Vending machine system, vending machine, and item storage system

Abstract

To provide an automatic vending machine system that enables articles such as commodities to be taken out even in a case where power is not supplied from a commercial power supply while preventing size increase of a device.SOLUTION: An automatic vending machine system 100 includes: an automatic vending machine (101) that provides commodities using power supplied from a commercial power supply; and a portable information terminal (102) incorporating a battery (21). The automatic vending machine (101) includes a power receiving unit (R) that receives power from a portable information terminal (102) in a case where power is not supplied from the commercial power supply, and performs a predetermined operation for providing the commodities by power supply from the portable information terminal (102).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vending machine system, a vending machine, and an item storage system, and more particularly to a vending machine system, a vending machine, and an item storage system that can operate even when power is not supplied from a commercial power source. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, vending machines that can operate even when power is not supplied from a commercial power source are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a vending machine that can provide products even when the supply of power from the commercial power source is stopped due to a disaster. This vending machine is equipped with a battery, and when the supply of power from the commercial power source is not being provided, the vending machine can use the power of the battery to perform operations for providing products, thereby enabling products to be dispensed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-170361 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, conventional vending machines such as those described in Patent Document 1 require a large-capacity battery to operate to dispense products when power is not supplied from a commercial power source during a disaster or other such event, which results in a larger device. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to dispense goods and other items even when power is not supplied from a commercial power source while suppressing the device's size.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine system, a vending machine, and an item storage system that enable the dispenser to dispense goods and other items even when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source, while preventing the device from becoming too large. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a vending machine system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a vending machine that uses power supplied from a commercial power source to provide products, and a mobile information terminal with a built-in battery, and the vending machine includes a power receiving unit that receives power from the mobile information terminal when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source, and performs a predetermined operation to provide products using the power supplied from the mobile information terminal. The power receiving unit is configured to receive power supplied from the portable information terminal by wireless power supply, and the vending machine is configured to perform a predetermined operation for dispensing products by wireless power supply from the portable information terminal. .

[0008] In the vending machine system according to the first aspect, as described above, the vending machine includes a power receiving unit that receives power from a mobile information terminal when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source, and performs a predetermined operation for dispensing products using power supplied from the mobile information terminal. This allows the vending machine to perform a predetermined operation for dispensing products using power supplied from the mobile information terminal even when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source. As a result, the vending machine does not need to be equipped with a large-capacity battery in order to perform a predetermined operation for dispensing products when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source. This makes it possible to provide a vending machine system that allows products to be dispensed even when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source, while suppressing an increase in the size of the device. The power receiving unit is configured to receive power from the mobile information terminal via wireless power supply, and the vending machine is configured to perform a predetermined operation for dispensing products from the vending machine using the wireless power supply from the mobile information terminal. This eliminates the need for cables or terminals on the outside of the vending machine to connect the mobile information terminal, as opposed to when power is supplied from the mobile information terminal via a wire. As a result, there is no need to take additional measures such as waterproofing, which reduces the complexity of the device configuration. Furthermore, the use of wireless power supply simplifies the process of supplying power from the mobile information terminal.

[0010] In the vending machine system according to the first aspect, the vending machine is preferably configured to operate in an emergency operation mode, which consumes less power than the normal operation mode, when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source, and which performs, as predetermined operations, some of the operations performed in the normal operation mode, which is an operation mode when power is being supplied from the commercial power source. With this configuration, when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source, the vending machine operates in the emergency operation mode, which consumes less power than the normal operation mode, so that predetermined operations for providing products can be performed with a smaller power supply. As a result, even when power is supplied from a mobile information terminal, which can supply less power than the commercial power source, predetermined operations for providing products can be performed when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source.

[0011] In this case, preferably, the vending machine further includes a dispensing unit for dispensing products, and when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source, power is supplied from the mobile information terminal to at least the dispensing unit, and the dispensing unit performs the predetermined operation of dispensing products. With this configuration, the predetermined operation of dispensing products by the dispensing unit can be performed by power supplied from the mobile information terminal, so that even when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source, products can be dispensed and taken out by power supplied from the mobile information terminal.

[0012] In the above-described configuration for operating in emergency operation mode when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source, the vending machine preferably further includes a switching unit that, based on the absence of power supply from the commercial power source, switches the power receiving unit to a state in which power can be received from a mobile information terminal. With this configuration, when power supply from the commercial power source is stopped, the vending machine automatically switches to a state in which power can be received from a mobile information terminal, even without a switching operation by the vending machine manager. As a result, when power supply from the commercial power source is stopped due to a power outage caused by a disaster, products can be dispensed using power supplied from the mobile information terminal without waiting for the vending machine manager to manually switch the power supply. Furthermore, since the vending machine manager does not need to manually switch the power supply using a key switch or the like, the workload on the vending machine manager can be reduced.

[0013] In this case, the vending machine is preferably configured to switch the operation mode of the vending machine to the emergency operation mode based on the switching unit switching the state of the power receiving unit to a state where it can receive power supplied from the mobile information terminal. With this configuration, when the power receiving unit is in a state where it can receive power supplied from the mobile information terminal, the operation mode of the vending machine switches to the emergency operation mode without any switching operation by the vending machine manager. As a result, when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source due to a power outage caused by a disaster, the vending machine can automatically switch to the emergency operation mode, which requires less power to provide products, without waiting for the vending machine manager to manually switch the operation mode. Furthermore, since the vending machine manager does not need to manually switch the operation mode using a key switch or the like, the workload of the vending machine manager can be reduced.

[0014] The vending machine system according to the first aspect preferably further includes a communication unit that communicates with the portable information terminal to receive power from the portable information terminal, and the communication unit is configured to double as a payment communication unit for making electronic payments when selling products. This configuration makes it possible to prevent an increase in the number of parts and a complicated device configuration, unlike when a communication unit that communicates with the portable information terminal to receive power from the portable information terminal and a payment communication unit for making electronic payments when selling products are separately provided.

[0015] In this case, the vending machine is preferably configured to authenticate the mobile information terminal using the communication unit, and when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source, the vending machine is configured to vary the content of its operations, including at least the predetermined operations, that can be used when power is supplied from the mobile information terminal, depending on the authentication result of the mobile information terminal. With this configuration, the content of the vending machine operations that can be used can be varied depending on the mobile information terminal, so that the content of the predetermined operations for providing products when power is supplied from the mobile information terminal can be changed between the mobile information terminal of a general user and the mobile information terminal of the vending machine manager.

[0016] In the vending machine system according to the first aspect, the mobile information terminal is preferably configured to stop supplying power to the power receiving unit when the remaining battery charge of the mobile information terminal is equal to or less than a predetermined value. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the mobile information terminal from running out of battery power due to power supply to the vending machine (power receiving unit).

[0017] In the vending machine system according to the first aspect, the vending machine is preferably configured to accept product selection operations from a mobile information terminal when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source. This configuration allows the mobile information terminal to select the product to be dispensed, eliminating the need to operate a product selection mechanism on the vending machine, such as a product selection button. As a result, the power required to dispense products can be further reduced when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source.

[0018] In the vending machine system according to the first aspect, the vending machine preferably further includes a notification unit that notifies the user that the vending machine is ready to provide a product by receiving power from the mobile information terminal. With this configuration, the notification unit can notify the user that the vending machine is ready to provide a product by receiving power from the mobile information terminal.

[0019] In the vending machine system according to the first aspect, the vending machine is preferably configured to wirelessly supply power to the portable information terminal and charge the battery of the portable information terminal when power is being supplied from a commercial power source. With this configuration, the battery of the portable information terminal can be charged by wireless power supply when power is being supplied from a commercial power source. Furthermore, because power is supplied to the portable information terminal wirelessly, unlike when the battery of the portable information terminal is charged via a wired connection, there is no need to provide a cable or terminal on the outside of the vending machine to connect the portable information terminal. As a result, there is no need to take new measures such as waterproofing, which reduces the complexity of the device configuration. Furthermore, using wireless power supply makes it easy to charge the battery of the portable information terminal.

[0020] In order to achieve the above object, a vending machine according to a second aspect of the present invention is a vending machine that uses power supplied from a commercial power source to provide products, and is equipped with a power receiving unit that receives power from a portable information terminal having a built-in battery when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source, and a storage unit that stores products, and performs a predetermined operation for providing products using power supplied from the portable information terminal. The power receiving unit is configured to receive power supplied from the mobile information terminal by wireless power supply, and is configured to perform a predetermined operation for providing the product by the wireless power supply from the mobile information terminal. .

[0021] As described above, the vending machine according to the second aspect includes a power receiving unit that receives power from a portable information terminal having a built-in battery, and performs a predetermined operation for dispensing a product using the power supplied from the portable information terminal. This allows the vending machine to perform the predetermined operation for dispensing a product using power supplied from the portable information terminal even when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source. As a result, the vending machine does not need to be equipped with a large-capacity battery in order to perform the predetermined operation for dispensing a product when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source. This makes it possible to provide a vending machine that allows products to be dispensed even when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source, while preventing the device from becoming too large.

[0022] In order to achieve the above object, an item storage system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes an item storage device configured to be able to store items and configured to perform an operation for removing items using power supplied from a commercial power source, and a mobile information terminal having a built-in battery, wherein the item storage device includes a power receiving unit that receives power from the mobile information terminal when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source, and performs an operation for removing items using power supplied from the mobile information terminal. The power receiving unit is configured to receive power supplied from the portable information terminal by wireless power supply, and the item storage device is configured to perform an operation for removing an item from the item storage device by wireless power supply from the portable information terminal. The article storage device is a device including an automatic article vending machine that sells stored articles, and an electronically controlled locker.

[0023] In the item storage system according to the third aspect, as described above, the item storage device includes a power receiving unit that receives power from a mobile information terminal when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source, and performs an operation for retrieving an item using power supplied from the mobile information terminal. This allows the item storage device to perform a predetermined operation for providing a commodity using power supplied from the mobile information terminal even when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source. As a result, the item storage device does not need to be equipped with a large-capacity battery to perform an operation for retrieving an item when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source. This makes it possible to provide an item storage system that allows retrieval of an item even when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source, while minimizing the device's size. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, as described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine system, a vending machine, and an item storage system that are capable of preventing the device from becoming too large, and that allow items such as merchandise to be dispensed even when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vending machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a vending machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the flow of power in the vending machine system when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the vending machine system 100 when power is being supplied from the smartphone 102 to the vending machine 101. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the item storage system of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] (Overall configuration of the vending machine system) The overall configuration of a vending machine system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 1, the vending machine system 100 includes a vending machine 101 that uses power supplied from a commercial power source to provide products, and a smartphone 102. The vending machine system 100 is an example of an "item storage system" as claimed, and the vending machine 101 is an example of an "item storage device" as claimed. The smartphone 102 is an example of a "mobile information terminal" as claimed.

[0029] In this embodiment, the vending machine 101 is a vending machine that sells beverages as products. The vending machine 101 is configured to be able to accept electronic payments using IC cards, smartphones 102, or other contactless payment (touch payment) in addition to monetary (cash) payments when selling products.

[0030] Furthermore, the vending machine 101 has a free vending function that provides the products stored in the storage unit 1 free of charge in the event of a power outage caused by a disaster, man-made disaster, etc. In other words, the vending machine 101 (vending machine system 100) is configured to be able to provide the products stored in the storage unit 1 free of charge even in the event of a power outage caused by a disaster, man-made disaster, etc., when commercial power is not being supplied.

[0031] The vending machine 101 includes a storage section 1 for storing products, a product selection button 2 for selecting a product to be served, and a dispensing opening 3 for dispensing the product. The vending machine 101 also includes a power supply / payment unit 4 used for electronic payment by contactless payment (touch payment). This allows the owner U of the smartphone 102 to hold the smartphone 102 over the power supply / payment unit 4 and make a payment using the smartphone 102. The vending machine 101 can also similarly make payments using an IC card using the power supply / payment unit 4.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the smartphone 102 includes a built-in battery 21, a communication unit 22, a display unit 23, a control unit 24, and a power supply / reception unit 25.

[0033] The communication unit 22 is a communication unit for communicating with devices external to the smartphone 102. The display unit 23 includes a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 23 is also provided with a touch panel and is configured to accept operations on the smartphone 102.

[0034] The control unit 24 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit 24 is configured to control the entire smartphone 102. The power supply / reception unit 25 includes a power transmission coil and is configured to be able to receive power supplied from outside the smartphone 102 and to be able to supply power to outside the smartphone 102. The power supply / reception unit 25 also includes a driver and a controller for controlling the supply and reception of power using the power transmission coil. The power supply / reception unit 25 wirelessly supplies and receives power based on predetermined standards such as the Qi standard and the AirFuel standard. In other words, the smartphone 102 is a terminal capable of wireless power supply and wireless charging. The power supply and reception (wireless power supply and reception) may also be based on the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard.

[0035] In addition to the aforementioned storage section 1, product selection button 2, outlet 3, and power supply / payment unit 4, the vending machine 101 also includes a control section 5, a lighting section 6, a cooling / heating section 7, a money handling section 8, and a delivery section 9 for delivering products, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0036] The control unit 5 includes a control board (circuit board) equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The control unit 5 is configured to control the entire vending machine 101. The lighting unit 6 includes LED lighting, etc., and is configured to illuminate product samples, etc. The cooling / heating unit 7 is configured to cool and heat the product (drink) stored in the storage unit 1 by cooling and heating the temperature of the storage unit 1. The money processing unit 8 is configured to process money for the sale of products with cash.

[0037] Furthermore, the discharge unit 9 is configured to discharge the products stored in the storage unit 1 to the outlet 3. The discharge unit 9 includes a discharge mechanism for discharging the products stored in the storage unit 1 to the outlet 3, and a motor for operating the discharge mechanism. In the vending machine 101, the storage unit 1 is, for example, a serpentine-type beverage storage rack. In the vending machine 101, the discharge unit 9 provided below the storage unit 1 opens an outlet below the storage unit 1 and drops the products stored in the storage unit 1 into the outlet 3, thereby discharging (discharging) the products.

[0038] The vending machine 101 includes a first communication unit C1 and a second communication unit C2. The first communication unit C1 is configured to communicate with the outside world using a communication standard such as the LTE (Long Term Evolution) standard. The vending machine 101 is connected to an external network N via the first communication unit C1. The vending machine 101 is also connected via the network N to a management server for the vending machine 101, a payment server for electronic payments, and the like, so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0039] The second communication unit C2 is configured to perform short-range wireless communication with a digital device outside the vending machine 101, such as a smartphone 102, using communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi. The second communication unit C2 is an example of the "notification unit" in the claims.

[0040] The power supply / payment unit 4 also includes a third communication unit C3 and a power receiving unit 41 including a power receiving unit R and a power supply unit P.

[0041] The third communication unit C3 is configured so that the vending machine 101 communicates with the smartphone 102 in order to receive power from the smartphone 102. The third communication unit C3 is configured to perform wireless communication according to the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard. The third communication unit C3 is used for communication to perform electronic payment when selling products, and is also used for communication to receive power from the smartphone 102. The vending machine 101 is also configured to authenticate the smartphone 102 (user authentication) using the third communication unit C3. The third communication unit C3 is an example of a "communication unit" and a "payment communication unit" in the claims.

[0042] The power receiving unit R includes a power receiving coil, and a driver and controller for controlling the reception of power. The power receiving unit R is configured to receive power from a smartphone 102 incorporating a battery 21 when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source. In this embodiment, the power receiving unit R is configured to receive power supplied from the smartphone 102 via wireless power supply.

[0043] The power supply unit P includes a coil for power supply (power transmission), and a driver and controller for controlling the power supply (power transmission). The power supply unit P is configured to wirelessly supply power to a digital device outside the vending machine 101, such as a smartphone 102. Note that the power receiving unit R and the power supply unit P may be configured integrally.

[0044] The vending machine 101 also includes a first power supply unit E1 and a second power supply unit E2. The first power supply unit E1 is configured to convert power supplied from a commercial power source and supply the power to each unit of the vending machine 101. The second power supply unit E2 is configured to convert the power supplied from the first power supply unit E1 and supply the power to the power receiving and payment unit 4. Furthermore, when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source, the second power supply unit E2 is configured to convert power received by the power receiving unit R via wireless power supply from the smartphone 102 and supply the power to the control unit 5, the discharge unit 9, and other units that operate in an emergency operation mode, which will be described later.

[0045] The vending machine 101 also includes a switching unit SW that switches the power receiving unit R to a state where it can receive power from the smartphone 102 when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source. The switching unit SW includes a voltage supply unit V for supplying an enable voltage to the power receiving unit R and the power supply unit P, and a relay switch, etc. The voltage supply unit V includes a coin battery, etc. The switching unit SW is configured to switch the state of the power receiving unit R and the power supply unit P by switching the supply destination of the enable voltage from the voltage supply unit V based on the supply of power from the commercial power source. When power is being supplied from the commercial power source (see FIG. 2), the switching unit SW is configured to set the power supply unit P to a state where it can supply power to the smartphone 102 outside the vending machine 101.

[0046] The vending machine 101 is configured to wirelessly supply power to the smartphone 102 and charge the battery 21 of the smartphone 102 when power is being supplied from a commercial power source. Wireless power may be supplied to all smartphones 102 or only to some of the smartphones 102. For example, the vending machine 101 may charge the smartphone 102 for a predetermined time or by a predetermined amount only when a product is purchased from the vending machine 101 using the smartphone 102. In this case, by authenticating the smartphone 102 using the third communication unit C3 or the like, the control unit 5 of the vending machine 101 determines whether the smartphone 102 held over the power supply / payment unit 4 is the smartphone 102 that has purchased a product from the vending machine 101 by electronic payment. If the smartphone 102 has purchased a product from the vending machine 101, wireless power is supplied to the smartphone 102.

[0047] (Configuration for emergency operation mode) As shown in FIG. 3 , the vending machine 101 is configured to operate in an emergency operation mode, which is an operation mode consuming less power than the normal operation mode, when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source. The emergency operation mode performs, as predetermined operations, some of the operations performed in the normal operation mode, which is an operation mode when power is being supplied from the commercial power source. In this embodiment, the vending machine 101 is configured to perform the minimum operations required to provide (take out) products when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source. As described above, the vending machine 101 is configured to provide products stored in the storage unit 1 free of charge in the event of a power outage caused by a disaster or man-made disaster. Therefore, the vending machine 101 is configured not to accept cash or electronic payments in the emergency operation mode. That is, in the emergency operation mode, the vending machine 101 does not operate the money processing unit 8, nor does it perform payment processing using the power supply / payment unit 4.

[0048] Furthermore, when the vending machine 101 is not receiving power from a commercial power source, the smartphone 102 supplies power to the discharge unit 9, and the discharge unit 9 performs a predetermined operation of dispensing products. The vending machine 101 is configured to perform a predetermined operation for providing products from the vending machine 101 by wirelessly supplying power from the smartphone 102. In this embodiment, the power supplied from the smartphone 102 is supplied to the discharge unit 9 and the control unit 5. The power supplied from the smartphone 102 is also supplied to the product selection button 2 in order to operate the product selection button 2. Note that, as will be described later, if a product can be selected by the smartphone 102 that supplies power to the vending machine 101, the product selection button 2 does not need to be operated. In such a case, the power supplied from the smartphone 102 may only be supplied to the discharge unit 9 and the control unit 5. Such switching of the power supply destination is controlled by the control unit 5 according to the authentication result of the smartphone 102. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the vending machine 101 is not receiving power from a commercial power source, it performs predetermined operations using power supplied from the smartphone 102, so it does not need to be equipped with a large-capacity battery, which can prevent an increase in device costs.

[0049] The vending machine 101 is configured to switch the operation mode of the vending machine 101 to an emergency operation mode based on the switching unit SW switching to a state where the power receiving unit R can receive power supplied from the smartphone 102. In this embodiment, when the switching unit SW switches to a state where the power receiving unit R can receive power supplied from the smartphone 102, the vending machine 101 (control unit 5) starts up in the emergency operation mode using power supplied from the smartphone 102. Specifically, when the vending machine 101 is started up using power supplied from the smartphone 102, the control unit 5 detects that power is being supplied from outside the vending machine 101 (the smartphone 102) due to the switching of the switching unit SW during initialization, and starts up in the emergency operation mode.

[0050] Furthermore, when the vending machine 101 is not receiving power from a commercial power source, the vending machine 101 is configured to change the content of its operations, including at least predetermined operations, that can be used by power supply from the smartphone 102, depending on the authentication result of the smartphone 102. In other words, when the vending machine 101 is not receiving power from a commercial power source (emergency operation mode), the vending machine 101 is configured to be able to change the functions of the vending machine 101 that can be used by power supply from the smartphone 102, depending on the result of authentication using the third communication unit C3 (authentication result).

[0051] The control unit 5 of the vending machine 101 is configured to limit the functions available to the vending machine 101 when the smartphone 102 authenticated using the third communication unit C3 is a terminal owned by a general user. For example, when the smartphone 102 is a terminal owned by a general user, the vending machine 101 may limit the number of operations required to dispense a product, thereby limiting the number of products that a general user can take out. This prevents a limited number of users from monopolizing products, making it possible to provide products to more people in the event of a power outage caused by a disaster or man-made disaster.

[0052] Furthermore, the control unit 5 of the vending machine 101 is configured to remove restrictions on available functions of the vending machine 101 if the smartphone 102 authenticated using the third communication unit C3 is a terminal owned by the manager of the vending machine 101. For example, if the smartphone 102 is a terminal owned by the manager of the vending machine 101, the vending machine 101 may be configured to allow unlimited product removal as long as power supply from the smartphone 102 continues. Furthermore, if the smartphone 102 is a terminal owned by the manager of the vending machine 101, the lighting unit 6 may be configured to be able to turn on the light. This allows the area around the vending machine 101 to be brightened even at night during a power outage.

[0053] In addition, when an electronic lock is used to lock and unlock the vending machine 101, the control unit 5 of the vending machine 101 may be configured to unlock the electronic lock if the smartphone 102 is a terminal owned by the manager of the vending machine 101 through authentication using the third communication unit C3.

[0054] The vending machine 101 is configured to accept an operation for selecting a product via the smartphone 102 when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source. The selection of a product via the smartphone 102 is performed using an app (application) installed on the smartphone 102. The app for selecting a product for the vending machine 101 may be an app provided by a beverage manufacturer or the like, or may be a dedicated app. The app for selecting a product for the vending machine 101 may be downloaded via communication with the vending machine 101 that is operating on power supplied from the smartphone 102. Information such as a URL for downloading the app for selecting a product for the vending machine 101 may also be displayed on the vending machine 101 using a two-dimensional code or the like.

[0055] The smartphone 102 is configured to stop supplying power to the power receiving unit R when the remaining battery level of the battery 21 of the smartphone 102 is equal to or less than a predetermined value while power is being supplied to the vending machine 101. This makes it possible to prevent the battery of the smartphone 102 from running out due to power being supplied to the vending machine 101 (power receiving unit R). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the battery of the smartphone 102 from running out during a disaster or the like. The vending machine 101 may also limit available operations (functions) based on the remaining battery level of the battery 21 of the smartphone 102 or a predicted available power supply time based on the remaining battery level. The vending machine 101 may also be configured to notify the smartphone 102 of available operations of the vending machine 101 according to the remaining battery level of the battery 21 of the smartphone 102. For example, the vending machine 101 may notify the smartphone 102 of, for example, "10 products can be provided by consuming 10% of the power of the battery 21."

[0056] The second communication unit C2 is configured to notify that a product is available for provision by receiving power from the smartphone 102. The second communication unit C2 is configured to transmit a beacon, thereby notifying a digital device outside the vending machine 101, such as the smartphone 102, that is capable of communicating using the same communication standard as the second communication unit C2, that a product is available for provision by receiving power from the smartphone 102.

[0057] The second communication unit C2 includes a coin battery and is configured to emit a beacon using Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication with power supplied from the coin battery even when the vending machine 101 is not receiving power from a commercial power source. This allows the vending machine 101 to notify smartphones 102 around the vending machine 101 that it can provide products by being powered by the smartphones 102, even when the vending machine 101 is not receiving power from a commercial power source. As a result, the owner U of the smartphones 102 around the vending machine 101 (see FIG. 1) can recognize, via the smartphones 102, the presence of the vending machine 101 that can provide products by being powered by the smartphones 102.

[0058] Note that the second communication unit C2 is configured to stop issuing beacons when the vending machine 101 is receiving power from a commercial power source, or to stop the supply of power from the coin battery, thereby stopping notifications to smartphones 102 around the vending machine 101. In other words, the second communication unit C2 is configured to issue notifications (emit beacons) only when the vending machine 101 is not receiving power from a commercial power source.

[0059] (Processing flow) Next, an example of the processing of the vending machine system 100 when power is being supplied from the smartphone 102 to the vending machine 101 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. If power supply from the smartphone 102 stops for some reason, the vending machine 101 will stop, and the processing shown in Fig. 4 will be interrupted. Then, when power supply from the smartphone 102 is resumed, the processing is repeated again, starting from step S1.

[0060] First, in step S1, the power receiving and payment unit 4 is activated by power supplied from the smartphone 102. The power receiving and payment unit 4 is activated when the power receiving section R receives the power supplied from the smartphone 102. Then, the processing step proceeds to step S2.

[0061] In step S2, authentication is performed on the smartphone 102. Specifically, authentication is performed by wireless communication using NFC between the third communication unit C3 and the smartphone 102. After authentication of the smartphone 102 is performed, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0062] In step S3, power supply to the control unit 5 of the vending machine 101 begins. Specifically, power supplied from the smartphone 102 is supplied to the control unit 5 via the second power supply unit E2. Then, when power is supplied to the control unit 5, the processing step proceeds to step S4.

[0063] In step S4, the control unit 5 is activated by the power supplied from the smartphone 102. Then, the control unit 5 starts operation of the vending machine 101 in the emergency operation mode based on at least one of communication with the third communication unit C3 and the supply of power from the second power supply unit E2. In addition, the control unit 5 changes the available operations (functions) of the vending machine 101 according to the authentication result of the smartphone 102.

[0064] In step S5, it is determined whether or not a product selection has been accepted. If the vending machine 101 (control unit 5) has not accepted a product selection, the process of step S5 is repeated. If a product selection has been accepted, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0065] In step S6, the product is carried out. In step S6, the driving source such as the motor of the carrying-out unit 9 is driven using the power supplied from the smartphone 102, and the product is carried out. After the operation for carrying out the product is performed, the processing step proceeds to step S7.

[0066] In step S7, it is determined whether the number of products that can be provided has been exceeded. If the number of products that can be provided according to the authentication result of the smartphone 102 has not been exceeded, the processing returns to step S5. If the number of products that can be provided according to the authentication result of the smartphone 102 has been exceeded, the processing ends.

[0067] (Effects of this embodiment) In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0068] In this embodiment, the vending machine 101 includes a power receiving unit R that receives power from the smartphone 102 when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source, and performs a predetermined operation for dispensing products from the vending machine 101 using power supplied from the smartphone 102. This allows the vending machine 101 to perform a predetermined operation for dispensing products using power supplied from the smartphone 102 even when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source. As a result, the vending machine 101 does not need to be equipped with a large-capacity battery in order to perform a predetermined operation for dispensing products when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source. This makes it possible to provide a vending machine system 100 that allows products to be dispensed even when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source, while preventing the device (vending machine 101) from becoming too large.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the power receiving unit R is configured to receive power supplied from the smartphone 102 via wireless power supply. The vending machine 101 is configured to perform a predetermined operation for dispensing products from the vending machine 101 using wireless power supply from the smartphone 102. This eliminates the need to provide a cable or terminal on the outside of the vending machine 101 to connect the smartphone 102, as opposed to when power is supplied from the smartphone 102 via a wired connection. As a result, there is no need to take additional measures such as waterproofing, which reduces the complexity of the device configuration. Furthermore, by using wireless power supply, the task of supplying power from the smartphone 102 can be easily performed.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the vending machine 101 is configured to operate in an emergency operation mode, which is an operation mode that consumes less power than the normal operation mode, and which performs some of the operations that are performed in the normal operation mode as predetermined operations when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source. As a result, when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source, the vending machine 101 operates in the emergency operation mode, which consumes less power than the normal operation mode, and can perform predetermined operations for providing products with a smaller supply of power. As a result, even when power is supplied from the smartphone 102, which can supply less power than the commercial power source, the predetermined operations for providing products can be performed when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source, power is supplied from the smartphone 102 to the unloading unit 9, and the unloading unit 9 performs the predetermined operation of unloading the product. As a result, the power supply from the smartphone 102 allows the unloading unit 9 to perform the predetermined operation of unloading the product, so that even when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source, the power supply from the smartphone 102 allows the product to be unloaded and the product to be removed.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the switching unit SW of the vending machine 101 switches to a state in which the power receiving unit R can receive power supplied from the smartphone 102 based on the fact that power is not being supplied from the commercial power source. As a result, when the supply of power from the commercial power source is stopped, the switching unit SW automatically switches the vending machine 101 to a state in which power supplied from the smartphone 102 can be received, even if the manager of the vending machine 101 does not perform a switching operation. As a result, when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source due to a power outage caused by a disaster or the like, products can be provided using power supplied from the smartphone 102 without waiting for the manager of the vending machine 101 to manually switch the power. Furthermore, the manager of the vending machine 101 does not need to manually perform a switching operation using a key switch or the like, which reduces the workload of the manager of the vending machine 101.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the vending machine 101 is configured to switch the operation mode of the vending machine 101 to the emergency operation mode based on the switching unit SW switching to a state in which the power receiving unit R can receive power supplied from the smartphone 102. As a result, when the power receiving unit R is in a state in which it can receive power supplied from the smartphone 102, the operation mode of the vending machine 101 switches to the emergency operation mode without the manager of the vending machine 101 performing any operation for switching. As a result, when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source due to a power outage caused by a disaster or the like, the vending machine 101 can automatically switch to the emergency operation mode, which requires less power to provide products, without waiting for the manager of the vending machine 101 to manually switch the operation mode. Furthermore, since the manager of the vending machine 101 does not need to manually switch the operation mode using a key switch or the like, the workload on the manager of the vending machine 101 can be reduced.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the third communication unit C3 is used for communication with the mobile information terminal in order to receive power supply from the mobile information terminal, and is also used for electronic payment when selling a product. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the number of parts and a complication of the device configuration, unlike when a communication unit that communicates with the smartphone 102 in order to receive power supply from the smartphone 102 and a payment communication unit for electronic payment when selling a product are separately provided.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the vending machine 101 is configured to authenticate the smartphone 102 using the third communication unit C3. The vending machine 101 is configured to, when not receiving power from a commercial power source, vary the content of the operation of the vending machine 101, which includes at least a predetermined operation, that is usable when power is supplied from the smartphone 102, depending on the authentication result of the smartphone 102. This allows the content of the usable operation of the vending machine 101 to be varied depending on the smartphone 102, and therefore, the content of the predetermined operation for providing a product when power is supplied from the smartphone 102 can be changed between the smartphone 102 of a general user and the smartphone 102 of the manager of the vending machine 101.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the smartphone 102 is configured to stop supplying power to the power receiving unit R when the remaining battery charge of the battery 21 of the smartphone 102 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. This makes it possible to prevent the battery of the smartphone 102 from running out due to power supply to the vending machine 101 (power receiving unit R).

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the vending machine 101 is configured to accept an operation for selecting a product from the smartphone 102 when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source. This allows the smartphone 102 to select a product to be provided, eliminating the need to operate a mechanism for selecting a product in the vending machine 101, such as the product selection button 2. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the power required to provide a product when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the second communication unit C2 of the vending machine 101 notifies the user that a product can be provided by receiving power from the smartphone 102. This allows the vending machine 101 to notify the user that a product can be provided by receiving power from the smartphone 102 through the notification by the second communication unit C2.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the vending machine 101 is configured to wirelessly feed power to the smartphone 102 and charge the battery 21 of the smartphone 102 when power is being supplied from a commercial power source. As a result, when power is being supplied from a commercial power source, the battery 21 of the smartphone 102 can be charged by wireless power feeding. Furthermore, because power is fed wirelessly to the smartphone 102, unlike when the battery 21 of the smartphone 102 is charged via a wired connection, there is no need to provide a cable or terminal on the outside of the vending machine 101 to connect the smartphone 102. As a result, there is no need to take new measures such as waterproofing, which can prevent the device configuration from becoming complicated. Furthermore, by using wireless power feeding, the battery 21 of the smartphone 102 can be easily charged.

[0080] [Variations] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications (variations) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0081] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the vending machine system 100 and the vending machine 101 are shown as examples of an item storage system and an item storage device, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the item storage device may be an electronically controlled locker 201 as shown in FIG. 5. That is, the item storage system of the present invention may be configured, like the item storage system 200 shown in FIG. 5, to include a locker 201 configured to store items and operable for removing items using power supplied from a commercial power source, and a smartphone 102 having a built-in battery 21. The locker 201 includes a plurality of storage compartments 211 for storing items. Each of the plurality of storage compartments 211 is configured to be locked and unlocked by a solenoid. Furthermore, when power is not supplied from the commercial power source, the locker 201 is configured to unlock the storage compartments 211 using the solenoid as an operation for removing items using power supplied from the smartphone 102 (personal digital assistant).

[0082] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the vending machine 101 is configured to perform a predetermined operation for providing products from the vending machine 101 by wirelessly supplying power from the smartphone 102 (mobile information terminal), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, power may be supplied from the mobile information terminal to the vending machine via a wired connection.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the vending machine is configured to operate in an emergency operation mode, which is an operation mode that consumes less power than the normal operation mode and performs some of the operations performed in the normal operation mode as predetermined operations when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, when the power supplied from the mobile information terminal is sufficient to perform the power required to perform the operations performed in the normal operation mode, the vending machine may operate in the normal operation mode even when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source. In other words, the vending machine may switch operation modes depending on the power supplied from the mobile information terminal.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the vending machine 101 is provided with a delivery unit 9 for delivering products, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the vending machine does not have to be provided with a delivery unit for delivering products. For example, the vending machine may be configured so that products are manually removed, as in a locker-type vending machine. Furthermore, the vending machine may use any of a spiral system, a belt conveyor system, and a baguette system for delivering products. Furthermore, the vending machine may be provided with a separate delivery mechanism for an emergency operation mode.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the vending machine 101 includes a switching unit SW that switches the power receiving unit R to a state where it can receive power supplied from the smartphone 102 (mobile information terminal) based on the fact that power is not being supplied from a commercial power source, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the switching to a state where the power receiving unit can receive power supplied from the mobile information terminal, such as starting the supply of an enable voltage to the power receiving unit, may be performed manually by an administrator of the vending machine using a key switch or the like. Furthermore, the switching to a state where the power receiving unit can receive power supplied from the mobile information terminal may be performed based on authentication of the mobile information terminal of the administrator of the vending machine when the vending machine authenticates the mobile information terminal (when power is supplied from the mobile information terminal). Furthermore, the switching to a state where the power receiving unit can receive power supplied from the mobile information terminal may be performed based on power being supplied from the mobile information terminal. The vending machine may also switch to a state in which the power receiving unit can receive power supplied from the mobile information terminal based on communication for switching with the mobile information terminal (control unit of the mobile information terminal). Also, the vending machine may switch to a state in which the power receiving unit can receive power supplied from the mobile information terminal based on control (operation) from the mobile information terminal.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the vending machine 101 is configured to switch its operation mode to the emergency operation mode based on the switching unit SW switching to a state in which the power receiving unit R can receive power supplied from the smartphone 102 (mobile information terminal), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the vending machine may be switched to the emergency operation mode manually by a manager of the vending machine using a key switch or the like. Furthermore, the vending machine may switch to the emergency operation mode based on the authentication of the mobile information terminal of the manager of the vending machine when authenticating the mobile information terminal by the vending machine (when power is supplied from the mobile information terminal).

[0087] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the third communication unit C3 (communication unit and payment communication unit) is used for communication to make electronic payment when selling a product, and also for communication to accept power supply from the smartphone 102, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, a communication unit that communicates with the mobile information terminal to accept power supply from the mobile information terminal and a payment communication unit for making electronic payment when selling a product may be provided separately.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the operation of the vending machine 101 when power is supplied from the smartphone 102 (mobile information terminal) is changed based on the authentication result of the third communication unit C3 using NFC, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, authentication may be performed using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi, and the operation of the vending machine 101 when power is supplied from the mobile information terminal may be changed based on the authentication result. Furthermore, the vending machine may authenticate the mobile information terminal through communication or power supply based on a wireless power supply standard such as the Qi standard, and the operation of the vending machine when power is supplied from the mobile information terminal may be changed based on the authentication result.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the content of the operations of the vending machine 101 that are available when power is supplied from the smartphone 102 (mobile information terminal), including at least a predetermined operation, is varied depending on the authentication result of the smartphone 102 (mobile information terminal), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the content of the operations that can be used by the vending machine when power is being supplied from the mobile information terminal does not need to be changed depending on the authentication result of the mobile information terminal. In other words, the content of the operations that can be used by the vending machine when power is being supplied from the mobile information terminal may be the same between the mobile information terminal of a general user and the mobile information terminal of the manager of the vending machine.

[0090] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the smartphone 102 is configured to stop supplying power to the power receiving unit R when the remaining battery charge of the battery 21 of the smartphone 102 (mobile information terminal) is equal to or less than a predetermined value, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the vending machine may be configured to not accept power supply from the mobile information terminal when the remaining battery charge of the battery of the mobile information terminal is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Furthermore, the mobile information terminal may be configured to continue supplying power to the power receiving unit until the remaining battery charge of the battery of the mobile information terminal runs out.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the vending machine 101 is configured to accept an operation for selecting a product from the smartphone 102 (mobile information terminal) when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the selection of a product to be provided may be performed only by the product selection button on the vending machine.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the second communication unit C2 (alert unit) includes a coin battery, and emits a beacon using power supplied from the coin battery even when power from a commercial power source is not supplied to the vending machine 101. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the alert unit may be configured to alert nearby mobile information terminals using power supplied from the mobile information terminal.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the second communication unit C2 (notification unit) issues a notification based on whether or not power is being supplied from a commercial power source. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the notification unit may be configured to issue a notification based on both the supply of power from a commercial power source and the supply of power (power supply) from the mobile information terminal. For example, the notification unit may be configured not to issue a notification when power is being supplied from a commercial power source or when power is being supplied from the mobile information terminal, but to issue a notification when power is not being supplied from a commercial power source and power is not being supplied from the mobile information terminal. This can reduce consumption of the coin battery. The notification unit may also change the message to be notified based on whether or not power is being supplied from a commercial power source and whether or not power is being supplied from the mobile information terminal.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the second communication unit C2 (notification unit) emits a beacon using Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, thereby notifying the vending machine 101 that it is able to provide a product by being powered by the smartphone 102 (personal digital assistant). However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the notification unit may notify the vending machine that it is able to provide a product by being powered by the personal digital assistant through wireless communication other than Bluetooth (registered trademark), such as Wi-Fi.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the second communication unit C2 (notification unit) emits a beacon to notify the vending machine 101 that it is able to provide products by receiving power from the smartphone 102 (personal digital assistant), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the notification unit may notify a server, a car, a motorcycle, or the like that is capable of wireless communication with the vending machine. Furthermore, the notification unit may notify people around the vending machine, rather than the personal digital assistant. For example, the notification unit may use a poster or the like to visually notify people around the vending machine.

[0096] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the vending machine 101 is configured to wirelessly supply power to the smartphone 102 (mobile information terminal) and charge the battery 21 of the smartphone 102 when power is being supplied from a commercial power source, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the battery of the mobile information terminal may be charged via a wired connection. Furthermore, the vending machine (vending machine system) may be configured to only supply power from the mobile information terminal without charging the battery of the mobile information terminal.

[0097] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which power was supplied from the smartphone 102 (mobile information terminal), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the mobile information terminal that supplies power to the vending machine may be, for example, a tablet, a wearable terminal (such as a smartwatch), a portable game console, or a terminal with a built-in battery other than a smartphone, such as a laptop computer.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, for the sake of convenience, an example of the processing of the vending machine system 100 when power is being supplied from the smartphone 102 (personal digital assistant) of the present invention to the vending machine 101 has been described using a flow-driven flowchart in which processing is performed in order according to a processing flow, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, processing operations may be performed by event-driven processing in which processing is performed on an event-by-event basis. In this case, the processing may be performed completely event-driven, or may be performed in a combination of event-driven and flow-driven. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1. Storage section 9 Unloading section 21 Battery 100 Vending machine system (item storage system) 101 Vending machines (item storage devices) 102 Smartphones (personal digital assistants) 200 Item Storage System 201 Locker (item storage device) C2 Second communication unit (alarm unit) C3 Third communication unit (communication unit, payment communication unit) R Power receiving unit SW switching section

Claims

1. a vending machine that uses power supplied from a commercial power source to provide products; a portable information terminal having a built-in battery; The vending machine is a power receiving unit that receives power from the mobile information terminal when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source; By receiving power from the mobile information terminal, a predetermined operation for providing the product is performed, the power receiving unit is configured to receive power supplied from the mobile information terminal by wireless power supply, The vending machine system is configured to perform the predetermined operation for providing the product by wireless power supply from the mobile information terminal.

2. 2. The vending machine system according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine is configured to operate in an emergency operation mode, which is an operation mode that consumes less power than the normal operation mode, and which performs, as the predetermined operation, some of the operations that are performed in a normal operation mode, which is an operation mode in which power is supplied from the commercial power source, when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source.

3. The vending machine is Further provided is a delivery unit for delivering the product, 3. The vending machine system according to claim 2, wherein when power is not supplied from the commercial power source, power is supplied from the mobile information terminal to at least the discharge unit, and the predetermined operation is to discharge the product by the discharge unit.

4. The vending machine system according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a switching unit that switches the power receiving unit to a state in which it can receive power supplied from the mobile information terminal based on the fact that power is not being supplied from the commercial power source.

5. The vending machine system according to claim 4, wherein the vending machine is configured to switch the operation mode of the vending machine to the emergency operation mode based on the switching unit switching the state to a state in which the power receiving unit can receive power supplied from the mobile information terminal.

6. a communication unit that communicates with the mobile information terminal in order to receive power supply from the mobile information terminal; The vending machine system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication unit is configured to also serve as a payment communication unit for making electronic payments when selling products.

7. The vending machine is The communication unit is configured to authenticate the portable information terminal, The vending machine system according to claim 6, wherein when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source, the content of the operation of the vending machine, including at least the predetermined operation, that can be used by power supply from the mobile information terminal is changed depending on the authentication result of the mobile information terminal.

8. The mobile information terminal is configured to stop supplying power to the power receiving unit when the remaining battery charge of the battery of the mobile information terminal is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The vending machine system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The vending machine is configured to accept an operation for selecting the product using the mobile information terminal when power is not supplied from the commercial power source. The vending machine system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The vending machine system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the vending machine further includes a notification unit that notifies the user that the product can be provided by power supply from the mobile information terminal.

11. The vending machine is configured to wirelessly power the mobile information terminal and charge the battery of the mobile information terminal when power is being supplied from the commercial power source. The vending machine system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A vending machine that provides products using power supplied from a commercial power source, a power receiving unit that receives power from a portable information terminal having a built-in battery when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source; a storage section for storing the product, By receiving power from the mobile information terminal, a predetermined operation for providing the product is performed, the power receiving unit is configured to receive power supplied from the mobile information terminal by wireless power supply, The vending machine is configured to perform the predetermined operation for providing the product by wireless power supply from the mobile information terminal.

13. an article storage device configured to be able to store articles and to perform an operation for removing the articles using power supplied from a commercial power source; a portable information terminal having a built-in battery; The item storage device is a power receiving unit that receives power from the mobile information terminal when power is not being supplied from the commercial power source; an operation for removing the item is performed by power supply from the mobile information terminal; the power receiving unit is configured to receive power supplied from the mobile information terminal by wireless power supply, An item storage system, wherein the item storage device is configured to perform an operation for removing the item from the item storage device by wireless power supply from the mobile information terminal.

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