JP4000726B2 - Vending machine, rack control method for vending machine, and computer-readable recording medium recording program for causing computer to execute the method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has a plurality of racks for storing products, a vending machine that takes out and discharges products stored in the corresponding racks in response to an instruction input from a predetermined instruction unit, and a rack control method for a vending machine And a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the method is recorded.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, various products such as packed products, canned drinks or jelly-like foods are stored in a plurality of product storage racks, and when a user inputs a number assigned to a desired product, the corresponding product is stored in the product storage rack. A vending machine is known that takes out from a product and discharges it to a product outlet.
[0003]
That is, in such a vending machine, n stages and m rows of product storage racks are arranged therein, and a fixed number is assigned to each product storage rack, and if the user inputs the number, The product storage rack that matches this number is specified, the corresponding product is taken out from the specified product storage rack, and the product is transported to the product outlet.
[0004]
Therefore, when the position and number of the product storage racks are always fixed, the product corresponding to the number input by the user can be quickly conveyed to the product take-out port without any particular inconvenience.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in practice, rather than operating a vending machine with the position and number of product storage racks fixed at all times, the product storage rack should be appropriately thinned and operated from the viewpoint of product size and display aesthetics. There are many. For example, when a new product having a height higher than that of a conventional product appears and the new product is stored in a product storage rack, the product storage rack located on the upper part must be thinned out. Further, in a vending machine that can visually check the display state of a product from the outside, an arbitrary product storage rack is often thinned out in order to distinguish a group of products from other product groups.
[0006]
In such a case, a conventional vending machine loads a control program corresponding to a new rack configuration, excludes unused product storage racks, and assigns new numbers only to used product storage racks. However, it is not efficient to load such a program every time the rack configuration is changed.
[0007]
In addition, in order to determine the rack configuration of a vending machine, it is usually necessary to balance the efficiency of storing products in the product storage rack with the aesthetics of the vending machine as a whole. It takes effort.
[0008]
In addition, a technology that assigns a fixed number to each product storage rack and ignores only the thinned product storage rack may be considered, but if such technology is adopted, a number corresponding to the product storage rack thinned by the user by mistake is assigned. Because it may be specified, the operability of the vending machine is reduced. In the first place, since vending machines have a characteristic that a large number of vehicles are arranged in an unattended area such as a road edge, such user operation errors must be reduced as much as possible.
[0009]
In order to solve the above-described problems caused by the conventional technology, the present invention can flexibly and easily change the configuration of a product storage rack for storing products without updating a control program, and a vending machine. An object of the present invention is to provide a rack control method for a machine and a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing a computer to execute the method is recorded.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-described problem, the vending machine according to the invention of claim 1 has a plurality of racks for storing products, and the products stored in the corresponding racks in response to an instruction input from a predetermined instruction unit. In an automatic vending machine that takes out and discharges the product, it can operate in a state in which the product is stored and supplied, or in an inoperable state in which the product is not stored and supplied.Rack status storage means for storing the rack status of each rack, and when the mounting position of each rack is changed, the rack status responsive to the mounting position of each rack is stored in the rack status storage means, Check the rack status of the rack.Rack state setting means for automatic setting;Based on the rack status of each rack stored in the rack status storage means,And control means for controlling the discharge of the commodity in response to the instruction input from the instruction section.
[0011]
  According to this invention,When the mounting position of each rack is changed, the rack state that responds to the mounting position of each rack is stored in the rack state storage means, the rack state of each rack is automatically set, and is stored in this rack state storage means. In addition, since it is decided to control the discharge of the product that responds to the instruction input from the instruction unit based on the rack state of each rack, the configuration of the product storage rack for storing the product can be flexibly changed without updating the control program. The rack configuration can be easily changed, and the rack configuration can be easily and quickly changed following the change in the rack mounting position.
[0012]
  The vending machine according to the invention of claim 2 is:In a vending machine that has a plurality of racks for storing products and takes out and discharges the products stored in the corresponding racks in response to an instruction input from a predetermined instruction unit, it is possible to store and supply the products. Rack state storage means for storing the rack state of each rack that is in an inoperable state in which the state or the product is not stored and supplied, and the rack state storage means that is responsive to the height of the product stored in each rack The rack status setting means for automatically setting the rack status of each rack and the product responding to the instruction input from the instruction section based on the rack status of each rack stored in the rack status storage means. And a control means for controlling discharge.
[0013]
  According to this invention,Since the rack state that responds to the height of the product stored in each rack is stored in the rack state storage means, the rack configuration is easily and quickly changed in response to the height of the product stored in each rack. be able to.
[0014]
  The vending machine according to the invention of claim 3 isIn the invention of claim 1 or 2, the rack state setting means assigns a serial number as identification information of each rack in an operable state, and the control means sets each rack set by the rack state setting means. On the basis of the identification information, the discharge of the commodity responding to the instruction input from the instruction unit is controlled.
[0015]
  According to this invention,A serial number is assigned as identification information for each rack that is in an operable state, and it is possible to control the discharge of products that respond to instruction inputs from the instruction section based on the identification information for each rack that has been set. Only the racks in the state are managed as serial numbers, which makes it easier to manage the racks and the products stored in the racks.
[0016]
  A vending machine according to the invention of claim 4The rack control method of the vending machine has a plurality of racks for storing products and takes out and discharges the products stored in the corresponding racks in response to an instruction input from a predetermined instruction unit. When the mounting position of each rack is changed, in response to the mounting position of each rack, each rack is configured to be in an operable state in which the product is stored and supplied or in an inoperable state in which the product is not stored and supplied. The rack state is stored in the rack state storage unit, and the rack state setting step for automatically setting the rack state of each rack, and the rack state of each rack stored in the rack state storage unit And a control step for controlling the discharge of the commodity in response to the instruction input.
[0017]
  According to this invention,When the mounting position of each rack is changed, the rack state that responds to the mounting position of each rack is stored in the rack state storage means, the rack state of each rack is automatically set, and is stored in this rack state storage means. In addition, since it is decided to control the discharge of the product that responds to the instruction input from the instruction unit based on the rack state of each rack, the configuration of the product storage rack for storing the product can be flexibly changed without updating the control program. The rack configuration can be easily changed, and the rack configuration can be easily and quickly changed following the change in the rack mounting position.
[0018]
  A vending machine according to the invention of claim 5The rack control method of the vending machine has a plurality of racks for storing products and takes out and discharges the products stored in the corresponding racks in response to an instruction input from a predetermined instruction unit. The rack state storage unit stores the rack state of each rack in an operable state in which the product is stored and supplied in response to the height of the product stored in each rack or an inoperable state in which the product is not stored and supplied. The rack state setting step for storing and automatically setting the rack state of each rack, and the discharge of the commodity responding to the instruction input from the instruction unit based on the rack state of each rack stored in the rack state storage unit And a control step for controlling.
[0019]
  According to this invention,Since the rack state that responds to the height of the product stored in each rack is stored in the rack state storage unit, the rack configuration is easily and quickly changed in response to the height of the product stored in each rack. be able to.
[0020]
  A vending machine according to the invention of claim 6In the rack control method according to claim 4, in the invention according to claim 4 or 5, the rack state setting step assigns a serial number as identification information of each rack in an operable state, and the control step is performed by the rack state setting step. Based on the set identification information of each rack, the discharge of the commodity responding to the instruction input from the instruction unit is controlled.
[0021]
  According to this invention,A serial number is assigned as identification information for each rack that is in an operable state, and it is possible to control the discharge of products that respond to instruction inputs from the instruction section based on the identification information for each rack that has been set. Only the racks in the state are managed as serial numbers, which makes it easier to manage the racks and the products stored in the racks.
[0022]
  Further, according to the invention of claim 7The recording medium is recorded as a program for causing a computer to execute the method described in claims 4 to 6 so that the computer can read the program, thereby realizing the operations of claims 4 to 6 by the computer. It becomes possible.
[0039]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Exemplary embodiments of a vending machine according to the present invention, a rack control method for the vending machine, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the present invention is applied to a vending machine that has a product storage rack with a maximum of 10 rows and 7 rows and is configured so that products can be visually recognized through a transparent plate. .
[0040]
First, the overall configuration of the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an external configuration of a vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment. 1 and 2, 101 is an outer door, 102 is a commodity outlet, 103 is a coin return port, 104 is a transparent plate, 105 is a commodity storage rack, 106 is a display, and 107 is a numeric keypad. , 108 is a bill insertion slot, 109 is a coin insertion slot, 110 is a return lever, and 111 is an inner door.
[0041]
As shown in the figure, the vending machine 1 has a configuration in which product storage racks 105 for storing products are arranged in a maximum of 10 rows and 7 rows, and the products can be visually recognized from the outside through a transparent plate 104. Vending machine. When the user of the vending machine 1 inserts or inserts banknotes or coins from the banknote insertion slot 108 or the coin insertion slot 109 and inputs the product number of the corresponding product using the numeric keypad 107, the input is made. A product is conveyed from the product storage rack 105 corresponding to the product number to the product outlet 102 by a transport mechanism (not shown), and change is paid out from the coin return port 103.
[0042]
By the way, if the products are not stored in all of the 10-stage 7-row product storage racks 105, a new control mechanism for only the product storage racks 105 that actually store the products is required. It is not efficient to load a program that forms a control mechanism every time the rack configuration is changed. Also, since changing the rack configuration requires a lot of human labor, it is necessary to change the rack configuration as efficiently as possible.
[0043]
For this reason, the vending machine 1 employs a control mechanism that performs conveyance control of goods based on the rack state stored in the rack state storage unit, and holds a plurality of tables indicating the rack configuration in advance. By changing the contents of the storage unit based on the table, the rack configuration can be changed quickly and efficiently.
[0044]
Next, the rack control mechanism employed by the vending machine 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a rack control mechanism employed by the vending machine 1 shown in FIGS. As shown in the figure, the vending machine 1 includes a rack unit 201, a bucket unit 202, a transport mechanism 203, a coin mechanism 204, a rack table storage unit 205, a keyboard 206, and a rack state storage unit 207. And a control unit 208 having a rack state setting unit 208a.
[0045]
The rack unit 201 is a unit composed of a plurality of product storage racks 105 for storing products. Specifically, in this embodiment, the rack unit 201 includes 10 stages and 7 rows of product storage racks 105. Each product storage rack 105 is detachable from the vending machine main body.
[0046]
The bucket unit 202 is a unit that receives the product pushed out from the product storage rack 105 and delivers it to the transport mechanism 203. Specifically, when the user inputs a product number from the numeric keypad 107, the product corresponding to the product number is received. The bucket is moved to the position of the storage rack 105, and the product pushed out from the product storage rack 105 is received.
[0047]
The transport mechanism 203 is a mechanism for transporting the commodity received by the bucket unit 202 from the commodity storage rack 105 to the commodity outlet 102, and the coin mechanism 204 accepts coins from the coin insertion slot 109, counterfeit coins / legitimate coins This is a mechanism for recognizing coins and paying out change coins to the coin return slot 103. Here, for convenience of explanation, explanation of the mechanism relating to the banknote is omitted, but the mechanism is the same as that of the coin 204.
[0048]
The rack table storage unit 205 is a storage unit that stores a plurality of tables indicating a rack configuration including a combination of the product storage rack 105 in an operable state and the product storage rack 105 in an inoperable state. Specifically, four types of rack configurations, tables A to D, are stored here.
[0049]
4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of the tables A to D stored in the rack table storage unit 205. FIG. In addition, the number shown in the figure has shown the identification number provided to each goods storage rack 105. FIG.
[0050]
The table A shown in FIG. 5A shows a rack configuration when the product storage racks 105 are arranged in seven rows and seven rows. Specifically, the second row, the fourth row, and the tenth row The case where the seventh-stage product storage rack 105 is thinned is shown. In addition, Table B shown in FIG. 5B shows a rack configuration when the product storage racks 105 are arranged in seven rows and six stages, and specifically, the first stage and the third stage in 10 stages. The case where the product storage racks 105 of the first, fourth and seventh stages are thinned is shown.
[0051]
Further, the table C shown in FIG. 5C shows a rack configuration when the product storage racks 105 are arranged in seven rows and five stages, specifically, the first stage and the third stage in 10 stages. The case where the product storage racks 105 of the first, fifth, sixth and eighth stages are thinned is shown. Further, the table D shown in FIG. 4D shows a rack configuration when the product storage racks 105 are arranged in seven rows and four stages, and specifically, the first stage and the third stage in 10 stages. The case where the fifth, sixth, eighth, tenth product storage racks 105 are thinned out is shown.
[0052]
Thus, in the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a table corresponding to the assumed rack configuration is created in advance and stored in the rack table storage unit 205. Here, for convenience of explanation, the case where only the above four types of tables A to D are used is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various types of tables can be stored.
[0053]
Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the keyboard 206 is an input unit for selecting a rack configuration and the like, and a button for specifying the rack configuration and a button for designating the rack configuration for shifting to the rack configuration change mode using the keyboard 206. Perform the operation.
[0054]
The rack state storage unit 207 is a storage unit that stores the current rack configuration state. The rack state storage unit 207 is configured by a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory because it is necessary to maintain data even when the power is turned off and the rack configuration must be changeable. The
[0055]
The control unit 208 is a control unit that performs overall control of the vending machine 1, and specifically, based on the rack configuration stored in the rack state storage unit 207, the rack unit 201, the bucket unit 202, the transport mechanism 203, and the like. To control. In addition, the control unit 209 includes a rack state setting unit 208a that changes the rack configuration. The rack state setting unit 208 a is a processing unit that takes out a corresponding table from the rack table storage unit 205 and stores it in the rack state storage unit 207 when a rack configuration change instruction is received from the keyboard 206. If the contents of the rack state storage unit 207 are updated, control corresponding to a new rack configuration is performed. At this time, a serial number is assigned as an identification number only to the commodity storage rack 105 in an operable state.
[0056]
By using the vending machine 1 having the rack control mechanism, it is possible to quickly and flexibly change the rack configuration of the vending machine 1 without updating the control program, thereby providing various products.
[0057]
Next, an example of the keyboard 206 shown in FIG. 3 and an example of a rack configuration change operation using the keyboard 206 will be described. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the keyboard 206 shown in FIG. 3 (in a state where the cover is opened), and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a rack configuration changing operation. The digital display shown in FIG. 7 indicates the digital display displayed on the display unit 106 of FIG. 1, and the rack configuration setting mode is “3”.
[0058]
As shown in FIG. 6, this keyboard 206 includes an operation key unit having various buttons such as a mode key 401, an up key 402, a down key 403, a write key 404, and an end key 405, and a control unit. The lever 206 is connected to a predetermined terminal inside the vending machine 1 and a button operation for changing the rack configuration is performed.
[0059]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the mode key 401 is first depressed to enter a mode number waiting state (digital display; 1-01) (step S501), and then the up key 402 or the down key 403 is pressed. The mode number is set to “3” (digital display; 3-01), which is the rack configuration mode (step S502), and the write key 404 is pressed to confirm mode number 3 (step S503).
[0060]
Thereafter, the up key 402 or the down key 403 is operated to set the item number to 90 (step S504), and the write key 404 is pressed to display the currently set data (digital display; 1) (step). S505). The digital display 1 shown in the figure shows a pattern 1 corresponding to the table A.
[0061]
Then, the up key 402 or the down key 403 is operated to change the data (step S506). Specifically, when the up key 402 is pressed once, the data increases by one, and when the down key 403 is pressed once, the data decreases by one. Note that if the up key 402 or the down key 403 is continuously pressed, the data changes quickly.
[0062]
After that, when the write key 404 is pressed, the rack configuration corresponding to the digital display is set (step S507), and when the end key 405 is pressed, the rack configuration setting process is ended and the standby state is entered (step S508). Here, since the digital display is changed to “3”, the rack configuration of the table C showing the pattern 3 is changed. As described above, in this embodiment, the rack configuration is changed using the keyboard 206.
[0063]
Next, the processing procedure of the rack control mechanism of the vending machine 1 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the rack control mechanism of the vending machine 1 shown in FIG.
[0064]
As shown in the figure, when the rack configuration change mode is selected using the keyboard 206 (step S601) and a new rack configuration pattern is designated (step S602), the rack state setting unit 208a is designated. The table corresponding to the pattern is taken out from the rack table storage unit 205 (step S603).
[0065]
Specifically, for example, when the pattern 3 is designated by the keyboard 206 and the pattern 3 corresponds to the table C, the table C is taken out from the rack table storage unit 205.
[0066]
Thereafter, the rack state setting unit 208a writes the contents of the table extracted from the rack table storage unit 205 to the rack state storage unit 207 (step S604), and ends the rack configuration change processing.
[0067]
Thus, in the rack control mechanism according to the present embodiment, the rack configuration is changed by rewriting the contents of the rack state storage unit 207 using the contents of the table.
[0068]
As described above, in the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment, an operable state in which products are stored and supplied or an inoperable state in which the products are not stored and supplied is set for each product storage rack. Tables A to D are stored in the rack table storage unit 205, and in response to a change instruction from the keyboard 206, the rack state setting unit 208a is configured to change the contents of the rack state storage unit 207 using the table. Therefore, the configuration of the product storage rack for storing products can be flexibly and easily changed without updating the control program.
[0069]
In this embodiment, the rack structure is changed using a table. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the rack structure can be changed without using a table.
[0070]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the rack table storage unit 205 is omitted, and the rack configuration is designated by the rack state setting unit 800 each time. Therefore, in order to set the rack configuration without using the table, the setting operation using the keyboard 206 is somewhat complicated.
[0071]
Therefore, in such a case, for example, it is desirable that the current setting state of each commodity storage rack is displayed on the display 106 that can be turned on / off, and only the commodity storage rack 105 that has changed is changed each time.
[0072]
In this embodiment, the rack configuration is stored in the rack state storage unit 207 in response to an input from the keyboard 206. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the mounting position of each rack is not limited thereto. The rack state that responds to the mounting position of each rack can be automatically stored in the rack state storage unit 207 when the rack is changed. Furthermore, a rack configuration that responds to the height of the products stored in each rack can be automatically stored in the rack state storage unit 207.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the invention of claim 1,When the mounting position of each rack is changed, the rack state that responds to the mounting position of each rack is stored in the rack state storage means, the rack state of each rack is automatically set, and is stored in this rack state storage means. In addition, it is configured to control the discharge of the product that responds to the instruction input from the instruction unit based on the rack state of each rack, so the configuration of the product storage rack for storing the product can be flexibly changed without updating the control program. In addition to being able to change easily, the rack configuration can be changed easily and quickly following changes in the rack mounting position.There is an effect that a vending machine can be obtained.
[0074]
  Moreover, according to the invention concerning Claim 2,Since the rack state that responds to the height of the product stored in each rack is stored in the rack state storage means, the configuration of the rack can be changed easily and quickly in response to the height of the product stored in each rack. be able toThere is an effect that a vending machine can be obtained.
[0075]
  Moreover, according to the invention concerning Claim 3,It is possible to operate because it is configured to give a serial number as identification information of each rack in the operable state, and to control the discharge of products responding to instruction input from the instruction section based on the set identification information of each rack Only the racks in the state are managed as serial numbers, which makes it easier to manage the rack and the products stored in the rack.There is an effect that a vending machine can be obtained.
[0076]
  Moreover, according to the invention concerning Claim 4,When the mounting position of each rack is changed, the rack state that responds to the mounting position of each rack is stored in the rack state storage means, the rack state of each rack is automatically set, and is stored in this rack state storage means. In addition, it is configured to control the discharge of the product that responds to the instruction input from the instruction unit based on the rack state of each rack, so the configuration of the product storage rack for storing the product can be flexibly changed without updating the control program. A rack control method for a vending machine that can be changed easily and easily, and the configuration of the rack can be changed easily and quickly following the change of the rack mounting position.The effect that is obtained.
[0077]
  Moreover, according to the invention concerning Claim 5,Since the rack state that responds to the height of the product stored in each rack is stored in the rack state storage unit, the rack configuration is easily and quickly changed in response to the height of the product stored in each rack. Vending machine rack control methodThe effect that is obtained.
[0078]
  Moreover, according to the invention concerning Claim 6,A serial number is assigned as identification information for each rack that is in an operable state, and it is possible to control the discharge of products that respond to instruction inputs from the instruction section based on the identification information for each rack that has been set. Rack control method for vending machines that manages only the racks in the state as serial numbers, thereby making it easier to manage the racks and the products stored in the racksThe effect that is obtained.
[0079]
  Further, according to claim 7By recording the method according to any one of claims 4 to 6 on a recording medium as a program for causing a computer to execute the program, the computer can read the program, thereby realizing the operations according to claims 4 to 6 by the computer. It is possible to obtain a recording medium that can be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of a vending machine according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of the vending machine according to the present embodiment.
3 is a block diagram showing a rack control mechanism employed by the vending machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.
4 is an explanatory diagram showing tables A and B stored in a rack table storage unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG.
5 is an explanatory diagram showing tables C and D stored in the rack table storage unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG.
6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the keyboard shown in FIG. 3 (in a state where a cover is opened). FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a rack configuration change operation.
8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a rack control mechanism of the vending machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another rack control mechanism employed by the vending machine shown in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Vending machine
101 Outside door
102 Product outlet
103 coin return
104 Transparent plate
105 Product storage rack
106 Display
107 numeric keypad
108 bill insertion slot
109 Coin slot
110 Return lever
111 Inner door
201 rack units
202 bucket unit
203 Transport mechanism
204 Coin mechanism
205 Rack table storage unit
206 keyboard
207 Rack state storage unit
208 Control unit
208a Rack state setting section
401 Mode key
402 Up key
403 Down key
404 Write key
405 End key
800 Rack status setting section

Claims (7)

In a vending machine having a plurality of racks for storing products and taking out and discharging the products stored in the corresponding racks in response to an instruction input from a predetermined instruction unit,
Rack state storage means for storing a rack state of each rack in an operable state for storing and supplying the product or an inoperable state in which the product is not stored and supplied ;
Rack state setting means for automatically setting the rack state of each rack by storing the rack state in response to the mounting position of each rack in the rack state storage means when the mounting position of each rack is changed ;
A vending machine comprising: control means for controlling discharge of a commodity in response to an instruction input from the instruction section based on a rack state of each rack stored in the rack state storage means . In a vending machine having a plurality of racks for storing products, and taking out and discharging the products stored in the corresponding racks in response to an instruction input from a predetermined instruction unit,
  Rack state storage means for storing a rack state of each rack in an operable state for storing and supplying the commodity or an inoperable state for not storing and supplying the commodity;
  Rack state setting means for automatically storing the rack state of each rack by storing the rack state in response to the height of the product stored in each rack in the rack state storage means;
  Control means for controlling discharge of a commodity in response to an instruction input from the instruction section based on a rack state of each rack stored in the rack state storage means;
  Vending machine characterized by comprising The rack state setting unit assigns a serial number as identification information of each rack in an operable state, and the control unit is configured to execute the instruction unit based on the identification information of each rack set by the rack state setting unit. 3. The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein discharge of a commodity in response to an instruction input from is controlled. In a rack control method for a vending machine that has a plurality of racks for storing products and takes out and discharges the products stored in the corresponding racks in response to an instruction input from a predetermined instruction unit.
When the mounting position of each rack is changed, in response to the mounting position of each rack, the rack is in an operable state in which the product is stored and supplied or in an inoperable state in which the product is not stored and supplied. A rack state setting step for storing the rack state in a rack state storage unit and automatically setting the rack state of each rack ;
A vending machine rack comprising: a control step of controlling discharge of a commodity in response to an instruction input from the instruction unit based on a rack state of each rack stored in the rack state storage unit Control method. In a rack control method of a vending machine that has a plurality of racks for storing products and takes out and discharges the products stored in the corresponding racks in response to an instruction input from a predetermined instruction unit,
  The rack state storage unit stores the rack state of each rack in an operable state in which the product is stored and supplied in response to the height of the product stored in each rack or in an inoperable state in which the product is not stored and supplied. A rack state setting step for storing and automatically setting the rack state of each rack;
  A control step of controlling discharge of a commodity in response to an instruction input from the instruction unit based on a rack state of each rack stored in the rack state storage unit;
  A method for rack control of a vending machine, characterized by comprising: In the rack state setting step, a serial number is assigned as identification information of each rack in an operable state, and the control step is based on the identification information of each rack set in the rack state setting step. 6. The rack control method for a vending machine according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the discharge of the commodity in response to the instruction input from the machine is controlled. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 4 to 6 .

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