JP2002216221A - Commodity quantity detector for vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the erroneous counting of commodities in a vending machine to precisely detect the stock number (the quantity of housed commodities). SOLUTION: In this detector, a commodity or others (the hand of a person) can be judged by a control device 9 on the basis of the length of the ON time of an output signal (object passage signal) from a reflection type optical sensor 7. Accordingly, the stock number can be precisely grasped even if an operator changes the position of a commodity guide, inserts the hand to rearrange the attitude of the commodity, or intentionally inserts the hand.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine capable of detecting the quantity of merchandise stored in a vending machine for selling various articles such as beverages and tobacco, that is, the number of stocks. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method of detecting the number of stocks of this type of product, a product detection sensor such as a photoelectric switch is installed near a product input port to count the number of items put in, and the difference between the amount put in and the sales amount is measured. Is generally detected.

[0003]

However, in the above-described method, when a hand is inserted to correct the posture of the product, the position of the product guide is changed according to the change in the shape and size of the input product. If you insert your hand for
There is a problem that an erroneous count occurs when an operator intentionally inserts a hand due to mischief or the like, and an accurate inventory quantity cannot be detected. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-described problem and to reduce the number of stocks (stored product quantities).
Is to be accurately detected.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a product input port of a product storage rack partition plate for stacking and storing products in order from the bottom while rolling and falling the products. Detecting means which is installed in the vicinity and detects the passage of the article when the article is stored, determining means for judging whether or not the passing object is an article based on a signal for the passing object detected by the detecting means, and the article is sold. Product sales detecting means for detecting that the product is sold out, product sold out detecting means for detecting sold out of the product, door open / close detecting means for detecting the open / closed state of a vending machine door, a discrimination signal from the discriminating means, and the product sales A product sales signal from the detection unit, a product out-of-sale signal from the product out-of-sale detection unit, and a quantity detection unit for detecting a quantity of the product from a door open / close signal from the door open / close detection unit. And butterflies.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the product storage rack partition plate is provided near a product input port of a product storage rack partition plate for stacking and storing the products in order from the bottom while rolling and dropping the products. First detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an object in a passage leading to the vehicle, second detecting means installed in the middle of a product storage rack to detect the presence or absence of an object, and the first detecting means and the second detecting means. Processing means for processing the output signals in time series to detect the passage or stop of the object and determine whether the object is a product; a product sales detecting means for detecting that the product has been sold; A product sold-out detecting means for detecting a sold-out state, a door open / close detecting means for detecting an open / closed state of a vending machine door, a discrimination signal from the discriminating means, a product sales signal from the product sales detecting means, and a product sold-out detection. Characterized by comprising a quantity detecting means for detecting a product sold signals and quantities of goods from the switching signal of the door from the door opening and closing detection means from the means.

In the invention according to the second aspect, the quantity detecting means has communication means with control means for performing various processes and management relating to the vending machine, and the commodity sales signal is transmitted via the control means and communication means. It can receive a product sold-out signal and a door open / close signal (the invention of claim 3). In any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the detecting means or the first detecting means and the second detecting means arrange a light emitting element and a light receiving element in parallel in the same direction, and emit light emitted from the light emitting element. And one or a plurality of reflection-type optical sensors for detecting reflected light.
Invention). Further, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the product sales detecting means can detect that the product has been sold based on a signal from the product sales switch (the invention of claim 5).

Further, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the product sold-out detecting means can detect that the product has been sold out by a signal from a product sold-out switch (the invention of claim 6). Alternatively, the door opening / closing detecting means can detect the opening / closing state of the door based on a signal from a door switch to detect the start and end of the product introduction (the invention of claim 7), or When the output signal of the detecting means or the first detecting means has one or two signal pulses within a predetermined time, the passing object is determined to be a commodity, and three or more pulse-like signals are generated within a predetermined time. In the case where it is included, or when the signal is longer than a predetermined time, the passing object can be determined as an object other than the commodity (the invention of claim 8).

In the invention according to the first aspect, the quantity detecting means subtracts the quantity of the commodity when the commodity sales detecting means detects that the commodity has been sold, and determines the passing object by the discriminating means. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination, the quantity of the product is added only when the product sold-out signal from the product sold-out detecting means is not in a sold-out state, and the passing-through product is determined by the determining means. If it is not determined that the product sold-out signal from the product sold-out detection means is in a sold-out state, the quantity of the product can be reset to 0 (the invention of claim 9), or the quantity detection means Means that when the product is in the loading end state and the determination means determines that the ON time of the signal is longer than a certain determination time, it is determined that the product is fully stored. Can (the invention of claim 10).

In the invention according to any one of claims 2 and 3, the quantity detecting means receives the detection signals of the first detecting means and the second detecting means, and individually performs counting, and both counting results are obtained. In the case where there is a difference, the final counting result can be determined in consideration of the inventory count at that time, the comparison of the detection signal patterns of the two detection means, and the presence or absence of the detection of the reset condition. Invention), or the quantity detecting means preliminarily sets the number of products that can be accommodated in each column according to the size of the product, and the number of products when the stock is accumulated up to the detection range of the second detecting means. It can be stored (the invention of claim 12).

In the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when it is detected that the top commodity in the stacked inventory has stopped in the detection range of the second detection means, the quantity detection means detects The size of the product can be determined from the counting result, and the counting result can be reset to an appropriate value.
3) If the first detecting means detects the insertion of the commodity and the second detecting means does not detect the passage of the commodity, the quantity detecting means determines the quantity of the commodity from the counting result at that time. If the size can be determined and the counting result can be reset to an appropriate value (the invention of claim 14), or if the first detection means is detecting a product with the door closed, The size of the product can be determined from the counting result at that time, and the counting result can be reset to an appropriate value (the invention of claim 15).

In the invention according to the twelfth aspect, when a signal is output from the first detecting means when the first or second product is sold in each column after the door is closed. Can determine the size of the product from the counting result at that time and reset the counting result to an appropriate value (the invention of claim 16), or when the product is sold, the second detection means If no signal is output, the size of the product can be determined from the counting result at that time, and the counting result can be reset to an appropriate value (the invention of claim 17). In the invention according to any one of the thirteenth to seventeenth aspects, the quantity detecting means stores the size of the determined product until the product is sold out, and uses the size when resetting the counting result thereafter. (Invention of claim 18).

[0012]

1 to 5 are views showing a first embodiment of the present invention, which will be described below. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a vending machine. The products are sequentially rolled and dropped from a product insertion port 3 provided above a product storage rack 5 stored in a vending machine main body 10, and the product storage rack is provided. 5 are sequentially stacked and stored from the lower side, and at the time of product sales, the products are dropped one by one from the product sales mechanism 4 provided at the lower end of the product storage rack 5 to the product storage rack 5 and carried out. Here, the product storage rack 5 shows an example composed of two columns before and after the vending machine and three columns on the left and right of the vending machine.

A reflection type optical sensor 7 is installed on a partition 16 in the row direction of the product storage rack 5 of the vending machine main body 10. Opening and closing of the inner door 6 is detected by the door switch 8. The control device 9 controls the vending machine as a whole, and also includes an opening / closing signal (closing start and end signal) K1 from the door switch 8, a passing signal K2 from the reflection type optical sensor 7,
Goods sold out signal K3 from the goods sold out detection switch 12
Then, the number of products in each product column is calculated from the product sales signal K4 from the product sales switch 14.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the internal structure of the product storage rack of FIG. 1. The product storage rack 5 has a product sales mechanism 4 for carrying out products for each product column, as shown in FIG. And a passage regulating plate 18 for regulating
The reflection-type optical sensor 7 detects the passage of the commodities 17 when the commodities 17 pass through the merchandise slot 3. The product sold-out detection switch 12 is attached to the product sales organization 4,
Detect the sold-out state of the product.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the principle of detection by the optical sensor. As shown, the optical sensor 7 is disposed on the partition plate 16 of the product storage rack 5. The light-emitting element 71 and the light-receiving element 72 that constitute the optical sensor 7 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction here, and the emitted light 71a from the light-emitting element 71 is reflected by the product 17 input from the product input port 3 side, and its reflection The light 72 a is configured to be detected by the light receiving element 72. Although the light emitting element 71 and the light receiving element 72 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction here, it is needless to say that they can be arranged in the horizontal direction.

The product 17 rolls the top tray 20 installed in the main body of the vending machine inside the two guides 19 and is stored in the product storage rack. Can be changed according to the length of the product. The light receiving element 72 is composed of, for example, a phototransistor. When the reflected light 72a exceeds a certain amount of light, the above-described commodity passing signal changes from off to on so that the presence of a passing object can be detected. Have been.

The operation of this configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 4 shows steps S1 to S17 and S26 to S28, and FIG. 5 shows steps S18 to S25. First, after the operation starts, initialization is performed in step S1. Here, the timer and the error monitoring quantity are initialized to zero. In step S2, the product sale signal K4 from the product sale switch 14 is received, and it is detected that the product has been sold. Only when the product is sold, the process proceeds to step S3, and the product is decremented by one. next,
Move to step S4.

In step S4, an open / close signal K1 from the door switch 8 is received to determine the open / closed state of the door. If it is determined that the door is opened, the process proceeds to step S5. Step S5
Then, after receiving the commodity passing signal K2 from the optical sensor 7,
It determines that the case on the length of the product passing signal K2 is not determination time T ₁ below proceeds to the next step S6, flowthrough is a human hand. In that case, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the product sold-out signal K3 from the product sold-out detection switch 12 is received. Only when the product is sold out, the process proceeds to step S8 to reset the product quantity to zero. Next, the state moves to the state C.

Here, the process returns to step S5. Step S
5, it is determined that the case on the length of the product passing signal K2 is judging time T ₁ below proceeds to next step S9, flowthrough are trade. Next, the process proceeds to step S10, and step S1
If 0, wait is performed for a certain time. Since this wait is performed by interrupt processing, it is possible to detect the passage of a new product while waiting for a certain time without causing any problem. Next, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the product sold-out signal K3 from the product sold-out detection switch 12 is received. Only when the product is sold out, the process proceeds to step S12, the product quantity is reset to 0, and the process proceeds to state C.

If it is determined in step S11 that the product is not sold out, the process proceeds to step S13, where one is added to the number of commodities, and the process proceeds to step S18 in FIG. In step S18, only when the error monitoring quantity is 0, the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, the timer is initialized to 0, and in step S20
Move on to In step S20, the error monitoring quantity is incremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, if the error monitoring quantity is larger than the number of determinations, step S21 is executed.
The process proceeds to step S22, and in step S22, the process proceeds to step S23 only when the timer time is shorter than the determination time. In step S23, it is determined that an error has occurred. Next, step S25
In step S25, initialization of the timer = 0 and the error monitoring quantity = 0 is performed, and the flow shifts to state C. If the error monitoring quantity is equal to or less than the number of determinations in step S21, the process proceeds to step S24. If the timer time is longer than the determination time in step S24, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, the timer = 0 and the error monitoring quantity =
Initialization of 0 is performed, and the state moves to state C. Step S24
If the timer time is equal to or shorter than the determination time, the process directly goes to the state C.

Here, the process returns to step S4 in FIG. In step S4, the open / close signal K1 from the door switch 8 is received, the open / close state of the door is determined, and if it is determined that the door is closed, the process proceeds to step S14. Step S14 In receiving the item passing signal K2 from the light sensor 7, if the length of the on time of the product passing signal K2 is longer than determination time T _2, moves to the next step S15, step S15, the column It is determined that the product is full, and the process proceeds to state C. On the other hand, proceeds to step S16 if the length of the on time of the product passing signal K2 is judging time T ₂ or less in step S14, in the column step S16 determines that the item is not full state moves to state C.

From the state C, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, it is determined whether or not the internal step processing from state A to state C has been performed for all the product columns, and if it has been performed for all the product columns, the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, a standby time is set, and in step S27, a standby time is set,
After the standby is completed, the process proceeds to step S28. In step S28, the timer is added, and the process returns to state A. Thereafter, the above operation is repeated to recognize the stock quantity of the specific product.

In FIG. 3, the number of the optical sensors 7 is one. However, a sensor that obtains a product passing signal by arranging two or more optical sensors 7 is already known, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-52414. The present invention can be similarly applied to such a device.

FIGS. 6 to 17 show a second embodiment in which the commodity detecting means are arranged at two places to detect the quantity of the commodity such as the stock quantity. 6 is an overall configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram showing a modification of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram mainly showing an internal configuration of a vending machine corresponding to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the product storage rack of the n-th column, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the principle of product detection, FIGS. 11 to 15 and FIG. 17 are waveform diagrams showing examples of detection signals, and FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram at a moment when a product stops in a detection range of a second detection unit.

As shown in FIG. 6, an object detecting section comprising a first detecting section 1n and a second detecting section 2n is provided for one column. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first detecting unit 1n of the n-th column moves the product 17 near the input port 3 for putting the product 17 into the product storage rack 5 of the column, Installed where rolling or sliding begins. The first detection unit 1n detects the object when it is inserted, and can detect it even if the object is inserted into the product storage rack 5 until it is full.

Further, the configuration of the first detection unit will be specifically described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the first detecting unit 1n is composed of two optical sensors 101n and 102n here, but the present invention is not limited to the optical sensors, and an equivalent element can be used. This light sensor has a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged side by side as in FIG. 3, and irradiates the object with light emitted from the light emitting element, and detects the presence or absence of the object by detecting the reflected light with the light receiving element. That is, first, when the product 17 is loaded, the light 101nS emitted from the light emitting element 101nL of the optical sensor 101n is reflected by the product 17, and the reflected light 101nR is received by the light receiving element 101nD of the optical sensor 101n to detect the product. I do. At this time, the optical sensor 102n
Does not detect the product 17 because the emitted light 102nS does not hit the product 17 yet, but detects the product 17 slightly later than the optical sensor 101n by traveling on the top tray 20 along the product guide 19.

Here, a method of distinguishing between a product and an object other than the product will be described. Consider a case in which a product 17 is inserted from the insertion port 3. The speed at the time of introduction of the product 17 is 0.5-1.
At about 0 m / s, if the detection range of the optical sensors 101n and 102n is separated by 10 mm in the rolling direction of the product 17, the optical sensor 101n detects the product 10 to 20
After ms, the optical sensor 102n detects the product 17. Similarly, the size and shape of the product 17 and the light sensor 101
Depending on the detection positions of n and 102n, the length of time during which the optical sensors 101n and 102n are detecting the product 17 falls within a certain range. Therefore, the optical sensors 101n, 1
When the detection signal of 02n is represented using time on the horizontal axis, FIG.
It looks like 1. Δt _on the light sensor 101n and 102n
Indicates the time difference when the signal is turned on after detecting the product 17, respectively, Δt _off indicates the time difference when the product passes from the respective detection ranges of the optical sensors 101n and 102n and the signal is turned off, and Δt ₁ and Δt ₂ indicate Optical sensors 101n, 102n
Indicates the length of time during which the product 17 is detected and the signal is on. When such a signal is obtained, the subsequent object determination unit 40 determines that the product 17 has been inserted,
The counting unit 30 counts the number of inputs by one and increases the number of stocks by one.

Next, considering the case of taking out the product once put in, as shown in FIG.
7 is detected, and the optical sensor 101n detects the product 17 with a slight delay. In this case, since the time difference Δt _on from the time when the optical sensor 101n detects the object to the time when the optical sensor 102n detects the same object becomes negative, the object determination unit 40 in the subsequent stage determines that the product 17 has been taken out of the insertion slot. Then, the counting section 30 sets the number of inputs to −1 and reduces the number of stocks by one.

Further, consider a case in which an object other than a product enters the input port 3, and in particular, a case in which an operator who replenishes the product enters. When the operator's hand can be reached, the user may insert the hand deeply through the slot 3 in order to take out the product caught on the guide 19 or the like on the top tray 20, or when exchanging the type of product in the column, the guide or tray may be replaced. A case may be considered in which a hand is put to adjust the position, or a hand or the like is intentionally put in for the purpose of mischief and the number of goods in stock is operated. When the hand is inserted, the time Δt ₁ , Δt ₂ during which the optical sensor 101 n or 102 n or both detect an object as shown in FIG. 13 is compared with the time Δt ₁ , Δt ₂ when the product passes. Since it is apparently long, the object discriminating unit 40 monitors the times Δt ₁ and Δt _2, and if the time is longer than a certain value, discriminates it as not a product.

Next, when a finger or the like is quickly moved in front of the first detector 1n, the signals detected by the optical sensors 101n and 102n are as shown in FIG. 14, for example. Although it is possible to make the times Δt ₁ and Δt ₂ during which the finger is detected indistinguishable from those when the product is detected, for example, if the finger is moved in the traveling direction of the product and then pulled back, A signal pattern when a product is put in as described in FIG. 11 and a signal pattern as if a product are drawn out as shown in FIG. 12 are continuous. In such a case,
Detection time difference Δt _on between two optical sensors 101n and 102n
Is a positive value for the first detection (Δt _on1), since a negative value for the detection of a next object (Δt _on2),
The object determination unit 40 does not determine that the product has been inserted or withdrawn, but determines that the product is an object other than the product.
Then do not count. FIG. 14 shows a case where three (three or more) objects are detected in succession. When a product is put in, the number that can be put in at one time is two.
An interval of ~ 0.4 seconds or more opens. Therefore, within a certain time,
If more than one object is detected, the object discriminating unit 40 discriminates the detected object as an object other than a product, and the counting unit 30 does not count.

For example, as shown in FIG.
In the middle of the product storage rack 5 in the third column, a place where the product 17 is inserted from the input port 3, rolls or slides on the top tray 20 along the guide 19, and starts falling from the top tray 20 into the product storage rack 5. Or installed below that location. The second detector 2n shown in FIG.
The same optical sensor 201n as that of the detection unit 1n is used, and therefore, the detection principle is also the same. Since the second detection unit 2n detects the product after it has started to fall, it is not necessary to assume that the product will be taken out later, and since objects other than the product do not enter this position, the second detection unit 2n normally detects the product. Are detected as commodities by the subsequent object discriminating section 40 and counted by the number processing section 30.

As described above, the first detector 1n and the second detector
Since the detecting units 2n independently detect the objects, the counting unit 30 can count the number of thrown objects.
When 7 is input, the two detectors detect almost simultaneously, so the count results should be the same. However, there is a case where either the first detection unit 1n or the second detection unit 2n erroneously detects an object other than a product, or does not detect an object even though a product is inserted. There is a difference in the counting result due to the detection result of. For example, product 1
When two of the products 7 are continuously supplied, the two products 17 dropped from the top tray 20 may come into close contact with each other and pass in front of the second detection unit 2n. At this time, the outputs of the respective optical sensors of the two detectors are, for example, as shown in FIG.

In the above case, the optical sensor 1 of the first detector 1n
01n and 102n output two pulse signals, and the object determination unit 40 determines that two products 17 have been put in. The optical sensor 201n of the second detection unit 2n outputs one pulse signal. The object determination unit 40 determines that one product 17 has been inserted, and a difference occurs in the number of inputs between the two detection units. Therefore, the object determination unit 40 compares the signal outputs of the two detection units and determines which is correct. In the example of FIG. 15, the duration Δt ₃ of the ON signal of the optical sensor 201 n of the second detection unit 2 n is monitored, and if this is longer than, for example, 50 ms, it is determined that two products 17 have been inserted, If it is short, it is determined to be one. There are various other patterns in which such errors occur, which can be recognized empirically. The object discriminating unit 4 analyzes such a pattern and makes a correct decision even when an error occurs.
Set the criterion to 0.

In the configuration of FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, the result of either the first detection unit 1n or the second detection unit 2n is preferentially adopted according to the inventory count value to improve the reliability of the final count result. Can be done. For example, when an operator who replenishes a product in a state where a certain column is out of stock changes a product in the column, the position of the top tray 20 or the guide 19 may be adjusted. At this time, while the first detecting unit 1n may erroneously detect the guide 19 or the hand of the worker as a product, the second detecting unit 2n rarely detects it erroneously. Therefore, when the product inventory count is smaller than the detection range of the second detection unit 2n, the counting is performed by the second detection unit 2n, and the first detection unit 1n is used for monitoring the introduction of the auxiliary product 17. As shown in the example of FIG. 15, the auxiliary monitoring helps to make a correct determination when the second detection unit 2n makes an erroneous detection. Conversely, when the stock is larger than the detection range of the second detection unit 2n, the second detection unit 2n cannot detect the inserted product 17, and thus preferentially employs the detection result of the first detection unit 1n. . The object detectors including the first detector 1n and the second detector 2n are provided for the number N of columns mounted on the vending machine, and are connected to the counting unit 30.

Similarly to the conventional vending machine shown in FIG. 6, a sales switch 14n which is installed at the front of the vending machine and is pressed when a customer purchases a product, and a sold-out detection switch which detects that the product has been sold out. 12n, a door switch 8 for detecting the open / closed state of the door and the like are provided (see FIG. 8). The count processing unit 30 is connected to the sales switch 14n, the sold-out detection switch 12n, and the door switch 8 via the communication means 50, so that the product in each column is sold,
It detects when a product is sold out and whether the vending machine door is open or closed. In FIG. 8, the sale switch 14n, the sold-out detection switch 12n, and the door switch 8 corresponding to the n-th column are shown, and those corresponding to the other columns are not shown. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a control device 9 for performing various processes and management relating to the vending machine, such as a sales process and temperature control in the refrigerator, can be provided in the same manner as in the related art. Sales switch 14n corresponding to the column, sold-out detection switch 12n
The door switch 8 is connected to the control device 9, and is connected to the counting unit 30 via the communication unit 50.

Since the number of items in stock is reduced by sales, n
When the sales signal of the product in the third column is detected, the stock quantity in the n-th column is reduced by one, and when the sold-out signal is detected, the stock quantity in the n-th column is of course reset to zero. . In addition, the introduction of the product is arbitrarily performed by the product replenishment operator, and it is not known when the product is to be put into which column. Therefore, all the object detection units 40 must constantly monitor the presence or absence of the object. Is actually performed only when the door of the vending machine is open, so that the monitoring of the product insertion by the object detection unit 40 only needs to be performed when the state where the door is open is detected. Processing can be performed efficiently. As described above, inventory can be managed by increasing the inventory count by counting the number of product inputs, and reducing the inventory count by selling, but it is not possible to actually detect the input product, In some cases, an object is detected as a product, and the number of products put in is incorrect. The errors usually accumulate without correction until the product is sold out. In other words, once the product inventory counting device makes an erroneous count, the error is not corrected unless the product is sold out and the inventory becomes zero, but in the examples of FIGS. 6 and 7, even if the product does not necessarily go out of stock, The value can be set to a correct value (also referred to as resetting, which has a different meaning from the 0 reset described in the first embodiment).

For this purpose, the counting section 30 in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 includes, for each column, the number of articles that can be accommodated in the article storage rack 5 according to the size of the article, and the second detection section 2n.
The number of stocks when products are stacked up to the detection range is stored. That is, the position of the top tray 20 or the product sales mechanism 4n is adjusted according to the size of the product, for example.
May be adjusted, but the portion for storing the product is the same regardless of the size of the product. Therefore, the number of accommodated products decreases when large products are accommodated, and increases when small products are accommodated. For example, if there are two types of products, large and small, there are 18 large products for a certain column,
The number of small products is 25, and the number of products when stacked up to the detection range of the second detection unit 2n is 14
In the case of small items, there are 18 items. By checking such data in advance and storing it in the count processing unit 30, even if an erroneous count occurs as described later, it can be reset to a correct value on the way.

FIG. 16 shows a state in which commodities are loaded and stacked in the rack 5 from below, and the m-th commodities 17 are stored in the second detecting section 2n.
(In front of the optical sensor 201n). At this time, the signal of the optical sensor 201n is as shown in FIG. The second detector 2n normally outputs a pulse signal when the product 17 passes, that is, the optical sensor 201n outputs an ON signal only while the product 17 is being detected, and the ON signal is several ms to several tens ms. If the degree of continuation is about the same, the object discriminating unit 40 determines that the product 17 has passed, and the counting unit 30 counts. FIG. 17 shows that the ON signal of the product 17 detected by the optical sensor 201n is longer than the duration Δt ₀₃ , and when such a signal is detected, the object discriminating unit 40 stacks the product up to the second detection unit 2n. Detect what has come. On the other hand, according to the above-described example, the second detection unit 2
When products are stacked up to n, 1 for large products
4 or 18 for smaller products. At this time, m
If the number of stocks at the time of counting the number is 17 without erroneously counting and detecting one piece by that time, the counting processing section 30 determines that the goods stored in this column are It is determined that the product is the smaller one, and the stock quantity is reset to 18. That is, the size of the product is determined based on which one of the number of products at the time, the value of the product is closer to 14 in the case of a large product and the value of 18 in the case of a small product. To fix.

By the way, the product 17 has stopped in the detection range of the second detection unit 2n, but the detected position is not correct because the stop position of the product 17 is slightly shifted or the shape of the product 17 is not suitable for detection. The method for determining the size of the product and the method for resetting the stock quantity when the process is not continued will be described. When the (m + 1) th product 17 is inserted in the continuation of FIG. 15, the first detection unit 1n detects the insertion, but since the mth product 17 is located in front of the second detection unit 2n, the (m + 1) th product 17 No products are detected. That is, when the first detector 1n detects the insertion of the product and the second detector 2n does not detect the product, the size of the product 17 is determined by the counting unit 30 in the same manner as described above. Reset the stock quantity to m + 1. However, resetting may be performed with m + 1 pieces. However, there may be a problem that the input product 17 is stuck on the top tray and is not detected by the second detection unit 2n. Detect and second
A state in which the product 17 is not detected by the detection unit 2n occurs continuously, and the count by the first detection unit 1n is 2 to 3 more than the count by the second detection unit 2n, and m + 2 to m.
It is more reliable to reset by +3.

When the product 17 is fully loaded, the product becomes the first
Stops in the detection range of the detection unit 1n, and detects the optical sensors 101n and 1n.
02n continues the state of detecting the product. On the other hand, the first detecting unit 1n and the object discriminating unit 40 have a function of discriminating a product from an object other than a product, assuming insertion of a hand or the like. Then, since it is not necessary to consider insertion of a hand or the like, the first detection unit 1n is monitored with the door closed, and when the state in which the product is detected continues, the product can be determined to be full. In this case, as described above, the counting processing unit 30 compares the counting result with the number of products stored in the counting processing unit 30 in advance to determine the size of the product 17, and sets the stock quantity to an appropriate value. That is, reset to the correct value.

Even if the product 17 is fully loaded, the product 17
If the detection state is not continued due to a slight shift of the position of the item 17 or the shape of the product 17 is not suitable for detection, it is not possible to detect that the product 17 is full by the above method. However, even in such a case, when the first product is sold, the position of the product 17 is sequentially moved down, and the product 17 moves in the detection range of the first detection unit 1n, so that some signal may be obtained. . When such a signal is obtained, the size of the product 17 is determined by comparing the inventory count value at that time with the number of storable products as described above, and one is sold from the full state. Therefore, the value is reset to a value smaller by one than the number of items that can be stored. Further, depending on the degree of stacking of the products 17, even if the first product is sold, the products 1 near the first detection unit 1n may be sold.
7 may not move. Therefore, when the second unit is sold, the signal of the first detection unit 1n is similarly monitored, and if there is any signal change, the number is reset to a value smaller by two than the number of commodities that can be accommodated.

The position of the product 17 is sequentially moved down by sale, and when the number of stocks is larger than the detection range of the second detector 2n, a signal change occurs in the output of the second detector 2n. The inventory continues to decrease due to the sale, and the signal at the second detection unit 2n disappears last from the state where the top product is within the detection range of the second detection unit 2n when one product is sold. Therefore, the count processing unit 30 sets the sales switch 14
control device 9 of the vending machine directly or by pressing n
Monitor the signal of the second detector 2n of the sold column from the point of time when the signal is detected via the column. If there is no change in the signal, the inventory is reduced by two less than the previous m (18 or 14). Reset the number. The method of determining the size of the product is as described above. Also, when the product 17 is sold, the position of the stock is sequentially moved down. However, the position of the product 17 stacked on the upper side may not move due to the degree of stacking of the product. When the state where there is no signal change of 2n continues twice, it is more reliable to reset the product stock quantity to m-3. The size of the product determined as described above is counted by the counting unit 3.
If it is stored in 0, it is possible to eliminate the necessity of re-determining the size of the product in the case where the stock quantity of the product can be reset.

[0043]

According to the first to third aspects of the present invention, the number of stored products is detected from the discrimination signal, the product sales signal, the product sold-out signal, and the door opening / closing signal, so that the operator can position the product guide. Even if a change is made or a hand is inserted for correcting the product attitude, the number of products can be accurately detected without erroneous counting. In particular, by providing the detecting means at two locations as in the second and third aspects of the present invention, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining whether or not a product is a product, and to more accurately detect the quantity of the product. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the passage of an object can be detected simply and reliably by using one or a plurality of reflection-type optical sensors as the detection means.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by using the signal from the merchandise sales switch, the inventory merchandise quantity can be reliably detected. According to the invention of claim 6, by using the signal from the product sold-out switch, it is possible to reliably detect the state where the product is out of stock. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the opening and closing means of the door is provided to detect the start and end of the introduction of the product in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door, so that the start of the introduction is more reliably performed.
The end can be detected. Further, by detecting the open / closed state of the door, it is not necessary to constantly monitor the introduction of the product, and it is sufficient to monitor the introduction of the product only when the door is open. Can be limited, and power consumption can be suppressed and optical elements can be prevented from deteriorating.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the discriminating means determines whether the passing object is a product or a hand based on the length of the on-time of the product passing signal. Become. Further, when the number of times of determination as a product by the determination means is equal to or more than a predetermined number, the quantity detection means determines that the product is not a product, thereby enabling a reliable counting process based on accurate determination. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the quantity detecting means uses the signals from the sales detecting means and the sold-out detecting means so that the addition, subtraction and resetting of the product quantity can be reliably performed. According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the quantity detecting means can reliably detect the full state of the product by using the door open / close signal from the door switch and the ON time of the signal by the determining means.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the detecting means attached to the two places in the rack accommodating the merchandise respectively detect the objects that have been thrown in and have passed or stopped in the rack, and counted them independently. Thus, even when an erroneous count occurs on one side, a correct count result can be obtained from the signal pattern. According to the twelfth aspect, by storing the number of items that can be accommodated in each column and the number of items stored up to the detectable range of the second detection means, it is possible to always grasp the correct item inventory. it can.

According to the thirteenth to eighteenth aspects of the present invention, when the detection units attached to the two places in the rack for accommodating the commodity detect the top commodity in the inventory stacked in the rack. Knows the size of the product and the number of items in the stack up to that position, so even if there is a difference from the actual
The stock quantity can be reset to the correct value. Also,
By storing the size of the product once determined and holding it until the product is sold out, more reliable inventory counting becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an internal structure of the product storage rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of detection by the optical sensor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a modification of FIG. 6;

8 is a configuration diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a vending machine corresponding to FIG. 7;

9 is an explanatory diagram of an internal structure of the product storage rack of FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the principle of detection by the optical sensor of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a waveform chart showing a first example of an output of a first detection unit.

FIG. 12 is a waveform chart showing a second example of the output of the first detection unit.

FIG. 13 is a waveform chart showing a third example of the output of the first detection unit.

FIG. 14 is a waveform chart showing a fourth example of the output of the first detection unit.

FIG. 15 is a waveform chart showing an output example of the first and second detection units.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a moment when a product stops within a detection range of a second detection unit.

FIG. 17 is an example of an output waveform of the second detection unit in the case of FIG. 16;

[Description of Signs] 1n: first detection unit, 2n: second detection unit, 3: product insertion port, 4: product sales organization, 5: product storage rack, 6: inner door, 7, 101n, 102n, 201n ... Optical sensor, 8
... door switch, 9 ... control device, 10 ... vending machine body,
Reference numeral 12: product out-of-stock detection switch, 14: product sale switch, 16: partition plate, 17: product, 18: passage control plate, 1
9: guide, 20: top tray, 30: counting unit,
40: object detection unit, 50: communication means, 71, 101n
L, 102 nL: Light-emitting element, 71 a, 101 nS, 10
2nS: outgoing light, 72, 101nD, 102nD: light receiving element, 72a, 101nR, 102nR: reflected light.

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A detecting means which is installed near a product input port of a product storage rack partition plate for storing and stacking products sequentially from the bottom while rolling and dropping the products, and detecting passage of the products when the products are stored, and the detection means. Determining means for determining whether or not a passing object is a product based on a signal for the passing object detected by the means; a product sale detecting means for detecting that the product has been sold; and a product sold-out detecting means for detecting that the product has sold out A door open / close detecting means for detecting an open / closed state of a vending machine door;
Quantity detection for detecting the quantity of commodities from the discrimination signal from the discrimination means, the commodity sale signal from the commodity sale detection means, the commodity sold out signal from the commodity sale detection means, and the door open / close signal from the door open / close detection means. Means for detecting the quantity of goods of a vending machine. 2. An object in a passage extending from the product insertion port to the product storage rack, which is installed near a product insertion port of a product storage rack partition plate for stacking and storing products in order from the bottom while rolling and dropping the products. First detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the object, second detecting means installed in the middle of the product storage rack for detecting the presence or absence of an object, and detecting signals output from the first and second detecting means. Discriminating means for detecting passage or stop of an object by processing in series to determine whether the object is a product, product sales detecting means for detecting that the product has been sold, and product sold-out for detecting that the product has been sold out Detecting means, a door open / close detecting means for detecting an open / closed state of a vending machine door, a discriminating signal from the discriminating means, a merchandise selling signal from the merchandise selling detecting means, and a merchandise sold-out signal from the merchandise sold-out detecting means. A product quantity detecting device for a vending machine, comprising: a quantity detecting means for detecting a quantity of a product from a signal and a door open / close signal from the door open / close detecting means. 3. The quantity detection means has communication means with control means for performing various processes and management relating to the vending machine,
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit and the communication unit receive the product sale signal, the product sale signal, and the door open / close signal. 4. The detecting means or the first detecting means, the second detecting means,
Detecting means for arranging a light emitting element and a light receiving element in parallel in the same direction, and detecting reflected light of light emitted from the light emitting element;
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises one or a plurality of reflective optical sensors. 5. The merchandise quantity of a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the merchandise sales detecting means detects that the merchandise has been sold based on a signal from a merchandise sales switch. Detection device. 6. The commodity quantity detection of a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein said commodity sold-out detecting means detects that the commodity has been sold out, based on a signal from a commodity sold-out switch. apparatus. 7. The door opening / closing detecting means according to claim 1, wherein the door opening / closing detecting means detects the opening / closing state of the door based on a signal from a door switch, and detects the start and end of product introduction. Product quantity detection device for vending machines. 8. When the output signal of the detection means or the first detection means has one or two signal pulses within a predetermined time, the determination means determines the passing object as a commodity and outputs the signal for a predetermined time. When three or more pulsed signals are included in
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a passing object is discriminated as a non-commodity object when the signal is longer than a predetermined time. 9. The quantity detection means subtracts the quantity of the commodity when the commodity sales detection means detects that the commodity has been sold, and determines when the passing object is determined to be the commodity by the discrimination means. When a certain period of time has elapsed since then, the product quantity is added only when the product sold-out signal from the product sold-out detection means is not in a sold-out state, and if the passing object is not determined to be a product by the determination means, 2. The merchandise quantity detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the merchandise quantity is reset to zero when the merchandise sold-out signal from the merchandise sold-out detecting means is in a sold-out state. 10. The quantity detecting means, if the commodity is in the loading end state and the discriminating means determines that the signal ON time is longer than a certain decision time, the commodity is fully stored. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the product is present. 11. The quantity detecting means receives the detection signals of the first detecting means and the second detecting means and individually performs counting, and if there is a difference between the two counting results, the inventory counting at that time is performed. 4. The product quantity detection of a vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the final counting result is determined in consideration of the comparison between the detection signal patterns of the two detection means and the presence or absence of the detection of the reset condition. apparatus. 12. The method according to claim 12, wherein the quantity detecting means includes:
4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the number of commodities when the stock is accumulated up to the detection range of the detecting means is stored in advance. 13. When detecting that the top commodity in the stacked inventory has stopped in the detection range of the second detection means, the quantity detection means determines the size of the commodity based on the counting result at that time. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the counting result is reset to an appropriate value. 14. When the first detection means detects the insertion of the commodity and the second detection means does not detect the passage of the commodity, the quantity detection means determines the size of the commodity from the counting result at that time. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the counting result is reset to an appropriate value. 15. When the first detection means is detecting a product with the door closed, the size of the product is determined from the counting result at that time, and the counting result is reset to an appropriate value. The apparatus for detecting the quantity of goods of a vending machine according to claim 12, wherein: 16. When a signal is output from the first detection means when the first or second product is sold in each column after closing the door, the product is obtained from the counting result at that time. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the size of the product is determined and the counting result is reset to an appropriate value. 17. When a signal is not output from the second detecting means when a product is sold, the size of the product is determined from the counting result at that time, and the counting result is reset to an appropriate value. The apparatus for detecting the quantity of goods of a vending machine according to claim 12, wherein: 18. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said quantity detecting means stores the determined size of the commodity until the commodity is sold out, and uses it when resetting the counting result thereafter. A vending machine product quantity detection device according to any one of the above.