JP2557693B2 - Vending machine controller - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a control device for a vending machine that can be sold by both cash and post payment by credit card.

(B) Conventional Technology As an automatic vending machine that can be sold with both cash and credit card, there is a technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-246893. This is configured so that the salable signal output from the card processing device and the salable signal output from the coin processing device are connected so as to be transmitted to the relay control section of the vending machine main body device through the same signal line. As a result, transmission and reception of signals between the card processing device and the coin processing device are eliminated, and the coin processing device does not require a signal converter for the card processing device or a judgment function regarding the card, and the coins that have been used conventionally. By using the processing device as it is and adding a card processing device, it is possible to realize a vending machine that accepts credit cards. Further, the usage status of the vending machine by the card for each department in the specific group can be easily aggregated by only reading the data in the storage unit of the card processing device.

(C) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, when a credit card vending function is added to an ordinary vending machine to centrally manage card sales, the system must be centrally managed for cash sales data. However, the above-mentioned conventional technology cannot deal with the centralized management of cash sales.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a vending machine control device capable of managing both cash and credit card sales data by a device external to the vending machine.

By the way, as a control device for an automatic vending machine, a main control unit, a money processing control unit for controlling the input currency detection device and the change dispensing device, and a sales control unit for controlling the commodity sales device are provided, and these control units are common. Connected by a data transmission line, the money processing control unit transmits to the main control unit the input amount data based on the input currency detected by the input currency detection device, and the change transmitted from the main control unit. The change dispensing device is controlled based on the data, the sales control unit controls the product selling device based on the product data transmitted from the main control unit, and the main control unit sells with the input amount data. When a product that can be sold is selected and a product that can be sold is selected by the customer, the product data indicating this product is transmitted to the sales control unit and the change is calculated. Te, there is a configuration which is adapted to transmit the change data indicative of this change amount to the money handling controller (JP 59-94194 JP).

The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by providing a currency processing control unit and a card processing control unit for controlling a card reader in the control device of the vending machine.

(D) Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, a control device for a vending machine according to the present invention is a card for reading card information of a credit card between a main control unit and a money handling control unit. A card processing control unit to which a reader is connected is inserted and connected, and when the card information read by the card reader is correct, the card processing control unit is provided with an amount of money that makes it possible to sell all or some of the products. Send the dummy input amount data to the main control unit,
When the money processing control unit outputs the input amount data based on the input currency, the value data generating means for transmitting the input amount data to the main control unit and the change data transmitted by the main control unit are detected, and the credit Change data transfer means for transferring the change data to the money processing control unit on condition that a card has not been inserted into the card reader, and input amount data output by the value data generating means to the main control unit, The calculation means for calculating the sales amount based on the change data, the product data introducing means for intercepting the product data transmitted from the main control unit to the sales control unit, and the sales amount data and the intercepted product data. In addition, if a credit card is inserted in the card reader, the personal identification information indicated by this credit card will be sold automatically. Sales data generating means for transmitting to a management device outside the vending machine.

(E) Action When the credit card is inserted in the card reader,
The card information is output to the card processing control unit. The adequacy of the card is determined by discriminating whether or not the card information is proper, and the card information is discriminated by being sent from the card processing control unit or the card processing control unit to another discriminating means. When the card is proper, the card processing control unit determines that all or part of the merchandise can be sold, and transmits dummy insertion amount data indicating this amount to the main control unit.

The money processing control unit generates the input amount data according to the input amount of money when the input currency detection device detects the appropriate amount of money, and when the card processing control unit detects the input amount data, it sends it to the main control unit. Send.

The main control unit transmits the product data to the sales control unit when the customer selects a sellable product, and the card processing control unit intercepts the product data. Further, the main control unit calculates change amount by selecting a product that can be sold by the customer and generates change data. When the card processing control unit detects the change data, the change amount data and the input amount data are used to calculate the sales amount. And the change data is transferred to the money processing control unit on condition that the card has not been inserted into the card reader. Even when a card is inserted, the amount data of the inserted money is transmitted to the main control unit, and the main control unit calculates the change based on the data of the inserted amount and transmits the change data to the money processing control unit. The processing control unit can grasp the amount of sales by card as in the case of cash. Then, the money processing control unit stores the calculated sales amount data, the intercepted product data, and the personal identification information indicated by the credit card when the credit card is inserted in the card reader, outside the vending machine. Send to the management device.

(F) Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. (1) is a main control unit that controls the overall operation of the vending machine, and (2) is an automatic controller. A money processing control unit that controls a terminal portion related to receipt and payment of money in a vending machine, to which the input money detection device (8), the money payment device (9), the change money detection device (10), etc. are connected, In addition to detecting the input money and the presence of change, it also controls the payout of money. (4) is a customer service control unit that controls a terminal portion related to product selection and display in the vending machine, and includes a display device (12) including a payment amount display, a sold-out display, a sale-possible display, and product selection. A device (11) or the like is connected. (3) is a sales control unit that controls a terminal portion related to sales in a vending machine, and is connected to a product sales device (13) and a product sold-out detection device (14) to detect sold-out products. At the same time, it controls the delivery of the product selected by the customer. (6) is a card processing control unit, to which a card reader (7) for reading card information of a credit card is connected. These control units (1), (2), (3),
Each of (4) and (6) is composed of a microcomputer, and includes a main control unit (1) and a customer service control unit (4).
The sales controller (3) and the card processing controller (6) are connected to each other via a bus line (5). The bus line (5) is a bidirectional communication line for the main control unit (1), the customer service control unit (4), the sales control unit (3), and the card processing control unit (6) by serial signals.

In such a distributed control system, the main control unit (1), the customer service control unit (4), the sales control unit (3), and the money handling control unit (2) are connected by a bus line (5). Generally, in the present invention, the card processing control unit (6) is interposed without directly connecting the main control unit (1) and the money processing control unit (2). Accordingly, the card processing control unit (6) has a function of relaying data exchange between the main control unit (1) and the money processing control unit (2) as well as a credit card processing function. Therefore, according to the vending machine of the present invention, the main control unit (1) and the money handling control unit (2) can have a selling function by a credit card with the same functions and configurations as before. Further, the card processing control unit (6) is connected to a management device (15) provided outside the vending machine by a communication line (33). The management device (15) stores credit information obtained by using a credit card, but also stores sales information when cash is sold. Furthermore, the management device (15) also has a function of determining the validity of the credit card.

In the above configuration, the main control unit (1) controls the customer service control unit (4), the sales control unit (3), and the card processing control unit (6) by polling. That is, the customer service control unit (4),
The sales control unit (3) and the card processing control unit (6) are set with predetermined address codes, and the main control unit (1) outputs a specific address code to the bus line (5). When any of the control units (3), (4), and (6) corresponding to the (1) returns to the communication state by returning the confirmation signal (ACK), the main control unit (1) sends a command to the responding control unit. The controller is controlled by transmitting and receiving data.

The operation of the main controller (1) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the power is turned on, the main controller (1) first initializes at step M1. And the next step
The M2 communicates with the card processing control unit (6). The operation of this step M2 is exactly the same as the processing conventionally performed for the money handling control unit (2), and the main control unit (1) sends a command indicating a request for sending the input amount data and the change-out data. Then, in response to this, the data transmitted by the card processing control unit (6) is received. In the next step M3, the main control section (1) determines whether or not the transmitted data includes the input money amount data, and when the data is included, calculates the input amount money in step M4. In step M5, it is determined whether or not the money is to be paid out, and when it is not necessary to return the change or the input amount, the process proceeds to step M6. In this step M6, the selected product data indicating the output state of the product selection device (11) is received by communicating with the customer service control unit (4), and when the sold-out product data or the money is inserted, the amount to be inserted is Send data and sellable product data. Upon reception of these data, the customer service control unit (4) drives the display device (12) to display the amount of money to be inserted, the products that can be sold, and the products that are sold out. In the next step M7, the main control section (1) determines from the selected product data whether or not the customer selects the product, and if not selected, the process proceeds to step M8. In this step M8, the product sold-out detection device (14) is communicated with the sales control unit (3).
Introduce sold-out product data that indicates the output status of. In the next step M9, products that can be sold are determined based on the input amount data, the sold-out product data, the change-out data, and the sales price of each product that is set in advance. Then, in the next step M14, the main control section (1) determines whether or not the vending machine is switched from the sale state to the sale end state, and if the sale standby state continues, returns to step M2.

The main control unit (1) performs the steps M1 to
By repeating the process of M9, the money input, the change of money, the sale of the product, the selection of the product are monitored, and the product that can be sold is determined. Then, when it is detected that the product is selected in step M7, the process proceeds to step M11. In this step, it is determined whether or not the selected product is a product that can be sold, and the selected product can be sold. And proceed to step M12. In step M12, the main control unit (1) communicates with the sales control unit (3) to transmit the product data. As a result, the sales control unit (3) drives the product sales device to sell the product indicated by the product data. In the next step M13, the change is calculated by subtracting the selling price of the sold product from the input amount,
Return to M2.

When the main control unit (1) decides to pay out money in step M5, the main control unit (1) proceeds to step M10, communicates with the card processing control unit (6) and transmits the change data.
Return to M2. Similar to step M2, the processing of step M10 is the same as the processing conventionally performed on the money processing control unit (2). Then, when the main control unit (1) detects in step M14 that the vending machine has switched from the selling state to the selling end state due to the completion of the payment of the goods or change, in the next step M15 the card processing control unit (6) To the sales end command.

Thus, even when the main processing unit (1) is connected to the card processing control unit (6) in place of the currency processing control unit (2), the card processing control unit (6) can be connected to the conventional money processing unit. The same process as the process for the control unit (2) is performed,
The function and operation of the card processing control unit (6) that matches the processing of the main control unit (1) will be described below.

FIG. 3 shows the functions of the card processing control unit (6) in blocks, and (20) is a communication control means for transmitting and receiving commands and data to and from the main control unit (1), which is a bus line ( 5) is connected to the communication control means (34) of the main control section (1), and (28) is communication control means for transmitting and receiving commands and data to and from the money handling control section (2), It is connected to the communication control means (32) of the money handling control section (2) through a signal line (29).
Similar to the bus line (5), the signal line (29) is a bidirectional communication line for serial signals. (26) is a card control means for controlling the card reader (30), and (21) is a value for generating insertion amount data in response to a command indicating a request for transmission of insertion amount data transmitted from the main control section (1). It is a data generating means. The value data generating means (21) uses the communication control means (20) to generate dummy input amount data representing the amount of money that all or some of the products can be sold by inserting the credit card into the main control unit (1). )
Send to Further, the value data generating means (21) sends a command indicating a request for transmitting the input amount data to the communication control means (20).
When the deposit amount data is transmitted in response to this when the deposit amount data is transmitted to the money processing control unit (2), the communication control means (20) transmits this deposit amount data to the main control unit (1).
Send to (22) is change data transfer means, which holds change data transmitted subsequently from the main control unit (1) in response to a command instructing reception of change data,
Thereafter, the communication control means (28) transmits the command for receiving the change data and the change data to the money processing control section (2). Reference numeral (25) is a calculation means, and the input amount data output from the value data generation means (21) to the main control section (1) and the change data transfer means (22) are transmitted to the money processing control section (2). The sales amount is calculated by calculating the difference from the change data. (23) is a product data introduction means, which intercepts product data transmitted from the main control unit (1) to the sales control unit (3). (24) is a change-out data transfer means, which responds to a command indicating a request for transmission of change-out data transmitted from the main control section (1), and causes the communication control means (20) to change the change-out data by the main control section. Send to (1). In the change-out data transfer means (24), this change-out data is transmitted by sending a similar command indicating a request for sending change-out data to the money processing control section (2) by the communication control means (28). It is introduced from the money handling control unit (2). (27) is a sales data generating means, the sales amount data calculated by the calculating means (25), the product data detected by the product data introducing means (23), and the credit card to the card reader (30). When the card is inserted, sales data including personal identification information indicated by the card processing control means (26) is transmitted from the communication terminal (31) to the management device (15) arranged outside the vending machine.

In this example, the validity of the card information read by the card reader (30) is determined by the management device (15), and the sales data generating means (27) has a function of transmitting sales data, While transmitting the card information to the management device (15), the management device (15) receives a signal indicating the validity of the card for identifying and transmitting this card information,
It also has a function of transmitting to the card control means (26). The management device (15) generally centrally manages a plurality of vending machines, and the validity of the credit card inserted into each vending machine is collectively determined by the management device (15).

The operation of the card processing controller (6) will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6.

After the power is turned on, the card processing control unit (6) first performs the step
Initialize at S1 and proceed to step S2. In step S2, the change-out data transfer means (24) operates to first send a command indicating a request for sending change-out data to the money processing control unit (2), and in response thereto, the money processing control unit. Introduce the change-out data sent by (2). When the main control unit (1) sends a command indicating a transfer request for change-out data, this change-out data is interrupted by the change-out data transfer means (24) by the communication control means (20). Although it is transmitted to the section (1), the interrupt processing is omitted from this flowchart. In the next step S3, the value data generating means (21) operates to transmit a command indicating a request for transmitting the input amount data to the money processing control section (2), and in response thereto, the money processing control section ( When 2) sends the input amount data, it is determined that money has been input, and the process proceeds to step S22.

If there is no money input, the process proceeds to step S4. In this step, the card control means (26) determines that a credit card has been inserted into the card reader (30), and if no card has been inserted, the process proceeds to step S2. . If a card has been inserted, the process proceeds to step S5. In this step, the card processing control means (26) determines an error in reading the card information by the card reader (30). If there is an error, the process proceeds to step S11. The control means (26) lights an NG lamp provided in the card reader (30) to display an error. If the card information is correctly read by the card reader (30), the process proceeds to step S6. This step
In S6, the sales data generation means (27) transmits the card information introduced by the card control means (26) to the management device (15), and the management device (15) determines the validity of the card determined based on the card information. A card control means (2
6) Transmit to. In the next step S7, the card control means (26) determines whether or not the card can be used based on the sent signal, and if the card can be used, the process proceeds to step S8. This step
In S8, the card control means (26) is the card reader (30)
Turn on the OK lamp provided in to display the card use permission.

In step S9, since the card can be used, the value data generating means (21) operates and the dummy set amount data of the preset money is set by the communication control means (20) by the main control unit (1). ) To. The operation of transmitting the deposit amount data to the main control unit (1) is processed by an interrupt when the command indicating the transmission request of the deposit amount data is sent from the main control unit (1), but this flowchart is easy to understand. In order to do so, the processing is shown as step S9. In the next step S10, the value data generating means (21) sets this dummy input amount in the input amount counter TC, and proceeds to the next step S11. In this step S11, the change data transfer means (22) operates to set "0" yen in the return amount counter CC.

In step S13, the product data introduction means (23) operates to intercept the product data transmitted by the main control unit (1) to the sales control unit (3). The operation of intercepting the product data by the product data introduction means (23) is performed by an interrupt when the main control unit (1) sends a command for receiving the product data to the sales control unit (3). However, this flowchart is also shown as the process of step S13 for the sake of convenience. And step S
In 14, the product data introduction means (23) stores the sold product based on the intercepted product data. In the next step S15, it is determined whether or not the sales end command is transmitted from the main control unit (1), and if this command is not transmitted, the process proceeds to the next step S20. In this step S20, the change data is stored in the main control unit ( It is determined from 1) whether it was transmitted. When the main control unit (1) sends a command to receive change data, the change data transfer means (22) takes in change data by interruption. When the change data transfer means (22) has fetched the change data, the change amount is added to the return amount counter CC in step S21, and the process of the card processing control section (6) returns to step S15. Even if the change data is transmitted from the main control unit (1) in such a process, the change data transfer means (22) indicates from the card control means (26) that the change data is inserted, so the change data is obtained. Is not transmitted to the money processing control unit (2).

When the main control unit (1) transmits a command to end the sale and the card processing control unit (6) receives this command by interruption, the process of step S16 is performed. In this step S16, the calculation means (25) calculates the difference between the input amount stored in the input amount counter TC and the change amount stored in the return amount counter CC to calculate the sales amount. In the next step S17, the sales data generation means (27) operates, the sales amount calculated by the calculation means (25), the product data detected by the product data introduction means (23), and the card control means (26 ) Sends personal confirmation information to the management device (15). As a result, credit information by the credit card is recorded in the management device (15). In the next step S18, the card control means (26) turns off the OK lamp.

Next, the operation when cash is inserted will be described. In step S3, the value data generating means (21) transmits a command indicating a request to send money amount data to the money processing control unit (2), and in response thereto, the money processing control unit (2) causes the money amount to be inserted. When the data is transmitted, the processing of the card processing control section (6) proceeds to step S22 with the input of money. In this step S22, the value data generating means (21) operates to set "0" yen in the input money counter TC, and in the next step S23, the change data transferring means (22) operates to return the money amount counter. Set "0" yen in CC. When the main control unit (1) sends a command indicating a request to send the deposit amount data, an interruption causes the value data generating means (2
1) operates and the money amount data received from the money processing control unit (2) is transmitted to the main control unit (1) by the communication control means (20). This operation is shown as the process of step S24 for convenience. . Then, in step S25, the value data generation means (21) adds the input amount of money transmitted to the input amount counter TC. In the next step S26, the value data generating means (21) again transmits a command indicating a request for transmitting the input amount data to the money processing control unit (2), determines whether or not there is additional input money, and When money is input, the processing of steps S24 and S25 is repeated.

When the main control unit (1) sends a command for receiving the product data to the sales control unit (3), the product data introduction means (23) performs the operation of fetching the product data by interruption. For convenience, the processing is shown as step S27. In step S28, the product data introduction means (23) stores the sold product based on the intercepted product data. In the next step S29, it is determined whether or not the sales end command is transmitted from the main control unit (1), and if this command is not transmitted, the process proceeds to the next step S32. This step S
At 32, the main control unit (1) transmits a command to receive change data, and the change data transfer means (22) determines whether or not change data is received by interruption. When the change data transfer means (22) has fetched the change data from the main control section (1), the change data transfer means (22) communicates with the money processing control section (2) in step S33. This step S3
In 3, the change data transfer means (22) transmits a command for instructing the money processing control unit (2) to receive change data and the change data. And the next step S34
Then, the change data transfer means (22) adds the change amount to the return amount counter CC, and returns to step S29.

When the main control unit (1) transmits a command to end the sale and the card processing control unit (6) receives this command by interruption, the process of step S30 is performed. In this step S30, since the input amount stored in the input amount counter TC and the change amount stored in the return amount counter CC are introduced into the calculating unit (25), the calculating unit (25) calculates the difference. Is calculated to calculate the sales amount. In the next step S31, the sales data generating means (27) operates and the sales amount calculated by the calculating means (25) and the product data detected by the product data introducing means (23) are managed by the management device (1
5) Send to. As a result, cash management data for the vending machine is also recorded in the management device (15).

The processing performed by the card processing control unit (6) for the money processing control unit (2) is exactly the same as the processing conventionally performed by the main control unit (1) for the money processing control unit (2). The operation of the money handling control unit (2) for this is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

After the power is turned on, the money handling control unit (2) first performs step C1.
Initialize at and proceed to step C2. In this step C2, the signal of the input money detector (8) is input. Although not shown in the flow chart, when the card processing control unit (6) transmits a command indicating a request for transmitting the deposit amount data, the deposit amount data based on the input signal from the deposit currency detecting device (8) is interrupted. Is transmitted to the card processing control unit (6). In step C3, the signal of the change currency detecting device (10) is input. Although not shown in the flow chart, when a command indicating a change-out data transmission request is transmitted from the card processing control unit (6), the change data indicating the output state of the change coin detecting device (10) is interrupted by the card. It is transmitted to the processing control unit (6). When the card processing control unit (6) sends a command to receive change data, the money processing control unit (2) receives the change data by interruption, but in step C4, it is determined whether or not the change data is received. To do. When the change data is received, the process goes to step C5, and the money processing control unit (2) controls the money payout device (9) to perform the payout operation of the money based on the change data.

In this way, the card processing control unit (6) does not change the types of commands and data and the method of transfer between the conventional main control unit (1) and the currency processing control unit (2) and does not change the main control unit (6). It can be arranged between 1) and the money handling control section (2).

(G) Effect of the Invention According to the present invention, by providing the card processing control unit,
The vending machine can be easily provided with a credit card selling function. Moreover, since it is possible to centrally manage cash sales as well as credit card sales, the vending machine system can be efficiently managed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention,
2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the main control unit, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functions of the card processing control unit, and FIGS. 4 to 6 are flow charts for explaining the operation of the card processing control unit. FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the money handling control unit. (1) ... main control unit, (2) ... currency processing control unit,
(3) …… Sales control unit, (6) …… Card processing control unit,
(7) ... card reader, (8) ... inserted money detection device, (9) ... money payment device, (21) ... value data generating means, (22) ... change data transfer means, (23) …… Merchandise data introduction means, (24) …… Change data transfer means.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A main control unit, a currency processing control unit for controlling a charged money detection device and a change dispensing device, and a sales control unit for controlling a commodity sales device, and these control units have a common data transmission line. The money processing control unit transmits the input amount data based on the input currency detected by the input currency detection device to the main control unit, and based on the change data transmitted from the main control unit. The changeout device is controlled, the sales control unit controls the product sales device based on the product data transmitted from the main control unit, and the main control unit determines the sellable product based on the input amount data. Then, when the customer selects a merchandise that can be sold, the merchandise data indicating the merchandise is transmitted to the sales control unit, and a change is calculated to indicate the change amount. In a control device of a vending machine adapted to transmit money data to the money processing control unit, a card reader for reading card information of a credit card is connected between the main control unit and the money processing control unit. A card processing control unit is inserted and connected to the card processing control unit, and when the card information read by the card reader is correct, a dummy amount indicating the amount of money that all or some of the products can be sold can be sold. Value data generation means for transmitting the input amount data to the main control unit, and when the currency processing control unit outputs the input amount data based on the input currency, the value data generating means for transmitting the input amount data to the main control unit, The condition that the main control unit detects the change data transmitted and the credit card is not inserted in the card reader A sales amount is calculated based on change data transfer means for transferring the change data to the money processing control unit, the input amount data output by the value data generation unit to the main control unit, and the change data. Calculation means, a product data introduction means for intercepting the product data transmitted by the main control unit to the sales control unit, and the sales amount data, and the intercepted product data,
Further, when a credit card is inserted into the card reader, sales data generating means for transmitting the personal identification information indicated by the credit card to a management device external to the vending machine are provided. Vending machine controller.