JP4514842B2 - vending machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vending machine capable of performing management work such as sales management by operating an operation unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, this type of vending machine has a control device for controlling the operation of the vending machine and an operation unit connected to the control device, and the operation of the vending machine is performed by operating the operation unit. Or management work such as sales management by a maintenance manager (hereinafter referred to as “user”) is made possible. This vending machine performs operation control by executing a control program stored inside the control device, and various information (for example, sales information, failure information, price data, etc.) between the control device and the operation unit. Are communicating.
[0003]
By the way, there are various types of operation units ranging from high-function type to low-function type according to the user's needs, etc., and control programs corresponding to each operation unit have different dedicated ones. Need to use. For this reason, when assembling the vending machine, an operation unit is selected, and a control program corresponding to the operation unit is stored in the control device. Thereafter, only the operation unit cannot be easily replaced. .
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the types of operation units are increasing according to the diversifying market needs in recent years, and the types of control programs stored in the control devices are also diversifying accordingly. For this reason, the manufacture of control devices has been made in a wide variety and in a small lot, resulting in an increase in manufacturing cost and an increase in work in process.
[0005]
On the other hand, the user, installation status, maintenance management status, etc. of the vending machine are various and change with time, so there is a need to replace the operation unit of the vending machine once installed. For example, in general, those who are familiar with vending machines want a high-performance operation unit, and amateurs who are not familiar with the machine want a simple low-function operation unit. Would like to exchange.
[0006]
However, as described above, the operation unit cannot be easily replaced with the conventional vending machine. In other words, in order to replace the operation unit, the storage unit (for example, ROM) storing the control program of the control device is replaced, or an external storage device such as an FDD (floppy disk drive) is connected. It was necessary to perform the operation of recording the control program in the storage unit, which was very time-consuming.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine in which the operation unit can be easily replaced and the assembling cost is improved.
[0008]
To achieve the above object, in the invention of claim 1, is provided a control device for controlling the vending machine by executing the control program, while connected with Oite the control device in the automatic vending machine body wherein In a vending machine comprising an operation unit that performs information communication with a control device and capable of managing work such as sales management by operating this operation unit, the operation unit has identification information for distinguishing it from other operation units. Identification information storage means for storing, the control device is a control program storage unit storing a plurality of control programs, an operation unit identification means for detecting identification information of the operation unit, and detected by the operation unit identification means Control program selection means for selecting a control program corresponding to the identified identification information from the control program storage unit. Suggest that and executes the selected control program by the program selecting means.
[0009]
According to the present invention, the control device detects identification information included in the operation unit, and selects and executes a control program corresponding to the identification information. That is, if an operation unit that can communicate with the control device is attached or exchanged, a control program corresponding to the identification information of the attached or exchanged operation unit is selected and executed.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control device includes a rank information storage unit, and rank information for ranking the identification information of the operation units is stored in the rank information storage unit. Then, when there are a plurality of operation units that can communicate with each other, the selection means reads the rank information corresponding to the identification information of each operation unit from the rank information storage unit, compares the read rank information, and compares the rank information with the highest rank. We propose a feature that selects a control program corresponding to high identification information.
[0011]
According to the present invention, when there are a plurality of operation units that can communicate with the control device, the control program corresponding to the identification information having the highest rank is selected based on the rank information stored in the rank information storage unit. Executed. Therefore, the operation unit corresponding to the identification information with the highest rank can be used.
[0012]
As an example of a preferred aspect of the present invention, in the invention of claim 3, in the vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, the operation unit is detachably connected to the control device. An example is a remote device that performs information communication by wired communication.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine, FIG. 2 is a front view of a high-function type operation unit, FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the high-function type operation unit, FIG. 4 is a front view of a low-function type operation unit, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the control device, FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the priority table, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control device.
[0014]
The vending machine 1 has a product storage 3 and a machine room 4 vertically inside a vending machine body 2, and a product storage rack 5 is juxtaposed in the left-right direction in the product storage 3. ing. Each merchandise storage rack 5 has a gap A with its front surface opened between adjacent merchandise storage racks 5, and by inserting a heat insulating partition plate 6 into the gap A from the front, Partition into rooms. A cooling device (not shown) is arranged on the left side of the product storage 3 and a heating device (not shown) is arranged on the right side to cool the cold product with the left side of the heat insulating partition plate 6 as a cooling room. At the same time, the hot product is heated using the right side as the heating chamber. In addition, a heat-insulating inner door 7 is provided on the front surface of the product storage 3 so as to be openable and closable, and an outer door 8 provided with a product selection button, a product sample, etc. is openable on the front surface of the inner door 7. Is provided. An operation unit U connected to a control device (not shown) is disposed on the back surface of the outer door 8.
[0015]
Here, a wide variety of operation units U connected to the control device are prepared to meet diversified market needs, and are detachably connected to the control device as necessary. The types of the operation unit U are roughly classified into a high-function type operation unit 10 having a built-in CPU and a low-function type operation unit 20 having a simple configuration without a CPU. Hereinafter, each operation unit 10 and 20 will be described.
[0016]
The operation unit 10 shown in FIG. 2 is an example of a high-function type operation unit. The operation unit 10 includes a display unit 11 and an operation unit 12, and controls a vending machine (not shown) via a connection cable 13 and a connection connector 14. And removably connect. The display unit 11 is for displaying various types of information, and includes, for example, a display using an 11-digit 8-segment LED. The operation unit 12 is used for inputting various types of information, and includes a plurality of button switches. This high-function type operation unit 10 includes a unit control unit 15 inside, and the unit control unit 15 performs communication control with the control device of the vending machine, operation control of the display unit 11 and the operation unit 12, and the like. Do.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 3, the unit control unit 15 of the high-function type operation unit 10 includes a CPU 16, a memory 17, and an input / output control unit 18, and the display unit 11 is connected via the input / output control unit 18. The operation unit 12 and the control device of the vending machine are connected. The memory 17 is a non-volatile memory such as EPROM, for example, and stores a unit control program 17a for controlling the operation of the operation unit 10 and identification information 17b of the operation unit 10. The unit control program 17a is for controlling the operation of the operation unit 10, and mainly performs communication control with the control device of the vending machine, display control of the display unit 11, input control from the operation unit 12, and the like. It is a program to be performed. In particular, the unit control program 17a has a program for performing an operation of transmitting the identification information 17b stored in the memory 17 to the control device in response to a request from the control device of the connected vending machine. Further, the identification information 17b is different information for each type of the operation unit 10. With such a configuration, when there is a request from the control device of the vending machine, the operation unit 10 transmits identification information 17b that differs for each type of the operation unit 10 to the control device.
[0018]
The operation unit 20 shown in FIG. 4 is an example of a low-function type operation unit. Like the high-function type operation unit 10, the operation unit 20 includes a display unit 21 and an operation unit 22, and includes a connection cable 23 and a connection connector 24. Via a control device (not shown) of the vending machine. The display unit 21 is for displaying various types of information, and includes, for example, one using several (two in the present embodiment) LEDs. The operation unit 23 is used for inputting various kinds of information, and is composed of several (12 in the present embodiment) button switches.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 5, the high-function type operation unit 20 is formed by connecting button switches SW1 to SW12 in a matrix between the 2nd and 3rd pins and the 5th to 10th pins of a 10-pin connector 24. is there. Moreover, LED1 and LED2 are connected to the 1st pin and the 5th to 6th pins. In this operation unit 20, if the control device of the connected vending machine performs the scanning operation of sequentially applying voltages to the 6th to 10th pins and monitors the 2nd and 3rd pins, any of the button switches SW1 to 12 can be selected. It is possible to detect whether the button has been pressed. Further, by controlling the voltage applied between the first pin and the fifth to sixth pins, it is possible to control the turning on / off of the LEDs 1 and 2.
[0020]
Further, the low-function type operation unit 20 realizes a storage means for storing identification information that is different for each type of the operation unit 20 with the following configuration. That is, in the operation unit 20, the diode D is connected between the 6th pin and the 4th pin of the connection connector 24. Thus, when the connected control device performs the scan operation for monitoring the pressing state of the button switch SW, a signal is output to the fourth pin at the timing when the scan is performed on the sixth pin. Here, if the connection of the diode D is changed from No. 6 to another pin, for example, the No. 7 pin, the timing at which a signal is output to the No. 4 pin during the scan is changed. In other words, the operation unit 20 stores information “which pin is connected to the other of the diodes D, one of which is connected to the fourth pin” as identification information of the operation unit 20, and the control device stores this information. In order to detect information, if the fourth pin is monitored while performing the scanning operation, it is possible to recognize to which pin the diode D is connected. Accordingly, the operation unit 20 stores different identification information for each type, and the connected control device can detect this identification information. In the operation unit 20 of the present embodiment, the other of the diodes D can be connected to the 5th to 10th pins and the diode D can be removed, so that 7 types of operation units can be identified. Further, if a plurality of diodes D are connected, an operation unit of 2 6 type can be identified.
[0021]
Next, the control device of the vending machine connected to these operation units U will be described. The control device 30 includes a CPU 31, a memory 32, and an input / output control unit 33. The input / output control unit 33 includes two connection ports 33a and 33b. The high-function type operation unit 10 can be connected to the connection port 33a, and the low-function type operation unit 20 is connected to the connection port 33b. Connectable. The memory 32 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as ERPOM, and stores an initial control program 32a, a priority table 32b, and a main control program table 32c in advance.
[0022]
The initial control program 32a is for selecting a control program corresponding to the operation unit U when the operation unit U is attached. The operation of the initial control program 32a will be described later.
[0023]
The priority table 32b stores priority information for determining which operation unit U to use when the operation unit U is simultaneously connected to each of the two connection ports 33a and 33b. It is. As shown in FIG. 7, the priority table 32 b stores rank information that ranks various types of operation units U and indicates whether or not the control device 30 can be connected.
[0024]
The main control program table 32c stores a main control program corresponding to each of the operation units U connectable to the control device 30. Each main control program stored here is for displaying various information corresponding to the operation unit U to be connected. The main control program has a user interface function for performing sales management such as display of sales information, notification of failure information, change of price data, and the like, for example.
[0025]
The operation of the control device 30 by the initial control program 32a will be described with reference to FIG. The initial control program 32a is executed when the operation unit U is attached or replaced. First, it is detected whether the high-functional operation unit 10 is communicable (connected) to the connection port a. If communication is possible, communication with the operation unit 10 is performed to detect the identification information ID1 (step S1). , S2). Next, the identification information ID2 is detected from the connection port 33b to which the low function type operation unit 20 is connected (step S3).
[0026]
Next, the order information P1 and P2 corresponding to the type of the operation unit identified by the identification information ID1 and ID2 is acquired from the priority order table 32b (step S4). Next, by comparing the rank information P1 and P2, an operation unit having a higher rank and not “impossible” (the operation unit is not connectable) is selected (step S5).
[0027]
Next, the main control program corresponding to the selected operation unit is read from the main control program table 32c, and finally, the process proceeds to the read main control program (steps S6 and S7).
[0028]
When the operation unit U is attached or replaced in this way, the control device 30 identifies the type of the connected operation unit U and selects the main control program corresponding to the operation unit U. The operation is controlled based on this main control program. Further, when a plurality of operation units U are connected simultaneously due to a user error or the like, one operation unit U is selected based on a preset priority order, and the main control program corresponding to the operation unit U is selected. The operation is controlled based on this.
[0029]
Therefore, the vending machine according to the present embodiment is highly convenient and can be exchanged in accordance with market needs after the operation unit is attached. Further, by simply connecting the operation unit, the main control program corresponding to the operation unit is selected and an appropriate operation is performed, so that the operation unit can be easily attached or replaced. Furthermore, since a main control program corresponding to a plurality of operation units is stored in the control device, it is possible to standardize parts without preparing a control device corresponding to the operation unit. Thereby, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0030]
In the present embodiment, the identification information storage means for storing the identification information in each operation unit U is realized by using a non-volatile memory or by performing a predetermined connection. What is necessary is just to enable a control apparatus to identify the kind of operation unit, without being limited.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, the control device 30 includes the connection port 33a and the connection port 33b, so that the high-function operation unit 10 and the low-function operation unit 20 can be connected one by one. A plurality of high function type operation units and low function type operation units may be connected to each other.
[0032]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the operation unit U and the control device 30 communicate with each other by connecting with a connection cable, but may be wireless connection using infrared rays or the like.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control program corresponding to the identification information of the connected operation unit is selected and executed. That is, when an operation unit capable of communicating with the control device is attached or exchanged, a control program corresponding to the identification information of the operation unit is selected and executed correspondingly. As a result, the operation of attaching and replacing the operation unit is facilitated and the convenience becomes high. In addition, since one control device can handle a plurality of operation units, standardization of parts can be achieved and manufacturing costs can be reduced.
[0034]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when there are a plurality of operation units that can communicate with the control device, the identification information having the highest rank is handled based on the rank information stored in the rank information storage unit. A control program is selected and executed. Therefore, the operation unit corresponding to the identification information with the highest rank can be used. Thereby, even when a plurality of operation units are connected due to a user error or the like, for example, one operation unit is selected and an appropriate operation can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine. FIG. 2 is a front view of a high-function type operation unit. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a high-function type operation unit. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the control device. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the priority table. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control device.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vending machine, U ... Operation unit, 10 ... High function type operation unit, 17b ... Identification information, 20 ... Low function type operation unit, 30 ... Control device, 31 ... CPU, 32 ... Memory, 32a ... For initial control Program, 32b ... Priority order table, 32c ... Main control program table, 33 ... Input / output control unit

Claims (3)

And a control unit for controlling the vending machine by executing the control program, and an operation unit that is installed in a state of being connected to Oite the control device in the automatic vending machine body performs the control device and the information communication, the operation In vending machines that can perform management operations such as sales management by operating the unit,
The operation unit includes identification information storage means for storing identification information for distinguishing from other operation units,
The control device includes a control program storage unit that stores a plurality of control programs, an operation unit identification unit that detects identification information of the operation unit, and a control program corresponding to the identification information detected by the operation unit identification unit A vending machine comprising: a control program selecting unit that selects the control program from the control program storage unit, and executing the control program selected by the control program selecting unit. The control device includes a rank information storage unit, and stores rank information for ranking the identification information of the operation units in the rank information storage unit,
When there are a plurality of communicable operation units, the selection means reads the rank information corresponding to the identification information of each operation unit from the rank information storage unit, compares the read rank information, and identifies the highest rank The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a control program corresponding to the information is selected. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is a remote device that is detachably connected to the control device and performs information communication by wired communication.

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