] First, the overall flow of the goods supply system will be described using the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0094] The user goes to a location where an item supply device 1 capable of supplying item 2 that can be purchased at a discount by purchasers of magazine 4 is installed, and acquires an information display of first identification information 11 displayed on the item supply device 1. The information display is acquired using the photographing function of the photographing unit 302 of terminal 3 in response to a user's operation (Step 1). FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of photographing the information display of first identification information 11 on item supply device 1 by the photographing unit 302 of terminal 3. The user stands in front of item supply device 1, operates terminal 3 so that the information display of first identification information 11 is displayed on the display 31 of terminal 3, and acquires an image of the information display.

[0095] The information acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 acquires the first identification information 11 from the information display of the photographed first identification information 11. In this example, the acquired first identification information 11 includes the device ID and item ID of the item supply device 1, and is link destination information (e.g., a URL) to means for authenticating the serial code 12 (Step 2). In this example, it is assumed that the acquired device ID is "12560", the acquired item ID is "G002", and the link destination is set to the management device 5.

[0096] The serial code acquisition unit 511 of the terminal 3 transmits a request for requesting transmission of a serial code input screen to the management device 5 based on the link destination including the device ID and item ID of the item supply device 1 (Step 3).

[0097] The management device 5 receives the request from the terminal 3 and performs a discount supply control process (Step 4). The discount supply control process (Step 4) will be described in detail later.

[0098] When terminal 3 does not receive the error information screen from management device 5 but receives the serial code input screen, serial code acquisition unit 511 of terminal 3 displays the serial code input screen (Step 5). FIG. 15 is an example of the serial code input screen displayed on terminal 3. The user inputs the serial code into the displayed input screen (Step 6). In this example, it is assumed that the user inputs the serial code "1VB3588" into the serial code input screen. Then, serial code acquisition unit 511 transmits the serial code to management device 5 (Step 7).

[0099] The management device 5 receives the serial code and performs a discount supply control process (Step 4). The discount control process (Step 4) will be described in detail later.

[0100] If the terminal 3 does not receive an error guidance screen from the management device 5 but receives guidance information from the management device 5, it displays the guidance information (Step 8). Fig. 16 is an example of the guidance information displayed on the terminal 3. The guidance information in Fig. 16 informs the user that the serial code has been authenticated, that the discounted price (200 yen) is the payment amount, that the user should pay the price by inserting cash at the discounted price, that the user should receive the goods by operating the handle 16 of the goods supply device 1, and that the handle 16 will lock in one minute.

[0101] Meanwhile, the goods supply device 1 receives the first payment price change information (change from retail price to discounted price), settles the price at the discounted price, and executes a supply process to supply the goods (Step 9). The user, following the guidance information displayed on the terminal 3, inserts cash at the discounted price to pay the price, and operates the goods supply device 1 to receive the goods. The goods supply device 1 then sends a supply report to the management device 5.

[0102] The management device 5 receives the supply report, and if the supply report is a report that the item has been supplied normally, adds an authenticated flag to the authentication flag field of the corresponding serial code in the serial code data D2, indicating that authentication has been completed, and makes the serial code unusable again (Step 4). Also, the inventory quantity of the item supply device 1 that sent the supply report is reduced by one. The management device 5 transmits the second payment price change information (change from discount price to retail price) to the item supply device 1 (Step 4). The item supply device 1 receives the second payment price change information (change from discount price to retail price) and returns the payment price of the item 2 to the retail price. Details of the discount supply process (Step 9) will be described later. This concludes the description of the overall operation.

[0103] Next, the discount supply control process (Step 4) of the management device 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0104] When the identification information determination unit 621 of the management device 5 receives a request from the terminal 3 (Step 100), it acquires the device ID and item ID included in the request (Step 101). In this example, the acquired device ID is "12560" and the acquired item ID is "G002".

[0105] The identification information determination unit 621 uses the item supply device data D1 to determine whether the correspondence between the acquired device ID and item ID is appropriate (Step 102). If the correspondence between the device ID and item ID is correct by referring to the item supply device data D1 (Step 103), the unit 621 checks the inventory of item 2 in the item supply device 1 with that device ID (Step 104). If item 2 is in stock, the unit 621 determines that the item supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user is an item supply device 1 that can supply the discounted item 2. On the other hand, when the correspondence between the device ID and the item ID is not correct by referring to the item supply device data D1 (Step 103), it is determined that the item supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user is not an item supply device 1 that can supply the discounted item 2, and error guidance information is sent to the terminal 3 (Step 110). Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of error guidance information for an item supply device. In this example, the acquired device ID is "12560" and the item ID is "G002", which matches the correspondence in the item supply device data D1, so it is determined that the item supply device 1 with the acquired device ID "12560" is an item supply device 1 that can supply item 2 (item with item ID "G002") that is the subject of collaboration with magazine 4.

[0106] Next, the identification information determination unit 621 checks the inventory of item 2 in the item supply device 1 of the acquired device ID (Step 104). If the inventory quantity for the acquired device ID in the item supply device data D1 is not "0", the identification information determination unit 621 determines that the item supply device 1 of the acquired device ID can supply item 2, and sends a serial code input screen to the terminal 3 (Step 105). On the other hand, if the inventory quantity for the acquired device ID in the item supply device data D1 is "0", the identification information determination unit 621 sends error guidance information to the terminal 3 (Step 110). For example, error guidance information such as that shown in FIG. 17 is sent to the terminal 3. In this example, the inventory quantity of the item supply device 1 with the device ID "12560" obtained from the item supply device data D1 is not "0", so a serial code input screen is sent to the terminal 3 (Step 105).

[0107] Next, when the discount purchase right authentication unit 622 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, the acquired serial code is "1VB3588", and the serial code "1VB3588" is the object of authentication.

[0108] The discount purchase right authentication unit 622 compares the acquired serial code with the serial code in the serial code data D2, and if the acquired serial code is included in the serial code data D2 and the authenticated flag is not set for that serial code, it authenticates the acquired serial code and determines that the user's discount purchase right for item 2 has been authenticated (Step 108). Note that if an expiration date is set for the serial code, the purchase right authentication unit 622 also authenticates the expiration date of the serial code entered on the input screen.

[0109] On the other hand, the discount purchase right authentication unit 622 compares the acquired serial code with the serial code in the serial code data D2, and if the acquired serial code is not included in the serial code data D2, or if the acquired serial code is included in the serial code data D2 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, the purchase right authentication unit 622 determines that the acquired serial code is inappropriate and does not authenticate it. If the purchase right authentication unit 622 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 (discount purchase right) could not be authenticated (Step 110). Figure 18 is an example of an error screen informing the user that the serial code could not be authenticated.

[0110] In this example, the acquired serial code is "1VB3588", which is included in serial code data D2 and has not been assigned an authenticated flag. Furthermore, no expiration date is set for the serial code. Therefore, the discount purchase right authentication unit 622 determines that the acquired serial code "1VB3588" has been authenticated, and that the user's discount purchase right for item 2 has been authenticated, and transmits this information to the payment price determination unit 623.

[0111] If the serial code's expiration date is valid and the serial code is authenticated, the payment price determination unit 623 determines the payment price (Step 109). In this example, the payment price is determined by referencing the discount price included in the item supply device data D1. The acquired device ID is "12560" and item ID is "G002", so the corresponding discount price in the item supply device data D1 is 200 yen. Therefore, the payment price is determined to be 200 yen.

[0112] When the payment price is determined by the payment price determination unit 623, the supply control unit 624 transmits first payment price change information to the item supply device 1 identified by the obtained device ID, changing the payment price of the item supply device 1 identified by the obtained device ID (Step 111). The first payment price change information is information that changes the payment price of the item supply device 1 from the retail price to a discounted price. In this example, the supply control unit 624 transmits first payment price change information to the item supply device 1 with device ID "12560", changing the payment price from 300 yen to 200 yen (change from retail price to discounted price: payment price 200 yen). The supply control unit 624 also transmits guidance information (see FIG. 16) to the terminal 3 to guide the supply of items (Step 112).

[0113] Next, when the supply control unit 624 receives a supply completion report from the item supply device 1 (Step 113), it sends second payment price change information that changes the payment price to that item supply device 1 (Step 114). The second payment price change information is information that changes the payment price of the item supply device 1 from the discount price to the retail price. In this example, the supply control unit 624 sends second payment price change information that changes the payment price from 200 yen to 300 yen (change from discount price to retail price: payment price 300 yen) to the item supply device 1 with device ID "12560".

[0114] Next, the supply control unit 624 assigns an authenticated flag to the authentication flag field of the corresponding serial code in the serial code data D2, indicating that authentication has been completed, and makes the serial code unavailable for reuse (Step 115). The supply control unit 624 decrements the inventory quantity of the item supply device 1 that sent the supply report by one, and updates the inventory quantity (Step 116). On the other hand, if the supply control unit 624 receives a supply incomplete report, it sends second payment price change information that changes the payment price (change from discount price to retail price: payment price 300 yen) to that item supply device 1 (Step 114). This concludes the description of the discount supply control process (Step 4) of the management device 5.

[0115] Next, the discount supply process (Step 9) of the item supply device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the payment price setting control unit 241 of the item supply device 1 receives first payment price change information (change from retail price to discount price) (Step 200), it sets the discount price as the payment price in the payment price setting unit 241 and changes the payment price (Step 201). In this example, since first payment price change information (change from retail price to discount price: payment price 200 yen) that changes the retail price from 300 yen to the discount price of 200 yen was received, the payment price setting control unit 241 sets the discount price of 200 yen as the payment price in the payment price setting unit 241.

[0116] The cash detection unit 243 detects the amount of money (coins) inserted from the cash acceptance unit 25 and detects whether the inserted amount reaches the set payment price (Step 202). If the inserted amount reaches the payment price of the item, the cash detection unit 243 transmits a payment completion notification to the lock control unit 244 (Step 203).

[0117] When the lock control unit 244 receives the payment completion notification, it unlocks the lock unit 22 (Step 204). 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., rotated once) (Step 205). When the handle 16 has been operated (e.g., rotated once), one item 2 is supplied from the item supply unit 21 to the outlet 17 (Step 206). Then, the lock control unit 244 locks the lock unit 22 (Step 207).

[0118] On the other hand, if the handle 16 is not operated (Step 205), the lock control unit 244 determines whether a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) has passed since the lock was released (Step 208). If the handle 16 is not operated (Step 205) and the predetermined time (e.g., one minute) has passed since the lock was released (Step 208), the lock control unit 244 ejects the coins equivalent to the inserted amount from the return slot 18 (Step 209) and locks the lock unit 22 (Step 207).

[0119] The supply reporting unit 245 monitors the supply status of the item 2, and if the item is dispensed normally, reports that the supply is complete, and if the item is not dispensed normally after a predetermined time has elapsed, reports that the supply is incomplete (Step 210).

[0120] When the payment price setting control unit 241 receives the second payment price change information (change from discount price to retail price) (Step 211), it sets the retail price as the payment price in the payment price setting unit 241 and changes the payment price (Step 212). In this example, since the second payment price change information (change from discount price to retail price: payment price 300 yen) that changes the discount price from 200 yen to the retail price of 300 yen is received, the payment price setting control unit 241 sets the retail price of 300 yen as the payment price in the payment price setting unit 241. As a result, the payment price of item 2 returns to the normal retail price, and users who do not have a discount purchase right can purchase item 2 at the retail price. This concludes the explanation of the discount supply process (Step 9) of the item supply device 1.

[0121] Furthermore, if a supply period during which the item supply device 1 can supply the item 2 is set, and the item 2 is obtained after that period, or if the location where the item supply device 1 is installed is far from the user, the item 2 may be delivered to the user without the user having to go to the item supply device 1, upon the user's request, subject to authentication of the serial code and payment of the price.

[0122] 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.

[0123] Furthermore, in this embodiment, first identification information 11 is displayed on the item supply device 1, which triggers the user to purchase the item 2 at a discount and includes information identifying the item supply device 1 that can supply the item 2 to the user and information for accessing a means for acquiring second identification information. To acquire the first identification information 11, the user goes to a location where the item supply device 1 displaying the first identification information 11 is installed. As a result, the user is guided to the installation location of the item supply device 1 and becomes aware of item supply devices that supply other items. The user also learns that various items are supplied in addition to the item being supplied. Furthermore, this embodiment takes user convenience into consideration by enabling authentication of the second identification information 12 printed on the magazine 4 and payment for the item 2 at the location where the first identification information 11 is acquired. Meanwhile, for companies that provide products such as magazines, the benefit of purchasing the item 2 at a discounted price is provided exclusively to purchasers of the product, thereby increasing users' desire to purchase the product.

[0124] 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.

[0125] In this embodiment, the user's action of acquiring the discount purchase right is the purchase of a magazine 4, and the second identification information 12 is an example of a serial code written on the magazine 4. However, it is clear that this is not limited to this. For example, the user's action of acquiring the discount purchase right may be participation in an event, and the second identification information 12 may be a serial code given for participating in the event. Alternatively, the user's action of acquiring the discount purchase right may be entry into a lottery, and the second identification information 12 may be a serial code given for winning the lottery. Furthermore, the number of serial codes per magazine 4 is not limited to one; multiple serial codes may be written on one magazine 4. In this case, each serial code confers the right to purchase one item at a discount, and the number of items equal to the number of serial codes can be purchased at a discount.

[0126] <Modification of the first embodiment> As a modification of the first embodiment, a description will be given of an item supply system in which payment for the item 2 is made by electronic payment. In this modification, the first identification information 11 is determined and the second identification information 12 is authenticated, and the lock control unit 244 of the item supply device 1 unlocks the lock unit 22 upon receipt of a payment completion notice from the management device 5 that confirms the completion of the electronic payment.

[0127] 19 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 3 in this modification. The calculation unit 51 further includes a payment unit 513. The payment unit 513 performs processing related to payment for the item 2 through communication with the management device 5.

[0128] Fig. 20 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management device 5 in this modified example. The processing unit 62 further includes a payment management unit 625. The payment management unit 625 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. 21, for example.

[0129] FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram of the item supply system according to this modified example. In this modification, the process up to the process in which the management device 5 authenticates the serial code from the terminal 3 in the discount supply control process is the same as that described in the above embodiment, so the process thereafter will be described. When the management device 5 authenticates the serial code from the terminal 3, it transmits a payment input screen to the terminal 3 (Step 4). Details of the discount supply control process (Step 4) will be described later. Terminal 3 displays the payment input screen received from management device 5 (Step 11). Figure 23 shows an example of the payment input screen displayed on terminal 3. The user enters a user ID and password on the displayed input screen (Step 12). Payment unit 513 of terminal 3 sends the entered user ID and password to management device 5 (Step 13).

[0130] The management device 5 receives the user ID and password and performs discount supply control processing (Step 4). Details of the discount supply control processing will be described later. Here, payment is made using the received user ID and password. Then, when payment is completed, guidance information is sent to the terminal 3. If the payment result is appropriate, a payment completion notice is sent to the item supply device 1.

[0131] The supply information notification unit 512 of the terminal 3 receives the guidance information from the management device 5 and displays the guidance information (Step 9). The guidance information informs the user that payment at the discounted price has been completed via electronic payment, that the user should receive the goods by operating the handle 15 of the goods supply device 1, and that the handle 15 will lock in one minute. Figure 24 is a diagram showing an example of the guidance information.

[0132] When the goods supply device 1 receives the unlock signal, it performs a discount supply process (Step 9). The user operates the goods supply device 1 according to the guidance information and receives a supply of goods. Details of the discount supply process (Step 9) will be described later.

[0133] Next, the discount supply control process (Step 9) in this modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 25. Steps 100 to 109 have been described in the supply determination process (Fig. 12) in the above embodiment, so only the processes thereafter will be described.

[0134] When the serial code is authenticated (Step 108), the settlement management unit 624 sends a settlement input screen (FIG. 23) to the terminal 3 (Step 301).

[0135] Upon receiving the user ID and password entered on the payment input screen (Step 302), the payment management unit 624 settles the price using the received user ID and password and the price information for the item 2 (Step 303). The price for the item 2 is the discounted price determined in the payment price determination process (Step 109). In the payment process, first, it is determined whether the user ID and password are valid using the user management data D3. If they are valid, the user management data D3 is updated with the amount obtained by subtracting the discounted price from the balance corresponding to the received user ID. If the electronic payment is successfully completed (Step 304), the supply control unit 623 transmits a payment completion notice to the terminal 3 (Step 305). If the electronic payment is successfully completed (Step 304), the payment management unit 624 transmits guidance information to the terminal 3 informing the user that the electronic payment has been successfully completed (Step 112). FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the guidance information. In the example of FIG. 24, the message indicates that payment has been completed electronically, that the item should be collected by operating the handle 15 of the item supply device 1, and that the handle 15 will be locked in one minute.

[0136] On the other hand, if an error occurs during payment, the payment management unit 624 sends guidance information to the terminal 3 informing it that payment could not be made along with the details of the error (user ID and password not registered, insufficient balance, etc.) (Step 110). It should be noted that, since the price of the goods 2 is not settled in the goods supply device 1, the process of changing the settlement price is not carried out, which is different from the discount supply control process in the above embodiment. This concludes the description of the discount supply control process.

[0137] The discount supply process in this modified example will be described with reference to FIG. In this modified example, when the lock control unit 244 of the item supply device 1 receives a payment completion notification (Step 401), it unlocks the lock unit 22 (Step 204), which is different from the discount supply processing in the above embodiment. Also, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the lock was unlocked (Step 208), the lock control unit 244 performs predetermined error processing and then locks the lock unit 22 (Step 207), which is different from the discount supply processing in the above embodiment. Furthermore, since the item supply device 1 does not perform payment for the item 2, it does not perform processing to change the payment price, which is different from the discount supply processing in the above embodiment. The error processing includes a refund process for refunding the paid amount. In the refund process, for example, the supply reporting unit 245 sends a request (including, for example, the device ID) to the management device 5 to refund the price of the item 2, and the management device 5 may identify the most recent one from those whose payment processes have been completed using the device ID as a key, and perform a process to cancel that payment (a process to restore the electronic money balance of the user ID to the amount before the price was deducted). Another refund process may be, for example, to refund the user by discharging coins equivalent to the price of the item 2 from a discharge port. The processing other than the above differences is the same as the discount supply processing in the above embodiment. This concludes the explanation of the discount supply determination process.

[0138] <Second embodiment> A second embodiment will be described. The product supply system in the second embodiment, like the first embodiment, enables a product supply device 1 to supply a product 2 from company X to a user who has purchased a product 4 from company Y at a discounted price below the retail price, but differs from the first embodiment in that the first identification information 11 is composed of two pieces of identification information (first type first identification information 111 and second type first identification information 112). Another difference is that the second identification information 12 (serial code) written on the magazine 4 is a one-dimensional barcode that is an information display medium.

[0139] FIG. 27 is a front view of an example of the article supply device 1 according to the second embodiment. The display 13 of the item supply device 1 displays (prints) a description of the item to be supplied, as well as a first type of first identification information 111 (information display: QR code). The first type of first identification information 111 includes at least a URL that is link information to the management device 5 for identifying the item supply device 1 that supplies the item 2 and authenticating the second identification information 12 listed in the magazine 4. This URL is a common URL for items that are eligible for a discount based on the second identification information 12 in the magazine 4. In addition to the above, the first type of first identification information 111 may also include information such as item identification information (item ID) and item price.

[0140] Additionally, second type first identification information 112 (information display: barcode) is displayed (printed) on the surface of the item supply device 1. The second type first identification information 112 includes at least unique item supply device identification information (device ID) that identifies the item supply device 1. The first type first identification information 111 and the second type first identification information 112 are arranged in different positions, and the first type first identification information 111 is arranged in a higher position than the second type first identification information 112.

[0141] Figure 28 is a diagram showing an example in which multiple of the above-mentioned item supply devices 1 are installed. Figure 28 shows an example in which item supply devices 1 that supply three types of items that are subject to discounts based on the second identification information 12 of magazines 4 are arranged in groups of two above and below, resulting in a total of six item supply devices 1. The first identification information 111 of the first type displayed on each item supply device 1 is common, and the first identification information 112 of the second type is a device ID that identifies each item supply device 1. The other configurations of the devices are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0142] The operation of the goods supply system of the second embodiment will now be described. Fig. 29 is a sequence diagram of the goods supply system of the second embodiment, and Fig. 30 is a flowchart of the management device 5 in the second embodiment. In the following description, the goods supply device data D1 is assumed to be that shown in Fig. 9, and the serial code data D2 is assumed to be that shown in Fig. 10. Furthermore, the goods supply device 1 normally supplies goods 2 to the user at retail price, and when the serial code is used, supplies goods 2 to the user at a discounted price.

[0143] First, the overall flow of the item supply system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0144] The user goes to a location where an item supply device 1 is installed and acquires an information display of the first type of first identification information 111 displayed on one of the item supply devices 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 20). The user operates the terminal 3 so that the information display of the first type of first identification information 111 is displayed on the display 13 of one of the multiple item supply devices 1 that can supply the item 2, and photographs the information display. It should be noted here that the first type of first identification information 111 photographed by the user does not have to be the first type of first identification information 111 of the item supply device 1 that the user is actually going to have supply the item 2.

[0145] The information acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 acquires the first type of first identification information 111 from the photographed information display of the first type of first identification information 111 (Step 21). In this example, the acquired first type of first identification information 111 includes link destination information (e.g., a URL) to the management device 5.

[0146] Based on the link destination, the information acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 transmits a request to the management device 5 requesting transmission of an input screen for the device ID and serial code (Step 22).

[0147] The management device 5 receives the request from the terminal 3 and performs a discount supply process (Step 4). The discount supply process (Step 4) will be described in detail later.

[0148] When the terminal 3 receives the input screen for the device ID and serial code, the serial code acquisition unit 511 of the terminal 3 displays the device ID and serial code input screen (Step 23). Fig. 31 shows an example of the device ID and serial code input screen displayed on the terminal 3. The device ID and serial code input screen includes a captured image display area 40 in which captured images of the second type of first identification information 112 and the second identification information 12, which are barcodes, are displayed, a device ID display area 41 in which the device ID of the second type of first identification information 112 acquired by capturing is displayed, and a serial code display area 42 in which the serial code of the second identification information 12 acquired by capturing is displayed.

[0149] 32, the user takes a photograph so that the second type of first identification information 112 of the item supply device 1 that will supply the item 2 to be purchased at a discount, among multiple item supply devices 1, appears in the photographed image display area 40. It should be noted here that the second type of first identification information 112 photographed by the user is the second type of first identification information 112 of the item supply device 1 that the user intends to actually supply the item 2. In other words, the first type of first identification information 111 and the second type of first identification information 112 do not have to be displayed on the same item supply device 1.

[0150] The information acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 acquires the second type of first identification information 112 (Step 24). In this example, it is assumed that the information acquisition unit 510 acquires the device ID "12566".

[0151] After the acquisition of the device ID is completed, the user then takes a photograph of the magazine 4 so that the second identification information 12 (barcode) of the magazine 4 appears in the photographed image display area 40. Then, the information acquisition unit 510 of the terminal 3 acquires the second identification information 12 (barcode) (Step 25). In this example, it is assumed that the information acquisition unit 510 acquires the serial code "2VB3588". The serial code acquisition unit 511 transmits the acquired device ID and serial code to the management device 5 (Step 26).

[0152] The management device 5 receives the device ID and the serial code and performs a discount supply process (Step 4). The process thereafter is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0153] Next, the discount supply process (Step 4) of the management device 5 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the identification information determination unit 621 of the management device 5 receives a request from the terminal 3 (Step 500), it transmits a device ID and serial code input screen (see FIG. 31) (Step 501). Because the information display bodies of the second type first identification information 112 and the second identification information 112 are one-dimensional barcodes, this device ID and serial code input screen also has a one-dimensional barcode reader function because it is different from a reader that reads a two-dimensional code (QR code) that is the information display body of the first type first identification information 111.

[0154] Furthermore, when the device ID and serial code entered on the device ID and serial code input screen are received (Step 502), the identification information determination unit 621 of the management device 5 acquires the device ID (Step 603). In this example, the acquired device ID is “12566”.

[0155] The identification information determination unit 621 uses the item supply device data D1 to determine the item supply device 1 with the acquired device ID (Step 604). By referring to the item supply device data D1, it is determined whether the acquired item ID is included in the item supply device data D1 and whether the item supply device 1 with the acquired device ID supplies the discounted item (Step 605). In this example, the acquired device ID is "12566", and the item supply device 1 with the device ID "12566" can supply the discounted item 2 with the item ID "G003".

[0156] On the other hand, when the acquired device ID is not included in the item supply device data D1 by referring to the item supply device data D1, or the item supply device 1 with the acquired device ID is not one that supplies the discounted item (Step 605), it is determined that the item supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user is not an item supply device 1 that can supply the discounted item 2, and error guidance information (see Figure 17) is sent to the terminal 3 (Step 110).

[0157] Next, if the item supply device 1 with the device ID acquired by the user is an item supply device 1 that can supply the discounted item 2, the identification information determination unit 621 checks the inventory of item 2 in the item supply device 1 with the acquired device ID (Step 506). If the inventory quantity for the acquired device ID in the item supply device data D1 is not "0", the identification information determination unit 621 determines that the item supply device 1 with the acquired device ID can supply item 2. On the other hand, if the inventory quantity for the acquired device ID in the item supply device data D1 is "0", the identification information determination unit 621 transmits error guidance information to the terminal 3 (Step 110). For example, error guidance information such as that shown in FIG. 17 is transmitted to the terminal 3.

[0158] Next, the discount purchase right authentication unit 622 acquires the serial code entered on the input screen (Step 507) and performs authentication processing for the acquired serial code (Step 508). In this example, the acquired serial code to be authenticated is "2VB3588".

[0159] The discount purchase right authentication unit 622 compares the acquired serial code with the serial code in the serial code data D2, and if the acquired serial code is included in the serial code data D2 of the discounted item 2 and the authenticated flag is not set for that serial code, it authenticates the acquired serial code and determines that the user's discount purchase right for item 2 has been authenticated. Note that if an expiration date is set for the serial code, the purchase right authentication unit 622 also authenticates the expiration date of the serial code entered on the input screen. If the user's discount purchase right for item 2 is authenticated, it transmits this information to the payment price determination unit 623.

[0160] In this example, the acquired serial code is "2VB3588", which is included in the serial code data D2 for item ID "G003", and does not have an authenticated flag attached. Furthermore, no expiration date is set for the serial code. Therefore, the discount purchase right authentication unit 622 determines that the acquired serial code "2VB3588" has been authenticated, and that the user's discount purchase right for item 2 has been authenticated, and transmits this information to the payment price determination unit 623. If the serial code's expiration date is valid and the serial code is authenticated, the payment price determination unit 623 determines the payment price (Step 109). In this example, the payment price is determined by referencing the discount price included in the item supply device data D1. The acquired device ID is "12566" and item ID is "G003", so the corresponding discount price in the item supply device data D1 is 300 yen. Therefore, the payment price is determined to be 300 yen.

[0161] When the payment price is determined by the payment price determination unit 623, the supply control unit 624 transmits first payment price change information to the item supply device 1 identified by the obtained device ID, changing the payment price of the item supply device 1 identified by the obtained device ID (Step 111). The first payment price change information is information that changes the payment price of the item supply device 1 from the retail price to a discounted price. In this example, the supply control unit 624 transmits first payment price change information to the item supply device 1 with device ID "12566," changing the payment price from 500 yen to 300 yen (change from retail price to discounted price: payment price 300 yen). The supply control unit 624 also transmits guidance information (see FIG. 16) to the terminal 3 to guide the supply of items (Step 112). This allows the user to know that the item 2 can be supplied from the item supply device 1 whose second identification information 12 (barcode) he or she photographed.

[0162] On the other hand, if the discount purchase right authentication unit 622 compares the acquired serial code with the serial code in the serial code data D2 and finds that the acquired serial code is not included in the serial code data D2, or that the acquired serial code is included in the serial code data D2 but has an authenticated flag attached to it, or that an expiration date has been set for the serial code and the expiration date has expired, it determines that the acquired serial code is inappropriate and does not authenticate it. If the purchase right authentication unit 622 cannot authenticate the serial code (including when the expiration date has expired and authentication is not possible), it sends an error screen (see FIG. 18) to the terminal 3 informing that the serial code (discount purchase right) could not be authenticated (Step 110).

[0163] The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Note that the second embodiment described above uses cash payment as an example, as in the first embodiment, but can also be applied to electronic payment, as in the modified example of the first embodiment.

[0164] The second embodiment has the following advantages in addition to the advantages of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, first identification information of a first type that is common and serves as a trigger for discounted purchases and first identification information of a second type that is unique to each item supply device are used separately. By doing so, when changing the item stored in the storage section of the item supply device to another item, it is only necessary to change the first identification information of the first type displayed on the display 13 of the item supply device, without changing the first identification information of the second type displayed on the item supply device, thereby reducing the workload on the operator of the system. Furthermore, the first type of first identification information 111 and the second type of first identification information 112 do not have to be displayed on the same item supply device 1, which prevents one item supply device from being occupied by one user for a long period of time.

[0165] <Modification of the second embodiment> A modified example of the second embodiment will now be described. Figure 33 is a diagram for explaining an article supply device in a modified example of the second embodiment. In a modified example of the second embodiment, the article supply device 1 functions as one unit, and a single article supply device is configured from a plurality of units 70 and one display unit 71.

[0166] Although the unit 70 has a similar configuration to the item supply device 1 described in the second embodiment, the unit 70 differs from the item supply device 1 described in the second embodiment in that the unit 70 does not display (attach) the first type of first identification information 111. Each unit 70 is an item supply device that can supply items for which discount purchase rights can be used.

[0167] The display unit 71 is installed at the top of the plurality of units 70 that supply items, and displays first identification information 111 of the first type. The display unit 71 displays a description of the items supplied by the plurality of units 70 (for example, a plurality of item supply devices that can supply items that purchasers of magazine AA can purchase at a discount).

[0168] The user goes to a location where an item supply device capable of supplying items 2 for which the discount purchase right can be used is installed, and operates the terminal 3 to photograph the information display of the first type of first identification information 111 displayed on the display unit 71. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

[0169] The advantage of this modified embodiment is that since the first type of first identification information is shared by multiple item supply devices, there is no need to display (attach) the first type of first identification information to each item supply device, as in the second embodiment.

[0170] <Third embodiment> A third embodiment will now be described. Fig. 34 is a front view of an article supply device 1 according to the third embodiment. The article supply device 1 according to the third embodiment differs from the first or second embodiment in that it is provided with a light-emitting element 19, such as an LED, that is visible to the user.

[0171] The light emitting element 19 lights up in the following cases. In the case of cash payment, when the payment price setting control unit 241 of the goods supply device 1 receives the first payment price change information (change from retail price to discount price), it turns on the light emitting element 19. In the case of electronic payment, when the lock control unit 244 of the goods supply device 1 receives a payment completion notice, it turns on the light emitting element 19 .

[0172] The light emitting element 19 lights up through the above operation, allowing the user to easily identify the article supply device 1 to be operated to supply the article 2. In addition, instead of the light emitting element 19, a speaker, a display, etc. that outputs a sound or an image that notifies the article supply device 1 that is operated to supply the article 2 may be used.

[0173] <Modifications of the first to third embodiments> In the above-described embodiment, the discount rate specified by the second identification information may be set to 0 or 100%.

[0174] When the discount rate is set to 0%, the discount price (second price) of the item 2 is the same as the retail price (first price), but only users who can obtain the second identification information can purchase the item 2. For example, a possible usage mode is one in which only users who obtain the second identification information by purchasing a product other than the user's item, participating in a user event, or entering a lottery based on user application can purchase the item 2.

[0175] If the discount rate is 100%, the discount price (second price) of the item 2 will be 0 yen, and the user will be able to obtain the item 2 for free without paying any price. For example, it is possible to give the item 2 as a gift as a special benefit only to users who have acquired the second identification information by purchasing a product other than the user's item, participating in a user event, or entering a lottery based on user application.

[0176] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiments. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be combined as desired, and various modifications and variations may be made within the scope of the technical concept. [Explanation of symbols]

[0177] 1 Goods supply device 2 Goods 3. Terminal 4 items 5 Management device 6. Communication Network

Claims

1. An article supply device capable of supplying articles, a first display unit including a first type display unit that displays first type identification information that identifies the item supply device; a second display unit that displays a first price of the item; a storage section for storing the article; a supply unit that supplies the items stored in the storage unit; a control unit that controls the supply unit to supply the item on the condition that the price of the item has been paid, The control unit the first type of identification information acquired by a terminal from the first display unit is identified by a management device that manages the item supply device; A second type of identification information, which is identification information for authenticating the discount purchase right of the item acquired by the terminal from a medium other than the item supply device, is authenticated by the management device, and and settling the price of the item at a second price lower than the first price, on condition that payment price change information instructing a change in the payment price of the item is received. Goods supply device.

2. The first display unit and the second display unit are disposed on a front surface of the article supply device. The article supply device according to claim 1 .

3. The payment of the price is cash or electronic. The article supply device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An item supply system capable of supplying items, The system includes an item supply device, a terminal, and a management device, The article supply device is a first display unit including a first type display unit that displays first type identification information that identifies the item supply device; a second display unit that displays a first price of the item; a storage section for storing the article; a supply unit that supplies the items stored in the storage unit; a control unit that controls the supply unit to supply the item on the condition that the price of the item has been paid, The terminal a first acquisition unit that acquires the first type of identification information from the first display unit and transmits the first type of identification information to the management device; a second acquisition unit that acquires a second type of identification information, which is identification information for authenticating the discount purchase right of the item, from a medium other than the item supply device and transmits the second type of identification information to the management device; Equipped with The management device an identification information receiving unit that receives the first type of identification information and the second type of identification information from the terminal; a supply control unit that identifies the item supply device using the received first type of identification information, authenticates a discount purchase right for the item supplied by the identified item supply device using the received second type of identification information, and, if the discount purchase right is authenticated, transmits payment price change information to the identified item supply device to instruct it to change the payment price; Equipped with the control unit of the item supply device settles the price of the item at a second price lower than the first price, on condition that the settlement price change information has been received; Goods supply system.

5. A management device that manages the supply of goods from an goods supply device, a first type of identification information for identifying the item supply device is displayed on the item supply device; a second type of identification information for authenticating a discount purchase right for the goods supplied from the goods supply device is displayed on a medium other than the goods supply device; an identification information receiving unit that receives the first type of identification information acquired by a terminal from a display of the item supply device and the second type of identification information acquired by the terminal from a medium other than the item supply device; a supply control unit that identifies the item supply device using the received first type of identification information, authenticates a discount purchase right for the item supplied by the identified item supply device using the received second type of identification information, and if the discount purchase right is authenticated, transmits payment price change information to the identified item supply device to cause the price of the item to be settled at a second price lower than the first price which is the list price of the item, and controls the identified item supply device so that the price of the item can be settled at the second price; A management device comprising:

6. A product supply method capable of supplying products, comprising: a first type of identification information for identifying the item supply device is displayed on the item supply device; a second type of identification information for authenticating a discount purchase right for the goods supplied from the goods supply device is displayed on a medium other than the goods supply device; The computer receiving the first type of identification information acquired by the terminal and the second type of identification information acquired by the terminal; Identifying the item supply device using the received first type of identification information; authenticating the discount purchase right of the identified item supply device based on the received second type of identification information; If the discount purchase right is authenticated, payment price change information is transmitted to the identified item supply device to cause the price of the item to be settled at a second price lower than the first price, which is the list price of the item, and the identified item supply device is controlled so that the price of the item can be settled at the second price. Method of supplying goods.

Images