JP2024124538A - Provision system, provision device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a providing system capable of more appropriately managing a pattern to be drawn on the upper surface of an object. [Solution] The present invention provides a providing system including a providing device capable of providing an object to a container and a management device connected to the providing device via a network, the providing device including a printer capable of adding drawing material to the object supplied to the container, configured to be able to accept one of a plurality of patterns, and configured to transmit pattern identification information capable of identifying the pattern to the management device when one pattern is accepted, the management device configured to store each of pattern data corresponding to each of the pattern identification information and transmit to the providing device the pattern data corresponding to the pattern identification information received from the providing device, the providing device operates the printer based on the pattern data received from the management device, and adds drawing material so as to draw the pattern accepted by the providing device on the upper surface of the object supplied to the container. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a provision system, a provision device, and a program.

In recent years, latte art, in which characters or other designs are drawn on the steam-foamed milk on the top surface of beverages such as cafe latte, has become popular. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system for making latte art, as well as a method for automatically managing the expiration date of edible ink used in latte art.

JP 2017-110178 A

Traditionally, latte art was created by adding food coloring to the milk foam on the top surface of a beverage poured into a container, allowing users to enjoy the characters and other designs that were painted on the top surface of the beverage. In this situation, there is a demand for proper management of designs that are painted on the top surface of objects such as beverages.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and its main objective is to provide a rendering system etc. that can more appropriately manage the image to be drawn on the top surface of an object.

A provision system according to one aspect of the present invention includes:
A provision system including a provision device capable of providing an object to a container and a management device connected to the provision device via a network,
The providing device comprises:
a printer capable of applying a drawing material to an object provided in the container;
The device is configured to be able to accept one of the multiple designs, and when one of the designs is accepted, transmits design identification information indicating the design to the management device;
The management device includes:
The method is configured to store each of the picture data in association with each of the picture identification information for identifying a picture, and to transmit to the providing device the picture data associated with the picture identification information received from the providing device,
The providing device comprises:
The printer is operated based on the picture data received from the management device, and drawing material is added so as to draw the picture accepted by the provision device on the top surface of the object supplied to the container.

In one aspect of the present invention, the provision system includes a plurality of the provision devices,
the management device stores one or more pattern identification information in association with each of the provision device identification information for identifying the provision device;
The providing device is configured to be capable of accepting only the design indicated by design identification information stored by the management device in association with providing device identification information indicating the providing device.

In one aspect of the present invention, each of the provision devices is disposed in each of the stores that provide the object,
The management device stores store identification information for identifying a store in association with provision device identification information, and stores the store identification information and the provision device identification information in association with one or more pattern identification information.

In one aspect of the present invention, the management device stores the store identification information, the provision device identification information, and the design identification information in association with an acceptance period,
The providing device is configured to be able to accept only the design indicated by the design identification information associated with a reception period including the current time by the management device.

In one aspect of the present invention, the management device stores a provided quantity of the object in association with each store identification information, and stores a set quantity range in association with the store identification information, the providing device identification information, and the design identification information;
The provision device is configured to be capable of accepting only the pattern indicated by the pattern identification information when the provision quantity associated with the store identification information is within a set quantity range associated with the store identification information, provision device identification information, and pattern identification information by the management device.

As another aspect of the present invention, the management device sets a set quantity range so that when the supply quantity associated with the store identification information to which the supply device identification information indicating the supply device is associated is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the supply device can accept the patterns indicated by a first number of different pattern identification information, and when the supply quantity is less than the predetermined number, the supply device can accept the patterns indicated by a second number of different pattern identification information that is less than the first number.

As another aspect of the present invention, the management device sets a set quantity range so that when the supply quantity associated with the store identification information associated with the supply device identification information indicating the supply device is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the supply device can accept a pattern indicated by a pattern identification information including a predetermined pattern identification information, and when the supply quantity is less than the predetermined number, the supply device can accept a pattern indicated by a pattern identification information not including the predetermined pattern identification information.

In one aspect of the present invention, the management device associates and stores pattern identification information including a predetermined pattern identification information only with the provider device identification information associated with the predetermined store identification information for a predetermined period of time.

In one aspect of the present invention, the providing device is configured to be able to receive customer identification information for identifying a customer, and when the customer identification information is received, the providing device is configured to transmit the customer identification information to the management device,
the management device stores store identification information associated with the provision device identification information indicating the provision device that received the customer identification information in association with the customer identification information, and when the customer identification information is associated with a specific store identification information, stores a specific pattern identification information among the pattern identification information stored in association with the provision device identification information in association with the customer identification information;
The provision device, which has received customer identification information associated with specific store identification information, is configured to be able to receive a design indicated by specific design identification information stored by the management device in association with the customer identification information.

In one aspect of the present invention, the management device stores object identification information for identifying an object, and stores one object identification information in association with only one picture identification information;
The providing device is configured to be capable of accepting one of a plurality of objects, and when one object is accepted, is configured to be capable of accepting only the pattern indicated by the pattern identification information stored by the management device in association with the object identification information indicating the object.

As another aspect of the present invention, the providing device adds drawing material based on the picture data and then deletes the picture data.

In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a user terminal device,
the providing device is configured to be able to receive picture data from the user terminal device, and when receiving one piece of picture data, transmits the picture data to the management device;
the management device, when receiving the picture data from the provision device, determines whether the picture data satisfies a predetermined criterion, and when it is determined that the picture data satisfies the predetermined criterion, transmits permission information for permitting drawing to the provision device;
When the providing device receives the permission information, it operates the printer based on the picture data sent to the management device and adds drawing material to draw a picture on the top surface of the object supplied to the container.

In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a user terminal device,
the user terminal device is configured to allow a user to create picture data using only predetermined picture elements;
The providing device operates the printer based on the picture data to add drawing material to the top surface of the object supplied to the container so as to draw the picture accepted by the providing device.

In order to achieve the above object, a providing method as one aspect of the present invention is a method for providing an object, which is executed in a providing device capable of providing an object to a container, the method comprising:
accepting a picture of a plurality of pictures;
A step of transmitting the received pattern identification information indicating one of the patterns to a management device that associates each of the pattern data with each of the pattern identification information for identifying the pattern and stores the associated data;
receiving pattern data associated with pattern identification information from the management device;
applying a drawing material to draw the one of the received patterns on an upper surface of the object provided to the container based on the received pattern data;
The present invention is characterized by comprising:

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute each step of the method described above.

The present invention allows for more appropriate management of the image to be drawn on the top surface of an object.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a provision system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of a providing device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a providing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a management device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a providing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a picture data table. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a first pattern management table. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a providing device and a management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a second pattern management table. FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a first condition management table. FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a second condition management table. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a store-supplied quantity table. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a customer store table. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a customer pattern table. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an object pattern table. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of a providing device and a management device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention.

The provision system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same or equivalent parts unless otherwise specified, and unnecessary detailed explanations may be omitted.

Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a provision system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the provision system 1 includes a plurality of provision devices 2 and a management device 4. The provision devices 2 and the management device 4 are connected to a network 10 such as the Internet and are capable of communicating with each other. However, each may be connected separately as necessary.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the providing device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The providing device 2 has a mounting surface 61 for mounting a container 6 capable of containing an object. The providing device 2 can supply an object to the container 6 on the mounting surface 61, and can add drawing material after providing the object. The providing device 2 can have the functions of a known device that automatically provides beverages with latte art.

The object is a liquid contained in a container such as a cup, and the upper surface of the liquid is covered with a foam so that a pattern for latte art can be drawn on the upper surface. For example, the object is a beverage such as cafe au lait or cafe latte, the upper surface of which is covered with milk foamed with steam so that a pattern for latte art can be drawn on the upper surface. The serving device 2 is configured to serve the beverage by pouring it into a container 6 such as a cup.

In this embodiment, the concept of a picture includes characters and patterns, and a scene is assumed in which a customer orders an object with drawing material added, such as a cafe latte with latte art, and the provider uses the providing device 2 to provide the object with the drawing material added.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the providing device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The providing device 2 comprises a processor 21, an object supply mechanism 22, a printer 23, an input device 24, a display device 25, a storage device 26, and a communication device 27. Each of these components is connected by a bus 28. Note that an interface is interposed between the bus 28 and each of the components as necessary.

The processor 21 controls the operation of the entire providing device 2. For example, the processor 21 is a CPU. The processor 21 executes various processes by reading and executing programs and data stored in the storage device 26. The processor 21 may be composed of multiple processors.

The object supply mechanism 22 is a mechanism for supplying an object to the container 6 placed on the placement surface 61 of the providing device 2, and is controlled by the processor 21. The object supply mechanism 22 may comprise a supply mechanism provided in a known device capable of supplying a coffee beverage. In one example, the object supply mechanism 22 includes a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a milk tank for storing milk, a brewing unit capable of brewing coffee, a frothing module for frothing the milk, a coffee extraction port, and a milk nozzle. In this case, the object supply mechanism 22 is configured so that brewed coffee is supplied from the extraction port through a pipe, and frothed milk is supplied from the milk nozzle, to the container 6 placed on the placement surface of the providing device 2.

The printer 23 is a unit for drawing a pattern by adding drawing material to the container 6 placed on the placement surface 61 of the providing device 2, and is controlled by the processor 21. The drawing material is a single-color edible ink mass. However, the drawing material can also be a multi-color edible ink mass, or cocoa or coffee powder, etc.

The input device 24 is a user interface that accepts input from a user to the providing device 2, and is, for example, a touch panel, a touch pad, or a button. The display device 25 is a display that displays an application screen, etc. to a user of the providing device 2 according to the control of the processor 21. In this embodiment, the providing device 2 has a touch panel 24 as the input device 24, which also functions as the display device 25, and the input device 24 and the display device 25 are integrated into one structure. For ease of explanation, in this embodiment, the providing device 2 is described as having a touch panel 24 as the input device 24 and the display device 25, but it will be understood that the input device 24 and the display device 25 are not limited to a touch panel.

The storage device 26 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device is, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a RAM. The RAM is a volatile storage medium that allows high-speed reading and writing of information, and is used as a storage area and a working area when the processor 21 processes information. The main storage device may include a ROM, which is a read-only non-volatile storage medium. The auxiliary storage device stores various programs and data used by the processor 21 when executing each program. The auxiliary storage device may be any non-volatile storage or non-volatile memory that can store information, and may be removable.

The communication device 27 is a wireless LAN module capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from other computers, such as user terminals or servers, via a network. The communication device 27 can be another wireless communication device, such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module, or a wired communication device, such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) module or a USB interface.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a management device 4 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The management device 4 includes a processor 41, an input device 42, a display device 43, a storage device 44, and a communication device 45. These components are connected by a bus 46. Note that an interface is provided between the bus 46 and each component device as necessary. The management device 4 includes a configuration similar to that of a general server, PC, etc.

The processor 41 controls the operation of the entire management device 4. For example, the processor 41 is a CPU. The processor 41 executes various processes by reading and executing programs and data stored in the storage device 44. The processor 41 may be composed of multiple processors.

The input device 42 is a user interface that accepts input from a user to the management device 4, and is, for example, a touch panel, a touch pad, or a button. The display device 43 is a display that displays application screens and the like to the user of the management device 4 according to the control of the processor 41.

The storage device 44 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device is, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a RAM. The RAM is a volatile storage medium that allows high-speed reading and writing of information, and is used as a storage area and a working area when the processor 41 processes information. The main storage device may include a ROM, which is a read-only non-volatile storage medium. The auxiliary storage device stores various programs and data used by the processor 41 when executing each program. The auxiliary storage device may be any non-volatile storage or non-volatile memory that can store information, and may be removable.

The communication device 45 is a wireless LAN module capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from other computers, such as user terminals or servers, via a network. The communication device 45 can be another wireless communication device, such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module, or a wired communication device, such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) module or a USB interface.

Figure 5 is a functional block diagram of a provision device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The provision device 2 includes a memory unit 31 and a control unit 32.

The storage unit 31 is realized by the storage device 26. The storage unit 31 stores information for selecting a pattern to be drawn on the upper surface of the object. In one example, the storage unit 31 stores a pattern ID for identifying the pattern to be drawn on the upper surface of the object and a pattern name for the user of the providing device 2 to identify the pattern ID in association with each other. The pattern ID is one example of pattern identification information, and it is sufficient if it can uniquely identify the pattern, and different pattern IDs are assigned to different patterns. The storage unit 31 may store an icon indicating the pattern in association with each other in addition to or instead of the pattern name. The pattern name or the icon indicating the pattern can be set by the user of the providing device 2, or can be set based on data received from the management device 4. The storage unit 31 may be configured to function as a database by storing data (e.g., a table) or a program for the database in the storage device 26 and executing the program by the processor 21.

The functions of the control unit 32 are realized by a program being executed by the processor 21, or by a program being executed by the processor 21 and the object supply mechanism 22 or the printer 23 operating. For example, the program to be executed is a program temporarily or non-temporarily stored in the storage device 26. These functions may be realized by hardware by configuring electronic circuits or the like to realize some or all of the functions.

The providing device 2 is configured to be able to accept one of the multiple designs via the touch panel 24. In one example, the control unit 32 displays design names on the touch panel 24 for selecting a design to be drawn on the top surface of the object, and accepts touch input from the user via the touch panel 24, thereby accepting input of one design corresponding to the selected design name. When the control unit 32 accepts one design, it transmits a design ID indicating the design to the management device 4.

Figure 6 is a functional block diagram of a management device 4 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The management device 4 includes a memory unit 51 and a control unit 52.

In this embodiment, the memory unit 51 has the functions of various databases. The memory device 44 stores data (e.g., tables) and programs for various databases, and the functions of the memory unit 51 are realized by the processor 41 executing the programs. The way in which the memory unit 51 holds data and the elements of the fields stored in the various tables described below are merely examples, and can be freely changed without departing from the gist of the invention.

The functions of the control unit 52 are realized by a program being executed by the processor 41. For example, the program to be executed is a program temporarily or non-temporarily stored in the storage device 44. These functions may be realized by hardware by configuring electronic circuits or the like for realizing some or all of the functions.

The storage unit 51 stores pattern data relating to a pattern to be drawn on the upper surface of the object. The pattern data is data necessary for the providing device 2 to draw a pattern on the upper surface of the object. The storage unit 31 of the providing device 2 does not store pattern data. In this embodiment, the storage unit 51 stores a pattern data table in which a pattern ID and pattern data are associated. In this way, each of the pattern data is associated with a pattern ID so that each of the pattern data can be identified. That is, one pattern ID indicates one pattern and corresponds to the pattern data for drawing the pattern. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a pattern data table. The pattern data table stores each of the pattern data, but instead of storing each of the pattern data, each of the paths for storing each of the pattern data may be stored. In this case, the control unit 52 is configured to be able to access various images via the path. In one example, the pattern data table stores a pattern name corresponding to the pattern ID or an icon indicating a pattern in association with the pattern ID. The icon may include a picture name.

The storage unit 51 stores a providing device ID for identifying the providing device 2. In this embodiment, the storage unit 51 stores a first design management table in which the providing device ID is associated with a design ID. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the first design management table. The first design management table associates one providing device ID with one or more design IDs. The providing device ID is an example of providing device identification information for identifying the providing device 2, and may be any ID that can uniquely identify the providing device 2. For example, in the first design management table shown in FIG. 8, the providing device ID "device-1" is associated with design IDs "design-1", "design-2", "design-3", and "design-5". The providing system 1 (management device 4) can identify the providing device 2 using a known terminal identification method, for example, a terminal code, a MAC address, or an IP address.

The providing device 2 is configured to be capable of accepting only the pattern indicated by the pattern ID stored in association with the providing device ID indicating the providing device 2 in the first pattern management table. For example, the control unit 32 displays on the touch panel 24 only the pattern name corresponding to the pattern ID stored in association with the providing device ID indicating the providing device 2 in the first pattern management table, and accepts one of the patterns based on touch input from the user.

In one example, the providing device 2 periodically receives information on the pattern ID associated with the providing device 2 in the first pattern management table from the management device 4, and compares it with the pattern ID stored in the storage unit 31. If the matching result by the providing device 2 shows that the pattern ID associated with the providing device 2 has been added in the first pattern management table, the providing device 2 receives from the management device 4 a pattern name corresponding to the pattern ID or an icon indicating the pattern. The control unit 32 associates the received pattern name or icon with the pattern ID and stores it in the storage unit 31. Alternatively, if the matching result by the providing device 2 shows that the pattern ID associated with the providing device 2 has been added in the first pattern management table, the providing device 2 accepts input of the pattern name or icon corresponding to the pattern ID via the touch panel 24. The control unit 32 associates the received pattern name or icon with the pattern ID and stores it in the storage unit 31. If the result of the matching by the providing device 2 is that the design ID associated with the providing device 2 is deleted in the first design management table, the control unit 32 of the providing device 2 deletes the design ID and the design name or icon corresponding to the design ID from the storage unit 31.

In another example, when a pattern ID associated with the providing device 2 is added in the first pattern management table, the management device 4 transmits the pattern ID and a pattern name or icon indicating the pattern corresponding to the pattern ID to the providing device 2. The control unit 32 associates the received pattern name or icon with the received pattern ID and stores it in the memory unit 31. Alternatively, when a pattern ID associated with the providing device 2 is added in the first pattern management table, the management device 4 transmits information indicating that the pattern ID has been added to the providing device 2. The providing device 2 accepts input of a pattern name or icon corresponding to the received pattern ID via the touch panel 24. The control unit 32 associates the accepted pattern name or icon with the received pattern ID and stores it in the memory unit 31. When a pattern ID associated with the providing device 2 is deleted in the first pattern management table, the management device 4 transmits information indicating that the pattern ID has been deleted to the providing device 2. The control unit 32 of the providing device 2 deletes the received pattern ID and the pattern name or icon corresponding to the pattern ID from the storage unit 31.

When the providing device 2 transmits the pattern ID to the management device 4, the control unit 52 of the management device 4 is configured to obtain information capable of identifying the providing device 2 from the information received from the providing device 2, and to specify the providing device ID of the providing device 2. The control unit 52 is configured to obtain pattern data corresponding to the pattern ID received from the providing device 2 using the pattern data table, and to transmit the obtained pattern data to the providing device 2.

When the control unit 32 of the providing device 2 receives the pattern data, it operates the object supply mechanism 22 to supply the object to the container 6 placed on the mounting surface 61 of the providing device 2. At this time, the object supply mechanism 22 supplies the object to the container 6 so that the upper surface of the object is covered with a foam so that a pattern for latte art can be drawn on it. It is preferable that the foam is a uniform color, such as white, and that the surface is flat enough to allow the pattern to be drawn on it.

The control unit 32 operates the object supply mechanism 22 to supply the object to the container 6, and then operates the printer 23 using the received pattern data to add drawing material to draw the pattern received by the providing device 2 on the top surface of the object supplied to the container 6. In one suitable example, the control unit 32 of the providing device 2 adds drawing material using the pattern data, and then deletes the pattern data from the memory unit 31.

Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the provision device 2 and management device 4 in one embodiment of the present invention.

The providing device 2 accepts one of the multiple designs (step 101). When the providing device 2 accepts one design, it transmits a design ID indicating the design to the management device 4 (step 102). The management device 4 receives the design ID from the providing device 2 (step 103). In step 103, the management device 4 obtains information capable of identifying the providing device 2 from the information received from the providing device 2, and specifies the providing device ID of the providing device 2.

The management device 4 uses the pattern data table to acquire pattern data corresponding to the pattern ID received from the providing device 2, and transmits the acquired pattern data to the providing device 2 indicated by the providing device ID identified in step 103 (step 104). The providing device 2 receives the pattern data from the management device 4 (step 105). The providing device 2 operates the printer 23 using the received pattern data, and adds drawing material to draw the pattern accepted by the providing device 2 on the top surface of the object supplied to the container 6 (step 106).

Before step 106, for example before step 101 or between steps 105 and 106, the providing device 2 operates the object supply mechanism 22 to supply the object to the container 6, thereby supplying the object to the container 6 placed on the mounting surface 61 of the providing device 2.

Next, the effects of the providing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, it is the management device 4 that stores the pattern data required to draw the pattern to be drawn on the upper surface of the object poured into the container 6, and the providing device 2 does not store the pattern data. On the other hand, the providing device 2 accepts the input of the pattern to be drawn on the upper surface of the object by a selection operation, acquires the pattern data through communication with the management device 4, operates the printer 23 using the received pattern data, and adds drawing material so as to draw the inputted pattern. In this way, since the management device 4 is configured to manage the pattern to be drawn by the providing device 2 with the drawing material, it is possible to prevent the providing device 2 from operating the printer using pattern data not managed by the management device 4. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user of the providing device 2 from operating the providing device 2 and adding drawing material so as to draw, for example, an inappropriate pattern. An inappropriate pattern is, for example, a pattern that may be a copyright infringement or a pattern that is contrary to public order and morals. This makes it possible to more appropriately manage the pattern to be drawn on the upper surface of the object.

In this embodiment, the object and the drawing material are assumed to be a cafe latte with latte art, and the drawn image is assumed to be a popular character. Therefore, it is assumed that the images that the providing device 2 can provide will be changed several times a year. By configuring as in this embodiment, the management device 4 manages the images drawn by the providing device 2, so that the images can be updated relatively easily, and the images drawn on the upper surface of the object can be more appropriately managed. In one preferred example of this embodiment, the providing device 2 is configured to add the drawing material based on the image data and then delete the image data from the storage device 26. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the providing device 2 from operating the printer using image data that is not managed by the management device 4 and that has been received once.

The above-mentioned effects are the same in other embodiments and examples unless otherwise specified. In the modified embodiment described below, the provision system 1 is also configured to more appropriately manage the image to be drawn on the upper surface of the object.

In a first modified embodiment of the present invention, each of the multiple providing devices 2 in the above embodiment of the present invention is disposed in each of the stores that provide the target objects. One or more providing devices 2 are disposed in one store. The memory unit 51 stores the providing device ID in association with a store ID that can identify the store. In one preferred example, the memory unit 51 stores a second pattern management table that associates the store ID, the providing device ID, and the pattern ID.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of a second design management table. The second design management table associates one set of a store ID and a providing device ID with one or more design IDs. The store ID is one example of store identification information, and may be anything that can uniquely identify a store. For example, in the first design management table shown in Figure 10, the providing device ID "device-1" is associated with the store ID "shop-1". The providing device ID "device-1" is associated with the design IDs "design-1", "design-2", "design-3", and "design-5". The providing device IDs "device-2" and "device-4" are associated with the store ID "shop-2". This indicates that the providing devices 2 indicated by the providing device IDs "device-2" and "device-4" are located in the same store (store ID "shop-2"). The providing device IDs "device-2" and "device-4" are associated with the same design IDs "design-1," "design-3," and "design-6."

Even in the first modified embodiment, the management device 4 is configured to manage the patterns drawn by the providing device 2 using the drawing material, so it is possible to prevent the providing device 2 from operating the printer using pattern data not managed by the management device 4. Furthermore, since the providing device ID is associated with the store ID and stored, it is possible to manage the patterns drawn by the providing device 2 for each store. This makes it possible to more appropriately manage the patterns drawn on the upper surface of the object. The second pattern management table may only associate the store ID and the providing device ID. In this case, the management device 4 can use the first pattern management table and the second pattern management table to manage the patterns drawn by the providing device 2 for each store.

In a second modified embodiment of the present invention, in the first modified embodiment, the storage unit 51 further stores the store ID, the providing device ID, and the design ID in association with a reception period. In one preferred example, the storage unit 51 stores in the storage device 44 a first condition management table in which the store ID, the providing device ID, the design ID, and the reception period are associated. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the first condition management table. The first condition management table associates one set of a store ID, a providing device ID, and a design ID with a reception period. For example, the store ID "shop-1", the providing device ID "device-1", and the design ID "design-1" are associated with the reception period "2019/1-". The reception period "2019/1-" indicates that the reception period is from January 2019 onwards. For example, the acceptance period "2020/1-2020/12" indicates that the acceptance period is from January to December 2020. If you want to be able to accept a specific store ID, providing device ID, and design ID regardless of the acceptance period, you can also set the acceptance period to the entire period.

The providing device 2 is configured to be able to accept only the image indicated by the image ID associated with the acceptance period including the current time in the first condition management table. In the second modified embodiment, it is further possible to define the acceptance period and manage the image drawn by the providing device 2. This makes it possible to more appropriately manage the image drawn on the upper surface of the object.

In a third modified embodiment of the present invention, in the first or second modified embodiment, the storage unit 51 further stores a set quantity range in association with the store ID, the providing device ID, and the pattern ID. In one preferred example, the storage unit 51 stores a second condition management table in the storage device 44, which associates the store ID, the providing device ID, the pattern ID, and the set quantity range. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the second condition management table. The second condition management table associates one set of a store ID, a providing device ID, and a pattern ID with a set quantity range. Furthermore, the storage unit 51 stores the store ID in association with a provided quantity indicating the quantity of the provided object. In one preferred example, the storage unit 51 stores a store provided quantity table in which the store ID is associated with the provided quantity. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the store provided quantity table. The providing device 2 is configured to be able to accept only the pattern indicated by the pattern ID associated with a set quantity range that includes the provided quantity in the set quantity range in the second condition management table. In other words, the providing device 2 is configured to be able to accept only the pattern indicated by the pattern ID when the provided quantity associated with the store ID in the store provided quantity table is within the set quantity range associated with the store ID, providing device ID, and pattern ID in the second condition management table.

In one example, the management device 4 sets the set quantity range in the second condition management table so that when the supply quantity associated with the store ID associated with the supply device ID indicating the supply device 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the supply device 2 can accept the designs indicated by the first number of different pattern IDs, and when the supply quantity is less than the predetermined number, the supply device 2 can accept the designs indicated by the second number of different pattern IDs that are less than the first number. With this configuration, a supply device 2 installed in a store where the supply quantity is equal to or greater than the predetermined number can accept a greater number of different patterns than a supply device 2 installed in a store where the supply quantity is less than the predetermined number, thereby making it possible to further promote sales of the target item.

In another example, the management device 4 sets the set quantity range in the second condition management table so that the providing device 2 can accept a pattern indicated by a pattern ID including a predetermined pattern ID when the providing quantity associated with the store ID associated with the providing device ID indicating the providing device 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and can accept a pattern indicated by a pattern ID not including the predetermined pattern ID when the providing quantity is less than the predetermined number. With this configuration, a providing device 2 installed in a store where the providing quantity is equal to or greater than the predetermined number can accept a rarer pattern compared to a providing device 2 installed in a store where the providing quantity is less than the predetermined number, making it possible to further promote sales of the target item.

In a fourth modified embodiment of the present invention, the provision system 1 in the first modified embodiment further manages a customer ID. The customer ID is one example of customer identification information, and may be anything that can uniquely identify a customer. The provision device 2 is configured to accept the customer ID. In one example, the provision system 1 manages each customer so that they are identified by an ID number. The provision device 2 receives the customer ID from the customer who receives the provision of the object via a membership card, a mobile terminal app, or the like.

The storage unit 51 of the management device 4 stores the customer ID and the store ID in association with each other. In one preferred example, the storage unit 51 stores a customer store table in which the customer ID and the store ID are associated with each other. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a customer store table. The customer store table associates one customer ID with one or more store IDs. The storage unit 51 of the management device 4 stores the customer ID and the pattern ID in association with each other. In one preferred example, the storage unit 51 stores a customer pattern table in which the customer ID and the pattern ID are associated with each other. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a customer pattern table. The customer pattern table associates one customer ID with one or more pattern IDs.

The providing device 2 is configured to be able to accept a customer ID via, for example, a contactless IC card reader, a QR code (registered trademark) reader, or a barcode reader. When the control unit 32 of the providing device 2 accepts the customer ID, it transmits the customer ID to the management device 4. When the control unit 52 of the management device 4 receives the customer ID from the providing device 2, it stores the store ID in the customer store table in association with the customer ID. The store ID associated here is the store ID associated in the second pattern management table with the providing device ID corresponding to the providing device 2 that received the customer ID. When the customer ID is associated with a specific store ID in the customer store table, the control unit 52 stores one or more specific pattern IDs in association with the customer ID in the customer pattern table.

When the received customer ID is associated with a specific store ID in the customer store table, the providing device 2 is configured to be able to accept the design indicated by one or more specific design IDs stored in association with the customer ID in the customer design table. In this case, the providing device 2 is also configured to be able to accept the design indicated by the design ID stored in association with the providing device ID indicating the providing device 2 in the second design management table. Therefore, the specific design ID associated with the customer ID in the customer design table is included in the design ID associated with the specific store ID in the second design management table. The specific store ID is, for example, one or more specific store IDs such as store IDs "shop-1" and "shop-2". On the other hand, when the received customer ID is not associated with a specific store ID in the customer store table, the providing device 2 is configured to be able to accept only the design ID stored in association with the providing device ID indicating the providing device 2 in the second design management table other than the above-mentioned specific design ID. By configuring in this way, it is possible to further encourage customers to purchase the target item at a different store.

In a fifth modified embodiment of the present invention, the provision system 1 manages objects and patterns so that only one type of pattern can be drawn for one object. The storage unit 51 of the management device 4 stores the object ID and pattern ID in association with each other. In one preferred example, the storage unit 51 stores an object pattern table in which the object ID and pattern ID are associated with each other. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an object pattern table. The object pattern table associates one pattern ID with one object ID. The object ID is one example of object identification information, and may be anything that can uniquely identify the object. For example, the object ID "object-1" can be caffe latte, and the object ID "object-2" can be cappuccino, etc.

The providing device 2 is configured to be able to accept one object via the touch panel 24. The storage unit 31 stores an object ID and an object name in association with each other. The control unit 32 is configured to transmit an object ID to the management device 4 when it accepts an object ID corresponding to an object name. When the control unit 52 of the management device 4 receives the object ID from the providing device 2, it uses the object pattern table to obtain a pattern ID associated with the object ID and transmits the pattern ID to the providing device 2. The providing device 2 is configured to be able to accept only the pattern indicated by the pattern ID received from the management device 4. The pattern ID associated with the object ID in the object pattern table is included in the pattern ID associated with the providing device ID corresponding to the providing device 2 that provides the object indicated by the object ID in the first or second pattern management table.

In a sixth modified embodiment of the present invention, the providing device 2 does not include the object supply mechanism 22. Therefore, after the providing device 2 places the container 6 with the object supplied thereto on the mounting surface 61, the providing device 2 operates the printer 23 using the picture data received from the management device 4, and adds drawing material so as to draw the picture received by the providing device 2 on the top surface of the object supplied to the container 6. The sixth modified embodiment can be applied to embodiments other than the fifth modified embodiment.

In a seventh modified embodiment of the present invention, the storage unit 51 of the management device 4 stores only the pattern data table, and does not store the tables described in the above embodiments, such as the first pattern management table and the second pattern management table.

In an eighth modified embodiment of the present invention, the providing system 1 further includes a user terminal. The providing device 2 is configured to be able to accept one piece of picture data from the user terminal device. When the control unit 32 of the providing device 2 accepts one piece of picture data, it transmits the picture data to the management device 4.

When the control unit 52 of the management device 4 receives picture data from the providing device 2, it determines whether the picture data meets a predetermined standard. In one example, the storage unit 51 stores NG picture data of a character whose copyright is held by a third party. The control unit 52 determines the similarity between the picture data received from the providing device 2 and the NG picture data using a known technique for determining image similarity. If the determined similarity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 52 determines that the received picture data meets the predetermined standard, and if the determined similarity is less than the predetermined value, it determines that the received picture data does not meet the predetermined standard.

When the control unit 52 determines that the predetermined criteria are met, it transmits permission information to the providing device 2 to permit drawing of the pattern data. When the control unit 32 of the providing device 2 receives the permission information, it operates the printer 23 based on the pattern data transmitted to the management device 4, and adds drawing material to draw a pattern on the top surface of the object supplied to the container 6. When the control unit 52 determines that the predetermined criteria are not met, it transmits refusal information to the providing device 2 to refuse drawing of the pattern data. When the control unit 32 of the providing device 2 receives the refusal information, it cannot add drawing material. For example, in this case, it displays a message on the touch panel 24 indicating that the accepted pattern data cannot be drawn. With this configuration, it is possible to more appropriately manage the pattern to be drawn on the top surface of the object, even when the pattern is drawn on the user terminal device.

Figure 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the providing device 2 and the management device 4 in the eighth modified embodiment.

The providing device 2 accepts one piece of picture data from the user terminal device (step 201). When the providing device 2 accepts one piece of picture data, it transmits the picture data to the management device 4 (step 202). The management device 4 receives the picture data from the providing device 2 (step 203). The management device 4 determines whether the picture data satisfies a predetermined criterion, and if it determines that the predetermined criterion is satisfied, it transmits permission information to the providing device 2 to permit drawing, and if it determines that the predetermined criterion is not satisfied, it transmits refusal information to the providing device 2 to refuse drawing (step 204).

The providing device 2 receives permission information or refusal information from the management device 4 (step 205). The providing device 2 determines whether permission information has been received (step 206). If permission information has been received, the providing device 2 operates the printer 23 based on the picture data transmitted to the management device 4 in step 202, and adds drawing material to draw a picture on the top surface of the object supplied to the container 6 (step 207). If refusal information has been received, the providing device 2 does not add drawing material.

Before step 106, for example before step 101 or between steps 105 and 106, the providing device 2 operates the object supply mechanism 22 to supply the object to the container 6, thereby supplying the object to the container 6 placed on the mounting surface 61 of the providing device 2.

In a ninth modified embodiment of the present invention, the providing system 1 further includes a user terminal. The user terminal device is configured to allow the user to create picture data using only predetermined picture elements. In one example, the user terminal device is configured to allow the user to create picture data by selecting a predetermined character and a pose for the character. In one example, the user terminal device is configured to allow the user to create picture data by selecting an object of a predetermined shape and selecting a placement position. The providing device 2 operates the printer 23 based on the picture data, and adds drawing material so as to draw a picture on the top surface of the object supplied to the container 6. By limiting the pictures that can be drawn by the user terminal device in this way, it becomes possible to appropriately manage the pictures to be drawn on the top surface of the object.

The above modified embodiments can be combined as appropriate and applied to any embodiment, example, or modified embodiment of the present invention, provided no contradictions arise.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the present invention may be a program for implementing the functions of the embodiments of the present invention described above and the information processing shown in the flowcharts, or a computer-readable storage medium storing the program. In other embodiments, the present invention may be a method for implementing the functions of the embodiments of the present invention described above and the information processing shown in the flowcharts.

In the processes or operations described above, the processes or operations can be freely modified as long as no inconsistencies in the processes or operations occur, such as the use of data in a step that should not yet be available in that step. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various forms as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention.

1 Provision system 2 Provision device 4 Management device 6 Container 10 Network 21, 41 Processor 22 Object supply mechanism 23 Printer 24, 42 Input device (touch panel)
25, 43 Display device 26, 44 Storage device 27, 45 Communication device 28, 46 Bus 31, 51 Storage unit 32, 52 Control unit 61 Placement surface

Claims (15)

A provision system including a provision device capable of providing an object to a container and a management device connected to the provision device via a network,
The providing device comprises:
a printer capable of applying a drawing material to an object provided in the container;
The device is configured to be able to accept one of the multiple designs, and when one of the designs is accepted, transmits design identification information indicating the design to the management device;
The management device includes:
The method is configured to store each of the picture data in association with each of the picture identification information for identifying a picture, and to transmit to the providing device the picture data associated with the picture identification information received from the providing device,
The providing device comprises:
operating the printer based on the picture data received from the management device, and adding drawing material to the upper surface of the object supplied to the container so as to draw the picture received by the provision device;
Provision system. The provision system includes a plurality of the provision devices,
the management device stores one or more pattern identification information in association with each of the provision device identification information for identifying the provision device;
The provision system according to claim 1 , wherein the provision device is configured to be capable of accepting only a design indicated by design identification information stored by the management device in association with provision device identification information indicating the provision device. each of the provision devices is disposed in each of the stores that provide the object,
The provision system according to claim 2, wherein the management device associates and stores the provision device identification information with store identification information for identifying a store, and associates and stores the store identification information and the provision device identification information with one or more pattern identification information. the management device stores the store identification information, the provision device identification information, and the design identification information in association with an acceptance period;
The provision system according to claim 3 , wherein the provision device is configured to be capable of accepting only the picture indicated by picture identification information associated by the management device with a reception period including the current time. the management device stores the provided quantity of the object in association with each store identification information, and stores the set quantity range in association with the store identification information, the providing device identification information, and the design identification information;
The provision system of claim 3 or 4, wherein the provision device is configured to be capable of accepting only the pattern indicated by the pattern identification information when the provision quantity associated with the store identification information is within a set quantity range associated with the store identification information, provision device identification information, and pattern identification information by the management device. The provision system according to claim 5, wherein the management device sets a set quantity range so that the provision device can accept designs indicated by a first number of different design identification information when the provision quantity associated with the store identification information associated with the provision device identification information indicating the provision device is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and the provision device can accept designs indicated by a second number of different design identification information that is less than the first number when the provision quantity is less than the predetermined number. The provision system according to claim 5, wherein the management device sets a set quantity range so that the provision device can accept a pattern indicated by a pattern identification information including a predetermined pattern identification information when the provision quantity associated with the store identification information associated with the provision device identification information indicating the provision device is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and the provision device can accept a pattern indicated by a pattern identification information not including the predetermined pattern identification information when the provision quantity is less than the predetermined number. The provision system according to claim 3, wherein the management device associates and stores pattern identification information including a predetermined pattern identification information only with provision device identification information associated with a predetermined store identification information for a predetermined period of time. the providing device is configured to be able to receive customer identification information for identifying a customer, and when the customer identification information is received, the providing device is configured to transmit the customer identification information to the management device;
the management device stores store identification information associated with the provision device identification information indicating the provision device that received the customer identification information in association with the customer identification information, and when the customer identification information is associated with a specific store identification information, stores a specific pattern identification information among the pattern identification information stored in association with the provision device identification information in association with the customer identification information;
The provision system according to claim 3 or 8, wherein the provision device that receives customer identification information associated with a specified store identification information is configured to be capable of receiving a pattern indicated by a specified pattern identification information stored in association with the customer identification information by the management device. the management device stores object identification information for identifying an object, and stores one object identification information in association with only one picture identification information;
The provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the provision device is configured to be capable of accepting one object out of a plurality of objects, and when one object is accepted, the provision device is configured to be capable of accepting only the pattern indicated by the pattern identification information stored by the management device in association with the object identification information indicating the object. The provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the provision device adds drawing material based on the picture data and then deletes the picture data. The device further includes a user terminal device,
the providing device is configured to be able to receive picture data from the user terminal device, and when receiving one piece of picture data, transmits the picture data to the management device;
the management device, when receiving the picture data from the provision device, determines whether the picture data satisfies a predetermined criterion, and when it is determined that the picture data satisfies the predetermined criterion, transmits permission information for permitting drawing to the provision device;
When the providing device receives the permission information, the providing device operates the printer based on the picture data transmitted to the management device, and adds drawing material to the upper surface of the object supplied to the container so as to draw a picture.
The provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The device further includes a user terminal device,
the user terminal device is configured to allow a user to create picture data using only predetermined picture elements;
the providing device operates the printer based on the picture data, and applies drawing material to an upper surface of the object supplied to the container so as to draw the picture received by the providing device;
The provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 1. A method for dispensing an object, the method being carried out in a dispensing device capable of dispensing an object into a container, the method comprising:
accepting a picture of a plurality of pictures;
A step of transmitting the received pattern identification information indicating one of the patterns to a management device that associates each of the pattern data with each of the pattern identification information for identifying the pattern and stores the associated data;
receiving pattern data associated with pattern identification information from the management device;
applying a drawing material to draw the one of the received patterns on an upper surface of the object provided to the container based on the received pattern data;
A method comprising: A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the method according to claim 14.

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