JPH05151432A - Sales controller for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the usefulness by subtracting the price of a selected commodity from the amount of money in a card at the time of operating a commodity select switch and not only carrying out the commodity but also rewriting the amount of money in the card with the subtraction result only except the case of the negative subtraction result. CONSTITUTION:When the signal transmitted from a transmission part M1 is received by a reception part C1 of a card C, a control part C2 of the card C functions to transmit money amount information recorded in a money amount data part C4 from a transmission part C3 to a vending machine M. At this time, the amount of money in the money amount data part C4 is temporarily rewritten with 0, e.g. by the control part C2. In the vending machine M, money amount information received from the card C by a reception part M2 is decided by a main control part M3 to check whether there are commodities which can be sold by the balance in the card C or not; and when there are commodities which can be sold, they are lit in a customer part M5. When a customer operates a switch provided in the customer part M5 in this state for the purpose of selecting the commodity to be purchased, the main control part M3 discharges this commodity from a selling part 6 to sell it.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic vending machine, and more particularly to an automatic vending machine in which a purchase operation is performed by a card having money amount information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional vending machine in which a product is purchased by using cash such as coins cannot be used by a person who purchases the product unless he or she always carries the coin. There is a problem that coins accumulate too much and the wallet and pocket swell.

On the other hand, there are various problems in terms of handling, such as the seller needing to be careful not to run out of change.

For this reason, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-249092 proposes an ID payment system using an IC card, and also proposes a vending machine for purchasing products by using a prepaid card, which is a sign of widespread use. I can see it.

[0005]

However, in these card vending machines, in order to process the amount data without fail, it is necessary to insert the card into the card reader installed in the vending machine and read it. In addition, there is a problem that the price may not be subtracted in the method of taking advantage of the convenience of the card, not inserting the card into the reader, and subtracting the product price when the product is completely discharged, The solution to these problems was a problem.

[0006]

As a concrete means for solving the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the present invention is a vending machine for selling products by a non-contact type card having money amount information, where the card is within a predetermined distance. When the product selection switch is operated, the amount of the selected product is subtracted from the price of the selected product when the product selection switch is operated. A vending machine sales control device characterized by rewriting the amount of money into the subtraction result,

In a vending machine that sells products by a non-contact type card having money amount information and a personal identification code, the personal identification code received from the card when the card approaches within a predetermined distance and the personal identification code input by a numeric keypad or the like. When the product selection switch is operated, the amount of the selected product is subtracted from the card amount when the product selection switch is operated, and the product is ejected only when the subtraction result is not negative. By providing a vending machine sales control device characterized by rewriting the card amount with the subtraction result, the above-mentioned problems of the prior art are solved.

[0008]

In the vending machine sales control device of the invention according to claim 1, when the card holding the amount information is approached within a predetermined distance by electric means or the like, the vending machine can sell based on the amount information of the card. The product is displayed with a lamp, etc., and when the product selection switch is operated by the purchaser, the amount of the selected product is subtracted from the amount of the card, and the product discharge and the card amount are subtracted only when the subtraction result is not negative. Rewrite with the subtraction result,

In the vending machine sales control device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the card holding the amount information and the personal identification code approaches within a predetermined distance by an electric means or the like, and the purchaser inputs it with a ten-key pad or the like. When the number that you entered and the PIN code received from the card match, the items that can be sold are displayed with a lamp based on the amount information on the card, and when the product selection switch is operated by the purchaser Is subtracted, the product is discharged only when the subtraction result is not negative, and the card amount is rewritten to the subtraction result.

[0010]

FIG. 1 shows an example of a system configuration of a vending machine M in which a non-contact type prepaid card C (hereinafter simply referred to as a card) that holds money amount information is used to purchase a product. The vending machine M has a transmitter M1 and a receiver M
2, a main control unit M3, a price data unit M4, a customer service unit M5 having a lamp for indicating a column that can be sold to a customer,
The vending machine M and the card C are composed of a sales section M6 and a sales data recording section M7. The card C is composed of a reception section C1, a control section C2, a transmission section C3, and an amount data section C4. It is configured to exchange money amount information and the like by light, sound, and the like.

The transmitting section M1 is provided on the front signboard section of the vending machine M, etc. When the signal transmitted from this is received by the receiving section C1 of the card C, the card C is controlled by the control section C.
2 functions and transmits the amount information recorded in the amount data section C4 from the transmission section C3 to the vending machine M. At this time, the amount of money in the amount data section C4 is once rewritten to 0 yen by the control section C2.

In the vending machine M, the main control unit M3 judges the amount information from the card C received by the receiving unit M2, and the card C
Check if there is a product that can be sold with the remaining amount of money, and if there is a product that can be sold, display a lamp, etc.
Light up. In this state, when the purchaser operates a switch installed in the customer service unit M5 to select the purchased product, the main control unit M3 discharges the product from the sales unit M6 and executes the sales.

When the discharge of the products is completed, the automatic vending machine M sends the remaining amount of money obtained by subtracting the selling amount from the card amount received by the main control unit M3 from the card C to the card C from the transmitting unit M1. At the receiving section C1, the receiving section C1 receives this, and the control section C2 writes the inputted new balance in the amount data section C4.

When the control unit C2 finishes writing the balance to the amount data unit C4, the card C transmits a signal notifying the end of the transaction from the transmission unit C3 to the vending machine M,
When the vending machine M receives this signal, the main control unit M3 turns off the sellable lamp lit in the customer service unit M5, records the price of the sold product in the sales data recording unit M7, and returns to the standby state.

When the amount of the card C is less than the price of the product to be sold, the product is caught by an outlet when the product is discharged and is not discharged, or when the purchaser does not purchase the product, the subtraction is performed. The added amount is added to the card C (returned to the original amount), and the vending machine M is returned to the standby state.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a specific example of a selling method of the automatic vending machine M having the above system configuration.

The vending machine M, which is in a standby state when the power is turned on, constantly searches for the approach of the card C having the amount information, and the card C approaches and the distance from the vending machine M is a predetermined distance ( For example, within 1 m), the signal transmitted by the transmission unit M1, for example, a radio wave is received by the reception unit C1 of the card C.
Is received by the controller C2 of the card C,
The amount information recorded in the amount data portion C4 is the transmission portion C3.
From the vending machine M to the vending machine. At this time, the amount of money in the amount data section C4 is once rewritten to 0 yen by the control section C2.

In the automatic vending machine M, when it is determined in step S1 that there is transmission data from the card C, the process proceeds to step S2. In this step S2, the main controller M3
Based on the amount information from the card C received by the receiving unit M2, it is checked whether or not there is a column that stores a product that can be sold with the balance of the card C. If there is a product that can be sold, in the next step S3 Among the lamps provided in the customer service section M5, the one corresponding to this column is turned on.

The main control unit M3 includes a timer. In step S4, this timer is set to, for example, 30 seconds, and during this 30 seconds, the purchaser operates a switch for selecting a purchased product installed in the customer service unit M5. It is determined whether or not it has been performed by repeating the processing from the next step S5 to step S7. Then, if not operated, the lamp indicating that the product is available for sale is turned off in step S8, and the vending machine M returns to the standby state. By the action of this timer, a passerby who is not willing to purchase the product passes the automatic vending machine M with a sufficient amount of the remaining card C, and the automatic vending machine M becomes ready for sale for a predetermined time. It can be automatically returned to the standby state later.

When the product selection switch is operated and the purchased product is specified within the predetermined time when the sale possible lamp is displayed, the process of step S9 is performed, and the main control unit M3 selects the selected product from the card balance. Subtract the price. Then, in step S10, it is determined whether or not the result of the subtraction is 0 yen or more, and if it is 0 yen or more, the process proceeds to step S11, the product is discharged from the sales unit M6, and the product is sold.

When it is detected in step S12 that the product has been completely discharged, the main control unit M3 of the vending machine M sends the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the sales amount from the card amount received from the card C in step S13. Transmit from M1 to card C. As a result, in the card C, the receiving unit C
1 receives this, and the control section C2 writes the input balance to the amount data section C4.

Further, when the control unit C2 finishes writing the balance to the amount data unit C4, the card C transmits a signal notifying the end of the transaction from the transmission unit C3 to the vending machine M. The control unit M3 records the price of the product sold in step S14 by the main control unit M3 in the sales data recording unit M7 and returns to the standby state.

When the vending machine M determines a sellable product based on the price information received from the card C, and if there is no sellable product, the vending lamp is not displayed and the vending machine is automatically sold. The machine M returns to the standby state. In addition, when a product for which the lamp indicating sale is not lit is selected by the switch and the subtraction result becomes negative, or when the product is not discharged due to being caught in the discharge port when discharging the product, purchase the product. If not, the deduction amount is added to the card C (return to the original amount), and the vending machine M
Returns to the standby state.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment,
The vending machine M includes a transmitter M1, a receiver M2, and a main controller M.
3, a price data section M4, a customer service section M5, a sales section M6, a sales data recording section M7, a control section M8 for checking a secret code and controlling communication, and a ten-key input section M9, which are used for this. The card C is a receiver C1, a controller C
2, a transmission section C3, an amount data section C4, and a personal information data section C5.

The card C receives the signal transmitted from the transmitter M1 provided on the signboard portion of the vending machine M or the like, and the receiver C1.
The control section C2 functions and the personal identification data section C5 receives the personal identification code and the amount data section C4.
The amount information recorded in (1) is transmitted from the transmission section C3 to the vending machine M.

Now, another operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the vending machine M determines in step P1 that there is data to be transmitted from the card C, the receiving unit M
2 temporarily stores the secret code of the card C received by the control unit M8, and simultaneously displays the received amount information on the display of the customer service unit M5.

When it is determined in the next step P2 that the purchaser has operated the ten-key input section M9 to input the personal identification code, the process proceeds to step P3. In this step P3, it is determined whether or not the input personal identification code matches the personal identification code received from the card C, and if they match, the process proceeds to step P4. In Step P4, the control unit M8 receives the maximum price amount of the sold product from the main control unit M3, and transmits the amount information to the card C from the transmission unit M1.

As a result, the card C receives the amount information at the receiving unit C1, and the control unit C2 functions to subtract the maximum price from the amount recorded in the amount data unit C4. If the subtraction, that is, the amount of money in the amount data section C4 is equal to or more than the maximum price, can be subtracted, a signal indicating the completion of the subtraction and the subtraction result are transmitted from the transmission section C3 of the card C to the vending machine M.

When the receiving section M2 receives the signal, the automatic vending machine M goes to the process of step P8, the control section M8 functions to give the sale permission to the main control section M3, and the main control section M3 tells the customer service section M5. Turn on the lamp that indicates that all the columns provided are available for sale. When the subtraction result is negative in the card C, a signal indicating that subtraction is not possible is output. In this case, when the vending machine M detects in step P5 that subtraction is impossible, the vending machine M proceeds to step P6, determines whether all the prices have been transmitted, and if not, proceeds to step P7 and proceeds to the next price. To card C.

If the card C cannot be subtracted even at this price, the card C again outputs a signal indicating that the subtraction is not possible, and the vending machine M
Further sends the next price to card C. Then, the processing of steps P5, P6, and P7 is repeated, and if the subtraction is impossible even if all the prices are transmitted, the process returns to the standby state.
When subtraction is possible at a price less than the maximum price, the customer service section M corresponding to the column that stores products below this price
Turn on the 5 available lamp.

Customer service department M5 with columns available for sale
When it is detected in step P9 that the purchaser operates the product selection switch installed in the
Then, the selected product is discharged from the sales department M6 and sales are executed.

When the discharge of the products is completed, the automatic vending machine M displays the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the selling amount from the card amount by the main control unit M3 for a predetermined time on the display unit of the customer service unit M5, and the card holder pays the remaining card amount. Let me know. Also, step P11
Then, the main control unit M3 outputs to the control unit M8 the amount subtracted by the card C, that is, the difference obtained by subtracting the sold product price from the maximum price or less, and this difference is transmitted.
The data is transmitted from 1 to the card C.

In the card C, the control unit C2 adds the difference received by the receiving unit C1 to the amount in the amount data unit C4, and transmits a signal notifying the end of the transaction from the transmitting unit C3 to the vending machine M.

In the vending machine M, the signal is the vending machine M.
In step P12, the main control unit M3 extinguishes the lamp for sale which is lit in the customer service unit M5, and records the amount of the sold product in the sales data of the vending machine M. It is recorded as sales in the section M7, and a series of operations is ended and the state returns to the standby state.

When it is detected in step P13 that the return switch is operated without the selection switch being operated while the sale-ready lamp is lit, the amount of money deducted by the card is transmitted to the card C, The vending machine M returns to the standby state. As a result, the card C returns the original amount by adding the transmitted amount to the currently stored amount. If the return switch is not operated, it is checked again whether the selection switch is turned on.

By the way, since the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, various modifications can be made in accordance with the spirit of the claims. Further, the non-contact type card C may be made to function with its own power source, or it is possible to use as a power source electromotive force induced by an AC magnetic field transmitted from the vending machine M.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, a troublesome operation such as inserting a coin, taking a change, or inserting a card into a card reader for reading is performed for the purchaser of the product. It is no longer necessary, and you can purchase products by exchanging the sales amount while wearing the card. On the other hand, there is an advantage that the seller does not have to worry about running out of change, and the vending machine is excellent in usability for both the purchaser and the seller. Furthermore, in a vending machine that uses a card that has a secret code, even if the card is near the vending machine, unless the specified code is entered using the numeric keypad, etc. It is possible to avoid selling the product to a third party, and the third party purchases the product from the vending machine that is ready to sell just by passing the card in front of the vending machine. , It is said that it is not possible to reduce the price of goods sold from a card that has moved away from the vending machine, and it is possible to avoid so-called selling, which is a remarkable effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram showing another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 C (contactless) card C1 receiving part C2 controlling part C3 sending part C4 amount data part C5 personal information data part M vending machine M1 sending part M2 receiving part M3 main control part M4 price data part M5 customer service part M6 selling part M7 sale Data recording unit M8 control unit M9 numeric keypad input unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A vending machine that sells products by a non-contact type card having price information, displays a sellable product according to the price information of the card when the card approaches within a predetermined distance, and operates a product selection switch. The vending machine sales control device characterized in that the amount of the selected product is subtracted from the card amount, and the product discharge and the card amount are rewritten with the subtraction result only when the subtraction result is not negative. 2. A vending machine that sells products by a contactless card having money amount information and a secret code,
When the card approaches within a predetermined distance and the PIN code received from the card matches the PIN code entered with the numeric keypad, etc., the products that can be sold are displayed according to the price information of the card, and the product selection switch is operated. A vending machine sales control device, wherein the amount of the selected product is subtracted from the card amount, and the product discharge and the card amount are rewritten with the subtraction result only when the subtraction result is not negative.