JPH11195164A - Controller for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain the rewriting of the control program or data of each terminal controlling part without spending any costs, and to prevent the mounting position of each terminal control part from being limited. SOLUTION: A controller is constituted of plural terminal controlling parts and a main control part 1 for overall controlling those terminal controlling parts. The main control part 1 is provided with a card connector 1f, and when a memory card in which the control program for update and display data of the terminal control part, for example, a display control part 2 are written is inserted into the card connector 1f, the data are read from the card connector 1f, and transferred to a display control part 2. At the time of receiving the control program for update and display data from the main control part 1, the display control part 2 stores the data in a flash memory ROM 2b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine control device capable of rewriting a control program for a terminal control unit such as a display control unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a vending machine control device divides each part of a vending machine into a plurality of blocks, and controls each terminal control unit while controlling each terminal control unit for each block. Department controls and controls.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control device of a vending machine. Each section of the vending machine is individually controlled by a terminal control section such as a display control section 2, a coin discrimination mechanism control section 3, a commodity payout mechanism control section 4, and an input control section 5. Then, the main controller 1 controls the respective terminal controllers through the serial communication line 6.

The main control unit 1 and each terminal control unit have a CPU
(Central processing unit), ROM (read only memory),
With random access memory (RAM)
The CPU is operated by a program written in the ROM to execute each control.

In such a vending machine, after installation, it may be necessary to change the control program of the terminal control unit in order to partially change the specifications. This point will be described using a display control unit, which is one of the terminal control units, as an example. The display control unit 2 is connected to the main control unit 1 through the serial communication line 6.
And a CPU in the display control unit 2 controls an amount display, a change-out display, and the like of the vending machine.

[0006] In recent years, a display device of a vending machine has been developed using a matrix LED or the like, which can display not only an amount display and a change-out display but also various messages including advertisements. In the display control unit 2 that controls the display of such a vending machine, the display method and the display contents may be changed after the vending machine is installed. Therefore, it is necessary to rewrite the CPU program of the display control unit 2. Occurs. In such a case, conventionally, ROMs in which new programs and display data are written are prepared for the number of target vending machines, and each installed vending machine is visited, and the old RO is used.
M had to be replaced with a new one.

However, in such a method, it is necessary to prepare ROMs for the number of programs to be updated.
In addition, in order to mount the ROM, the terminal pins of the ICs constituting the ROM may be bent unless a person who is familiar with the work to some extent increases the cost. Therefore, we previously proposed the following vending machine control device as Japanese Patent Application No. 8-358863.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the vending machine control device proposed above. The display control unit 2 uses an electrically rewritable flash ROM 2b as a ROM for storing and holding a program for operating the CPU 2a and display data. The display control unit 2 includes:
Furthermore, a card connector 2f for connecting a memory card is provided, and a new program or display data can be transferred to the flash ROM 2b by inserting a memory card into which an update program or display data has been written. ing.

An LED 2d and a card error LED 2e are provided during card processing, and an error is detected while the memory card is inserted into the card connector 2f to rewrite the contents of the flash ROM 2b or when the contents of the memory card inserted into the card connector 2f are changed. When they do, they are lit to let them know.

In this case, one memory card in which the update program and the display data are written is prepared, and the memory card is inserted into the card connector 2f of each installed vending machine sequentially. Without calling
It is possible to change the display method and display contents on the display 7.

[0011]

However, rewriting of programs and data requires not only the display control unit 2 but also other terminal control units such as the coin discrimination mechanism control unit 3 and the product dispensing mechanism control unit 4. As described above, each terminal control unit has a card connector and a card processing LE.
D. A card abnormal LED is required. This leads to an increase in cost and the necessity of providing each terminal control unit in a place where a memory card can be inserted and removed, which limits the mounting position of each terminal control unit and limits the design of a vending machine. There is.

The present invention solves such a problem, and can rewrite a control program and data of each terminal control unit at a low cost, and does not limit the mounting position of each terminal control unit. The purpose is to do so.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine control apparatus comprising: a plurality of terminal control units; and a main control unit which controls the terminal control units. A control device for a vending machine, wherein the main control unit has a card connector, and when a memory card in which the update data of the terminal control unit is written is inserted into the card connector, The data is read and transferred to the terminal control unit. When the terminal control unit receives the update data from the main control unit, the data is transmitted to the flash R.
OM is stored. Here, “update data” means both the update control program and the control data. With this configuration, the control program and data of each terminal control unit can be rewritten without increasing the cost, and the mounting position of each terminal control unit is not limited.

The control device for a vending machine described in claim 2 writes a slave number indicating a specific terminal control unit in the memory card, and the main control unit is written in the inserted memory card. A slave number is read, and update data is transferred to a terminal control unit corresponding to the slave number. This way,
In a control device in which a plurality of terminal control units are connected to a common communication line, the main control unit reads the slave number written in the memory card to determine to which terminal control unit the update data should be transferred. It can be easily determined.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine control device for writing version data of update data to the memory card, and the main control unit stores the version data written to the inserted memory card. When the version data is higher than the version of the data held by the terminal control unit, the update data is transferred to the terminal control unit. In this way, it is possible to prevent an old version of the data from being erroneously written.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control device for a vending machine, wherein a card processing indicator lamp indicating that the update data of the memory card is being transferred to the terminal control unit is provided in the main control unit. When the version data written to the memory card is not higher than the version of the data held by the terminal control unit, the card processing indicator lamp flashes. This allows the card inserter to recognize at a glance that the memory card is an old version of the card.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the vending machine control device writes a customer code in the memory card, and the main control unit reads a customer code written in the inserted memory card. When the code matches the customer code held in the terminal control unit, the update data is transferred to the terminal control unit. In this way, it is possible to prevent data for different customers from being erroneously written. For example, in the case where the data is for displaying a customer's advertisement in the display control unit, it is possible to prevent writing of advertisement display data for another customer's customer.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine control device, the main control unit is provided with a card processing indicator lamp indicating that the update data of the memory card is being transferred to the terminal control unit. When the codes do not match, the in-card processing indicator lamp flashes. This allows the card inserter to recognize at a glance that the memory card is a card for a different customer.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the control device for a vending machine, a write switch is provided in the main control unit, and the write switch is kept pressed for a predetermined time even if the customer codes do not match. In this case, the update data is transferred to the terminal control unit. In this way, even a memory card in which data for a specific customer has been written can be used for a vending machine of another customer if necessary.

Further, in the control device for a vending machine according to claim 8, when the main control section transfers the update data read from the memory card to the terminal control section, the main control section communicates with the terminal control section. The transmission is performed at a communication speed higher than the communication speed at which normal communication is performed. In this way, even if the data amount of the update data becomes large, it is possible to transmit the update data in a short time.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the card connector is provided in each terminal control unit. On the other hand, in the vending machine control device of the present invention, the card connector is not provided in each terminal control unit. Is provided. Rewriting of control programs and data of each terminal control unit is performed through the main control unit 1.

The flash ROM 1b of the main control unit 1 has:
A program for operating the CPU 1a and control data are stored and held. The main control unit 1 further includes a card connector 1f for connecting a memory card, and by inserting a memory card in which a control program for updating each terminal control unit and data are written therein,
A control program and data for updating can be transferred to the flash ROM of each terminal control unit.

Further, a card processing LED 1d and a card abnormal LED 1e are provided, and a memory card is inserted into a card connector 1f, and a flash R of one of the terminal control units is inserted.
While rewriting the contents of the OM or the card connector 1f
When there is an abnormality in the contents of the memory card inserted into the memory card, they are illuminated to notify them.

In the control device of such a vending machine, for example, when rewriting a control program or display data stored in the flash ROM 2b of the display control unit 2, the card connector 1f of the main control unit 1 Insert the memory card on which the control program and display data are written. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a password, a customer code, a slave number, a version, a data section, and updated data are written in the memory card.

The password and the customer code are for confirming that the memory card is appropriate as a data rewriting guard of the vending machine.
The slave number indicates which terminal control unit among the display control unit 2, the coin identification mechanism control unit 3, and the like. The version indicates the newness of the update data, and the data classification is
This is to classify whether the update data is the control program or the display data, and whether to update all data or only a part of the flash ROM. Writing of these data to the memory card is performed using a personal computer or the like.

When such a memory card is inserted into the card connector 1f, the main control unit 1 checks the password and the customer code written therein, and confirms that the memory card is appropriate for the vending machine. Is determined. At this time, if the password and the customer code do not match, the data is not updated, and the LED 1d is flashed during the card processing to notify the card operator of the fact.

On the other hand, as a result of checking the password and the customer code, if the card is correct, the terminal control unit to be updated is checked based on the slave number, the version is checked, and the update data of the memory card is Check if it is newer. If the version is an old version, the data is not updated, and the LED 1d is flashed during the card processing to notify the card operator of the fact.

Further, based on the data division, it is confirmed whether the update data is the control program or the display data, and whether all the data in the flash ROM is updated or only a part thereof is updated.

As a result of the confirmation, the display control unit 2
When the control program of the flash ROM 2b is rewritten, the data division and the update data written on the card are sequentially read, and the serial communication line 6 is read.
Is transferred to the display control unit 2 through. At this time, since the amount of data to be transferred increases, the normal communication speed (for example, 48
00 bps) (for example, 19200 b
ps).

The CPU 2a of the display control unit 2 receives the data, and, based on the data section specified in the received data, transfers a part or all of the control program or display data written in the flash ROM 2b to the new control. Replace with program or display data.

In this way, the card connector only needs to be provided in the main control unit 1 and need not be provided in each terminal control unit, so that the cost can be reduced accordingly. Also,
In the terminal control unit, the memory card is not inserted, and in some cases, the terminal control unit can be provided even in a deep area that is out of reach, so that the degree of freedom in design is improved.

In the above embodiment, if the customer code of the memory card does not match the one of the vending machine, the update data is not transferred to the terminal control unit. When a write switch (not shown) provided in the main control unit 1 is kept pressed for a predetermined time (several seconds), the update data may be transferred to the terminal control unit. By doing so,
Even a memory card with data for a specific customer,
It can be used for vending machines of other customers as needed.

[0033]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. The control device for a vending machine according to claim 1 can rewrite a control program and data of a terminal control unit only by inserting a memory card into a card connector provided in a main control unit of each vending machine. It is possible to update the control program and data of the control unit without increasing costs. In addition, in the terminal control unit, it is not necessary to secure a space for inserting a memory card, so that the mounting position of each terminal control unit can be selected in a wider range, and the degree of freedom in design is improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a control device for a vending machine writes a slave number indicating a specific terminal control unit in a memory card, and can determine a transfer destination terminal control unit based on the slave number. Therefore, in a control device in which a plurality of terminal control units are connected to a common communication line, the update data should be transferred to any terminal control unit by reading the slave number written in the memory card by the main control unit. It can be easily determined.

The control device for a vending machine described in claim 3 writes the version data of the update data to the memory card, and checks whether the data written to the memory card is new or old by using the version data. Since the update data is transferred to the terminal control unit above,
It is possible to prevent an old version of data from being erroneously written.

Further, in the vending machine control device according to the present invention, when the version data written in the inserted memory card is not higher than the data version held by the terminal control unit, Since the in-process indicator lamp is made to blink, the card inserter can recognize at a glance that the memory card is an old version of the card.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine control device which writes a customer code in a memory card and uses the customer code in the data written in the memory card and the terminal control unit. Is checked before transferring the update data to the terminal control unit, thereby preventing erroneous writing of data for different customers.

In the control device for a vending machine according to the present invention, when the customer code does not match, the display lamp is flashing during the card processing, so that the memory card differs for the card inserter. It can be recognized at a glance that the card is for a customer.

Further, the control device for the vending machine described in claim 7 transfers the update data to the terminal control unit when the write switch is kept pressed for a predetermined time even if the customer codes do not match. Thus, even a memory card in which data for a specific customer is written can be used for a vending machine of another customer if necessary.

Further, in the control device for a vending machine according to the present invention, when the main control section transfers the update data read from the memory card to the terminal control section, the main control section normally communicates with the terminal control section. Since the transmission is performed at a communication speed higher than the communication speed at which the communication is performed, it is possible to transmit the update data in a short time even if the data amount of the update data becomes large.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of a memory card.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control device of the vending machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a vending machine control device proposed earlier.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Main control unit 2: Display control unit 6: Serial communication line

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A vending machine control device comprising: a plurality of terminal control units; and a main control unit for integrally controlling the terminal control units, wherein the main control unit has a card connector. When a memory card in which the update data of the terminal control section is written is inserted into the card connector, the memory card is read from the memory card and transferred to the terminal control section. The terminal control section updates the update data from the main control section. A vending machine control device, which stores the information in a flash ROM when receiving the voucher. 2. A slave number indicating a specific terminal control unit is written in the memory card, and the main control unit reads a slave number written in the inserted memory card, and performs a terminal control corresponding to the slave number. 2. The vending machine control device according to claim 1, wherein update data is transferred to the unit. 3. The version data of the update data is written in the memory card, the main control unit reads the version data written in the inserted memory card, and the version data is held by the terminal control unit. 2. The update data is transferred to the terminal control unit when the data version is higher than the version of the data.
Or the control device of the vending machine according to 2. 4. A card processing indicator lamp indicating that the update data of the memory card is being transferred to the terminal control unit is provided in the main control unit, and the version data written in the inserted memory card is controlled by the terminal control unit. 4. The vending machine control device according to claim 3, wherein when the data is not higher than the version of the data held by the section, the card processing display lamp flashes. 5. A customer code is written in the memory card, the main control unit reads the customer code written in the inserted memory card, and the customer code and the customer code held in the terminal control unit are read. 5. The vending machine control device according to claim 1, wherein the update data is transferred to the terminal control unit when the values match. 6. A card processing display lamp indicating that the update data of the memory card is being transferred to the terminal control unit is provided in the main control unit, and when the customer code does not match, the card processing display is displayed. 6. The vending machine control device according to claim 5, wherein the lamp blinks. 7. A write switch is provided in the main control unit, and when the write switch is kept pressed for a predetermined time even if the customer codes do not match, update data is transferred to the terminal control unit. 7. The control device for a vending machine according to claim 5, wherein: 8. When the main control unit transfers update data read from the memory card to a terminal control unit,
The transmission is performed at a communication speed higher than a communication speed for performing normal communication with the terminal control unit.
The control device for a vending machine according to 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.