JPH0415785A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the need for a connection construction between this automatic vending machine and a telephone circuit by providing a mobile telephone set on the automatic vending machine, and transmitting data stored in a data unit to a center connected to a general telephone network or a mobile telephone network by radio. CONSTITUTION:When a transmission request is issued from the center, the data stored in the data unit 3 is automatically transmitted at a constant time from the antenna 7 of the mobile telephone set 6 by radio by the function of a timer incorporated in a communication control part 4. The data, after being received with a large number of base stations arranged in an area, is sent to the center of the general telephone network passing through a line control station and an automobile telephone exchange, and is processed with a computer. Thereby, it is possible to dispense with the connection construction with a wire between the automatic vending machine and the telephone circuit, which eliminates constraint on the installing place of the automatic vending machine.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to various types of vending machines, and more particularly to a vending machine that sends information generated within the vending machine to a center through a telephone line for management of the vending machine.

[Conventional technology]

A data storage device (hereinafter referred to as a data unit) is built into the vending machine, and various management information (sales volume, sales amount, sold out, out of change, etc.) collected and accumulated by this data unit is stored in a computer at the center. Vending machines are known that are designed to improve operational efficiency through processing. There are two known methods for retrieving information from the data unit: an offline method that uses a portable data collector, and an online method that transmits data directly to a host computer via a communication line. Methods, especially those using public communication lines (telephone lines), are becoming more popular, and the technology related to this is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1983-1989.
No. 264494, No. 63-173447, No. 63-3
No. 01377, No. 64-78066, JP-A-1-12
It is described in publications such as No. 4092.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, conventional vending machines that transmit data via telephone lines are connected by electric wires to the telephone lines of the stores where they are installed. For this reason, such vending machines can only be installed in locations where connection work with telephone lines is possible, and there are significant restrictions on where they can be installed, such as not being able to be installed on top of a mountain. On the other hand, public mobile communications such as car phones and mobile phones have recently become widespread, and nationwide services have already been launched. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine that uses the startup communication system described above and is capable of transmitting data without being restricted by installation location.

[Means to solve the problem]

In this invention, a vending machine is equipped with a mobile phone such as a car phone or a mobile phone, and data stored and collected in a data unit is transmitted wirelessly to a center connected to a general telephone network or a mobile phone network. .

[For use]

Since there is no need for a wire connection between the vending machine and a telephone line, the vending machine can be installed anywhere where power is available. In other words, when using a car telephone system, the vending machine communicates wirelessly with a wireless base station, and communicates with the general telephone network or the center of the car phone network via a radio line control station and then a car telephone exchange. data transmission.

【Example】

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention using a car telephone system, in which 1 is a vending machine main body, 2 is a vending control unit that controls the entire vending machine, and 3 is a block diagram showing the connection between the vending machine and the vending control unit 2. A data unit that includes an input/output interface and collects and stores various information sent from the sales control unit 2; 4 is a communication control unit that controls communication between the data unit 3 and a center (not shown); 5 is a modem; A line interface with a built-in NCU, 6 a mobile telephone, and 7 an antenna. In the above configuration, the sales control unit 2 sends out information such as sales quantity, sales amount, deposit amount, refund amount, occurrence of sold out or out of change, operating time, test time, etc. every time a sales operation or a change in status occurs. This information is recorded one by one in the data unit 3. Therefore, when a transmission request is received from a center (not shown), or a timer built in the communication control unit 4 automatically sends a data unit at a specified time.
The data accumulated in the node 3 is transferred to the antenna 7 of the mobile phone 6.
It is transmitted by radio from. After this data is received by a large number of base stations installed in the area, it is sent to the center of the general telephone network via a line control station and a mobile telephone exchange, where it is processed by a computer. In addition, the center is not only the above-mentioned general phone yl<landline phone 'fI4), but also connects to the car phone network via wireless as a mobile center installed in a car, and immediately responds when a vending machine is sold out or malfunctions. You can also make it rush. According to the illustrated configuration, there is no need for connection work between the vending machine and the telephone line using electric wires, so there are fewer restrictions on the installation location of the vending machine. Also, since no electric wires are used,
There is no need to always have a mobile phone built into the vending machine,
As a removable portable terminal, it can be used for purposes other than collecting information from vending machines. Furthermore, by installing various information gathering devices next to the vending machine, the vending machine can also function as a telemeter that collects information such as temperature, humidity, and gas concentration (SoX, No. 2, etc.). It becomes possible.

【Effect of the invention】

According to this invention, in a vending machine that collects management information using a telephone line, there is no need for connection work between the vending machine and the telephone line, and there are fewer restrictions on the installation location of the vending machine. At the same time, it becomes easier to collect information other than vending machine information.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of the invention. 1...Vending machine main body, 2...Vending control section, 3...
- Data unit, 4... Communication control section, 5... Line interface, 6... Mobile telephone.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) In a vending machine equipped with a data unit that collects and stores data necessary for vending machine management, a mobile phone is installed in the vending machine, and the data stored in the data unit is transmitted wirelessly to the general telephone network or mobile phone. A vending machine characterized by transmitting data to a center connected to a network.