JPH01253087A - Article selective display device for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the number of control signal lines and the circuit constitution of an arithmetic control part from varying even if article selection classifications increase by storing a sent selection classification number in a nonvolatile storage part in a selection classification number setting state. CONSTITUTION:Selective arithmetic control parts 5a-5n which connect selection switches 1a-1n, sellout display devices 2a-2n, and on-sale display devices 3a-3n provided for respective selection classifications to a main arithmetic control part 9 by serial communication control lines store serial communication control data from the main arithmetic control part 9 in an electrically writable nonvolatile storage parts 6a-6n. Then selective processing is carried out with the selection classification numbers to perform the serial communication control. Consequently, the number of wires need not by varied even if the number of selection classifications increases.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product selection display device for a vending machine that controls the product selection display device of a vending machine having a plurality of product selection categories through serial communication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, vending machines have become larger and the variety of products they sell has increased, and as a result, internal wiring has become more complex.

An example of a conventional product selection display device for a vending machine will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a circuit configuration of a conventional product selection display device for a vending machine, and FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing its operation. In FIG. 4, 1a to 1n are selection switches for the user to select a plurality of stored products, 28 to 2n are sold-out indicators to inform the user of the presence or absence of stored products, and 3a to 3n are the user's selection switches. A sellable indicator 4 indicates the selection switches 1a to 1 for informing the user that it is now possible to sell the coins that have been inserted.
n is a dynamic scanning input, the arithmetic control unit dynamically displays the sold out indicators 2a to 2n and the sellable indicators 3a to 3n, and the selection switches 1a to I.
n, sold out indicators 2a to 2n and available for sale indicators 38 to 3
n (having a diode matrix configuration) is connected to the arithmetic control section 4.

The selection display operation of the product selection display device for a vending machine constructed as described above will be described below with reference to FIG. The arithmetic control unit 4 receives a timing signal TO-T for dynamic scanning input and dynamic display.
For example, in order to light up the No. 1 sold-out indicator 2a, the sold-out indicator 2a is connected to the signal D when the timing signal TO is output.
o is pulled in (set to GND level).

Further, when the No. 1 selection switch 1a is pressed, the timing signal To output from the arithmetic control section 4 is inputted to the arithmetic control section 4 via the selection switch 1a, and the arithmetic control section 4 Detects that the No. 1 selection switch has been operated.

In addition, when dynamic display control is normally performed, the timing signal is set at 2 to 3 m SeC due to problems with the brightness and flicker of LEDs used for display.

1/8 duty is used. Therefore, 3+8 control signal lines are required for each selection switch, sold-out indicator, and eight sellable indicators.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, with the above configuration, when the number of product types stored in a vending machine increases, the number of selection items and sold-out indicators provided for each selection category increases as the number of product selection categories increases. The number of control signal lines between the display unit and the arithmetic control unit that controls multiple units of these units increases, and the cutting lines inside the aircraft become complicated.
In addition, there is a problem in that the circuit configuration of the arithmetic control section becomes complicated as the number of control signals increases.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention controls a pair of selection switches provided for each selection category, a sold-out indicator, and a sellable indicator through serial communication control lines, thereby increasing the number of control signal lines by increasing the product selection categories. To provide a product selection display device for a vending machine in which the circuit configuration of an arithmetic and control unit remains unchanged.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the product selection display device for a vending machine of the present invention has a pair of selections provided for each selection category for the user to select from a plurality of stored products. A switch, an out-of-stock indicator to inform users of the presence or absence of stored items,
a sellable indicator for informing the user that the coins input by the user are now available for sale; a selection calculation control unit connected to the pair of selection switches, the sold-out indicator and the sellable indicator; a selection display device configured with an electrically writable nonvolatile storage unit connected to the selection calculation control unit, a writing circuit for writing data to the electrically writable nonvolatile storage unit; and an automatic vending machine. - main arithmetic control units for controlling the plurality of selection display devices provided as many as the number of product selection categories of the vending machine, and connected to the nIJ main arithmetic and control unit, the number of which is equal to the number of product selection categories of the vending machine. The plurality of selection display devices and the main calculation control unit are configured together with a setting operation unit used to set selection classification numbers of the plurality of selection display devices provided, and the main calculation control unit is configured to transmit and They are connected by serial communication control lines classified according to two reception modes.

According to the above-described structure, when the selection section number is set by the operation from the setting operation section, the selection section number transmitted from the main processing control section through the serial communication control line is operated by the selection section number. is written into the electrically writable non-volatile memory by activating the writing circuit of the selected selection display device, and in normal sales operations, a call corresponding to the selection classification number stored in each selection display device by the above operation is performed. Responds when a code is sent from the main operation control unit.

Embodiment Hereinafter, a product selection display device for a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a product selection display device for a vending machine in an embodiment of the present invention.

In Figure 1, 1a to 1n are selection switches provided for each selection category for the user to select from multiple stored products, and 2
a to 2n are sold-out indicators to inform the user of the presence or absence of stored items; 3a to 3n are sellable indicators to inform the user that the items can be sold with the coins input by the user; 5a ~6n are the pair of selection switches 1a~In,
A selection calculation control unit connected to the sold out indicators 2a to 2n and the sellable indicators 3a to 3n, 6a to 6n an electrically writable nonvolatile storage unit 7a connected to the selection calculation control units 6a to 5n; ~7n are the selection calculation control units 5a~5
electrically writable nonvolatile storage units 6a to 6n;
This is a write circuit that writes data to.

8a to 8n are the pair of selection switches 1a to 1n, sold out indicators 2a to 2n, sellable indicators 3a to 3n, selection calculation control units 6a to 5n, electrically writable nonvolatile storage units 6a to 6n, and a writing circuit. 7a to 7n.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a main calculation control unit for controlling the plurality of selection display devices 8a to 8n provided in the number of parts selection categories of the vending machine, and the selection display devices 8a to 8n constituted by the plurality of parts. It is connected to the main calculation control section 9 by serial communication control lines classified into two modes: transmission and reception. Reference numeral 10 denotes a setting operation section connected to the main arithmetic and control section 9 and used to set selection category numbers of the plurality of selection display devices 8a to 8n provided as many as the number of product selection categories of the vending machine.

Regarding the product selection display device for a vending machine configured as described above, the selection display operation will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the selection category number setting operation of the selection display device for a pair of selection display devices and the main calculation control unit, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the selection display operation in the normal sales operation.

Hereinafter, the operation of setting selection division numbers for serial communication control of the selection display devices 8a to 8n will be explained based on FIG.

When the setting operation section 1o is operated and the main calculation control section 9 enters the state for setting the selection classification number ((Stopl)
, the selection division number initial value is transmitted from the main calculation control section 9 to the selection calculation control sections 5a to 5n of the selection display devices 8a to 8n via the serial communication control line (Stop 2).

In this state, each of the selection calculation control units 6a to 5n enters a selection number setting state (Stop 3), and selects the selection switches 1a to 1n provided in the selection display devices 8a to 8n.
Wait until is pressed (Stop 4).

In this state, when the selection switch 1x provided on the selection display device 8x is pressed (Stop 5), selection data indicating that the selection switch was operated is transferred to the selection calculation control section of the selection display device 8x where the selection operation was performed. 6x is transmitted to the main calculation control unit 9 (Stop 6), and the selection classification number transmitted from the main calculation control unit 9 is written into the electrically writable nonvolatile storage unit 6x by the write circuit 7x (Stop 6). Stop 7).

The main calculation control unit 9, which has received the nIJ selection data, transmits a sellable indicator lighting command together with the corresponding selection classification number (Stop 8). A selection section number corresponding to the selection section number from the main calculation control section 9 is written in nII (St
7E mechanically writable non-volatile storage unit 6 by op7)
The selection display device 8x stored in a to 6n lights up the sellable indicator 3x in response to the instruction to turn on the sellable indicator 3x (Stop 9).

The main calculation control unit 9 sets the selection division number to 5top in sequential order.
10) The selection section number setting control of the selection display device provided for each selection section is performed by following the same procedure.

Next, the selection display operation in the normal sales operation will be explained with reference to FIG. 3, taking the pair of selection display devices and the main processing control unit as an example.

When the stored product corresponding to the selection category number I is sold out and the sold-out indicator 2a of the selection display device 8x corresponding to the selection category number I among the selection display devices 8a to 8n is to be lit, the main calculation control Section 9) A sold-out indicator lighting command is transmitted together with the selection classification number I (Stopll).

Non-volatile storage units 6a to 6n are electrically writable to store selection division numbers corresponding to the selection division numbers from the main calculation control unit 9.
In response to the sold-out indicator lighting command, the selection display device 8x stored by the selection category number setting operation (S
tep 12), and lights up the sold-out indicator 3x (Stop 13).

On the other hand, the selection display device 7 among the selection display devices 8a to 8n
! When the selection switch 1x provided in Sto
p 14), during the state change transmitted from the main operation control unit together with the selection classification number Alignment command (Stop15)
, the selection data indicating that the selection switch has been operated is returned to the main operation control unit 9 (Stop 18).
.

Also, if the selection nuitch 1x is not pressed (5top
17) Electrically writable non-volatile memory e! In response to the state change timing command (Stop 15) sent from the main calculation control unit along with the selection classification number X corresponding to the selection classification number stored in Reply to part 9 ( 5top
18).

The main calculation control unit 9 receives a reply from the selection display device 8x to the state change timing command transmitted together with the selection classification number I, and learns whether or not the selection switch of the corresponding selection classification has been operated (Stop 19).

Similarly, the main calculation control section 9 can know whether or not the selection display devices 1a to 1n of the connected selection display devices 8a to 8n have been operated by changing the selection category number from 1 to n.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a pair of selection items 1a to 1n provided for each selection category and sold out indicators 2a to 1n are provided for each selection category.
2n and the sellable display units 3a to 3n are connected in reverse to the main calculation control unit 9 through a serial communication control line.
serial communication control data from the main arithmetic control section 9 is stored in the electrically writable nonvolatile storage sections 6a to 6n.
It becomes possible to perform serial communication control by selectively processing the items stored in the selection section number.

In addition, in this embodiment, each selection display device itself stores the selection classification number through a setting operation, so that the storage product classification and selection classification can be freely set. By using , the configuration eliminates the need for backup power supply in the event of a power outage.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention provides a selection calculation control unit connected to a pair of selection switches provided for each selection category, a sold-out indicator, and a sellable indicator, and a selection calculation control unit connected to the selection calculation control unit. an electrically writable non-volatile memory section, and a write circuit and system for writing data to the electrically writable non-volatile memory section connected to the selection arithmetic control section and the electrically writable non-volatile memory section. The configured selection display device is connected to a plurality of selection display devices provided as many as the number of product selection categories of the vending machine by a serial communication control line that is classified according to two modes of transmission and reception. It is comprised of a main processing control section and a setting operation section connected to the main processing control section and used for setting selection section numbers of the plurality of selection display devices. When in the number setting state, the selection division number transmitted from the main processing control unit via the serial communication control line is activated to activate the writing circuit of the selection display device operated by the selection unit and write into an electrically writable non-volatile memory. During normal sales operations, series communication control is performed by responding when a call code corresponding to the selection classification number stored in each selection display device is transmitted from the main processing control section through the above operation. This makes it possible to eliminate the need to change the number of wiring lines even when the number of selected sections increases.

In addition, each selection display device itself stores the selection classification number through a setting operation, allowing the storage product classification and selection classification to be freely set, and by using a non-volatile storage device, Back amplifier power supply is not required.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a product selection display device of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the selection display operation in the normal sales operation;
The figure is a circuit diagram of a conventional product selection display device for a vending machine, and FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing its operation. Selection switch for 1a to 1n..., 2a to 2n...
...Sold out indicator, 3a-3n...Saleable indicator, 4...Calculation control unit, 6a-5n...
...Selection calculation control unit, 6a-6n...Electrically writable non-volatile storage section, 7a-7n...Writing circuit, 8a-8n...Selection display device, 9...
...Main processing control unit. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person 2nd
Figure 3 Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] A pair of selection switches are provided for each selection category so that the user can select multiple stored products, a sold-out indicator informs the user of the presence or absence of stored products, and sales are possible using the coins inserted by the user. a selection calculation control section connected to the pair of selection switches, the sold-out indicator, and the sale availability display for informing the user that the sale has become available; a selection calculation control section connected to the selection calculation control section; a selection display device comprising: an electrically writable nonvolatile storage unit; and a write circuit that is connected to the selection calculation control unit and the electrically writable nonvolatile storage unit and writes data in the electrically writable nonvolatile storage unit. a main calculation control unit for controlling a plurality of selection display devices provided as many as the number of product selection categories of the vending machine; and a setting operation unit used to set the selection classification number of the plurality of selection display devices provided, and the selection display device composed of the plurality of selection display devices and the main calculation control unit are configured to transmit and They are connected by a serial communication control line that is classified according to two modes of reception, and when the setting operation section sets the operated selection section number, first the initial value of the selection section number is sent to each mode from the main calculation control section. When the selection switch provided on the selection display device is pressed, the selection data indicating that the selection switch was operated is transmitted to the selection calculation control section of the selection display device on which the selection operation was performed. The selection classification number sent to the main processing control section and from the main processing control section is written into the electrically writable non-volatile storage section by the writing circuit, and the selection data is selected by the main processing control section which has received the selection data. The division number is sequentially numbered, and the selection division number setting control of the selection display device provided for each selection division is performed by following the same procedure.In normal sales operations, the selection division number is stored in each selection display device by the above operation. 1. A product selection display device for a vending machine, characterized in that the product selection display device for a vending machine is configured to respond when a call code corresponding to a selected selection classification number is transmitted from a main processing control unit.