JP2004258730A - Antitheft system for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the antitheft effects of the commodities/proceeds of an automatic vending machine, and to extremely easily release the monitoring status of the automatic vending machine. <P>SOLUTION: Each of a plurality of automatic vending machines 11 existing in a service man's beat is provided with a door opening monitoring device 12 for monitoring the opening of a door and a warning device 13 for generating alarm when the door is opened while the monitoring status by the door opening monitoring device 12 is not released. The door opening monitoring device 12 is provided with a signal receiving part for receiving a monitor release signal transmitted from a portable transmitter 30 and a monitor control part for releasing the monitoring status when the monitor release signal is received by the signal receiving part. A service man can release the monitoring status by the door opening monitoring device 12 only by transmitting the monitor release signal by operating the portable transmitter 30. Thus, it is possible to extremely easily perform a monitor releasing operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vending machine anti-theft system having a function of generating an alarm when a vending machine door is illegally opened.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to prevent theft of goods and sales proceeds of a vending machine, a door switch that is turned on when a vending machine door is opened as described in, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-121762). And a key switch that turns off when the key of the door is unlocked, and an alarm buzzer are connected in series to the power supply. When the door is pryed open with the door locked (key switch on), the alarm buzzer is activated. Some are activated to generate an alarm.
[0003]
However, in this configuration, even if the thief illegally unlocks the door key and opens the door with a tool other than a regular key, the key switch is turned off and the alarm buzzer does not operate. .
[0004]
Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a relay switch is provided in parallel with the key switch, and a monitoring time zone is set in the system control unit of the vending machine. During the monitoring time zone, the relay switch is maintained in the ON state, and the key switch is turned off. It has been proposed that an alarm buzzer be activated only by opening a door (turning on a door switch) regardless of ON / OFF (unlocking / locking).
[0005]
In Patent Document 1, as a means for setting a monitoring time zone, a remote control for setting operation installed in a vending machine is used, and the monitoring time zone is set by key operation of the remote control. In addition, when the administrator opens the door to supply goods during the monitoring time period, the monitoring state is released by specially operating the product selection button on the front of the vending machine and inputting a password. Like that.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-121762 (pages 2 to 4 etc.)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the method of releasing the monitoring state by specially operating the product selection button on the front of the vending machine, the procedure of the special operation of the product selection button may be relatively easily detected by a thief and expected. There is a possibility that the anti-theft effect is not so high.
[0008]
As a countermeasure, it is conceivable that the procedure of the special operation of the product selection button is complicated, or a different operation procedure is set for each vending machine, so that the special operation procedure is hard to be seen by a thief. However, in this case, a service person who supplies a large number of vending machines a day must release the monitoring state of a large number of vending machines one by one by an esoteric special operation. However, there is a disadvantage that the work of canceling the monitoring is very troublesome, and the work efficiency of the serviceman is reduced.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and therefore has as its object a high anti-theft effect, and a monitoring state of a vending machine can be released very easily. An object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine anti-theft system capable of improving efficiency.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a vending machine anti-theft system according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a door opening monitoring system for monitoring the opening of a door in each of a number of vending machines existing in a service person's area. A device and an alarm device for generating an alarm when the door is opened without releasing the monitoring state by the door opening monitoring device are provided, and the door opening monitoring device is transmitted from outside the vending machine. A signal receiving unit for receiving the monitoring cancellation signal, and a monitoring control unit for canceling the monitoring state when the signal receiving unit receives the monitoring cancellation signal. It is intended to be carried by a man.
[0011]
In this configuration, during the monitoring operation, the alarm device operates only by opening the door regardless of unlocking / locking of the door key of the vending machine, so that the anti-theft effect is high. In addition, the serviceman can release the monitoring state by the door opening monitoring device simply by operating the portable transmitter and transmitting the monitoring release signal, which makes the monitoring release operation extremely easy and improves the service efficiency of the serviceman. Can be improved.
[0012]
In this case, as in claim 2, the portable transmitter transmits the identification code when transmitting the monitoring release signal, and the monitoring control unit of the door opening monitoring device receives the signal at the signal receiving unit. It is preferable that the identification code of the portable transmitter is compared with a registered identification code, and when they do not match, the monitoring state is not released even if the monitoring release signal is received. By doing so, even if a signal similar to the monitoring release signal is transmitted from an unauthorized transmitter, it is possible to distinguish between an incorrect monitoring release signal and a genuine monitoring release signal based on the identification code, and Cancellation of monitoring can be prevented beforehand, and the anti-theft effect can be further enhanced.
[0013]
Further, as in claim 3, when changing the registration identification code, the portable transmitter sends a registration identification code change signal together with its own identification code, and the monitoring control unit of the door opening monitoring device, When the identification code received by the signal receiving unit matches the registration identification code, if the registration identification code change signal is received, the registration identification code stored in the memory of the monitoring control unit is deleted and a new identification code is deleted. In a state of waiting for reception of a code, in this state, when an identification code transmitted from a new portable transmitter is received by the signal receiving unit, the received identification code is stored in the memory as a registered identification code. Is also good. In this way, when changing (exchanging) the portable transmitter to be used, the registration identification code of the door opening monitoring device can be easily changed to the identification code of the next portable transmitter to be used, and The identification code can be fixed to only one, and the effects of reducing the cost of the portable transmitter and preventing unauthorized use can be obtained. Moreover, even if a signal similar to the registration identification code change signal is transmitted from an unauthorized transmitter, the identification code can be used to distinguish an incorrect registration identification code change signal or a legitimate registration identification code change signal, It is possible to prevent unauthorized change of the registration identification code.
[0014]
In this case, when the door opening monitoring device is shipped, the registration identification code is not stored in the memory when the door opening monitoring device is shipped, and thereafter, the identification code transmitted from the portable transmitter is received by the signal reception device. It is preferable that the received identification code is stored in the memory as a registered identification code when the information is received by the unit. In this way, the identification code can be easily newly registered in the door opening monitoring devices of many vending machines with only one portable transmitter.
[0015]
Further, the same identification code is registered in the door opening monitoring devices of a number of vending machines existing in the service person's area, and a number of vending machines can be registered by one portable transmitter. It is good to be able to operate the door opening monitoring device. In this way, the serviceman can release all the monitoring states of many vending machines with one portable transmitter, and the serviceman's work efficiency can be further improved.
[0016]
However, the present invention is not limited to the case where one portable transmitter is compatible with all vending machines. For example, by changing the identification code for each vending machine model, the same type of vending machine can be used. On the other hand, one portable transmitter may be used, or the identification code may be changed for each region, and one portable transmitter may be used for a vending machine in the same region. In short, a lot of vending machines existing in the service person's area are divided into a plurality of groups, the identification code is changed for each group, and one portable transmitter is used for the vending machines in the same group. You may do it.
[0017]
An alarm time change registration signal for registering an alarm time of the alarm device in a memory of a monitoring control unit of the door opening monitoring device and changing and setting the alarm time in the portable transmitter as in claim 6. And when the signal reception unit of the door opening monitoring device receives the alarm time change registration signal, the alarm time registered in the memory of the monitoring control unit of the door opening monitoring device is changed. You may do it. By doing so, the alarm time of the alarm device can also be changed by the portable transmitter.
[0018]
In addition, as a power source for the door opening monitoring device and the alarm device, a backup power source is provided in addition to a normal power source supplied from a commercial power source via a power cord, and the normal power source is shut off. At this time, it is preferable that the backup power supply supplies power to the door opening monitoring device and the alarm device. In this way, even if the normal power supply is cut off due to a commercial power failure or a cut off of the power cord, the backup power supply can continue the monitoring state and generate an alarm, further improving the anti-theft effect. it can.
[0019]
Further, it is preferable to provide a security notifying means for notifying the monitoring operation by the door opening monitoring device on the front surface of the vending machine. In this way, a malicious person can be notified that the vending machine has a strict crime prevention function, so that an effect of preventing crime against the vending machine can be expected.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the anti-theft system of the vending machine 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0021]
On the front of the vending machine 11 (front of the door), a display shelf 42 for displaying a product sample 41, a product selection button 43 for selecting a product, a cash slot 44 for inserting money, and a product outlet for taking out purchased products. 45 and the like are provided. Inside the vending machine 11, a door opening monitoring device 12 and an alarm device 13 such as an alarm buzzer are attached. The alarm device 13 generates a loud alarm of about 120 dB when the door of the vending machine 11 is illegally opened.
[0022]
The door opening monitoring device 12 and the alarm device 13 may be assembled in the vending machine 11 in the manufacturing process of the vending machine 11, or may be retrofitted to the existing vending machine 11. On the front surface of the vending machine 11 (for example, on the display shelf 42), a security alarm lamp 14 (security alarm means) for notifying the monitoring operation by the door opening monitoring device 12 is provided. If the vending machine 11 is provided with a digital display 46 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying the amount of money to be inserted, the digital display 46 displays "monitoring security" when the amount of money to be inserted is not displayed. A security notification may be displayed (in this case, the security notification lamp 14 may not be provided).
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, a power supply circuit unit 18 of the door opening monitoring device 12 is provided with a backup power supply 17 in addition to a normal power supply 16 supplied from a commercial power supply (AC 100 V) via a power cord 15. When the power supply 16 is cut off, power is supplied from the backup power supply 17 to the door opening monitoring device 12 and the alarm device 13. In this case, as the backup power supply 17, a rechargeable secondary battery or a primary battery such as a dry battery is used. When a rechargeable secondary battery is used, it is preferable that the secondary battery is regularly charged by the normal power supply 16.
[0024]
The door opening monitoring device 12 is provided with a signal receiving unit 19 to which a power supply voltage is supplied from a power supply circuit unit 18, a monitoring control unit 20, and a door switch 21. The signal receiving unit 19 is a circuit that receives a monitoring setting signal, a monitoring release signal, a registration identification code change signal, and an alarm time change registration signal transmitted from a portable transmitter 30 described later. Is provided with an identification code unique to the portable transmitter 30.
[0025]
The monitoring control unit 20 reads the signal with the identification code received by the signal receiving unit 19, compares the received identification code with the registered identification code stored in the memory 22, and determines whether the two match. It is determined whether the signal is a genuine signal. If the signal is not a genuine signal, the alarm device 13 is operated to generate an alarm. When receiving the monitoring setting signal with the genuine identification code, the monitoring control unit 20 starts the monitoring operation and blinks (or lights) the crime prevention notification lamp 14. When a monitoring release signal with a genuine identification code is received, the monitoring is released and the security alarm lamp 14 is turned off.
[0026]
Further, when receiving the registered identification code change signal with the authentic identification code, the monitoring control unit 20 deletes the registered identification code stored in the memory 22 and waits for reception of a new identification code. In this state, when the identification code transmitted from the new portable transmitter 30 is received by the signal receiver 19, the received identification code is stored in the memory 22 as a registered identification code. In this case, when the door opening monitoring device 12 is shipped, it is shipped in a state where the registered identification code is not stored in the memory 22, and thereafter, when the identification code transmitted from the portable transmitter 30 is received by the signal receiving unit 19, The received identification code is stored in the memory 22 as a registered identification code. In the manufacturing process of the door opening monitoring device 12, the registered identification code may be stored in the memory 22 (even in this case, the registered identification code can be changed by the above registered identification code change signal).
[0027]
When receiving the alarm time change registration signal with the genuine identification code, the monitoring control unit 20 changes the alarm time registered in the memory 22 (time at which the alarm of the alarm device 13 is issued).
[0028]
On the other hand, the door switch 21 is composed of, for example, a magnet type sensor, an infrared sensor, an optical sensor, a micro switch, and the like. When the door of the vending machine 11 is opened, the door switch 21 operates and the door open detection signal [ON] Signal (H signal) or off signal (L signal)]. When a door open detection signal is input from the door switch 21 during the monitoring operation, the monitoring control unit 20 activates the alarm device 13 to generate an alarm. In this configuration, during the monitoring operation, the alarm device 13 is activated only by opening the door irrespective of unlocking / locking of the door key of the vending machine 11, so that the anti-theft effect is high.
[0029]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, a monitor setting switch 31, a monitor release switch 32, a registration identification code change switch 33, an alarm time change switch 34, a power switch 35, a power display lamp 39, etc. Is provided. It should be noted that a digital display unit such as a liquid crystal display unit for displaying an operation status or the like may be provided instead of the power supply display lamp 39.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 4, inside the portable transmitter 30, a power source 36 composed of a rechargeable secondary battery or a primary battery such as a dry battery, a transmission controller 37 and a signal transmitter 38 operated by the power source 36 are provided. Is provided. When an operation signal of any one of the switches 31 to 34 is input, the transmission control unit 37 drives the signal transmission unit 38 in response to the operation signal, and sets a monitoring setting signal, a monitoring cancellation signal, a registration identification code change signal, Sends one of the alarm time change registration signals. Each signal is prefixed with an identification code unique to the portable transmitter 30.
[0031]
Next, processing contents of the monitoring control program of FIGS. 5 and 6 executed by the monitoring control unit 20 of the door opening monitoring device 12 will be described. When the program is started, first, in step 101, the process waits until a signal with an identification code is received. When the signal with the identification code is received, the process proceeds to step 102, where the registered identification code is stored in the memory 22. It is determined whether or not the identification code has been registered (if the identification code has been registered). If the identification code has not been registered, the process proceeds to step 103, where the received identification code is stored in the memory 22 as the registered identification code (identification code). New registration).
[0032]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 102 that the identification code has been registered, the process proceeds to step 104, where the received identification code is compared with the registered identification code stored in the memory 22 to determine whether the two match. If not, the process proceeds to step 105, where the alarm device 13 is operated to generate an alarm. By doing so, even if a signal similar to the monitoring release signal is transmitted from the unauthorized transmitter, the unauthorized monitoring can be prevented from being released by the identification code beforehand, and the antitheft effect can be enhanced.
[0033]
On the other hand, if the received identification code matches the registered identification code, the process proceeds to step 106, where it is determined whether or not the received signal is a monitor setting signal. Then, the monitoring operation is started, and the security alarm lamp 14 is blinked (step 108).
[0034]
If the signal is not the monitoring setting signal, the process proceeds to step 109, where it is determined whether or not the received signal is the monitoring canceling signal. If the signal is the monitoring canceling signal, the process proceeds to step 110 to cancel the monitoring, and the crime prevention lamp 14 Is turned off (step 111).
[0035]
If the signal is not a monitoring release signal, the process proceeds to step 112 in FIG. 6 to determine whether the received signal is a registered identification code change signal. The stored registered identification code is deleted, and the process waits until a new identification code is received (step 114). When a new identification code transmitted from another portable transmitter 30 is received, the process proceeds to step 115. Then, the received identification code is stored in the memory 22 as a registered identification code (change registration of the identification code).
[0036]
If it is not the registration identification code change signal, the process proceeds to step 116, where it is determined whether or not the received signal is the alarm time change registration signal. The alarm time (time when the alarm of the alarm device 13 is issued) is changed.
[0037]
The vending machine anti-theft system of the present embodiment described above is used, for example, as follows. A door opening monitoring device 12 and an alarm device 13 are attached to a large number of vending machines 11 existing in a service person's area in charge of supplying a product to the vending machine 11. The service technician newly registers (or changes and registers) the same identification code in the door opening monitoring devices 12 of a number of vending machines 11 existing in his / her area of responsibility and registers his / her own with one portable transmitter 30. The operation of the door opening monitoring devices 12 of a number of vending machines 11 in the assigned area is enabled.
[0038]
In this way, the serviceman can release all the monitoring states of many vending machines 11 with one portable transmitter 30, and the service efficiency of the serviceman can be improved.
[0039]
However, the present invention is not limited to the case where one portable transmitter is compatible with all vending machines. For example, by changing the identification code for each vending machine model, the same type of vending machine can be used. On the other hand, one portable transmitter may be used, or the identification code may be changed for each region, and one portable transmitter may be used for a vending machine in the same region. In short, a lot of vending machines existing in the service person's area are divided into a plurality of groups, the identification code is changed for each group, and one portable transmitter is used for the vending machines in the same group. You may do it.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, since the monitoring operation is started by transmitting the monitoring setting signal from the portable transmitter 30, if the closing of the door of the vending machine 11 is incomplete, the portable transmitter 30 is incomplete. When the monitoring setting signal is transmitted from the controller to start the monitoring operation, the alarm device 13 is activated immediately. Thus, there is an advantage that the door can be closed again by notifying the serviceman that the closing state of the door is incomplete.
[0041]
However, according to the present invention, the monitoring operation may be automatically started after the door of the vending machine 11 is locked. In this case, the serviceman does not need to set the monitoring, and the serviceman does not need to perform the monitoring. There is an advantage that the setting is not forgotten, and the monitoring operation can be reliably started after the door of the vending machine 11 is locked.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, the alarm time can be changed by the portable transmitter 30. However, the alarm time can be changed by operating the operation unit provided in the vending machine 11, and other functions are deleted. Alternatively, the switch configuration of the portable transmitter 30 may be appropriately changed.
[0043]
In addition, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment. For example, the method of registering the identification code in the door opening monitoring device 12 may be changed, and the processing of each step of the monitoring control program in FIGS. It goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented with various changes, such as changing the order or deleting or adding some functions.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a door opening monitoring device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a portable transmitter. FIG. 4 is a front view of the portable transmitter. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a monitoring control program (part 1).
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a monitoring control program (part 2);
[Explanation of symbols]
11 vending machine, 12 door open monitoring device, 13 alarm device, 14 security alarm lamp (security alarm means), 15 power cord, 16 normal power supply, 17 backup power supply, 18 power supply circuit section, 19: signal receiving unit, 20: monitoring control unit, 21: door switch, 22: memory, 30: portable transmitter, 31: monitoring setting switch, 32: monitoring canceling switch, 33: registration identification code change switch, 34: alarm Time change switch, 35 power switch, 36 power supply, 37 transmission control unit, 38 signal transmission unit, 39 power switch.

Claims (8)

In a system that prevents theft of products and sales proceeds from a large number of vending machines that exist in the service person's area that supplies service to vending machines,
Each vending machine is provided with a door opening monitoring device that monitors the opening of the door, and an alarm device that generates an alarm when the door is opened without canceling the monitoring state by the door opening monitoring device. A signal receiving unit for receiving a monitoring release signal transmitted from outside the vending machine to the door opening monitoring device; and a monitoring control for releasing a monitoring state when the signal receiving unit receives the monitoring release signal. And a serviceman carrying a portable transmitter for transmitting the monitoring release signal to a vending machine. The mobile transmitter transmits an identification code when transmitting the monitoring cancellation signal,
The monitoring control unit of the door opening monitoring device compares the identification code of the portable transmitter received by the signal receiving unit with a registered identification code, and when both do not match, the monitoring state is received even if the monitoring cancellation signal is received. The anti-theft system for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the system is not released. When changing the registration identification code, the portable transmitter, together with its own identification code, transmits a registration identification code change signal,
When the identification code received by the signal reception unit matches the registration identification code, the monitoring control unit of the door opening monitoring device receives the registration identification code change signal, and is stored in the memory of the monitoring control unit. In this state, the registered identification code is erased and the reception of a new identification code is awaited. In this state, when the identification code transmitted from the new portable transmitter is received by the signal receiving unit, the received identification code is deleted. The anti-theft system for a vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the system stores the registration identification code in the memory. When the door opening monitoring device is shipped, the device is shipped in a state where the registered identification code is not stored in the memory, and thereafter, when the identification code transmitted from the portable transmitter is received by the signal receiving unit, the received identification code is received. The anti-theft system for a vending machine according to claim 3, wherein a code is stored in the memory as a registration identification code. The same identification code is registered for the door opening monitoring devices of many vending machines in the service person's area, so that one portable transmitter can operate the door opening monitoring devices of many vending machines. The anti-theft system for a vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The alarm time of the alarm device is registered in the memory of the monitoring control unit of the door opening monitoring device,
The portable transmitter has a function of transmitting an alarm time change registration signal for changing and setting the alarm time,
The monitoring control unit of the door opening monitoring device, when the signal receiving unit receives the alarm time change registration signal, changes the alarm time registered in the memory of the monitoring control unit of the door opening monitoring device. The anti-theft system for a vending machine according to claim 1. As a power supply for the door opening monitoring device and the alarm device, a backup power supply is provided in addition to a normal power supply supplied from a commercial power supply via a power cord, and when the normal power supply is cut off, the backup power supply The anti-theft system for a vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein power is supplied to a door opening monitoring device and the alarm device. 7. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a security notifying unit for notifying a monitoring operation by the door opening monitoring device on a front surface of the vending machine. system.

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