JP2001076234A - Automatic vending machine, rack control method of the same, computer-readable recording medium recording program premitting computer to execute its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To flexibly and easily change the constitution of a commodity storage rack storing commodities without updating a control program. SOLUTION: Tables A to D setting an operable state wher are stored and supplied commodities and an in operable state where the commodities are not stored and supplied for each commodity storage rack are stored in a rack table storage part 205. A rack state setting part 208a changes the content of a rack state storage part 207 by using the table in response to a change instruction from a keyboard 206.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine having a plurality of racks for storing goods, and taking out and discharging the goods stored in a corresponding rack in response to an instruction input from a predetermined instruction unit. The present invention relates to a vending machine rack control method and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various commodities such as packaged commodities, canned beverages or jelly-like foods are stored in a plurality of commodities storage racks, respectively. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a vending machine that takes out a product from a product storage rack and discharges the product to a product outlet.

That is, in such a vending machine, an n-stage m-row merchandise storage rack is provided therein, and a fixed number is assigned to each merchandise storage rack.
When the user inputs the number, the product storage rack matching the number is specified, the corresponding product is taken out from the specified product storage rack, and the product is transported to the product outlet.

Therefore, when the position and the number of the product storage racks are always fixed, the product corresponding to the number input by the user can be quickly conveyed to the product outlet without any particular inconvenience. Can be.

[0005]

However, in practice, rather than operating a vending machine with the position and number of product storage racks fixed at all times, product storage is better from the viewpoint of product size and aesthetic appearance on display. In many cases, racks are thinned out and operated. For example, when a new product having a height higher than that of a conventional product appears and the new product is stored in a product storage rack, the product storage rack located above the new product must be thinned out. In a vending machine in which the display state of a product can be visually recognized from the outside, an arbitrary product storage rack is often thinned out in order to distinguish one group of products from another product group.

In such a case, a conventional vending machine loads a control program corresponding to a new rack configuration, excludes unused product storage racks, and assigns a new number only to used product storage racks. However, it is not efficient to load the program every time the rack configuration is changed.

[0007] In addition, in order to determine the rack configuration of a vending machine, it is usually necessary to balance the efficiency of storing products in a product storage rack with the aesthetics of the vending machine as a whole. Requires human labor.

It is also conceivable to assign a fixed number to each product storage rack and ignore only thinned-out product storage racks. However, if such a technology is adopted, a user can handle a product storage rack that has been erroneously thinned out. Operability of the vending machine is reduced because there is a possibility of specifying a number to be used. In the first place, vending machines have the characteristic that a large number of vending machines are arranged in unmanned areas such as roadsides, so that such user operation errors must be reduced as much as possible.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vending machine capable of flexibly and easily changing the configuration of a product storage rack for storing products without updating a control program in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a rack control method for a vending machine, and a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the method is recorded.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine having a plurality of racks for storing commodities and responding to an instruction input from a predetermined instruction unit. In a vending machine that takes out and discharges goods stored in a corresponding rack and automatically sets an operable state in which the goods are stored and supplied or an inoperative state in which the goods are not stored and supplied, for each rack. And a control means for controlling discharge of goods in response to an instruction input from the instruction unit based on the state of each rack set by the rack state setting means. And

According to the present invention, an operable state for storing and supplying goods or an inoperable state for not storing and supplying goods is automatically set for each rack, and based on the set state of each rack. Thus, the discharge of the product in response to the instruction input from the instruction unit is controlled, so that the configuration of the product storage rack for storing the product can be flexibly and easily changed without updating the control program. .

The vending machine according to a second aspect of the present invention is the vending machine according to the first aspect, further comprising a rack state storage means for storing a rack state of each rack, and wherein the control means includes a rack state storage means. And controlling the discharge of the product in response to the instruction input from the instruction unit based on the state of each rack stored in the storage unit.

According to the present invention, the rack status of each rack is stored in the rack status storage means, and a response to an instruction input from the instruction unit is made based on the status of each rack stored in the rack status storage means. Since the discharge of commodities is controlled, the configuration of the rack can be easily and quickly changed only by updating the data stored in the rack state storage means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, the rack state setting means includes a plurality of tables for storing a combination of rack states of each rack; And a rack status storage unit for storing the rack status stored in the specified table in the rack status storage unit.

According to the present invention, a plurality of tables for storing combinations of rack states of each rack are prepared, a table responding to an instruction input from the instruction section is specified, and the rack stored in the specified table is specified. Since the status is stored in the rack status storage means, the configuration of the rack can be easily and quickly changed based on the table.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the second aspect, the rack state setting means stores the rack state in response to an instruction input from the instruction section in the rack state storage means. It is stored.

According to the present invention, the rack state responding to the instruction input from the instruction section is stored in the rack state storage means. Therefore, the rack configuration can be simply and quickly constructed without preparing a table or the like in advance. Can be changed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the second aspect, the rack state setting means responds to the mounting position of each rack when the mounting position of each rack is changed. The rack status to be stored is stored in the rack status storage means.

According to the present invention, when the mounting position of each rack is changed, the rack state responding to the mounting position of each rack is stored in the rack state storage means. , The configuration of the rack can be easily and quickly changed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, the rack state setting means stores the rack state in response to a height of a product stored in each rack in the rack state. It is stored in the means.

According to the present invention, the rack status responding to the height of the product stored in each rack is stored in the rack status storage means, so that the rack status can be simply responded to the height of the product stored in each rack. The configuration of the rack can be changed quickly.

In the vending machine according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first to sixth aspects, the rack state setting means assigns a serial number as identification information of each rack in an operable state, The control unit controls discharge of a product in response to an instruction input from the instruction unit based on identification information of each rack set by the rack state setting unit.

According to the present invention, a serial number is assigned as identification information of each rack in an operable state, and discharge of a product in response to an instruction input from an instruction unit is performed based on the identification information of each set rack. Since the control is performed, only the racks in the operable state are managed as the serial numbers, so that the management of the racks and the products stored in the racks is further facilitated.

In a rack control method for a vending machine according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of racks for storing goods are provided, and the racks are stored in the corresponding rack in response to an instruction input from a predetermined instruction unit. In a rack control method for a vending machine that takes out and discharges a product, a rack state setting for automatically setting, for each rack, an operable state for storing and supplying the product or an inoperable state for not storing and supplying the product. And a control step of controlling discharge of a product in response to an instruction input from the instruction unit based on the state of each rack set in the rack state setting step.

According to the present invention, an operable state for storing and supplying goods or an inoperable state for not storing and supplying goods is automatically set for each rack, and based on the set state of each rack. Thus, the discharge of the product in response to the instruction input from the instruction unit is controlled, so that the configuration of the product storage rack for storing the product can be flexibly and easily changed without updating the control program. .

In a rack control method for a vending machine according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the eighth aspect, the control step includes the step of: It is characterized in that discharge of a product in response to an instruction input from the instruction unit is controlled.

According to the present invention, the rack status of each rack is stored in the rack status storage unit, and the rack status is responded to an instruction input from the instruction unit based on the status of each rack stored in the rack status storage unit. Since the discharge of commodities is controlled, the configuration of the rack can be easily and quickly changed only by updating the data stored in the rack state storage unit.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the rack control method for a vending machine according to the ninth aspect, the rack state setting step includes the step of setting a plurality of tables for storing a combination of rack states of each rack. A table that responds to an instruction input from the instruction unit is specified, and the rack state stored in the specified table is stored in the rack state storage unit.

According to the present invention, a plurality of tables for storing combinations of rack states of each rack are prepared, a table responding to an instruction input from the instruction section is specified, and the rack stored in the specified table is specified. Since the status is stored in the rack status storage unit, the configuration of the rack can be easily and quickly changed based on the table.

[0030] In the rack control method for a vending machine according to the invention of claim 11, in the invention of claim 9, the rack state setting step includes the step of changing the rack state in response to an instruction input from the instruction section to the rack state. It is characterized in that it is stored in a state storage unit.

According to the present invention, the rack state responding to the instruction input from the instruction section is stored in the rack state storage section, so that the rack configuration can be simply and quickly constructed without preparing a table or the like in advance. Can be changed.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the rack control method for a vending machine according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the rack state setting step includes the steps of: The rack state responding to the mounting position is stored in the rack state storage means.

According to the present invention, when the mounting position of each rack is changed, the rack state responding to the mounting position of each rack is stored in the rack state storage means. , The configuration of the rack can be easily and quickly changed.

In a rack control method for a vending machine according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect of the present invention, the rack state setting step includes the step of setting a rack state responsive to the height of a product stored in each rack. It is stored in the rack state storage unit.

According to the present invention, the rack status responding to the height of the product stored in each rack is stored in the rack status storage unit, so that the rack status can be easily responded to the height of the product stored in each rack. The configuration of the rack can be changed quickly.

In a rack control method for a vending machine according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eighth to thirteenth aspects, the rack state setting step includes the step of setting a serial number as identification information of each operable rack. Wherein the control step controls discharge of a product in response to an instruction input from the instruction unit based on identification information of each rack set in the rack state setting step.

According to the present invention, a serial number is assigned as identification information of each rack in an operable state, and discharge of a product in response to an instruction input from an instruction unit is performed based on the set identification information of each rack. Since the control is performed, only the racks in the operable state are managed as the serial numbers, so that the management of the racks and the products stored in the racks is further facilitated.

Further, by recording the method described in any one of claims 8 to 14 on a recording medium according to the invention of claim 15 as a program for causing a computer to execute the method, the program becomes readable by a computer. The operations of claims 8 to 14 can be realized by a computer.

[0039]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the accompanying drawings, a vending machine according to the present invention, a rack control method for a vending machine, and a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute the method. A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, a case is shown in which the present invention is applied to a vending machine having a product storage rack with a maximum of 10 rows and 7 rows, and configured so that the product can be visually recognized from the outside via a transparent plate. .

First, the overall configuration of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIGS. 1 and 2, 1
01 is an outer door, 102 is a product exit, 103 is a coin return slot, 104 is a transparent plate, 105 is a product storage rack, 106 is a display, 107 is a numeric keypad, and 108 is a bill insertion slot. , 109 indicate a coin slot, 110 indicates a return lever, and 111 indicates an inner door.

As shown in the figure, this vending machine 1
This is a vending machine in which product storage racks 105 for storing products are arranged in a maximum of 10 stages and 7 rows, and the products can be visually recognized from the outside via the transparent plate 104. When the user of the vending machine 1 inserts or inserts a bill or a coin from the bill insertion slot 108 or the coin insertion slot 109 and inputs the product number of the corresponding product using the numeric keypad 107, the input is made. The product is transported from the product storage rack 105 corresponding to the product number to the product outlet 102 by a transport mechanism (not shown), and change is paid out from the coin return port 103.

When products are not stored in all of the 10-stage seven-row product storage racks 105, a new control mechanism is required for only the product storage racks 105 that actually store the products. However, it is not efficient to load the program constituting the new control mechanism every time the rack configuration is changed. Further, since a great deal of human labor is required to change the rack configuration, it is necessary to change the rack configuration as efficiently as possible.

For this reason, the vending machine 1 employs a control mechanism for controlling the transport of goods based on the rack status stored in the rack status storage unit, and holds a plurality of tables indicating the rack configuration in advance. By changing the contents of the rack state storage unit based on the table, the rack configuration can be changed quickly and efficiently.

Next, a rack control mechanism employed in the vending machine 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a rack control mechanism adopted by the vending machine 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine 1 includes a rack unit 201, a bucket unit 202, a transport mechanism 203, a coin mechanism 204, a rack table storage unit 205, a keyboard 206, and a rack state storage unit 207. And a control unit 208 having a rack state setting unit 208a.

The rack unit 201 is a unit comprising a plurality of product storage racks 105 for storing products.
More specifically, in the present embodiment, a product storage rack 105 having ten rows and seven rows is provided. Each product storage rack 105
Are detachable from the vending machine body.

The bucket unit 202 receives the product pushed out from the product storage rack 105 and
When the user inputs a product number from the numeric keypad 107, the bucket is moved to the position of the product storage rack 105 corresponding to the product number, and is pushed out of the product storage rack 105. Receive goods.

The transport mechanism 203 includes the bucket unit 20
Reference numeral 2 denotes a mechanism for transporting the commodity received from the commodity storage rack 105 to the commodity outlet 102. The coin mechanism 204 receives coins from the coin insertion slot 109, recognizes counterfeit coins / legal coins, and changes change coins. This is a mechanism for performing payout to the coin return slot 103 and the like. In addition,
Here, for convenience of explanation, a description of a mechanism relating to a bill is omitted, but the mechanism is the same as that of the coin 204.

The rack table storage unit 205 is a storage unit for storing a plurality of tables indicating a rack configuration including a combination of the product storage rack 105 in an operable state and the product storage rack 105 in an inoperative state. Specifically, here, four types of rack configurations called tables A to D are stored.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of tables A to D stored in the rack table storage unit 205. FIG. It should be noted that the numbers shown in the figure correspond to each product storage rack 10.
5 shows an identification number given to the device.

Table A shown in FIG. 9A shows a rack configuration when the product storage racks 105 are arranged in seven rows and seven rows. The case where the commodity storage rack 105 of the tier and the seventh tier is thinned out is shown. Table B shown in FIG. 3B shows a rack configuration when the product storage racks 105 are arranged in six rows and seven rows.
The case where the commodity storage racks 105 at the fourth, fourth, and seventh stages are thinned out is shown.

Further, a table C shown in FIG.
The rack configuration when the product storage racks 105 are arranged in seven rows and five levels is shown. Specifically, the first level of ten levels,
The case where the third, fifth, sixth, and eighth-stage product storage racks 105 are thinned out is shown. Further, the table D shown in FIG.
The rack configuration when four rows are arranged is shown. Specifically, the first, third, fifth, sixth, and tenth of ten rows are shown.
The case where the product storage racks 105 of the eighth and tenth stages are thinned out is shown.

As described above, in the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a table corresponding to an assumed rack configuration is created in advance and stored in the rack table storage unit 205. Here, for convenience of explanation, a case where only the above four types of tables A to D are used has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various types of tables can be stored.

Returning to the description of FIG.
Is an input unit for selecting a rack configuration and the like, and performs a button operation for shifting to a rack configuration change mode and a button operation for designating a rack configuration using the keyboard 206.

The rack status storage unit 207 is a storage unit for storing the current status of the rack configuration. The rack state storage unit 207 is configured by a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory because it is necessary to maintain data even when the power is turned off and the rack configuration must be changeable. You.

The control unit 208 is a control unit that performs overall control of the vending machine 1. More specifically, based on the rack configuration stored in the rack state storage unit 207, the rack unit 201, the bucket unit 202, and the transport unit Mechanism 2
03 and the like are controlled. Further, the control unit 209 includes a rack state setting unit 208a for changing a rack configuration. This rack state setting unit 208a
When receiving a rack configuration change instruction from the rack table storage unit 205, the corresponding table is extracted from the rack table storage unit 205 and stored in the rack state storage unit 207. When the contents of the rack state storage unit 207 are updated, control corresponding to the new rack configuration is performed. At this time, a serial number is assigned as an identification number only to the product storage rack 105 in the operable state.

Vending machine 1 having the above rack control mechanism
By using the above, it is possible to quickly and flexibly change the rack configuration of the vending machine 1 without updating the control program, thereby providing a wide variety of products.

Next, an example of the keyboard 206 shown in FIG. 3 and an example of an operation of changing the rack configuration using the keyboard 206 will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the keyboard 206 shown in FIG. 3 (with the cover open), and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a rack configuration change operation. Note that the digital display shown in FIG. 7 indicates a digital display displayed on the display 106 in FIG. 1, and the setting mode of the rack configuration is “3”.

As shown in FIG. 6, the keyboard 206
Is composed of an operation key unit having various buttons such as a mode key 401, an up key 402, a down key 403, a write key 404, and an end key 405, and a control unit. To a predetermined terminal, and perform a button operation to change the rack configuration.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, first, the mode key 401 is depressed to enter a mode number waiting state (digital display; 1-01) (step S50).
1) Press the up key 402 or the down key 403 and change the mode number to "3" which is the rack configuration mode.
(Digital display; 3-01) (step S50)
2) Press the write key 404 to determine the mode number 3 (step S503).

Thereafter, the up key 402 or the down key 403 is operated to set the item number to 90 (step S504), and the write key 404 is pressed to display the currently set data (digital display; 1). (Step S505). The digital display 1 shown in FIG.
Indicates pattern 1 corresponding to table A.

The data is changed by operating the up key 402 or the down key 403 (step S5).
06). Specifically, pressing the up key 402 once increases the data by one, and pressing the down key 403 once decreases the data by one. If the up key 402 or the down key 403 is kept pressed, the data changes quickly.

After that, when the write key 404 is pressed,
When the rack configuration corresponding to the digital display is set (step S507), and the end key 405 is pressed, the rack configuration setting process ends and the process shifts to a standby state (step S508). Here, since the digital display is changed to “3”, the rack configuration is changed to the rack configuration of table C indicating pattern 3. As described above, in the present embodiment, the keyboard 206 is used to change the rack configuration.

Next, the processing procedure of the rack control mechanism of the vending machine 1 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the rack control mechanism of the vending machine 1 shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, "change mode of rack configuration" is selected using keyboard 206 (step S6).
01), when a new rack configuration pattern is specified (step S602), the rack state setting unit 208a retrieves a table corresponding to the specified pattern from the rack table storage unit 205 (step S603).

More specifically, for example, when pattern 3 is specified on keyboard 206 and pattern 3 corresponds to table C, table C is taken out from rack table storage unit 205.

Thereafter, the rack state setting section 208a writes the contents of the table extracted from the rack table storage section 205 into the rack state storage section 207 (step S).
604), the rack configuration change process ends.

As described above, the rack control mechanism according to the present embodiment changes the rack configuration by rewriting the contents of the rack state storage unit 207 using the contents of the table.

As described above, in the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the operable state for storing and supplying the goods or the inoperable state for not storing and supplying the goods is set for each of the goods storage racks. Are stored in the rack table storage unit 205, and in response to a change instruction from the keyboard 206, the rack state setting unit 208a changes the contents of the rack state storage unit 207 using the table. With this configuration, the configuration of the product storage rack that stores products can be changed flexibly and easily without updating the control program.

In the present embodiment, the rack structure is changed using the table. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rack structure can be changed without using the table. it can.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the rack table storage unit 205 is eliminated, and the rack state setting unit 800
Specifies the rack configuration each time. Therefore, in order to set the rack configuration without using the table, the setting operation using the keyboard 206 becomes slightly complicated.

Accordingly, in such a case, for example, the current setting state of each product storage rack is displayed on the display 106 which can display on / off, and the changed product storage rack 1 is displayed.
It is desirable that only 05 is changed each time.

In this embodiment, the keyboard 20
The rack configuration is stored in the rack state storage unit 207 in response to the input from the rack 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the mounting position of each rack is changed, It is also possible to automatically store the rack state responding to the mounting position of the rack state in the rack state storage unit 207. Furthermore, the rack configuration responding to the height of the product stored in each rack may be automatically stored in the rack state storage unit 207.

[0073]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the operable state for storing and supplying goods or the inoperable state for not storing and supplying goods is automatically set for each rack. It is configured to set and control the discharge of the product in response to the instruction input from the instruction unit based on the set state of each rack, so that the product storage rack for storing the product can be stored without updating the control program. This has the effect of providing a vending machine whose configuration can be changed flexibly and easily.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the rack status of each rack is stored in the rack status storage means, and the instruction unit is set based on the status of each rack stored in the rack status storage means. A vending machine that can easily and quickly change the rack configuration simply by updating the data stored in the rack state storage means is obtained because the apparatus is configured to control the discharge of goods in response to an instruction input from the user. The effect is that it can be done.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of tables for storing combinations of rack states of each rack are prepared, and a table responding to an instruction input from the instruction unit is specified. Since the rack state stored in the table is stored in the rack state storage means, an effect is obtained that a vending machine capable of easily and quickly changing the rack configuration based on the table is obtained.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the rack state responding to the instruction input from the instruction section is stored in the rack state storage means, so that the rack state can be easily and simply prepared without preparing a table or the like in advance. There is an effect that a vending machine capable of quickly changing the configuration of the rack is obtained.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the mounting position of each rack is changed, the rack state responding to the mounting position of each rack is stored in the rack state storage means. There is an effect that a vending machine that can easily and quickly change the configuration of the rack following the change in the mounting position of the rack is obtained.

According to the invention of claim 6, since the rack status responding to the height of the product stored in each rack is stored in the rack status storage means, the height of the product stored in each rack is stored. An effect is obtained that a vending machine that can easily and quickly change the configuration of the rack in response to the above is obtained.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a serial number is assigned as identification information of each rack in an operable state, and an instruction input from an instruction unit is performed based on the set identification information of each rack. Since it is configured to control the discharge of responsive products, it is possible to obtain a vending machine that manages only racks in an operable state as serial numbers, thereby making it easier to manage racks and products stored in the racks. It works.

Further, according to the invention of claim 8, the operable state for storing and supplying the goods or the inoperable state for not storing and supplying the goods is automatically set for each rack. Since the discharge of the product in response to the instruction input from the instruction unit is controlled based on the state of each rack, the configuration of the product storage rack for storing the product is flexible and easy without updating the control program. This provides an effect that a rack control method for a vending machine which can be changed to a vending machine is obtained.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the rack status of each rack is stored in the rack status storage unit, and the instruction unit is set based on the status of each rack stored in the rack status storage unit. A vending machine rack that can easily and quickly change the rack configuration simply by updating the data stored in the rack state storage unit because it is configured to control the discharge of goods in response to instruction input from There is an effect that a control method can be obtained.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention,
A plurality of tables for storing combinations of rack states of each rack are prepared, a table responding to an instruction input from the instruction section is specified, and the rack state stored in the specified table is stored in the rack state storage section. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain a rack control method for a vending machine that can easily and quickly change the configuration of a rack based on a table.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention,
Since the rack status responding to the instruction input from the instruction unit is stored in the rack status storage unit, the vending machine can easily and quickly change the rack configuration without preparing a table or the like in advance. There is an effect that a rack control method can be obtained.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention,
Since the rack status responding to the mounting position of each rack is stored in the rack state storage means when the mounting position of each rack is changed, the rack can be easily and quickly changed following the change of the rack mounting position. Is obtained in that a rack control method for a vending machine in which the configuration of the vending machine can be changed can be obtained.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention,
Since the rack status responding to the height of the product stored in each rack is stored in the rack status storage unit, the configuration of the rack can be easily and quickly changed in response to the height of the product stored in each rack. There is an effect that a rack control method for a vending machine that can perform the method can be obtained.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention,
A serial number is assigned as identification information of each rack in an operable state, and discharge of a product in response to an instruction input from an instruction unit is controlled based on the set identification information of each rack, so that operation is possible. There is an effect that a rack control method for a vending machine can be obtained, in which only the racks in the state are managed as serial numbers, whereby the management of the racks and the products stored in the racks is further facilitated.

Further, by recording the method described in any one of claims 8 to 14 on a recording medium according to claim 15 as a program for causing a computer to execute the method, the program can be read by a computer.
There is an effect that a recording medium capable of realizing the operations of claims 8 to 14 by a computer is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of a vending machine according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of the vending machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a rack control mechanism employed by the vending machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing tables A and B stored in a rack table storage unit shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing tables C and D stored in a rack table storage unit shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the keyboard shown in FIG. 3 (in a state where a cover is opened).

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a rack configuration change operation.

8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a rack control mechanism of the vending machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another rack control mechanism employed by the vending machine shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine 101 Outer door 102 Merchandise exit 103 Coin return slot 104 Transparent plate 105 Merchandise storage rack 106 Display 107 Numeric keypad 108 Bill insertion slot 109 Coin insertion slot 110 Return lever 111 Inner door 201 Rack unit 202 Bucket unit 203 Transport mechanism 204 Coin mechanism 205 Rack table storage unit 206 Keyboard 207 Rack state storage unit 208 Control unit 208a Rack state setting unit 401 Mode key 402 Up key 403 Down key 404 Write key 405 Exit key 800 Rack state setting unit

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A vending machine having a plurality of racks for accommodating commodities, for taking out and ejecting commodities accommodated in a corresponding rack in response to an instruction input from a predetermined instruction unit, comprising: A rack state setting means for automatically setting an operable state in which supply is performed or an inoperative state in which storage and supply of the product are not performed for each rack; and A vending machine comprising: control means for controlling discharge of a product in response to an instruction input from the instruction unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a rack state storage unit configured to store a rack state of each rack, wherein the control unit inputs an instruction from the instruction unit based on the state of each rack stored in the rack state storage unit. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the discharge of a product in response to the vending machine. 3. The rack state setting means includes: a plurality of tables for storing a combination of rack states of each rack;
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a rack state storage unit that specifies a table responding to an instruction input from the instruction unit, and stores the rack state stored in the specified table in the rack state storage unit. The vending machine described. 4. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein said rack state setting means stores a rack state in response to an instruction input from said instruction section in said rack state storage means. 5. The rack state setting means stores, in the rack state storage means, a rack state which responds to the mounting position of each rack when the mounting position of each rack is changed. 2. The vending machine according to 2. 6. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein said rack state setting means stores a rack state in response to a height of a product stored in each rack in said rack state storage means. 7. The rack state setting means assigns a serial number as identification information of each rack in an operable state,
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls discharge of a product in response to an instruction input from the instruction unit based on identification information of each rack set by the rack state setting unit. The vending machine according to any one of the above. 8. A rack control method for a vending machine, comprising a plurality of racks for storing goods, and taking out and discharging the goods stored in the corresponding rack in response to an instruction input from a predetermined instruction unit. A rack state setting step of automatically setting, for each rack, an operable state for storing and supplying goods or an inoperable state for not storing and supplying the goods; and a state of each rack set in the rack state setting step Controlling a discharge of a commodity in response to an instruction input from the instruction unit based on the control of the vending machine. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control step controls the discharge of the goods in response to an instruction input from the instruction unit based on a state of each rack stored in a rack state storage unit. 3. The rack control method for a vending machine according to claim 1. 10. The rack state setting step includes identifying a table responding to an instruction input from the instruction unit from a plurality of tables storing combinations of rack states of each rack, and storing the table in the identified table. The rack control method for a vending machine according to claim 9, wherein a rack status is stored in the rack status storage unit. 11. The rack control of a vending machine according to claim 9, wherein said rack state setting step stores a rack state in response to an instruction input from said instruction section in said rack state storage section. Method. 12. The rack state setting step, wherein when the mounting position of each rack is changed, a rack state responding to the mounting position of each rack is stored in the rack state storage means. 10. The rack control method for a vending machine according to claim 9. 13. The vending machine according to claim 9, wherein the rack state setting step stores a rack state in response to a height of a product stored in each rack in the rack state storage unit. Rack control method. 14. The rack state setting step assigns a serial number as identification information of each rack in an operable state, and the control step determines a rack number based on the identification information of each rack set in the rack state setting step. 14. The vending machine rack control method according to claim 8, further comprising controlling discharge of a product in response to an instruction input from the instruction unit. 15. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.