Goods supply apparatus

Abstract

 It is an object of the present invention to provide a goods supply apparatus enabling a reduction of the number of components required for goods selection and space saving while having good operability. A goods supply apparatus is capable of supplying a plurality of types of goods selectively, and includes: goods selection means operable by both of a rotary operation and a pushing operation; goods display means that displays information on the plurality of types of goods; goods specifying means that specifies any of the plurality of types of goods in response to a rotary operation to the goods selection means; and goods decision means that, in response to a pushing operation to the goods selection means in a state of specifying the goods by the goods specifying means, decides the goods as goods to be supplied. The goods to be supplied decided by the goods decision means is supplied.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to goods supply apparatuses capable of supplying a plurality of types of goods in accordance with a selection operation by a user.

Background

[0002] This type of goods supply apparatuses such as a vending machine and a beverage supply apparatus is installed at shops such as a restaurant and a café or at offices. Then, such apparatuses are configured capable of supplying coffee beverages such as cappuccino and latte and other plurality of types of beverages (goods). In this case, such a goods supply apparatus has a front face to which a plurality of selection buttons are attached to display names, photos, illustrations and the like (information on goods) of the beverages. Then, as a user presses any selection button, a beverage (goods) to be supplied is decided, followed by supplying the beverage into a cup (see EP1619163A1, for example).

[0003] In this way, conventional goods supply apparatuses include a plurality of selection buttons attached to a front face thereof, allowing a user to push any selection button and select a beverage (goods). With this configuration, a relatively large space is required to provide the selection buttons, and the appearance of the front face becomes unfortunately complicated (see Fig. 1 of the aforementioned document).

[0004] Further, the plurality of selection buttons used leads to an increase of the number of components, thus meaning a steep rise of the cost. Moreover breakdown such as a contact failure tends to occur. Furthermore once a selection button is pushed, a beverage (goods) will be served immediately, and so such an apparatus has a drawback that an error serving due to pushing of a wrong button easily occurs.

[0005] In order to cope with the conventional technical problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a goods supply apparatus enabling a reduction of the number of components required for goods selection and space saving while having good operability.

Summary

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present application, a goods supply apparatus is capable of supplying a plurality of types of goods selectively and includes: goods selection means operable by both of a rotary operation and a pushing operation; goods display means that displays information on the plurality of types of goods; goods specifying means that specifies any of the plurality of types of goods in response to a rotary operation to the goods selection means; and goods decision means that, in response to a pushing operation to the goods selection means in a state of specifying the goods by the goods specifying means, decides the goods as goods to be supplied. The goods to be supplied decided by the goods decision means is supplied.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present application, in the aforementioned aspect of the invention, in a stand-by state, the goods display means may display information on the plurality of types of goods so as to surround the goods selection means in a first state, and when goods are specified by the goods specifying means, a display state of information on the specified goods may be changed into a second display state.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the present application, in the aforementioned aspect of the invention, in response to an operation to the goods selection means, the goods display means firstly may turn information on goods having a largest supply count or information on goods to be decided beforehand as a supply promotion target into the second display state.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present application, in the aforementioned second or third aspect of the invention, when the goods decision means decides the goods to be supplied, the goods display means may turn a display state of information on the goods to be supplied into a third display state.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the present application, in the aforementioned second to fourth aspect of the invention, the goods display means may include a goods display lighting means, and each display state may be configured by a change in illuminance and/or blinking of the goods display lighting means.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the present application, the aforementioned aspects of the invention may further include selection means lighting means that illuminates the goods selection means or a periphery thereof. In a stand-by state, the selection means lighting means may be made in a first state, and when the goods selection means is operated, the selection means lighting means may be changed from the first state to a second state, and when the goods decision means decides the goods to be supplied, the selection means lighting means may be changed into a third state.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of the present application, the aforementioned aspects of the invention may further include supply position lighting means that illuminates a position where the goods are supplied. In a stand-by state, the supply position lighting means may be made in a first state, and when the goods selection means is operated, the supply position lighting means may be changed from the first state to a second state, and when the goods decision means decides the goods to be supplied, the supply position lighting means may be changed into a third state.

[0013] According to an eighth aspect of the present application, in the aforementioned sixth or seventh aspect of the invention, each state may be configured by a change in illuminance and/or blinking of the selection means lighting means and/or of the supply position lighting means.

[0014] According to a ninth aspect of the present application, the aforementioned sixth to eighth aspect of the invention may further include a capacitive sensor to detect an operation to the goods selection means. A state of the selection means lighting means and/or of the supply position lighting means may be changed on a basis of an output change of the capacitive sensor.

[0015] According to a tenth aspect of the present application, in the aforementioned aspects of the invention, one rotation of the goods selection means may be divided into a predetermined number of steps, and when the goods selection means is rotated by a plurality of steps, the goods specifying means may change the goods to be specified.

[0016] According to the first aspect of the present invention, just a rotary operation and a pushing operation by a user of the goods selection means allow the user to receive the supplying of desired goods from the plurality of types of goods. That is, in the goods supply apparatus of the present invention, a single goods selection means allows to select any of the plurality of types of goods for supplying. Thereby, as compared with the conventional configuration provided with a plurality of selection buttons, the number of components required for goods selection can be remarkably reduced, the cost can be reduced and frequency of breakdown can be lowered. Since space-saving also can be achieved, the appearance thereof also can be improved.

[0017] Further, just rotating and pushing the goods selection means leads to specifying and decision of goods, and so the operability can be favorable. Especially goods to be supplied can be decided by two-stages of the operation including the rotary operation and the pushing operation of the goods selection means, and therefore an error serving of goods due to pushing of a wrong selection button as in the conventional case can be effectively solved or reduced.

[0018] In this case, as in the second aspect of the present invention, information on the goods may be displayed so as to surround the goods selection means in a first state and in response to rotation of the goods selection means, information on any goods may be changed into a second display state for specifying. With this configuration, a user can easily understand the specified goods following the rotation of the goods selection means, whereby the operability further can be improved.

[0019] Further as in the third aspect of the present invention, in response to an operation to the goods selection means, information on goods having the largest supply count or information on goods to be decided beforehand as a supply promotion target may be firstly changed into the second display state. With this configuration, a user firstly becomes aware of popular goods, whereby the supplying can be promoted. Alternatively, the supplying of the goods that the goods supply side wants to supply can be promoted, and especially in the usage form of letting a user (customer) select goods, the supplying of the goods can be promoted.

[0020] Then, as in the fourth aspect of the present invention, when goods are decided by a pushing operation to the goods selection means, a display state of information on the goods to be supplied may be switched into a third display state. With this configuration, a user can easily understand and tell that the goods are decided and will be supplied.

[0021] Especially as in the fifth aspect of the present invention, a goods display lighting means may be provided, and each display state may be configured by a change in illuminance and blinking of the goods display lighting means. With this configuration, display can be provided to a user so that the user can easily tell the goods specified and decided.

[0022] Further as in the sixth aspect and the seventh aspect of the present invention, selection means lighting means that performs lighting of the goods selection means or a periphery thereof and supply position lighting means that performs lighting of a position where the goods are supplied may be provided, and in response to an operation to the goods selection means, the selection means lighting means or the supply position lighting means may be changed from the first state as a stand-by state to a second state. With this configuration, a user can tell the starting of the selection operation of the goods with the operation to the goods selection means. Further, when the goods decision means decides the goods to be supplied, they may be changed into a third state. With this configuration, when a hot beverage or the like is supplied to a cup, for example, the selection means lighting means or the supply position lighting means may be changed into the third state, and as in the eighth aspect of the present invention, they may start blinking, whereby warning can be issued to the user. Thereby, inconvenience of a user such as a burn due to scattering of the hot beverage or the like can be effectively solved.

[0023] Further as in the ninth aspect of the present invention, a capacitive sensor to detect an operation to the goods selection means may be provided and a state of the selection means lighting means and of the supply position lighting means may be changed on a basis of an output change of the capacitive sensor. With this configuration, a change of the state of the selection means lighting means and of the supply position lighting means following the operation start of the goods selection means can be smoothly performed.

[0024] Further as in the tenth aspect of the present invention, one rotation of the goods selection means may be divided into a predetermined number of steps, and when the goods selection means is rotated by a plurality of steps, the goods specifying means may change the goods to be specified. With this configuration, only 1-step rotation, for example, of the goods selection means does not change the specifying of goods. Accordingly, especially when there are a large number of goods available, the operation of specifying goods can be facilitated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] Fig. 1 is a front view of a beverage supply apparatus as one embodiment of a goods supply apparatus of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of the beverage supply apparatus of Fig. 1.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of the beverage supply apparatus of Fig. 1.

[0028] Fig. 4 is a rear face view of a door of the beverage supply apparatus of Fig. 1.

[0029] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of the door of Fig. 4.

[0030] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D of the door of Fig. 4.

[0031] Fig. 7 is a perspective exploded view of the door of Fig. 4.

[0032] Fig. 8 is a block diagram of an electric circuit mainly describing devices provided at the door of the beverage supply apparatus of Fig. 1.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0033] The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0034] Fig. 1 is a front view of a beverage supply apparatus 1 that is one embodiment of a goods supply apparatus of the present invention, and Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 illustrate a cross-section taken along the line A-A of Fig. 1 and a cross-section taken along the line B-B of Fig. 1, respectively.

[0035] The beverage supply apparatus 1 of the embodiment is a coffee server installed at shops such as a restaurant and a café or at offices and is configured to supply coffee beverages (goods) such as espresso, cappuccino and latte into a cap under the operation of a user (customer or worker).

[0036] The beverage supply apparatus 1 includes a main body 2 including a case that is open at a front face and a door 3 to block the front-face opening of the main body 2 in an openable/closable manner. Inside the main body 2 are provided a boiler 4, a coffee brewer 6, powdery ingredient canisters 7, 8, 9, mixing bowls 11, 12, nozzles 13, 14, 15, 16 and the like.

[0037] The boiler 4 heats water supplied from a water supplying pipe 17 to generate hot water. Above the coffee brewer 6 are provided a coffee bean canister and a mill not illustrated. The coffee brewer 6 extracts coffee using milled coffee beans supplied from this mill and hot water supplied from the boiler 4 and discharges the coffee into a cup not illustrated through the nozzle 13. Meanwhile each powdery ingredient canisters 7, 8 and 9 is filled with powdery ingredients of milk, chocolate or roasted orzo, for example. These powdery ingredients are conveyed to the mixing bowls 11 or 12 by a conveyer 18 provided below the powdery ingredient canisters 7 to 9. In the mixing bowls 11 and 12 are mixed hot water supplied from the boiler 4 and these powdery ingredients, and the resultant is discharged into a cup through the nozzles 14 (milk & chocolate) and 15 (orzo).

[0038] The beverage supply apparatus 1 of the embodiment is capable of further discharging hot water as it is generated by the boiler 4 through the nozzle 16 (acqua calda). With this configuration, the beverage supply apparatus 1 of the embodiment is capable of supplying eight types of beverages in total as goods including five types of coffee beverages and other types of beverages (including hot water) that are espresso, cappuccino (espresso to which whipped milk is added), caffe macchiato (espresso onto which very small amount of whipped milk is dropped), cioccolata (cocoa or hot cocoa), acqua calda (hot water), orzo (roasted barley beverage, generally caffe d'orzo), latte (caffe latte, espresso to which milk is added) and caffe lungo (prepared by extracting milled coffee beans of the same amount as that of espresso with twice amount of hot water).

[0039]  These beverages that can be supplied are not limited to the embodiment. What a beverage is to be supplied from the nozzles 13, 14, 15 and 16 in the drawing also is not limited to the embodiment.

[0040] Meanwhile, the door 3 is rotatably and pivotally supported at one side (in the embodiment, on the user's right side) of the front part in the main body 2 by hinges 21, 21. The structure of this door 3 is illustrated in Figs. 4 to 7. The door 3 of the embodiment includes a vertically-long rectangular resin outer frame 22, a front panel 23 made of a translucent resin panel to make up the front face of the door 3, a metal base 24, a center knob 26 making up goods selection means of the present invention, a clock 27 and the like.

[0041] The front panel 23 may be a transparent resin panel having a rear face that is screen-printed in black, for example. This front panel 23 has a lower part retracting obliquely toward the main body 2 side. Then the front panel 23 is fitted from the back side of the outer frame 22 to be fixed to the outer frame 22. The center knob 26 is made of a conductive material such as metals or conductive resins, and is disposed at a substantially center on the front side of the front panel 23. This center knob 26 has a shaft 28 penetrating through the front panel 23 to extend backward. At the front panel 23 outside of the periphery of the center knob 26 is removed the black-colored printing in a ring-shape, whereby a knob lighting unit 29 is configured around the center knob 26.

[0042] On the front panel 23 are displayed the names of the beverages that can be supplied (information on goods) so as to surround the center knob 26, thus configuring a beverage display unit 31 (see Fig. 1). This beverage display unit 31 makes up goods display means to display information on goods of the present invention. Similarly to the knob lighting unit 29, the beverage display unit 31 is configured by removing the black-colored printing in the shape of letters.

[0043] Herein, in the embodiment, the espresso is displayed just above the center knob 26, and then the cappuccino, the caffe macchiato, the cioccolata, the acqua calda, the orzo, the latte and the caffe lungo are displayed clockwise in this order. Then at a corresponding position on the back side of the beverage display unit 31 and the knob lighting unit 29 is attached a milk-white colored translucent sheet 32. This sheet 32 can hide the inside of the door 3 from view through the part from which black color is removed, and can diffuse light of LEDs for uniform brightness of the character strings as a whole.

[0044] The clock 27 is an analog clock, and is fitted into the front panel 23 above the center knob 26. A holder 41 is to hold this clock 27 at the front panel 23. The front panel 23 is cut at a center of the retracting part at the lower part thereof, and to this cut part is attached a nozzle cover 33 that is open at a back face and a top and a bottom thereof. To the lower end of the retracting part of the front panel 23 is continuously attached a backward panel 34 subjected to mirror treatment. This backward panel 34 has a front face to which a cup placing base 36 is attached. This cup placing base 36 corresponds to beneath the nozzle cover 33. Then, these lower part of the front panel 23 and the backward panel 34 make up a beverage supply bay 37 that is caved in at the lower part of the door 3. The nozzles 13, 14, 15 and 16 enter the inside of the nozzle cover 33 from the cut part of the front panel 23 and are directed to the below beverage supply bay 37. With this configuration, this beverage supply bay 37 can be positioned to supply goods (beverages) in the present invention.

[0045] A drain 38 is formed at a bottom face of the beverage supply bay 37. A gasket 39 is attached to a rear edge of the outer frame 22.

[0046] Next, the following describes the internal configuration of the door 3. Herein, the outer frame 22 is fixed to the base 24. The hinges 21, 21 also are attached to the base 24. On the rear face of the base 24 at a center of a lower part is attached a door electric circuit board 42 to control devices provided at the door 3. On the rear face of the base 24 at an upper part is attached a main electric circuit board 43 to control the aforementioned devices (the boiler 4, the coffee brewer 6, the mill, the powdery ingredient canisters 7, 8, 9 and the like) in the main body 2.

[0047] On the front face of the base 24 at a position corresponding to the door electric circuit board 42 is attached a LED board 47, on which a plurality of center knob LEDs 44 making up selection means light means of the present invention are attached. These center knob LEDs 44 on this LED board 47 are disposed in a ring-shape so as to correspond to the back side of the knob lighting unit 29. As the center knob LEDs 44, two colored LEDs of white color LEDs and red color LEDs are used, and these white color LEDs and the red color LEDs are disposed alternately.

[0048] At the door electric circuit board 42 is attached an encoder 46 described later. This encoder 46 makes up goods specifying means of the present invention, and the encoder 46 has a rotary shaft 46A coupled to the shaft 28 of the center knob 26 via a coupling member 48 penetrating the base 24 and the LED board 47. Herein the center knob 26 is provided rotatably, and the encoder 46 digital-converts a rotary operation of the center knob 26. The rotation involves resistance so that one rotation of the center knob 26 is divided into 24 steps, for example. The encoder 46 converts this rotation of the center knob 26 into a digital signal of 24 steps. The center knob 26 is further operable by pushing, and this pushing operation of the center knob 26 is detected by a switch 49 described later. This switch 49 makes up goods decision means of the present invention.

[0049] On the front face of the base 24 at a position corresponding to the back side of each beverage name of the beverage display unit 31 is attached each beverage LED 51 (white light) making up goods display lighting means for the goods display means of the present invention. Further at a lower face of the base 24 at a position corresponding to a ceiling part of the beverage supply bay 37 is attached a beverage supply bay LED 52 (white light) making up supply position lighting means of the present invention.

[0050] Next Fig. 8 is a block diagram of an electric circuit of the beverage supply apparatus 1 of the present invention mainly describing the door electric circuit board 42 to control the devices provided at the door 3. In this drawing, reference numeral 53 denotes a controller of the beverage supply apparatus 1, and this controller 53 roughly includes a door CPU 54 (door control means) attached to the door electric circuit board 42 and a main CPU 56 (main control means) attached to the main electric circuit board 43. These door CPU 54 and main CPU 56 are connected mutually to exchange data therebetween.

[0051] The door CPU 54 has an input connected to the encoder 46 and the switch 49 for the center knob 26. In the embodiment, these encoder 46 and switch 49 are configured integrally, which is not a limiting example, and the switch 49 is provided separately from the encoder 46 so that a part of the shaft 28 of the center knob 26 pushes the switch 49. The door CPU 54 has an input connected to a capacitive sensor (CAP sensor) 57 to detect a change in capacitance of the center knob 26. The door CPU 54 has an output connected to the center knob LEDs 44, the beverage LED 51, the beverage supply bay LED 52 and an output terminal 58.

[0052] This door CPU 54 is configured to, on the basis of a rotary operation and a pushing operation of the center knob 26 and the output from the CAP sensor 57, control switch ON/OFF and the illuminance of each of the aforementioned LEDs and exchange data on system activation, beverage selection and the like with the main CPU 56, and functions as the goods selection means, the goods display means, the goods specifying means and the good decision means of the present invention. Reference numeral 59 denotes a general-purpose interface.

[0053] The following describes an operation of the thus configured beverage supply apparatus 1 of the embodiment. In a stand-by state, the door CPU 54 turns each beverage LED 51 ON while reducing the illuminance thereof (first display state), and turns the beverage supply bay LED 52 also ON while reducing the illuminance thereof (first state). Further in the stand-by state, the door CPU 54 controls the illuminance of the center knob LEDs 44 so that the white light LEDs thereof become brighter or darker gradually and such brightening and darkening are repeated (first state). Thereby in the stand-by state, each beverage name of the beverage display unit 31 and the beverage supply bay 37 is in a pale lighting state, and the knob lighting unit 29 around the center knob 26 is in a state where the white light repeats gradual brightening/darkening at the heartbeat rhythm.

[0054] From such a stand-by state, when a user (customer or worker) places a cup on the cup placing base 36 of the beverage supply bay 37 and their hand accesses the center knob 26, the output of the CAP sensor 57 changes. On the basis of such an output change of the CAP sensor 57, the door CPU 54 detects the access of the hand to the center knob 26. In the case of the embodiment, the door CPU 54 determines the detection of the access of the hand to the center knob 26 as an operation of the center knob 26, and activates a beverage supply system. That is, the beverage supply bay LED 52 is changed into a 100% lighting state (second state), and the white-light LEDs of the center knob LEDs 44 are changed into a continuous 100% lighting state (second state).

[0055]  Then, when the user holds the center knob 26 to rotate it slightly (rotary operation), the door CPU 54 firstly increases the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to the beverage name: espresso displayed on the central uppermost part of the beverage display unit 31 so that the beverage LED 51 is in a bright lighting state (100% lighting state illustrated in outline letters in Fig. 1 (second display state)). In this state, the door CPU 54 determines that the beverage name: espresso is firstly specified.

[0056] From that state, when the center knob 26 is rotated by three steps clockwise in Fig. 1, for example, the door CPU 54 then increases the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to the next beverage name: cappuccino so that the beverage LED 51 is in a bright lighting state (second display state) and decreases the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to espresso to return it to a reduced-illuminance state (first display state). In this state, the door CPU 54 determines that the beverage name: cappuccino is specified this time. Herein in the case of the clockwise rotation by two-steps only.of the center knob 26 from the state of specifying espresso, the door CPU 54 does not increase the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to the next beverage name: cappuccino but keeps the state where the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to the beverage name: espresso is increased to specify the beverage name.

[0057] From the state where the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to the beverage name: cappuccino is increased and the beverage is specified, when the center knob 26 is further rotated clockwise by three steps, then the door CPU 54 increases the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to caffe macchiato this time, and determines that the beverage is specified. In this way, rotating the center knob 26 clockwise similarly, the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to each of caffe macchiato, cioccolata, acqua calda, orzo, latte, caffe lungo is increased in this order, and the corresponding beverage is specified.

[0058] Herein from the state of specifying the beverage name: espresso, the center knob 26 is rotated counterclockwise in Fig. 1 by three steps, the door CPU 54 then increases the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to the beverage name: caffe lungo so that the beverage LED 51 is in a bright lighting state (second display state) and decreases the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to espresso to return it to a reduced-illuminance state (first display state). In this state, the door CPU 54 determines that the beverage name: caffe lungo is specified.

[0059] Then when the user wants cappuccino now, the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to the beverage name: cappuccino is increased as stated above, and in the specified state, the user presses the center knob 26 (pressing operation). The door CPU 54 detects the pushing of the center knob 26 with the switch 49 and decides the beverage name: cappuccino specified at that time as a beverage to be supplied, and turns a beverage supply mode to supply cappuccino.

[0060] At the same time the door CPU 54 changes the beverage supply bay LED 52 and the white-light LEDs of the center knob LEDs 44 in a blinking state (third state) and changes the beverage LED 51 corresponding to the beverage name: cappuccino also in a blinking state (third display state). Thereby, warning is issued to the user of charging of hot cappuccino into the cup. Seeing the blinking, the user can understand the completion of beverage selection and expect the supplying of the beverage, thereby letting the user lose their grips from the center knob 26.

[0061] When the door CPU 54 becomes in the beverage supply mode of cappuccino as stated above, the door CPU 54 transmits instruction data to prepare cappuccino to the main CPU 56. Receiving this instruction data from the door CPU 54, the main CPU 56 controls the boiler 4, the coffee brewer 6 and the powdery ingredient canister 7 to supply coffee and whipped milk into the cup through the nozzles 13 and 14, thus preparing and supplying cappuccino.

[0062] When the supplying of coffee and whipped milk to the cup is finished, the main CPU 56 transmits beverage supply completion data to the door CPU 54. Receiving the beverage supply completion data from the main CPU 56, the door CPU 54 stops blinking of the beverage supply bay LED 52 and the white-light LEDs of the center knob LEDs 44 to return them into the continuous 100% lighting state (second state) and further stops the blinking of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to the beverage name: cappuccino to return it into the continuous 100% lighting state (second display state), whereby the user is informed of the completion of beverage supplying.

[0063] Then when a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) has elapsed thereafter, the door CPU 54 returns to the stand-by state, returns the beverage supply bay LED 52 into a reduced-illuminance state (first state) and returns the white-light LEDs of the center knob LEDs 44 into the repeated brightening/darkening state (first state). The door CPU 54 further returns the beverage LED 51 corresponding to the beverage name: cappuccino into a reduced-illuminance state (first display state). After the operation of the center knob 26 (after detecting the access of the hand with the CAP sensor 57), when the access of the hand is no longer detected with the CAP sensor 57, and similarly when a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) has elapsed, the door CPU 54 returns to the stand-by state. Then, when the user accesses their hand to the center knob 26 again, the door CPU 54 increases the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to the beverage name: espresso displayed at the central uppermost part of the beverage display unit 31 so that the beverage LED 51 is in a bright lighting state. In this case, the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to the beverage name specified by the immediately preceding operation of the center knob 26 may be increased.

[0064] When any breakdown occurs in the beverage supply apparatus 1, the door CPU 54 switches the red-light LEDs of the center knob LEDs 44 ON to issue warning to a user.

[0065] As stated in details, according to the beverage supply apparatus 1 of the embodiment, a user simply rotates and pushes the center knob 26, whereby a desired beverage among a plurality of types of beverages (goods) can be discharged into a cup. That is, any of the plurality of types of beverages (goods) can be selected using the single center knob 26 for discharge, and therefore the number of components required for beverage selection can be remarkably reduced as compared with the conventional configuration provided with a plurality of selection buttons, the cost can be reduced and frequency of breakdown can be lowered. Further space-saving also can be achieved, and so the appearance (Fig. 1) of the beverage supply apparatus 1 also can be improved.

[0066] Just rotation and pushing of the center knob 26 enables selection and supplying of a beverage (goods), and so operability also can be improved. Especially a beverage to be supplied (goods to be supplied) can be decided by two-stages of the operation including the rotary operation and the pushing operation of the center knob 26, and therefore an error serving of a beverage (goods) due to pushing of a wrong selection button as in the conventional case can be prevented.

[0067] Further, the beverage names (information on goods) are disposed so as to surround the center knob 26, and each beverage name is displayed in a reduced-illuminance state (first state) of the beverage LED 51. Then in response to the rotation of the center knob 26, the beverage LED 51 of any one of the beverage names is changed into a 100% lighting state (second display state) for specifying. With this configuration, a user can easily understand the specified beverage (goods) following the rotation of the center knob 26, whereby the operability can be improved.

[0068] Then when the beverage (goods) is decided by a pushing operation of the center knob 26, the beverage LED 51 of the corresponding beverage name changes into a blinking state (third display state), and therefore the user can easily understand and tell that the beverage (goods) is decided and will be supplied.

[0069] Further the center knob LEDs 44 and the beverage supply bay LED 52 are provided. The center knob LEDs 44 illuminate the periphery of the center knob 26, and when the center knob 26 is operated, the illuminance of the center knob LEDs 44 and the beverage supply bay LED 52 is changed from the illuminance state in the stand-by state to the 100% lighting state, whereby an user can tell that the selection operation of the beverage (goods) is started by the operation of the center knob 26. Further when the beverage to be supplied is selected with the center knob 26, the center knob LEDs 44 and the beverage supply bay LED 52 become blinking. Therefore as in the case of the embodiment where a hot coffee beverage is supplied to a cup, warning can be issued to the user. Thereby, inconvenience of a user such as a burn due to scattering of the hot coffee beverage can be effectively solved.

[0070] Moreover the CAP sensor 57 is provided to detect an operation of the center knob 26, and on the basis of an output change of the CAP sensor 57, the center knob LEDs 44 and the beverage supply bay LED 52 can be changed into the 100% illuminance lighting state, and therefore the change of lightening state of the LEDs 44 and 52 following the operation start of the center knob 26 can be smoothly performed. Further as in the embodiment, the access of the user's hand to the center knob 26 changes the beverage supply system from the stand-by state to the operation state, whereby the system can respond promptly without delay after the user holds the center knob 26 for operation.

[0071] Further the rotation of the center knob 26 is divided so that one rotation includes 24 steps, and then 3-step rotation of the center knob 26 changes the specifying of a beverage (goods). Only 1-step or 2-step rotation of the center knob 26 does not change the specifying of a beverage (goods). With this configuration, especially when there are a large number of beverages (goods) available, the operation of specifying a beverage is not severe.

[0072] Herein in the aforementioned embodiment, in the stand-by state, the beverage LED 51 and the beverage supply bay LED 52 are in the reduced-illuminance state and the center knob LEDs 44 repeats brightening/darkening. This is not a limiting example, and each LED may be switched OFF or the center knob LEDs 44 may be in the reduced-illuminance state.

[0073] Further in the embodiment, using the CAP sensor 57, as the hand accesses, the center knob LEDs 44 and the beverage supply bay LED 52 are changed in the 100% illuminance. This is not a limiting example, and the illuminance of each LED may be gradually increased with the degree of proximity.

[0074]  Moreover in the embodiment, the operation start is determined in response to the access of a hand to the center knob 26. However, the operation start may be determined in response to the touching of a hand to the center knob 26.

[0075] Furthermore in the embodiment, the center knob LEDs 44 include white-light and red-light LEDS. This is not a limiting example, and they include multi-colored LEDs to represent each state including an error. The same goes for other LEDs 51 and 52, which is not limited to white-color light and may include other colored LEDS or multicolored LEDs to configure each state.

[0076] In the embodiment, the knob lighting unit 29 is configured around the center knob 26. This is not a limiting example, and the center knob 26 may be translucent, and the center knob 26 itself may be illuminated with the center knob LEDs 44.

[0077] Although not used in the embodiment, ringing means such as a buzzer may be provided, and it may be rung specifically depending on a change of each state.

[0078] Further in the embodiment, one rotation of the center knob 26 is divided into 24 steps. However, this it not a limiting example except for the invention according to claim 9, and one rotation may be divided into 8 steps so that the rotation by one step can change the specified beverage (goods). Especially in the embodiment, the beverage names are displayed at regular intervals and the specified beverage (goods) is changed by the rotation of three steps. Instead, the beverage (goods) names may be displayed at irregular intervals. For instance, in the case of espresso, espresso of different densities and without or with sugar and milk may be displayed at the following two steps, each of which may be selected by the rotation of the center knob 26.

[0079] Further in the embodiment, black-printing of the front panel 23 is removed into the letter shapes, whereby the beverage names are displayed, which is illuminated with the beverage LED 51 from the rear side while changing the illuminance state thereof among a reduced-illuminance state, a 100% lighting state and a blinking state (first to third display states) to decide the specified beverage. This is not a limiting example, and each beverage name may be printed in white from the rear face of the front panel 23, lighting by LEDs or the like is not performed, and a protrusion indicating the direction may be provided around the center knob 26, for example. The printed beverage name may be designated by the protrusion to specify the beverage.

[0080] Moreover in the embodiment, when the user holds and rotates the center knob 26 from the stand-by state, the door CPU 54 firstly increases the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to the beverage name: espresso displayed on the central uppermost part of the beverage display unit 31 so that the beverage LED 51 is in a bright lighting state. This is not a limiting example, and the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to the best-seller (the largest number of supplying) beverage name (goods name), for example, may be increased (second display state) firstly. With this configuration, a user firstly becomes aware of a popular beverage (goods), whereby the sales can be promoted.

[0081] Alternatively, the illuminance of the beverage LED 51 corresponding to the beverage that a beverage supplier (restaurant, café or beverage ingredient supply company) wants to sell (goods decided beforehand whose supply has to be promoted) may be increased (second display state) firstly. With this configuration, the sales of the beverage (goods) that the beverage supply side wants to sell can be promoted, and especially in the usage form of letting a user (customer) select a beverage (goods), the sales of the goods to be sold can be promoted.

[0082] Then, the present invention is not limited to the beverage supply apparatus of the embodiment, and is effectively applicable to a vending machine or the like configured to sell (supply) beverage in cups, bottled beverage or the like in response to dropping of coins and bills or card transactions.

Claims

1. A goods supply apparatus capable of supplying a plurality of types of goods selectively, comprising:

goods selection means operable by both of a rotary operation and a pushing operation;

goods display means that displays information on the plurality of types of goods;

goods specifying means that specifies any of the plurality of types of goods in response to a rotary operation to the goods selection means; and

goods decision means that, in response to a pushing operation to the goods selection means in a state of specifying the goods by the goods specifying means, decides the goods as goods to be supplied,

wherein

the goods to be supplied decided by the goods decision means is supplied.

2. The goods supply apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein
in a stand-by state, the goods display means displays information on the plurality of types of goods so as to surround the goods selection means in a first state, and
when goods are specified by the goods specifying means, a display state of information on the specified goods is changed into a second display state.

3. The goods supply apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in response to an operation to the goods selection means, the goods display means firstly turns information on goods having a largest supply count or information on goods to be decided beforehand as a supply promotion target into the second display state.

4. The goods supply apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when the goods decision means decides the goods to be supplied, the goods display means turns a display state of information on the goods to be supplied into a third display state.

5. The goods supply apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the goods display means includes a goods display lighting means, and each display state is configured by a change in illuminance and/or blinking of the goods display lighting means.

6. The goods supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising selection means lighting means that illuminates the goods selection means or a periphery thereof,
wherein in a stand-by state, the selection means lighting means is made in a first state, and
when the goods selection means is operated, the selection means lighting means is changed from the first state to a second state, and when the goods decision means decides the goods to be supplied, the selection means lighting means is changed into a third state.

7. The goods supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising supply position lighting means that illuminates a position where the goods are supplied,
wherein in a stand-by state, the supply position lighting means is made in a first state, and
when the goods selection means is operated, the supply position lighting means is changed from the first state to a second state, and when the goods decision means decides the goods to be supplied, the supply position lighting means is changed into a third state.

8. The goods supply apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein each state is configured by a change in illuminance and/or blinking of the selection means lighting means and/or of the supply position lighting means.

9. The goods supply apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a capacitive sensor to detect an operation to the goods selection means,
wherein a state of the selection means lighting means and/or of the supply position lighting means is changed on a basis of an output change of the capacitive sensor.

10. The goods supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
wherein
one rotation of the goods selection means is divided into a predetermined number of steps, and
when the goods selection means is rotated by a plurality of steps, the goods specifying means changes the goods to be specified.

Drawing