JP2000020302A - Vending machine control information writing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending machine control information rewriting system with which a control program can be easily rewritten at a low cost by using a flash ROM for a control program storage memory of a vending machine and sales managing information can be efficiently investigated at a low cost. SOLUTION: A main control unit 1 of this vending machine controls respective parts 5-9 in the vending machine through a communication line 2 inside the unit and exchanges information with external equipment through a serial communication port 3 or a radio communication port 4. The main control unit 1 is composed of a microcomputer 1a for performing data processing, a flash ROM 1b for storing the control program of this microcomputer, a RAM 1c for temporarily storing data and an on-line communication part 1d in the vending machine. When rewriting the control information of the vending machine, a rewriting program is transferred from a rewriting device through the communication port to the vending machine.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a vending machine control information rewriting system for rewriting a control program of a vending machine in which a user selects and purchases an arbitrary commodity by using a flash ROM as a control program storage memory. About the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a vending machine in which a user selects and purchases an arbitrary product, a control program for control by a microcomputer is stored in a nonvolatile memory such as an EPROM. In this case, when the control content is changed, it is necessary to replace the memory or to remove the EPROM once and erase and rewrite the memory content with ultraviolet rays.

[0003]

However, vending machines have a larger control program amount than home appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, and are frequently controlled to change products and promote sales according to seasons. Content needs to be changed.

[0004] Further, when examining sales management information such as what products were sold and when, how much, the vending machine was counted by adding a monitor, which was inefficient and labor costs were enormous. I was

According to the present invention, a flash RO capable of electrically rewriting data in a control program storage memory of a vending machine is provided.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine control information rewriting system that can easily and at low cost rewrite a control program using M and can efficiently and efficiently investigate sales management information at low cost.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a vending machine control information rewriting system according to the present invention comprises: a vending machine in which a user selects and purchases an arbitrary product; The vending machine comprises a microcomputer for performing data processing, a flash ROM for storing a control program for the microcomputer, a RAM for temporarily storing data, and an external device. A communication port for transmitting and receiving data; and storage control means for storing, in the RAM, a rewriting program for the flash ROM transferred through the communication port, the rewriting device performs the rewriting via the communication port. Transfer control means for transferring a program to the vending machine; and a rewriting program stored in a RAM of the vending machine. In, and controlling rewriting the flash ROM.

[0007] Alternatively, the vending machine comprises a vending machine in which a user selects and purchases an arbitrary product, and a storage medium for storing a program, wherein the vending machine performs data processing, and the microcomputer. A flash ROM that stores a control program of the above, a RAM that temporarily stores data, a medium reading unit that reads a program from the storage medium, a reading control unit that reads and controls a program from the medium reading unit, and a medium reading unit. Storage control means for storing, in the RAM, a rewriting program of the flash ROM read via the RAM, and controlling the rewriting of the flash ROM by the rewriting program stored in the RAM.

With the above configuration, the rewriting program of the flash ROM read from the rewriting device via the communication port or from the storage medium is stored in the RAM, and the rewriting program is used to control the rewriting of the flash ROM. Can be rewritten.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a vending machine constituting a vending machine control information rewriting system of the present invention. The main control device 1 of the vending machine includes a remote control unit 5, a display unit 6, a bend unit 7,
The coin unit 8 and the cool / warm cycle unit 9 are controlled. The remote control unit 5, the display unit 6, the bend unit 7, the coin unit 8, and the cooling / warming cycle unit 9 each include a microcomputer and control the inside of each unit. The main controller 1 transmits and receives sales information, setting information, failure information, and the like to and from external devices via a serial communication port (infrared communication by IrDA, RS232C or the like) 3 or a wireless communication port (PHS modem or the like) 4. I do.

The main controller 1 includes a microcomputer 1a for performing data processing, a flash ROM 1b for storing a control program for the microcomputer, a RAM 1c for temporarily storing data, and an online in the vending machine for transmitting and receiving control information to and from each section in the vending machine. And a communication unit 1d.

Next, the operation of each unit will be described. Coin part 8
Detects the insertion of the coin, and notifies the main controller 1 of the inserted amount. Main controller 1 calculates a sellable product from the input amount and notifies display unit 6 of the sellable product information. In response to the notification, the display unit 6 turns on the lamp of the product button that can be sold, and confirms whether or not the product button has been input. If there is an input, the main controller 1 is notified of the product button information. Main controller 1 confirms the notified product button information, and notifies bend unit 7 of the product button information. The bend unit 7 carries out a product corresponding to the product button information to an outlet. The bend unit 7 notifies the main controller 1 of the unloading completion information. Upon receiving the unloading completion information, main controller 1 calculates a change from the inserted amount and the amount of the sold product button, and notifies coin unit 8 of the change information. The coin unit 8 carries out the amount corresponding to the received change information to the return slot. The main control device 1 stores information on the inserted coins and the sold products in the RAM 1c.

The remote controller 5 allows the operator to input various settings and perform necessary operations on the vending machine when performing maintenance on the vending machine. In addition, cold
The warming cycle unit 9 performs cooling or heat-retaining heating on a product that requires cooling and heat-retaining.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a rewriting device constituting the vending machine control information rewriting system of the present invention. The rewriting device control unit 11 reads data stored in a storage medium (a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or the like) 20 by the medium reading unit 12, and sends and receives control information via the serial communication port 13 and the wireless communication port 14. The rewriting device transfers a rewriting program to a vending machine via a communication port in order to rewrite control information of the vending machine when performing maintenance on the vending machine.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a storage area of the flash ROM 1b of the main control device 1 of the vending machine in which control information is rewritten by the vending machine control information rewriting system of the present invention. Generally, flash ROM is EPROM
Compared to the above, the stability of data retention once stored is poor, and there is a high possibility that an error will occur over time.

In order to cope with the occurrence of the error, the divided areas 1 and 2 are divided into an area for storing a confirmation information confirmation program. The division 1 area stores a main control program at the time of shipment from the factory, and stores only the division 2 area as a rewrite area and stores a new main control program transferred from the rewriting device. The confirmation information confirmation program confirms confirmation information (such as a checksum) embedded in the new main control program, and detects an error at the time of transfer and occurrence of an error thereafter.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a storage area of the RAM 1c of the main controller 1 of the vending machine for transferring and storing a rewriting program in the vending machine control information rewriting system of the present invention. The division 1 area stores control information such as setting information, sales information, and failure information of the vending machine, and the division 2 area transfers a flash ROM rewriting program. In this rewriting program, confirmation information (such as a checksum) for detecting an error after transfer is embedded.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control at the time of turning on the power of the vending machine. After the power is turned on, the main controller 1 of the vending machine initializes the program (step 1), reads the confirmation information embedded in the new main control program, and confirms correctness / incorrectness (step 2). . If incorrect, the factory-main control program stored in the flash ROM divided area 1 is executed (step 3), and if correct, the new main control program stored in the flash ROM divided area 2 is executed. (Step 4).

When an error is detected in the new main control program, a highly reliable main control program at the time of factory shipment is executed, so that a state in which the vending machine cannot be used can be avoided and stable. Reliable control can be performed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the confirmation control during transfer of the rewrite program. When the transfer of the rewriting program of the flash ROM from the communication port to the RAM of the vending machine is completed (step 11), the confirmation information embedded in the transferred rewriting program is read, and the correctness / incorrectness is confirmed (step 12). If it is correct, the rewriting program transferred to the RAM is executed (step 13). If invalid, the error processing program is executed (step 1).
4) Notifying the rewriting device of the occurrence of the error via the communication port, and requesting a process corresponding to the error.

FIG. 7 shows a flash RO from a communication port.
It is a flowchart of the rewriting control of M. First, data is read into the wireless communication port 4 (step 21), and the transmission of a rewrite request code from the rewriting device is detected and confirmed (step 22).
The area of the AM1c is divided, the data initially stored in the transfer area is transferred to the rewriting device via the communication port, and then the rewriting program of the flash ROM transferred from the rewriting device is read and stored in the RAM1c. (Step 23). Then, the rewriting program stored in the RAM 1c is checked for correctness based on the confirmation information, and the rewriting program is transferred to the rewriting device again to check for a transfer error. The rewriting device compares the returned rewriting program with the previously sent rewriting program to determine whether the rewriting program is the same or not, and informs the vending machine of the correctness if it is the same, and informs the vending machine if it is not the same (step 24). If the confirmation result is positive, the vending machine starts rewriting control using the first address of the transferred rewriting program as the control start address, and transfers and stores the new main control program in the divided two areas of the flash ROM 1b (step 25).

The new main control program is pre-scrambled to prevent control information from leaking to outsiders. The rewriting program transfers the new main control program to the flash ROM 1b and stores the new main control program while releasing the scramble. Then, it reads the confirmation information embedded in the transferred main control program and confirms whether it is correct or not. If correct, the rewriting of the flash ROM is completed, and the data in the RAM 1c saved in the rewriting device is restored. If invalid, the rewriting device is notified of the occurrence of the error, and requests processing corresponding to the error.

In step 22, if there is no rewrite request code, data is read into the serial communication port 3 (step 26), and it is confirmed whether or not the rewrite request code has been sent from the rewrite device (step 27). If there is a rewrite request code, the process proceeds to step 23; otherwise, the process proceeds to the next sequence.

Since the rewriting program and the new main control program are transferred from the communication port, a vending machine compatible with the present system can be obtained by performing only a small-scale modification on a conventional vending machine.

Further, if the rewriting program is transferred from the wireless communication port, rewriting control can be performed from a remote place, and more efficient and low-cost rewriting of the control program is possible.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a vending machine remote controller of the vending machine control information rewriting system of the present invention. A microcomputer 51 for controlling the remote controller 5, an RO for storing a control program for the microcomputer;
M55, RAM 54 for temporarily storing data, online communication unit 53 in the vending machine for transmitting / receiving control information to / from main controller 1 of the vending machine, medium reading unit 52 for reading program storage medium (IC card, memory card, etc.) 50 Consists of

FIG. 9 shows a flash RO from the remote controller.
It is a flowchart of the rewriting control of M. First, the program reading medium 52 is read by the medium reading section 52 (step 31), and it is confirmed whether or not there is a rewrite code of the main control program (step 32). If there is, the main controller 1 divides the area of the RAM 1c, sends the data initially stored in the transfer area to the remote controller 5, and transfers and saves the data from the medium reading section 52 to the program storage medium 50. Then, the rewriting program is read by the medium reading section 52, transferred to the main controller 1, and the rewriting program of the flash ROM is stored in the RAM 1c (step 33). And
The rewriting program transferred to the RAM 1c is checked for correctness based on the confirmation information, and the rewriting program is transferred to the remote controller 5 again to check for a transfer error. The remote control unit 5 confirms whether the rewriting program is the same as the previously transmitted rewriting program, and confirms whether the rewriting program is correct or not.
If the confirmation result is positive, the rewriting control is started with the first address of the transferred rewriting program as the start address of the control, and the medium reading unit 52 executes the program storage medium 5.
The main control program is read from 0, transferred to the main control device 1, and the new main control program is transferred and stored in two divided areas of the flash ROM 1b while the scramble is released by the main control device 1 (step 35). Then, it reads the confirmation information embedded in the transferred main control program and confirms whether it is correct or not. If it is correct, flash RO
After the rewriting of M is completed, the saved data in the RAM 1c is returned. If invalid, error processing is performed.

If there is no rewrite code of the main control program at step 32, the process proceeds to the next step.

In the present embodiment, in the steps 31 and 32, the program storage medium 50 is read and the start of the rewrite control is determined based on whether or not there is a rewrite code of the main control program. , The start of rewrite control can be instructed by extended key input (for example, pressing two specific keys at the same time). Main controller 1 receives this instruction and instructs medium reading unit 52 to start reading the rewriting program.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the write control of the sales management information from the remote controller to the storage medium. First,
The medium reading unit 52 reads the program storage medium 50 (step 41), and checks whether there is a rewrite code of the main control program (step 42). If not, the main controller 1 sends to the remote controller 5 sales management information such as information on which products were sold and how much, and stores the information in the RAM 54.
The sales management information is written to 0 (step 43). Then, the written sales management information is stored in the program storage medium 5.
It is read from 0, and it is determined whether the information is the same as the sales management information stored in the RAM 54, and whether the information is correct or not is confirmed (step 44). If incorrect, the sales management information stored in the RAM 54 is written again (step 45). If it is correct, move on to the next sequence.

At step 42, if there is a rewrite code of the main control program, the process proceeds to the next step.

Since large-capacity storage media, such as IC cards and memory cards, can store sales management information such as which products have been sold and how much, a large amount of sales management information can be obtained efficiently at low cost. be able to.

[0033]

As described above, the vending machine control information rewriting system of the present invention uses a flash ROM for the control program storage memory of the vending machine, and when rewriting the control program, uses the flash memory from the rewriting device via the communication port. Alternatively, the rewriting program of the flash ROM read from the storage medium is stored in the RAM, and the rewriting program controls the rewriting of the flash ROM, so that the control program can be rewritten simply and at low cost. Furthermore, a vending machine compatible with the present system can be obtained by simply modifying a conventional vending machine on a small scale.

Further, by adding a function of writing the sales management information to the storage medium, sales management information such as which merchandise was sold and how much can be stored in the large-capacity storage medium. A large amount of sales management information can be obtained efficiently at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a vending machine constituting a vending machine control information rewriting system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a rewriting device constituting the vending machine control information rewriting system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a storage area of a flash ROM.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a storage area of a RAM.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control when the vending machine is turned on.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of confirmation control during transfer of a rewrite program.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of flash ROM rewrite control from a communication port.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a vending machine remote controller.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a flash ROM rewrite control from a remote controller.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of writing control of sales management information from a remote controller to a storage medium.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main control device, 1a ... Microcomputer, 1b ...
Flash ROM, 1c RAM, 1d Online communication unit in vending machine, 2 communication line, 3 serial communication port, 4 wireless communication port, 5 remote control unit, 6 display unit, 7 bend unit, 8 coin Part, 9 ... cool / warm cycle part.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A vending machine for a user to select and purchase an arbitrary product, and a rewriting device for rewriting control information of the vending machine, wherein the vending machine is a microcomputer for performing data processing. A flash ROM for storing a control program for the microcomputer, a RAM for temporarily storing data, a communication port for transmitting and receiving data to and from the outside of the device, and the flash RO transferred via the communication port.
Storage control means for storing the rewrite program of M in the RAM; and the rewrite device comprises transfer control means for transferring the rewrite program to the vending machine via the communication port. A vending machine control information rewriting system, wherein rewriting control of the flash ROM is performed by a rewriting program stored in a RAM. 2. The vending machine monitors a plurality of communication ports, each communication port in a preset order, and detects a rewrite request code in a flash ROM, and detects the rewrite request code. 2. The vending machine control information rewriting system according to claim 1, further comprising: read control means for reading a rewriting program of the flash ROM from the communication port. 3. The vending machine includes a return unit that transfers a flash ROM rewriting program stored in a RAM to the rewriting device via a communication port, wherein the rewriting device rewrites the returned flash ROM. 2. The rewriting device according to claim 1, further comprising a checking unit that compares the program with a flash ROM rewriting program previously transferred to the vending machine, checks whether the program is correct, and sends the result to the rewriting device. 3. Vending machine control information rewriting system. 4. The vending machine receives a confirmation result of a rewriting program of a flash ROM from the rewriting device,
4. The vending machine control information rewriting system according to claim 3, further comprising a start address moving means for setting a first address of the transferred rewriting program as a start address of the control if it is correct. 5. A vending machine in which a user selects and purchases an arbitrary product, and a storage medium storing a program, wherein the vending machine performs a data processing, and a microcomputer. A flash ROM that stores a control program of the above, a RAM that temporarily stores data, a medium reading unit that reads a program from the storage medium, a reading control unit that reads and controls a program from the medium reading unit, and a medium reading unit. The flash R read through
Storage control means for storing an OM rewriting program in the RAM, wherein the flash ROM is rewritten and controlled by the rewriting program stored in the RAM. 6. The vending machine control information according to claim 5, wherein said vending machine includes rewriting instructing means for instructing a start of reading of a rewriting program of said flash ROM from said medium reading section. Rewriting system. 7. The flash vending machine detects a rewriting code for rewriting the flash ROM from data read by the medium reading unit, and detects the flash RO.
6. The vending machine control information rewriting system according to claim 5, further comprising rewriting detection means for starting to read the rewriting program of M. 8. The vending machine control information rewriting system according to claim 5, wherein said vending machine includes sales management information writing means for writing sales management information into said storage medium. . 9. The vending machine control information according to claim 1, wherein the rewriting program stored in the RAM of the vending machine controls rewriting of a divided area of the flash ROM. Rewriting system. 10. A control program is stored in advance in a first area of a flash ROM of the vending machine, and a rewriting program stored in a RAM of the vending machine is stored in a second area of the flash ROM. 10. The vending machine control information rewriting system according to claim 9, wherein control for transferring the program is performed. 11. The vending machine control information rewriting system according to claim 10, wherein the new control program transferred to the flash ROM has confirmation information for confirming a program error. 12. The automatic vending machine according to claim 11, wherein said vending machine includes information confirmation means for confirming confirmation information of a new control program stored in said flash ROM when power is turned on. Vending machine control information rewriting system. 13. When the confirmation result of the confirmation information is correct,
13. The vending machine control information rewriting system according to claim 12, further comprising execution instruction means for executing the new control program. 14. When the confirmation result of the confirmation information is incorrect,
13. The vending machine control information rewriting system according to claim 12, further comprising an execution instruction unit for executing the control program at the time of factory shipment.