Merchandise sales device

Abstract

To provide a device capable of supplying an article with a desired quantity or a fixed quantity.SOLUTION: An article vending machine 1 includes: a first U1 composed of one or more article supply devices 2 that supply an article with an arbitrary quantity; a second unit U2 composed of one or more article supply devices 4 that supply an article with a fixed quantity according to an operation; and a label issuing device 8 that issues a label of an article supplied by the first unit U1 or the second unit U2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for supplying a fixed quantity of articles.

Background Art

[0002] As shown in Patent Document 1, a system for weighing and selling articles such as products is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the operation of weighing and taking out a fixed quantity of articles from the device storing the articles involves many steps and is a burden on customers. Also, for some articles, it may be preferable to purchase them without weighing. On the other hand, as a customer, there may be cases where they want to purchase an article in a desired quantity.

[0005] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of supplying an article in a desired quantity or a fixed quantity.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, an article vending device according to the present invention includes a first unit composed of one or more first article supply devices for supplying an arbitrary quantity of articles, a second unit composed of one or more second article supply devices for supplying a fixed quantity of articles according to an operation, and a label issuing device for issuing a label for the article supplied by the first unit or the second unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] ●Overview Hereinafter, an article supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an article vending device including the article supply device will be described with reference to the drawings. The article vending device 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a device for weighing and selling products according to a customer's operation. In the present embodiment, the products are, for example, foods such as dried fruits, nuts, and beans. However, as long as the products are suitable for weighing and selling, they are not limited to these products. Further, the article supply device according to the present embodiment can be used not only when providing foods according to such examples as products to customers, but also when receiving a supply of a predetermined amount on the store side. Therefore, the article supply device according to the present embodiment will be described as a device that supplies a predetermined article including products.

[0009] ●Configuration of the article vending device 1 The article vending device 1 is composed of a first unit U1, a second unit U2, and a label issuing device 8. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the label issuing device 8 is installed between the first unit U1 and the second unit U2. The label issuing device 8 receives data from both the first unit U1 and the second unit U2, and issues a label according to the data. Also, which of the first unit U1 and the second unit U2 is used is at the customer's discretion. Therefore, the label issuing device 8 is installed between the first unit U1 and the second unit U2 at a position that is easily accessible to the customer, regardless of whether the first unit U1 or the second unit U2 is used.

[0010] Details of the configurations of the first unit U1, the second unit U2, and the label issuing device 8 will be described later, but will be briefly explained here. The first unit U1 is composed of one or more article supply devices 2 that provide an arbitrary amount of articles to the customer, and is equipped with a weighing device 3 for weighing an arbitrary amount of articles. The article supply device 2 is equipped with an operation unit for performing a supply operation of an arbitrary amount of articles. This article supply device 2 can transmit device identification information for identifying the article supply device 2 that has supplied articles to the label issuing device 8 according to the operation by the operation unit. Also, the weighing device 3 can weigh the weight of the articles provided by the article supply device 2 and transmit the weighing result to the label issuing device 8.

[0011] Also, the second unit U2 is composed of one or more article supply devices 4 that provide a fixed amount of articles to the customer according to the number of operations. The article supply device 4 is equipped with an operation unit for performing a supply operation of a fixed amount of articles, and transmits device identification information for identifying the article supply device 4 that has supplied articles to the label issuing device 8 and information related to the number of times of article supply according to the operation by the operation unit.

[0012] The label issuing device 8 holds a master that associates the device identification information of the article supply device 2 that constitutes the first unit U1, or the device identification information of the article supply device 4 that constitutes the second unit U2 with the articles. Thereby, the label issuing device 8 identifies the articles supplied by the article supply devices 2 and 4, calculates the selling price based on the measured value or the number of supply times of the articles, and issues a label for settlement.

[0013] ● First unit U1 The first unit U1 is a unit for so-called retail sales and provides customers with any quantity of goods. As shown in FIG. 1, the first unit U1 has a plurality of article supply devices 2. All of the plurality of article supply devices 2 have the same functions and structures and are provided for each type of article to be supplied.

[0014] ● Article supply device 2 The article supply device 2 is composed of a storage part 21 provided above, a supply part 22 provided below the storage part 21, and a weighing device 3 for weighing the quantity of the supplied articles. The storage part 21 and the supply part 22 are connected, and the articles in the storage part 21 are supplied to the outside through the supply part 22, whereby the articles in the storage part 21 are provided to the customer. Note that the storage part 21 and the supply part 22 may be integrally formed or may be detachably configured by a predetermined attachment mechanism. In the case of a detachable configuration, the articles can be replenished in the article supply device 2 by replacing the storage part 21 storing the articles. Also, management of the expiration date of the articles etc. may be performed according to the replacement of the storage part 21.

[0015] The storage part 21 is a part for storing articles and is a hollow container. The storage part 21 can store a certain quantity of articles inside and discharges the articles to the supply part 22 from the discharge port provided below.

[0016] The supply part 22 supplies an amount of articles corresponding to the customer's operation to the outside. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this supply part 22 includes an entrance (not shown), a supply port 22a, a housing part 221, an operation part 222, and a shielding part 223.

[0017] The entrance is provided at a position corresponding to the discharge port of the storage part 21. The discharge port and the entrance are in communication, and the articles in the storage part 21 are supplied to the outside from the supply port 22a through the discharge port and the entrance. The supply port 22a is an opening provided downward, and articles are supplied to the outside from this supply port 22a. The storage part 221 can store a certain amount of articles inside.

[0018] The operation part 222 is a part for a customer to operate the shielding part 223. This operation part 222 is in cooperation with the shielding part 223, and the shielding part 223 moves according to the operation by this operation part 222. The operation part 222 is, for example, a lever or the like exposed to the outside, and the supply of articles is controlled by the shielding part 223 that operates according to the lever operation.

[0019] The shielding part 223 is a member that can shield the space between the storage part 221 and the supply port 22a in an openable manner. This shielding part 223 is interlocked with a predetermined operation part, and according to the operation by the operation part, it opens or shields the space between the storage part 221 and the supply port 22a. FIG. 2 shows an example of the structure and operation of such a shielding part 223. The shielding part 223 is composed of a thin plate-shaped plate part 2231 and a rotating shaft 2232 provided at the center of the plate part 2231, and the plate part 2231 rotates around the rotating shaft 2232.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2(a), when the plate part 2231 is in a horizontal state, the space between the storage part 221 and the supply port 22a is shielded, and the articles in the storage part 221 are not supplied to the outside from the supply port 22a. According to the operation by the operation part 222, the plate part 2231 rotates around the rotating shaft 2232, and as shown in FIG. 2(b), when the plate part 2231 is no longer horizontal, the space between the storage part 221 and the supply port 22a is opened, and the articles in the storage part 221 are discharged through the supply port 22a. As shown in FIG. 2(c), when the plate part 2231 rotates as it is and returns to the horizontal state, or when it returns to the original horizontal state by a biasing means such as a spring that biases the plate part 2231 to the horizontal state, the space between the storage part 221 and the supply port 22a is shielded again, and the supply of articles is restricted.

[0021] Note that the shielding portion 223 may be provided at the receiving port and configured to shield or open the receiving port in response to an operation by the operation portion 222.

[0022] When a customer receives a desired amount of an article from this article supply device 2, the customer places a container such as a cup below the supply port 22b so that the article supplied from the supply port 22a directly enters the container. Then, the operation portion 222 is operated to receive the article stored in the storage portion 21 through the discharge port of the storage portion 21, the receiving port of the supply portion 22, and the supply port 22a.

[0023] Note that the article supply device 2 may include, similar to the article supply device 4 described later, an operation detection portion that detects an article supply operation, an identification information storage portion that stores device identification information for identifying the article supply device 2, and a communication processing portion 403 that transmits the device identification information to the label issuing device 8 together with information indicating that an article supply operation has been performed. Thereby, the label issuing device 8 can grasp at which article supply device 2 the article has been supplied, and can identify the supplied article by referring to a predetermined storage portion that associates the device identification information with information related to the article supplied by the article supply device 2.

[0024] ● Measuring device 3 The measuring device 3 is a device that measures an article placed on a predetermined placement surface. This measuring device 3 is provided below the supply port 22a of the article supply device 2. Here, when a customer receives an article from the article supply device 2, the customer places a container such as a cup for containing the article on the placement surface. When the customer executes an operation to receive an article from the article supply device 2, the article is supplied from the supply port 22a to the container on the placement surface.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the measuring device 3 includes a measuring portion 31, an identification information storage portion 32, a display 33, and a communication processing portion 34.

[0026] The weighing unit 31 weighs an object (such as a product or a container) placed on the placement surface 311 by, for example, a weight detection method using a load cell. Thereby, the weight of the container placed on the placement surface 311 and the articles supplied to the container is measured.

[0027] Here, specifically, the weighing unit 311 is composed of a weight detection unit 311 and an AD converter 312. The weight detection unit 311 is realized by a load cell, and the A / D converter 312 converts the analog signal input from the weight detection unit 311 into a digital signal. In the conversion to a digital signal, after setting the range in which the weight value can be appropriately acquired, the zero point and the maximum weighing value are recorded. The value converted into digital data is displayed as a weighing value (weight) on the display 33.

[0028] The identification information storage unit 32 stores device identification information that can identify the weighing device 3. Note that regardless of the configuration shown in FIG. 3, instead of the identification information that can identify the weighing device 3, the A / D converter 312 can hold converter identification information that can identify the A / D converter 31, and the weighing device 3 can be identified by the converter identification information.

[0029] The display 33 displays the weighing result by the weighing unit 31.

[0030] The communication processing unit 34 is a functional unit that executes data transmission and reception with a label issuing device 8, a higher-level device, etc. For example, it realizes data communication by wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registered trademark). The weighing device 3 can transmit information related to the weighing result by the weighing unit 31 to the label issuing device 8 through this communication processing unit 33. At this time, the weighing device 3 can refer to the identification information storage unit 32 and transmit the device identification information to the label issuing device 8 together with the information related to the weighing result by the weighing unit 31.

[0031] In the label issuing device 8 that has received the device identification information or the converter identification information and the measured value from the measuring device 3, the measured value and the selling price are displayed on the display 81. In this way, even without displaying the preset key, when the weight of the article can be measured stably on the measuring device 3 and the supply amount is determined, the measured value and the selling price are displayed on the display 81. Therefore, it is convenient for the customer to be able to increase or decrease the amount of the article while checking the measured value and the selling price on the display 81. This is particularly effective when the label issuing device 8 is provided near the operation unit 222 of the article supply device 2, as the display 81 will be closer to the customer operating the operation unit 222.

[0032] Note that the measuring device 3 may be provided with a timekeeping function. The measuring device 3 having a timekeeping function can manage, for example, the current time, the remaining time until a certain time, or the elapsed time since a certain state was reached. Further, the information obtained by this timekeeping function may be provided to the label issuing device 8 by the communication processing unit 33.

[0033] Also, the measuring device 3 may be provided so as to be one-to-one with the article supply device 2, or may be integrally configured with the article supply device 2.

[0034] ● Second unit U2 The second unit U2 provides a fixed quantity of articles to the customer for each operation. The second unit U2 has a plurality of article supply devices 4. All of the plurality of article supply devices 4 have the same functions and structures, and are provided for each type of article to be supplied. In this embodiment, the second unit U2 will be described as being configured by an article supply device 4 according to one embodiment. However, the second unit U2 can be configured by an article supply device 5, 6, or 7 according to other embodiments described later, instead of the article supply device 4.

[0035] ● Article supply device 4 according to Embodiment 1 The article supply device 4 is composed of a storage unit 41 provided above and a supply unit 42 provided below the storage unit 41. The storage part 41 and the supply part 42 are connected, and the articles in the storage part 41 are supplied to the outside through the supply part 42. Note that the storage part 41 and the supply part 42 may be integrally configured, or may be configured to be detachable by a predetermined attachment mechanism. When configured to be detachable, the articles can be replenished to the article supply device 4 by replacing the storage part 41 storing the articles.

[0036] The storage part 41 is a part for storing articles and is a hollow container. This storage part 41 is provided with a discharge port for discharging articles to the supply part 42. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the discharge port provided in the storage part 41 is referred to as "discharge port 41a".

[0037] The supply part 42 supplies a predetermined amount of the articles stored in the storage part 41 to the outside according to the operation of the customer. As shown in FIG. 4, this supply part 42 is provided with a receiving port 42a, a supply port 42b, a housing 43, and an operation part 44.

[0038] The receiving port 42a is provided at a position corresponding to the discharge port 41a of the storage part 41. The discharge port 41a and the receiving port 42a are in communication, and the articles in the storage part 41 are discharged to the supply part 42 through the discharge port 41a and the receiving port 42a.

[0039] The housing 43 is a cylindrical member with both ends closed, and the inner hollow part constitutes a housing part 431 for housing articles. An opening 43a for receiving the articles discharged from the storage part 41 into the housing part 431 is provided on the outer peripheral surface. As will be described later, this housing 43 is connected to the operation part 44 and is rotated in the circumferential direction by the operation part 44. By rotating in the circumferential direction, the opening 43a faces the discharge port 41a side of the storage part 41 or the supply port 42b side. Here, when the opening 43a faces the supply port 42b side, the outer peripheral surface of the housing 43 faces the discharge port 41a side of the storage part 41 and the receiving port 42a is shielded. At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the housing 43 constitutes a shielding means for shielding the receiving port 42a. Note that the storage section 431 is configured such that the internal space has a volume that is exactly filled by a fixed quantity of articles.

[0040] The operation section 44 constitutes control means for rotating the housing 43 and supplying the articles stored in the storage section 431 to the outside. As shown in FIG. 4, this operation section 44 is composed of a lever 441 that moves up and down, a biasing section (not shown) such as a spring that biases the lever 441 in a predetermined direction, and a rack and pinion (not shown) that converts the up-and-down movement of the lever 441 into a rotational movement of the housing 43.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 5(a), when the customer is not operating the lever 441, the lever 441 is lifted upward by the biasing section. At this time, the housing 43 interlocked with the operation section 44 faces the opening 43a toward the discharge port 41a of the storage section 41, and the articles discharged from the discharge port 41a are stored in the storage section 431. Here, as shown in FIG. 5(b), when the customer presses down the lever 441 against the biasing force of the biasing section, the housing 43 rotates in the circumferential direction, and as shown in FIGS. 4(b) and 5(c), the opening 43a is directed downward where the supply port 42b is located. As a result, the articles stored in the storage section 431 fall from the opening 43a due to their own weight and are supplied to the outside through the supply port 42b. Also, at this time, since the opening 43a is directed toward the supply port 42b side, the receiving port 42a is shielded by the outer peripheral surface of the housing 43, and articles are prevented from being discharged from the storage section 41.

[0042] Note that, as shown in FIG. 6, the housing 43 in this supply section 42 may be provided such that a pair of storage sections 431 are adjacent to each other. Thereby, articles can be supplied every time the housing 431 rotates by one quarter turn.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7, the article supply device 4 having the above-described structure includes an operation detection section 401, an identification information storage section 402, and a communication processing section 403 as functional sections for executing information processing.

[0044] The operation detection unit 401 is a functional unit that detects the operation of the operation unit 44 by the customer, and thereby counts the number of times of supplying the article based on the operation by the customer. The operation detection unit 401 is realized, for example, by a sensor attached to a part that operates in response to the supply of the article, such as the operation unit 44 or the container 43 that interlocks with the operation unit 44. The sensor is, for example, a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor, and detects changes such as inclination, rotation, and displacement based on the operation of a member to which the sensor is attached, such as the operation unit 44. When a change based on the operation is detected, it is counted as if the supply of the article has been executed once. Information related to the number of times of supplying the article is provided to the label issuing device 8 by the communication processing unit 403. In addition, the counting of the number of times of supplying the article can also be determined as a plurality of supply operations by the same customer until a state of no operation continues for a certain period of time after the supply operation of the article is performed.

[0045] In addition, the operation detection unit 401 is constituted by functional units such as a setting storage unit 4011 and a determination unit 4012, for example, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0046] The setting storage unit 4011 stores setting values such as setting angles and displacement values used for the determination by the determination unit 4012. The setting angle and displacement value are angles set in advance to determine whether the operation unit 44, which is a detection target such as inclination, is in a state of supplying the article. Note that these values are values corresponding to the operation unit 44.

[0047] The determination unit 4012 determines whether the input value, which is the inclination angle or displacement of the operation unit 44 to which the operation detection unit 401 is attached, exceeds the setting value stored in the setting storage unit 4011. When the input value exceeds the setting value, it can be determined that the supply operation of the article has been executed as if the article has been supplied.

[0048] Here, when the input value is the tilt angle, as shown in FIG. 8, when the operation detection unit 401 tilts (rotates) from the posture shown in FIG. 8(a) to the posture shown in FIG. 8(b), a degrees becomes the input value (or, including the tilt direction, +a degrees). Further, when the operation detection unit 12 tilts (rotates) from the posture shown in FIG. 8(c) to the posture shown in FIG. 8(b), b degrees becomes the input value (or, including the tilt direction, -b degrees).

[0049] In addition, when the input value such as the tilt angle or displacement of the operation unit 44 to which the operation detection unit 401 is attached is equal to or greater than the set value stored in the setting storage unit 4011, it can be estimated that the article has been supplied. Therefore, it can also be said that the determination unit 4012 is an estimation means for estimating the supply of the article. In other words, it can also be said that the operation detection unit 401 including the determination unit 4012 is an estimation device for estimating the supply of the article by the article supply device 2.

[0050] In the counting of the number of times the article is supplied, for example, after the article is supplied in response to the operation of a predetermined customer, if the article is not continuously supplied within a certain period of time, it is regarded that the operation of the predetermined customer has ended, and the information related to the number of times the article has been supplied up to that point may be provided to the label issuing device 8. Also, after the article is supplied in response to the operation of a predetermined customer, the continuous supply of the article executed within a certain period of time is regarded as corresponding to the request of the predetermined customer, and when the certain period of time has passed, the information related to the number of times the article has been counted up to that point may be provided to the label issuing device 8. Also, each time the supply of the article is counted once, the information related to the number of times the article has been supplied may be provided to the label issuing device 8.

[0051] The identification information storage unit 402 is a storage unit that stores identification information that can identify the article supply device 4.

[0052] The communication processing unit 403 is a functional unit that executes data transmission and reception with the label issuing device 8, the upper-level device, etc. For example, it realizes data communication via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The article supply device 4 can transmit information related to the number of times of article supply to the label issuing device 8 together with the identification information of the article supply device 4 by means of this communication processing unit 403.

[0053] ● Article supply device 5 according to Embodiment 2 The article supply device 5 is composed of the above-described storage unit 41 and a supply unit 52 provided below the storage unit 41 as shown in FIG. 9. Similar to the article supply device 4 according to Embodiment 1, the storage unit 41 and the supply unit 52 may be integrally configured or may be configured to be detachable.

[0054] The supply unit 52 supplies a predetermined amount of articles stored in the storage unit 41 to the outside in response to a customer's operation. This supply unit 52 is provided with a receiving port 52a, a supply port 52b, a housing 53, a shielding unit 54, a support unit 55, a first operation unit 56, and a second operation unit 57.

[0055] The receiving port 52a is provided at a position corresponding to the discharge port 41a of the storage unit 41. The discharge port 41a and the receiving port 52a are in communication, and the articles in the storage unit 41 are discharged to the supply unit 52 through the discharge port 41a and the receiving port 52a.

[0056] The housing 53 is a ball-tray-shaped member, and the inner concave portion constitutes a storage portion 531 for storing articles. The upper part of the storage portion 531 is open, and the open part constitutes an opening for receiving the articles discharged from the storage unit 41 into the storage portion 531. This housing 53 is provided below the receiving port 52a, whereby the articles discharged from the storage unit 41 are stored in the storage portion 531 through the discharge port 41a and the receiving port 52a. Note that the storage portion 531 is adjusted to have a volume that is just filled by a fixed quantity of articles.

[0057] In this container 53, near its opening, a second operation part 57 described later is connected, and it is rotated by the second operation part 57. By rotating the container 53, the opening faces the discharge port 41a side of the storage part 41 or the supply port 52b side. Also, a support part named 55 which will be described later is connected to the container 53.

[0058] The shielding part 54 constitutes shielding means for shielding the receiving port 52a in an openable manner. This shielding part 54 is formed in a shape where four semi-circular shielding pieces 541 are joined in a cross-sectional shape in a straight-line part, and along the straight-line part, a core bar 562 constituting the first operation part 56 passes through. Also, the shielding part 54 is provided at the receiving port 52a. The shape of the plane formed by a pair of shielding pieces 541 provided on the same plane is the same as the plane shape of the receiving port 52a. Thereby, when any pair of shielding pieces 541 is horizontal, the receiving port 52a is shielded, and the discharge of the articles in the storage part 41 is restricted. On the other hand, from the state shielded in this way, when the shielding part 54 rotates according to the rotation of the core bar 562 and none of the shielding pieces 541 is in a horizontal state, the receiving port 52a is in an open state. In this state, the articles in the storage part 41 are discharged to the supply part 52 through the discharge port 41a and the receiving port 52a. Here, when the core bar 562 rotates a quarter turn in the circumferential direction from the state where the receiving port 52a is shielded by the shielding part 54 and the receiving port 52a is shielded again, the amount of the articles discharged to the container 53 through the receiving port 52a is designed to be equal to the predetermined amount to be provided to the customer by one supply operation of the articles.

[0059] The support part 55 is a rod-shaped member connected to the container 53. A rotation shaft 551 is provided at the center of this support part 55, and both ends of the support part 55 move up and down with the rotation shaft 551 as a fulcrum. Also, the container 53 is connected to one end side of the support part 55, and a weight 552 and a restricting part 553 are provided on the other end side. One end of the support portion 55 is connected to the housing 53, and it is configured not to be rotated along with the rotation operation of the housing 53 that rotates by the second operation portion 57.

[0060] The weight 552 has a predetermined weight, and when a fixed amount of articles are accommodated in the accommodation portion 531, with the rotation shaft 551 as a fulcrum, the end portion where the weight 552 is provided is lifted upward. The restricting portion 553 is a portion that restricts the rotation of the gear 563 that constitutes the first operation portion 56 described later. This restricting portion 553 is provided below the gear 563 that constitutes the first operation portion 56 described later at the end portion of the support portion 55 on the side where the weight 552 is provided. When no articles are accommodated in the accommodation portion 531, the restricting portion 553 is held below the gear 563 by the weight 552 and is not in contact with the gear 563. On the other hand, when a fixed amount of articles are accommodated in the accommodation portion 531, it rises with the rotation shaft 551 as a fulcrum, fits between the gear teeth provided on the outer peripheral surface of the gear 563, and restricts the rotation of the gear 563.

[0061] The first operation portion 56 is composed of a handle 561 provided outside the supply portion 52, a mandrel 562 that rotates in the circumferential direction according to the rotation of the handle 561, and a gear 563 provided at one end of the mandrel 562.

[0062] The mandrel 562, one end of which is connected to the center of one surface side of the handle 561, is provided inside the supply portion 52, passes below the receiving port 52a, and extends to the back of the supply portion 52. A shielding portion 54 is provided on the mandrel 562 at a position that hits below the receiving port 52a. When the mandrel 562 rotates according to the rotation of the handle 561, the shielding portion 54 rotates to open or shield the receiving port 52a.

[0063] One end of the mandrel 562 is connected to the center of one surface side of the gear 563. The gear 563 rotates according to the rotation of the mandrel 562 and further the handle 561 to which the mandrel 562 is connected. As described above, when the regulating portion 553 fits between the gear teeth, the rotation of the gear 563 is regulated. When the rotation of the gear 563 is regulated, the rotation of the handle 561 connected by the gear 563 and the mandrel 562 is also regulated.

[0064] The second operation portion 57 constitutes control means for rotating the container 53 and supplying the articles stored in the storage portion 531 to the outside. This second operation portion 57 is constituted by a lever 571 that moves up and down, a biasing portion (not shown) such as a spring that biases the lever 571 in a predetermined direction, and a rack and pinion (not shown) that converts the vertical movement of the lever 571 into the rotational movement of the container 53.

[0065] When the customer is not operating the lever 571, the lever 571 is lifted upward by the biasing portion. At this time, the container 53 interlocked with the second operation portion 57 faces the opening toward the discharge port 41a of the storage portion 41, and the articles discharged from the discharge port 41a are stored in the storage portion 531. Here, when the customer presses down the lever 571 against the biasing force of the biasing portion, the container 53 rotates in the circumferential direction, and the opening of the container 53 is directed downward where the supply port 52b is located. As a result, the articles stored in the storage portion 531 fall by their own weight and are supplied to the outside through the supply port 52b. When the storage portion 531 becomes empty, the support portion 55 rotates with the rotation axis 551 as a fulcrum, whereby the regulating portion 553 separates from the gear 563, and the operation of the first operation portion 56 becomes possible again.

[0066] Similar to the article supply device 4, the article supply device 5 having the above-described structure includes an operation detection portion, an identification information storage portion, and a communication processing portion as functional portions for executing information processing. These operation detection portion, identification information storage portion, and communication processing portion execute the same functions as the above-described operation detection portion 401, identification information storage portion 402, and communication processing portion 403.

[0067] The sensor that realizes the operation detection unit included in the article supply device 5 is attached to, for example, the first operation unit 56, the second operation unit 57, or the container 53 that rotates in conjunction with the second operation unit 57.

[0068] ● Article supply device 6 according to Embodiment 3 The article supply device 6 is composed of the storage unit 41 described above and the supply unit 62 provided below the storage unit 41 and shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Similar to the article supply device 4 according to Embodiment 1, the storage unit 41 and the supply unit 62 may be integrally configured or may be detachably configured.

[0069] The supply unit 62 supplies a predetermined amount of the articles stored in the storage unit 41 to the outside according to the customer's operation. This supply unit 62 is provided with a receiving port 62a, a container 63, and a supply port 62b.

[0070] The receiving port 62a is provided at a position corresponding to the discharge port 41a of the storage unit 41. The discharge port 21a and the receiving port 62a are in communication, and the articles in the storage unit 41 are discharged to the supply unit 62 through the discharge port 41a and the receiving port 62a.

[0071] The container 63 is a prismatic member. One end in the length direction is exposed to the outside, and the other end in the length direction is housed inside the supply unit 62. Further, inside the supply unit 62, a support portion 631 that supports the container 63 from the lower surface side is provided. The container 63 advances and retreats inside the supply unit 62 along the length direction while being supported by the support portion 631. The portion of the container 63 that is exposed to the outside constitutes an operation unit for performing an operation of supplying the articles stored in the container 63 to the outside, as will be described later.

[0072] An urging portion 632 such as a spring is provided at one end of the container 63 on the side housed inside the supply unit 62. Of the longitudinal ends of the biasing portion 632, the end opposite to the end attached to the housing 63 is attached to the inner wall of the supply portion 62. Thus, when the housing 63 is pushed into the supply portion 62 from the outside, the biasing portion 632 is compressed and biases the housing 63 outward.

[0073] A through-hole 63a that opens vertically is formed in the housing 63. The through-hole 63a is configured to have the same cross-sectional shape as the receiving port 62a. In a state where the biasing portion 632 is fully extended, the upper end opening of the through-hole 63a appears below the receiving port 62a. Also, in this state, the lower end opening of the through-hole 63a is blocked by the support portion 631. The through-hole 63a, together with the support portion 631, constitutes a storage portion for storing the articles discharged from the storage portion 41. Note that the storage portion constituted by the through-hole 63a and the support portion 631 is configured such that the internal space has a volume that is exactly filled by a fixed quantity of articles.

[0074] In a state where the biasing portion 632 is compressed, the upper end opening of the through-hole 63a does not appear below the receiving port 62a. In this state, the receiving port 62a is shielded by the housing 63, and the housing 63 constitutes a shielding means for shielding the receiving port 62a. Also, in this state, the lower end opening of the through-hole 63a is not blocked by the support portion 631. If articles were stored when blocked by the support portion 631, the articles would fall due to their own weight and be supplied to the outside through the supply port 62b.

[0075] In the article supply device 6, when the customer is not performing an operation of pushing in the housing 63 that is exposed to the outside, the through-hole 63a appears below the receiving port 62a and constitutes a storage portion capable of storing articles. In this state, articles are discharged from the discharge port 41a into the storage portion, and the articles are stored in the storage portion.

[0076] When the customer performs an operation of pushing in the exposed housing 63 against the biasing force of the biasing portion 632, the through hole 63a moves inward, and the receiving port 62a is shielded by the housing 63. On the other hand, the lower part of the through hole 63a is open, whereby the article is supplied from the supply port 62b to the outside. After the article is supplied to the outside and the customer releases the hand from the housing 63, the housing 63 receives the biasing force of the biasing portion 632 and returns from the state of being deeply pushed into the supply portion 62. As a result, again, the through hole 63a appears below the receiving port 62a, and the through hole 63a constitutes a support portion 631 and a storage portion, and the article discharged from the storage portion 41 is stored therein.

[0077] Similar to the article supply device 4, the article supply device 6 having the above-described structure includes an operation detection unit, an identification information storage unit, and a communication processing unit as functional units for executing information processing. These operation detection unit, identification information storage unit, and communication processing unit perform the same functions as the above-described operation detection unit 401, identification information storage unit 402, and communication processing unit 403.

[0078] Note that the sensor that realizes the operation detection unit included in the article supply device 6 is attached to, for example, the housing 63 that also serves as an operation unit.

[0079] ● Article supply device 7 according to Embodiment 4 FIG. 12 schematically shows a supply portion 72 that constitutes the article supply device according to Embodiment 4. Above the supply portion 72, the above-described storage portion 41 is provided. Here, the article supply device constituted by the storage portion 41 and the supply portion 72 is referred to as an "article supply device 7". Similar to the article supply device 4 according to Embodiment 1, the storage portion 41 and the supply portion 72 may be integrally configured or may be detachably configured.

[0080] The supply portion 72 supplies a predetermined amount of the article stored in the storage portion 41 to the outside according to the operation of the customer. In addition to an inlet (not shown), a container 73, a shielding portion 74, and a supply port 72b, the supply unit 72 is provided with a first operation unit and a second operation unit (not shown).

[0081] The inlet is provided at a position corresponding to the discharge port 41a of the storage unit 41. The discharge port 41a and the inlet are in communication with each other, and the articles in the storage unit 41 are discharged to the supply unit 72 through the discharge port 41a and the inlet.

[0082] The container 73 is a cylindrical member that is open at the top and bottom. A lid 731 is provided at the lower opening of the container 73, and the lower opening is opened or closed by the lid 731. When the lower part is closed by the lid 731, the inside of the container 73 constitutes a storage portion 732 for storing articles.

[0083] The upper part of the container 73 is openably shielded by a shielding portion 74 to be described later, and the open part constitutes an opening 73a for receiving the articles discharged from the storage unit 41 into the storage portion 732. This opening 73a is provided below the inlet, so that the articles discharged from the storage unit 41 are received into the storage portion 732 from the opening 73a through the discharge port 41a and the inlet. Note that the storage portion 732 is adjusted to have a volume that is exactly filled with a fixed quantity of articles.

[0084] The shielding portion 74 shields the opening 73a above the container 73 in response to an operation by the first operation unit. This shielding portion 74 includes six substantially fan-shaped shielding pieces 741. The six substantially fan-shaped shielding pieces 741 form a circle having the same shape as the opening 73a by overlapping their respective apex angles, and shield the opening 73a. In this state, the discharge of the articles in the storage unit 41 is restricted. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, each of the shielding pieces 741 rotates outward of the inlet 72a about one of the base angles sandwiching the arc, thereby opening the inlet. In this state, the articles in the storage unit 41 are discharged to the supply unit 72 through the discharge port 41a and the inlet.

[0085] The first operation unit is a mechanism for operating the shielding unit 74 and is connected to the shielding unit 74. The first operation unit is configured to receive an operation by a customer from the outside of the supply unit 72. In response to the customer's operation, the shielding unit 74 shields or opens the receiving port 72a.

[0086] The second operation unit is a mechanism for operating the lid body 731 and is connected to the lid body 731. The second operation unit is configured to receive an operation by a customer from the outside of the supply unit 72. In response to the customer's operation, the lid body 731 opens or closes the lower end of the housing 73.

[0087] In such an article supply device 7, with the lid body 731 closing the end of the housing 73, the shielding unit 74 is opened to discharge articles from the storage unit 41 and store the articles in the storage unit 732. When receiving the supply of articles, the first operation unit operates the shielding unit 74 to shield the receiving port. Then, the second operation unit operates the lid body 731 to open the lower end of the housing 73. As a result, the articles in the storage unit 732 fall and are supplied to the outside through the supply port 72b.

[0088] Similar to the article supply device 4, the article supply device 7 having the above-described structure includes an operation detection unit, an identification information storage unit, and a communication processing unit as functional units for executing information processing. These operation detection unit, identification information storage unit, and communication processing unit perform the same functions as the above-described operation detection unit 401, identification information storage unit 402, and communication processing unit 403.

[0089] Note that the sensor that realizes the operation detection unit included in the article supply device 7 is attached to, for example, the first operation unit, the second operation unit, or the lid body 731 that interlocks with the second operation unit.

[0090] ● Label issuing device 8 The label issuing device 8 is a printer device that issues labels. This label issuing device 8 acquires information regarding the articles provided to the customer from the first unit U1 and the second unit U2, and in response thereto, issues a label on which information for selling the articles provided to the customer is printed.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 13(a), the label issuing device 8 includes, as hardware resources, an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for executing information processing, and storage devices such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a display 81 and an issuing unit 82 are connected via an interface circuit.

[0092] The display 81 is realized by a touch panel type display, and functions as an input / output processing unit that displays various information to the customer and receives various operation information.

[0093] The issuing unit 82 prints the print data generated by an information processing unit 804 described later on a predetermined medium to generate a label, and discharges the label from a label issuing port 8a. Note that the label may be a so-called receipt on a paper medium, or may be a sticker that can be attached to a container for containing articles or the like.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 13(b), the label issuing device 8 includes, as software resources, an article master 801, a container master 802, a setting master 803, an information processing unit 804, and a communication processing unit 805.

[0095] The article master 801 stores basic information such as the name and price of the article. The data items stored in this article master 801 include, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, article identification information, article name, measurement classification, unit price, and unit weight. Note that the information stored in the article master 801 may be received by the communication processing unit from a management device installed in the store or a cloud server existing outside the store.

[0096] The measurement category is a category related to measurement. The measurement category "0" corresponds to "indeterminate per weight" and is applicable when an article is provided to a customer by the first unit U1. Indeterminate per weight is a selling method in which the selling price is determined based on the unit price per preset unit weight ("100 g" in this embodiment) and the weight to be sold (measured value). For an article with the measurement category "0 (indeterminate per weight)", the weight to be sold is required when determining the selling price.

[0097] When the measurement category is "0 (indeterminate per weight)", the unit price per unit weight is stored in the unit price column, and the unit weight is stored in the unit weight column. For example, in the case of an article with article identification information "SH001" (article name "AAA"), it is stored that the unit price per 100 g is 250 yen. Therefore, for the article with the article name "AAA", for example, if the measured value is 50 g, the selling price is 125 yen, and if the measured value is 200 g, the selling price is 500 yen.

[0098] The measurement category "1" corresponds to "fixed per weight" and is applicable when an article is provided to a customer by the first unit U1. Fixed per weight is a selling method in which the selling price is determined based on the unit price per preset unit quantity ("1 piece" in this embodiment) and the selling quantity converted from the unit weight. For an article with the measurement category "1 (fixed per weight)", the quantity of the article is calculated (estimated) from the unit weight of the article (the weight of 1 piece which is the unit quantity and has already been stored) and the measured value, and the selling price is determined from the calculated quantity of the article and the unit price per unit quantity. Therefore, measurement by the measuring device 3 is required. Note that the weight error of an individual may be corrected using an accuracy correction function provided in a counting scale or the like.

[0099] When the measurement category is "1 (fixed weight)", the unit price per unit weight (i.e., quantity 1) is stored in the unit price column, and the unit weight corresponding to quantity 1 is stored in the unit weight column. For example, in the case of an item with item identification information "SH103" (item name "ABC"), it is stored that the unit price per piece (weight 80 g) is 90. Therefore, for an item with the item name "ABC", if the measured value is about 85 g, the selling price is 90 yen for one piece, and if the measured value is about 150 g, the selling price is 180 yen for two pieces.

[0100] The measurement category "2" corresponds to "fixed amount" and is applicable when an item is provided to a customer by the second unit U2. The fixed amount is a selling method in which the selling price is determined based on the unit price per preset unit quantity (in this embodiment, "one piece") and the input selling quantity. For items with the measurement category "2 (fixed amount)", since the selling quantity is determined by the input quantity regardless of the weight, measurement by the weighing device 3 is not required.

[0101] When the measurement category is "2 (fixed amount)", the unit price per quantity 1 is stored in the unit price column (nothing is stored in the unit weight column). For example, in the case of an item with item identification information "SH150" (item name "AAAA"), it is stored that the unit price per piece is 120. Therefore, for an item with the item name "AAAA", if the input quantity value is 1, the selling price is 120 yen for one piece, and if the input quantity value is 2, the selling price is 240 yen for two pieces.

[0102] The container master 802 stores information related to the weight of the container for holding the item. In this embodiment, the containers planned to be used include the so-called my containers owned by the customer and the containers sold in the store. However, among the containers sold in the store, there are some that can be used as my containers after the customer purchases them.

[0103] The data items stored in this container master 802 include, for example, store container identification information, store container weight information, and store container price information. The store container identification information includes the container identification information related to the store container. The container identification information is the identification information for identifying the container. The container identification information is, for example, identification information capable of identifying each of My Container, Container S (one of the store containers), Container M (one of the store containers), and Container L (one of the store containers). For example, the container identification information "10" is for My Container, the container identification information "21" is for Container S, the container identification information "22" is for Container M, and the container identification information "23" is for Container L, and so on. The store container identification information is the container identification information related to the store container as described above. The store container weight information is the weight information of each store container. The store container price information is the price information of each store container.

[0104] The setting master 803 stores setting information that associates the device identification information capable of identifying the article supply device 4 with the article identification information of the articles stored in the article supply device 4. By referring to this setting master 803, it is possible to identify the articles stored in a predetermined article supply device 4 and supplied from the predetermined article supply device 4. Note that in this setting master 803, the device identification information of the article supply device 2 and the article identification information of the articles stored in the article supply device 2 may be associated and stored.

[0105] The information processing unit 804 acquires information necessary for calculating the selling price of an article from the first unit U1 or the second unit U2, and calculates the selling price of the article. When an article is provided to a customer in the first unit U1, first, the information processing unit 804 refers to the article master 801 to grasp the article provided to the customer and its unit price. Then, after calculating the weight of the article provided to the customer from the measured value and the weight of the container, the calculated weight is multiplied by the unit price of the article to calculate the selling price of the article provided to the customer. Note that when the customer purchases a container when an article is provided, the purchase cost of the container is included in the calculation of the selling price.

[0106] Also, when an article is provided to a customer in the second unit U2, first, the information processing unit 804 refers to the article master 801 to grasp the article provided to the customer and the unit price per supply of the article by the article supply device 4. Then, the supply price per supply of the article is multiplied by the number of supplies to calculate the selling price of the article provided to the customer.

[0107] In addition, when the customer purchases a container when the article is provided, the purchase cost of the container is included in the calculation of the selling price. Further, the information related to the selling price of the article may be encoded, for example, in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code.

[0108] The information related to the selling price of the article calculated by the information processing unit 804 is supplied to the issuing unit 82 together with the information related to the name and quantity of the article, etc., and is issued as a label by the issuing unit 82. FIG. 15(a) shows an example of a label issued when using a my container. On the label of FIG. 15(a), it is printed as my bottle as a notation indicating the use of the my container. The 827 yen on the label of FIG. 15(a) is the special price of the my bottle after deducting the my bottle discount amount (20 yen) from the amount (847 yen) for the net quantity (121 g) of the (original nut mix) with a unit price (yen / 100 g) of 700 yen. Here, the net quantity (121 g) is the value measured by the weighing device 3 in the case of the first unit U1, and is the fixed quantity value per supply of the article in the case of the second unit U2. Although not printed in the example of FIG. 15(a), the my bottle discount amount (20 yen) may also be printed. The barcode on the label of FIG. 15(a) encodes, for example, the above amount (847 yen). Since the my bottle (my container) which is an individual's possession is 0 yen, it may be explicitly printed as 0 yen for the my bottle (my container).

[0109] Figure 15(b) is a label when using a store container. On the label of Figure 15(b), it is printed as Container A as an indication of using the store container. In this example, since the price of Container A is 30 yen, it is printed as 30 yen. 877 yen on the label of Figure 15(b) is the amount obtained by adding the price of 30 yen for Container A to 847 yen explained in Figure 15(a). The barcode on the label of Figure 15(b) encodes, for example, the above amount (877 yen).

[0110] The communication processing unit 805 is configured to be able to communicate data with the weighing device 3 that constitutes the first unit U1 and the article supply device 4 that constitutes the second unit U2. Note that the communication means is not particularly limited and is realized, for example, by a LAN using a wired or wireless method. Further, in addition to the weighing device 3 and the article supply device 4, the label issuing device 8 may be configured to be able to communicate with a higher-level server or the like installed in the store, or may be configured to be able to communicate with an external server via a network such as the Internet.

[0111] Note that in addition to these functional units, the label issuing device 8 may be provided with a scanner unit, a voice output unit, a tag reading unit, etc. according to the sales mode of the article.

[0112] The scanner unit is a functional unit that optically reads various information and reads a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code encoding predetermined information. Thereby, for example, information related to the weight of the container for containing the article or container identification information for identifying the container may be encoded in a two-dimensional code and printed on the container or the like, and the two-dimensional code may be read to obtain information related to the weight of the container or container identification information.

[0113] The voice output unit outputs voice. Thereby, for example, voice guidance or the like is output.

[0114] The tag reading / writing unit performs reading and writing of information to / from a non-contact IC tag. An example of the non-contact IC tag is an RFID (radio frequency identifier) tag, and the tag reading / writing unit performs reading and writing of information through short-range wireless communication using an electromagnetic field, radio waves, etc. with the non-contact IC tag. Thus, for example, information related to the weight of a container for storing an article or container identification information for identifying the container is written to the non-contact ID tag, and a label incorporating the non-contact ID is attached to the container. Then, the tag reading / writing unit may read information related to the weight of the container for storing the article or container identification information for identifying the container.

[0115] In addition, the label issuing device 8 also stores, for example, a button setting file related to buttons that can be operably displayed on the display 81.

[0116] Also, in the store, a store terminal for performing settlement processing of articles is separately installed based on the label issued by the label issuing device 8. This store terminal is, for example, a POS terminal operated by a store clerk or the customer himself / herself. The store clerk or the customer inputs information related to the selling price of the article printed on the label into the store terminal and performs a settlement operation according to a predetermined settlement means.

[0117] Note that the software resources of the above-described label issuing device 8 can be distributed or aggregated to any hardware resources according to an appropriate design, and the hardware resources can also be configured as a physically integrated device or a separate device.

[0118] ● Flow of processing (when the first unit U1 is used) Hereinafter, the flow of processing executed when a customer receives an article by the article vending apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Note that on the store side, before using the article vending apparatus 1, each article supply apparatus 2, 4 and article identification information of the articles supplied by each of the article supply apparatuses 2, 4 are associated and held in the setting master 803.

[0119] When a customer uses the article vending device 1, the customer can arbitrarily select and use the first unit U1 or the second unit U2. First, an example of the processing flow executed when a customer receives an article by the first unit U1 will be described with reference to FIG. 16.

[0120] The customer selects a container to be used from the display 81 of the label issuing device 8 (S101). The customer can select a my-container or a store-container sold by the store. Note that the store-containers sold by the store are available in sizes such as S, M, and L, and the customer selects a desired size. Here, when the my-container is selected, if the my-container is registered, container identification information for identifying the my-container from a two-dimensional code described on a label attached to the my-container or a non-contact IC tag attached to the my-container, or information related to the weight of the my-container is acquired. Further, when a store-container sold by the store is selected, if the weight of the store-container is registered in the container master 802 in association with the container identification information, the weight of the store-container is grasped based on the container identification information. Thereby, by referring to the container master 802, the weights of the my-container and the store-container can be grasped. The weight of the container ( tare weight ) when the my-container is selected and the weight of the store-container sold by the store are automatically acquired by the label issuing device 8, so that the tare operation can be omitted, which is useful. Note that even in the case of an unregistered container, it can be used by placing the empty container on the weighing unit 31 and performing a tare operation.

[0121] On the other hand, when the my-container is unregistered, the weight of the my-container is measured as the tare weight, and the my-container is registered. In an example of registering a my-container, first, a label with a non-contact IC tag embedded therein is attached to a container brought in by the customer (the container to be registered as a my-container). Subsequently, the unregistered my-container is placed on the weighing device 3. The weighing device 3 weighs the placed unregistered my-container. The weighed value is the weight of the tare (my-container). After weighing the my-container, the weighing device 3 writes the weighed value to the non-contact IC tag attached to the label attached to the my-container. Thereby, the unregistered my-container becomes a registered my-container. Also, in another example of registering a my-container, a non-contact IC tag storing predetermined container identification information or a label printed with a two-dimensional code encoding the predetermined container identification information is attached to the my-container. Then, in the container master 802, the predetermined container identification information and the tare weight of the my-container are registered.

[0122] The customer operates the article supply device 2 containing the desired article, puts the article into the container, and places the container with the article on the placement surface 311 of the weighing device 3. Note that after placing the container on the placement surface 311 of the weighing device 3 installed below the article supply device 2 containing the desired article, the article supply device 2 may be operated to put the desired amount of the article into the container. The weighing device 3 measures the weight of the container on the placement surface 311 and the article placed in the container by the weighing unit 3 (S102). Device identification information for identifying the device itself is transmitted from the article supply device 2 to the label issuing device 8, and information related to the measured value of the article is transmitted from the weighing device 3 (S103).

[0123] The label issuing device 8 calculates the selling price of the article provided to the customer by the information processing unit 804 (S104). That is, the information processing unit 804 refers to the article master 801 and the setting master 803 to grasp the article provided to the customer and its unit price. Then, after calculating the weight of the article provided to the customer from the measured value and the weight of the container, the calculated weight is multiplied by the unit price of the article to calculate the selling price of the article provided to the customer. When calculating the selling price, if the container is purchased in step S101, the purchase cost of the container is included in the selling price.

[0124] When the label issuing device 8 creates a label by printing information related to the selling price on a medium such as paper by the issuing unit 82, the label is discharged from the label issuing port 8a (S105). The customer who receives the label passes the label to the store clerk, and the store clerk executes the settlement process using the store terminal. Note that the settlement process may be performed by the customer himself / herself at the store settlement.

[0125] In the sale of goods by the first unit U1, it is also possible to accept the selection of goods. In this case, it is not necessary to receive the device identification information from the goods supply device 2 to identify the goods.

[0126] FIG. 17 shows an example of a selection screen for a product as a good displayed on the label issuing device 8. This selection screen is provided with an area for displaying the measured value, unit weight, and amount at the upper part. Also, a virtual keyboard and a virtual numeric keypad are displayed at the lower part of the selection screen. An area for displaying product buttons (product button area) is provided at the central part of the product selection screen. The weight of the product can be displayed together with the product button. Also, the product buttons may be provided not only for each product but also for each predetermined weight even for the same product. In the example shown in FIG. 17, for the same "Cashew Nuts", buttons for "90g" and "120g" are provided.

[0127] Also, on the selection screen, the product buttons displayed in the button area can be switched by tabs. Each of the tabs "Nuts", "Hot Items", "Fruits", and "Vegetables" is a tab regarding each product. When the tab "Nuts" is selected, as shown in FIG. 18, the product buttons of all products included in nuts are listed and displayed in the product button area. The same applies when the tabs "Hot Items", "Fruits", and "Vegetables" are selected. The tab "Selected Items" is a tab regarding the products selected by the customer.

[0128] The customer selects an article as an article to be weighed from this selection screen, and the label issuing device 8 receives this. The label issuing device 8 calculates the selling price based on the measured value of the article acquired from the weighing device 3 and the information of the article selected by the customer from the selection screen, and issues a label.

[0129] Also, FIGS. 19 and 20 show an example of the screen displayed on the label issuing device 8 when the customer selects a container for putting the article. FIG. 19 shows a screen when a store container is selected as a container for putting the article. On the screen, buttons for selecting any one of the sizes S, M, and L are displayed as the store container. The customer designates the size he / she has selected from the screen. FIG. 20 shows a screen after calculating the net weight and selling price of the weighed article. On the screen, the name of the product as the article, the tare weight of the store container of the size selected by the customer, the net weight of the article, the unit price of the article, and the selling price are displayed.

[0130] Note that the selection of the container may be made after the customer receives the article. For example, after the article is provided to the customer, the measured value and the device identification information are transmitted from the weighing device 3 to the label issuing device 8, and after the weighing result is displayed on the display 81 of the label issuing device 8, a container selection screen is expanded in response to the elapse of a certain no-operation time (for example, several seconds), and the selection of the container is received from the customer.

[0131] ●Process flow (when the second unit U2 is used) An example of the process flow executed when a customer receives the supply of an article by the second unit U2 will be described with reference to FIG. 21.

[0132] Similar to the procedure when the customer uses the first unit U1, the customer selects a container to be used from the display 81 of the label issuing device 8 (S201).

[0133] The customer takes the container below the article supply device 4 in which the desired article is stored, operates the article supply device 4, and puts the desired article into the container. Alternatively, after placing the container below the article supply device 4 in which the desired article is stored, the article supply device 4 may be operated to put the article into the container. In the article supply device 4, a fixed quantity of articles is supplied in one operation, and the customer operates the article supply device 4 the desired number of times to receive the supply of articles. On the other hand, the article supply device 4 detects the operation by the operation detection unit 301 (S202) and counts the number of supply times (S203).

[0134] After the label issuing device 8 detects the article supply operation by the customer, when a certain period of time has elapsed in the non-operation state (S204), the label issuing device 8 assumes that the operation by the customer has ended, and transmits the device identification information of its own device and the information related to the number of article supplies to the label issuing device 8 (S205).

[0135] The label issuing device 8 calculates the selling price of the article provided to the customer by the information processing unit 804 (S206). That is, the information processing unit 804 refers to the article master 801 to grasp the article provided to the customer and the unit price per supply of the article by the article supply device 4. Then, the selling price of the article provided to the customer is calculated by multiplying the unit price per supply of the article by the number of supply times. When calculating the selling price, if the container was purchased in step S201, the purchase cost of the container is included in the selling price.

[0136] When the label issuing device 8 creates a label by printing information related to the selling price on a medium such as paper by the issuing unit 82, the label is discharged from the label issuing port 8a (S207). Here, in order to prevent forgetting to take the label, a sensor for preventing forgetting may be attached to notify of forgetting. The customer who receives the label passes the label to the store clerk, and the store clerk executes the settlement process using the store terminal. Note that the settlement process may be performed by the customer himself / herself at the store settlement.

[0137] In addition, in the process of providing an article to the customer by the second unit U2, when using a my cup, it is also possible to eliminate the need for container selection. Also, the store container may be sold separately from the article vending machine 1, and even when the customer uses the store container, it is possible to eliminate the need for container selection. With such a configuration, the customer can receive the provision of the article without performing any operation at the label issuing device 8.

[0138] ● Article supply device 9 In the article supply device 4 according to the above-described present embodiment, a fixed quantity of articles is supplied from the storage unit 41 to the supply unit 42 by a single operation only by a physical mechanism. On the other hand, in the article supply device 9 according to another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, a hopper scale 91 is attached to the discharge port 41a of the storage unit 41, and articles can be provided to the customer from the storage unit 41 via the hopper scale 91.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 22, the hopper scale 91 includes an inlet 91a for receiving the supply of articles from the storage unit 41, a supply port 91b for supplying articles to the outside, a storage unit 92 capable of storing articles, and a weighing unit 93, and also includes a first shielding unit and a second shielding unit (not shown). In addition, the article supply device 9 is provided with an operation unit 94 for operating the article supply device 9. In FIG. 22, the operation unit 94 is provided in the storage unit 41, but it may be provided on the hopper scale 91. The article supply device 9 also includes a control unit for controlling the first shielding unit and the second shielding unit

[0140] The receiving port 91a is provided at a position corresponding to the discharge port 41a of the storage unit 41. The discharge port 41a and the receiving port 91a are in communication, and the articles in the storage unit 41 are discharged to the storage unit 92 through the discharge port 41a and the receiving port 91a. The supply port 91b is an opening that communicates from the storage unit 92 to the outside, and articles in the storage unit 92 are supplied to the outside through the supply port 91b.

[0141] The first shielding portion is a means for shielding the receiving port 91a in an openable manner, and is constituted by, for example, a plate-like member that can close the receiving port 91a. The second shielding portion is a means for shielding the supply port 91b in an openable manner, and is constituted by, for example, a plate-like member that can close the supply port 91b. Both the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion open or shield the receiving port 91a or the supply port 91b by electrical control.

[0142] The storage unit 92 receives and stores the articles discharged from the storage unit 41 attached above through the receiving port 91a.

[0143] The weighing unit 93 weighs the articles in the storage unit 92 by a weight detection method using a load cell. With this weighing unit 93, the weight of the articles in the storage unit 92 can be weighed. In detail, the weighing unit 93 is constituted by a weight detection unit (load cell) similar to the weighing unit 31 in the weighing device 3 and an AD converter. When analog data is input from the weight detection unit to the AD converter, the analog data is converted into digital data and the weight is determined.

[0144] The operation unit 94 is a means for requesting the supply of articles to the article supply device 9, and is constituted by a lever in this embodiment. When the operation unit 94 constituted by the lever is pressed down, a signal requesting the supply of articles is transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit executes control to supply articles accordingly. When the signal requesting the supply of articles is transmitted to the control unit, the lever returns to its original position.

[0145] When the control unit receives a signal requesting the supply of an article as a result of the operation unit 94 being operated, it controls the first shielding unit and the second shielding unit to supply a fixed quantity of the article to the outside.

[0146] Here, the supply control of the article by the control unit will be described. In the standby state, the receiving port 91a is shielded by the first shielding unit. At this time, the supply port 91b may be shielded by the second shielding unit or may be open. When a signal requesting the supply of an article is transmitted to the control unit by the operation unit 94, the control unit controls the first shielding unit to open the receiving port 91a. At this time, if the supply port 91b is shielded by the second shielding unit, it remains shielded. On the other hand, if the supply port 91b is not shielded by the second shielding unit, in accordance with the opening of the receiving port 91a, the control unit controls the second shielding unit to shield the supply port 91b with the second shielding unit.

[0147] The control unit appropriately controls the first shielding unit with reference to the weight of the article in the storage unit 92 measured by the weighing unit 93 so that the weight of the article in the storage unit 92 becomes a predetermined weight. When the weight of the article in the storage unit 92 reaches the predetermined weight and the weight detection unit determines that the article weight has stabilized, the control unit controls the first shielding unit to shield the receiving port 91a and controls the second shielding unit to open the supply port 91b. Thereby, a fixed quantity of the article is provided to the customer in response to a single operation.

[0148] In addition, in this article supply device 9, according to the operation of the operation unit 94, articles can also be discharged from the storage unit 21 so that an arbitrary amount of articles can be accommodated in the accommodation unit 92. For example, a customer operates the operation unit 94 to discharge articles into the accommodation unit 92 until the amount of articles in the accommodation unit 92 reaches a predetermined amount. At this time, a weighing screen is displayed on the display 81 of the label issuing device 8 linked to the article supply device 9, and the customer can grasp the product name, unit price per gram, weight, selling price, etc. When the amount of articles in the accommodation unit 92 reaches the predetermined amount, the customer operates the operation unit 94 to stop the discharge of the articles. The label issuing device 8 issues a settlement label when the discharge operation of the articles stops, the article weight stabilizes, or a predetermined button is pressed. In this case, an arbitrary amount of articles can be provided to the customer by weighing and selling. In addition, when weighing and selling articles in this way, the first shielding portion may always be in an open state, and then the second shielding portion may be controlled by the operation unit 94 to open or shield the supply port 91b so as to supply a predetermined amount of articles.

[0149] Also, regarding this article supply device 9 as well, similar to the article supply device 4, according to the operation of the operation unit 94, device identification information capable of identifying the article supply device 9 can be transmitted to the label issuing device 8, whereby the articles supplied by the article supply device 9 are specified in the label issuing device 8.

[0150] ● Electronic shelf label 10 Regarding the article vending device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an electronic shelf label 10 incorporating a sensor may be attached to the storage units 21 and 41 described above. The electronic shelf label 10 is composed of, for example, a sensor, a display, an identification information storage unit, and a communication processing unit.

[0151] The sensor constitutes a storage amount detection unit that detects the amount of articles in the storage unit to which the electronic shelf label 10 is attached. This sensor is realized by, for example, an optical sensor or the like, and is provided on the back side attached to the storage units 21 and 41. As shown in Fig. 1, the electronic shelf label 10 is attached below the storage units 21 and 41, and the sensor attached to the back side of the electronic shelf label 10 irradiates detection light toward the storage units 21 and 41. From the change in the amount of light reflected or blocked by the items in the storage units 21 and 41, the storage status in the storage units 21 and 41 is grasped. That is, when the items in the storage units 21 and 41 decrease and the detection light from the sensor is no longer blocked by the items in the storage units 21 and 41, it can be recognized that the items are running out. The information from this sensor is provided to a host terminal or the like together with the identification information for identifying the electronic shelf label 10 by the communication processing unit.

[0152] The display electronically displays information about the items in the storage units 21 and 41. The information about the items is provided from a host terminal or the like via a network such as a LAN. Here, an example of the information displayed on the display is shown in Fig. 23. In Fig. 23(a), in the article supply devices 2 and 4 to which the electronic shelf label 10 is attached, it shows that "Hazel Nuts" are provided at $14.20 per 200 mL. Also, in Fig. 23(b), in the article supply devices 2 and 4 to which the electronic shelf label 10 is attached, it shows that "Roasted salted Almond" provided at $34.0 per kg is out of stock. In this example, to indicate out of stock, the display "SOLD OUT" is made, and a strikethrough is attached to the article name "Roasted salted Almond".

[0153] The identification information storage unit stores the identification information for identifying the electronic shelf label 10. In a host terminal or the like, the identification information assigned to the electronic shelf label 10 is associated with the articles in advance and registered as setting information, and the electronic shelf label 10 is managed based on the identification information. As a result, for example, update information of an article or the like can be provided to the electronic shelf label 10, and the information of the updated article can be displayed on the display. More specifically, when it is determined from the sensor-based information that the stored quantity of the article has fallen below a predetermined threshold value, a display request for information indicating out-of-stock is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 10 and displayed on the display.

[0154] The communication processing unit is realized, for example, by a LAN using a wired or wireless method, and performs data transmission and reception with the label issuing device 8, the upper terminal, or other relay devices.

[0155] Note that the electronic shelf label 10 may be further provided with a sensor that functions as the above-described operation detection unit 401. Such a sensor is realized, for example, by an inclination sensor such as an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor. By attaching the electronic shelf label 10 to a part that operates in response to the supply of an article, such as the operation unit 44 or the housing 43 interlocked with the operation unit 44, the behavior based on the operation can be detected, and the number of times of article supply can be counted. However, regardless of this, the sensor that functions as the operation detection unit 401 may be provided separately from the electronic shelf label 10. Note that if the electronic shelf label 10 is provided on the operation unit 44 or in the vicinity of the operation unit 44, the display of the electronic shelf label 10 is easy to see for a customer who operates the operation unit 44, and it is also easy to direct the consciousness to the display. Further, thereby, the customer can operate the operation unit 44 while confirming the contents of the article supply devices 2 and 4 to which the electronic shelf label 10 is attached and the supply quantity of the article on the display.

[0156] Further, when the storage units 21 and 41 are detachably attached to the supply units 22 and 42, the total weight of the storage units 21 and 41 can be grasped at the time of attachment or replacement. Therefore, if the weight corresponding to the number of articles sold is subtracted from the total weight, the remaining quantity of the article can be grasped. Thereby, it may be determined that the remaining quantity of the article in the storage units 21 and 41 has become equal to or less than a predetermined remaining quantity, and a predetermined alert may be issued, such as displaying that fact on the display of the electronic shelf label 10.

[0157] ● Article supply device 11 FIG. 24 shows an article supply device 11 configured as a container with a lid. This article supply device 11 is provided with a container 101 capable of accommodating articles, an openable and closable upper lid 102, and a weighing device 103 is attached thereto. A customer can receive the supply of articles by opening the upper lid 102 and scooping up the articles accommodated in the container 101.

[0158] An operation detection unit 401 is attached to the upper lid 102 of this article supply device 11. When the upper lid 102 is lifted from the state of FIG. 24(a) to the state of FIG. 24(b), the operation detection unit 401 detects a change in the inclination angle of the upper lid 102. It can be considered that the supply of articles has occurred due to the opening of the upper lid 102. Also, when the articles in the container 101 are scooped up, the weighing device 103 measures the amount of weight reduction, and this reduction amount can be regarded as the supply amount of the articles. Thereby, when the device identification information of the article supply device 11 and the weighing result by the weighing device 103 are transmitted to the label issuing device 8, the label issuing device 8 identifies the article based on the device identification information, and further calculates the selling price according to the article and the weight. Also, it is convenient for the customer without requiring the customer to perform the tare operation.

[0159] ● Article vending device 1A The above-described article vending device 1 is composed of a first unit U1, a second unit U2, a weighing device 3, and a label issuing device 8 disposed between the first unit U1 and the second unit U2. However, including the above-described article supply device 11, an arrangement configuration in which each device can be easily accessed and integrated can be adopted.

[0160] FIG. 25 shows an example of the arrangement configuration of such devices. The article vending device 1A shown in this example has a certain height, and in the vertical direction, spaces partitioned into a plurality of stages by shelf boards are provided. Above, a first unit U1 and a second unit U2 are arranged adjacent to each other, and a label issuing device 8 is disposed below the boundary between the first unit U1 and the second unit U2 at a position where a customer can operate without bending down.

[0161] Also, in a space partitioned by a shelf board, an article supply device 11A having the same function as the above-described article supply device 11 is installed. Note that the weighing device 3 may be provided, for example, below the article supply device 2 of the first unit U1 as in the example of FIG. 1.

[0162] ● Article vending machine 1B FIG. 26 shows an article vending machine 1B according to an example different from the article vending machine 1A. This article vending machine 1B also has a certain height, similar to the article vending machine 1A, and in the vertical direction, spaces partitioned into a plurality of levels by shelf boards are provided. Also, above, a first unit U1 and a second unit U2 are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0163] On the other hand, the label issuing device 8 is disposed shifted to one side below the first unit U1 and the second unit U2, and the space beside the label issuing device 8 is provided as a working space.

[0164] Note that in the lower space partitioned by a shelf board, an article supply device 11A having the same function as the above-described article supply device 11 is installed, similar to the article vending machine A.

[0165] Note that the configurations of these article vending machines 1A and 1B are examples, and the weighing device 3 may be installed at an appropriate location. Instead of either or both of the article supply device 2 and the article supply device 4, an article supply device 9 having a hopper scale 91 may be disposed. The article supply device 9 includes a weighing unit 92 and functions as either the article supply device 2 or the article supply device 4. Also, when installing the article supply device 9 in place of both the article supply device 2 and the article supply device 4, since the article supply device 9 can correspond to both weighing sales like the first unit U1 and fixed - quantity sales like the second unit U2, as shown in FIG. 25 or FIG. 26, it is not always necessary to divide them such that the left side shown in the figure is for weighing sales and the right side shown in the figure is for fixed - quantity sales.

[0166] ●Summary of Embodiment

[0167] The present invention relates to a technique for supplying articles in a fixed quantity.

[0168] As shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6 - 50740, a system for weighing and selling articles such as commodities is known.

[0169] However, the operation of weighing and taking out a fixed quantity of articles from the device storing the articles involves many steps, which is a burden on customers. Also, for some articles, it is more suitable to purchase them without weighing. On the other hand, as a customer, there may be a case where they want to purchase an article in a desired quantity.

[0170] Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a device capable of supplying an article in a desired quantity or a fixed quantity.

[0171] To achieve the above objective, the article vending device according to the present invention includes a first unit composed of one or more first article supply devices that supply an article in an arbitrary quantity, a second unit composed of one or more second article supply devices that supply a fixed quantity of articles in response to an operation, and a label issuing device that issues a label for the article supplied by the first unit or the second unit.

[0172] Also, the first article supply device and the second article supply device may include an operation unit for performing a supply operation of the fixed - quantity article, and an identification information transmission unit that transmits device identification information for identifying the first article supply device or the second article supply device to the label issuing device in response to an operation by the operation unit.

[0173] Further, the label issuing device may include an information processing unit that identifies an article supplied by the second article supply device based on the device identification information.

[0174] Further, the label issuing device may be disposed between the first unit and the second unit, and the first unit may include a weighing device that weighs the article.

[0175] Further, the label issuing device may be disposed below the first unit and the second unit, and the first unit may include a weighing device that weighs the article.

[0176] Further, the first article supply device may include a weighing unit that weighs the article.

[0177] According to the article vending device 1 according to the above embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a device capable of supplying a desired amount or a fixed amount of an article. In particular, when providing a desired amount of an article and when providing a fixed amount of an article, the burden on the customer does not change, and the article can be efficiently provided to the customer.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0178] 1: Article vending device 2: Article supply device 21: Storage unit 22: Supply unit 22a: Supply port 3: Weighing device 31: Weighing unit 311: Weight detection unit 312: AD converter 32: Identification information storage unit 33: Display 34: Communication processing unit 4: Article supply device 41: Storage unit 41a: Discharge port 42: Supply unit 42a: Receiving port 42b: Supply port 43: Container 43a: Opening 431: Storage part 44: Operation part 5: Article supply device 52: Supply part 52a: Receiving port 52b: Supply port 53: Container 531: Storage part 54: Shielding part 55: Support part 56: First operation part 57: Second operation part 6: Article supply device 62: Supply part 62a: Receiving port 62b: Supply port 63: Container 63a: Through hole 7: Article supply device 72: Supply part 72a: Receiving port 72b: Supply port 73: Container 73a: Opening 732: Storage part 74: Shielding part 8: Label issuing device 81: Display 82: Issuing part 801: Article master 802: Container master 803: Setting master 804: Information processing part 805: Communication processing part 9: Article supply device 91: Hopper scale 91a: Receiving port 91b: Supply port 92: Storage part 93: Measuring part 94: Operation part 10: Electronic shelf label U1: First unit U2: Second unit

Claims

1. An article supply unit that supplies a fixed quantity of articles according to an operation; An operation unit for performing a supply operation of the fixed quantity of the articles; A label issuing unit that issues a label for the articles supplied by the article supply unit; An identification information transmitting unit that transmits device identification information for identifying the article supply unit to the label issuing unit according to an operation by the operation unit. The article vending device is provided with these components. Article vending device.

2. The label issuing unit has an information processing unit that specifies the articles supplied by the article supply unit based on the device identification information. The article vending device according to Claim 1.

3. The article supply unit includes a storage unit for the articles above, and has an attachment mechanism for detachably attaching the storage unit and the article supply unit. The article vending device according to Claim 2.

4. The article supply unit has an entrance for the articles, a supply port for the articles, a container for the articles, and the operation unit. The article vending device according to Claim 1.

5. The entrance is provided at a position corresponding to the discharge port of the storage unit for storing the articles, and the discharge port and the entrance are in communication. The articles in the storage unit are discharged to the article supply unit through the discharge port and the entrance. The article vending device according to Claim 4.

6. The container is a cylindrical member with both ends closed. The inner hollow part constitutes a storage part for storing articles, and an opening is provided on the outer peripheral surface for receiving the articles discharged from the storage part for storing the articles into the storage part. The article vending device according to Claim 4.

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