JP2013084092A - Vending machine controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending machine controller which prevents specific products which are not allowed to be provided if their temperature exceeds a determined temperature from being sold when the specific products are actually prohibited to be sold.SOLUTION: The vending machine controller has control means 20 (60) which cancels provision prohibition of the specific products only when a cancellation command to cancel the provision prohibition is given and the remaining product quantity in a column for storing the specific products becomes zero after the specific products have been prohibited to be provided.

Description

  More specifically, the present invention relates to a control device for a vending machine, and more particularly, among a plurality of columns for storing products, at least one column for storing specific products prohibited from being provided when a predetermined temperature is exceeded. The present invention relates to a control device for a vending machine that distributes and sells products from a corresponding column when a sales instruction is given.

  Conventionally, various products such as canned beverages and packed beverages are stored in a plurality of columns, and when the purchaser presses a selection button assigned to the desired product, the corresponding product is dispensed from the column. There is known a vending machine that can be taken out from an outlet.

  In such vending machines, for example, dairy products such as dairy products that become rotted, that is, specific products that are prohibited from being provided when a predetermined temperature is exceeded (hereinafter also referred to as health code target products) Are sold, and such health code products are stored in a predetermined column.

  For vending machines that sell products subject to health code, if the temperature in the product storage room with columns for storing products subject to health code continues to exceed the preset temperature, sales will be prohibited. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP-A-3-21696

  Although not explicitly disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, when a health code target product is prohibited from sale, a release button for releasing the sale prohibition is generally provided. When the release button is pressed, a release command is given, thereby releasing the prohibition on sales of the health code target product.

  However, if the sales prohibition of the health code target product is canceled only by pressing the release button in this way, if the worker forgets to take the health code target product, the operator accidentally pressed the release button. In this case, there is a possibility that a health code target product that should originally be prohibited from sales is erroneously sold, such as when the release button is pressed due to a failure of the release button.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention controls a vending machine that prevents a specific product that is prohibited from being provided when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature from being sold when the specific product is prohibited from being sold. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a control device for a vending machine according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a plurality of columns for storing products for which a specific product whose provision is prohibited when a predetermined temperature is exceeded is prohibited. Provided when the provision of the specific product is prohibited in the control device of the vending machine that has at least one column to store and dispenses and sells the product from the corresponding column when a sales order is given It is provided with a control means for canceling the provision prohibition of the specific product only when a cancel command for canceling the prohibition is given and the remaining number of products in the column storing the specific product becomes zero .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine control device according to the first aspect, further comprising a sold-out detecting means provided for each of the columns and detecting the sold-out of the product in the corresponding column. When the provision of the specific product is prohibited, the control means is given a release command for canceling the provision prohibition, and the sold-out detection means of the column storing the specific product is sold out. The provision prohibition of the specific product is canceled only when it is detected.

  According to the control device of the vending machine of the present invention, when provision of a specific product is prohibited, the control means is given a release instruction to cancel the prohibition of provision, and the column stores the specific product Since the prohibition of provision of the specific product is canceled only when the remaining number of the product becomes zero, there is no possibility that the specific product will be sold by mistake when the operator forgets to take the specific product. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent the sales of the specific product when the sales of the specific product prohibited to be provided when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature is prohibited.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vending machine to which a control device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a sectional side view showing a vending machine to which the control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main control system of the vending machine to which the control device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of the health code management control process executed by the control means. FIG. 5 is a front view showing a vending machine to which the control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 6 is a sectional side view showing a vending machine to which the control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main control system of the vending machine to which the control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of the health code management control process executed by the control means.

  Exemplary embodiments of a control device for a vending machine according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
1 to 3 show a vending machine to which the control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 is a front view, FIG. 2 is a sectional side view, and FIG. It is a block diagram which shows a control system. The vending machine illustrated here sells beverages in containers such as canned beverages and beverages in plastic bottles as products.

  The main body cabinet 1 of this vending machine is provided with a plurality of product storage boxes 2. Each of the commodity storages 2 has a heat insulating structure, and can maintain the internal atmosphere at a desired temperature state. Each product storage 2 is provided with a plurality of product storage racks 3, and columns are set in these product storage racks 3. The column is a storage unit in which the same type of product is stored, and one or a plurality of product storage racks 3 corresponds to the product to be sold. The product storage rack 3 has a product storage passage 4 that meanders along the vertical direction, and is a serpentine type in which products are stored in the product storage passage 4. These merchandise storage racks 3 are each provided with a bend mech 5 for controlling the carry-out of the merchandise, and a sold-out sensor (sold-out detecting means) 6 for detecting the sold-out merchandise in each bend mech 5. Is provided.

  The plurality of columns include at least one column that stores specific products (health code target products) that are prohibited from being provided when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, such as dairy products.

  The vending machine is provided with a merchandise selection button 7 and a sold-out lamp 8 corresponding to the column, as well as a money handling device 9, an integrated display 10, a cooling unit 11, and an internal temperature sensor 12.

  The product selection button 7 is for the user to select a purchased product. Such a product selection button 7 is disposed together with a product sample 14 on the front surface of the outer door 13 that opens and closes the front opening of the main body cabinet 1. Each product selection button 7 outputs each output signal to the control means 20 described later when pressed by the user.

  The sold-out lamp 8 is for displaying whether or not the product can be sold to the user, and is built in each product selection button 7.

  The money handling device 9 is called a coin mechanism or bill validator, and a user inserts money (coin or banknote) through a coin insertion slot 15 or a banknote insertion slot 16 provided on the front surface of the outer door 13. When it is determined, this is discriminated and the discrimination result is output to the control means 20. The integrated display 10 is for displaying data necessary for purchasing a product, such as an input amount and a change amount, and is constituted by a liquid crystal display, for example.

  The cooling unit 11 includes a compressor 11a and a solenoid valve (not shown). The compressor 11a constitutes a refrigerant circuit that circulates the refrigerant together with the condenser 11b, the expansion mechanism 11c, and the evaporator 11d, and sucks and compresses the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 11d. The condenser 11b condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 11a by cooling it with ambient air. The expansion mechanism 11c decompresses the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 11b and adiabatically expands the refrigerant. The evaporator 11d is disposed inside each commodity storage 2, and cools the internal air of the commodity storage 2 in which the evaporator 11d is disposed by evaporating the refrigerant passing therethrough.

  The solenoid valve is disposed upstream of each evaporator 11d in the refrigerant circuit. The solenoid valve is a valve body that can be opened and closed. The solenoid valve is closed when a close command is given, and restricts the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator 11d on the downstream side of the solenoid valve, while the solenoid valve is opened when the open command is given. Thus, the refrigerant is allowed to flow into the evaporator 11d.

  The in-compartment temperature sensor 12 is disposed inside each commodity storage 2 in the main body cabinet 1 and detects the internal temperature (internal temperature) of the commodity storage 2. When the internal temperature sensor 12 detects the internal temperature, the internal temperature sensor 12 outputs the internal temperature as a detection signal to the control means 20.

  The vending machine is provided with input means 17. The input means 17 is, for example, a remote controller and the like, and various settings related to product sales such as column settings for the product storage rack 3, correspondence between columns and product selection buttons 7, sales price settings, etc. Various function keys and numeric keys are provided for confirmation.

  The input means 17 outputs an output signal to the control means 20 when various function keys, numeric keys, etc. are operated. In particular, in the first embodiment, a release button 17a is provided. When the release button 17a is pressed, it outputs a release signal to the control means 20, thereby giving a release command to the control means 20.

  The input means 17 is operated by an operator called a vending machine administrator or a route operator, and can be operated only when the locked outer door 13 is unlocked and opened. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 20 of the vending machine is given a signal output from the sold-out sensor 6, the money handling device 9, the product selection button 7, the internal temperature sensor 12, and the input unit 17. The operation of the bend mec 5, the sold-out lamp 8, the integrated display 10, the cooling unit 11 and the like of the product storage rack 3 is controlled according to the program and data stored in the memory 21 in advance. The input control unit 20a, the output control Unit 20b, sales management control unit 20c, and health code management control unit 20d.

  The input control unit 20a performs input processing on signals output from each unit constituting the vending machine. The output control unit 20b outputs a command to each unit constituting the vending machine.

  The sales management control unit 20c performs overall control of processing related to sales of products. More specifically, when the column is set for the product storage rack 3 by the operation of the input means 17, and the product selection button 7 and the sales price are associated with the column, the sales management control unit 20c sets the column. , The product storage rack 3, the product selection button 7, and the sales price are stored in the memory 21 in association with each other.

  Further, when money is inserted into the money handling device 9, the sales management control unit 20c activates the corresponding product selection button 7 when the inserted money becomes equal to or higher than the selling price. When the validated product selection button 7 is pressed, the sales management control unit 20c operates the bend mec 5 provided in the product storage rack 3 of the corresponding column to pay out one product.

  Furthermore, the sales management control unit 20c monitors the products in the product storage rack 3 through the sold-out sensor 6, and if no product is detected, the sold-out lamp 8 of the corresponding column is turned on to indicate that the product is sold out. Performs notification processing.

  The health code management control unit 20d controls processing related to sales of the health code target product. More specifically, when the set time has elapsed for the continuous time in which the temperature inside the product storage 2 provided with the column for storing the products targeted for the health code exceeds the management upper limit temperature, the health court management control unit The sale of the health code target product is prohibited as the code target product exceeds the determined temperature. Here, the management upper limit temperature and the set time are determined in advance according to the characteristics of the health code target product.

  Further, the health code management control unit 20d receives a release command when the release button 17a of the input unit 17 is pressed, and sells the product storage rack 3 in the column that stores the health code target products that are prohibited from being sold. When the cut detection sensor detects that the health code target product is sold out, the prohibition on sales of the health code target product is canceled.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of the health code management control process performed by the control means 20 described above. The operation of the control device of the vending machine according to the first embodiment will be described while explaining the processing contents of the health code management control processing.

  When the health code target product matches the sales prohibition condition in a state where the health code target product is not prohibited from being sold (step S101: No, step S102: Yes), the control unit 20 applies the health code management control unit 20d. The sale of the health code target product is prohibited (step S103). Here, when the health code target product matches the sales prohibition condition, the temperature in the product storage 2 provided with the column for storing the health code target product, that is, the input process through the input control unit 20a. This corresponds to the case where the detected temperature of the in-compartment temperature sensor 12 of the product storage box 2 exceeds the management upper limit temperature and the continuous time exceeding the management upper limit temperature passes the set time. Thus, when the sale of the health code target product is prohibited, the health code target product is normally taken out by the operator.

  When the release button 17a of the input unit 17 is pressed and the release command is input through the input control unit 20a (step S104: Yes), the control unit 20 that prohibits the sale of the health code target product is prohibited from sale. While maintaining the state, it waits for the sold-out detection by the sold-out sensor 6 provided in the product storage rack 3 of the corresponding column (step S105).

  Thereafter, when the sold-out signal provided from the predetermined sold-out sensor 6 is input through the input control unit 20a to detect that the health code target product has been sold out (step S106: Yes), the control means 20 The prohibition on sales of the health code target product is canceled through the code management control unit 20d (step S107), and then the procedure is returned to end the current process.

  Thereby, a new health code target product and a normal product can be stored in the product storage rack 3 corresponding to the column.

  In the control device of the first embodiment as described above, when the control means 20 is prohibited from selling the health code target product, it is merely given a release instruction to cancel the sale prohibition. The sales prohibition of the health code target product is prohibited only when the sale of the product storage rack 3 (column) storing the health code target product is detected through the sold-out sensor 6 without canceling the prohibition on the sales of the health code target product. When the operator forgets to take the health code target product, when the operator accidentally presses the release button 17a, when the release button 17a is pressed due to a failure of the release button 17a, etc. There is no risk of accidentally selling the health code target product. Therefore, according to the control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when a health code target product that is prohibited to be provided when a predetermined temperature is exceeded is prohibited from being sold, the health code target product is sold. Can be prevented.

<Embodiment 2>
5 to 7 show a vending machine to which the control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 5 is a front view, FIG. 6 is a sectional side view, and FIG. It is a block diagram which shows a control system. The vending machine exemplified here sells individually packaged foods such as packed drinks, rice balls and lunch boxes as commodities.

  A commodity storage box 32 is provided in the main body cabinet 31 of the vending machine. The product storage box 32 has a heat insulating structure, and can maintain the internal atmosphere at a desired temperature state. Such a commodity storage 32 is provided with a commodity rack 33 and a commodity transport device 34.

  The product rack 33 is provided in a plurality of stages along the vertical direction, and is configured by arranging a plurality of product storage columns 35 in parallel in the left-right direction. Each product storage column 35 is a storage unit that stores the same type of product, and is provided with a spiral 36. The spiral 36 is configured in a manner wound spirally along the front-rear direction, and is disposed so as to be rotatable around the central axis, and a product is placed between each pitch. Such a spiral 36 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise when a driving force is applied from a spiral driving unit 37 disposed on the rear side, and gradually extends forward as the rotation is performed. The front side end is an open end.

  The plurality of product storage columns 35 include at least one column for storing specific products (health code target products) that are prohibited from being provided when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, such as dairy products.

  The commodity transport device 34 is provided in the front region of the commodity rack 33 in the commodity storage 32 and includes a bucket 38 and a bucket driving unit 39. The bucket 38 is such that the left-right direction is the longitudinal direction, and the left-right width is substantially equal to the left-right width of the product rack 33. The bucket drive unit 39 is driven by a command from the control means 60 described later, and moves the bucket 38 along the vertical direction.

  Such a product transporting device 34 drives the bucket drive unit 39 to position the bucket 38 in front of a predetermined product rack 33, and the product delivered from one of the product storage columns 35 of the product rack 33. Is to accept. Then, by driving the bucket drive unit 39, the bucket 38 is moved downward, and when the predetermined lower limit position is reached, the bucket 38 is changed from the horizontal posture (see the chain line in FIG. 6) to the inclined posture and received. It is conveyed by paying out the finished product to the product takeout unit 40. Thus, the product conveyed to the product take-out unit 40 can be taken out through the product take-out port 42 of the outer door 41. In the commodity transport device 34, when the bucket 38 reaches a predetermined lower limit position, a lower limit switch (not shown) is operated to cut off the energization to the bucket drive unit 39, thereby stopping the bucket drive unit 39 from driving. That is, the lower limit position becomes the origin (standby position) of the bucket 38.

  The vending machine is provided with a product selection button 43 corresponding to the product storage column 35, and is provided with a money handling device 44, an integrated display 45, a cooling unit 46 and an internal temperature sensor 47.

  The product selection button 43 is for the user to select a purchased product. Such a product selection button 43 is disposed on the front surface of the outer door 41 that opens and closes the front opening of the main body cabinet 31. The individual product selection buttons 43 output respective output signals to the control means 60 when pressed by the user.

  The money handling device 44 is called a coin mechanism or bill validator, and a user inserts money (coins or banknotes) through a coin insertion port 48 or a bill insertion port 49 provided on the front surface of the outer door 41. When it is determined, this is discriminated and the discrimination result is output to the control means 60. The integrated display 45 is for displaying data necessary for purchasing a product, such as an input amount and a change amount, and is constituted by a liquid crystal display, for example.

  The cooling unit 46 includes a compressor 46a and the like. The compressor 46a constitutes a refrigerant circuit that circulates refrigerant together with the condenser 46b, an expansion mechanism (not shown), and the evaporator 46c, and sucks and compresses the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 46c. The condenser 46b condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 46a by cooling it with ambient air. The expansion mechanism depressurizes the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 46b and adiabatically expands it. The evaporator 46c is disposed inside the commodity storage 32, and cools the internal air of the commodity storage 32 in which the evaporator 46c is disposed when the passing refrigerant evaporates.

  The internal temperature sensor 47 is disposed inside the commodity storage 32 and detects the internal temperature (internal temperature) of the commodity storage 32. When the inside temperature sensor 47 detects the inside temperature, the inside temperature sensor 47 outputs the inside temperature as a detection signal to the control means 60.

  The vending machine is provided with input means 50. The input means 50 is, for example, a remote controller or the like, and is used to make various settings and confirmations related to the sale of products such as the association between the product storage column 35 and the product selection button 43, the setting of the sales price, and the like. Various function keys, numeric keys, etc. are provided.

  The input means 50 outputs an output signal to the control means 60 when various function keys, numeric keys, etc. are operated. In particular, in the second embodiment, a release button 50a is provided. The release button 50a outputs a release signal to the control means 60 when pressed, and gives a release command to the control means 60.

  The input means 50 is operated by an operator called a vending machine administrator or a route operator, and can be operated only when the locked outer door 41 is unlocked and opened. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 60 of the vending machine stores in advance in the memory 61 the signals output from the money handling device 44, the product selection button 43, the internal temperature sensor 47, and the input unit 50. Controls the operations of the spiral drive unit 37, the bucket drive unit 39 (product transporting device 34), the integrated display 45, the cooling unit 46, and the like according to the stored programs and data. The input control unit 60a and the output control unit 60b And a sales management control unit 60c and a health code management control unit 60d.

  The input control unit 60a performs input processing on signals output from each unit constituting the vending machine. The output control unit 60b outputs a command to each unit constituting the vending machine.

  The sales management control unit 60c comprehensively controls processing related to the sale of products. More specifically, when the product selection button 43 and the sales price are associated with the product storage column 35 by the operation of the input unit 50, the sales management control unit 60c uses the number of the product storage column 35 and the product selection button 43. And the selling price are stored in the memory 61 in association with each other.

  Further, when money is inserted into the money handling apparatus 44, the sales management control unit 60c activates the corresponding product selection button 43 when the inserted money becomes equal to or higher than the selling price. When the activated product selection button 43 is pressed, the sales management control unit 60c drives the bucket drive unit 39 to move the bucket 38 to the front of the product rack 33 having the corresponding product storage column 35, and By driving the spiral drive unit 37 of the product storage column 35, one product is paid out to the bucket 38. When the bucket 38 receives the dispensed product, the bucket drive unit 39 is driven again to move the bucket 38 to a predetermined lower limit position, and the bucket 38 changes from the horizontal posture to the inclined posture and receives the received product. The product is conveyed by being paid out to the product take-out unit 40.

  The health code management control unit 60d controls processing related to sales of the health code target product. More specifically, when the set time elapses when the internal temperature of the product storage 32 exceeds the management upper limit temperature, the health coat management control unit exceeds the temperature at which the health code target product is determined. As a matter of fact, the sale of the product covered by the health code is prohibited. Here, the management upper limit temperature and the set time are determined in advance according to the characteristics of the health code target product.

  Further, the health code management control unit 60d receives the release command when the release button 50a of the input unit 50 is pressed, and the remaining number of products in the product storage column 35 that stores the health code target products that are prohibited from being sold. When the value becomes zero, the prohibition on sale of the health code target product is lifted. Here, the remaining number of products is obtained by subtracting the number of products sold for sale etc. from the number of products stored in each product storage column 35 stored in the memory 61. It is updated each time and stored in the memory 61.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of the health code management control process performed by the control means 60 described above. While explaining the processing contents of this health code management control processing, the operation of the control device of the vending machine according to the second embodiment will be described.

  When the health code target product matches the sales prohibition condition in the state where the health code target product is not prohibited from being sold (step S201: No, step S202: Yes), the control unit 60 applies the health code management control unit 60d. The sale of the health code target product is prohibited (step S203). Here, when the health code target product matches the sales prohibition condition, the internal temperature of the product storage 32, that is, the detection of the internal temperature sensor 47 of the product storage 32 input through the input control unit 60a. This corresponds to the case where the temperature exceeds the control upper limit temperature and the continuous time exceeding the control upper limit temperature passes the set time.

  When the release button 50a of the input means 50 is pressed down and the release command is input through the input control unit 60a (Step S204: Yes), the control means 60 that prohibits the sale of the health code target product is prohibited from sale. While maintaining the state, the process waits for a determination as to whether the remaining number of products in the corresponding product storage column 35 is zero (step S205).

  Thereafter, when the remaining product number is zero with reference to the remaining product number stored in the memory 61 (step S206: Yes), the control means 60 sells the health code target product through the health code management control unit 60d. The prohibition is canceled (step S207), and then the procedure is returned to end the current process.

  On the other hand, if the remaining number of products stored in the memory 61 is not zero (step S206: No), the control means 60 enters a product payout command waiting state through the input means 50. Then, when the command for giving out the product is given and the input processing unit performs an input process (step S208: Yes), the control unit 60 drives the bucket drive unit 39 through the sales management control unit 60c, and controls the corresponding product storage column 35. By driving the spiral drive unit 37, the health code target product is paid out (step S209).

  The control means 60 that has paid out the health code target product subtracts the amount of the paid-out product (step S210), shifts the procedure to step S206, and repeats the processing from step S206 to step S210 described above.

  By performing such a health code management control process, a new health code target product or a normal product can be stored in the product storage column 35.

  In the control device according to the second embodiment as described above, when the control unit 60 is prohibited from selling a health code target product, it is simply given a release command to cancel the sale prohibition. The sales prohibition of the health code target product is canceled only when the number of remaining products of the health code target product becomes zero without canceling the sales prohibition of the health code target product, so the operator forgets to remove the health code target product. If the operator accidentally presses the release button 50a, the health code target product is mistakenly sold even when the release button 50a is pressed due to a failure of the release button 50a or the like. There is no fear. Therefore, according to the control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when a health code target product that is prohibited to be provided when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature is prohibited, the health code target product is sold. Can be prevented.

  As described above, the control device for a vending machine according to the present invention is useful for a vending machine that sells a specific product whose provision is prohibited when a predetermined temperature is exceeded.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body cabinet 2 Product storage 3 Product storage rack 5 Bendmek 6 Sold-out sensor (sold-out detection means)
7 Product selection button 8 Sold out lamp 9 Money handling device 10 Integrated display 11 Cooling unit 12 Internal temperature sensor 17 Input unit 17a Release button 20 Control unit 20a Input control unit 20b Output control unit 20c Sales management control unit 20d Health code management Control unit 21 Memory

Claims (2)

There are at least one column for storing specific products that are prohibited from being offered when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature among the multiple columns that store the products. In the control device of the vending machine that pays out and sells,
When the provision of the specific product is prohibited, provision of the specific product is provided only when a cancellation command is issued to cancel the prohibition of provision and the remaining number of products in the column storing the specific product is zero A control device for a vending machine, comprising control means for canceling the prohibition. Provided for each column, and comprises a sold-out detection means for detecting the sold-out of the product in the corresponding column,
When the provision of the specific product is prohibited, the control means is given a release command to cancel the prohibition of provision, and the sold-out detection means of the column storing the specific product has detected a sold-out 2. The vending machine control device according to claim 1, wherein the prohibition of provision of the specific product is canceled only occasionally.

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