JP7371446B2 - vending machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vending machine, and particularly to a vending machine equipped with a currency acceptance section for accepting currency.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vending machine including a currency acceptance section that accepts currency has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a vending machine equipped with a coin processing device (currency acceptance section) that accepts coins (currency). The coin processing device of Patent Document 1 is configured to operate by supplying power from a power source.

Patent No. 6065777

In the vending machine described in Patent Document 1, the coin processing device (currency acceptance section) is operated by power supplied from the power source, so it becomes unable to operate if the power supply stops due to a power outage or the like. . For this reason, if a power outage occurs while coins (currency) are being inserted into the coin processing device, the inserted coins may get stuck in the middle of the coin processing device, or the inserted coins may not be sorted to the designated storage location. There may be cases where For this reason, the coin processing device may not operate correctly (appropriately) when the power supply is resumed. Therefore, there is a need for a vending machine in which the currency acceptance section operates appropriately when the supply of electric power is resumed after the supply of electric power to the vending machine has been stopped due to a power outage or the like.

This invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one purpose of the invention is to provide a vending machine with a power supply that can be restarted after the power supply to a vending machine is stopped due to a power outage or the like. To provide a vending machine capable of appropriately operating a currency accepting section when

In order to achieve the above object, a vending machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes a currency receiving section that receives currency input from a currency input port, a product dispensing section that dispenses products based on currency acceptance, The control unit includes a control unit that controls the currency acceptance unit and the product dispensing unit, and a power conversion unit that includes a capacitor and converts power input from the outside and supplies it to the currency acceptance unit and the control unit, and the control unit includes: If the power input from the outside to the power conversion unit is stopped due to a power outage, the currency acceptance unit Configured with controls to stop accepting currency.

In the vending machine according to one aspect of the present invention, as described above, when the input of electric power from the outside to the power conversion section is stopped due to a power outage, the supply of power to the control section is stopped. The system is configured to perform control to stop the currency acceptance unit from accepting currency until the time when the currency is accepted. As a result, during the period from when power input to the power conversion unit is stopped until the power supply from the power conversion unit to the control unit is stopped, while power is being supplied to the currency acceptance unit, currency Since acceptance of currency to the currency receiving section can be stopped, it is possible to prevent the currency receiving section from being stopped midway due to power supply being stopped while the currency receiving section is in operation. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the currency inserted into the currency receiving section from getting stuck on the way, or from not distributing the inserted currency to a predetermined storage position. As a result, when the supply of power to the vending machine is resumed after the supply of power to the vending machine is stopped due to a power outage or the like, the currency acceptance unit can be operated appropriately.

In the vending machine according to the first aspect, preferably, the power conversion section is configured to receive AC power from the outside, convert the input AC power into DC power, and supply the DC power to the currency acceptance section and the control section. The control unit is configured to detect the stop of input of power to the power conversion unit based on the fact that the power value of the AC power input to the power conversion unit has become equal to or less than a predetermined value. . With this configuration, it is possible to quickly detect that the AC power supplied to the power conversion unit is stopped due to a power outage or the like, by the control unit that is being operated by being supplied with DC power. This allows the control unit to perform corresponding control until the supply of DC power to the control unit is stopped.

In this case, preferably, the control unit is configured to control the currency acceptance unit to stop accepting currency when it is detected that the value of the AC power input to the power conversion unit is unstable. There is. With this configuration, if the value of AC power input to the power conversion unit is unstable and there is a risk of a power outage, the currency acceptance unit can quickly stop accepting currency. It is possible to effectively prevent the currency inserted into the section from getting stuck on the way or the currency inserted into the section from being not distributed to a predetermined storage position.

In the vending machine configured such that the power conversion unit converts input AC power into DC power, preferably, when the control unit detects that the value of the AC power input to the power conversion unit is unstable; In addition, the currency receiving unit is configured to control the return of the currency that has been accepted and is in the process of being accepted. With this configuration, when the value of the AC power input to the power conversion section is unstable and there is a risk of a power outage, the currency accepted by the currency acceptance section can be returned while the currency acceptance section is still operational. Therefore, even if the currency acceptance unit stops operating due to a subsequent power outage, it is possible to prevent accepted currency from being held in the currency acceptance unit without being returned.

In this case, preferably, if the control unit detects that the value of the power input to the power conversion unit is unstable, it suspends the sale of the product until the value of the power input to the power conversion unit stabilizes. The system is configured to perform control such as: With this configuration, if the value of the AC power input to the power converter is unstable and there is a risk of a power outage, the sale of the product will be stopped, so there will be no power outage during the sale of the product. This can prevent problems such as products getting stuck in the middle of the vending machine.

In the vending machine configured such that the control unit performs control to return currency that has been accepted or is in the process of being accepted by the currency acceptance unit, preferably, the control unit is configured such that the value of the electric power input to the power conversion unit is unstable. After detecting this, if the input of electric power to the power conversion unit is stopped due to a power outage, the currency acceptance unit is configured to perform control to stop returning accepted currency. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent currency from becoming stuck in the currency receiving section due to the currency receiving section stopping its operation due to a power outage while returning currency that has already been accepted by the currency receiving section. can.

In the vending machine configured such that the control unit performs control to return currency that has been accepted or is in the process of being accepted by the currency acceptance unit, preferably, the power conversion unit is configured to control when the input of power to the power conversion unit is stopped due to a power outage. In this case, the storage unit includes an electric power storage unit that stores electric power for returning the currency that has been accepted by the currency acceptance unit. With this configuration, even if the supply of electricity to the currency acceptance unit is stopped due to a power outage, power will be supplied from the power storage unit to the currency acceptance unit, so even if there is a power outage, the currency acceptance unit will operate and the currency acceptance unit will be able to receive the currency. currency can be returned.

In the vending machine according to the first aspect, preferably, there is a history that the input of power to the power conversion unit has been stopped due to a power outage, and a history that the value of the power input to the power conversion unit is unstable. The device further includes a storage unit that stores the information. With this configuration, by recording the history of power outages and unstable power values before power outages, it is possible to improve the power supply environment for more stable operation of vending machines. . In addition, by storing information such as product or currency jams caused by power outages or unstable power, it is possible to estimate the cause of problems caused by power outages or unstable power. .

In the vending machine according to the first aspect, preferably, the control unit controls the lighting, the cooling unit that cools the product, and the product when it is detected that the value of power input to the power conversion unit is unstable. It is configured to stop the power supplied to at least one of the heating units and perform control to continue selling the product. With this configuration, if the value of the power input to the power converter is unstable and there is a risk of a power outage, the power supplied to the lighting, cooling unit, or heating unit can be stopped. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of overloads and load fluctuations in the supplied power. This can reduce the risk of a power outage due to unstable power values. Thereby, the vending machine can be operated to continue selling the product, so it is possible to prevent the loss of sales opportunities for users who want to purchase the product.

In this case, preferably, the control unit controls the product when sales of the product is continued while stopping power supplied to at least one of the cooling unit that cools the product and the heating unit that heats the product. When the temperature of the product is no longer within the appropriate temperature range, control is performed to notify that the product is not at the appropriate temperature. With this configuration, the user who purchases the product can be made aware that the product is being sold outside the appropriate temperature range.

In the vending machine, the control unit is configured to stop the power supplied to at least one of the lighting, the cooling unit that cools the product, and the heating unit that heats the product, and controls to continue selling the product. Preferably, the control unit is configured to supply power to the lighting when external illuminance becomes lower than a predetermined value when continuing to sell products while stopping power supplied to the lighting. It is configured to control lighting of the lights. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent situations where the presence of a vending machine is not recognized, products cannot be selected, or currency cannot be inserted due to the vending machine being too dark.

According to the present invention, as described above, when the supply of power to the vending machine is restarted after the supply of power to the vending machine is stopped due to a power outage or the like, the currency acceptance unit can be appropriately operated.

1 is a diagram showing a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the stoppage of power input due to a power outage according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a state in which power input is unstable according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a first example of communication between a main control unit and a currency acceptance unit of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for explaining the 2nd example of communication between the main control part and the currency acceptance part of the vending machine by one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for explaining the 3rd example of communication between the main control part and the currency acceptance part of the vending machine by one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display indicating that a vending machine is on sale according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of a display of a vending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention during normal temperature sales. It is a flowchart for explaining the sales suspension process by the main control part of the vending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is a flow chart for explaining power supply control processing by a main control part of a vending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing the composition of the vending machine by the modification of one embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

The configuration of a vending machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. The vending machine 100 is a device for selling products such as drinks, food, and goods.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine 100 includes a product selection section 11, a product takeout port 12, a currency slot 13, a display section 14, a sales display section 15, and a currency return port 16.

The product selection section 11 is provided with product samples and a plurality of product selection buttons 11a for a user (user of the vending machine 100) to select a product. The product outlet 12 is configured so that the product selected and purchased by the user is taken out. The currency slot 13 is a slot into which the user inserts currency (coins) for purchasing products.

The display unit 14 is configured to display messages to the user, the status of the vending machine 100, and the like. The display unit 14 includes a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The sales display section 15 is configured to display that the product is on sale. As shown in FIG. 8, the sales display section 15 is configured to display "on sale" when the product is sold in a cooled or heated state. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the sales display section 15 is configured to display "Sold at room temperature" when the product is sold at room temperature. The sales display section 15 includes lighting such as an LED, and is configured to display "on sale" or "on sale at room temperature" by turning on the lighting.

The currency return port 16 is configured to dispense currency when returning inserted currency and when returning change.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vending machine 100 includes a main control section 17, a main body slave 18, a currency acceptance section 19, a power conversion section 20, a power measurement section 21, a remote control 22, and a product dispensing section 23. , a lighting unit 24 , a cooling unit 25 , a heating unit 26 , an illuminance detection unit 27 , and a temperature detection unit 28 . Note that the main control section 17 is an example of a "control section" in the claims.

The main control unit 17 is configured to control each part of the vending machine 100. The main control section 17 is configured to control the main body slave 18, the currency acceptance section 19, the remote control 22, the display section 14, and the product selection section 11. The main control section 17 is configured to control the product dispensing section 23 , the lighting 24 , the cooling section 25 , and the heating section 26 via the main body slave 18 . The main control unit 17 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 17a, a storage unit 17b such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a clock 17c. Further, the main control unit 17 is configured to operate by being supplied with electric power converted by the power conversion unit 20.

The main body slave 18 is configured to control the product dispensing section 23 , the lighting 24 , the cooling section 25 , and the heating section 26 based on the control of the main control section 17 . The main body slave 18 includes a processor such as a CPU, and a storage section such as a ROM and a RAM. Further, the main body slave 18 is configured to operate by being supplied with power converted by the power converter 20.

The currency receiving unit 19 is configured to accept currency (coins) inserted from the currency slot 13. Further, the currency receiving unit 19 is configured to identify the inserted currency and to store the identified currency (coin) by denomination. Further, the currency receiving unit 19 is configured to pay out the stored currency to the currency return port 16. When accepting currency, the currency receiving unit 19 identifies the currency and stores the identified currency. On the other hand, when the currency acceptance section 19 does not accept currency (when acceptance is stopped), it is configured to directly pay out the currency inserted from the currency input port 13 to the currency return port 16.

The power conversion unit 20 is configured to convert power input from the outside and supply it to the currency acceptance unit 19 and the main control unit 17. Further, the power conversion unit 20 is configured to convert power input from the outside and supply power to the main body slave 18, the remote controller 22, the display unit 14, the product selection unit 11, the product delivery unit 23, and the lighting 24. ing. The power converter 20 is configured to receive alternating current power (AC power) from the outside, convert the input alternating current power into direct current power (DC power), and supply the converted power to the currency accepting unit 19 and the main control unit 17. ing.

Power converter 20 includes a switching element 20a for converting AC power into DC power and a capacitor 20b. In other words, even after the AC power supplied to the power converter 20 is stopped, the charge stored in the capacitor 20b is supplied as DC power, so there is some time lag before the DC power is stopped.

The power measurement unit 21 is configured to measure the value of AC power supplied to the power conversion unit 20 from the outside. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the power measurement unit 21 generates a pulse waveform according to the AC power frequency when the power of the alternating current power (AC power) is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. The pulse waveform is transmitted to the main control section 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the main control unit 17 determines that external AC power has stopped and a power outage has occurred when a predetermined number or more of pulses are missing. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the main control unit 17 determines that the output of external AC power is unstable when there are less than a specified number of missing pulses.

The remote control 22 is used to operate the settings of the vending machine 100 and manage sales. The remote control 22 is placed inside the outer door of the vending machine 100. The remote control 22 is configured to be operated by an administrator of the vending machine 100 (an operator who replenishes products and collects currency).

The product dispensing unit 23 is configured to dispense products based on acceptance of currency. The product dispensing section 23 includes a product storage section and is configured to dispense a product selected according to a user's selection to the product takeout port 12.

The lighting 24 is configured to illuminate the product selection section 11 of the vending machine 100. By turning on the light 24, it is possible to clearly display the product sample in the product selection section 11. The lighting 24 includes an LED element.

The cooling unit 25 is configured to cool the product. The cooling unit 25 includes a refrigeration cycle that cools the inside of the vending machine 100 by circulating a refrigerant. The cooling unit 25 cools the products stored in the product dispensing unit 23. This makes it possible to sell products chilled to low temperatures. The cooling unit 25 is configured to be driven by AC power supplied from the outside.

The heating unit 26 is configured to heat the product. The heating section 26 heats the products stored in the product dispensing section 23. This makes it possible to sell products heated to high temperatures. The heating unit 26 is configured to be driven by AC power supplied from the outside.

The illuminance detection unit 27 is configured to detect external illuminance. The illuminance detection section 27 is configured to transmit the detection result of external illuminance to the main control section 17.

The temperature detection section 28 is configured to detect the temperature within the product storage section of the product dispensing section 23 (temperature of the product). The temperature detection unit 28 is configured to transmit temperature detection results to the main control unit 17.

Here, in the present embodiment, when the input of power from the outside to the power conversion unit 20 is stopped due to a power outage, the main control unit 17 is configured to supply power to the main control unit 17 until the power supply to the main control unit 17 is stopped. In addition, it is configured to perform control to stop the currency acceptance unit 19 from accepting currency. Further, the main control unit 17 is configured to detect the stop of inputting power to the power converting unit 20 based on the fact that the power value of the AC power input to the power converting unit 20 has become a predetermined value or less. ing. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a pulse corresponding to external AC power is missing at time t1. Furthermore, at time t2, by detecting a predetermined number or more of missing pulses, the main control unit 17 detects a stop in the input of power to the power conversion unit 20 (power outage).

Further, the main control unit 17 is configured to perform control to stop the currency acceptance unit 19 from accepting currency when it is detected that the value of AC power input to the power conversion unit 20 is unstable. There is. In the example shown in FIG. 4, at time t11, a pulse corresponding to external AC power is missing. Furthermore, at time t12, by detecting less than the specified number of missing pulses, the main control unit 17 detects that the value of the AC power supplied to the power conversion unit 20 is unstable.

Further, when the main control unit 17 detects that the value of AC power input to the power conversion unit 20 is unstable, the main control unit 17 controls the currency acceptance unit 19 to return the currency that has been accepted or is in the process of being accepted. It is composed of In this case, the currency receiving unit 19 is configured to pay out the same amount of currency as the accepted currency from among the stored currencies.

In addition, if the main control unit 17 detects that the value of power input to the power conversion unit 20 is unstable, the main control unit 17 suspends sales of the product until the value of power input to the power conversion unit 20 becomes stable. The system is configured to perform control such as: The main control unit 17 determines that the power value has stabilized when several minutes (for example, about 5 minutes) have passed since the lack of pulses corresponding to the AC power disappears.

Further, after detecting that the value of the power input to the power conversion unit 20 is unstable, the main control unit 17 controls the currency acceptance unit when the input of power to the power conversion unit 20 is stopped due to a power outage. 19, the system is configured to perform control to stop the return of accepted currency.

Furthermore, the storage unit 17b stores a history that the input of power to the power conversion unit 20 has been stopped due to a power outage, and a history that the value of power input to the power conversion unit 20 is unstable. It is composed of The main control unit 17 executes predetermined processing after recovery from a power outage based on the history in the storage unit 17b. For example, the main control unit 17 restarts the process of returning the currency that is being returned.

For the storage unit 17b, a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory or an EEPROM, or a volatile memory such as an SRAM is used. In the case of volatile memory, a battery is provided for backup. The history stored in the storage unit 17b includes the date and time when a power outage or power instability occurred, and the load status of the vending machine 100 (cooling, heating, lighting ON/OFF). If there is a history of power outages or voltage instability during operation or maintenance, the administrator of the vending machine 100 should increase the capacity of the power supply, check for deficiencies in power distribution, check surrounding electrical equipment, etc. and consider improving the power supply of the vending machine 100.

The storage processing of the storage unit 17b will be explained in chronological order. First, when the value of AC power to the vending machine 100 decreases, the power conversion section 20 transmits the decrease in power (missing pulse) to the main slave 18. The main body slave 18 notifies the main control unit 17 that the AC power is unstable (the power value has decreased). The main control unit 17 checks the current time using the clock 17c. The main control unit 17 inquires of the main body slave 18 about the load movement status. The main body slave 18 checks the load movement status of the lighting 24, the cooling unit 25, the heating unit 26, and the like. The main body slave 18 transmits the confirmed load movement status to the main control unit 17. The main control unit 17 writes and stores the AC power reduction history together with the time and load movement status in the storage unit 17b.

In addition, when the main control unit 17 detects that the value of power input to the power conversion unit 20 is unstable, the main control unit 17 controls the lighting 24, the cooling unit 25 that cools the product, and the heating unit 26 that heats the product. The device is configured to stop the power supplied to at least one of the devices, and perform control to continue selling the product.

In addition, the main control unit 17 controls whether the product is sold while continuing to sell the product while stopping power supplied to at least one of the cooling unit 25 that cools the product and the heating unit 26 that warms the product. When the temperature of the product is no longer within the appropriate temperature range, control is performed to notify that the product is not at the appropriate temperature. Specifically, if the temperature of the product is not within the appropriate temperature range based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 28, the main control unit 17 displays a message “Sold at room temperature” on the sales display unit 15 as shown in FIG. " is displayed. If the product is hot, if the temperature is lower than the appropriate temperature range, if the product is cold, if the temperature is higher than the appropriate temperature range, "sold at room temperature" is displayed on the sales display section 15.

In addition, when the product sales are continued while the power supplied to the lighting 24 is stopped, the main control unit 17 supplies power to the lighting 24 when the external illuminance becomes lower than a predetermined value. The controller is configured to perform control to turn on the lighting 24. Specifically, the main control unit 17 turns on the lighting 24 when the product sample is so dark that it is impossible to distinguish it based on the external illuminance detected by the illuminance detection unit 27.

Examples of communications between the main control section 17 and the currency acceptance section 19 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

In the first communication example shown in FIG. 5, the main control section 17 and the currency acceptance section 19 perform serial communication control. The currency acceptance section 19 operates according to instructions from the main control section 17. For example, when the main control section 17 requests information from the currency acceptance section 19 and the currency acceptance section 19 accepts 100 yen, the currency acceptance section 19 transmits the acceptance information of 100 to the main control section 17. Furthermore, when the main control section 17 detects a power outage, the main control section 17 instructs the currency acceptance section 19 to prohibit currency acceptance. The currency acceptance unit 19 that has received the instruction to prohibit currency acceptance performs an acceptance prohibition process. Then, the operation of the currency accepting unit 19 becomes impossible. After that, the supply of power to the main control section 17 and currency acceptance section 19 is stopped, and the vending machine 100 is stopped.

In the second communication example shown in FIG. 6, in order to prohibit the acceptance of currency as soon as possible in an emergency situation such as a power outage, communication is performed using a dedicated line for transmitting the prohibition of currency acceptance. Specifically, when the main control unit 17 detects a power outage, it immediately switches and fixes the signal on the transmission line to “L” in order to prohibit the currency acceptance unit 19 from accepting currency. If the currency acceptance unit 19 receives a signal at the "L" level for a longer period of time than a communication in which "0" continues in normal communication (for example, 00h), the currency acceptance unit 19 determines that "emergency reception is prohibited" and prohibits currency acceptance. Perform the processing to do. For example, when the communication speed is 4800 BPS, 00h data (10 consecutive bits of 0) takes about 2 ms. In this case, the currency acceptance unit 19 prohibits currency acceptance if the L level continues for about 5 ms.

In the third communication example shown in FIG. 7, if the serial communication port cannot be switched to a general port due to circuit constraints of the main control unit 17 or the currency acceptance unit 19, the circuit configuration uses the general port and communication together. It is said that

With reference to FIG. 10, the sales suspension process by the main control unit 17 will be described.

In step S1 of FIG. 10, it is determined whether power instability has been detected. If power instability is not detected, the determination in step S1 is repeated. If power instability is detected, the process advances to step S2. In step S2, it is determined whether the product is being paid out. If the product is being paid out, the process advances to step S3; if the product is not being paid out, the process advances to step S5.

In step S3, the product payout operation continues. In step S4, it is determined whether the payout of the product has been completed. If the product payout is completed, the process advances to step S11, and if the product payout has not been completed, the process returns to step S3.

In step S5, it is determined whether the change is being returned. If the change is being returned, the process proceeds to step S8; if the change is not being returned, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, it is determined whether or not there is money to be deposited. If there is deposited money, the process advances to step S7, and if there is no deposited money, the process advances to step S10.

In step S7, the return of currency is started. In step S8, it is determined whether the return of currency has been completed. If the return of currency has been completed, the process proceeds to step S10, and if the return of currency has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, it is determined whether a power outage has been detected. If a power outage is detected, the process advances to step S10, and if no power outage is detected, the process returns to step S8. In step S10, the return of currency is stopped (interrupted).

In step S11, sale of the product is stopped. In step S12, it is determined whether the power has been restored. If the power is not restored, the process returns to step S12, and if the power is restored, the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, it is determined whether a predetermined time N minutes (for example, 5 minutes) or more has elapsed. If N minutes have elapsed, the process advances to step S14, and if N minutes have not elapsed, the process returns to step S12. In step S14, sales of the product are resumed. After that, the process returns to step S1.

Referring to FIG. 11, power supply control processing by the main control unit 17 will be described.

In step S21 of FIG. 11, it is determined whether power instability has been detected. If power instability is not detected, the determination in step S21 is repeated. If power instability is detected, the process advances to step S22. In step S22, the supply of power to the cooling unit 25 and the heating unit 26 is stopped.

In step S23, it is determined whether the temperature of the product is within the appropriate temperature range. If the temperature is within the appropriate temperature range, the process proceeds to step S24, and if it is outside the appropriate temperature range, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S24, "on sale" is displayed on the sales display section 15. In step S25, the sales display section 15 displays "Sold at room temperature".

In step S26, it is determined whether the surroundings are bright. If the surroundings are bright, the process proceeds to step S27, and if the surroundings are dark, the process proceeds to step S28. In step S27, the illumination 24 is turned off. In step S28, the illumination 24 is turned on.

In step S29, it is determined whether the power has been restored. If the power is not restored, the process returns to step S23, and if the power is restored, the process proceeds to step S30. In step S30, it is determined whether a predetermined time period of N minutes (for example, 5 minutes) or more has elapsed. If N minutes have elapsed, the process advances to step S31, and if N minutes have not elapsed, the process returns to step S23. In step S31, sales of the product are resumed. After that, the process returns to step S21.

(Effects of this embodiment)
In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

In this embodiment, as described above, when input of power from the outside to the power conversion unit 20 is stopped due to a power outage, the main control unit 17 is operated until the supply of power to the main control unit 17 is stopped. During this period, the currency accepting unit 19 is configured to perform control to stop accepting currency. As a result, power is not supplied to the currency acceptance unit 19 after the power input to the power conversion unit 20 is stopped until the power supply from the power conversion unit 20 to the main control unit 17 is stopped. Since the acceptance of currency to the currency acceptance unit 19 can be stopped while the currency acceptance unit 19 is in operation, it is possible to prevent the currency acceptance unit 19 from being stopped midway due to power supply being stopped while it is operating. . Thereby, it is possible to prevent the currency inserted into the currency receiving section 19 from getting stuck on the way, or from not distributing the inserted currency to a predetermined storage position. As a result, when the supply of power is restarted after the supply of power to the vending machine 100 is stopped due to a power outage or the like, the currency acceptance unit 19 can be operated appropriately.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the power conversion unit 20 receives AC power from the outside, converts the input AC power into DC power, and supplies the DC power to the currency acceptance unit 19 and the main control unit 17. Configure it as follows. Further, the main control unit 17 is configured to detect the stop of inputting power to the power converting unit 20 based on the fact that the power value of the AC power input to the power converting unit 20 becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value. . Thereby, it is possible for the main control unit 17, which is being supplied with DC power and is operating, to quickly detect that the AC power supplied to the power conversion unit 20 is stopped due to a power outage or the like. Thereby, the main control section 17 can perform the corresponding control until the supply of DC power to the main control section 17 is stopped.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, when it is detected that the value of the AC power input to the power conversion unit 20 is unstable, the main control unit 17 is configured to prevent the currency acceptance unit 19 from accepting currency. Configure to perform stop control. As a result, when the value of the AC power input to the power converter 20 is unstable and there is a risk of a power outage, it is possible to quickly stop the currency acceptance unit 19 from accepting currency. It is possible to effectively prevent the inserted currency from getting stuck on the way or the inserted currency from not being distributed to a predetermined storage position.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the main control unit 17 detects that the value of the AC power input to the power conversion unit 20 is unstable, the currency acceptance unit 19 controls whether the currency is accepted or not. Configure to control the return of currency in progress. As a result, if the value of AC power input to the power converter 20 is unstable and there is a risk of a power outage, the currency accepted by the currency acceptor 19 can be returned while the currency acceptor 19 is still operational. Therefore, even if the currency accepting unit 19 stops operating due to a subsequent power outage, it is possible to prevent accepted currency from being held in the currency accepting unit 19 without being returned.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, when it is detected that the value of the power input to the power conversion unit 20 is unstable, the main control unit 17 is configured to control the value of the power input to the power conversion unit 20. The system is configured to control the suspension of sales of products until the situation stabilizes. As a result, if the value of the AC power input to the power conversion unit 20 is unstable and there is a risk of a power outage, the sale of the product will be canceled, so that the product will not be sold due to a power outage during the sale of the product. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as products getting stuck in the middle of the vending machine 100.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, after the main control unit 17 detects that the value of the power input to the power conversion unit 20 is unstable, the power input to the power conversion unit 20 is interrupted. The currency receiving unit 19 is configured to perform control to stop the return of accepted currency when the currency is stopped by the currency receiving unit 19. This can prevent currency from becoming stuck in the currency receiving section 19 due to the currency receiving section 19 stopping its operation due to a power outage while returning the currency that has been accepted by the currency receiving section 19. .

In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the history of power input to the power conversion unit 20 being stopped due to a power outage, and the history of unstable power input to the power conversion unit 20 are provided. A storage section 17b for storing history is provided. Thereby, by recording a history of power outages and unstable power values before power outages, it is possible to improve the power supply environment for operating the vending machine 100 more stably. In addition, by storing information such as product or currency jams caused by power outages or unstable power, it is possible to estimate the cause of problems caused by power outages or unstable power. .

In addition, in the present embodiment, as described above, when it is detected that the value of the power input to the power converter 20 is unstable, the main controller 17 controls the lighting 24 and the cooling unit 25 that cools the product. It is configured to stop the power supplied to at least one of the heating units 26 and 26 that heat the product, and perform control to continue selling the product. As a result, if the value of the power input to the power converter 20 is unstable and there is a risk of a power outage, the power supplied to the lighting 24, cooling unit 25, or heating unit 26 can be stopped. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of overloads and load fluctuations in the supplied power. This can reduce the risk of a power outage due to unstable power values. Thereby, the vending machine 100 can be operated to continue selling the product, so it is possible to prevent the loss of sales opportunities for users who want to purchase the product.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the main control unit 17 controls the product while stopping power supplied to at least one of the cooling unit 25 that cools the product and the heating unit 26 that heats the product. The system is configured to perform control to notify that the temperature of the product is not at an appropriate temperature when the temperature of the product is no longer within the appropriate temperature range when sales are continued. This allows the user purchasing the product to recognize that the product is being sold outside the appropriate temperature range.

Further, in this embodiment, as described above, when the main control unit 17 is continuing to sell products while stopping the power supplied to the lighting 24, the external illuminance becomes lower than a predetermined value. The configuration is such that control is performed to supply power to the illumination 24 and turn on the illumination 24 when the illumination 24 is turned on. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the vending machine 100 from not being recognized, being unable to select a product, or being unable to insert currency due to being too dark.

(Modified example)
The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all changes (modifications) within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

For example, in the embodiment described above, an example of a configuration in which the currency accepting unit 19 accepts coins as currency is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the currency accepting unit may accept banknotes as currency.

In addition to the configuration of the above embodiment, as in the modification shown in FIG. A power storage unit 20c may be provided to store power for returning accepted currency. Power storage section 20c may be configured with a supercapacitor. As a result, even if the supply of electricity to the currency acceptance unit 19 is stopped due to a power outage, power is supplied from the power storage unit 20c to the currency acceptance unit 19, so even if there is a power outage, the currency acceptance unit 19 can be operated to accept the currency. currency can be returned.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example of a configuration in which the power converter converts AC power to DC power is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the power converter may convert the voltage of AC power to AC power, convert the voltage of DC power to DC power, or convert DC power to AC power. good.

Further, in the above embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the processing operation of the main control unit (control unit) was explained using a flow-driven flowchart in which the processing is performed sequentially along the processing flow, but the present invention is not limited to this. I can't do it. In the present invention, the processing operation of the control unit may be performed by event-driven processing in which processing is executed on an event-by-event basis. In this case, it may be completely event-driven, or it may be a combination of event-driven and flow-driven.

13 Currency input slot 17 Main control section (control section)
17b storage section 19 currency acceptance section 20 power conversion section 20c power storage section 23 product dispensing section 24 lighting 25 cooling section 26 heating section 100 vending machine

Claims (11)

a currency receiving unit that accepts currency input from the currency input slot;
a product dispensing unit that dispenses products based on currency acceptance;
a control unit that controls the currency receiving unit and the product dispensing unit;
a power conversion unit including a capacitor, converting power input from the outside and supplying the converted power to the currency acceptance unit and the control unit;
The control unit is configured to stop supplying power from the capacitor in which power is stored in the power conversion unit to the control unit when input of power from the outside to the power conversion unit is stopped due to a power outage. The vending machine is configured to perform control to stop the currency acceptance unit from accepting currency during the period. The power conversion unit is configured to receive AC power from the outside, convert the input AC power into DC power, and supply the DC power to the currency acceptance unit and the control unit,
The control unit is configured to detect a stop of input of power to the power conversion unit based on a power value of AC power input to the power conversion unit becoming equal to or less than a predetermined value. The vending machine according to claim 1. The control unit is configured to perform control to stop the currency acceptance unit from accepting currency when it is detected that the value of AC power input to the power conversion unit is unstable. The vending machine according to item 2. The control unit is configured to perform control to return currency that has been accepted or is currently being accepted by the currency acceptance unit when it is detected that the value of AC power input to the power conversion unit is unstable. The vending machine according to claim 2 or 3. When the control unit detects that the value of the power input to the power conversion unit is unstable, the control unit controls to stop selling the product until the value of the power input to the power conversion unit becomes stable. 5. The vending machine of claim 4, wherein the vending machine is configured to: After detecting that the value of the power input to the power conversion unit is unstable, the control unit is configured to control currency acceptance by the currency acceptance unit when input of power to the power conversion unit is stopped due to a power outage. The vending machine according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the vending machine is configured to perform control to stop returning currency that has already been purchased. The power conversion unit includes a power storage unit that stores power for returning currency accepted by the currency acceptance unit when input of power to the power conversion unit is stopped due to a power outage. The vending machine according to 4 or 5. Claim further comprising a storage unit that stores a history that input of power to the power conversion unit has been stopped due to a power outage, and a history that the value of power input to the power conversion unit is unstable. The vending machine according to any one of items 1 to 7. When the control unit detects that the value of power input to the power conversion unit is unstable, the control unit controls at least one of the lighting, a cooling unit that cools the product, and a heating unit that heats the product. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the vending machine is configured to perform control to stop supplying electric power and continue selling products. The control unit is configured to control the temperature of the product when the sale of the product is continued while stopping power supplied to at least one of the cooling unit that cools the product and the heating unit that warms the product. The vending machine according to claim 9, wherein the vending machine is configured to perform control to notify that the product is not at an appropriate temperature when the temperature is no longer within the appropriate range. The control unit is configured to supply power to the lighting and to control the lighting when external illuminance becomes lower than a predetermined value while continuing to sell products while stopping power supplied to the lighting. The vending machine according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the vending machine is configured to control lighting of a light.

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