JP2016091443A - vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To allow a vending machine to easily cope with commodities different in size from each other in vending machines that allow customers to print pictures or the like they like on commodities on site and purchase them.CONSTITUTION: A customer inputs a desired image into a vending machine by taking it with an electronic camera, bringing it stored in a medium, or transmitting it from a terminal. The vending machine prints the input image on a customer print region of a yet-to-be-completed commodity to complete the commodity, and supplies it to a commodity take-out port. In order to be able to cope with yet-to-be-completed commodities different in size, a position limit member 80 that limits width or depth in a container is provided in a yet-to-be-completed commodity container 70 in detachable, replaceable, and position changeable manners, and the height of a yet-to-be-completed commodity placement board 78 is adjusted by spacers 87, 88. In addition, the height position of a conveyor 50 is adjusted at will.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a print-on-demand vending machine.

  Vending machines that sell products desired by customers in response to operations of customers (consumers, users) are already well known. Recently, with the development of various electronic devices and communication networks, vending machines with new functions have been proposed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes a vending machine that includes a visual system including a camera, detects a specific logo batch worn by the consumer, and interacts with the consumer in response thereto. .

  The vending machine described in Patent Document 2 receives and displays promotional advertisement content via a network, and outputs a privilege and a processing result generated when an authenticated member participates in the promotional advertisement.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a photo vending machine capable of executing both photo printing and smooth relief processing with a single machine.

  U.S. Patent No. 6,057,031 describes an apparatus and method for preparing a container having a customized design, which allows a consumer to interact with the apparatus to customize at least one aspect of a virtual white pack. It provides an interface means that allows a created design to be created through the selection and placement of design elements. However, this technology does not produce or sell products, but only a part of the consumer design the virtual white pack. Patent Document 4 does not disclose a vending machine.

  In other words, even if a package is designed, the creation of the package with that design (including printing of the design) and filling of the contents must be done at the factory, and the product should be obtained immediately on the spot when the design is completed. I can't. It takes time for manufacturing, time for delivery, and additional delivery costs.

JP 2001-76227 A JP2012-53875 JP 2010-173299 A Special table 2010-532733

  The present invention provides a vending machine that can complete a product (product) on which desired information is printed on at least a part of the surface of an unfinished product (semi-finished product) and immediately deliver it to a customer. To do.

  In particular, the present invention provides a vending machine having a structure that can easily cope with incomplete products (commodities) of different sizes.

  The basic configuration of the vending machine according to the present invention is that an unfinished product storage for stacking and storing a plurality of unfinished products provided with a customer print area on at least a part of the surface, for a customer to input desired print information. Print information input means, take-out means for taking out unfinished products stored in the unfinished product storage, and information represented by the print information input by the print information input unit is incomplete taken out by the take-out means The printer includes a printing unit that prints in a customer print area of the product, and a product supply unit that supplies a product completed by printing information by the printing unit to the product outlet.

  The vending machine according to the present invention is installed especially in sightseeing spots, accommodation facilities such as hotels, amusement facilities, theme parks, event venues, movie theaters, concert halls, etc. Since the products shown can be manufactured (finished) and supplied on the spot, they can be used as vending machines for new forms of souvenirs and souvenirs.

  An unfinished product is an unfinished product in the sense that there is room for the customer to print the desired information (such as images containing text) because a customer print area is provided on at least a part of the surface. It is. The product includes the packaging container itself.

  The vending machine according to the present invention prints and completes an image desired by the customer on at least a part of the surface of the unfinished product, and provides the completed product to the customer. The customer print area for unfinished products is not limited to an area that remains as a fabric or white, but may be any area that can print some image on it. For example, it may be an area that is colored to the extent that it does not interfere with the printing of an image, or an area in which the background has already been printed. Therefore, the customer print area may not be clearly separated from other areas. In the most extreme form, the customer print area may be continuous with the area on which other patterns, designs, etc. are printed, and the product may be uncomfortable without adding special image printing to it. . Even in this case, if the customer's desired image is printed on a part of the product packaging container (customer print area), it will have a better appearance and a souvenir souvenir meaning. Completeness increases. In this sense, the product before the image desired by the customer is printed is an incomplete product even if the product does not feel uncomfortable even if the image is not printed. The customer print area can be said to be an area where the customer can print arbitrarily, a printable customer area, a customer self-expression area, and the like.

  Inputting an image includes selecting one or more of the images when there are a plurality of images. Therefore, a mode in which two or more images are combined or printed at a plurality of separate locations (a plurality of customer print areas) is also included. The image may include letters, numbers and symbols.

  Printing an image includes not only displaying (printing) the image directly on the unfinished product with ink or the like, but also attaching a paper (for example, sticker paper) representing (printing) the image.

  In this way, according to the vending machine of the present invention, a product on which an image desired by the customer is printed on at least a part of the surface can be completed on the spot and supplied to the customer.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention applied to products having different widths or lengths, a position regulating member that regulates the width or depth in the unfinished product storage is detachable, replaceable in the unfinished product storage, or The position can be changed.

  Therefore, a position control member that does not use a position control member for a single unfinished product hangar, is equipped with a position control member that is suitable for a smaller size incomplete product, By exchanging or changing the mounting position, one kind of incomplete product storage can be easily used for incomplete products of various sizes (width or length).

  In one embodiment, a plurality of grooves into which the lower end portions of the position regulating members are inserted are formed in the incomplete product placement member in the incomplete product storage. The position restricting member can be positioned at an appropriate position.

  In another embodiment, it comprises transport means for transporting the unfinished product taken out by the take-out means to the printing means, and this transport means has a guide member that can move forward and backward in the width direction of the transport path. It can be applied to unfinished products with different widths or lengths in the transportation of unfinished products. Then, the printing means can appropriately print in the customer print area of the incomplete product.

  In a second embodiment of the present invention applied to a product having a different thickness (height), a transport means for transporting the unfinished product taken out by the take-out means to the printing means, and the printing means or the transport means It further includes first height adjusting means for adjusting the height position.

  By adjusting the height position of at least one of the printing means and the conveying means according to the height (thickness) of the unfinished product by the first height adjusting means, various heights (thicknesses) ) Can be handled easily.

  When performing the height adjustment of the said conveying apparatus, Preferably, it is further provided with the 2nd height adjustment member which adjusts the height position of the unfinished goods mounting member of the said unfinished goods storage.

  The first form and the second form may be combined.

  In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises value receiving means for receiving a value corresponding to the total price of the goods that the customer desires to purchase, wherein the goods supplying means is configured to receive the price of the product desired by the customer. After accepting the value equivalent to the total amount or more, supply the finished product. Preferably, the printing unit starts printing after accepting a value corresponding to the total amount or more.

  In one embodiment, the value receiving means receives at least the money processing means for checking the inserted cash and releasing the necessary change and / or data representing electronic money (a barcode printed on a ticket or the like). Electronic money processing means).

  In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises number input means for allowing the customer to input the number of products that the customer desires to purchase, or further includes product type selection means for selecting a product desired by the customer from a plurality of types of products. It is desirable to prepare.

  In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises moving means for moving at least one of the unfinished product stored in the unfinished product storage means or the printing means to a position suitable for printing by the printing means.

  The print information input means, when the print information is image information (including characters, numbers, etc.), digital image data from an electronic photographing means such as an electronic camera, a digital storage medium such as a USB memory or an SD card. Any one of, or two, a means for receiving a digital signal including digital image data transmitted from a portable terminal device, and a means for displaying and selecting a plurality of pre-stored images stored in advance in the storage means It can comprise by the above predetermined combination.

  Therefore, the customer can take a picture on the spot or bring a pre-made image for printing. Furthermore, it is possible to use a pre-made image specific to the place where the vending machine is installed.

  Finally, it is preferable to display the information (image) to be printed so that the customer can confirm it.

  Further, it is preferable that processing desired by the customer, for example, addition of a frame, addition of characters, addition of a background, combination of a plurality of images, and the like can be performed on the selected image.

The perspective view of a vending machine. The perspective view of an incomplete product. The perspective view of a finished product. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a vending machine. The perspective view which shows the example of the goods from which size differs. The figure which shows an example of a goods conveyance mechanism, and shows the structure suitable for the large-sized goods. The figure which shows an example of a goods conveyance mechanism, and shows the structure suitable for the small-sized goods. The perspective view which shows the structure of a conveying apparatus. The figure which shows an example of an incomplete goods storage, and shows the structure suitable for the large-sized goods. The figure which shows an example of an incomplete goods storage, and shows the structure suitable for the small-sized goods. The perspective view which shows a position control member. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of an incomplete goods taking-out apparatus (extrusion apparatus). The flowchart which shows the whole operation | movement in a vending machine. The flowchart which shows the whole operation | movement in a vending machine. An image input method selection screen is shown. A screen during shooting is shown. The genre selection screen of a ready-made image is shown. The selection screen of a ready-made image is shown. A confirmation screen is shown.

  FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a print-on-demand vending machine.

  In other words, this vending machine is arranged in the customer printing area 3 provided on a part of the surface of the packaging container 2A of the unfinished product 1A as shown in FIG. 2 (or the surface of the unfinished product itself), as shown in FIG. As shown, according to the instructions of the customer who wants to purchase the product, the customer's original image (information) is printed on the spot in real time to complete the product 1 (packaging container 2). 1 is supplied to the customer.

  The finished product 1 is most generally composed of its three-dimensional packaging container (box, carton) 2 and contents such as confectionery (substantial product) contained (contained) in the packaging container 2. . The incomplete product 1A is incomplete in the sense that the customer printing area 3 is left on a part of the surface of the packaging container 2A, and the contents are already accommodated in the packaging container 2A and sealed. . If any image (including characters, symbols, numbers, etc.) is printed on the customer printing area 3 of the packaging container 2A, the printing is completed. In some cases, the product itself (substantial product itself corresponding to the above contents, one wrapped in shrink wrap, etc.), the packaging container itself, etc. may be the product.

  Here, the term customer print area 3 means an area reserved for printing an image desired by the customer (print area, customer area, customer print area), and remains as white or white. In some cases, this is not a limitation. For example, the region 3 may be colored with a light color. In some cases, a background image may be printed in advance. The shape of the customer print area 3 is arbitrary. It may be a square as shown (with or without rounded corners), a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, or another polygon. The boundary between the customer printing area 3 and the other area may not be clear on the surface of the incomplete packaging container 2A (incomplete product). The image desired by the customer may be printed over the entire surface of the region 3, or only a part of the region 3 may be projected. The printing of the image desired by the customer may be part or all of one side of the packaging container (the surface of the unfinished product) as shown. In addition, if possible, it may extend over two or more sides.

  The vending machine 10 is a vertically long box type in this embodiment, and a customer operation surface (part) is provided on one surface of the upper half.

  FIG. 4 shows the electrical configuration of the vending machine 10. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, a touch screen device 12 is provided on the customer operation surface of the vending machine 10. In this specification, a touch screen (device) refers to a display device that can display an image, such as a liquid crystal display device, and a touch (touch) on a display screen of the display device. (Other members may be in contact with each other) and a position input device that detects the contacted position, and the information expressed on the display device by a combination of images, characters, symbols, numbers, etc. Is displayed to indicate the customer's opinion (user) 's opinion and contents to be entered or selected (information) and the position (range) to be touched, and the customer's opinion and hope according to the touched position Etc. can be captured (input). The touch screen device 12 has information display and information input functions. Hereinafter, the touch screen device 12 or a display screen thereof is simply referred to as a touch screen 12.

  The vending machine 10 starts an operation related to the customer operation surface in response to a person coming before the customer operation surface. For this purpose, a human sensor 14 (not shown in FIG. 1) is provided on the customer operation surface of the vending machine 10.

  An electronic camera (moving image or still image) 13 is provided on the touch screen 12, and its lens faces outward (front) of the customer operation surface. The electronic camera 13 photographs the customer standing in front of the customer operation surface, and generates image data represented in the customer print area 3 of the incomplete packaging container 2A.

  Data representing an image to be printed on the customer print area 3 of the unfinished packaging container 2A can be input not only by the electronic camera 13 but also by various methods. The customer can store the image data in a portable recording medium (SD card, USB memory, etc.) in advance and input it to the vending machine 10. In order to cope with this, a media reader 20 is provided in the vending machine. An SD card insertion slot 21 and a USB memory connector (a cover for covering the connector is indicated by reference numeral 22) are provided on the customer operation surface of the vending machine.

  Furthermore, the image data can be transmitted from a portable terminal or the like. The vending machine 10 is provided with a wireless communication device 23 for receiving image data transmitted from a portable terminal using infrared rays or radio waves.

  Image data from a portable terminal or the like can also be received via a network such as the Internet. A communication device 34 is provided for communication with the customer's mobile terminal and communication with the center server and the like.

  The image printed on the customer print area of the incomplete packaging container 2A may be a ready-made image created in advance. A plurality of images are prepared, and the reduced images are displayed on the touch screen 12 to be selected by the customer as will be described later. A vending machine 10 is provided with a memory device 31 for storing ready-made image data. The memory device 31 stores various data (information) necessary for the operation of the vending machine other than the image data.

  On the front right side of the vending machine 10, there are provided a bill insertion slot 16, a coin insertion slot 17, a change (banknote) delivery outlet 18, and a change (coin) discharge slot 19 related to a money processing device (money handling device) 15. ing. The money processing device 15 checks (authenticates) the bills inserted into the insertion slot 16 and counts the total amount thereof, checks the coins inserted into the insertion port 17 and counts the total amount. Further, necessary change is discharged to the outlet 18 and the outlet 19 by bills or coins.

  Payment or settlement of goods can be made not only with cash but also with electronic money or barcode. Electronic money can now be received by communication with an IC card or a portable terminal. An IC card reader 24 is provided for receiving electronic money. In general, since a non-contact type IC card is often used, a point (also indicated by reference numeral 24) where a coil for transmission / reception is approached is provided on the front surface of the vending machine. Of course, it is possible to make it compatible with contact communication and infrared communication. The bar code indicates that the amusement facility, theme park, event venue, etc. (admission ticket) or other media has been paid, the price is included, and the bar code reader 25 that reads the bar code It is provided on the customer operation surface of the vending machine 10.

  An exit (discharge port, discharge port) 35 for the finished product is provided at the lower left part of the customer operation surface of the vending machine 10. The customer inputs (determines) information (image) desired to be printed on the unfinished product 1A using the touch panel 12 or the like provided on the customer operation surface. The product 1 completed by printing the input (determined) information in the customer print area 3 is sent to the product outlet 35.

  The overall operation of the vending machine 10 is controlled by the control device 30. The control device 30 is mainly configured by a computer.

  The above-described communication device 34, memory 31, and electronic camera 13, human sensor 14, media reader 20, wireless communication device 23, IC card reader 24, bar code reader 25, money provided in connection with each customer operation surface The processing device 15 and the touch screen 12 are electrically connected to the control device 30.

  A printer 32 is provided to print an image on the customer print area 3 of the unfinished product 1A, and is connected to the control device 30.

  In this embodiment, an ink jet printer or a sublimation transfer printer is used as the printer (printing device) 32. However, the type and type of the printer (printing device) are not limited as long as an image (a color image is preferable) can be printed. It is also assumed that the concept of printing an image on the customer printing area includes bonding (sealing) the sticker paper on which the image is printed to the customer printing area 3 of the unfinished container 2A.

  Further, the vending machine 10 is provided with a product transport mechanism 33 and is controlled by the control device 30.

  The vending machine 10 has a structure for easily dealing with commodities of various sizes.

  FIG. 5 shows examples of products of various sizes. Here, for the sake of simplicity, there are three types: a large-sized product 1L (product large or large size), a medium-sized product 1M (medium or medium size) and a small product 1S (product small or small size). It is shown. Hereinafter, when referring to a product with particular attention to the size of the product, the codes 1L, 1M, and 1S are used, and the codes 1LA, 1MA, and 1SA are used for those incomplete products. In particular, when the size is not a problem, as described above, the product 1 is referred to as an incomplete product 1A.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the products 1L, 1M, and 1S have different lengths, widths, and thicknesses (heights). In this embodiment, customer printing areas are provided on the upper surfaces (top surfaces) of these products 1L, 1M, 1S, and information (images, etc.) desired by the customer is printed on the upper surface by the printer 32. Three sizes of products 1L, 1M, and 1S are depicted in FIG. 5 with the top and one side aligned. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vending machine 10 handles one type of product among a plurality of types of products having different sizes. One vending machine (or one having the same structure) has a structure that can be easily changed so that products of any specified size (type) can be handled according to specifications. In the following description, 1L and 1S are taken as examples of products having different sizes.

  6 and 7 show a specific configuration example of the commodity transport mechanism 33 arranged in the vending machine 10. FIG. 6 shows a state (structure) changed so as to be suitable for the large-size product 1L, and FIG. 7 shows a state (structure) changed so as to be suitable for the small-size product 1S. A reference plane R is virtually assumed at a predetermined (constant) height position above a base 40 fixed to a frame (not shown) of the vending machine 10 (the reference plane R is generally a horizontal plane, but with a constant gradient). May be slanted). An unfinished product of any size (different thickness) (whether it is a large-sized unfinished product 1LA (FIG. 6) or a small-sized unfinished product 1SA (FIG. 7)) It is conveyed by the conveying device 50 along the reference plane R so that it always exists in the reference plane R. The printer 32 is an ink jet printer in this example, and is fixedly provided on the base 40 by a support member (not shown) at a position above the reference plane R. The nozzles of the ink jet printer face downward, and the distance between the nozzles of the printer and the upper surface of the unfinished products 1LA, 1SA, etc. is always kept constant regardless of the size of the unfinished product. For this purpose, the height position of the conveying device 50 is raised or lowered according to the size (thickness) of the product. In addition, the height of the unfinished product take-out (extrusion) position in the unfinished product storage (storage box) 70 is raised or lowered according to the size (thickness) of the product. The unfinished product hangar 70 itself is fixed on the base 40 (by legs described later).

  Further, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the transfer device 50 is disposed from the position of the unfinished product storage 70 to the position of the product take-out port 35. The product outlet 35 side of the transport device 50 is referred to as the front (front in the transport direction), and the unfinished product storage 70 side is referred to as the rear (back in the transport direction). The unfinished product storage 70 is arranged on the rear side of the transport device 50. Incomplete products 1A (1LA, 1SA, etc.) are stored in a stacked state (stacked).

  As will be described later, when input (determination) of the print image by the customer, processing of the image, or confirmation by the customer is completed on the customer operation surface, or when the payment of the price is completed, the unfinished product 1A is received from the unfinished product storage 70. It is taken out and placed on the conveying surface of the conveying device 50 (the lowest one of the stacked unfinished products is pushed out toward the conveying surface of the conveying device 50 by the pusher). While the unfinished product 1A is being transported on the conveyor belt 57 of the transport device 50 (position and orientation are adjusted), the printer 32 prints a print image determined by the customer on the print area of the surface (upper surface). To do. Printing may be performed after the conveying device 50 is stopped and the incomplete product 1A is positioned. The product 1 (1L, 1S) completed by completing the printing of the print image in the customer print area is further transported by the transport device 50 and supplied to the outlet 35. The product can be sent from the conveying device 50 to the take-out port 35 by simply dropping the product from the end of the conveyor to the exit 35. A dryer that dries the ink of the printed image with hot air of slightly low temperature can be arranged in the printer 32 or in front of the printer 32 in the product conveyance direction.

  FIG. 8 shows the conveying device 50. Here, the conveying device 50 is a belt conveyor, but a roller conveyor, a carriage traveling on a rail, and other structures may be employed. Further, a support plate may be provided under the belt to suppress the vertical movement of the belt.

  In any case, the transport device 50 has a frame 51, and the frame 51 includes a bottom surface portion 52 and both side surface portions 53 and 54. Although the bottom surface portion 52 and the side surface portions 53 and 54 are simply illustrated as plate-like ones, they are composed of an aggregate and a plate material covering an appropriate range. Between the side surface portions 53 and 54, rollers 55 and 56 are rotatably held at front and rear ends thereof, and are rotationally driven by a driving device (not shown) such as a motor (controlled by the control device 30). A belt 57 is hung between these rollers 55 and 56.

  The unfinished product 1A is transferred from the unfinished product storage 70 onto the conveyor belt 57 as indicated by an arrow 58, and is carried on the belt 57 in the direction of the arrow 59.

  A support plate 41 is provided on the base 40. In the specification for handling a large-sized unfinished product 1LA, the bottom surface portion 52 of the transport device 50 is placed on the support plate 41, and the bottom surface portion 52 is based on a fixture such as a bolt or nut (not shown). It is fixed to the base 40 (state of FIG. 6). In the specification for handling a small-sized unfinished product 1SA, as shown in FIG. 8, two spacers (plates) 42 and 43 are overlaid on a support plate 41, and a bottom surface 52 of the transfer device 50 is placed thereon. Is mounted, and the bottom surface portion 52 is fixed to the base 40 via the support plate 41 and the spacers 42 and 43 by a fixing tool (state shown in FIG. 7). That is, the conveying surface of the conveying device 50 (the upper surface of the belt 57) is positioned upward by the thickness of the spacers 42 and 43. In the case of the medium-sized unfinished product 1MA, the spacer 43 is removed, and the support plate 41 and the spacer 42 are interposed between the bottom surface portion 52 of the transport device 50 and the base 40.

  The transport device 50 also includes a guide device 60. The guide device 60 is provided below the printer 32 and has a guide plate 61. The guide plate 61 has a straight portion 61A along the transport direction and a portion 61B smoothly curved outward toward the rear in the transport direction. The guide plate 61 stands vertically and is fixed to a horizontal holding plate 62. One side surface portion 54 of the frame 51 of the transport device 50 is provided with a support plate 54B that protrudes horizontally outward, and a holding plate 62 overlaps the support plate 54B. The holding plate 62 is provided with a long hole 63 that is long in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and the holding plate 62 is fixed to the support plate 54B with a bolt 64 through the long hole 63. Accordingly, the guide plate 61 is fixed at an arbitrary position within the range of the length of the long hole 63 so as to be movable in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the conveying device 50 (the width direction of the belt 57). It is preferable that the guide plate 61 is supported slightly above the belt 57 so as not to contact the belt 57.

  The guide device 60 further includes an upper end edge portion 54A positioned slightly rearward of the one side surface portion 54 of the transport device 50 and an upper end edge portion 53A extending over the entire length of the other side surface portion 53. These upper edge portions 54A and 53A protrude above the upper surface of the belt 57.

  Therefore, the unfinished product pushed out from the unfinished product storage 70 and transferred onto the belt 57 of the conveying device 50 is transferred between the upper edge 53A and the upper edge 54A constituting the guide device 60, and is guided to the guide plate. The posture and position are adjusted (restricted) while being moved toward the side surface 53 by the curved portion 61B of 61, and are sent below the printer 32 along the straight portion 61A and the upper edge 53A of the guide plate 61. . As a result, the image is correctly printed by the printer 32 in the customer print area of the incomplete product.

  The position of the guide plate 61 is adjusted according to the size (width) of the unfinished product. In the case of the specification of the large size incomplete product 1LA, the guide plate 61 is positioned closer to the outer side, and in the case of the specification of the small size incomplete product 1SA, it is positioned closer to the inner side.

  There are various modifications to the mechanism for translating the guide plate 61 in the width direction of the transport path. For example, the support plate 54B is provided with a rail (preferably two) extending in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, a groove for fitting the rail is formed in the holding plate 62, and the holding plate 62 is moved along the rail to be in an appropriate position. In this case, it may be fixed with an appropriate fixing tool. The bolt 64 can be replaced with a simpler fixing tool.

  Next, the incomplete product storage 70 and the incomplete product take-out device (extrusion device) 90 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 shows the case of the specification of the large-sized unfinished product 1LA, and FIGS. 10 and 12 show the case of the specification of the small-sized unfinished product 1SA.

  The unfinished product hangar 70 has a rectangular housing (box) 71 as a whole. The housing 71 has a portion 71A protruding rearward at the lower portion thereof. An incomplete product take-out device (extrusion device) 90 is disposed inside the portion 71A. The rear part 72, both side parts 73 and 74, the bottom part 76, the upper part 77, and the front door 75 of the housing 71 are slightly thicker, and a temperature control device such as a Peltier element is arranged inside the housing 71. , Maintained at a temperature suitable for storing unfinished goods. The front door 75 is attached to be freely opened and closed by a hinge. Of course, the front door 75 is closed and locked during use (the locking device is not shown), but the lower part is cut open. From this opening, the lowest unfinished product is pushed out toward the conveyor belt 57 of the transport device 50. The housing 71 is fixed on the base 40 by four legs 79.

  An unfinished product placement plate 78 is placed on the bottom surface portion 76 of the housing 71. In the case of a large-sized unfinished product 1LA, the unfinished product 1LA is stacked on the mounting plate 78 (see FIG. 9).

  A large number of positioning grooves (engagement grooves) 78A are formed on the upper surface of the mounting plate 78 in the unfinished product push-out direction (direction orthogonal to the transport direction). These grooves 78A are used for positioning the position regulating member 80 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) and the spacers 85 and 86 (see FIG. 10).

  The position restricting member 80 is preferably prepared in accordance with the size of the unfinished product (excluding the large size). The position regulating member 80 shown in FIG. 11 is suitable for a small-sized unfinished product 1SA. The position regulating member 80 includes a back surface portion 81, a side surface portion 82, and an upper surface portion 83, and a lower end 81A of the back surface portion 81 and a part 82A continuous to the back surface portion 81 of the side surface portion 82 are cut away. A leg portion 82B projects downward on the front side of the side surface portion 82. The leg portion 82B fits into the groove 78A of the mounting plate 78, and the housing 71 stores the unfinished product 1SA surrounded by the back surface portion 81, the side surface portion 82 of the position regulating member 80, and the side surface portion 74 of the housing 71. Thus, a storage space having a size (depth and width) suitable for stacking is formed. The position restricting member 80 is preferably fixed to the upper surface portion 77 of the housing 71 by a screw or the like through a hole 84 formed in the upper surface portion 83 thereof. Also, spacers 87 and 88 are interposed between the mounting plate 78 and the bottom surface portion 76, and the position of the upper surface of the mounting plate 78 is also raised by the height that the transport device 50 has been raised by the spacers 42 and 43. It is done. Further, spacers 85 and 86 are also interposed between the side surface portion 82 of the position regulating member 80 and the side surface portion 73 of the housing 71. The spacers 85 and 86 are formed at their lower ends with protrusions that fit into the grooves 78A of the mounting plate 78.

  In the case of the medium-sized unfinished product 1MA, the spacers 88 and 86 are not necessary, and a position restricting member is prepared that is higher in height and wider than the position restricting member 80. Let's be done.

  The unfinished product take-out device (extrusion device) 90 includes a pusher 91. The thickness of the pusher 91 is smaller than the thickness of the unfinished product 1SA. You may use the pusher from which thickness differs according to the size of an unfinished product. In the case of the small size incomplete product 1SA, the pusher 91 can push out the largest one of the incomplete products 1SA stacked in the space created by the position restricting member 80. 91 is also placed on top of spacers 92, 93, 94 having the same height as the spacers 87, 88 and the mounting plate 78 so as to be the same height as the lowest unfinished product. The lower portion of the rear portion 72 of the housing 71 is also cut and opened so that the pusher 91 can move. The pusher 91 is driven by a driving device such as a motor, a link mechanism, and a linear actuator, and vigorously ejects the lowest one of the stacked unfinished products and transfers it onto the conveyor belt 57. The upper surface of the conveyor belt 57 is preferably slightly lower than the upper surface of the mounting plate 78.

  The spacers 92 and 93 are not required in the case of the large size incomplete product 1LA, the pusher 91 is placed on the spacer 94, and the spacer 93 is not required in the case of the medium size incomplete product 1MA. Become.

  In the above embodiment, the lowest unfinished product in the unfinished product hangar is taken out. However, the unfinished product hangar is arranged below the transport device, and the highest unfinished product stacked in the hangar. You may make it send out to a conveying apparatus. Stacked unfinished products are listed one by one each time they are taken out. Further, instead of moving the transport device up and down, the printer may be moved up and down. Both the transport device and the printer can be moved up and down (one is moved up, the other is moved down, etc.).

  FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 mainly show the procedure of the processing operation executed by the control device 30.

  When the human sensor 14 (sensor for detecting a human) detects that a human is in front of the vending machine 10 (YES in S11), the operation is started. A transaction disclosure button may be displayed on the touch screen 12, and the operation may be started in response to the touch of the button. Furthermore, it is detected that a customer has inserted a bill into the insertion slot 16, a coin is inserted into the insertion slot 17, a barcode is read by the barcode reader 25, or the result of logical sum or logical product of these. It can also be activated by such as.

  When the vending machine 10 is activated, a screen as shown in FIG. 15 for selecting an input method of image data to be printed in the customer print area 3 of the unfinished product 1A is displayed on the touch screen 12 (S12).

  As described above, the image data input method includes photographing by the electronic camera 13, reading from a recording medium, transmission from a portable terminal, and selection from a ready-made image. The customer selects one of the input methods by touching the character area indicating each method (YES in S13).

  When photographing by the electronic camera 13 is selected, photographing is performed (see FIG. 16) (S14). You may shoot when a certain amount of time has passed since you selected to shoot with the electronic camera, or you may display a shoot button, shoot after a certain amount of time has elapsed after the button is pressed, However, the customer may be notified of the shooting timing. You may display on the touch screen the image which the camera has in view. If necessary, a plurality of photographs may be taken and one of them may be selected.

  When it is selected to input an image stored in the recording medium (medium), it is guided that the recording medium brought by the customer should be read, and the image stored in the recording medium is read by the media reader 20 or Reading is performed by the wireless communication device 23 (S15). The read image is displayed on the touch screen 12 to prompt the customer for confirmation, or when there are a plurality of read images, a reduced image of the image is displayed (see FIG. 18), and one (or combination) of them is displayed. In such a case, the user is prompted to select two or more images, and finally determines one (or two or more) images to be used (selected by the customer).

  When the customer selects an input method for transmitting image data from a portable terminal, the wireless communication device 23 or the communication device 34 receives the image data transmitted from the terminal and displays the received image on the touch screen. In the same manner as above, the customer confirms or selects the image, and finally determines an image to be used (S16).

  When the customer selects a ready-made image, for example, the following processing (S17) is performed.

  When there are a plurality of genres (categories) of ready-made images, the genres are displayed as shown in FIG. The landscape is, for example, an image of a landscape such as a tourist spot, the event is an image of an event such as a festival in a tourist spot, and the character is, for example, an image of a character in a tourist spot or a theme park. When the customer selects any one, the reduced images (thumbnail images) of the images stored in the memory device 31 in the selected genre are displayed side by side as shown in FIG. This image list display can be scrolled. Since the customer selects one or more (when combined) from the displayed images, the image to be used is finally determined.

  Since the ready-made image can be used as the background image of the image input and determined in S14 to S16, the same processing as S17 may be included in the next image processing processing (S18).

  As described above, when one or more images are determined, the processing is performed as necessary (S18). For example, selection of image frames, selection of marks to be added, selection of accessories, selection of background images, cropping and placement of images when combining multiple images, selection of characters to be added (in the case of handwritten characters) For example, a handwritten character image is taken in).

  The finally created image is displayed on the touch screen 12 for confirmation as shown in FIG. 19 (S19). It is preferable to display the image of the finished product. The confirmation image shown in FIG. 19 is a combination of the background image B and the image S taken by the electronic camera 13. If the customer touches the confirmation button (YES in S20), the process proceeds to the next. If necessary, a cancel button or a redo button may be provided to cancel or redo.

  A screen for prompting the customer to input the number of items desired to purchase and a numeric keypad screen are displayed on the touch screen 12. If the customer inputs the number by touching the number on the numeric keypad and confirms it, the number is accepted (S21).

  Subsequently, a payment settlement process is performed (S22). For example, the customer selects on the touch screen 12 whether to pay in cash, pay in electronic money, or pay in bar code. In the case of cash payment, the inserted cash is checked by the cash processing device 15 and the total amount is calculated. Calculate and release any change. In the case of electronic money payment, data representing the value of electronic money is received through the IC card reader 24 or the like. In the case of bar code payment, the bar code reader 25 reads the bar code for confirmation.

  When the checkout is completed, the unfinished product is taken out from the product hangar 70, the image confirmed in S20 is printed on the surface (S23), and the finished product is discharged to the product outlet 35 (S24). When the printed product is discharged to the outlet 35, a message to that effect is displayed on the touch screen 12. The specified number of images are printed and ejected. If necessary, printing may be started before or during the checkout process. The fact that printing is in progress may be displayed on the touch screen 12.

  A monitor for detecting the remaining number of unfinished products stored, a monitor for the remaining amount of ink in the printer, etc. are provided. Replenishment of appropriate unfinished products, ink replacement, etc. according to the signals from these monitors It is recommended to introduce vending machines.

  Vending machines such as those described above are located in sightseeing spots, hotels, amusement facilities, theme parks, event venues, movie theaters, concert venues, etc. It is a vending machine.

1 Completed Product 1A, 1LA, 1MA, 1SA Incomplete Product 2 Completed Packaging Container 2A Incomplete Packaging Container 3 Customer Printing Area
10 Vending machine
12 touch screen
13 Electronic camera
15 Money processing equipment
20 Media reader
23 Wireless communication device
30 Control unit
32 Printer
33 Transport mechanism
35 Product outlet
40 base
42, 43 Spacer
50 Transfer device
51 Conveyor frame
52 Bottom
53, 54 Side
53A, 54A Top edge
54B Support plate
55, 56 Roller
57 Conveyor belt
60 Guide device
61 Guide plate
62 Retaining plate
63 Slotted hole
64 volts
70 Unfinished goods hangar
71 housing
78 Incomplete product placement board
78A Positioning groove
80 Position restriction member
85, 86 Spacer
87,88 Spacer
90 Unfinished product take-out device (extrusion device)
91 Pusher

Claims (13)

An unfinished product hangar that stacks and stores multiple unfinished products with customer print areas on at least part of the surface,
Print information input means for the customer to input desired print information,
Take-out means for taking out the unfinished product stored in the unfinished product storage;
The information represented by the print information input by the print information input unit is printed on the customer print area of the unfinished product taken out by the take-out means, and the information is printed by the print means. Product supply means for supplying the finished product to the product outlet,
A position restricting member for regulating the width or depth in the unfinished product hangar is provided in the unfinished product hangar so as to be detachable, replaceable, or position-changeable.
vending machine.   The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of grooves into which a lower end portion of the position regulating member is inserted are formed in an incomplete product placing member in the incomplete product storage.   3. The transport device according to claim 1, further comprising a transport device configured to transport the unfinished product taken out by the take-out device to the printing device, the transport device having a guide member that is movable back and forth in the width direction of the transport path. The vending machine according to any one of the above. Conveying means for conveying the unfinished product taken out by the taking-out means to the printing means; and first height adjusting means for adjusting the height position of the printing means or the conveying means;
The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising:   The vending machine according to claim 4, further comprising a second height adjustment member that adjusts a height position of an incomplete product placement member of the incomplete product storage. An unfinished product storage for storing multiple unfinished products with customer print areas on at least a portion of the surface,
Print information input means for the customer to input desired print information,
Take-out means for taking out the unfinished product stored in the unfinished product storage;
Printing means for printing information represented by the print information input by the print information input unit in a customer print area of an incomplete product;
Conveying means for conveying the unfinished product taken out by the taking-out means to the printing means;
A product supply means for supplying a product completed by printing information by the printing means to a product outlet, and a first height adjusting means for adjusting a height position of the printing means or the conveying means;
Vending machine equipped with. A second height adjusting means for adjusting a storage height position of the incomplete product stored in the incomplete product storage;
The vending machine according to claim 6. A value receiving means for receiving a value corresponding to the total price of the products that the customer wishes to purchase;
The product supply means supplies the finished product after the value receiving means accepts a value corresponding to the total price of the price of the product desired by the customer;
The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The print information input means displays electronic information, means for taking digital image data from a digital storage medium, means for receiving digital signals including digital data to be transmitted, and a plurality of information stored in advance in the storage means. Consisting of one or more means selected from the group consisting of means for selecting
The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Confirmation means for displaying the information input by the print information input means and requesting confirmation input from the customer,
The printing means prints the information for which confirmation has been entered,
The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Information processing means for processing data of information input by the print information input means,
The printing means prints information processed by the processing means;
The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Further comprising confirmation means for displaying the information processed by the information processing means and requesting input confirmation from the customer;
The printing means prints the information for which confirmation has been entered,
The vending machine according to claim 11.   9. The automatic value receiving apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the value receiving means includes money processing means for checking the inserted cash and releasing necessary change, and / or electronic money processing means for receiving at least data representing electronic money. Vending machine.

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