JP2008108081A - Controller of automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the controller of an automatic vending machine, which is capable of controlling lighting of LEDs more attractively while dynamically lighting up the LEDs. <P>SOLUTION: The controller of the automatic vending machine includes a plurality of common signal lines LC to be successively scanned, a plurality of lamp signal lines LA and LB having levels inverted in accordance with lamp lighting information, and a control part 10 for controlling outputs to these common signal lines LC and lamp signal lines LA and LB, and has sale possible lamps A and sold out lamps B electrically interposed between the common signal lines LC and the lamp signal lines LA and LB and dynamically lights up necessary lamps out of the sale possible lamps A and the sold out lamps B. The control part 10 varies brightness of specific sale possible lamps A or sold out lamps B by varying time proportions of outputs within one cycle of common signal lines LC. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device for a vending machine, and more particularly to a method for controlling a lamp provided in the vending machine.

  A vending machine displays a plurality of product samples placed side by side on a product display shelf in a sample display room provided on the customer service surface of the outer door. A product selection button is provided. Each product selection button has a sale-ready lamp that is lit when a fee is charged and the input amount is equal to or higher than the sales price of the product, and the corresponding product is sold out (if the product cannot be sold due to a mechanical abnormality) And a sold-out lamp indicating that the lamp is also on. In addition, in some cases, the product has just been replenished and has not yet reached the proper temperature, and is provided with a preparation lamp that indicates that the temperature is being adjusted (during cooling or heating) ( For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as “LEDs”) are used as these lamps that can be sold, sold out, and in preparation. These lamps can be turned on at a certain brightness or turned off. There are three types of flashing states. In practice, the blinking state is realized by performing control to switch between the lighting state and the extinguishing state.

  Also, in recent years, as a sale-ready lamp, not only lighting in the sale-ready state described above, but also a sale-ready lamp built in a plurality of product selection buttons arranged along the product display shelf in a sale standby state, It has already been known to have a so-called illumination effect that makes a vending machine stand out by having it turn on so that it flows sequentially in the horizontal direction and draw attention.

  By the way, in an electric circuit for lighting an LED, a resistance component is usually incorporated. However, since a vending machine has a large number of product selection buttons, it is simply a ready-to-sell lamp, a sold-out lamp, and in preparation. In order to configure the lamps so that they can be turned on simultaneously, it is necessary to turn on a large number of LEDs. However, in this case, a large current flows correspondingly, and heat generation in the resistance component becomes a problem. Therefore, measure the amount of heat generated by the resistance component from the number of lamps that are lit at the same time, and take measures by determining the resistance value of the resistance component so that the amount of generated heat is less than the specified temperature. . Then, although the probability of lighting the maximum number of sellable lamps at the same time is very small, the maximum number is taken into consideration, so the brightness of the sellable lamps has to be fixed to a reduced value. . In order to cope with such a problem, there is a contrivance that does not lower the brightness of the sellable lamp in the number of lamps that are normally lit.

  As a method for controlling the LED of the product selection button of the vending machine as a method for dealing with the problem of such a conventional lighting method (referred to as static lighting), so-called dynamic lighting is disclosed in Patent Document 3 and the like. The method is adopted. That is, a plurality of common signal lines that are sequentially scanned, a plurality of lamp signal lines whose levels are inverted according to lamp lighting information, and a control unit that controls output to these common signal lines and the lamp signal lines A plurality of lamps are electrically interposed between the common signal line and the lamp signal line, and necessary ones of the plurality of lamps are turned on by the control unit.

By adopting this dynamic lighting method, it looks like it is lit to the human eye, but it is actually lit only when synchronized with the output of the common signal line, so compared with the case of static lighting Thus, the actual lamp lighting time can be shortened, the energization amount can be reduced, and the heat generation amount of the resistance component can be reduced.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-23016 JP 2002-175562 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-267888

  However, even when the product selection button lighting control is performed by the dynamic lighting, since the brightness (illuminance and luminance felt by human eyes) at the time of lighting is always constant, the lighting state, the unlighting state, and the blinking state In the control that only switches between the three types of states, the illumination effect at the time of sales standby and the lighting method of the LED during sales expansion are limited, making it difficult to draw attention.

  In addition, when there are many product selection buttons, or when LEDs are further provided for sales promotion or advertisement, even when dynamic lighting is adopted, the number of LEDs increases, and the amount of heat generated increases accordingly. It can be enormous.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and can control lighting of the LED so that it is more eye-catching while dynamically lighting the LED. Further, in this case, the vending machine can suppress the amount of heat generation. An object of the present invention is to provide a control device.

  In order to solve the above problems, a control device for a vending machine according to the present invention includes a plurality of common signal lines that are sequentially scanned, a plurality of lamp signal lines whose levels are inverted according to lamp lighting information, and these A control unit for controlling the output to the common signal line and the lamp signal line, and electrically interposing a plurality of lamps between the common signal line and the lamp signal line, the control unit, A control device for a vending machine that dynamically lights a required one of a plurality of lamps, wherein the control unit changes a time ratio of an output within one cycle of a common signal line to thereby increase brightness of the lamp. It is characterized by changing the height.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the brightness of the lamp is changed by making the selection period of some common signal lines different from the selection period of other common signal lines.
The present invention also provides a plurality of common signal lines that are sequentially scanned, a plurality of lamp signal lines whose levels are inverted according to lamp lighting information, and output signals to these common signal lines and lamp signal lines. A control unit for controlling, and a plurality of lamps provided corresponding to product selection buttons are interposed between the common signal line and the lamp signal line, and the control unit controls the plurality of lamps. A control device for a vending machine that dynamically lights necessary ones, wherein the control unit changes the brightness of the lamp by changing the time ratio of the output of the lamp signal line. .

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the brightness of the lamp is changed by changing the output ratio of the lamp signal with respect to the selection period of the common signal line when the lamp signal line is output.

With this configuration, the brightness of the lamp can be changed while the LED is dynamically lit, so that the lighting of the LED can be controlled to attract more attention.
Further, according to the present invention, the common signal line is selected at the start time and the end time for the output period within one cycle of the ramp signal line, and at least a part of the intermediate portion between the start time and the end time is selected. Is characterized in that the common signal line is deselected.

  Further, according to the present invention, the ramp signal line is set in the output state at the start time and at the end time for the selection period within one cycle of the common signal line, and at least a part of the intermediate portion between the start time and the end time. Is characterized in that the ramp signal line is in a non-output state.

  With this configuration, the common signal line is always selected (or ramped) at the start and end of the output period within one cycle of the ramp signal line (or the selection period within one cycle of the common signal line). Since the signal line is set to the output state), when the common signal line is always selected (or the ramp signal line is always output with respect to the ramp signal line output period (or common signal line selection period)). Compared to the case), the brightness of the lamp can be lowered relatively, and compared with the case where the common signal line is not selected at the start or end (or the lamp signal line is not output), the lamp It is possible to shorten the maximum duration time during which no lighting is performed (continuous non-lighting time), and as a result, it is possible to suppress flickering during lighting.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the brightness of the specific lamp in a plurality of lamps is relatively increased by reducing the brightness of other than the specific lamp.
With this configuration, while the brightness of a specific lamp can be relatively increased, the brightness other than that of the specific lamp is reduced, so that the amount of generated heat can be suppressed.

  According to the present invention, the selection period of some common signal lines is different from the selection period of other common signal lines, and the time ratio of the selection period within one cycle of the common signal line is changed. When the lamp signal line is output, by changing the output ratio of the lamp signal line relative to the selection period of the common signal line, for example, by changing the time ratio of the output of the lamp signal line, Since the brightness can be changed, the lamp can be turned on more attractively, and the illumination effect at the time of sales standby can be exhibited better.

  In addition, for the output period of the ramp signal, the common signal line is selected at the start and end, and at least a part of the intermediate portion between the start and end is in the non-selected state. The ramp signal line is output at the start and end of the common signal selection period, and at least a part of the intermediate portion between the start and end is set to the non-output state of the ramp signal line. Thus, flickering during lighting can be suppressed while changing the brightness of the lamp.

  Also, by reducing the brightness of other than the specific lamp, the brightness of the specific lamp can be relatively increased by relatively increasing the brightness of the specific lamp in a plurality of lamps. However, the calorific value can be suppressed.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of product samples 3 are arranged and displayed on a sample shelf 4 on an outer door 2 attached to the vending machine main body 1 so as to be openable and closable. Correspondingly, a product selection button 5 for selecting a product is provided side by side. Also, the outer door 2 has an insertion amount display unit 6 for displaying the amount of coins and the like inserted by the user, a coin insertion unit 9 for inserting coins, a return lever 7 for returning change and deposits, merchandise A product outlet 8 and the like are provided. Although not shown, the vending machine main body 1 is provided with a plurality of product storage passages for storing products and a product dispensing device for paying out the products in the product storage passage one by one.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, each product selection button 5 has a saleable lamp A that is turned on when a fee is charged and the amount of money is greater than the selling price of the product, and the corresponding product. And a sold-out lamp B indicating that it is sold out (lights up even when it cannot be sold due to a mechanical abnormality). As these sellable lamp A and sold-out lamp B, light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as LEDs) are used.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 10 provided in the vending machine includes a plurality of sellable lamp signal lines LA (LA1 to LA3) whose levels are inverted according to the saleable lamp lighting information. A sellable lamp control unit 10B to which a plurality of sold-out lamp signal lines LB (LB1 to LB3) whose levels are inverted according to sold-out lamp lighting information are connected; A scanning unit 10C to which common signal lines LC (LC1 to LC3) output at a predetermined cycle are connected is provided. Further, a sellable lamp A (A1 to A9) is electrically interposed between the common signal line LC and the sellable lamp signal line LA, and between the common signal line LC and the sold-out lamp signal line LB. Sold out lamps B (B1 to B9) are electrically connected to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 is configured to dynamically light a necessary one of the plurality of sellable lamps A and sold out lamps B. ing. In practice, resistance components are connected together with the sellable lamp A and the sold-out lamp B, but in FIG. 3, these resistance components are omitted and shown in a simplified manner.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, in the control unit 10 of the vending machine according to this embodiment, by changing the time ratio of the selection period within one cycle of the common signal line LC (LC1 to LC3), The brightness of the lamp is changed. Specifically, in this embodiment, the selection periods of some common signals COM3 in the three common signals COM1 to COM3 are made different from the selection periods of the other common signals COM1 and COM2, so that The brightness is changed. In this embodiment, when the common signals COM1 to 3 are in the OFF state (LOW voltage) and the sellable lamp signals 1 to 3 and the sold out lamp signals 1 to 3 are in the ON state (HIGH voltage), The case where the corresponding sellable lamp A and sold-out lamp B are lit and the common signals COM1 to 3 are in the OFF state (LOW voltage) is the selection period, and the case where the common signals COM1 to 3 are in the ON state (HIGH voltage) is the non-selection period.

  FIG. 5 shows an output method of the old method as a comparative example. In the old method, the time ratios of the selection periods in all the common signals COM1 to COM3 are the same, for example, all are 1/3 (duty about 33%). However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the time ratio of the selection period in the common signals COM1 and 2 is 5/14 (duty 36%), and the time ratio of the selection period in the common signal COM3 is 4/14 (duty). 29%).

  For example, when the sellable lamp signal line LA1 is turned on (HIGH voltage), the sellable lamps A1 and A2 connected to the common signal lines LC1 and LC2 of the common signals COM1 and 2 are connected to the line LA3 of the common signal COM3. Since the lighting time is longer than that of the connected sale possible lamp A3, the sale available lamp A3 in which these saleable lamps A1 and A2 are connected to the line LA3 of the common signal COM3 for the user of the vending machine. It seems to shine brighter than.

  By controlling in this way, it becomes possible to make a specific sellable lamp A appear brighter or darker than other sellable lamps A. For example, by switching to such control only at the time of sales standby It is also possible to perform illumination illumination so that a specific sellable lamp A is particularly noticeable. It is also possible to make the specific sellable lamp A gradually brighter or gradually darker.

  While being controlled in this way, for example, at the time of sales standby, by turning on only the sellable lamp A corresponding to newly released products and sales promotion products so that it looks bright, The sales of the product can be improved.

  In addition, the illumination effect can be achieved by adding a change in brightness, such as making it appear brighter or darker as described above, rather than simply turning on / off the sale-ready lamp A during standby. It is also possible to improve the ability to attract customers.

It is also possible to control the sold-out lamp B instead of the sellable lamp A, or to control both the sellable lamp A and the sold-out lamp B.
In addition, when the maximum number of simultaneously lit lamps has been reached, for example, as shown in the lower half of FIG. By setting the output of the off lamp B to approximately half the time ratio of the output of the sellable lamp A, it is possible to suppress the heat generation amount of the entire lamp. Also, by reducing the brightness of other than the specific lamp, the brightness of the specific lamp can be relatively increased by relatively increasing the brightness of the specific lamp in a plurality of lamps. However, the calorific value can be suppressed.

  FIG. 6 shows a signal output state according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, for the selection period of the common signal COM1 (or common signal COM2, 3) (period of the LOW voltage), the start and end times are the sale enable lamp signal 1 (or the sale enable lamp). The signals 2, 3) may be output, and at least a part of the intermediate portion between the start time and the end time may be set to the non-output state of the sellable lamp signal 1 (or the sellable lamp signals 2, 3).

  That is, in FIG. 6, compared with the case shown in FIG. 4, the lamp signal output of the sellable lamp 1 is reduced by 1/14 period per period with respect to the selection period of the common signal line COM <b> 1. The output is turned on so that the light is turned off. In addition, the lamp signal output of the sellable lamp 2 is reduced by 2/14 cycles per cycle with respect to the selection period of the common signal line COM2, but the lamps are output so that they are alternately lit with the timing of turning off the lights. Yes. In addition, the lamp signal output of the sellable lamp 3 is reduced by 2/14 cycles per cycle with respect to the selection period of the common signal line COM3. The output is as follows.

  On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows a comparative example. In this case, the lamp signal output of the sellable lamp 1 is output for the selection period of the common signal line COM1, as indicated by a virtual line. It is reduced by 1/14 period at the end, and the lamp signal output of the lamp 2 that can be sold for the selection period of the common signal line COM2 is reduced by 1/14 period at the start and end of the output. In the selection period of the common signal line COM3, the lamp signal output of the sellable lamp 3 is reduced by 1/14 period at the start and end of the output.

  Here, t1 to t3 and t1 ′ to t3 ′ in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 indicate the longest continuation time during which the sellable lamp A is not lit, and as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the common signal COM1 (or Sellable lamp when selling available lamp signal 1 (or sold available lamp signals 2, 3) is output at the start and end of the selection period (period of LOW voltage) of common signal COM2, 3) The longest continuous time t1 to t3 when A is not lit is the longest continuous time t1 ′ when the sellable lamp A is not lit when the sellable lamp signal 1 (or the sellable lamp signals 2 and 3) is not output at the start or end. It can be seen that it can be shorter than t3 ′.

  As shown in FIG. 6, for the selection period of the common signal COM1 (or common signal COM2, 3), the sales possible lamp signal 1 (or the sales possible lamp signal 2, 3) is output at the start time and at the end time. As shown in FIG. 4, at least a part of the intermediate portion between the start time and the end time makes the sale enable lamp signal 1 (or sale enable lamp signals 2 and 3) non-output state. The brightness of the sellable lamp A is relative to the selection period of the COM1 (or common signal COM2, 3) as compared to the case where the sellable lamp signal 1 (or the sellable lamp signals 2, 3) is always output. Therefore, although the brightness of the sellable lamp A is relatively dark, as shown in the comparative example of FIG. 7, the sellable lamp signal 1 (or the sellable lamp signals 2 and 3) is displayed at the start and end. Compared to the case of not outputting Thus, since the longest continuation time (continuous non-lighting time) during which the sellable lamp A does not light can be shortened, the sellable lamp A can be visually compared with the case where the output control is performed as shown in FIG. When viewed, it is possible to suppress flickering when the sellable lamp A is turned on.

It is also possible to control the sold-out lamp B instead of the sellable lamp A, or to control both the sellable lamp A and the sold-out lamp B.
In the above embodiment, the ramp signal is output at the start time and at the end time during the common signal selection period, and at least a part of the intermediate portion between the start time and the end time does not display the ramp signal. Although the case of the output state has been described, instead of the ramp signal output period, a common signal is selected at the start time and at the end time, and at least an intermediate portion between the start time and the end time is selected. Some can obtain the same operation and effect even when the common signal is not selected.

  In the case of the above embodiment, the case where the sellable lamp A and the sold-out lamp B are provided corresponding to the product selection button 5 has been described, but a lamp in preparation is further provided. Of course, the same control can be used.

  In the above case, the case of the light-emitting diodes (referred to as LEDs) of the sellable lamp A and the sold-out lamp B provided corresponding to the product selection button 5 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. This control method can be applied to all LEDs, for example, the LED of the input amount display unit 6 and the like.

1 is an overall view of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part front view of the vending machine. It is a figure which shows simply circuit structures, such as a lamp control part of the same vending machine. It is a time chart which shows the signal output of the vending machine. It is a time chart which shows the output signal of an old type vending machine. It is a time chart which shows the signal output of the vending machine which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the output signal of the vending machine as a comparative example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine main body 2 Outer door 3 Goods sample 4 Sample shelf 5 Goods selection button 6 Input amount display part 10 Control part 10A Sellable lamp control part 10B Sellout lamp control part 10C Scanning part A Sellable lamp B Soldout lamp

Claims (8)

A plurality of common signal lines that are sequentially scanned, a plurality of lamp signal lines whose levels are inverted according to lamp lighting information, and a control unit that controls output to these common signal lines and lamp signal lines are provided. A vending machine that electrically interposes a plurality of lamps between the common signal line and the lamp signal line and dynamically lights a necessary one of the plurality of lamps by the control unit. A control device,
The control unit of the vending machine, wherein the brightness of the lamp is changed by changing a selection period ratio within one cycle of the common signal line.   2. The control device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the brightness of the lamp is changed by making the selection period of some common signal lines different from the selection period of other common signal lines.   For the output period within one cycle of the ramp signal line, the common signal line is selected at the start and end, and at least a part of the intermediate portion between the start and end is not used. 3. The control device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the control device is in a selected state. A plurality of common signal lines that are sequentially scanned, a plurality of lamp signal lines whose levels are inverted according to lamp lighting information, and a control unit that controls the output signals to these common signal lines and the lamp signal lines. And a plurality of lamps provided corresponding to product selection buttons are interposed between the common signal line and the lamp signal line, and the control unit allows a necessary one of the plurality of lamps to be provided. A control device for a vending machine with dynamic lighting,
The control unit of the vending machine, wherein the brightness of the lamp is changed by changing a time ratio of the output of the lamp signal line.   5. The control device for a vending machine according to claim 4, wherein when the lamp signal line is output, the brightness of the lamp is changed by changing the output ratio of the lamp signal with respect to the selection period of the common signal line.   For the selection period within one cycle of the common signal line, the ramp signal line is set to the output state at the start and end, and at least a part of the intermediate portion between the start and end is set to the non-ramp signal line. 6. The control device for a vending machine according to claim 4, wherein the control device is in an output state.   The control device for a vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lamp is a lamp provided corresponding to a product selection button.   The vending according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein brightness of the specific lamp in a plurality of lamps is relatively increased by lowering brightness other than the specific lamp. Machine control device.

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