JP2007109202A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending machine capable of posing a threat to mischiefs with a simple construction. <P>SOLUTION: In the vending machine comprising a commodities selection button incorporating a lamp, lighting equipment, and a price display incorporating a buzzer, the machine is provided with: a detection means for detecting abnormality from outside; and a reporting means for blinking the lamp incorporated into the commodities selection button when the abnormality is detected by the detection means and poses a threat. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine provided with a crime prevention device for preventing mischief to a vending machine.

In a conventional vending machine, mischief acts to the vending machine for the purpose of theft of money or goods inside the vending machine have occurred.
In order to prevent this damage, the following crime prevention measures are taken.
For example, there is known a vending machine including a security device that transmits image data obtained by photographing the situation around the vending machine to the center device when the vending machine has an abnormal behavior from the outside (for example, a patent) Reference 1).
Also, there is known a vending machine equipped with a crime prevention device that changes the brightness of a fluorescent lamp to notify the surroundings when an abnormality occurs in the vending machine (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2000-149114 A JP 2001-143146 A

However, in the vending machine provided with the security device shown in Patent Document 1, a device for transmitting an image to the center is required, and thus there is a problem that the security device becomes large.
In addition, in the vending machine equipped with the crime prevention device shown in Patent Document 2, since it only changes the brightness of the fluorescent lamp, it may be regarded as a variation in brightness due to the life of the fluorescent lamp, and as a threat to mischief There was a problem that the power of was small.
In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine capable of threatening mischief with a simple configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, the vending machine of the present invention is a vending machine provided with a product selection pushbutton with a built-in lamp, a lighting device, a price indicator with a built-in buzzer, and the like. It is characterized by comprising detecting means for detecting, and notifying means for threatening by blinking a lamp built in the product selection push button when an abnormality is detected by the detecting means.
Further, in addition to the above configuration, the following various configurations can be achieved as specific solution means.
1) Determining means for determining an abnormal level detected by the detecting means, and a price indicator with built-in lighting device and buzzer in addition to blinking a lamp built in the product selection button based on the judgment level by the judging means And adjusting means for adjusting the threat level so as to perform notification by at least one or a combination thereof.
2) It is characterized by having a sound generating device for intimidating with a lamp and sound during external notification.
3) The external reporting in-progress lamp and sound generator are targeted for the adjusting means.
4) The detection means detects the vibration of the vending machine.

Further, human detection, heat, light, sound, inclination, radio wave, and magnetic field are used as detection means. 5) The determination means determines the threat level based on vibration time, vibration magnitude or frequency. It is characterized by.
6) The illuminating device comprises a white LED.
7) The date and time determined as abnormal by the detecting means can be stored as a history, and the history can be output.
8) It is characterized by comprising a transmission means for transmitting to the outside when the detection means determines that there is an abnormality, storing a plurality of transmission destinations, and specifying the transmission destination based on the determination result of the determination means. .

According to the present invention, in a vending machine comprising a product selection pushbutton with a built-in lamp, a lighting device, a price indicator with a built-in buzzer, and the like, the detecting means for detecting an abnormality from the outside, and the detecting means By informing the product selection push button, which is one of the most prominent lights, by providing an informing means that intimidates by blinking a lamp built in the product selection push button when an abnormality is detected, mischief acts The effect of deterring is obtained.
In addition to the product selection pushbutton, the intimidation level can be changed depending on the mischievous level by adding a notification device such as an existing lighting device, a price indicator with a built-in buzzer, an external reporting lamp, or a sound generator. The effect of deterring mischievous acts with is obtained.
Further, by storing and outputting the abnormality history, it is possible to confirm what kind of abnormality has occurred, and to obtain an effect that it is possible to take a crime prevention measure according to the abnormality.

  Furthermore, by making it possible to transmit the abnormality to the outside and specifying the transmission destination according to the detection level, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is possible to cope with the detection level.

The following description will be made with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of a vending machine 1 to which the present invention is applied.
In FIG. 4, 2 is an outer door provided on the front surface of the main body of the vending machine 1. The outer door 2 is unlocked and opened when setting or replenishing goods, and locked when performing normal sales. And closed. Reference numeral 3 denotes an electric lighting plate made of a transparent resin plate. The electric lighting plate 3 is provided on the outer door 2 so as to cover the front surface of the sample product display room 5 in which a plurality of types of sample products 4 are displayed. It is arranged. The sample product display room 5 is provided with an illumination device 6 for illuminating the sample product and the front surface. As a specific example of the illumination device 6, for example, a sample product 4 and a vending machine are provided by a fluorescent lamp or a white LED. Irradiate the front of 1. 7 is a coin slot into which a user inserts coins, and the coins inserted from the coin slot 7 are supplied to a coin mechanism inside the vending machine. Reference numeral 8 denotes an amount indicator for displaying the amount of coins to be inserted, and the amount indicator 8 has a built-in buzzer. Reference numeral 9 denotes a product selection push button. The product selection push button 9 incorporates a sale-ready lamp and a sell-out lamp, and is provided on the lighting plate 3 corresponding to each sample product 4. Reference numeral 10 denotes a return lever. The return lever 10 returns the coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 7 from the return slot 11 or returns the change obtained by subtracting the product purchase amount from the inserted coins from the return slot 11. To do. Reference numeral 12 denotes a product outlet. When the product selection push button 9 whose sale ready lamp is lit is pressed, a sample product corresponding to the product selection push button 9 is carried out to the product outlet 12. Reference numeral 13 denotes an external reporting lamp. The external reporting lamp 13 informs the surroundings as if it is being transmitted to the center device for threatening mischief such as opening the outer door 2. In this case, a character “internal notification” may be pasted around the lamp, or may be displayed using an LED display or the like. Reference numeral 14 denotes a speaker as a sound generating device, and the speaker 14 notifies the surroundings with a loud sound (such as a siren) for intimidation against mischief such as opening the outer door 2.

Next, FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the control operation of the vending machine 1.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a master control unit that controls the entire apparatus. The master control unit 101 includes a memory 101a that stores a control program, a memory 101b that stores various data such as setting data and alarm history, and a clock 101c. ing.
The master control unit 101 includes a keyboard 102 for inputting various settings such as sensor sensitivity and volume, and a history check instruction, a main body control unit 103 for driving the product carry-out device, controlling the cooling / heating device, and controlling the lighting device 6, In addition to the coin processing unit 104 that controls the coin mechanism that receives the inserted coins, a product selection push button 9 including a monetary amount display 8, a sellable lamp 9a, and a sold-out lamp 9b is connected.
On the other hand, 111 is an alarm control unit for detecting or notifying mischief, and is connected to the master control unit 101. The alarm control unit 111 includes a memory 111a that stores an alarm history. The alarm control unit 111 is connected to a vibration sensor 15 that detects vibration of the vending machine 1, a siren 13, and an external reporting lamp 14. Each device is connected to the master control unit 101 of the vending machine as one crime prevention unit A as indicated by a broken line.

The alarm control unit 111 transmits a threat level to the master control unit 101, and the master control unit 101 responds to the threat level with a buzzer for the price indicator 8, a sale enable lamp 9a for the product selection push button 9, and a lighting device. 6 etc. are controlled. On the other hand, the alarm control unit 111 controls the external reporting lamp 13 and the siren 14 according to the threat level.
The threat level is stored in the memory 111 a of the alarm control unit 111 according to the vibration time of the vibration sensor 15, and the combination of notification means for reporting by the threat level is set in each memory of the alarm control unit 111 and the master control unit 101. One example is shown in the correspondence diagram of threat levels in FIG.
Further, one or a plurality of vibration sensors 15 may be provided at appropriate locations in the vending machine.
In this configuration, in normal sales, when a coin having a price equal to or higher than the product sales price is inserted into the coin insertion slot 7 and the product selection push button 9 is pressed, the product delivery device 13 is driven to deliver the product to the product outlet 12. If there is a change, the change is returned to the return port 11 to complete the series of sales processing.

As a security measure in such a vending machine, the security operation of the present invention will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
When the vending machine is in normal operation, the vending machine 1 is vibrated by some mischief that tries to steal the money by opening the outer door, and when this is detected by the vibration sensor 15 (step) S1, Yes), the vibration time from the vibration sensor 15 is measured (step S2). The threat level is determined based on this measurement time (step S3), that is, it is determined whether or not the threat level is “weak” in step S4 (step S4). Here, since the vibration time is short, if it is determined that the threat level is “weak” (step S4, Yes), the warning level “weak” is transmitted from the alarm control unit 111 to the master control unit 101, and step S7. Proceed to In step S7, in response to a command from the master control unit 101, as shown in FIG. 3, a notification by the built-in buzzer of the price display 8 is given and the sale enable lamps 9a of the product selection push buttons 9 are flashed all at once.

On the other hand, when the vibration time is longer than the time of the threat level “weak” in step S4, if it is determined that the vibration level is not “weak” (step S4, No), it is determined whether the threat level is “medium” (step S4). S5). If it is determined that the threat level is “medium” based on the vibration time (step S5, Yes), the threat control level “medium” is transmitted from the alarm control unit 111 to the master control unit 101, and the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, in response to a command from the master control unit 101, as shown in FIG. 3, notification by a built-in buzzer of the price indicator 8, simultaneous sale blinking lamp 9a of the commodity selection push button 9, and blinking of the lighting device 6 are performed.
Next, in step S5, since the vibration time is longer than the time of the threat level “medium”, if it is determined that it is not “medium” (step S5, No), it is determined whether or not the threat level is “high” (step S5). Step S6). Here, if it is determined that the threat level is “high” based on the vibration time (step S6, Yes), the warning level “high” is transmitted from the alarm control unit 111 to the master control unit 101, and the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, as shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with a command from the master control unit 101, notification by a built-in buzzer of the price indicator 8, simultaneous flashing of the sale enable lamp 9a of the product selection pushbutton 9, and flashing of the lighting device 6 are performed. The alarm control unit 111 notifies the surroundings by flashing of the external reporting lamp 13 and a loud sound such as a siren from the speaker 14.

Therefore, mischief can be effectively prevented by changing the threat level according to the vibration time and notifying the surroundings of the vending machine, and this notification is performed for a certain period of time.
Note that the detection of mischief is based on the vibration time of the vibration sensor, but the size and the number of times may be used.In addition, a wire is stretched around the door to detect a disconnection, etc. Various detection means such as detection, detection of a human body by infrared light, detection of sound of a drill or hammer, detection of inclination of a vending machine, detection of electromagnetic waves, etc. may be detected alone or in combination.
In addition, for the external reporting lamp, if it is installed later in a vending machine that is in a communicable state such as a center device in advance, it may actually transmit mischief abnormality information to the outside, Further, when communication is not possible, it is possible to notify only by the external reporting lamp, even if transmission is not possible.

Furthermore, by storing the abnormality history, it is possible to grasp the time zone that is likely to be targeted and the intensity of mischief, even if it cannot be transmitted to the center device.
As described above, storage of an abnormality history or external notification can be considered, and an example thereof will be briefly described below.
First, an embodiment capable of storing abnormality history data and outputting the stored data will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
As shown in the configuration block diagram of FIG. 5, in this embodiment, in addition to the configuration of FIG. 1, a printer 105 for printing an abnormality history is connected to the master control unit 101, and the keyboard 102 has a display unit 102a. ing. The alarm control unit 111 includes a clock 111b. Further, the alarm control unit 111 is connected to the battery 16 so as to be driven by a power source different from the commercial power source of the vending machine. The abnormality history is stored in the memory 111a of the unit 111 or the memory 101b of the master control unit 101.

In this configuration, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, when the vending machine 1 is operating normally, vibration is given to the vending machine 1 by some mischief, and this is detected by the vibration sensor 15 (step S61, Yes), the time and level detected by the vibration sensor 15 are stored in time series in the memory 111a of the alarm control unit 111 or the memory 101b of the vending machine master control unit 101 (step S62). The abnormality history data stored in the memory in this way is displayed on the display unit of the keyboard 102 or printed out by the printer 105 (step S64) according to an instruction from the keyboard 102 (step S63).
Therefore, it is possible to easily output the abnormality history when it is desired to check at a later date, and it is possible to specify and output only the items to be output in the output order, the output period, and the threat level.

Further, by connecting the battery 16 of the security unit A to the alarm control unit 111, even when the commercial power supply on the vending machine side is cut off, the abnormality history is stored in the memory 111a on the alarm control unit 111 side. Therefore, the abnormality history data is not erased.
Furthermore, by sending the abnormality history data stored in the memory 111a of the alarm control unit 111 to the vending machine side memory at regular intervals, the alarm control unit side history can be deleted. The memory load on the alarm control unit side can be reduced.
Next, an embodiment in which this abnormality information is transmitted to the outside will be described.
As shown in the configuration block diagram of FIG. 7, in this embodiment, in addition to the configuration of FIG. 1, a communication device 106 that transmits abnormality information to the outside is connected to the master control unit 101, and the memory 101 b of the master control unit 101 is connected. , Vending machine installation location data, transmission destination data (vending machine management center, route worker, security company, etc.) and transmission contents are stored in advance, and abnormal information is abnormally transmitted by the communication device 106 It is.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, according to the threat level “weak, medium, strong” according to the vibration time of the vibration sensor 15, the transmission destination and transmission content are selected from the memory 101 b, and the communication device 106 sends each transmission destination. To be sent.
For example, if a contract is made with a security company and the threat level is “strong”, “please come immediately” as the content of transmission, the damage can be minimized.
In addition to the vibration sensor, another sensor may be attached as a sensor, and the transmission destination and transmission content may be changed according to the sensor.
In this way, when an abnormality occurs, it can be transmitted to the outside, and in an emergency, a message can be transmitted so that it can be rushed immediately, thereby preventing mischief.
In combination with the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the alarm history may be transmitted from the communication device 106 to the management center at regular intervals.

Configuration block diagram showing a control device of a vending machine of the present invention The flowchart figure which shows the processing operation of this invention Correspondence diagram of the threat level of the present invention Schematic front view of a vending machine subject to the present invention The block diagram which shows the control apparatus of the vending machine which shows the other Example of this invention. The flowchart figure which shows the processing operation in FIG. 5 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the control apparatus of the vending machine which shows the other Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine 6 Illumination device 8 Price display 9 Product selection push button 9a Sales possible lamp 13 External reporting lamp 14 Speaker 15 Vibration sensor 16 Battery 101 Master control unit 101b Memory 105 Printer 106 Communication device 111 Alarm control unit 111a Memory A Security unit

Claims (12)

In a vending machine equipped with a product selection pushbutton with a built-in lamp, an illumination device, a price indicator with a built-in buzzer, etc., when detecting an abnormality from the outside, and when detecting the abnormality by the detecting means A vending machine comprising: an informing means for threatening by blinking a lamp built in the product selection push button. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a determination unit that determines an abnormality level detected by the detection unit, and a lamp built in the product selection pushbutton is blinked based on the determination level by the determination unit, and the illumination A vending machine comprising an apparatus and an adjusting means for adjusting a threat level so as to perform notification by at least one or a combination of a monetary amount display unit incorporating a buzzer. 3. The vending machine according to claim 2, further comprising an external reporting lamp. 4. The vending machine according to claim 2, further comprising a sound generating device for threatening with sound. 5. The vending machine according to claim 4, wherein the external reporting lamp and the sound generator are targeted by the adjusting means. 6. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the detection means detects vibration of the vending machine. 6. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means detects human feeling, heat, light, sound, inclination, radio wave, and magnetic field. 7. The vending machine according to claim 6, wherein the determination means determines the threat level based on vibration time, vibration magnitude or frequency. 9. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device is made of a white LED. 10. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising history storage means for storing a date and time determined as abnormal by the detection means as a history. 11. The vending machine according to claim 10, further comprising display means for displaying an abnormality occurrence date and time stored in the history storage means. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein when the detection means determines that there is an abnormality, a plurality of transmission means for transmission to the outside and a plurality of transmission destinations are stored, and the determination result of the determination means A vending machine comprising a designation means for designating a transmission destination.

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