JP2004355395A - Device, system and method for providing merchandise - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To present information about merchandise to users when the merchandise is provided using a device such as a vending machine. <P>SOLUTION: A merchandise providing system 1 causes a vending machine 10 which sells merchandise with a noncontact IC chip 18 thereon to read identification information stored on the noncontact IC chip 18 of the next merchandise to be sold, as to the kind of merchandise selected by the user. Merchandise characteristic data obtained from a storage device 12 or a merchandise characteristic data server 20 are displayed on a display 14. A user of the vending machine 10 can check information about the quality of the merchandise which he/she is to purchase. That is, information about merchandise can be presented when the merchandise is provided using a device such as a vending machine. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a product providing apparatus, a product providing system, and a product providing method capable of presenting information on a product to be provided to a purchaser.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when purchasing a product using a vending machine or the like, a model or the like of the product displayed in a display room is referred to.
On the other hand, in recent years, interest in the components of commodities has increased, and consumers who purchase components after confirming the components of commodities in advance have also increased. For example, in the case of soft drinks, many consumers purchase components after confirming components such as calories, sugars, and additives.
[0003]
However, in a vending machine, it is not possible to confirm the components of the product until the product is purchased, so that there is a problem that the product must be purchased without confirming the components.
Here, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-76531 discloses a technology capable of informing consumers of the characteristics of a product sold in a vending machine.
[0004]
According to the technology described in this publication, by operating a feature button representing a feature of a product, a product selection button of a product having a feature corresponding to the feature button flashes together with the feature button, and the vending machine The user can easily select a product corresponding to a desired feature.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-76531 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the technology described in this publication, although it is possible to determine a product corresponding to a feature classified in advance, the component itself of the product cannot be confirmed.
In addition, regarding the operation of classifying products according to their characteristics, the vending machine administrator manually sets the vending machine (association of the feature button and the product selection button) with reference to the components of the product. Had to do.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to make it possible to present information on a product to a user when the product is provided by a device such as a vending machine.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides
A product providing device (for example, a vending machine or a prize is provided) for providing a product to which identification information (for example, information for identifying the type of product or information for identifying each product) is attached. Storage means (for example, the storage device 12 in FIG. 2 or the storage device 12 in FIG. 2) which stores product information (for example, “product characteristic data” in the embodiment of the present invention) which is information related to the product. A storage device 112 in FIG. 9 and information acquisition means (for example, the control unit 11 in FIG. 2 and the contactless IC The reader 16 or the control unit 111 of FIG. 9 and the non-contact IC reader 116) and a display unit (for example, the display 1 of FIG. 2) for displaying the product information acquired by the information acquisition unit. Or it is characterized in that it comprises a display 114) and FIG.
Further, the apparatus further includes an input unit (for example, the operation panel 15 in FIG. 2 or the operation panel 115 in FIG. 9) for inputting an instruction to display the product information. The product information is displayed on a display means.
[0009]
Further, the product information includes at least one of information on the quality of the product (for example, raw materials, expiration date, etc.) and a notice from the provider of the product to the purchaser (for example, a note on the product). It is characterized by:
Further, the product information is characterized in that it includes at least one of a shelf life of the product, a raw material, a production area, a manufacturing method, a seller, a nutritional component, a note, and campaign information.
A non-contact type IC chip (for example, the non-contact type IC chip 18 in FIG. 2 or the non-contact type IC chip 118 in FIG. 9) storing the identification information is attached to the product, It is characterized by including a reading device (for example, the non-contact IC reader 16 in FIG. 2 or the non-contact IC reader 116 in FIG. 9) capable of reading information stored in the non-contact IC chip.
Further, at least a part of the product information on the product is further stored in the non-contact type IC chip.
[0010]
Since the predetermined product information is attached to the product in this way, it is not necessary for the product providing device to store the product information. In particular, information unique to each product, such as the date of manufacture, is suitable to be attached to the product.
Further, a bar code (for example, a one-dimensional bar code or a two-dimensional bar code) representing the identification information is attached to the product, and the information acquisition unit reads the information represented by the bar code. It is characterized by having a device (for example, a barcode reader).
Further, the barcode is further characterized in that the barcode further represents at least a part (for example, manufacturing date) of the product information on the product.
In addition, the product is provided with a character or graphic (for example, a “label image” in the embodiment of the present invention) unique to the product, and the information acquisition unit is configured to read the character or graphic by a reading device ( For example, a scanner or the like is provided, and the read characters or figures are image-recognized (for example, a character image is converted to text data, a pattern image is subjected to pattern matching with predetermined identification data, etc.), and the identification information is used as the identification information. It is characterized by using.
In addition, the product is a product provided with the identification information on its container and provided for each container (for example, soft drinks in cans or plastic bottles), and when the product is provided, The information acquisition means reads the identification information, and the information display means displays the product information.
[0011]
Further, the product is a product in which the identification information is attached to a container thereof, and the contents of the container are provided (for example, soft drinks and the like which are provided by being poured into a paper cup), and the product is When installed for replenishment, the information acquisition means reads the identification information, and thereafter, when the contents of the container are sold, the information display means displays the product information. .
Also, the present invention
The product providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and a product information server storing the product information (for example, the product characteristic data server 20 in FIG. 1 or the product characteristic data server 120 in FIG. 8). A product providing system configured to be communicable via a network (for example, the base station 30 and the local network 40 and the Internet 50 in FIG. 1 or the base station 130 and the local network 140 and the Internet 150 in FIG. 8), When the product information corresponding to the identification information is not stored in the storage unit, the information acquisition unit is downloadable from the product information server.
Further, the network is configured to include a wireless communication network (for example, a mobile phone network or the like), and the product providing device has a communication function as a terminal device of the wireless communication network.
Also, the present invention
A product providing method for providing a product by a product providing device, the method comprising: identifying a product to be provided; and displaying product information that is information related to the product when the product is provided. Characteristic product provision method.
According to the present invention, a product providing apparatus that provides a product to which identification information is attached reads the identification information attached to a product to be sold. Then, the product information acquired from the storage means or the product information server is displayed on the display means.
[0012]
Therefore, the user who receives the provision of the product can confirm information related to the product to be provided in advance.
That is, according to the present invention, when a product such as a vending machine is provided with a product, information on the product can be presented to a user.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a product providing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First Embodiment)
The product providing system according to the present embodiment is a system for selling, by a vending machine, a product that can be attached with a non-contact type IC chip to each product to be sold, such as canned juice. It is a system that can provide information on products to users at the time of sale.
[0014]
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a product providing system 1 according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
In FIG. 1, the product providing system 1 includes a vending machine 10, a product characteristic data server 20, a base station 30, a local network 40, and the Internet 50.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the vending machine 10.
2, the vending machine 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage device 12, a wireless transceiver 13, a display 14, an operation panel 15, a non-contact IC reader 16, a product 17, a non-contact type An IC chip 18 is included.
The control unit 11 further includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire vending machine 10 and a memory that temporarily stores various data related to the operation of the CPU.
[0016]
The CPU executes various processes performed by the vending machine 10. For example, the CPU stores the information in the non-contact type IC chip 18 based on an instruction signal input from the operation panel 15 when a user purchases a product. The obtained product information is read by the non-contact type IC reader 16, collated with the product characteristic data stored in the storage device 12, or the product characteristic data is downloaded from the product characteristic data server 20.
Further, the CPU displays the product characteristic data on the display 14 and, when a product to be sold is selected by the operation panel 15, discharges the product from a product outlet (not shown).
[0017]
The memory is configured by a semiconductor memory such as an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), and temporarily stores data generated when the CPU performs processing, instructions executed by the CPU, and the like.
The storage device 12 includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash ROM or a storage device such as a hard disk drive, and stores various programs executed by the CPU of the control unit 11 and product characteristic data corresponding to a predetermined product. .
[0018]
Further, the storage device 12 stores the product property data downloaded from the product property data server 20 in association with the product identification information.
Here, the product characteristic data will be described in detail.
The merchandise characteristic data is information related to the quality of the merchandise provided by the vending machine 10, and is various information useful to a user of the vending machine 10.
[0019]
Specifically, it is possible to include the expiration date of beverages, raw materials, production areas, manufacturing methods, sellers, nutritional components (contents of energy, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, sodium or saccharides, etc.), notes, etc. is there.
In addition to the information other than the information related to the quality of the product, it is also possible to include unique information related to the product (for example, campaign information for the product) in the product characteristic data.
[0020]
Further, in addition to the case where all of this information is used as the product characteristic data, a part of the information may be used as the product characteristic data.
Returning to FIG. 2, the wireless transceiver 13 has a communication function for performing wireless communication with the base station 30, and specifically, performs communication using a mobile phone system. The communication performed by the wireless transceiver 13 may use another communication system such as a PHS (Personal Handyphone System).
[0021]
The display 14 displays the product characteristic data of a predetermined product based on an instruction from the CPU of the control unit 11 when an instruction to display the product characteristic data is input from the operation panel 15. In addition, the display 14 provides guidance to the user about purchasing a product and displaying product characteristic data based on an instruction from the CPU.
[0022]
The operation panel 15 includes a plurality of selection buttons corresponding to the types of products sold in the vending machine 10, and also includes a switching button for switching a screen displayed on the display 14. Then, when each button is pressed, the operation panel 15 outputs a press signal to the control unit 11.
When a predetermined amount of money is inserted into the vending machine 10, in response to the selection button being pressed for a short time (for example, less than one second) on the operation panel 15, a product of the type corresponding to the selection button ( More specifically, among the products of that type, the product characteristic data of the product in the order to be sold next) is displayed, and in response to the selection button being pressed for a long time (for example, one second or more), A product of the type corresponding to the selection button is sold. When the selection button is pressed again while the product characteristic data is displayed, the product is sold.
[0023]
The non-contact type IC reader 16 can read information stored in the non-contact type IC chip 18 by short-range wireless communication, and outputs the read information to the control unit 11.
Further, the non-contact type IC reader 16 is attached to the next type of product sold in the vending machine 10 (hereinafter, referred to as “next sales product”). It is set at a place where only the read information of the non-contact type IC chip 18 is read.
[0024]
Specifically, the vending machine 10 includes a plurality of racks for storing products for each type. Further, the vending machine 10 has a structure in which products of each type are stacked in the order of supply and stored in a rack, and the product stored at the bottom of the rack is a product to be sold next time. The non-contact type IC readers 16 are installed one by one in each rack at a predetermined position of a distance that allows wireless communication with only the non-contact type IC chip 18 attached to the product stored at the bottom of the rack. ing.
[0025]
Commodity 17 is soft drink in a can, bottle or plastic bottle. As the product 17, various products can be sold as long as they can be sold by the vending machine 10. In addition to soft drinks, for example, nutrient tonics, foods, pharmaceuticals, cigarettes, etc. Is available for sale.
The non-contact type IC chip 18 is an IC chip having a short-range wireless communication function with a communication distance of about several centimeters, and is attached to each product 17 one by one. The non-contact type IC chip 18 stores information (for example, an identification number) for identifying the product 17.
[0026]
Returning to FIG. 1, the product characteristic data server 20 is configured by an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a workstation, and stores product characteristic data for various products to be sold by the vending machine 10. ing. Then, when the transmission is requested from the vending machine 10, the product characteristic data server 20 transmits the product characteristic data relating to a predetermined product via the local network 40 and the Internet 50.
[0027]
The base station 30 is a facility for performing wireless communication with a terminal device in the mobile phone system, and performs wireless communication with the wireless transceiver 13 of the vending machine 10.
The local network 40 is a dedicated network for the mobile phone system, and is connected to the base station 30 and the Internet 50.
The Internet 50 is a network composed of a plurality of public networks and dedicated networks, and is connected to the product characteristic data server 20 and the local network 40.
[0028]
In addition, regarding the function of the vending machine 10 communicating via the local network 40 and the Internet 50, the vending machine 10 has a monitoring system (a system for monitoring the operating state of the vending machine 10) and a sales management system (automatic vending). If it is incorporated in another system such as a system for managing the sales state of the product in the machine 10, it can be shared with the communication function in those other systems.
[0029]
Further, the communication method is not limited to wireless communication, but may be wired communication.
Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process in the merchandise providing system 1 from when the price is input to the vending machine 10 until the merchandise is sold.
[0030]
In FIG. 3, when detecting that the price has been inserted from the coin or bill insertion slot of the vending machine 10 (step S <b> 1), the control unit 11 of the vending machine 10 determines whether the user views the product characteristic data. The operation method is displayed on the display 14 for each of the cases where the product is purchased immediately (step S2).
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen in step S2. In FIG. 4, an instruction when the user browses the product characteristic data (“Press the button of the product for which information is desired”) and an instruction when the user purchases the product immediately (“Purchase without viewing the information” If you want to keep pressing the product button ") is displayed.
[0031]
Then, the control unit 11 performs either an operation for browsing the product characteristic data (for example, an operation of pressing the selection button for a short time) or an operation for immediately purchasing the product (operation for pressing the selection button for a long time). A determination is made as to whether or not (step S3).
If it is determined in step S3 that an operation for immediately purchasing a product has been performed, the control unit 11 proceeds to the process of step S12.
[0032]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the operation for browsing the product characteristic data has been performed, the control unit 11 attaches the product to the next sale product in the rack storing the product of the type selected as the browsing target. The identification information of the contactless IC chip 18 is read by the contactless IC reader 16 (step S4).
Then, the control unit 11 searches the information stored in the storage device 12 for corresponding product characteristic data based on the read identification information (Step S5).
[0033]
Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the corresponding product characteristic data is detected in the storage device 12 (step S6). If it is determined that the corresponding product characteristic data is detected, the process proceeds to step S9. Transition.
On the other hand, when it is determined in the storage device 12 that the corresponding product characteristic data is not detected, the control unit 11 transmits the product identification information to the product characteristic data server 20 via the wireless transceiver 13 by Then, necessary product characteristic data is downloaded (step S7).
[0034]
Then, the control unit 11 additionally stores the downloaded product characteristic data in the storage device 12 in association with the product identification information (step S8), and reads out the stored product characteristic data (step S9).
Next, the control unit 11 displays the product characteristic data corresponding to the selected next sale product on the display 14 (Step S10). At this time, when the product characteristic data covers a plurality of screens, the control unit 11 performs a process of switching the screen of the display 14 in response to the pressing of the switch button.
[0035]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the product characteristic data relating to the selected next sale product, and shows a case where the display covers a plurality of screens. In FIG. 5, PET bottle tea (product name “XXXXXX tea”) is selected as the next sale product.
Also, in FIG. 5A, “product name”, “contents”, “form” of product, “expiration date”, “raw material name”, and “seller” are displayed. Indicates “energy”, “protein”, “lipid”, “carbohydrate”, “sodium”, and “sugar” as “nutrition ingredient indication (per 100 ml)”.
[0036]
Further, in FIG. 5C, “energy”, “protein”, “lipid”, “carbohydrate”, “sodium”, and “sugar” are displayed as “nutrition ingredient label (per bottle)”. In 5 (d), campaign information (campaign period, campaign content, application destination, etc.) for the product is displayed.
The display screens of FIGS. 5A to 5D are sequentially switched by a switching button on the operation panel 15.
[0037]
Returning to FIG. 3, the control unit 11 has instructed the sale of the next sale product on which the product characteristic data is displayed (whether the selection button corresponding to the product on which the product characteristic data is displayed is pressed again), or For other types of products, it is determined whether browsing of the product characteristic data has been instructed (whether a selection button corresponding to a product other than the product whose characteristic data is displayed is newly pressed) ( Step S11).
[0038]
If it is determined in step S11 that the sale of the next sale product on which the product characteristic data is displayed has been instructed, the control unit 11 performs a process of selling the next sale product and discharges the product from the product outlet (step S12). ).
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that browsing of product characteristic data has been instructed for another type of product, the control unit 11 proceeds to the process of step S4.
[0039]
After step S12, control unit 11 ends the process.
As described above, in the merchandise providing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the vending machine 10 that sells the merchandise to which the non-contact type IC chip 18 is attached is used for the merchandise of the type selected by the user. The identification information stored in the non-contact type IC chip 18 is sold. Then, the product characteristic data acquired from the storage device 12 or the product characteristic data server 20 is displayed on the display 14.
[0040]
Therefore, the user of the vending machine 10 can confirm in advance information on the quality of the product that he or she wants to purchase.
Further, at this time, when the selection button is pressed, the identification information stored in the non-contact IC chip 18 of the product to be sold next time is read for the corresponding type of product.
Therefore, in the vending machine 10, even if another type of product is mixed in the rack in which the predetermined type of stock product is stored, the next time the user tries to purchase the product, Since the type of the product to be discharged can be recognized, it is possible to prevent the user from purchasing an unwanted product.
[0041]
In the present embodiment, it has been described that only the information for identifying the product is stored in the non-contact IC chip 18, and the product characteristic data is obtained from the storage device 12 or the product characteristic data server 20. However, it is also possible to store part or all of the product characteristic data in the non-contact type IC chip 18.
For example, in the case where information specific to each product, such as the expiration date, is to be displayed, the information is stored in the non-contact type IC chip 18 so that the opportunity to access the product characteristic data server 20 is reduced. be able to.
[0042]
Further, in the present embodiment, an example of a display screen in the case of selling soft drinks (such as tea in a plastic bottle) in the vending machine 10 has been described, but the display screen has display contents corresponding to the product to be sold. It becomes.
For example, when a medicine is sold in the vending machine 10, the display screen example is as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, “caution” displays information on the number of times of taking, taking time, precautions after taking, prohibited items, and the like. Note that, even when the medicine is sold in the vending machine 10, the display screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed in addition to the display of the components of the medicine.
[0043]
When food is sold in the vending machine 10, a display screen example as shown in FIG. 7 is obtained. In FIG. 7, "product name", "raw materials", "expiration date", and "production date" are displayed for the product "jam bread".
(Second embodiment)
The merchandise providing system according to the present embodiment uses a vending machine to provide merchandise in which a non-contact IC chip cannot be attached to each merchandise, such as a beverage poured into a paper cup. Is a system that can provide information on products to users at the time of sale.
[0044]
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of the product providing system 2 according to the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
In FIG. 8, the product providing system 2 includes a vending machine 110, a product characteristic data server 120, a base station 130, a local network 140, and the Internet 150. In FIG. 8, each unit other than the vending machine 110 is the same as the corresponding unit of the product providing system 1 shown in FIG. 1, and thus the description is omitted, and only the vending machine 110 is described.
[0045]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the vending machine 110.
9, a vending machine 110 includes a control unit 111, a storage device 112, a wireless transceiver 113, a display 114, an operation panel 115, a non-contact type IC reader 116, a product 117, a non-contact type An IC chip 118 is included.
[0046]
In FIG. 9, portions other than the control unit 111 and the product 117 are the same as the corresponding portions of the vending machine 10 shown in FIG. 2, and thus description thereof will be omitted, and only the control unit 111 and the product 117 will be described.
The control unit 111 further includes a CPU that controls the entire vending machine 110 and a memory that temporarily stores various data related to the operation of the CPU.
[0047]
The CPU executes various kinds of processing performed by the vending machine 110. For example, when the product 117 is set in the vending machine 110, the product information stored in the non-contact IC chip 118 is converted to a non-contact type. The data is read by the IC reader 116 and collated with the product characteristic data stored in the storage device 112, or the product characteristic data is downloaded from the product characteristic data server 120.
In addition, the CPU displays the product characteristic data on the display 114, and discharges the product from a product outlet (not shown) when a product to be sold is selected by the operation panel 115.
[0048]
The memory is composed of a semiconductor memory such as an SDRAM, and temporarily stores data generated when the CPU performs processing, instructions executed by the CPU, and the like.
The product 117 is a soft drink that is poured from a tank provided with the non-contact type IC chip 118 into a container such as a paper cup every time it is sold. As the product 117, various products can be sold as long as they can be sold by the vending machine 110.
[0049]
Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process from when the product 117 is set to the vending machine 110 until the product is sold in the product providing system 2.
In FIG. 10, when a product 117 (a tank provided with a non-contact IC chip 118) is set in the vending machine 110 (step S <b> 101), the control unit 111 of the vending machine 110 attaches the product 117 to the tank. The identification information of the non-contact type IC chip 118 is read by the non-contact type IC reader 116 (step S102).
[0050]
Then, the control unit 111 searches the information stored in the storage device 112 for the corresponding product characteristic data based on the read identification information (step S103).
Next, the control unit 111 determines whether or not the corresponding product characteristic data is detected in the storage device 112 (step S104). If it is determined that the corresponding product characteristic data is detected, the process proceeds to step S107. Transition.
[0051]
On the other hand, when it is determined in the storage device 112 that the corresponding product characteristic data has not been detected, the control unit 111 transmits the product identification information to the product characteristic data server 120 via the wireless transmitter / receiver 113. Then, necessary product characteristic data is downloaded (step S105).
Then, the control unit 111 additionally stores the downloaded product characteristic data in the storage device 112 in association with the product identification information (step S106).
[0052]
Next, the control unit 111 determines whether or not money has been inserted from the coin or bill insertion slot of the vending machine 10 (step S107). If it is determined that no money has been inserted, the control unit 111 proceeds to step S107. Repeat the process.
On the other hand, when determining that the price has been inserted, the control unit 111 displays the operation method on the display 114 for each of the case where the user browses the product characteristic data and the case where the user purchases the product immediately (step S108).
[0053]
Then, the control unit 111 performs either an operation for browsing the product characteristic data (for example, an operation of pressing the selection button for a short time) or an operation for immediately purchasing the product (operation for pressing the selection button for a long time). A determination is made as to whether or not (step S109).
If it is determined in step S109 that an operation for immediately purchasing a product has been performed, the control unit 11 proceeds to the process in step S114.
[0054]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S109 that an operation for browsing the product characteristic data has been performed, the control unit 111 replaces the identification information of the non-contact type IC chip 118 attached to the tank of the selected product with the non- Reading is performed by the contact type IC reader 116 (step S110).
Then, the control unit 111 reads out the corresponding product characteristic data from the storage device 112 based on the read identification information (step S111).
[0055]
Next, the control unit 111 displays the product characteristic data of the selected product on the display 114 (Step S112). At this time, when the product characteristic data covers a plurality of screens, the control unit 111 performs a process of switching the screen of the display 114 in response to the pressing of the switch button.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the product characteristic data on the selected product. In FIG. 11, coffee is selected as a product, and “mocha” of coffee beans, its “blend ratio”, “roast”, “grind”, and “origin” are used as “article name” and “raw material 1” of coffee. Country "is displayed. Also, as “raw material 2”, “Colombia” of coffee beans, its “blend ratio”, “roast”, “grind”, and “country of origin” are displayed.
[0056]
Subsequently, the control unit 111 determines whether sale of the product displaying the product characteristic data is instructed (whether the selection button corresponding to the product displaying the product characteristic data is pressed again), or another product. Is determined (step S113) as to whether browsing of the product characteristic data has been instructed (whether a selection button corresponding to a product other than the product for which the product characteristic data is displayed is newly pressed).
[0057]
If it is determined in step S113 that the sale of the product for which the product characteristic data is displayed has been instructed, the control unit 111 performs a process of selling the product and discharges the product from the product outlet (step S114).
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S113 that browsing of product characteristic data has been instructed for another product, the control unit 111 proceeds to the process of step S110.
[0058]
After step S114, control unit 111 ends the process.
As described above, in the product providing system 2 according to the present embodiment, when the vending machine 110 that sells the product with the non-contact type IC chip 118 is set in the non-contact The identification information stored in the type IC chip 118 is read. Then, for the product of the type selected by the user, the product characteristic data acquired from the storage device 112 or the product characteristic data server 120 is displayed on the display 114.
[0059]
Therefore, the user of the vending machine 110 can check in advance the information on the quality of the product that he or she wants to purchase.
In the vending machine 110, when the product tank is set, the identification information stored in the non-contact type IC chip 118 of the product is read, and if necessary, the product characteristic data is stored in the product characteristic data server. 120 and downloaded.
[0060]
Therefore, in the vending machine 110, once the product is set, it is not necessary to newly download the product characteristic data until the tank is replaced. Therefore, when the display of the product characteristic data is instructed by the user, It is possible to always display quickly.
In the first and second embodiments, the case where the identification information of the product is stored in the non-contact type IC chip and the identification information is read by the non-contact type IC reader has been described as an example. In order to read information for identifying a product, various modes can be adopted. Hereinafter, examples that can be adopted will be described.
[0061]
First, it is possible to attach a bar code to a product instead of a non-contact IC chip, and to read the identification information of the product represented by the bar code by a bar code reader instead of the non-contact IC reader. Here, the barcode may be either a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode.
Second, a label image can be read by a scanner instead of a non-contact type IC reader by using a predetermined image (hereinafter, referred to as a “label image”) represented on the appearance of a product as identification information. is there. Specifically, the product can be identified by reading the product name or mark shown on the appearance of the product with a scanner and recognizing the read information as an image.
[0062]
Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the merchandise is sold by the vending machines 10 and 110 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the case where the merchandise is sold and any of the available merchandise. The present invention is generally applicable to an apparatus (product providing apparatus) that provides the user with the information.
Examples of the merchandise providing device include, in addition to the vending machine described above, a game machine that provides a predetermined prize according to a result of a game.
[0063]
In the first embodiment, when reading a barcode or a label image, it is necessary that the barcode or the label image to be read and a reading portion of the barcode reader or the scanner have a certain positional relationship.
That is, depending on the direction of the product in the rack, the reading target may not be detected from the barcode or the reading portion of the scanner.
[0064]
Therefore, in order to reliably read the object to be read with a barcode reader or scanner regardless of the direction of the product, barcode readers or scanners are provided before and after the product stored in the rack, and the entire front and rear surfaces of the product (for example, a circle) The entire side surface of the columnar can) can be read.
Alternatively, a mechanism may be provided for rotating the product once in front of the bar code reader or the reading portion of the scanner, and the entire front and rear surfaces of the product may be reliably read.
[0065]
Further, a mirror may be installed on the opposite side of the position where the barcode reader or the scanner is installed across the storage position of the product so that the backside of the product can be recognized from the barcode reader or the scanner. In this case, since the reading target reflected on the mirror is an image whose right and left are reversed, recognition is performed after the left and right are reversed by image processing.
Further, in the first embodiment, since the vending machine 10 can identify the product, when supplying the product, different types of products can be supplied without distributing the product from the rack entrance corresponding to the product as in the related art. It is also possible to supply products from one entrance in a lump, sort the products on the vending machine 10 side, and store them in a predetermined rack.
[0066]
By the way, the present invention is not limited to displaying information on tangible goods (product characteristic data), but also providing intangibles or providing services, such as downloading data for a fee. This is applicable when displaying information about a provision target.
For example, in an information terminal installed in a convenience store, in the case of a sales form in which music software can be downloaded for a fee, the present invention is also applicable to displaying information on available music software.
[0067]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen when music software is sold. In FIG. 12, "artist", "title", and "song" are displayed.
When a number corresponding to a song number is input in the state of the display screen in FIG. 12, the song may be previewed by streaming playback or playback of a CD (Compact Disk) installed in advance. In addition, it is also possible to display information such as other albums related to the artist and concert information.
[0068]
These functions (the function of listening to songs, the function of displaying album information or concert information, etc.) are also applicable when a non-contact type IC chip is attached to a CD as a product and sold by a vending machine. It is possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a product providing system 1 according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the vending machine 10;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process in the product providing system 1 from when a price is input to the vending machine 10 until the product is sold.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in step S2 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of product characteristic data on a selected next sale product.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a medicine is sold in the vending machine 10.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when food is sold in the vending machine 10;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a product providing system 2 according to a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the vending machine 110.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process from setting of a product 117 to a vending machine 110 to sale in the product providing system 2;
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of product characteristic data relating to a selected product.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when music software is sold.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 2 product supply system, 10, 110 vending machine, 11, 111 control unit, 12, 112 storage device, 13, 113 wireless transceiver, 14, 114 display, 15, 115 operation panel, 16, 116 non-contact type IC reader, 17,117 Commodity, 18,118 Non-contact IC chip, 20,120 Commodity characteristic data server, 30,130 Base station, 40,140 Local network, 50,150 Internet

Claims (14)

A product providing device for providing a product having identification information attached thereto,
Storage means for storing product information that is information related to the product,
Information acquisition means for acquiring, from the storage means, product information on the product based on the identification information attached to the product,
Display means for displaying the product information acquired by the information acquisition means,
A product providing device comprising: 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an input unit for inputting an instruction to display the product information, wherein the display unit displays the product information in response to the input of the instruction. Product providing device. The product providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the product information includes at least one of information on a quality of the product and a notification from a provider of the product to a purchaser. The product information according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the product information includes at least one of a best-before date of the product, a raw material, a production area, a manufacturing method, a seller, a nutritional component, a notice, and campaign information. Product supply device. A non-contact type IC chip storing the identification information is attached to the product,
The product providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information acquisition unit includes a reading device capable of reading information stored in the non-contact type IC chip. The product providing device according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of the product information on the product is further stored in the non-contact IC chip. The product is provided with a barcode representing the identification information,
The product providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information obtaining unit includes a reading device that can read information represented by the barcode. The product providing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the barcode further represents at least a part of the product information on the product. The product has characters or graphics unique to the product,
4. The information acquisition unit according to claim 1, further comprising a reading device capable of reading the character or the figure, and recognizing the read character or the figure as an image to use the character or the figure as the identification information. Item providing device according to. The product, the identification information is attached to the container, is a product provided for each container,
The product providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the product is provided, the information acquisition unit reads the identification information, and the information display unit displays the product information. . The product is a product in which the container is provided with the identification information, and the contents of the container are provided,
When the product is installed for replenishment, the information acquisition means reads the identification information, and thereafter, when the contents of the container are sold, the information display means displays the product information. The product providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: A product providing system, wherein the product providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a product information server storing the product information are configured to be communicable via a network,
The product providing system, wherein the information acquisition unit is downloadable from the product information server when product information corresponding to the identification information is not stored in the storage unit. 13. The product providing system according to claim 12, wherein the network includes a wireless communication network, and the product providing device has a communication function as a terminal device of the wireless communication network. A product providing method for providing a product by a product providing device,
A product providing method comprising: identifying a product to be provided; and displaying, when the product is provided, product information that is information related to the product.

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