JPH04242888A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow a host system to quickly recognize the vending amount by merchandise classifications in an automatic vending machine, a stock lacking alarm and failure information on real time. CONSTITUTION:A communication control part 3 to be communicated with the host system 1 through a communication channel 6, a failure detecting part 4 for detecting an important failure causing a vending trouble generated in the automatic vending machine 2 and a stock information management part 5 for outputting stock information including an alarm informing the lacking of stored merchandises less than a prescribed number are arranged in the automatic vending machine 2, a failure signal from the detecting part 4 and alarm information from the management part 5 are sent to the host system 1, which occasionally obtains information relating to the stock amount and knows the vending amounts of respective merchandises.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional vending machines only had a vending function.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The above-mentioned conventional vending machines have only a sales function, so they have the disadvantage that it is difficult to immediately notify the vendor of out-of-stock or malfunctions.

0004

[Means for solving the problems] The vending machine of the present invention has the following features:
a failure detection unit that detects a failure inside the machine and outputs a failure signal;
An inventory information management unit that measures the amount of products in stock and outputs an inventory information signal, and also outputs a warning signal indicating that the stock is out of stock if the amount in stock is less than a predetermined amount, and a host system and communication line located at the vendor. and a communication control section that is connected to the communication control section and transmits the signal output from the failure detection section and the signal output from the inventory information management section under the control of the host system.

[0005] Furthermore, the vending machine of the present invention has a configuration that allows a host system placed at the vending agency to communicate with a plurality of vending machines via a communication line.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a host system 1 constructed based on a personal computer located at a vendor, and a vending machine 2 connected to the host system 1 via a communication line 6.

The vending machine 2 also includes a communication control unit 3 that can communicate with the host system 1 through a communication line 6, a failure detection unit 4 that detects a failure and outputs a failure signal 8, and a failure detection unit 4 that measures the amount of inventory. It is equipped with an inventory information management unit 5 that outputs inventory information based on a request from the host system 1, and also switches the inventory information to a warning signal and outputs it especially when the amount of inventory becomes less than a predetermined remaining quantity. .

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained. The host system 1 receives inventory information of the vending machine 2 from the inventory information management section 5 through the communication control section 3, and calculates sales based on this inventory information.

[0010] In this embodiment, a vending machine for soft drink cans is targeted, and a microcontroller that is pressed by the weight of the cans and turned on is placed at the position of each juice can stacked on shelves arranged vertically for each type. A switch is installed. These multiple microswitches are installed in such a way that they turn off when a can is ejected from its storage area, and by monitoring this off state, it is possible to determine how much of a certain type of can is in stock, and how many are left. It is determined whether or not the amount has exceeded the predetermined amount, and inventory information and warning information corresponding to this are outputted to the communication control unit 3 in predetermined code formats.

On the other hand, the failure detection unit 4 detects major malfunctions related to the vending machine, for example, the above-mentioned inventory information management unit 5.
It detects malfunctions such as malfunctions in the microswitch operation or malfunctions in the display of charged charges, and when detected, sends a malfunction signal 8 to the communication control section 3.

The communication control unit 3 immediately transmits the warning signal 7 sent from the inventory information management unit 5 and the failure signal 8 outputted from the failure detection unit 4 to the host system 1 using the communication line 6. Regarding inventory information, based on a request from the host system 1, an inventory information signal regarding a designated product is obtained from the inventory information management section 5 and sent to the host system 1.

[0013] In this way, it is possible to quickly grasp information regarding the inventory amount of each product, out-of-stock items, and malfunctions in the vending machine.

[0014] In this example, an example was given in which soft drink cans were used as the product, but it is clear that the same method can be applied to other products that are subject to automatic vending, and the number of products also varies. It can be set arbitrarily.

[0015]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention provides real-time inventory information and failure information to the host system by connecting and understanding failure information and inventory information to the host system using a communication line. This has the effect of making it possible to make a report.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Host system 2 Vending machine 3 Communication control section 4 Fault detection section 5 Inventory information management department 6 Communication line 7 Inventory information signal/warning signal 8 Fault signal

Claims (2)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A failure detection unit that detects a failure in the machine and outputs a failure signal; and a failure detection unit that measures the inventory amount of the product and outputs an inventory information signal, and indicates that the inventory is out of stock when the inventory amount is less than a predetermined amount. An inventory information management unit that outputs a warning signal is connected to a host system located at a vendor through a communication line, and the signals output from the failure detection unit and the inventory information management unit are controlled by the host system. A vending machine characterized by comprising: a communication control unit that transmits a message while transmitting a message. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a host system placed at the vending agency is capable of communicating with a plurality of the vending machines via a communication line.