JPH077467B2 - Currency and gift card combination vending machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a vending machine for combined use of money and gift cards, which sells products such as cigarettes using gift cards for gifts in addition to money, or This is related to the items that can be exchanged.

(Prior Art) Generally, a product vending machine or the like uses a method of selling a product using coins or bills. In addition, gift cards that can be exchanged for gifts have recently become widespread, and this gift card is exchanged for products at a store or sales floor, but if the store or sales floor is closed at night, etc. It was inconvenient for the user because the product could not be redeemed. Therefore, there has been a demand for the development of an automatic vending machine which can be redeemed by using a gift card without using the currency, instead of the automatic vending machine which can be conventionally used only with a specific currency.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) Therefore, if a vending machine for exclusive use of gift cards that can exchange goods with gift cards is used, the usage rate is low, and gift cards can be sold with conventional vending machines that can sell with currency. Preferably available. A vending machine that allows both money and gift cards to be used is conceivable, but it is possible to select products within the range of the total amount of money and gift card prices. If the card can be used together, the gift card will be returned if the remaining amount is equal to or more than the gift card price value when the price of the product is subtracted from the sum of the monetary amount value and the gift card price value. Therefore, if the gift card is returned as it is, it will not promote the use of the gift card and the gift card cannot be used forever. In addition, since the gift card cannot be redeemed, there is a problem that the utilization rate of the gift card may decrease.

On the other hand, as a vending machine that can redeem a product with a gift card, if one use is limited to one gift card, it is necessary to insert each gift card and exchange it. It is inconvenient for the gift card and has a problem of impairing the usability of the gift card. Therefore, it is possible to promote the use of gift cards by developing a vending machine that can use a plurality of gift cards with one redemption operation. However, even in a vending machine that can use multiple gift cards, there is no problem if the price of the inserted gift cards and the price of the redeemed product match, but the price of one or more gift cards. There is a problem in the nature of the gift card that the change cannot be returned in money if the redemption of goods is canceled while the items are remaining, and when the gift card and money are used in exchange for goods. Also, it is preferable to return the remaining amount as change by a return operation, but if you return the gift card you will not be using the gift card and it is difficult for people who use vending machines to use the gift card was there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in the case where the gift card inserted for exchange with the product has an amount value of the gift card equal to or more than the price value of the gift card according to the return instruction. Returns the gift card, and if less than, returns the balance of the inserted money and does not return the gift card amount value, and as a result, the gift card amount value is returned before the return instruction. The present invention provides a vending machine that uses coins and gift cards in combination with money, which promotes sales by making selections, collects gift cards as much as possible, and reduces change.

(Means for Solving Problems) The coin vending machine and gift card combination type vending machine of the present invention are
Reading means for reading the price value of the gift card inserted for the exchange of goods, a currency memory for storing the amount of money inserted for purchasing the product, and the price value of the gift card read by the reading means as an amount. Gift card memory to store as a value, storage means having a total memory to store the total amount of money of both amounts, temporary holding means for sequentially holding the gift cards read by the reading means, inserted money and insertion A return instruction means capable of instructing the return of the gift card, a product selecting means that is selectively operated for purchasing or redeeming the product, and the product within the range of the total amount value stored in the total memory. The product selected by the product selection operation by the selection means can be redeemed, and the value of the redeemed product can be exchanged with the gift card memory or the coin memory. Is subtracted from Li, the subtraction will be performed from the gift card memory preferentially, also in exchange monetary value obtained by subtracting the amount of money value of goods further monetary value of the total memory,
When the return instruction is given by the return instruction means, if the amount of money stored in the gift card memory is equal to or more than the price value of the inserted gift card, the value of the gift card memory is The amount of money stored in the currency memory is returned when the number of gift cards equal to the quotient of the price of the gift card is returned from the temporary holding means and the amount of money in the gift card memory is less than the price of the gift card. And a control means for returning the value in money.

(Operation) The coin and gift card combination type vending machine of the present invention is
The price value of the gift card inserted for exchanging the product is read by the reading means, stored as the value value of the gift card in the gift card memory as the price value of the gift card, and money is put in for purchasing the product. Then, the money amount value of the inserted money is stored in the money memory, and the money amount value of the gift card and the money amount value of the money are stored in the total memory in the total memory. Then, the gift cards read by the reading means are temporarily held by the temporary holding means. Then, the product selection operation by the product selection means preferentially subtracts the amount value of the redeemed product from the gift card memory, and when the amount value of the gift card memory is insufficient, further subtracts the insufficient amount from the currency memory. , Also, the amount value of the redemption item is subtracted from the total memory. Then, the return instruction of the return instruction means instructs the return of the inserted money and the inserted gift card, and the return instruction by the return instruction means causes the control means to insert the amount value of the gift card stored in the gift card memory. If the value of the gift card is equal to or greater than the value of the gift card, the number of quotients of the gift card memory amount value and the gift card price value will be returned from the gift card held by the temporary holding means. , If the amount of money stored in the gift card memory is less than the price of one gift card, the amount of money stored in the currency memory is returned in money. When the and the gift card are used together, the remaining value of the price value of multiple gift cards due to the exchange of merchandise is more than the price value of the gift card. The Rutoki,
According to the return instruction, the gift card will be returned and the inserted money will be returned, and if the price value of one gift card is less than the price value, only the remaining amount of the inserted money will be returned.

(Embodiment) A configuration of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The vending machine body 10 shown in FIG. 1 can be exchanged or purchased with a gift card or currency.
In addition to products such as cigarettes, telephone cards, beer,
It is possible to sell different types of products such as juice. This vending machine body 10 has a control means 11, and this control means 11
Controlled by or controlled by gift card reading means 12, currency identification means 13, operation means 14, currency dispensing means 15,
It has a product dispensing means 16, a display means 17, a storage means 18, a management operation means 19, an IC card recording means 20, and a gift card temporary holding means 21.

The gift card reading means 12 is adapted to read a price value stored in a gift card inserted by a user for exchanging products by magnetism, a code unique to the gift card, and the like. When an improper gift card such as a counterfeit gift card is inserted, the gift card is naturally returned. Further, the gift cards read by the gift card reading means 12 are successively piled up and temporarily held by the gift card temporary holding means 21 and returned one by one when the return is required. Further, the gift cards held in the gift card temporary holding means 21 are collectively collected when there is no need to return the gift cards after the sale.

Further, the currency identifying means 13 identifies coins or banknotes that the user has inserted to purchase a product, determines authenticity, denomination, etc., and outputs a denomination signal to the control means 11 if it is authentic, and If the currency is proper currency, the currency that is input is returned.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation means 14 includes a group of product selection buttons 22 as a product selection means to be selected and operated at least for purchasing or redeeming a product, and a return button 23 serving as a return instruction means.
The return button 23 can be operated to return the coins returned or when the purchase is stopped after inserting the gift card.

The currency ejecting means 15 ejects currency that has been inserted and temporarily held or currency stored in the vending machine body 10 as change. Further, the product dispensing means 16 dispenses the product selected by the product selection button 22 of the operation means 14.
The display means 17 displays the amount of money inserted by the user, displays the price stored in the gift card as the amount of money, or displays various guidance and alarms.

Further, the storage means 18, as shown in FIG. 6, is a currency memory (KHK) for storing the amount of money inserted for the purchase of goods by the denomination signal from the currency identification means 13.
A gift card memory (SHK) that stores the price value of the gift card read by the reading means 12 as an amount value, and an amount value and a money memory (KHK) stored in the gift card memory (SHK). It has a total memory (TTL) that stores the total value of the amount of money that it holds and a product designation memory (HKS) that stores the products that can be sold on the gift card. )
Is a memory (HKS1) (HKS2) (HKS3) (HKS) for cigarettes, telephone cards, beer, juice, etc.
4) It has (HKS5), and it temporarily stores sales data sold by money or gift cards, and also stores the price value of each product and the stored product code. Further, a program for controlling various sales or data, flags and the like necessary for various controls are stored. Further, the management operation means 19 is the vending machine body 10
It is operated by the administrator of the vending machine body 10, is provided inside or on the back side of the vending machine body 10, stores the product code or unit price for each product storage column of the product storage section of the vending machine body 10, and The sales amount or the number of items sold by product is displayed and further printed on a journal, various mode keys, a ten-key display unit, a printer, and the like are provided.

The IC card recording means 20 is provided in the vending machine body 10,
Usually, an IC card is loaded, and the exchange and sales information temporarily stored in the storage means 18 is stored in the storage section of this IC card. The date, time, and information are stored in advance in the storage unit of this IC card. IC card is ROM, RAM,
It has a built-in CPU, etc., stores the sales data in the ROM, and stores a program for outputting the sales data to the outside of the IC card by a read command from the outside. Also,
The RAM stores sales data, an IC card ID code, an administrator code, a store where the vending machine is installed, or a code unique to the vending machine, date and time, and information. Further, the CPU is
Executes various arithmetic controls on the C card according to the ROM program. In addition, this IC card has terminals for inputting and outputting various data to and from this IC card.
Side, IC card settlement device side may be supplied,
A battery may be built in or used in combination with the IC card itself.

Further, the control means 11 is equal to the price value of the inserted gift card in which the amount of money stored in the gift card memory (SHK) of the storage means 18 is instructed by the return instruction by operating the return button 23 of the return instructing means. In the case of or more, the gift card memory (SHK) of the gift cards held by the temporary holding means 21 and only the number of quotients of the gift card price value are returned, and the gift card memory is also returned. The difference between the (SHK) amount and the return card amount (the product of the number of return cards and the gift card price) is collected and not returned. In addition, gift card memory (SHK)
If the value is less than or equal to the price value, the amount of money stored in the money memory (KHK) of the storage means 18 is returned in money, and the amount of money stored in the gift card memory is collected and not returned. Further, within the range of the total value of the monetary amount value and the gift card amount value stored in the storage means 18, the product selection with the product selection button 22 as the product selection means is enabled and selected. The amount value of the stored product is preferentially controlled to be subtracted from the amount value stored in the gift card memory (SHK), and the money stored in the currency memory (KHK) of the storage unit 18 is stored. A product selection button 22 of the product selection means for a product that is within the range of the sum of the amount of money and the price of the gift card and is stored by the storage means 18 as a product permitted to be sold in the gift card. The sale is controlled if there is a selection operation by.

Further, the vending machine body 10 is provided with a gift card insertion slot 24 of the operation means 14, a coin insertion slot 25 and a bill insertion slot 26, and the coin insertion slot 25 and the bill insertion slot 26 are provided.
The currency inserted from is identified by the currency identifying means 13. Further, a product display section 27 is provided above the operation means 14 corresponding to the product selection button 22, and a receiving port 28 for the products thrown out by the product throwing means 16 and the currency are provided at the lower part. A receiving port 29 for the money dispensed by the dispensing means 15 is formed.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

When the gift card is inserted into the gift card slot 24 of the vending machine body 10, it is determined that the gift card has been inserted into the gift card slot 24 (step 1). With the inserted gift card, the reading means 12 reads the price value recorded on the gift card, the code unique to the gift card, and the like (step 2). The authenticity of the inserted gift card is checked by the reading means 12 to determine the authenticity of the gift card (step 3). If the gift card is authentic, the price value is stored as the amount value in the gift card memory (SHK) of the storage means 18 (step 4). If there is a gift card that is inserted first, the stored value of the gift card that is inserted first and read by the reading means 12 and the price value of the gift card that is inserted later are calculated as the amount of money. The total value is stored in the gift card memory (SHK) as an amount value. Also, if the amount of money inserted into the currency memory (KHK) is stored,
The total value of the monetary amount value stored in the gift card memory (SHK) and the monetary amount value stored in the currency memory (KHK) is stored in the total memory (TTL) (step 5). Then, the gift card is temporarily held by the temporary holding means 21 (step 6). Further, the display means 17 displays the respective amount values of the gift card memory (SHK), the currency memory (KHK) and the total memory (TTL) and the total amount value. If the improper gift card is inserted, it is returned (step 7).

When coins are inserted into the coin insertion slot 25 and the bill insertion slot 26 of the vending machine body 10, it is determined by the currency identification means 13 that the currency has been inserted (step 8), and the inserted currency is The currency identifying means 13 identifies the denomination (step 9), and the inserted currency is checked for authenticity by the currency identifying means 13 to determine the authenticity of the money (step 1).
0). Then, when the currency is authentic, the amount of money is stored in the currency memory (KHK) provided in the storage means 18 (step 11). If there is money inserted earlier, the sum of the amount of money inserted earlier and identified by the currency identifying means 13 and the amount of currency inserted later is the currency memory (KHK ). Also, the value of the gift card inserted in the gift card memory (SH
K), the sum of the amount of money in the gift card memory (SHK) and the amount of money in the currency memory (KHK) is stored in the total memory (TTL) (step 12). The display means 17 has a gift card memory (SHK) and a currency memory (K
Each amount value of HK) and total memory (TTL) and total amount value are displayed. Then, when the inappropriate coin is inserted, it is returned (step 13).

Then, after inserting or inserting either or both of the gift card and the coin, when the product selection button 22 as the product selection means of the operation means 14 is operated, the operation of the product selection button 22 is discriminated (step 14 ) Furthermore, it is determined whether the amount of money stored in the total memory (TTL) of the storage means 18 is equal to, higher or lower than the lowest price of the product set in the vending machine body 10 ( Step
15).

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

When the control unit 11 determines that the amount of money stored in the total memory (TTL) of the storage unit 18 is equal to or higher than the minimum price of the product set in the vending machine body 10 (step 15), The gift card slot 24, coin slot 25 and banknote slot 26 of the vending machine body 10 are closed (step 1
6) The control means 11 determines whether the amount of money stored in the total memory (TTL) of the storage means 18 is equal to or higher than the price of the selected product (step 17). If the total memory (TTL) value is equal to or higher than the price of the selected product, the control means 11 controls the gift card memory (SHK).
It is determined whether or not the amount value of is equal to or higher than the price of the selected product and whether or not the product can be sold with a gift card (step 18). Next, when it is determined that the value of the gift card memory (SHK) is equal to or higher than the price of the selected product and the gift card can be sold, the control unit 11 further stores the product designation memory ( It is judged whether or not the product can be sold with the gift card stored in the HKS) (step 19), and if it is judged that the product can be sold with the gift card, the product selected by the product dispensing means 16 Is thrown out (step 20).

Further, the control means 11 judges that the price of the selected product is higher than the amount value stored in the gift card memory (SHK) (step 18), and the amount value of the money memory (KHK) is the price of the selected product. If it is determined that the price is equal to or higher than (step 21), the selected product is dispensed by the operation of the product dispensing means 16 by the control of the control means 11 without determining whether the gift card can be sold. Be done. If it is determined that the selected product is a type of product that cannot be sold with a gift card (step 19), a guidance message such as "Cannot sell. Please select again." Is displayed on the display means 17 ( Step 22). In addition, it is determined that the price of the selected product is higher than the amount of money stored in the gift card memory (SHK) (step 18). When it is determined that the amount of money in the money memory (KHK) is lower than the price of the selected product (step 21), the guidance is displayed (step 22).

Then, after the merchandise has been dispensed, the control means 11 performs arithmetic processing to determine that the balance of the gift card memory (SHK) in the storage means 18 is not zero (step 23), and further, the gift card memory (SHK). It is determined whether or not the monetary value of) is equal to or higher than the price of the selected product (step 24). When it is determined that the amount of money stored in the gift card memory (SHK) is higher than the price of the selected product, the control means 11 causes the money memory (KH
The calculation of subtracting the price of the selected product from the amount of money stored in the gift card memory (SHK) is performed with priority over K) (step 25). Then, the balance value of the gift card memory (SHK) and the balance value of the currency memory (KHK) are added and stored in the total memory (TTL) of the storage means 18 (step 2).
6).

Next, when it is determined that the amount of money stored in the gift card memory (SHK) of the storage means 18 is zero (step 23), the amount of money stored in the gift card memory (SHK) is selected. The case where it is determined that the price is lower than the price of the product (step 24) will be described. In such a case, the total memory (TT
After adding and storing the balance value of the gift card memory (SHK) and the balance value of the currency memory (KHK) to L) (step 26), the steps 30, 31, 32 described later to the above steps 17, 18, 1
It occurs when returning to steps 23 and 24 through 9 and 20.

When it is determined that the amount of money stored in the gift card memory (SHK) of the storage means 18 is zero (step 23), the currency memory (KHK) stores the currency memory (KHK). The price of the selected product is subtracted from the amount of money and stored (step 29), and the storage means section
The balance value (0 in this case) of the gift card memory (SHK) and the balance value of the currency memory (KHK) are additionally stored in 18 total memories (TTL) (step 26).

Further, when it is determined that the amount of money stored in the gift card memory (SHK) is lower than the selected product price (step 24), the gift card temporarily held by the temporary holding means 21 is All are collected (step 27).
Then, the stored value of the gift card memory (SHK) of the storage means 18 is set to zero, and the currency memory (KHK) stores the commodity price selected from the stored value and the amount stored in the gift card memory (SHK). The difference from the value is subtracted and the balance is stored (step 28). This means that the amount of money stored before the gift card memory (SHK) was zeroed was collected in preference to the amount of money. And the total memory (TTL) of the storage means 18
The balance values of the gift card memory (SHK) and the currency memory (KHK) are additionally stored in (step 26).

Next, sales information such as the type of product sold or redeemed is recorded in the IC card recording means 20 mounted in the vending machine body 10 (step 30). Then, it is determined whether or not the amount of money recorded in the total memory (TTL) of the storage means 18 is larger than zero and lower than the lowest price of the product set in the vending machine body 10 (step 31), and the total memory (TTL)
If the amount of money stored in is larger than zero and is not within the range lower than the lowest price of the product set in the vending machine body 10, it is determined whether or not there is a further product selection operation (step 32). If there is a further product selection operation, it is again judged whether the stored value of the total memory (TTL) is equal to the price of the selected product or larger than the price of the selected product (step 17). If it is determined that there is no product selection operation (step 32), it is further determined whether or not the return button 23 of the return instruction means is operated (step 33). If it is determined that there is no return operation, it is determined again whether or not there is a selection operation (step 32). When it is determined that this return operation is performed, it is determined whether or not the amount of money stored in the gift card memory (SHK) is equal to or higher than the price of one gift card ( Step 34). If it is determined that the amount of money stored in the total memory (TTL) is greater than zero and lower than the price set in the vending machine body 10 (step 31), the gift card memory (SHK) is displayed. It is judged whether or not the amount of money stored in is equal to or higher than the price of one gift card (step 34). Then, when it is determined that the amount of money stored in the gift card memory (SHK) is equal to or higher than the price of one gift card (step 34), the shutter of the gift card slot 24 is opened. Is opened (step 35), and among the temporarily held gift cards, gift cards of the quotient of the quotient of the gift card memory (SHK) value and the gift card price value are returned to the gift card insertion slot 24 (step). 36). Here, the difference between the gift card memory (SHK) amount value and the return gift card amount value (the product of the number of returned cards and the card price) is collected and not returned). Then, it is judged whether or not the amount of money stored in the currency memory (KHK) is greater than zero (step 37). In addition, it is determined that the amount of money stored in the gift card memory (SHK) is lower than the price of the gift card (step 34), and the amount of money stored in the currency memory (KHK) is zero. It is determined whether the number is larger than that (step 37). Currency memory (KH
K) is judged to be greater than zero (step 37)
And that amount of money is returned (step 38). Then, it is judged whether or not there is a gift card temporarily held (step 39). Then, when it is determined that the gift card is a gift card (step 39), the temporarily held gift card is collected (step 40). Also, if the gift card is collected (step 40) or it is determined that there is no temporary gift card (step 39), gift card memory (SHK), currency memory (KHK) and total memory (TT).
L) is cleared (step 41). Then, the coin insertion slot 25, the bill insertion slot 26, and the gift card insertion slot 24, which have been closed, are released (step 42), and the selling operation ends.

Further, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

When the control means 11 determines that the amount of money stored in the total memory (TTL) of the storage means 18 is lower than the price of the selected commodity (step 17), the total memory (TT) is further added.
It is determined whether the amount value stored in L) is equal to or higher than the lowest price of the product set in the vending machine body 10 (step 43). And the total memory (TT
It is determined that the amount value stored in L) is lower than the lowest price of the product set in the vending machine body 10 (step
43) and the display means 17 displays a guidance, for example, "The selected product cannot be sold within the balance" (step 44), and judges again whether the return operation has been performed (step 33). Further, when it is determined that the amount of money stored in the total memory (TTL) is equal to or higher than the lowest price of the product set in the vending machine body 10 (step 43), the gift card memory (SHK). It is determined whether or not the amount of money stored in is zero (step
45) When it is determined that the stored value in the gift card memory (SHK) is zero, the display means 17 displays a guidance such as "There are no products that can be purchased with the remaining amount, so the remaining amount will be returned." (Step 46). And
It is again judged whether or not the stored value in the money memory (KHK) is larger than zero (step 37). Further, when there is a remaining amount of the gift card and it is determined that the amount of money stored in the gift card memory (SHK) is not zero (step 45),
On the display means 17, for example, a guidance message "The remaining amount of the gift card is insufficient. Please insert money." Is displayed (step 47) and the shutters of the coin insertion slot 25 and the bill insertion slot 26 are released. (Step 48). When it is determined that money has been inserted (step 49), the inserted currency is identified by the currency identifying means 13 (step 50), and the inserted currency is identified by the currency identifying means.
The authenticity is checked in 13 to determine the authenticity of money (step 51). If the currency is authentic, the storage means 18
The monetary amount (KHK) provided in the above is summed with the monetary amount of the previously inserted monetary amount and stored (step 52). Also, if the price value of the gift card inserted previously is stored in the gift card memory (SHK),
Amount of money in gift card memory (SHK) and currency memory (KH
The sum of the amount values of K) is stored in the total memory (TTL) (step 53). Then, it is judged again whether or not the return operation is performed (step 33). When it is determined that no money has been input (step 49), it is determined whether or not the return operation is continued (step 54). When the return operation is performed, the amount of money in the money memory (KHK) is further zero. It is judged whether it is large (step 55), the remaining amount of money stored in the money memory (KHK) is thrown out (step 56), and the money is discharged to the change receiving port 29. In addition, when the amount of money in the money memory (KHK) is judged to be zero (step 55) by the dispensing of the money (step 56), the gift card memory (SHK), the money memory (KHK) and the total memory (TTL). )
Is cleared (step 57), the temporarily held gift card is collected (step 58), the gift card slot 24 is opened (step 59), and the sale ends. If it is determined that the predetermined time has passed without determining the return operation (step 60), the display means 17 displays a guidance, for example, "Discontinue sales." (Step 60).
61). Further, it is determined whether or not money has been inserted until a predetermined time elapses without determining the return operation (step 60), and when the money is inserted within the predetermined time, the process returns to step 49.

Further, in FIG. 3, it is determined that the product selection button 22 of the product selection means of the operation means 14 is not operated after either or both of the gift card and the money are inserted or inserted (step 14), Further, it is determined whether or not the return operation is performed (step 62). If the return operation is not performed, it is determined again whether the gift card has been inserted (step 1). When the return operation is performed, it is again determined whether the amount of money stored in the gift card memory (SHK) is equal to or higher than the price of the gift card (step 34).

Further, when it is judged in step 19 shown in FIG. 4 that the selected product is the type of product that cannot be sold with the gift card (step 19), the guidance is displayed on the display means 17 (step 22), and again. It is determined whether or not the return operation has been performed (step 33).

Next, in order to settle the price of the gift card sold by the vending machine body 10, the IC card recording means 20 takes out the IC card in which the sales information is stored, and the IC card is issued by the card issuer or This is done using the checkout device installed at the bank. This settlement device reads the sales information stored in the IC card and pays out money based on the sales information stored in the IC card.

(Effect of the Invention) According to the present invention, the control means, when the amount value of the gift card stored in the gift card memory is equal to or more than the price value of the inserted gift card, The amount of gift cards stored in the gift card memory is returned from the gift card held by the temporary holding means, and the amount of money stored in the gift card memory is returned. If is less than or equal to the price value of one gift card, the amount of money stored in the currency memory is returned in money, in particular,
When money and gift cards are used together, if the remaining price value of multiple gift cards is equal to or more than the price value of one gift card, the return instruction will return the gift card and the returned money. , And if the price value of one gift card is less than or equal to the price value, only the remaining amount for the inserted money can be
In addition to currency, gift cards can also be sold or exchanged, and the gift card inserted for exchange with the product will be refunded after the product is ejected. If the item is returned and the par value is lower than the face value, the amount of the gift card can be selected as much as possible without the item being returned to promote the sale, and the gift card can be collected as much as possible to reduce the shortage of change.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a vending machine for combined use of money and gift cards according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same vending machine, and FIGS. 3 to 5 are flowcharts of the same vending machine. FIG. 6 and FIG. 6 are memory map diagrams of the storage means. 11 ... control means, 12 ... reading means, 18 ... storage means,
21 …… Temporary holding means, 22 …… Product selection button of product selection means, 23 …… Return button as return instruction means, KHK …… Money memory, SHK …… Gift card memory, TTL …… Total memory.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Toshiyuki Hara 35 Shimoteno, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture Glory Industry Co., Ltd. (56) References JP 61-101890 (JP, A) JP 50-41599 (JP, A) JP-A-60-81693 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A reading means for reading the price value of a gift card inserted for the exchange of goods, a currency memory for storing the amount of money inserted for the purchase of goods, and a gift card read by the reading means. A gift card memory for storing the price value as a monetary value, a storage means having a total memory for storing the total monetary value of both monetary values, and a temporary holding means for temporarily holding the gift cards read by the reading means in sequence. Return instruction means that can instruct the return of the inserted money and the inserted gift card, product selection means that is selectively operated to purchase or redeem goods, and the total amount of money stored in the total memory. Within the range, the product selected by the product selection operation by the product selection means can be redeemed and the value of the redeemed product can be exchanged with the gift card memory. Or the subtraction from the currency memory, and the subtraction is preferentially performed from the gift card memory.Furthermore, the amount value of the total memory is also the amount value obtained by subtracting the amount value of the exchanged product, and the return instruction means gives a return instruction. Then, if the amount of money stored in the gift card memory is equal to or more than the price value of the inserted gift card, the number of quotients of the amount of gift card memory and the value of gift card price A control means for returning the gift card from the temporary holding means and for returning the amount of money stored in the currency memory in money when the amount of money in the gift card memory is less than the price of the gift card. An automatic vending machine that uses coins and gift cards together.