JP3632275B2 - Card-compatible vending machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a card-compatible vending machine that sells products using cards.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, every time there is a sale by card, sales data such as the number of sales and the sales price is created and stored in the internal memory, and if the storage area of the internal memory disappears due to the storage of a large number of sales data, After the sale is temporarily prohibited, the stored data is transferred to the host device, so that when the storage area becomes empty, the state returns to the sale standby state.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if communication with the host is stopped due to inadequate maintenance or some sort of failure, or in an environment where there are many installed and sold vending machines, the data transmission efficiency of each vending machine to the host device In the case of a drop, there is a problem in that the storage area continues to be free for a long time, and a sales opportunity during that time is missed.
[0004]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a card-compatible vending machine capable of storing a larger amount of sales data and avoiding a sales prohibition state without adding a memory. For the purpose.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the card-compatible vending machine that sells products with a card, the present invention stores the same data as the card ID when the sales data when the product is sold with the card is stored in the sales data storage means together with the card ID. If there is, the current sales data is integrated and added to the sales data of the existing ID to reduce the storage amount in the sales data storage means.
[0006]
The first invention is as claimed in claim 2 (corresponding to FIG. 1).
In the card-compatible vending machine (100) that stores the sales data when the product is sold with a card in the sales data storage means (3),
A card reader (1) for reading the ID of the inserted card;
Sales control means (2) for controlling the sales of products;
Means (4) for detecting the storage amount in the sales data storage means (3);
The same ID search means (5) for searching whether the same ID as the ID of the inserted card is stored in the sales data storage means (3);
Data cumulative addition means (6) for cumulatively adding the current sales data to the sales data of an arbitrary ID stored in the sales data storage means (3) and storing it;
Until the amount of storage reaches MAX of the sales data storage means (3), the sales data is stored in the sales data storage means (3) together with the card ID every time a product is sold on the card. After the storage amount of the means (3) reaches MAX, sales are permitted only when the same ID as the card ID is stored in the sales data storage means (3), and the current sales data is stored in the existing data. The cumulative addition is performed on sales data having the same ID.
[0007]
As the second invention is in claim 3 (corresponding to FIG. 2),
In the card-compatible vending machine (200) for storing the sales data when the product is sold with a card in the sales data storage means (23),
A card reader (21) for reading the ID of the inserted card;
Sales control means (22) for controlling sales of the product;
Means (26) for detecting the storage amount in the sales data storage means (23);
The same ID search means (24) for searching whether the same ID as the ID of the inserted card is stored in the sales data storage means (23);
The sales data storage means (23) includes data accumulation and addition means (25) for accumulating and storing the current sales data for the sales data of an arbitrary ID stored in the sales data storage means (23),
When the same ID as that of the inserted card is stored in the sales data storage means (23), the sales are permitted and the current sales data is cumulatively added to the existing ID sales data,
On the other hand, when the same ID is not stored, it is detected whether the storage amount of the sales data storage means (23) has reached MAX, and when it does not reach MAX, sales are permitted and the current sales data is stored. It is stored in the sales data storage means (23) together with the card ID, and when it reaches MAX, the sales by the card is prohibited.
[0008]
The third invention (FIG. 3 corresponds), the card corresponding vending machine for storing sales data when selling goods in card sales data storage means (33) in (300), reads the ID of the inserted card A card reader (31), a sales control means (32) for controlling the sale of goods, an ID registration means (34) for pre-registering usable IDs in the sales data storage means (33), and an insertion Same ID search means (35) for searching whether the same ID as the card ID registered in the sales data storage means (33), and sales of any ID stored in the sales data storage means (33) A data accumulating means (36) for accumulating and storing sales data for the data, and if the same ID as the card ID is registered in the search of the same ID searching means (35), the same existing The current sales data is cumulatively added to the ID sales data, and the same I If you are not registered, and inhibits the sale by the card to the sales controlling means (22).
[0009]
When a product is sold with a card, the sales data at that time is stored in the sales data storage means together with the card ID. If the same ID as the current card ID is already stored in the sales data storage means, that is, the past If the same card has a purchase history, the current sales data is added to the sales data of the existing ID. Since the number of memories for storing the sales data does not change because the data is simply rewritten in this integration and addition process, an increase in the storage amount in the sales data storage means can be suppressed, and as a result, the sales due to a shortage of storage area can be suppressed. The stop can be eliminated.
[0010]
In the card-compatible vending machine (100) of the first aspect of the invention, until the storage amount of the sales data storage means (3) reaches MAX, normal operation, that is, merchandise sales with the same ID (same person's card). Even so, the ID is stored together with the sales data for each sale, but if the storage amount of the sales data storage means (3) becomes MAX, there is no area for newly storing data, so there is a purchase history. Sales are permitted only for cards, and the sales data at that time is added to the existing sales data with the same ID, and a card with no purchase history, that is, a new card, requires new storage of sales data. Sales are prohibited.
[0011]
In the card-compatible vending machine (200) according to the second aspect of the invention, it is first determined whether the inserted card has a purchase history, and if there is a purchase history, the sale is permitted and the sales data is added up. On the other hand, in the case of using a new card, it is detected whether or not the storage amount of the sales data storage means (23) is MAX, and if it does not reach MAX, sales are permitted and the sales data is stored in the card. When it is newly stored together with the ID and reaches MAX, sales are prohibited because there is no storage area.
[0012]
In the card-compatible vending machine (300) according to the third aspect of the invention, since the IDs of usable cards are registered in advance, only registered cards can be used. Since the sales data is integrated and added for each ID, the number of memories for storing the sales data does not change.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 4 is a control block diagram showing an embodiment of the card-compatible vending machines 100 and 200 common to the first and second inventions.
A card reader / writer 51 reads the ID and payment information of the inserted card and writes balance information after selling the product. Information from the card reader / writer 51 is taken into the CPU 53 through the interface 52. 54 is a product selection button for selecting a product, and 55 is a keyboard for setting a product price and associating the product selection button 54 with a product. 56 is a ROM that stores a control program executed by the CPU 53, and 57 is a RAM that stores setting data such as a commodity price.
[0014]
In the CPU 53, a sales data storage memory 53A for storing sales data of an ID (01, 02...), A corresponding number of sales (05, 01...) And a sales price (660, 110...), A card reader / writer 51, the same ID search means 53C for searching whether or not the same ID as the card ID sent from 51 is stored in the sales data storage memory 53A. Cumulative addition means 53D for accumulating and storing the sales data of the ID and storage amount detecting means 53E for detecting how much data is stored in the storage area of the sales data storage memory 53A are included.
[0015]
58 is a merchandise carry-out mechanism for carrying out merchandise for sale, and 59 is a card acceptance prohibition indicator lamp that lights up when sale is prohibited with a card inserted into the card reader / writer 51. Reference numeral 60 denotes an interface to the product carry-out mechanism 58 and the card reception prohibition indicator lamp 59. Reference numeral 61 denotes a communication device for transmitting the sales data to the host station when the storage amount in the sales data storage memory 53A becomes MAX as a result of detection by the storage amount detection means 3E and there is no storage area.
[0016]
First, the control operation of the card-compatible vending machine 100 of the first invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In step S11, various setting data necessary for sales is downloaded from the host station, and the setting data is stored in the RAM 57. When a card is inserted into the card reader / writer 51 in step S12, the card ID is read in step S13.
[0017]
In step S14, it is determined whether the storage amount of the sales data storage memory 53A has reached MAX. If it is not MAX (the storage area remains), the sale is permitted unconditionally in step S15, and after the sale, the sale data at this time is stored in the sale data storage memory 53A together with the card ID. In step S17, the card is returned. In addition, although this card manages the purchase situation of goods by ID, if it sells goods according to the payment information of a card, balance information will be written in card return time.
[0018]
On the other hand, when the storage amount in the sales data storage memory 53A reaches MAX (there is no storage area), the process proceeds from step S14 to step S18, and the same ID as the card ID is stored in the sales data storage memory 3A. It is determined whether it is stored. If stored (has a purchase history with the card), sales are permitted in step S19, and after sales, in step S20, the current sales data is cumulatively added to the existing sales data of the same ID, Proceed to step S17.
[0019]
For example, when the card ID is “02” and one item with a price of 110 yen is purchased this time, the sales data “01 (number) 0110 (sales price)” with the ID “02” is “02 0220”. Is cumulatively added. As described above, since the numerical value is simply rewritten (the number of data bytes does not change), the memory for storing data does not change.
[0020]
On the other hand, when the same ID as the ID of the inserted card is not stored, there is no area for newly storing sales data in this mode (storage capacity is MAX), so the card acceptance prohibition indicator lamp 59 in step S21. Is turned on and the card is returned in step S17 without being sold.
[0021]
When the storage amount of the sales data storage memory 53A becomes MAX, the process proceeds to a data transmission subroutine. If communication with the host station is possible, the sales data stored in the sales data storage memory 53A is transmitted to the host station, and the sales data is stored. After the storage memory 53A is cleared, the process returns to the original flow.
[0022]
Next, the control operation of the card-compatible vending machine 200 of the second invention will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
In step S31, the aforementioned download data is stored, and when the card ID is read in steps S32 and S33, the same ID as the card ID is stored in the sales data storage memory 53A in the next step S34. Is determined. If the same ID is stored (has a purchase history), the sale is permitted in step S35, and after the sale, the current sales data is cumulatively added to the sales data of the existing ID in step S36. In step S41, the card is returned.
[0023]
On the other hand, if the card ID is not stored in the sales data storage memory 53A (use of a new card), the process proceeds from step S34 to step S37, where it is determined whether the storage amount of the sales data storage memory 53A is MAX. Is done.
[0024]
If it is not MAX (there is an area for storing new sales data), sales are permitted in step S38, and the current sales data is stored in the sales data storage memory 53A together with the card ID in step S39. Proceed to step S41. On the other hand, when the amount stored in the sales data storage memory 53A is MAX, the card cannot be sold, so the card acceptance prohibition indicator lamp is turned on in step S40, and the card is returned in step S41. When the storage amount becomes MAX, the sales data is transmitted to the host station.
[0025]
FIG. 7 is a control block diagram showing an embodiment of the card-compatible vending machine 300 of the third invention. In FIG. 7, a timer 53F is provided instead of the storage amount detection means 53E. The control operation of the card-compatible vending machine 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0026]
In step S51, an ID of a card that can be used in advance is registered in the sales data storage memory 53A using the keyboard 55. In step S52, setting data necessary for sales control is downloaded from the host station. The aforementioned ID registration may be stored as download data. When the card is inserted into the card reader / writer 51 in step S53, the card ID is read in step S54.
[0027]
In step S55, it is determined whether or not the card ID is registered in the sales data storage memory 53A. If registered, sales are permitted in step S56 . After the sales, the current sales data is cumulatively added to the sales data of the registered ID in step S57. In step S59, the card is returned.
[0028]
On the other hand, if the card ID is not registered, the process proceeds from step S55 to step S58, the card acceptance prohibition indicator lamp 59 is turned on, and the card is returned in step S59.
[0029]
In the above control, every time the timer 53F measures a certain time, the process proceeds to the data transmission routine shown in FIG. 5 to transmit data to the host station.
[0030]
In this control, since there is a sales data storage area for IDs that can be used in advance, that is, there is no new storage, the area required for storing all sales data is constant, so the above-described storage The amount detection means 53E is not necessary.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
The card-compatible vending machine according to the present invention increases the sales data in order to add the current sales data to the past sales data if there is a purchase history with the card in the past. , And sales suspension due to lack of storage area can be eliminated.
The card-compatible vending machine according to the first aspect of the invention operates under normal control (sales data is created for each sale), but even if the sales data storage means (3) has no storage area, it has a purchase history in the past. By accumulating the sales data for the card, the use of the card is permitted without requiring a new storage area. According to this control, the storage amount of the sales data storage means (3) Until it becomes MAX, even sales by the same card are recorded individually, so that detailed data (number of sales, sales price, sales date, etc.) for each sales can be collected.
The card-compatible vending machine of the second invention determines whether or not the inserted card has a purchase history, and if there is a purchase history, permits the sale and adds up the sales data, while the new card In the case of use, it is detected whether there is a storage amount of the sales data storage means (23), and if there is a storage area, sales are permitted and new sales data is stored, but if there is no storage area, sales are prohibited. According to this control, since only one sales data is created by cumulative addition for the same card, more sales data can be stored, that is, more cards can be used.
In the card-compatible vending machine according to the third aspect of the invention, only the registered card is allowed to be sold, and each sales data is accumulated and added for each ID. Therefore, the memory capacity for storing the sales data is unchanged. The required memory capacity of the sales data storage means (33) can be determined according to the number of registrations, and no means for detecting the storage amount in the sales data storage means is required.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram corresponding to claims of the card-compatible vending machine according to the first invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram corresponding to claims of the card-compatible vending machine according to the second invention. FIG. 4 is a control block diagram showing an embodiment common to the first invention and the second invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the first invention. FIG. 7 is a control block diagram showing an embodiment of the third invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the third invention.
51 Card Reader / Writer 52 Interface 53 CPU
53A Sales data storage memory 53C Same ID search means 53D Cumulative addition means 53E Storage amount detection means 53F Timer 54 Product selection button 55 Keyboard 56 ROM
57 RAM
58 Product unloading mechanism 59 Card acceptance prohibition indicator lamp 60 Interface

Claims (2)

Sales data storage means for sales data when products are sold with cards ( 3 ) Card-compatible vending machine (100) Card reader that reads the ID of the inserted card ( 1 ) And sales control means for controlling the sales of products ( 2 ) And sales data storage means ( 3 ) For detecting the amount of memory in memory ( 4 ) And the same ID as that of the inserted card is the sales data storage means ( 3 ) Same ID search means for searching whether stored in ( 5 ) And sales data storage means ( 3 ) Data cumulative addition means for accumulating and storing the current sales data for the sales data of any ID stored in ( 6 ) And the storage amount is sales data storage means ( 3 ) Until it becomes MAX of the sales data storage means together with the card ID every time the product is sold on the card ( 3 ) Sales data storage means ( 3 ) After the storage amount reaches MAX, the same ID as the card ID is the sales data storage means. ( 3 ) The card-compatible vending machine is characterized in that only when it is stored, the sales are permitted and the current sales data is cumulatively added to the existing sales data of the same ID. Sales data storage means for sales data when products are sold with cards (twenty three) Card-compatible vending machine (200) Card reader that reads the ID of the inserted card (twenty one) And sales control means for controlling the sales of products (twenty two) And sales data storage means (twenty three) For detecting the amount of memory in memory (26) And the same ID as that of the inserted card is the sales data storage means (twenty three) Same ID search means for searching whether stored in (twenty four) And sales data storage means (twenty three) Data cumulative addition means for accumulating and storing the current sales data for the sales data of any ID stored in (twenty five) And the same ID as that of the inserted card is the sales data storage means (twenty three) Is stored, the current sales data is accumulatively added to the existing ID sales data, and when the same ID is not stored, the sales data storage means (twenty three) It is detected whether or not the amount of storage reaches MAX, and when it does not reach MAX, sales are permitted and the current sales data together with the card ID is stored as sales data storage means. (twenty three) The card-compatible vending machine is characterized by prohibiting the sale of the card when it reaches MAX.

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