JPH0495191A - Column setting device of automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate and secure the setting of correspondence between article selection switches and article storage columns by using article codes printed on article to be sold as media and setting the correspondence. CONSTITUTION:A bar code reader 1 reads a column code displayed at a column identification part 21 corresponding to an article storage column to be set and an article code printed on an article put in the article storage column to recognize the correspondence between the article storage column and article. Further, the bar code reader 1 reads an article selection switch code displayed at an article selection switch identification part 21 corresponding to the article storage switch to be set as well as the article code to recognize the correspondence between the article selection switch and article. Thus, the correspondence between the article selection switch and article storage column is detected and stored in a memory 23. Consequently, the correspondence between the article storage column and article selection switch is easily set and missetting is eliminated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (A) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a setting device that can arbitrarily set the correspondence between a product storage column and a product selection switch in a vending machine.

(B) Conventional technology Conventionally, in vending machines, the number of product storage columns and the number of product selection switches are the same, and the correspondence between each product storage column and product selection switch is not fixed. is common. However, in recent years, vending machines are sometimes equipped with extra product selection switches for design reasons.
With such a configuration, the number of product storage columns and the number of product selection switches do not match.
A plurality of product selection switches must correspond to one product storage column.

However, at this time, it is up to the vending machine administrator to decide which product storage column each product selection switch corresponds to, taking into account the composition of the products to be sold in the vending machine and the customer's operability. It must be possible to set it arbitrarily according to the will of the person.

Furthermore, even in vending machines where the number of product storage columns matches the number of product selection switchers, it is desirable that the correspondence between product selection switches and product storage columns can be set freely at the discretion of the vending machine administrator. It is rare. In particular, in recent designs where multiple product selection switches are arranged in a cross or circular pattern, the product selection switches do not correspond at all to the horizontally arranged product storage columns. Therefore, if the administrator freely sets the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product storage column, the vending machine will be more effective in appealing to customers the uniqueness of the vending machine.

To meet this demand, there is an automatic system that inputs the correspondence between a product storage column and a product selection switch by inputting the selection switch number corresponding to the column using a numeric keypad, or by selecting a column and pressing the corresponding selection switch. Vending machines have been proposed in the past. The above-mentioned conventional publication discloses the former input method.

(c) Problems to be solved by the invention However, since such settings are made at the stage of the vending machine administrator, the settings are complicated and erroneous settings can occur for administrators who are not proficient in operations. The problem is that this is likely to occur.

Therefore, the present invention provides an equipment that can easily set the correspondence between a product storage column and a product selection switch using a product code printed in the form of a bar code on a product to be sold in a vending machine. It provides:

(d) Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, a vending machine setting device according to the first invention includes: - a vending machine that sells products whose product codes are printed in barcodes; In the ζ barcode reader, the column code "V" which is provided for each product storage column and represents the corresponding column is displayed as a barcode. a product selection switch identification section in which a product selection switch code indicating each applicable product selection switch is displayed in a barcode;
means for recognizing the correspondence between a product storage column and a product based on the product code and column code read by the barcode reader; and a means for recognizing the product selection switch code based on the product code and product selection switch code read by the barcode reader. A means for recognizing and recognizing the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product corresponding to the above, and a correspondence between the product selection switch and the product storage column based on the correspondence between the recognized product storage column and the product and the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product. and means for storing the information in the memory.

The setting device for a vending machine according to the second invention is provided for each barcode reader and each product storage column in a vending machine that sells products whose product codes are printed in barcodes. A column identification section in which a column code representing a column is displayed as a barcode, a memory, a plurality of product selection switches, and a product storage column and a product are identified by the product code and column code read by the barcode reader. means for recognizing the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product based on the product code read by the barcode reader and the operation of the product selection switch; and means for storing the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product storage column in the memory based on the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product storage column.

(E) Operation By using a barcode reader to read the column code displayed in the column identification section corresponding to the product storage column you want to set and the product code printed on the product to be stored in the product storage column, Recognize the correspondence between product storage columns and products. In addition, by using a barcode reader to read the product code and the product selection switch code displayed in the product selection switch identification section corresponding to the product storage switch you want to set, the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product is recognized. do. Then, based on the recognized correspondence between the product storage column and the product and the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product, the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product storage column is detected and stored in the memory.

Furthermore, instead of reading the product selection switch code with a barcode reader, by operating the product selection switch, the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product can be recognized.

1) Embodiment FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a vending machine showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is. A customer service panel 6 of the vending machine 5 is provided with a coin insertion lower and seven product selection switches 8. A control box 10 and a coin processing device 11 are installed inside the vending machine 5 when the door 9 is opened. A barcode reader 1 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 11 includes a coin selector IIA for sorting coins inserted into a coin input lower, a coin storage section 11B, and a coin dispensing device 11C for dispensing the coins stored in this coin storage section to a coin ejection port 17. Consists of. 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 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 barcodes. This column code is used to display, for example, a column number assigned to each product storage column 2.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the vending machine 5 in block form, and the control section stored in the control box 10 is run by a central processing unit (CPU) that executes control operations according to a program.
) 21, and a ROM 22° RAM 23 . An I10 interface 24 is connected. The I10 interface 24 includes a barcode reader 1 and a coin processing device 11.
, display device 14, selection device 15, sales equipment fi16
and a mode switch 18 are connected.

The coin processing wave N11 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 N18 when a signal representing coin dispensing is input from the CPU10 through the I10 interface 24.

The display device 14 includes five column indicators 19 provided corresponding to each product storage column 2 and seven 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. The selection switch indicator 20 is provided on the customer service panel 6, and in the normal sales mode, when the customer inserts money, it functions as a so-called sales ready indicator that lights up to indicate the products that can be purchased with the inserted amount. It is something.

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 vending device 16 includes a drive motor for withdrawing the product corresponding to the product storage column 2, and the cPtr 21 gives a command to this motor through the I10 interface 24 to indicate the withdrawal of the product.

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 l. 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.

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.
The digit country code (49 represents Japan), the 5-digit product manufacturer code, and the 5-digit product item code (hereinafter referred to as
For convenience, this is called a product code) and a one-digit check digit are arranged. In this way, the first two digits of the JAN code are determined to be 49, so checking the first two digits determines whether it is a JAN code. Therefore, in this example Column code and product selection switch Conid uses the first two digits as the identification code part, and by setting a number other than 49 here, it becomes 3.
This allows the two codes to be distinguished.

The CPU '21 stores the correspondence between the product storage columns 2 and the product selection switch 8 in the RAM 23 based on the reading of the barcode reader l, but this vending machine 5 stores the correspondence between the product storage columns 2 and the product selection switch 8. Since the number of 8 does not match, one 'multiple product selection switch 8
A corresponding product storage column will remain in place.

Figure 4 shows the 7-ohm memory of the RAM 23.
The RAM 23 has at least four types of storage areas.

The memory area 23a is a buffer storage section, which stores a product code read by the barcode reader 1, a product code buffer, and a column indicator display buffer.
Equipped with 9 selection switch indicator display buffers. The 5-bit b-ram indicator display buffer stores display data indicating whether the five column indicators 19 are turned on or off as a 1-bit "1" or "O". Further, the 7-bit selection switch indicator display buffer stores display data indicating whether the seven selection switch indicators 20 are turned on or off by one bit of "1" or "0".

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 seven 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 correspondence between the product selection switches 8 and the product storage columns 2, and has seven addresses equal to the number of product selection switches 8.

In the vending machine 5 having the above configuration, the operation in the setting mode will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, in step S1, 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 following 33. In each step of S4 and S5, 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 S15. In step 515, 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.
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 this product selection switch 8 to the selection switch indicator of the RAM 23. The data is stored in a display buffer and output to the display device 14. Further, the CPU 21 detects the product storage column 2 storing the product code from the storage area 23c, and displays a display 7'-9 instructing to drive the column indicator 19 corresponding to this product storage column 2. It is stored in the column indicator display buffer of RAM23 and displayed on the display device 1.
Output to 4.

If it is determined in the process of step S15 that the corresponding product code is not stored in the storage areas 23b, 23c, the process proceeds to step S17, and 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 S18. In this step 518, it is determined whether the product code is stored in the product code buffer, and if it is, the process proceeds to step S19.

In step S19, the CPU 21
In the storage area 23c, 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 product selection switch code, the process proceeds to step S7.

Therefore, the product selection switch 8 can be designated by operating the product selection switch 8 itself, in addition to reading the product selection switch code with the barcode reader 1.

Therefore, if it is determined in step S5 that it is not the product selection switch code, the process proceeds to step S6, where 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 S7.

In step S7, it is determined whether the product code is stored in the product code buffer, and if it is stored, the process proceeds to step S8, but if it is not stored, step S2
Error processing is performed at 0.

In step S8, the C'P U 21 determines whether the selection switch indicator 20 corresponding to the product selection switch 8 is being driven from the display data stored in the selection switch indicator display buffer. If the corresponding selection switch indicator 20 is being driven, the process proceeds to step S9. This step S9
, 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 step S10, the CPU 21 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 wave N14.

However, if the selection switch indicator 20 corresponding to the instructed product selection switch 8 is not activated, the process goes to step Sll. In step S1, 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 512, the CPU 21 stores display data for lighting 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.

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

Also, 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 1. If you read the JAN code with the barcode reader 1, 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 correspondence between the product storage column and the product code. and can be done together.

In step 513, it is determined whether the setting is completed by operating the mode switch 118 again. If the process has not been completed, the process returns to step S1.

In step 514, the CPU 21 uses the RAM 23
The product selection switch 8 and product storage column 2 storing the same product code are detected from the memory contents of the storage areas 23b and 23c, and the product selection switch 8 and the product storage column 2 are stored in the storage area 23d of the RAM 23.
, the product storage column number corresponding to the address corresponding to each product selection switch 8 is stored. As a result, the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product storage column is set in the RAM 23.

Then, when the setting is completed and the sales mode is entered, CPU2
1 reads the product storage column number from the address in the storage area 23d corresponding to the product selection switch 8 when the product selection switch 8 is operated, and performs sales control based on this data.

(G) Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, since the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product storage column is set using the product code printed on the product to be sold, the setting is not only easy but also reliable. becomes. 7

[Brief explanation of drawings]

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, and Figure 5 shows the operation. It is a flowchart explaining. 1... Barcode reader 2... Product storage column 8... Product selection switch, 21... CPU, 22...
. . RAM, 28 . . . Column identification section, 29 . . . Product selection switch identification section.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a vending machine that sells products whose product codes are printed in barcodes, a barcode reader and a column code provided for each product storage column to indicate the corresponding column. is displayed as a bar code, the memory is provided corresponding to a plurality of product selection switches, and a product selection switch code representing each applicable product selection switch is displayed as a bar code. a product selection switch identification section; means for recognizing the correspondence between a product storage column and a product based on the product code read by the barcode reader and the column code; and a product selection switch and the product code read by the barcode reader. a means for recognizing the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product corresponding to the product selection switch code, and a product selection switch based on the correspondence between the recognized product storage column and the product and the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product A column setting device for a vending machine, comprising means for storing correspondence with a product storage column in the memory. 2. In vending machines that sell products whose product codes are printed in barcodes, the barcode reader and the column code that is provided for each product storage column and indicates the corresponding column are displayed in barcodes. a memory, a plurality of product selection switches, means for recognizing a correspondence between a product storage column and a product based on the product code read by the barcode reader and the column code, and the barcode reader. means for recognizing the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product based on the product code read by the product code and the operation of the product selection switch, and the correspondence between the recognized product storage column and the product and the correspondence between the product selection switch and the product. A column setting device for a vending machine, comprising means for storing correspondence between a product selection switch and a product storage column in the memory based on the above.