JP2015036950A - Automatic vending machine, a controller thereof and control method of automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic vending machine capable of easily performing address setting on each product information display part of plural display devices while preventing increase of work process and the number of components.SOLUTION: An automatic vending machine 1 has: plural display units 9 each having a product information display part 91 for displaying information on selling products by means of light emission; and a controller 14 that controls the operation of the automatic vending machine 1. Each display unit 9 is arranged, when receiving an address setting signal in a state of address unset, to transmit a response to the controller 14. The controller 14 transmits the address setting signal to at least display units 9 which are in address unset state in the plural display units 9 and establishes communication in order with the display units 9 which respond to the address setting signal to set address on the display devices 9 in address unset state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine, and more particularly, to a vending machine including a plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit that displays information related to sales products, a control device for the vending machine, and a control method for the vending machine.

  In a general vending machine, when one of a plurality of product selection buttons is pressed by a user (purchaser), a product is stored from a product storage column associated with the pressed product selection button. Is configured to be carried out. In addition, a product information display unit is provided in the vicinity of each product selection button, and information (for example, sales price and cold temperature display) regarding the product (sales product) selected by the product selection button is individually displayed on the product information display unit. A vending machine for displaying is also known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  This type of vending machine is, for example, a control device for a vending machine when the product stored in the product storage column is changed, the sale price of the product is changed, or the temperature state of the product is changed. However, it is configured to transmit a predetermined control signal to the corresponding product information display unit or a device including the product information display unit, thereby changing the display content.

JP 2011-186959 A

  By the way, the applicant unitizes a display device having at least one product information display unit, incorporates a plurality of display devices (display units) into the vending machine, and at the initial setting after assembly of the vending machine, etc. It is considered to set an address for each display device or each product information display unit by the control device of the vending machine. In this case, first, the problem is how the control device establishes communication for address setting with each display device.

In this regard, for example, each display device is provided with an address acquisition switch, and the control device establishes communication with the display device in which the address acquisition switch is ON, or all displays It is conceivable that a device is connected to the control device in a daisy chain manner.
However, in the former case, an operator or the like must turn on the address acquisition switch one by one, and in the latter case, it is added (dedicated for connection in the daisy chain in the vending machine. ) Wiring is required. For this reason, it will cause an increase in the number of work steps and the number of parts, which is not preferable.

  In addition, when the display device is unitized, each product information display unit and each product selection button need to be associated with each other because the display device (each product information display unit) and the product selection button are configured separately. There is also.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine capable of easily setting addresses for a plurality of unitized display devices while suppressing an increase in work man-hours and the number of parts, and a control device thereof. To do.

  Further, the present invention provides a vending machine that can easily associate a product information display unit with a product selection button in a configuration in which a plurality of display devices (product information display units) and a product selection button are provided separately. It is an object to provide a machine and its control device.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, the vending machine includes a plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit that displays information related to the sales products, and an operation of the vending machine including operations of the plurality of display devices. And each of the plurality of display devices is configured to transmit a response to the control device when receiving an address setting signal when the address is not set. The control device transmits the address setting signal to at least an unset address display device among the plurality of display devices, and establishes communication with the display device in response to the address setting signal in order and addresses An address is set for each unset display device.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a vending machine includes a plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit that displays information related to sales products, and an operation of the vending machine including operations of the plurality of display devices. A control device for controlling the operation, and each of the plurality of display devices has a product information display unit with an address not set, and receives an address setting signal and transmits a response to the control device. The control device transmits the address setting signal to a display device having a product information display unit at which no address is set among the plurality of display devices, and responds to the address setting signal. Communication is established with the display device in sequence, and an address is set for each of the product information display units for which no address is set.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the control device for a vending machine that controls the operation of a vending machine that includes a plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit that displays information related to sales products, An address setting signal is transmitted to at least one of the plurality of display devices that has not been set an address, and communication is sequentially established with each of the display devices that have not been set in response to the address setting signal, and the address is not set. An address is set for each of the setting display devices.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the control device for a vending machine that controls the operation of a vending machine that includes a plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit that displays information related to sales products, A display having a product information display unit with no address set in response to the address setting signal and transmitting an address setting signal to a display device having a product information display unit with no address set among the plurality of display devices Communication is sequentially established with each of the devices, and an address is set for each of the product information display units for which no address is set.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit for displaying information relating to sales products, and a plurality of product selection buttons provided separately from the plurality of display devices. The control device of the vending machine that controls the operation of the vending machine includes a lighting control signal for lighting or blinking the product information display unit for any one of the plurality of display devices. When receiving a signal from any of the plurality of product selection buttons when the product information display unit is lit or blinking, the product information display unit and a product selection button that is a transmission source of the received signal Perform the association.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine including a plurality of product information display units for displaying information on sales products and a plurality of product selection buttons provided separately from the plurality of product information display units. The control device of the vending machine that controls the operation turns on or blinks any one product information display unit among the plurality of product information display units, and when the product information display unit is lit or blinking. When a signal is received from any of the plurality of product selection buttons, the product information display unit is associated with the product selection button that is the transmission source of the received signal.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine including a plurality of product information display units for displaying information on sales products and a plurality of product selection buttons provided separately from the plurality of product information display units. The control method transmits an address setting signal to at least an unset address display device among the plurality of display devices, and sequentially communicates with each of the unset address display devices in response to the address set signal. An address is set for each display device that has been established and has no address set.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a vending machine including a plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit that displays information related to sales products. An address setting signal is transmitted to a display device having a set product information display unit, and communication is sequentially established with each of the display devices having an unset address product information display unit in response to the address setting signal. The address is set in the product information display section where the address is not set.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit for displaying information relating to sales products, and a plurality of product selection buttons provided separately from the plurality of display devices. The vending machine control method includes turning on or blinking the product information display unit for any one display device among the plurality of display devices, and turning on or flashing the product information display unit. When a signal is received from any of the plurality of product selection buttons, the display device is associated with the product selection button that is the transmission source of the received signal.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine including a plurality of product information display units for displaying information on sales products and a plurality of product selection buttons provided separately from the plurality of product information display units. In the control method, any one of the plurality of product information display units is turned on or blinked, and any one of the plurality of product selection buttons when the product information display unit is lit or blinked. When the signal is received from the car, the product information display unit is associated with the product selection button that is the transmission source of the received signal.

According to the vending machine and its control device and the control method of the vending machine, an operator has not set an address without operating a switch for each display device or providing additional wiring in the vending machine. Establishing communication sequentially for each of a plurality of display devices or each of a plurality of display devices having a product information display unit for which an address is not set, and setting an address for each display device or each product information display unit Can do.
In addition, it is possible to easily associate each product information display unit (that is, a plurality of product information display units) of a plurality of display devices with each product selection button provided separately from the plurality of display devices. .

1 is a schematic front view of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the A section enlarged view of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the control system structure of a display unit. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process (address setting process and the matching process of a merchandise information display part and a merchandise selection button) which the control apparatus of a vending machine implements. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the matching process of a merchandise information display part and a merchandise selection button.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a vending machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
This vending machine 1 sells beverages in containers such as canned beverages and beverages in plastic bottles as products. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, in the vending machine 1, the some goods storage column which each accommodates several goods of the same kind is arrange | positioned. Each product storage column is arranged, for example, in an independent heat insulation space, and is configured so that the product storage column can cool or warm the product by a cooling / heating machine provided in the vending machine 1. Yes. Each product storage column is provided with a product unloader for carrying out the stored products one by one.

  As shown in FIG. 1, on the front surface (a customer service surface) of the vending machine 1, a money insertion slot 2 (a banknote insertion slot 2 a and a coin insertion slot 2 b) into which money is inserted by a user, and the amount of money inserted, etc. A digital display 3 for displaying the item, a return lever 4 for input money, a product outlet 5 for a user to take out the product carried out by the product unloader, and a money return port 6 for returning change etc. Is provided. In addition, a product sample display room 7 for displaying product samples S corresponding to each product stored in the plurality of product storage columns is provided in the upper front portion of the vending machine 1.

  The merchandise sample display room 7 is formed inside a transparent front panel 71 attached to the opening at the upper front of the vending machine 1. Further, the inside of the product sample display room 7 is configured to be illuminable by an illumination device (not shown).

  In the present embodiment, in the product sample display room 7, sample stages 8 extending in the left-right direction are arranged in a plurality of stages (here, three stages) in the vertical direction, and a plurality of product samples S are provided on each sample stage 8. Is placed. A display unit (display device) 9 having a plurality of product information display units 91 is attached to the lower front side of each sample stage 8, and a user purchases the front surface (front surface) of the transparent front panel 71. A plurality of product selection buttons 10 are provided for selecting products. That is, in this embodiment, the display unit 9 (product information display unit 91) is configured separately from the plurality of product selection buttons 10. Each product selection button 10 is configured to generate a signal to that effect (hereinafter referred to as a “pressing operation signal”) when pressed.

  Specifically, in this embodiment, twelve product samples S are placed side by side along the extending direction on each sample stage 8. The display unit 9 has six product information display units 91, and two display units 9 are detachably attached to the lower front side of each sample stage 8 along the extending direction. That is, a total of six display units 9 are attached to the vending machine 1.

In addition, twelve product selection buttons 10 are arranged on the front surface of the transparent front panel 71 so that each is located below each product information display unit 91. That is, a total of 36 product selection buttons 10 are arranged on the vending machine 1 (front panel 71 thereof).
And by this arrangement | positioning of the display unit 9 and the merchandise selection button 10, in this embodiment, the merchandise information display part 91 and the merchandise selection button 10 are located one by one in this order on the lower side of each merchandise sample S. It is like that.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a part A in FIG. 1, and mainly shows a product information display part 91.
Each product information display unit 91 displays information related to the corresponding product (sales price, temperature state, etc.), and as shown in FIG. 2, a price display unit 911 that displays the price of the corresponding product, A status display unit 912 for displaying the status.

The price display unit 911 is configured by, for example, a 7-segment display, and displays the selling price (in this case, a three-digit number) of the corresponding product.
The state display unit 912 includes, for example, an edge light type surface light emitter including light emitting elements of a plurality of colors, and displays the temperature (cooling / heating) state of the corresponding product with the light emission color. In the present embodiment, the status display unit 912 is disposed on the front surface of the price display unit 911. The state display unit 912 has a rectangular transmission part that transmits the display of the price display unit 911 (that is, the selling price of the corresponding product) in the center, and the peripheral area 912a of the transmission unit is a warm color system. The light is emitted by switching the color (for example, red) and the cold color (for example, blue).

Returning to FIG. 1, inside the vending machine 1, as shown by a broken line, a money processing machine 11, a remote controller 12, a control device 14 having a memory 13, and the like are provided.
The money handling machine 11 performs a counting process of money inserted into the money slot 2 and the like. The remote controller 12 is operated by an administrator of the vending machine 1 to make various settings and confirmations in the vending machine 1. The memory 13 stores various programs and various data necessary for controlling the vending machine 1.

The control device 14 is connected to the cooling / heating device, the commodity unloading machine, the display unit 8, the money handling machine 11, the remote controller 12 and the like via a communication line, and controls various operations in the vending machine 1. To control.
In the present embodiment, the control device 14 performs (1) column setting processing, (2) address setting processing, (3) product information display unit and product selection button association processing, and (4) sales related processing. It is configured to be implemented.
Hereinafter, each process performed by the control device 14 will be described in order.

(1) Column setting process The column setting process associates each product selection button 10 with one of a plurality of product storage columns. This column setting process is basically performed in the initial setting after the assembly of the vending machine 1 is completed or immediately after installation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be implemented when the association between the product selection button 10 and the product storage column is changed after the fact.

In the present embodiment, for example, when the administrator or the like operates a column setting key (not shown) of the remote controller 12, the operation signal is output from the remote controller 12 to the control device 14. When receiving the operation signal, the control device 14 transmits information on the product storage column and the product selection button 10 that are not associated with each other to the remote controller 12. The remote controller 12 outputs the received product storage column and product selection button 10 information to a display unit (not shown). Thereafter, when the manager or the like uses the remote controller 12 to select each product storage column and the product selection button 10 associated therewith, the selection result is transmitted to the control device 14. Then, the control device 14 stores (or updates) the selection result transmitted from the remote controller 12, that is, the association between the product storage column and the product selection button 10 in the memory 13.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the product storage column and the product selection button 10 may be associated by other methods.

(2) Address setting processing In the present embodiment, each display unit 9 is configured separately from the plurality of product selection buttons 10, and in the initial state, each display unit 9 includes a vending machine. No address for control communication used in 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as “address”) is set.
For this reason, the control device 14 sets an address for a display unit 9 for which no address is set (hereinafter referred to as “display unit for which no address is set”) 9 by this address setting process. This address setting process is basically performed after the column setting process is performed in the initial setting, that is, after the product storage column and the product selection button 10 are associated with each other.

In this embodiment, when the administrator or the like operates an address setting key (not shown) of the remote controller 12, the operation signal is transmitted from the remote controller 12 to the control device 14. When the control device 14 receives the operation signal, it simultaneously transmits a signal (address setting signal) for performing an address setting process to each display unit 9. For the simultaneous transmission of the address setting signal, for example, a common initial address assigned in advance to the display unit 9 in the initial state can be used. On the other hand, each display unit 9 is configured to respond to the address setting signal when the address is not set.
Then, after simultaneously transmitting the address setting signal, the control device 14 establishes communication with each of the display units 9 in which addresses are not set in response to the transmitted address setting signal, to each display unit 9. Set the address.

That is, when communication is established with any display unit 9, the control device 14 assigns an address to the display unit 9. For example, the control device 14 selects one address from unassigned addresses stored in the memory 13 and generates an address distribution signal (hereinafter referred to as “address distribution command”) including the selected address. Then, the control device 14 transmits the generated address distribution command to the display unit 9 through the established communication. The display unit 9 that has received the address distribution command extracts the address contained therein and sets the extracted address as its own address.
In this way, the control device 14 sets an address for the display unit 9 for which no address is set.

  The control device 14 performs the address setting process as described above, that is, the transmission of the address setting signal, the address assignment, and the generation and transmission of the address distribution signal (address distribution command). Until it disappears, in other words, it is repeated until there is no display unit 9 responding to the address setting signal.

  In the present embodiment, a unique information transmission request command is used as the address setting signal, and when each display unit 9 with no address set receives the unique information transmission request command, it includes its own unique number as a response. Information (hereinafter simply referred to as “unique information”) is transmitted to the control device 14. More specifically, each display unit 9 is configured to transmit its own unique information to the control device 14 after the elapse of an individual delay time upon receiving the unique information transmission request command (about this point). Will be described later).

  Then, the control device 14 establishes communication with each of the display units 9 (address not set) sequentially based on the response order to the unique information transmission request command, and sets an address for each display unit 9. Specifically, after transmitting the unique information transmission request command, the control apparatus 14 first displays the display unit 9 that responds to the unique information transmission command, that is, the display unit 9 that is the transmission source of the first received unique information. And establishes communication with the display unit 9 and transmits the address distribution command to the display unit 9.

  Here, the unique number is, for example, a number assigned to each display unit 9 so as not to overlap in the manufacturing stage of the display unit 9, and includes a manufacturing number (serial number). Further, the control device 14 refers to the data in the memory 13 based on the unique number, for example, to specify the number of product information display units 91 in each display unit 9 and each product information display unit 91. The identifier can be grasped. Of course, the unique information may include data relating to the number of product information display units 91 in each display unit 9 and an identifier for specifying each product information display unit 91.

  The control device 14 stores the address of each display unit 9, the correspondence between the address and the unique number for each display unit 9, the identifier of each product information display unit 91 of each table unit 9, and the like in the memory 13. (Hold.

(3) Correspondence process of product information display unit and product selection button In this association process, each product information display unit 91 of the display unit 9 is associated with one of the product selection buttons 10. This association process is performed for each product information display unit 91 of the display unit 9 in which an address is set by the address setting process. In the present embodiment, this association process is performed through the communication established in the address setting process. That is, the process of associating the product information display unit with the product selection button is performed as an integral part of the address setting process. However, the present invention is not limited to this. After the addresses are set in all the display units 9, the control device 14 establishes communication with each display unit 9 separately from the address setting process. May be.

  With this association processing, each product information display unit 91 is associated with each product selection button 10 (and product storage column), and the control device 14 uses the set (assigned) address and the identifier of the product information display unit 9 as an identifier. By using and transmitting a predetermined control signal to each display unit 9, it is possible to display information related to products stored in each product storage column on the corresponding product information display unit 91.

  In this embodiment, after transmitting the address distribution command to the display unit 9, the control device 14 uses the address included in the address distribution command to send a lighting control signal (hereinafter referred to as “lighting command”) to the display unit 9. ). This lighting command is a signal for lighting or blinking any product information display unit 91 (price display unit 911 and / or status display unit 912) in the display unit 9, and includes an identifier of the product information display unit 91. . Accordingly, any of the product information display units 91 of the display unit 9 with which communication with the control device 14 has been established, specifically, the price display unit 911 of the product information display unit 91 corresponding to the identifier, and / Or the light emitting element of the status display unit 912 is turned on or blinks.

  Then, when the control device 14 receives a signal from any of the plurality of product selection buttons 10 when the product information display unit 91 is lit or blinking by the lighting command, specifically, the administrator or the like When a press operation signal is received from the product selection button 10 by pressing one of the plurality of product selection buttons 10, the product information display unit 91 that is lit or blinking and the received signal (press operation signal) ) Is transmitted to the product selection button 10 (the transmission source), and the result is stored in the memory 13.

  The control device 14 changes the identifier of the product information display unit 91 in the lighting command to perform the above-described series of processing on all the product information display units 91 of the display unit 9 with which the communication is established. To do.

  Here, the manager or the like is usually the product selection button 10 closest to the product information display unit 91 that is lit or flashing, in the present embodiment, directly below the product information display unit 91 that is lit or flashing. The product selection button 10 located at is pressed. Thereby, the product information display unit 91 and the product selection button 10 positioned below the product sample S are associated with the product storage column that stores the products corresponding to the product sample S.

(4) Sales-related processing This sales-related processing is general processing in the vending machine 1, and basically, the column setting processing, the address setting processing, and the association between the display unit and the product selection button. Implemented after processing. Some examples are given below for reference.

  When the manager or the like sets the sales price of a product for each product storage column via the remote controller 12, the set content is transmitted to the control device 14. Then, the control device 14 transmits a control signal to the corresponding display unit 9 and is set in the product information display unit 91 (the price display unit 911) corresponding to the product (product storage column) for which the selling price is set. Display the selling price.

  When the manager or the like instructs the cooling or heating of the product for each product storage column via the remote controller 12, the content of the instruction is transmitted to the control device 14. Then, the control device 14 sends a control signal to the corresponding cooling / heating device to operate as a cooling device or a heating device, and transmits a control signal to the corresponding display unit 9 to instruct cooling or heating. The product information display unit 91 (the state display unit 912) corresponding to the (product storage column) emits light in a cold color (in the case of cooling) or a warm color (in the case of heating).

  Further, when the money is inserted into the money insertion slot 2, the control device 14 is applicable when the amount of money inserted becomes equal to or higher than the selling price of the product based on the counting result output from the money handling machine 11. The product selection button 10 to be activated is activated. Then, when the activated product selection button 10 is pressed and receives a pressing operation signal from the product selection button 10, the control device 14 transmits a control signal to the product unloader of the corresponding product storage column, The product is taken out from the product storage column to the product outlet 5.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system configuration of the display unit 9.
As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 9 transmits / receives a signal to / from the control device 14 of the vending machine 1 and a response to the specific information transmission request command as the address setting signal. It has a delay time setting unit 102 that sets a delay time, a control unit 103 that controls the operation of the entire display unit 9, and a memory 104 that stores various programs and various data related to the display unit 9.

When the display unit 9 is in a state where the address is not set and receives the unique information transmission request command from the control device 14 of the vending machine 1, the control unit 103 reads out its own unique number from the memory 104, for example, and Unique information is generated, and after the delay time set by the delay time setting unit 102 has elapsed, the generated unique information is transmitted to the control device 14 via the transmission / reception unit 101.
Further, when receiving the address distribution command from the control device 14, the control unit 103 sets the address included therein as its own address.

  Further, when receiving a control signal related to display from the control device 14, the control unit 103 appropriately drives the price display unit 911 and the status display unit 912 of the product information display unit 91 corresponding to the identifier included in the control signal, For example, the selling price of the corresponding product is displayed on the price display unit 911, and each state display unit 912 is surface-emitted with a color corresponding to the temperature (cooling / heating) state of the corresponding product.

Here, in this embodiment, the delay time setting part 102 of each display unit 9 is comprised so that each individual delay time may be set as mentioned above. For example, the delay time setting unit 102 generates a random number using a unique value for each display unit 9 such as the unique number or using a different calculation formula for each display unit 9, and based on the generated random number, the random number is generated. Set the delay time. Accordingly, each display unit 9 responds to the unique information transmission request command at different timings, and a plurality of display units 9 are prevented from responding simultaneously to the unique information transmission request command. Thereby, it is easy for the control device 14 to establish communication for address setting with one display unit 9.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each display unit 9 may have delay circuits with different delay times.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the address setting process and the process of associating the product information display unit with the product selection button. Here, the case where these processes are performed in the initial setting after the completion of the assembly of the vending machine 1 or immediately after the installation is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 4, first, when the administrator or the like operates the address setting key of the remote controller 12 (S1), the control device 14 receives an operation signal of the address setting key from the remote controller 12 (S2). Next, the control device 14 transmits the unique information transmission request command to the six display units 9a to 9f using, for example, the initial address (S3).

  In the initial setting, all of the six display units 9a to 9f are in an address non-set state, and as described above, the display units 9a to 9f are individually set in response to the specific information transmission request commands. Response after the elapse of the delay time, that is, the unique information including its own unique number is transmitted to the control device 14. Accordingly, the display units 9a to 9f transmit their own unique information to the control device 14 at different timings. Here, the display unit 9b first transmits its own unique information to the control device 14. The case is shown (S4).

  After transmitting the unique information transmission request command, the control device 14 establishes communication for address setting with the display unit 9b that is the transmission source of the unique information received first. Then, the control device 14 assigns an unassigned address in the memory 13 to the display unit 9b. That is, the control device 14 selects one address from the unassigned addresses, and transmits the address distribution command including the selected address to the display unit 9b (S5). The display unit 9b that has received the address distribution command sets the address included in the address distribution command as its own address (S6).

  Next, the control device 14 transmits the lighting command to the display unit 9b using the address included in the address distribution command (S7). This lighting command includes the identifier of the product information display unit 91 of the display unit 9b. Upon receiving this lighting command, the display unit 9b displays one product information display unit 91 (price display) corresponding to the identifier. The light emitting elements of the unit 911 and / or the status display unit 912) are turned on or blinked (S8).

  Next, when the light emitting element of the product information display unit 91 is lit or blinking, the manager or the like is positioned on any one of the plurality of product selection buttons 10, specifically on the upper side of the product information display unit 91. The product selection button 10 to be pressed is operated (S9). Thereby, the pressed product selection button 10 transmits a pressing operation signal to the control device 14 (S10).

  Then, the control device 14 associates the product selection button 10 that has been pressed, that is, the product selection button 10 that is the transmission source of the received pressing operation signal, with the product information display unit 91 that is lit or blinking. (S11). Here, since the product selection button 10 is already associated with the product storage column by the column setting process, the product storage column and the product information display unit 91 (identifier thereof) are also associated.

  The control device 14 repeats the processing of S7 to S11 while changing the identifier included in the lighting command, whereby the product information display unit 91 of the display unit 9b is changed to one of the plurality of product selection buttons 10 (and eventually). , The product storage column), and the result of the association is stored in the memory 13.

  When the association between each product selection button 10 of the display unit 9b and the product information display unit 91 is completed, the control device 14 simultaneously transmits the specific information transmission request command to the six display units 9a to 9f again (see S3). ). At this time, since the address is already set in the display unit 9b by the above-described processing (see S5, 6), the display unit 9b does not transmit its own unique information to the control device 14. Therefore, the control device 14 establishes communication for address setting among the remaining five display units 9a and 9c to 9f with the display unit that is the transmission source of the first received unique information, and the above-described series. The above process is performed (repeated).

  When there is no display unit 9 with no address set, that is, when there is no display unit 9 responding to the unique information transmission request command, the control device 14 performs the address setting process, the product information display unit, and the product selection. The button association process ends.

  In this way, when the address setting process and the product information display unit and product selection button associating process are completed for all the display units 9, the address of each display unit 9, each display unit is stored in the memory 13. 9, the correspondence between the address and the unique number, the identifier of each product information display unit 91 of each display unit 9, and the product storage column, product information display unit 91, and product selection button 10 of the vending machine 1. The result is stored.

  Thereby, for example, when the price or temperature state of a product stored in a predetermined product storage column is changed, the control device 12 transmits a control signal corresponding to the change to the corresponding display unit 9, and The price after the change can be displayed on the price display unit 911 of the product information display unit 91 corresponding to the product storage column, and the state display unit 912 can be surface-emitted with a color according to the state after the change.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, after assembling the vending machine 1 by incorporating a plurality of display units 9, an address can be almost automatically set in each display unit 9 in the initial setting or the like. In addition, the product information display unit 91 of each display unit 9 and the product selection button 10 (product storage column) can be easily associated with each other.
At this time, it is not necessary for the operator to perform switch operation or the like for each display unit 9, and it is not necessary to provide additional wiring in the vending machine. That is, it is possible to easily perform address setting for a plurality of unitized display devices while suppressing an increase in work processes and the number of parts.

By the way, in the above description, the initial setting of the vending machine 1 is mainly targeted, that is, the case where all the display units 9 are in an address unset state.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a part or all of the display unit 9 in the vending machine 1 is exchanged or added, the control device 14 controls the display unit 9 that has been exchanged or added. Then, the column setting process, the address setting process, and the product information display unit and product selection button association process may be performed. In this case, the control device 14 transmits the specific information transmission request command only to the exchanged or added display unit 9, that is, the display unit 9 newly connected to the communication line, so that the newly connected device is newly connected. Only the display unit 9 can perform the address setting process and the process of associating the product information display unit with the product selection button. Of course, the unique information transmission request command may be transmitted to all the display units 9 simultaneously.

  Further, when the control device 14 is operating normally after the power of the vending machine 1 is turned on and each display unit 9 is attached after the column setting process, the control device 14 The display units 9 are recognized in the order of connection to the communication line, and the address setting processing and the product information display unit and product selection button association processing are performed on the recognized display units 9. Good. In this case, the address setting processing and the like are performed in the order of connection to the communication line (the order of attachment to the vending machine 1).

The control device 14 transmits an address initialization command (address initialization signal) for initializing addresses to all the display units 9 all at once, and then performs the address setting process and the product information display unit. And the product selection button may be associated with each other. That is, the control device 14 transmits an address initialization command to all the display units 9 before transmitting the specific information transmission request command.
In this way, for example, even if a part or all of the display units 9 have addresses, the addresses are set (or reset) for all the display units 9, and then each display unit 9 is displayed. Each product information display unit 91 of the unit 9 can be associated with one of the product selection buttons 10.

Further, for example, when the address on each display unit 9 side is volatile, that is, when the address of each display unit 9 is lost when the power supply of the vending machine 1 is turned off, the control device 14 When the power of the vending machine 1 is turned on again, a signal including the correspondence data of the address and the unique number for each display unit 9 stored (held) in the memory 13 is sent to all the display units 9 simultaneously. You may make it transmit. In this case, the control unit 103 of each display unit 9 operates to refer to the data included in the received signal and set (reset) an address corresponding to its own unique number as its own address.
This is convenient because, for example, even if the address on each display unit 9 side is volatile, it is not necessary to carry out the address setting process every time the power of the vending machine 1 is turned on again.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, in the association process of the product information display unit and the product selection button, the product information display unit 91 of each display unit 9 is lit or blinked one by one, and the product information display unit 91 The pressed product selection button 10 is associated with the product.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the control device 14 can grasp the arrangement of each product selection button 10 and the identifier of the product information display unit 91 in the display unit 9 can be specified by the identifier. Alternatively, all the product information display units 91 in each display unit 9 may be associated with the product selection buttons 10 in a lump.

  For example, when 1 to 6, A to F, etc. are assigned in order from one side (for example, the left side) as an identifier of the product information display unit 91 in the display unit 9, the control device 14 lights or blinks. The product information display unit 91 other than the product information display unit 91 that is lit or blinking is associated with the product selection button 10 that has transmitted the received signal (the transmission source). 91 can also be associated with the product selection button 10 based on the respective arrangements grasped by the identifier.

  For example, when the control device 14 includes the identifier “1” in the lighting command and transmits it to the display unit 9, the display unit 9, as illustrated in FIG. Here, the status display unit 912) is turned on or blinked. In addition, when the product information display unit 91-1 is lit or blinking, the manager or the like presses the product selection button 10-1 located immediately below the product information display unit 91-1. In addition to the product information display unit 91-1 (identifier 1) that is currently lit or blinking on the display unit 9, the control device 14 has 5 on the right side of the product information display unit 91-1 (identifier 1). It is recognized that there are individual product information display units 91-2 to 91-6 (identifiers 2 to 6). For this reason, the control apparatus 14 is the product information display part which currently lights or blinks the five product selection buttons 10-2 to 10-6 on the right side toward the pressed product selection button 10-1. It can be associated with five product information display sections 91-2 to 91-6 (identifiers 2 to 6) other than 91-1 (identifier 1).

  In the above-described embodiment, each display unit 9 includes six product information display units 91. However, the number of product information display units 91 included in each display unit 9 can be arbitrarily set. That is, each display unit 9 may have one product information display unit 91 (display unit = product information display unit), and each display unit 9 has a different number of product information display units 91. May be. Here, when each display unit 9 has one product information display unit 91 (display unit = product information display unit), “display unit” in the above embodiment is appropriately replaced with “product information display unit”. be able to.

  In the above-described embodiment, the unique information transmission request command is used as the address setting signal. Upon receiving the unique information transmission request command, each display unit 9 transmits information including its own unique number to the control device 14. Is sending to. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and communication with the same function may be performed between the control device 14 and each display unit 9.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an address is set for each display unit 9 (address is not set). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control device 14 may be configured to set an address for the product information display unit 91 of each display unit 9. In this case, for example, “(2) address setting process” in the above-described embodiment may be replaced with “(2 ′) address setting process” described below.

(2 ′) Address setting process In the present embodiment, each display unit 9 is configured separately from the plurality of product selection buttons 10, and in the initial state, each product information display of each display unit 9 is displayed. An address for control communication (hereinafter simply referred to as “address”) used in the vending machine 1 is not set in the section 91.
For this reason, the control device 14 sets an address for the product information table section 91 (hereinafter referred to as “product information display section with no address set”) 91 for which no address is set by this address setting process. This address setting process is basically performed after the column setting process is performed in the initial setting, that is, after the product storage column and the product selection button 10 are associated with each other.

In this embodiment, when the administrator or the like operates an address setting key (not shown) of the remote controller 12, the operation signal is transmitted from the remote controller 12 to the control device 14. When the control device 14 receives the operation signal, it simultaneously transmits a signal (address setting signal) for performing an address setting process to each display unit 9. For the simultaneous transmission of the address setting signal, for example, a common initial address assigned in advance to the display unit 9 in the initial state can be used. Each display unit 9 is configured to respond to the address setting signal when it has a product information display unit 91 with no address set.
Then, after simultaneously transmitting the address setting signal, the control device 14 establishes sequential communication for address setting with each of the display units 9 responding to the transmitted address setting signal. Specifically, the control device 14 establishes sequential communication for address setting with each of the display units 9 having the product information display unit 91 with no address set, based on the response order to the address setting signal.

When communication is established with any of the display units 9, the control device 14 assigns an address to the product information display unit 91 in which the display unit 9 has no address through the established communication. For example, the control device 14 appropriately selects the same number of addresses as the non-addressed product information display units 91 in the display unit 9 with which communication has been established, from among the unassigned addresses stored in the memory 13, for example. Then, the control device 14 generates an address distribution signal (address distribution command) including the selected address, and transmits the generated address distribution command to the display unit 9. The display unit 9 that has received the address distribution command extracts the address included in the address distribution command, and sets the extracted address as the address of the product information display unit 91 in which the address is not set.
In this way, the control device 14 sets an address for the product information display unit 91 for which no address is set.

  The control device 14 performs the address setting process as described above, that is, the transmission of the address setting signal, the address allocation, and the generation and transmission of the address distribution signal (address distribution command), in the product information display unit in which the address is not set. This is repeated until there is no display unit 9 having 91, in other words, until there is no display unit 9 responding to the address setting signal.

  Here, as in the above-described embodiment, a unique information transmission request command can be used as the address setting signal. When each display unit 9 receives the unique information transmission request command, each display unit 9 has its own response as a response. Information (unique information) including the unique number of each product information display unit with no address set is transmitted to the control device 14. The unique information is a number assigned to each product information display unit 91 so as not to overlap, for example, in the manufacturing stage of the display unit 9 and includes, for example, a manufacturing number (serial number).

  Therefore, the control apparatus 14 can grasp | ascertain the number of the merchandise information display parts 91 in which the address which the display unit 9 which transmitted the said specific information has has received by receiving the said specific information. In addition, after transmitting the unique information transmission request command, the control device 14 establishes communication with the display unit 9 that has transmitted the unique information received first (that is, the transmission source), and sends it to the display unit 9. The address distribution command is generated and transmitted. Further, when the control device 14 sets an address for each product information display unit 91, the address of each product display unit 91, the correspondence between the address of each product information display unit 91 and the unique number, and the like are stored in the memory 13. Store (hold).

  Even when the control device 14 sets an address for the product information display unit 91 whose address is not set, the control device 14 turns on or turns off one of the product information display units 91 by a lighting control signal (lighting command). The product information display unit and the product selection button can be associated with each other by flashing and receiving a signal from any of the plurality of product selection buttons 10.

  Moreover, what can be applied among the modification of the above-mentioned embodiment is applicable also when the control apparatus 14 sets an address with respect to the merchandise information display part 91 to which an address is not set. For example, when the power of the vending machine 1 is turned on again, the control device 14 receives a signal including association data between addresses and unique numbers for each product information display unit 91 stored (held) in the memory 13. The control unit 103 of each display unit 9 refers to the data included in the received signal and sends an address corresponding to the unique number of the product information display unit 91 that the display unit 9 has. It can be configured to set (reset) as the address of the product information display unit 91. In addition, the control device 14 may transmit an address initialization command to the display unit 9 before transmitting the unique information transmission request command. Further, when a part or all of the display unit 9 in the vending machine 1 is exchanged or added, the control device 14 applies the column setting process to the exchanged or added display unit 9, Address setting processing and association processing between the product information display unit and the product selection button may be performed.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment and its modification of this invention were demonstrated, this invention is not restrict | limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and modification, Further deformation | transformation, a change, etc. are based on the technical idea of this invention. Of course it is possible.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vending machine, 9 ... Display unit (display apparatus), 10 ... Product selection button, 12 ... Remote control, 13 ... Memory, 14 ... Control apparatus, 91 ... Product information display part, 101 ... Transmission / reception part, 102 ... Delay time Setting unit 103 ... Control unit 104 104 Memory 911 Price display unit 912 State display unit

Claims (31)

A vending machine,
A plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit for displaying information relating to sales products;
A control device for controlling the operation of the vending machine including the operations of the plurality of display devices;
Including
Each of the plurality of display devices is configured to transmit a response to the control device when receiving an address setting signal when the address is not set.
The control device transmits the address setting signal to at least an unset address display device among the plurality of display devices, and establishes communication with the display device in response to the address setting signal in order and addresses Set an address for each unconfigured display device,
vending machine.   The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the control device transmits an address initialization signal to the plurality of display devices before transmitting the address setting signal. Each of the plurality of display devices transmits the response including its own unique number to the address setting signal to the control device,
The control device holds the address and the unique number in association with each of the plurality of display devices.
The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2. When the power of the vending machine is turned on again, the control device transmits a signal including the held address and the unique number to the plurality of display devices,
Each of the plurality of display devices resets an address corresponding to its own unique number included in the received signal as its own address.
The vending machine according to claim 3. Including a plurality of product selection buttons provided separately from the plurality of display devices,
The control device outputs a lighting control signal for turning on or blinking the product information display unit for any one of the plurality of display devices, and the product information display unit is turned on or blinking. Sometimes when a signal is received from any of the plurality of product selection buttons, the display device is associated with the product selection button that is the transmission source of the received signal.
The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A vending machine,
A plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit for displaying information relating to sales products;
A control device for controlling the operation of the vending machine including the operations of the plurality of display devices;
Including
Each of the plurality of display devices is configured to transmit a response to the control device upon receiving an address setting signal when the product information display unit has an address not set.
The control device transmits the address setting signal to a display device having at least an unset address product information display unit among the plurality of display devices and sequentially displays the display device in response to the address setting signal. Establish communication and set an address for each product information display section that has not been set an address.
vending machine.   The vending machine according to claim 6, wherein the control device transmits an address initialization signal to the plurality of display devices before transmitting the address setting signal. Each of the plurality of display devices transmits the response including the unique number of the product display unit that the display device has to the address setting signal to the control device,
The control device holds the address and the unique number in association with each of the plurality of product information display units,
The vending machine according to claim 6 or 7. When the power of the vending machine is turned on again, the control device transmits a signal including the held address and the unique number to the plurality of display devices,
Each of the plurality of display devices resets the address corresponding to the unique number of each product information display unit included in the received signal as the address of each product information display unit.
The vending machine according to claim 8. Including a plurality of product selection buttons provided separately from the plurality of display devices,
The control device lights or blinks any one of the plurality of product information display units, and when the product information display unit is lit or blinking, any of the plurality of product selection buttons When the signal is received from the car, the product information display unit is associated with the product selection button that is the transmission source of the received signal.
The vending machine according to any one of claims 6 to 9.   The control device sequentially establishes communication with each of a display device with no address set or a display device with a product information display unit with no address set based on a response order to the address setting signal, and the display device with no address set The vending machine as described in any one of Claims 1-10 which sets an address to each of each or each of the goods information display part to which an address is not set.   The control device establishes communication with the display device that first responded to the address setting signal and sets an address in the display device or the product information display unit of the display device, and a display device in which no address is set Or the vending machine as described in any one of Claims 1-11 which repeats transmission of the said signal for an address setting, and the setting of an address until there is no merchandise information display part.   Each of the plurality of display devices is configured to transmit a response to the control device after an elapse of an individual delay time when the address setting signal is received. Vending machine described in one.   The vending machine according to claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of display devices includes a delay time setting unit that sets the delay time. A control device for a vending machine that controls the operation of a vending machine including a plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit that displays information related to the sales product,
An address setting signal is transmitted to at least an unset address display device among the plurality of display devices, and communication is sequentially established with each non-address set display device in response to the address setting signal. A vending machine controller that sets an address for each unconfigured display device.   16. The control device for a vending machine according to claim 15, wherein an address initialization signal is transmitted to the plurality of display devices before transmitting the address setting signal.   In response to the address setting signal, the response including its own unique number is received from each of the plurality of display devices, and the address and the unique number are associated and held for each of the plurality of display devices. The control device for a vending machine according to claim 15 or 16. A control device for a vending machine that controls the operation of a vending machine including a plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit that displays information related to the sales product,
An address setting signal is transmitted to a display device having at least an unset address product information display unit among the plurality of display devices, and an unset address product information display unit responding to the address setting signal is included. A control device for a vending machine that establishes communication with each of the display devices in order and sets an address in the product information display unit for which no address is set.   19. The control device for a vending machine according to claim 18, wherein an address initialization signal is transmitted to the plurality of display devices before transmitting the address setting signal.   In response to the address setting signal, the response including the unique number of the product information display unit of the display device is received from each of the plurality of display devices, and the address and the unique number for each of the plurality of product information display units. The control device for a vending machine according to claim 18 or 19, wherein Automatic control of the operation of a vending machine including a plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit for displaying information relating to sales products, and a plurality of product selection buttons provided separately from the plurality of display devices A vending machine control device,
A lighting control signal for lighting or blinking the product information display unit is output to any one display device among the plurality of display devices, and when the product information display unit is turned on or blinking, When a signal is received from one of the product selection buttons, the control device of the vending machine performs association between the display device and the product selection button that is a transmission source of the received signal. A vending machine control device for controlling the operation of a vending machine including a plurality of product information display units for displaying information related to sales products and a plurality of product selection buttons provided separately from the plurality of product information display units Because
Turn on or blink any one of the plurality of product information display units, and send a signal from any of the plurality of product selection buttons when the product information display unit is lit or blinking. When received, the vending machine control device associates the product information display unit with the product selection button that is the transmission source of the received signal. A control method for a vending machine including a plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit for displaying information on sales products,
An address setting signal is transmitted to at least an unset address display device among the plurality of display devices, and communication is sequentially established with each non-address set display device in response to the address setting signal. A control method for a vending machine, in which an address is set for each display device that has not been set.   The vending machine control method according to claim 23, wherein an address initialization signal is transmitted to the plurality of display devices before transmitting the address setting signal.   In response to the address setting signal, the response including its own unique number is received from each of the plurality of display devices, and the address and the unique number are associated and held for each of the plurality of display devices. The method for controlling a vending machine according to claim 23 or 24. When the power of the vending machine is turned on again, a signal including the held address and the unique number is transmitted to the plurality of display devices,
Each of the plurality of display devices resets an address corresponding to its own unique number included in the received signal as its own address.
The method for controlling a vending machine according to claim 25. A control method for a vending machine including a plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit for displaying information on sales products,
An address setting signal is transmitted to a display device having at least an unset address product information display unit among the plurality of display devices, and an unset address product information display unit responding to the address setting signal is included. A control method for a vending machine, in which communication is sequentially established with each of the display devices, and an address is set in a product information display unit in which no address is set.   In response to the address setting signal, the response including the unique number of the product information display unit owned by each of the plurality of display devices is received, and the address and the unique number for each of the plurality of product information display units The control method of the vending machine according to claim 27, wherein: When the power of the vending machine is turned on again, a signal including the held address and the unique number is transmitted to the plurality of display devices,
Each of the plurality of display devices resets the address corresponding to the unique number of each product information display unit included in the received signal as the address of each product information display unit.
The method for controlling a vending machine according to claim 28. A control method for a vending machine comprising: a plurality of display devices having at least one product information display unit for displaying information related to sales products; and a plurality of product selection buttons provided separately from the plurality of display devices. ,
The product information display unit is turned on or blinked for any one display device among the plurality of display devices, and any of the plurality of product selection buttons when the product information display unit is turned on or blinking. When a signal is received from the car, a control method for the vending machine that associates the display device with a product selection button that is a transmission source of the received signal. A control method for a vending machine including a plurality of product information display units for displaying information related to sales products, and a plurality of product selection buttons provided separately from the plurality of product information display units,
Turn on or blink any one of the plurality of product information display units, and send a signal from any of the plurality of product selection buttons when the product information display unit is lit or blinking. When received, the vending machine control method associates the product information display unit with the product selection button that is the transmission source of the received signal.