JPH0798779A - Inventory control device for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an erroneous counting due to the mechanical vibrations or the like by neglecting the detection of the sensors of a columns other than the columns where the sales is performed at the time of selling merchandise. CONSTITUTION:A means 4A for correcting the error in counting the number of inventories is provided in a main control part 4 as a means for taking partial charge of the part 4. When the main control part 4 discriminates the presence of sales, the part 4 substracts one from the number of inventories in the column. When the detection of a sensor 2 for detecting insertion comes within a specific time after the sales, whether or not it is the detection concerning the column subjected to sales is checked and it is neglected if not, and if so, the number of inventories of the column concerned is added by one even when the detected number of articles is more than two. Further, whether or not the detection of sensor exists last time at the time of selling articles in the same column is checked, and if not, it is judged as missed counting last time and the number of inventories the rack is added by one as the correction of the last time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine (also abbreviated as a vending machine) in which a rack for storing products is provided with a sensor for detecting the introduction of products, the number of stocks, the number of full products and the number of replenishable products by column. The present invention relates to an inventory management device for managing (the required number of supplies) and the like. In the drawings below, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a main part as an embodiment of the present invention. Next, the conventional technique will be described with reference to this figure. However, conventionally, the means 4A in the main control unit 4
4B, supply end detection timer 7, product type detection switch 8, and product No. in the keyboard 5. Setting mode key 5
1 is not provided.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a so-called serpentine type product storage rack for storing canned products, and in this example, five racks are arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the vending machine. 1A
Is attached to the upper part of the front of each rack 1. 1-NO. Product input ports provided for each of the four columns, 2 is each of these input ports 1
It is a closing detection sensor provided at a position that is normally out of reach at the back of A. It should be noted that the light emitting side and the light receiving side of the loading detection sensor 2 sandwich the passage of the loading can product in the interior of each loading port 1A, and the loading and unloading side sensor of the emitting and receiving side sensors is rolled while the loading can product rolling and falling in this passage is dropped. They are provided so as to face each other so as to block light between them. Reference numeral 4 is a main control unit including a microcomputer for controlling the vending machine, 5 is a keyboard belonging to the main control unit 4, and 5A is a display unit incorporated in the keyboard 5. Reference numeral 3 denotes an interface provided separately for each of the product storage racks 1, and each has an NO. 1-NO. The closing detection signal of No. 4 is converted into a signal which can be processed by the main control unit 4 and given to the main control unit 4.

Further, 6 is a sold-out switch provided for each column at the bottom of each product storage rack 1, and detects the sold-out of the product in the column and notifies the main control section. The conventional vending machine is configured as described above so that the number of products in stock for each column is stored in the internal memory, and the stock number of this product in the column is added and updated each time the injection detection sensor 2 detects the product. It is known to have an inventory management device that subtracts and updates the number of products in stock in each column for each sale, and displays the number of stocks on the display 5A according to an instruction from the operator of the keyboard 5.

Further, the full accommodation number for each column is also set and stored in the internal memory, and the required supply number of products for the column is calculated from the difference between the full accommodation number and the product inventory number of the column, and the operator's There is also known a vending machine that displays the required number of supplies on the display 5A according to an instruction.

[0006]

However, the conventional inventory management device has the following problems. When a product is sold, the number of stocks in the column becomes -1 due to the sale, but if there is a product on the insertion port 1A side from the position of the detection sensor 2, this product passes in front of the sensor 2 as the product is unloaded. However, the number of inventory must be kept as it is because +1 sensor is detected. However, depending on the behavior when the product passes in front of the sensor, the sensor may detect two or more sensors.

On the other hand, contrary to the above, there is a case where the product jumps over the front of the sensor depending on the product behavior and no detection is made. At the time of product sales, the number of inventories of columns that were not sold must be unchanged, but the detection sensor of the column detects that the product has been launched due to vibration of the rack's free segment due to vibration during sales. There were times when it happened.

In addition, when a product is loaded, a product near the sensor may vibrate in front of the sensor due to the impact of collision with the product that is loaded next, which may cause detection. In this way, the inventory quantity has changed due to various factors such as the rack structure such as the passage width of the product rack and the product diameter not being exactly the same, and product behavior. Further, in order to correct such an error, a method in which the operator designates a column via the keyboard 5 and inputs the corrected inventory quantity and the like is also used. However, in this case, it is necessary to record in advance the full number of each column and the number of types of merchandise so that the operator can understand, which is bothersome and an input error occurs because the number is directly input manually. There was a problem that it was easy to do.

Therefore, in the inventions according to claims 1 to 7, it is possible to eliminate the deviation of the inventory quantity due to the erroneous detection of the sensor, etc., and to count the correct inventory quantity. Finally, the key operation is manually performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an inventory management device for a vending machine in which key operation is easy and an input error is unlikely to occur even when the inventory quantity is corrected. In addition, as described above, the stock quantity is changed, and the number of required supplies of goods is also affected. Therefore, the invention according to claims 8 and 9 solves this problem, and provides an inventory management device for a vending machine, which can accurately calculate the required supply quantity separately from the sales quantity of products without using the stock quantity. Is an issue.

Even if the number of replenishment required is calculated from the number of products sold as described above, the number of replenishment required may be erroneous due to the malfunction of the sensor as described above. Therefore, it is an object of the inventions according to claims 10 and 11 to solve this problem and provide an inventory management device for a vending machine capable of correcting an erroneous count of the number of replenishment required.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, at least means for detecting product introduction by column (insertion detection sensor 2 and the like) and means for detecting product removal by column (main control unit). 4), a means for storing the number of products in stock for each column (such as the main control unit 4), and the number of products in charge in the stored value of the number of stocks in the column for each detection of the product injection detection means. Is added to update the stored value,
Automatic sales including means (main control unit 4, etc.) for updating the stored value by subtracting the number of the delivered goods from the stored value of the inventory quantity of the column for each detection of the article carry-out detection means. In the machine, the inventory management device according to claim 1 ignores the product input other than the column detected by the product input detection unit after a predetermined time elapses after the product output detection unit detects the product output. It is assumed that the means (such as the inventory count error correction means 4A) is provided.

Further, the inventory management apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is arranged such that the number of detections of product insertion of the column detected by the product insertion detection unit is detected before the predetermined time elapses after the product unloading detection unit detects the product unloading. It is assumed that a means for limiting the number to 1 (stock quantity counting error correcting means 4A etc.) is provided. In the inventory management device according to claim 3, the product unloading detection unit detects the product unloading and a predetermined time has elapsed, and then the product loading detection unit detects the product loading. In the case where the means detects the product unloading more than once, the product loading detection means detects the product loading before the predetermined time elapses after the detection of the product unloading, and the same at the time of the previous product unloading detection. When the product input is not detected, it is considered that the previous product input was detected and failed, and the number of product input that is not detected is added to the stored value of the inventory quantity of the column and is corrected. The number counting error correction means 4A and the like) are provided.

According to another aspect of the inventory management device of the present invention, the stored value of the inventory quantity for each column is stored in the column.
Or means for limiting to a predetermined upper limit value that differs depending on the shapes of a plurality of types of products (stock quantity counting error correction means 4A, etc.)
Shall be provided. Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the inventory management device according to claim 5 has at least means for detecting product insertion by column (insertion detection sensor 2, etc.),
Means to detect the discharge of products by column (main control unit 4 etc.)
A means for storing the number of products in stock for each column (such as the main control unit 4), and adding the number of the products in charge to the stored value of the number of stocks in the column for each detection of the product input detection means. Means for updating the stored value, and for updating the stored value by subtracting the number of the carried-out commodities from the stored value of the inventory quantity of the column for each detection of the commodity carrying-out detection means (main control unit 4 Etc.) and means for detecting sold-out of products by column (sold-out switch 6 etc.), means for detecting end of product supply by column (supply-end detection timer 7 etc.) And a means for setting and storing the number of stored items (Q (i), etc., hereinafter referred to as a set full number of stored items) at the time of full loading for each column type, and the product sold-out detection means detects sold-out After that, the product replenishment end detection means of the column concerned ends the product replenishment. Before the detection, the cumulative value of product injection into the column detected by the product injection detecting means is compared with the set full storage number, and the set full storage number closest to the cumulative value is the inventory number of the column. Means for setting the initial value of (inventory number counting error correction means 4A, etc.).

The inventory management device of claim 6 is the same as that of claim 5.
In the inventory management device described in 1 above, an initial value correction mode command input means (commodity No. setting mode key 51, etc.) for operating and inputting a command to set the mode for correcting the initial value.
A column number input means (such as a numeric key on the keyboard 5) for operating and inputting a column number, a product number input means (such as a numeric key on the keyboard 5) for operating and inputting a number indicating the type of product, and the initial value Based on the operation inputs of the correction mode command input means, the column number input means, and the product number input means, the initial value of the stock quantity of the column designated by the column number input means is set to the product number input means for this column. Means for correcting the set full storage number of the product type specified in (inventory quantity calculation error correction means 4A
Etc.) and.

Further, the inventory management apparatus according to claim 7 includes at least a means for detecting the introduction of products for each column (insertion detection sensor 2, etc.), a means for detecting the delivery of products for each column (main control unit 4, etc.). Means for storing the inventory quantity of products by column (such as the main control unit 4), and adding the quantity of the relevant goods to the stored value of the inventory quantity of the relevant column for each detection of the goods introduction detecting means, A means for updating the stored value and updating the stored value by subtracting the number of the carried-out commodities from the stored value of the inventory quantity of the column for each detection of the commodity carrying-out detection means (main control unit 4 etc.) And a means for detecting the sold-out of products by column (sold-out switch 6, etc.), a means for detecting the end of product supply by column (supply-end detection timer 7, etc.), At the time of full filling by the number of product types for each column A means for setting and storing the number of stored articles (hereinafter referred to as a set full storage number such as Q (i)), a means for discriminating the type of product for each column (such as a product type detection switch 8), and the product sold-out detection means After the product has been sold out and the product replenishment end detection means of the column detects the end of the product replenishment, the cumulative value of product introduction to the column detected by the product introduction detection means and the product type determination means When the cumulative value is larger than the set full storage number, the set full storage number is set to the initial value of the stock number of the column. And a means (such as inventory count error correction means 4A).

Further, the inventory management apparatus according to the present invention comprises at least means for detecting the introduction of products by column (insertion detection sensor 2 and the like) and means for detecting delivery of products by column (main control unit 4 and the like). In the equipped vending machine, the number of products that can be stored in the section from the product insertion port to the position where the product insertion detection unit detects the insertion product is set and stored for each column And a cumulative value of the product unloading for the column detected by the product unloading detection unit without the detection of the product input detection unit after the product input detection unit continuously detects the product input. Means for determining the sum of the number of sensors in front of the sensor as the required supply quantity of the column (stock number non-intervention / required supply quantity calculation means 4B, etc.), and product carry-out detection means of the product input detection means. And that a main replenishing number subtraction means for subtracting the main supply number one by one the column for each product on detection, not accompanied by the detection.

The inventory management device of claim 9 is the same as that of claim 8.
In the inventory management device described in (1), when the required supply amount after the subtraction based on the required supply amount subtracting means reaches the number before the sensor of the column, means for clearing the required supply number to 0 (stock number non-intervention / It is assumed that the number-of-replenishment calculation means 4B) is provided. Further, the inventory management device according to claim 10 includes at least a means for detecting product insertion for each column (insertion detection sensor 2 or the like) and a means for storing the number of products required to be supplied for each column (main control unit 4 or the like). In the vending machine equipped with
A means for setting and storing for each column the number of products that can be stored in the section from the product insertion port to the position where the product insertion detection means detects the input product (hereinafter referred to as the number of sensors in front of the sensor); If there is a detection of the product introduction detection means of the column and the required supply number of the column immediately before the sale is equal to or more than the sensor front number, the required supply number immediately after the sale is equal to the sensor front number. It is assumed that a means for correcting (stock quantity non-intervention / replenishment required quantity calculation means 4B, etc.) is provided.

Further, the inventory management apparatus according to claim 11 is a means for detecting at least product injection for each column (input detection sensor 2 and the like), and a means for storing the number of required supply of products for each column (main control unit 4, etc.). ) And a vending machine with
A means for setting and storing for each column the number of products that can be stored in the section from the product insertion port to the position where the product insertion detection means detects the input product (hereinafter referred to as the number of sensors in front of the sensor); If there is no detection of the product introduction detection means of the column and the required supply number of the column immediately before the sale is less than the sensor front number, the required supply number immediately after the sale is 1 in the sensor front number. It is assumed that a means for correcting to the number obtained by adding (the stock quantity non-intervention / replenishment required quantity calculating means 4B, etc.) is provided.

[0019]

[Action]

(1) Concerning the inventions according to claims 1 to 7, the counting error of the inventory number due to the erroneous detection of the product input detection sensor is corrected as follows. When the product is sold, the detection of the sensor input other than the column where the product is sold is ignored.

Immediately after the product is sold, the number of detections of product insertion of the sensor is regarded as 1 even if it is 2 or more (limited to 1). If the product launch is detected immediately after the second or more sales after the product is replenished and the product launch is not detected immediately after the previous sale, the inventory is considered to have failed to detect the previous product launch. Correct that by adding that amount to the number.

An upper limit value of the stock quantity determined by the shape of the stored product is set for each column. Comparing the number of accommodations counted when the products have been replenished from the sold-out state with the preset number of accommodations that is preset and stored according to the type of the product (the preset number of full storages),
The set full storage number that is closest to the counted storage number is substituted as the initial value of the inventory number of the column.

In the automatic setting of the initial value of the stock quantity, when the initial value is erroneously set for some reason, the correction mode is set by the key operation, and the column No. And the product number of that column. Only by inputting, it is possible to correct the initial value of the stock quantity so that the set full storage quantity of the product type of the column is reached. When the stock quantity is set as described above, if the wrong count of the number of articles stored by the end of the product supply is large, the stock quantity is set incorrectly. Therefore, a switch is installed for each column to detect the type of product, and if an incorrect count is detected that causes the counted number of stored items to be excessive, the set full storage number specified by this switch is used as the inventory number for that column. The initial value of.

(2) Concerning the inventions according to claims 8 and 9, in order to prevent the counting error of the inventory quantity from intervening in the calculation of the required supply quantity, the required supply quantity is obtained as follows. After the products are replenished, the total number of sales of the column in the sale (product unloading) performed without the detection of the product insertion detection sensor 2 and the section from the product insertion port 1A of the column to the sensor 2 are stored. The sum of the number of products obtained and set in advance (called the number of sensors in front of the sensor) is set as the required supply number.

At the time of replenishment of goods, when the subtracted required supply number reaches the number before the sensor, the required supply number is cleared to zero. Even if the number of products to be replenished before the sensor 2 varies in this way, it is considered that the products have been replenished for the time being, and the replenishment worker (the number of replenishment required despite the replenishment of the products) Is 0
Remove distrust. (3) Regarding the inventions relating to claims 10 and 11, even if the number of replenishment required is calculated as in the above (2), the wrong count of the product introduction detection sensor 2 intervenes in the number of replenishment required. Correct as follows.

When the product insertion detection sensor 2 of the column concerned is detected at the time of sale of the product, and the required supply number of the column immediately before the sale is equal to or more than the number of sensors in front of the sensor, this sale is regarded as a counting error. Immediately after that, correct the number of required supply to be equal to the number in front of the sensor. At the time of selling a product, if there is no detection of the product introduction detection sensor 2 of the column and the number of required supply of the column just before the sale is less than the number of sensors in front of the sensor, it is determined that there is a counting error, and it is necessary to detect the error immediately after the sale. Replenishment number (number in front of sensor)
Correct to +1.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, an embodiment of the invention relating to claims 1 to 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present invention, a stock quantity counting error correction means 4A, which is the main subject of the present invention, is provided in the main control section 4 of FIG. 1 as a means for sharing the function. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the main control unit 4 (of the inventory quantity counting error correction means 4A) in FIG. 1, and S1 to S14 show the steps. Referring to FIG. 2, first, the processing is divided between the time of sale and the time of standby. When the main control unit 4 determines that the sale has been performed (S1, branch Y), first, the sales amount is subtracted from the inventory quantity of the column (S2). When the sensor 2 detects the sensor within a certain period of time after the sale, for example, 5 seconds (S3, branch N → S)
5, branch Y), it is checked whether or not it is a sold column detection (S6), if it is not a sales column it is ignored (S6 branch N → S3), if it is a sales column (S6 branch Y), Even when the number of detections is two or more, the inventory quantity of the column is incremented by 1 (S7).

Further, last time, it is checked whether or not the sensor was not detected when the same column was sold (S8), and if there is no detection (branch Y), it is judged that the previous count was missed and the correction for the previous time is made. Then, +1 is added to the stock number of the rack (S10). By the way, when it is determined in the steps S3 and S5 that the sensor 2 is not detected even after 5 seconds from the sale (S3, branch Y), the next sale is prepared.
The "column No." and "no sensor detection" are stored (S4).

Next, during standby (S1, branch N),
If there is a sensor detection (S9, branch Y), the number corresponding to the number is stored in the column NO. It is added to the stock number for each (S11). At this time, this column No. If there is a memory without detection at the time of pre-sale, this is cleared (S12). This is because the state of the previous sale differs from the state of the previous sale due to the introduction of the product, which makes the memory useless.

In addition, the column No. The number of the standard number of sensors is stored in each memory, and each time the stock quantity is added, it is checked whether the stock quantity exceeds this quantity (S13). (Branch Y), and the inventory quantity is corrected to this upper limit value (S1
4). For example, the upper limit value of each rack in FIG. There are 30 racks, NO. 2 racks 26, NO. 22 3 racks, NO. It stores in memory such as 19 for 4 racks, and corrects it so that the number of stock does not exceed this number.

Further, for example, in the case of a rack that can accommodate two types of products having different shapes, the two types of numerical values are stored in memory as the upper limit value of the number of products in stock, for example, 22 and 30, and While the number of products is between 22 and 26, this rack has an upper limit of 22 products, but it is considered that the inventory has been miscounted, and the inventory is corrected to 22. If the inventory count result is 27 or more, it is considered that the rack has a maximum inventory value of 30 and the inventory count upper limit is 30.
Book it.

Next, an embodiment of the invention according to claim 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. In the present invention, in FIG. 1, the timer 7 for detecting the end of the replenishment of the goods is the main controller
Is attached to. FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the main controller 4 of FIG. 1 (of the stock quantity counting error correction means 4A) according to the present invention, and the symbols S21 to S27-n indicate the steps. Referring to FIG. 3, when the main control unit 4 first detects product insertion through the insertion detection sensor 2 (S21,
The branch Y) and the sold-out switch 6 are used to determine whether or not the column into which the product is put is a sold-out column (S22). If the column is a sold-out column (branch Y), the number of products input is accumulated until it is determined in step S25 that the product supply has been completed (S2).
3 to S25).

It should be noted that the determination of the end of the product replenishment is made such that, after the product replenishment is detected, there is no next product replenishment by the time when the replenishment end detection timer 7 finishes counting the predetermined time, and the column in which the product has been so far fed This is performed by detecting that the product has been put into another column, that the operation such as selling has been performed differently from the product, that the product input detection sensor 2 has been turned ON, and the like.

When the product supply end is determined in this way (S25, branch Y), the cumulative number of products inserted up to this determination is set and stored in the storage unit in the main control unit 4 in advance for the column. Of the number of full storage by type of product (referred to as set full storage number) Q (i) (S26
-1, ..., S26- (n-1)). However, i (= 1 to 1
n) is a number according to the type of product such as 200 ml bottle, 250 ml can, 350 ml can, and 0 <Q (1) <Q (2) <... <Q (n). Then, the set full storage number Q (i), which is the absolute value closest to the cumulative product input number, is substituted as the stock number at that point in time (that is, the initial value of the stock number) (S27-).
1, ..., S27-n).

Next, an embodiment of the invention according to claim 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4. In the present invention, FIG.
At the product N as a mode setting key in the keyboard 5
O. A setting mode key 51 is provided. In the embodiment of the invention according to claim 5 described above, if the automatic setting of the initial value of the stock quantity is erroneous for some reason, it is necessary to correct this initial value by the key operation. However, this mode key 51 is a vending machine. This is a key for switching the operation mode of to the correction mode of this initial value.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the main control unit 4 (of the stock quantity counting error correcting means 4A) of FIG. 1 according to the present invention, and the symbols S50 to S59 indicate the steps. Referring to FIG. 4, the main controller 4 first detects the keyboard 5
Determines the type of key that has been keyed in (S50, S5
1), the key is the product number. When it is recognized that it is the setting mode key 51 (S52, branch Y), the product number.
Enter the setting mode of. If the next key-in is a numeric key (S53 to S55, branch Y), the input data of that key is the column number. Column N
O. Is set and stored (S56).

Next, if the key-in key is a numeric key (S57 → S58, branch Y), the input data of the key is the product number. (I.e., the number i indicating the type of product), the product NO. Is set and stored, and the initial value of the stock quantity of this column is set to the product number entered by this key.
Setting full storage number Q described in FIG. 3 for (= i)
The correction setting is made so as to be (i) (S59).

Next, an embodiment of the invention according to claim 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5. In the present invention, a switch 8 for detecting the type of product for each column is attached to the main control unit 4 in FIG. Note that such a switch 8 can be realized by interlocking with a segment as a mechanical component that sets the passage width of the rack of the column according to the type of product. The operator can confirm the type (specifically, the number) of the product detected by the switch 8 with the keyboard 5 or the like.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the main controller 4 of FIG. 1 (of the inventory quantity error correcting means 4A) according to the present invention. This FIG. 5 shows step S26-1 of FIG.
~ S26- (n-1) is the only step S26A
-1 to S26A- (n-1) and S26B-1 to S26
It is replaced with Bn. That is, in the case of FIG. 3, if the counting error included in the cumulative product input number is too large, the stock number (the initial value thereof) is erroneously set. Therefore, in the present invention, in order to solve this problem, when the end of the product supply is determined in FIG. 5 (S25, branch Y), the type of the product (number i) put into the column via the product type detection switch 8 in FIG.
(= 1 to n)) is detected (S26A-1, ..., S26
A- (n-1)), if the cumulative product input number of the column is equal to or more than the set full storage number Q (i) determined by the product type (number i) (S26B-1, ..., S26B-n). , It is considered that there was an erroneous count, and the stock quantity (that is, the initial value of the stock quantity) at that point in the column is set.
(I) (S27-1, ..., S27-n).

Next, based on FIG. 1 and FIG.
An embodiment of the invention related to 9 will be described. Note that, in the present invention, the inventory quantity non-intervention / replenishment required quantity calculation means 4B, which is the main subject of the present invention as means for sharing the function in the main control unit 4 of FIG.
Is provided. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the main control unit 4 of FIG. 1 (of the inventory quantity non-intervention / replenishment required quantity calculation means 4B), and the symbols S31 to S39-2 indicate the steps. Referring to FIG. 6, when the product is sold (S31, branch Y), the main control unit 4 determines whether or not there is a detection of the insertion detection sensor 2 of the column in which the product is sold (S31).
32) If it is detected (branch Y), it is determined that there is a product in front of the sensor 2 and the number of replenishment required is incremented by 1 (S33). If the sensor 2 is not detected (S32, branch N), there is no product in front of the sensor 2, so it is the first time that the number of sensors in front of the sensor that has been set and stored is not detected for the first time when the product is sold. The sum of the total number of sales after the point of time is set as the required supply number (S34 to S37).

By calculating the required supply number in this way, the required supply number from the product insertion port 1A can be accurately calculated even if the number of products inserted and stored in front of the sensor 2 varies. it can. On the other hand, when the sensor 2 is detected at a time other than the time of sale (S31, branch N → S38, branch Y),
Since the product is being replenished, the number of replenishment required is decremented by 1 (S3
9). Here, when the number of required supply becomes equal to the number before the sensor (S39-1, branch Y), the required number of supply is cleared to 0 (S39-2).

Next, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG.
An embodiment of the invention relating to No. 11 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the main control unit 4 of FIG. 1 according to the present invention, and the symbols S41 to S47 indicate the steps. Figure 7
Explaining the above, when the product is sold, the main control unit 4 first checks whether or not the door of the vending machine is closed (S41), and if the door is closed (branch Y), whether or not the sensor 2 has detected it. It is checked (S42). If the sensor 2 detects it (branch Y), it is assumed that the product is stored at least up to the position of the sensor, and the stock number is set to the number of stored products up to the previously stored sensor position (S43B). .

As for the required supply number, the required supply number before selling the product is compared with the previously stored sensor front number (S
44B), if the number of replenishment required is smaller than the number in front of the sensor (branch: supplement <hand), the number of replenishment required is considered to be normal, and the number of replenishment required is increased by 1 to obtain a new number of replenishment required. (S4
6) On the other hand, if the number of replenishment required is greater than or equal to the number in front of the sensor (branch: supplement ≧ hand), it is supposed that the sensor detection should not occur, so that the number of replenishment required includes an erroneous count.
The number of replenishment required is corrected to be equal to the maximum possible number of sensors in front of the sensor (S47).

On the other hand, when the sensor 2 is not detected in step S42 (branch N), the inventory quantity is first decremented by 1 (S43A). Regarding the number of replenishment required, the number of replenishment required before selling the product is compared with the previously stored number of sensors in front (S44A), and if the number of replenishment required is equal to or more than the number of sensors in front (branch: supplement ≧ hand), The supply number is considered to be normal, and the supply required number is increased by one (S46). On the other hand, if the supply required number is less than the number before the sensor (branch: supplement <hand), there should be sensor detection. Therefore, assuming that the number of replenishment required includes an erroneous count, the number of replenishment required is corrected to (possibly minimum number of sensors) +1 (S45).

The door closing detection in step S41 can be performed using, for example, the door SW provided on the vending machine door (not shown), but step S41 may be omitted as long as the product sale is detected in advance. it can. Further, in the present invention, the function of the stock quantity non-intervention / replenishment required quantity calculation means 4B of FIG. 1 corresponds to the function excluding steps S43A and S43B of FIG.

[0045]

According to the inventions according to claims 1 to 4, when the product is sold, the sensor detection of the columns other than the column on which the product is sold is ignored. Can be prevented. Even if there are two or more sensors detected in the next column sold, it is corrected as one sale, so it is possible to prevent erroneous counting due to subtle product behavior in the column immediately after sale. it can.

Further, in the case where the sensor was not detected at the time of the previous sale, and the sensor was detected at the time of this sale,
Since it was determined that the counting was missed at the time of the previous sale, and it was corrected this time, it is possible to correct the miscount due to the behavior of the product immediately after the sale. At this time, if there was a product input (supplement) between the previous sale and the current sale, it was decided not to correct this counting error and to correct the product, so the product was placed in a place less than the sensor position in the rack and it was full. The case (that is, the case of supplying goods) can be excluded.

Column NO. Since the upper limit of the stock quantity is set for each product, it is possible to correct an erroneous count or the like when the product in front of the sensor vibrates due to a factor other than the above, for example, a shock of the inserted product. Claim 5
According to the invention related to, the stock quantity at that point in time (that is, the stock quantity initial value) is determined by the preset and stored set full storage quantity that is the closest to the storage quantity when the product is put in from the sold-out state. Since this is done, it is possible to correct the erroneous count related to the detection of the product insertion by the preset full storage number determined by the theoretical value (or experimental value). In addition, since this correction is made every time the product is stored in the sold-out state, it is possible to prevent the erroneous count from being accumulated. Further, according to the invention of claim 6, even when the initial value of the stock quantity is erroneously set for some reason in the invention of claim 5, the product No. By operating the setting mode key 51, the operation mode of the vending machine can be changed to the product number. In addition to the setting mode, the NO. And the product number of that column. Simply enter the key to enter the column stock initial value for the product NO. Since the correction is made to the set full storage number determined by, the correction becomes easy and the handling of the vending machine is greatly improved.

According to the invention of claim 7, a switch is provided for detecting the type of product to be inserted for each column, and the cumulative number of products counted from the sold-out state until it is determined that the supply of the product is completed is When it is equal to or larger than the set full storage number determined by the detected product type, the inventory number of the column is set as the set full storage number, so that the erroneous count included in the cumulative product input number can be corrected.

According to the inventions of claims 8 and 9,
Since the number of items needed to be supplied is calculated based on the number of products sold,
Accurate calculation can be performed without being affected by an error in the inventory count. In this case, the sum of the number of sensors in front of the sensor and the cumulative number of sales after the sensor is not detected is set as the required supply number, so even when the product is not fully replenished up to the product insertion port, It is possible to accurately calculate the number of required supply from the product insertion port.

When the product is replenished up to the sensor,
It detects that there is a product up to the sensor position, and the number of replenishment required is 0
Since it is set to clear, it is possible to solve the problem that the required supply number does not become 0 and remains even if the battery is almost fully charged. According to the tenth and eleventh aspects of the present invention, the number of replenishment required is corrected so as to correct an error that may occur due to an incorrect count of the sensor. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 1 based on the inventions according to claims 1 to 4.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 1 based on the invention of claim 5.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 1 based on the invention of claim 6;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 1 based on the invention of claim 7.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 1 based on the inventions according to claims 8 and 9.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 1 based on the inventions according to claims 10 and 11.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Product storage rack 1A Product input port 2 Input detection sensor 3 Interface 4 Main control section 4A Inventory number counting error correction means 4B Inventory number non-intervention / replenishment required number calculation means 5 Keyboard 5A Display 6 Sold-out switch 7 Supply end detection Timer 8 Product type detection switch Q (i) Set full storage number 51 Product NO. Setting mode key

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hisanao Mori 1-1, Tanabe Nitta, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. At least a means for detecting product introduction for each column, a means for detecting product discharge for each column, a means for storing the inventory quantity of products for each column, and each time the detection of the product introduction detection means is performed. The stored value of the column is added to the stored value of the inventory quantity of the column to update the stored value. In a vending machine provided with means for subtracting the number of products and updating the stored value, after the product carry-out detection means detects the product carry-out, before the predetermined time elapses, the product input detection means An inventory management device for a vending machine, which is provided with a means for ignoring detected product inputs other than the column concerned. 2. A means for detecting at least product introduction for each column, a means for detecting product discharge for each column, a means for storing the inventory quantity of the product for each column, and each detection by the product introduction detection means. The stored value of the column is added to the stored value of the inventory quantity of the column to update the stored value. In a vending machine provided with means for subtracting the number of products and updating the stored value, after the product carry-out detection means detects the product carry-out, before the predetermined time elapses, the product input detection means An inventory management device for a vending machine, comprising means for limiting the number of detected product introductions of the column to 1. 3. At least a means for detecting product introduction for each column, a means for detecting product discharge for each column, a means for storing the inventory quantity of products for each column, and each detection by the product introduction detection means. The stored value of the column is added to the stored value of the inventory quantity of the column to update the stored value. In an automatic vending machine having means for subtracting the number of products and updating the stored value, the product unloading detection unit detects product unloading and a predetermined time has passed, and then the product loading detection unit After detecting the loading, the product unloading detection means for the column is 2
In the case where the product unloading is detected more than once, the product loading detection means detects the product loading before the predetermined time elapses after the product unloading is detected, and the similar product loading is performed at the previous product unloading detection. If not detected, it is considered that the previous product input was missed and it is equipped with a means for adding and correcting the missed product input number to the stored value of the inventory quantity of the column. The inventory management device of the characteristic vending machine. 4. A means for detecting at least a product input for each column, a means for detecting a product discharge for each column, a means for storing the inventory quantity of a product for each column, and each detection by the product input detection means. The stored value of the column is added to the stored value of the inventory quantity of the column to update the stored value. In a vending machine provided with means for subtracting the number of products and updating the stored value, the stored value of the inventory quantity for each column is changed according to the shape of one or more kinds of products accommodated in the column. An inventory management device for a vending machine, characterized in that it comprises means for limiting different upper limit values. 5. A means for detecting at least product introduction for each column, a means for detecting product discharge for each column, a means for storing the inventory quantity of products for each column, and a detection for each of the product introduction detection means. The stored value of the column is added to the stored value of the inventory quantity of the column to update the stored value. In an automatic vending machine having means for subtracting the number of products and updating the stored value, and means for detecting sold-out of products by column, means for detecting the end of supply of products by column, A means for setting and storing the number of stored items at the time of full filling (hereinafter referred to as the set full number of stored items) for each column for each type of product, and for detecting the end of product replenishment for the column after the product sold-out detection means detects the sold-out Means detects end of supply By the time of the comparison, the cumulative value of the commercial products put into the column detected by the commercial product input detecting means is compared with the set full storage number, and the set full storage number closest to the cumulative value is set to the initial stock number of the column. An inventory management device for a vending machine, which is provided with means for setting a value. 6. The inventory management device according to claim 5,
Further, an initial value correction mode command input means for operating and inputting a command to enter the mode for correcting the initial value, a column number input means for operating and inputting a column number, and a product number input for operating and inputting a number indicating the type of product Means, and the initial value correction mode command input means, column number input means, product number input means, based on the operation input, the initial value of the inventory quantity of the column designated by the column number input means, for this column 2. An inventory management device for a vending machine, comprising: means for correcting the set full storage number of the type of product designated by the product number inputting means. 7. A means for detecting at least a product input by column, a means for detecting a product discharge by a column, a means for storing a stock quantity of a product for each column, and each detection by the product input detecting means. The stored value of the column is added to the stored value of the inventory quantity of the column to update the stored value. In an automatic vending machine having means for subtracting the number of products and updating the stored value, and means for detecting sold-out of products by column, means for detecting the end of supply of products by column, A means for setting and storing the number of stored items at the time of full filling (hereinafter referred to as a set full number of stored items) for each type of product for each column, a means for determining the type of product for each column, and the product sold-out detection means Products of the column after detecting the disconnection By the end of replenishment detection means until the end of replenishment of goods is detected, the cumulative value of the product introduction to the column detected by the product introduction detection means and the type of product of the column determined by the product type determination means And comparing the corresponding set full storage number, and when the cumulative value is larger than the set full storage number, a means for setting the set full storage number as an initial value of the inventory quantity of the column. Inventory management device for vending machines. 8. An automatic vending machine comprising at least a means for detecting product introduction by column and a means for detecting product discharge by column, wherein the product introduction detecting means detects an introduced product from a product inlet. Means for setting and storing the number of products (hereinafter referred to as the number in front of the sensor) that can be stored in the section up to the position to be stored for each column, and after the product loading detection means continuously detects the product loading, A means for setting the sum of the cumulative value of product unloading for the column detected by the product unloading detection means without the detection of the product loading detection means and the number of sensors in front of the sensor as the number of replenishment required for the column, and the product loading And a supply-requiring-number subtracting unit that subtracts the supply-requiring-number required for the column one by one for each detection of product introduction that is not accompanied by the detection of the product unloading detecting unit of the detecting unit. Inventory management system for an automatic vending machine. 9. The inventory management device according to claim 8, wherein when the required supply amount after the subtraction by the required supply amount subtracting means reaches the sensor front number of the column, the required supply number is cleared to 0. An inventory management device for a vending machine, characterized by comprising: 10. An automatic vending machine comprising at least means for detecting product introduction for each column and means for storing the number of required supply of products for each column. A means for setting and storing the number of products that can be stored in the section up to the position where the products are detected (hereinafter referred to as the number of sensors in front of the sensor) for each column, and for detecting the product insertion detection means of the column at the time of selling the product. If the number of replenishment required in the column immediately before the sale is equal to or more than the number of sensors in front of the sensor, a means for correcting the number of replenishment required immediately after the sale to be equal to the number in front of the sensor is provided. Inventory management device for vending machines. 11. An automatic vending machine equipped with at least means for detecting product introduction for each column and means for storing the number of required supply of products for each column. A means for setting and storing the number of products that can be stored in the section up to the position where the products are detected (hereinafter referred to as the number of sensors in front of the sensor) for each column, and for detecting the product insertion detection means of the column at the time of selling the product. If there is not, and the number of replenishment required in the column immediately before the sale is less than the number in front of the sensor, there is provided means for correcting the number of replenishment required immediately after the sale to the number in front of the sensor plus one. Inventory management device for vending machines, which is characterized in that