JP2006048206A - Controller for vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article selling vending machine using a merchandise storage container for preventing the loss of a merchandise sales opportunity due to the impossibility of the carriage of merchandise since the merchandise storage container is not properly inserted at the time of supplying merchandise. <P>SOLUTION: This controller of a vending machine is provided with a power supply detecting means 1, a carriage mechanism operation command outputting means 2, a column number detecting means 3, a defective code display means 4, a merchandise storage container abnormality detecting means 5 and an arithmetic control part 6a. When power supply is detected by the power supply detecting means 1, a command is outputted from the arithmetic control part 6a to a carriage mechanism operation command outputting means 2, and a carriage mechanism is operated, and the inserted status of the merchandise storage container is confirmed until the last column is detected by the column number detecting means 3, and when the insertion error of the merchandise storage container is detected by the merchandise storage container abnormality detecting means 5, a defective code is displayed by the defective code display means 4, and an operation command is outputted to the carriage mechanism operation command outputting means 2, and the merchandise storage container is pushed in and restored to a proper position to prevent the loss of the merchandise sales opportunity due to the impossibility of the carriage of merchandise. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device in a vending machine.

As a control device in a conventional vending machine, there has been disclosed a control device that detects an abnormality when a product is not properly carried out to an outlet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-153172

  However, in the conventional configuration, in the vending machine using the product storage container, the product storage container may not be properly inserted when the product is replenished, and the product may not be transported. It was impossible, and had the subject of missing a product sales opportunity.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to eliminate missed product sales opportunities by confirming whether or not a product storage container is properly inserted when power is turned on.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the control device for a vending machine according to the present invention operates the transport mechanism when the power is turned on to check the insertion state of the product storage container of each column.

  The control device of the vending machine according to the present invention can operate the transport mechanism when the power is turned on, check the insertion state of the product storage container of each column, and notify the operator of any abnormality.

  The first invention is a power-on detection means for detecting whether the power is turned on, a transport mechanism operation command output means for operating the transport mechanism, and a column number detection for detecting the position of the column in which the transport mechanism is operating. Means, fault code display means for displaying a fault code, product storage container abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality of the product storage container, the power-on detection means, the transport mechanism operation command output means, and the column number detection means, The operation control unit is connected to the failure code display unit and the product storage container abnormality detection unit, and the operation control unit outputs the transport mechanism operation command output unit when the power-on detection unit detects power-on. The column number detecting means confirms the insertion state of the product storage containers of all the columns. If an abnormality is detected by the commodity storage container abnormality detection means, the failure code display means can display the failure code and notify the operator.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, the buzzer sound output means capable of generating a buzzer is provided, and the calculation control unit outputs the buzzer sound when the commodity storage container abnormality detection means detects an abnormality. By issuing a command to the means and sounding the buzzer, the operator can be notified of the abnormal state.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in particular, in the second aspect of the invention, there is provided a display means capable of displaying a column number, and the arithmetic control unit is provided on the display means when the commodity storage container abnormality detection means detects an abnormality By displaying the column number where the abnormality is detected, it is possible to inform the operator of the column number that is abnormal.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, particularly in the third aspect of the invention, there is provided setting means capable of setting the validity / invalidity of the function of detecting the abnormality of the product storage container by operating the transport mechanism when the power is turned on. The function can be operated only when the setting means validates the abnormality detection function of the product storage container.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the door opening / closing detection means capable of detecting the opening / closing of the door is provided, and the arithmetic control unit does not have to detect the power-on detection means. When the door opening / closing detection means detects that the door is closed from the open state, the abnormality detection function of the product storage container can be operated.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a control device for a vending machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device of the vending machine according to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, the power-on detection means 1 confirms whether the power is turned on, the transport mechanism operation command output means 2 outputs an operation command to the transport mechanism, and the column number detection means 3 operates the transport mechanism. Detects the position of the column that is on. The failure code display means 4 displays the failure code, and the product storage container abnormality detection means 5 detects that the transport mechanism and the product storage container are in contact with each other.

  When the arithmetic control unit 6a detects that the power is turned on by the power-on detection means 1, it issues a command to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2 to operate the transport mechanism so that the column number detection means 3 Confirm the insertion error of the product storage container until the column is detected. When the product storage container abnormality detection means 5 detects an abnormality, the failure code display means 4 displays a failure code, outputs an operation command to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2, pushes the product storage container, and returns it to an appropriate position. .

  The operation of the vending machine control apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

  It is determined whether the power is turned on by the power-on detection means 1 (STEP 1). If the power is not turned on, the process is terminated. If the power is turned on, a command is issued to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2 to operate the transport mechanism to the corresponding column (STEP 2). The product storage container abnormality detection means 5 determines whether or not an abnormality is detected by contact between the transport mechanism and the product storage container (STEP 3). If an abnormality is detected, the failure code is displayed on the failure code display means 4 (STEP 4), a command is issued to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2, the product container is pushed in, and the product is returned to an appropriate position (STEP 5). If not detected, it is determined whether or not the column number detecting means 3 has confirmed all the column numbers. If all the column numbers have been confirmed, the process ends. If not, all the column numbers have not been confirmed. A command is issued to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2 up to the position of the number to operate the transport mechanism (STEP 6).

  As described above, according to the control device of the vending machine of the present embodiment, by inserting the conveyance mechanism when the power is turned on and confirming the insertion state of the product storage container of each column, the insertion error of the product storage container can be prevented. If there is, the operator can be informed and returned to an appropriate position.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the control device for the vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device of the vending machine according to the embodiment. In addition, the thing of the same structure as Embodiment 1 attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the detailed description. In FIG. 3, the buzzer sound output means 7 sounds a buzzer by issuing a command. When the arithmetic control unit 6b detects that the power is turned on by the power-on detection means 1, the arithmetic control section 6b issues a command to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2, operates the transport mechanism, and the column number detection means 3 is all Confirm the insertion error of the product storage container until the column is detected.

  When the commodity storage container abnormality detection means 5 detects an abnormality, the failure code is displayed on the failure code display means 4, a command is issued to the buzzer sound output means 7, and a buzzer is sounded. Then, an operation command is output to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2, the product storage container is pushed in, and returned to an appropriate position.

  The operation of the vending machine control apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

  It is determined whether the power is turned on by the power-on detection means 1 (STEP 7). If the power is not turned on, the process is terminated. If the power is turned on, a command is issued to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2 to operate the transport mechanism to the corresponding column (STEP 8). It is determined whether or not the product storage container abnormality detection means 5 has detected an abnormality due to contact between the transport mechanism and the product storage container (STEP 9). If an abnormality is detected, a fault code is displayed on the fault code display means 4 (STEP 10), a command is issued to the buzzer sound output means 7 and a buzzer is sounded (STEP 11). A command is issued to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2 to push in the product storage container and return it to an appropriate position (STEP 12). If it is not detected, it is determined whether or not the column number detecting means 3 has confirmed all the column numbers. If all the column numbers are confirmed, the process ends. If not, the next column is confirmed. A command is issued to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2 up to the position of the number to operate the transport mechanism (STEP 13).

  As described above, according to the control device of the vending machine of the present embodiment, if there is a mistake in inserting the product storage container, the buzzer can be sounded to notify the operator of the abnormal state.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the control device for the vending machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device of the vending machine according to the embodiment. In addition, the thing of the same structure as Embodiment 2 attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the detailed description. In FIG. 5, the display means 8 displays an abnormal column number when an abnormality is detected by the commodity storage container abnormality detecting means 5. When the arithmetic control unit 6c detects that the power is turned on by the power-on detection unit 1, the arithmetic control unit 6c issues a command to the transport mechanism operation command output unit 2, operates the transport mechanism, and the column number detection unit 3 has all the column numbers. Confirm the insertion error of the product storage container until the column is detected. If the product storage container abnormality detection means 5 detects an abnormality, the failure code display means 4 displays the failure code, issues a command to the buzzer sound output means 7, sounds the buzzer, and displays the abnormal column number on the display means 8. . Then, an operation command is output to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2, the product storage container is pushed in, and returned to an appropriate position.

  The operation of the vending machine control apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

  It is determined whether the power is turned on by the power-on detection means 1 (STEP 14). If the power is not turned on, the process is terminated. If the power is turned on, a command is issued to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2 to operate the transport mechanism to the corresponding column (STEP 15). It is determined whether or not the product storage container abnormality detection means 5 detects an abnormality by contacting the transport mechanism and the product storage container (STEP 16). If an abnormality is detected, a failure code is displayed on the failure code display means 4 (STEP 17), a command is issued to the buzzer sound output means 7 and a buzzer is sounded (STEP 18). An abnormal column number is displayed on the display means 8 (STEP 19), a command is issued to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2, the product storage container is pushed in, and returned to an appropriate position (STEP 20). If it is not detected, it is determined whether or not the column number detecting means 3 has confirmed all the column numbers. If all the column numbers are confirmed, the process ends. If not, the next column is confirmed. A command is issued to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2 up to the position of the number to operate the transport mechanism (STEP 21).

  As described above, according to the control device of the vending machine according to the present embodiment, it is possible to notify the operator in which column the insertion error of the product storage container has occurred.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the control device for the vending machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device of the vending machine of the embodiment. In addition, the thing of the same structure as Embodiment 3 attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the detailed description. In FIG. 7, the setting means 8 sets validity / invalidity of the abnormality detection function of the product storage container. When the calculation control unit 6d detects that the power is turned on by the power-on detection means 1, and when the setting of the abnormality detection function of the product storage container set by the setting means 8 is set to “Yes”, A command is issued to the mechanism operation command output means 2, the transport mechanism is operated, and the insertion error of the product storage container is confirmed until the column number detection means 3 detects all the columns.

  If the product storage container abnormality detection means 5 detects an abnormality, the failure code display means 4 displays the failure code, issues a command to the buzzer sound output means 7, sounds the buzzer, and displays the abnormal column number on the display means 8. . Then, an operation command is output to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2, the product storage container is pushed in, and returned to an appropriate position.

  The operation of the vending machine control apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

  It is determined whether the power is turned on by the power-on detection means 1 (STEP 22). If the power is not turned on, the process is terminated. If the power is turned on, the setting of the abnormality detection function of the product storage container set by the setting means 8 is confirmed (STEP 23). A command is issued to the command output means 2 to operate the transport mechanism to the corresponding column (STEP 24). It is determined whether or not the product storage container abnormality detection means 5 detects an abnormality by contacting the transport mechanism and the product storage container (STEP 25). If an abnormality is detected, a failure code is displayed on the failure code display means 4 (STEP 26), a command is sent to the buzzer sound output means 7 and a buzzer is sounded (STEP 27). The abnormal column number is displayed on the display means 8 (STEP 28), a command is issued to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2, the product storage container is pushed in, and the product is returned to an appropriate position (STEP 29). If it is not detected, it is determined whether or not the column number detecting means 3 has confirmed all the column numbers. If all the column numbers are confirmed, the process ends. If not, the next column is confirmed. A command is issued to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2 up to the position of the number to operate the transport mechanism (STEP 30).

  As described above, according to the control device of the vending machine of the present embodiment, by setting the validity of the abnormality detection function of the product storage container, when there is no need to detect the abnormality of the product storage container, the operator's The operation time can be shortened.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the control device for the vending machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device of the vending machine of the embodiment. In addition, the thing of the same structure as Embodiment 4 attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the detailed description. In FIG. 9, the door opening / closing detection means detects opening / closing of the door. Even if the calculation control unit 6e does not detect that the power is turned on by the power-on detection means 1, if the door opening / closing detection function 10 detects that the door is changed from the open state to the closed state, the setting means 8e. When the setting of the abnormality detection function of the product storage container set in is set to “Yes”, a command is issued to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2 to operate the transport mechanism so that the column number detection means 3 Confirm the insertion error of the product storage container until the column is detected. If the product storage container abnormality detection means 5 detects an abnormality, the failure code display means 4 displays the failure code, issues a command to the buzzer sound output means 7, sounds the buzzer, and displays the abnormal column number on the display means 8. . Then, an operation command is output to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2, the product storage container is pushed in, and returned to an appropriate position.

  The operation of the vending machine control apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

  It is determined whether the power is turned on by the power-on detection means 1 (STEP 31). If the power is not turned on, the door opening / closing detection means 10 confirms whether the door has changed from the open state to the closed state (STEP 32). If it has not changed from the door open state to the closed state, the process ends. If it has changed, the setting of the abnormality detection function of the product storage container set by the setting means 8 is confirmed (STEP 33). If there is, a command is issued to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2 to operate the transport mechanism to the corresponding column (STEP 34). It is determined whether or not the product storage container abnormality detecting means 5 detects an abnormality by contacting the transport mechanism and the product storage container (STEP 35). If an abnormality is detected, a fault code is displayed on the fault code display means 4 (STEP 36), a command is issued to the buzzer sound output means 7 and a buzzer is sounded (STEP 37). The abnormal column number is displayed on the display means 8 (STEP 38), a command is issued to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2, the product storage container is pushed in, and returned to an appropriate position (STEP 39). If it is not detected, it is determined whether or not the column number detecting means 3 has confirmed all the column numbers. If all the column numbers are confirmed, the process ends. If not, the next column is confirmed. A command is issued to the transport mechanism operation command output means 2 up to the position of the number to operate the transport mechanism (STEP 40).

  As described above, according to the control device of the vending machine of the present embodiment, the abnormality detection function of the product storage container can be operated even if the operator does not turn on the power again after the operation is completed.

  According to the control device of the vending machine of the present invention, it is possible to operate the transport mechanism when the power is turned on, check the insertion state of the product storage container of each column, and notify the operator if there is an abnormality. Useful for sales management of vending machines.

Functional block diagram of the control device of the vending machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control apparatus of the vending machine by the embodiment Functional block diagram of the control device of the vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control apparatus of the vending machine by the embodiment Functional block diagram of the control device of the vending machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control apparatus of the vending machine by the embodiment Functional block diagram of the control device of the vending machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control apparatus of the vending machine by the embodiment Functional block diagram of the control device of the vending machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the control apparatus of the vending machine by the embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power supply detection means 2 Conveyance mechanism operation command output means 3 Column number detection means 4 Fault code display means 5 Commodity storage container abnormality detection means 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e Calculation control part 7 Buzzer sound output means 8 Display means 9 Setting means 10 Door open / close detection means

Claims (5)

  From power-on detection means for detecting whether the power is turned on, a transport mechanism operation command output means for operating the transport mechanism, and an arithmetic control unit connected to the power-on detection means and the transport mechanism operation command output means When the power-on detection means detects power-on, the arithmetic control unit issues a command to the transport mechanism operation command output means, operates the transport mechanism, and confirms the insertion state of the product storage container in each column. The vending machine control device is characterized by notifying the operator if there is a mistake in inserting the product storage container.   A buzzer sound output means capable of sounding a buzzer and a product storage container abnormality detection means in the transport mechanism, and the calculation control unit, when the product storage container abnormality detection means detects an abnormality, to the buzzer sound output means 2. The control device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein an abnormal state is notified to the operator by issuing a command and sounding a buzzer.   Display means capable of displaying a column number, and when the commodity storage container abnormality detecting means detects an abnormality, the calculation control unit displays an error number on the display means so that an operator can display the column number. 3. The control device for a vending machine according to claim 2, wherein an abnormal state is notified to the device.   Setting means that can set the validity / invalidity of the function of detecting the abnormality of the product storage container by operating the transport mechanism when the power is turned on, and the calculation control unit enables the abnormality detection function of the product storage container by the setting means. 4. The vending machine control device according to claim 3, wherein the function is allowed to operate only when   Door opening / closing detection means capable of detecting opening / closing of the door is provided, and the arithmetic control unit is configured to close the door from opening to closing by the door opening / closing detection means even if the power-on detection means does not detect power-on. 5. The control device for a vending machine according to claim 4, wherein an abnormality detection function of the product storage container can be operated when it is detected that the product has become.

Images