Storage facilities and storage systems for goods

Abstract

To provide an item storage facility and item storage system that can reduce the burden of managing items. [Solution] The prize storage (item storage) 1 includes a housing 2 having a storage area 2C for prizes (items) P, a reception unit that receives requests for retrieval transactions related to the retrieval of prizes P, a detection unit that detects the retrieval of prizes P from the storage area 2C, and a management unit that manages the inventory of prizes P in the storage area 2C based on the detection results of the detection unit. If the inventory of prizes P does not change within a predetermined period as indicated in the information contained in the retrieval transaction request, even though a request for a retrieval transaction of prizes P has been received by the reception unit, the number of prizes P related to the request is managed separately from the inventory of prizes P in the storage area 2C.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an article storage cabinet and an article storage system.

Background Art

[0002] The gaming medium processing system disclosed in Patent Document 1 below includes a prize management device that is installed together with a prize exchange counter in a game parlor and performs an exchange process between gaming media such as pachinko balls and prizes, and a prize payout device that pays out special prizes. General prizes other than special prizes are stored in a dedicated prize shelf and taken out by a store clerk in the game parlor and handed over to the game players.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the case of an article (for example, a prize) taken out from a prize shelf by a person's hand like a general prize, currently, it is necessary for a store clerk to regularly check the inventory of articles in the prize shelf, update the inventory every time an article is taken in or out, and be present when the store clerk delivers the article to the game player. Therefore, the burden on the store clerk for article management is large.

[0005] This invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to provide an article storage cabinet and an article storage system capable of reducing the burden related to article management.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides an article storage facility that includes a storage unit having an article storage area, a reception unit that receives requests for article retrieval transactions, a detection unit that detects the retrieval of articles from the storage area, and a management unit that manages the inventory of articles in the storage area based on the detection results of the detection unit. If, despite the reception unit receiving a request for article retrieval transactions, the inventory of articles does not change within a predetermined period as indicated in the information contained in the request for article retrieval transactions, the number of such articles is managed separately from the inventory of articles in the storage area.

[0007] Furthermore, one embodiment of the present invention provides an article storage facility that includes a storage unit having an article storage area, a reception unit that receives requests for article retrieval transactions, a detection unit that detects the retrieval of articles from the storage area, and a management unit that manages the inventory of articles in the storage area based on the detection results of the detection unit. If the reception unit receives a request for an article retrieval transaction, but the detection unit does not detect the retrieval of the articles subject to the retrieval transaction within a predetermined period, the number of such articles is managed separately from the inventory of articles in the storage area.

[0008] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the detection unit includes an imaging unit that images the storage area.

[0009] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the detection unit identifies the type and number of items removed from the storage area based on the imaging results of the imaging unit at multiple timings.

[0010] Furthermore, one embodiment of the present invention provides an article storage system that includes a storage unit having an article storage area, a reception unit that receives requests for article retrieval transactions, a detection unit that detects the retrieval of articles from the storage area, and a management unit that manages the inventory of articles in the storage area based on the detection results of the detection unit. If, despite the reception unit receiving a request for article retrieval transactions, the inventory of articles does not change within a predetermined period as indicated in the information contained in the request for article retrieval transactions, the number of such articles is managed separately from the inventory of articles in the storage area.

[0011] Furthermore, one embodiment of the present invention provides an article storage system that includes a storage unit having an article storage area, a reception unit that receives requests for article retrieval transactions, a detection unit that detects the retrieval of articles from the storage area, and a management unit that manages the inventory of articles in the storage area based on the detection results of the detection unit. If the reception unit receives a request for an article retrieval transaction, but the detection unit does not detect the retrieval of the articles subject to the retrieval transaction within a predetermined period, the number of such articles is managed separately from the inventory of articles in the storage area. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of a prize storage unit to which an item storage unit according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view of the prize storage cabinet with the door open. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a prize management system to which an item storage system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 4] This figure shows the table stored in the memory unit of the prize storage unit. [Figure 5] This is a schematic perspective view of the POS system and prize dispensing device included in the aforementioned prize management system. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the display content on the display control unit included in the prize storage unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The embodiments of this invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view from the front of a prize storage unit 1 to which an article storage unit according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. The prize storage unit 1 is installed, for example, in a manned or unmanned prize exchange corner in a game store such as a pachinko parlor. The prize storage unit 1 stores prizes P (see Figure 2), such as confectionery, juice, and cigarettes, which are called general prizes. The prize storage unit 1 includes a housing (storage section) 2, a door 3 attached to the housing 2, and a display operation section 4 and a signal indicator light 5 attached to the top surface of the housing 2 as an example of a notification section.

[0014] Note that the left-right direction of the paper in Figure 1 coincides with the left-right direction X of the prize storage unit 1, the direction approximately perpendicular to the paper in Figure 1 coincides with the front-to-back direction Y of the prize storage unit 1, and the up-down direction of the paper in Figure 1 coincides with the up-to-down direction Z of the prize storage unit 1. The left-right direction X and the front-to-back direction Y are included in the horizontal direction. The left-right direction X includes the left side X1 and the right side X2, the front-to-back direction Y includes the front side Y1 which coincides with the front side of the paper in Figure 1 and the rear side Y2 which coincides with the back side of the paper in Figure 1, and the up-to-down direction Z includes the upper side Z1 and the lower side Z2. Note that in Figures 2 and later, where the left-right direction X and the up-to-down direction Z are not shown, the left-right direction of the figure is the same as the left-right direction X, and the up-to-down direction of the figure is the same as the up-to-down direction Z (see Figure 5, etc.).

[0015] The enclosure 2 is formed in the shape of a vertically elongated box. The enclosure 2 has a top wall 11, a bottom wall 12, a pair of left and right side walls 13, and a rear wall 14. The top wall 11 is a rectangular plate. The bottom wall 12 may be a plate similar to the top wall 11, or it may be a rectangular parallelepiped that is thick in the vertical direction Z. Each of the pair of side walls 13 is a rectangular plate that is long in the vertical direction Z, with the left side wall X1 13 being installed between the left ends of the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 12, and the right side wall X2 13 being installed between the right ends of the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 12. The rear wall 14 is a rectangular plate that is long in the vertical direction Z, and is installed between the rear ends of the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 12, and also between the rear ends of the pair of side walls 13. An entrance / exit 2A is formed on the front of the enclosure 2, bordered by the front ends of the top wall 11, the bottom wall 12, and the pair of side walls 13 (see also Figure 2). The entrance / exit 2A communicates with the interior space 2B enclosed by the top wall 11, the bottom wall 12, and the pair of side walls 13 in the enclosure 2. Both the entrance / exit 2A and the interior space 2B are elongated vertically.

[0016] The enclosure 2 also has one or more partitions 15. The partitions 15 are plate-shaped, similar to the top wall 11. In this embodiment, as an example, three partitions 15 are arranged in the vertical direction Z in the internal space 2B. As a result, the internal space 2B is divided into multiple (specifically four) storage areas 2C arranged in the vertical direction Z. The dimensions of these storage areas 2C, such as the width in the left-right direction X, the depth in the front-back direction Y, and the height in the vertical direction Z, may be the same or different. In this embodiment, all four storage areas 2C are the same size.

[0017] In the following, the four storage areas 2C may be distinguished by a storage area number in parentheses, such as storage area 2C(1), storage area 2C(2), storage area 2C(3), and storage area 2C(4), starting from the top Z1. The storage area number is an example of identification information for identifying each storage area 2C and is written in a clearly visible location in the corresponding storage area 2C. The part that partitions each storage area 2C from the bottom Z2 is called the mounting section 2D. The mounting section 2D is composed of the upper surface of the partition 15 or the bottom wall 12. Prizes (items) P are stored in each storage area 2C and placed on the mounting section 2D. The types of prizes P stored in each storage area 2C may be predetermined, and the set positions for each type of prize P on the mounting section 2D may also be predetermined, or conversely, various types of prizes P may be stored haphazardly in each storage area 2C. Each storage area 2C may be equipped with a heat retention or cooling function depending on the prize P being stored.

[0018] Door 3 is a vertically elongated plate-shaped object large enough to block the entrance 2A of the housing 2. The right end of door 3 is connected to the housing 2 via a hinge 16 and is rotatable around the hinge 16. In Figure 1, door 3 is in the closed position, with the entrance 2A closed. A handle 3A is provided on the left end of door 3. When a user grasps the handle 3A and rotates door 3 in the closed position counterclockwise in a plan view, door 3 is moved to the open position, exposing the entire area of ​​the entrance 2A to the front Y1, so that the entire interior space 2B is opened from the entrance 2A to the front Y1 (see Figure 2). The housing 2 is provided with a door sensor 17 (see Figure 3) that detects whether or not door 3 is in the closed position.

[0019] The store employees of the game arcade etc. open the door 3 to the open position and store the prize P in each storage area 2C through the entrance / exit 2A. In this case, the entrance / exit 2A is the entrance of the prize P. As will be described later, the game player opens the door 3 to the open position and takes out the prize P from each storage area 2C through the entrance / exit 2A. In this case, the entrance / exit 2A is the exit of the prize P. In the present embodiment, the entrance / exit 2A serves as both the entrance and the exit, but the entrance and the exit may be provided separately. Note that when the door 3 is rotated from the closed position until there is no obstruction to the loading and unloading of the prize P into and out of the storage area 2C, the door 3 is in the open position at any rotation angle. Also, there may be a plurality of entrances / exit 2A divided for each storage area 2C, and accordingly, a plurality of doors 3 may be provided according to the plurality of storage areas 2C.

[0020] The housing 2 is provided with an electric door lock mechanism 18 (see FIG. 3) for locking the door 3 in the closed position or unlocking it. As the door lock mechanism 18, an electromagnetic lock or the like can be used. In the prize storage cabinet 1 in the standby state, the door 3 is always locked in the closed position. Also, the door 3 may be biased by a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring so as to always return to the closed position. Further, the door 3 may be automatically locked when it rotates to the closed position. At least one of the door 3, the side wall 13, and the rear wall 14 may be configured to be transparent or translucent, for example, by being covered with glass, so that users such as store employees and game players can visually recognize the inside of the storage area 2C from the outside of the housing 2.

[0021] The display operation unit 4 is fixed to the top wall 11 of the housing 2. The display operation unit 4 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel. The display operation unit 4 may be divided into a display unit and an operation unit. The same applies to other display operation units described later.

[0022] An example of the signal indicator lamp 5 has a base portion 5A fixed to the top wall 11 of the housing 2 and one or a plurality of light emitting portions 5B stacked on the base portion 5A. In the present embodiment, in the signal indicator lamp 5 in the standby state, all the light emitting portions 5B are turned off.

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the prize storage unit 1 with the door 3 open. In the housing 2 of the prize storage unit 1, for example, an imaging unit 19, which is composed of a camera or the like, is provided at the upper end of the entrance 2A. The imaging range of the imaging unit 19 is set to cover all the storage areas 2C inside the housing 2. For this purpose, multiple imaging units 19 may be provided.

[0024] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a prize management system 100 (a prize management system 100 to which an item storage system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied), including a prize storage unit 1. The prize storage unit 1 further includes a control unit 20, an issuing unit 21, a reading unit 22, a storage unit 23, and an I / F unit 24. The control unit 20 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and has a built-in timer, etc. (the same applies to the other control units described later).

[0025] The control unit 20 is electrically connected to the display operation unit 4, signal indicator light 5, door sensor 17, door lock mechanism 18, imaging unit 19, light emitter 21, reading unit 22, storage unit 23, and I / F unit 24. The control unit 20 controls the display on the display operation unit 4 and accepts operations on the display operation unit 4 by store staff or players. The control unit 20 controls the illumination of the light emitter 5B of the signal indicator light 5. The control unit 20 receives the detection result from the door sensor 17, that is, information on the open / closed state of the door 3. The control unit 20 locks or unlocks the door 3 by controlling the operation of the door lock mechanism 18.

[0026] The control unit 20 receives the imaging results from the imaging unit 19, that is, image data representing each storage area 2C. By analyzing the imaging results from the imaging unit 19, the control unit 20 can recognize the presence or absence of prizes P in each storage area 2C, the location of each prize P that exists, and the type and number of prizes P that exist. The information necessary to recognize the type of prize P (template information) is stored in advance in the storage unit 23. Furthermore, by comparing the imaging results from the imaging unit 19 at multiple timings, such as before and after the opening and closing of the door 3, the control unit 20 can recognize the type and number of prizes P taken out of and put into each storage area 2C. In this way, the control unit 20 and the imaging unit 19 function as an example of a detection unit that detects the taking out and putting into each storage area 2C. In other words, the control unit 20 functions as a determination means that determines whether prizes P have been taken out of each storage area 2C. With this configuration using image recognition, the prizes P can be placed haphazardly in each storage area 2C, allowing for a simple configuration of the prize storage unit 1, including the storage areas 2C.

[0027] Other examples of detection units include configurations using weight sensors and configurations using RFID sensors. When using weight sensors, the mounting section 2D of each storage area 2C is divided into multiple individual areas 2E where one of a predetermined type of prize P is placed (see the bottom mounting section 2D in Figure 2), and a weight sensor is installed in each individual area 2E. The weight sensor detects the presence or absence of a prize P by detecting the weight in the individual area 2E in which it is installed. When using RFID sensors, an RFID tag is attached to each prize P, and the weight sensor detects the insertion or removal of a prize P by detecting the RFID tag of the prize P being inserted or removed. Instead of RFID tags, codes such as QR codes (registered trademark) or barcodes may be attached to each prize P, and a sensor that reads these codes may be used as a detection unit instead of an RFID sensor.

[0028] The issuing unit 21 consists of a printer that prints and issues receipts. The receipt issuing slot 25 is located, for example, around the display operation unit 4 (see Figure 1).

[0029] The reading unit 22 is located, for example, around the display operation unit 4 (see Figure 1). With respect to the reading unit 22, a receipt (a prize exchange receipt separate from the receipt issued by the issuing unit 21) containing information such as the number of game media acquired through gameplay on a game machine such as a pachinko machine is issued to the player by a counting device (not shown) that counts the game media. This receipt may contain a code representing information such as the number of game media. The number of game media may be associated with a card issued to the player. Cards of players who have registered as members at the game store (so-called member players) are sometimes called member cards, and cards of other players (so-called general players) are sometimes called general cards.

[0030] When a player holds a recording medium such as a receipt (prize exchange receipt) or a card over the reader unit 22, the reader unit 22 reads the number of game media, etc., from these recording media. In the case of a card, for example, a card slot (not shown) may be provided around the display operation unit 4, and the reader unit 22 may read the card when the player inserts the card into the slot. Instead of a receipt or card, a communication terminal such as a smartphone owned by the player can be used, and when the player holds the communication terminal over the reader unit 22, the reader unit 22 may read the number of game media, etc., from the communication terminal.

[0031] The memory unit 23 stores various information (the same applies to the other memory units described later). In particular, the memory unit 23 stores a table T (see Figure 4) which summarizes the inventory quantity of each type of prize P in each storage area 2C. In table T, the type of prize P (prize name) and inventory quantity in each storage area 2C are stored linked to the aforementioned storage area No. The control unit 20 updates the inventory quantity, etc., based on the detection results of the insertion and removal of prize P into and out of each storage area 2C using the imaging results of the imaging unit 19. In this way, the control unit 20 and the memory unit 23 function as an example of a management unit that manages the inventory of prize P in each storage area 2C based on the detection results.

[0032] The I / F unit 24 is an interface for the control unit 20 to communicate with external devices other than the prize storage unit 1, and is connected to a network N established within the gaming store (the same applies to other I / F units described later). The prize management system 100 includes, as an example of an external device, a management device 31, a POS 32, and a prize dispensing device 33.

[0033] The management device 31 may be configured as multiple servers, but in this embodiment, it will be described as existing as a single unit. The management device 31 includes a control unit 35, an I / F unit 36, and a storage unit 37 electrically connected to the control unit 35. The control unit 35 may function as an example of a detection unit instead of the control unit 20 of the prize storage unit 1, in which case it detects the insertion and removal of prizes P from each storage area 2C based on the imaging results of the imaging unit 19. The aforementioned table T may be stored in the storage unit 37, and in this case, the control unit 35 and the storage unit 37 may function as an example of a management unit that manages the inventory of prizes P in each storage area 2C based on the detection results of the detection unit.

[0034] Each of the POS 32 and the prize dispensing device 33 is connected to the network N, enabling communication with the prize storage unit 1, the management device 31, etc. Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the POS 32 and the prize dispensing device 33. Figure 5 shows a configuration in which the POS 32 and the prize dispensing device 33 are integrated, but they may be arranged separately and connected to each other in a way that enables communication. A display and operation unit 41 is provided on the front, or front area, of the POS 32. The front of the POS 32 has a card slot 32A for inserting and removing the player's card, and a receipt issuing slot 32B for issuing receipts. The prize dispensing device 33 is a device that dispenses card-shaped prizes Q, which are called special prizes. The top surface of the prize dispensing device 33 is provided with a dispensing outlet 33A and a shutter 42 for opening and closing the dispensing outlet 33A. When a player or an employee acting on a player's request inserts a card into the card slot 32A of the POS 32 and operates the display operation unit 41, the prize dispensing device 33 dispenses the type and quantity of prizes Q desired by the player from the dispensing outlet 33A in exchange for the game medium associated with the card.

[0035] If a player wishes to exchange their game tokens for prize P, they have the aforementioned card or receipt (more precisely, the code printed on the prize exchange receipt) read by the reader 22 of the prize storage unit 1 (see Figure 1). The reading result from the reader 22 is input to the control unit 20 of the prize storage unit 1. In this case, the control unit 20 and the reader 22 function as an example of a reception unit that accepts requests for transactions related to prize P in the storage area 2C, and in particular, they accept a request for a retrieval transaction related to the retrieval of prize P. The player may also operate the display operation unit 4 to request retrieval, in which case the display operation unit 4 also functions as an example of a reception unit.

[0036] Upon receiving a request for a retrieval transaction, the control unit 20 displays prize information on the display operation unit 4, including the types and quantities of exchangeable prizes P present in the storage area 2C. Note that the types of exchangeable prizes P are not limited to one, nor is the number of exchangeable prizes P limited to one. Therefore, it may be possible for the player to retrieve multiple prizes P in combinations of their choice from among multiple types of prizes P. Furthermore, the control unit 20 functions as an example of an authorization unit that permits the retrieval of prizes P from the storage area 2C, thereby releasing the lock on the door 3 by the door lock mechanism 18. Note that the control unit 20 may also release the lock on the door 3 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 35 of the management device 31; in this case, the control unit 35 may be considered an example of an authorization unit.

[0037] Figure 6 shows the display operation unit 4 with information regarding the type, number, and location of the exchangeable prize P, i.e., the prize information mentioned above. As an example, Figure 6 shows the display operation unit 4 displaying prize information indicating that one of the following candies can be retrieved: two candies stored in storage area 2C(1), two juices stored in storage area 2C(2), and one cigarette stored in storage area 2C(3).

[0038] After viewing the display on the display operation unit 4, the player opens the door 3, identifies the storage area 2C containing the desired prize P using the storage area number indicated in each storage area 2C, and retrieves the desired prize P from that storage area 2C. Then, as described above, the control unit 20 detects the retrieval of the prize P from the storage area 2C based on the imaging results of the imaging unit 19 (imaging step, determination step). When the retrieval of the prize P is detected, the control unit 20, after detection, functions as an example of a confirmation unit to confirm whether the prize P subject to the retrieval transaction matches the actual prize P retrieved from the storage area 2C, based on the prize information displayed on the display operation unit 4 and the detection result. In this way, in the case of a retrieval transaction, the player can retrieve the prize P from the prize storage unit 1 without the presence of a store employee. In particular, for players, convenience is improved because they can reach the prize storage room 1 by following the conventional route from the gaming area where the gaming machines are installed to the prize exchange area, and then freely take out the prizes P from the prize storage room 1. Furthermore, the control unit 35 of the management device 31 may function as a confirmation unit instead of the control unit 20.

[0039] If the control unit 20 detects a discrepancy between the prize P that is the subject of the retrieval transaction and the prize P retrieved from the storage area 2C, it may notify the player by displaying on the display operation unit 4 that the retrieved prize P is incorrect and prompting the player to return the retrieved prize P. Upon seeing this display, the player can return the incorrectly retrieved prize P to the storage area 2C and retrieve the prize P that should have been retrieved.

[0040] If the wrong prize P is taken out and the door 3 is closed to the closed position, the control unit 20 will notify the signal indicator light 5 of the mismatch by illuminating the light-emitting part 5B of the signal indicator light 5 in a predetermined light-emitting pattern. The store employee who receives the notification, that is, the employee who sees the light-emitting part 5B illuminating, can rush to the prize storage room 1 to take action. With this configuration, the store employee does not normally need to be present when a player takes out prize P from the prize storage room 1, thus reducing the burden of managing prize P. In addition to notification by the signal indicator light 5, notification can also be sent to the intercom (wireless device) carried by the store employee.

[0041] Upon receiving notification, the store clerk rushes to the scene, listens to the details from the remaining players, and checks the contents of the players' prize exchange receipts. After having the reader 22 read a special card for store clerks (such as an ID card), the clerk operates the display operation unit 4 to select a return transaction for the return of prize P. The control unit 20, having received the request for a return transaction, unlocks the door 3, and the store clerk or player opens the door 3 and returns the prize P to the storage area 2C. At this time, the control unit 20 may display information on the storage area 2C to which the prize will be returned and the return location within the storage area 2C on the display operation unit 4. When the control unit 20 detects that the prize P subject to the return transaction has been returned to the storage area 2C, it adds and updates the inventory count of the returned prize P in the table T of the storage unit 23, and stores the breakdown of the returned prize P within this inventory count as a remark in table T (see the remark for confectionery in Figure 4) (management step). Players who return their prize points can then retrieve the prize points they were originally entitled to.

[0042] By the time a store employee arrives, the customer involved may have already left. In such cases, an image of the customer who took out the wrong prize P may be captured by the imaging unit 19 or another imaging unit (not shown), and the resulting image data may be transmitted to the management device 31 along with the details of the transaction and information about the incorrectly taken prize P, and stored in the storage unit 37.

[0043] If the control unit 20 confirms that the prize P subject to the retrieval transaction matches the prize P retrieved from the storage area 2C, it updates the inventory count of the retrieved prize P in the storage unit 23's table T (see Figure 4). Then, when the player closes the door 3 and the door 3 is locked in the closed position, the transaction ends. The control unit 20 may also reconfirm whether the prize P subject to the retrieval transaction matches or does not match the actual prize P retrieved from the storage area 2C at the time the door 3 is locked.

[0044] A player who has taken out the prize P that they were originally supposed to take may, for example, return the prize P through a return transaction and receive another prize of the same value, provided it is within the operating hours of that day. In this case, the player has their card or prize exchange receipt read by the reader 22 of the prize storage unit 1, and then operates the display operation unit 4 to select the return of prize P. The control unit 20, having received a request for a return transaction regarding the return of prize P in this way, notifies the signal indicator light 5 of the discrepancy by illuminating the light-emitting part 5B of the signal indicator light 5 in a predetermined light-emitting pattern before returning prize P to the storage area 2C. As a result, the store employee who receives the notification can rush to the prize storage unit 1 and handle the return of prize P.

[0045] Specifically, upon receiving notification, the employee who rushes to the scene listens to the customer's explanation and checks the contents of the customer's prize exchange receipt. After having the employee's own card read by the reader 22, they operate the display operation unit 4 to select to continue the return transaction. The control unit 20 then unlocks the door 3, allowing the employee or customer to open the door 3 and return the prize P to the storage area 2C. At this time, the control unit 20 may display information on the storage area 2C to be the return destination and the return location within that storage area 2C on the display operation unit 4. If no return destination is specified, the prize P can be returned to any available space in any of the storage areas 2C. When the control unit 20 detects that the prize P subject to the return transaction has been returned to the storage area 2C, it adds and updates the inventory count of the returned prize P in the table T of the storage unit 23, and stores the notes regarding the return in the table T as described above (see the notes regarding the confectionery in Figure 4).

[0046] After returning prize P, the player can retrieve another prize P from the prize storage bin 1 through a new retrieval transaction. Alternatively, the player can ask a staff member who has come to assist to operate POS 32, which will dispense prize Q in place of prize P from the prize dispensing device 33 (see Figure 5). This set of return transactions and subsequent new retrieval transactions can be referred to as a change transaction to alter the prize P retrieved in the initial retrieval transaction.

[0047] As described above, while the presence of a store employee is not required for retrieval transactions, it is required for return transactions, so the handling in the prize management system 100 differs between retrieval and return transactions. However, the return of prize P and the payout of prize Q could also be carried out by the player alone without the presence of a store employee.

[0048] A customer who has requested a prize retrieval transaction by having their card or prize exchange receipt read by the reader 22 of the prize storage unit 1 may, for some reason, leave without retrieving the prize P from the storage area 2C. If the control unit 20 does not detect that the prize P has been retrieved within a predetermined period (e.g., a few minutes) after receiving such a request for a prize retrieval transaction, it will manage the prize P as a lost item at table T, separately from the inventory of other prize P in the storage area 2C (see the number of lost cigarettes in Figure 4). This prevents the staff from confusing the unretrieved prize P with other prize P.

[0049] As described above, the prize management method in the prize storage room 1 includes a detection step that detects the insertion or removal of prizes P from the storage area 2C, and a management step that manages the inventory of prizes P in the storage area 2C using table T based on the detection results in the detection step. In this case, the inventory of prizes P in the storage area 2C is automatically managed by the prize management system 100, and the inventory of prizes P in the storage area 2C is automatically updated by the prize management system 100 each time prizes P are inserted or removed, so the staff of the amusement arcade are relieved of the burden of managing the prizes P in the prize storage room 1. Therefore, the burden related to the management of prizes P can be reduced.

[0050] The information stored in table T is inventory information generated based on the inventory (number of items in stock) of prizes P managed by the control unit 20 and the transaction history (number of forgotten items, remarks, etc.) of transactions accepted by the control unit 20. In this case, the control unit 20 functions as an example of a generation unit that generates inventory information for prizes P in the prize storage 1. The inventory information may also include the date and time of retrieval transactions and return transactions (date and time of transaction completion, etc.) and the number of prizes P related to each transaction as part of the transaction history. The inventory information is generated when store clerks or wholesalers replenish prizes P in the prize storage 1, or during closing procedures after the amusement store closes. The control unit 20 outputs the inventory information by printing it as an inventory slip using the issuing unit 21, or by outputting it externally to a management device 31, etc., using the I / F unit 24. In this case, the control unit 20 also functions as an example of an output unit that outputs inventory information. Thus, since inventory information for prizes P in the prize storage room 1 is automatically generated and output, store employees are relieved of the burden of preparing inventory information, thereby further reducing the burden on managing prizes P. The control unit 35 of the management device 31 may function as the generation and output unit instead of the control unit 20.

[0051] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, the various features described above can be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1. Prize storage room (item storage room) 2. Enclosure (storage section) 2C Storage Area 19. Imaging Unit (Detection Unit) 20 Control Unit (Reception Unit, Detection Unit, and Management Unit) 22 Reading Section (Reception Section) 23 Storage section (management section) 100 Prize Management System (Item Storage System) P Prize (items)

Claims

1. A storage compartment having an area for storing items, The reception department accepts requests for retrieval transactions related to the retrieval of goods, A detection unit for detecting the removal of an item from the storage area, A management unit that manages the inventory of items in the storage area based on the detection results of the detection unit, A storage facility for goods that, despite receiving a request for the retrieval of goods from the reception department, manages the number of goods separately from the number of goods in stock in the storage area if the inventory of goods does not change within a specified period as indicated in the information included in the request for the retrieval of goods.

2. A storage compartment having an area for storing items, The reception department accepts requests for retrieval transactions related to the retrieval of goods, A detection unit for detecting the removal of an item from the storage area, A management unit that manages the inventory of items in the storage area based on the detection results of the detection unit, A storage facility for goods, in which, if the detection unit does not detect the retrieval of the goods subject to the retrieval transaction within a predetermined period, despite the reception unit having received a request for the retrieval of goods, the number of such goods is managed separately from the number of goods in stock in the storage area.

3. The article storage cabinet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection unit includes an imaging unit for imaging the storage area.

4. The article storage cabinet according to claim 3, wherein the detection unit identifies the type and number of articles removed from the storage area based on the imaging results of the imaging unit at multiple timings.

5. A storage compartment having an area for storing items, The reception department accepts requests for retrieval transactions related to the retrieval of goods, A detection unit for detecting the removal of an item from the storage area, A management unit that manages the inventory of items in the storage area based on the detection results of the detection unit, An item storage system that, when an item retrieval transaction request is received by the reception department, but the inventory of the item does not change within a specified period as indicated in the information included in the retrieval transaction request, manages the number of the item separately from the inventory of the item in the storage area.

6. A storage compartment having an area for storing items, The reception department accepts requests for retrieval transactions related to the retrieval of goods, A detection unit for detecting the removal of an item from the storage area, A management unit that manages the inventory of items in the storage area based on the detection results of the detection unit, An item storage system that, when a request for an item retrieval transaction is received by the reception unit, but the detection unit does not detect the retrieval of the item subject to the retrieval transaction within a predetermined period, manages the number of such item separately from the number of items in stock in the storage area.

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