Carbonated water manufacturing apparatus and carbonated water purchase system

Abstract

To provide a carbonated water producing device and a carbonated water purchasing system for improving efficiency of a method for purchasing the carbonated water and easily performing management related to sales of the carbonated water.SOLUTION: In a system for purchasing carbonated water, a carbonated water producing device 14, which is installed at a facility, generates carbonated water, and injects the generated carbonated water into a container, includes: an operation panel 33; an RFID reader / writer 74 for acquiring information on the carbonated water containing the gas strength of the carbonated water; and a pressurized tank unit 75 for generating the carbonated water based on information acquired by the RFID reader / writer 74. An operation panel 33 is provided, which selects the gas strength of the provided carbonated water from a plurality of gas strength. The operation panel can select the gas strength which is different from the gas strength of the carbonated water acquired by the RFID reader / writer 74.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a carbonated water production apparatus and a carbonated water purchase system that provide carbonated water produced by dissolving carbon dioxide gas in raw water or permeated water.

Background Art

[0002] Sugar-free carbonated water (hereinafter referred to as carbonated water) is used in a wide range of fields such as for washing the face and bathing, in addition to beverages, due to its refreshing effect and health orientation. As carbonated water is used in a wide range of fields, various carbonated water production apparatuses that can easily produce carbonated water are provided. The amount of carbonated water and the gas intensity of carbon dioxide gas in the carbonated water (hereinafter referred to as the gas intensity of the carbonated water) intended by the user vary depending on, for example, the user's preference and the use of the carbonated water. Therefore, in a carbonated water production apparatus as well, similar to a generally provided vending machine, it is preferable to be able to select the amount of carbonated water and the gas intensity of the carbon dioxide gas by operating, for example, an operation panel or operation buttons (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, among the carbonated water manufacturing apparatuses described above, there is a commercial carbonated water manufacturing apparatus installed in a grocery store such as a supermarket, etc., for the users of the grocery store to purchase carbonated water. In such a commercial carbonated water manufacturing apparatus, when operation panels and operation buttons are installed to allow selection of the amount of carbonated water and the gas intensity of carbon dioxide gas in the carbonated water, since many users may use the grocery store, dirt etc. may adhere to the operation panels and operation buttons, which is unhygienic. Also, since users who repeatedly purchase carbonated water often purchase carbonated water with the same amount of carbonated water and the gas intensity of carbon dioxide gas in the carbonated water, the act of operating the operation panels and operation buttons to adjust the amount of carbonated water and the gas intensity of carbon dioxide gas in the carbonated water is troublesome.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technology that simplifies the process related to the purchase of carbonated water and enables efficient purchase of carbonated water.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, according to the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, in a carbonated water manufacturing apparatus installed in a facility, generating carbonated water, and pouring the generated carbonated water into a container, it is characterized by having an acquisition means for acquiring information related to the carbonated water, and a generation means for generating the carbonated water based on the information acquired by the acquisition means.

[0007] Also, according to the carbonated water purchase system of the present invention, it has a carbonated water manufacturing apparatus that generates carbonated water and pours the generated carbonated water into a container, a reception terminal that receives the purchase of the carbonated water, and an information terminal that stores information related to the carbonated water received by the reception terminal, and the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus generates the carbonated water based on the information related to the carbonated water stored in the information terminal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a carbonated water purchase system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the carbonated water purchase system 1 has a POS (Point Of Sales) system 10. The POS system 10 is a system that can be introduced into various stores such as convenience stores and supermarkets. The POS system 10 has a plurality of POS terminals 11, a store controller 12, a monitoring terminal 13, a carbonated water manufacturing device 14, and an RO (Reverse Osmosis) water generation device 15. The store controller 12, the plurality of POS terminals 11, the monitoring terminal 13, the carbonated water manufacturing device 14, and the RO water generation device 15 are interconnected by a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) 16.

[0010] Note that the configuration of the POS system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an example. For example, in the POS system 10, the number of installed POS terminals 11 is not particularly limited. Also, the POS system 10 of the present embodiment may be configured not to include at least one of the devices of the store controller 12 and the monitoring terminal 13. When the POS system 10 is configured not to include the store controller 12, for example, one representative POS terminal 11 among the plurality of POS terminals 11 may also serve as the store controller 12.

[0011] The POS terminal 11 executes a product registration process for registering the product to be purchased. The operation of registering a product (product registration operation) is performed, for example, by an operation of reading a barcode attached to the product using a scanner, or an operation on a preset button or the like displayed on the product registration screen. Through such a product registration operation, for example, product identification information is input to the POS terminal 11, and the POS terminal 11 acquires product information corresponding to the input product identification information. Also, the POS terminal 11 generates and stores information on the products registered corresponding to each transaction (hereinafter referred to as registration information). Note that the POS terminal 11 corresponds to the reception terminal described in the claims.

[0012] The registration information may include transaction identification information for identifying the corresponding transaction, registration information identification information for identifying the registration information, registration date and time, product identification information of each registered product, product name of each registered product, selling price, discount information, transaction points (purchase points) indicating the quantity of the product to be purchased, and the total amount of the price for the product to be purchased (total amount). Further, the registration information may further include registration device identification information for identifying the POS terminal 11 that generated the registration information (i.e., the POS terminal 11 that registered the product related to the registration information). Thus, the registration information has content in which the product registration processing result corresponding to one transaction is reflected.

[0013] The registration information is used for settlement processing in the own device or another POS terminal 11. Settlement processing is a process of paying and settling the price of the registered product by selectively using cash, electronic money, credit cards, etc. When performing settlement processing on another POS terminal 11, the settlement processing is executed on any one of the plurality of POS terminals 11.

[0014] The store controller 12 is an information processing device that manages the POS system 10, manages the POS terminal 11, etc. in the POS system 10, and manages various information such as the product master. The store controller 12 appropriately transmits the latest product master to the POS terminal 11. The product master is a file that stores product information such as product identification information (e.g., JAN code), product name (product name, item name), selling price, and discount information of each product. The store controller 12 acquires the product master in which the latest product information is reflected from the outside (e.g., the server at the head office, a removable storage medium) and appropriately transmits it to the POS terminal 11.

[0015] The monitoring terminal 13 monitors the POS terminal 11 and the mobile terminal 20. Specifically, the monitoring terminal 13 displays the status (operation mode, processing status, etc.) of the POS terminal 11 or controls the POS terminal 11 as appropriate. Note that in the POS system 10, a terminal device held by a store clerk may be included. The terminal device held by the store clerk, for example, displays the same content as that displayed on the monitoring terminal 13 or notifies that the store clerk is to be called.

[0016] The mobile terminal 20 is a device that can be carried by the user P and communicate via the network NW. The mobile terminal 20 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, etc. By reading a two-dimensional code with the mobile terminal 20, settlement after checkout can be performed.

[0017] The above-described POS system 10 is capable of communicating with a settlement business operator gateway 22 via a cloud center 21 and a network NW. The settlement business operator gateway 22 is capable of communicating with a settlement business operator 23 and is also capable of communicating with the mobile terminal 20 via the network NW. Note that the POS system 10, the cloud center 21, the settlement business operator gateway 22, and the settlement business operator 23 may be capable of communicating via the network NW or directly without passing through the network NW by other communication modes or the like.

[0018] The cloud center 21 performs reporting of settlement data generated by the mobile terminal 20, cooperation of settlements for a plurality of stores where the POS system 10 is installed, transfer of sales proceeds, provision of settlement data transmitted from the POS system 10, etc. The cloud center 21 transmits aggregated data and the like to the POS system 10. Note that the cloud center 21 corresponds to the information terminal described in the claims.

[0019] The settlement business operator gateway 22 manages stores (franchised stores) that cooperate in the settlement business, transaction management with the franchised stores, sales management, acquisition management, comprehensive business operator management, etc. The POS system 10 is installed in this franchised store.

[0020] The settlement operator 23 conducts settlements using settlement codes (hereinafter also referred to as "code settlement services"). The settlement operator 23 manages the deposits and withdrawals from customers. The deposit from the user P is made, for example, via a bank account using the user P's credit card 24 or bank card 25, or by cash or the like from a predetermined ATM. The deposit from the user P's credit card 24 or the like is executed, for example, upon the request of the user P, but may be executed without obtaining the request of the user P when the amount of the deposit becomes a small amount such as being less than a predetermined amount. Further, the settlement operator 23 deposits the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of the deposit from the user P from the amount of the deposit from the user P to the cloud center 21 based on the settlement using the settlement code. The settlement destination when conducting a settlement is the store where the POS system 10 is installed.

[0021] Settlement data is transmitted to the settlement operator gateway 22 from the POS system 10 or the mobile terminal 20 of the affiliated store. The settlement operator gateway 22 transfers the transmitted settlement data to the settlement operator 23. The settlement operator 23 makes a debit from the credit card or bank card of the user P according to the settlement data and makes a deposit to the cloud center 21. The cloud center 21 makes a transfer to the affiliated store according to the deposit from the settlement operator 23. When the settlement is completed, the settlement operator 23 transmits settlement completion data to the POS system 10 and the mobile terminal 20 via the settlement operator gateway 22.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the carbonated water production device 14 and the RO water production device 15 that constitute a part of the POS system 10. As an example, the carbonated water production device 14 is installed together with the RO water production device 15 in a food store such as a supermarket. The carbonated water production device 14 is a device that generates carbonated water by receiving the supply of RO water generated by the RO water production device 15 and carbon dioxide gas from a gas cylinder (not shown) stored in the storage box 27, and provides the generated carbonated water to the user. In addition, the RO water production device 15 is a device that generates RO water by permeating raw water such as tap water through a reverse osmosis membrane, provides the generated RO water to the user, and supplies the generated RO water to the carbonated water production device 14 as necessary.

[0023] In addition, in the present embodiment, the carbonated water production device 14 that generates carbonated water using the RO water supplied from the RO water production device 15 is described. However, in addition to this, RO water may be generated inside the carbonated water production device 14, and the generated RO water may be used to generate carbonated water.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carbonated water production device 14 has a device main body 31 and a front door 32. The device main body 31 houses various units and pipes necessary for the production of carbonated water. The front door 32 rotates between a closed position that shields the inside of the device main body 31 and an open position that exposes the inside of the device main body 31 around one end side (the right side in FIG. 2) in the width direction of the device main body 31.

[0025] The front door 32 has a water injection box 36 in addition to the operation panel 33, the QR (Quick Response) code reader 34, and the IC (Integrated Circuit) card reader 35.

[0026] The operation panel 33 is a touch panel display as an example. The operation panel 33 displays information based on the operating state of the carbonated water production device 14 and information read by the QR code reader 34 and the IC card reader 35. In addition, the operation panel 33 displays various screens related to the production of carbonated water in the carbonated water production device 14. Note that the operation panel 33 corresponds to the selection means described in the claims.

[0027] The QR code reader 34 reads a QR code (registered trademark) 47 printed on a strap 46 provided on a pressure-resistant bottle 45 described later, for example. The QR code 47 is information indicating, for example, a membership number pre-registered by the user P for purchasing carbonated water.

[0028] The IC card reader 35 reads information stored in an IC chip embedded in an IC card. Instead of the IC card reader 35, a magnetic card reader for reading a magnetic card may be used.

[0029] Here, the IC card reader 35 can also read card information (member information) such as a membership card issued by a large food store such as a supermarket where the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 is installed. In this case, when the card information such as a membership card is read by the IC card reader 35, the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 acquires purchase information of carbonated water associated with the read member information from the cloud center 21 and generates carbonated water based on the acquired purchase information.

[0030] Although the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 having the QR code reader 34 and the IC card reader 35 is described as an example, a carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 having only the QR code reader 34 may be used.

[0031] The water injection box 36 installs a pressure-resistant bottle 45 for injecting carbonated water inside. The water injection box 36 has a water injection door 37. The water injection door 37 is opened and closed when installing the pressure-resistant bottle and when taking out the pressure-resistant bottle.

[0032] The water injection door 37 has a bottle holder 38 on the inner surface for holding the pressure-resistant bottle with the neck portion of the pressure-resistant bottle inserted. Further, the water injection door 37 has a support portion 39 below the bottle holder 38 for supporting the lower portion of the pressure-resistant bottle.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure-resistant bottle 45 is a dedicated container for receiving and holding the carbonated water produced by the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 described above. The pressure-resistant bottle 45 has a strap 46. A QR code 47 is printed on the strap 46. The QR code 47 indicates, for example, the membership information of the user P for purchasing carbonated water in the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14. Although it is assumed that the QR code 47 is printed on the strap 46, a sticker with the QR code printed thereon may be attached to the strap 46.

[0034] Also, the strap 46 embeds an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) chip 48. The RFID chip 48 stores, for example, the membership information of the user P and purchase information such as the amount of carbonated water and the gas strength purchased by the user. Note that instead of embedding the RFID chip 48 in the strap 46, an RFID tag may be attached to the strap 46.

[0035] Returning to FIG. 2, the RO water generation apparatus 15 has an apparatus main body 51 and a front door 52. The apparatus main body 51 houses various units, pipes, etc. necessary for generating RO water. The front door 52 can rotate between an open position where the inside of the apparatus main body 51 is exposed and a closed position where the inside of the apparatus main body 51 is shielded, with one end side (the left side in FIG. 2) in the width direction of the apparatus main body 51 as the center. The front door 52 has a card reader 53, an operation panel 54, and a water injection box 55.

[0036] The card reader 53 receives the input of information on, for example, an IC card. The operation panel 54 is, for example, a touch panel display. The operation panel 54 displays the operating status of the RO water generation apparatus 15 and contents prompting operations, etc. At the same time, the operation panel 54 receives the operations of the user.

[0037] The water injection box 55 has a bottle (not shown) for injecting RO water installed inside. The water injection box 55 has a water injection door 56. The water injection door 56 is opened and closed when installing or removing the bottle. The bottle is a dedicated bottle purchased by the user to receive the supply of RO water. Note that it is also possible to use the pressure-resistant bottle 45 described above as the bottle installed in the water injection box 55 of the RO water generation device 15.

[0038] Next, the electrical configuration of the carbonated water production device 14 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, only the configuration for receiving the supply of carbonated water is described, only the pressurized tank unit is described for the configuration for generating carbonated water, and other configurations are omitted. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 61 has a CPU 62, a ROM 63, a RAM 64, a communication unit 65, and an I / F (interface) unit 66. The CPU 62, the ROM 63, the RAM 64, the communication unit 65, and the I / F 66 are connected by a bus 67.

[0039] The CPU 62 is a central processing unit, and by reading and executing the programs stored in the ROM 63, it comprehensively controls each part of the carbonated water production device 14.

[0040] The ROM 63 is a read-only memory and stores various information used by the CPU 62, including programs.

[0041] The RAM 63 is a read-write memory and stores various information. For example, the RAM 63 stores information generated when the CPU 62 executes a program and information based on the QR code read by the RFID reader / writer 74.

[0042] The communication unit 65 performs transmission and reception of information, for example, with the RO water generation device 15 and the cloud center 21. The I / F unit 66 connects the operation panel 33, the QR code reader 34, the IC card reader 35, as well as the lock mechanism 71, the lock sensor 72, the bottle sensor 73, and the RFID reader / writer 74 provided in the water injection box 36.

[0043] The locking mechanism 71 locks the water injection door 37 when the water injection door described above is in the closed position. The lock sensor 72 is a sensor that detects that the water injection door 37 is in the closed position. The bottle sensor 73 detects the pressure-resistant bottle 45 held by the bottle holder 38 of the water injection door 37 when the water injection door rotates to the closed position.

[0044] The RFID reader / writer 74 reads the information stored in the RFID chip 48 embedded in the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45, or writes information to the RFID chip 48. Note that the RFID reader / writer 74 corresponds to the acquisition means and recording means described in the claims.

[0045] The pressurized tank unit 75 includes a pressurized tank 76. Although not shown, the pressurized tank unit 75 includes a plurality of control valves, various pipes, etc., and supplies RO water and carbon dioxide gas to the pressurized tank 76 by opening and closing the control valves controlled by the CPU 62. In addition, the carbonated water generated inside the pressurized tank 76 is injected into the pressure-resistant bottle 45 set in the water injection box 36.

[0046] Next, the flow of the process executed in the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 when purchasing carbonated water will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 6.

[0047] In step S101, the CPU 62 determines whether the QR code 47 has been read. For example, the user P holds the QR code 47 on the strap 46 provided on the pressure-resistant bottle 45 in front of the QR code reader 34. Thereby, the QR code reader 34 reads the QR code 47 printed on the strap 46. The QR code reader 34 outputs the information of the read QR code 47 to the CPU 62. Receiving this, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, when the QR code reader 34 has not read the QR code 47 on the strap 46, the CPU 62 enters a standby state until the QR code reader 34 reads the QR code 47 printed on the strap 46.

[0048] In step S102, the CPU 62 queries the cloud center 21 to determine whether the member information obtained from the QR code 47 read by the QR code reader 34 is registered member information. In response to this, the cloud center 21 queries the member information read from the QR code 47 and sends the query result to the CPU 62.

[0049] In step S103, when the member information obtained from the read QR code 47 is registered member information in the query result sent from the cloud center 21, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, when the member information obtained from the read QR code 47 is unregistered member information in the query result sent from the cloud center 21, the CPU 62 enters a standby state without performing the processing after step S104.

[0050] In step S104, the CPU 62 releases the lock on the water injection door 37 by the locking mechanism 71. Then, in step S105, the CPU 62 uses the operation panel 33 to display a guidance screen PI1 prompting to set the pressure-resistant bottle 45 into the water injection box 36 (see Fig. 7(a)). In response to this display, the user P sets the pressure-resistant bottle 45 he / she owns into the water injection box 36 and closes the water injection door 37.

[0051] In step S106, the CPU 62 determines whether the pressure-resistant bottle 45 has been detected. For example, when the user P sets the pressure-resistant bottle 45 in the bottle holder 38 of the water injection door 37 and closes the water injection door 37, the bottle sensor 73 detects the pressure-resistant bottle 45. In response to this, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, when the water injection door 37 is closed without setting the pressure-resistant bottle 45 in the bottle holder 38 of the water injection door 37, the bottle sensor 73 does not detect the pressure-resistant bottle 45. At this time, the CPU 62 enters a standby state until the pressure-resistant bottle 45 is detected by the bottle sensor 73.

[0052] In step S107, the CPU 62 determines whether the water injection door 37 has been detected. When the water injection door 37 rotates to the closed position, the lock sensor 72 detects the water injection door 37. In response to this, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S108, activates the lock mechanism 71, and locks the water injection door 37. On the other hand, when the water injection door 37 is in the closed position, the lock sensor 72 does not detect the water injection door 37. At this time, the CPU 62 returns to step S106 and enters a standby state until both the detection of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 by the bottle sensor 73 and the detection of the water injection door 37 by the lock sensor 72 are performed.

[0053] In step S109, the CPU 62 activates the RFID reader / writer 74 to read the information of the RFID chip 48 embedded in the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45. Thereby, the CPU 62 acquires the membership information and purchase information of the user P.

[0054] In step S110, the CPU 62 causes the operation panel 33 to display the carbonated water selection screen PI2. FIG. 7(b) shows an example of the selection screen PI2 displayed on the operation panel 33. As shown in FIG. 7(b), the selection screen PI2 displays, for example, the purchase information of carbonated water obtained from the RFID chip 48 as registered content, and also displays a message prompting the selection of the amount of carbonated water and the gas strength to be purchased. In addition, the selection screen PI2 displays selection buttons indicating the combination of the capacity of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 and the gas strength of the carbonated water. In FIG. 7(b), for example, in addition to the selection buttons 81, 82, 83, 84 indicating the currently purchasable combinations such as "small bottle, weak", "small bottle, strong", "large bottle, weak", and "large bottle, strong", a selection button 85 indicating "large bottle, medium" showing the registered combination is displayed.

[0055] Here, "small bottle" indicates, for example, that the amount of carbonated water to be filled is 500 ml, and "large bottle" indicates that the amount of carbonated water to be filled is 1000 ml. Also, "weak" indicates that the gas strength is weak (e.g., 2 GV), and "strong" indicates that the gas strength is strong (e.g., 4 GV). Although not shown in the figure, "medium" is selectable as the gas strength, and "medium" indicates that the gas strength is medium (3 GV).

[0056] At this time, on the selection screen PI2, a selection button 85 indicating the registered combination "large bottle, medium" can be made more prominent than the other selection buttons 81, 82, 83, 84, for example, by blinking display, highlighting display, etc.

[0057] Also, when the selection button 85 indicating the registered combination is displayed on the selection screen PI2, the selection button 85 is set to a pre-selected state, and the combination of the capacity of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 and the gas strength of the carbonated water can be changed by an operation of any of the other selection buttons 81, 82, 83, 84 by the purchaser. In addition to this, a confirmation screen for confirming whether the currently selected combination is acceptable may be displayed prior to the selection screen PI2. On the confirmation screen, the selection screen PI2 is displayed only when an operation to change the combination of the capacity of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 and the gas strength of the carbonated water is performed. In this case, a selection button indicating the registered combination may or may not be displayed on the selection screen PI2.

[0058] Note that instead of displaying the capacity of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 on the selection button, a selection button displaying the amount of carbonated water to be purchased, such as "medium carbonation, 1000 ml", may be displayed. In this case, in addition to the gas strength of the carbonated water, a predetermined amount of water (500 ml, 1000 ml) may be displayed on the selection button, or for example, only the gas strength of the carbonated water may be displayed as the selection button, and for the amount of carbonated water, a numeric keypad may be displayed on the selection screen so that the purchaser can determine the amount of carbonated water desired by operating the numeric keypad.

[0059] In addition, the display of the selection buttons for the volume and gas strength of the carbonated water to be purchased on the selection screen PI2 is, for example, based on the purchase information of the carbonated water obtained from an RFID chip. However, only selection buttons with content different from the purchase information of the carbonated water may be displayed. That is, if the purchase information of the carbonated water is "large bottle, medium", the selection buttons display "large bottle, weak" and "large bottle, strong". Also, if the purchase information of the carbonated water is "small bottle, medium", the selection buttons display "small bottle, weak" and "large bottle, strong". At this time, when the purchase information of the carbonated water contains information indicating "large bottle", for example, "small bottle, weak", "small bottle, medium", and "small bottle, strong", etc. In addition to the strength of the carbonated water, selection buttons with different combinations of the capacity of the pressure-resistant bottle may also be displayed.

[0060] In addition, instead of displaying the selection screen, only the gas strength of the carbonated water and the amount of carbonated water (or the capacity of the pressure-resistant bottle) based on the purchaser's purchase history may be displayed.

[0061] In step S111, the CPU 62 determines whether carbonated water has been selected. When any of the above-described selection buttons 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 is touched on the selection screen PI2 displayed on the operation panel 33, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S114. On the other hand, when none of the above-described selection buttons 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 is touched on the selection screen PI2 displayed on the operation panel 33, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S112.

[0062] In step S112, the CPU 62 determines whether or not a certain period of time has elapsed since the selection screen PI2 was displayed. The certain period of time is, for example, the time it takes to supply RO water in an amount corresponding to a small bottle to the pressure tank 76 of the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14. The CPU 62 measures the time since the selection screen PI2 was displayed. If the CPU 62 determines that a certain period of time has elapsed since the selection screen PI2 was displayed, it determines that carbonated water is to be purchased with the same content as the purchase information and proceeds to step S114. On the other hand, if the CPU 62 determines that a certain period of time has not elapsed since the selection screen PI2 was displayed, it returns to step S111.

[0063] Therefore, when any one of the selection buttons 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 is touched in step S111, or when a certain period of time has elapsed since the selection screen PI2 was displayed in step S112, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S114.

[0064] In step S114, the CPU 62 transmits, as purchase information, the information on the amount of carbonated water and the gas intensity displayed in the touched area to the cloud center 21. Although details are omitted, the cloud center 21 transmits the member information and the purchase information to the settlement operator. In response to this, after identifying the user P from the member information, the settlement operator settles the purchase of carbonated water with respect to the credit card 24 registered by the user P. Alternatively, the settlement operator debits the amount based on the purchase of carbonated water from the bank account registered by the user P. Further, the cloud center 21 transmits an e-mail indicating that carbonated water has been purchased to the e-mail address or the like owned by the user P.

[0065] In step S115, the CPU 62 executes a process of generating carbonated water. Although details are omitted, for example, the process of generating carbonated water is performed by supplying carbon dioxide gas to the pressurized tank 76 until the gas intensity of the carbonated water selected by the user P is reached with respect to the RO water supplied to the pressurized tank 76. At this time, the CPU 62 causes the operation panel 33 to display, as a guidance screen PI3, a guidance such as "Generating carbonated water" and the purchase details indicating the capacity of the purchased bottle and the gas intensity of the carbonated water, such as "Large bottle, medium" (see Fig. 7(c)).

[0066] At this time, on the guidance screen PI3, in addition to displaying the type (gas intensity and water volume) of the generated carbonated water, the time until the carbonated water is generated or the time until the generated carbonated water is poured into the pressure-resistant bottle 45 may be displayed.

[0067] In step S116, the CPU 62 executes a process of pouring carbonated water. The CPU 62 pours the carbonated water generated inside the pressurized tank 76 into the pressure-resistant bottle 45 set in the pouring box 36 from the pressurized tank 76. At this time, the CPU 62 causes the operation panel 33 to display a guidance screen PI4 such as "Starting to pour carbonated water" (see Fig. 8(a)). Then, when the pressure-resistant bottle 45 is being poured, the CPU 62 switches the display on the operation panel 33 and displays it as a guidance screen PI5 such as "Pouring carbonated water" (see Fig. 8(b)).

[0068] At this time, when the pouring of carbonated water is started, the CPU 62 calculates the amount of carbonated water poured (hereinafter referred to as the pouring amount) from the time since the start of pouring and the amount of carbonated water poured per unit time. The CPU 62 calculates the ratio of the amount of carbonated water poured from the amount of carbonated water to be provided and the pouring amount of carbonated water. The CPU 62 displays the obtained ratio on the above guidance screen PI5. In Fig. 8(b), "30" attached to the illustration of the bottle indicates the above ratio, that is, 30% of the pouring has been performed.

[0069] In step S117, the CPU 62 causes the update screen PI6 to be displayed on the operation panel 33. The update screen PI6 is displayed to allow the user P to select whether to newly register the quantity of carbonated water and the gas strength of the purchased carbonated water. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8(c), the update screen is a screen that includes words such as "Do you want to update the purchase information?" and also includes a "Yes" button 86 and a "No" button 88.

[0070] In step S118, the CPU 62 determines whether there is an update to the purchase information. For example, when the "Yes" button 86 is touched on the update screen PI6, the CPU 62 determines to update the purchase information and proceeds to step S119. On the other hand, when the "No" button 87 is touched on the update screen PI6, the CPU 62 determines not to update the purchase information and proceeds to step 120.

[0071] In step S119, the CPU 62 operates the RFID reader / writer 74 to rewrite the purchase information stored in the RFID chip 48 with new purchase information, thereby updating the information stored in the RFID chip 48.

[0072] In step S120, the CPU 62 releases the lock on the water injection door 37 by the lock mechanism 71. Then, in step S121, the CPU 62 causes a guidance screen PI7 prompting the removal of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 to be displayed on the operation panel 33 (see FIG. 9). In response to the display of this guidance screen PI7, the user P opens the water injection door 37, removes the pressure-resistant bottle 45 held by the water injection door 37, and attaches the cap 45a (see FIG. 4) to the water injection part 45b (see FIG. 3).

[0073] In step S122, the CPU 62 determines whether or not the pressure-resistant bottle 45 has been detected. When the water injection door 37 is opened, the bottle sensor 73 ends the detection of the pressure-resistant bottle 45. Therefore, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S123. On the other hand, when the water injection door 37 is not opened, the bottle sensor 73 detects the pressure-resistant bottle 45. Therefore, the CPU 62 waits until the detection of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 by the bottle sensor 73 ends.

[0074] In step S123, the CPU 62 determines whether or not the water injection door 37 has been detected. When the water injection door 37 rotates to the closed position, the lock sensor 72 detects the water injection door 37. In response to this, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S124 and operates the lock mechanism 71 to lock the water injection door 37. On the other hand, when the water injection door 37 is in the open position, the lock sensor 72 does not detect the water injection door 37. At this time, the CPU 62 returns to step S122 and waits in a standby state until both the detection of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 by the bottle sensor 73 and the detection of the water injection door 37 by the lock sensor 72 are performed.

[0075] In step S124, the CPU 62 operates the lock mechanism 71 to lock the water injection door 37.

[0076] Note that in the processing of the above-described flowchart, the processing from step S117 to step S119 is performed after injecting carbonated water into the pressure-resistant bottle 45, but it is also possible to perform it before the processing of transmitting the purchase information in step S114.

[0077] In the first embodiment described above, in addition to purchasing carbonated water with the same content as the purchase information stored in the RFID chip 48 embedded in the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45, it is possible to purchase carbonated water with other water volumes and gas intensities. However, it may be provided as only carbonated water with the same content as the purchase information stored in the RFID chip 48. In this case, instead of storing the member information and the purchase information in the RFID chip 48, by using a QR code 47 based on the member information and the purchase information, when the pressure-resistant bottle 45 is set in the water filling box 36, it is not necessary to perform the process of reading the purchase information stored in the RFID chip 48 or updating the purchase information stored in the RFID chip 48.

[0078] In the first embodiment described above, the member information and the purchase information are stored in the RFID chip 48 embedded in the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45, and the purchase of carbonated water is performed using the purchase information read from the RFID chip 48. However, it is also possible to provide carbonated water using the purchase information stored in the cloud center 21.

[0079] In the first embodiment described above, it is not described about displaying the water volume and gas intensity of the generated carbonated water when the carbonated water is generated. However, it is also possible to display the water volume and gas intensity of the generated carbonated water on the operation panel 33 between when the carbonated water is generated and when the filling of the carbonated water starts.

[0080] In the first embodiment described above, when the pressure-resistant bottle 45 is installed in the water injection box 36 of the carbonated water production device 14, the information of the RFID chip 48 embedded in the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 is read by the RFID reader / writer 74. Here, the RFID chip 48 embedded in the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 is merely an example of a storage means for storing membership information, purchase information of carbonated water, etc. For example, the membership information and the purchase information of carbonated water may be stored in the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 or an IC chip embedded in the bottom of the pressure-resistant bottle 45, and the information stored in the IC chip can be read by the IC card reader 35 of the carbonated water production device 14 by holding the strap 46 in which the IC chip is embedded over the IC card reader 35.

[0081] In addition, alternatively, the QR code printed on the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 may be read by the QR code reader 34 of the carbonated water production device 14 so that carbonated water can be provided. At this time, the QR code may be printed on the outer peripheral surface of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 instead of the strap 46.

[0082] In these cases, for example, the control unit 61 of the carbonated water production device 14 acquires the purchase history information associated with the membership information read from the QR code or the IC chip from the cloud center 21, and based on the information indicating the acquired purchase history, provides carbonated water.

[0083] <Second Embodiment> A case of providing carbonated water using the purchase information stored in the cloud center 21 will be described. The carbonated water purchase system shown in the second embodiment has the same configuration as the carbonated water purchase system shown in the first embodiment, but after purchasing carbonated water by the POS terminal 11, carbonated water is provided by the carbonated water production device 14. Therefore, in the following description, the components common to the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

[0084] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the POS terminal 11 includes a CPU 91, a ROM 92, a RAM 93, a hard disk 94, a user-side display unit 95, a user-side scanner unit 96, a card payment unit 97, a change dispenser 98, a store clerk-side display unit 99, a key operation unit 100, a store clerk-side handheld scanner unit 101, a printing unit 102, an audio output unit 103, a communication unit 104, and a store clerk-side fixed scanner unit 105. These can communicate with each other via a bus 106.

[0085] The CPU 91 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the POS terminal 11 by reading and executing the programs stored in the ROM 92.

[0086] The ROM 92 is a read-only memory, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 91, including programs.

[0087] The RAM 93 is a read / write memory, and stores various types of information. For example, the RAM 93 stores information acquired from the outside (e.g., product master obtained from the store controller 12) and information generated during processing (e.g., registration information generated during the registration process of registering products, settlement information generated during the settlement process of settling purchased products).

[0088] The hard disk 94 stores various types of information. The hard disk 94 may store, for example, programs executed by the CPU 91 instead of the ROM 92. Also, instead of the RAM 93, it may store information acquired from the outside or information generated during processing.

[0089] The user-side display unit 95 is a touch display that can be visually recognized and operated by the user P, displays various types of information to the user P, and accepts various inputs from the user P.

[0090] The user-side scanner unit 96 is a scanner unit for the user P. For example, it optically reads barcodes (such as product codes) attached to products, or codes (barcodes, two-dimensional codes) printed on vouchers (product vouchers, coupon vouchers, invitation vouchers, etc.). The user-side scanner unit 96 is fixedly provided on the housing of the POS terminal 11. When reading a barcode, when using the user-side fixed scanner unit to read the barcode, it is designed to be used by bringing the product or the like close to the user-side scanner unit 96.

[0091] Note that the user-side scanner unit 96 is used when the user P registers a product, but the user P may register the product by other methods. For example, when preset keys of products are displayed on the user-side display unit 95, the user P can operate (press) the preset keys to register the products.

[0092] The card payment unit 97 is a payment mechanism using various cards (credit cards, prepaid cards such as transportation cards, point cards, etc.). The card payment unit 97 of this embodiment includes a card recognition unit (reading unit), a display unit, and an operation unit. The card recognition unit magnetically or electrically reads information on various cards. For example, a credit card is, for example, a contact-type card, which is inserted through an insertion slot (not shown) provided below the card payment unit 97, and the information is read by a magnetic sensor provided inside the card payment unit 97. Also, for example, a prepaid card such as a transportation card is, for example, a non-contact IC card, and the information is read by an IC card reader / writer provided on the surface of the card payment unit 97, and the information after payment is written. The read information is used for the payment (settlement) of the purchased products.

[0093] In addition, the card payment unit 97 may recognize various cards not only when using the information recognized for the settlement (payment) of the purchased goods this time (that is, in the case of credit settlement by credit card, prepaid card settlement by prepaid card, using (consuming) the held points of the point card, etc.), but also when not using the information recognized for the settlement (payment) of the purchased goods this time (for example, in the case of granting benefits by presenting a credit card, granting points to a point card, etc.). The card payment unit 97 of the present embodiment includes a card recognition unit (reading unit), a display unit, and an operation unit. However, the card payment unit 97 only needs to include at least a card recognition unit. Further, the card recognition unit of the present embodiment corresponds to contact-type cards (IC cards, magnetic cards) and non-contact cards (IC cards), but may also correspond only to contact-type or non-contact-type cards.

[0094] The change machine 98 is a cash settlement mechanism, has an inlet for bills and coins and an outlet for bills and coins, calculates the amount of money inserted into the inlet, calculates the change amount which is the difference between the inserted amount and the purchase amount, and discharges the change from the outlet. Note that the change machine 98 is directed towards the user side and is operated by the user P. When bills or coins are inserted into the inlet, they are detected by sensors (detection indicating that there is an insertion, detection of the number of each denomination, etc.).

[0095] The clerk-side display unit 99 is a touch display for clerks that performs displays directed towards the clerk side, displays various information to the clerk, and accepts various inputs from the clerk.

[0096] The key operation unit 100 is composed of various keys (hardware keys, buttons) and accepts various inputs from the clerk.

[0097] The clerk-side handheld scanner unit 101 and the clerk-side fixed scanner unit 105 are scanner units for clerks, which optically read various types of information. For example, the clerk-side handheld scanner unit 101 and the clerk-side fixed scanner unit 105 optically read barcodes attached to products and clerk codes attached to clerks' name tags. In addition to the above, the clerk-side handheld scanner unit 101 and the clerk-side fixed scanner unit 105 may also read codes printed on accounting vouchers, product vouchers, and codes printed on various cards. The clerk-side handheld scanner unit 101 is connected to and fixed to the housing via a cord, and the clerk-side fixed scanner unit 105 is fixedly provided on the housing of the POS terminal 11. Therefore, when performing barcode reading, for the clerk-side handheld scanner unit 101, the clerk-side handheld scanner unit 101 is brought close to the product or the like, and for the clerk-side fixed scanner unit 105, the product or the like is brought close to the clerk-side fixed scanner unit 105 for use.

[0098] Note that the clerk-side handheld scanner unit 101 and the clerk-side fixed scanner unit 105 are used when the clerk registers products, but the clerk may register products by other methods. For example, when a key corresponding to a product (e.g., a key corresponding to a sports newspaper, etc.) is arranged on the key operation unit 100, the clerk may operate (press) the key to register the product. Also, when a preset key corresponding to a product is displayed on the clerk-side display unit 99, the clerk may operate the preset key to register the product.

[0099] The printing unit 102 prints and issues various media (receipts, accounting vouchers, etc.). The printing unit 102 can be rotated freely in the direction from the clerk side to the user P side and from the user P side to the clerk side (the direction of the media outlet). The orientation of the printing unit 102 may be changed manually, or may be changed automatically (mechanically controlled, etc.) based on, for example, a change in the operation mode (details will be described later). Note that the correctness of the orientation of the printing unit 102 may be detected by a sensor or the like. Note that a change in the operation mode is also referred to as a transition of the operation mode.

[0100] The voice output unit 103 outputs voice. For example, the voice output unit 103 outputs voice guidance or the like. The communication unit 104 transmits and receives information to and from other terminals (other POS terminals 11, store controllers 12).

[0101] Next, the processing flow when purchasing carbonated water will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 13. First, the user P needs to purchase carbonated water using the POS terminal 11. Hereinafter, the case where the clerk operates the POS terminal 11 will be shown.

[0102] In step S201, the CPU 91 of the POS terminal 11 determines whether the barcode of the product has been read. The clerk takes out the product from the shopping basket placed on the counter 110 (see FIG. 10) installed on the side of the POS terminal 11 by the user P, and holds the barcode attached to the product in front of the clerk-side fixed scanner unit 105 or holds the clerk-side handheld scanner unit 101 in front of the barcode attached to the product. Thereby, the barcode attached to the product is read. In response to this, the CPU 91 determines that the barcode of the product has been read and proceeds to the process of step S202. On the other hand, if the barcode of the product is not read by the clerk-side handheld scanner unit 101 or the clerk-side fixed scanner unit 105, the CPU 91 proceeds to the process of step S210 described later.

[0103] In step S202, the CPU 91 refers to the product master stored in the ROM 92, acquires information such as the product name and the price of the product based on the information of the read barcode, and temporarily stores these information in, for example, the RAM 93. Then, the CPU 91 updates the product registration screen on the clerk-side display unit 99 based on the information stored in the RAM 32.

[0104] For example, when the user P purchases multiple items, the store clerk passes each item in turn over the clerk's handheld scanner unit 101 or the clerk's fixed scanner unit 105. In response, the CPU 91 updates the display on the clerk's display unit 99 based on the barcode information read by the clerk's handheld scanner unit 101 or the clerk's fixed scanner unit 105.

[0105] In step S203, the CPU 91 determines whether the registration of the items has been completed. When the registration of all the items purchased by the user P has been completed, the store clerk touches a settlement button (not shown) displayed on the clerk's display unit 99 of the POS terminal 11. In response, the CPU 91 determines that the registration of the items has been completed and proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if the settlement button (not shown) displayed on the clerk's display unit 99 of the POS terminal 11 has not been touched, the CPU 91 returns to the process of step S201.

[0106] In step S204, the CPU 91 causes a settlement screen to be displayed on the user's display unit 95. In response to the settlement screen being displayed on the user's display unit 95, the user P pays the settlement amount displayed on the settlement screen using either cash, a credit card, or a prepaid card.

[0107] In step S205, the CPU 91 transmits purchase information such as the items purchased by the user, the quantity of the items, the selling price of the items, and the purchase amount to the cloud center 21. The cloud center 21 stores the received purchase information in a data server.

[0108] In step S206, the CPU 91 drives the printing unit 102. The printing unit 102 prints a purchase details based on the item registration information and sends the printed paper out of the printing unit 102 as a receipt. The user receives the sent receipt, and the settlement process for the items is thus completed.

[0109] In the above-mentioned step S201, if the barcode of the food has not been read, the CPU 91 proceeds to step S210.

[0110] In step S210, the CPU 91 determines whether the QR code 47 on the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 has been read. The store clerk holds the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 in front of the store clerk-side fixed scanner unit 105 or holds the store clerk-side handheld scanner unit 101 in front of the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45. Thereby, the QR code 47 printed on the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 is read. When the QR code 47 printed on the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 is read, the CPU 91 proceeds to the process of step S202. On the other hand, if the QR code 47 printed on the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 has not been read, the CPU 91 enters a standby state until either the barcode of the product or the QR code 47 printed on the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 is read.

[0111] Note that in step S210, it is determined whether the QR code 47 on the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 has been read. However, purchasers who buy food products at large grocery stores etc. often own a membership card issued by the large grocery store. Therefore, instead of determining whether the QR code 47 on the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 has been read, for example, when the membership card is read, the membership information associated with the membership card is read out, and it may be determined whether the purchase history information of carbonated water is included in the read membership information. At this time, it is also possible to display a confirmation screen for confirming whether to purchase carbonated water when the membership information includes the purchase history information of carbonated water but the purchase of carbonated water has not been made.

[0112] In step S211, the CPU 91 displays a selection screen for the carbonated water to be purchased on the store clerk-side display unit 99.

[0113] In step S212, the CPU 91 determines whether the type of carbonated water to be purchased (quantity of water, gas intensity) has been selected. The store clerk touches the store clerk side display unit to select (or input) the type of carbonated water (quantity of water, gas intensity) that user P will purchase. In response to this, the CPU 91 proceeds to step S202 and registers it as the product to be purchased. On the other hand, if the type of carbonated water to be purchased (quantity of water, gas intensity) has not been selected (or input), the CPU 91 waits until the type of carbonated water to be purchased (quantity of water, gas intensity) is selected (or input).

[0114] And when there is no purchase of other products, in step S203, settlement processing is performed based on the touch of the "Settlement" button. Also at this time, the purchase information is transmitted to the cloud center 21 and stored in the cloud center 21. Thereby, the purchase of carbonated water is completed.

[0115] When the purchase of carbonated water is completed, user P receives the provision of carbonated water from the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14. Hereinafter, the processing flow related to the provision of carbonated water will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 14.

[0116] In step S301, the CPU 62 of the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 determines whether the QR code 47 has been read. For example, user P holds the QR code 47 on the strap 46 provided on the pressure-resistant bottle 45 in front of the QR code reader 34. Thereby, the QR code reader 34 reads the QR code 47 printed on the strap 46. In response to this, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S302. On the other hand, if the QR code reader 34 has not read the QR code 47 on the strap 46, the CPU 62 enters a standby state until the QR code reader 34 reads the QR code 47 printed on the strap 46.

[0117] In step S302, the CPU 62 queries the cloud center 21 to determine whether the membership information obtained from the QR code 47 read by the QR code reader 34 is registered membership information. In response to this, the cloud center 21 queries the membership information using the membership information read from the QR code 47. Further, after querying the membership information, it determines whether there is any undigested purchase information. Note that the undigested purchase information indicates information that carbonated water has been purchased at the POS terminal but the provision of carbonated water has not been received. The cloud center 21 transmits these query results to the CPU 62.

[0118] In step S303, in the query result transmitted from the cloud center 21, when the membership information obtained from the read QR code 47 is registered membership information, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, in the query result transmitted from the cloud center 21, when the membership information obtained from the read QR code 47 is unregistered membership information, the CPU 62 enters a standby state without performing the processing after step S104.

[0119] In step S304, in the query result transmitted from the cloud center 21, when there is undigested purchase information, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S305. On the other hand, in the query result, when there is no undigested purchase information, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S319.

[0120] In step S305, the CPU 62 releases the lock on the water injection door 37 by the locking mechanism 71. Then, in step S306, the CPU 62 uses the operation panel 33 to display a guidance screen (see, for example, FIG. 7(a)) prompting the user to set the pressure-resistant bottle 45 into the water injection box 36. In response to this display, the user P sets the pressure-resistant bottle 45 he / she has into the water injection box 36 and closes the water injection door 37.

[0121] In step S307, the CPU 62 determines whether or not the pressure-resistant bottle 45 has been detected. For example, when the user P sets the pressure-resistant bottle 45 in the bottle holder 38 of the water injection door 37 and closes the water injection door 37, the bottle sensor 73 detects the pressure-resistant bottle 45. In response to this, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S308. On the other hand, when the water injection door 37 is closed without setting the pressure-resistant bottle 45 in the bottle holder 38 of the water injection door 37, the bottle sensor 73 does not detect the pressure-resistant bottle 45. At this time, the CPU 62 enters a standby state until the pressure-resistant bottle 45 is detected by the bottle sensor 73.

[0122] In step S308, the CPU 62 determines whether or not the water injection door 37 has been detected. When the water injection door 37 rotates to the closed position, the lock sensor 72 detects the water injection door 37. In response to this, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S309, activates the lock mechanism 71, and locks the water injection door 37. On the other hand, when the water injection door 37 is in the closed position, the lock sensor 72 does not detect the water injection door 37. At this time, the CPU 62 returns to step S307 and enters a standby state until both the detection of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 by the bottle sensor 73 and the detection of the water injection door 37 by the lock sensor 72 are performed.

[0123] In step S310, the CPU 62 executes a process of generating carbonated water. Although the details are omitted, for example, the process of generating carbonated water is performed by supplying carbon dioxide gas to the pressurized tank 76 until the gas intensity of the carbonated water selected by the user P is reached for the RO water supplied to the pressurized tank 76. At this time, the CPU 62 causes the operation panel 33 to display a guidance screen such as "Generating carbonated water" (see, for example, FIG. 7(c)).

[0124] In step S311, the CPU 62 executes a process of injecting carbonated water. The CPU 62 injects the carbonated water generated inside the pressurized tank 76 from the pressurized tank 76 into the pressure-resistant bottle 45 set in the water injection box 36. At this time, the CPU 62 causes the operation panel 33 to display a guidance screen such as "Starting the injection of carbonated water" (see, for example, FIG. 8(a)). Then, when the pressure-resistant bottle 45 is injected with water, the CPU 62 switches the display on the operation panel 33 to a guidance screen such as "Injecting carbonated water" (see, for example, FIG. 8(b)) and displays it.

[0125] In step S312, the CPU 62 transmits to the cloud center 21 provision information indicating that the provision of carbonated water based on the undigested purchase information has been performed. The cloud center 21 updates the undigested purchase information to digested purchase information based on the provision information.

[0126] In step S313, the CPU 62 releases the lock of the water injection door 37 by the locking mechanism 71. Then, in step S314, the CPU 62 causes the operation panel 33 to display a guidance screen (see, for example, FIG. 9) prompting the removal of the pressure-resistant bottle 45. In response to this, the user P opens the water injection door 37, takes out the pressure-resistant bottle 45 held by the water injection door 37, and attaches the cap 45a to the water injection part 45b.

[0127] In step S315, the CPU 62 determines whether the pressure-resistant bottle 45 is detected or not. When the water injection door 37 is opened, the bottle sensor 73 ends the detection of the pressure-resistant bottle 45. Therefore, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S316. On the other hand, when the water injection door 37 is not opened, the bottle sensor 73 detects the pressure-resistant bottle 45. Therefore, the CPU 62 waits until the detection of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 by the bottle sensor 73 ends.

[0128] In step S316, the CPU 62 determines whether the water injection door 37 has been detected. When the water injection door 37 rotates to the closed position, the lock sensor 72 detects the water injection door 37. In response to this, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S317, activates the lock mechanism 71, and locks the water injection door 37. On the other hand, when the water injection door 37 is in the open position, the lock sensor 72 does not detect the water injection door 37. At this time, the CPU 62 returns to step S315 and enters a standby state until both the detection of the pressure-resistant bottle 45 by the bottle sensor 73 and the detection of the water injection door 37 by the lock sensor 72 are performed.

[0129] In step S317, the CPU 62 activates the lock mechanism 71 to lock the water injection door 37. As a result, the user P can receive the supply of carbonated water.

[0130] In the determination of step S304 described above, when it is determined that there is no purchase information for the unprovided portion, the CPU 62 proceeds to step S319.

[0131] In step S319, the CPU 62 displays a guidance screen on the operation panel indicating that carbonated water has not been purchased.

[0132] In step S320, the CPU 62 determines whether a certain period of time has elapsed after displaying the guidance screen on the operation panel 33 indicating that carbonated water has not been purchased. For example, if a certain period of time has elapsed, it proceeds to step S321 and stops displaying the guidance screen indicating that carbonated water has not been purchased. On the other hand, if it is determined that a certain period of time has not elapsed, the CPU 62 enters a standby state until a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0133] In the above-described second embodiment, when purchasing carbonated water using the POS terminal 11, the purchase information of the carbonated water is transmitted to the cloud center 21. However, in addition to transmitting it to the cloud center, it is also possible to record it on the RFID chip 48 embedded in the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45. In this case, at the POS terminal 11, it is necessary to write the purchase information of the carbonated water to the RFID chip 48 embedded in the strap 46 of the pressure-resistant bottle 45. However, when receiving the supply of carbonated water in the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus, there is no need to inquire about the purchase information of the carbonated water from the cloud center 21, so there is an advantage that the processing in the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 is simplified.

[0134] Also, when purchasing carbonated water using the POS terminal 11, after the purchase information of the carbonated water is stored in the cloud center 21, when the QR code is read in the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14, the cloud center 21 is queried for member information. However, when purchasing carbonated water using the POS terminal 11, after printing the purchase details printed at the time of settlement processing and the QR code indicating the amount of water and gas strength of the purchased carbonated water on the roll paper, and after the purchaser receives the roll paper as a receipt, the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 reads the QR code of the received receipt with the QR code reader 34. Note that when carbonated water is not purchased using the POS terminal 11, the above QR code is not printed on the roll paper. In this case, when the QR code reader 34 reads the QR code printed on the roll paper, it queries the cloud center 21 whether the information based on the QR code is legitimate. When the information based on the read QR code is legitimate, the lock of the water injection door 37 of the water injection box 36 of the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 is released. As a result, the purchaser can receive the supply of carbonated water in the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14.

[0135] <Summary of the Embodiment>

[0136] The present invention relates to a carbonated water manufacturing apparatus that provides carbonated water produced by dissolving carbon dioxide gas in raw water or permeated water, and a carbonated water purchase system.

[0137] Sugar-free carbonated water (hereinafter referred to as carbonated water) is used in a wide range of fields, such as for washing the face and taking a bath, in addition to beverages, due to its refreshing effect and health orientation. As carbonated water is used in a wide range of fields, various carbonated water manufacturing devices that can easily generate carbonated water are provided. The amount of carbonated water and the gas intensity of carbon dioxide gas in the carbonated water (hereinafter referred to as the gas intensity of carbonated water) intended by the user vary depending on, for example, the user's preference and the use of the carbonated water. Therefore, in the carbonated water manufacturing device as well, similar to the generally provided vending machines, it is preferable to be able to select the amount of carbonated water and the gas intensity of carbon dioxide gas by operating, for example, an operation panel or operation buttons.

[0138] By the way, among the above-described carbonated water manufacturing devices, there is, for example, a commercial carbonated water manufacturing device installed in a food store such as a supermarket, and the users of the food store are asked to purchase carbonated water. In such a commercial carbonated water manufacturing device, when an operation panel or operation buttons are installed to allow selection of the amount of carbonated water and the gas intensity of carbon dioxide gas in the carbonated water, since many users may use the food store, dirt etc. may adhere to the operation panel or operation buttons, which is unsanitary. In addition, since users who repeatedly purchase carbonated water often purchase carbonated water with the same amount of carbonated water and the gas intensity of carbon dioxide gas in the carbonated water, the act of operating the operation panel or operation buttons for the amount of carbonated water and the gas intensity of carbon dioxide gas in the carbonated water is troublesome.

[0139] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique that simplifies the process related to the purchase of carbonated water and enables efficient purchase of carbonated water.

[0140] In a carbonated water manufacturing device 14 installed in a facility, generating carbonated water, and pouring the generated carbonated water into a container, it includes an RFID reader / writer 74 that acquires information related to carbonated water, and a pressurized tank unit 75 that generates carbonated water based on the information related to carbonated water acquired by the RFID reader / writer 74.

[0141] According to this, the user can receive the supply of carbonated water based on the purchase information stored in the pressure-resistant bottle 45. At this time, since the purchase information is stored in the pressure-resistant bottle 45, the user P can receive the supply of carbonated water only by the act of setting the pressure-resistant bottle 45 in the water filling box 36 or removing the pressure-resistant bottle 45 from the water filling box 36.

[0142] In addition, the information related to the carbonated water includes the gas strength of the carbonated water, has an operation panel 33 for selecting the gas strength of the supplied carbonated water from a plurality of gas strengths, and the operation panel 33 enables selection of a gas strength different from the gas strength of the carbonated water acquired by the RFID reader / writer 74.

[0143] According to this, for example, only when it is desired to change the amount of carbon dioxide gas or the gas strength based on the purchase information stored in the pressure-resistant bottle 45, the operation panel 33 will be operated. Therefore, since there are also users who want to try different gas strengths, this is a convenient function for such users.

[0144] The pressurized tank unit 75 generates carbonated water based on the gas strength of the carbonated water acquired by the RFID reader / writer 74 when the gas strength of the carbonated water is not selected by the operation panel 33 for a certain period of time.

[0145] According to this, for example, a user who does not intend to change the gas strength of the carbonated water will wait without operating the operation panel 33 for a certain period of time. That is, a user who does not intend to change the gas strength of the carbonated water can receive the supply of carbonated water only by the act of setting the pressure-resistant bottle in the water filling box or removing the pressure-resistant bottle from the water filling box.

[0146] The information related to the carbonated water includes the information on the amount of the carbonated water, and the operation panel 33 can select an amount of water different from the amount of the carbonated water acquired by the RFID reader / writer 74.

[0147] According to this, not only the gas strength of the carbonated water but also the amount of the carbonated water can be selected, so that the amount of the carbonated water and the gas strength provided can be selected according to the usage purpose of the user P.

[0148] It has an RFID reader / writer 74 that records information related to the carbonated water generated by the pressurized tank unit 75 in the pressure-resistant bottle 45.

[0149] According to this, since the information of the received carbonated water is recorded in the pressure-resistant bottle 45, when receiving the carbonated water, the user does not need to recall the information related to the carbonated water received in the past, and also, when the information related to the carbonated water is misremembered, it is possible to prevent receiving a carbonated water different from the intended amount of the carbonated water and the gas strength.

[0150] The information related to the carbonated water is recorded in the container at the time of purchasing the carbonated water.

[0151] According to this, when purchasing the carbonated water, the information related to the carbonated water is recorded in the pressure-resistant bottle 45. Therefore, just by setting the pressure-resistant bottle 45 in the water filling box 36, the purchased carbonated water is generated and filled into the pressure-resistant bottle 45. Thus, the operation performed on the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 can be simplified, and also the time required for providing the carbonated water in the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 is shortened.

[0152] Furthermore, it has a carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 that generates carbonated water and fills the generated carbonated water into a container, a POS terminal 11 that accepts the purchase of the carbonated water, and a cloud center 21 that stores information related to the carbonated water accepted by the POS terminal 11. The carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 generates carbonated water based on the information related to the carbonated water stored in the cloud center 21.

[0153] According to this, when carbonated water is purchased by the POS terminal 11, information related to the purchased carbonated water is transmitted to the cloud center 21. Then, the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 uses the information related to the carbonated water transmitted to the cloud center 21 to generate carbonated water and provides the generated carbonated water. Therefore, even without recording information related to the purchased carbonated water on the pressure-resistant bottle 45, it is possible to receive the provision of carbonated water only by setting the pressure-resistant bottle 45 in the water injection box 36 of the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 14 and removing the pressure-resistant bottle 45 from the water injection box 36.

Explanation of Signs

[0154] 1…Carbonated water purchase system 10…POS system 11…POS terminal 12…Store controller 14…Carbonated water manufacturing apparatus 21…Cloud center 33…Operation panel 45…Pressure-resistant bottle 74…RFID reader / writer 75…Pressurized tank unit

Claims

1. In a carbonated water manufacturing apparatus that is installed in a facility, generates carbonated water, and fills a container with the generated carbonated water, an acquisition means for acquiring information related to the carbonated water; a generation means for generating the carbonated water based on the information acquired by the acquisition means; a water filling box in which the container is installed; a water filling door that can be opened and closed with respect to the water filling box; a regulation means for controlling the regulation of the opening and closing operation of the water filling door; having, when the acquisition means acquires the information, the regulation means releases the regulation A carbonated water manufacturing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. In the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus according to Claim 1, having a detection means for detecting at least one of the container installed in the water filling box or the water filling door in the closed position; after the regulation means releases the regulation, when the detection means detects the container or the water filling door in the closed position, the regulation means regulates the opening operation of the water filling door A carbonated water manufacturing apparatus characterized by the above.

3. In the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, having a notification means for notifying predetermined information; when the information related to the carbonated water acquired by the acquisition means includes purchase information indicating that the carbonated water has been provided, the notification means notifies that the carbonated water has been provided, the regulation means maintains the regulation A carbonated water manufacturing apparatus characterized by the above.

4. In the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, having a holding means for holding the container inside the water filling door; when the water filling door is in the closed position, the holding means holds the container inside the water filling box A carbonated water manufacturing apparatus characterized by...

5. In the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus according to Claim 4, The holding means is a first holding means for holding the neck portion of the container, a second holding means for holding the lower part or bottom of the container, and has When the water injection door is in the open position, the first holding means and the second holding means hold the container in an inclined state so as to face the depth direction of the water injection box upward in the longitudinal direction of the container. A carbonated water manufacturing apparatus characterized by...

6. A carbonated water manufacturing apparatus that generates carbonated water and injects the generated carbonated water into a container, a reception terminal that receives the purchase of the carbonated water, an information terminal that stores information related to the carbonated water received by the reception terminal, and has The carbonated water manufacturing apparatus has an acquisition means for acquiring information related to the carbonated water from the information terminal, a generation means for generating the carbonated water based on the information acquired by the acquisition means, a water injection box for installing the container inside, a water injection door that can be opened and closed with respect to the water injection box, a regulation means for controlling the regulation of the opening and closing operation of the water injection door when the water injection door is in the closed position, and has The regulation means releases the regulation based on the information stored in the information terminal. A carbonated water purchase system characterized by...

Images