JP2001023006A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic vending machine which can receive electronic money and also enables a cash collector to immediately confirm consistency and its correctness between an amount sold and quantity of commodities sold. SOLUTION: This automatic vending machine is provided with a cash collecting part 3 which receives and stores thrown cash, an electronic money reader/writer part 5 which processes electronic money data stored in a card-like storage medium and also stores information on an electronic money transaction using the electronic money and a main controller 2 which controls both parts 3 and 5. The electronic money transaction information stored in the part 5 can be read out by an instruction given from the controller 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine, and more particularly to a vending machine capable of handling cash and electronic money.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some vending machines can use electronic money accumulated in an IC card in addition to cash of money and bills. Vending machines that can also use this electronic money are installed in areas where electronic money demonstration experiments are being conducted.

[0003] By the way, electronic money means that payment for a product is made not by cash but by electronic data exchange, and the exchanged electronic data itself has the same value as cash. Therefore, in a vending machine that handles electronic money, when a product is purchased using electronic money, the sales amount and the sales volume of the product (hereinafter referred to as electronic money transaction information) are read by an electronic money reader in the vending machine. -It is stored as electronic data in a writer section or the like. This electronic data, because of its management form,
It is separated from cash and collected.

[0004] As a method of collecting electronic money in a vending machine of this type, vending machines connected to a network are collected via the network.
As for other vending machines, there is a method of collecting electronic money data from each vending machine by using a special collecting terminal.

[0005] The collected electronic money is collected by an electronic money management company, and sent from the management company to a vending machine management company at a specific time such as at the end of the month. When a product is purchased using electronic money with this type of vending machine, the electronic money transaction information data stored in the electronic money reader / writer unit and the total transaction information managed and recorded as a whole vending machine The data corresponding to the occupied electronic money transaction information may be inconsistent due to the uniqueness of the vending machine sales control method. That is, when the IC card is inserted into the electronic money reader / writer, the reader / writer reads the amount data of the electronic money in the IC card and sends it to the main control device that controls the operation of the vending machine. The main control device provides purchase guidance such as turning on a selectable commodity selection key according to the received amount data. Furthermore,
When the selection key is pressed, the main controller instructs the payout of the selected product, and reduces the amount corresponding to the selling price of the paid out product to the electronic money reader / writer unit, and then outputs new amount data. Instructs writing to the IC card. At the same time, the main controller updates the data of the total sales amount and the total sales volume in the vending machine.

[0006] The electronic money reader / writer writes new amount data of electronic money to the IC card based on an instruction from the main controller, and after the writing is successfully completed, the sales amount and sales quantity of the electronic money transaction information. Update data. However, if this writing cannot be completed normally for some reason such as removal of the IC card,
The electronic money reader / writer does not update the electronic money transaction information.

[0007] Therefore, when the writing to the IC card is not completed normally, the electronic money transaction information data in the total sales amount and the total sales amount data in the vending machine and the electronic money stored in the electronic money reader / writer section. A gap (short selling) occurs with the transaction information data.

[0008]

The vending machine sales management (verification of sales amount, sales product quantity, etc.) is usually performed by a cash collector (routeman) of a vending machine management company.
Patrolls vending machines to collect sales and manage sales. However, for vending machines that can use electronic money, as described above, since electronic money transaction information is performed by the electronic money management company, the cash collector cannot obtain electronic money transaction information on the spot, Depending on the presence or absence of short selling, it was not possible to confirm the consistency and validity of the sales amount and sales volume of the entire vending machine.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine in which a cash collector can confirm the consistency and validity of a sales amount and a sales quantity on the spot with respect to a vending machine in which electronic money can be used. And

[0010]

The vending machine of the present invention comprises:
A cash collection unit for receiving and storing the inserted cash; an electronic money reader / writer unit for processing electronic money data stored in the card-shaped storage medium and storing electronic money transaction information using electronic money; In a vending machine having a main control device for controlling the operation,
The electronic money transaction information stored in the electronic money reader / writer unit can be read by a command from the main control device.

The vending machine of the present invention also has a cash collecting unit for receiving and storing the inserted cash, processing the electronic money data stored in the card-shaped storage medium, and processing the transaction contents using the electronic money. An electronic money reader / writer unit for storing electronic money transaction information, a sales information storage unit for storing transaction information of sales amount and sales quantity indicating transaction contents using cash, and a main control device for controlling the operation of each unit. The electronic money transaction information stored in the electronic money reader / writer unit is read out according to a command from the main control device, and can be stored in the sales information storage unit.

The vending machine of the present invention also includes a cash collecting unit for receiving and storing the inserted cash, processing the electronic money data stored in the card-shaped storage medium, and processing the transaction contents using the electronic money. An electronic money reader / writer unit for storing electronic money transaction information indicating a transaction, a sales information storage unit for storing transaction information of sales amount and sales quantity indicating transaction contents, and a main control device for controlling the operation of each unit. In the vending machine, the electronic money reader / writer is operated by a command transmitted from the main control device in response to a signal transmitted from the sales information storage portion to the main control device when the transaction information is read from the sales information storage portion. The electronic money transaction information stored in the section is read.

Further, the vending machine of the present invention has a cash collecting unit for receiving and storing the inserted cash, an electronic money transaction processing the electronic money data stored in the card-shaped storage medium, and using the electronic money. In a vending machine including an electronic money reader / writer unit for storing information and a main control device for controlling the operation of each unit, in response to a read signal transmitted from the electronic money reader / writer unit to the main control device, The electronic money transaction information stored in the electronic money reader / writer unit can be read by a command transmitted from the main control device.

Further, the vending machine of the present invention has a cash collecting unit for receiving and storing the inserted cash, processing the electronic money data stored in the card-shaped storage medium, and processing the transaction contents using the electronic money. An electronic money reader / writer unit for storing electronic money transaction information indicating a transaction, a sales information storage unit for storing transaction information of sales amount and sales quantity indicating transaction contents, and a main control device for controlling the operation of each unit. In the vending machine, the electronic money reader / writer is operated by a command transmitted from the main control device in response to a signal transmitted from the sales information storage portion to the main control device when the transaction information is read from the sales information storage portion. The electronic money transaction information stored in the section is read out and stored in the sales information storage section.

According to the present invention, the electronic money transaction information stored in the electronic money reader / writer section can be read out by a command from the main control device, so that the cash collector can immediately determine the sales amount and the sales quantity. Vending machine that can confirm the consistency and validity of the vending machine can be provided.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vending machine according to the present embodiment. The vending machine 1 includes a main control device 2 for controlling the whole. The main controller 2 receives cash such as coins and bills inserted therein, stores the cash after a predetermined process, and reads out a cash collecting unit 3 including a building mechanism and a coin mechanism, and sales information such as a sales quantity and a sales amount of a product. Accepts an IC card that stores electronic money data, and rewrites electronic money data to the IC card, and stores electronic money such as the sales amount and sales amount of products using electronic money. An electronic money reader / writer unit 5 including a data storage unit for storing sales data is connected.

Further, the vending machine 1 is connected to the main control unit 2 and is provided with a transport mechanism 6 for paying out products and a display for displaying purchase guidance to purchasers and sales information of products such as "sold out". And a vessel 7.

Although not shown, the electronic money reader / writer unit 5 is dedicated so that the electronic money sales data stored in the electronic money reader / writer unit 5 can be collected according to an instruction from the host computer of the electronic money management company. It is connected to a host computer of an electronic money management company via a communication line.

The operation of the vending machine 1 having the above configuration will be described. First, sales using only cash will be described. When cash is put into the cash collecting unit 3 and a product is selected, a display on the display 7 under the control of the main controller 2
Sales of goods by the transport mechanism 6, acceptance of cash by the cash collection unit 3, and payout of change as necessary are performed. The transaction information (sales quantity and sales amount) in this sale is sent to the sales information storage unit 4 and stored, and the total transaction information on the total sales quantity and the total sales amount in the sales information storage unit 4 is updated. Is done.

Next, sales by electronic money will be described. When the IC card storing the electronic money data is inserted into the electronic money reader / writer 5, the main controller 1
After the activation of the IC card and the confirmation of the validity thereof are performed under the control of, the selection of the purchased product is displayed on the display 7 as a guide. When a purchase product is selected, the electronic money reader / writer 5 subtracts the purchase price from the electronic money amount data in the IC card and updates the electronic money amount data. The transaction information (sales quantity and sales amount) of this sale is sent to and stored in the data storage unit of the electronic money reader unit 5, and the data of the previous electronic money transaction information stored in the data storage unit is updated. . Further, the electronic money transaction information is sent to and stored in the sales information storage unit 4, and is added to the total sales quantity and the total sales amount in the sales information storage unit 4, thereby updating the total transaction information so far. .

A procedure for collecting transaction information such as the sales amount in the vending machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Procedure A The cash collector uses the collection terminal 8 to start collecting total transaction information such as total sales quantity and total sales amount from the sales information storage unit 4. At this point, the main control unit 2
To start collecting total transaction information.

Procedure B Upon receiving this signal (A), main controller 2 transmits to electronic money reader / writer section 5 a request command for data of electronic money transaction information such as the sales amount and sales amount of electronic money.

Procedure C Upon receiving the request command, the electronic money reader / writer 5
The data of the electronic money transaction information after the request command received last time is transmitted to main controller 2.

Procedure D The main controller 2 having received the electronic money transaction information data transmits it to the sales information storage unit 4 and stores it.

Procedure E The sales information storage unit 4 sends the data of the electronic money transaction information to the collection terminal 8 together with the total transaction information.

As described above, the cash collector can obtain the electronic money transaction information when reading the total transaction information of the entire vending machine. In the above embodiment, the case where a command is sent from the main controller to the electronic money reader / writer unit when the cash collector starts reading the sales information from the sales information storage unit has been described. A read key is provided in the reader / writer unit, and the cash collector operates the key to respond to a read signal sent from the electronic money reader / writer unit to the main controller, and the main controller sends an electronic signal to the electronic money reader / writer unit. It is also possible to send a command requesting the transmission of money transaction information.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, for a vending machine that can use electronic money, a cash collector can easily confirm the consistency and validity of the sales amount and the sales quantity on the spot. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1. Vending machine 2. Main control unit 3. Cash collection unit 4. Sales information storage unit 5. Electronic money reader / writer unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] An electronic money reader / writer for receiving and storing inserted cash, processing electronic money data stored in a card-shaped storage medium, and storing electronic money transaction information using electronic money. Department and
A vending machine provided with a main control device for controlling the operation of each section, wherein electronic money transaction information stored in the electronic money reader / writer unit can be read by a command from the main control device. vending machine. 2. A cash collecting unit for receiving and storing the inserted cash, processing electronic money data stored in a card-shaped storage medium, and storing electronic money transaction information indicating transaction contents using the electronic money. An electronic money reader / writer unit, a vending machine including a sales information storage unit for storing transaction information of a sales amount and a sales quantity indicating transaction contents, and a main control device for controlling the operation of each unit; A vending machine which reads electronic money transaction information stored in the electronic money reader / writer unit in accordance with a command from the electronic money reader / writer and stores the electronic money transaction information in the sales information storage unit. 3. A cash collection unit for receiving and storing the inserted cash, processing electronic money data stored in a card-shaped storage medium, and storing electronic money transaction information indicating transaction contents using the electronic money. An electronic money reader / writer unit, a vending machine including a sales information storage unit for storing transaction information of a sales amount and a sales quantity indicating transaction contents, and a main control device for controlling the operation of each unit; Electronic money transaction stored in the electronic money reader / writer unit by a command transmitted from the main control device in response to a signal transmitted from the sales information storage unit to the main control device when the transaction information is read from the electronic money transaction unit. A vending machine characterized by reading information. 4. A cash collecting unit for receiving and storing the inserted cash, an electronic money reader / writer for processing electronic money data stored in a card-shaped storage medium and storing electronic money transaction information using electronic money. Department and
In a vending machine having a main control device for controlling the operation of each unit, a command transmitted from the main control device in response to a read signal transmitted from the electronic money reader / writer unit to the main control device, A vending machine wherein electronic money transaction information stored in an electronic money reader / writer unit can be read. 5. A cash collecting unit for receiving and storing the inserted cash, processing electronic money data stored in a card-shaped storage medium, and storing electronic money transaction information indicating transaction contents using the electronic money. An electronic money reader / writer unit, a vending machine including a sales information storage unit for storing transaction information of a sales amount and a sales quantity indicating transaction contents, and a main control device for controlling the operation of each unit; Electronic money transaction stored in the electronic money reader / writer unit by a command transmitted from the main control device in response to a signal transmitted from the sales information storage unit to the main control device when the transaction information is read from the electronic money transaction unit. A vending machine wherein information is read and stored in the sales information storage unit.