阅读说明：本技术 自动售货机控制系统、控制装置以及控制方法 (Control system, control device and control method for vending machine ) 是由 金美廷 陈金灵 于 2020-03-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：自动售货机控制系统(S)在自动售货机(1)的门(13)被上锁的状态下检测到将要打开门(13)的用户的情况下,根据该检测出的用户的结算用信息来判定该用户是否具有支付能力。然后,自动售货机控制系统(S)在判定为该检测出的用户具有支付能力的情况下进行使自动售货机(1)的门(13)解锁的控制。(When a user who is about to open a door (13) of a vending machine (1) is detected in a state where the door (13) is locked, a vending machine control system (S) determines whether the user has a payment capability or not based on information for settlement of the detected user. Then, the vending machine control system (S) performs control for unlocking the door (13) of the vending machine (1) when it is determined that the detected user has the payment capability.)

1. A vending machine control system, comprising:

a detection unit that detects a user who is about to open a door of a vending machine in a state in which the door is locked, the vending machine including a storage compartment for storing a commodity and the door, the door closing an opening portion through which the commodity is taken out from the storage compartment;

an acquisition unit that acquires the user's settlement information detected by the detection unit;

a determination unit that determines whether or not the user has a payment capability based on the settlement information acquired by the acquisition unit; and

a1 st control unit that performs control to unlock the door when the determination unit determines that the user has the payment capability.

2. The vending machine control system of claim 1,

the vending machine control system further has:

a distance determination section that determines a distance between the vending machine and a user; and

an orientation detection unit that detects an orientation of a body of a user with respect to the vending machine,

the detection section detects a user, for which the distance determined by the distance determination section is a predetermined distance or less and the orientation of the body detected by the orientation detection section satisfies a predetermined condition, as a user who is about to open the door.

3. The vending machine control system of claim 1,

the vending machine control system further has:

a distance determination section that determines a distance between the vending machine and a user; and

a line-of-sight estimating section that estimates a line of sight of a user with respect to the vending machine,

the detection section detects a user, for which the distance determined by the distance determination section is a prescribed distance or less and the sight line estimated by the sight line estimation section satisfies a prescribed condition, as a user who is about to open the door.

4. The vending machine control system of claim 1,

the detection unit detects a user corresponding to the biometric information acquired by the sensor attached to the door as a user who is about to open the door.

5. The vending machine control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the information for settlement includes a balance of a settlement means held by the user,

the determination unit determines that the user has the payment capability when the balance is equal to or more than a predetermined price.

6. The vending machine control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the vending machine control system further has:

a commodity specifying unit that specifies a commodity that is taken out from the storage via the opening by the user after the door is opened; and

and a settlement processing unit configured to perform settlement processing of the commodity specified by the commodity specifying unit based on the information for settlement acquired by the acquisition unit when the door is closed after the commodity is specified.

7. The vending machine control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the vending machine control system further includes a2 nd control unit that performs control for preventing the article from being taken out from the storage when the door is opened for a predetermined time or longer.

8. A control device, characterized by comprising:

a detection unit that detects a user who is about to open a door of a vending machine in a state in which the door is locked, the vending machine including a storage compartment for storing a commodity and the door, the door closing an opening portion through which the commodity is taken out from the storage compartment;

an acquisition unit that acquires the user's settlement information detected by the detection unit;

a determination unit that determines whether or not the user has a payment capability based on the settlement information acquired by the acquisition unit; and

a1 st control unit that performs control to unlock the door when the determination unit determines that the user has the payment capability.

9. A control method executed by 1 or more computers, characterized by comprising:

detecting a user who is about to open a door of a vending machine having a storage for storing commodities and the door, the door closing an opening for taking out the commodities from the storage, in a state where the door is locked;

acquiring the detected information for settlement of the user;

determining whether the user has a payment capability based on the acquired settlement information; and

and performing control of unlocking the door when it is determined that the user has the payment capability.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system and the like for performing automatic settlement of a commodity taken out from a vending machine.

Background

Conventionally, there is known a system for performing automatic settlement of a product taken out from a vending machine by a user having a mobile terminal. For example, the vending machine disclosed in patent document 1 transmits a wireless signal to a mobile terminal when a user holding the mobile terminal is detected within a predetermined range from the vending machine. Then, when the vending machine receives a connection request signal in which an automatic deduction flag (a flag indicating whether or not an automatic deduction is used for purchase of a product) is set from the portable terminal that has received the wireless signal, the vending machine discharges the product selected by the user (paragraph 0053).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017-117281

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the technique of patent document 1, since the presence or absence of the payment capability of the user holding the mobile terminal is not confirmed, there is a possibility that the product is taken out from the vending machine even though the user does not have the payment capability.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a vending machine control system, a control device, and a control method that can improve the convenience (user-friendliness) of the vending machine and can prevent a situation in which a user who has no payment capability takes out a commodity from the vending machine.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 is characterized by comprising: a detection unit that detects a user who is about to open a door of a vending machine in a state in which the door is locked, the vending machine including a storage compartment for storing a commodity and the door, the door closing an opening portion through which the commodity is taken out from the storage compartment; an acquisition unit that acquires the user's settlement information detected by the detection unit; a determination unit that determines whether or not the user has a payment capability based on the settlement information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a1 st control unit that performs control to unlock the door when the determination unit determines that the user has the payment capability. Thus, the convenience of the vending machine can be improved, and the situation that the user without the payment capability takes out the commodity from the vending machine can be prevented.

The invention described in claim 2 is the vending machine control system described in claim 1, further comprising: a distance determination section that determines a distance between the vending machine and a user; and an orientation detection unit that detects an orientation of a body of a user with respect to the vending machine, the detection unit detecting a user who is less than or equal to a predetermined distance and in which the orientation of the body detected by the orientation detection unit satisfies a predetermined condition as a user who is about to open the door. Thereby, it is possible to accurately detect a user who is about to open the door of the vending machine.

The invention described in claim 3 is the vending machine control system described in claim 1, further comprising: a distance determination section that determines a distance between the vending machine and a user; and a line-of-sight estimation section that estimates a line of sight of a user with respect to the vending machine, the detection section detecting a user, for whom the distance determined by the distance determination section is a predetermined distance or less and for whom the line of sight estimated by the line-of-sight estimation section satisfies a predetermined condition, as a user who is about to open the door. Thereby, it is possible to accurately detect a user who is about to open the door of the vending machine.

The invention described in claim 4 is the vending machine control system described in claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects a user corresponding to the biometric information acquired by the sensor attached to the door as a user who is about to open the door. Thereby, it is possible to accurately detect a user who is about to open the door of the vending machine.

The invention described in claim 5 is the vending machine control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the settlement information includes a balance of a settlement means held by the user, and the determination unit determines that the user has the payment capability when the balance is equal to or more than a predetermined price. This enables the user to be reliably paid an amount corresponding to the selling price of the product.

The invention described in claim 6 is the vending machine control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further including: a commodity specifying unit that specifies a commodity that is taken out from the storage via the opening by the user after the door is opened; and a settlement processing unit configured to perform, when the door is closed after the commodity is specified, settlement processing of the commodity specified by the commodity specifying unit based on the information for settlement acquired by the acquisition unit. This enables the settlement process to be completed safely.

An invention described in claim 7 is the vending machine control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further including a2 nd control unit that performs control for preventing the article from being taken out of the storage when the door is in the opened state for a predetermined time or longer. Thus, even if the user forgets to close the door of the vending machine and leaves, the settlement processing can be safely completed, and the third person can be prevented from taking out the product from the storage.

The invention described in claim 8 is characterized by comprising: a detection unit that detects a user who is about to open a door of a vending machine in a state in which the door is locked, the vending machine including a storage compartment for storing a commodity and the door, the door closing an opening portion through which the commodity is taken out from the storage compartment; an acquisition unit that acquires the user's settlement information detected by the detection unit; a determination unit that determines whether or not the user has a payment capability based on the settlement information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a1 st control unit that performs control to unlock the door when the determination unit determines that the user has the payment capability.

The invention described in claim 9 is a control method executed by 1 or more computers, comprising the steps of: detecting a user who is about to open a door of a vending machine having a storage for storing commodities and the door, the door closing an opening for taking out the commodities from the storage, in a state where the door is locked; acquiring the detected information for settlement of the user; determining whether the user has a payment capability based on the acquired settlement information; and performing control of unlocking the door if it is determined that the user has the payment capability.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, the convenience of the vending machine can be improved, and the situation in which the user without the payment capability takes out the product from the vending machine can be prevented.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a vending machine control system S according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the vending machine 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the vending machine 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the system control unit 19.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management server 2.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the system control unit 23.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the system control unit 19 of the vending machine 1.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the system control unit 23 of the management server 2.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the vending machine 1 in which the middle door 13b is provided between the storage 12 and the door 13.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vending machine control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[1. summary of the structure and function of vending machine control System S ]

First, the configuration and the schematic functions of the vending machine control system S according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1 and the like. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a vending machine control system S according to the present embodiment. As shown in fig. 1, the vending machine control system S includes a vending machine 1, a management server 2, and a mobile terminal 3. The vending machine 1 or the management server 2 functions as a control device. The vending machine 1 and the mobile terminal 3 are each capable of communicating with the management server 2 via the communication network NW. The communication network NW may be constituted by a dedicated line, the internet, a mobile communication network, or the like, for example.

The mobile terminal 3 has a GPS (Global Positioning System) function and a short-range wireless communication function. The GPS function is a function of acquiring position information (latitude and longitude) of the mobile terminal 3 using radio waves transmitted from GPS satellites or GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellites. The short-range wireless communication function is, for example, a wireless communication function based on Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) standards. The vending machine 1 is capable of performing short-range wireless communication with the portable terminal 3. The mobile terminal 3 stores the UID of the user (user identification information). Examples of the mobile terminal 3 include a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a portable game machine, and the like.

The installation place of the vending machine 1 is not particularly limited, and is installed in a building where people (people) can enter and exit, for example. In the example of fig. 1, one vending machine 1 is shown, but a plurality of vending machines 1 may be installed in different places. The management server 2 manages and controls the vending machine 1, manages the account of the user, and performs user authentication processing and product settlement processing. The management server 2 may be constituted by 1 server or a plurality of servers. The management server 2 may be divided into a server for managing and controlling the vending machine 1 and a server for managing an account of a user and performing authentication processing of the user and settlement processing of a product.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the vending machine 1. As shown in fig. 2, the vending machine 1 includes: a main body 11 having an opening 11a on a front surface; a storage 12 for storing commodities; a door 13 for closing the opening 11a through which the commodity is taken out from the storage 12; a hinge mechanism (not shown) that connects the main body 11 and the door 13; a locking/unlocking mechanism (not shown) for locking and unlocking the door 13; a door drive mechanism 14 (including a motor not shown) for automatically closing the door 13; and a display 15. Further, the storage 12 is provided in the main body 11. In a state where the door 13 is closed (that is, a state where the opening 11a is closed by the door 13), the user cannot take out the product from the storage 12.

The door 13 is made of, for example, a transparent glass material, and the user can see the commodities displayed on the shelf 12a of the storage 12 even in a state where the door 13 is closed. The door 13 is attached to one end edge portion of the opening 11a of the main body 11 via a hinge mechanism so as to be openable and closable. In a state where the door 13 is locked by the locking/unlocking mechanism (that is, in a state where the door 13 is locked by being opened), the user cannot open the door 13. On the other hand, when the door 13 is unlocked, the user can open the door 13 by operating a handle 13a provided on the door 13 as shown on the right side of fig. 2. The display 15 is mounted on, for example, an inner surface (e.g., a glass surface) of the door 13 of the vending machine 1. The name, selling price, and the like of the product taken out of the storage 12 by the user are displayed on the display 15.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the vending machine 1. As shown in fig. 3, the vending machine 1 includes a communication unit 16, a storage unit 17, a sensor unit 18, and a system control unit 19. The communication unit 16 controls communication performed via the communication network NW and controls short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 3. The storage unit 17 is configured by, for example, a hard disk drive, and stores vending machine processing programs and the like. The storage unit 17 stores commodity information of commodities stored in the storage 12. The product information includes, for example, a product ID (identification information of the product), a name of the product, a selling price of the product, a weight of the product, a photo image of the product, and the like. Further, the storage unit 17 stores a vending machine ID of the vending machine 1 (identification information of the vending machine 1). The sensor unit 18 includes a user detection sensor 18a, a door opening/closing detection sensor 18b, a commodity detection sensor 18c, and the like.

The user detection sensor 18a is a sensor for detecting a user who is about to open the door 13 of the vending machine 1. The user detection sensor 18a may be a camera (e.g., a 3D camera). In particular, by using a 3D camera as the user detection sensor 18a, it is possible to track a user as an object and measure the distance Of the user (for example, distance measurement is performed by a TOF (Time Of Flight) method). The user detection sensor 18a is attached near the opening 11a of the main body 11. The user detection sensor 18a outputs image data of a range (a range in a direction away from the opening 11a of the vending machine 1) continuously captured by the camera to the system control unit 19. When a 3D camera is used, the image data includes distance information measured for each pixel. The user Detection sensor 18a may include a distance measurement sensor such as ladar (laser Detection and ranging).

As another example, the user detection sensor 18a may be a sensor capable of acquiring biometric information of the user. The biometric information is information indicating a feature amount of a fingerprint, a palm print, a vein, or an iris. For example, when the user detection sensor 18a is a fingerprint sensor, the fingerprint sensor is attached to the handle 13a of the door 13 so as to be able to acquire a fingerprint. When the user detection sensor 18a is an iris sensor, the iris sensor is attached to an inner surface (e.g., a glass surface or the display 15) of the door 13 so as to be able to acquire an iris. The user detection sensor 18a outputs biometric information acquired to such an extent that a person can be identified to the system control unit 19.

The door opening/closing detection sensor 18b is a sensor for detecting opening/closing of the door 13 of the vending machine 1. The door opening/closing detection sensor 18b is attached to, for example, a boundary portion between the main body 11 and the door 13. The door opening/closing detection sensor 18b outputs an opening signal (on signal) to the system control unit 19 in a state where the door 13 is opened (opened state), and outputs a closing signal (off signal) to the system control unit 19 in a state where the door 13 is closed (closed state). Thereby, the system control unit 19 can detect the opening or closing of the door 13 of the vending machine 1. The door opening/closing detection sensor 18b may be a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the storage 12. In this case, the door opening/closing detection sensor 18b outputs temperature data indicating the measured temperature to the system control unit 19.

The article detection sensor 18c is a sensor for detecting an article taken out from the storage 12 of the vending machine 1 or an article returned after the article is taken out. The commodity detection sensor 18c may be a camera or a weight sensor. When the article detection sensor 18c is a camera, the article detection sensor 18c is attached near the opening 11a of the main body 11. In this case, the product detection sensor 18c outputs image data of a range continuously captured by the camera to the system control unit 19. This range includes the opening 11a and the storage 12 of the vending machine 1. Thus, the system control unit 19 can detect the commodity taken out or the commodity returned after the commodity is taken out, based on the image data.

On the other hand, when the commodity detection sensor 18c is a weight sensor, the commodity detection sensor 18c is attached to a place (a shelf 12a of the storage 12 in the example of fig. 2) in the storage 12 where the commodity is placed. In this case, the commodity detection sensor 18c outputs the weight data continuously detected by the weight sensor to the system control unit 19. Thus, the system control unit 19 can detect the commodity taken out or the commodity returned after the commodity is taken out, based on the weight data.

The system control Unit 19 (an example of a computer) includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the system control unit 19. The system control unit 19 (a processor in the system control unit 19) functions as a user detection unit 191, an open/close detection unit 192, a commodity identification unit 193, a lock/unlock control unit 194, a door drive control unit 195, a display control unit 196, and the like as shown in fig. 4, by executing a vending machine processing program stored in the storage unit 17, for example. Here, the user detection unit 191 is an example of a detection unit, a distance determination unit, a direction detection unit, and a line-of-sight estimation unit. The locking/unlocking control unit 194 is an example of the 1 st control unit. The door drive control unit 195 is an example of the 2 nd control unit.

The user detector 191 detects a user who is about to open the door 13 of the vending machine 1 with the door 13 locked. In this stage, it is not determined who the user who wants to open the door 13 is, and in this sense, the state in which someone wants to open the door 13 may be detected. In other words, to open the door 13 means that it is expected (estimated) that the door 13 will be opened (that is, there is a meaning to open the door 13). The user passing by the side of the vending machine 1 does not belong to the user who is about to open the door 13.

As examples of a method for detecting a user who is about to open the door 13, the following two detection methods are cited. As the 1 st detection method, the user detection unit 191 detects, as a user who is about to open the door 13, a user whose distance between the vending machine 1 and the user is a predetermined distance (for example, 50cm) or less and whose orientation of the user's body with respect to the vending machine 1 or line of sight of the user satisfies a predetermined condition, based on image data or the like input from the user detection sensor 18 a. As the 2 nd detection method, the user detection unit 191 may detect a user corresponding to the biometric information input from the user detection sensor 18a as a user who is about to open the door 13. The biometric information is acquired to such an extent that a person can be identified. The user who is about to open the door 13 can be accurately detected by any one of the 1 st and 2 nd detection methods. For example, when the user detection sensor 18a is a fingerprint sensor, the user can accurately detect the user who is about to open the door 13 by placing his or her hand on the handle 13a of the door 13.

In the case of the 1 st detection method, the user detection unit 191 may calculate and specify the distance between the vending machine 1 and the user based on the position information (latitude and longitude) of the vending machine 1 and the position information (latitude and longitude) of the mobile terminal 3 held by the user. In this case, the position information of the vending machine 1 is stored in the storage unit 17 in advance. The position information of the mobile terminal 3 is acquired by the GPS function of the mobile terminal 3. The position information obtained by the GPS function can be corrected by a known method such as the rtk (real Time kinematic) method using position information data from the reference station. The position information of the mobile terminal 3 is transmitted from the mobile terminal 3 to the vending machine 1 by the short-range wireless communication. At this time, the UID of the user of the mobile terminal 3 may be transmitted to the vending machine 1 together with the position information of the mobile terminal 3. Alternatively, when the user detection sensor 18a is a 3D camera, the distance between the vending machine 1 and the user may be determined based on image data (including distance information) input from the 3D camera. Alternatively, the distance between the vending machine 1 and the user may be measured by a distance measuring sensor such as LADAR.

In the case of the 1 st detection method, the user detection unit 191 extracts the body of the user from the image data input by the user detection sensor 18a and detects the orientation of the extracted body. For example, a direction in which the face of the user is oriented is detected (for example, detected from the positional relationship of the eyes, nose, and mouth of the user). At this time, the direction in which the chest of the user is facing (in other words, the posture of the user) may be detected together with or instead of the face of the user. When the face of the user is oriented toward the vending machine 1 (that is, in the direction of the door 13), the user detection unit 191 determines that the orientation of the body of the user satisfies the predetermined condition. Thus, even when the user approaches the vending machine 1 (for example, the distance between the vending machine 1 and the user is 50cm or less), the user who has passed by the vending machine 1 without purchasing a product can be regarded as being out of the detection target.

Further, the user detection unit 191 may determine that the orientation of the body of the user satisfies the predetermined condition when the chest of the user is oriented toward the vending machine 1. Thereby, even in a case where the user approaches the vending machine 1 and the user temporarily faces aside (that is, does not face in the direction of the door 13) for a conversation with another person, the user who is about to open the door 13 can be accurately detected.

Alternatively, the user detector 191 estimates the line of sight of the user from the image data input from the user detection sensor 18 a. When the user looks at the vending machine 1 (that is, when the user looks at the vending machine 1), the user detection unit 191 determines that the user's line of sight satisfies the predetermined condition. Thus, even when the user approaches the vending machine 1, the user who has passed by the vending machine 1 without purchasing a product can be regarded as a detection target.

In addition, in the case where the user who is to open the door 13 is detected by the user detecting section 191, an authentication request including user specifying information for specifying the user who is to open the door 13 (in other words, authentication) and the vending machine ID of the vending machine 1 is transmitted to the management server 2. In the case of the 1 st detection method, the user specifying information includes image data for detecting a user who is about to open the door 13 or a UID acquired from the portable terminal 3 by the short-range wireless communication at the time of detecting a user who is about to open the door 13. In the case of the 2 nd detection method, the user specifying information includes biometric information for detecting the user who is about to open the door 13 or the UID acquired from the portable terminal 3 by the short-range wireless communication at the time of detecting the user who is about to open the door 13.

The open/close detection unit 192 detects the opening of the door 13 of the vending machine 1 (detects the open state) based on the open signal input from the door open/close detection sensor 18 b. Here, the open state of the door 13 may be detected when the duration of the open signal is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. The open/close detection unit 192 detects the closing of the door 13 of the vending machine 1 (detects the closed state) based on the closing signal input from the door open/close detection sensor 18 b. Here, the closed state of the door 13 may be detected when the duration of the closing signal is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

Alternatively, the open/close detection unit 192 may detect the opening or closing of the door 13 of the vending machine 1 based on the temperature data input from the door open/close detection sensor 18 b. For example, the open/close detection unit 192 detects the closing of the door 13 of the vending machine 1 when the temperature indicated by the temperature data is less than the threshold value, and detects the opening of the door 13 of the vending machine 1 when the temperature indicated by the temperature data is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Further, the door opening information indicating opening or the door closing information indicating closing detected by the opening/closing detection unit 192 is transmitted to the management server 2.

The product specifying unit 193 detects the product taken out of the storage 12 by the user or the product returned after the product is taken out of the storage 12 based on the image data input from the product detecting sensor 18c and specifies the product by image recognition. Here, mechanical learning (AI) may be used in the image recognition. In this case, the product specifying unit 193 specifies a product from the image data input from the product detecting sensor 18c using a learned model obtained by learning the features of the image data for each tag based on a combination of a plurality of image data and the tag (information indicating what the image data represents).

Alternatively, the product specifying unit 193 detects the product taken out from the storage 12 through the opening 11a or the product taken out from the storage 12 and returned to the storage based on the weight data input from the product detecting sensor 18c, and specifies the product by a change in weight. In this case, the product specifying unit 193 stores in advance the arrangement information of the products on the shelf 12a (that is, information indicating which product is present at which position), specifies the product at the position where the weight is changed on the shelf 12a from the arrangement information based on the weight data, and specifies the product to be taken out or the product to be returned. Further, product information indicating the product (the product to be taken out or the product to be returned) specified by the product specifying unit 193 is transmitted to the management server 2.

The locking/unlocking control unit 194 controls the locking/unlocking of the door 13. For example, when receiving an unlock command from the management server 2, the lock/unlock control unit 194 outputs an unlock control signal to the upper lock/unlock mechanism to thereby control unlocking of the door 13. On the other hand, when receiving a lock command from the management server 2, the lock/unlock control unit 194 outputs a lock control signal to the lock/unlock mechanism to control the locking of the door 13. When the door 13 is opened for a predetermined time or longer, the door drive control unit 195 performs control for preventing the article from being taken out from the storage 13 of the vending machine 1. For example, when the state in which the door 13 is opened continues for a predetermined time or longer, the door drive control unit 195 performs control to automatically close the door 13 by outputting a lock control signal to the door drive mechanism 14. This makes it possible to safely complete the settlement process and prevent a third person from taking out the product from the storage 12 even when the user forgets to close the door 13 and leaves.

When the product taken out of the storage 12 is specified by the product specifying unit 193, the display control unit 196 displays the name, the selling price, and the like of the specified product on the display 15. Thus, after confirming the name, selling price, and the like of the product taken out of the storage 12, the user can close the door 13 to settle the product. When the product that has been taken out and returned to the storage 12 is specified by the product specifying unit 193, the display control unit 196 eliminates the display of the name, the selling price, and the like of the specified product from the display 15.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management server 2. As shown in fig. 5, the management server 2 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a system control unit 23. The communication unit 21 controls communication performed via the communication network NW. The user specifying information, the door opening information, the door closing information, the commodity information, and the like transmitted from the vending machine 1 are received by the communication unit 21. The storage unit 22 is configured by, for example, a hard disk drive, and stores a management server program and the like. The storage unit 22 is provided with a vending machine information Database (DB)22a, a user information Database (DB)22b, and the like.

In the vending machine information database 22a, a vending machine ID of the vending machine 1, article information of each article stored in the vending machine 1 (that is, an article that can be taken out from the vending machine 1), an IP address of the vending machine 1, and the like are stored in correspondence with each vending machine 1. The user information database 22b stores, for each user, the UID of the user who created the account, a password, a name, a telephone number, a mail address, registered biometric information, settlement information, and the like. Here, the UID of the user is used for authentication processing (ID authentication) of the user. The registered biometric information is information indicating feature quantities of a face, a fingerprint, a palm print, a vein, or an iris acquired from the user in advance. The registered biometric information is used for authentication processing (biometric authentication such as face authentication, fingerprint authentication, palm print authentication, vein authentication, or iris authentication) of the user. In the case of performing ID authentication in the authentication process, the registered biometric information may not be stored in the user information database 22 b.

The settlement information is information used for settlement processing of the product purchased by the user. The settlement information includes information corresponding to a settlement method specified in advance by the user. Examples of available settlement methods include electronic money settlement, instant deduction settlement, point settlement, credit settlement, UID settlement (for example, smartphone settlement), and the like. When the available settlement method is electronic money settlement, the settlement information includes information such as the electronic money card number and the balance of the electronic value (an example of the settlement means owned by the user). When the available settlement method is an instant deduction settlement, the method includes a debit card number, a name, an expiration date, a balance of a deposit (an example of a settlement means owned by a user), account information, and the like. When the available settlement method is point settlement, the settlement information includes information such as a point card number and a balance of points (an example of a settlement means owned by the user). Here, the points have a monetary value equivalent to money (currency) or electronic money.

When the available settlement method is credit settlement, the settlement information includes a credit card number, a name, an expiration date, a credit line (credit line), an available line (line obtained by subtracting the current month's use line from the credit line), account information, and the like. In the case where the available settlement method is UID settlement, the information for settlement includes information (e.g., an electronic money card number, a debit card number, a credit card number) of a settlement method (e.g., electronic money settlement, instant deduction settlement, credit settlement) associated with the payment source, an upper limit amount, and the like. The user's settlement information may be managed by a server (e.g., an electronic money settlement processing server, an instant deduction settlement processing server, an integral settlement processing server, a credit settlement processing server, etc.) corresponding to the settlement method. In this case, the management server 2 communicates with a server corresponding to the settlement method as necessary, and acquires the settlement information of the user.

The system control unit 23 (an example of a computer) includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the system control unit 23. In addition, the system control section 23 recognizes a situation in which the user is about to open the door 13 by the user determination information received from the vending machine 1. The system control unit 23 recognizes the open/close state of the door 13 from the door opening information or the door closing information received from the vending machine 1. The system control unit 23 recognizes the article taken out from the storage 12 of the vending machine 1 or the article returned to the storage 12 from the article information received from the vending machine 1.

The system control unit 23 (a processor in the system control unit 23) functions as an authentication processing unit 231, a payment capability determination unit 232, a vending machine control unit 233, a settlement processing unit 234, and the like as shown in fig. 6 by executing a management server program stored in the storage unit 22, for example. Here, the payment capability determination unit 232 is an example of the acquisition unit and the determination unit. The vending machine controller 233 controls locking and unlocking of the door 13 in cooperation with the locking and unlocking controller 194 of the vending machine 1, and controls preventing removal of the product in cooperation with the door drive controller 195 of the vending machine 1.

When receiving an authentication request from the vending machine 1 in a state where the door 13 is locked, the authentication processing unit 231 performs authentication processing of the user (that is, the user who is going to open the door 13) detected by the user detecting unit 191 of the vending machine 1. Here, in the authentication processing in the case where the authentication request includes the UID as the user specifying information, it is determined whether or not the UID included in the authentication request is stored (registered) in the user information database 22b (that is, ID authentication is performed). Then, the user is determined (authenticated) with the UID stored in the user information database 22 b.

In the authentication processing in the case where the authentication request includes image data as the user specifying information, the face of the user is extracted from the image data included in the authentication request, and it is determined whether or not registered biometric information having a degree of matching with the feature amount of the extracted face of the user equal to or higher than a threshold is stored in the user information database 22b (that is, face authentication is performed). Then, the user is identified when registered biometric information having a degree of matching with the feature amount of the face equal to or higher than a threshold value is stored in the user information database 22 b.

In the authentication process in which the authentication request includes biometric information (e.g., information indicating the feature amount of the fingerprint of the user) as the user identification information, it is determined whether or not registered biometric information having a degree of matching with the biometric information included in the authentication request equal to or higher than a threshold is stored in the user information database 22b (e.g., fingerprint authentication is performed). Then, the user is identified when registered biometric information having a degree of matching with the biometric information equal to or higher than a threshold value is stored in the user information database 22 b.

The payment capability determining unit 232 acquires the settlement information of the user specified by the authentication processing unit 231 from the user information database 22b, and determines whether or not the user specified by the authentication processing unit 231 has the payment capability based on the acquired settlement information. For example, when electronic money settlement is designated as a settlement method for the specified user, it is determined that the user has the payment capability when the balance of the electronic value is equal to or more than a predetermined price (predetermined amount). This enables the user to be reliably paid an amount corresponding to the selling price of the product. Alternatively, when the instant deduction settlement is designated as the settlement method of the specified user, it is determined that the user has the payment capability when the balance of the deposit is equal to or more than a predetermined price. Alternatively, when point settlement is specified as the settlement method for the specified user, it is determined that the user has the ability to pay when the amount converted by the predetermined conversion rate of the balance of points is equal to or more than the predetermined price.

Alternatively, when credit settlement is specified as the settlement method for the specified user, it is determined that the user has the payment capability when the available credit line is equal to or more than a predetermined price. Alternatively, when UID settlement is designated as the settlement method for the specified user, it is determined that the user has the payment capability when the upper limit amount is equal to or more than the predetermined price. The predetermined price may be set to, for example, the lowest selling price (unit price) of the product that can be taken out from the storage 12 of the vending machine 1 identified by the vending machine ID included in the authentication request. The lowest selling price can be obtained from the article information corresponding to the vending machine ID in the vending machine information database 22 a.

When the payment ability determination unit 232 determines that the user has the payment ability, the vending machine control unit 233 transmits an unlock command of the door 13 to the vending machine 1. That is, the vending machine control unit 233 performs control for unlocking the door 13 of the vending machine 1. The vending machine controller 233 then transmits a locking command for the door 13 to the vending machine 1 when closing of the door 13 of the vending machine 1 is detected. That is, the vending machine controller 233 controls the locking of the door 13 of the vending machine 1.

When the closing of the door 13 is detected after the commodity taken out of the storage 13 is specified, the settlement processing unit 234 performs the settlement processing of the taken out commodity based on the information for settlement acquired by the payment ability determination unit 232. That is, the settlement processing of the product purchased by the user determined to have the payment capability is performed. This enables the settlement process to be completed safely. In the settlement processing of the product, a payment processing of an amount corresponding to the selling price of the product (that is, a processing of making the user pay the amount) is performed in accordance with the settlement method included in the settlement information of the user.

[2. actions of the vending machine control System S ]

Next, the operation of the vending machine control system S will be described.

(2.1 processing of vending machine 1)

First, the processing of the system control unit 19 of the vending machine 1 will be described with reference to fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the system control unit 19 of the vending machine 1. For example, when the user holding the portable terminal 3 enters the vicinity of the vending machine 1 (for example, a range of several meters capable of short-range wireless communication) to establish short-range wireless communication between the vending machine 1 and the portable terminal 3, the processing shown in fig. 7 is started. The process shown in fig. 7 may be started when a person is detected from the image data input by the user detection sensor 18 a.

When the process shown in fig. 7 is started, the system control part 19 (the user detecting part 191) determines the distance between the vending machine 1 and the user (step S1). The distance between the vending machine 1 and the user is determined based on, for example, the positional information of the vending machine 1 and the positional information of the portable terminal 3. In this case, the system control unit 19 acquires the position information of the mobile terminal 3 by the short-range wireless communication established between the system control unit and the mobile terminal 3. In this case, the UID of the user of the mobile terminal 3 may be acquired together with the position information of the mobile terminal 3. As described above, the distance between the vending machine 1 and the user may be determined based on the image data input from the user detection sensor 18 a.

Next, the system control unit 19 (user detection unit 191) determines whether or not the distance acquired in step S1 is equal to or less than a threshold value (for example, 50cm) (step S2). If it is determined that the distance acquired in step S1 is not equal to or less than the threshold value (no in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if it is determined that the distance acquired in step S1 is equal to or less than the threshold value (yes in step S2), the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S3, the system control unit 19 (user detection unit 191) determines whether or not the short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 3 is disconnected. If it is determined that the short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 3 is not disconnected (no in step S3), the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, when it is determined that the short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 3 is disconnected (step S3: YES), the process ends. In step S3, it may be determined whether or not a person is continuously detected from the image data input by the user detection sensor 18 a. In this case, if a person is continuously detected from the image data, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, in a case where a person is no longer detected from the image data, the processing ends.

In step S4, the system control unit 19 (user detection unit 191) extracts the body of the user from the image data input by the user detection sensor 18a, and detects the orientation of the extracted body. Further, the line of sight of the user may be estimated from the input image data as described above.

Next, the system control unit 19 (user detection unit 191) determines whether or not the direction of the body (or the line of sight of the user) detected in step S4 satisfies a predetermined condition (step S5). Here, the predetermined condition may be set to an angular range having the direction of the vending machine 1 as the center axis, for example. If it is determined that the orientation of the body (or the line of sight of the user) satisfies the predetermined condition (yes in step S5), that is, if a user who is about to open the door 13 of the vending machine 1 is detected, the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, when it is determined that the direction of the body (or the line of sight of the user) does not satisfy the predetermined condition (no in step S5), the process returns to step S3.

In step S6, the system control unit 19 transmits an authentication request including the user identification information for identifying the detected user and the vending machine ID of the vending machine 1 to the management server 2 via the communication network NW, and waits for a response from the management server 2. At this time, the system control unit 19 starts a timer a 1. The user specifying information transmitted to the management server 2 includes image data for detecting a user who is about to open the door 13 or a UID acquired from the portable terminal 3 (for example, acquired together with the position information of the portable terminal 3) by the short-range wireless communication at the time of detecting a user who is about to open the door 13. Further, an authentication request including the user specifying information and the vending machine ID may be transmitted from the mobile terminal 3 to the management server 2 via the communication network NW. In this case, the user specification information and the vending machine ID are transmitted from the vending machine 1 to the portable terminal 3 by the short-range wireless communication.

Next, the system control unit 19 determines whether or not an unlock command for the door 13 is received from the management server 2 (step S7). If the unlock command of the door 13 is not received (no in step S7), the process proceeds to step S8. On the other hand, when the unlock command of the door 13 is received (YES in step S7), the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S8, the system control unit 19 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the authentication request. For example, when the timer A1 counts up the time (for example, several tens of seconds) set therein, it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S8: YES), and the process is terminated. That is, in the case where it is determined by the management server 2 that the user is not determined or the determined user has no payment capability, the door 13 is not unlocked. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO at step S8), the process returns to step S7.

In step S9, the system control unit 19 (the lock/unlock control unit 194) outputs an unlock control signal to the lock/unlock mechanism to thereby control unlocking of the door 13. Next, the system control unit 19 (the open/close detection unit 192) determines whether or not the opening of the door 13 is detected (step S10). In the case where the opening of the door 13 is not detected (step S10: NO), the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, when the detected user opens the door 13 by operating the handle 13a provided on the door 13, the opening of the door 13 is detected (step S10: YES), and the process proceeds to step S12. At this time, the system control unit 19 starts a timer a 2.

In step S11, the system control unit 19 determines whether or not a lock command for the door 13 has been received from the management server 2. If the lock command for the door 13 is not received (no in step S11), the process returns to step S10. On the other hand, when the lock command for the door 13 is received (YES in step S11), the process proceeds to step S20. In step S12, the system control unit 19 transmits door opening information indicating the opening of the door 13 to the management server 2 via the communication network NW.

Next, the system control unit 19 determines whether or not the user has taken out the product from the storage 12 (step S13). When it is determined that a product has been taken out of the storage 12 (yes in step S13), the taken-out product is identified by image recognition, and product information of the identified product is transmitted to the management server 2 via the communication network NW (step S14). At this time, the system control unit 19 (display control unit 196) displays the name, selling price, and the like of the identified (extracted) product on the display 15. On the other hand, if it is determined that the commodity is not taken out of the storage 12 (NO in step S13), the process proceeds to step S15.

In step S15, the system control unit 19 determines whether or not the product taken out by the user is returned to the storage 12. When it is determined that the retrieved product is returned to the storage 12 (yes in step S15), the returned product is identified by image recognition, and product information of the identified product is transmitted to the management server 2 via the communication network NW (step S16). At this time, the display control unit 196 eliminates the display of the determined (returned) product name, the selling price, and the like from the display 15. On the other hand, if it is determined that the product has not been returned to the storage 12 (NO at step S15), the process proceeds to step S17.

In step S17, the system control unit 19 (the open/close detection unit 192) determines whether or not the closing of the door 13 is detected. In the case where the closing of the door 13 is not detected (no in step S17), the process proceeds to step S21. On the other hand, when the user closes the door 13 to enter the settlement processing of the product after confirming the name, the selling price, and the like of the product taken out through the display 15, the closing of the door 13 is detected (yes in step S17), and the processing proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, the system control unit 19 transmits door closing information indicating the closing of the door 13 to the management server 2 via the communication network NW. Next, the system control unit 19 determines whether or not a lock command for the door 13 is received from the management server 2. If the lock command for the door 13 is not received (no in step S18), the process returns to step S19. On the other hand, when the lock command for the door 13 is received (YES in step S11), the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, the system control unit 19 (the lock/unlock control unit 194) outputs a lock control signal to the lock/unlock mechanism to control the locking of the door 13, and the process ends.

In step S21, the system control unit 19 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the door 13 was opened. For example, when the count is completed for a time (for example, several minutes) set by the timer A2, it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed (that is, the door 13 is opened for a predetermined time or more) (step S21: YES), and the process proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO at step S21), the process returns to step S13.

In step S22, the system control unit 19 (the door drive control unit 195) outputs a lock control signal to the door drive mechanism 14 to control the closing of the door 13. That is, control is performed for preventing the articles from being taken out from the storage 12 of the vending machine 1. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S18, and door closing information indicating the closing of the door 13 is transmitted to the management server 2.

(2.2 management server 2 processing)

Next, the processing of the system control unit 23 of the management server 2 will be described with reference to fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the system control unit 23 of the management server 2. The process shown in fig. 8 is started when the communication unit 21 receives an authentication request from the vending machine 1.

When the process shown in fig. 8 is started, the system control part 23 (authentication processing part 231) performs an authentication process of the user who is going to open the door 13 of the vending machine 1 (step S31). In the authentication process, as described above, ID authentication or biometric authentication is performed. Next, the system control unit 23 (authentication processing unit 231) of the management server 2 determines whether or not the user is specified by the authentication processing of step S31 (step S32). If the user is determined (step S32: YES), the process proceeds to step S33. On the other hand, in the case where the user is not determined (NO in step S32), the process ends.

In step S33, the system control unit 23 (the payment ability determination unit 232) acquires the settlement information of the user specified in step S32 from the user information database 22 b. Next, the system control unit 23 (payability determination unit 232) determines whether or not the user identified in step S32 has payability, based on the settlement information acquired in step S33 (step S34). If it is determined that the user has the payment capability (yes in step S34), the process proceeds to step S35. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user does not have the payment capability (no in step S34), the process ends.

In step S35, the system control unit 23 (vending machine control unit 234) transmits an unlock command of the door 13 to the vending machine 1 via the communication network NW, and waits for a response from the vending machine 1. At this time, the system control unit 23 starts a timer a 3. The unlock command thus transmitted is received in the above-described step S7 of the process of the vending machine 1. Thereby, the vending machine controller 234 unlocks the door 13 of the vending machine 1.

Next, the system control portion 23 determines whether door opening information is received from the vending machine 1 (that is, whether the opening of the door 13 is detected) (step S36). If the door opening information has not been received (no in step S36), the process proceeds to step S37. On the other hand, when the door opening information is received (YES in step S36), the process proceeds to step S38.

In step S37, the system control unit 23 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the unlock command for the door 13. For example, when the timer set by the timer A3 (for example, several tens of seconds) ends, it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S37: YES), and the process proceeds to step S45. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO at step S37), the process returns to step S36.

In step S38, the system control unit 23 determines whether or not the product information of the product taken out of the storage 12 is received from the vending machine 1. If the product information of the product taken out has not been received (no in step S38), the process proceeds to step S40. On the other hand, when the commodity information of the taken out commodity is received (YES in step S38), the commodity information of the taken out commodity is recorded (step S39), and the process proceeds to step S40. Here, recording the commodity information means, for example, recording (registering) in a list of commodities to be settled.

In step S40, the system control unit 23 determines whether or not the product information of the product returned to the storage 12 is received from the vending machine 1. If the returned product information of the product is not received (no in step S40), the process proceeds to step S42. On the other hand, in the case where the returned commodity information of the commodity is received (yes in step S40), the commodity information of the returned commodity is eliminated (for example, eliminated from the above list) (step S41), and the process proceeds to step S42.

In step S42, the system control part 23 determines whether or not door closing information is received from the vending machine 1 (that is, whether or not closing of the door 13 is detected). In the case where the door close information is not received (NO at step S42), the process returns to step S38. On the other hand, when the door close information is received (YES in step S42), the process proceeds to step S43.

In step S43, the system control unit 23 determines whether or not the product information is recorded (for example, recorded in the list). If it is determined that the commodity information is recorded (yes in step S43), the process proceeds to step S44. On the other hand, if it is determined that no commodity information is recorded (NO at step S43), the process proceeds to step S45.

In step S44, the system control unit 23 (settlement processing unit 233) performs settlement processing of the taken out commodity based on the settlement information acquired in step S33 and the recorded commodity information. Through the settlement process, the user specified above is caused to pay the amount of money corresponding to the selling price of the product, and the process proceeds to step S45.

In step S45, the system control unit 23 (vending machine control unit 234) transmits a lock command for the door 13 to the vending machine 1 via the communication network NW, and ends the processing. The lock command thus transmitted is received in step S19 of the process of the vending machine 1. Thereby, the vending machine controller 234 locks the door 13 of the vending machine 1.

As described above, according to the above embodiment, when the vending machine control system S detects a user who is about to open the door 13 while the door 13 of the vending machine 1 is locked, it determines whether or not the user has the payment capability based on the information for settlement of the detected user. Then, the vending machine control system S performs control to unlock the door 13 of the vending machine 1 when it is determined that the detected user has the payment capability. With such a configuration, the convenience of the vending machine 1 can be improved, and a user without payment ability can be prevented from taking out a product from the vending machine 1.

In the above embodiment, the control for automatically closing the door 13 is shown as an example of the control for preventing the article from being taken out from the storage 12, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a commodity takeout prevention mechanism may be provided on the shelf 12a of the storage 12, or a middle door may be provided between the storage 12 and the door 13 to perform control for preventing the commodity takeout. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the vending machine 1 in which the middle door 13b is provided between the storage 12 and the door 13. In the example of fig. 9, although not shown, the vending machine 1 is further provided with an intermediate door driving mechanism that drives an intermediate door 13b (e.g., a shutter). In this case, when the state in which the door 13 is opened continues for a predetermined time or longer, the door drive control unit 195 of the vending machine 1 outputs a lock control signal to the middle door drive mechanism to perform control for automatically closing the middle door 13 b. For example, the center door 13b housed in the upper portion of the vending machine 1 is lowered in the lower direction (arrow direction) of the vending machine 1 by the center door driving mechanism. This prevents a third person from taking out the product from the storage 12 even if the door 13 of the vending machine 1 cannot be closed for some reason.

The above embodiment is an embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various configurations and the like may be modified from the above embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention, and the present invention is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. For example, although the above-described embodiment describes an example in which the user who holds the mobile terminal 3 is detected and identified (authenticated), the present invention is also applicable to a case in which the user does not hold the mobile terminal 3 (that is, the user can be detected and identified from image data or biometric information).

In the above embodiment, the management server 2 is configured to perform the settlement processing of the product, but instead, the vending machine 1 may be configured to perform the settlement processing of the product. In this case, the system control unit 19 acquires the detected information for settlement of the user from the management server 2 via the communication network NW, determines whether the user has the payment capability based on the information for settlement, and unlocks the door 13 and performs settlement processing of the product taken out from the storage 12 when the user is determined to have the payment capability. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the vending machine 1 is configured to detect a user who is about to open the door 13, but instead, the management server 2 may be configured to detect the user. In this case, the system control unit 23 acquires information necessary for detecting the user (for example, including position information of the mobile terminal 3, image data or biometric information acquired by the user detection sensor 18 a) from the vending machine 1, and detects the user who is about to open the door 13 of the vending machine 1 by the 1 st detection method or the 2 nd detection method described above based on the acquired information.

Description of the reference symbols

1: a vending machine; 2: a management server; 3: a portable terminal; 11: a main body; 12: a door; 13: a storage; 14: a door drive mechanism; 15: a display; 16: a communication unit; 17: a storage unit; 18: a sensor section; 19: a system control unit; 21: a communication unit; 22: a storage unit; 23: a system control unit; 191: a user detection unit; 192: an open/close detection unit; 193: a commodity specifying unit; 194: a locking/unlocking control unit; 195: a door drive control section; 196: a display control unit; 231: an authentication processing unit; 232: a payment capability determination section; 233: a vending machine control section; 234: a settlement processing unit; s: a vending machine control system; NW: a communications network.