JP2008276502A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic vending machine equipped with a keyboard with a memory key of excellent operability. <P>SOLUTION: This automatic vending machine comprises a sales mechanism which sells an article, a control part which controls the sales mechanism, and the keyboard inputting data for each of a plurality of items for controlling the sales mechanism to the control part. The keyboard has the memory key which can selectively register the plurality of items, and a display element which is in a first display state when registering the items to the memory key and in a second display state after completion of registering the items to the memory key. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine.

  There is known a vending machine including a sales mechanism for selling products, a control unit for controlling the sales mechanism, and a keyboard for inputting data for each of a plurality of items for controlling the sales mechanism to the control unit. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). For example, the route man inputs data for each of the plurality of items in advance through a keyboard provided on the back surface of the front door of the vending machine. FIG. 10A shows a specific example of a keyboard, and FIG. 10B shows a specific example of items. In the figure, (a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of an external configuration of a keyboard of a vending machine, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a list of items. The illustration in the figure corresponds to a vending machine that cooks coffee or syrup beverages with raw materials and hot water / water and sells them as cup beverages according to, for example, the insertion of money or the pressing of a product selection button. is there. The keyboard 950 includes, for example, a display panel 951, a numeric keypad 952, an arrow key 953, a dedicated key 954, a registration key 955, a memory key 956, and the like. In the example of FIG. 10A, the numeric keypad 952 further includes a numeric key 952a, a confirmation key 952b, and the like. As an example of the key operation, when registering an item corresponding to the setting of the product selection button in the memory key 956, the rootman (1) presses the registration key 955, and (2) the memory key 956 to be registered (for example, “M −1 ”), and (3) find the items“ selection ”and“ 01 ”corresponding to“ button setting ”with reference to the list (FIG. 10B) printed on the paper, etc. Press “Select” of the dedicated key 954 and “0” and “1” of the numeric key 952a in that order, (4) press the registration key 955, and (5) press “End” of the confirmation key 952b. It is like that. As a result, the rootman can subsequently display the corresponding item on the display 951 only by pressing the “M-1” of the memory key 956 when setting the product selection button (for example, “01” button setting). "). The rootman performs a predetermined operation with the arrow key 953, the numeric key 952a, the confirmation key 952b, etc., and displays more detailed information on the display panel 951 regarding the registered item, and inputs data related to the product selection button. It has become.

  Further, the keyboard 950 described above has operation keys (for example, a numeric keypad 952, an arrow key 953, a dedicated key 954, etc.) for setting data for each of a plurality of items for controlling the sales mechanism to the control unit, and a plurality of items. And a display panel 951 for displaying the operation keys and the operation contents of the memory key 956, and the vending machine further stores items registered in the memory key 956. May have memory.

Further, the keyboard 950 described above has operation keys (for example, a numeric keypad 952, an arrow key 953, a dedicated key 954, etc.) for setting data for each of a plurality of items for controlling the sales mechanism to the control unit, and a plurality of items. And a display panel 951 for displaying the operation keys and the operation contents of the memory key 956, and the vending machine further includes a memory for storing items registered in the memory key 956. There may be.
JP-A-5-73763

  By the way, in the case of the vending machine described above, the rootman cannot know in advance whether or not this is registered when operating the memory key 956. In particular, when there are a plurality of memory keys 956 on the keyboard 950, it is difficult for the rootman to determine which of the registered memory keys 956 is. This leads to a decrease in work efficiency of the route man.

  In addition, in the case of the vending machine including the keyboard 950 having the memory key 956 capable of selectively registering a plurality of items as described above, for example, when registering in the memory key 956, for example, the already registered items are input repeatedly. There was a possibility that a wasteful work for the route man would occur. This leads to a reduction in work efficiency when registering items in the memory key 956.

  Further, in the case of the vending machine provided with the keyboard 950 having the memory key 956 capable of registering a plurality of items as described above, for example, data setting is relatively routine, and there are usually items to be set for data setting. Even when the degree is fixed, the rootman, for example, presses the arrow key 953 to move the cursor to a corresponding item among a plurality of items displayed on the display panel 951 by pressing the memory key 956. Had to operate. This leads to a reduction in work efficiency when data is set through the keyboard 950.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine including a keyboard with good operability of memory keys.

  The invention for solving the problems includes a sales mechanism for selling products, a control unit for controlling the sales mechanism, and data for each of a plurality of items for controlling the sales mechanism to the control unit. A keyboard with a memory key capable of selectively registering the plurality of items, and a first display state during registration of the items to the memory key, A display element that is in a second display state after registration of the item in the memory key is completed.

  According to this vending machine, when an item is registered in the memory key of the keyboard, the display element of the keyboard is in the second display state. For example, when operating the memory key after that, 2 It can be determined that some item is registered in the memory key in the display state. In particular, when there are a plurality of memory keys on the keyboard, the rootman can easily recognize which memory key is registered. Further, according to this vending machine, while the item is registered in the memory key of the keyboard, the display element of the keyboard is in the first display state. It is easy to grasp that the item is being registered. From the above, the operability of the memory key is improved, and thus the work efficiency of the rootman is improved.

In the vending machine, it is preferable that the memory key includes a plurality of memory keys, and the display element includes a plurality of memory keys corresponding to the memory keys.
For example, when an item is registered only in a part of a plurality of memory keys, the rootman presses only the registered memory key when the display element is in the second display state. be able to. That is, the rootman can eliminate the waste of pressing a memory key that is not registered. This leads to an improvement in the work efficiency of the route man.

In the vending machine, it is preferable that the display element is an LED, the first display state is blinking, and the second display state is lighting.
As a result, the rootman can more easily recognize the registered memory key and recognize whether or not the keyboard is registering the memory key.

The invention for solving the problems includes a sales mechanism for selling products, a first control unit for controlling the sales mechanism, and a plurality of items for controlling the sales mechanism with respect to the first control unit. A keyboard having an operation key for setting data for each, a memory key capable of selectively registering the plurality of items, and a display panel for displaying the operation key and the operation content of the memory key; and the memory key A memory that stores the item registered in the memory key, and a second control unit that displays the item already stored in the memory on the display panel when the item is registered in the memory key. It is a vending machine.
According to this vending machine, when registering a predetermined item in the memory key, the rootman can browse the item registered in the memory key and already stored in the memory on the display panel. Therefore, when registering in the memory key 956, for example, it is possible to save unnecessary work for the rootman, for example, by inputting already registered items in an overlapping manner. Therefore, the operability of the memory key is improved, and the work efficiency of the rootman is improved.

In the vending machine, it is preferable that the second control unit displays the items already stored in the memory on the display panel in response to a predetermined operation of the operation key or the memory key.
For example, the rootman can easily browse the items registered in the memory key and already stored in the memory on the display panel by the predetermined operation. That is, the operability of the memory key becomes better.

The invention for solving the problems includes a sales mechanism for selling products, a first control unit for controlling the sales mechanism, and a plurality of items for controlling the sales mechanism with respect to the first control unit. A keyboard having an operation key for setting data for each, a memory key capable of registering the plurality of items, a display panel for displaying the operation key and the operation content of the memory key, and registered in the memory key. A memory for storing the plurality of items, a plurality of counters for counting the number of times the plurality of items are read from the memory in response to an operation of reading the plurality of items registered in the memory key, and the memory When reading the plurality of items registered in the key, the plurality of items stored in the memory are read out based on the count results of the plurality of counters. A second control unit to be displayed on large the display panel on the order of a vending machine comprising comprises a.
According to this vending machine, when operating the corresponding memory key to set data for a predetermined item, the route man selects a plurality of items including the predetermined item stored in the memory. It can be viewed on the display panel in the order of the number of readings from the memory. Therefore, for example, when an item to be set for data is fixed to a certain extent, the rootman moves, for example, a cursor to a frequently used item among a plurality of items displayed on the display panel by operating a memory key. It is possible to save the trouble of operating the operation key to move the. Therefore, the operability of the memory key is good when data is set for the item for controlling the merchandise sales mechanism. This leads to an improvement in the work efficiency of the route man.

  The operability of the memory key of the vending machine keyboard is improved.

=== Common configuration of vending machines ===
A configuration example of the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an external configuration example of the keyboard 150 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a chart showing a configuration example of the setting data area 103a of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a chart showing a configuration example of the registration data area 103b of the present embodiment.

  The vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a vending machine that cooks coffee or syrup beverages with raw materials and hot water / water and sells them as cup beverages according to the input of money or the pressing of a product selection button. It shall be a machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sales mechanism 140 (FIG. 1) of the vending machine 1 may sell any product.

<<< Overall configuration >>>
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main control unit 10 and a sub control unit (coin processing control unit 11, bill processing control unit 12, customer service control unit 13, sales control unit. 14 and an input / output control unit 15). The vending machine 1 includes a coin insertion mechanism 110, a bill insertion mechanism 120, a customer service surface 130, a sales mechanism 140, and a keyboard 150, which are controlled by the slave control unit.

  The main control unit 10 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a timer 104, and a counter 105, and performs overall control of each sub control unit. Specifically, the CPU 101 operates based on a predetermined program stored in the ROM 102. The RAM 103 is provided with, for example, a setting data area 103a and a registered data area 103b, which will be described later, and the CPU 101 sets data for each item, for example, by reading and writing data to these data areas 103a and 103b. And registration of items for predetermined keys in the keyboard 150 are controlled. The timer 104 counts various times related to, for example, a product sales operation and the setting / registration operation, and the counter 105 counts various times related to a product sales operation, the setting operation, and the like.

  The coin control unit 11 and the coin insertion control unit 110 receive coins that the user inputs from a predetermined insertion port (not shown) of the vending machine 1, and return change from a return port (not shown) as necessary. . The banknote processing control unit 12 and the banknote insertion mechanism 120 receive a banknote inserted by a user from a predetermined insertion slot (not shown) of the vending machine 1, and return a bill from the insertion slot as necessary. , Change change from the return slot.

  The customer service control unit 13 detects, for example, a press on a product selection button (not shown) on the customer service surface 130 and transmits a detection signal to the main control unit 10, for example, a lamp that displays the sales status of products on the customer service surface 130 (Not shown) is turned on or off based on a control signal from the main control unit 10.

  The sales control unit 14 and the sales mechanism 140 supply the corresponding product to a product outlet (not shown) based on a control signal transmitted from the main control unit 10 when the user presses the product selection button.

  As will be described later, for example, when a predetermined key of the keyboard 150 is pressed, the input / output control unit 15 transmits the pressed signal to the main control unit 10 or, for example, transmits from the main control unit 10 in response to the pressed signal. Received data is displayed.

<<< Keyboard >>>
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the keyboard 150 of this embodiment includes a display panel 151, a numeric keypad 152, an arrow key 153, a dedicated key 154, a registration key 155, and a memory key 156. In the example shown in the figure, the numeric keypad 152 further includes a numeric key 152a and a confirmation key 152b.

  The above configuration is the same as the well-known configuration of a keyboard disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-73763. The display panel 151 is, for example, a liquid crystal display that displays items, setting data, and the like transmitted from the main control unit 10. The setting data in the present embodiment means parameters for controlling the operation of the sales mechanism 140 and the like set for each of a plurality of items. Further, the configuration of each key will be described through a specific operation example by a rootman for the convenience of the following description.

  As an example, when registering an item corresponding to the setting of the product selection button in the memory key 156, the rootman (1) presses the registration key 155 and (2) the memory key 156 to be registered (for example, “M-1”). ) (3) Press “Select” of the dedicated key 154 corresponding to the setting of the product selection button and “0” and “1” of the numeric key 152a, (4) Press the registration key 155, (5) “End” of the confirmation key 152b is pressed. As a result, the rootman can subsequently display the corresponding item on the display 151 by simply pressing “M-1” of the memory key 156 when setting the product selection button (for example, “01 ) Button settings "). For example, the rootman appropriately presses (7) the arrow key 153 to move the cursor to a corresponding item among the plurality of items displayed on the display panel 151, and (8) “set” of the confirmation key 152b. To display more detailed setting data corresponding to the corresponding item on the display panel 151. (9) Press the arrow key 153, the numeric key 152a, the confirmation key 152b, etc. as appropriate to display on the display panel 151. By selecting or changing the predetermined setting data, setting data related to the product selection button is input.

<<< Various data areas >>>
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the setting data area 103 a stored in the RAM 103 of the main control unit 10 includes a plurality of items A, B, C, D, and the like (for example, product selection buttons) for controlling the sales mechanism 140. Setting data is stored for each setting. When the main control unit 10 receives the setting data input through the keyboard 150 for the corresponding item when setting the setting data by the rootman, the main control unit 10 updates the contents of the setting data area 103a with the setting data. Yes.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, registered items are stored for each memory key 156 in the registered data area 103 b stored in the RAM 103 of the main control unit 10. The main control unit 10 causes the display panel 151 to display items associated with the memory key 156 pressed by the rootman when setting data is set in the registered data area 103b.

=== Operation of the vending machine (1) ===
An example of the operation of the vending machine 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the main control unit (control unit) 10 of the present embodiment in the registration mode.

  However, the keyboard 150 of the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment further includes an LED (display element) 157 for each memory key 156 (FIG. 2). In the example of FIG. 2, the LED 157 has a configuration that is built in the memory key 156 and exposed on the surface thereof.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the memory key 156 registration mode, the main control unit 10 determines whether any one of the memory keys 156 is pressed (S100). As described above, this registration mode is an input mode that is started when the registration key 155 is pressed by a rootman, for example. When it is determined that the memory key 156 is not pressed (S100: NO, for example, when “end” of the confirmation key 152b is pressed), the main control unit 10 ends the registration mode.

  When it is determined that the memory key 156 is pressed (S100: YES), the main control unit 10 starts blinking of the LED 157 (S101).

  The main control unit 10 determines whether an item to be registered has been input (S102). Specifically, for example, it is determined whether or not “selection” of the dedicated key 154 corresponding to the setting of the product selection button described above and “0” and “1” of the numeric key 152a are pressed. When it is determined that the item to be registered has not been input (S102: NO, for example, when “end” of the confirmation key 152b is pressed), the main control unit 10 ends the registration mode.

  When it is determined that the item to be registered is input (S102: YES), the control unit 10 determines the memory key 156 pressed in the above-described step S100: YES and the item input in the above-described step S102: YES. Correspondingly, the contents of the registered data area 103b stored in the RAM 103 are updated (S103).

  Further, the main control unit 10 switches the blinking of the LED 157 started in step S101 described above to lighting (S104).

  According to the vending machine 1 of the present embodiment, when an item is registered in the memory key 156, the LED 157 of the memory key 156 is turned on (second display state). The rootman determines that an item is registered in the memory key 156 whose LED 157 is lit, and operates the memory key 156. That is, the rootman can save at least the trouble of confirming that there is no registration by operating the memory key 156 where nothing is registered as a trial. In particular, since the keyboard 150 of the present embodiment has a plurality of memory keys 156, the rootman can easily recognize which of the registered memory keys 156 is. Further, according to the vending machine 1, while the item is registered in the memory key 156, the LED 157 of the memory key 156 is in a blinking state (first display state). It is possible to easily grasp whether the current input mode 150 is a mode for registering items in the memory key 156 or other modes. From the above, the operability of the memory key 156 is good both when using the registered memory key 156 and when registering in the memory key 156. This leads to an improvement in the work efficiency of the route man.

  In this embodiment, since the keyboard 150 includes a plurality of memory keys 156, for example, when items are registered only in some of the memory keys 156, the rootman displays the items on the display panel 151. When the setting data is set by displaying, only the registered memory key 156 can be pressed with the corresponding LED 157 lit. That is, it is possible to eliminate the waste of pressing the memory key 156 that is not registered.

  In the present embodiment, the LED 157 that is lit in step S104 described above is, for example, while the rootman returns the keyboard 150 to the back of the front door (not shown) of the vending machine 1 and closes the front door. The keyboard 150 is turned off when the power is turned off. As a specific configuration example, the vending machine 1 of the present embodiment further includes a predetermined sensor (not shown) for detecting opening and closing of the front door. For example, when the main control unit 10 determines that the front door has changed from the open state to the closed state based on a detection signal from the sensor, the main control unit 10 turns off the LED 157 through the input / output control unit 15, while detecting the detection signal from the sensor. If it is determined that the front door has changed from the closed state to the open state, the LED 157 is lit through the input / output control unit 15.

=== Operation of the vending machine (2) ===
An example of the operation of the vending machine 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the main control unit (first control unit, second control unit) 10 of the present embodiment in the registration mode.

  However, the RAM (memory) 103 of the vending machine 1 of the present embodiment further includes a registration history data area 103c (FIG. 5). FIG. 5 is a chart showing a configuration example of the registration history data area 103c of the present embodiment. As illustrated in the drawing, items registered from the past (predetermined time) to the present are stored for each memory key 156 in the registration history data area 103c.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the memory key 156 registration mode, the main control unit 10 determines whether any of the memory keys 156 has been pressed from the open state (S200). As described above, this registration mode is an input mode that is started when the registration key 155 is pressed by a rootman, for example. When it is determined that the memory key 156 has not been pressed from the open state (S200: NO, for example, when “end” of the confirmation key 152b is pressed), the main control unit 10 ends the registration mode.

  When it is determined that the memory key 156 has been pressed from the opened state (S200: YES), the main control unit 10 resets the timer 104 and then starts counting (S201). Next, the main control unit 10 determines whether or not the memory key 156 has been released from the pressed state (S202). When it is determined that the memory key 156 has been released from the pressed state within a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) to be described later from step S201 (S202: YES), the main control unit 10 performs, for example, the normal registration process described above. Is executed (S210).

  When it is determined that the memory key 156 is not released from the pressed state (S202: NO), the main control unit 10 refers to the time (T) counted by the timer 104, and T is a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds). ) Is determined (S203). When it is determined that T has not reached the predetermined time (S203: NO), the main control unit 10 executes the process of step S202 described above.

  When it is determined that T has reached the predetermined time (S203: YES), the main control unit 10 stores the item corresponding to the memory key 156 pressed in the above-described step S200: YES in the registration history data area 103c. It is determined whether or not there is (S204). When it is determined that the item corresponding to the pressed memory key 156 is not stored in the registration history data area 103c (S204: NO), the main control unit 10 executes, for example, the normal registration process described above (S210). .

  When it is determined that the item corresponding to the pressed memory key 156 is stored in the registration history data area 103c (S204: YES), the main control unit 10 displays the corresponding item (a list of items if there are multiple items). It is displayed on the panel 151 (S205).

  The main control unit 10 refers to, for example, one of a plurality of items in the registration history data area 103c (S206), and that item is operated by the rootman using the operation keys (the numeric keypad 152, the arrow key 153, and the dedicated key 154 described above). Etc.) is determined (S207). If it is determined that the referenced item is not selected (S207: NO), the main control unit 10 determines whether there is a next item among the plurality of items in the registration history data area 103c (S209).

  When it is determined that the referenced item has been selected (S207: YES), the main control unit 10 stores the corresponding data (the memory key 156 and the item associated with each other) in the registration history data area 103c in the registration data area 103b. This is updated (S208), and it is determined whether or not there is a next item among the plurality of items in the registration history data area 103c (S209).

  When it is determined that there is no next item among the plurality of items in the registration history data area 103c (S209: NO), the main control unit 10 ends the registration mode.

  When it is determined that there is the next item among the plurality of items in the registration history data area 103c (S209: YES), the main control unit 10 executes the process of step S206 described above again.

  The repetitive operation of steps S206 to S209: YES described above corresponds to the case where there are a plurality of corresponding items in the registration history data area 103c, but is not limited to this. There may be a case where the number of corresponding items in 103c is one.

  According to the vending machine 1 of the present embodiment, when a rootman registers a predetermined item in the memory key 156, the past man is registered in the memory key 156 and stored in the registration history data area 103c. Items can be viewed on the display panel 151. Therefore, for example, when only a predetermined item of a plurality of normally used items needs to be replaced and registered in the memory key 156, the rootman can register each time based on the past items displayed on the display panel 151. The trouble of inputting the predetermined item can be saved. Therefore, the operability of the memory key 156 is good when items for controlling the merchandise sales mechanism 140 are registered in advance. This leads to an improvement in the work efficiency of the route man.

  In the present embodiment, the rootman can easily browse past items on the display panel 151 by the predetermined operation in steps S200 to S203 described above (long press of the memory key 156). That is, the operability of the memory key 156 becomes better.

=== Operation of the vending machine (3) ===
An operation example of the vending machine 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the main control unit (first control unit, second control unit) 10 of the present embodiment in the setting mode, and FIG. 9 illustrates the processing procedure of the present embodiment in the display mode. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the main control unit 10.

  However, it is assumed that the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of counters 105 (FIG. 1) for a plurality of items in the setting data area 103 a stored in the RAM (memory) 103.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, in the setting data setting mode, the main control unit 10 determines that a predetermined item among the plurality of items displayed on the display panel 151 is operated by the rootman using the operation keys (the numeric keypad 152 and the arrow described above). It is determined whether or not the selection is made through the key 153, the dedicated key 154, etc. (S300). As described above, this setting mode is an input mode that is started when the memory key 156 is pressed by the rootman, for example. When it is determined that a predetermined item of the plurality of items is not selected (S300: NO, for example, when “end” of the confirmation key 152b is pressed), the main control unit 10 ends the setting mode.

  When it is determined that a predetermined item of the plurality of items is selected (S300: YES), the main control unit 10 reads out the corresponding setting data from the setting data area 103a (S301) and corresponds to the selected item. Counter 105 to be incremented by one (S302). This corresponds to the number of times the item is read from the registered data area 103b increased by one.

  Next, the main control unit 10 determines whether or not setting data has been set by the rootman through the operation key for the selected item (S303). When it is determined that the setting data is not set for the selected item (S303: NO, for example, when “end” of the confirmation key 152b is pressed), the main control unit 10 ends the setting mode.

  When it is determined that the setting data is set for the selected item (S303: YES), the main control unit 10 updates the contents of the setting data area 103a with the set setting data (S304).

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, in the item display mode that accompanies pressing of the memory key 156, the main control unit 10 determines whether any of the memory keys 156 has been pressed (S <b> 400). When it is determined that the memory key 156 is not pressed (S400: NO, for example, when “end” of the confirmation key 152b is pressed), the main control unit 10 ends the display mode.

  When it is determined that the memory key 156 has been pressed (S400: YES), the main control unit 10 determines whether or not information specifying the memory key 156 is stored in the registered data area 103b (S401). When it is determined that the memory key 156 is not stored in the registered data area 103b (S401: NO, that is, when the memory key 156 is not registered), the main control unit 10 notifies that through a buzzer or the like (not shown). The route man is notified (S406), and the display mode is terminated. It is assumed that the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a predetermined means for this notification.

  When it is determined that the memory key 156 is stored in the registered data area 103b (S401: YES, that is, when the memory key 156 is registered), the main control unit 10 is stored in the registered data area 103b. It is further determined whether or not there are a plurality of corresponding items (S402). When it is determined that there are not a plurality of corresponding items (S402: NO, that is, when there is one corresponding item), the main control unit 10 displays the item on the display panel 151 (S405).

  When it is determined that there are a plurality of corresponding items (S402: YES), the main control unit 10 refers to the count values of the counter 105 corresponding to each of these items, and has a large count value in the registered data area 103b. The item data is rearranged in order (S403), and these items are displayed on the display panel 151 in order from the top (S404).

  According to the vending machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the route man operates the corresponding memory key 156 to set the setting data for the predetermined item, the predetermined data stored in the registered data area 103b is used. A plurality of items including the item can be viewed on the display panel 151 in descending order of the number of times of reading from the registered data area 103b. Therefore, for example, when an item to be set data setting is fixed to some extent, the rootman can use the frequently used item among a plurality of items displayed on the display panel 151 by operating the memory key 156. For example, it is possible to save the trouble of operating an operation key to move the cursor. Therefore, the operability of the memory key 156 is good when setting data is set for an item for controlling the merchandise sales mechanism 140. This leads to an improvement in the work efficiency of the route man.

=== Another embodiment ===
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the keyboard 150 includes a plurality of memory keys 156, and a plurality of LEDs 157 are incorporated in each of the memory keys 156 and exposed on the surface thereof. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Is not to be done. In short, the LED 157 may have any configuration as long as it is configured so that it can be recognized that the rootman heading for the keyboard 150 has a one-to-one correspondence with each memory key 156. Further, the memory key 156 is not limited to a plurality, and may be one, for example, and the LED 157 corresponding thereto may be one.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first display state of the LED 157 is blinking and the second display state is lit, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first display state may be lit and the second display state may be blinking, or the LED 157 further includes a first display state LED (for example, red) and a second display state LED (for example, blue). It may be. In the latter case, as an example, in order for the LED 157 to indicate the first display state, the red LED is turned on while the blue LED needs to be turned off, and in order for the LED 157 to show the second display state, the red LED is turned off. On the other hand, the blue LED may be lit.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the display element is the LED 157, but is not limited to this. The display element may be, for example, a normal lamp. In short, as long as the display element is in the first display state or the second display state so that it can be visually recognized by the rootman heading for the keyboard 150 whether the corresponding memory key 156 is being registered or after registration is completed. Anything can be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the display of past items in the registration mode is executed with a long press of the corresponding memory key 156 as a trigger, but the present invention is not limited to this. Such a trigger may be given, for example, by pressing the corresponding memory key 156 twice, or may be given, for example, by a predetermined operation of the operation key of the present embodiment.

  In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of corresponding items are automatically displayed in descending order of the number of readings when the memory key 156 is pressed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, such a sort display may be executed with a long press of the memory key 156 as a trigger, while a normal display may be executed with a normal press of the memory key 156 as a trigger. Further, the sort display trigger is not limited to being given by pressing the memory key 156 for a long time, and may be given by, for example, pressing the memory key 156 twice, or, for example, in the present embodiment. It may be given by a predetermined operation of the operation keys.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the counter 105 is provided for each of a plurality of items in the setting data area 103a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of readings for each of the plurality of items in the setting data area 103a may be stored as data.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the vending machine of this Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of an external appearance structure of the keyboard of this Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the structural example of the setting data area | region of this Embodiment. It is a chart which shows the structural example of the registration data area | region of this Embodiment. It is a chart which shows the structural example of the registration history data area | region of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of the main control part of this Embodiment in registration mode. It is another flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of the main control part of this Embodiment in registration mode. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of the main control part of this Embodiment in setting mode. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of the main control part of this Embodiment in a display mode. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows the example of an external appearance structure of the keyboard of a vending machine, (b) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the list of items.

Explanation of symbols

1 vending machine, 10 main control unit, 11 coin processing control unit, 12 banknote processing control unit,
13 Customer Service Control Unit, 14 Sales Control Unit, 15 Input / Output Control Unit, 101 CPU,
102 ROM, 103 RAM, 103a Setting data area,
103b registration data area, 103c registration history data area, 104 timer,
105 counter, 110 coin insertion mechanism, 120 bill insertion mechanism,
130 Customer service, 140 Sales organization, 150 Keyboard, 151 Display panel,
152 Numeric keypad, 152a Number key, 152b Confirm key, 153 Arrow key,
154 Dedicated key, 155 Registration key, 156 Memory key, 157 LED

Claims (6)

In a vending machine comprising: a sales mechanism that sells products; a control unit that controls the sales mechanism; and a keyboard that inputs data for each of a plurality of items for controlling the sales mechanism to the control unit. ,
The keyboard is
A memory key capable of selectively registering the plurality of items;
A vending machine comprising: a display element that is in a first display state during registration of the item in the memory key, and in a second display state after registration of the item in the memory key is completed. The memory key comprises a plurality of
The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the display element includes a plurality of one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of memory keys. The display element is an LED,
The first display state is blinking;
The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second display state is lighting. A sales organization that sells products,
A first control unit for controlling the sales mechanism;
An operation key for setting data for each of a plurality of items for controlling the sales mechanism to the first control unit, a memory key capable of selectively registering the plurality of items, the operation key and the memory key A display panel for displaying the operation content of
A memory for storing the item registered in the memory key;
A second control unit for displaying the item already stored in the memory on the display panel when registering the item in the memory key;
Vending machine characterized by having 5. The automatic control according to claim 4, wherein the second control unit displays the item already stored in the memory on the display panel in response to a predetermined operation of the operation key or the memory key. Vending machine. A sales organization that sells products,
A first control unit for controlling the sales mechanism;
An operation key for setting data for each of a plurality of items for controlling the sales mechanism with respect to the first control unit, a memory key capable of registering the plurality of items, and an operation content of the operation key and the memory key A display panel for displaying
A memory for storing the plurality of items registered in the memory key;
A plurality of counters that count the number of times the plurality of items are read from the memory in response to an operation of reading the plurality of items registered in the memory key;
When reading the plurality of items registered in the memory key, the display panel displays the plurality of items stored in the memory in the descending order of the number of readings based on the count results of the plurality of counters. A control unit;
Vending machine characterized by having

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