Vending machines

Abstract

To provide an automatic dispenser allowing an external radio communication apparatus to use an Internet connection function of an automatic dispenser.SOLUTION: An automatic dispenser includes an Internet connection communication unit 21 that performs Internet connection, a short-range radio communication unit 22 as a radio communication unit that performs radio communication connection with one or more specific radio communication means, a recognition permission determination unit 12 that determines permission of external use by performing recognition processing of external use identification information D1 and D2 previously registered on external use of the Internet connection communication unit 21 by an external radio terminal 4 through the short-range radio communication unit 22, and a use control unit 13 that performs use control for the Internet connection communication unit 21 on the basis of order of priority between the permitted external use and internal use of the Internet connection communication unit 21 regarding sales of commodities.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vending machine whose Internet connection function can be used by an external wireless communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] Recent vending machines are equipped with not only a local area network wireless communication function but also an Internet connection function so as to be connected to the Internet and transmit sales data and the like of the vending machine to a management server side.

[0003] Meanwhile, rental bicycles and the like also have local area network wireless communication capabilities, and users connect to the Internet using their mobile terminals to access the rental bicycle management server and obtain permission to use the bicycle (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-181619 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, since bicycle rental users use their own mobile devices, they are required to pay Internet connection fees. Furthermore, when connected to the Internet, data that is of no use to users, such as operation information and maintenance information, is often included, resulting in a huge amount of data. In order to reduce the user's fee burden, it is necessary to equip rental bicycles with Internet connection functionality, but providing Internet connection functionality means costs for the bicycle rental company.

[0006] This situation is not limited to wireless communication devices for rental bicycles and other mobile objects (rental cars and rental bikes, including electric vehicles), but also applies to wireless communication devices such as personal computers that only have short-range wireless communication functions, wireless communication devices that transmit inspection information, operation information, and maintenance information for public facilities (bridges, utility poles, electric lights, traffic lights, etc.), and wireless communication devices that transmit sensor information for various facilities such as agricultural facilities. There was an issue that providing Internet connection functions to these wireless communication devices would increase costs.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and has an object to provide a vending machine that allows an external wireless communication device to use the Internet connection function of the vending machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a vending machine for selling products, which is characterized by comprising: an Internet connection communication unit for connecting to the Internet; a wireless communication unit for making a wireless communication connection to one or more specific wireless communication means; an authentication permission determination unit for performing an authentication process of external use identification information registered in advance when an external wireless communication device makes external use of the Internet connection communication unit via the wireless communication unit and determining whether or not to permit the external use; and a usage control unit for controlling the use of the Internet connection communication unit based on the priority order between the permitted external use and internal use of the Internet connection communication unit for selling the products.

[0009] In the above-mentioned invention, the priority of the external use is determined based on the internal sales processing of the product. use Lower the cost and reduce the cost of the vending machine itself. use It is characterized by being higher.

[0010] In the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the wireless communication unit is a short-range wireless communication unit.

[0011] In addition, the present invention, in the above invention, is characterized in that it further comprises an information acquisition unit that monitors and acquires information transmitted and received by the external wireless communication device when the Internet connection communication unit is used externally.

[0012] In the above-mentioned invention, the conditions and fees for external use of the Internet connection communication unit can be preset.

[0013] In the above-mentioned invention, the present invention is characterized in that the payment of the fee can be made using a cash handling mechanism of the vending machine.

[0014] In the above-mentioned invention, the fee may be discounted or free of charge when the product is purchased.

[0015] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the vending machine further comprises a guide display unit on a front surface thereof that displays the fact that the vending machine can be used outside. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, since an external wireless communication device can utilize the Internet connection function of the vending machine, there is no need to provide the external wireless communication device with an Internet connection function, thereby suppressing increases in the cost of the external wireless communication device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vending machine system including a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of a vending machine system including a vending machine. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for controlling Internet connection and use of a wireless terminal by a vending machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] <Vending machine configuration> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vending machine system 100 including a vending machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the vending machine system 100 including the vending machine 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the vending machine system 100 is connected to the vending machine 1, the vending machine management server 2a, the payment server 2b, and the rental management server 2c via the Internet N. The vending machine 1 and the wireless terminal 4 can be directly connected wirelessly. The vending machine 1 is an example of a vending machine, and is a vending machine that sells products such as canned drinks, bottled drinks, and PET bottled drinks, but may be a vending machine that sells various products such as a cup-type vending machine. The wireless terminal 4 is a device mounted on the rental bicycle 101, and unlocks the key 4a when rental is permitted.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine 1 sells products such as canned drinks and beverages in plastic bottles in either a cold or hot state, and is provided with an outer door 1b that closes the front opening of a main body cabinet 1a.

[0021] A pop-up handle 111 is provided in the middle of the right side of the front of the outer door 1b. The pop-up handle 111 is used to lock the outer door 1b when it is closed. The vending machine 1 is locked by pushing in the pop-up handle 111 when the outer door 1b is closed, and when an unlocking operation is performed, the pop-up handle 111 pops up (protrudes), allowing the outer door 1b to be opened.

[0022] Additionally, an exhibition room 112 is provided in the upper front area of ​​the outer door 1b. The exhibition room 112 is for exhibiting product samples D of products sold by the vending machine 1. The exhibition room 112 is defined by an inner door that is attached to the rear side of the outer door 1b so as to be able to open and close, and a transparent illuminated panel 114 fitted into the front side of the outer door 1b, and users can view the inside of the exhibition room 112 from the front side of the vending machine 1.

[0023] Inside the exhibition room 112, three stages 115 for displaying products are arranged vertically, and product samples D are displayed side by side on each stage 115.

[0024] The product selection buttons 23 are used to select products, and multiple product selection buttons 23 are provided to correspond to the product samples D. Each product selection button 23 can be displayed with an LED, and is lit when it corresponds to a product that can be purchased for the amount inserted. In addition, in the case of cashless payment, the product selection button 23 is lit in conjunction with pressing the product selection button 23.

[0025] Further, in the middle of the outer door 1b below the exhibition room 112, there are provided a coin insertion slot 51, a bill insertion slot 53, a display unit 24, a return lever 52, an electronic money reader / writer 36, an Internet payment button 25, and an information display unit 26.

[0026] The coin slot 51 is an opening for receiving coins. Coins inserted through the coin slot 51 are stored in a coin mechanism (coin processing device) 33 mounted on the inside of the outer door 1b. The coin mechanism 33 organizes the numbers of various coins inserted and transmits this information to the vending machine main control unit 10, which will be described later, and also dispenses various coins according to commands from the vending machine main control unit 10. The coin mechanism 33 also has a currency identification function that identifies the authenticity and denomination of coins.

[0027] The bill insertion slot 53 is an opening for receiving bills. Bills inserted through the bill insertion slot 53 are stored in a bill validator (bill processing device) 34 mounted on the inside of the outer door 1b. The bill validator 34 counts the number of inserted bills and transmits this to the vending machine main control unit 10, while dispensing the bills according to commands from the vending machine main control unit 10. The bill validator 34 has a money identification function that identifies the authenticity and denomination of bills.

[0028] The electronic money reader / writer 36 reads the electronic money loaded on the electronic money card and writes the electronic money after the settlement. The electronic money reader / writer 36 also performs a writing process to load the electronic money for change onto the electronic money card. The electronic money reader / writer 36 has an electronic money identification function to detect the electronic money card and to identify the validity / invalidity and type of the electronic money card.

[0029] The display unit 24 is for displaying various information such as on sale, out of change, in preparation, and bill cancellation, as well as the amount inserted, internet usage fees, and information on various settings.

[0030] The return lever 52 is used to instruct the interruption of a transaction. When the return lever 52 is operated, the transaction is interrupted, change etc. is released from the coin mechanism 33 to the coin return port 63, and bills are returned from the bill validator 34 to the bill insertion port 53.

[0031] The internet payment button 25 is a button to be pressed when paying the internet usage fee used by the wireless terminal 4 with cash or an electronic money card. When this internet payment button 25 is pressed, the internet usage fee used immediately before is displayed on the display unit 24. The internet payment button 25 may be realized by one product selection button 23. In this case, it is preferable to display above the product selection button 23 that it is a button for paying internet fees.

[0032] The guidance display unit 26 displays that the wireless terminal 4 can connect to the Internet using the Internet connection communication unit 21 of the vending machine 1. The guidance display unit 26 displays, for example, a label on the front of the vending machine indicating that "Internet is available". The guidance display unit 26 may be an electronic image display such as a liquid crystal display. Furthermore, if most of the front of the vending machine is a digital signage display that displays electronic images, the guidance display unit may be provided on part of the screen. Furthermore, the guidance display unit 26 may be provided on the side of the vending machine 1 or around the entire periphery of the vending machine 1. The guidance display unit 26 may also be disposed close to or adjacent to the vending machine 1.

[0033] Further, below the outer door 1b, there is provided an outlet 62. The outlet 62 is an opening for taking out the products carried out from the product storage rack.

[0034] <Vending machine control system> As shown in FIG. 2, the vending machine 1 has a vending machine main control unit 10, which is connected to a communication control unit 20, a main body control unit 30, a cooling and heating device 31, a discharge device 32, a coin mechanism 33, a bill validator 34, an electronic money reader / writer 36, a product selection button 23, a display unit 24, and an Internet payment button 25.

[0035] The communication control unit 20 has an Internet connection communication unit 21 and a short-distance wireless communication unit 22. The Internet connection communication unit 21 is a communication interface that connects to the Internet N via a cellular communication network by a communication method such as 3G, LTE (registered trademark), 4G, or 5G. The short-distance wireless communication unit 22 is a communication interface that performs short-distance wireless communication with the wireless terminal 4. The short-distance wireless communication unit 22 functions as a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication connection to wireless communication means such as one or more specific wireless communication protocols. For short-distance wireless communication, WiFi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), particularly BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication is used from the viewpoint of low power consumption. Note that the short-distance wireless communication unit 22 is an example of a wireless communication unit, and may be a wireless communication unit that connects wireless communication means such as LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) other than short-distance wireless communication or local 5G. In addition, the wireless communication means may be capable of wireless communication connection of short-distance wireless communication and wireless communication other than short-distance wireless communication. In addition, the wireless communication means may be in the form of a local area network wireless communication function.

[0036] The main body control unit 30 is connected to a cooling device 31 and a dispensing device 32. The main body control unit 30 controls the cooling device 31 and the dispensing device 32 under the control of the vending machine main control unit 10.

[0037] The cooling device 31 is for managing the product storage in the main cabinet in a set state. The cooling device 31 cools the inside of the product storage that is set to be cooled, and heats the inside of the product storage that is set to be heated.

[0038] The discharge device 32 is for managing the bend solenoid and sold-out switch provided for each rack. The main body control unit 30 discharges products from the rack in accordance with a discharge command sent from the vending machine main control unit 10. In addition, the discharge device 32 outputs a sold-out signal to the main body control unit 30 when all products stored in the rack have been discharged.

[0039] The coin mechanism 33, bill validator 34, electronic money reader / writer 36, product selection buttons 23, display unit 24, and Internet payment button 25 have been described above, so description thereof will be omitted.

[0040] The vending machine main control unit 10 has a sales control unit 11, an authentication permission determination unit 12, a usage control unit 13, an information acquisition unit 14, and a storage unit 15. The sales control unit 11 performs sales processing such as dispensing the product selected by the product selection button 23 and processing the payment. The vending machine main control unit 10 also notifies and downloads sales data, setting data, and the like, between the vending machine management server 2a and the vending machine management server 2a via the Internet connection communication unit 21. The sales control unit 11 can make payment for the purchased product via the payment server 2b by connecting to and communicating with the wireless terminal 4 of the product purchaser. It is also possible to read a graphic code such as a QR code (registered trademark) and perform payment for the purchased product via the payment server 2b.

[0041] The authentication permission determination unit 12 performs authentication processing of the external use identification information D1, D2 registered in advance when the external wireless terminal 4 externally uses the Internet connection communication unit 21 via the short-range wireless communication unit 22, and determines whether or not to permit external use. The external use identification information D1 is registered in the storage unit 15 of the vending machine 1, and the external use identification information D2 is registered in the storage unit 43 of the wireless terminal 4. The external use identification information D1 may be registered on the rental management server 2c side.

[0042] The usage control unit 13 controls the usage of the Internet connection communication unit 21 based on a priority order D10 between external usage of the Internet connection communication unit 21 by an authorized wireless terminal 4 and internal usage of the Internet connection communication unit 21 related to the sale of products by the vending machine 1. The priority order D10 is stored in the storage unit 15. For example, the priority order for external usage is set higher than the priority order for internal usage of the Internet connection communication unit 21 related to the sale of products by the vending machine 1. use Lower the cost and reduce the amount of data sent by the vending machine itself. use Higher. Inside the product sales process useIn this case, the first priority is given to the original product sales process of vending machine 1, and the internal sales data of vending machine 1, etc. use The reason why the priority of is low is that the sales data only needs to be uploaded to the vending machine management server 2a on a daily basis, and real-time performance is not required.

[0043] The usage control unit 13 determines the usage conditions and usage fee of the Internet connection communication unit 21 by the wireless terminal 4 based on the usage contract information D11 previously contracted with the wireless terminal 4. The usage conditions include, for example, temporary use, use of a certain amount of data, and the usage fee may be charged each time of use, or the number of communications, communication time, and communication capacity may be purchased in advance. The usage fee may be a fixed monthly or annual fee. Furthermore, the usage fee may be free on the premise of acquiring information on data transmission and reception, which will be described later. The usage fee may be free by advertising. Furthermore, the usage fee may be discounted or free by purchasing products from the vending machine. The usage fee may be paid in cash using the money processing mechanism of the vending machine 1, or may be paid via the settlement server 2b. When paying in cash, the Internet payment button 25 is pressed as described above. The information on external use is stored as usage information D12.

[0044] When the usage contract information D11 allows acquisition of transmitted and received data for external use, the information acquisition unit 14 monitors and acquires the transmitted and received data, stores it as acquired information D13, and then uploads it to the vending machine management server 2a together with sales data, etc. The acquired transmitted and received data includes, for example, the type of external use, the user's age, sex, and usage time, as well as sensing information such as vibration, acceleration, temperature, humidity, magnetism, illuminance, air pressure, sound pressure, and position.

[0045] Sensing information is data sent and received by wireless terminals installed in relation to public facilities (social infrastructure) such as bridges, utility poles, electric lights, and traffic lights, smart houses, agriculture, the environment, healthcare, medical care, industry, logistics, public infrastructure (water meters and gas meters), energy, smart buildings, smart cities, smart parking, location detection, consumer products, etc. This sensing information is sent periodically at set intervals, or is notified when a certain threshold is exceeded. This sensing information also includes data such as the operation status of traps, LP gas and water meter reading data, monitoring of single-person households, management of vacant parking spaces, and the location of stolen bicycles.

[0046] In addition, sensing information may be obtained when multiple wireless terminals 4 are connected as a mesh network. In this case, it is sufficient that one of the wireless terminals 4 constituting the mesh network and the vending machine 1 are connected via wireless communication.

[0047] <Wireless terminal control system> As shown in Fig. 2, the wireless terminal 4 has an operation display unit 41, a short-range wireless communication unit 42, a storage unit 43, and a control unit 44. The operation display unit 41 is, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display device, and is an input / output interface for inputting and displaying various data, for example, displaying an operation screen of a usage app for the rental bicycle 101 for external use. The short-range wireless communication unit 42 is an example of wireless communication means, and is, for example, a communication interface for establishing a short-range wireless communication connection with the vending machine 1 using a communication method such as WiFi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). The storage unit 43 stores external use identification information D2.

[0048] Control unit 44 controls the entire wireless terminal 4, and unlocks lock 4a when permission to use rental bicycle 101 is obtained. Control unit 44 also has a payment application, accesses payment server 2b via vending machine 1, and makes payment for the rental bicycle 101.

[0049] <Internet connection usage control process> Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing an example of a process procedure for controlling the Internet connection and use of the wireless terminal 4 by the vending machine 1. As shown in Fig. 3, first, the vending machine 1 performs a short-distance wireless communication connection process with the wireless terminal 4 (step S110). After that, it authenticates whether the external use identification information D2 sent from the wireless terminal 4 is registered as the external use identification information D1, and judges whether the external use is valid or not (step S120). If the external use is not valid (step S120: No), this process is terminated, and if the external use is valid (step S120: Yes), it is further judged whether the priority of the external use is currently the highest (step S130).

[0050] If external use does not currently have the highest priority (step S130: No), it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S140). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S140: No), the process proceeds to step S130 and the determination of the priority is repeated. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed (step S140: Yes), this process ends. Note that the predetermined time is determined based on the priority of internal use, which has a higher priority than external use. use is present and corresponds to the time when the processing is to be completed, but the wireless terminal 4 may temporarily store the external use or the transmission / reception data to be used externally, and transmit / receive the processing for external use or the transmission / reception data to be used externally when the processing with a higher priority is completed.

[0051] On the other hand, if the priority of external use is currently the highest (step S130: Yes), Internet connection processing for external use is performed (step S150). Then, data is transmitted and received by the wireless terminal 4 (step S160). In addition, this transmitted and received data is monitored, and the monitored transmitted and received data is acquired (step S170).

[0052] Then, it is determined whether or not the Internet connection has been disconnected (step S180). If the Internet connection has not been disconnected (step S180: No), the process proceeds to step S160 and data transmission / reception and data acquisition processing is performed. On the other hand, if the Internet connection has been disconnected (step S180: Yes), the usage information D12 is stored (step S190), a usage fee payment process is performed (step S200), and this process ends.

[0053] In this embodiment, the installation conditions of vending machines 1, which are distributed throughout the country, are effectively utilized, and a wireless terminal 4 that does not have an Internet connection function can connect to the Internet by using the Internet connection mechanism of the vending machine, so there is no need to provide the wireless terminal 4 with an Internet connection function, thereby reducing the cost of the wireless terminal 4.

[0054] In addition, since the wireless terminal 4 uses the Internet connection function of the vending machine 1 as a gateway for Internet connection, users of rental mobile objects in which the wireless terminal 4 is installed do not need to use their own mobile terminals, thereby reducing the fees borne by users.

[0055] Furthermore, in the case of rental vehicles, the area near the vending machine serves as a parking lot for the rental vehicle, and since there are many parking lots, the freedom to drop off the vehicle increases even further.

[0056] On the other hand, since the wireless terminal 4 does not need to have an Internet connection function for transmitting and receiving sensing information about public facilities and the like, it is possible to realize miniaturization and cost reduction of the wireless terminal 4.

[0057] In addition, each configuration illustrated in the above embodiment is a functional schematic, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of distribution and integration of each device and component is not limited to that illustrated, and all or a part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various usage conditions, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1. Vending Machines 1a Main cabinet 1b Outer door 2a Vending machine management server 2b Payment server 2c Rental management server 4. Wireless terminals 4a Key 10 Vending machine main control unit 11 Sales Control Department 12 Authentication permission decision unit 13. Usage control section 14 Information acquisition department 15,43 Storage section 20 Communication Control Unit 21 Internet Connection Communication Section 22 Near Field Wireless Communication Department 23 Product selection button 24 Display section 25 Internet payment button 26 Information display section 30 Main unit control section 31 Cooling equipment 32 Unloading device 33 Coin Mechanism 34 Bill Validator 36 Electronic Money Reader / Writer 41 Operation display section 42 Near Field Wireless Communication Department 44 Control section 100 Vending Machine System 101 Rental Bicycle D1,D2 External use identification information D10 Priority D11 User Agreement Information D12 Usage Information D13 Acquisition Information N Internet

Claims

1. A vending machine for selling products, an internet connection communication unit for connecting to the internet; a wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication connection to one or more specific wireless communication means; an authentication permission determination unit that performs an authentication process of external use identification information registered in advance when an external wireless communication device uses the Internet connection communication unit externally via the wireless communication unit and determines whether the external use is permitted; a usage control unit that controls usage of the Internet connection communication unit based on a priority order between the permitted external usage and an internal usage of the Internet connection communication unit related to the sale of the product; A vending machine comprising:

2. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the priority of the external use is lower than the internal use for product sales processing and higher than the internal use for product sales management processing of the vending machine itself.

3. 3. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit is a short-range wireless communication unit.

4. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an information acquisition unit that monitors and acquires information transmitted and received by the external wireless communication device when the Internet connection communication unit is used externally.

5. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein conditions and fees for external use of said Internet connection communication unit can be preset.

6. 6. The vending machine according to claim 5, wherein the payment can be made using a cash handling mechanism of the vending machine.

7. 7. The vending machine according to claim 5, wherein the charge is a discount or free of charge when the product is purchased.

8. 8. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a guide display unit on a front surface of the vending machine that displays the fact that the vending machine is capable of being used outdoors.

Images