Vending machine system

Abstract

To enable a route man to register product replacement information without performing an operation of registering the product replacement information and prevent a discrepancy between an operation result of his or her on-site product replacement operation and contents registered in a vending machine.SOLUTION: A management server 31 transmits a visit plan including product replacement information D12 to a portable terminal 10 and transmits the product replacement information D12 to a vending machine 1. The vending machine 1 includes a product replacement detection unit 26 which detects detected pair information of product selection button numbers corresponding to product samples replaced on the basis of the product replacement information D12 and product codes, and collates the detected pair information with indicated pair information of product selection button numbers and product codes indicated by the product replacement information D12 transmitted to the vending machine 1 and registers the product replacement information in a vending machine main controller 60 in the case of coincidence between all of the detected pair information and the indicated pair information but transmits a collation result to the management server 31 in the case of non-coincidence between them.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a vending machine system that can register product replacement information without a route man performing a registration operation for the product replacement information, and can prevent a discrepancy between the work result of the product replacement work at the location of the route man and the registered content in the vending machine.

Background Art

[0002] Beverage manufacturers, who are vending machine installers, have route men巡回 each vending machine to collect sales money and replenish change, as well as replenish and replace products. Here, a proposal has been made to make the vending machine online and grasp the amount of product replenishment to the vending machine based on the vending number data of the vending machine.

[0003] Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe an invention that automatically generates a visit plan including a visit route of vending machines to be visited based on the number of product replenishments.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, in addition to replenishing products, route operators sometimes perform product replacements. This product replacement work includes not only replacing the products themselves but also replacing product samples. When product replacement information is distributed from the management server to the vending machines to perform the product replacement work, the route operator, after the product replacement work is completed, presses a button on the communication unit inside the vending machine that holds the product replacement information to register the product replacement information with the vending machine. By pressing this button, the product replacement information is registered as master data in the vending machine's main control unit. Therefore, if the route operator forgets to press the button after the product replacement work is completed, there was a problem in that sales processing would be performed without the product replacement information being reflected, even though the product replacement work had been carried out.

[0006] Furthermore, even if the product in the product column was not actually replaced, it was possible to press the button on the communication unit. In this case, however, there was a problem in that the sales process would be carried out with a discrepancy between the product in the product column and the product registered in the master data of the vending machine's main control unit.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a vending machine system that allows for the registration of product replacement information without the route operator having to perform the registration work of product replacement information, and that can prevent discrepancies between the results of the route operator's on-site product replacement work and the information registered in the vending machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the present invention provides a vending machine system comprising a plurality of vending machines, a mobile terminal for visiting workers who perform tasks such as product replenishment including product replacement at each vending machine according to a predetermined visiting route, and a management server connected to a terminal device for an administrator who manages the said work, wherein the management server notifies the mobile terminal and the vending machine of product replacement information, and the vending machine has a product replacement detection unit that detects detection pair information of product selection button number and product code corresponding to the product sample that has been replaced based on the product replacement information, and compares the detection pair information with instruction pair information of product selection button number and product code indicated by the product replacement information notified to the vending machine, and registers the product replacement information in the vending machine when all of the detection pair information and the instruction pair information match, and notifies the management server of the comparison result when they do not match.

[0009] Furthermore, in the above invention, the management server is characterized in that, when it receives notification that the detection information and the instruction information do not match, it notifies the mobile terminal and / or the terminal device of that fact and the details of the mismatch.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, if the vending machine does not match the detected pair information and the instruction pair information, it displays a message to that effect on the product selection button corresponding to the mismatched product selection button number.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above invention, the management server, upon receiving notification from the vending machine that the detection information and the instruction information do not match, and without receiving notification from the mobile terminal and / or terminal device that the mismatch between the detection information and the instruction information has been corrected, then creates a visit route to correct the mismatch between the detection information and the instruction information and notifies the mobile terminal.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the product sample is provided with a product code information section that indicates the product code of the product sample, the product replacement detection section is provided with a switch that detects the installation of the product sample and an imaging section that images the product code information section, and when the switch is turned on, the product selection button number corresponding to the switch is acquired, and the product code information section is imaged by the imaging section, and detection pair information between the product selection button number and the product code is acquired. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, product replacement information can be registered without the route operator having to perform the registration work themselves, and discrepancies between the results of the route operator's on-site product replacement work and the information registered in the vending machine can be prevented. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the outline configuration of an automatic vending machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of product configuration information. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the external configuration of the vending machine shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the control system of the vending machine in the vending machine system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the product replacement detection unit. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for registering product replacements in a vending machine. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for product replacement mismatch notifications by the management server. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example 1 of the product replacement detection unit. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a modified example 2 of the product replacement detection unit.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] <Overview of the Vending Machine System> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a vending machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This vending machine system includes communication units 11 and 12 of a plurality of vending machines 1 and 2, a mobile terminal 10 of a route man 100 who is a visiting worker who performs operations such as product replenishment including product replacement for each vending machine 1 and 2 according to a predetermined visit route R, and a management server 31 connected to a terminal device 50 of a route manager 200 who manages visit plans. In addition to product replenishment, the operations of the route man 100 include product replacement, troubleshooting, product counting, sales closing, collection of sales proceeds, and change replenishment. Note that the vending machines 1 and 2 show an example of a plurality of vending machines.

[0017] <Overview of Visit Processing> The management server 31 aggregates product sales based on the item details sent from each vending machine 1 and 2 at any time, aggregates the number of replenishments up to the day before yesterday of the replenishment date for each product column for each vending machine 1 and 2, predicts the number of replenishments on the day before the replenishment date, and calculates the number of replenishments obtained by adding the aggregated number of replenishments and the predicted number of replenishments. Here, the predicted number of replenishments is, for example, the number of replenishments based on the average value of the sales performance on each day of the week in the past month.

[0018] The management server 31 then creates a visit plan D4. If product replenishment is required for vending machines along the visit route R, the number of items to be replenished is included in the visit plan D4. The management server 31 then notifies the mobile terminal 10 of the visit plan D4. Meanwhile, if product replenishment is included in the visit plan D4, the route man 100 picks the notified number of items to be replenished from the food storage room 101 at the installation location LO the day before the replenishment date, loads them onto the delivery vehicle 20, and visits each vending machine 1 and 2 in the delivery vehicle 20 on the day of the visit. This allows the route man to perform product replenishment processing for each vending machine 1 and 2.

[0019] When replenishing products, including replacing products, the route man 100 will patrol the delivery vehicle 20 loaded with replenishment products along the visit route R on the day of the visit and perform product replenishment work, including product replacement, at each vending machine 1 and 2. When the delivery vehicle 20 arrives at the parking lot PP1 near the installation location LP1 of the first vending machine 1, the route man 100 will unload the replenishment products from the delivery vehicle 20 and transport the replenishment products to the vending machine 1 using a trolley 40 or the like. Then, any surplus products or products removed due to product replacement will be transported back to the delivery vehicle 20 and loaded. Finally, the route man 100 will send a work completion notification for the vending machine 1 to the management server 31 via the mobile terminal 10.

[0020] Subsequently, when the delivery vehicle 20 arrives at the parking lot PP2 near the installation location LP2 of the next vending machine 2, the route man 100 performs the same tasks on vending machine 2 as he did on vending machine 1, including replenishing products. Then, the route man 100 sends a notification to the management server 31 via the mobile terminal 10 that the work on vending machine 2 has been completed.

[0021] <Management Server> The management server 31 is a server on the cloud 30 and has a sales calculation unit 32, a visit plan creation unit 33, a management unit 34, and a database unit 36. The database unit 36 ​​has vending machine data D1, sales data D2, vending machine inventory data D3, and visit plans D4. Vending machine data D1 is static information of vending machines 1 and 2, and stores information such as the installation location of vending machines 1 and 2 and product configuration information D11. Sales data D2 is updated and stored based on the details sent from vending machines 1 and 2. Vending machine inventory data D3 is dynamic inventory information for each vending machine, and for example, the product name, inventory quantity, and replenishment quantity are updated in near real time for each vending machine. The inventory quantity is updated based on the details sent from the vending machine, and the replenishment quantity is updated when product replenishment, including product replacement by the route man 100, is completed and notified via the mobile terminal 10 or communication units 11 and 12. The visit plan D4 includes the visit route, visit date, number of visits, delivery vehicle, number of items to load (number of picks), product replacement information, replenishment work time, travel time, etc. The visit plan D4 is notified to the mobile terminal 10 two days before the visit, and the route driver 100 picks the products from the food storage warehouse 101 based on the number of items to be replenished and loads them into the delivery vehicle 20 the day before the visit. If product replacement work is to be performed, a sample of the product to be replaced is loaded.

[0022] Product configuration information D11 is information for each vending machine, and as shown in Figure 2, it includes product code, temperature setting, product column number, product price, product selection button number, product sales period, etc. Product replacement information is part of the product configuration information D11 related to the product being replaced.

[0023] The sales calculation unit 32 calculates sales data D2 based on the individual transaction details sent sequentially from the vending machine. The vending machine inventory data D3 is also updated based on this sales data D2. The sales calculation unit 32 also has a function to predict product demand based on past sales data D2 and event data obtained from external sources.

[0024] The visit schedule creation unit 33 creates a visit schedule for the visit route R that prioritizes vending machines with a large replenishment quantity, and notifies the mobile terminal 10 by the day before the day of the visit. When performing product replacement, a visit schedule including product replacement information is created.

[0025] When the management unit 34 notifies the mobile terminal 10 of a visit schedule including product replacement, the product replacement information is pre-distributed to the vending machines that perform the product replacement work. The distributed product replacement information is held by the communication units 11 and 12 of the vending machine.

[0026] <Vending Machine> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the vending machine 1 shown in FIG. 1. Further, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control system of the vending machine 1 in the vending machine system shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the vending machine 1 has an outer door 1b that closes the front opening of the main body cabinet 1a.

[0027] A pop-up handle 111 is provided in the middle of the right side of the front surface of the outer door 1b. The pop-up handle 111 is for locking the outer door 1b in a closed state. The vending machine 1 is locked by pushing in the pop-up handle 111 with the outer door 1b closed, and when the unlocking operation is performed, the pop-up handle 111 pops up (protrudes), enabling the opening operation of the outer door 1b. <S

[0028] In addition, a display room 112 is provided in the upper region of the front surface of the outer door . The display room 112 is for displaying product samples DM of the products sold by the vending machine 1. The display room 112 is defined by a middle door that is attached to the rear side of the outer door 1b so as to be openable and closable and a transparent lighting board 114 that is fitted to the front side of the outer door 1b, and the user can visually recognize the inside of the display room 112 from the front side of the vending machine 1.

[0029] Inside the display room , three stages 115 for displaying products are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, and product samples DM are displayed side by side on each stage 115.

[0030] The product selection buttons 23 are for selecting products, and multiple product selection buttons 23 are provided to correspond to the product sample direct mail. Each product selection button 23 is equipped with an LED display, and when it corresponds to a product that can be purchased for the amount paid, it lights up. In addition, when using cashless payment, the product selection buttons 23 light up in conjunction with pressing the product selection button 23.

[0031] Furthermore, a coin slot 81, a banknote slot 83, a display unit 25, a return lever 82, and an electronic money reader / writer 76 are provided in the middle of the outer door 1b, which is located below the exhibition room 112. The display unit 25 is used to display various information such as "on sale," "out of change," "preparation in progress," "banknotes not accepted," the amount inserted, and information on various settings.

[0032] Furthermore, an outlet 84 is provided below the outer door 1b. The outlet 84 is an opening for removing products that have been taken out of the product storage rack.

[0033] Furthermore, a remote control 75 is installed inside the outer door 1b. The remote control 75 is used for various setting operations and checking various sales data, and is equipped with operation keys such as a write key and an exit key, as well as an LCD display that shows various setting data and confirmation data. Setting data entered from the remote control 75 is transmitted to the vending machine main control unit 60. The remote control 75 then receives confirmation data transmitted from the vending machine main control unit 60.

[0034] <Vending machine control system> As shown in Figure 4, the vending machine 1 has a vending machine main control unit 60, to which a communication unit 11, a main control unit 70, a cooling / heating device 71, a dispensing device 72, a coin mechanism 73, a bill validator 74, a remote control 75, an electronic money reader / writer 76, product selection buttons 23, a product information display unit 24, and a display unit 25 are connected. The vending machine 1 also has a product replacement detection unit 26, which is connected to the communication unit 11.

[0035] The product information display unit 24 is located above each product selection button 23, corresponding to each button, and is a device that displays the price, temperature settings, sales suspension, sold out status, etc. The functions of each product information display unit 24 may be consolidated into each product selection button 23.

[0036] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface that connects to the management server 31 on the cloud 30 using a communication method such as LTE (registered trademark), and also has the function of holding various information that has been processed through communication. In particular, when there is a product change, the communication unit 11 holds the product change information D12 distributed from the management server 31, compares the detection pair information of product selection button number and product code detected by the product change detection unit 26 with the instruction pair information of product selection button number and product code indicated by the product change information D12 notified to the vending machine 1, and if all the detection pair information and instruction pair information match, registers the product change information D12 as part of the vending machine configuration information D10 of the vending machine main control unit 60, and if they do not match, it processes a notification of the comparison result to the management server 31.

[0037] Furthermore, the communication unit 11 may also be equipped with short-range communication functions such as Wi-Fi® or Bluetooth®.

[0038] The main control unit 70 is connected to the cooling / heating device 71 and the dispensing device 72. The main control unit 70 controls the cooling / heating device 71 and the dispensing device 72 under the control of the vending machine main control unit 60.

[0039] The cooling / heating device 71 is for managing the product storage compartments within the main cabinet to a set state. The cooling / heating device 71 cools the inside of product storage compartments that are set to cool, while heating the inside of product storage compartments that are set to heat.

[0040] The unloading device 72 is for the bend solenoid provided for each rack and for managing the out-of-stock switch. The main control unit 70 unloads products from the rack according to the unloading command transmitted from the main control unit 60 of the vending machine. Further, when all the products stored in the rack are unloaded, the unloading device 72 outputs an out-of-stock signal to the main control unit 70.

[0041] The main control unit 60 of the vending machine has a sales control unit 61, a management unit 62, and a storage unit 63. The sales control unit 61 performs operations such as dispensing the product selected by the product selection button 23 and settlement processing. Further, the main control unit 60 of the vending machine performs notifications and downloads of sales data, setting data, etc. with the management server 31 via the communication unit 11.

[0042] The management unit 62 manages the notifications and downloads of the above-mentioned sales data, setting data, etc. The storage unit 63 has vending machine configuration information D10. The vending machine configuration information D10 is the product configuration information D11 of the vending machine 1.

[0043] <Product replacement detection unit> FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the product replacement detection unit 26. As shown in FIG. 5, the product replacement detection unit 26 includes a switch SW and an imaging camera 28 as an imaging unit, and the switch SW and the imaging camera 28 are connected to the product replacement detection unit 26.

[0044] The switch SW is a switch that detects that a product sample DM arranged between the lighting board 114 and the middle door 1c is attached to the stage 115, and is attached to the side surface of the insertion portion 115a of the stage 115. Further, the imaging camera 28 images a product code information portion D20 indicating the product code affixed or printed on the attached product sample DM. The product code information portion D20 is, for example, graphical information such as a QR code (registered trademark). The product sample DM is, for example, semi-cylindrical, and the product code information portion D20 is arranged on the back surface of the product sample DM. For this reason, the imaging camera 28 is arranged at a position where it can image the product code information portion D20.

[0045] When the merchandise replacement detection unit 26 detects the insertion of the switch SW into the insertion part 115a of the merchandise sample DM and turns on, it activates the imaging camera 28 to image the merchandise code information part D20 and acquires an imaging image. The merchandise replacement detection unit 26 acquires detection target information of the merchandise selection button number corresponding to the turned-on switch SW and the merchandise code read from the imaging image, and sequentially transmits it to the communication unit 11.

[0046] The communication unit 11 collates the received detection target information with the instruction target information of the merchandise selection button number and merchandise code indicated by the merchandise replacement information D12. When all the detection target information and the instruction target information match, it registers the merchandise replacement information D12 as a part of the vending machine configuration information D10 of the vending machine main control unit 60. When they do not match, it notifies the management server 31 of the collation result. Also, when the detection target information and the instruction target information do not match, the communication unit 11, via the vending machine main control unit 60, causes the non-matching merchandise selection button 23 to light up red or the like to display that they do not match and inform the route man 100 of the non-match. Note that when the detection target information and the instruction target information do not match, the communication unit 11 notifies the management server 31, and the management server 31 notifies the mobile terminal 10 and / or the terminal device 50 of the route man 100 of the non-match between the detection target information and the instruction target information.

[0047] <Merchandise Replacement Registration Process> FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the merchandise replacement registration process procedure by the vending machine 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication unit 11 of the vending machine 1 receives (step S101) and holds the merchandise replacement information D12 distributed from the management server 31.

[0048] After that, for each merchandise sample replacement operation by the route man 100, the merchandise replacement detection unit 26 sequentially acquires detection target information and transmits it to the communication unit 11 (step S102). After that, the communication unit 11 collates the detection target information with the instruction target information (step S103). Then, the communication unit 11 determines whether all the detection target information and the instruction target information match (step S104).

[0049] If all the detection information and instruction information match (step S104: Yes), the communication unit 11 registers the product replacement information D12 as part of the vending machine configuration information D10 of the vending machine main control unit 60 (step S105), and terminates this process.

[0050] On the other hand, if all the detection information and instruction information do not match (step S104: No), that is, if at least one piece of detection information does not match the instruction information, the communication unit 11 notifies the management server 31 of the mismatch information and, via the vending machine main control unit 60, causes the mismatched product selection button 23 to display a message indicating this (step S106), and terminates this process.

[0051] Furthermore, the communication unit 11 may query the product column number for the detected matched information, and inquire with the vending machine main control unit 60 not only for the product code and product selection button number, but also for the corresponding product column number, to confirm whether all of these match the product replacement information D12. In addition, it may also check for matches with other product replacement information D12, such as temperature settings and product prices.

[0052] Furthermore, if a single product selection button number corresponds to multiple product column numbers, the communication unit 11 will indicate a mismatch if the detection information for all of the multiple product column numbers does not match, and will display a message indicating the mismatch for the unmatched product selection button 23.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, all detection pair information was detected and it was determined whether all detection pair information matched the instruction pair information. However, it is also possible to determine whether or not they match each time detection pair information is detected.

[0054] <Handling of notifications regarding product replacement discrepancies> FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for a product replacement mismatch notification by the management server 31. As shown in FIG. 7, first, the management server 31 determines whether there is a mismatch notification from the vending machine 1 (step S201). If there is no mismatch notification (step S201: No), this process ends as it is.

[0055] If there is a mismatch notification (step S201: Yes), the management server 31 notifies the mobile terminal 10 and / or the terminal device 50 of the mismatch information (step S202). After that, the management server 31 determines whether there is a mismatch correction completion notification from the mobile terminal 10 or the terminal device 50 (step S203).

[0056] If the management server 31 receives a mismatch correction completion notification (step S203: Yes), this process ends as it is. If there is no mismatch correction completion notification (step S203: No), the management server 31 creates an access plan for correcting the mismatch, notifies the mobile terminal 10 and / or the terminal device 50 of this access plan (step S204), and ends this process. Note that this process is repeated at regular intervals.

[0057] <Modification Example 1> FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining Modification Example 1 of the product replacement detection unit 26. In this Modification Example 1, as the product code information section, a cut indicating the product code is provided on the product sample DM. Although the product code is a 14 - digit integer, as shown in FIG. 8, it is converted into a 47 - bit binary number, and the concavo - convex cuts corresponding to this binary number are formed on the product sample DM. The imaging camera 28 acquires the product code by detecting the concavo - convex of this cut.

[0058] <Modification Example 2> [[ID=Twenty]]FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining Modification Example 2 of the product replacement detection unit 26. In this Modification Example

[0059] The imaging cameras 91 and 92 take an overhead view of the illuminated panel 114 of the vending machine 1 and image multiple product code information units D21 and multiple product selection buttons 23. They acquire the contents and arrangement of each product code information unit D21 and the arrangement of each product selection button 23, and based on this arrangement information, they acquire the correspondence between the product code indicated by the product code information unit D21 and the product selection button number.

[0060] According to this embodiment and its modifications, the product replacement detection unit 26 only needs to detect the replacement of the product sample direct mail, and if the detected information and the indicated information match, the product replacement information is automatically registered. This eliminates the need for the route man 100 to register the product replacement information, prevents forgetting to register the product replacement information during product replacement work, and prevents discrepancies between the results of the route man's on-site product replacement work and the information registered in the vending machine.

[0061] Furthermore, if the detection information and the instruction information do not match, the communication unit 11 notifies the mobile terminal 10 or terminal device 50 of the mismatch and displays a message indicating that the mismatched product selection button is incorrect. This allows for quick recognition of errors in product replacement work and prevents discrepancies between the results of the route operator's on-site product replacement work and the information registered in the vending machine.

[0062] Furthermore, if a discrepancy between the route driver's on-site product replacement work and the information registered in the vending machine is not corrected, the management server 31 creates a visit plan to correct it and notifies the mobile terminal 10 or terminal device 50, thus ensuring that the discrepancy is corrected.

[0063] Furthermore, even when registering product replacement information using the remote control 75 instead of the buttons on the communication unit 11, it is not necessary to perform the registration work by applying this embodiment and its modified form.

[0064] Furthermore, the configurations illustrated in the embodiments and modifications described above are functional schematics and do not necessarily have to be physically represented as shown. In other words, the forms of distribution and integration of each device and component are not limited to those shown, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various usage situations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1,2 Vending machines 1a Main Cabinet 1b Outer door 1c Middle door 10 Mobile devices 11,12 Communication Unit 20 Delivery vehicle 23 Product Selection Button 24 Product information display section 25 Display section 26. Product replacement detection unit 28,91,92 Imaging Camera 30 Cloud 31 Management Server 32 Sales Calculation Department 33 Visit Planning Department 34,62 Management Department 36 Database Department 40 bogies 50 Terminal devices 60 Vending machine main control unit 61 Sales Control Unit 63 Memory section 70 Main Unit Control 71 Cooling equipment 72 Unloading device 73 Coin Mechanisms 74 Bill Validator 75 Remote control 76 Electronic Money Reader / Writer 81 Coin slot 82 Return lever 83 Banknote slot 84 Outlet 90 Eaves 100 Route Man 101 Food storage 111 Pop-up handle 112 Exhibition room 114 Lighting board 115 stages 115a Insertion part 200 Route Manager D1 Vending Machine Data D2 Sales Data D3 Vending Machine Inventory Data D4 Visit Plan D10 Vending Machine Configuration Information D11 Product composition information D12 Product Replacement Information D20, D21 Product Code Information Section DM product sample LO, LP1, LP2 Installation Location PP1, PP2 Parking R Visiting Route SW Switch

Claims

1. A vending machine system comprising multiple vending machines, a mobile terminal for visiting workers who perform tasks such as replenishing products in each vending machine according to a predetermined visiting route, and a management server connected to a terminal device for an administrator who manages the said tasks, The management server notifies the mobile terminal and the vending machine of product replacement information. The vending machine system is characterized by having a product replacement detection unit that detects detection pair information of product selection button numbers and product codes corresponding to product samples that have been replaced based on the product replacement information, and comparing the detection pair information with instruction pair information of product selection button numbers and product codes indicated by the product replacement information notified to the vending machine, and registering the product replacement information in the vending machine if all of the detection pair information and the instruction pair information match, and notifying the management server of the comparison result if they do not match.

2. The vending machine system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the management server receives notification that the detection information and the instruction information do not match, it notifies the mobile terminal and / or terminal device of that fact and the details of the mismatch.

3. The vending machine system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, if the detection pair information and the instruction pair information do not match, the vending machine displays a message indicating this on the product selection button corresponding to the mismatched product selection button number.

4. The vending machine system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when the management server receives notification from the vending machine that the detection information and the instruction information do not match, and does not receive notification from the mobile terminal and / or terminal device that the mismatch between the detection information and the instruction information has been corrected, it then creates a visit route to correct the mismatch between the detection information and the instruction information and notifies the mobile terminal.

5. The aforementioned product sample is equipped with a product code information section that indicates the product code of the product sample. The vending machine system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the product replacement detection unit comprises a switch for detecting the installation of the product sample and an imaging unit for imaging the product code information unit, and when the switch is turned on, it acquires the product selection button number corresponding to the switch, and the imaging unit images the product code information unit and acquires detection pair information between the product selection button number and the product code.

Images