Vending machines

Abstract

To provide a vending machine capable of minimizing the exclusive space of a locker. [Solution] The vending machine 10 is provided with a main body 19 that contains the product 31 to be sold, and a locker 12 that is positioned next to the main body 19 and contains and sells a product 49 different from the product 31. The vending machine 10 is provided with a connecting device 36 that fixes the locker 12 to the main body 19 and holds the lower end 12B of the locker 12 at a position above the lower end 19E of the main body 19 in the vertical direction B1.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vending machine having lockers. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an example of a delivery system that combines a delivery box as a locker with a vending machine. The delivery system described in Patent Document 1 is a delivery system that uses a delivery box that stores parcels delivered by a parcel service and receives the stored parcels. Patent Document 1 also describes that the delivery system includes a vending machine that is installed near the delivery box or integrated with the delivery box and can sell various products. It describes that the delivery box has a plurality of storage lockers arranged vertically and horizontally, and a control panel that is operated when storing (depositing) parcels (parcels) in the storage lockers and when removing parcels from the storage lockers. It also describes that the delivery box stores parcels delivered by a parcel service and receives the stored parcels. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7039325 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventors of the present application recognized a problem with the delivery system described in Patent Document 1 in that the delivery boxes around the vending machines take up a large amount of space.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vending machine that can minimize the space required for lockers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This embodiment is a vending machine comprising a main body that contains a first product to be sold, and a locker that is positioned next to the main body and contains and sells a second product different from the first product, the vending machine also comprising a connecting device that fixes the locker to the main body and holds the bottom end of the locker vertically at a position above the bottom end of the main body. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The vending machine of this embodiment makes it possible to minimize the space required for the lockers. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a vending machine and a locker. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of a vending machine and a locker. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a vending machine and a locker. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a user purchasing an item sold at a locker. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a user receiving an item purchased on a website at a locker. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing an example in which a user sends an item from a locker to a delivery destination. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (overview) FIG. 1 shows an overview of an environment A1 including a vending machine 10. A user 11 can purchase products sold by the vending machine 10 by operating the vending machine 10. The vending machine 10 has a locker 12, and the user 11 can also purchase products sold in the locker 12. Furthermore, the user 11 can connect a user terminal 13 to a seller computer 15 via a network 14 and purchase products sold by the seller computer 15 on a website on the network 14. The user 11 can receive the products purchased by the user 11 on the website on the network 14 via a delivery company 16 and the locker 12. The user 11 can also deliver the products to a delivery destination (recipient) 17 via the locker 12 and the delivery company 16. The configurations included in the environment A1 will be described in order.

[0010] (Vending Machine) The vending machine 10 is a product vending device managed by a product seller or the like. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the vending machine 10 is placed at an installation location 18. The vending machine 10 has a box-shaped main body 19, a control device 20, a solar power generation device 21, a wind power generation device 22, a battery 23, and the like. A product 31 sold by the vending machine 10 is housed inside the main body 19. The product 31 sold by the vending machine 10 is a container tightly packed with contents, such as coffee, juice, black tea, green tea, carbonated drinks, sports drinks, and other beverages. The container is a plastic bottle, a can, or the like.

[0011] The main body 19 is provided with an electric light (product display unit) 24, a coin slot 25, a bill insertion slot 26, a reader 27, a return lever 28, a coin return slot 29, a product removal slot 30, etc. The electric light unit 24 is a section that displays to the purchaser the types of products 31 sold by the vending machine.

[0012] The lighting unit 24 includes a plurality of dummy product rows 32 and product selection buttons 33 provided corresponding to each of the dummy product rows 32. The dummy product rows 32 are configured by lining up a plurality of dummies in the horizontal direction. The dummies are labels imitating the actual products 31 or replicas of the containers of the products 31.

[0013] Furthermore, a product insertion port, a rack, a product chute, a control device (control circuit) 22, a product delivery mechanism, etc. are provided inside the main body 19. The control device 20 is composed of a processor having an input port, an output port, a central processing circuit, etc. The control device 20 is communicatively connected to the solar power generation device 21, the wind power generation device 22, the product selection button, the product delivery mechanism, etc. via a bus 34. The product delivery mechanisms are provided corresponding to the multiple product selection buttons, respectively, and their operation is controlled by the control device 20.

[0014] The solar power generation device 21 is configured to convert solar energy into electrical energy. The solar power generation device 21 has a solar panel 21A provided on the main body 19. The electrical energy obtained by the solar power generation device 21 is charged to a battery 23. The wind power generation device 22 is configured to convert wind kinetic energy into electrical energy. The wind power generation device 22 is provided on the main body 19 and has an impeller 22A that rotates by receiving wind, a generator connected to the impeller 22A, and the like. The electrical energy generated by the wind power generation device 22 is charged to a battery 23. The battery 23 is provided inside or outside the main body 19. The battery 23 is a secondary battery that can be charged and discharged, and the secondary battery includes, for example, a lithium ion battery, a nickel hydrogen battery, a sodium ion battery, and the like. The control device 20 is configured to control the power generation state of the solar power generation device 21 and the power generation state of the wind power generation device 22. The control device 20 is also configured to control the charge amount of the battery 23.

[0015] (Example of purchasing a product) An example in which the user 11 uses the vending machine 10 to purchase a product 31 is as follows. When the user 11 inserts a coin into the coin slot 25 or a bill into the bill slot 26, the lamp of the product selection button 33 corresponding to the purchasable product 31 is lit. When the user 11 presses one of the lit product selection buttons 33, the control device 20 operates the product delivery mechanism corresponding to the pressed product selection button 33. As a result, the product 31 selected by the user 11 is transported to the product removal slot 30 and stops. The user 11 can open the cover of the product removal slot 30 and remove the product 31. When the user 11 operates the return lever 28, the change is returned to the coin return slot 29.

[0016] When purchasing a product using a cashless device other than cash, the product selection button 33 is pressed first to turn on the lamp, and then the cashless device is brought close to the reading unit 27, where the reading unit 27 reads the cashless device, and the control device 20 operates the product delivery mechanism. As a result, the product 31 is transported to the product removal port 30 and stops there. The cashless device may be any one of the user terminal 13, a cashless card, a wristwatch-type device, etc.

[0017] (Collection box) A collection box 35 is placed next to the main body 19 of the vending machine 10 at the installation location 18. The collection box 35 is made of, for example, synthetic resin. Of the products 31 sold by the vending machine 10, containers 31A from which the contents have been removed are placed in the collection box 35. In the vertical direction B1, the upper end of the collection box 35 is located below the upper end 19A of the main body 19 of the vending machine 10. The vertical direction B1 is the direction in which gravity acts, which is the up-down direction in FIG. 2. A recycler collects the containers 31A in the collection box 35.

[0018] (locker) The locker 12 is attached to the outer surface of the main body 19 of the vending machine 10, specifically, to the side surface 19D. The side surface 19D is provided along the vertical direction B1. The locker 12 is attached to the main body 19 by a connector 36. The connector 36 includes, for example, a metal bracket, a metal hook, a metal clamp, etc. The connector 36 is configured to be attached to and detached from the main body 19 and the locker 12 by a fixing element. The fixing element includes, for example, a screw, a bolt, a nut, etc.

[0019] The overall shape of the locker 12 is a cube or a rectangular parallelepiped. As shown in FIG. 2, when the locker 12 is attached to the main body 19, the lower end 12B of the locker 12 is located above the lower end 19E of the main body 19 in the vertical direction B1, and is located above the upper end 35A of the collection box 35. The lower end 19E of the main body 19 is, for example, the lower end of the leg of the main body 19, and the lower end 19E is in contact with the installation location 18. In the vertical direction B1, the upper end 35A of the collection box 35 is located above the lower end 19E of the main body 19. In addition, in the vertical direction B1, the upper end 12A of the locker 12 is located at the same position as the upper end 19A of the main body 19, or below the upper end 19A of the main body 19. Furthermore, the locker 12 is disposed between the front end 19B and the rear end 19C of the main body 19 in the direction along the side surface 19D, specifically, in the horizontal direction B2.

[0020] The locker 12 has a case body 37, a product sales section 38, an item storage section 39, an operation section 40, a monitor 41, a camera 42, a processor 43, a charging device 44, a temperature adjustment device 45, a locking mechanism 46, and a communication interface 64. The case body 37 is, for example, formed into a box shape using a metal plate. A plurality of product sales sections 38 are provided on the case body 37 along the vertical direction B1. The product sales section 38 includes a product storage chamber 47 and a door 48. The product storage chamber 47 is a space partitioned by the metal plate of the case body 37, and the product storage chamber 47 stores products 49 to be sold to users. The products 49 stored in the product storage chamber 47 are different in shape, type, unit price, etc. from the products 31 sold in the vending machine 10.

[0021] The door 48 is attached to the case body 37 so as to be able to open and close freely, so as to cover the entrance and exit of the product storage chamber 47. The door 48 is made of, for example, metal, and is provided with a window 50. The window 50 is made of glass or synthetic resin, and the user 11 can visually view the product storage chamber 47 through the window 50 from outside the locker 12. In addition, the locking mechanism 46 is configured to hold the door 48 in a closed state.

[0022] The item storage section 39 is used when temporarily storing items 51 before being received by the user 11, and when temporarily storing items 51 that the user 11 will deliver to the delivery destination 17. A plurality of item storage sections 39 are provided along the vertical direction B1 of the case main body 37. The item storage section 39 includes an item storage chamber 52 and a door 53. The item storage chamber 52 is a space partitioned by a metal plate of the case main body 37, and the item 51 is contained, i.e., stored, in the item storage chamber 52. The item 51 stored in the item storage chamber 52 is different from the product 31 sold in the vending machine 10, and is also different from the product 49 sold in the product sales section 38.

[0023] The door 53 is attached to the case body 37 so as to be able to open and close freely, so as to cover the article storage room 52. The door 53 is made of, for example, metal. The locking mechanism 46 has a configuration for holding the door 53 of the article storage room 52 and the door 48 of the product sales section 38 in a closed state separately. The locking mechanism 46 is composed of an actuator that operates by electricity, for example, a step motor, a solenoid, etc.

[0024] The operation unit 40, the monitor 41, and the camera 42 are provided in the case body 37. The operation unit 40 is a panel that the user 11 operates when activating the camera 42 and the monitor 41. The operation unit 40 is operated when the user 11 purchases a product 49 sold in the product sales section 38, and when using the item storage section 39. The monitor 41 is composed of at least one of, for example, a liquid crystal monitor and an organic electroluminescence monitor. The monitor 41 can display a two-dimensional code, for example, a QR code (registered trademark). The QR code corresponds to the website of a seller selling the product 49.

[0025] Camera 42 has a structure for reading a two-dimensional code, for example, a QR code, displayed on user terminal 13. Camera 42 is configured with one or more cameras selected from an analog high-vision camera, a digital high-vision camera, a network camera, etc. Information output from the camera includes an image, a location where the image was taken, a date and time when the image was taken, etc. Camera 42 may also be an AI (Artificial Intelligence) camera.

[0026] When the locker 12 is attached to the main body 19 of the vending machine 10, the battery 23 and the charging device 44 are connected by a power cable. The charging device 44 is a device that supplies the power of the battery 23 to an electrical device, for example, the user terminal 13. When the locker 12 is attached to the main body 19 of the vending machine 10, the battery 23 of the vending machine 10 is electrically connected to the temperature adjustment device 45 and the charging device 44 separately. The charging device 44 is provided on the case main body 37 in order to supply the power of the battery 23 to the user terminal 13. The charging device 44 has a socket, an electric circuit, etc. The temperature adjustment device 45 includes a heater and a fan. The temperature adjustment device 45 has a function of managing the temperature inside the locker 12 at room temperature, for example, about 20°C. The temperature adjustment device 45 operates with the power supplied from the battery 23.

[0027] The article sensor 65 detects the presence or absence of the articles 51 and 63 in the article storage room 52 and outputs a signal. The communication interface 64 is configured to connect the locker 12 to the network 14 by at least one of a wireless communication system and a wired communication system. The communication interface 64 is provided in the case body 37, and is composed of a communication circuit, a communication cable, an antenna, etc. The processor 43 is provided inside the case body 37, and is composed of a central processing unit (CPU (Central Processing Unit)) that integrates an arithmetic device (arithmetic circuit) and a control device (control circuit).

[0028] The processor 43 is communicatively connected to the memory 62, the operation unit 40, the monitor 41, the camera 42, the charging device 44, the temperature adjustment device 45, the locking mechanism 46, the article sensor 65, and the communication interface 64 via a bus 66. The memory 62 is a non-volatile, i.e., non-transient storage medium, and non-transient applications, information, and data are stored in the memory 62.

[0029] By activating applications stored in memory 62, processor 43 executes processes for the operation content of operation unit 40, processes for controlling the display content of monitor 41, processes the two-dimensional code photographed by camera 42, and processes for controlling lock mechanism 46. Processor 43 also executes processes for controlling charging device 44, controlling temperature adjustment device 45, processes signals acquired from item sensor 65, processes information sent from communication interface 64 to seller computer 15 via network 14, and the like.

[0030] (User terminal) The user terminal 13 is a computer used by the user 11. The user terminal 13 includes, for example, a portable computer, specifically, a smartphone or a tablet computer. The user terminal 13 can be connected to a seller computer 15 via a network 14. The network 14 includes wireless communication and wired communication, and is, for example, an internetwork. The user terminal 13 includes a main body (casing), a processor 54, a memory 55, an operation unit 56, a display unit 57, a camera 58, a communication interface 59, a battery 60, etc.

[0031] The processor 54 is provided inside the main body and is configured by a central processing unit (CPU (Central Processing Unit)) in which an arithmetic unit (arithmetic circuit) and a control unit (control circuit) are integrated. The processor 54 is communicably connected to the memory 55, the operation unit 56, the display unit 57, the camera 58, and the communication interface 59 via a bus 61. The processor 54 executes various processes, judgments, and controls by activating non-transient applications stored in the memory 55.

[0032] The memory 55 is a non-volatile storage device, that is, a non-transient storage medium. The memory 55 stores non-transient applications, and information and data to be processed by the processor 54. The operation unit 56 is operated when inputting information, signals, etc. to the user terminal 13, when causing the user terminal 13 to execute various processes, when connecting the user terminal 13 to the network 14, etc.

[0033] The operation unit 56 is composed of, for example, operation buttons, operation tabs, a touch panel, etc. The display unit 57 is a display that is viewed by the user 11, and the display includes structures such as a liquid crystal display and an organic electroluminescence display. The display may be defined as a monitor. The display unit 57 displays various screens and information on websites on the network 14. The display unit 57 can also display operation buttons, operation tabs, etc. on the screen. In other words, the operation unit 56 and the display unit 57 may be integrated.

[0034] Camera 58 is an image reading device that captures an object to generate an image, converts the generated image into an electrical signal, and outputs the image. Camera 58 may be either a structure that is directly attached to the main body, or a structure that is connected to the main body via a cable. Objects captured by camera 58 include two-dimensional codes, scenery, people, documents, etc. Images include videos, still images, photographs, etc. Images captured by camera 58 are stored in memory 55.

[0035] The communication interface 59 has a configuration for connecting the user terminal 13 to the network 14 by at least one of a wireless communication system and a wired communication system. The communication interface 59 is provided in the main body, and is composed of a communication circuit, a communication cable, an antenna, etc.

[0036] The battery 60 is provided inside the main body. The battery 60 is configured to supply power to various electronic and electrical components provided in the main body. The battery 60 is a secondary battery that can be charged and discharged, and examples of the secondary battery include a lithium ion battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, a sodium ion battery, and the like.

[0037] (Example: A user purchases an item sold at a locker) An example of a user 11 purchasing a product 49 sold at a locker 12 is shown in the flow chart of Figure 4. For convenience, it is assumed here that a seller who sells the product 49 operates a seller computer 15. It is also assumed that the seller computer 15 provides a website on the network 14 from which the product 49 is sold.

[0038] When user 11 operates operation unit 40 in step S10, a two-dimensional code is displayed on monitor 41. In step S11, user 11 reads the two-dimensional code with camera 58 of user terminal 13. In step S12, user 11 operates user terminal 13 to access a website corresponding to the read two-dimensional code, and the website is displayed on display unit 57.

[0039] In step S13, the user 11 operates the user terminal 13 to download an application from the website and carry out the procedure for purchasing the product 49 and the payment process. Then, the seller computer 15 selling the product 49 issues a purchase certificate, and the user terminal 13 acquires the purchase certificate. The purchase certificate includes a two-dimensional code, a purchase number, a license key, etc. The two-dimensional code includes, for example, a QR code.

[0040] User 11 displays the two-dimensional code acquired from seller computer 15 on display unit 57 of user terminal 13, and in step S14 brings the two-dimensional code close to camera 42 to read it. If the purchase certificate issued by seller computer 15 is a purchase number or a license key, user 11 operates operation unit 40 in step S14 to input the purchase number or the license key.

[0041] Then, in step S15, the processor 43 authenticates the purchase proof and controls the locking mechanism 46 to unlock the door 48. As a result, the user 11 can open the door 48 in step S16 and remove the product 49 from the locker 12. In step S16, the user 11 places the user terminal 13 in the product storage room 47 and can charge the battery 60 from the charging device 44. The processor 43 can set the time from the start to the end of charging the battery 60 from the charging device 44 to, for example, five minutes.

[0042] (Example: A user purchases an item for sale on a website) The flowchart in FIG. 5 shows an example in which a user 11 purchases an item (goods) 63 sold on a website and receives the item 63 at the item storage unit 39 of a locker 12. The item 63 is a type of item that is not sold at the item sales unit 38 of the locker 12 and is not sold at the main body 19. The locker 12 is preferably located in the residential area of ​​the user 11 who purchases the item 63, or in an area where the user 11 passes by for commuting to work or school. For convenience, it is assumed that a seller who sells the item 63 operates a seller computer 15, and that the seller computer 15 provides a website on the network 14. It is also assumed that the seller computer 15 obtains information from the processor 43 of the locker 12 via the network 14 that there is an item storage room 52 in which neither a good nor an item is stored.

[0043] In step S20, the user 11 operates the user terminal 13 to access a website and display the website on the display unit 57. In step S21, the user 11 operates the user terminal 13 to carry out a procedure and payment process for purchasing an item 63 sold on the website. Then, the seller computer 15 selling the item 63 issues a purchase certificate, and the user terminal 13 acquires the purchase certificate. The purchase certificate includes a two-dimensional code, a purchase number, a license key, and the like.

[0044] In step S22, the seller computer 15 requests the delivery company 16 shown in Fig. 1 to ship the purchased item 63 and store it in the locker 12. The delivery company 16 transports the item 63 and in step S23 stores the item 63 in the item storage section 39 of the locker 12 and closes the door 53. When the processor 43 detects that the item 63 has been stored in the item storage section 39 of the locker 12, it sends this information to the seller computer 15. The seller computer 15 sends a message via the network 14 to the user terminal 13 that the item 63 has been stored in the item storage section 39 of the locker 12.

[0045] In step S24, the user 11 inputs the purchase proof. The operation in step S23 is the same as the operation in step S14 in Fig. 4. Then, the processor 43 authenticates the purchase proof in step S25, and controls the locking mechanism 46 to unlock the door 53. Thus, the user 11 can open the door 53 in step S26 and remove the item 63 from the locker 12.

[0046] (Example of a user sending an item to another person) An example in which the user 11 uses the locker 12 to send an item 51 to a delivery destination 17 is shown in the flowchart of Fig. 6. In step S30, the user 11 places the item 51 to be delivered to the delivery destination 17 in the item storage section 39 of the locker 12 and closes the door 53. In step S30, the user 11 operates the operation section 40 to input a password for opening the door 53. The processor 43 then obtains the password and controls the locking mechanism 46 to lock the door 53 in a closed state.

[0047] In step S31, the user 11 operates the user terminal 13 to request the delivery company 16 to deliver the item 51 to the delivery destination 17, and sends a password to the delivery company 16. In step S32, the delivery company 16 operates the operation unit 40 of the locker 12 to input the password. The processor 43 then unlocks the locking mechanism 46. In step S32, the delivery company 16 opens the door 53 and removes the item 51 from the item storage unit 39. In step S33, the delivery company 16 delivers the item 51 to the recipient.

[0048] (Effects of the embodiment) In this embodiment, it is possible to minimize the space occupied by the locker 12 in the installation location 18 of the vending machine 10. In other words, it is possible to effectively utilize the space around the vending machine 10. For example, in the vertical direction B1, the space below the locker 12 can be used as a space for arranging the collection box 35.

[0049] In addition, the products 49 sold in the product sales section 38 are not limited to the shape of the column (storage space) inside the main body 19, and have a shape that cannot be stored in the column of the main body 19, and are different in type from the products 31. Therefore, the products 49 can be sold at a higher unit price than the products 31. Furthermore, the item storage section 39 of the locker 12 serves as a storage place for temporarily storing the items 51, 63. Therefore, by charging for the use of the item storage section 39 of the locker 12, a new source of revenue can be secured, and it can become a touchpoint for the users 11, the sellers of the items 63, etc.

[0050] (Other explanations) An example of the technical meaning of the matters disclosed in this embodiment is as follows: Vending machine 10 is an example of a vending machine. Main body 19 is an example of a main body. Product 31 is an example of a first product. Product 49 is an example of a second product. Locker 12 is an example of a locker. Bottom end 19E is an example of the bottom end of a main body. Bottom end 12B is an example of the bottom end of a locker. Connector 36 is an example of a connector. Product storage chamber 47 is an example of a product storage chamber. Door 48 is an example of a door that opens and closes product storage chamber 47.

[0051] The locking mechanism 46 is an example of a locking mechanism. The processor 43 is an example of a processor. The items 51, 63 are examples of items. The item storage room 52 is an example of an item storage room. The door 53 is an example of a door that opens and closes the item storage room. The solar power generation device 21 is an example of a solar power generation device. The wind power generation device 22 is an example of a wind power generation device. The battery 23 is an example of a battery. The user terminal 13 is an example of an electrical device. The charging device 44 is an example of a charging device. [Industrial Applicability]

[0052] This embodiment can be used as a vending machine having lockers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10...vending machine, 12...locker, 12B, 19E...lower end, 13...user terminal, 19...main body, 21...solar power generation device, 22...wind power generation device, 23...battery, 31, 49...product, 36...connector, 43...processor, 44...charging device, 46...locking mechanism, 47...product storage room, 48, 53...door, 51, 63...product, 52...product storage room

Claims

1. A vending machine comprising: a main body for accommodating a first product to be sold; and a locker disposed next to the main body for accommodating and selling a second product different from the first product; A vending machine comprising a connector for fixing the locker to the main body and for vertically holding a lower end of the locker at a position above a lower end of the main body.

2. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, The locker includes: A product storage chamber that stores the second product; A door for opening and closing the product storage room; A processor for controlling the opening and closing of the door; A vending machine having

3. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, The locker includes: an item storage room for storing an item different from the first item and the second item; A door for opening and closing the item storage room; A processor for controlling the opening and closing of the door; A vending machine having

4. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, The body includes: At least one power generation device selected from the group consisting of a solar power generation device that converts solar energy into electrical energy and a wind power generation device that converts wind power into electrical energy; a battery for storing the electric energy generated by the one or more power generation devices; having The locker is a vending machine having a charging device that supplies the electric energy of the battery to an electric device possessed by a user.

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