Product sales management system and method thereof

Abstract

To achieve a commodity sales management system that enables purchase of a capsule commodity by a coin and electronic payment.SOLUTION: Provided is a commodity sales management system including: a plurality of selling devices that perform sales of commodities upon input of coins and sales of commodities by electronic payment through use of an electronic medium; and a management server to which the selling devices are connected via a network. The selling device outputs sales information in association with sales of commodities and transmits the sales information to the management server. The management server receives the sales information from the selling device and manages the number of sold commodities by coins or the number of sold commodities by electronic payment in the selling device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a product sales device, a product sales management system and a method thereof, and in particular to a product sales device for capsule products called "gacha", a sales management system and a method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Vending machines that sell capsule products containing figurines of popular anime and toys (so-called gacha machines) are popular among children. Recently, gacha machines have been installed in airports to cater to foreigners.

[0003] In conventional gacha machines, when a user (customer) inserts a coin into the gacha machine, the lock of the gacha machine is released, allowing the dial to be turned and the gacha to be released (Patent Document 1). In this case, people who do not have the coin cannot purchase the gacha.

[0004] On the other hand, there is known an electronic payment system in which the purchase price of a product or service is paid by electronically using a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by a customer (Patent Document 2). Recently, there have been proposals to enable the sale of gacha using electronic payment methods. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-184321 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-71745 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The majority of conventional gacha machines sell gacha using coins. On the other hand, there is an increasing need among adult customers to purchase gacha using electronic payment without using coins. Therefore, there is a demand for a gacha machine that meets the needs of both coin and electronic payment.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to realize a capsule product vending device that enables sales by coin and electronic payment with a single device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a product sales management system and method that enables the sale of products using coins and electronic payment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A preferred example of a product vending device according to the present invention includes a coin slot for inserting coins, A dial operated by a user; a product storage section that stores a plurality of products and releases the products by rotating the dial; An outlet for taking out products discharged from the product storage section; a safe for storing coins inserted through the coin slot; a lock mechanism for releasing the locked state of the dial to allow the dial to rotate; A control unit that controls the state of the lock mechanism, the lock mechanism has a first mode in which the locked state is released by a coin inserted through the coin slot, and a second mode in which the locked state is released under the control of the control unit, The control unit of the capsule product vending device is characterized in that it controls the second mode of the locking mechanism in accordance with an external instruction when the device is in a mode other than the first mode.

[0009] A preferred example of a product sales management system according to the present invention includes a plurality of vending machines that sell products by inserting coins and by electronic payment using electronic media; a management server to which the plurality of vending devices are connected via a network; the plurality of vending devices output sales information associated with the sale of products and transmit the sales information to the management server; The management server receives the sales information from the plurality of vending devices, The merchandise sales management system is characterized in that it manages the number of merchandise sold by coin or electronic payment in the plurality of vending machines.

[0010] A preferred example of a product sales management system according to the present invention includes: a first vending device that sells products in response to insertion of coins; a second vending device that sells products through electronic payment using an electronic medium; a management server to which the first vending machine and the second vending machine are connected via a network; the first vending machine and the second vending machine output sales information associated with the sale of the product and transmit the sales information to the management server; The management server is a product sales management system characterized in that it receives the sales information from the first vending device and the sales information from the second vending device and manages the number of products sold at the first vending device and the second vending device. Further, a merchandise sales management method according to the present invention is understood as a merchandise sales management method executed in the above-mentioned merchandise sales management system. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a capsule vending device and a product vending management system and method that enable the purchase of products with coins and through electronic payment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a product sales management system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the product vending device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a locking mechanism of the product vending device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a locking mechanism of the product vending device. [Figure 5A] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing components of a locking mechanism and a release operation. [Figure 5B] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing components of a locking mechanism and a release operation. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a control unit 20 of the product vending device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a management server 18. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a device management DB 76. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a product management DB 77. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a sales management DB 78. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of an inventory management DB 79. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a coin sales process. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a sales process by electronic payment. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a sales summary DB. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a product sales management system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a gacha island in a product sales management system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display of a terminal used in the product sales management system of the third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a gacha island in a product sales management system according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a product sales device and a product sales management system applied to the sale of capsule products called gacha according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0014] FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a product sales management system according to an embodiment. The product sales management system is composed of a plurality of capsule product vending devices (hereinafter simply referred to as vending devices) 10 that sell capsule products (hereinafter simply referred to as products), a management server 18 that controls the vending devices 10 and manages all information related to the products including sales and inventory status of the products at the vending devices 10, and a payment server 19 that performs electronic payment when a product is purchased from the product vending device 10 using a mobile terminal (hereinafter simply referred to as a terminal) 16 such as a smartphone, all connected via a network 17.

[0015] Here, terminal 16 has various functions such as an input unit, a display unit, an information processing unit that executes an application to process information, a memory unit, a communication unit that performs wireless communication with network 17, and the like, which are possessed by a normal smartphone, as well as an electronic payment function. Electronic payment is what is called smartphone payment, and the application of a payment institution that allows electronic payment is stored in the memory unit.

[0016] A group of multiple vending machines 10 (10 vending machines in the example of FIG. 1) is called a gacha island 1. Gacha islands 1 are usually installed in front of supermarkets and stores. Usually, an operation manager (hereinafter simply called a manager) performs tasks such as replenishing products in the vending machines and collecting sales proceeds, but some of these tasks may be outsourced to the store where the machine is installed. Each vending machine 10 and gacha island 1 has unique identification information (referred to as a machine ID and an island ID), and sales information and inventory information are managed for each vending machine 10 and each gacha island 1. In order to easily grasp the sales volume of each product, each vending machine 10 stores one or more types of products (gacha). For example, gacha island 1, which is made up of 10 vending machines, sells at least 10 types of products. Gachas are, for example, dolls, animals, figures of popular anime, etc.

[0017] The vending machine 10 can sell products using coins and electronic payment using the terminal 16. Coins refer to 100 yen coins and medals that can be used to purchase products. Each vending machine 10 can display a QR code for selling products using electronic payment. (Registered Trademark) The QR code 21 includes the URL of the management server 18 that manages the sale of gacha, and the identification information (device ID) of the vending device 10. A user (customer) can make an electronic payment using the QR code by using the reading function of the terminal 16 to read the QR code 21 of the vending device 10 that he / she wishes to purchase from and sending it to the management server 10. Electronic payments include credit card payments, prepaid card payments, debit card payments, etc., and the management server 18 manages the affiliated payment institutions. The payment server 19 owned by the payment institution makes payments in response to inquiries from the management server 18. In other words, the payment server 19 determines whether payment can be made for the customer and the purchase amount of the product registered in the payment server 19, and sends the payment result to the management server 18.

[0018] When management server 18 receives the payment result from payment server 19, it notifies customer terminal 16 of the payment result and also sends sales permission information, i.e., an instruction to release (unlock) the lock mechanism of vending device 10 having QR code 21 for which the customer wishes to purchase a product. The configuration and processing operation of management server 18 will be described later with reference to Fig. 7 onwards.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows the external appearance of the vending device 10. The vending device 10 mainly comprises a control unit 20, a transparent product storage unit (also called a capsule box) 22 that stores a large number of capsules, a vending mechanism unit 23 that releases the capsules, and a safe 24 that stores coins as the sales payment. The control unit 20 controls necessary parts of the device and has a function of communicating data and control information with the management server 18 (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 6). A sticker with a QR code 21 printed thereon is affixed to the outer surface of the product storage unit 22. The vending mechanism unit 23 has a coin insertion slot 231, a dial 232 for purchasing products, a price display 233 such as an LED that displays the price of the product, a payment display 234 such as an LED that notifies the completion of electronic payment, a product removal port 235 that releases products, and a safe 24 that stores coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 231. A person in charge periodically unlocks the safe 24 to collect the coins in the safe and appropriately replenishes products in the product storage unit 22.

[0020] When a coin is inserted through the coin slot 231, the locking mechanism of the dial 232 is released and the dial becomes rotatable. When a customer turns the dial 232, the product in the product storage unit 22 is released to the product outlet 235. In the case of electronic payment, the locking mechanism is released according to release control of the locking mechanism by the control unit 20, and the product is similarly released. These controls will be described later with reference to Figs. 12 and 13.

[0021] 3 and 4 show the locking mechanism. FIG. 3 shows the standby (locked) state, and FIG. 4 shows the unlocked state. 3, in the standby state, since no coin M is inserted, the lock plate 34 locks the slider 33 so that it cannot move, restricting the movement of the lever 31 and preventing the movement of the cam 32. In this state, the dial 232 cannot rotate.

[0022] On the other hand, when a coin is inserted through the coin insertion slot 231, the locked state is released and the slider 33 becomes movable. Fig. 4 shows the state when the locked state is released, the dial 232 rotates, and the coin is about to fall. Since the coin M prevents the lock plate 34 from locking the slider 33, the slider 33 can be moved, the rotation of the dial 232 is permitted, and the slider 33 moves with the rotation of the dial 232 to the coin drop slot 36.

[0023] The rotation direction of dial 232 is changed by bevel gears 302 and 303, and a cam 32 is fixed to bevel gear 303. A driving gear 301 is fixed to shaft 304 of dial 232. The capsules stored in product storage section 22 are agitated by the rotation of dial 232, and one capsule is transported to product outlet 235.

[0024] In the unlocked state, the slider 33 is released from restraint, so when the dial 232 rotates, the lever 31 rotates around the lever rotation axis 313. When the dial rotates once, the lever 31 returns to its original position by the force of the lever return spring 314. A sensor 35 is installed to detect the movement of the lever 31. The sensor 35 is, for example, an optical sensor that detects the passage and blocking of light. When the sensor 35 detects the rotation of the lever 31, the detection signal can be used as purchase completion information.

[0025] The rotation of the lever 31 is converted into a sliding movement of the slider 33. Since the coin M is inserted in the lock plate 34, the slider is not restricted and carries the coin M to the coin drop hole 36. When the coin M drops, the force of the lever return spring 314 rotates the lever 31 back to its original position, and it rotates to the position of the stopper 312. This returns the lever to its initial state (standby state).

[0026] In this embodiment, the lock mechanism is effectively controlled not only when selling goods with coins M, but also when making electronic payments. The coin lock mechanism and the lock mechanism associated with electronic payments will be described with reference to Figures 5A and 5B. In addition, considering the expression that involves operations, it would be more appropriate to call it a lock and unlock mechanism, but here we will call it a lock mechanism.

[0027] 5A and 5B show the components of the locking mechanism and the release operation. FIG. 5A(a) shows the structure of the lock plate 34 in FIG. 3 (cross section taken along line AA' in FIG. 3). The lock plate 34 rotates around an axis at D. The lock plate 34 is in contact with the slider 33 at any of A, B, and C. A indicates the locked state without coin M, B indicates the contact unlocked state with coin M, C indicates the standby state, and D indicates the rotation axis.

[0028] In the following description, (b) to (e) show the operation of the locking mechanism when purchasing with coins, and (f) to (h) show the operation of the locking mechanism when purchasing with electronic payment. 5A(b) shows the standby state. In the standby state, the lock plate 34 contacts the slider 33 at point C. A spring (compression spring) 342 engaged with a set screw 341 keeps a tip A of the lock plate 34 in contact with the slider 33.

[0029] 5A(c) shows the locked state. A slight movement of slider 33 in the direction of the arrow moves point C, and lock plate 34 is lifted by spring 342 and rotates at fulcrum D. This causes tip A of lock plate 34 to come into contact with slider 33, restricting the movement of the slide. This prevents dial 232 from rotating.

[0030] 5A(d) shows the unlocked state with coin M. When the purchaser inserts coin M into slot 231, coin M is positioned under point B of lock plate 34. When slider 33 moves to the right (in the direction of the arrow) in this state, the fixed point of lock plate 34 moves from point C to point B. When dial 232 rotates in this state, slider 33 is unlocked and becomes movable.

[0031] 5A(e) shows the completed state of purchasing a product with the coin M. When the slider 33 moves to the drop location for the coin M, the coin M is discharged from the lock mechanism. The slider 33 moves to the standby state by the action of the lever return spring 342.

[0032] The locking mechanism and its operation for electronic purchases will now be described. Purchases made by electronic payment are made according to instructions from management server 18, and are therefore referred to as remote lock or remote unlock.

[0033] 5B(f) shows the remote lock release standby state. In order to remotely release the lock mechanism using a coin, a motor (e.g., a servo motor) 51 is newly mounted on a printed circuit board (hereinafter simply referred to as board) 54, an actuator 52 rotated by the motor 51, a remote lock plate 53, and a control circuit (not shown) mounted on the board 54. In the remote lock release standby state, the remote lock plate 53 is also positioned in the standby position.

[0034] 5B(g) shows a locked state with remote lock. In this state, even if you try to rotate the dial 232, the slider 33 cannot be moved because it is locked at point A. Therefore, the rotation of the dial 232 is locked.

[0035] 5B(h) shows the remote lock released state. When motor 51 is rotated forward by a control signal for remote locking, actuator 52 rotates and remote lock plate 53 moves to between lock plate 34 and set screw 341. When remote lock plate 53 moves, lock plate 34 newly comes into contact with remote lock plate 53 at point E. This places lock plate 34 in the same position as when coin M is inserted, allowing the lock to be released. When the sensor 35 detects the end of rotation of the dial 232, i.e., the lever 31, a detection signal from the sensor 35 is sent to a control circuit (not shown), and the control circuit outputs a reverse rotation signal to the motor 51. This causes the motor to rotate in the reverse direction and return to the standby state.

[0036] According to this embodiment, this can be realized by adding a locking mechanism (mechanism of FIG. 5B(g)) by remote lock and unlock command to the locking mechanism (FIG. 5A(b)) of a conventional product vending device using coins M. Therefore, both coin vending and electronic payment vending can be realized at a relatively low cost without changing the locking mechanism of the conventional product vending device using coins M.

[0037] FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the control unit 20 of the vending device 10. The control unit 20 has a processing unit 61 which is a processor (CPU) that processes data related to the control of the target mechanism and sales of the product, a wireless communication unit 62 that wirelessly communicates control information, sales information of the product, etc. with the management server 18 by Wifi or the like, and a motor control unit 63 that controls the motor 51 of the lock mechanism by the processing unit 61. Although not shown, it also has a storage unit that stores control information, detection information, sales information, etc.

[0038] The wireless communication unit 62 transmits and receives information related to electronic payment and a notice of completion of the sale. For example, the wireless communication unit 62 receives an unlock (release) signal issued by the management server 18 when a product is sold by electronic payment via the network 17. Based on the unlock signal, the processing unit 61 outputs a normal rotation signal (unlock) for the motor 54 to the motor control unit 63, and also displays on the payment display 234 that the payment has been completed.

[0039] When the motor control unit 63 outputs a forward rotation signal to the motor 54, the locking mechanism of the dial 232 is released from the locked state. This allows the customer to turn the dial 232 and purchase a capsule toy. After that, the sensor 35 detects the movement of the lever 31 (i.e., the end of rotation of the dial 232). When the processing unit 61 receives the dial rotation signal from the sensor 35 and detects that the sale is complete, it controls the motor control unit 63 to rotate the motor 51 in the reverse direction and lock it. The processing unit 61 also displays on the payment indicator 234 that the payment is complete. The processing unit 61 also transmits a lock completion signal (lock signal) to the management server 18 via the wireless communication unit 62. The lock signal means that the sale is complete.

[0040] When management server 18 receives the lock signal, it determines that the sale is complete, and registers the device ID and the timestamp generated when the data was received in the sales management DB (database) in association with each other. Notification of product sales information by the lock completion signal (i.e., the signal indicating the end of rotation of dial 232 detected by sensor 35) is performed not only in the case of product sales by electronic payment, but also in the case of product sales by coins, and processing unit 61 similarly adds the vending device ID to the lock signal and transmits it to management server 18 via wireless communication unit 62. When management server 18 receives the lock signal without outputting the unlock signal, it can recognize that the data is sales data by coin sales.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the management server 18. As shown in FIG. The management server 18 has functional units, namely, an electronic payment processing unit 70, a device management unit 71, a product management unit 72, a sales management unit 73, an inventory management unit 74, and a data analysis unit 75, and databases (DBs), namely, a device management DB 76, a product management DB 77, a sales management DB 78, and an inventory management DB 79. As hardware, the management server 18 has a storage unit that stores data and programs, a processing unit (processor) that executes programs to process data, and an input / output unit. The processing unit executes programs to realize each of the above functional units. Each of the above DBs is formed in the storage unit.

[0042] The electronic payment processing unit 70 automatically settles the amount of the product purchased by the customer with the payment server 19 of one or more institutions (companies) that are affiliated with the company that manages the sale of gacha products and that accept electronic payments. The memory unit has an electronic payment information DB (not shown) that stores information on one or more payment institutions that accept electronic payments. In this case, the customer can purchase a product from the vending machine 10 by selecting electronic payment from one of one or more institutions depending on the application that the customer's terminal 16 has.

[0043] The device management unit 71 processes information relating to the installation and replenishment of products for each vending device when multiple vending devices are installed and in operation, and registers and updates the device management DB 76 . The product management unit 72 processes information relating to the management of money and revenues such as purchase, shipment, and sales of products, and registers and updates the product management DB 77 . The sales management section 73 collects and tallies the number of products sold for each vending device, and registers and updates the sales management DB 78 . The inventory management unit 74 updates the inventory management DB 79 and manages the daily inventory status of products. The data analysis unit 75 uses the sales information held in the sales management DB 78 to perform various analyses such as best-selling products, the relationship between sales volume and location, and whether sales are made by electronic payment or coins.

[0044] [Configuration of each DB] Next, examples of the configuration of each DB will be described with reference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 11 and FIG. FIG. 8 shows the device management DB 76. The device management DB 76 manages the installation status and daily operation status of the vending device 10, and stores information such as an island ID unique to the gacha island 1, a device ID unique to the vending device 10, an installation location indicating the location where the vending device 10 is installed, a person in charge, a restocking date, and a planned restocking date. Here, the person in charge of operating the vending device collects coins stored in the safe 24 of the vending device 10 and restocks products to the vending device 10. The restocking date indicates the date on which the person in charge restocks products to the vending device 10, and the planned date indicates the planned date on which the product is restocked. Each time the person in charge restocks products, the person in charge uses a terminal such as a smartphone (not shown) to transmit the device ID, the number of items in stock, and the number of items to the management server 18. The device management DB 76 is searched using the device ID as a key, and data such as the island ID, device ID, installation location, person in charge name, restocking date, and number of items to be restocked are displayed on the display unit of the terminal. The data is registered in the device management DB 76 according to the person in charge's operation of the confirmation key.

[0045] 9 shows the product management DB 77. The product management DB 77 manages the purchase of products sold by the vending device 10, and stores information such as product name, product code, supplier, purchase quantity, purchase date, shipment quantity, and shipment date. The product code is information that identifies the product. Purchase refers to a company or the like that purchases the product, and shipment refers to the delivery of the product to a store or business that manages the vending device. Electronic data provided by EDP (Electronic Data Processing) between the product supplier and the product management DB 77 is automatically registered. Alternatively, the person in charge may input and register data via an input / output unit (not shown) that the management server 18 has.

[0046] FIG. 10 shows the sales management DB 78. The sales management DB 78 manages the sales situation including the sales amount of each product for each vending device, and stores information such as an island ID, a device ID, a product code, a payment method, a sales amount, a unit price, and a sales date and time. The payment method is information for identifying whether the purchase is made by coins or electronic payment. The decision of whether to use coins or electronic payment can be grasped by the sales management unit 73 during the process of performing the processing operations of FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. The date and time are time information obtained from a timer possessed by the management server 18. Every time one product is sold by the vending device 10, the processing operation of FIG. 12 or FIG. 13 is performed, and the sales management unit 73 updates the contents of the sales management DB 78. In that sense, the sales management DB 78 can be said to be a log DB that stores the daily sales situation of products.

[0047] FIG. 11 shows the inventory management DB 79. The inventory management DB 79 manages the inventory of products for each selling device and each gacha island, and stores information such as island ID, device ID, product code, product unit price, restocking number indicating the restocking number of products, current inventory number, date and time, etc. Here, the restocking number is data input from the terminal (not shown) of the person in charge when restocking the selling device 10 with products. The unit price is data input from a terminal (not shown) by, for example, a manager in charge of sales strategy. The current inventory number is calculated by the inventory management unit 74 by adding the restocking number or subtracting the sales number (number sold). The sales number is grasped by the inventory management unit 74 by acquiring data corresponding to the island ID, device ID, and product code of the sales management DB 78 every time sales information is registered in the sales management DB 78. In this way, the gacha, which is a product, and its inventory amount (i.e., sales number) can be managed for each gacha island and each selling device based on the product code.

[0048] FIG. 14 shows the sales summary DB. (The sales summary DB is not shown in FIG. 7.) The sales summary DB holds, for example, the number of products sold for each island ID, device ID, and product code, as well as the breakdown of the sales (number of coins sold and number of electronic payment sales), and the sales amount (amount) and the breakdown of the sales (amount of coins sold and amount of electronic payment sales) for one week. Note that the aggregation unit is not limited to one week, and it is possible to have a sales summary DB that aggregates sales data for one month or any period set by the administrator.

[0049] Next, the processing operation of selling a product (purchase of a product by a customer) in the vending device 10 will be described. [Purchasing products with coins (first mode)] The process of purchasing a product with coins will be described with reference to FIG. When a customer inserts coins of the amount displayed on the price display 233 into the coin slot 231 (S1201), the slider 33 of the locking mechanism, which was in the locked state (FIG. 5A(c)), moves (FIG. 5A(d)). When the customer operates the dial 232 to rotate, the slider 33 is unlocked and moves (S1202).

[0050] When a customer rotates dial 232, the product stored in product storage section 22 is discharged (S1203) and ejected from product outlet 235. The customer removes the product ejected from product outlet 235 (S1206).

[0051] When the dial 232 rotates once, the lever 31 rotates in the original direction by the force of the lever return spring 314, rotates to the position of the stopper 312, and returns to the initial state (standby state) (FIG. 5(b)) (S1205).

[0052] When the dial 232 rotates once to return to its original state, the sensor 35 detects the rotation of the lever 31, and the control unit 20 receives a detection signal from the sensor 35. Upon receiving this detection signal, the control unit 20 determines that the sale of the product has been completed. Then, sales information is created and transmitted to the management server 18 via the wireless communication unit 52 (S1204). The sales information includes the island ID and the device ID of the vending device.

[0053] When management server 18 receives the sales information transmitted from vending device 10, sales management unit 73 registers the sales information in sales management DB 78 based on the island ID and device ID included in the sales information (S1207). In this case, since no payment information was transmitted from management server 18, sales management unit 73 determines the payment method to be "coin payment." In addition, data corresponding to the island ID and device ID is obtained from inventory management DB 79 for the sales amount and unit price. For the date and time of sale, the date and time when the sales information was received is registered based on a timer possessed by management server 18. In this way, each time a coin is sold at any one of the vending devices 10, sales information is stored in the sales management DB 78. Also, the contents of the inventory management DB 79 are updated by the inventory management unit 74.

[0054] [Purchase of goods by electronic payment (second mode)] The process of purchasing a product through electronic payment will now be described with reference to FIG. First, the customer uses the QR code reading function of the terminal 16, which is an electronic medium, to read the QR code 21 (including the device ID) 21 of the selling device 10 that stores the product he or she wishes to purchase in Gacha Island 1 (S1301). The read QR code is transmitted from the terminal 16 to the management server 18 (S1302).

[0055] When management server 18 receives the QR code transmitted from terminal 16, electronic payment processing unit 70 acquires payment information (a list of payment institutions) of one or more payment institutions from the electronic payment information DB. Furthermore, inventory management unit 74 acquires, based on the device ID of vending device 10 contained in the received QR code, the unit price of the product sold by vending device 10 corresponding to that device ID from inventory management DB 78. Then, electronic payment processing unit 70 creates payment information including the list of payment institutions and the unit price of the product, and transmits it to terminal 16 (S1341).

[0056] Terminal 16 receives the payment information and displays it (payment institution and product unit price) on the display. The customer checks the product unit price, selects a payment institution that can be used by his / her terminal 16 from the one or more displayed payment institutions, and inputs a payment instruction (S1303). The input payment instruction is sent to management server 18 together with unique information of the electronic payment application that terminal 16 has.

[0057] In the management server 18, the electronic payment processing unit 70 transmits a payment notification, i.e., the payment information (app payment information) of the application held by the customer's terminal 16 and the unit price of the product, to the payment server 19 of the payment institution included in the received payment instruction (S1342). The payment server 19 processes the payment for that customer based on the received payment notification, i.e., updates the account balance by deducting the unit price of the product, or determines that payment is not possible due to insufficient balance, and transmits the payment result to the management server 18 (S1361).

[0058] The electronic payment processing unit 70 of the management server 18 temporarily stores the received payment result in the memory unit and notifies the terminal 16 that the payment has been completed (S1343). When the terminal 16 receives the payment completion notification, it displays the result of the electronic payment on the display unit (S1304). The memory unit of the management server 18 stores the payment institution that made the payment, the result of the electronic payment success or failure, the product unit price, the device ID, and the customer's terminal and app payment information. If the electronic payment was not successful, the processing of the management server 18 ends here.

[0059] On the other hand, if the electronic payment is successful, management server 18 transmits an unlock instruction to the vending device 10 corresponding to the device ID (S1344).

[0060] In the vending device 10 that has received the unlock command, the processing unit 61 controls the motor control unit 63 based on the unlock signal to rotate the motor 54 forward (unlock) (S1321). This releases the lock state of the lock mechanism of the dial 232. At the same time, the processing unit 61 displays the completion of the payment on the payment display 234 (S1322).

[0061] When the customer sees the display on the payment indicator 234, recognizes that the product of the selected vending machine 10 can be purchased, and rotates the dial 232, the product stored in the product storage section 22 is discharged and released through the product outlet 235 (S1323). In addition, in the vending machine 10, the processing section 61 turns off the payment completion display on the payment indicator 234 (S1326). Finally, the customer takes out the product from the product outlet 235 (S1327).

[0062] As in the case of purchasing coins, the vending device 10 performs vending information control (S1324). That is, when the dial 232 rotates once, the lever 31 rotates in the direction of the original state by the force of the lever return spring 314, rotates to the position of the stopper 312, and returns to the initial state (standby state) (FIG. 5(b)) (S1325).

[0063] Furthermore, the processing unit 61 receives a detection signal from the sensor 35 of the rotation of the lever 31 when the dial 232 rotates once and returns to its original state. The control unit 20 determines that the sale of the product has been completed by receiving this detection signal. Then, sales information is created and transmitted to the management server 18 via the wireless communication unit 52. The sales information includes the island ID and the device ID of the vending device.

[0064] When the management server 18 receives the sales information transmitted from the vending device 10, the sales management section 73 registers the sales information in the sales management DB 78 based on the island ID and device ID included in the sales information (S1345). At this time, the sales information is verified to be the product code of the vending device 10 for which the electronic payment was established by checking it against the result of the electronic payment, the product unit price, and the device ID that were previously temporarily stored in the memory. Since the electronic payment was established, the sales management section 73 registers "electronic payment" as the payment method in the sales management DB 78. In addition, data corresponding to the island ID and device ID is obtained from the inventory management DB 79 for the sales amount and unit price. As for the date and time of sale, the date and time when the sales information was received is registered based on a timer that the management server 18 has. In this way, sales information is stored in the sales management DB 78 each time a sale is made through electronic payment at any of the vending devices 10. Also, the contents of the inventory management DB 79 are updated by the inventory management unit 74.

[0065] As described above, a single vending machine can sell capsule products by coin or electronic payment. Also, by registering sales information in the sales management DB 78, it is possible to manage which payment method is used for the sale.

[0066] [Product sales analysis] The sales summary DB in FIG. 14 was created by the data analysis unit 75, which calculates the number of items sold and the amount of sales for a predetermined period, for example, one week, based on the data in the sales management DB 78. The data analysis unit 75 can summarize the sales data not only in units of one week, but also in units of one month, or by setting any period. It is also possible to analyze the sales situation by specifying the installation location or island ID of the target by citing the device management DB 76. It is also possible to analyze the time series change in sales for a predetermined period, for example, one week.

[0067] This allows administrators to analyze product sales status and their breakdown (whether they are sold by coin or electronic payment) by region, gacha island, sales device, time period, etc., and use the information to develop sales strategies. EXAMPLES

[0068] In the first embodiment, the vending machine 10 is a multifunction machine having a coin vending function and an electronic payment vending function. In contrast, in the second embodiment, a gacha island 1 is composed of a coin-only machine (shown as vending machine 110) having a coin vending function and an electronic payment-only machine (shown as vending machine 120) having a capsule vending function, and each vending machine is connected to a management server 18 via a network 10. The coin-only machine is, so to speak, a conventional capsule vending machine. Just because an electronic payment-only machine or a multifunction machine has appeared on the market, the conventional capsule-only machine is not immediately removed from the market. In that sense, there may be a product vending management system in which a coin-only machine and an electronic payment-only machine are mixed. The product vending management system of this embodiment is not limited to a system in which a coin-only machine and an electronic payment-only machine are mixed, but may also be a system in which a coin-only machine and a multifunction machine are mixed. Also, it may be a system in which three types of vending machines, a coin-only machine, an electronic payment-only machine, and a multifunction machine, are mixed. An advantage of electronic payment dedicated machines and multi-function machines is that an administrator can set any price for each vending machine from a terminal.

[0069] From another perspective, coin-only machines are intended for low-priced items for children priced at around 100 to 200 yen, and are often installed in candy stores and supermarkets, etc. On the other hand, electronic payment only machines and multi-function machines are intended for adults who have terminals with electronic payment functions, and are installed in airports and major train stations, for example, for relatively expensive items and souvenirs.

[0070] Here, since the vending device 110 is a machine dedicated to electronic payment, the coin slot 231 and safe 24 are not necessary. Also, since no coins are inserted, the mechanisms and operations from the (b) standby state to the (e) coin purchase completion state in FIG. 5A are not necessary. As another idea for a machine dedicated to electronic payment, without using the mechanisms and operations from the (f) remote unlock standby state to the (h) remote unlock state in FIG. 5A, a motor for controlling the movement of the slider 33 may be provided in the mechanism used from the (b) standby state to the (e) coin purchase completion state, and the motor may be controlled by the control unit 20 during electronic payment to move the slider 33 and rotate the dial 232.

[0071] On the other hand, since the vending machine 120 is a coin-operated machine, it requires functions that are not required for electronic payment machines, and conversely, the processing operations from the (f) remote lock release standby state to the (h) remote lock release state in Fig. 5B are not required. Of course, the terminal 16 and the payment server 19 are not used.

[0072] In the product sales management system, the coin-only machines perform the processing operations shown in Fig. 12, and the electronic payment-only machines perform the processing shown in Fig. 13. Even in this system, the configurations of the sales management DB78 and the sales summary DB basically do not change, but the manner in which the payment methods are registered in these DBs changes. That is, if all vending machines belonging to a certain island ID are coin-only machines, all payment methods will be "coin," and if all vending machines belonging to a certain island ID are electronic payment-only machines, all payment methods will be "electronic payment."

[0073] In this embodiment, each gacha island is provided with multiple coin-only machines or multiple electronic payment-only machines, but in other examples, one gacha island may include both coin-only machines and electronic payment-only machines. Also, one gacha island may include a combination of coin-only machines, electronic payment-only machines, and multi-function machines.

[0074] According to the second embodiment, the administrator can appropriately change the installation location of the electronic payment dedicated machine and the products sold, and further set the unit price of the products arbitrarily or on a trial basis, and analyze the trends in product sales. For example, in order to find the trends in product sales in a certain location, a multifunction machine is first installed and the ratio of coin sales to electronic payment sales is analyzed. Depending on the analysis results, a strategy can be made to later change to a coin-only machine or an electronic payment dedicated machine. EXAMPLES

[0075] In the first and second embodiments, all the multifunction machines 10 or all the electronic payment dedicated machines 110 in the gacha island 1 have a QR code 21. In contrast, in the third embodiment, QR codes are not provided on all the vending devices 10 in the gacha island, but instead, as shown in FIG. 16, a QR code 21' is provided in a predetermined location in the gacha island 1, for example, on one vending device (master vending device) 101 in the gacha island. Furthermore, the control unit 20 (FIG. 6) of the master vending device 101 can communicate control signals and the like with the control units 20 of all the vending devices 10 in the gacha island 1, and the control unit 20 of the master vending device 101 has an electronic payment processing unit (not shown, but for convenience, indicated as 612) that processes electronic payments for all the vending devices 10 in the gacha island 1. In this case, the QR code 21' has the island ID, the device ID of the representative vending device, and the URL of the management server 18 that manages the sales of gacha. In addition, all the vending devices 10 that make up the gacha island have a selection button (not shown in FIG. 2) near the price display 233. In response to the customer's operation of the selection button, a signal indicating that the vending device 10 in question has been selected is transferred to the control unit 20 of that vending device 10 .

[0076] Specifically, the processing operation is as follows (see also FIG. 13). The processing steps S1301 to S1341, S1303 in FIG. 13 are the same as those in FIG. 13. When the terminal 16 receives the payment information, it displays the payment information (payment institution and product unit price) on the display. In this case, it is preferable that the product unit prices handled by all the selling devices in Gacha Island 1 are the same. If the product unit prices of the selling devices 10 in Gacha Island 1 are different, the customer inputs the price display on the price display 233 of the selling device 10 in advance from the input unit of the terminal 16. Furthermore, when the customer selects the payment institution displayed on the display unit that can be used for payment and inputs a payment instruction (S1303), the input payment instruction is transmitted to the management server 18 together with unique information of the electronic payment application possessed by the terminal 16.

[0077] A payment completion notice and an unlock instruction are sent from the electronic payment processing unit 70 of the management server 18 and the payment processing to the payment server 19 to the master vending apparatus 101. This process is similar to steps S1342 to S1304 and S1344 in FIG.

[0078] In an example where the product unit prices are the same, the electronic settlement processing unit 612 of the master vending device 101 that has received the unlock instruction sends an unlock signal to the control units 20 of all vending devices 10 (including the master vending device 101). In an example where the product unit prices are different, the electronic settlement processing unit 612 sends an unlock signal to the control units 20 of one or more vending devices 10 that satisfy the product unit price entered by the customer.

[0079] The control unit 20 of all, one or more of the vending devices 10 that have received the unlock signal turn on the price display 233. When a customer operates the selection button corresponding to the price display 233, the control unit 20 of that vending device controls the motor control unit 63 to rotate the motor 54 forward (unlock) (S1321). Then, the processing unit 61 displays the completion of the payment on the payment display 234 (S1322), and also transmits the completion of the payment to the electronic payment processing unit 612 of the control unit 20 of the master vending device 101.

[0080] When the customer looks at the display on the payment display 234 and rotates the dial 232 of the desired vending device 10, the product stored in the product storage unit 22 is discharged and released through the product outlet 235 (S1323). After that, the processing of the vending device 10 that sold the product and the management server 18 is the same as that of steps S1324 to S1327 and S1345 in FIG.

[0081] [Another example of Example 3] There is another example of this embodiment. For example, in processing step S1303, when the terminal 16 receives the payment information, the display unit displays a screen 160 having a display of an illustration 1601 of Gacha Island 1, as shown in FIG. 17. The illustration of Gacha Island is a display of 10 vending machines in the Gacha Island where the customer plans to purchase products. The customer touches the display part of one or more vending machines in the illustration of Gacha Island to select them. In the illustrated example, machine numbers 2, 4, and 8 are selected (there is a "R" mark in the selection window). The electronic payment processing unit 612 of the master vending machine 101 calculates the total amount of the products of the selected one or more vending machines and displays the total amount 1602. Then, when the customer checks the total amount, further selects a settlement institution (not shown) displayed on the display screen that can be used for settlement, and operates the settlement instruction button 1603, a settlement instruction including the settlement amount, the settlement institution, and the device ID of the selected vending machine is transmitted to the management server 18 together with unique information of the electronic settlement application of the terminal 16.

[0082] Thereafter, a payment completion notice and an unlock instruction are sent from the payment processing by the management server 18 to the master vending device 101. The master vending device 101 transmits an unlock signal to one or more selected vending devices 10 based on the device ID, and the one or more vending devices that receive the unlock signal sell products to customers, etc., in the same manner as described above. According to this example, a customer can use a terminal to select multiple products at once and purchase them through electronic payment. EXAMPLES

[0083] In the first to third embodiments, electronic media are used to enable product sales through electronic payment by a payment agency. In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, electronic payment is used to enable product sales through prepaid electronic media such as electronic money for transportation. Customers can charge electronic money to the electronic media in advance and purchase products within the amount charged.

[0084] For example, as shown in Fig. 18, a predetermined location of the gacha island 1, for example the master vending device 101, is provided with an electronic money medium reading unit 29, and its control unit 20 has an electronic money payment processing unit. Also, as in the third embodiment, all of the multiple vending devices 10 constituting the gacha island have a price display 233 and a selection button in the vicinity thereof. In response to a customer's operation of the selection button, a signal indicating that one vending device (herein referred to as a selected vending device) 10 has been selected is transferred to its control unit 20, and the selection of one vending device 10 is communicated from the control unit 20 of the selected vending device to the electronic money payment processing unit of the master vending device 101. In other words, the device ID of the selected vending device 10 and its product unit price are communicated.

[0085] The electronic money payment processing unit determines whether the product unit price is within the charge amount of the electronic medium, and if it is within the charge amount, it issues an unlock signal to the control unit 20 of the selective vending device. After receiving the unlock signal, the control unit 20 of the selective vending device 10 performs the same control as in the third embodiment.

[0086] When a product is purchased, the charge amount for the electronic medium is reduced by the unit price of the product. In addition, the management server 18 requests the amount settled by the electronic money settlement processing unit from the settlement server of the settlement institution.

[0087] Although several embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be practiced with various modifications and applications. For example, in the above embodiments (FIGS. 8 to 11), it is understood that a plurality of DBs exist independently, but these DBs can be related to each other and configured as a series of DBs or a relational database (RDB). For example, the equipment management DB 76, the sales management DB 78, and the inventory management DB 79 can be organized as a series of DBs in a formal sense by grouping them together using the island ID and the equipment ID as keys.

[0088] As another modification, some or all of the functions and database of management server 18 shown in Fig. 7 may be separated and stored in separate servers. Furthermore, some or all of the functions and database of management server 18 may be realized by a cloud computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1: Gacha Island 10: Capsule product sales device 16: Terminal 17: Network 18: Management server 19: Payment server 20: Control unit 21: QR code 22: Product storage section 231: Coin slot 232: Dial 61: Processing unit 62: Wireless communication unit 63: Motor control unit 70: Electronic payment processing unit 71: Device management unit 72: Product management unit 73: Sales Management Department 74: Inventory Management Department 75: Data Analysis Department 76: Equipment management DB 77: Product management DB 78: Sales management DB 79: Inventory management database

Claims

1. A plurality of vending machines that sell products by inserting coins or by electronic payment using electronic media; a management server for managing product sales information transmitted from the plurality of vending devices; a database that stores the sales information from the plurality of vending devices; Each of the plurality of vending devices has unique identification information (device ID), the plurality of vending devices are grouped together to form an island, and each of the plurality of islands has unique identification information (island ID); The management server includes: a sales management unit that associates sales information of products sold by the plurality of vending machines in the island with the island ID and the machine ID, and identifies whether the payment method is coin payment or electronic payment, and manages the information in the database; A merchandise sales management system comprising:

2. a plurality of first vending devices that sell products in response to insertion of coins; a plurality of second vending devices that sell products through electronic payment using electronic media; a management server that manages sales information of products sold by the plurality of first vending devices and sales information of products sold by the plurality of second vending devices; a database that stores the sales information from the plurality of first vending devices and the sales information from the plurality of second vending devices; the plurality of first vending machines and the plurality of second vending machines each have unique identification information (device ID); the plurality of first vending machines are grouped together to form a first island, the plurality of second vending machines are grouped together to form a second island, and the first island and the second island each have unique identification information (island ID); The management server includes: a sales management unit that associates the sales information of the products sold by the plurality of first vending devices in the first island and the sales information of the products sold by the plurality of second vending devices in the second island with the island ID and the device ID, and identifies whether the payment method is coin payment or electronic payment, and manages the information in the database; A merchandise sales management system comprising:

3. The management server, A data analysis unit uses the sales information stored in the database to analyze sales status of products during a predetermined period, including whether the payment method is coin payment or electronic payment, in correspondence with the island ID and the device ID.

3. The merchandise sales management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The vending device includes: A coin slot for inserting coins; A dial operated by a user; a product storage section that stores a plurality of products and releases the products by rotating the dial; An outlet for taking out products discharged from the product storage section; a safe for storing coins inserted through the coin slot; a lock mechanism for releasing the locked state of the dial to allow the dial to rotate; A control unit that controls the state of the lock mechanism, the lock mechanism has a coin vending mode in which the locked state is released by a coin inserted through the coin slot, and an electronic payment vending mode in which the locked state is released under the control of the control unit, The control unit is a capsule product vending device that controls the electronic payment vending mode in the lock mechanism according to an external instruction when the mode is other than the coin vending mode.

2. The merchandise sales management system according to claim 1.

5. The management server, an inventory management database that stores, for each of the plurality of vending devices constituting a gacha island having a unique island ID, information indicating the island ID, the device ID, product codes of products sold by each of the plurality of vending devices, the number of products to be replenished, and the current number of products in stock; an inventory management unit that receives a notification from a terminal regarding replenishment of products and updates information in the inventory management database; 2. The merchandise sales management system according to claim 1.

6. The database stores the sales information compiled for each predetermined period, including a product code, the number of sales of the product, and a breakdown of the sales number divided into the number of sales by coins and the number of sales by electronic payment, for each island ID and device ID.

3. The product sales management system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A plurality of vending machines that sell products by inserting coins or by electronic payment using electronic media; a management server for managing product sales information transmitted from the plurality of vending devices; a database that stores the sales information from the plurality of vending devices, Each of the plurality of vending devices has unique identification information (device ID), the plurality of vending devices are grouped together to form an island, and each of the plurality of islands has unique identification information (island ID); The management server includes: a sales management step of associating sales information of products sold by the plurality of vending machines in the island with the island ID and the machine ID, and identifying whether the payment method is coin payment or electronic payment, and managing the information in the database; A merchandise sales management method comprising:

8. a plurality of first vending devices that sell products in response to insertion of coins; a plurality of second vending devices that sell products through electronic payment using electronic media; a management server that manages sales information of products sold by the plurality of first vending devices and sales information of products sold by the plurality of second vending devices; a database that stores the sales information from the plurality of first vending devices and the sales information from the plurality of second vending devices, the plurality of first vending machines and the plurality of second vending machines each have unique identification information (device ID); the plurality of first vending machines are grouped together to form a first island, the plurality of second vending machines are grouped together to form a second island, and the first island and the second island each have unique identification information (island ID); The management server includes: a sales management step of associating the sales information of the products sold by the plurality of first vending devices in the first island and the sales information of the products sold by the plurality of second vending devices in the second island with the island ID and the device ID, and identifying whether the payment method is coin payment or electronic payment, and managing the information in the database; A merchandise sales management method comprising:

9. The management server, A data analysis step is provided for analyzing sales status including whether the payment method is coin payment or electronic payment, for sales of products during a predetermined period of time, in correspondence with the island ID and the device ID, using the sales information stored in the database.

9. The merchandise sales management method according to claim 7 or 8.

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