JPH03123126A - Automatic vending machine communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To constitute a system so that the data of an automatic vending machine can be brought to a centralized control by providing plural automatic vending machines mounted with a data transmission equipment, and a base station for bringing the data transmitted from each automatic vending machine to collection processing. CONSTITUTION:The automatic vending machine 2 is provided with a data source 20, and the data source 20 has a merchandise level sensor 21 for detecting the number of sales of merchandises and the residual quantity, etc., and an abnormality detecting sensor 22. A base station 1 is constituted of a transmission/reception part 11 for receiving the data transmitted from each automatic vending machine 2 and transmitting the processed data to a delivery trunk 3, etc., and also, receiving the data transmitted from the delivery truck 3, maintenance car 4, and a commodity warehouse 5, respectively, and a base station data processing part 10 for processing the data received by the transmission/ reception part 11. In such a manner, a worker, etc., can recognize the state of the automatic vending machine without making the round of the automatic vending machine, and can cope quickly with out-of-stock of the merchandise and abnormality of each part of the automatic vending machine.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention uses a vending machine equipped with a data transmitting device to transmit data, detects the remaining amount of products, abnormalities in the machine, etc., and sends the information to a host computer. The present invention relates to a vending machine communication system that enables product management, machine maintenance, etc.

[Conventional technology] Conventional vending machines have a function of storing products in a housing,
It is a complete stand-alone type with a function to select a product using a button after inserting money, and a function to eject the selected product. For this reason, information indicating that a product is out of stock or out of change is only displayed on the instrument panel of the vending machine by means of an electronic bulletin board or the like.

A vending machine manager or a manufacturer's worker regularly visits each vending machine to perform product replenishment and maintenance only on necessary vending machines.

[The task that the invention aims to solve However, since the sales volume of vending machines varies depending on the location where they are installed, and malfunctions of vending machines can occur suddenly, it is necessary to periodically visit all vending machines. Conventional methods for inspecting vending machines for out-of-stock items and abnormalities in vending machines have had the drawback of being extremely inefficient.

In addition, with conventional vending machines, it is not known which products are out of stock until they are actually inspected. was there.

The present invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is possible to reliably recognize the current state of the vending machine at a location remote from the vending machine, and to centrally manage vending machine data. The purpose is to provide a vending machine communication system that can

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of vending machines equipped with a data transmitting device that detects the state and operating state of stored products and transmits them as data, and each of the above-mentioned vending machines. A base station that collects, processes and transmits data transmitted from a data transmitting device of a vending machine, a delivery means that receives the data processed by the base station and delivers the product or parts, and a storage unit that stores the product. The data transmitting device includes a sensor that detects the operating status of each part of the vending machine and the quantity of products, and an identification device that converts the output of the sensor into digital data, which is set for each vending machine. The base station includes a vending machine data processing unit that adds data, and a transmission unit that transmits the digital data and identification data,
A transmitting/receiving unit that receives data transmitted from the data transmitting device and transmits the processed data, and a base station data processing unit that stores and processes the received data in units of the identification data, The means receives the processing data transmitted from the transmitting/receiving unit of the base station, and
The device is characterized by comprising a transmitter/receiver unit that transmits data indicating its own status. More preferably, the transmitting unit included in the data transmitting device of the vending machine transmits the digital data and the identification data wirelessly. Specifically, the base station data processing unit provided in the base station includes a CPU that processes data received from a data transmission device of a vending machine according to various purposes, a storage unit that stores the processed data, The data transmitting device includes an external control section as an input means, a printing section and a display section as output means, and the data transmitting device generates an alarm as a reference for causing the vending machine data processing section to issue an alarm according to the remaining quantity of the product. It is equipped with a product level sensor that sets the level, and an abnormality detection sensor that detects power supply abnormalities and functional abnormalities. In addition, the delivery means for delivering products is a delivery vehicle, the delivery means for delivering parts for maintenance when an abnormality occurs in a vending machine is a maintenance vehicle, and the storage means is for the above-mentioned base. It is characterized by being a product warehouse that performs inventory management based on processing data received from the station.

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the vending machine wireless system of the present invention.

The vending machine data collection system of this embodiment includes a vending machine 2 equipped with a data transmitting device 20, and a base that receives and processes transmission data transmitted from the data transmitting device 20 and transmits the processed data. It consists of a station 1, a delivery vehicle 3 and a maintenance vehicle 4 (delivery means) that receive processing data from the base station 1 and operate according to the data, and a product warehouse 5 (storage means).

As shown in FIG. 2, the base station 1 receives data transmitted from the data transmitting device 20 of each vending machine 2, and transmits the processed data to the delivery vehicle 3, etc. It consists of a transmitting/receiving section 11 that receives data transmitted from the maintenance vehicle 4 and the product warehouse 5, respectively, and a base station data processing section 10 that processes the data received by the transmitting/receiving section 11.

The base station data processing unit 10 includes a CPU 12 that processes the received data according to purposes such as product replenishment, vending machine maintenance, or product management in a warehouse;
A storage unit 13 that stores received data or data processed by the CPU 12; an external control gs 14 that externally instructs the processing of the CPU 12 and the output of processed data; and an external control unit 14 that outputs processed data according to instructions from the external control unit 14. It consists of a display section 15 and a printing section 16 that prints the display screen etc. output to the display section 15.

The vending machine 2 includes a data transmitting device 20 having a plurality of sensors 21 and 22, as shown in FIG. The configuration of the data transmitting device 20 is shown in FIG.

The data transmitting device 20 includes a product level sensor 21 that detects the number of products sold, the remaining amount, etc., an abnormality detection sensor 22 that detects abnormalities, and an automatic device that captures and processes the output data of the product level sensor 21 and the abnormality detection sensor 22. It consists of a vending machine data processing section 23 and a transmitting section 24 that transmits the output of the vending machine data processing section 23.

The product level sensor 21 is provided for each product for all the products K handled by the vending machine 2, and counts the number of products sold, the remaining amount, and the elapsed time after storage in the vending machine. Send to 23. In addition, product level sensor 2
1, an alarm level can be set as a standard for issuing an alarm when the remaining amount of the product is below a certain level. By setting a plurality of alarm levels, the vending machine data processing unit 23 can determine whether the remaining amount of the product (for example, 30% remaining amount) is displayed.
, 10% remaining, out of stock, etc.).

The abnormality detection sensor 22 detects a power supply abnormality indicating a lack of electricity supply or the like, and a functional abnormality indicating an abnormality in a product selection button, discharge function, temperature control function, or the like. The abnormality detection sensor 22 is set with an abnormality alarm number corresponding to the type of abnormality to be detected. As a result, the abnormality detection sensor 2
2 detects an abnormality, the type of abnormality can be determined based on the abnormality alarm number of the abnormality detection sensor 22.

In addition to the above product level sensor 21 and abnormality detection sensor 22,
, a sensor for detecting sales or running out of change may be provided.

The vending machine data processing section 23 takes in the output data from the product level sensor 21 and the output data from the abnormality detection sensor 1 22, and creates transmission data 25.

An example of the transmission data 25 is shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the transmission data 25 includes identification data that identifies the vending machine 2, an abnormality alarm number that indicates the type of abnormality, and
A product number indicating the type of product and product level data indicating the number of sales, remaining amount, etc. of the product are written.

In addition, if there is no abnormality in vending machine 2, transmission data 25
No abnormal alarm number is written to. Furthermore, data regarding products that do not need to be replenished is not written to the transmission data 25.

The transmitting section 24 transmits the transmission data 25 created by the vending machine data processing section 23 by radio at random or periodically.

As a means of transmitting and receiving data between the base station 1 and the vending machine 2 configured as described above, the base station 1 polls (sequentially calls) each vending machine 2, and each vending machine 2 A response can be made to the polling signal.

The delivery vehicle 3 and the maintenance vehicle 4 are equipped with a transmission/reception device that receives processing data transmitted from the base station 1 and transmits the data in response to a request from the base station 1. The product warehouse 5 is also equipped with a similar transmitting and receiving device.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained. In addition, in this embodiment, the base station 1 collects data from the vending machine 2, performs out-of-stock processing when the product of the vending machine Ja2 is out of stock, and handles abnormalities when an abnormality occurs in the vending machine 2. Performs three types of processing operations. Further, the product warehouse 5 performs product management processing based on data received from the base station 1.

Data collection at the base station 1 is performed in the following procedure.

First, when a polling signal is transmitted from the base station l, each vending machine 2 receives the polling signal and sends it to the vending machine data processing section 23. The vending machine data processing unit 23 is
Identification data is added to the detection data of each sensor 21 and 22 and output as transmission data 25. This transmission data 25
is wirelessly transmitted from the transmitter 24 to the base station l.

The transmission data 25 transmitted from the valley vending machine 2 is sequentially input to the base station data processing unit 1O via the reception unit 11 of the base station 1. CPU II of base station data processing unit 10
creates a database classified into daily sales information, monthly sales information, sales information by product, etc. using a predetermined program. The created database is stored in the storage unit 13.

This memory content is transmission data 2 sent from vending machine 2.
If there is a change in 5, it will be updated sequentially.

When checking or printing various data of a specific vending machine 2, by inputting its identification code from the external control unit 14, the CPU 12 reads the data of the corresponding vending machine 2 from the storage unit 13 and displays it. It is displayed on the section 15 or outputted by the printing section 16.

In addition, in this example, the collection form of vending machine data is all vending machines - simultaneous collection, but it is not limited to - simultaneous collection.
You can also specify a specific vending machine to receive data. Further, the collection timing can be set to regular or constant collection, collection when an event occurs, etc., as necessary.

The zero-out-of-stock handling process, in which the above-mentioned out-of-stock handling process and abnormality handling process are performed based on the vending machine data collected in this manner, will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b).

When the base station 1 receives product level information from the vending machine 2 (step S1), the base station data processing unit 1O's CPU
12, it is determined whether the product level information is remaining quantity data or out-of-stock data (step S2). If it is the remaining amount data, the product level data corresponding to the vending machine 2 that sent the product level information from the database of the storage unit 13 is updated (step S3), and an optimal delivery route is simulated (step S4). Instruct the delivery vehicle 3 (step S17゜318).

If the received product level information is out of stock data, C
The PU12 determines the type of out-of-stock product (step S5).
, search for the location of the delivery vehicle 3 closest to the vending machine 2 (
Step S6) Search if the delivery vehicle 3 has the out-of-stock product in stock (Step S7). If the product is in stock, search the route to the vending machine 2 (Step S8) and instruct the delivery vehicle 3 In step S9), the vending machine 2 waits for the vending machine 2 to run out of stock (step sio). If the delivery vehicle 3 does not have the out-of-stock item in stock, a location search for other delivery vehicles 3 is performed (step S6), and an appropriate delivery vehicle 3 is selected.
If there is no such item, one of the delivery vehicles 3 is instructed to specify the location of the warehouse for replenishing the product (step S11), and the delivery vehicle 3 waits for the stock to be updated (step S12). After updating the stock of the delivery vehicle 3 (step 513), a route search for the delivery vehicle 3 to the vending machine 2 is performed (step S8).
) The delivery vehicle 3 is instructed to wait for out-of-stock items (step S9) (step 510).

When the delivery vehicle 3 arrives at the vending machine 2 and the out-of-stock condition is resolved, the delivery vehicle 3 transmits out-of-stock resolution data.

When the base station l receives the out-of-stock cancellation data (step 5
14), the CPU 12 performs out-of-stock resolution processing (step 515), and updates the product stock amount and position information of the delivery vehicle 3 in the database of the storage unit 13 (
Step S16°S17). Then, after simulating the optimal delivery route (step 518), performing route search (step S19) and instructing the delivery vehicle 3 (
Step 520), statistical data processing such as sales information and warehouse product stock amount is performed (step 521).

Here, the above-mentioned delivery route simulation is to set a route by indicating the order of the vending machines 2 to be visited and inspected by the delivery vehicle 3 and the expected time of arrival at the vending machines 2. For example, as shown in FIG. This is done by displaying the chart shown in . In the figure, the block portions indicate the working time at the vending machine 2 (A-F), and the broken line indicates the time required for the delivery vehicle 3 to move. By referring to next sales information, etc., efficient route setting can be performed.

Next, the abnormality handling process will be explained according to the flowcharts in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b).

When the base station 1 receives an abnormality alert from the vending machine 2 (step S1), the CPU 12 of the base station data processing unit 1O checks the abnormality alert (step S2) and determines the type of abnormality (step S1). ”
)P S3). Then, the location of the maintenance vehicle 4 closest to the vending machine 2 is searched (step S4), and a search is made to see if the maintenance vehicle 4 has the parts in stock according to the type of abnormality (step S5). If the parts are in stock, search the route to vending machine 2 (step S6).
) The maintenance vehicle 4 is instructed (step S7) to wait for the abnormality of the vending machine 2 to be resolved (step S8).

If the maintenance vehicle 4 does not have the parts in stock according to the type of abnormality, a location search for other maintenance vehicles 4 is performed (
Step S4). If there is no suitable maintenance vehicle 4,
The location of the warehouse for replenishing parts is instructed to one of the maintenance vehicles 4 (step S9), and the maintenance vehicle 4 waits for the stock to be updated (step 510). Then, after updating the stock of the maintenance vehicle 4 (step 5ll), a route search is performed for the maintenance vehicle 4 to the vending machine 2 (step S6), an instruction is given to the maintenance vehicle 4 (step S7), and the system waits for the abnormality to be resolved. (Step S8).

When the maintenance vehicle 4 arrives at the vending machine 2 and the abnormality is resolved, the maintenance vehicle 4 transmits abnormality resolution data.

When the base station l receives the abnormality resolution data (step 51
2) The CPU 12 performs abnormality resolution processing (step 513), and updates the parts stock amount and position information of the maintenance vehicle 4 in the database (step S14.515). Then, a route search is performed by simulating the optimal tour route (step 316).
Step 517) After instructing the maintenance vehicle 4 (Step 518), statistical data processing such as parts stock amount in the warehouse is performed (Step 319).Next, the product management process performed by the product warehouse 5 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 0 will be explained accordingly.

The product warehouse 5 receives monthly sales information regularly from the base station l.
Product-specific sales information, etc. will be sent. Based on the received data, the product warehouse 5 stores products according to the sales of each product or depending on the season (step S1), and transmits the inventory amount data of the products to the base station 1, and stores the product in the storage unit 1.
3 database is updated (step S2). In this way, by adjusting the arrival of products based on sales information, efficient product management can be performed.

When the delivery vehicle 3 returns to the product warehouse 5 to replenish products through the above-described out-of-stock handling process (step S3), the base station 1 transmits delivery vehicle return information. The product warehouse 5 receives this and searches for products that need replenishment (step S4).
, prepares for shipping (step S5).

When delivery vehicle 3 is refilled with products and shipping is completed (step S
6), the delivery vehicle 3 transmits data indicating that the stock amount has been updated (step S7).

Thereafter, statistical data processing such as the amount of products received and shipped is performed in the product warehouse 5 (step S8).

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention provides a plurality of vending machines equipped with a data transmitting device that detects the state and operating state of stored products and transmits the data as data, and a data transmission device for each of the vending machines. A base station that collects and processes data transmitted from a transmitting device and transmits the data; a delivery means that receives the data processed by the base station and delivers the product or parts; and a storage means that stores and manages the product. With this configuration, workers can recognize the status of vending machines without having to visit each vending machine, and can therefore quickly respond to out-of-stock items or abnormalities in various parts of the vending machine. I can do it.

1 2 In addition, the data collected at the base station is edited and sent to delivery vehicles and product warehouses, and delivery and product management are performed according to the data, which improves delivery efficiency and automatically calculates the number of products to be delivered. It is possible to carry out efficient inventory management, which is effective in terms of quality control, and also has the effect of reducing the labor of workers.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the vending machine communication system of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the base station and vending machine shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data transmitting device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of transmission data transmitted by the data transmitting device of FIG. 5(a) and (b) are flowcharts showing the out-of-stock response processing performed by this system. 3. FIGS. 6(a) and (b) are flowcharts showing the abnormality response processing performed by this system. A chart showing a display example of route simulation to be performed. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing product management processing by this system. 1: Base station 2: Vending machine 3: Delivery vehicle 4: Maintenance vehicle 5: Product warehouse 102 Base station data processing section 11: Data 12: CPU 13: Storage section 14: External control section 15: Display section 16: Printing Part 4 20: Data transmission device 21: Product level sensor 22: Abnormality detection sensor 23: Vending machine data processing section 24: Transmission section

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of vending machines equipped with a data transmitting device that detects the state and operating state of stored products and transmits the data as data, and collects and processes the data transmitted from the data transmitting device of each vending machine. The data transmission device consists of a base station that transmits data, a delivery means that receives data processed by the base station and delivers the product or parts, and a storage means that stores and manages the product. A sensor that detects the operating status and product quantity of each part of the machine, a vending machine data processing unit that converts the output of the sensor into digital data and adds identification data set for each vending machine, and the digital data and a transmitter that transmits identification data; the base station includes a transmitter and receiver that receives data transmitted from the data transmitter and transmits processed data; and a transmitter and receiver that stores the received data in units of the identification data. and a base station data processing unit for processing, and the delivery means and storage means receive processing data transmitted from the transmission and reception unit of the base station, and also include a transmission and reception unit that transmits data indicating its own status. A vending machine communication system characterized by: (2) The base station data processing unit provided in the base station includes a CPU that processes data received from the data transmission device of the vending machine according to various purposes, a storage unit that stores the processed data, and an input means. 2. The vending machine communication system according to claim 1, further comprising an external control section as the output means, and a printing section and a display section as the output means. (3) The transmitter included in the data transmitter of the vending machine is
2. The vending machine communication system according to claim 1, wherein the digital data and identification data are transmitted wirelessly. (4) The data transmitting device includes a product level sensor that sets an alarm level as a reference for causing the vending machine data processing unit to issue an alarm according to the remaining amount of the product. The vending machine communication system described in Section 1. (5) The vending machine communication system according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission device includes an abnormality detection sensor that detects a power supply abnormality and a functional abnormality. (6) The delivery means for delivering the products is a delivery vehicle, and the delivery means for delivering parts for maintenance when an abnormality occurs in the vending machine is a maintenance vehicle. The vending machine communication system according to claim 1. (7) The vending machine communication system according to claim 1, wherein the storage means is a product warehouse that performs inventory management based on the processing data received from the base station.