JP7774844B2 - Ticket vending machine setting system, user terminal used therefor, and application program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a ticket vending machine setting system for setting menu data, etc., in a ticket vending machine, and a user terminal used therewith. The present invention also relates to an application program for causing a user terminal to function as a ticket vending machine setting terminal.

Ticket vending machines that sell meal tickets and other items are widely used in restaurants and other establishments. In conventional button-type ticket vending machines, menu settings and button layout are often performed using a setting keyboard or dedicated remote control installed inside the machine. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for setting menu items, prices, etc. by operating an operation panel installed inside the automatic ticket vending machine.

It is also known to connect a computer to the ticket vending machine and configure it from the computer. When configuring using a computer, input devices such as a keyboard and mouse can be used, making it easy to input and edit menu data.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-172818

However, when using a computer, it is difficult for ticket machine users (owners) to set up the machine unless they have a good understanding of the machine's functions and data structure, making it difficult for them to do so. In many cases, they have had to ask a retailer or manufacturer's representative who is familiar with the setup process to do the setting for them.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a ticket vending machine setting system, a user terminal used therewith, and an application program for the user terminal, that allows users to intuitively set menu data and assign menus to menu buttons, even if they do not have a thorough understanding of the ticket vending machine's functions or data structure.

To solve the above problem, the ticket vending machine setting system of the present invention includes a ticket vending machine that prints a menu set for one of multiple menu buttons on the ticket face when that menu button is pressed and issues the ticket; and a user terminal that sets menu data in the ticket vending machine. The user terminal has a communications module that communicates data with the ticket vending machine and a touch panel display, and when a menu button setting mode for assigning a menu to the menu button is selected, the system displays a menu button setting screen including an image of the ticket vending machine's customer service surface on which the multiple menu buttons are provided, when a menu button is selected from the multiple menu buttons using a first selection method (e.g., a long press), the system displays a menu selection screen, and when a menu is selected from multiple menus displayed on the menu selection screen, the menu is associated with the selected menu button and saved. According to the present invention, menu settings for a ticket vending machine can be configured using a user terminal prepared independently of the ticket vending machine, and menus can be assigned to the ticket vending machine's menu buttons through simple and intuitive operations.

In the present invention, it is preferable that when one menu button from the plurality of menu buttons is selected on the menu button setting screen using a second selection method (e.g., tapping), the user terminal displays a menu associated with that menu button on the menu button setting screen. This allows the menu assigned to the menu button on the ticket machine to be checked with a simple and intuitive operation.

When the menu data transmission mode is selected, the user terminal preferably transmits menu button setting data containing information relating to the association between the plurality of menu buttons and the menu to the ticket vending machine. This allows the menu button assignments configured on the user terminal to be reflected in the ticket vending machine.

It is preferable that the user terminal displays the entire customer service screen in the ticket vending machine display window of the menu button setting screen when the menu button setting mode is selected, enlarges the image of the customer service screen when the image in the ticket vending machine display window is pinched out, and reduces the image of the customer service screen when the image in the ticket vending machine display window is pinched in. This allows menus to be assigned to the many menu buttons provided on the customer service screen of the ticket vending machine through simple and intuitive operations.

Preferably, when a desired cell in the menu button cell array on the customer service side is tapped after one of the multiple types of button samples displayed in the button selection window of the menu button setting screen is tapped to select it, the user terminal changes the menu button in a predetermined area including the cell to the button sample and displays it. Alternatively, when a button sample from the multiple types of button samples displayed in the button selection window of the menu button setting screen is dragged and dropped onto a desired cell in the menu button cell array on the customer service side, the user terminal changes the menu button in a predetermined area including the cell to the button sample and displays it. Either method can match the button layout of the ticket machine displayed on the screen of the user terminal to the button layout of the actual machine, allowing the user to easily and intuitively assign menus to menu buttons.

When a menu is assigned to a menu button, the user terminal preferably displays the menu ID of that menu on the menu button. This allows for easy, intuitive operation when setting menu data for the ticket machine and assigning menus to menu buttons.

It is preferable that the user terminal displays a menu editing screen when a menu setting mode for creating or editing menu data is selected, and saves the menu data when the menu data is created or edited on the menu editing screen. Furthermore, it is preferable that the user terminal transmits the created or edited menu data to the ticket vending machine when a menu data transmission mode is selected. This allows the ticket vending machine's menu data to be set with simple operations.

The present invention also provides a user terminal that sets menu data for a ticket vending machine that prints a menu set for one of a plurality of menu buttons on the ticket face when that menu button is pressed, and issues tickets by printing the menu set for that menu button on the ticket face. When a menu button setting mode for assigning a menu to the menu button is selected, the device displays a menu button setting screen including an image of the ticket vending machine's customer service face on which the plurality of menu buttons are provided; when a menu button from the plurality of menu buttons is selected using a first selection method, the device displays a menu selection screen; and when a menu is selected from a plurality of menus on the menu selection screen, the menu is saved in association with the selected menu button. According to the present invention, the menu for the ticket vending machine can be set using a user terminal prepared independently from the ticket vending machine, and menus can be assigned to the ticket vending machine's menu buttons through simple and intuitive operations.

Furthermore, the present invention provides an application program for causing a user terminal equipped with a touch panel display and a communications module for data communication with a ticket vending machine that prints a menu set for one of a plurality of menu buttons on the ticket face when that button is pressed and issues the ticket, to function as a ticket vending machine setting terminal for setting menu data in the ticket vending machine. The program is characterized by displaying a menu button setting screen including an image of the ticket vending machine's customer service face on which the plurality of menu buttons are provided when a menu button setting mode for assigning a menu to the menu button is selected, displaying a menu selection screen when a menu button from the plurality of menu buttons is selected using a first selection method, and saving the menu in association with the selected menu button when a menu is selected from a plurality of menus on the menu selection screen. According to the present invention, a general-purpose user terminal prepared independently of the ticket vending machine can function as a ticket vending machine setting terminal, and menus can be assigned to the ticket vending machine's menu buttons using simple and intuitive operations.

This invention provides a ticket vending machine setting system that allows users to intuitively assign menus to menu data and menu buttons, even without a detailed understanding of the ticket vending machine's functions and data structure, as well as a user terminal and user terminal application program for use with the system.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a ticket vending machine setting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a user terminal. 3A to 3E are screen transition diagrams for explaining the menu setting mode. 4A to 4C are screen transition diagrams for explaining the menu button setting mode. 5A to 5C are screen transition diagrams showing the layout settings of the menu buttons. 6A to 6C are screen transition diagrams showing the menu assignment mode to the menu buttons. 7A and 7B are screen transition diagrams showing a confirmation mode of the menu assigned to the menu button.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a ticket vending machine setting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1, this ticket vending machine setting system 1 is composed of a ticket vending machine 10 with data communication capabilities and a user terminal 20, such as a smartphone, that is capable of data communication with the ticket vending machine 10. The ticket vending machine 10 is connected to a wireless LAN router 30 via a LAN cable, and the user terminal 20 can connect to the ticket vending machine 10 via a wireless LAN router 30. The method of connection between the ticket vending machine 10 and the user terminal 20 is not limited to a wireless LAN connection, but a wireless connection is preferable.

The ticket vending machine 10 is a device that issues tickets on which menu names and the like are printed. The customer service surface 11a (front) of the housing 11 of the ticket vending machine 10 is provided with a bill insertion slot 12a, a bill ejection slot 12b, a coin insertion slot 13a, a coin ejection slot 13b, a ticket removal slot 14, multiple menu buttons 15, and a display unit 16 that displays the inserted amount and the like. Also provided inside the housing 11 of the ticket vending machine 10 are a cash processing unit that processes inserted bills and coins, a ticket issuing processing unit that prints menus on the tickets and issues them, and a data communications unit. In Figure 1, the multiple menu buttons 15 are arranged in a matrix on the customer service surface 11a of the ticket vending machine 10.

A menu button ID is assigned to each menu button 15 in a fixed order, and menu data such as the menu name and price is associated with each menu button ID. The control unit of the ticket vending machine 10 performs the necessary control, such as issuing a ticket for the specified menu and dispensing change, based on the amount inserted into the bill slot 12a and coin slot 13a and the content (menu and price) of the pressed menu button 15. If you wish to change the assignment of a menu to a menu button 15 or the price of a menu, you must rewrite the data stored in the memory unit (RAM, etc.) within the ticket vending machine 10. Operations such as setting and rewriting data can be performed using an operation panel provided within the ticket vending machine 10, or using the user terminal 20.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the general configuration of the user terminal 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a memory unit 22, a touch panel display 23, a wireless communication module 24, etc. The user terminal 20 is preferably a smart device. A smart device is a general term for smartphones and tablet terminals, and refers to a general-purpose mobile information terminal that can use a variety of application programs. While many smart devices typically have telephone functions, the user terminal 20 of this embodiment does not necessarily require telephone functions; it is sufficient if it has short-range wireless communication functions for data communication with the ticket vending machine 10.

An operating system (OS), device drivers, service programs, application programs, etc. are installed on the user terminal 20. In particular, a ticket vending machine setting app 25 is installed on the user terminal 20 in this embodiment, allowing the user terminal 20 to function as a ticket vending machine setting terminal. The operation of the ticket vending machine setting app 25 is described in detail below.

When the ticket vending machine setting app 25 (hereinafter simply referred to as app 25) is installed on the user terminal 20 and launched for the first time, a communication test is performed with the ticket vending machine 10 to be configured, and if a communication connection is established, that ticket vending machine 10 is registered in the app 25 as a managed machine. If there are multiple ticket vending machines 10 to be managed by the app 25, each of the multiple ticket vending machines 10 must be registered as a managed machine; the ticket vending machine 10 to be managed must first be selected and then various settings made. When the ticket vending machine 10 to be configured is selected, various data within the ticket vending machine 10 is synchronized with various data within the user terminal 20, and then the top screen of the app 25 is displayed.

Figures 3(a) to (e) are screen transition diagrams explaining the menu setting mode.

When the user operates the user terminal 20 to launch the app 25, the top screen 110 shown in FIG. 3(a) is first displayed on the touch panel display 23 of the user terminal 20. The top screen 110 displays various mode selection icons related to the settings of the ticket vending machine 10, such as a menu setting icon 111 for switching to menu setting mode, a ticket face setting icon 112 for switching to ticket face setting mode, a button setting icon 113 for switching to menu button setting mode, an issuer name setting icon 114 for switching to a setting mode for information about the ticket issuer, a list creation icon 115 for switching to a button layout list viewing mode, a send icon 116 for switching to a setting data sending mode, and a receive icon 117 for switching to a setting data receiving mode.

Tapping the menu setting icon 111 on the top screen 110 displays the menu selection screen 120. As shown in Figure 3 (b), the menu selection screen 120 displays a list of selection buttons 121 for menu records, and the selection button 121 for a set menu record (here, only menu ID = 000) displays the menu name and price. The selection button 121 for an empty menu record does not display the menu name. Menu data registered in the ticket vending machine 10 can be imported into the app 25 by tapping the receive icon 117 on the top screen 110, allowing the menu data in the app 25 to be synchronized with the ticket vending machine 10.

Tapping the selection button 121 for any menu record (here, menu ID = 001) on the menu selection screen 120 displays the menu editing screen 130 for that menu record. As shown in Figure 3(c), the menu editing screen 130 displays a data input field 131 for the menu record to be edited. Data such as "Name" (menu name), "Price", "Display Line" of the menu name, sales time (start-end), "Quantity sold", "Color", and "Tax rate type" (standard/reduced tax rate) can be registered in the menu record.

As shown in Figure 3(d), when the necessary data is entered on the menu editing screen 130 and the save icon 132 in the upper right corner of the screen is tapped, the entered data is saved in the memory area of the app 25. Here, it is shown that the menu name = "Salt Ramen" and price = "950 yen" have been set. After that, when returning to the menu selection screen 120, the menu name and price are reflected in the selection button 121 of the menu record with menu ID = 001, as shown in Figure 3(e). The menu data set in this way is sent to the ticket vending machine 10 when the send icon 116 on the top screen 110 is tapped to start sending data.

Next, we will explain how to assign the set menu data to the menu button 15.

Figures 4(a) to (c) are screen transition diagrams explaining the menu button setting mode.

When the button setting icon 113 is tapped from the top screen 110 shown in Figure 4(a), the menu button setting screen 140 is displayed as shown in Figure 4(b). The menu button setting screen 140 is provided with a ticket vending machine display window 141 that displays an image of the customer service surface 11a of the ticket vending machine 10, a button selection window 142 that displays the types of buttons that can be set on the customer service surface 11a, and an immediate window 143 that displays the menu data associated with the buttons.

The ticket vending machine display window 141 displays the customer service surface 11a of the ticket vending machine 10, on which numerous menu buttons 15 are arranged. Here, because the design of the customer service surface 11a of the ticket vending machine 10 differs depending on the model, it is preferable to use an image that is appropriate for the model. By using an image of the customer service surface 11a of the ticket vending machine 10 that imitates the customer service surface of the actual machine as the image displayed on the menu button setting screen 140, intuitive button setting is possible, and the operability of button setting on the ticket vending machine 10 can be improved.

The functions of the touch panel display 23 make it possible to zoom in and out on the customer service surface 11a of the ticket vending machine 10. By pinching out on the screen from the full display of the ticket vending machine 10 shown in Figure 4(b), the image can be enlarged as shown in Figure 4(c). Furthermore, by pinching in on the screen in the enlarged state shown in Figure 4(c), the image can be reduced and returned to the full display as shown in Figure 4(b). This allows intuitive selection of a specific menu button 15 for which a menu is to be set from among the many menu buttons 15, improving the operability of button settings on the ticket vending machine 10.

A button selection window 142 is provided below the ticket vending machine display window 141. Multiple button cells are arranged two-dimensionally, vertically and horizontally, on the customer service surface 11a of the ticket vending machine 10. Menu button sizes include a standard size (standard button), a 2x2 large button, a 2x1 medium horizontal button, and a 1x2 medium vertical button, and these can be laid out as desired. It is also possible to provide an unconfigured area (dummy block) where no buttons are configured. Such button layout configuration can be performed by tapping and selecting one of the button samples displayed in the button selection window 142, and then tapping the desired installation position on the customer service surface 11a displayed in the ticket vending machine display window 141.

Figures 5(a) to (c) are screen transition diagrams showing the menu button layout modes.

As shown in Figures 5(a) and (b), tap large button sample 145, for example, to select it from among multiple types of button samples. In this state, if you tap the cell in the second row and first column of the menu button cell array, a 2x2 large button will be laid out starting from that cell and extending upward and to the right, as shown in Figure 5(c). Other menu buttons can be set in the same way.

In the above example, the button layout was changed by tapping twice, but the layout can also be changed by dragging and dropping large button sample 145 from the button samples into the cell in the second row and first column of the menu button cell array.

Then, by tapping the save icon 132 in the upper right corner of the screen, the layout data for the menu buttons will be saved in the memory area within the app 25.

Menu button IDs are assigned to menu buttons as follows: A menu button ID is assigned to each cell in the menu button cell array, for example, in order from top left to bottom right, and standard-sized menu buttons are assigned the menu button ID for their installation position. For menu buttons larger than standard size, the menu button ID of the bottom left cell is assigned to that menu button, and the menu button IDs of other cells are treated as dummy blocks (unused). Therefore, for example, if a large button occupying a 2x2 grid is laid out as shown in Figure 5, the large button is linked to the menu button ID of the bottom left cell, and the menu button IDs of the remaining three cells are disabled. If a horizontally long medium-sized button occupying a 2x1 grid is laid out, the medium button is linked to the menu button ID of the cell on the right, and the menu button ID of the cell on the left is disabled. Note that disabling a menu button ID means that the menu button ID is excluded from being associated with menu data.

When changing the layout of the menu buttons 15 on the app 25, it goes without saying that it must match the layout of the menu buttons on the actual ticket vending machine 10. Therefore, the layout of the menu buttons must also be changed on the ticket vending machine 10 side. The work of changing the menu buttons on the actual machine can be carried out by a ticket vending machine maintenance worker or store staff. In this way, in this embodiment, the layout of the menu buttons on the ticket vending machine 10 can also be changed on the app 25 in accordance with a change in the layout of the menu buttons on the actual ticket vending machine 10, so that subsequent assignment of menus to the menu buttons can be done intuitively.

Figures 6(a) to (c) are screen transition diagrams showing the menu assignment mode for menu buttons.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), when one of the menu buttons 15 of the ticket vending machine 10 (here, a large button laid out) displayed in the ticket vending machine display window 141 of the menu button setting screen 140 is selected by long pressing (first selection method), the screen transitions to the menu selection screen 120 for selecting the menu to assign to that menu button 15, as shown in FIG. 6(b). When the desired menu (here, menu ID = 001) is selected from the menu selection screen 120, a menu record is assigned to that menu button 15, and the screen returns to the original menu button setting screen 140. Then, as shown in FIG. 6(c), the menu ID: 001 of the assigned menu is displayed in the center (POP area) of the menu button 15. Thereafter, by tapping the save icon 132 in the upper right corner of the screen, the menu button setting data, including data relating to the association between the menu button 15 and menu ID: 001, is saved in a memory area within the app 25.

Figures 7(a) and (b) are screen transition diagrams showing the confirmation mode for the menu assigned to the menu button.

As shown in Figure 7(a), when one of the menu buttons 15 (here, a large button laid out) of the ticket vending machine 10 displayed in the ticket vending machine display window 141 of the menu button setting screen 140 is selected by tapping (second selection method), the menu data (menu name and price) of menu ID = 001 assigned to that menu button 15 is displayed in the immediate window 143, as shown in Figure 7(b). In this way, details of the menu linked to the menu button 15 can be confirmed in the immediate window 143.

After you have completed assigning menus to the menu buttons 15, return to the top screen 110 shown in Figure 3(a) and tap the send icon 116. This will send the menu data and menu button setting data to the ticket vending machine 10, and the database within the ticket vending machine 10 will be rewritten. This completes the configuration of the ticket vending machine 10.

As described above, the ticket vending machine setting system 1 according to this embodiment includes a user terminal 20, such as a smart device, capable of data communication with the ticket vending machine 10. The user terminal 20 displays an image of the customer service surface 11a of the ticket vending machine 10, which is provided with multiple menu buttons 15. When one of the menu buttons 15 is selected using a first selection method such as a long press, the user terminal 20 displays a settings screen for the menu to be assigned to that menu button. When one of the menu buttons is selected using a second selection method such as a tap, the user terminal 20 displays the menu data assigned to that menu button. When the menu settings are complete, the user terminal 20 transfers the menu data and menu button setting data to the ticket vending machine 10, updating the database within the ticket vending machine 10, thereby simplifying menu settings for the ticket vending machine 10.

The above describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a smart device such as a smartphone is used as the user terminal, but in the present invention, the smart terminal is not particularly limited as long as it is a general-purpose terminal, and any terminal device may be used as long as it is a wireless communication terminal equipped with a touch panel display. It is also possible to use a general-purpose terminal that allows application development, such as a game terminal.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when one of the menu buttons 15 of the ticket vending machine 10 displayed on the menu button setting screen 140 is pressed and held, the screen transitions to the menu selection screen 120, and when the button is tapped, the menu data is displayed in the immediate window 143. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, a double tap (first selection method) may transition to the menu selection screen 120, and a single tap (second selection method) may display the menu data in the immediate window 143.

1 Ticket vending machine setting system 10 Ticket vending machine 11 Housing 11a Customer service surface 12a Banknote insertion slot 12b Banknote ejection slot 13a Coin insertion slot 13b Coin ejection slot 14 Ticket removal slot 15 Menu button 16 Display unit 20 User terminal 21 Control unit 22 Memory unit 23 Touch panel display 24 Wireless communication module 25 Ticket vending machine setting application 30 Wireless LAN router 110 Top screen 111 Menu setting icon 112 Bill face setting icon 113 Button setting icon 114 Issuer name setting icon 115 List creation icon 116 Send icon 117 Receive icon 120 Menu selection screen 121 Selection button 130 Menu editing screen 131 Data input field 132 Save icon 140 Menu button setting screen 141 Ticket vending machine display window 142 Button selection window 143 Immediate window 145 Button sample

Claims (10)

a ticket vending machine that prints a menu item set at one of a plurality of menu buttons on the ticket face when the menu button is pressed, and issues the ticket;
a user terminal for setting menu data in the ticket vending machine;
The user terminal includes a communication module that performs data communication with the ticket vending machine and a touch panel display,
When a menu button setting mode for assigning a menu to the menu button is selected, a menu button setting screen including an image of the customer service face of the ticket vending machine on which the plurality of menu buttons are provided is displayed;
displaying a menu selection screen when one menu button is selected from the plurality of menu buttons by a first selection method;
A ticket vending machine setting system characterized in that when one menu is selected from a plurality of menus displayed on the menu selection screen, the menu is saved in association with the selected menu button. The user terminal
The ticket vending machine setting system according to claim 1, wherein when one menu button is selected from the plurality of menu buttons using a second selection method on the menu button setting screen, a menu associated with that menu button is displayed on the menu button setting screen. The ticket vending machine setting system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the user terminal transmits menu button setting data to the ticket vending machine, the menu button setting data including information relating to the association between the plurality of menu buttons and the menu, when a menu data transmission mode is selected. The user terminal
When the menu button setting mode is selected, the entire customer service screen is displayed within the ticket vending machine display window of the menu button setting screen ;
When the image in the ticket vending machine display window is pinched out, the image on the customer side is enlarged and displayed;
The ticket vending machine setting system according to claim 1 , wherein the image of the customer service screen is displayed in a reduced size when the image in the ticket vending machine display window is pinched in. The user terminal
A ticket vending machine setting system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when one button sample is tapped and selected from multiple types of button samples displayed in the button selection window of the menu button setting screen and a desired cell in the menu button cell array on the customer service surface is tapped, the menu button in a specified area including that cell is changed to the button sample and displayed. The user terminal
A ticket vending machine setting system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when one button sample from among multiple types of button samples displayed in the button selection window of the menu button setting screen is dragged and dropped into a desired cell of the menu button cell array on the customer service surface, the menu button in a specified area including that cell is changed to the button sample and displayed. The user terminal
The ticket vending machine setting system according to claim 1 , wherein when the menu is assigned to the menu button, a menu ID of the menu is displayed on the menu button. The user terminal
When a menu setting mode for creating or editing menu data is selected, a menu editing screen is displayed;
The ticket vending machine setting system according to claim 1 , wherein when menu data is created or edited on the menu editing screen, the menu data is saved. A user terminal that sets menu data in a ticket vending machine that prints a menu set to one of a plurality of menu buttons on the ticket face when the menu button is pressed, and issues a ticket,
When a menu button setting mode for assigning a menu to the menu button is selected, a menu button setting screen including an image of the customer service face of the ticket vending machine on which the plurality of menu buttons are provided is displayed;
displaying a menu selection screen when one menu button is selected from the plurality of menu buttons by a first selection method;
When one menu is selected from a plurality of menus on the menu selection screen, the user terminal stores the selected menu in association with the selected menu button. An application program for causing a user terminal equipped with a touch panel display to function as a ticket vending machine setting terminal for setting menu data in the ticket vending machine, the application program comprising: a communication module for performing data communication with a ticket vending machine that prints a menu set to one of a plurality of menu buttons on the ticket face when the menu button is pressed; and a user terminal equipped with a touch panel display as a ticket vending machine setting terminal for setting menu data in the ticket vending machine,
When a menu button setting mode for assigning a menu to the menu button is selected, a menu button setting screen including an image of the customer service face of the ticket vending machine on which the plurality of menu buttons are provided is displayed;
displaying a menu selection screen when one menu button is selected from the plurality of menu buttons by a first selection method;
An application program characterized in that, when one menu is selected from a plurality of menus on the menu selection screen, the menu is saved in association with the selected menu button.