JPH04123194A - Erroneous sale preventing device for vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent selling in the case of erroneous throwing-in for commodity replenishment by using the commodity code printed on a commodity to be sold to discriminate whether the commodity is a kind to be sold by a vending machine or not. CONSTITUTION:When the commodity is sent from a storage part by a commodity sending device 16, a bar code reader 19 reads the commodity code printed on this commodity. A commodity code search means 21 searches a memory means 22 to discriminate whether the commodity code read by the bar code reader 19 is stored in the memory means 22 or not. If the commodity code is not store there, a sale control means 21 performs such control that the selling operation from a pertinent commodity storage column 2 is stopped. Thus, erroneous selling is prevented even if a manager erroneously replenishes different kinds of commodity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a device for preventing the sale of different types of products that have been erroneously filled into a vending machine.

(b) Conventional technology As for the structure of the vending machine, the products put in from the product replenishment port that opens at the top are stacked and stored in a storage section that extends vertically, and when the vending machine is operated, the products are stacked and stored at the bottom of the storage section. It is known to take out the lowest ranked product using a provided product delivery device, as described in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-27030.

(c) Problems to be solved by the invention However, such vending machines have the problem that if the administrator accidentally replenishes the product with a different type of product, a product different from the product sample will be sold. .

Therefore, the present invention provides a device that prevents erroneous sales by using product codes printed on products sold in vending machines.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the mis-selling prevention device for a vending machine according to the present invention has a storage section for stacking and holding products, and a storage section below the storage section. a product storage column provided with a product delivery device for taking out lower-order products; a memory means for storing product codes of products that can be sold by the vending machine; a barcode reader for reading a product code; a product code search means for searching the memory means based on the product code read by the barcode reader; and a product code read by the barcode reader stored in the memory means. This configuration includes a sales control means that controls to stop selling the product from the product storage column if the product code does not match any of the product codes.

(E) Effect When a product is delivered from the storage section by the product delivery device, the barcode reader reads the product code printed on the product. Thereby, the product code search means searches the memory means and determines whether the memory means stores the same product code as that read by the barcode reader. If the same product code is not stored, the sales control means controls to stop the sales operation from the product storage column.

(F) Embodiment FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a vending machine showing an embodiment of the present invention. The customer service panel 6 of the vending machine 5 includes a coin input lower, a plurality of product selection switches 8, a selection switch indicator 20. A sold out indicator 30 is provided. A control box 10 and a coin processing device 11 are installed inside the vending machine 5 when the door 9 is opened. A hand scanner type barcode reader 1 for setting is connected to the control box 10, and a control unit including a CPU and the like is housed in the control box 10. The coin processing device 1] includes a coin selector 11 that selects coins inserted into the coin input lower.
A, it consists of a coin storage section 11B and a coin dispensing device 11C for dispensing the coins stored in the coin storage section to the coin ejection port 17. In addition, on the back of the door 9, there is a product selection switch identification section 29 that corresponds to each product selection switch 8 and has a product selection switch code representing the corresponding product selection switch displayed in a barcode. It is set up. This product selection switch code displays, for example, the switch number assigned to each product selection switch 8.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the front door 3 is open, and the interior of the vending machine 5 is provided with five rows of product storage columns 2, and the lower part of the product storage column 2 is connected to the product takeout port 4. A connecting chute 12 is arranged.

A stationary barcode reader 19 is attached above the delivery end of the chute 12. A product inlet 2A is opened at the top of the product storage column 2, and the products to be stored are filled into the interior through the product inlet 2A. Further, each of the product storage columns 2 is provided with a column identification section 28 that displays a column code representing the corresponding column in the form of a barcode. This column code displays, for example, the column number assigned to each product storage column 2.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the vending machine 5 in blocks, and the control section stored in the control box 10 is a central processing unit (CPLJ
) 21, and this CPU 10 is connected via an address bus 25 and a data bus 26 to a ROM 23 that stores operating programs.A RAM 23. An I10 interface 24 is connected. The I10 interface 24 includes the above-described hand scan type barcode reader 1 and stationary barcode reader 27, the coin processing device 11, the display device 14, the selection device 15, the product delivery device 16, A mode switch 18 is connected thereto.

The coin processing device 11 outputs a signal representing the amount of the coin determined to be appropriate by the coin selector 16 to the CPU 21 through the I10 interface 24. Further, the coin processing device 11 drives the coin dispensing device 18 when a signal representing coin dispensing is input from CP[J I O through the I10 interface 24 .

The display device 14 includes five column indicators 19 provided corresponding to each product storage column 2 and five selection switch indicators 2 provided corresponding to each product selection switch 8.
The driving of each indicator including 0 is controlled based on display data input from the CPU 21 through the I10 interface 24. This selection switch indicator 20 is provided on the customer service panel 6, and in the normal sales mode, it functions as a so-called sellable indicator that lights up to indicate the products that can be purchased with the inserted amount when the customer inserts money. It is something to do. Furthermore,
The display device 14 includes five sold-out indicators 30 provided corresponding to each product selection switch 8, and each indicator is connected to the C through the I10 interface 24.
Driving is controlled based on display data input from the PU 21.

The selection device 15 includes a plurality of product selection switches 8, and a signal indicating that the product selection switch 8 has been operated is input from the selection device 15 to the CPU 21 through the I10 interface 24.

The product delivery device 16 includes a drive motor for product delivery corresponding to the product storage column 2, and the CPU 21 gives a command representing delivery of the product to this motor through the I10 interface 24.

The mode switch 18 is operated to switch between normal sales mode and setting mode. When the mode switch 14 is operated in the vending mode, the CPU 21 sets the vending machine to the setting mode and drives the barcode reader 1. This allows the barcode reader 1 to read the product code printed on the product 13, the column code displayed in the column identification section 28, and the product selection switch code displayed in the product selection switch identification section 29. I can do it. Further, in this vending machine 5, the sales price to be set can be input by reading the sheet 31 with the barcode reader l.

The product code is a common code barcode symbol specified by the JIS standard for POS systems, so-called J
This is called an AN code, and from the beginning it is 2.
A digit country code (49 represents Japan), a 5-digit product manufacturer code, a 5-digit product item code (hereinafter referred to as the product code for convenience), and a 1-digit check digit are arranged. There is. In this way, since the first two digits of the JAN code are determined to be 49, it is determined whether it is a JAN code by changing the first two digits. Therefore, the column code, product selection switch code, and sales price code printed on sheet 31 in this example each have their first two digits as the identification code section, and by setting a number other than 49 there. , JAN code and three codes can be distinguished.

The CPU 21 stores in the RAM 23 the correspondence between the product storage column 2, product selection switch 8, and product code based on the reading by the barcode reader 1. Figure 4 shows RAM2
3 storage formats are shown, and the RAM 23 has at least five storage areas.

The storage area 23a is a buffer storage section, and includes a product code buffer for storing the product code read by the barcode reader 1, a column indicator display buffer, a selection switch indicator display buffer, a sold-out indicator display buffer, an input amount buffer, etc. There is. 5
The bit column indicator display buffer stores display data indicating whether the five column indicators 19 are turned on or off as one bit "l" or "o". Further, the 5-bit selection switch indicator display buffer stores display data indicating whether the five selection switch indicators 20 are turned on or off as 1 bit "1" or "0". Similarly, in the 5-bit sold-out indicator display buffer, a 1-bit “1” can be used to turn on or off the five sold-out indicators 30.
Alternatively, display data indicated by "O" is stored.

The storage area 23b is an area for storing the correspondence between each product selection switch 8 and the product code of the product sold by operating the product selection switch 8, and has five addresses equal to the number of product selection switches 8.

The storage area 23c is an area for storing the correspondence between each product storage column 2 and the product code of the product stored in this product storage column 2, and has five addresses equal to the number of product storage columns 2.

The storage area 23d is an area for storing the product code and the sales price of the product corresponding to this code, and this vending machine 5 has 5 product storage columns and can sell up to 5 types of products. has five addresses. In this example, by reading the barcode printed on the sheet 30 with the barcode reader 1, the selling price can be stored in the storage area 23d.

The storage area 23e is an area for storing data indicating whether or not each product storage column 2 can be sold.
” is stored. Therefore, in this storage area, the bit corresponding to the product storage column 2 where the product is sold out or the product storage column 2 where the product cannot be sent out due to a failure is stored with “ 0'' is stored.

The CPLI 21 is a product code search means that searches the RAM 23 based on the product code read by the barcode reader 27, and a product code that searches the RAM 23 based on the product code read by the barcode reader 27. If not, it has a function as a sales control means to control the sales operation from the product storage column 2 to be stopped, and this will become clear in the explanation of the operation below.

The operation in the setting mode will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5A.

First, in step S], the CPU 21 provides a drive signal to the barcode reader 1, so that the barcode reader 1 can read the barcode. and,
When the barcode is input in step S2, the CPU2
1 is the next S3. S4, S5. In each step of S6, the type of the input barcode is determined.

In step S3, if it is determined that the barcode input in step S2 is a JAN code, the process proceeds to step 515. In step S15, C
The PU 21 extracts the product code included in this JAN code and determines whether the same product code is stored in the storage areas 23b and 23C of the RAM 23. If the product code is stored, the process advances to step 516, and the column indicator 19 and selection switch indicator 20 corresponding to this product code are driven. That is, C.P.
The U21 detects the product selection switch 8 storing the product code from the storage area 23b, and transfers display data instructing to drive the selection switch indicator 20 corresponding to the product selection switch 8 to the selection switch of the RAM 23. It is stored in the indicator display buffer and output to the display device 14. Further, the CPLI 21 detects the product storage column 2 storing the product code from the storage area 23c, and stores display data instructing to drive the column indicator 19 corresponding to this product storage column 2 into the RAM 2.
The data is stored in the column indicator display buffer No. 3 and output to the display device 14.

In the process of step 515, if it is determined that the corresponding product code is not stored in the storage areas 23b, 23c, the process proceeds to step 517, where this product code is stored in the product code buffer.

If it is determined in step S4 that the barcode input in step S2 is a column code, the process proceeds to step 518. In this step 318, it is determined whether the product code is stored in the product code buffer, and if it is, the process proceeds to step 519.

In step S19, the CPtJ21 stores the RAM2
In the storage area 23c of No. 3, this product code is stored at the address corresponding to the product storage column 2 indicated by the column code. On the other hand, if the product code is not stored in the product code buffer, error processing is performed in step S20 and the process returns to step S1.

In step S5, if it is determined that the barcode input in step S2 is a sales price code, the process proceeds to step S21. In step 521,
It is determined whether the product code is stored in the product code buffer, and if it is stored, the process proceeds to step S22.
If it is not stored, error processing is performed in step S23.

In step S22, the CPU 21 RAs the product code stored in the product code buffer and the barcode representing the selling price read by the barcode reader 1.
It is stored in the storage area 23d of M23. In this way, use the barcode reader 1 to read the barcode printed on the product 18 for which you want to set the selling price, and then select the barcode that displays the selling price to be set from the sheet 31 and click the barcode. By reading the code reader 1, the correspondence between the product and the selling price is stored in the RAM 23.

In step S6, if it is determined that the barcode input in step S2 is a product selection switch code, the process proceeds to step S8.

Therefore, the product selection switch 8 can be designated by directly operating the product selection switch 8, in addition to reading the product selection switch code with the barcode reader l. Therefore, if it is determined in step S6 that it is not a product selection switch code, the process goes to step S7.
Here, it is determined whether the product selection switch 8 has been operated.

If the product selection switch 8 is operated, the process advances to step S8.

In step S8, it is determined whether the product code is stored in the product code buffer. If it is stored, the process proceeds to step S9, but if it is not stored, step S2
Error processing is performed at 0.

In step S9, the CPU 21 determines whether the selection switch indicator 20 corresponding to this product selection switch 8 is being driven from the display data stored in the selection switch indicator display buffer. Then, when the corresponding selection switch indicator 20 is activated,
The process advances to step S10. In this step 510, the contents stored in the address corresponding to this product selection switch 8 in the storage area 23b of the RAM 23 are cleared. In the next Stesive Sll,
The CPU 2 i stores display data for turning off the selection switch indicator 20 corresponding to the product selection switch 8 in the selection switch indicator display buffer and outputs it to the display device 14 .

However, if the selection switch indicator 20 corresponding to the instructed product selection switch 8 is not activated, the process goes to step S12. In step S12, the CPU 21 stores the product code stored in the product code buffer at the address corresponding to the product selection switch 8 in the storage area 23b of the RAM 23. Then, in the next step 513, the CPU 21
Display data for lighting up the selection switch indicator 20 corresponding to the product selection switch 8 is stored in the selection switch indicator display buffer and output to the display device 14.

In this way, by having the barcode reader 1 read the JAN code and then reading all the column codes that correspond to the product column that stores this product, the storage area 23c corresponding to the specified product storage column 2 is stored. The product code included in the JAN code is stored in the address.

In addition, the barcode reader 1 reads the JAN code, and then the barcode reader 1 reads all the product selection switch codes that correspond to the product selection switch 8 that you want to correspond to this product, or you can directly read the product selection switch 8 By operating , the address of the storage area 23b corresponding to the specified product selection switch 8 is set to J.
The product code included in the AN code is stored. At this time, if you read the JAN code with the barcode reader l and then specify the product selection switch 8 and the product storage column 2 in succession, you can see the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product code and the product storage column. and correspondence with the product code can be done together. Furthermore, sheet 30
If you read the barcode from the store, you can also match the product code and sales price at the same time.

Then, in step 514, mode switch 1
It is determined whether the setting is completed by the operation 8 again, and if the setting is completed, the vending machine 5 enters the vending mode. However, if the process has not been completed, the process returns to step Sl.

Next, the operation of the vending machine 5 in the vending mode will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5B.

First, in step 5100, the CPU 21 stores the sales availability data stored in the storage area 23e of the RAM 23 in a sold-out indicator display buffer and outputs it to the display device 14. As a result, the display device drives the sold-out indicator 30 whose sales availability data is "0" to indicate that the sale has been stopped.

In step 5101, the CPU 21 determines whether a signal indicating the amount of coins inserted is being sent from the coin processing device 11, and if so, the CPU 21 proceeds to the next step S10.
In step 2, this amount is added to the amount stored in the input amount buffer. In the next step 5103, it is determined whether the product selection switch 8 has been operated and a product has been selected.
If the product selection switch 8 is operated, step 510
Proceed to step 4. In this step 5104, R
The product code corresponding to the selected product selection switch 8 is detected from the storage area 23b of the AM 23 and stored in the product code buffer. In the next step S105, based on the product code stored in the product code buffer,
The selling price of the product is retrieved from the storage area 23d of the RAM 23, and this selling price is compared with the input amount stored in the input amount buffer to determine whether the selected item can be sold.

If the selected product is available for sale, the process goes to step 5106, in which the product storage column 2 storing the product is searched from the storage area 23c of the RAM 23 based on the product code stored in the product code buffer. At the same time, in the next step 5107, it is determined whether this product storage column 2 is a sellable column based on the contents stored in the storage area 23e. If the column is a sellable column, the process advances to step 8108.

However, when it is determined in step 5103 that the product selection switch 8 is not operated, or when it is determined in step S105 that the selected product cannot be sold with the input amount, or the column that sells the selected product is not available for sale. When it is determined that it is a column, the process returns to step 5100.

Step 5108 performs sales control processing, in which a drive signal is given to the product delivery drive motor corresponding to the product storage column 2 searched in step 5106 to control the product delivery operation, and change is calculated. The change dispensing operation of the coin processing device 11 is controlled as necessary.

When a product is sent out from the product storage column 2 selected in the sales control process by the CPU 2t, the barcode reader 27 reads the JAN number printed on the product as shown in FIG. Read the code. Therefore, when the JAN code is input in step SIO, the CPU 21 advances to step 5110. In this step 5110, it is determined whether the product code included in the JAN code read by the barcode reader 27 matches the product code stored in the product code buffer. The process goes to step 5l12.

In the process of step 5112, the CPU 21 detects whether there is a sold-out product storage column 2 using a sold-out detection switch (not shown), and if there is a sold-out column, the CPU 21 stores this product storage column 2 in the storage area 23e. The data of the corresponding bit is rewritten from "1" to "O" and the process returns to step S100.

However, if it is determined in step S110 that the product code written in the JAN code read by the barcode reader 27 does not match the product code stored in the product code buffer, the process proceeds to step S110.
There are 11 processes. In this step 5111,
After creating sales availability data indicating that the product storage column in which the sales operation has been performed is sold out and storing it in the storage area 23e of the RAM 23, the process returns to step 5101. Therefore,
The CPU 21 sends out the different types of products to the product storage column 2.
Sales operations will be discontinued from now on.

As described above, in the setting mode, this vending machine 5 RAs the products to be sold in each product storage column 2 using the product code.
Set it to M23. Therefore, when it comes to selling, the product code of the product set to be sold from the selected product storage column 2 is read from the RAM 23 and stored in the product code buffer, and when the product is sent out, it is printed on the product. The barcode reader 27 reads the product code stored in the barcode reader 27, and compares this with the product code stored in the product code buffer to determine whether a different type of product is being sold.

If it is found that a different type of product has been sold, this product storage column 2 is assumed to have been filled with a product other than the one set by mistake, and the product storage column 2 is treated as sold out and subsequent sales operations are canceled. .

(G) Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, the product code printed on the product to be sold is used to determine whether the product is of a type that can be sold in the vending machine. If a mistake is made during replenishment, this product can be prevented from being sold.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows the front door open, Figure 3 shows the electrical configuration in blocks, Figure 4 schematically shows the RAM storage format, Figures 5A and 5B. FIG. 6 is a flowchart explaining the operation, and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram explaining the operation of reading the product code printed on the delivered product using a barcode reader. 2...Product storage column, 16...Product delivery device, 1
9...Barcode reader, 21...CPU, 22
...RAM0

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A vending machine that sells products whose product codes are printed in barcodes, which has a storage section for stacking and holding products, and below the storage section there is a bottom product. a product storage column provided with a product delivery device for taking out the vending machine; a memory means for storing product codes of products that can be sold at the vending machine;
a barcode reader for reading a product code of a product sent out by the product delivery device; a product code search means for searching the memory means based on the product code read by the barcode reader; and a sales control means for controlling the sales operation from the product storage column to be stopped if the product code stored in the product storage column does not match any product code stored in the memory means. Device to prevent incorrect sales of machines.