Capsule product sales management system

Abstract

To provide a system capable of being mounted on an existing capsule commodity vending machine, capable of managing what kind of capsule commodities or how many capsule commodities are discharged from which capsule commodity vending machine, capable of notifying of information about voltage of a battery included in each detector, and preventing generation of erroneous information in accordance with human operation in maintenance, inspection, and the like.SOLUTION: Each capsule commodity vending machine includes a detector 8 in the vicinity of a rotation shaft and discharge information transmitting means 22 for transmitting discharge information, an ID, a voltage value of a button battery 18, and the like each time when a sensor unit 19 detecting the movement of a permanent magnet 9 is actuated. A work terminal 3 includes association information transmitting means 32 for transmitting the ID of the detector 8, a commodity kind code, and the like, notification means 34 notifying of a current state, and the like. A totalization terminal 5 includes association means 53 associating the ID of the detector 8 with the commodity kind code and the like and current state information transmitting means 55 transmitting individual discharge information and the like when a front door is locked.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a capsule product sales management system that manages the quantity and remaining amount of capsule products sold by a capsule product vending machine (also called a capsule toy machine, gacha gacha, gachapon, etc.). [Background technology]

[0002] Capsule product vending machines are installed in game centers, amusement parks and hotel game corners, toy sections of department stores and supermarkets, staircase landings, etc., and store a large number of containers such as plastic capsules containing various products (toys, etc.). After inserting coins or medals (hereinafter referred to as "coins"), the handle is turned to rotate the internal rotating drum, which moves the container to the top of the opening and dispenses the product through the product outlet. As an example of a product management system for such a capsule product vending machine, Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication No. 2006-178610) discloses a system in which a permanent magnet (80) and a counter unit (U) are provided in a product discharge device (capsule product vending machine) main body. The counter unit (U) has a reed switch (81), an RFID (82), a power supply unit (button battery) for the RFID (82), and a control unit. When the permanent magnet (80) comes to a position facing the reed switch (81) due to the rotation of the gear (21), the movable contact comes into contact with the fixed contact, thereby indirectly detecting the ejection of the capsule product. The ejection data of the capsule product and an ID unique to the counter unit are stored in the semiconductor memory of the RFID (82). In addition, the control unit writes / reads the discharge data stored in the semiconductor memory, and can visually check the number of discharged items on the spot based on the data read by the reader / writer (83), and can also transfer the data acquired by the traveling staff to the headquarters or other traveling staff, thereby managing products (see especially paragraphs 0024 to 0028 and Figure 10).

[0003] Patent Document 2 (JP 2016-184321 A) discloses a product sales information collection system in which a sensor (116) for detecting the rotation of a dial (14), a sensor cable (118) for transmitting a signal detected by the sensor (116), a node (117) for transmitting information detected by the sensor to a higher-level device, and a LAN cable (119) for connecting each node (117) are implemented inside the main body of multiple vending machines (1) that sell capsules, and which includes a control device (7), a management server (8), an administrator terminal (51), and an operator terminal (52) that are connected via a network (9). Then, each node (117) transmits the detection information detected by the sensor (116) and the node ID as sales information to the control device (7), the control device (7) transmits sales information from the multiple vending machines (1) to the management server (8), and the management server (8) manages the sales information according to requests from the administrator terminal (51) and transmits data according to the requests to the administrator terminal (51) or the operator terminal (52) (see in particular paragraphs 0014-0015, 0020, 0054, 0055 and FIG. 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-178610 A (Patent No. 4814515 A) [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-184321 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the product management system described in Patent Document 1, capsule product ejection data, etc. are stored in the semiconductor memory of the RFID (82), which has a short data transmission distance, and the stored ejection data, etc. are read out by a reader / writer (83). Therefore, as described in paragraph 0028, it was necessary for the traveling staff to carry around an information terminal such as a PDA equipped with a reader / writer (83) to collect information such as the ejection data from each RFID (82). Furthermore, in the product sales information collection system described in Patent Document 2, sensors (116), sensor cables (118), nodes (117), and LAN cables (119) connecting each node (117) are mounted inside the main body of each of the multiple vending machines (1), so that it takes time and effort to assemble the system, which not only increases the installation cost but also makes maintenance and inspection troublesome. In the product management system described in Patent Document 1, each RFID (82) has a power supply (button battery), and therefore the discharge data of capsule products and the like may not be stored in the semiconductor memory due to battery depletion. In contrast, in the product sales information collection system described in Patent Document 2, each node (117) does not have a power supply, and therefore such a problem does not occur, but since information communication between the node (117) and the control device (7) is enabled using a battery (71) mounted in the control device (7) as a power source, it is necessary for a visiting operator to replace the battery (71) every time a predetermined period has elapsed (see paragraphs 0021 and 0035). Furthermore, in the product management system described in Patent Document 1, the capsule product dispensed data and the counter unit's unique ID are stored, while in the product sales information collection system described in Patent Document 2, the detection information detected by the sensor (116) and the node ID are sent to the control device (7) as sales information, so that it is only possible to manage how many capsule products have been dispensed from which vending machine, but it is not possible to manage how many of what type of capsule products have been dispensed. The first object of the capsule product sales management system of the present invention is to be able to be attached to existing capsule product vending machines and to be able to manage how many and what type of capsule product has been dispensed from which capsule product vending machine. A second object of the present invention is to enable the counting terminal to report information regarding the voltage of the batteries installed in each detector, and a third object of the present invention is to prevent the occurrence of erroneous information due to human work during the maintenance and inspection of capsule product vending machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention according to claim 1 is a capsule product sales management system for managing information on dispensed capsule products in a capsule product vending machine group having a plurality of capsule product vending machines each including a product storage unit for storing capsule products, a coin insertion unit, an operation unit operated by a purchaser, and a dispensing unit for dispensing one capsule product from the product storage unit by operating the operation unit, Each capsule product vending machine of the capsule product vending machine group includes a permanent magnet attached to a movable part that moves in response to the operation of the operation part, a sensor part that is activated by the movement of the permanent magnet accompanying the operation of the operation part, and a detector having a dispensing information transmitting means that transmits dispensing information indicating that one capsule product has been dispensed each time the sensor part is activated and specific information for identifying the sender of the dispensing information; an operation terminal having an information input means for inputting product type information and the identification information for identifying the type of capsule product stored in the product storage unit, and having an association information transmission means for transmitting the product type information and the identification information inputted by the information input means for each capsule product vending machine; The apparatus includes a tallying information receiving means for receiving information transmitted from the detector and the operation terminal, and displays the type and number of capsule products sold or the number of remaining capsule products for each capsule product vending machine based on the product type information and the specific information of each capsule product vending machine transmitted from the association information transmitting means and the dispensing information and the specific information transmitted from the dispensing information transmitting means of each detector. Table The present invention is characterized in that it is equipped with a tallying terminal having a display means.

[0007] The invention according to claim 2 is the capsule product sales management system according to claim 1, The operation unit is a handle installed on the front surface of the capsule product vending machine, the movable part is a rotation shaft that rotates by operating the handle, The permanent magnet is attached to a side surface of the rotating shaft so as to protrude in one direction, The detector is mounted in the vicinity of the rotation axis and in a position adjacent to an area through which the permanent magnet passes when the handle is operated.

[0008] The invention according to claim 3 is a capsule product sales management system according to claim 1 or 2, The detector has a battery as an operating power source, a voltage measuring means for measuring the voltage of the battery at predetermined intervals, and a voltage value storage means for storing the measured voltage value; the payout information transmitting means transmits information on the voltage value stored in the voltage value storage means when transmitting the payout information and the specific information for the first time after the voltage measuring means measures the voltage of the battery; before Notation The display means displays information about the voltage of the battery possessed by each detector based on the voltage value information transmitted from the disbursement information transmitting means of each detector and the specific information.

[0009] The invention according to claim 4 is a capsule product sales management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The capsule product vending machine is provided with a door that can be opened when refilling or replacing capsule products stored in the product storage section or when performing maintenance or inspection, and a locking means that can lock the door in a closed state; Each capsule product vending machine of the capsule product vending machine group includes a second detector having a second permanent magnet attached to a second movable part that moves when the locking means is opened or closed, a second sensor unit that is activated by the movement of the second permanent magnet accompanying the opening operation of the locking means, and a locking information transmitting unit that transmits locking means operation information and second identification information for identifying a transmission source of the locking means operation information each time the second sensor unit is activated; The tallying terminal is characterized in that during the period when locking means operation information is being transmitted from the locking information transmitting means, it ignores the payout information and the specific information transmitted from the payout information transmitting means of the detector associated with the second detector. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The capsule product sales management system of the invention according to claim 1 comprises a detector having a sensor unit that is activated by the movement of a permanent magnet accompanying the operation of an operation unit, and a dispensing information transmitting means that transmits dispensing information indicating that one capsule product has been dispensed each time the sensor unit is activated and specific information for identifying the sender of the dispensing information, The present invention relates to a work terminal that has an information input means for inputting product type information and specification information for specifying the type of capsule product stored in a product storage section, and an associated information transmission means for transmitting the product type information and specification information for each capsule product vending machine, and displays the type of capsule product and the number of sold capsule products or the number of remaining capsule products for each capsule product vending machine based on the product type information and specification information for each capsule product vending machine transmitted from the associated information transmission means and the dispensing information and specification information transmitted from the dispensing information transmission means of each detector. Table The terminal has a display means. Therefore, by simply attaching a permanent magnet and a detector to an existing capsule product vending machine and installing an operation terminal and a counting terminal, it is possible to manage the type of capsule product and the number of capsule products sold or remaining for each capsule product vending machine.

[0011] According to the capsule product sales management system of the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effects of the invention of claim 1, the permanent magnet is attached so as to protrude in one direction on the side of the rotating shaft that rotates by operating the handle, and the detector is attached in a position near the rotating shaft and close to the area through which the permanent magnet passes when the handle is operated, so that the permanent magnet and detector can be easily attached to existing capsule product vending machines.

[0012] According to the capsule product sales management system of the invention of claim 3, in addition to the effects of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the detector has a battery for an operating power source, a voltage measuring means for measuring the voltage of the battery at predetermined intervals, and a voltage value storage means for storing the measured voltage value, and the dispensing information transmission means transmits the voltage value information stored in the voltage value storage means when transmitting dispensing information and specific information for the first time after measuring the voltage of the battery with the voltage measuring means. ,table The display means displays information regarding the battery voltage of each detector based on the voltage value information and specific information transmitted from the disbursement information transmitting means of each detector, making it easy to understand whether or not the battery of each detector needs to be replaced.

[0013] According to the capsule product sales management system of the invention of claim 4, in addition to the effects of the invention of any one of claims 1 to 3, the capsule product vending machine is equipped with a door that can be opened when refilling or replacing capsule products stored in the product storage section or for maintenance and inspection, and a locking means that can lock the door with the door closed, and each capsule product vending machine in the capsule product vending machine group is equipped with a second detector having a second sensor unit that is activated by the movement of a second permanent magnet accompanying the opening or closing operation of the locking means, and a locking information transmitting means that transmits locking means operation information and second identification information for identifying the transmission source of the locking means operation information each time the second sensor unit is activated, and the tallying terminal ignores the dispensing information and identification information transmitted from the dispensing information transmitting means of the detector associated with the second detector during the period when the locking means operation information is transmitted from the locking information transmitting means, so that when opening the door for maintenance and inspection, work involving the movement of the handle or permanent magnet can be performed without worrying about the detector being activated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a capsule product sales management system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of a part that operates when discharging a capsule product according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement positions of a detector and a permanent magnet according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the positions of a locking means, a second permanent magnet, and a second detector according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a capsule product sales management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of operations and actions of a capsule product sales management system according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples. EXAMPLES

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a capsule product sales management system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the capsule product sales management system of the embodiment comprises a capsule product vending machine group consisting of multiple capsule product vending machine main bodies 2 stacked on top of each other, an operation terminal 3 (such as a smartphone) having an information input means for inputting product type information (product type code) that identifies the type of capsule product stored in the product storage section 1 at the top of the capsule product vending machine and specific information (ID) that identifies the detector installed inside the capsule product vending machine main body 2, a tallying terminal 5 that receives information transmitted from the operation terminal 3 and the detector, and a management server 7 that accumulates and manages various data processed by the tallying terminal 5.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows the structure of the product storage section 1, the capsule product vending machine main body 2, and the parts that operate when dispensing capsule products in the embodiment, where FIG. 2(A) is a top view, FIG. 2(B) is a front view, and FIG. 2(C) is a right side view. The capsule product vending machine of the embodiment is a device that can sell products without power by being operated by the purchaser, and is provided with a product storage section 1 at the top, a coin insertion section 16 at the bottom where the purchaser inserts a coin to eject a capsule product, a handle 11 that the purchaser rotates 360 degrees clockwise after inserting the coin, and a product removal section 17 that receives the ejected capsule product so that the purchaser can remove it. In addition, since the front and side portions of the product storage section 1 are transparent, purchasers and the like can see the capsule products stored in the product storage section 1 from the outside.

[0018] Although not shown, a circular recess with a hole large enough for capsule products to pass through and a rotatable dispensing tray above it are provided below the product storage unit 1 as a dispensing unit for capsule products. This dispensing tray is provided with five capsule insertion sections in the circumferential direction into which capsule products are inserted, and capsule products drop from the product storage unit 1 into the capsule insertion sections that do not have capsule products inserted therein. When the purchaser inserts a coin into the coin insertion section 16, the handle 11 is unlocked and can be rotated once clockwise. Rotating the handle 11 360 degrees rotates the rotation shaft 10 and the gears shown by dotted lines in Figures 2(B) and (C). Then, the rotation of the gears rotates the dispensing tray 72 degrees, and one of the five capsule insertion sections comes to the same position as the hole, so that the capsule product inserted in that capsule insertion section falls through the hole and is received by the product removal section 17.

[0019] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the positions of a detector 8 for detecting handle operation, which is installed in the part that operates when dispensing capsule products, and a permanent magnet 9 that moves with the operation of a handle 11, in a capsule product vending machine of the embodiment. In Figures 3(A) to (C), a top view, a front view, and a right side view are arranged on the upper side, and an enlarged range is shown in a circle, and an enlarged view of that range is arranged on the lower side. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of the locking means 15 operated when opening the front door in the capsule product vending machine of the embodiment, as well as the positions of the second permanent magnet 13 that moves with the unlocking and locking operations and the second detector 14 for detecting the unlocking and locking operations. 4(A) is a top view, FIG. 4(B) is a front view, FIG. 4(C) is a right side view, and the view shown on the left side of the front view is a rear view of the front door.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, a rotating shaft 10 extending toward the inside of the capsule product vending machine body 2 is provided at the center of the handle 11. A cylindrical permanent magnet 9 is attached to the side of the rotating shaft 10 so as to protrude in one direction, and a detector 8 is attached above the rotating shaft 10 at a position close to the area through which the permanent magnet 9 passes when the handle 11 is operated. As shown in FIG. 4, the locking means 15 has a key striker 12 that can be inserted into the inside of the capsule product vending machine main body 2 and rotated 90 degrees. When the key striker 12 is facing downward as shown in FIG. 4, the front door cannot be opened, but when the key striker 12 is rotated 90 degrees and placed sideways, the front door can be opened. A cylindrical second permanent magnet 13 is attached to the corner of the key striker 12 away from the rotation axis so as to protrude inward, and a second detector 14 is attached directly above the key striker 12 in a position where it does not come into contact with the key striker 12 when the key striker 12 is turned sideways.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a capsule product sales management system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the capsule product vending machine, the operation terminal 3, the tallying terminal 5 and the management server 7 which constitute this system each include the following means. <Capsule product vending machine> The capsule product vending machine has a permanent magnet 9 on a rotating shaft 10, a detector 8 in the vicinity of the rotating shaft 10, a second permanent magnet 13 on a key striker 12, and a second detector 14 in the vicinity of the key striker 12. The detector 8 has a button battery 18, a sensor unit 19 that is activated by the movement of the permanent magnet 9 associated with the rotation of the rotating shaft 10 by operating the handle 11, a voltage measuring means 20 that measures the voltage of the button battery 18 at predetermined intervals, a voltage value memory means 21 that stores the voltage value measured by the voltage measuring means 20, and a dispensing information transmitting means 22 that transmits dispensing information indicating that one capsule product has been dispensed, identification information (the ID of the detector 8) for identifying the sender of the dispensing information, and voltage value information stored in the voltage value memory means 21 each time the sensor unit 19 is activated. The second detector 14 also has a second button battery 23, a second sensor unit 24 that is activated by the movement of the second permanent magnet 13 accompanying the rotation of the key strike 12 by operating the locking means 15, a second voltage measurement means 25 that measures the voltage of the second button battery 23 every second predetermined period, a second voltage value storage means 26 that stores the second voltage value measured by the second voltage measurement means 25, and a locking information transmission means 27 that transmits locking means operation information indicating that the locking means 15 has been operated to open, second identification information (the ID of the second detector 14) for identifying the sender of the locking means operation information, and information on the second voltage value stored in the second voltage value storage means 26 each time the second sensor unit 24 is activated.

[0022] <Work terminal 3> The work terminal 3 is a general-purpose smartphone with a dedicated application installed. By using this application, the IDs of the detector 8 and the second detector 14 installed in the capsule product vending machine and a product type code indicating the type of capsule product to be stored in the product storage section 1 can be input and this information can be sent to the counting terminal 5, thereby associating the ID of the detector 8 with the ID of the second detector 14 and the ID of the detector 8 with the product type code. In addition, based on individual dispensing information and individual battery status information (described later) transmitted from the tallying terminal 5 and management information (described later) transmitted from the management server 7, the work terminal 3 can report the sales status of each detector 8 (each capsule product vending machine), the consumption status of the button battery 18 and the second button battery 23 possessed by each detector 8 and each second detector 14, the sales history of each capsule product vending machine, and the voltage history of the button battery 18 and the second button battery 23. For this reason, the work terminal 3 has an information input means 31 for inputting the IDs of the detector 8 and the second detector 14 and the product type code of the capsule product stored in the product storage section 1 for each capsule product vending machine, an association information transmitting means 32 for transmitting the input IDs of the detector 8 and the second detector 14 and the product type code to the tallying terminal 5, a current status information receiving means 33 for receiving individual dispensing information and individual battery status information (described later) transmitted from the tallying terminal 5 and management information (described later) transmitted from the management server 7, and a current status notifying means 34 for notifying, based on the information received by the current status information receiving means 33, the type of product and the number of products sold or the number remaining for each ID of the detector 8 (for each capsule product vending machine), the remaining battery level or battery consumption state for each ID of the detector 8 and for each ID of the second detector 14, the type of product and the number of products sold in the past for each ID of the detector 8, and the remaining battery level for each ID of the detector 8 and for each ID of the second detector 14 in the past. A specific configuration of the information input means 31 may include attaching a barcode (one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode) indicating the ID assigned to the detector 8 and the second detector 14 to an inconspicuous location on each capsule product vending machine, and inputting the ID by capturing an image of this with the camera of the work terminal 3, and also inputting a product type code by capturing an image of a barcode indicating the product type displayed on the bag, box, etc. containing the capsule product when storing the capsule product in the product storage section 1 with the camera of the work terminal 3.

[0023] <Counting terminal 5> The counting terminal 5 associates the ID of the detector 8 with the ID of the second detector 14, and also associates the ID of the detector 8 with the product type code, based on the ID of the detector 8, the ID of the second detector 14, and the product type code transmitted from the association information transmission means 32 of the work terminal 3. In addition, when the detector 8 is attached to the capsule product vending machine, the ID of the detector 8 is associated with the position of the capsule product vending machine (serial number or identification symbol). The tallying terminal 5 manages the type of capsule product and the number sold or remaining number for each capsule product vending machine based on the dispensing information and identification information (ID of detector 8) transmitted from the dispensing information transmitting means 22 of the detector 8, and the locking means operation information and second identification information (ID of the second detector 14) transmitted from the locking information transmitting means 27 of the second detector 14, and transmits information necessary for reporting the current status to the work terminal 3 and the management server 7. Furthermore, the tallying terminal 5 manages the voltages of the button batteries 18 and second button batteries 23 possessed by each detector 8 and each second detector 14 based on the specific information (ID of the detector 8) and voltage value transmitted from the disbursement information transmitting means 22 and the second specific information (ID of the second detector 14) and second voltage value transmitted from the locking information transmitting means 27, and transmits information necessary for reporting the battery status to the work terminal 3 and the management server 7. For this reason, the tallying terminal 5 includes a tallying information receiving means 51 for receiving various information transmitted from the working terminal 3, the detector 8 and the second detector 14, an association means 52 for associating the ID of the detector 8 with the ID of the second detector 14, the ID of the detector 8 with a product type code, and the ID of the detector 8 with the position of the capsule product vending machine, individual dispensing information indicating the number of capsule products sold or the number of remaining capsule products for each capsule product vending machine, and information regarding the state of the button battery 18 and the second button battery 23 of each detector 8 and each second detector 14. The device has a current status information creation means 53 which creates individual battery status information, a current status display means 54 which displays the number of sold or remaining units for each ID of the detector 8 (for each capsule product vending machine) and the remaining battery charge or battery depletion status for each ID of the detector 8 and for each ID of the second detector 14 based on the individual dispensing information and individual battery status information created by the current status information creation means 53, and a current status information transmission means 55 which transmits the individual dispensing information and individual battery status information created by the current status information creation means 53 to the work terminal 3 and the management server 7. Here, when the tallying terminal 5 manages the number of capsule products sold or remaining for each capsule product vending machine, it is configured to ignore the dispensing information and specific information transmitted from the dispensing information transmitting means 22 of the detector 8 associated with the second detector 14 during the period when locking means operation information is being transmitted from the locking information transmitting means 27 of the second detector 14. By doing so, even if the sensor unit 19 of the detector 8 is activated by operating the handle 11 with the front door open, the number of sold capsule products does not increase or the number remaining does not decrease, which is convenient because it is easy to check the operation of the handle 11 during maintenance and inspection. Furthermore, when the counting terminal 5 manages the voltage of the button battery 18 and the second button battery 23 possessed by each detector 8 and each second detector 14, it can utilize the characteristic that the voltage value of the button battery 18 and the second button battery 23 (specifically, CR2032) remains at approximately 3.0 V during the early to middle stages of use, gradually decreases to approximately 2.7 V in the later stages, and suddenly drops from 2.7 V to 2.0 V at the end of the period. In other words, when the voltage value transmitted from the dispensing information transmitting means 22 of each detector 8 and the second voltage value transmitted from the locking information transmitting means 27 of each second detector 14 fall below a predetermined voltage (2.6 V for CR2032), the current status information creation means 53 determines that the button battery 18 and the second button battery 23 possessed by each detector 8 and each second detector 14 are in a depleted state, and can create individual battery status information to display the battery depletion status. In addition, the ID of the detector 8, the ID of the second detector 14 and the product type code transmitted from the association information transmitting means 32 of the work terminal 3 are received via the Internet line 6, and the dispensing information, specific information (ID of the detector 8) and voltage value transmitted from the dispensing information transmitting means 22 of each detector 8 are received via a dedicated receiving antenna 4. In addition, the individual payout information and the individual battery state information are transmitted to the operation terminal 3 and the management server 7 via the Internet line 6.

[0024] <Management Server 7> The management server 7 collects the individual payout information and the individual battery state information transmitted from the tallying terminal 5, and stores the information in a database. Then, the individual payout information and the individual battery state information at each point in time during the desired period are transmitted to the operation terminal 3 or the tallying terminal 5 as necessary. For this reason, the management server 7 has a current status information receiving means 71 that receives individual dispensation information and individual battery status information transmitted from the tallying terminal 5, a database 72 that stores the individual dispensation information and individual battery status information received by the current status information receiving means 71 at each time of reception, and a current status history information transmitting means 73 that transmits the individual dispensation information and individual battery status information at each time point during a desired period to the work terminal 3 or the tallying terminal 5.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of operations and behaviors of the capsule product sales management system according to the embodiment. Each work flow and operation flow will be explained below. (1) Detector installation work flow The procedure for installing the detector 8, the permanent magnet 9, the second permanent magnet 13, the second detector 14, etc. in the capsule product vending machine group is as follows. (1-1) A staff member (such as a manager or a store clerk delegated by the manager) or an outsourced contractor assigns a different ID to each of the detectors 8 and second detectors 14 to be installed in each capsule product vending machine, and creates barcode stickers indicating those IDs. (1-2) The staff member inserts the key into the locking means 15 on the front of the capsule product vending machine to open it, and opens the front door of the capsule product vending machine main body 2. (1-3) As shown in FIG. 3, a permanent magnet 9 is attached to the side of a rotating shaft 10 that rotates by operating a handle 11, and a detector 8 is attached above the point where the permanent magnet 9 is attached, at a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the permanent magnet 9 from the top surface of the rotating shaft 10. (1-4) As shown in FIG. 4, a second permanent magnet 13 is attached to a corner away from the center of rotation of the striker 12, which rotates by operating the locking means 15, and a second detector 14 is attached above the location where the second permanent magnet 13 is attached, at a location that does not interfere with the movement of the striker 12 to rotate 90 degrees from the downward position. (1-5) A barcode sticker indicating the ID assigned to the installed detector 8 and second detector 14 is attached to an inconspicuous location on the capsule product vending machine (a corner of the front or the back side of the front door). (1-6) When the work on all capsule product vending machines is completed, the counting terminal 5 stores information indicating the position of the capsule product vending machine to which the detector 8 is attached (for example, a serial number or an identification code attached to each capsule product vending machine) in association with the ID of the detector 8. In addition, the installation steps (1-3) and (1-4) can be performed in any order, and the step (1-5) can be performed immediately before or after the step (1-2) (opening the front door).

[0026] (2) Product storage work flow The procedure for a staff member to store a capsule product in one of the capsule product vending machines in the capsule product vending machine group is as follows. (2-1) A staff member inserts a key into the locking means 15 on the front of the capsule product vending machine to open it, and opens the front door of the capsule product vending machine main body 2. (2-2) The two barcodes attached to the capsule product vending machine in which a capsule product is to be stored are captured by the camera of the operation terminal 3, and the ID of the detector 8 and the ID of the second detector 14 are input. (2-3) The camera of the operation terminal 3 captures an image of a barcode indicating the type of product displayed on the bag or box containing the capsule product to be replenished, and the product type code is input. The work terminal 3 then transmits the IDs of the detector 8 and the second detector 14 and the product type code from the association information transmitting means 32 to the tallying terminal 5. Then, when this information is received by the tallying information receiving means 51, the tallying terminal 5 associates the ID of the detector 8 with the product type code by the association means 52, and resets the quantity counter to 0 when managing the number of sold units, or sets the quantity counter to an initial value (the number of units contained in a bag or box containing the capsule product) when managing the remaining number. (2-4) The front door is fully opened, the product storage unit 1 is pulled out to the front, and the capsule products are stored inside the product storage unit 1 from the bag, box, etc. in which the capsule products are contained. (2-5) Push the product storage section 1 back into its original position, close the front door, and operate the locking means 15 to lock it. In addition, if a barcode sticker indicating the ID of detector 8 and second detector 14 is attached to the front side of the capsule product vending machine, the operation of opening the front door (2-1) may be performed after the input operations (2-2) and (2-3), and the operation of storing the capsule product (2-4) and the operation of closing the front door (2-5) may be performed before the input operations (2-2) and (2-3). Additionally, the input operations (2-2) and (2-3) can be performed in any order.

[0027] (3) Operation flow when capsule products are dispensed The operation of the capsule product sales management system when a capsule product is dispensed from any of the capsule product vending machines in the capsule product vending machine group is as follows. Note that the following operations are performed under the assumption that the front door is closed (the key striker 12 is not rotated 90 degrees) and the second sensor unit 24 of the second detector 14 is not activated. (3-1) When a purchaser inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot 16 and rotates the handle 11 360 degrees, causing the permanent magnet 9 attached to the rotating shaft 10 to rotate once around the rotating shaft 10, the sensor unit 19 of the detector 8 detects the approach and departure of the permanent magnet 9 during the rotation and is activated. (3-2) The voltage measuring means 20 of the detector 8 measures the voltage of the button battery 18 at predetermined intervals, and the voltage value storage means 21 stores the latest voltage value measured by the voltage measuring means 20. Then, when the sensor unit 19 of the detector 8 is activated, dispensing information indicating that one capsule product has been dispensed, the ID of the detector 8, and information on the latest voltage value stored in the voltage value memory means 21 are transmitted from the dispensing information transmitting means 22 to the counting terminal 5. (3-3) When the tallying information receiving means 51 of the tallying terminal 5 receives the dispensing information, the ID of the detector 8, and the latest voltage value information, based on that information, the current status information creation means 53 of the tallying terminal 5 creates individual dispensing information indicating the number of capsule products sold or the number of remaining capsule products in the capsule product vending machine to which the detector 8 is attached, and individual battery status information regarding the status of the button battery 18 in the detector 8. (3-4) When the current status information creation means 53 of the tallying terminal 5 creates the individual dispensing information and individual battery status information, the current status display means 54 of the tallying terminal 5 displays the number of sold or remaining units for each ID of the detector 8 and the remaining battery charge or battery depletion status for each ID of the detector 8 based on that information. Furthermore, the current status information transmitting means 55 of the tallying terminal 5 transmits the individual payout information and the individual battery state information created by the current status information creating means 53 to the operation terminal 3 and the management server 7 .

[0028] (4) Operational flow for replenishing products and for maintenance and inspection The operation of the capsule product sales management system when replenishing products or performing maintenance or inspection on one of the capsule product vending machines in a group of capsule product vending machines is as follows. (4-1) The staff member inserts the key into the locking means 15 on the front of the capsule product vending machine to open it, and opens the front door of the capsule product vending machine main body 2. (4-2) The voltage measuring means 20 of the second detector 14 measures the voltage of the second button battery 23 at every second predetermined period, and the second voltage value memory means 26 stores the latest second voltage value measured by the second voltage measuring means 25. Then, when the front door is open (the lock striker 12 is rotated 90 degrees) and the second sensor unit 24 of the second detector 14 is activated, locking means operation information indicating that the locking means 15 has been operated to be opened, the ID of the second detector 14, and information on the latest second voltage value stored in the second voltage value memory means 26 are transmitted from the locking information transmitting means 27 to the counting terminal 5. (4-3) When the tallying information receiving means 51 of the tallying terminal 5 receives the locking means operation information, the ID of the second detector 14, and the latest second voltage value information, based on that information, the current status information creation means 53 of the tallying terminal 5 creates individual battery status information regarding the status of the second button battery 23 possessed by the second detector 14. As mentioned above, during the period when the tallying information receiving means 51 is receiving locking means operation information, it is configured to ignore the dispensing information and the ID of the detector 8 transmitted from the dispensing information transmitting means 22 of the detector 8 associated with the second detector 14. (4-4) When the current status information creation means 53 of the tallying terminal 5 creates individual battery status information regarding the status of the second button battery 23, the current status display means 54 of the tallying terminal 5 displays the remaining battery charge or battery depletion status for each ID of the second detector 14 based on that information. Furthermore, the current status information transmitting means 55 of the tallying terminal 5 transmits the individual payout information and the individual battery state information created by the current status information creating means 53 to the operation terminal 3 and the management server 7 .

[0029] Modifications of the capsule product sales management system according to the embodiment will be listed below. (1) In the embodiment, the work terminal 3 is a general-purpose smartphone with a dedicated application installed, but a tablet terminal may be used instead of a general-purpose smartphone, or it may be a mobile terminal dedicated to this system. (2) In the embodiment, the barcodes indicating the ID and the barcodes indicating the product type attached to the detector 8 and the second detector 14 are photographed with the camera of the work terminal 3 and the ID and the product type code are input, but the numbers or characters indicating the ID and the product type may be input using the character input means of the work terminal 3.

[0030] (3) The capsule product vending machine of the embodiment is equipped with a second permanent magnet 13 on the key striker 12 and a second detector 14 near the key striker 12. However, if the key striker 12 is rotated 90 degrees to prevent the handle 11 from being operated with the front door open, the sensor portion 19 of the detector 8 will not be activated, and therefore the second permanent magnet 13 and the second detector 14 do not need to be provided. In such a case, the tallying information receiving means 51 receives various information transmitted from the work terminal 3 and the detector 8, the associating means 52 associates the ID of the detector 8 with the product type code and the ID of the detector 8 with the location of the capsule product vending machine, the current status information creating means 53 creates individual dispensing information indicating the number of capsule products sold or remaining for each capsule product vending machine and individual battery status information regarding the status of the button battery 18 in each detector 8, and the current status display means 54 displays the number of capsule products sold or remaining for each detector 8 ID (for each capsule product vending machine) and the remaining battery power or battery depletion status for each detector 8 ID. (4) The capsule product vending machine in the embodiment is equipped with a second permanent magnet 13 on the key striker 12 and a second detector 14 near the key striker 12. However, instead of the second permanent magnet 13 and the second detector 14, it is possible to make it possible to transmit door open information indicating that the front door has been opened and the ID of the detector 8, and door closed information indicating that the front door has been closed and the ID of the detector 8, to the counting terminal 5 from the work terminal 3, and to ignore the dispensing information transmitted from the dispensing information transmitting means 22 of the detector 8 from the time the door open information is received until the door closed information is received.

[0031] (5) In the embodiment, the capsule product is discharged by rotating the handle 11 360 degrees, but it may be discharged by rotating it 180 degrees, or by operating the lever up and down. Therefore, the term "operation unit" is used in the claims. (6) In the embodiment, the permanent magnet 9 is attached to the rotating shaft 10, and the second permanent magnet 13 is attached to the key striker 12, but the permanent magnet 9 may be attached to a member that is operated by the operation of an operating part for discharging the capsule product, and the second permanent magnet 13 may be attached to a member that is operated by the operation of a locking means that is operated when opening and closing the front door. Therefore, in the claims, the terms "movable part" and "second movable part" are used instead of the rotating shaft and the key striker, respectively. (7) In the embodiment, the button battery 18 and the second button battery 23 are used as power sources for operating the detector 8 and the second detector 14, but dry batteries or rechargeable batteries may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1 Product storage section 2 Capsule product vending machine body 3 Work terminal 4 Receiving antenna 5 Counting terminal 6 Internet line 7 Management server 8 Detector 9 Permanent magnet 10 Rotating shaft 11 handle 12 key striking plate 13 second permanent magnet 14 second detector 15 Locking means 16 Coin insertion section 17 Product removal section 18 Button battery 19 Sensor unit 20 Voltage measuring means 21 Voltage value storage means 22 Payment information transmission means 23 Second button battery 24 second sensor section; 25 second voltage measuring means; 26 second voltage value storage means 27 Locking information transmission means 31 Information input means 32 Association information transmission means 33 Current status information receiving means 34 Current status notification means 51 Aggregation information receiving means 52 Association means 53 Current status information creation means 54 Current status display means 55 Current status information transmission means 71 Current status information receiving means 72 Database 73 Current status history information transmitting means

Claims

1. A capsule product sales management system for managing information about dispensed capsule products in a capsule product vending machine group having a plurality of capsule product vending machines each including a product storage unit for storing capsule products, a coin insertion unit, an operation unit operated by a purchaser, and a dispensing unit for dispensing one capsule product from the product storage unit by operating the operation unit, Each capsule product vending machine of the capsule product vending machine group includes a detector having a permanent magnet attached to a movable part that is moved by the operation of the operation part, and a dispensing information transmitting means that is operated by the movement of the permanent magnet accompanying the operation of the operation part and transmits dispensing information indicating that one capsule product has been dispensed and specific information for identifying the sender of the dispensing information each time the detector is operated; an operation terminal having an information input means for inputting product type information and the identification information for identifying the type of capsule product stored in the product storage unit, and having an association information transmission means for transmitting the product type information and the identification information inputted by the information input means for each capsule product vending machine; The terminal for counting includes a tallying information receiving means for receiving information transmitted from the detector and the working terminal, and a display means for displaying the type of capsule product and the number of sold capsule products or the number of remaining capsule products for each capsule product vending machine based on the product type information and the specific information of each capsule product vending machine transmitted from the association information transmitting means and the dispensing information and the specific information transmitted from the dispensing information transmitting means of each detector. A capsule product sales management system characterized by the above.

2. The operation unit is a handle installed on the front surface of the capsule product vending machine, the movable part is a rotation shaft that rotates by operating the handle, The permanent magnet is attached to a side surface of the rotating shaft so as to protrude in one direction, The detector is attached in the vicinity of the rotation shaft and in a position close to an area through which the permanent magnet passes when the handle is operated.

2. The capsule product sales management system according to claim 1 .

3. The detector has a battery as an operating power source, a voltage measuring means for measuring the voltage of the battery at predetermined intervals, and a voltage value storage means for storing the measured voltage value; the payout information transmitting means transmits information on the voltage value stored in the voltage value storage means when transmitting the payout information and the specific information for the first time after the voltage measuring means measures the voltage of the battery; The display means displays information on the voltage of the battery held by each detector based on the voltage value information transmitted from the delivery information transmission means of each detector and the identification information.

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

4. The capsule product vending machine includes a door that can be opened when refilling or replacing capsule products stored in the product storage unit or when performing maintenance or inspection, and a locking means that can lock the door in a closed state, Each capsule product vending machine of the capsule product vending machine group includes a second detector having a second permanent magnet attached to a second movable part that moves in response to an opening or closing operation of the locking means, a second sensor unit that is activated by the movement of the second permanent magnet accompanying the opening operation of the locking means, and a locking information transmitting unit that transmits locking means operation information and second identification information for identifying a transmission source of the locking means operation information each time the second sensor unit is activated; The tallying terminal ignores the payout information and the specific information transmitted from the payout information transmitting means of the detector associated with the second detector during a period in which the locking means operation information is transmitted from the locking information transmitting means.

4. The capsule product sales management system according to claim 1, wherein the capsule product sales management system is a system for managing a capsule product.

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