JP6686745B2 - Vending machine system and cash processing method of vending machine system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine system that can easily make a connection when a slave vending machine is connected to the master vending machine in order to share the money processing mechanism of the master vending machine. The present invention relates to a cash processing method for a vending machine system.

  Conventionally, a parent-child vending machine that has a cash processing mechanism and a child vending machine that does not have a money processing mechanism are connected, and the child vending machine shares the money processing mechanism of the parent vending machine. There is a vending machine system.

  In addition, in patent document 1, in a parent-child vending machine, when a child machine is connected and sold, the child machine is aggregated as aggregated data for the child machine, and the aggregated data of the parent machine and the child machine are aggregated. I try to aggregate the data separately. This can improve the versatility of the parent-child vending machine.

JP, 2011-76164, A

  By the way, when a slave vending machine is connected to a master vending machine having a cash processing mechanism and the slave vending machine tries to share the cash processing mechanism of the master vending machine, the slave vending machine is , The money processing mechanism was directly connected to the parent machine vending machine, and the money processing mechanism was shared via this parent machine vending machine. Then, by sharing the money processing mechanism, the structure of the vending machine system can be simplified.

  In this case, the slave vending machine needs to be connected using a specific communication interface according to a special communication mode in the master vending machine, for example, a multi-drop bus (MDB) interface of the vending machine vending industry standard type. was there. When connecting this slave vending machine to the master vending machine using a specific communication interface, the master vending machine side supports a specific communication interface so as not to interfere with the sharing of the money processing mechanism. The connection control contents must be changed or added each time, which requires time and labor.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and when a slave vending machine is connected to the master vending machine in order to share the money processing mechanism of the master vending machine, this connection is made. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic vending machine system and a cash processing method for the automatic vending machine system that can be easily performed.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, a vending machine system according to the present invention includes a parent machine vending machine having a money processing mechanism for performing money deposit / withdrawal processing for purchase of a product, and a money processing mechanism. 1 or more child machine vending machines which do not have, said parent machine vending machine, and said 1 or more child machine vending machines are directly connected using a general-purpose communication interface, respectively, and said parent machine vending machine and said 1 And a control device that performs adjustment control related to sharing of the money processing mechanism between the above-mentioned slave vending machines.

  Also, in the vending machine system according to the present invention, in the above invention, the control device is a commodity in the parent machine vending machine and the one or more child machine vending machines after the money is put into the money processing mechanism. If there is a product selection in the master vending machine or one of the slave vending machines that enables selection, the product selection in another vending machine is prohibited, and the master vending machine that selects the product It is characterized in that the merchandise is paid out by a machine or one of the slave vending machines, and then the money processing mechanism is made to carry out a monetary processing for the paid-out merchandise.

  Further, the vending machine system according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the control device has a storage unit for storing deposit / withdrawal information by the money processing mechanism.

  In addition, the money processing method of the vending machine system according to the present invention includes a master vending machine having a money processing mechanism for performing money deposit / withdrawal processing for purchase of a product, and one or more child machine automatic machines having no money processing mechanism. A cash processing method for a vending machine system, comprising: a vending machine; and a controller directly connecting the master vending machine and the one or more slave vending machines using a general-purpose communication interface, respectively. The control device may perform adjustment control regarding sharing of the money processing mechanism between the master vending machine and the one or more slave vending machines.

  Also, in the money processing method of the vending machine system according to the present invention, in the above invention, the control device puts money into the money processing mechanism, and then, the parent machine vending machine and the one or more child machine automatic sales. When a product selection is enabled by a vending machine and there is a product selection by the master vending machine or one of the slave vending machines, the product selection by another vending machine is prohibited, and the product selection It is characterized in that the master vending machine or one of the slave vending machines is caused to perform product payout, and then the money processing mechanism is caused to carry out money processing for the paid product.

  Further, the money processing method of the vending machine system according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the control device stores deposit / withdrawal information by the money processing mechanism.

  According to the present invention, when the slave vending machine is connected to the master vending machine to share the money processing mechanism of the master vending machine, the control device is connected to the master vending machine 1 Since each of the above-mentioned slave vending machines is directly connected using a general-purpose communication interface, it is not necessary to change or add the connection control contents of the master vending machine each time the slave vending machine is connected. Since it is good, connection becomes easy.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic vending machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a forced payment control processing procedure by the forced payment control unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state transition of the money processing unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of the forced payment control process in the case where the parent machine vending machine deposits money first and the child machine vending machine selects products.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Overall structure of vending machine system)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic vending machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the vending machine system, a master vending machine 10 and a slave vending machine 30 are connected to a control device 1 using a general-purpose communication interface, for example, RS232C.

  In the parent machine vending machine 10, a coin mechanism 12, a bill validator 13, a remote controller 14, a display operation unit 15, and a main body control unit 16 are connected to a vending machine control unit 11. The main body control unit 16 connects the cooling / heating device 17 and the carry-out device 18. The vending machine control unit 11 includes a sales control unit 20, a money processing unit 21, and a display control unit 22. The display operation unit 15 has a product selection button 23 and a display unit 24. The inside of the parent vending machine 10 is connected using a specific communication interface such as a vending machine vending industry standard type multi-drop bus (MDB) interface.

  On the other hand, in the handset vending machine 30, the remote controller 34, the display operation unit 35, and the main body control unit 36 are connected to the vending machine control unit 31. The body controller 36 connects the cooling device 37 and the carry-out device 38. The vending machine controller 31 has a sales controller 40 and a display controller 42. The display operation unit 35 has a product selection button 43 and a display unit 44. The child vending machine 30 is connected using a specific communication interface such as a vending machine vending industry standard type multi-drop bus (MDB) interface.

  That is, the parent machine vending machine 10 has a money processing mechanism which is not provided in the child machine vending machine 30 and includes the money processing unit 21, the coin mechanism 12, and the bill validator 13. Then, the slave vending machine 30 shares the money processing mechanism via the control device 1.

  The control device 1 has a control unit 2 and a storage unit 3. The control unit 2 includes a forced payment control unit 4 and a deposit / withdrawal management unit 5. The control device 1 is realized by a PC (personal computer) or the like using a general-purpose CPU. Although the control device 1 is provided outside the parent machine vending machine 10 and the child machine vending machine 30, it may be provided, for example, in the housing of the parent machine vending machine 10. Further, although one slave vending machine 30 is connected to the control device 1, two or more slave vending machines may be connected.

  The cooling devices 17 and 37 are for managing a plurality of commodity storages (not shown) in a set cooling state under the control of the body control units 16 and 36, respectively. The cooling devices 17 and 37 cool the inside of the product storage set to be cooled, while heating the inside of the product storage set to be heated.

  The carry-out devices 18 and 38 are for managing a bend solenoid and a sold-out switch provided for each rack. The main body control units 16 and 36 carry out the product from the rack according to the carry-out command transmitted from the vending machine control units 11 and 31, respectively. In addition, the carry-out devices 18 and 38 output a sold-out signal to the body control units 16 and 36, respectively, when all the products stored in the rack are carried out.

  The sales control units 20 and 40 control the sales of the products stored in the master vending machine 10 and the slave vending machine 30, respectively. The display control units 22 and 42 perform display control on the product selection buttons 23 and 43 and the display units 24 and 44 in the display operation units 15 and 35, respectively, under the instruction of the sales control units 20 and 40. The product selection buttons 23 and 43 are used to select a product, and are one of a plurality of product selection buttons arranged so as to correspond to a product sample or the like. The merchandise selection buttons 23 and 43 can be LED-displayed, and, for example, when the amount of money is input before the merchandise is selected, or when the merchandise corresponds to merchandise that can be purchased, it is lit and displayed.

  The display units 24 and 44 are for displaying various information such as sale amount, fishing out, preparation, bill cancellation, and the amount of money to be inserted and information at the time of various settings.

  The remote controllers 14 and 34 are for performing various setting operations and various sales data confirmation operations, and are provided with operation keys such as a write key and an end key, and a liquid crystal display device for displaying various setting data and confirmation data. ing. The setting data input from the remote controllers 14 and 34 are transmitted to the vending machine control units 11 and 31, respectively. Then, the remote controllers 14 and 34 receive the confirmation data transmitted from the vending machine control units 11 and 31. Note that deposit / withdrawal management information such as various sales data is stored in the storage unit 3 in the control device 1, and the vending machine control units 11 and 31 access the control device 1 to obtain the deposit / withdrawal management information. It will be.

  The coin mechanism 12 arranges the number of inserted coins of various types and transmits the coins to the money processing unit 21 of the vending machine control unit 11, while performing a money process of paying out various coins according to an instruction from the money processing unit 21. The bill validator 13 sorts out the number of inserted various banknotes and transmits them to the money processing unit 21 of the vending machine control unit 11, while performing a money process of paying out various banknotes according to an instruction from the money processing unit 21.

  The forced payment control unit 4 of the control device 1 operates between the parent vending machine 10 and the child vending machine 30 which are connected to the control device 1 to operate the money processing mechanism of the parent vending machine 10 at the time of selling products. Adjusting control for sharing. The deposit / withdrawal management unit 5 manages deposit / withdrawal information by the money processing mechanism of the parent machine vending machine 10 and stores it in the storage unit 3 as deposit / withdrawal management information. The control device 1 centrally manages the deposit / withdrawal information using one monetary processing mechanism, thereby facilitating the deposit / withdrawal management of the vending machine system.

  In the above-described embodiment, the parent machine vending machine 10 having the money processing mechanism and the child machine vending machine 30 sharing the money processing mechanism of the parent machine vending machine 10 are control devices using a general-purpose communication interface. 1 is connected, the connection between the master vending machine 10 and the slave vending machine 30 becomes easy.

(Forced payment control process)
By the way, since the parent machine vending machine 10 performs money processing control on the money processing mechanism such as the money processing unit 21, the coin mechanism 12, and the bill validator 13, the child machine vending machine 30 operates via the control device 1. When connected to the parent machine vending machine 10, there is a possibility that the parent machine vending machine 10 and the child machine vending machine 30 may select products at the same time after the money is inserted into the money processing mechanism. If the products are selected at the same time, the products will be sold at both the vending machine 10 for the parent device and the vending machine 30 for the child device. The forced payment control unit 4 controls such unintentional sale of goods.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a forced payment control processing procedure by the forced payment control unit 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the forced payment control unit 4 first enters a standby state (step S101). After that, it is determined whether or not the product is selected by pressing the product selection buttons 23 and 43 (step S102). Information on whether or not this product selection has been made is notified from the parent machine vending machine 10 and the child machine vending machine 30.

  When the product selection is not performed (step S102, No), the forced payment control unit 4 determines whether or not the money processing mechanism has received a payment (step S103). If there is no deposit (step S103, No), the process proceeds to step S102 and the above judgment is repeated. If there is a deposit (step S103, Yes), all vending machines can be selected according to the deposit amount. The instruction to turn on is output to the parent machine vending machine 10 and the child machine vending machine 30 (step S104). As a result, the product selection buttons 23 and 43 are turned on.

  It is determined whether or not there is a product selection after the payment has been made before the product selection (step S105). When there is no product selection (step S105, No), this determination process is repeated, and when there is a product selection (step S105, Yes), the forced payment control unit 4 causes the parent machine vending machine 10 to notify the money processing mechanism. The forced payment start instruction for confirming whether or not the payment processing by is possible is output (step S106). Further, the compulsory payment control unit 4 outputs an instruction to put all the vending machines without product selection to the product selection disabled state to the master vending machine 10 and the slave vending machine 30 (step S107). Then, the process proceeds to step S111. As a result, the product selection button of the vending machine that did not select the product will go out, enabling only the vending machine that selected the product to sell the product, and the vending machine that did not select the product, Disable product sales.

  On the other hand, when the product is selected (step S102, Yes), the forced payment control unit 4 confirms with the parent machine vending machine 10 whether the payment processing by the money processing mechanism is possible, as in step S106. The forced payment start instruction is output (step S108). Further, similarly to step S107, the forced payment control unit 4 outputs an instruction to set all the vending machines without product selection to the product selection disabled state to the master vending machine 10 and the slave vending machine 30 (step S107). S109). After that, it is determined whether or not there is a deposit (step S110). If there is no deposit (step S110, No), this determination process is repeated, and if there is a deposit (step S110, Yes), a step is performed. The process moves to S111.

  Then, in step S111, the compulsory payment control unit 4 receives a notice of compulsory payment from the parent vending machine 10, and instructs the vending machine that has selected the commodities to pay out the commodities (step S111). Further, the compulsory payment control unit 4 receives the notification of the completion of the merchandise payment from the vending machine that has selected the merchandise, outputs a compulsory payment execution instruction to the parent machine vending machine 10, and executes the payment processing by the money processing mechanism. Is executed (step S112).

  After that, the forced payment control unit 4 receives a notification of the forced payment completion from the parent machine vending machine 10 (step S113). When receiving the notification of the forced payment completion, the deposit / withdrawal management unit 5 acquires deposit / withdrawal information by the money processing mechanism and stores it in the storage unit 3 as deposit / withdrawal management information (step S114). Then, it returns to the standby state of step S101 and repeats the above-mentioned processing.

(State transition of cash processing mechanism)
The money processing unit 21 of the parent machine vending machine 10 performs subordinate money processing under the payment adjustment control of the forced payment control unit 4. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state transition of the money processing unit 21. The money processing unit 21 makes a state transition as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the state of the money processing unit 21 repeats “standby” → “payment acceptance” → “payment in progress” → “standby” → ... When the cash processing mechanism is not in the "waiting" state and is in the "waiting" state, the next state is "accepting payment" only when the forced payment start instruction, which is an instruction to confirm whether or not the forced payment can be processed, is received. Transition to. In addition, if you receive a forced payment execution instruction that instructs forced payment execution by the money processing mechanism, a cancellation instruction that indicates cancellation of product selection or product sellout, and a payment execution completion event that indicates payment execution completion by the money processing mechanism, The control device 1 side is notified that it is not possible (busy).

  In the "payment in progress" state, only when a forced payment execution instruction or a cancellation instruction is received, the state transits to the next state "payment in progress". When the other event of the forced payment start instruction and the payment execution completion is received, the control device 1 side is notified that the event is not possible (busy).

  In the “payment in progress” state, only when the payment execution completion is received, the state transits to the next state “waiting”. When the other events of the forced payment start instruction, the forced payment execution instruction, and the cancel instruction are received, the control device 1 side is notified that the event is impossible (busy).

(Example of forced payment control process)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of the forced payment control process in the case where the parent machine vending machine 10 makes a deposit first and the child machine vending machine 30 selects a product. As shown in FIG. 4, first, when money of 500 yen is put into the parent device vending machine 10 (step S1), the parent device vending machine 10 notifies the control device 1 of the deposit amount (500 yen). Yes (step S2). The control device 1 further notifies the child device vending machine 30 of the deposit amount (500 yen) (step S3). After that, the parent machine vending machine 10 and the child machine vending machine 30 turn on the product selection button according to the deposit amount (steps S4 and S5).

  After that, when the product selection is performed by pressing the product selection button 43 in the handset vending machine 30 (step S6), the handset vending machine 30 transmits the product selection information to the control device 1 (step S7), The control device 1 transmits a forced payment start instruction to the parent machine vending machine 10 (step S8). The parent machine vending machine 10 that has received the forced payment start instruction disables the product selection of the parent machine vending machine 10 (step S9). Specifically, the product selection button 23 of the master vending machine 10 is turned off.

  After that, the parent machine vending machine 10 transmits forced payment permission to the control device 1 according to the state of the money processing mechanism (step S10). Further, the control device 1 transmits the merchandise payout permission to the child device vending machine 30 (step S11). Upon receipt of the merchandise payment permission, the child machine vending machine 30 pays the merchandise (step S12) and transmits the merchandise payout completion to the control device 1 (step S13). The control device 1 that has received the completion of the product payment sends a forced payment execution instruction (130 yen) to the parent machine vending machine 10 (step S14). Upon receipt of this forced payment execution instruction, the money processing mechanism of the parent machine vending machine 10 collects 130 yen (step S15) and further refunds 370 yen of change (step S16). The parent machine vending machine 10 thereafter transmits a compulsory payment completion notice to the control device 1 (step S17). The control device 1 that has received the forced payment completion notification stores the deposit / withdrawal information of the money processing mechanism in the storage unit 3 as deposit / withdrawal management information (step S18). After that, the parent machine vending machine 10, the control device 1, and the child machine vending machine 30 shift to the standby state (step S19), and execute the sales process using the money processing mechanism.

  In the conventional vending machine system, when money is invested before product selection and the product selection by the slave vending machine is performed, the product selection by the master vending machine is canceled and the product selection by the slave vending machine is performed. There was a vending machine switching button on the parent vending machine to enable the. When money is thrown in, it is possible to select products for the parent machine vending machine only, not for the child machine vending machine, and by pressing the vending machine switching button, products for the parent machine vending machine can be selected. It is not possible to select, and it is possible to select products for vending machines. This can prevent the simultaneous sale of products between the master vending machine and the slave vending machine, but it causes the purchaser to press the vending machine switching button, which is a troublesome operation for the purchaser. Met.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the forced payment control unit 4 automatically performs the adjustment control so that the simultaneous product sale does not occur, so that even the vending machine system sharing the money processing mechanism may be used. The buyer can purchase the product with the same simple operation as a single vending machine.

1 Control device 2 Control part 3 Storage part 4 Forced payment control part 5 Deposit / withdrawal management part 10 Master vending machine 11,31 Vending machine control part 12 Coin mechanism 13 Bill validator 14,34 Remote controller 15,35 Display operation part 16,36 Main unit control unit 17,37 Cooling device 18,38 Carrying out device 20,40 Sales control unit 21 Money processing unit 22,42 Display control unit 23,43 Product selection button 24,44 Display unit 30 Handset vending machine

Claims (6)

A master vending machine having a money processing mechanism for performing cash deposit / withdrawal processing for product purchases,
One or more vending machines that do not have a money handling mechanism,
The parent machine vending machine and the one or more child machine vending machines are directly connected using a general-purpose communication interface, and the money is exchanged between the parent machine vending machine and the one or more child machine vending machines. A control device that performs adjustment control related to sharing of the processing mechanism,
A vending machine system characterized by having.   The control device enables selection of products in the parent machine vending machine and the one or more child machine vending machines after the money is put into the money processing mechanism, and the parent machine vending machine or one of the child machines When there is a product selection in the vending machine, the product selection in the other vending machines is prohibited, and the product dispensing in the parent vending machine or one of the slave vending machines that selects the product is executed. The vending machine system according to claim 1, further comprising causing the money processing mechanism to execute money processing for the paid-out product.   The vending machine system according to claim 1, wherein the control device includes a storage unit that stores deposit / withdrawal information by the money processing mechanism. A parent vending machine having a money processing mechanism for performing cash deposit / withdrawal processing for purchasing a product, one or more child vending machines not having a money processing mechanism, the parent vending machine and the one or more children A vending machine system having a controller directly connected to the vending machine using a general-purpose communication interface, and
The monetary processing method of the vending machine system, wherein the control device performs adjustment control regarding sharing of the monetary processing mechanism between the master vending machine and the one or more slave vending machines.   The control device enables selection of products in the parent machine vending machine and the one or more child machine vending machines after the money is put into the money processing mechanism, and the parent machine vending machine or one of the child machines When there is a product selection in the vending machine, the product selection in the other vending machines is prohibited, and the product dispensing in the parent vending machine or one of the slave vending machines that selects the product is executed. The cash processing method for a vending machine system according to claim 4, further comprising causing the cash processing mechanism to execute cash processing for the paid out product.   The money processing method of the vending machine system according to claim 4, wherein the control device stores deposit / withdrawal information by the money processing mechanism.

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