JP3726598B2 - Vending machine and vending machine management system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vending machine and a vending machine management system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the function of the vending machine has been executed by a program fixedly written in the ROM. For this reason, the function realized by the vending machine is fixed.
[0003]
However, the future vending machine is not only a function of selling goods,
1) Improvement of serviceability 2) Improvement of ability to attract customers (campaigns such as discounts and giveaways)
3) Expand applications (use as advertising towers, information terminals, etc.)
It seems that it is necessary to plan.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional vending machine cannot dynamically replace the program, and can select and execute a program written in advance in the ROM or change a parameter to change the program. Part of the functions 1) to 3) was realized. For this reason, the concept of charging for a program executed in a vending machine has not existed until now.
[0005]
The present invention is to realize the following charging method that has not been realized in vending machines until now.
(1) Collection of usage fees for programs executed on vending machines (or collection of data necessary for such collection)
(2) Execution restriction of the program according to the number of executions or execution time of the program executed by the vending machine (billing of prepaid method, etc.)
(3) Cost recovery associated with program execution in the vending machine (or data collection necessary for the recovery)
As an example of the above (1), for example, a system in which a vending machine management company receives a program from a program provider and pays a fee according to the usage amount of the program can be considered.
[0006]
As an example of the above (2), for example, a system in which a management company of a vending machine purchases a program execution right from a program provider and executes the program up to the limit of the execution right can be considered.
In addition, as the cost of (3) above, for example, discounts, giveaway costs, communication usage fees, usage fees for other paid resources, etc. are considered, and the service provider company is the vending machine management company. A system that provides services on the vending machine by borrowing the right to use the vending machine can be considered.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The vending machine according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a program loading means for loading a program from the outside, and information on the number of times and the execution time of the program for each loaded program. Storage means for storing as billing information related to the program, the program for controlling the execution of each program, collecting billing information related to the execution of each program, and storing the program in the storage means based on the collection result Program management means for updating billing information related to the execution of .
[0008]
According to the vending machine of the first aspect, billing information related to program execution such as the number of program executions and the program execution time can be collected and managed as billing information .
[0009]
The vending machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to each means included in the vending machine according to the first aspect, further, the usage amount of the paid resource used in the execution of each program, Charged resource charging information collecting means for collecting charging information and updating the charged information of the charged resource stored in the storage means based on the collection result is provided.
[0010]
According to the vending machine of the second aspect, it is possible to further collect and manage the usage amount of the pay resource used when executing each program as the charge information of the pay resource .
[0011]
The vending machine according to the third aspect of the present invention includes, in addition to each means included in the vending machine according to the first or second aspect, billing information related to the execution of each program or billing information of the paid resource Is provided with program stop means for stopping execution of the program related to the billing information when the set upper limit is exceeded.
[0012]
According to the vending machine of the third aspect of the present invention, the prepaid method is set by setting the upper limit value on the charging information related to the use of each program or the charging information of the paid resource used at the time of executing each program. Can be charged with.
[0013]
The vending machine according to the fourth aspect of the present invention includes, in addition to each means included in the vending machine according to the first, second, or third aspect, charging information stored in the storage means to an external device. Notification means for notifying is provided.
[0014]
According to the vending machine of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the billing information can be notified to an external center device or the like via a network or the like. Can be used for aggregation processing.
[0015]
The vending machine management system of the present invention is
A program loading means for loading a program from the outside, and a storage means for storing information on the number of times and the execution time of the program individually as billing information related to the execution of the program for each loaded program ; Program management for controlling the execution of each program, collecting charging information related to the execution of each program, and updating the charging information related to the execution of the program stored in the storage means based on the collection result And a usage amount of the paid resource used in the execution of each program is collected as charging information of the paid resource, and the charging information of the paid resource stored in the storage unit is updated based on the collected result A vending machine comprising paid resource billing information collecting means, and the rating from the vending machine. Receiving means for receiving charging information related to each program stored in the means, and a center apparatus comprising calculation means for calculating the charging fee of the vending machine based on the charging information received by the receiving means Prepare.
[0016]
According to the vending machine management system of the present invention, the vending machine charges the number of executions and execution time of an externally loaded program executed in its own machine, and the usage amount of paid resources used when executing the program. By collecting and managing as information, and the center device receiving the charging information from the vending machine, the center device can individually process the charging for each vending machine, and for each program and each Detailed billing information such as the number of program executions, execution time, and each pay resource can be created.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a vending machine management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018]
The system includes a vending machine 10, a center device 20, a mobile terminal 30, a communication line 40, and other devices 50. The vending machine 10 and the center device 20 can communicate with each other via the communication line 40. The other device 50 is a communication partner with which the target program 141 performs communication for an individual purpose.
[0019]
The communication line 40 is, for example, a dedicated line, a public line, a wireless line (such as a mobile communication line), a satellite communication line, or the Internet.
The vending machine 10 includes a product tray 101, a coin mech / bill valid 102, a communication line interface (communication line I / F) 103, a portable terminal interface (mobile terminal I / F) 104, a coin mech / bill valid driver 105, a merchandise tray. A driver 106, a portable terminal driver 107, a communication line driver 108, a program management table 110, an execution management unit 121, a read notification unit 122, a timer 130, and at least one target program (execution program) 141 are provided.
[0020]
The target program 141 is loaded into the vending machine 10 from the center device 20 or the portable terminal 30 and executed by a broken arrow path. Each target program 141 is added with a program ID 142 and an execution right information 143 that are unique identifiers.
[0021]
The program ID 142 is a code for identifying each target program 141. Further, the execution right information 143 includes the following information (1) and (2) related to charging of the corresponding target program 141.
[0022]
(1) Information on the number of executions and execution time of the target program 141 This information includes type 1 and type 2.
Type 1: Measure and charge according to actual results (measured values) Type 2: Information specifying the maximum number of executions or maximum execution time of the target program 141 (2) Information on usage of paid resources
・ Permitted usage information for paid communication with outside
・ Presentation permission information
・ Discount permission information (You can also specify the average discount rate)
・ Permission information for other paid resources [0023]
The additional information is loaded from the center apparatus 20 to the vending machine 10 together with the target program 141 by a method of distributing the additional information as data together with the target program 141, a method of embedding in the code of the target program 141, or the like. In consideration of security, the main body of the target program 141 and the program ID 142 may be encrypted, or the validity of the target program 141 may be checked.
[0024]
The product tray 101 is a tray for storing products sold by the vending machine 10.
The merchandise tray driver 106 performs an interface between the target program 141 and the merchandise tray 101, manages information on sold merchandise, etc., and based on the information, sets the value of the pay resource information in the program management table 110. Update.
[0025]
The coin mech / bill burr 102 includes a coin mech and a bill burr. The coin mech and bill valid are discriminated and stored for coins (in the case of coin mech) and bills (in the case of bill valid) inserted into the vending machine 10 in accordance with instructions from the target program 141 and the like via the coin mech / bill valid driver 105. , Return, change change, etc.
[0026]
The coin mech / bill valid driver 105 performs an interface between the target program 141 and the coin mech / bill valid 102, manages the amount of money to be charged, and the value of the pay resource information in the program management table 110 based on the information. Update.
[0027]
The communication line I / F 103 and the communication line driver 108 are interfaces that connect the vending machine 10 and the center apparatus 20 via the communication line 40. The communication line driver 108 measures the communication usage and updates the value of the pay resource information in the program management table 110.
[0028]
The communication line I / F 103 and the communication line driver 108 transmit information necessary for charging stored in the program management table 110 to the portable terminal 30 via the communication line I / F 103 or from the center device 20 to the communication line. It is also used when the target program 141 is loaded into the vending machine 10 via 40.
[0029]
The mobile terminal I / F 104 and the mobile terminal driver 107 are interfaces that connect the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 30 by communication. The portable terminal I / F 104 and the portable terminal 30 are connected by, for example, a cable or an infrared communication link.
[0030]
The portable terminal driver 107 and the portable terminal I / F 104 transmit information necessary for charging stored in the program management table 110 to the portable terminal 30 via the portable terminal I / F 104, or from the portable terminal 30 to the portable terminal. The I / F 104 is also used when the target program 141 is loaded into the vending machine 30.
[0031]
The execution management unit 121 controls loading and execution of each target program 141, collects information necessary for billing related to the execution of the target program 141 (execution count, execution time, etc.), and updates the program management table 110 To do. In addition, referring to the program management table 110, the activation of the target program 141 is controlled.
[0032]
The program management table 110 stores information related to charging for each target program 141, and stores execution right information and an execution permission state flag given to each target program 141. Further, the information stored in the program management table 110 may be encrypted and stored in order to prevent and detect data destruction and tampering.
[0033]
The read notification unit 122 reads the billing information from the program management table 110 and transmits it to the portable terminal 30 and the center device 20 via the portable terminal driver 107 and the communication line driver 108.
[0034]
The timer 130 periodically starts the execution management unit 121 or the read notification unit 122.
Further, although not particularly shown in FIG. 1, the center device 20 receives a billing information for each target program 141 described later from the vending machine 10, and each target based on the received billing information. A device for calculating a charging fee for each program 141 is provided.
[0035]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the data structure of the program management table 110.
Each entry of the program management table 110 stores information (execution management unit management information) 111 managed by the execution management unit 121 and information (driver management information) 112 managed by the drivers 105 to 108.
[0036]
The execution management unit management information 111 includes items of “program ID”, “various program execution right information”, “program execution permission state flag”, “total execution time”, and “total number of executions”. The driver management information 112 includes n items from “paid resource 1 information” to “paid resource n information” managed by the drivers 105 to 108.
[0037]
Among these items, “program ID” and “various program execution right information” are fixed information stored when the target program 141 is registered, but other items are updated when the target program 141 is executed.
[0038]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of the program management table 110.
In the figure, four entries 115 to 118 are shown. The execution right information of each entry includes “actual charge / prepaid flag”, “execution time upper limit”, “execution time upper limit”, “paid communication use availability flag”, “price discount availability (maximum discount rate)”, and “grant issue” It is composed of “Availability flag”.
[0039]
Actual charge / prepaid flag: “0” is set for actual charge, and “1” is set for prepaid. Execution time upper limit: The upper limit of the execution time of the target program 141 is set in minutes. Execution upper limit: target program 141 Pay communication availability flag: “1” is set if pay communication is available, and “0” is set if it is not available.
[0040]
Discount availability (maximum discount rate): “0” is set if the target premium cannot be discounted, and the maximum discount rate (%) is set if possible. Premium issuance enable / disable flag: Premium issuance is possible “1” is set if it is present, and “0” is set if it is not possible. In addition, in each execution right information item, an item set to “−1” is invalid.
[0041]
Next, other items in the program management table 110 will be described.
Program execution permission state flag: “1” is set if the execution of the target program 141 is permitted, and “0” if it is not permitted. This flag is set to not permitted when the target program 141 exceeds the upper limit of the execution time or the upper limit of the number of executions. Total execution time: Cumulative execution time of the target program 141 (unit: minutes), which is periodically updated by the execution management unit 121. Total execution number: Cumulative execution number of the target program 141. Updated every time the target program 141 is activated (incremented by “1”)
Next, the driver management information 112 (paid resource 1 information to paid resource 5 information) shown in FIG. 3 will be described.
[0042]
Total sales quantity: Cumulative sales quantity of a product, updated by the product tray driver 106 Total sales price: Cumulative sales price of a product, updated by the coin mec / bill validator 105 Total discount amount: A product The number of premiums issued: The number of premiums issued: The number of premiums issued and updated by the product tray driver 106: Usage of paid communications: Cumulative paid communications of the target program 141 It is a frequency (a predetermined unit) and is updated by the communication line driver 108 each time the target program 141 performs pay communication.
In the program management table 110 shown in FIG. 3, the target programs 141 whose program IDs 142 are “24004” and “58010” are both suspended. In the case of the target program 141 whose program ID 142 is “24004”, the upper limit of the number of executions has been exceeded (because the prepaid for 300 times has been exceeded), and in the case of the target program 141 whose program ID 142 is “58010”, it is permitted. There is no stop trying to perform paid communication.
[0044]
The target program 141 whose program ID 142 is “11002” is a prepaid type program whose execution time is allowed up to 100 minutes, but since the total execution time is 68 minutes at present, the execution is stopped. It is not. Further, the target program 141 with the program ID 142 of “11001” is a type of program that charges for the actual result, and there is no upper limit on the execution time and the number of executions, and pay communication is also permitted. There will be no suspension.
[0045]
Next, the operation of the embodiment having the above configuration will be described.
First, the operation of the execution management unit 121 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the process of registering the newly loaded target program 141 in the program management table 110 by the execution management unit 121.
When a new target program 141 is loaded from the center device 20 or the portable terminal 30, the program management table 110 adds a new entry for the target program 141 to the program management table 110 (step S11).
Next, the program ID 142 and the execution right information 143 attached to or incorporated in the target program 141 are set in the new entry (step S12), and the program registration process is terminated.
[0046]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the execution management unit 121 starts the target program 141.
When starting a certain target program 141, the execution management unit 121 first refers to the entry of the target program 141 in the program management table 110 and checks the number of executions and the execution permission state flag (step S21). The number of executions is checked by comparing the total number of executions with the upper limit of the number of executions.
[0047]
Then, it is determined whether the target program 141 is in an execution-permitted state (step S22). If it is in an execution-permitted state (step S22, Yes), the “execution count” of the target program 141 in the program management table 110 is set to “1”. "Increment (step S23), start the target program 141 (step S24), and end the process.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the execution is not permitted (step S22, No), the process is immediately terminated.
[0048]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the execution management unit 121 is activated by a timer event from the timer 130.
The execution management unit 121 updates the “total execution time” of the target program 141 that is currently running (running) in the program management table 110 (step S31).
[0049]
Next, it is determined whether there is a target program 141 whose total execution time exceeds the execution time upper limit value (step S32). If there is a target program 141 whose execution time upper limit value is exceeded (step S32, Yes), The “execution permission state flag” of the target program 141 in the program management table 110 is set to “0” (not permitted) (step S33), the target program 141 is stopped (step S34), and the process is terminated.
[0050]
On the other hand, if there is no target program 141 that exceeds the execution time upper limit value in step S32 (No in step S32), the process is immediately terminated.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of each driver (105 to 108).
[0051]
When each driver is requested by the target program 141 to use the paid resource, each driver refers to the “execution right information” of the target program 141 in the program management table 110 and the target program 141 has the right to execute the paid resource. It is determined whether or not there is (step S41).
[0052]
If there is an execution right (step S41, Yes), normal driver processing (original processing of the driver) is executed (step S42), and when the processing ends, the pay resource used by the target program 141 is In accordance with the usage amount, “the usage amount of the pay resource” of the target program 141 in the program management table 110 is updated (step S43).
[0053]
Next, each driver determines whether the updated value of the pay resource exceeds the limit value permitted for the target program 141 (step S44). This determination is made by referring to the “execution right information” of the target program 141 in the program management table 110.
[0054]
If the limit value is exceeded (step S44, Yes), the “execution permission state flag” of the target program 141 in the program management table 110 is set to disallowed (step S45), and the target program 141 is Stop (step S46), and the process ends.
[0055]
If it is determined in step S41 that there is no execution right (No in step S41) or if it is determined in step S44 that the limit value has not been exceeded (No in step S44), the process ends.
[0056]
Next, the operation of the read notification unit 122 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the read notification unit 122 when the read notification unit 122 is activated by a timer event with a fixed period from the timer 130.
When activated by a timer event, the read notification unit 122 reads the content of the program management table 110 and notifies the center device 20 of the content via the communication line driver 108, the communication line I / F 103, and the communication line 40. (Step S51), and the process ends.
Note that the period of the timer event is specified by the center device 20, for example.
[0057]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the read notification unit 122 when a charge-related information read request is received from the center device 20 or the portable terminal 30.
For example, the read notification unit 122 determines whether or not the read request has been received at a predetermined cycle (step S61), and if it is determined that the read request has been received (step S61, Yes), The contents are read, and the contents are transmitted to the request source (center device 20 or portable terminal 30) of the read request (step S62), and the process is terminated.
[0058]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S61 that the read request has not been received (step S61, No), the process is immediately terminated.
Processing similar to the flowchart of FIG. 9 may be performed by an interrupt event. In this case, the read notification unit 122 activates the read notification unit 122 every time the vending machine 10 receives the read request from the center device 20 or the mobile terminal 30.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, with respect to a vending machine capable of loading a program from the outside, with respect to the execution of the program in the vending machine and the use of paid resources associated with the execution of the program , You can collect data to charge a legitimate price. In addition, since the data can be collected, it is possible to provide an environment serving as a basis for distributing a program loaded externally into the vending machine and providing a service using the vending machine.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a vending machine management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a program management table.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of a program management table.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a program registration process executed by an execution management unit.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a program activation process executed by an execution management unit.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating timer event processing executed by an execution management unit.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of each driver.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating timer event processing executed by a read notification unit.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a read notification unit receives a read request.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Vending Machine 101 Product Tray 102 Coin Mech / Bill Bali 103 Communication Line I / F
104 Mobile terminal I / F
105 Coinmec / Bill valid driver 106 Commodity tray driver 107 Portable terminal driver 108 Communication line driver 110 Program management table
111 Execution management unit management information
112 Driver management information
115, 116, 117, 118 Entry 121 Execution management unit 122 Read notification unit 130 Timer 141 Target program 142 Program ID
143 Execution right information

Claims (5)

A program loading means for loading a program from outside;
Storage means for individually storing information on the number of executions and execution time of each loaded program as billing information related to the execution of the program ;
Program management for controlling the execution of each program, collecting charging information related to the execution of each program, and updating the charging information related to the execution of the program stored in the storage means based on the collection result Means,
Vending machine characterized by comprising. Furthermore,
Pay resource billing that collects the charge resource usage information used in the execution of each program as charge resource charge information, and updates the charge resource charge information stored in the storage unit based on the collection result Information gathering means;
The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising: Furthermore,
When the charging information related to the execution of each program or the charging information of the pay resource exceeds a set upper limit value, program stop means for stopping execution of the program related to the charging information is provided. The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2. Furthermore,
4. The vending machine according to claim 1, 2, or 3, further comprising notification means for notifying an external device of billing information stored in the storage means. A program loading means for loading a program from outside;
Storage means for individually storing information on the number of executions and execution time of each loaded program as billing information related to the execution of the program ;
Program management for controlling the execution of each program, collecting charging information related to the execution of each program, and updating the charging information related to the execution of the program stored in the storage means based on the collection result Means,
Pay resource billing that collects the charge resource usage information used in the execution of each program as charge resource charge information, and updates the charge resource charge information stored in the storage unit based on the collection result A vending machine comprising information collecting means;
Receiving means for receiving billing information related to each program stored in the storage means from the vending machine;
A center device comprising calculation means for individually calculating a charge fee for each of the programs based on the charge information received by the receiving means;
Vending machine management system.

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