JP2004234363A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic vending machine in which the costs of a control circuit unit for controlling predetermined operations according to the specification of a commodity sample stage can be reduced. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic vending machine equipped with the control circuit unit 30 which controls predetermined operations according to the specification of the commodity sample stage 4 is provided with an imparting means for imparting an intrinsic electric signal to the control circuit unit 30 according to the specification of the commodity sample stage 4 when the control circuit unit 30 is mounted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vending machine, and more particularly, to a vending machine having a control circuit unit that controls a predetermined operation according to the specifications of a product sample stage.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A variety of vending machines have been developed to automatically sell desired products, such as beverages and tobacco, etc., when money is input, and are easy to purchase, easy to manage, and slightly installed. They are widely used in various places due to reasons such as reduction of the area and labor cost required for sales.
[0003]
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a configuration of a general vending machine. In FIG. 5, the vending machine is for selling products such as canned beverages and PET bottled beverages, and includes a main body cabinet 1.
[0004]
The main body cabinet 1 is formed as a rectangular heat-insulating housing having an open front surface. Although not shown, a plurality of independent storages are juxtaposed on the left and right inside the main body cabinet 1. These storages are for storing beverage cans and PET bottles while maintaining them at desired temperatures. In each of the storages, a column-shaped rack (not shown) is provided at an upper portion thereof, and a heat exchanger (not shown) is provided at a lower portion thereof. , It is possible to maintain the desired cooling temperature or heating temperature of the beverage cans or plastic bottles stored in the rack.
[0005]
The vending machine is provided with a door 2 at one side edge of the main body cabinet 1. The door body 2 is for opening and closing the front opening of the main body cabinet 1, and includes an inner door (not shown), a middle door 2a, and an outer door 2b. The inner door has a size sufficient to cover the front of the storage provided in the main body cabinet 1.
[0006]
The middle door 2a is disposed on the front side of the inner door. The middle door 2a is provided with a plurality of product sample stages 4 (in the example shown in the figure, 3) in which a sample of a product to be sold (hereinafter, also referred to as a product sample) 3 is arranged in a row on the front side of the middle door 2a. (Stage)). The middle door 2a is provided with an illuminating plate 7 at the lower portion on the front side.
[0007]
The outer door 2 b has a size sufficient to cover the front opening of the main body cabinet 1. The outer door 2b is provided with a display window 5, a product selection button 6, a coin insertion slot, a bill insertion slot, a money return lever, a coin return slot, a product exit, and the like, as is well known, on its front side. is there. The display window 5 is a window for allowing a user to visually recognize the product sample 3 (product sample stage 4) and the illuminating plate 7 arranged on the middle door 2a. The product selection button 6 is a push button switch for the user to select a purchased product, and is prepared for each product sample 3 visually recognized through the display window 5.
[0008]
The commodity sample stage 4 has a display window 4a opened on the front surface thereof, corresponding to each commodity sample 3. Although not shown, a belt-shaped cold / hot pattern indicator is wound around a pair of left and right winding drums, not shown, inside the product sample stage 4. This cold / hot pattern display is made of, for example, a translucent film, and the characters “HOT” and “COLD” or cold / hot patterns colored in red (warm) and blue (cool) are displayed in the longitudinal direction. And the cooling / heating pattern is arranged so as to face through the display window 4a. A motor serving as a drive source for rotating the winding drum is connected to the pair of winding drums. The operation of this motor is controlled by a control circuit unit mounted for each product sample stage 4. The control circuit unit drives a motor according to the temperature state of each storage box based on a command signal from a main control unit (not shown) that comprehensively controls the operation of the vending machine, and displays a cold / hot pattern. By moving the body, the cold / cold display of the product sample 3 corresponding to the product in each storage is automatically changed.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-6-103448
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, since the control circuit unit automatically changes the display of the cold temperature according to the command signal from the main control unit, the control circuit unit performs specification information on the product sample stage 4 to which the control circuit unit is mounted, That is, it is necessary to have information on the site (stage) of the product sample stage 4 and the number of the product samples 3 placed on the product sample stage 4.
[0011]
However, the vending machine has a different number of beverage cans or plastic bottles inside the main body cabinet 1 due to a difference in the width or depth of the vending machine, and the vending machines are arranged in a line on each product sample stage 4. The number of placed product samples 3 is also different. Further, in each vending machine, the number of the product samples 3 placed in a row may be different for each stage of the product sample stage 4.
[0012]
Therefore, it is necessary to individually input in advance the control circuit unit the specification information regarding the part of the product sample stage 4 to which it is mounted and the number of product samples 3 placed on the product sample stage 4. There is. Then, the control circuit unit to which the specification information is input can be mounted only on the product sample stage having the same part of the product sample stage and the same number of product samples, and has compatibility. Not really. Therefore, in order to mount the control circuit units on vending machines of various standards, control circuit units having different specification information must be separately manufactured, and the cost required for such control circuit units is enormous. Become something. Note that, here, the parts of the product sample stage and the number of product samples placed on the product sample stage are listed as the specifications required for the control circuit unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any specifications may be used as long as the control circuit unit controls the predetermined operation in the corresponding product sample stage.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a vending machine that can reduce the cost required for a control circuit unit that controls a predetermined operation according to the specifications of a product sample stage.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a vending machine according to claim 1 of the present invention is a vending machine provided with a control circuit unit that controls a predetermined operation according to specifications of a product sample stage. When the circuit unit is mounted, the control unit is provided with an application unit that applies an electric signal unique to the specifications of the product sample stage to the control circuit unit.
[0015]
Also, in the vending machine according to claim 2 of the present invention, in the above-mentioned claim 1, the assigning means includes a plurality of input terminals provided in the control circuit unit, each of the plurality of input terminals provided in the control circuit unit, a variety of product sample stages. The control circuit unit is configured to provide a potential difference level that is a unique combination according to the source, and the control circuit unit detects a potential difference level of each of the input terminals, and the potential difference level of each of the input terminals by the detection means. An information acquisition unit that acquires specification information associated with a combination of potential difference levels in advance when the level is detected.
[0016]
Further, in the vending machine according to claim 3 of the present invention, in the above-mentioned claim 2, the assigning means connects each of the input terminals to a voltage power supply for driving the control circuit unit, or a ground. It is characterized by being connected to.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a vending machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following, those having the same configuration as the vending machine in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 1, the vending machine includes a main control unit 10, a basic operation control unit 20, and a control circuit unit 30. The main control unit 10 controls the operation of the vending machine based on programs and data stored in a main memory 11 such as a ROM or a RAM.
[0019]
The basic operation control unit 20 performs control related to sale of a product, and includes a money processing unit 21, a button management unit 22, and a product storage management unit 23. The money processing unit 21 performs a process of calculating the total amount of money inserted at the coin insertion slot and the bill insertion slot. The button management unit 22 makes the product selection button 6 operable, and when the product selection button 6 is pressed by the user, outputs a message to that effect. The product storage management unit 23 manages the products stored in the storage in the main body cabinet 1. More specifically, the basic operation control unit 20 sets the product selection button 6 to an operable state through the button management unit 22 when the total amount of input money calculated through the money processing unit 21 reaches the product sales price. I do. After that, when the product selection button 6 is pressed by the user, the main function is to pay out the product corresponding to the product selection button 6 through the product storage management unit 23.
[0020]
The control circuit unit 30 is mounted corresponding to each product sample stage 4 and controls a predetermined operation in the product sample stage 4. Here, for convenience of explanation, the control circuit unit 30 will be described as controlling the operation related to the cold / hot display, specifically, controlling the driving of the cold / hot pattern display.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the control circuit unit. 2, the control circuit unit 30 includes a unit control unit 31, a communication processing unit 32, a motor drive control unit 33, a plurality of (five in this embodiment) input terminals 34, and a detection unit 35. , And an information acquisition unit 36.
[0022]
The unit control unit 31 controls the operation of the control circuit unit 30 based on programs and data stored in the unit memory 37. The communication processing unit 32 controls transmission and reception of data with the main control unit 10 of the vending machine.
[0023]
The motor drive control unit 33 controls the drive of the motor M. As shown in FIG. 3, the motor M serves as a drive source for rotating a pair of winding drums 41 and 42 disposed inside the product sample stage 4. An endless cold / hot pattern indicator 43 is wound around the pair of winding drums 41 and 42. The cold / hot pattern display 43 is made of, for example, a translucent film, and displays the characters “HOT” and “COLD” or cold / hot patterns colored in red (warm) and blue (cool) in the longitudinal direction. ing. Although not shown, the cold / hot pattern display 43 is arranged so that the cold / hot pattern is exposed through the display window 4a.
[0024]
The input terminal 34 is connected to a voltage power supply (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a voltage power supply) for driving the control circuit unit 30 by a harness (not shown), or separately connected to the ground. Here, the input terminals 34 are assigned as No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5 in order from the top.
[0025]
The detection unit 35 detects each potential difference level of the input unit 34. More specifically, the detection unit 35 detects a potential difference level of the input terminal 34 connected to the voltage power supply as a high level, and detects a potential difference level of the input terminal 34 connected to the ground as a low level.
[0026]
As will be described in detail later, the information acquisition unit 36 acquires specification information necessary for the control circuit unit 30 to control a predetermined operation, that is, to control the movement of the cold / hot pattern display 43. Here, the specification information is information relating to the part of the product sample stage 4 on which the control circuit unit 30 is mounted and the number of the product samples 3 placed on the product sample stage 4. More specifically, the information acquisition unit 36 determines the potential difference level (high level or low level) of each of the input terminals 34 detected by the detection unit 35 and a criterion stored in the unit memory 37 in advance. This is to acquire specifications information based on the information. Here, the determination criteria are, as shown in FIG. 4A, a combination of the combinations of the potential difference levels of the first to third input terminals 34 and the number of the product samples 3, and FIG. As shown in b), the combination of the fourth and fifth combinations of the potential difference levels of the input terminals 34 and the parts of the product sample stage 4 are associated with each other.
[0027]
In the vending machine according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, ten commodity samples 3 are placed on the first commodity sample stage 4, and the second and Ten product samples 3 are also placed on the third product sample stage 4 respectively. Therefore, in order for the control circuit unit 30 corresponding to each product sample stage 4 to acquire specification information, the input terminals 34 of each control circuit unit 30 are connected to a voltage power supply or a ground by a harness as follows. I have. The control circuit unit 30 corresponding to the first stage product sample stage 4 has the first, third and fourth input terminals 34 connected to a voltage power source, and the second and fifth Input terminal 34 is connected to ground. The control circuit unit 30 corresponding to the second product sample stage 4 has the first, third, and fifth input terminals 34 connected to a voltage power supply, and the second and fourth Input terminal 34 is connected to ground. The control circuit unit 30 corresponding to the third product sample stage 4 has the first and third input terminals 34 connected to the voltage power supply, and the second, fourth, and fifth control terminals. Input terminal 34 is connected to ground.
[0028]
Thereby, in each control circuit unit 30, the unit control unit 31 detects the potential difference level of each of the first to fifth input terminals 34 through the detection unit 35. Specifically, in the control circuit unit 30 mounted on the first product sample stage 4, the detection unit 35 sets the potential difference levels of the first to fifth input terminals 34 to high level, respectively. , Low level, high level, high level, low level. In the control circuit unit 30 mounted on the second product sample stage 4, the detection unit 35 sets the potential difference levels of the first to fifth input terminals 34 to high level, low level, and high level, respectively. Detects level, low level and high level. In the control circuit unit 30 mounted on the third product sample stage 4, the detection unit 35 sets the potential difference levels of the first to fifth input terminals 34 to high level, low level, and high level, respectively. Detect level, low level, low level.
[0029]
Then, based on the potential difference level detected by the detection unit 35 through the information acquisition unit 36 and the determination criterion, the unit control unit 31 determines the position of the mounted product sample stage 4 (the first stage, the second stage, or the third stage). The information about the (stage) and the number (10) of the product samples 3 can be obtained. The acquired specification information is stored in the unit memory 37 and is transmitted to the main control unit 10 through the communication processing unit 32 as data corresponding to the confirmation signal from the main control unit 10 received through the communication processing unit 32. Sent. Thereafter, based on the command signal from the main control unit 10, the control circuit unit 30 causes the unit control unit 31 to drive the motor through the motor drive control unit 33, thereby moving the cold / cold pattern display 43 and automatically displaying the cold / cold display. Change to
[0030]
According to the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, the input terminals 34 of the control circuit unit 30 mounted on each product sample stage 4 are individually connected to a voltage power supply or a ground by a harness. Therefore, it is possible to cause the control circuit unit 30 to acquire the specification information based on the respective potential difference levels of the input terminal 34 and the criterion stored in the unit memory 37. Thereby, it is not necessary to input in advance to the control circuit unit 30 specific data relating to the product sample stage 4 to which the control circuit unit 30 is mounted, and when the control circuit unit 30 is mounted, Unique specification information can be given. As a result, as the control circuit unit 30, any device having the same function as the control circuit unit 30 can be used. More specifically, even if the control circuit unit 30 is mounted on a vending machine of a different standard from the vending machine on which the control circuit unit 30 is mounted, the control circuit unit has the same function as the control circuit unit 30. Can be used instead of the control circuit unit 30, and the control circuit unit 30 becomes compatible. Therefore, it is possible to mass-produce a device having the same function as the control circuit unit 30 in large quantities at low cost, and to reduce the cost required for the control circuit unit 30.
[0031]
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the data acquired by the control circuit unit is not limited to the part (stage) of the product sample stage and the number of product samples, but may be the number of other product selection buttons. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the above-described determination criteria are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Further, the number of input terminals 34 in each control circuit unit 30 is not limited to five.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the control circuit unit is mounted, the applying means applies the unique electric signal according to the specifications of the product sample stage. It is not necessary for the control circuit unit to have the specification information of the product sample stage in advance. As a result, any control circuit unit having the same function as the control circuit unit can be used, and the control circuit unit becomes compatible. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a large number of devices having the same function as the control circuit unit at a low cost, and it is possible to reduce the cost required for the control circuit unit.
[0033]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control circuit unit obtains the specification information associated with the combination of the potential difference levels by applying the potential difference level to each input means by the providing means. Since it is possible, the control circuit unit does not need to have the specification information in advance. As a result, any control circuit unit having the same function as the control circuit unit can be used, and the control circuit unit becomes compatible. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a large number of devices having the same function as the control circuit unit at a low cost, and it is possible to reduce the cost required for the control circuit unit.
[0034]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the control circuit unit is connected to the voltage power supply or the ground so that the potential difference level is given to each input terminal, so that the control circuit unit is associated with the combination of the potential difference levels. Since the specification information can be obtained, the control circuit unit does not need to have the specification information in advance. As a result, any control circuit unit having the same function as the control circuit unit can be used, and the control circuit unit becomes compatible. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a large number of devices having the same function as the control circuit unit at a low cost, and it is possible to reduce the cost required for the control circuit unit.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit unit in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cold / hot pattern display object to be controlled by a control circuit unit;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are tables showing an example of criteria stored in a control circuit unit.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a configuration of a general vending machine.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body cabinet 2 Door body 2a Middle door 2b Outer door 3 Product sample 4 Product sample stage 4a Display window 5 Display window 6 Product selection button 7 Lighting board 10 Main control unit 11 Main memory 20 Basic operation control unit 21 Money processing unit 22 Button management unit 23 Commodity storage management unit 30 Control circuit unit 31 Unit control unit 32 Communication control unit 33 Motor drive control unit 34 Input terminal 35 Detection unit 36 Information acquisition unit 37 Unit memories 41, 42 Winding drum 43 Cold / hot pattern display

Claims (3)

In a vending machine equipped with a control circuit unit that controls a predetermined operation according to the specifications of a product sample stage,
A vending machine comprising: an applying unit that applies an electric signal unique to the product sample stage according to specifications of the product sample stage to the control circuit unit when the control circuit unit is mounted. The applying means is for applying, to each of the plurality of input terminals provided in the control circuit unit, a potential difference level that is a unique combination according to the specifications of the product sample stage,
The control circuit unit, detecting means for detecting a potential difference level of each of the input terminal,
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an information acquisition unit configured to acquire specification information associated with a combination of potential difference levels in advance when the potential difference level of each of the input terminals is detected by the detection unit. 3. Vending machine. 3. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein said applying means connects each of said input terminals to a voltage power supply for driving said control circuit unit or to a ground.

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