JPH03218594A - Control device for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the number of wirings to a commodity selection switch and a display means by constituting the commodity selection switch and various kinds of display means into one unit attached with a peculiar address, and communicating between each unit and a control means by a serial signal. CONSTITUTION:When the commodity selection switch A of a commodity selection button unit 50 is turned ON, the turning-ON of the commodity selection switch A is detected by a switching detecting means B, and it is transmitted to a control part 100 side serially together with peculiar address information stored in an address storage means F by a communicating means G. Then, the address information peculiar to the commodity selection button unit 50 is transmitted by the serial signal from the control part 100 together with a prescribed display command signal, and it is decided whether the transmitted address information coincides with the address information stored in the address storage means F or not by a deciding means H, and at the time of coincidence, the display command signal is sent to a lamp lighting control means E. Thus, the number of the wirings to the commodity selection switch and the display means can be reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a control device for a vending machine having a product selection switch, a sell-ready lamp, and a sell-out lamp.

[Conventional technology FIG. 21 shows a circuit diagram of this type of control device.

■ is a CPU (central processing unit) for display control;
is the display LED 3 as a sellable lamp and a sold out lamp.
This is a driver for driving the anode side of the product selection switch 4 and for scanning the product selection switch 4.

5 is a dryer for driving the cathode side of the display LED 3, and 6 is a detection switch H and F for the product selection switch 4. The display LED 3 and the product selection switch 4 are connected to a matrix circuit 9 composed of input/output lines from the driver 2.5 and vanofer 6 via a current control resistor 7 and a loop prevention diode 8, respectively.

The operation of the control circuit having the above configuration will be explained separately for the display output of the LED 3 and the switch read input of the product selection switch 4. During display output, the CPU 1 sequentially activates (low level) the output lines 01 to Om of the driver 5 as display strobes, and also activates the output lines 81 to 81 of the driver 2 in synchronization with the timing of each display strobe. SQ is made active (H level), and the display ED3 connected between the two lines, both of which are active, lights up.

At the time of switch read input, the CPUI uses output lines S, ~ of the triper 2 as a switch read strobe.
By sequentially activating Sl2 and reading the H/L status of the input lines I, ~lm in the vanofer 6 in synchronization with the timing of the strobe for reading each switch, the product selection switch on the matrix circuit 9 is activated. 4 is ON/OFF.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] In the above-mentioned conventional control device, for example, product selection or 32
Let's consider a vending machine that allows columns. One product selection switch unit generally has one product selection switch, one sales manager lamp, and one sellout lamp.In a vending machine with 32 selections, there are four product selection switches, one sales manager lamp, and one sales lamp. 32 and 64 display LEDs 3 are required, and applying it to the circuit diagram in Figure 17,
Each of the above input/output lines is S, -S. ,0,~08,1
1 to I4, which is the combination with the smallest number of signals (one wire), but in total, the number of wires reaches 20. Also, since the product selection switches 4 are not arranged in order and are arranged randomly, the product selection switches 4
The wiring for the product selection switch cannot be made into a star connection like a bus connection, and the wiring becomes complicated including a crossover wire for each product selection switch.

When such a circuit configuration is adopted, the following drawbacks occur.

■ It is said that a vending machine should have a design that is highly appealing to customers, but for this purpose, it is better to have a large and well-lit display space for the actual products. However, if there is a bundle of wires around the product selection switch 4, the wires must be hidden from view from the front, which increases design constraints.

■ Wiring assembly is a manual process that involves installing crimp terminals and then inserting them into couplers, resulting in very low productivity. Also, even if you try to mechanize it, you will have to use crossover wiring and connect each wire to a different coupler.
This would be extremely difficult, and even if it were possible to mechanize it, the machinery itself would be extremely expensive.

■ More wiring means higher material costs, which is a factor in increasing costs.

■ Also, if the number of wires is large, the number of connecting coupler bins and couplers will increase, which will increase the number of causes of poor contact and reduce reliability.

The present invention was made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a control device for a vending machine in which the number of wires in a switch circuit is reduced.

[Means for Solving the Problems] As shown in FIG.
0, the product selection button unit 50 includes: a product selection switch A for selecting a product; a switch detection means B for detecting the state of the product selection switch A; A sellable display means C that displays products that can be sold by depositing a predetermined amount of money, a sold-out display means D that displays products that are sold out, etc., and a lighting control means E that controls on/off the two display means. and address storage means F for storing unique address information; and serially transmitting the detection signal from the switch detection means B to the control unit 100 with the address information stored in the address storage means F added to the detection signal; The control section 1
A communication means G that receives a display command signal attached with address information transmitted serially from the controller 100, and the address information transmitted from the control unit 100 matches the address information stored in the address storage means F. and, when they match, determining means H for transmitting the transmitted display command signal to the lighting control means E.

As shown in FIG. 5, the vending machine control device according to the second invention includes a plurality of product selection button units 50 in the control unit +
00, the product selection button unit 50 includes a product selection switch A for selecting a product, and switch detection means B for detecting the state of the product selection switch A. A sellable display means C that displays products that can be sold by depositing a predetermined amount of money, a sold-out display means D that displays products that are sold out, etc., and a lighting control that controls on/off the two display means. means E; a serial number (No.) storage means I for storing a unique serial number (No.); communication means G for receiving a display command signal attached with a serial number, which is serially transmitted to the control unit 100 from the control unit 100 and serially transmitted from the control unit 100; and a determining means H that determines whether the serial number matches the serial number stored in the serial number storage means I, and when they match, sends the transmitted display command signal to the lighting control means E; 100: Communication means P for communicating with each product selection button unit 50
and serial number storage means I for each product selection button unit 100.
address setting means Q for registering the serial number stored in the controller 100 as an address; and when the address setting means Q is in the serial number setting mode, turning on the product selection switch A of the product selection button unit 5o causes the product to be selected. The serial number stored in the serial number storage means I of the selection button unit 50 is
0, the serial number storage means R stores the serial number as the address of the product selection button unit 5o.

As shown in FIG. 8, the third invention is a control device for a vending machine in which a plurality of product selection button units 50 are centrally controlled by a control section 100. The product selection button 22, 50 includes: a product selection switch A for selecting a product, a switch detection means B for detecting the state of the product selection switch A, and a product that can be sold by depositing a predetermined amount, etc. a sold-out display means C for displaying a product sold out; a sold-out display means D for displaying whether the product is sold out; a lighting control means E for controlling on/off the two display means; and for storing unique address information. address storage means F, and serial number storage means J for storing a unique serial number.
, a communication means G that communicates with the control section 100, and a control section 10.
0 to determine whether the address information transmitted together with the display command signal matches the address information stored in the address storage means F, and if they match, send the transmitted display command signal to the lighting control means E. The control unit 100 includes: a communicator P for communicating with each product selection button unit 50; and address information for each product selection button unit 50 and a serial number corresponding to the address information. address/serial number storage means S for storing the address and serial number, and each product selection button unit}
and an address setting means Q for registering an address for the product selection button unit 50, and when the address setting means Q is in the address setting mode, the control section 100 stores the address storage means F of the product selection button unit 50 when the product selection switch A is turned on. At the same time, the serial number stored in the serial number storage means J of the product selection button unit 50 is sent to the control section 100, and the control section 100 stores the received serial number. It is characterized in that the address/serial number storage means S stores the serial number in correspondence with the address.

A fourth aspect of the invention is a vending machine control device, as shown in FIG. The product selection button unit 50 is a control device, and includes: a product selection switch A for selecting a product; a switch detection means B for detecting the state of the product selection switch A; A sold-out display means C displays whether the product is sold out, a sold-out display means D displays when the product is sold out, a lighting control means E controls on/off the two display means, and an address memory stores unique address information. means F, serially transmitting a detection signal from the switch detection means B to the control section 100 with address information stored in the address storage means F;
A communication means G receives a display command signal attached with address information, which is serially transmitted from 00, and the address information transmitted from the control section 100 matches the address information stored in the address storage means F. and a determining means H for determining whether the two are the same and, when they match, sending the transmitted display command signal to the lighting control means E; P
, an address storage section T for storing address information of each product selection button unit 50, and a power-on detection means U for detecting power-on of the vending machine, and the power-on detection means U detects that the power is turned on. When detected,
The control unit 100 outputs a signal to each product selection button unit 50 to send address information, and the address information received from each product selection button unit 50 is sent to the control unit 100.
It is characterized in that it is stored in the address ifl[U.

A control device for a vending machine according to a fifth invention is, as shown in FIG. 14, a control device for a vending machine in which a plurality of product selection button units are centrally controlled by a control section. The product selection button unit 50 includes: a product selection switch A for selecting a product, a switch detection means B for detecting the state of the product selection switch A, and a sellable display for displaying products that can be sold by depositing a predetermined amount, etc. Means C; Sold-out display means D for displaying sold-out of products, etc.; Lighting control means E for controlling on/off of the two display means; Serial number storage means I for storing a unique serial number.
and attaching a serial number stored in the serial number storage means (2) to the detection signal by the switch detection means B and serially transmitting it to the control section 100, and serially transmitting it from the control section lOO. A communication means G receives a display command signal attached with a serial number, and determines whether the serial number transmitted from the control unit 100 matches the serial number stored in the serial number storage means I, and when they match. , a determining means H for sending the transmitted display command signal to the lighting control means, and the control section 100 includes: a communication means P for communicating with each product selection button unit 50;
and an address setting means Q for registering the serial number stored in the serial number storage means of each product selection button 22 and 50 as an address in the control unit 100, and when the address setting means Q is in a serial number setting mode. , when the product selection switch A of the product selection button unit 50 is turned on, the serial number stored in the serial number storage means I of the product selection button unit 50 is transferred to the control unit 10.
0, a serial number storage means R for storing the serial number as the address of the product selection button 22, 50; The present invention is characterized in that it is provided with data confirmation means (2) for sequentially reading out the serial numbers stored in the serial number storage means R in order to confirm whether the serial numbers are correct or not.

As shown in FIG. 8 (third invention), a vending machine control device according to a sixth invention is an automatic vending machine in which a plurality of product selection button units 50 are centrally controlled by a control section 100. The product selection button unit 50, which is a control device for a vending machine, includes: a product selection switch A for selecting a product, a switch detection means B for detecting the state of the product selection switch A, and a product that can be sold by depositing a predetermined amount of money, etc. a sold-out display means C for displaying products sold out, a sold-out display means D for displaying sold-out products, a lighting control means E for controlling on/off the two display means, and storing unique address information. address storage means F for storing a unique serial number; and serial number storage means J for storing a unique serial number.
, a communication means G that communicates with the control section 100, and a control section 10.
It is determined whether the address information transmitted from 0 together with the display command signal matches the address information stored in the address storage means F, and when they match, the transmitted display command signal is sent to the lighting control means E. The control unit 100 includes: a communication means P for communicating with each product selection button unit 50;
, an address/serial number storage means S for storing address information for each product selection button unit 50 and a serial number corresponding to the address information, and each product selection button 22/7.
Address setting means Q for registering an address for
When the address setting mode is set by the address setting means Q, the serial number stored in the serial number storage means J of the product selection button unit 50 when the product selection switch A is turned on is used as the address/serial number of the control section 100. Sending the serial number to the storage means S and storing the serial number in correspondence with the stored address, and storing the address corresponding to the serial number in the address storage means F of the product selection button unit 50. Features.

As shown in FIG. 20, a vending machine control device according to a seventh invention is a vending machine control device in which a plurality of product selection button units 50 are centrally controlled by a control section 100. The product selection button unit 50 includes: a product selection switch A for selecting a product; a switch detection means B for detecting the state of the product selection switch A; and a sales button for displaying products that can be sold by depositing a predetermined amount of money. A display means C; a sold-out display means D for displaying sold-out of the product, etc.; a lighting control means E for controlling on/off the two display means; and an address storage means for storing unique address information. F, communication means G for communicating with the control section 100, and address communication means L having two dedicated inputs and outputs for setting addresses.
i, Lo, and the signal sent to the dedicated address line Z on the input side when address communication is activated by the control unit 100 is captured and stored as an address, and the signal halved by 1 is sent to the dedicated address line Z on the output side. The address information control means M that sends out the address information to the top determines whether the address information sent from the control unit along with the display command signal matches the address information stored in the address storage means F, and if they match, the transmitted The control section 100 includes: an address determining means H that sends the display command signal to the lighting control means E, and the control section 100 includes: a communication means P for communicating with each product selection button unit 5o;
an address/serial number storage means S for storing address information for each product selection button unit 50 and a serial number corresponding to the address information; and an address setting means Q for registering an address for each product selection button unit 50. and an address communication control means W for setting an address in the product selection button unit 50, and when the address setting means Q is in address setting mode, the address communication control means P activates address communication and selects each product. The button unit 50 is controlled by the address information control means M.
A control device for a vending machine characterized by storing each address.

[Operation] According to the first invention, when the product selection switch A of the product selection button 22, 50 is turned on, the switch detection means B detects whether the product selection switch A is on, The information is serially transmitted to the control unit 100 side by the communication means G together with the unique address information stored in the address storage means F. Control unit 100
It is possible to determine whether the item was sent from the product selection button unit 50 based on the sent address information.

On the other hand, when turning on or off the sellable display means C or the sold-out display means D of a predetermined product selection button unit 50, the control section 100 sends a predetermined display command signal and a signal specific to the product selection button unit 50. address information is serially transmitted to each product selection button unit 50. In each product selection button unit 50, the determination means H determines whether the transmitted address information matches the address information stored in the address storage means F, and only in the product selection button unit that matches, A display command signal is sent from the address determining means H to the lighting control means E, and the sale ready display means C or the sold out display means D is controlled to be turned on or off.

The address information stored in the address storage means F may be fixedly stored in advance, but if it is set arbitrarily, an address setting means is provided as described in claim (2), and the address The address information sent from the control means at the time of setting mode may be written into address storage means F such as an EEPROM of the predetermined product selection button unit 50.

The second invention is such that the unique serial number stored in the serial number storage means I of each product selection button 50 can be set as an address in the control unit 100, and the address by the address setting means Q can be set as an address. When the product selection switch A of the product selection button unit 50 is turned on during setting mode, the serial number stored in the serial number storage means I of the product selection button unit 50 is sent to the control unit 100 as an address, and the control unit 100 is stored in the serial number storage means R. If the serial number of each product selection button unit 50 is recorded in the control unit 100 in this way, in subsequent sales control, the control unit 100
The product selection button unit 50 that is the sender can be determined from the serial number sent to the sender.

In the third invention, an address can also be set for each product selection button 50 from the control unit 100, and when in address setting mode, the address and real number storage means S of the control unit 100 store the address. The address is sent to each product selection button unit 50. Here, the transmitted address is stored in the address storage means F of the product selection button unit 50 that turned on the product selection switch A, and the serial number storage means J of this product selection button unit 50 is stored. The serial number is sent to the control unit 100, and in the address/serial number storage means S,
The serial number is stored in correspondence with the transmitted serial number. In this way, 7}”L/S serial i
The correspondence between an address and a serial number is stored in the number storage means S, and in subsequent sales control, the serial number is used for communication between the control section 100 and each product selection button unit 50. Since a short address is used, communication time can be shortened. Also, when the power is turned on, the stored address is displayed on each product selection button unit 5.
The configuration is such that the notification is sent again to 0.

In the fourth invention, when the power of the vending machine is turned on,
This power-on detection means U detects whether the power is on, and outputs a predetermined command signal to each product selection button unit 50 to send unique address information stored in the address storage means F.

As a result, the address information is transmitted from each product selection button unit 50 to the control unit 100 in order, for example, at predetermined time intervals. The control section 100 sequentially stores the transmitted address information in the address storage means T. If the address information of each product selection button unit 50 is set to al8100 in this way, the control operation in subsequent sales is the same as in the above invention.

In the fifth invention, when the data confirmation means (2) is turned on, the serial number for each product selection button unit 50 stored in the serial number storage means R of the control section 100 is sequentially read out, and the serial number for each product selection button unit 50 is sequentially read out. 50. When the product selection button unit 50 receives a serial number, for example, if the sellable display LED is turned on, the serial number storage means R of the control unit 100 is determined based on the lighting status of the LED in each product selection button unit 50. It is determined whether the data stored in the data is normal or not.

The sixth invention has the same structure as the third invention shown in FIG. 8, but the order of data communication is different.

When the address setting mode is set by the address setting means Q, first, the serial number storage means J+.
The stored serial number is sent to the control section 100. In the control unit 100, the serial number is stored in correspondence with the address previously stored in the address/serial number storage means S, and the address corresponding to the stored serial number is stored in the product selection button unit 50. The address is sent out and stored in the address storage means F. In this way, each address is stored for each product selection button unit 50, and in the control unit 100,
The address and serial number corresponding to the address are stored and registered in the address/serial number storage means S for each product selection button unit.

As mentioned above, the serial number of each product 38 selection button unit 50 registered in the address/serial number storage means S of the control unit 100 is protected by the power supply banokanop. After this registration, when the power of the vending machine is once turned off and then turned on, in the control device according to claim (8), the address/serial number storage means S of the control section 100
The addresses for each product selection button unit and the serial numbers corresponding to the addresses stored in the product selection button unit 5o are sequentially read out and transmitted to the product selection button unit 5o.

As a result, in each product selection button unit 5o, when the same serial number as the serial number stored in the respective serial number storage means J is transmitted, the address transmitted together with the serial number or the respective address storage means Stored in F.

According to the seventh invention, a dedicated address line Z for address setting is provided, each product selection button unit 5o is connected subordinately by this address line Z, and address information in each product selection button unit 5o is provided. By adopting a configuration in which the address added by +1 from the control means M and the address communication means Lo is sent to the subsequent product selection buttons 22 and 50, each product selection button unit 50 is assigned a unique address. Therefore, in each product setting button unit 50, the serial number can be set. There is no need to set the correspondence between the address and the address.

1st Embodiment j FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of a control device according to the first invention.

1o is a slave control unit that controls each product selection button unit 20, which will be described later, and is connected to a master CPU (not shown) that controls the entire vending machine, a control CPU II connected via a serial transmission path, a control CPU 11, and each other. It includes a puffer 12 for connecting to the serial transmission line L from the product selection button unit 20, and an address setting switch 13 used when setting an address for each product selection button unit 20. Hanofa 12 functions as the communication means.

Product selection button unit/to 20 (20 1, 20 2.,
In 20-n), 21 displays the display command from the slave control unit 10 on the LED 22 for displaying available for sale and the LED 23 for displaying sold out, and also detects that the product selection switch 24 is turned on and controls the slave control unit 10. 10, a physical interface function to the serial transmission line L, and a function to control the communication protocol between the control CPU II of the slave control unit 10. Further, this LSI 21 is provided with the function of the address determination means described above.

25 is an oscillator that supplies a clock for operating the LSI 21; 26 is an address for identifying each product selection button unit 20 when communicating with the product selection button unit 20 or the slave control section 10; The same function can be achieved by using an EEPROM (Electrically Programmable and Erasable Memory) that stores .

First, the address setting mode will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the address setting switch 13 is turned on and the address setting mode is activated, the process proceeds from step S1 to step S2, and the slave control section 1o controls all product selection button units 2.
Notify 0 that you are in address setting mode, then press the 1st address information button to select all products.
Send to 20.

Thereafter, if the product selection button 24 is not pressed even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, this address setting mode is canceled and the process returns to Stenobu S1. , product selection switch 24
When you press , step S3 advances to step S5, takes in the sent address information, and stores it in EEPROM26.
At the same time, in order to notify this address setter that address information has been written,
For example, the LED 22 for indicating sales availability is turned on in the steno pen S6. Then, when the end of address writing is sent to the slave control unit 10 in the steno PC S7, the process returns to the steno PC S2, and in the same way, the slave control unit 10 sends the second address information again to the all product selection button unit 20. Then, the address is written into the EEPROM 26 of the product selection button unit 20 with the product selection switch 24 turned on. In this way, when writing of addresses to all product selection button units 20 is completed, the process returns from step S4 to step S1 after a predetermined period of time, and the process shifts to the normal sales mode.

In addition, if the address for each product selection button unit 20 is not changed, an EPRO is used instead of the EEPROM 26.
It may be written in advance in M or OTPROM.

FIG. 4 shows a communication sequence between the slave control unit 10 and each product selection button unit 20, and based on this sequence and the flowchart of FIG. 3, sales operations in the control device with the above configuration will be explained. .

First, to explain the operation in response to a switch input by the product selection switch 24, in a certain product selection button unit 20, when the product selection switch 24 is turned on (stenop Sll), this switch input is transmitted to the corresponding EEPROM 2.
Vanofa 12 along with the address information stored in 6.
Send to. The control CPU II uses the input to the panofur 12 as a trigger to control all the units 20 (20-1 to 20-
A command to read the state of the switch 24 is issued to n). Each unit 20 has the following information for the slave control section 10:
By transmitting the switch status at that time with its own address attached, the slave control unit 10 communicates with all units 2.
Detects the state of the 0 switch.

Next, LED 22 for displaying available for sale and LED 23 for displaying sold out.
To display this, a command is sent to all units 20 to turn on or turn off the LEDs of all units (STENOB S8), and each unit 20 simultaneously turns on the LEDs 22 for displaying available for sale or the LEDs 23 for displaying sold out. Turns on or off (S9). a particular unit
When turning on or off LED 22 or LED 23 only for 20, even if you add the address of the corresponding unit, L
Issues a command to turn on or turn off the ED.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a control device according to the second invention, and the same parts as in the device of FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals.

Each product selection button unit 20 includes a fuse ROM 26' that stores a serial number (No.) unique to each product selection button unit 20.

Further, in the slave control unit 10, a storage unit 11a for storing the serial number in the control CPU 11, and a storage unit 11a for storing the serial number. A setting switch 13 is provided. The operation of this control device will be explained below using the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the address setting switch l3 is turned on and the address setting mode is entered, the process proceeds from the step S1 to the step S2, and the slave control section 10 controls all the product selection button units 2.
Outputs an address information transmission request to 0. After that, if the product selection button 24 is not pressed even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, this address setting mode is canceled and the display returns to Stenobu S1, or the product selection button unit 2 is pressed within a predetermined period of time.
When the product selection switch 24 is pressed at 01, the process advances from step S3 to step S5, and the serial number stored in the fuse ROM 26 of this product selection button unit 20-1 is displayed. is transmitted to the slave control unit 10, and in order to notify the address setter that the address information has been written, for example, the LED 22 for displaying sales availability is turned on in the steno pen S6. The serial No. sent to the slave control unit 10 is serial No. Storage part 11a
When the address setting is completed in this way, the process returns from the steno knob S7 to the steno knob S2, and the address setting is performed in the same way in order. When the address setting is completed, the computer is stored after a predetermined time. The process returns from Stenop S4 to Stenop S1 and shifts to the normal sales mode. In this sales control, the source product selection button unit 20 is determined from the serial number sent to the slave control unit 10, and the sales motes after Stenobu S8 are the same as the control shown in FIG. Therefore, the explanation will be omitted.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a control device according to the third invention. Each product selection button unit 20 includes a RAM 27 that stores individual addresses in addition to a fuse ROM 26° that stores serial numbers. Further, in the slave control section 10, the address of each unit 20 and each serial number corresponding thereto are stored. The address to remember the
Serial no. It includes a storage section 1lb. The operation of this control device will be explained below using the flowchart of FIG.

The control from steps 81 to S6 is the same as the control in the address setting mode in FIG.
For example, use the address sent from 0 to the product selection button unit 2
0 When stored in the RAM 27 of 1, the next step S
At step 7, the serial number of the fuse ROM 26'' is transmitted to the slave control unit 1o, and the transmitted address and the just received serial number are stored in the storage unit 1lb in correspondence with each other. The control of the sales mode of Sll is the same as that shown in FIG.

Next, the address refresh mode when the power is turned off and on will be described.

By turning off the power, RAM2 of each product selection button unit 20
If the address stored in 7 disappears, or if the power is turned on and the address refresh mode is entered, Stenob S1
Proceed from 2 to 313, address/serial NO. By transmitting the address read from the storage unit 1lb and the corresponding serial number, the address that matches the serial number transmitted in step S14 is stored in the RAM 27 of the product selection button unit 20, and in this way, one after another. By refreshing the address data, the address data is stored in all product selection button units 20.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a control device according to the fourth invention, in which the same parts as in the device of FIG. 6 are given the same reference numerals.

The fuse ROM 26° in the product selection button unit 20 stores an address unique to each product selection button unit. The slave control unit 10 is provided with a power-on detection unit 14 that detects whether the vending machine is powered on,
Further, the storage section 11a consisting of a RAM is provided with areas A1 to An for storing address information of each product selection button 20-1, 20-2, . . . 20-n. The operation of this control device will be explained below based on the flowchart of FIG.

When the power-on detection unit 14 detects that the power of the vending machine is turned on, the process advances from step S1 to step S2, and address information is transmitted from the control CPU of the slave control unit 10 to the all-product selection button unit 2o. Send a request signal. In step S3, when the address information transmission request signal is received by each product selection button unit 20, the address information transmission request signal is sent from each product selection button unit 2o and stored in the fuse ROM 26' after a predetermined delay time. The address information is sent to the slave control unit 1o.

In this embodiment, the number X of each product selection button unit 20 is
The delay time is 10m seconds, and after 10m seconds, the product selection button unit 20-1 to 20
In step S5 m seconds later, the product selection button unit 20
-2, and finally, in step S6 after fiX I Om seconds, the addresses are read from the product selection button unit 20-n and transmitted to the slave control unit 10. In step S7, the slave control unit 10 stores the successively transmitted addresses in storage areas A1 to An of the storage unit 11a. After that, Stenop S8
~ Proceed to Sll's normal sales control, but this step is
Steps 88 to S in Figures 3, 7 and 11
Since it is the same as ll, the explanation will be omitted.

In the first to fourth inventions described above, especially in the second invention and the third invention, the serial number of the product selection button unit 20. Since a fuse ROM is used as the storage means, the cost is lower than when an EEPROM is used. Further, in the third invention, as the address information, the serial N
Storage unit 11a configured with RAM without using o itself
, Ilb, which has a shorter data length than the serial number, can shorten the communication time.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, the address of each product selection button unit is automatically set to the slave control unit when the power is turned on, so that the time and effort required for setting can be saved.

In the above-mentioned invention, in the method of storing and setting the address information unique to each product selection button unit in the storage section of the slave control section, the setting operation is performed by a person, so that sometimes the setting is omitted, or , there is a risk that the settings may be lost due to noise, etc. Even if the stored data is not complete, the vending machine does not turn on the lamp indicating that it is waiting for a sale, so it cannot be determined from the outside whether the stored data is complete. A control device for a vending machine that solves this problem is shown in FIG.

In the apparatus shown in FIG. 15, a data confirmation switch 15 is newly provided in comparison with the slave control section 10 of the control apparatus shown in FIG. 6, and its control operation will be explained with reference to FIG. 16.

In FIG. 16, the method of setting the address in steps 81 to Sll and the normal control operation after setting are the same as those in FIG. 7, so a description thereof will be omitted.

When the data confirmation switch 15 is turned on, the stenop S1
The process proceeds from step S12 to step S13, where the value of n is set to 1, and at step S14, the NO. The serial number for the first product selection button 22-1 is read out and sent to the product selection button unit 20. As a result, the product selection button unit 20-1
Then, for example, the sales availability display LED 22 is lit. In the subsequent step S16, the value of n is updated and the serial numbers are sent out one after another, thereby lighting up the LED 22 of the corresponding product selection button 20. When the serial number has been transmitted to the all-product selection button unit 20, the process advances from step S15 to step S17, where each of the above-mentioned sales availability display LEDs is turned on for a predetermined period of time measured by a timer (not shown). After that, the already mentioned Stenop 88~Sll
Proceed to.

Therefore, if the serial number for the product selection button 20X with a certain number It is possible to easily identify whether the storage contents in the storage unit 11a are complete or not.

Next, an embodiment of the control device according to the sixth aspect of the invention will be described.

It should be noted that the control diagram showing an embodiment of the sixth invention is the same as the control diagram of FIG. 9 showing an embodiment of the third invention, so the following description will be made with reference to FIG.

First, the address setting operation will be explained using the flowchart in FIG. 17(A) showing the operation on the slave control unit 10 side, and FIG. 17(B) showing the operation on each product selection button unit 20 side.
This will be explained with reference to the flowchart.

First, as an initial setting, when the address setting switch 13 is turned on, the steno pad S2 is determined by the steno pad S1.
The process advances to address setting mode, and notifies all product selection button units 20 that the address setting mode has been entered. When each product selection button unit 20 side receives the notification of the address setting mode, the process proceeds from step #1 to step #2, and each product selection button unit 20 also enters the address setting mode. After this,
For example, when the product selection switch 24 of the product selection button unit 20-1 is turned on, the process proceeds from step #3 to step #4, and the fuse RO of the product selection button unit 20-1 is turned on.
The unique serial number stored in M26°. is transmitted to the slave control unit 10. The slave control unit 10 is
Said serial no. When received, the process proceeds from the step S3 to the step S4, and the address/serial NO. The serial number is stored in the storage unit 1lb in association with the address stored in advance. In step S5, the stored serial number. The address corresponding to is sent to the product selection button unit 20 side. Here, when the product selection button unit 20-1 receives the address, the process proceeds from StenoP = 5 to StenoP #6, and the received address is stored in the RAM 27.
to be memorized.

On the other hand, in Stenope S6 after a predetermined period of time has passed since the address was sent from the slave control unit 10 in Stenope S5, the product selection button unit 20 is pressed against the person who is performing the address setting operation for the vending machine. -1, the product selection button unit 20-1 has an LED 22 for displaying sales availability, for example.
Send display data to light up. When the product selection button unit 20-1 receives the display data, the process proceeds from the stem knob #7 to the stem knob #8, and the displayable LED 2 is turned on.
Turn on 2.

Next, the slave control unit 10 determines whether or not the addresses and serial numbers in steps 83 to S6 described above have been set for all product selection buttons 20, and sets the addresses and serial numbers for all of them. No. The loop from step 83 to steno knob S7 is repeated until the setting is completed, and when all the setting work is completed in this way, the process proceeds from steno knob S7 to steno knob S8, and the slave control unit 10 controls all product selection button units 20. Send information to cancel address setting mode.

Next, normal sales operations are shown in Figures 18 (A) and 18 (B).
) will be explained using a flowchart.

Each product selection button unit 20 detects whether the product selection switch 24 is turned on, and in order to purchase the product, for example, the product selection switch 2 of the product selection button unit 2o2
If you turn on 4, step #10 to step #11
Then, the data of the product selection switch 23 is sent to the slave control section 10 with the address stored in the RAM 27 of the product selection button unit 20-2. When the slave control unit 10 receives the selection switch data, it proceeds from step S9 to step SIO, and stores which product selection button unit 20 the selection switch data is from based on the transmitted address. In the next step Sll, in order to indicate to the customer that the product is available for sale, display data for lighting up the sales availability display LED 22 is sent along with the address. When this display data is received by the product selection button unit 202, the screen #1
2, the process advances to the steno panel 613, and the LED 22 is lit.

Further, all product selection button unit 20 is sent from slave control unit 10.
When requesting selection switch data all at once, the process proceeds from step S12 to step S13, where a signal requesting data all at once is output, and when each product selection button unit 20 receives this signal, step # 14 to step #15, each product selection button unit 20 attaches an individual address to each selection switch data and sequentially transmits the data at a predetermined timing. Step S14
The slave control unit 10 stores these transmitted selection switch data, and transmits the display data all at once for confirmation at the step S15. When the product selection button unit 20 receives these display data, the process proceeds from the steno knob #16 to step #17, and, for example, the sales availability display LED 22 is turned on.

This time, the address and serial number of the slave control unit 10
．． The serial number is stored in the storage unit 1lb. When the power to the vending machine is turned off after the vending machine is memorized, the addresses stored in the RAM 27 of each product selection button unit 20 will be lost, or the address stored in the RAM 27 of each product selection button unit 20 will be lost, or the next time the power is turned on, S] 6 to Steno 7" S 1 7, the address and serial number stored in the address/serial NOjc! memory unit 1lb are sequentially read out and sent to the product selection button unit 20 side. Then, at a predetermined timing, the display data is transmitted by the steno panel 318.In each product selection button unit 20, the unique serial number N stored in the fuse ROM 26' is transmitted.
Same serial number as O. When received, step #
The process proceeds from step #18 to step #19, and the simultaneously transmitted address is stored in the RAM 27. Further, when the transmitted display data is received by the product selection button unit 20, the process proceeds from the steno knob #20 to the steno knob #21, and for confirmation, for example, the LED 22 for displaying sales availability is turned on.

In Step S19, it is determined whether the address setting has been completed for all the product selection button units 20, and if it has not been completed, the process goes through the loop from the Step knob 817 to Step S18, and all address settings are completed. When this happens, the process proceeds from step S19 to step S20, and in order to confirm that the address setting has not been omitted, each of the LEDs 22 for displaying sales availability continues to be lit for a predetermined time measured by a timer. Thereafter, in step S21, the slave control section 10 transmits data to notify each product selection button unit 20 that the product is on standby for sale.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention configures the product selection switch and various display means into one unit having a unique address, and communicates between each unit and the control means using serial signals. This makes it possible to reduce the number of wires leading to the product selection switch and the display means. Therefore, it reduces restrictions on the design of vending machines, enables the use of pressure welding couplers, flat cables, etc. by making star connections possible, reduces material costs and assembly work processes by reducing the number of wires, and improves reliability. Benefits obtained.

In addition, if the address for each unit can be set arbitrarily, Atlus settings can be made after the vending machine is completed, so only one type of maintenance parts is required, which simplifies maintenance management. Since checks are no longer necessary, assembly work can be streamlined.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a complaint correspondence diagram of a control device for a vending machine according to the first invention, and FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the first invention. 3 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the control device in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a communication sequence performed in a normal sales operation in the device in FIG. 2; The figure is a claim correspondence diagram of a control device for a vending machine according to the second invention, FIG. 6 is a control circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the second invention, and FIG. Flowchart showing the control operation, FIG. 8 is a complaint correspondence diagram of a control device for a vending machine according to the third invention, FIG. 9 is a control circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the third invention, and FIG. , a flowchart showing the control operation of the control device in FIG. 9, FIG. 11 is a complaint correspondence diagram of the control device for a vending machine according to the fourth invention, and FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the fourth invention. Control circuit diagram, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the control device in FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the control device of FIG. 15, and FIGS. (B) is a flowchart showing the control operation of the device representing an embodiment of the sixth invention, FIG. , is a circuit diagram of a conventional control device. 0...Slave control unit, 1...Control CPU, 1 1a, 1 1b=storage unit,
2... Vanofa, 13... Address setting switch,
4...Power on detection unit, 5...Data confirmation switch, O...Product selection button unit, 1.LSI, 22...LED for displaying sales availability, 3...
LED for displaying sold out, 4... Product selection switch, 6... EEFROM, 26... Fuse ROM,
7...RAM0

Claims (9)

[Claims] (1) A control device for a vending machine in which a plurality of product selection button units are centrally controlled by a control unit, wherein the product selection button unit includes: a product selection switch that selects a product; and a product selection switch that selects a product; switch detection means for detecting the state of the switch; sellable display means for displaying products that can be sold by depositing a predetermined amount; sold-out display means for displaying sold-out products, etc.; and the above two display means. A lighting control means for controlling on/off; an address storage means for storing unique address information; and a detection signal from the switch detection means, with the address information stored in the address storage means attached, to the control section serially. communication means for receiving a display command signal attached with address information, which is serially transmitted from the control section, and address information in which the address information transmitted from the control section is stored in the address storage means; 1. A control device for a vending machine, comprising: determining means for determining whether the display command signal matches the display command signal, and transmits the transmitted display command signal to the lighting control means when the display command signal matches the display command signal. (2) The control section is provided with an address setting means for setting the address setting mode in which the address storage means of each product selection button unit stores unique address information, and the address setting means sets the address setting mode to the address storage means of each product selection button unit. 2. The control device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein when the address information is transmitted from the control section, the address information is stored in an address storage means of a product selection button unit whose product selection button is turned on. (3) A control device for a vending machine in which a plurality of product selection button units are centrally controlled by a control unit, wherein the product selection button unit includes: a product selection switch for selecting a product; and a product selection switch for selecting a product; switch detection means for detecting the state of the switch; sellable display means for displaying products that can be sold by depositing a predetermined amount; sold-out display means for displaying sold-out products, etc.; and the above two display means. a lighting control means for controlling on/off; a serial number storage means for storing a unique serial number; communication means for receiving a display command signal attached with a serial number, which is transmitted serially from the control unit; and determining means for determining whether the serial number matches the serial number and, when they match, transmitting the transmitted display command signal to the lighting control means; the control section; for communicating with each product selection button unit; communication means; address setting means for registering the serial number stored in the serial number storage means of each product selection button unit as an address in the control section; When the product selection switch is turned on and the serial number stored in the serial number storage means of the product selection button unit is transmitted to the control unit,
A control device for a vending machine, comprising: serial number storage means for storing the serial number as an address of the product selection button unit. (4) A control device for a vending machine in which a plurality of product selection button units are centrally controlled by a control unit, wherein the product selection button unit includes: a product selection switch that selects a product; and a product selection switch that selects a product; switch detection means for detecting the state of the switch; sellable display means for displaying products that can be sold by depositing a predetermined amount; sold-out display means for displaying sold-out products, etc.; and the above two display means. A lighting control means for controlling on/off, an address storage means for storing unique address information, a serial number storage means for storing a unique serial number, a communication means for communicating with the control section, and from the control section. Address determination means for determining whether the address information transmitted together with the display command signal matches the address information stored in the address storage means, and when they match, for sending the transmitted display command signal to the lighting control means. The control unit includes: a communication means for communicating with each product selection button unit, and an address/unit for storing address information for each product selection button unit and a serial number corresponding to the address information.
comprising a serial number storage means and an address setting means for registering an address for each product selection button unit, and when the address setting means is in an address setting mode, the address storage means for the product selection button unit whose product selection switch is turned on; At the same time, the address sent from the control section is stored, and the serial number stored in the serial number storage means of the product selection button unit is sent to the control section, and the control section stores the received serial number in the serial number storage means of the product selection button unit. A control device for a vending machine, characterized in that the address/serial number storage means stores the address in correspondence with the address. (5) A control device for a vending machine in which a plurality of product selection button units are centrally controlled by a control unit, wherein the product selection button unit includes: a product selection switch that selects a product; and a product selection switch that selects a product; switch detection means for detecting the state of the switch; sellable display means for displaying products that can be sold by depositing a predetermined amount; sold-out display means for displaying sold-out products, etc.; and the above two display means. A lighting control means for controlling on/off; an address storage means for storing unique address information; and a detection signal from the switch detection means, with the address information stored in the address storage means attached, to the control section serially. communication means for receiving a display command signal attached with address information, which is serially transmitted from the control section, and address information in which the address information transmitted from the control section is stored in the address storage means; and a determining means for determining whether they match and, when they match, sending the transmitted display command signal to the lighting control means; the control section; communication means for communicating with each product selection button unit; , an address storage unit that stores address information of each product selection button unit, and power-on detection means that detects power-on of the vending machine, and when power-on is detected by the power-on detection means, the control A control for a vending machine characterized in that the section outputs a signal for sending address information to each product selection button unit, and the address information received from each product selection button unit is stored in an address storage section of the control section. Device. (6) A control device for a vending machine in which a plurality of product selection button units are centrally controlled by a control unit, wherein the product selection button unit includes: a product selection switch that selects a product; and a product selection switch that selects a product; switch detection means for detecting the state of the switch; sellable display means for displaying products that can be sold by depositing a predetermined amount; sold-out display means for displaying sold-out products, etc.; and the above two display means. a lighting control means for controlling on/off; a serial number storage means for storing a unique serial number; communication means for receiving a display command signal attached with a serial number, which is transmitted serially from the control unit; and determining means for determining whether the serial numbers match and, when they match, transmitting the transmitted display command signal to the lighting control means; the control unit; a communication unit for communicating with each product selection button unit; means, address setting means for registering the serial number stored in the serial number storage means of each product selection button unit as an address in the control section; and when the address setting means is in a serial number setting mode, the product of the product selection button unit is When the selection switch is turned on and the serial number stored in the serial number storage means of the product selection button unit is transmitted to the control unit,
Serial number storage means for storing the serial number as an address of the product selection button unit; and a serial number storage means for checking whether the serial number data stored in the serial number storage means is normal. A control device for a vending machine, comprising: data confirmation means for sequentially reading stored serial numbers. (7) A control device for a vending machine in which a plurality of product selection button units are centrally controlled by a control unit, wherein the product selection button unit includes: a product selection switch for selecting a product; and a product selection switch for selecting a product; switch detection means for detecting the state of the switch; sellable display means for displaying products that can be sold by depositing a predetermined amount; sold-out display means for displaying sold-out products, etc.; and the above two display means. A lighting control means for controlling on/off, an address storage means for storing unique address information, a serial number storage means for storing a unique serial number, a communication means for communicating with the control section, and from the control section. Address determination means for determining whether the address information transmitted together with the display command signal matches the address information stored in the address storage means, and when they match, for sending the transmitted display command signal to the lighting control means. The control unit includes: a communication means for communicating with each product selection button unit, and an address/unit for storing address information for each product selection button unit and a serial number corresponding to the address information.
Serial number storage means; and address setting means for registering an address for each product selection button unit; when the address setting means is in an address setting mode, the serial number of the product selection button unit whose product selection switch is turned on is stored. The serial number stored in the means is sent to the address/serial number storage means of the control section, the serial number is stored in correspondence with the stored address, and the address corresponding to the serial number is sent to the address/serial number storage means of the control section. A control device for a vending machine, characterized in that an address is stored in an address storage means of a selection button unit 50. (8) When the power is turned on, each address stored in the address/serial number storage output according to claim (7) and the serial number corresponding to the address is sent to each product selection button unit, and each address is stored. A vending machine control device that stores an address corresponding to the means. (9) A control device for a vending machine in which a plurality of product selection button units are centrally controlled by a control unit, wherein the product selection button unit includes: a product selection switch that selects a product; and a product selection switch that selects a product; switch detection means for detecting the state of the switch; sellable display means for displaying products that can be sold by depositing a predetermined amount; sold-out display means for displaying sold-out products, etc.; and the above two display means. A lighting control means for on/off control, an address storage means for storing unique address information, a communication means for communicating with the control section, and an address communication means with two dedicated inputs and outputs for setting addresses. and address information control that captures the signal sent on the dedicated address line on the input side when address communication is activated by the control unit, stores it as an address, and sends a signal with +1 to that signal on the dedicated address line on the output side. means, determining whether the address information transmitted together with the display command signal from the control section matches the address information stored in the address storage means, and when the address information matches, the transmitted display command signal is transmitted to the lighting control means. the control unit includes: communication means for communicating with each product selection button unit; and an address determination unit for storing address information for each product selection button unit and a serial number corresponding to the address information;
comprising a serial number storage means, an address setting means for registering an address for each product selection button unit, and an address communication control means for setting an address for the product selection button unit, and an address setting mode by the address setting means. 1. A control device for a vending machine, wherein the address communication control means activates address communication, and each product selection button unit stores each address by the address information control means.