JP2008027333A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic vending machine in which sales data can be confirmed by an operation from the outside without opening a front door. <P>SOLUTION: By operating the existing operating means operable from the outside of the vending machine, for example, an article selection button 4 and a return lever 7 in a preset operation procedure for mode switching, a control mode of the automatic vending machine is switched from a normal sales mode to a sales data display mode, the article selection button 4 is pressed down in the sales data display mode to thereby display the number of sold articles within a predetermined period in each article on an amount indicator 8 so that the sales data can be confirmed without opening the front door. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

    The present invention relates to a vending machine, and more particularly to a technique that enables sales data to be confirmed without opening a front door of the vending machine.

  With conventional vending machines, the administrator can check the sales data (sales information) such as the number of products sold and the sales amount, after opening the front door, read the sales data on a mobile device or use a recording medium. Thus, it is necessary to read the sales data and confirm the read sales data on a display of a portable terminal or a personal computer.

In addition, as a technology related to vending machines, it is possible to check the lighting of fluorescent lamps by operating from the outside of the vending machine without opening the front door using operating means such as a return lever used in normal sales. What can be performed is conventionally known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP-A-8-138128

  However, as in the case of the above-mentioned conventional vending machines, the front door must be opened each time to confirm the sales data, the administrator confirms the number of units sold in order to determine the necessity of product replenishment. Even if you want to simply collect information, such as checking sales trends, it was necessary to open the front door one by one, which was very time consuming.

  An object of this invention is to provide the vending machine which can confirm sales data by operation from the outside, without opening a front door.

  The vending machine according to the present invention is capable of displaying from the outside of the vending machine so that the number sold for each product can be confirmed from the outside of the vending machine, and the sales unit for each product can be displayed by the display means. A sales number counting means for counting the number of sold products for each product sold within a predetermined period, and a memory for storing the number sold for each product counted by the sold number counting means. An operation procedure determining means for determining that the operation means is operated in accordance with a preset mode switching operation procedure, and an operation means in a mode switching operation procedure preset by the operation procedure determining means. When it is determined that the operation has been performed, the mode switching means for switching the vending machine control from the sales mode to the sales data display mode that enables the display unit to display the number of sales for each product. Characterized in that it obtain.

  This vending machine switches from the normal sales mode to the sales data display mode when the operating means is operated according to the preset mode switching operation procedure, and the administrator does not have to open the front door each time. The number of sold items can be confirmed by the above operation, and the operation of confirming the sales data becomes easy. The vending machine can also display the number of items sold for each product by operating the operating means in order for the customer to know the best-selling product.

  The vending machine reads out the sales quantity for each product from the storage means by operating the operation means in the sales data display mode, outputs the read sales quantity to the display means, and displays the read sales means on the display means; It can comprise.

  With this configuration, the sales quantity for each product can be easily confirmed from the outside by operating the operation means in the sales data display mode.

  In this vending machine, operation means that can be operated from the outside of the vending machine so that the number of sold items for each product can be displayed by the display means is arranged on the front side of the vending machine operated in order to perform the sales operation in the normal sales mode. Display provided on the front of the vending machine that displays information related to the sales operation at the time of product sales, such as an amount display unit that displays the amount of money that has been displayed, such as a display unit that displays the number sold for each product with the provided operation means It may be a means.

  In this case, it is not necessary to provide a new operation means, and it is not necessary to provide a new display means, and the number of sales for each product can be easily confirmed from the outside with a simple configuration.

  The vending machine has a return lever for returning the inserted money as an operation means operable from the outside of the vending machine so that the number sold for each product can be displayed by the display means, and an operation procedure determination means However, it may be determined that the operation of the operation means including the return lever is an operation according to a preset mode switching operation procedure.

  By using the return lever in this way, it is possible to complicate the mode switching operation procedure so that only the administrator can check the sales data, and the sales data display mode is accidentally switched. Can be prevented.

  The vending machine has a plurality of product selection buttons for selecting a product to be sold as an operation means that can be operated from the outside of the vending machine so that the sales quantity for each product can be displayed on the display means. When the product selection button is pressed in the sales data display mode, the display means reads out the sales quantity of the product corresponding to the pressed product selection button from the storage means and displays the read sales quantity. The information can be output to the means and displayed on the display means.

  In this case, by pressing the product selection button, the number of sales of the corresponding product can be displayed on the display means, and the number of sales for each product can be easily displayed with a simple operation.

  The vending machine preferably includes a sales mode return means for returning from the sales data display mode to the normal sales mode when money is inserted into the vending machine in the sales data display mode.

  By providing such sales mode return means, the vending machine switches from the sales data display mode to the normal sales mode when money is inserted into the vending machine during the sales data display mode. Therefore, even if it is forgotten to switch from the sales data display mode to the normal sales mode, the product can be sold without any problem.

  As described above, the vending machine according to the present invention can confirm the sales data by operating from the outside without opening the front door, and it becomes easy for the administrator to confirm the sales data. It becomes possible to make it easy to know the product.

  And the operation means provided on the front of the vending machine operated to perform the sales operation in the normal sales mode, and the display means provided on the front of the vending machine for displaying information at the time of product sales such as a price display means. By using it, it is not necessary to provide a new operation means or a new display means, and the number of sales for each product can be easily confirmed from the outside with a simple configuration.

  In particular, by using the return lever as an operation means, it is possible to complicate the operation procedure for mode switching so that only the administrator can check the sales data, and the sales data display mode is mistakenly entered. It is possible to prevent switching.

  Further, by configuring the display unit to display the sales quantity of the corresponding product by operating the product selection button in the sales data display mode, the sales quantity for each product can be easily displayed with a simple operation.

  In addition, when money is inserted into the vending machine in the sales data display mode, it is possible to return to the normal sales mode from the sales data display mode, so that you can forget to switch to the normal sales mode. The product can be sold without any problems.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 3 show an example of an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front view of the vending machine, FIG. 2 is a control block diagram, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart of sales data display control.

  The vending machine of this embodiment is provided with a door body 2 (front door) that can be opened and closed and locked on the front surface of the vending machine body 1. And, on the front surface of the door body 2, the product sample display unit 3 on which the sample of the product to be sold is displayed, and the position of each sample of the product on the product sample display unit 3 are displayed and pressed. The product selection button 4 that can select the corresponding product by doing, the coin insertion slot 5 and the bill insertion slot 6 that are money insertion sections for inserting money as a price, and the return of the inserted money or change of change A return lever 7 for the purchase, an amount indicator 8 (amount display means) that is a display means for displaying information related to the sales operation such as the amount of money inserted and the price of the selected product at the time of selling the product. A merchandise payout exit 9 through which merchandise is paid out and a change payout outlet 10 through which change is paid out are provided. Each product selection button 4 has a built-in lamp that is lit in each mode when it can be purchased and sold out.

  This vending machine uses a merchandise selection button 4 and a return lever 7 that can be operated from the outside of the vending machine, and these vending machines can display the sales quantity for each merchandise by display means (amount display 8). As an operation means that can be operated from the outside, the operation mode is switched from the normal sales mode to the sales data display mode by operating according to a preset operation procedure for mode switching, and the product selection button 4 is pressed in the sales data display mode. In this way, the sales amount for each product is displayed on the price display 8 so that the number sold can be confirmed from the outside. The vending machine main body 1 has a control unit for controlling the vending machine that controls the operation of the vending machine. 11. Counting means 12 (sales number counting means) for counting the number of products sold (cumulative sales number) for each product sold within a preset counting period (predetermined period), sales Stores the preset operation procedure of the merchandise selection button 4 and the return lever 7 for switching from the mode to the sales data display mode, and stores each merchandise counted by the counting means 12 within the preset period. A control device including a memory 13 or the like that is a storage unit that stores the sales quantity in association with each product is provided.

  The preset counting period (predetermined period for counting the number of units sold) is, for example, after the vending machine administrator opens and closes the door body 2 to perform vending machine maintenance and product replenishment work. The period until the door 2 is opened. In that case, when the door 2 is opened and closed, the control unit 11 resets the cumulative sales number in the memory 13 based on the detection signal of the door open / close detection sensor 14, and then the door 2 is opened for a predetermined period. The cumulative sales quantity of each product can be counted.

  In this case, when the manager unlocks the door body 2 of the vending machine and opens the door body 2 for maintenance or product replenishment, the door opening / closing detection sensor 14 detects the opening of the door body 2, and the memory 13 The cumulative sales quantity for each product is transferred to another recording medium. When the maintenance and product replenishment operations are completed and the door 2 is closed and locked again, the cumulative sales number in the memory 13 is reset, and the number of products sold from the moment the door 2 is closed and locked. Counting starts. It should be noted that the deletion of the cumulative sales quantity data in the memory 13 and the movement of the cumulative sales quantity data may be performed together when the door body 2 is opened, or may be performed together when the door body 2 is closed and locked. .

  As a setting method of the predetermined period for counting the number of sold items, it is also possible to use a specification arbitrarily set by the administrator, or to divide the period by one month or one week by a timer set in the vending machine. It is good as a method.

  The data on the cumulative sales quantity in the memory 13 is preferably backed up, for example, transmitted to the portable terminal or stored in a portable storage medium before the previous data is reset. In addition, each time a product is sold, the sales date and time is also stored in the memory 13, and the memory 13 is not reset, and the door 2 is opened and closed until the next time the door 2 is opened and closed. By extracting the period from the data stored in the memory 13, the number of units sold during that period may be displayed.

  Further, inside the vending machine main body 1, a door opening / closing detection sensor 14 which is a door body opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of the door body 2 is provided, and a money identification machine 15 (for identifying the inserted money) ( A speaker 16 is provided as a notification means for generating sound such as bill validator (BV) and coin mech (CM)), guidance and buzzer sound (speaker 16 may be replaced by a buzzer or the like). And the goods selection button 4, the return lever 7, the money amount indicator 8, the counting means 12, the memory 13, the money identification machine 15, and the door body opening / closing detection sensor 14 corresponding to each of the goods sold. The speakers 16 are connected to the control unit 11, respectively.

  This vending machine is inserted by the money discriminator 15 when money is put in from the coin slot 5 or the bill slot 6 of the vending machine while the product is on sale standby (sales mode). The amount of money is identified, and the lamp of the product selection button 4 corresponding to the product that can be selected by the amount of money that has been input is turned on. When the product is selected by the customer pressing the product selection button 4, the control unit 11 reads the price set for the product corresponding to the pressed product selection button 4 from the memory 13 and displays the amount. The display means 8 controls the dispensing means (not shown) so as to dispense and sell the selected product, and the counting means 12 counts the number of sold products, The cumulative sales quantity for a predetermined period is stored in the memory 13 in association with the sold products.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the vending machine is in the sales mode (YES in step S1), and has an operation procedure for mode switching (for example, merchandise that is preset and stored in the memory 13). When the product selection button 4, the return lever 7, etc. are operated by combining the selection button 4 and the return lever 7, or by pressing the product several times or pressing down for a predetermined time, etc., the control unit 11 performs the operation stored in the memory 13. If it matches with the stored operation procedure (YES in step S2), the vending machine control mode is switched from the normal sales mode to the sales data display mode (step S3). The control unit 11 constitutes an operation procedure determining unit that determines that the product selection button 4 and the return lever 7 which are operation units are operated according to a preset mode switching operation procedure. A mode switching means for switching the vending machine control from the sales mode to the sales data display mode when it is determined that the operating means has been operated in accordance with a mode switching operation procedure preset by the means.

  Further, the control unit 11 emits a sound from the speaker 16 notifying that the mode has been switched from the sales mode to the sales data display mode, and displays on the money amount display 8 notifying that the mode has been switched.

  Then, after switching to the sales data display mode, when any one of the plurality of product selection buttons 4 is pressed (YES in step S4), the control unit 11 corresponds to the pressed product selection button 4. The cumulative number of products sold is read from the memory 13 and displayed on the price display 8 (step S5). The control unit 11 constitutes a readout display means for reading the sales quantity for each product from the storage means by operating the operating means in the sales data display mode, outputting the read sales quantity to the display means, and causing the display means to display it. .

  Then, a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds) has not elapsed since the merchandise selection button 4 was pressed during the sales data display mode (NO in step S6), and money has entered the coin slot 5 and the banknote slot 6. If the product selection button 4 is not pressed (NO in step S7) and another product selection button 4 is subsequently pressed (YES in step S4), the control unit 11 corresponds to the newly pressed product selection button 4 each time. The cumulative number of products sold is read from the memory 13 and displayed on the price display 8 (step S5).

  If a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds) elapses without the product selection button 4 being pressed during the sales data display mode (YES in step S6), the control unit 11 ends the sales data display mode, The sales mode is restored (step S8), and the vending machine is put on sale. Further, when it is detected that money has been inserted into the coin slot 5 or the bill slot 6 during the sales data display mode, the control unit 11 ends the sales data display mode and returns to the sales mode ( In step S8), the lamp of the product selection button 4 corresponding to the product that can be selected with the inserted amount of money is turned on. When the customer selects the product by pressing the product selection button 4, the control unit 11 throws out the selected product and counts the number of sold products by the counting means 12. The accumulated sales quantity of the sold products within a predetermined period is stored in the memory 13 in association with the sold products. The control unit 11 constitutes sales mode return means for returning from the sales data display mode to the normal sales mode when money is inserted into the vending machine in the sales data display mode.

  Thus, sales data can be confirmed by an external operation without opening the door body 2 on the front surface of the vending machine. Therefore, the administrator can confirm the number of sold items by operating from the outside without opening the front door one by one, and the operation of confirming the sales data becomes easy.

  The mode switching operation procedure that is set in advance and stored in the memory 13 is, for example, an operation procedure in which the return lever 7 is operated for 5 seconds after the product selection button 4 at the top left is pressed once. Next, an example of sales data display will be described.

  In this example, if the administrator of the vending machine presses the product selection button 4 at the top left in front of the vending machine once and immediately continues to operate the return lever 7 for 5 seconds, the vending machine sells. The sales mode is switched from the standby sales mode to the sales data display mode in which the cumulative sales quantity can be displayed. At this time, a sound informing that the mode has been switched flows from the speaker 16 built in the vending machine, and “figure mode” is displayed on the money amount display 8. After confirming that the sales data display mode has been switched from the voice or display, the administrator presses the product selection button 4 corresponding to the product for which the cumulative sales quantity is to be confirmed, for example, the product selection button at the bottom left To do. Then, the cumulative sales number of products corresponding to the product selection button 4 is read from the memory 13, and the cumulative sales number of products corresponding to the pressed product selection button 4 is displayed on the amount display 8. When a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds) elapses after the administrator confirms the cumulative sales quantity, the manager automatically returns from the sales data display mode to the sales mode and stands by for sales. In addition, after the administrator confirms the cumulative sales quantity, if the customer inserts money from the coin slot 5 or the banknote slot 6 until a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds) elapses, the vending machine Upon detecting the insertion of money, the sales data display mode is immediately restored to the sales mode, and the product is sold.

  In the above embodiment, the sales data display mode is switched by a predetermined operation such as the product selection button 4 or the return lever 7, but a general customer such as the cumulative number of sales sees it. If there is only no problem, a separate switch button for switching to the sales data display mode is provided on the front surface of the vending machine main body 1, and an arbitrary product selection button 4 is pressed after the switch button is pressed. Thus, the accumulated sales number of the products corresponding to the pressed product selection button 4 within a predetermined period may be displayed on the money amount display 8. In this case, the sales data display mode is switched by pressing the switch button, and then the data corresponding to the pressed product selection button 4 is displayed on the money amount display 8 by pressing the product selection button 4. .

  In addition to the cumulative sales volume of each product within the predetermined period, the sales data displayed by the predetermined operation includes the sales amount within the predetermined period calculated from the cumulative sales volume and the price set for each product, The sales order calculated from the number may be used.

  In the above embodiment, sales data such as the number of units sold is displayed on the money amount display 8. However, the door 2 is used for electronic money transactions by a vending machine using electronic money. When a display device different from the money amount display 8 such as a transaction information display is provided, the sales data may be displayed on the display device for electronic money.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the mode change is notified by voice from the speaker 16 and also by the display by the money amount indicator 8. The means for notifying that the mode has changed is the amount indicator. Only the display by the display means such as 8 or the sound by the speaker 16 may be used.

  The present invention can be implemented in various other modes. In addition, the present invention performs switching operation other than the intended use by operating in accordance with a preset operation procedure using the existing operation means on the front surface of the door body 2, and specifically, For example, as in the above embodiment, the control mode is switched to the sales data display mode by a predetermined operation of the product selection button 4 or the return lever 7 provided on the door body 2 on the front surface of the vending machine main body 1, and accumulation of a predetermined period is performed. In addition to displaying the number of units sold, the existing operation means on the front of the door can be used in addition to the corresponding setting between the product price and the product selection button, and the correspondence between the product storage column and the product selection button. Switching to the setting mode of the vending machine for performing various setting operations of the vending machine such as setting is performed by a predetermined operation set in advance using a product selection button, a return lever, etc., or by wireless or infrared Etc. In a vending machine equipped with a function that unlocks the door on the front of the vending machine with a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, the door cannot be unlocked by the mobile terminal due to a failure of the mobile terminal or the vending machine. It is also conceivable to provide a mechanism for urgently unlocking the door by operating a drive source such as a motor by performing a predetermined operation using a product selection button, a return lever, or the like. Even when the door is locked with a normal key, a drive source that is driven by a predetermined operation such as a product selection button or a return lever is provided, so that even if the key is lost, the door can be It is possible to unlock.

It is a front view of the vending machine of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a control block diagram of the vending machine of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the sales data display control of the vending machine of the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine main body 2 Door body 3 Commodity display part 4 Commodity selection button 5 Coin insertion slot 6 Bill insertion slot 7 Return lever 8 Amount indicator 9 Commodity outlet 10 Change payment outlet 11 Control part 12 Counting means 13 Memory 14 Door opening / closing Detection sensor 15 Money identification machine (BV, CM)
16 Speaker

Claims (7)

Display means capable of displaying the number of sales for each product from outside the vending machine, and operation means operable from the outside of the sales machine to enable the display to display the number of sales for each product. And a sales number counting means for counting the sales quantity of each product sold within a predetermined period, a storage means for storing the sales quantity for each product counted by the sales quantity counting means, and the operation means. An operation procedure determining means for determining that the operation is performed according to a preset mode switching operation procedure, and the operation means is operated according to the preset mode switching operation procedure by the operation procedure determining means. Mode switching means for switching the vending machine control from the sales mode to the sales data display mode that enables display of the number of sales for each product by the display means. Vending machine, characterized in that it comprises. In the sales data display mode, read display means for reading the sales quantity for each product from the storage means by operating the operation means, outputting the read sales quantity to the display means, and displaying the read sales quantity on the display means; The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising: The operation means is an operation means provided on the front surface of the vending machine operated to perform a sales operation in the sales mode, and the display means displays information relating to the sales operation at the time of product sales. 3. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine is a display means provided on the vending machine. The operation means includes a return lever for returning the inserted money, and the operation procedure determination means is configured to operate the operation means including the return lever by an operation according to the preset mode switching operation procedure. 4. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the vending machine is determined. The operation means has a plurality of product selection buttons for selecting a product to be sold, and when the reading and display means is pressed in the sales data display mode, the product selection button that is pressed 5. The sales quantity of the product corresponding to the predetermined period is read from the storage means, the read sales quantity is output to the display means, and displayed on the display means. Vending machine. 6. The vending machine according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the display means is an amount display means for displaying an amount. 7. A sales mode return means for returning from the sales data display mode to a normal sales mode when money is inserted into the vending machine in the sales data display mode. The vending machine according to item 1.

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