JP2000172915A - vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a vending machine that flexibly and automatically changes a selling price according to the current state of a product having a best-before date or according to a wish / strategy of a seller. SOLUTION: The expiration date detection unit 11 detects the expiration date of each product for sale using a barcode reader, an OCR or the like. The expiration date remaining number calculation unit 13 compares the expiration date data of the sold product detected by the expiration date detection unit 11 with the current date and time data clocked by the clock function unit 12, and calculates the expiration date of each product. The remaining days (expiration date−current date and time) are calculated. The sales price data storage unit 14 stores a table in which each remaining expiration date is associated with a selling price for each product, and the current sales of each product according to the remaining days before the expiration date are stored. A price is determined, and the product is sold at this selling price until the selling price is changed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vending machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In over-the-counter sales of supermarkets and the like, products whose sales expiration date (expiration date) has expired are of course not sold, and the expiration date is expired even within the expiration date. For example, discounted sales of products that are approaching will reduce the likelihood of unsold (discarded) products, and customers will be given the option to purchase products at a lower price, knowing that the expiration date is approaching. Service is known. Alternatively, there is also known a service such as so-called “time service sales” for selling a specific product at a specific time at a low price to attract a customer to the store and promote sales. As described above, it is known that in the over-the-counter sales, in consideration of various situations, a flexible service that is beneficial to both the store and the customer in total is provided.

[0003] On the other hand, there is no conventional vending machine that provides a flexible discount sales service according to such a condition of the expiration date or according to a wish / strategy of a seller. .

[0004] The object of the present invention is to respond to the current state of products with a limited shelf life, or to the seller's wishes / strategy, etc.
An object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine that automatically and flexibly changes a selling price.

[0005]

A first vending machine according to the present invention comprises a remaining expiration date calculating means for calculating the number of remaining days until the expiration date of each product, and a remaining expiration date calculating means. In accordance with the calculated number of days remaining until the expiration date of each product, a product price determining means for determining the current product price of each product, and changing the price display of each product according to the determination by the product price determining means And sales control means for selling at the changed commodity price.

According to the vending machine of the first embodiment,
By performing discount sales in accordance with the number of days left before the expiration date, consumers can be motivated to purchase, thereby promoting the sale of unsold products and preventing the expiration date. In other words, it is possible to provide a vending machine capable of performing flexible price-change sales that is beneficial to both the user and the merchandise seller according to the current state of the merchandise with the expiration date.

According to the second vending machine of the present invention, the sales price data storage means for storing the service date and time condition and the sales price in association with each product, and the storage contents of the sales price data storage means, When it is detected that the current date and time falls under any of the service date and time conditions, a product price determining means for obtaining a selling price corresponding to the service date and time condition, and a sales price obtained by the product price determining means are displayed. Sales control means for selling at the selling price.

[0008] According to the second vending machine, it is possible to freely sell a specific product at a specific time zone cheaply according to the wish / strategy of the seller, such as so-called "time service sales". Can be. This can be expected to attract customers to the vending machine to promote sales. Further, once a customer pays attention to the existence of such a vending machine, the advertising effect of the vending machine itself is also exerted, so that the number of purchasers can be expected to increase in the long term.

The first or second vending machine may further include communication control means for connecting the vending machines to a network so that the vending machines can communicate with a center device. The center device may set / change the setting contents of the commodity price according to the number of remaining days, or the setting contents of the service date and time and the selling price corresponding to the service date and time condition. When changing the settings of the discount sales price, it is not necessary to dispatch maintenance personnel to each vending machine.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, a vending machine according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the vending machine 10 of the first embodiment. Best before date detector 11
Detects the expiration date of the product for sale. This is detected, for example, by the method proposed in the earlier application (96P01828) by the applicant of the present invention. That is, for example, a barcode indicating the expiration date (expiration date) is printed or pasted on each product, and the barcode is read by a barcode reader. Alternatively, the production date printed / typed on the product by a number or the like is read and recognized by an OCR or the like, and the expiration date is calculated using the sales validity data of each product stored in advance (most recently, , Some products have an expiration date (expiration date) printed on them.
It is also possible to read and recognize the expiration date).

The clock function unit 12 measures the current date and time.
The expiration date remaining number calculation unit 13 is configured to calculate the expiration date detection unit 11.
Using the expiration date data of the product for sale detected in step (1) and the current date and time data measured by the clock function unit 12, the number of remaining days until the expiration date (expiration date-current date and time) of each product is calculated.

The sales price data storage unit 14 stores in advance a table in which each remaining expiration date is associated with a sales price for each product. FIG. 2 shows an example of this table. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table stored in the selling price data storage unit 14 in association with each remaining expiration date and selling price for a certain product.

The table 20 shown in FIG. 1 includes a field 21 for the number of days before the expiration date and a field 22 for the selling price. In the figure, the standard selling price of the above-mentioned product is 500
It is assumed to be a yen, and the number of days until the expiration date is 0 to 10 days. Of course, when the number of remaining days is 11 days or more, it is sold at the standard selling price (500 yen). In the example shown in the drawing, for example, when the remaining expiration date is 9 days or 10 days, the product is sold at the standard selling price (500 yen), and thereafter, the amount is reduced by 50 yen every day, and the renewal is performed. On the day of the expiration date (the number of days until the expiration date is 0), it will be sold at 50 yen.

FIG. 2 shows an example.
The association between the remaining expiration date and the selling price may be set as desired on the merchandise selling side. For example, it can be set freely, such as selling at a standard selling price (500 yen) until the remaining expiration date is 3 days and thereafter discounting 50 yen, 100 yen, 200 yen every day. it can.

If the product is not sold even after the expiration date of the expiration date has passed 0 days, the product is stopped selling. Alternatively, the merchandise may be transported to a storage unit (not shown) for storing expired merchandise by a method proposed in the above-mentioned prior application (96P01828).

The sales price search unit 15 uses the number of remaining days until the expiration date calculated by the remaining expiration date calculation unit 13 for the target product, and stores the target product stored in the sales price data storage unit 14 for the target product. Search the table for the current selling price.

The sales price display control unit 16 displays the current sales price of the target product obtained by the sales price search unit 15 on each display unit 18. The display unit 18 is, for example, a digital display that is arranged substantially directly below each product sample as shown in FIG. The sales price display control unit 16
The current selling price is displayed on the digital display at the position corresponding to the target product. The display 18 is not limited to a digital display. Anything that can be variably displayed at any time may be used.

The control unit 17 includes the expiration date detecting unit 11,
It controls the entire vending machine 10 including a clock function unit 12, a remaining expiration date calculation unit 13, a sales price data storage unit 14, a sales price search unit 15, a sales price display control unit 16, a display unit 18, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a selling price change process in the vending machine 10 having the above configuration. The process shown in the figure is started when the start condition of the selling price change process is satisfied. The start condition is, for example, when the selling price change process is performed at a predetermined cycle, when the time indicated by the predetermined cycle is reached.
Then, for example, all the products currently handled by the vending machine are set as target products, and the process shown in FIG. Further, each time a product is sold, the sales price change process may be performed with the product as a target product. This means that the number of remaining days until the expiration date differs between the sold product and the next product (the product loaded on the sold product in the product storage section (product column) of the product). (Usually the same or the next product is newer (more days remaining)).

In FIG. 3, when the above-mentioned start condition is satisfied, first, the expiration date detecting section 11 detects the expiration date of the target product (step S1). Next, the expiration date remaining number calculation unit 13 compares the expiration date with the current date and time to calculate the number of days remaining until the expiration date of the target product (step S2).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the number of remaining days is equal to or greater than 0 (step S3). If the number of remaining days is not 0 or more (step S3, NO), the target product is discontinued (step S4). (Or, as mentioned above,
(The sales may be continued by storing it in a predetermined storage unit.) If the number of remaining days is 0 or more (YES in step S3),
The sales price search unit 15 searches the target product table stored in the sales price data storage unit 14 using the number of remaining days calculated in step S2 to determine the current sales price of the target product. It is determined (step S5).

Then, the selling price display control section 16 displays the selling price on the display section 18 corresponding to the target product (step S6). Here, although not specifically shown,
The sales price obtained by the sales price search unit 15 is not used only for changing the display contents of the display unit 18. Naturally, the change in the selling price is also reflected in the sales processing. This is because, for example, if the sales price table of the product is referred to in the sales process, the content of the sales price table of the product whose display content is changed is also changed, so that the displayed price and the actual sales process are changed. Be consistent with the price.

According to the vending machine of the first embodiment described above, discount sales are performed in accordance with the number of days left before the expiration date to motivate consumers to purchase, thereby promoting sales of unsold products and the like. Expiration of the expiration date can be prevented. That is, a vending machine that can benefit both the user and the merchandise seller can be provided.

The display section 18 does not always display only the selling price. For example, the number of days remaining until the expiration date may be displayed together with the selling price. Thus, the user can determine whether to purchase the product in consideration of the selling price and the number of days remaining until the expiration date.

Next, a vending machine according to a second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment proposes a vending machine that performs a discount sales service on a service date and time (within a service period) arbitrarily set by a product sales side.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the vending machine 30 of the second embodiment. The clock function unit 31
Clock the current date and time. Furthermore, it has a calendar function so that the user can know the month, day, and day of the week.

The sales price data storage unit 32 stores a table in which service dates and times are associated with sales prices for each product. Here, the “service date and time” is arbitrarily set by the merchandise seller in order to sell a specific merchandise cheaply at a specific date and time / time zone, such as “time service sales” in store sales described above. Date / time zone. FIG. 5 shows an example of the above table.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a table stored in the selling price data storage unit 32 in association with service dates and times and selling prices for a certain product. The table 40 shown in FIG. 3 includes a service date field 41 and a sales price field 42. As shown in the figure,
The setting contents of the service date and time are various. For example, a specific day of the week, a specific day of the month, a combination of these with a specific time zone, or a regularly-visited date such as "5th every month" that is easy for the user to remember habitually is set. For example, the merchandise seller can freely perform various settings such as setting.
In addition, the selling prices set in accordance with each service date and time are various as shown in FIG. For these items, the merchandise seller may freely set the most appropriate setting considering the sales strategy and the like. Of course, these settings are
It can be changed later.

The discount sale deciding section 33 obtains the current date and time data from the clock function section 31 at regular time intervals, for example, and uses the data to store the data in the selling price data storage section 32 for all or target products. The stored table 40 is searched to determine whether any of the conditions of the service date and time 41 corresponds to the current date and time. If there is no corresponding item, the selling price of the product is set to the standard selling price (500 yen in the example of FIG. 5). If there is any, find the selling price corresponding to the applicable service date and time. For example, in the example of FIG. 5, when the current date and time is “September 30, 16:00”, “September 30, 16:00 to 17:00” in the service date and time field 41 is displayed.
Since it corresponds to "0", the corresponding selling price (discount price) = 50 yen is required.

The sales price display control unit 34 displays the sales price (discount price) of the target product obtained by the discount sales determination unit 33 on the display unit 36. The control unit 35 controls the entire vending machine 30 including the clock function unit 31, the sales price data storage unit 32, the discount sales determination unit 33, the sales price display control unit 34, the display unit 36, and the like.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a selling price determination process in the vending machine 30 having the above-described configuration. The process shown in the figure is performed, for example, at predetermined time intervals. For example, the process is sequentially performed on all products handled by the vending machine 30 or on products registered in advance as discount sales.

First, the discount sale determining unit 33 obtains current date and time data from the clock function unit 31 (step S11). Next, using the current date and time data, the table 40 stored in the selling price data storage unit 32 is searched for the target product (step S12). Then, it is determined whether or not any of the conditions of the service date and time 41 corresponds to the current date and time (step S13).

If there is no corresponding item (step S
13, NO), the selling price of the product is set to a standard selling price (such as a manufacturer's suggested retail price) (step S14). If there is a corresponding item (step S13, YES), the sales price (discount price) corresponding to the condition is set in the table 40.
(Step S15).

Then, the selling price display control unit 34
The sales price determined as described above is displayed on the display unit 36 (step S16). Of course, also in the case of the second embodiment, as described in the first embodiment,
Make sure that the displayed price matches the actual sales processing price.

According to the above-described vending machine of the second embodiment, by selling a specific product at a specific time at a low price, as in so-called "time service sales", the customer can be sent to the vending machine. It can be expected to attract sales and promote sales.
Further, once a customer pays attention to the existence of such a vending machine, the advertising effect of the vending machine itself is also exerted, so that the number of purchasers can be expected to increase in the long term.

The display 36 does not always display only the selling price. For example, while discount sales are being performed, a display indicating that discount sales are being performed and a display indicating why the discount sales are to be performed and the like (for example, “Today (5th)”
Only during this period, a special thank-you sale and a special price of 480 yen for sale ”may be displayed.

The vending machine in the second embodiment is
Since the number of days until the expiration date is not relevant for discount sales, it is not necessary for the vending machine to sell products with an expiration date. The present invention is basically applicable to all vending machines, such as vending machines that handle products with no expiration date or products that have a very long expiration date even if they have a expiration date.

Further, as described above, the contents of the tables 20, 40 and the like may be changed on the merchandise seller side. In such a case, it is usually conceivable to dispatch a maintenance person of the vending machine to perform the change work, but it takes time and labor.

In such a case, a communication function may be added to the vending machines of the first and second embodiments. This means that, for example, an NCU (Network Communicator) connected via a wireless or wired network to a host device for supervising and managing a vending business in a predetermined area.
communication unit). In this way, without having to dispatch maintenance personnel to each vending machine,
A remote change operation of data may be performed from the host via a network.

[0041]

As described above in detail, according to the vending machine of the present invention, the vending machine can be sold at a discount according to the current condition of the product having the expiration date (the number of remaining days, etc.) or so-called "time service sales". Such as providing services to promote sales,
We can make flexible sales according to the situation,
Merits can be provided to both vending machine product providers.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vending machine according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a table stored in a sales price data storage unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a selling price change process in the vending machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vending machine according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a table stored in a sales price data storage unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a selling price determination process in the vending machine according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 vending machine 11 expiration date detection unit 12 clock function unit 13 expiration date remaining calculation unit 14 sales price data storage unit 15 sales price search unit 16 sales price display control unit 17 control unit 18 display unit 20 table 21 expiration date of expiration date (Field name) 22 Sales price (field name) 30 Vending machine 31 Clock function unit 32 Sales price data storage unit 33 Discount sales determination unit 34 Sales price display control unit 35 Control unit 36 Display unit 40 Table 41 Service date and time (Field name) ) 42 Sales price (field name)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A means for calculating the number of remaining days until the expiration date of each product at present, and a number of remaining days until the expiration date of each product calculated by the means for calculating the number of remaining days of each product. Product price determining means for determining the current product price of each product; sales control means for changing the price display of each product according to the determination by the product price determining means and selling at the changed product price; A vending machine comprising: 2. A sales price data storage means for storing a service date and time condition and a sales price in association with each product, and determining whether the current date and time is one of the service date and time conditions from the storage contents of the sales price data storage means. And a product price determining means for obtaining a selling price corresponding to the service date and time condition, and a sales control for displaying the selling price obtained by the product price determining means and performing sales at the selling price. Means and vending machine. 3. A communication control means for connecting the vending machine to a network so that the vending machine can communicate with a center device, wherein setting contents of a commodity price according to the number of remaining days until the expiration date of each commodity, or 3. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the service date and time condition and the setting contents of a selling price corresponding to the service date and time condition can be set / changed from the center device side.