JP3115190B2 - Vending machine operation method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for operating a vending machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At the start of operation immediately after installation, a vending machine with a learning function that realizes more appropriate operation while correcting settings based on learning data collected while the vending machine is operating has been considered. .

[0003] The learning function will be described by taking as an example a lighting device in a sample exhibition room where samples are exhibited. The attendant turns on the lighting “PM 5:30” and turns off the light “AM 5:
If the operation is started by setting “00”, the lighting device is turned on when “PM 5:30” is initially set, and “AM
At 5:00 ", the lighting device is turned off. During operation, the illuminance of the installation location is measured with an optical sensor, and" PM 5: 3 "
If it is learned that the installation location is brighter than the specified value even when it becomes “0”, the lighting start time is updated so as to be later than “PM 5:30”, and at the time when it approaches “PM 5:30” When it is learned that the installation location is darker than the specified value, the lighting start time is updated so as to be earlier than “PM 5:30”.

[0004] The same applies to the turn-off time.
If it is learned that the installation location is darker than the specified value even when the time reaches “00”, the light-off time is updated so as to be later than “AM 5:00”, and the installation location is approached at a time approaching “AM 5:00”. Is updated to be earlier than “AM 5:00” when it is learned that is brighter than the specified value.

[0005] By driving based on the learning result in this way, the attendant goes around each vending machine at the transition from winter to summer or from summer to winter, and determines the lighting start time and the light-off time. The lighting device can be operated more appropriately without any modification.

[0006]

When an old vending machine is removed and replaced with a new vending machine, the operation of the new vending machine is started based on the default value of the new vending machine and the operation of the old vending machine is started. The vending machine learning data has been discarded.

Therefore, in the period immediately after the installation of the new vending machine, the lighting device is turned on early even though dusk is late, or the lighting device is turned on early even though dawn is late. An improper control period for turning off the light occurs, which causes a problem that the lighting device cannot be properly operated after the new vending machine is installed and before the learning data is collected.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a learning data handling method capable of realizing appropriate operation immediately after replacing a new vending machine.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a vending machine, wherein a first vending machine is replaced with a second vending machine, or data is read from the first vending machine. To write data to the second vending machine
The learning data collected during the operation of the first vending machine is transferred to the second vending machine.
, And the second vending machine is driven based on the learning data of the first vending machine.

[0010] A method of operating a vending machine according to claim 2 is as follows.
When replacing the first vending machine with the second vending machine, or when reading data from the first vending machine and writing data to the second vending machine, the first vending machine is in operation The learning data collected in the first vending machine is transmitted to the second vending machine, and the operation is controlled using the learning data of the first vending machine as a default value of the learning data of the second vending machine.

[0011] A method of operating a vending machine according to claim 3 is as follows.
When replacing the first vending machine with the second vending machine, or when reading data from the first vending machine and writing data to the second vending machine, the first vending machine is in operation The learning data collected in the first vending machine is transmitted to the second vending machine, and the operation is controlled based on the learning data of the first vending machine until the collection of the learning data in the second vending machine is completed. Then, when the collection of the learning data in the second vending machine is completed, the operation of the second vending machine is controlled based on its own learning data.

[0012]

According to the structure of the first aspect, the learning data of the first vending machine to be discarded is transmitted to the newly installed second vending machine without discarding, and the second vending machine is transmitted to the first vending machine.
Is operated based on the learning data of the vending machine, so that the newly installed second vending machine is properly operated immediately after installation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first discarded
New installation of vending machine learning data
The operation is controlled as the default value of the learning data of the vending machine, so that the second vending machine is appropriately operated immediately after installation.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the learning data collected during the operation of the first vending machine to be discarded is transmitted to the newly installed second vending machine, and the second vending machine is installed. The operation is controlled based on the learning data of the first vending machine during the period until the collection of the learning data in the second vending machine. When the collection of the learning data in the second vending machine is completed, the second vending machine is controlled. Since the vending machine is operated based on its own learning data, the second vending machine is appropriately operated immediately after installation.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a method of operating a vending machine according to the present invention.
A description will be given based on specific examples shown in FIGS.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment. Existing first vending machine 1a and second vending machine 1b which is removed from first vending machine 1a and installed at the same place
Have the same basic configuration. Here, the configuration will be described using the first vending machine 1a as an example.

The service surface of the vending machine is illuminated by a built-in lighting device 2. The sales control means 3 outputs a payout instruction to the commodity payout device 5 based on the input money information 4 and the like.
The refrigerator in which the commodity dispensing device 5 is installed is temperature-controlled by a refrigerator 6. The learning unit 7 learns the driving situation based on the sales number information 8 indicating the number of sales performed by the sales control unit 3 and the detected illuminance information 10 of the optical sensor 9, and learns the memory 1.
1, the operation start temperature and the operation end temperature of the refrigerator 6 are optimally controlled via the refrigerator control means 12 based on the learning results accumulated in the memory 11, and the lighting device 2 is controlled by the lighting device control means. The turning-on time and the turning-off time are optimally controlled via the switch 13. The communication means 14 has its own vending machine 1a
The learning data stored in the memory 11 of the first vending machine 1a is connected to the learning means 7 of the vending machine 1b via the communication means 14 and the line 15 of the new vending machine 1b which can be replaced in place of the learning means 7. Through the memory 11.

When the existing first vending machine 1a is installed on the second vending machine 1b, there are the following two cases. -When discarding the learning data of the first vending machine 1a-When transferring the learning data of the first vending machine 1a to the second vending machine 1b Discarding the learning data of the first vending machine 1a If so, the communication means 14 of the first vending machine 1a and the communication means 14 of the second vending machine 1b are connected, and the learning data of the first vending machine 1a is transferred to the second vending machine. The second vending machine 1b is installed without transferring to the first vending machine 1b.

In this case, the learning means 7 of the second vending machine 1b which has started the operation processes as shown in FIG. The second vending machine 1b reads its own learning data in # 1 and accumulates its own learning data in # 2 and updates the learning data. In # 3, it is determined whether or not the learning data is transferred from the first vending machine 1a.
If it is determined that there is no transfer, the # of the second vending machine 1b
In 4, when the specified period has not elapsed from the start of operation, it is determined that reliable learning data is not completed, and each unit is operated with its own default value.

The learning data of the first vending machine 1a is stored in the second vending machine 1a.
Is transferred to the vending machine 1b, the communication means 14 of the first vending machine 1a is connected to the communication means 14 of the second vending machine 1b, and the learning data of the first vending machine 1a is connected. To the second vending machine 1b.

In this case, # 3 of the learning means 7 of the second vending machine 1b determines that there is transfer of learning data from the first vending machine 1a, and # 5 is executed. # 5
Then, the second vending machine 1b is driven according to the learning data received from the first vending machine 1a.

As described above, the first vending machine 1a is connected to the second vending machine 1a.
When the learning data is transferred from the first vending machine 1a to the second vending machine 1b when replacing the vending machine 1b with the vending machine 1b, the first vending machine 1 to be removed
The newly installed second vending machine is operated based on the learning data cultivated in Step b, and the installation of the second vending machine is started as compared with the case of starting the operation with the default value or the own learning data immediately after the installation in # 4. Immediately after that, the lighting device 2 and the refrigerator 6 can be operated properly, which is effective for achieving energy saving.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the learning means 7.
Only # 4 and # 5 are different from the first embodiment shown in FIG. In # 4 of FIG. 2, the vehicle was driven with either the default value or its own learning data. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, when there is no transfer of the learning data from the first vending machine 1a, The second vending machine 1b is driven while updating with the own learning data without using the default value as it is.

In # 5 of FIG. 2, the operation is performed with the learning data received from the first vending machine 1a. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the transfer of the learning data from the first vending machine 1a is performed. If there is, the second vending machine 1b is operated while updating the learning data received from the first vending machine 1a with its own learning data.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the learning means 7.
In # 1, the own learning data is read, and in # 2, the own learning data is accumulated and the learning data is updated.
In # 3, it is determined whether or not a specified time T1 has elapsed since the operation of the second vending machine 1b started. T1 is a set time at which reliable learning data is expected to be obtained.

If it is determined in step # 3 that the specified time T1 has not elapsed, it is determined in step # 4 whether or not learning data has been transferred from the first vending machine 1a. When the determination is made, in the case of # 5 of the second vending machine 1b, if the specified period has not elapsed from the start of operation, it is determined that reliable learning data is not completed, and each unit is set to its own default value. To drive.

If it is determined in # 4 that there is a transfer, in # 6 of the second vending machine 1b, the second vending machine 1b is operated with the received data as a default value. If it is determined in # 3 that the specified time T1 has elapsed, it is determined in # 7 whether or not the learning data is transferred from the first vending machine 1a.
If it is determined that there is no transfer in # 7, the second vending machine 1b
In # 8, the default value is updated with the self-learning data of the second vending machine 1b to drive the second vending machine 1b.

If it is determined in # 7 that there is a transfer, in # 9 of the second vending machine 1b, the learning data received from the first vending machine 1a is learned by the second vending machine 1b. The second vending machine 1b is operated after updating with the data.

As described above, depending on the time from the start of operation of the second vending machine 1b and whether or not the learning data is updated from the first vending machine 1a to the second vending machine 1b, #
5, # 6, # 8, and # 9 are selectively performed, and the second vending machine 1b is driven with information considered more appropriate.

In each of the above embodiments, the first vending machine 1
If the learning item of the first vending machine 1a is the same as the learning item of the first vending machine 1a, the learning item of the first vending machine 1a matches the learning item of the second vending machine 1b. Only the learning items requested by the second vending machine 1b are edited on the side of the first vending machine 1a and transferred to the second vending machine 1b, or the first vending machine 1b is operated by the second vending machine 1b. Vending machine 1a
It is configured to take only necessary data from the learning data sent from the memory 11 into the memory 11.

In each of the above embodiments, an example of operation control of the refrigerator 6 and the lighting device 2 has been described.
Examples include the outside air temperature, the number of selections, the number of stored products, and the design evaluation index.

The design evaluation index will be described in detail. The second vending machine 1b, which replaces the degree of model change between the first vending machine 1a and the second vending machine 1b, uses the first vending machine. If the type is older than the vending machine 1a, multiply the daily sales by a coefficient “0.8”. If the second vending machine 1b is a minor change of the first vending machine 1a, multiply the daily sales by a coefficient. In the case of a full model change, the daily sales are multiplied by a coefficient “1.3”, and in the case of renewal, the daily sales are multiplied by a coefficient “1.
By multiplying by 2 ", by inputting the type of replacement from the setting device, sales can be accurately predicted, which is effective for appropriately controlling the refrigerator 6 based on learning data. is there.

The above-described coefficient setting operation or the type of replacement can be set on the side of the second vending machine 1b to be replaced, but the first vending machine 1a to be replaced can be set. It is also possible to configure such that the setting operation of the coefficient or the type of replacement is set on the side and this is transferred to the second vending machine 1b.

Instead of setting the type as described above, the manufacturing date of the first vending machine 1a and the manufacturing date of the second vending machine 1b are set, or the first and second vending machines 1b are set. Of the vending machines 1a and 1b can be automatically determined and set.

In the above embodiment, the case where the first vending machine is replaced with the second vending machine has been described as an example. However, the first vending machine is located at a position close to the first vending machine, for example, adjacent to the first vending machine. The present invention can also be applied to a case where two vending machines are installed. In this case, data is read from the first vending machine and data is written to the second vending machine.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, the learning data collected while the first vending machine is operating is transmitted to the second vending machine, and the second vending machine is transmitted to the first vending machine. Since the operation is performed based on the learning data of the vending machine, the newly installed second vending machine can realize appropriate operation immediately after the installation, and the necessary data can be manually transmitted to the second vending machine. It is also effective in eliminating setting errors as compared with the case of setting.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a vending machine that realizes a method of operating a vending machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the learning means of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a learning unit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the learning means of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a first vending machine 1b second vending machine 7 learning means 11 memory

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] When replacing a first vending machine with a second vending machine, or reading data from the first vending machine and writing data to the second vending machine, the first vending machine is replaced with a first vending machine. A method of operating a vending machine in which learning data collected while a vending machine is operating is transmitted to a second vending machine, and the second vending machine is driven based on the learning data of the first vending machine. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first vending machine is replaced with a second vending machine, or when reading data from the first vending machine and writing data to the second vending machine, the first vending machine is used. A vending machine that transmits learning data collected during operation of a vending machine to a second vending machine, and controls the operation using the learning data of the first vending machine as a default value of the learning data of the second vending machine. How to operate the machine. 3. A method for replacing a first vending machine with a second vending machine, or reading data from the first vending machine and writing data to the second vending machine, the first vending machine. The learning data collected during the operation of the vending machine is transmitted to the second vending machine, and the learning data of the first vending machine is transmitted to the learning data of the first vending machine until the collection of the learning data by the second vending machine is completed. A method of operating a vending machine that controls the operation of the second vending machine based on its own learning data when the operation is controlled based on the learning data of the second vending machine.