vending machine

Abstract

We will provide a vending machine that creates the effect of products appearing to pop out directly from the wall, which is expected to increase customer attraction. [Solution] The vending machine comprises a main body for storing products, a dispensing mechanism for delivering these products to a dispensing opening, and a display window on the front of the main body. Inside the display window, there is a light source that displays an image of the product, and an optical element that projects the light from this light source as an aerial image onto the outside of the display window. With this configuration, people passing by the vending machine will unexpectedly see products floating in the air, causing them to stop and take notice, thus contributing to sales promotion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a show window using aerial video. Vending machines equipped with

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in aerial video display devices. One of the factors is the non-contact needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. That is, it is a use case as a substitute for a touch panel combined with sensors. For example, in bank ATMs, supermarket self-checkouts, company receptions, hotel check-ins, etc., an unspecified number of users will operate the same touch panel. Such a touch panel can be a potential infection route. To avoid this risk, it is necessary to disinfect the touch panel every time the user changes, but such treatment is quite time-consuming and difficult to perform thoroughly.

[0003] If a non-contact interface using an aerial video display device is used, it can provide a similar usability as a conventional touch panel and avoid the infection risk without such hassle. For example, in Patent Document 1, since it is a hygienic problem for a surgeon to touch a pointing device such as a computer mouse during surgery, the mouse on a non-contact remote pointer control device displayed using aerial imaging technology is operated. As a special optical element that can be used in such aerial imaging technology, for example, there is an optical imaging device described in Patent Document 2.

[0004] The state where an image floats in an empty space by aerial imaging technology is impactful by itself and helps create an atmosphere of the future. From this, many applications other than infection prevention measures can be considered. For example, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 3, an example of using it as a substitute for a barrier at a railway station ticket gate is shown. Also, when displayed as an aerial image, it can be felt to have a three-dimensional effect because it floats from the surroundings, has high entertainment value, and the possibility of application to games etc. is expected.

Prior Art Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-147054 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2009 / 131128 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-142370 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] While it's true that when displayed as an aerial image, it appears to float from its surroundings, conventional aerial image display devices give the impression that the image is clearly projected from a device, and thus lack the natural sense of wonder.

[0007] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a shop window that has the effect of images appearing to leap directly out of the wall, and is expected to improve the ability to attract customers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention The vending machine comprises a main body for storing products, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the products to a dispensing opening, and a display window provided on the front of the main body. Inside the display window, there is a light source for displaying images of the products and an optical element for projecting the light from this light source as an aerial image onto the outside of the display window. It is characterized by the following:

[0009] In one embodiment, The light source for displaying the image of the product is characterized by being implemented by the image of the product and the illumination that irradiates this image. .

[0010] Furthermore, in one embodiment, The image of the product is formed on a surface that mimics the shape of the product, and the aerial image is projected as a three-dimensional image. .

[0011] Furthermore, in one embodiment, The aforementioned product is a beverage can, and the surface that mimics the shape of the aforementioned product is a partially cylindrical surface in which the concave and convex relationship of the beverage can is reversed. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The shop window according to the present invention can attract the attention of more passersby. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the show window according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the show window according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and shows an example in which the depth camera sensor 9 is provided at the lower part of the window frame. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the show window according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a vending machine for drink cans provided with the show window according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the show window of the vending machine shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a partial perspective view for explaining the mutual positional relationship of the main components of the aerial video display device constituting the show window of the vending machine shown in Figure 4.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

EXAMPLE

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the show window according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the show window 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here, the inner side (right side) of the wall W is the inside of the room, and the outer side (left side) of the wall W is the outside of the room, but the wall W may be the outer wall of a building or a wall partitioning a section exclusively occupied by a tenant inside a commercial building.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, a window is provided at a position on a part of the wall W from the floor F to about the height of a human's eyes, and a glass plate G is fitted therein. Further, a housing 2 having a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open left side is fixed to the wall W so as to cover the window in which the glass plate G is fitted from the inside. A closed rectangular parallelepiped space S is formed inside by this housing 2, the wall W, and the window.

[0016] Inside the space S, there are a tablet computer 4 horizontally installed at the bottom, and an optical plate 6 installed obliquely at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to both the tablet computer 4 and the glass plate G. The tablet computer 4 has its display surface facing upward, is connected to a power source (not shown), and constantly displays the content to be displayed in the show window 1. The tablet computer 4 and the optical plate 6 realize an aerial image display device.

[0017] The optical plate 6 is a recursive transmission type optical element used in aerial imaging technology. A recursive transmission type optical plate is an optical element that has recursiveness in the in-plane direction and transmissibility in the normal direction with respect to the light rays incident on the plate surface.

[0018] For example, as the optical plate 6, an optical imaging element (two-plane orthogonal reflector) described in JP-A-2011-175297 can be used. This optical imaging element is realized by arranging a large number of plane light reflection parts orthogonal to each other at a certain pitch. In addition to this, a structure such as a two-plane corner reflector in which a reflecting surface is formed on the side surface of a square hole as described in Japanese Patent No. 4900618 may also be used.

[0019] That is, under certain conditions of the incident light, the optical plate 6 recursively reflects the incident light in the panel plane direction without changing the component orthogonal to the panel plane of the incident light. As a result, the image on the display screen 5 of the tablet computer 4 forms a real image 5r at the position facing the surface across the optical plate 6.

[0020] Therefore, the distance between the optical plate 6 and the display screen of the tablet computer 4 is equal to the distance between the optical plate 6 and the real image 5r. In the illustrated arrangement, the real image 5r is displayed so as to float out as an aerial image outside the window. In this embodiment, since the tablet computer 4 is used, the aerial image floating outside the window can be freely changed or moved.

[0021] Furthermore, the enclosed space S covered by the enclosure 2 is structured to minimize light reflection and scattering. For example, the entire interior wall surface may be coated with black pigment or covered with a dark sheet.

[0022] In this embodiment, the entire inner wall surface of the enclosed space S covered by the housing 2 is covered with a dark sheet 8 having a visible light reflectance of 2% or less, preferably 0.5% or less. Such a dark sheet can be created, for example, by using a black resin such as lacquer or cashew oil and forming a fine uneven structure on its surface.

[0023] By doing this, almost no light other than the formed aerial image is visible, and an effect can be expected where the image appears to be directly emerging from an empty wall. Preferably, the effect can be maximized by making the entire outside of wall W black as well.

[0024] Furthermore, by incorporating a depth camera sensor 9 equipped with infrared LEDs and an infrared camera into the window frame, it becomes possible to manually manipulate the aerial image projected outside the shop window. For example, the aerial image can be moved or rotated, which is expected to attract people's attention. As such a depth camera sensor 9, for example, Intel's Realsence® can be used.

[0025] In Figure 1, the depth camera sensor 9 is positioned at the top of the window frame and is configured to emit infrared light from above towards the operator's hand. However, the depth camera sensor 9 may also be positioned at the bottom of the window frame, as shown in Figure 2, and emitted infrared light from below towards the operator's hand. [Examples]

[0026] Next, with reference to Figure 3, Embodiment 2 of the show window according to the present invention will be described. In Embodiment 1, the aerial image display device is integrally incorporated into the inside of the window. In contrast, in the show window of Embodiment 2, the aerial image display device is provided independently of the window and its position can be freely changed. Therefore, the window used as a show window can be converted into a regular window, or any window can be used as a show window.

[0027] In other words, the window of the show window 10 in Example 2 does not need to be specially made for a show window; it can be selected from a general window. A glass plate G is fitted into this window, and the aerial image display device 12 is installed inside it. In this example, a table 13 is placed against the wall with the window, and the aerial image display device 12 is placed on top of it.

[0028] The aerial image display device 12 has a tablet computer 14 inside, and an optical plate 16 is positioned diagonally facing the window. The angle of the optical plate 16 with respect to the horizontal plane is 90 degrees, and the display screen 15 of the tablet computer 14 is positioned horizontally. As a result, the image on the display screen 15 of the tablet computer 14 is formed as a real image 15r through the window.

[0029] Since the distance between the real image 15r and the optical plate 16 is the same as the distance between the display screen 15 of the tablet computer 14 and the optical plate 16, adjust the height of the table 13, the installation position of the aerial image display device 12, or the position of the tablet computer 14 so that the real image 15r is formed in the appropriate position. If necessary, install a height-adjustable base or the like on the table 13.

[0030] Increasing the distance between the display screen 15 of the tablet computer 14 and the optical plate 16 increases the distance between the real image 15r and the optical plate 16, but narrows the field of view. By using a larger optical plate, it is possible to widen the field of view to some extent, so the distance between the display screen 15 of the tablet computer 14 and the optical plate 16, that is, the distance between the real image 15r and the optical plate 16, can be increased to some extent.

[0031] Although the diagram omits the description of the power supply means for the tablet computer 14, a standard commercial power supply is used. Also, similar to Example 1, the optical plate 16 is a retrotransmitting optical element. According to this embodiment, any window can be easily turned into a display window using a general aerial image display device.

[0032] Furthermore, similar to Example 1, by incorporating a depth camera sensor 19 at the lower end of the optical plate 16, it becomes possible to manually manipulate the aerial image projected outside the display window. For example, the aerial image can be moved or rotated, which is expected to attract people's attention. Again, for such a depth camera sensor 9, for example, Intel's Realsence® can be used. [Examples]

[0033] Next, with reference to Figures 4 to 4, an embodiment 3 of the display window according to the present invention will be described. Here, we will show an application to a beverage can vending machine. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a vending machine equipped with a display window according to embodiment 3 of the present invention, Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the display window of the vending machine shown in Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a partial perspective view to explain the relative positional relationships of the main components of the aerial image display device that constitutes the display window of the vending machine shown in Figure 4.

[0034] In other words, as shown in Figure 4, the vending machine 20 comprises a rectangular parallelepiped body 22, a display window 24 provided on its front surface, a product dispensing opening 26 located below the display window 24, and a payment machine 28 located to the right of the display window 24. Although not shown, the body 22 is equipped with storage racks for storing drink cans and a dispensing mechanism for delivering the stored drink cans to the product dispensing opening 26.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the display window 24 consists of a transparent resin plate 32 fitted into the main body 22 to form a window, a housing 34 fixed to the inner surface of the main body 22 so as to be a hollow rectangular parallelepiped with its left side open and forming a closed space S inside the transparent resin plate 32, a drink can sample 36 placed on the bottom surface of the housing 34, an optical plate 38 positioned so as to face both the transparent resin plate 32 and the sample 36 at a 45-degree angle, and an LED light 40 that illuminates the sample 36 from above. The optical plate 38 is the same as in Example 1, and is of a structure such as a two-sided orthogonal reflector or a two-sided corner reflector that allows retrotransmission.

[0036] When the sample 36 is illuminated with the LED light 40, the reflected light retrotransmits through the optical plate 38, similar to Example 1, forming a real image 36r on the outside of the transparent resin plate 32. An operation button 37 is provided on the left side of the sample 36, and this operation button 37 is also illuminated with the LED light 40, and the reflected light forms a real image 37r below the real image 36r on the sample 36.

[0037] Furthermore, a motion sensor 42 consisting of an infrared LED and an infrared camera is provided below the transparent resin plate 32, which can detect the movement of the user's finger near the real image 37r of the operation button 37. When a gesture of pressing the real image 37r of the operation button 37 is detected, it is determined that the drink can has been selected, and the product is dispensed to the product dispensing opening 26. Thus, a contactless interface is implemented.

[0038] Sample 36 and its real image 36r are symmetrical with respect to the optical plate 38. Therefore, for the real image 36r to appear as an image of a drink can, the sample 36 must be positioned so that the inner concave surface faces upward, as shown in Figure 6. In other words, to project a three-dimensional image, the concave-concave relationship between the visible aerial image and the subject (projection object) is reversed. The inner concave surface of sample 36 has the image (design) of the outside of the drink can printed directly on it.

[0039] Furthermore, similar to Example 1, the entire inner wall surface of the enclosed space S covered by the housing 34 is covered with a dark sheet 37 having a visible light reflectivity of 2% or less, preferably 0.5% or less. Such a dark sheet can be created, for example, by using a black resin such as lacquer or cashew oil and forming a fine uneven structure on its surface. In this way, almost no light other than the formed aerial image is visible, and an effect can be expected in which the image appears to be directly emerging from an empty wall. [Industrial applicability]

[0040] The present invention relates to vending machine According to the wall merchandise This can create the effect of the material being directly ejected. vending machine People passing by will unexpectedly see the floating images in the air, causing them to stop and take notice. Therefore, a promotional effect on the product can be expected.

[0041] The present invention is described above. vending machine Although the present invention has been described based on embodiments, it is not limited thereto, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and if possible, the technologies described in each embodiment or prior art may be combined.

[0042] For example, in the above-described embodiment 1, a tablet computer is used as the projection object that will be the source of the aerial image, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a liquid crystal display connected to a regular personal computer may be used.

[0043] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment 3, the sample of a beverage can, which serves as the projection target, is illuminated from above and glows by reflecting the illuminated light, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the beverage can sample may be made of a light-transmitting milky white resin, a pattern or the like may be printed on the surface of this resin, and light may be shone from below to illuminate the resin surface, and that light may be projected and formed as an image. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1. 10 Show window 2. Enclosure 4. 14 Tablet Computers 5, 15 display screen 5r, 15r Real image 6, 16 Optical Plates 8 Dark Sheet 9, 19 Depth camera sensor 12 Aerial Image Display Device 13 tables 20 Vending machines 22 Vending machine unit 24 Show window 26 Product outlet 28 Payment machine 32 Transparent resin plate 34 Housing 36 samples 36r sample real image 37 Dark Sheet 37 Operation buttons 37r Operation Buttons (Actual Image) 38 Optical Plates 40 Lighting 42 Motion Sensors F floor G Glass plate W Wall

Claims

1. A vending machine comprising a main body for storing goods, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the goods to a dispensing opening, and a display window provided on the front of the main body, The vending machine is characterized in that the inside of the display window is provided with a light source that displays an image of the product, and an optical element that projects the light from the light source as an aerial image onto the outside of the display window.

2. The vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the light source for displaying the image of the product is implemented by the image of the product and the lighting that illuminates the image.

3. The vending machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the image of the product is formed on a surface that mimics the shape of the product, and the aerial image is projected as a stereoscopic image.

4. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the product is a beverage can, and the surface that mimics the shape of the product is a partially cylindrical surface in which the relationship between the concave and convex shapes of the beverage can is reversed.

Images