JP2017138718A - Automatic selling machine and automatic selling machine system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow continuation of selling at a slave automatic selling machine even in a case where a master automatic selling machine stops selling or a communication with the master automatic selling machine becomes impossible.SOLUTION: Relating to a slave automatic selling machine 20 of an automatic selling machine system to which a master automatic selling machine 10 and a plurality of slave automatic selling machines including one or more slave automatic selling machines 20, 30 containing money processing mechanism are connected, the slave automatic selling machine 20 containing the money processing mechanism 21 includes a vendor main control part C2 which makes an own money processing mechanism 21 operate for performing selling process and money management process of an own slave automatic selling machine 20 in a case where the master automatic selling machine 10 stops selling or a communication with the master automatic selling machine 10 becomes possible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine system in which a parent machine vending machine is connected to a plurality of child machine vending machines including one or more child machine vending machines having a money processing mechanism. A vending machine system and a vending machine in a vending machine system capable of continuing to sell a vending machine even when sales stop or communication with the parent vending machine becomes impossible About the system.

  Conventionally, as a control method for a plurality of vending machines provided side by side, there is a method in which a host PC is installed, and each vending machine provided side by side is collectively controlled by one host PC. In this case, if the host PC breaks down, the sales of all the vending machines attached to it are stopped.

  In addition, this vending machine control method requires a connection between the host PC and each vending machine using a dedicated line, and when the host PC is disconnected, each vending machine makes some setting or connection change. Otherwise, it could not be sold alone.

  In Patent Document 1, setting data that may be used for a child device is stored in advance in setting data that is already set for the parent device, and when the operator connects the child device, the setting data for the parent device is stored. On the other hand, a device that automatically sets the setting data of the slave unit is described.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when a vending machine is connected, functions that are not in the slave unit even if it is in the master unit are restricted from being operated on the slave unit. There is no function described in the control device of the vending machine that restricts the operation to the parent machine.

JP 2011-53871 A JP 2010-1113635 A

  The handset described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is premised on having no money processing function. For this reason, when a sales stop or a failure occurs in the master unit, the slave unit cannot sell the product alone.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is a vending machine in which a parent machine vending machine and a plurality of child machine vending machines including one or more child machine vending machines having a money processing mechanism are connected. Vending machine capable of continuing to sell the child machine vending machine even when the sales of the parent machine vending machine is stopped or communication with the parent machine vending machine is disabled in the machine system It is an object to provide a slave vending machine and a vending machine system.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a child machine vending machine according to the present invention includes a plurality of child machines including a parent machine vending machine and one or more child machine vending machines having a money processing mechanism. A child machine vending machine of a vending machine system to which a vending machine is connected, the child machine vending machine having the money processing mechanism, the parent machine vending machine cancels sales or the parent machine automatic When communication with a vending machine becomes impossible, it has a control part which operates its own money processing mechanism and performs sales processing and money management processing of its own child machine vending machine.

  Further, the child machine vending machine according to the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the control unit is incapable of communicating with the parent machine vending machine or cannot communicate with the parent machine vending machine, and When other child machine vending machines are connected, only the own money processing mechanism is operated as the parent machine, the sales process of the own child machine vending machine, the sales process for the other child machine vending machines. And the money management process for the sales process of itself and other slave vending machines.

  The slave vending machine according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the master vending machine and the one or more slave vending machines belong to one group.

  The vending machine system according to the present invention is a vending machine system in which a parent machine vending machine and a plurality of child machine vending machines including one or more child machine vending machines having a money processing mechanism are connected. The parent machine vending machine stops the money processing mechanism of the child machine vending machine having the money processing mechanism, the sales process of the parent machine vending machine, the parent machine vending machine, and the one or more An instruction for the sales process to the child machine vending machine and a money management process for the sales process of the parent machine vending machine and the one or more child machine vending machines, and the child machine vending having the money processing mechanism When the parent machine vending machine is discontinued or communication with the parent machine is disabled, the machine operates its own money processing mechanism, and sells the child machine vending machine. Specialized in performing money management processing To.

  Further, in the vending machine system according to the present invention, in the above invention, one of the child machine vending machines having the money processing mechanism is that the parent machine vending machine discontinues sales or the parent machine vending machine If the communication of the other handset is not possible and another handset vending machine is connected, the money processing mechanism of its own handset is operated as the parent machine, The present invention is characterized in that an instruction of a sales process for the slave machine vending machine and a money management process for the sales process of itself and other slave machine vending machines are performed.

  Further, in the vending machine system according to the present invention, in the above invention, the parent machine vending machine and a plurality of child machine vending machines including one or more child machine vending machines having a money processing mechanism are connected. In the vending machine system, the parent machine vending machine includes a sale process of the parent machine vending machine, an instruction of a sale process to the parent machine vending machine and the one or more child machine vending machines, and the Money management processing is performed for the parent machine vending machine and the child machine vending machine having the money processing mechanism, and one of the child machine vending machines having the money processing mechanism is discontinued by the parent machine vending machine or When communication with the parent machine vending machine is not possible and the other child machine vending machine is connected, as a parent machine, the sales process of its own child machine vending machine, the other Sales instructions for child machine vending machines And performing money management processing for each currency processing mechanism other handset vending machine with itself and cash handling mechanism.

  Further, in the vending machine system according to the present invention, in the above invention, one of the parent machine vending machine that functions as a parent machine or the child machine vending machine that has the money processing mechanism that functions as a parent machine, The result of money management processing for each money processing mechanism is broadcast to another child machine vending machine having the money processing mechanism.

  The vending machine system according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the parent machine vending machine and the one or more child machine vending machines belong to one group.

  According to the present invention, the child machine vending machine having the money processing mechanism has its own money processing mechanism when the parent machine vending machine discontinues sales or communication with the parent machine vending machine becomes impossible. Because it operates and performs the sales processing and money management processing of its own handset vending machine, when the sales of the parent machine vending machine is stopped or communication with the parent machine vending machine becomes impossible Even if there is, it is possible to continue selling child machine vending machines.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external arrangement of a vending machine system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a connection relationship between a parent machine vending machine and a child machine vending machine constituting the vending machine system shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the child machine vending machine. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing operation procedure of the child machine vending machine. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the slave unit in the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing operation procedure of the slave unit in the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing operation procedure of the slave unit in the third embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
[overall structure]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external arrangement of a vending machine system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a connection relationship between the parent machine vending machine 10 and the child machine vending machines 20 and 30 constituting the vending machine system shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the child machine vending machine 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the parent machine vending machine 10 and the child machine vending machines 20 and 30 are provided side by side. A touch panel type liquid crystal display unit 101 is provided on the upper part of the front panel of the parent machine vending machine 10 and images such as products and product selection buttons are displayed. Further, a bill insertion slot 102, a return lever 103, a coin insertion slot 104, an IC tag reader 105, a coin return slot 106, and a product outlet 107 are provided at the lower part of the front panel.

  The child machine vending machines 20 and 30 have the same configuration, and the front panel includes a product sample 200, a product selection operation unit 201, a bill insertion slot 202, a return lever 203, a coin insertion slot 204, an IC tag reader 205, A coin return port 206 and a product outlet 207 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a parent machine vending machine (hereinafter referred to as a parent machine) 10 is connected to a vending machine main control unit C1 with a money processing mechanism 11 via a parent machine side communication unit 12, and a child machine automatic Vending machines (hereinafter referred to as slave units) 20 and 30 are connected via connectors. The money processing mechanism 11 includes a card processing machine, a banknote processing machine, and a coin processing machine. The IC tag reader 105 shown in FIG. 1 is a part of a card processing machine, the banknote insertion slot 102 is a part of a banknote processing machine, the return lever 103, the coin insertion slot 104, and the coin return slot 106 are Part of a coin processor.

  The handset 20 is connected to the vending machine main control unit C2 with the money processing mechanism 21 via the base unit side communication unit 22, and to the base unit 10 and the handset 30 via the handset side communication unit 23 and the connector. Is done. The handset 30 is connected to the vending machine main control unit C3 through the base unit side communication unit 32 and the money processing mechanism 31 and is connected to the base unit 10 and the handset unit 20 through the handset side communication unit 33 and the connector. Is done. It is possible to branch-connect other slave units.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the slave unit 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the slave unit 20 includes a console-side communication unit 23 that connects the operation panel 13, the sales mechanism 14, the cooling / heating mechanism 15, the master unit 10, and the slave unit 30 that function as the product selection operation unit 201. The base unit side communication unit 22, the remote controller 16, and the storage unit 17 to which the money processing mechanism 21 is connected are connected to the vending machine main control unit C2.

  The sales mechanism 14 carries out the merchandise for which money processing for merchandise purchase has been completed to the merchandise outlet 207. The cooling / heating mechanism 15 heats the interior of the product storage set for heating while cooling the inside of the product storage set for cooling. The remote controller 16 is used for various setting operations and various sales data confirmation operations, and includes a liquid crystal display for displaying various setting data and confirmation data in addition to operation keys such as a write key and an end key. . The setting data set and input from the remote controller 16 is transmitted to the vending machine main control unit C2. Then, the remote controller 16 receives the confirmation data transmitted from the vending machine main control unit C2. The storage unit 17 holds various setting data and the like.

  The vending machine main control unit C2 includes a slave mode processing unit C21 and a single mode processing unit C22. In the vending machine system according to the first embodiment, when the parent device 10 is in a selling operation, only the money processing mechanism 11 operates, and the money processing mechanisms 21 and 31 of the child devices 20 and 30 do not operate. When the parent device 10 is in a sales stop or communication disabled state, the child device 20 and the child device 30 perform sales processing independently. That is, the slave unit mode processing unit C21 performs a sales process as a slave unit when the master unit 10 performs a sales process. In addition, when the base unit 10 is not performing sales processing, the single mode processing unit C22 operates the money processing mechanism 21 as a single vending machine to perform sales processing.

[Processing of slave unit 20]
Here, the processing operation of the slave unit 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when connected to the parent device 10, the vending machine main control unit C2 performs a communication connection process via the child device side communication unit 23 (step S101). In this communication connection process, a communication establishment process including address setting is performed with the connected base unit. Thereafter, the vending machine main control unit C2 determines whether the sales of the parent machine 10 is stopped or communication with the parent machine 10 is disabled (step S102).

  If the sales stop of the parent device 10 or the inability to communicate with the parent device 10 has not occurred (No in step S102), the vending machine information of the child device 20 is notified to the parent device 10 (step S103). This vending machine information includes vending machine configuration information such as the presence or absence of a money processing mechanism in addition to merchandise sales information such as merchandise, merchandise price, number of columns, and sold out status. In the first embodiment, since only the money processing mechanism 11 of the parent device 10 operates in the vending machine system, a stop instruction for the money processing mechanism is sent from the parent device 10. Therefore, the vending machine main control unit C2 determines whether or not there is an instruction to stop the money processing mechanism (step S104). If there is an instruction to stop the money processing mechanism (step S104, Yes), the money processing mechanism is stopped (step S105), and then the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if there is no instruction to stop the money processing mechanism (No in step S104), the process proceeds to step S106 as it is.

  In step S106, the slave unit mode processing unit C21 performs a slave unit mode process for parent-child connection. That is, the slave unit 20 performs sales processing as a slave unit of the master unit 10. The handset mode processing unit C21 is the same as the normal sales process except that the money processing mechanism 21 is not used. In the sales process, after receiving a sales instruction from the parent device 10, the product is carried out.

  Thereafter, the vending machine main control unit C2 determines whether the sales of the parent machine 10 is stopped or the communication with the parent machine 10 is disabled (step S107). If sales of the parent device 10 or communication with the parent device 10 is not disabled (step S107, No), the process proceeds to step S106 to continue the child device mode process.

  On the other hand, when the sales of the base unit 10 is stopped or communication with the base unit 10 is disabled (step S107, Yes, step S102, Yes), it is determined whether the handset 20 has a money handling mechanism ( Step S108). If there is no monetary processing mechanism (No in step S108), the sales process alone cannot be performed, so the process proceeds to step S101 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  When there is a money processing mechanism (Yes in step S108), the connected money processing mechanism is operated (step S109), and the single mode processing by the single mode processing unit C22 is performed (step S110).

  Thereafter, the vending machine main control unit C2 determines whether the sales of the parent machine 10 is stopped or communication with the parent machine 10 is disabled (step S111). When the sales of the base unit 10 is stopped or communication with the base unit 10 is disabled (step S111, Yes), the process proceeds to step S110 and the single mode process is continued. On the other hand, when the sales stop of the parent device 10 or the inability to communicate with the parent device 10 has not occurred (No in step S111), the process proceeds to step S103, and the child device mode process is performed.

  In the first embodiment, even when the sales of the base unit 10 is stopped or communication with the base unit 10 is disabled, the handset units 20 and 30 having the money processing mechanism operate the money processing mechanism to perform the single mode processing. Since it is made to perform, the merchandise sales process of the subunit | mobile_unit 20 and 30 can be continued.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, when the sales of the parent device 10 is stopped or communication with the parent device 10 is disabled, the child device 20 operates as the parent device. Which of the slave units 20 and 30 having the money processing mechanism is the master unit is started by the slave unit having a small address number at the time of initial setting. In other words, a slave unit having a small address number set in the initial setting and having a money processing mechanism becomes a master unit. As a result, the slave unit that satisfies this condition automatically becomes the master unit, and all the slave units continue to perform sales processing.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of slave unit 20 in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the subunit | mobile_unit 20 has the main | base station mode process part C23 instead of the single mode process part C22. Similar to the parent device 10, the parent device mode processing unit C23 operates only the money processing mechanism 21 in the vending machine system and sends a sales instruction to the child device 30 which is another child device. In the sales instruction, when a product is selected by the handset 30, the handset 30 notifies the handset 20 that the product has been selected as a base unit. The subunit | mobile_unit 20 sends a sales instruction | indication with respect to the subunit | mobile_unit 30, when the money with respect to the goods selected goods is thrown. The subunit | mobile_unit 30 pays out goods in response to a sales instruction.

  Here, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the processing operation of the subunit | mobile_unit 20 in Embodiment 2 is demonstrated. The processing different from the first embodiment is that the parent device mode processing unit C23 performs parent device connection parent device mode processing in step S210 instead of the single mode processing in step S110. The other steps S201 to S209 and S211 are the same as steps S101 to S109 and S111. However, in step S208, when there is no money processing mechanism (No in step S208), the process proceeds to step S206, and the handset mode process is performed instead of proceeding to step S201. This is because even if a slave unit does not have a money processing mechanism, a slave unit having a money processing mechanism that can be a master unit exists in the slave unit, and therefore sales processing can be performed as a slave unit.

  In the second embodiment, when the sales of the base unit 10 is stopped or communication with the base unit 10 is disabled, the sales process can be continued even if the mobile unit has no money processing mechanism.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, when the sales of the parent device 10 is stopped or the communication with the parent device 10 is disabled, all the child devices can continue the sales process as in the second embodiment, and all the money processing mechanisms Is available.

  In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the child device 20 has the parent device mode processing unit C23, but the other child device 30 having the money processing mechanism is a child device that operates the money processing mechanism 31. It becomes. From the user's point of view, any of a plurality of money processing mechanisms provided in the vending machine system may be charged. However, the subunit | mobile_unit 20 functions as a main | base station, and performs the money management process including the money processing mechanism 31 of the other subunit | mobile_unit 30. FIG. In the money management process, after the sales process using the money processing mechanism, the money processing information is notified to the slave unit 20 functioning as the master unit. This money management process is the same for the parent device 10 in the case where the parent device 10 functions as the parent device without causing the sale of the parent device 10 or the inability to communicate with the parent device 10 to occur.

  Here, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the processing operation of the subunit | mobile_unit 20 in Embodiment 3 is demonstrated. The processing different from the second embodiment is that the processing corresponding to steps S204, S205, and S209 is deleted. Other steps S301 to S308 correspond to steps S201 to S203, S206 to S208, S210, and S211. As described above, in the parent device mode process in step S307, a money management process is performed.

  The money management process may be broadcast to a vending machine having a money processing mechanism after the money is processed. In this case, the slave unit 20 that functions as the master unit is only for the slave unit that does not have the money processing mechanism, and performs the same sales process for the slave unit that has the money processing mechanism.

  In addition, when a vending machine system is comprised with a some vending machine system, each vending machine system is made into one group, and the structure and process in Embodiment 1-3 mentioned above in this one group are carried out. Can be applied.

10 Parent machine vending machine 11, 21, 31 Money processing mechanism 12, 22, 32 Master unit side communication unit 13 Operation panel 14 Sales mechanism 15 Cooling / heating mechanism 16 Remote control unit 17 Storage unit 20, 30 Child machine vending machine 23, 33 Slave unit side communication unit 101 Liquid crystal display unit 102, 202 Bill insertion slot 103, 203 Return lever 104, 204 Coin insertion slot 105, 205 IC tag reader 106, 206 Coin return slot 107, 207 Product outlet 200 Product sample 201 Product Selection operation unit C1, C2, C3 Vending machine main control unit C21 Slave unit mode processing unit C22 Single mode processing unit C23 Master unit mode processing unit

Claims (8)

A vending machine system of a vending machine system in which a plurality of vending machine vending machines including a vending machine and one or more child vending machines having a money processing mechanism are connected,
The child machine vending machine having the money processing mechanism operates its own money processing mechanism when the parent machine vending machine is discontinued or communication with the parent machine vending machine becomes impossible. A child machine vending machine comprising a control unit for performing sales processing and money management processing of its own child machine vending machine.   The control unit, when the parent machine vending machine is discontinued or cannot communicate with the parent machine vending machine, and when another child machine vending machine is connected, Operate only its own monetary processing mechanism, sell processing of its own handset vending machine, instructions for sales processing for the other handset vending machines, and money for sales processing of itself and other handset vending machines The child machine vending machine according to claim 1, wherein management processing is performed.   The child machine vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the parent machine vending machine and the one or more child machine vending machines belong to one group. A vending machine system in which a parent machine vending machine and a plurality of child machine vending machines including one or more child machine vending machines having a money processing mechanism are connected,
The parent machine vending machine stops the money processing mechanism of the child machine vending machine having the money processing mechanism, the sales process of the parent machine vending machine, the parent machine vending machine, and the one or more child machines Conducts a money management process for the sales process instruction of the vending machine and the sales process of the parent machine vending machine and the one or more slave vending machines;
The child machine vending machine having the money processing mechanism operates its own money processing mechanism when the parent machine vending machine is discontinued or communication with the parent machine vending machine becomes impossible. A vending machine system that performs sales processing and money management processing of its own child vending machine.   One of the child machine vending machines having the money processing mechanism is such that the parent machine vending machine discontinues sales or cannot communicate with the parent machine vending machine, and other child machine vending machines. Is connected as a parent machine, operates its own money processing mechanism, sells its own child machine vending machine, instructs the other child machine vending machines to sell, and itself and other 5. The vending machine system according to claim 4, wherein a money management process is performed for the sales process of the child machine vending machine. A vending machine system in which a parent machine vending machine and a plurality of child machine vending machines including one or more child machine vending machines having a money processing mechanism are connected,
The parent machine vending machine includes a sales process of the parent machine vending machine, an instruction of a sales process for the parent machine vending machine and the one or more child machine vending machines, and the parent machine vending machine and the money. Performs money management processing of slave vending machines with a processing mechanism,
One of the child machine vending machines having the money processing mechanism is such that the parent machine vending machine discontinues sales or cannot communicate with the parent machine vending machine, and the other child machine vending machines When a machine is connected, as a parent machine, the sales process of its own child machine vending machine, sales instructions for the other child machine vending machines, and other child machine vending machines having itself and a money processing mechanism A vending machine system that performs money management processing for each money processing mechanism.   One of the parent machine vending machine that functions as a parent machine or the child machine vending machine that has the money processing mechanism that functions as a parent machine has a money management processing result for each money processing mechanism. The vending machine system according to claim 6, wherein the vending machine system broadcasts to other child machine vending machines.   The vending machine system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the parent machine vending machine and the one or more child machine vending machines belong to one group.

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