JPH0223498A - Controller for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve reliability by resetting a system after returning an inputted amount when a communication error occurs in any slave CPU except one slave CPU for paying out coins under a state in which a customer inputs the coins. CONSTITUTION:When the communication error occurs in any of slave CPUs 22, 23, etc., except a slave CPU21 for the coin paying out device of a terminal under the state in which the customer inputs the coins, a main CPU1 pays out and returns the inputted amount through the CPU21 and a device 5. After that, the CPU21 and the slave CPUs 22 and 23 are reset through corresponding resetting parts 3 by the CPU1 and made into a system reset state, and the reliability of the title automatic vending machine can be heightened without giving a distrustful feeling to the customer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Industrial Application The present invention relates to a vending machine control device that achieves control of the vending machine using a plurality of CPUs.

(b) As we develop the control of vending machines using the conventional technology CPU, the CPU
As the number of inputs and outputs from the U control section increases, the weight of development and quality is concentrated on this control section.As a result, the degree of integration of the board on which the CPU is mounted becomes high, making wiring processing troublesome and causing failures in the event of an abnormality. There are drawbacks such as the need for time and effort to detect the location.

In order to solve this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-72595 discloses a main CPU that centrally controls the entire operation of the vending machine, and a plurality of slave CPUs that correspond to each terminal part of the vending machine. A configuration is shown in which the main CPU and each slave CPU perform their own predetermined processing while transmitting and receiving necessary data to and from each other, thereby achieving control of the vending machine.

In a system that is equipped with multiple CPUs and distributes the control functions of the vending machine, if the slave CPU malfunctions or operates abnormally due to static electricity, noise, etc. and data communication becomes impossible, the main CPU It is necessary to effectively reset this slave CPU.

Therefore, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 59-79326, the main C
Even if the PU sends a data signal to a specific slave CPU, if the response data signal corresponding to that data signal is incorrect or there is no response, the main CPU resets all slave CPUs. A configuration is shown.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, if the slave CPU is reset to its initial state, there will be a problem that if money has been inserted into the vending machine, it will be stolen.

Therefore, in the present invention, when an abnormality is detected in the slave CPU, the main CPU checks whether there is an inserted amount, and if there is an inserted amount, returns this amount and then resets the system. It provides equipment.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, in the vending machine control device according to the present invention, the main CPU includes each slave CPU.
A determination means for monitoring transmission data from U to determine a communication abnormality, a calculation means for calculating an input amount based on input money data transmitted from a slave CPU that controls the money detection device, and a calculation means for calculating an input amount based on input money data transmitted from a slave CPU that controls the money detection device; control means for transmitting a command to return the input amount to a slave CPU that controls the payout of money when the input amount has been calculated by the calculation means; and a reset means for applying a reset.

(*) Effect When the main CPU sends a data signal to any slave CPU and enters the communication mode, this slave CPU
The data transmitted from U is monitored, and if the response data signal corresponding to the data signal is not appropriate or there is no response, it is determined that there is a communication abnormality. Main C
When the PU determines that there is an abnormality in one of the slave CPUs, the PU determines whether or not there is an input amount, and if the input amount has been input, it sends a command to return the input amount to the slave CPU that controls the payout of money. And this slave C
When the input amount is returned under the control of the PU, the main CPU
resets all slave CPUs.

(f) Embodiment FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention in blocks, in which (1) is a main CPU that centrally controls the entire operation of the vending machine, (21), (2) ri, (21)
is a slave CPU that controls each terminal part of the vending machine, and these CPUs are connected by a pass line (17). This pass line (17) connects the main CPU (1) and each slave CPU (2,), (2,), (21)
It is a communication line with serial signals between. slave CPU
(21) controls terminal parts related to accepting and dispensing money in a vending machine, such as a money detection device (4), a money dispensing device (5), a change money detection device (
6) etc. are connected, it detects the presence or absence of inserted coins and change, and controls the withdrawal of coins. slave C
The PU (2*) controls the terminal unit related to product selection and display in a vending machine, for example, the product selection device (
7), an input amount display (8), a sold out display (9), a sellable display (10), etc. are connected.The product selection device (7) is equipped with a selection switch corresponding to each sales column. Sold out display device (9) and available for sale display device (10)
is equipped with a sold-out indicator and a sales-available indicator corresponding to each sales column, and the slave CPU (
2 controls the display of the amount of money, the display of products that can be sold for the amount invested by the customer, and the display of sold-out products, and also performs the operation of detecting the selection switch operated by the customer. The slave CPU (21) controls terminal parts related to sales, such as a product delivery device (11) including a product delivery drive device corresponding to each sales column, and a product delivery device (11) that includes a product delivery drive device corresponding to each sales column. A product sold-out detection device (12) including a sold-out detection switch is connected to detect sold-out products and control delivery of selected products.

The main CPU (1) polls the slave c p
Control U (21), (zt), (21). That is, slave CPU (2,), (2,
), (An address hood is set every 2 ha,
By outputting a predetermined address code to the pass line (17), the main CPU (1) selects one of the slave CPUs (2+), (2*) corresponding to this address hood.
) - (2m) returns an acknowledgment signal (ACK) to enter the communication state, and the main CPU (1)
It controls this slave CPU by returning commands and transmitting and receiving data to the PU. slave CPU
(2□) responds to the data transmission request from the main CPU (1) and transmits input coin data and change data for each type of coin, but the main CPU (1) calculates the input amount by receiving these data. At the same time, products that can be sold are determined based on the state of change held. slave CP
U (2z) transmits the selected product data in response to a transmission request from the main CPU (1). Slave CPU (2m
) transmits sold-out product data in response to a transmission request from the main CPU (1).

The main CPU (1) transfers sold-out product data from the slave CPU (2m) to the slave CPU (2c), and also transmits input amount data and sellable product data when inserting money. Slave CPU (
By receiving these data, the second controller controls the display of the input amount, the display of sellable products, and the display of sold-out products, respectively.

If the product indicated by the selected product data is a sellable product, the main CPU (1) calculates the change and transfers the selected product data to the slave CPU (2M). The slave CPU (2m> controls the delivery of the product indicated by the selected product data. Also, when paying out change or the inserted amount, the main CPU (1) sends the payout amount data to the slave CPU (2,). , the slave CPU (21) controls the payout of money based on this data.

Slave CPU (21), (22), (2m
) each has a reset section (3), and the main C
In response to a control signal from PU (1), a reset signal is output to the reset terminal of the corresponding slave CPU (2□), (Z*>, (2g)).

Figure 2 shows the main CPU (1) and each slave CPU (21).
> , (zt), (21), and the reset section (18> of the main CPU (1) is connected to the resistor R1
, a capacitor CI + a diode Dl, and a resistor R
1 and diode D are connected in parallel, one end of which is connected to the power supply section (13), and the other end of which is connected to the capacitor C1.
It is connected to. The connection point between the capacitor C8 and the resistor R3 is connected to the reset terminal (15) of the main CPU (1). In the reset section (3), the base is the main CP
A transistor (14
), and further includes a resistor R, a capacitor C1, a diode D2, and a resistor R2 and a diode D.

are connected in parallel, one end is connected to the power supply terminal V of each slave CPU, and the other end is connected to the capacitor C2.
It is connected to. And capacitor C! The connection point between and resistor R2 is connected to the reset terminal (16) of each slave CPU, and the other end is grounded.

When the power is turned on, the power supply unit (13) applies power supply voltage to the power supply terminal V of the main CPU (1), but the reset terminal (
The voltage applied to 15) does not rise until a time constant determined by resistor R0 and capacitor C1 has elapsed, and during this time the main CPU (1>) is reset.Then, the voltage applied to the reset terminal (15) is Main CPU due to voltage rise
(1) starts its operation, but first the boats Pa, P+, P
A control signal is applied to the base of each transistor (14) from t. This turns on the transistor (14)
The power supply voltage of the L, t source section (13) is the slave c p U
(21), <21), (2□) power supply terminal vD
It will be applied to ll. Then, when the voltage applied to the reset terminal (16) rises after a time constant determined by the resistor R1 and the capacitor C1, the slave CPU is released from reset and starts operating.

The communication terminal TXDM of the main CPU (1) is connected to the bus line (
17) through each slave CPυ(21), (za
>.

(2,) communication terminals TXDS, , TXDS, , TXDS
, is connected to. The main CPU (1) then communicates with a specific slave CPU by polling.
If the slave CPU malfunctions or operates abnormally due to static electricity, noise, or other causes, a communication error occurs. Therefore, the main CPU (1) is the slave CPU in communication.
If there is no response from the slave CPU, or if there is a response but the response data is not appropriate, the slave CPU is determined to be abnormal.

The operation of the main CPU (1) is shown in the flowchart of FIG. The main CPU (1) performs initialization in the first step S1. With this initialization, the slave CPU (
2,), (2x), and <za), a control signal is given to supply power to the power supply unit (13), and
A reset is applied for a predetermined time by the action of the reset section (3).

In the next step S2, communication is performed with the slave CPU (2+) to input input money data and change data. When money is inserted into the vending machine, the inserted money data indicates the amount of money inserted, and is the main C.
PU(1) calculates the input amount based on the input of this data. In step S3, sold-out product data is input through communication with the slave CPU (2m), and in the next step S4, a sold-out determination is performed to determine which products are sold out. In step S5, communication is performed with the slave CPU (2g) to input selected product data. In step S6, it is determined which products have been selected by the customer based on the selected product data, and it is determined whether the products can be purchased with the input amount and are not sold out. Step S7
Then, it is checked whether a transfer error has occurred in communication with each slave CPU (21), (2□), (ZS), and if no error has occurred, it is checked in the next step S8 whether it is necessary to pay out money. judge. If there is change due to the sale, the process proceeds to step S11, where the slave CPU
Sends a change payout command and its amount data to (2,). As a result, the slave CPU (2+) controls the money dispensing device (5), and change is dispensed. Step S9
Then, it is determined whether all sellable products have been selected, and if they have been selected, the process proceeds to step 312, where the slave CPU (21
) to send product sales commands and selected product data.

Therefore, the slave CPU (28) controls the product delivery device (11) based on the selected product data, and thereby the selected product is sold. In step SIO, slave CP
U (2ffi> has sold out product data, sellable product data,
The input amount data is output, and the slave CPU (2) controls the input amount display (8), the sold-out display device (9), and the saleable display device (10) based on this data to display this information.

The main CPU (1) normally performs steps S2 to S8.
The operations of the vending machine are controlled by repeating the processes up to step 12.

However, if a transfer error is detected in step S7, the process proceeds to step 513, where the main CPU (1) determines whether or not there is an input amount, and if there is an input amount, the process proceeds to step 814. In step 314, the main CPU (1) sends the input amount return command and input amount data to the slave CPU (21).Therefore, the slave CPU (21) operates the money dispensing device (5) based on the input amount data. The input amount is returned under control. Then, the main CPU (1) (7)
The MA proceeds to step S1. In this step S1, initialization is performed, and all slave CPUs U(2,),
(2ri, (2m) is reset.

In Figure 4, the main CPU (1) is connected to the slave CPU (21).
), (2o), (21) is detected, it is checked whether there is an amount to be paid out, and if there is an amount to be paid, it is returned and the slave CPU (2,), (2t
), (2,) is a block diagram illustrating a function of resetting. The main CPU (1) executes specific slave CPUs (21), (2t), (
The address code and command are outputted to the pass line (17) by the transmitting means (25). Furthermore, the main CPU (1) is connected to the pass line (17
) is received by the receiving means 24), the determining means (20) closely examines the transmitted data and determines whether there is a communication abnormality.This determining means (20)
is also a means for decoding the received data, and the determination means <20
) determines that the received data is input money data, and controls the calculation means (21>) to calculate the input amount.When the determination means (20>) detects a communication abnormality, the control means (22) outputs the input amount return command and the address code of the slave CPU (21) when the input amount is calculated by the calculation means (21).Then, the determination means determines that the input amount return completion code has been sent. (20), the control means 22) enters the initialization mode, and the reset means (23) controls each slave CPU.
By stopping the output of control signals for (2□), (2, and (2M) for a certain period of time, slave CPU (2,
), (2g), and (2m) are reset.

However, when the determination means (20> detects a communication abnormality and the input amount has not been calculated by the calculation means (21>), the control means (22) immediately controls the reset means (23) to reset the slave CPU. (2,) , (2□), (2
m> is reset.

According to the above-mentioned control device for a vending machine, a slave CPU other than the slave CPU (2,) that controls the dispensing of money
If U experiences an abnormality, the system can be reset after returning the input amount.

(G) Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, if a communication error occurs in a slave CPU other than the slave CPU that controls the withdrawal of money while the customer is inserting money, the inserted amount can be reliably returned. Since the system is reset after the automatic vending machine is reset, the reliability of the vending machine can be improved without causing a sense of distrust among customers.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1r3 is a block diagram showing an example of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific connection between the main CPU and slave CPU, FIG. 3 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the main CPU, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the main CPU. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram that accomplishes the functions of a main CPU for achieving the invention. (1)...Main CPU, (2+), (2
□), (Za>...Slave CPU, (20)...
・Determination means, (21>... calculation means, (22)・
...Control means, (23)...Reset means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Main C that oversees and controls the entire operation of the vending machine
The main CPU includes a PU and a plurality of slave CPUs for terminal control provided in each terminal part of the vending machine.
In a vending machine control device, the vending machine is controlled by a PU and each slave CPU performing their own prescribed processing while transmitting and receiving necessary data to and from each other,
The main CPU includes a determination unit that monitors transmission data from each slave CPU to determine a communication abnormality, and a calculation unit that calculates the input amount based on input currency data transmitted from the slave CPU that controls the currency detection device. means and
control means for transmitting a command to return the input amount to a slave CPU that controls the withdrawal of money when the input amount is calculated by the calculation means at the time of communication abnormality; A control device for a vending machine, comprising a reset means for applying a reset to the vending machine.