JP2003109074A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly set information without an error in relation to which one of a plurality of merchandise storage parts is selected concerning choice about respective merchandise selection buttons. SOLUTION: Information related to which one of the merchandise storage parts 3 is selected concerning the choice of the respective merchandise selection buttons B is set in a related information confirming mode. When one of the merchandise selecting buttons B is selected in the mode, the merchandise storage part B for storing the merchandise to be sold is judged based on the related information and, then, a carry-out means S is operated to carry-out the merchandise to be stored in the merchandise storage part B.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic vending machine for automatically selling products such as cigarettes and canned beverages, and more specifically, a plurality of product storage units for storing products to be sold and a type of product to be purchased. A plurality of merchandise selection buttons, a merchandise carrying-out means for carrying out the merchandise stored in the plurality of merchandise storage sections to a merchandise outlet, and a merchandise sale mode for operating the merchandise carry-out means to carry out merchandise sale, A related information setting mode for setting related information indicating which one of the plurality of product storage sections is selected by selecting each of the plurality of product selection buttons, and confirming the set related information. And a product sales control means that is switchable to the related information confirmation mode. The product sales control means is configured to select one of the plurality of product selection buttons in the product sales mode. There Once selected, the associated determine the product storage portion for accommodating a product to be sold on the basis of the information, an automatic vending machine that is configured to sell goods to be stored in the article storage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In such a vending machine, in a state where the product sales control means is switched to the related information setting mode, the selection of each of the plurality of product selection buttons selects any one of the plurality of product storage sections. In the state where the relevant information indicating a certain relation is set, and the product sale control means is switched to the product sale mode, that is, in the normal sale state, when one of the plurality of product selection buttons is selected. Determining the product storage unit that stores the product to be sold based on the related information, and operating the product unloading unit to perform the product sales so that the product stored in the product storage unit is sold. Become.

After setting the related information in the related information setting mode, the commodity sales control means is switched to the related information confirmation mode to check the set related information. Conventionally, in such a related information confirmation mode, the product sales control means inputs a number for identifying each product storage unit with a remote control keyboard provided in a general vending machine, and based on the related information, The product selection button that can select the product storage unit is discriminated, and the product selection button is turned on. To add an explanation, each of the plurality of product storage units is generally given a number for identifying them,
The product selection button is generally configured as a lighting type having a lighting lamp inside, and when the number for identifying the product storage section is input as described above, the product selection button corresponding to it is pressed. It was supposed to light up.
The number entered on the remote control keyboard can be confirmed by being displayed on the display screen of the remote control keyboard or the deposit amount display section provided on the front of the vending machine.

By the way, as the related information, one product storage section can be selected by one product selection button, and a plurality of product storage sections can be selected by selecting one product selection button. It may be set to be selectable. By the way, when it is set that multiple product storage units can be selected with one product selection button in this way, multiple product storage units are set to be selected with a single product selection button. In addition to the case where each of the plurality of product selection buttons can select a plurality of product storage units, that is, the plurality of product storage units is set to be selectable by a plurality of product selection buttons. In this way, when it is set that a plurality of product storage units can be selected by selecting one product selection button, the product sale control means selects the plurality of product storage units in the product sale mode. When the button is selected, one of the selected product storage units is selected based on selection conditions such as selecting one by one in order, and the products in the selected product storage unit are sold. Then, in the related information confirmation mode, when the number for identifying the product storage unit is input, the plurality of product selection buttons that can select the product storage unit based on the related information are determined, and the plurality of product selection buttons are selected. Was configured to light all the product selection buttons.

[0005]

Conventionally, in the related information confirmation mode, confirmation of the relationship between the product selection button and the product storage section selected by the button is displayed on the remote control keyboard or the price display. It is confirmed by checking the number of the product storage section and the lighting of the product selection button. In this case, which product storage section has the number displayed on the remote control keyboard or the price display. It was easy to make a mistake in the recognition, and as a result, it was easy to make a mistake in the confirmation. Especially in recent years, since a wide variety of products are handled, the number of product storage units tends to increase. Moreover, the arrangement and arrangement of the product storages are varied, so it is necessary to recognize the correspondence between the displayed number and the product storage unit. It is easy to make an error. Also, to check related information, for example, to confirm that the product button is lit,
Since it is often done in front of the front door of the vending machine, it is difficult to check the products stored in each product storage unit. There is a possibility that it may not be possible to confirm that the related information is not properly set because the confirmation is completed only by the number of the product storage section without confirming the product.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to select which of the plurality of product storage units is selected for each of the plurality of product selection buttons. The point is to make it possible to properly check the related information indicating the relationship without error.

[0007]

An automatic vending machine according to claim 1 has a plurality of product storage units for storing products to be sold, a plurality of product selection buttons for selecting a type of product to be purchased, and a plurality of the product selection buttons. The product carry-out means for carrying out the product stored in the product storage section to the product take-out port, the product sale mode for operating the product carry-out means to carry out the product sale, and the selection of each of the plurality of product selection buttons. Product sales control capable of switching between a related information setting mode for setting related information indicating which one of a plurality of product storage units is to be selected and a related information confirmation mode for confirming the set related information. Means is provided, and the product sale control means sells based on the related information when any one of the plurality of product selection buttons is selected in the product sale mode. Determine the article storage portion for storing the product can, be those that are configured to sell goods to be stored in the article storage, as the related information,
The selection of one product selection button of the plurality of product selection buttons is configured to be set to be a selection of a plurality of product storage units of the plurality of product storage units,
When any one of the plurality of product selection buttons is selected in the product sales mode, the product sales control unit determines a product storage unit that stores a product to be sold based on the related information, When the product selection button that selects one product storage unit is selected, the product in that one product storage unit is sold, and when the product selection button that selects multiple product storage units is selected, multiple product storage units are selected. It is configured to select one of the storage units based on the selection condition and sell the product in the selected product storage unit,
In addition, when any one of the plurality of product selection buttons is selected in the related information confirmation mode, the product storage unit that stores the product to be sold is determined based on the related information, and one product storage unit is selected. When the product selection button for selecting is selected, the product to be stored in the product storage section is carried out, and when the product selection button for selecting a plurality of product storage sections is selected, the plurality of selected product storage All of the parts are characterized in that the carrying-out means is operated so as to carry out the products stored therein.

That is, as the related information, it is possible to set that selection of one product selection button among the plurality of product selection buttons is selection of a plurality of product storage units of the plurality of product storage units. Therefore, for example, for products that are expected to be purchased in large quantities, such products are stored in a plurality of product storage units, and as related information, among the plurality of product selection buttons, The selection of one product selection button is set as the selection of the plurality of product storage units. By the way, when it is set that multiple product storage units can be selected with one product selection button in this way, multiple product storage units are set to be selected with a single product selection button. In addition to the case where each of the plurality of product selection buttons can select a plurality of product storage units, that is, the plurality of product storage units is set to be selectable by a plurality of product selection buttons.

In the product sale mode, when any one of the plurality of product selection buttons is selected, the product sale control means discriminates a product storage unit for storing a product to be sold based on the related information. , When the product selection button for selecting one product storage unit is selected, the product in the one product storage unit is sold, and when the product selection button for selecting a plurality of product storage units is selected, a plurality of products are sold. Select one of the product compartments based on the selection criteria,
The products in the selected product storage section will be sold.
By the way, as the selection condition, it is general that a condition for selecting a plurality of product storage units in order is selected every time the product selection button for selecting a plurality of product storage units is selected. , Prioritize multiple product storage units, select the product storage unit with the highest priority, and when the products in that product storage unit run out, give priority to the product storage unit with the next highest priority. Other selection conditions may be set, for example, the selection may be made by selecting.

Further, when the product sale control means is switched to the related information confirmation mode to confirm the related information, the product sale control means, in the related information confirmation mode,
When any one of the plurality of product selection buttons is selected,
The product storage unit that stores the product to be sold is determined based on the related information, and when the product selection button for selecting one product storage unit is selected, the product to be stored in the product storage unit is carried out, Further, when the product selection button for selecting a plurality of product storage units is selected, the carry-out means is operated so as to carry out the product stored in each of the selected plurality of product storage units. In other words, in the related information confirmation mode, if any one of the plurality of product selection buttons is selected for confirmation, the product selected by the product selection button is actually carried out, and When the product selection button for selecting the product storage unit is selected, the products stored in all the plurality of product storage units selectable by the product selection button are actually carried out. In this way, when checking the related information, when the product selection button that selects multiple product storage units is selected, the product in one product storage unit that can be selected with that product selection button, or with that product selection button The products for all of the multiple product storage units that can be selected are actually delivered, so it is necessary to determine whether the products selected by the selected product selection button are appropriate or not. This can be done after confirmation, and the adequacy of setting related information can be accurately grasped. Therefore, not only when the related information is set so that one product storage section can be selected by selecting the product selection button, but also by selecting one product selection button, a plurality of product storage sections can be selected. Even when the related information is set, the suitability of the setting of the related information can be accurately grasped, so that it is possible to perform good automatic sales without troubles such as carrying out products not selected by the purchaser. We've got a vending machine that makes it possible.

In the automatic vending machine of claim 2, in addition to the features of claim 1, the product sale control means selects the product selection button for selecting the plurality of product storage units in the related information confirmation mode. When this is done, all the plurality of selected product storage units are configured to sequentially carry out the products to be stored therein at set time intervals. That is, when the related information is set so that a plurality of product storage sections can be selected by selecting one product selection button and the product is sold, the product sales control means is connected to check the related information. When switched to the information confirmation mode, the commodity sales control means, in the related information confirmation mode, when the commodity selection button for selecting a plurality of commodity storage sections is selected, the commodity sale control means selects the plurality of commodity storage sections. For all of them, the unloading means is operated so as to unload the products to be stored therein, but when carrying out the products, those products are sequentially carried out at set time intervals. In other words,
When the product selection button for selecting a plurality of product storage units is selected in the related information confirmation mode, the products stored in all the plurality of product storage units selectable by the product selection button are actually carried out. At that time, a plurality of products are sequentially carried out at set time intervals. In this way, when multiple products are sequentially delivered at set times, it will be easier to confirm each product that is delivered, and it will be easier to confirm than when multiple products are delivered all at once. More convenient.

According to the automatic vending machine of claim 3, in addition to the features of claim 1, the product sale control means selects the product selection button for selecting the plurality of product storage units in the related information confirmation mode. All of the plurality of selected commodity storage units are configured so that the commodities to be stored therein are sequentially carried out at each time when commanded by the manually operated carry-out command means. . That is, in the case where related information is set so that a plurality of product storage units can be selected by selecting one product selection button and the product is sold, in order to confirm the related information,
When the product sales control means is switched to the related information confirmation mode,
When the product selection button for selecting a plurality of product storage units is selected in the related information confirmation mode, the product sales control unit stores the products to be stored in all the plurality of product storage units selectable by the product selection button. The carrying-out means is operated so as to carry out the product, but in carrying out the carrying-out in such a manner, a plurality of products are carried out sequentially each time the manually-operated carrying-out command means instructs. In other words, in the related information confirmation mode, when the product selection button that selects a plurality of product storage units is selected, the products stored in all the plurality of product storage units that can be selected by the product selection button are actually stored. At that time, a plurality of products are sequentially carried out every time the manual operation-type carry-out command means gives an instruction. By the way, as the manually operated carry-out command means, it may be configured by using the existing input means such as using an existing return lever, and the product selection button is also used as the manually operated carry-out command means. A plurality of products may be sequentially carried out each time the selection button is pressed. In this way, when a plurality of products are sequentially carried out each time commanded by the manually operated carry-out command means, after confirmation of one product is completed, the next product is carried out and confirmed. By using the procedure, it becomes easier to confirm each product without fail, and it is more convenient because it becomes easier to confirm each product as compared with the case where a plurality of products are carried out at once.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [Main Embodiment] Hereinafter, a case where an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a cigarette vending machine will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cigarette vending machine includes a vending machine body 1 and a door 2 for opening and closing a front portion thereof. Inside the vending machine body 1, a plurality of rows of columns 3 are provided as a plurality of product storage units for storing a plurality of types of cigarettes, that is, a plurality of types of products. In the cigarette vending machine, the door 2 is often provided with a plurality of columns of columns, but in the present embodiment, it is assumed that only the vending machine body 1 is provided with a plurality of columns of columns 3. .

As the column 3 of the above-mentioned plural examples, there are plural kinds of columns having different vertical lengths.
As also shown in the figure, the products are configured to be stacked and housed, and at the bottom of each column 3, a product carry-out unit 4 for paying out the products at the lowermost position to the front is incorporated. The door 2 is provided with a product outlet 5, and the vending machine body 1 is provided with a chute 6 for guiding the product delivered from the product delivery unit 4 to the product outlet 5. In other words, the products stored in each column 3 are dispensed by the operation of the product unloading unit 4 and the product outlet 5
The product carry-out unit 4 is a main part, and a product carry-out means S for carrying out the product stored in the column 3 to the product take-out port 5 is configured. Although not described in detail, a product support 7 that receives the product falling in front of the column 3 is provided at the front of the columns 3 in a plurality of rows, and a product storage support state that allows the product to be stored in the column 3. It is provided so that it can be switched to, and the storage of products in each column 3
The commodity support 7 can be switched to the storage allowable state. That is, the product support 7 includes a door that can be opened and closed about the horizontal axis, a crank-shaped linear body that can be opened and closed about the vertical axis, and an elastically expandable and contractible linear body. The product is stored while switching to the state.

As shown in FIG. 3, the product unloading unit 4 is constructed so as to push out a product with a product pushing tool G and pay it out. Further, the product unloading unit 4 is provided with a product detection sensor H as a product sold-out detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the product stored in the column 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, a product sample M is displayed on the door 2, a plurality of product selection buttons B are provided corresponding to the product sample M, and a bill insertion slot 8 and a coin insertion are provided. A mouth 9, an amount indicator 10 and a return lever 11 are provided. Although not described in detail, the door 2 has a currency handling apparatus 12 including a bill processing unit corresponding to the coin insertion slot 8 and a coin processing unit corresponding to the coin slot 9 as shown in FIG. A controller C as a product sales control means for executing product sales and a remote control keyboard K for inputting various information are incorporated.

The controller C executes product sales while managing the entire vending machine. More specifically, the controller C operates the product unloading unit 4 to execute the product sales. mode,
Related information setting mode for setting related information indicating which one of the plurality of columns 3 is selected for each of the plurality of product selection buttons B, and related for checking the set related information It is configured to switch to various modes such as an information confirmation mode, and to perform product sales while performing various settings for product sales. Hereinafter, the processing corresponding to each mode will be described for each mode. In the related information setting process corresponding to the related information setting mode, as shown in FIG. 5, the controller C is switched to the related information setting mode by the remote controller keyboard K in a state where all the products are taken out from all the columns 3 in advance. In the related information setting mode, the group number for setting the related information is designated by the remote controller keyboard K, and the product detection sensors H of all the columns 3 registered in the group number are inserted into the product to detect the product nonexistence state. To the product presence detection state, column 3 is recorded, and all the product selection buttons B registered in the group number are pressed and selected to record the product selection button B. After that, remote control keyboard K
Enter the registration command at to register the settings for that group number. Next, the next group number is designated by the remote controller keyboard K, and the same procedure is repeated. When all group numbers have been input, the end is input from the remote control keyboard K. That is, the controller C sets relevant information indicating which one of the plurality of columns 3 is selected for each of the plurality of product selection buttons B as a plurality of groups based on the group number. In the setting of each group, among the product detection sensors H which are installed in each of the plurality of columns 3 and detect the presence or absence of the product, the product presence is detected from the product non-existence detection state. The column 3 corresponding to the one that has detected the change in the detection state and the product selection button B instructed corresponding to the commanded column 3 among the plurality of product selection buttons B are associated with each other, and are associated information. It is configured to remember.

The merchandise selling process corresponding to the merchandise selling mode is executed by setting the related information as described above and then switching the controller C to the merchandise selling mode by the remote control keyboard K. That is, the controller C
In the merchandise selling mode, when any of the plurality of merchandise selection buttons B is selected in a state where the proper money for merchandise purchase is put, the merchandise to be sold is stored based on the related information. The product unloading means S is arranged so as to identify the column 3 and carry out the product stored in the column 3.
Will be activated. That is, the controller C
When the product selection button B for selecting one column 3 is selected, the product in the column 3 is sold, and when the product selection button B for selecting a plurality of columns 3 is selected,
One of the plurality of columns 3 is selected on the basis of a selection condition that allows each of the columns 3 to be selected one by one, and the product in the column 3 is sold. By the way, in this product sales process, if the amount of money put in is greater than the amount of money of the purchased product, the change is also returned along with the sale of the product, and so on. Of course.

The related information confirmation processing corresponding to the related information confirmation mode is executed by setting the related information as described above and then switching the controller C to the related information confirmation mode using the remote control keyboard K. That is, FIG.
After storing the products in all columns 3, as shown in
Use the remote control keyboard K to switch to the related information confirmation mode. Next, when the user selects the product selection button B of which the related information is to be confirmed among the plurality of product selection buttons B, the column 3 storing the product to be sold is determined based on the related information, and the column 3 is identified. The product unloading means S is operated so as to carry out the products to be stored. When the product selection button B is selected as described above, the product selection button B is turned on, and another product selection button B is registered in the group in which the product selection button B is registered. And other product selection buttons B are also lit up,
When a plurality of columns 3 are registered in the group in which the selected product selection button B is registered, the products in the plurality of columns 3 are sequentially carried out at set time intervals. When the product selection button B is selected as described above,
The group number, the number of the selected product selection button B, the number of the column 3 selected by the product button B, and the like are appropriately displayed on the display screen of the remote controller keyboard K. Further, when the goods stored in the column 3 are carried out as described above, the number of the column 3 is displayed on the price display 10. By the way, when the vending machine is provided with a commodity price display device and a customer service display device, the numbers in column 3 may be displayed on these display devices. That is, when any one of the plurality of product selection buttons B is selected in the related information confirmation mode, the controller C determines the column 3 in which the product to be sold is stored based on the related information, and the one column 3 is selected. When the merchandise selection button B for selecting is selected, the merchandise carrying-out means S is operated to carry out the merchandise stored in the column 3, and the merchandise selection button B for selecting a plurality of columns 3 is selected. When is selected, the product unloading means S is operated so as to sequentially carry out the products stored in the selected columns 3 at set time intervals. [Other Embodiments] (1) In the above-described main embodiment, the case where the invention is applied to a vending machine for vats is exemplified, but the invention can also be applied to a vending machine that sells canned drinks and the like. The form of the product storage unit 3 and the form of the product carry-out means S will be changed according to the vending machine to which the product is applied. (2) In the main embodiment, in the related information confirmation mode, when the selection of one product selection button B is set to select a plurality of columns 3 of the plurality of columns 3 as the related information. When the product selection button B for selecting a plurality of columns 3 is selected, the product unloading means S is operated so as to sequentially carry out the products stored in the selected columns 3 at set time intervals. Although the configuration is exemplified as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, with respect to all of the plurality of selected columns 3, the return lever 11 as a manually operated carry-out command means operates the products stored in the selected columns 3. You may comprise so that it may be carried out sequentially whenever it is performed. That is, the product sales control means C
When the product selection button B for selecting the plurality of product storage units 3 is selected in the related information confirmation mode, for all of the plurality of product storage units B selected,
Manual operation-type carry-out command means 11 for the products to be stored therein
You may comprise so that it may carry out sequentially, whenever it is instructed by. The manual operation-type carry-out command means can be configured by using the existing one such as the return lever 11, but it can be provided in another form such as adding the function to the remote control keyboard K. . (3) Also, as related information, one product selection button B
Is set to select a plurality of columns 3 among the plurality of columns 3, and when the product selection button B that selects a plurality of columns 3 is selected, the plurality of selected columns 3 is selected. For all of the above, it is not always necessary to sequentially carry out the products to be stored in them, and even if they are carried out at the same time, it is possible to determine the correctness of the products to be carried out and the number of registered columns 3 from the number of the products to be carried out. Is. (4) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the related information is set based on the group number has been illustrated, but the setting is performed such that the product selection button B is set in association with the number of the product storage unit 3. The format of can be changed in various ways. (5) Further, the product sales control in the product sales mode executed by the product sales control unit C and the setting control in the related information setting mode are performed by the applicable vending machine in addition to the form described in the main embodiment. Of course, various changes can be made according to the form.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1] Front view of vending machine

[Figure 2] Front view of the vending machine with the door open

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a mounting portion of a product unloading unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control configuration.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of related information setting processing.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of related information confirmation processing.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of related information confirmation processing according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 product storage 5 Product outlet 11 Manual operation-type carry-out command means B Product selection button C Product sales control means S Product delivery means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of product storage units for storing products to be sold, a plurality of product selection buttons for selecting types of products to be purchased, and products stored in the plurality of product storage units in a product outlet. Which of the plurality of product storage units is selected by the product carry-out means for carrying out, the product sale mode in which the product carry-out means is operated to carry out product sale, and the selection of each of the plurality of product selection buttons. Related information setting mode for setting related information indicating the relationship, and product sales control means switchable to the related information confirmation mode for checking the set related information, and the product sales control means is provided. When one of the plurality of product selection buttons is selected in the product sale mode, the product storage unit that stores the product to be sold is determined based on the related information. A vending machine configured to sell a product stored in the product storage unit, wherein, as the related information, selection of one product selection button from the plurality of product selection buttons is Of the plurality of product storage units can be set to be selected, and the product sale control means selects one of the plurality of product selection buttons in the product sale mode. Then, the product storage unit for storing the product to be sold is determined based on the related information, and when the product selection button for selecting one product storage unit is selected, the product in the one product storage unit is selected. When the product selection button that sells and selects multiple product storage units is selected, one of the multiple product storage units is selected based on the selection condition, and the selected product storage unit is selected. The product storage unit configured to sell the product, and stores the product to be sold based on the related information when any one of the plurality of product selection buttons is selected in the related information confirmation mode. When the product selection button that selects one product storage unit is selected, the product selection button that selects the product storage unit that carries out the product to be stored in the product storage unit is selected. In this case, the vending machine is configured to operate the carry-out means so as to carry out the products stored in all the selected plurality of product storage units. 2. The product sales control means, when the product selection button for selecting the plurality of product storage units is selected in the related information confirmation mode, for all of the plurality of product storage units to be selected, The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine is configured to sequentially carry out the products stored therein at set time intervals. 3. The product sales control means, when the product selection button for selecting the plurality of product storage units is selected in the related information confirmation mode, for all of the plurality of product storage units to be selected, 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the vending machines are configured to sequentially carry out the commodities stored in the commodities each time they are commanded by the manually operated carry-out commanding means.